Our New Tradition

Monday nights have become a tradition for FHE now that Jaycee is actually understanding.  I actually look forward to it.  We sit around the table, open our book and pick a lesson.  This past week we talked about prayers.  Before this lesson Jaycee has been saying the prayers fast and and same thing like a race.  We wanted to teach her respect and what to say.
 First we start with a song which usually ends up being "Lead me Guide me"  I love hearing Jaycee sing along and often get a little emotional when she sings the words "I am a child of God and he has sent me here.  Has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear"
We talked about who we are talking to when we say a prayer.  Then we taught her the 4 things to say in a prayer.  Opening, thankful for, blessings, close.
Needless to say, she took to this lesson.  She's much more reverent when she says her prayers.  And I absolutely love her little voice go soft and clear as she thinks of everything she's thankful including EVERY member in our family including Izzy and Milly and even the dog we were puppy sitting Chloe.  Also we've had chances where we've lost some things that I showed her to say a prayer for help.   The other day she had lost something and innocently she says "Mom, I'll say a prayer"  I was frustrated with whatever it was and she quietly bowed her head and said a prayer.  I don't remember what it was or if we found it but I do remember my attitude changed and the feeling of peace as she said that prayer.
So grateful for Monday nights and being close to my family.  

Questions....

It's come to that point & age...Jaycee to mom

On our way to scouts  J: "Mom, what are those in the sky" 
Me: "Those are clouds"
J: "Where do they come from?"
Me: "Heavenly Father put them there"
J: "Why?"
Me: "To look beautiful in the sky"
J: "Oh"

J: "Mom, where do bees live?"
Me: "They live in a beehive."
J: "Oh.  Why?"
Me: "Jaycee, you ask a lot of questions.  They live there so they can make honey for us to eat."
J: "Oh for our peanut butter?"
Me: "Yup"

While jogging and out of breath and I'm trying to concentrate
J: "Mom?"   Repeated about 10 times while I don't answer because I'm out of breath
Me: "What Jaycee?"
J: "Are you tired?"
Me: "Yes!"
J: "Dad, mom's tired"

I could go on and on.  This happens all.day.long!  It's taught me a few things while she's in this asking phase.
1-be patient because she is curious and observing the world around her
2-makes me more observant to the world around me and to appreciate the innocence of little children

What we've been up to lately...

Playing at the mall on a Friday night

PAPARAZZI!  I've been so busy with Paparazzi with 5 parties all this month.  Jaycee loves to come with me and she loves to wear it all even more.  I've been doing it for a little over a month and have already gotten $1000 in jewelry sales!  Incredible!  And it's just the beginning.

 Campfire in the backyard with our AWESOME neighbors the Pullings.  Our firewood sucked but that's okay.  The smores were delish.

 Labor Day fishing!  We told Jaycee we would take her and we were all excited until we went to get our day-pass license!  Because we still had Utah DL even though we were a WA resident we had to pay out of state fee.  I didn't want to but felt bad getting Jaycee all excited to go....$40 later!  Thank you Paparazzi!

 Jaycee got a new bed from our neighbors who were moving.  She loves it!

 Lunch at Popeyes....MMMMmmmm..  Mostly just to make Dathan jealous

 Hadi's top 2 teeth FINALLY came through.  She's much happier...So am I.  She turned 9 months on the 12th so she's eating pretty much anything that she can chew at least.  Her new favorite...sweet potato fries and Ritz crackers.

 The past few days Jaycee has been begging me to cut her hair.  I was so sad!  I love the side ponytail but she wanted to be like mommy.  We spent about 30 minutes upstairs cutting and syling.  Not too bad for not being professional.  And I must say that I do love it.

Hadi falling asleep pretty much where ever she can get comfy

 Jaycee loving her pup.  Milly is such a good dog!  Good choice on a family dog.  She's practically a cat as far as doing her own thing and not getting into things and in the way, but loves to come cuddle like a dog.  We just love her so much and never regretted getting her---well minus the 2 am potty trips.

 Puppy sitting for a family in our ward while they went to DisneyLand.  Meet Chloe.

We are happy and loving our new home and everything Washington/Oregon has to offer us.  We have quickly found friends from our neighborhood and a lot from the ward.  We feel so at home and truly know we were guided here. 

Comfort

In my family to ease comfort we have:

Jaycee needs to have her white blanket and suck her two fingers on her left hand.  When the blanket isn't near and she's having a moment, it's her thumb! 

Hadi, at almost 9 months, has also become a blanket baby.  How does this happen to me?  To soothe Hadi or for sleeping she needs anything soft even a hanging towel on the door-Aimee & Dawn saw this-but preferably a blanket.  Once she sees the blanket come in close contact, in goes the thumb.  Right hand.

Milly, yes even the puppy, loves the blakets and pillows.

Well, let's just say for 27 years...YEARS!....I have had a blanket.  It's quite embarrassing and I hide it as a secret.  Craig jokes that he's gonna throw it away and makes fun when I can't find it at bed time.  Jaycee thinks it's pretty cool that even mommy has a blankie.

Well....I did it....it got put in the garbage can last night and the garbage can is on the corner to be picked up in oh probably 9 hours.  Now I could run out there, scrimage through gross stuff and throw it in the wash and try again another year; But I'm gonna do it.  I'm going to be blankie free.  I feel like I'm losing part of my identity.  Good bye blankie.  Thanks for all the comfort you've given!