A couple things I really love....

Candy canes, new socks, a good joke, good friends, nieces and nephews,

nut rolls,

cinnamon bears,

avocados,

my vacuum,

a good thunderstorm.....

But most of all, my hubby.

So far behind.....

I just looked through my camera and realized I am so far behind with the major events I want to blog about.....dating back to September and the LotoJa with Erik and Kelli. It totally doesn't seem like it but we really do, do cool stuff.

One of these days, I'll catch up.

In the meantime I am so excited for these last five weeks to be done and over with.

Only 4 days to go.

Landed in Seattle this morning to spend a weekend with my cute hubby.

Super excited.

The end.

Sugar and spice and everything nice.....

Tonight I was able to have a little girls night with my friend from work. Amber and her cute family just welcomed an amazing little girl into their family. First we went to Macaroni Grill (super yummy) and then I was able to go with her to the NICU at St. Lukes and see her little Maddie in person. I was so nervous to go. Amber and I have been talking about me going up for a visit with her for a week or so, but I wasn't sure how I would react, and definitely didn't want Amber to think I was a basket case if I totally started bawling or something. Little Maddie is absolutely amazing and beautiful. She was born two weeks ago at 3lbs 7 oz (her due date wasn't until May). I was super nervous when Amber told me I could hold her. However, all the anxiety went away when I sat down with her in the chair. She is so tiny and light....the word I kept thinking and saying was, "precious". It is so amazing to hold a little spirit who is fresh out of Heaven.

Thanks Amber!

I am my own story-topper...duck to coyote

So yesterday it was a duck......but apparently 11:30 is the best time to got to Winco. First of all no one else is there and second of all you get to follow coyotes through the parking lot. I was pulling out tonight and saw a coyote running right past me. And being the super nerd I am I hurried and flipped around to get a picture on my phone. I quickly took one and decided to turn on my brights and get closer. Well of course as soon as I got close enough to get a pretty sweet picture I couldn't get my phone back to the right mode, oh well.

After I couldn't follow it any more my first thougtht was to call my dad, then I remembered how late it was, so I just called Austin instead. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood were spending time with my mom learning to bake in the kitchen, and spending time with my dad hiking around the mountains. I can still remember the first coyote I remember ever seeing. We were up on top of powder mountain and dad stopping us in our tracks. There was a coyote about 50 yards in front of us. Dad started making some kissing noises and we all just stared at it for what seemed like forever (probably only a matter of seconds, but to a little girl.....) and then it turned and ran away.

The coyote is the white speck to the left of the tree.

It's so fun to live in an area where you have to stop at the crosswalks for a couple of ducks while they cross the street.

I love my husband.

Rain, rain go away......

Seriously, it has not stopped raining and I don't mean sprinkling, complete downpour......so overcast and gloomy, what a downer day.

One of the kiddos at school asked why it was, "dark in the day

time".

It has not stopped.

VISITORS

So week one finished.

Our weekend went by way to fast, and Austin will be flying out again tomorrow morning at 6:30. But this week he wont be coming home until Saturday night.

Luckily I got a phone call this weekend and my fabulous little sister Whit is going to bring her kiddos up to hang out with me for the week.

Sisters totally rock.

Alma 26:27

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us and said.......bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success."