David and I finally got ourselves out the door and on a (mini) vacation.

It was everything I needed it to be.

We left for Washington D.C. last week looking forward to seeing some sights and catching up (slash meeting) lots of family.

I could get really sappy and long winded about my Grandparents, and how much they mean to me despite only seeing them maybe once a year for most of my life. I'm going to try really hard not to go on and on about how much I love them. How blessed I know I am to be their granddaughter, and to be a part of their family. So I'll have to move on quickly before I get stuck here raving about the wonderful people they are.


I expected the trip to be great. David had a lot of people to meet and I was bringing my pride and joy of a peanut to show off, so I knew it would be fun. I expected to feel loved and welcome like you only can when you're with family. I expected good card games and silly yard games with cousins. I expected pestering Uncles and so sweet Aunts.

But this trip (even though it was a mini one) was more than that for me.

Maybe it is because I had pushed real life out of my mind. So on my mental break from reality and responsibility I could really SEE some things.

I learned a lot. Maybe I was just reminded of a lot.

1. Every baby should think they are the center of the universe. Babies can do no wrong. My family reveres babies. Can you imagine if every baby got that kind of love.

2. So many of us- no matter how different we are- want the same things. To be safe and happy with our families. It's that simple.

3. You can ALWAYS be learning.

4. People need people. The human soul is not meant to be alone. We need different things from each other. But every one needs some kind of companionship.

5. Family really makes the best friends.

I love my family. A lot.

Even if I can't see them every day (year).

I'm sure we'll try and sneak back again sometime soon.

Did you know....

The Cummer Museum is free on Tuesday evenings?

I have a new vision for my backyard.

Happy Birthday to Me

White cabinets make me happy.

It's just one of my things.

Mother

The holiest words my tongue can frame,
The noblest thoughts my soul can claim,
Unworthy are to praise the name
More precious than all other.
An infant, when her love first came,
A man, I find it still the same,
Reverently I breathe her name,
The blessed name of mother.

-George Griffith Fether, “The Name of Mother,”

House Guests

I really do enjoy having guests in our home. I like company. But this guys. Our latest guest is no longer welcome. First of all, he sows up unannounced. Rude. I got over it, because after all his home is SO close to ours. And then there is the space issue. He just doesn't get it. Always trying to get closer and closer to places he should go. And he can't take a hint (note the two shoes and water in the picture below).

And then there is the quiet way he moves. So every time you see him it's a surprise. Not a pleasant surprise. It makes things like watering a terrifying experience.

I'm all for house guests, but this guy.

He is not welcome.

Do you see what I see?

It's right there...... do you see it?

We had to go outside and get a closer look, do you see it now?

How adorable is that?!

I'm seriously surrounded by baby cuteness!

I'm not even a reptile person, but come one. This little turtle is a-dorable! Hopefully he'll visit our porch again.

A leap of faith

Isn't that what it is when we get married. I mean really. You can't really know what someone will be like as your husband until they are. You can't really know what someone will be like as a father until they are. So you take a leap of faith.

I put quite a bit of faith in David. Especially when it came to the kind of father he would be. I'd only seen him in action with children a few times. But that was really just a glimpse of him with kids, nothing else. Being a father to your his own kiddos would be totally different. And so, a leap of faith I took.

And I'm so glad I did. We are two lucky girls.

State Ravines

1. I love to be outside.

2. I love finding new (free!) places to explore.

Most Saturdays wile I was growing up, my family could be found somewhere in the Florida sunshine. We were always enjoying the great recreation Florida has to offer. My mom instilled in each of her children a love and appreciation of nature and all of Heavenly Fathers creations . So naturally while my family was visiting we ventured to out to the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area in Middleburg. I've seen the sign a million times driving south down Blanding, and finally decided to go check it outIt was a beautiful day, and we hiked and ate out packed lunch. Beautiful scenery, perfect weather, and a great new place to play.

To Us

A Date

An Engagement

A Wedding

A Graduation

A House

A Family

Thanks for for great years darling! They sure have been full.

Happy Anniversary to us.

Thank you

This past weekend was our Stake conference. We were blessed enough to have Elder Oaks and Brother Ingram of the Seventy preside at the meetings. I spent last week excited to hear their words and council for our Stake. I mean how often do you get an Apostle in Stake Conference?

Saturday night was the adult session. I hadn't ever even thought about the fact that it was for adults until the day of, when I began having some reservations about taking little miss Chailee. (Looking back, I should have been smart enough to recognize where those feelings were coming from..). I decided it would be silly not to go, but had a plan in mind of how to do it. I would feed Chailee right before, keep my fingers crossed that she didn't get too fussy, and sit in the back near a door just in case. We got to the meeting and my mother in law had saved us seats in the second row. The second row. We don't even sit that close in sacrament. I tried to explain my reservations with sitting that close in an adult meeting with an infant, but it didn't matter. After some guilt from the mom in law I sat down.

The first hour of the meeting was great! Chailee only fussed for a minute, and never too loud. She even slept through the hymns. So Elder Oaks was the last speaker, and as he came to the podium I felt a little wiggle from the bundle in my arms.

Do you see where this is going....

Literally as Elder Oaks began to speak Chailee began to scream. Oh the timing. Rather than wait it out (he's an Apostle for heavens sake, people want to hear EVERYTHING he has to say) we left the chapel. No sooner than I stood up my little bundle stilled and fell right back asleep. I continued to the mothers room to try to feed her but she was out. I could feel my cheeks get hot and tears coming. I had the opportunity to sit at the feet of an Apostle, but instead I was stuck listening through a speaker. I tried to listen and to focus, but I was stuck feeling sorry for myself, and wishing we had just sat in the back like I wanted. Then I could have snuck back in.

I calmed myself down and headed back to the chapel as the meeting ended, making my way back to the front to David. Since Chailee was asleep and we were right up front, we decided to stay and shake Elder Oaks hand. And here's the point to this story.....

As I shook his hand I told him that I had been in the second row, and about how Chailee started crying right as he started to speak! We laughed and I thanked him for the testimony he shared.

He looked at Chailee then at me, and said "Thank you for doing the work of the Lord".

If I have ever been humbled in my life it was then. How could I have been upset over something as trivial as where I was sitting to hear him speak, especially since what I was doing was the work of the Lord. I had lost sight of what I have always known. Mothering is the work of the Lord. Chailee is a child of God. I am so blessed to be her mother. And I'm grateful for every opportunity I have to nurture and provide for her, be it 3:00 a.m., the middle of the day, or during an Apostles talk. I am also thankful for the words of a prophet and the Spirit that can bear witness of truth as we hear it. And most of all I am thankful to be able to do the work of the Lord.

Confession.

I like bluegrass music.

I've fought this for a while.

I'm kind of a music snob. The kind of person that only likes a band if no one knows about them. As if all of a sudden a band is less cool when more people accept them.

Maybe I'm more of a music hoarder. The kind of person that claims to listen to all kinds of music. "No really I like it all."

But back to the original confession...I like bluegrass music. I've tried to pretend like it's this trendy cool thing to like. I think I've only admitted to enjoying bands and artists that seem a little less bluegrass-y, and are a bit more easily accepted. Allison Krauss. I like her. But who doesn't?

I'm officially confessing the whole truth. I like the banjo-y, twangy stuff. I'm not afraid to admit it anymore. I'm done pretending like I'm a snob or a hoarder. I don't care that it's not trendy.

Bluegrass is where it's at.

Now go listen to The Avett Brothers, and think about what a nerd I am.

One down....4 to go?

David was pretty nervous for Chailee's blessing. My entire family came into town for the weekend, and all but one of David's brothers were here with their families as well. It was a fabulous day. We all made it to church on time, and sweet little Chailee didn't spit up on her dress at all. She was still and quiet through the beautiful blessing her daddy gave her. It was just a perfect day. We even managed a few family photos between the drizzly weather outside.

After it was all said and done one of the Goode brothers leaned over to David and whispered, "One down, 4 to go".

David's expression was priceless.

Inroducing Chailee Marie Goode

I'm in Love. Actually we both are. And yes, I eat those cheeks daily. These were taken the day after we came home from the hospital. It's amazing how much she's changed already. Thanks Jess for the beautiful pictures. We treasure them already.