A review of 2008

This is an official "MERRY CHRISTMAS" from us. This year has been good for us. Olivia has had a lot of new experiences and has been learning all new things this year. I feel so blessed to stay home and be able to see it all. That is one of my greatest joys.
(Don't you love Olivia's serious, "I'm-not-going-to-smile" face?)

Hyrum has gotten a lot more done with school. He finished his associates at UVU and started with BYU in Summer. He has another year for his bachelors degree. He continues to work full time at a medical clinic close to home.

The biggest news of the year for us has been that Hyrum is now a citizen. That has been posted on the blog already, so I won't go into that. We went on one vacation this year and that was early this year- in April- because that was the only break in school that Hyrum had. We are home for Christmas while it seems that everyone else has gone. But it really is good to be home.

We had been going to a Married Student Ward all our married years up until our move in May and decided to go to the Family Ward here. The switch has been really weird but it's good to see how much we are needed and can help. I'm the Primary secretary in our ward and Hyrum's the Asst. Ward Clerk. These are some of our new things this year. It's been good. The things that help the most in our lives are: our testimonies in the Savior, our family, friends and associates who help us through our days. Thanks so much for touching our lives for good. AND MERRY CHRISTMAS! Love, US

'Tis the Season

I had Thanksgiving with my mom and sister, Aleen, this year.

The group was small but the food wasn't!

Livvy was putting olives on her fingers only fast enough to eat them off.

We got out Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving and fun decorating our place. Our tree is just the right size and away from little hands.
Last Sunday we decided to decorate our Gingerbread House. Livvy just wanted to eat all the candy and frosting.
We didn't make it perfect at all but just had fun. We tried it and it even tastes good. If you could, you would see a couple bites out of the roof.

I love this time of year. We purposefully drive slowly down streets and watch for houses with a lot of Christmas lights. She loves the lights. We went to the festival of lights for Family Night last Monday and I thought Livvy would be going crazy for the lights but I think she was overwhelmed at how many there were. She'll probably enjoy those things more next year.

Photo Tag

I was tagged by my cousin, Maile, and so now I have to post the 4th picture in my photo file. I hope I understood that right. Do you like this one? This was taken on Mother's Day this year. I know it was only 6 months ago but Olivia looks so different. It's fun to look back at older photos since babies change so fast. I didn't even have my blog going at this point so maybe I should post old photos to show her 1st year. It's my turn to tag, so now I'm tagging Ingrid, Stef, Alissa and Amy Richardson. Love ya.

Halloween

Halloween is definately more fun with a kid. We celebrated Halloween a few different days so I got to dress Livvy up a few times. She was a butterfly for Hyrum's work party. Thurs. night I went with a friend and her son, to a carnival-type thing, then Friday I just put her in her pink kitty outfit. She wasn't feeling good so we didn't go trick-or-treating. Plus, the candy would've just gone to ME anyways!

I thought I would be a flower, since I was holding the butterfly anyways. I'm sure you've already figured out Hyrum's costume. He had a movie theme at work so he thought he's go back to the clasics.

5th Anniversary

Last Friday Hyrum and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary. We didn't go away to someplace exotic and alone-although that would've been nice- but it was a good day. While at work, Hyrum had flowers sent to me. And let me say, I wasn't looking too done-up for the day yet. It was like paradise for the peasant. They were beautiful and purple.

Olivia and I went out later and got a few balloons for daddy and went to his work and put him in his car so that when he got off work he would find them and it would make him smile. The problem with that was that giving them away did not make Olivia smile. She, of course, thought they were hers. Poor Livvy.

He got off work and we gave each other gifts. I thought that we would do it later but we couldn't wait. (Hyrum couldn't wait :] ) He gave me a new hair straightener and curling iron. I had mentioned a few times that mine weren't so effective. And he got US Disney's Sleeping Beauty. I think that Livvy will enjoy that one a lot. I gave him a couple CD's- the new Cold Play and Gavin Rossdale. Oh and some Jelly Belly's-his new favorite candy. He always does so much for me.

He was trying to hurry me along with getting ready to go out to dinner. I didn't know then that we had reservations. He took me to "Chef's Table". For those of you outside of Utah County, that is a REALLY nice restaurant in Provo. And we ordered appetizers, main dish and dessert (to go). But it was so worth it, to be able to try the yummy food. We even got seated by a large window in our own corner and felt like we had the place to ourselves. The reflection of the lights were twinkling on the windows, for a nice effect. We thought that we would go out somewhere else but once we were done with dinner and had our dessert in hand, neither of us wanted to go anywhere else. Home was a good place to be. We relieved my mom from baby-sitting and put Livvy to bed. Then we just relaxed at home with dessert. It was a nice day. I'm happy for the 5 years we've had and for the many more ahead.

Early Vote

I cast my vote today. I've never felt so nervous walking up to the ballot booth before. I wasn't nervous because of anything for myself, I felt nervous for the nation. What I'm trying to say is that I don't have faith in the American people. Many will be swayed by cunning men. It's prophecy.
I was listening to a vocal poll taken on people that had just voted and they were asked why they voted for Obama and they stated ideals of McCain. People don't even know what they are going to get after they get put into office. We need to know what we are getting into. I know that not everyone researches the people and seeks to know their beliefs and goals. I'm actually pretty confident in my friends. Most of them. And you know who you are.
On the whole, I'm afraid for what can happen to this country. We've already had our leaders accept the bailout and give "Welfare for the Rich", as Wanda Sykes said. I believe in allowing consequences to fall on those who did the act. Is that so crazy?
I didn't vote straight on a party but on who I believed in. That's all we can do. People can decieve but you can also do your best to feel it out. If someone seems "shady" they probably are. Well, those are my thoughts on the matter.
It was really cool to see my Citizen husband cast his vote for the first time in his life. He took it very seriously and I was excited for him. May our citizens-new or old-be as conciencous as my husband.

Mostly

This is without cute pictures. I am making this more of an entry on thoughts... I am in a weird place right now. I want to be content with where I am in life but I'm not entirely there. I love my daughter and love being home with her but I get hopeful that I make more of it- like be more fun with her and still be able to accomplish regular tasks (laundry, cleaning, cooking, running errands all over the place). I feel bad sometimes that I "jip" her of the best of what I can offer and just be a fun and playful mom but I don't want everything around me to fall apart either.

I also want to advance in some projects and reading. I don't know how people do it all but I certainly am not. Things are pretty good for the most part- Hyrum has a reliable job, a full load of classes so he can get done quicker, I get to stay home and be my baby's caretaker and a homemaker- what more could I need?
I guess I feel guilty for wanting more sometimes.

Our 13-month old girl

So, since I know people mostly check this to see the cute little one, I better put an update about her. She turned 13 months on the 17th (my bday) and she is getting around pretty well. She doesn't walk on her own yet but keeps holding on the the walls, couches and chairs. Soon she will let go and not realize she's doing it alone.

She is eating on her own mosly. I have to still kindof scoop up her food with a spoon and hand it to her but she's getting pretty good. She is very Done with me feeding her her food!

Preparing food or doing dishes while she is around is a joke! She clings to my legs and I can't move. I have to do those things while she's snacking in her high chair or napping. Oh, speaking of napping. She is still taking her morning nap (10:30 or 11:00) and it's a good 2-hour nap. But she thinks she doesn't need one in the afternoon anymore. I try to put her down and she just plays in her crib so I pull her out and let her play. But then she's way tired by nightime and goes to bed real early. That's how it is these days mostly. Did I cover it all? Sleeping, eating, moving? Oh...playing. She's getting bored with the toys she used to play with. Now they need to make noise or move. Her new favorite toy is the cool cubed music center that her Aunt Ruth gave her for her birthday. It has nursery rhyme songs and she makes motions to them and dances. It's so cute! She also loves books. She loves the pictures of dogs, kittens, and babies. She even "Grrrr's" and "moo's at the pictures.

The Newest Citizen

I can't believe it and neither can Hyrum. He is now officially a citizen of the United States of America! To recap the whole story... Hyrum was sent here, to Utah, to serve a mission for the church. He loved it so much here that he came back after being in Mexico for only 6 months. He came back with a "student visa" and used that until he married me and then we went through the process of applying for his "permanent resident visa". The application was EXTENSIVE and EXPENSIVE. But from what I hear, it's more expensive now for those starting this process. But anyway, we got the application in 6 months after we were married, in April 2004. We heard back from them in the Fall that year to have an interview. That was so scary. We were drilled about our relationship and they wanted so much documentation. We really weren't prepared enough for that and had to send more doc's in later. Once all that was in to the immigration office, they sent a "greencard". But it actually wasn't green so I don't know the reason for that name. The greencard gave him access to work, leave and come back whenever until we had to remove his "conditional status". We had to do that after 2 years of having the "greencard".

So, last year, October 2007, we sent in another application to remove the conditional status of his permanent residency. I know the wording is funny on that. But again-they wanted more. I think that time they made a mistake because when we went into the interview AGAIN, the worker said he didn't want any of it. That interview was easier. I think the longer you are married to someone and the farther you go in the applications, interviews, etc, the more they start to believe that you are in the relationship because you really love the person.

After that interview they dropped the conditional status and we just had to wait another year so we could apply for his Naturalization (aka Citizenship). That part went really fast. We sent the application in and heard back from immigration really quickly that they wanted to see him for his last interview. We went to the interview June 10, 2008 and they pretty much told him he was a Citizen and just needed to take the Oath. The worker said that she could see that we loved each other and that it was valid. That was a very happy day.

But nothing tops the emotions of September 24Th. Hyrum got a letter at the beginning of September that he needed to be present to the court for the Oath Ceremony. Wednesday came and Hyrum was so nervous that he couldn't eat much. He looked like a new missionary going into the field. (I remember those feelings well). But there was nothing to worry about. If they were going to kick his out they would've done it a while ago.

The ceremony was held at the Capital Theater in Salt Lake. We were told to be there 1.5 hours before it started so we sat around waiting. Hyrum told me later that he fought back tears in that time. I did too, but I lost. I sat with Hyrum's parents and we could see him take the Oath when that time came. It was pretty fast and cool. They congratulated the newest group of American Citizens. They also told them that they were the last group sworn in this year that will have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming election. Hyrum filled out his voter registration paper when we got home that night.

I am so proud of Hyrum and all he's done. He will make an outstanding Citizen. He already involves himself in political issues and seeks for the right in things. Congratulations sweetie!

Olivia's 1st Birthday Party

Livvy's birthday party was fun for all of us. We got to celebrate her in our lives by inviting friends and family to our place on the 16th and eating and enjoying the time together. We had dinner, a butterfly pinata, tres leches cake and butterfly-decorated cupcakes. It turned out to be cute and Olivia had such a fun day. Now she's ONE!

One Year Older

So, today's my birthday and I have no expectations. Hyrum has to work today but tonight we'll go out. I am looking forward to that. It's so different when you have kids. You're birthday is all of the sudden insignificant.

I am a month late, but I wanted to post the pictures from Livvy's 1st Birthday party. So, today's my b-day, but I'll show you hers...

Learning of Hurricane Ike's Damage

My mom went to Houston the day before the Hurricane struck. "Why?" You ask? My twin niece and nephew were planning on being baptized last Saturday. It was postponed, sadly, but my mom decided to go down there anyway to be with the family. I took her to the airport and it made me nervous to let her go. Everyone was trying to get out and she was trying to get it in!

I didn't hear from her for 2 days and not knowing anything can make things worse. You play it out in your head what they went through and that they aren't okay. I didn't think they were dead but I worried that they were maybe hurt or the house was damaged, etc. So, it was good to hear that they are all okay. Their house is fine, too. They didn't even get the flooding but they still don't have any power and don't know when they will. They can't keep their food fresh since the refridgerator can't be on. There are a lot of inconveniences that you don't think of if you don't have to go through it. They are using candles and flashlights around the house and I have no idea how they are preparing food to eat. Granola bars could get pretty old.

They baptized the twins this morning, Monday and I haven't heard yet how that went but I'm sure it's extraordinary, considering they only could rely on the natural light coming into the building. But it beats getting baptized in the flooded ditches! I'm sure that Lydia and Isaac are really excited that all their grandparents could be there for their big day. I love my sister and her family and I am grateful to know they are okay.

As for me... my birthday is this week and it's weird now. Last year Livvy was born and very new and just like that, I am more focused on her and it's hard to think of myself and my birthday. It's also no long fun to think of the age I am. It used to be cool with the milestones. Age 12- young womens, 14-something, I'm sure, 16- Driving and Dating, 18- Adult, 19-still cool, 21-drink and gamble, even if you don't- you CAN! And after that, I didn't care that I was getting older. BUT I do now. I still love my birthday but not the counting part. Is that okay? Do we have to do that?

First One

I have thought of doing this for so long and thought it would take too much time and later would be better- but I really want to post old and current pictures and stay connected. Children grow too fast and I wanted those of my family and friends that never "see" us to get a "peek" of how life is going.
Be patient with the construction of my blog. It can't all be done in one day. But here's the start...