I don't need a N.A.P.

When did kids get so smart? As a parent, you think you are being tricky. Jeff and I do everything possible to communicate "around" our children so they don't know what we are talking about. We spell things, we use code and we even speak Spanish. Unfortunately, kids get smarter. And it happens overnight. I swear! Jake is picking up on spelling (dang) and his Spanish is getting better! (UGH!) We are running out of options. But at least we still can speak "around" Juliana. WRONG AGAIN. The other day I said to Jeff, "We need to let Juliana take a N.A.P. then we can...) Fill in the blank as you will ;) To which she started her tantrum screaming, "I don't need a NAP, I don't need a N.A.P!) She's two.. Two. I thought I had a few more years.

10 YEARS! Yep, 10 years!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JEFF!

Ten years. Sounds like a long time. I guess it is, but it still seems like yesterday that I met Jeff. I can still picture him:Je He was sitting in my kitchen eating a cupcake. No one was home - it seemed weird at the time that he was in my apartment without anyone there, but I am sure there was a reason for it. Several months later, we met haphazardly in the hall. I invited him to go skiing and we were together ever since. Now, 10 years later, we have three WONDERFUL children to add to this union. I could never imagine my life without him. I never, never wanted to marry so young, but when the right one comes along...

Jeff is the most easy-going person. He has great vision and can execute any project. I love the way he takes care of me. If I don't want to do a chore- I give it to him and trust he will accomplish it. One of my favorite things he says to me is, "don't spend any more time on that, I will take care of it!" And he always does.

He is such a wonderful father to our children. He lays in bed reading stories to them - longer than I would! When he is done, he makes up such exciting adventures and tales. The kids adore him and love his humor.

Jeff is a very spiritual person - but he won't tell you that. He is one of the few people I know that STILL reads their scriptures every morning after their mission. I wake up every morning, without fail to see the scriptures open on the table. He is a loyal person - performs his callings whole heartedly. He loves the LDS church, the Gospel and the Lord. For this, I am truly grateful.

Jeff is also an adventurous person. He loves vacation - as do I. He has taken me to several places: Mexico, Argentina, Grand Cayman Islands and all over the USA. His favorite thing to say is, "what do you remember most? The vacation or the new bathroom." (Which would explain why I am not getting a new bathroom! HA!)

Jeff has so many talents. One of my favorites is his ability to make any exotic drink with any available material! He would be an alcoholic, if he drank. He also speaks Spanish very well. He can adapt his Spanish to fit the culture - which I find amazing.

Here are some of my favorite things about Jeff:
*He NEVER leaves the house without kissing me goodbye.
*He tells me daily how pretty I am
*He complements me, my home, my cooking, etc.
*He just "takes care of it"
*He still makes funny jokes - and makes me laugh
*He calls me to tell me he is on his way home
*He NEVER complains about anything I do to anyone else
*He lifts me up around others
*He can fix A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

These are just a few things. He is amazing...absolutely amazing. And I love him.

For our 10 year anniversary, we are going low-key. Who wants to take a baby on a get-a-way? Not me. Besides, we spent our 9th in Argentina. And we leave for Mexico next week. Sooo...today we went to lunch and then we are going to COLOR ME MINE to create a 10 year momentum. Jeff, of course, doesn't know this. Otherwise he wouldn't go! In fact, he will probably roll his eyes, but go along with it because it is my year to plan it! He. He!

Happy Anniversary Jeff! I LOVE YOU!

My Sweet, Sweet Grandmother...

Grandma Lifferth has lived in a rest home for a few years. Recently, she had a stroke and is struggling right now. Our family is preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best. Being how she has Alzheimers, the best might just be the worst.

I went on Saturday to visit her, thinking that it might be the last time I see her. Even as sick as she is, she was still beautiful. I could hear her gentle laugh in my head and visualize her ducking her head in embarrasment. She was a pillar of strength in her life. I was touched as I watched her faithful children render sweet acts of service to her worn-out body. I thought back on all the times she selflessly served others and realized how blessed she is to reap her rewards of years and years of service. I truely believe she is the MOST Christlike person I know - she emulated love, humility and integrity in all she did. I have NEVER heard her say an unkind thing about anyone. She is a beautful person, both inside and out.

I brought Adalyn to capture a lasting "fourth generation" photo. Grandma had been unresponsive all day, but woke to see Adalyn near her face. She muttered a hello and smiled for several minutes at Adalyn. Addy placed a tiny little hand on Grandma's delicate hand and left it there for several minutes. It felt so peaceful in the room - as if Adalyn was receiving some communication from Grandma, which I believe she was. I am saddened to know that Adalyn will never know Grandma as she once was - but only from stories and pictures about this remarkable woman. I am so blessed to experience this touching moment.

Totally Random Post

My sister-in-law, Sarah Jane and I made candy apples on Monday. I made her take most of them. Now I am regreting that...

Zion's in the fall...what is more beautiful? Maybe Zion's in the Fall with NO KIDS!! That's what I got to do last week! Jeff had to go to Zion's for a Strategic Planning meeting. I got to hang out in the hotel with a good book. Well, I lied. I had to bring the baby. Since she won't take a bottle, she kind of goes where I go. But it wasn't bad. I enjoyed doing nothing - no laundry, cooking, wiping noses or listening to screaming. I seized the moment. The downfall was that I couldn't go on all the "activites" that go with strategic planning. (Apparently, there are a few...) Jeff went with the gang on a lengthy fourwheel ride across the desert. I waited at the deck of the hotel watching a man paint a fence. Jeff had the time of his life - Me? I got to watch paint dry.

Baby Addy - SEVEN MONTHS?

Yesterday someone asked me how old my baby was. I promptly replied, "Oh, she just turned six months old! She already crawls and cruises around furniture." After several, oohhss and ahhss, it dawns on me...Baby Adalyn is NOT six months old!!! She just turned SEVEN MONTHS OLD!! Now I feel robbed. How did I miss a month? Where did it go? Who stole it from me? I hope and pray that time goes a little slower so that this doesn't happen again. Somehow, I doubt it will.