Running in Circles

Valentines Day is just around the corner and we're getting excited over here. January brought single digit temperatures and too much snow. Since we're not getting any sunshine to warm us up holiday cheer will have to do! I can't wait to dress our sweet little babe up in red and pink and cover her  with kisses. 
xoxo
I'm thinking I'll have to post a few goodies for myself to give Brice some ideas- doesn't hurt to make it easier on him.

Valentines Day Goodies

Brice got a summer internship with Microsoft and we couldn't be more excited! He'll be working as a software engineer tester ( i think!) Hazel and I are really getting excited for all the adventures that Seattle and the sunshine holds for us! We couldn't be prouder of Brice and any more anxious for this semester to end.

So if you have any suggestions for restaurants or fun things to do or see, let us know! I'm starting my list already.

Yesterday I walked to school pushing Hazel in the stroller. I pushed with only one hand as I tried to hold a bottle in her mouth with the other hand. If it fell out she cried hard- but I couldn't stop to feed her or I'd be late for my class. I finally got her dropped off to Brice, who is watching her while he is supposed to be "working" on campus. 

During my class, (ironically Stress Management) the teacher started the class with these scriptures:

After class as I started walking home. I only made it halfway across campus when Hazel started crying. I picked her up out of the stroller, held her against me and tried to get her to calm down. An older gentlemen, probably a religion professor stopped next to me and put his hand on my shoulder. He said "We don't see as many mothers on campus as we wish we did. You're doing a great job- I know its not easy." Instantly I was tearing up again. 

This week has been hard. 

Tuition costs, car problems, a new year of insurance costs, car registration, no babysitter, pushing a stroller in the snow...I could go on and on. I have cried hard everyday. I wonder if all the effort I'm giving to try and be a student is worth it- when we can't even afford the costs of the certifications I need. But these two experiences yesterday reminded me as much as BYU is an accredited college- I am not there only to take classes and graduate. We are there to learn to be guided by the Spirit, to serve others, and to be progressing towards perfection. 

I have a feeling this semester is going to be hard, through and through, but I write this post to remind myself this time in my life is more than studying and passing exams, it is to grow closer to our savior and loving Heavenly Father.

So to anyone else that has had a rotten day, hard week, or can't see the light at the end of the tunnel- come unto Christ for rest and a lighter burden.

   

Hazel is 3 months old now! 

Time is flying by and we're trying hard to balance a new semester at school, work, teaching Pilates, and our sweet sweet Hazel Rae.

Three Month Memories:

- Loves kicking her feet around

-Is always smiling, but I can never catch her with the camera

-Knows our voices and follows us around the room

- Holds her head up all on her own

-LOVES loves LOVES talking and cooing

-Can sit in the Bumbo just fine

-Has officially met both sets of grandparents

-Great at blowing out of her diapers :)

- Her sleep habits have been all over the place since Christmas vacation

- Takes a long morning nap usually from 10 a.m or 11 a.m until 1:00 pm

-Sleeps through church...just like her daddy ;) 

Here's a salad recipe I always fall for. It screams summer to me but tastes good anytime and it's what I've eaten for lunch everyday this week. I even crave it. Make it a healthy dinner and grill some chicken to put on it! 

Sherman Salad:

Romaine lettuce, green leaf lettuce

shredded mozzarella cheese

cucumbers

grape tomatoes

bacon 

Dressing

Dressing:

1/2 cup vegetable oil (Do Not use olive oil)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 1/2 tsp garlic

Juice from 1 lemon

grated parm. cheese

Mix oil, pepper, salt, garlic, and lemon juice together. I usually make it in a small tupperware container. Then sprinkle parmesean cheese over the top until all liquid is covered. Shake before serving. 

Finally, just spoon a few tablespoons of dressing until lettuce is covered

Enjoy!

2013 

For me this year i hope to have less whine and more cheese.

let me explain...

Less Whining

Less whining about schoolwork, being tired, not running enough, and missing my family. Less whining about the money we don't have, the bills we do. Less whining about the furniture I wish we could afford and the tightness of our budget. Less whining about how our car barely has room for a carseat and how uncomfortable it is to sit in the backseat.

More Cheese

I want to enjoy more cheese. Not the orange cheese or the type with holes- my resolve for this new year is to enjoy the details of our lives more fully. Cheese is yummy and so are cookies and my sweet baby. I have a wonderful husband that provides for our needs, a job teaching pilates which I love. I have a body capable of running and movement and I am so thankful for that. I have a sweet, healthy babe- who  smiles and coos with us now. We have a cozy apartment where are needs and some wants are met. I have a handyman husband who has saved us a lot of money by not being afraid to get his hands dirty. We have family close by that are always inviting us over.

Most importantly- we have the gospel in our lives and feel the love of our Savior each day. This year I am going to find joy in the journey, enjoy the little things every day, slow down, be less judgmental and more kind.

Well, at least for January!

(This post makes me it sound like I complain about everything- and I don't, but for how blessed we are I need to be a lot more grateful!)