Everyday Miracle

A miracle has happend in our house! It is a miracle we as parents have spent years praying for. I feel like a new chapter in our lives is about to take place and our sweet Scarlett is overjoyed. She finally, after over 2 years of struggle, went poop in the potty! It was not just going in the potty that was a struggle but going at all. She would hold it for days and become so uncomfortable that it was unbearable to be around her. Our relationship struggled and I spent days in tears. Then in January she started to go very regularly in a diaper without any coxing or struggle. Every afternoon she brought me a diaper and that was that. I thought this was perfect and I could do this for years. So much better than it was before. Then earlier this week she ran upstairs to tell me she went in the potty and despite me not believing her I went to check it out. And... she went. We screamed and danced and went to Target to pick out her prize. She has gone in the potty everyday since then and I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. She is so proud of herself and I am to. I am proud of her and me! I never thought that something like this could bring me closer to my Savior but it has! 

I have this quote up on my counter, just to help me get through this trial. " Faith is not just a belief but a real power" Boyd K. Packer. The faith and prayers of a mother are heard! 

With spring comes all the beautiful flowers. She always picks one for me. She constantly gives me hugs and kisses. Those simple gestures help me so loved! They make me feel like I am doing something right.

Night Time Singing

Before bed Alice and I usually sing a couple songs, her favorite being "5 little speckled frogs".  While I sang it she kept on putting her chubby hand over my mouth and telling me to "stop, I do it".  She would sing a couple lines and then ask for help. It was adorable to hear her sing the song almost word for word, it was a proud mother moment. Then she snuggled into my shoulder and I started rocking her to sleep. Into my ear I could hear her softly sing "I am a Child of God"and I was surprised that she could sing the whole thing without any help. I made her face me and sing it again. As she sang I could feel the purity and innocence in her soul. It was a serene moment, one no picture of video could ever capture. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled so big while she sang, a sign that she was very proud of herself. When she was done she snuggled back into my shoulder and I rocked her to sleep. While I rocked I felt a deep desire to protect my children and the perfect beauty they possess. I always want to look into their eyes and see what I saw in Alice's tonight, the light of Christ.

As sincere as my desires are to protect and teach my children so much is out of my control. Yet, what I can control is powerful and extremely necessary. It is the relationship I have with my Savior. The more I depend on him and seek guidance through pray the more personal revelation I can receive. What is needed more than personal revelation on how to parent each child? To be guided and directed in understanding their wants, needs, and personality is priceless. The stronger my relationship is with the Savior the stronger my relationship will be with my children.  As I read this scripture I felt that not much has changed in all the hundreds of years since Nephi wrote it.

2 Nephi 33:4 " For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry". 

I love that they wash each others hair

7th Anniversary

(dancing at a friends wedding a few weeks ago)

Yesterday I looked at Nick and a weird feeling came over me, one that I have actually felt many times. It feels like this .... Oh my gosh I married the handsome boy next door who never paid attention to me but now he is the father of my two kids. You know, that feeling. I always feel 16 again and like I just awkwardly passed him in the hall. It eventually fades but only after I quietly chant to myself "I married Nick Strobelt. I married Nick Strobelt". Sometimes I look at Nick and think "holy cow is this real life?!" I was/am a geek and he was Mr. Charm with girls fawning over him and he chose me? He also happens to be the most sincere, faithful, and positive person you will ever meet. He calms my restless soul and makes me laugh in even the most tense situations. I scored! I would say I "married up" but I am pretty awesome too! Happy 7th anniversary Brother Strobelt (oh wow I just died writing that).

To celebrate we went to Brio one night and the next night we took our girls to Vivaldi Park where we got engaged. Visiting "our spot" on our anniversary is becoming a tradition, one I hope we can keep up. Best part about our anniversary... it the prettiest time of year in Vegas and perfect for a lovely family walk.

That's me and you

This past Christmas my older sister introduced me to a great flick called Family Stone. It is your typical Christmas movie about an over-the-top family trying to endure the holidays. But there is one scene that is very tender, touching really. The crazy girl friend, who just met the family, gives a present to each family member. The gift is a framed picture of the mother pregnant with the youngest daughter. Unknown to the girl friend it is a priceless picture and one each member of the family will cherish. When the mother opens the present she clutches the picture to her and looks at the youngest daughter saying "that's me and you babe" and blows her a kiss. 

That scene left me thinking of my own pregnancies and each little girl that has come into my life. Pregnancy is not something I love and I find myself "enduring" it. I hope with future pregnancies I remember how special those months really are. For a short time it really is just "me and you". That precious child will grow and create a life of their own, leaving me for the great wide world. That is how is should be and I will remember those months of pregnancy with fondness.  

Scarlett: my tender hearted 

Alice: my fierce

Alice's Party

This little girl LOVES the park and begs to go all day. It was an easy decision to have her party at a great park near our family. We had all her cousins come and celebrate with us. She adores her cousins and knows all their names. She repeatedly asks about them every day... "where's Adi? Where's Wesley? They at home? Where's Jensen? He go to work?" Her face lights up when she is able to spend time with any family member and always asks for "one more minute, couple minutes" when its time to leave.  I am so happy my girls get to grow up surrounded by great examples and little friends. Alice is very loved by all her family!!

She was a little scared to blow out her candle. See her hand over her mouth... she did not want to do it. The wind had to do it for her:)

Post party nap. She refused to take off the hat till about 8pm. 

Alice 2 Years Old

She has finally turned 2!! It seems she has been 2 for the past 6 months. She is just so smart and talkative, everyone thinks she is 3. To celebrate we spent the day doing her favorite things: 1. eating breakfast food 2. playing at the park. 

 From the first moment I held this little girl I was smitten. Oh my goodness have I loved me some baby Alice! When I am old and gray I will ache for this sweet two year old and her blonde curls. I hope beyond hope that she has a little girl just her, one that I can kiss and snuggle. As naughty as she is, and she is very naughty, her beautiful spirit always brings a smile to me face. Every morning I get excited to see her and hear her sweet voice. Alice, I adore you and thank my Heavenly Father I get to be you mama!

Her Favorite Books

1.Goodnight Moon

2. Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you See

3. The Bunny Book

Her Favorite Songs (we sing before bed every night)

1. 5 Little Ducks

2. 5 Speckled Frogs

3. The Night Night Bird Song

4. Let it Go

Her Favorite Shows

1. Tinkerbell

2. My Little Pony

3. Curious George

Her Favorite Food

1. Mac N Cheese

2. Chicken

3. Gold Fish and Cookies

4. Eggs and pancakes

5. McDonalds- man she loves that place!

But... her most favorite things are her bottle, blanket, and baby. We call them the "three B's". If she has those her world is complete! Oh, and she must tickled at least 10 times a day. She grabs my hand, lays down, and says "tickle mom, tickle mom". I tickle her and throw her around a bit and she LOVES it!

 

Alice in 2 words

1. Spirited

2. Confident

Frozen Melts my Heart

It has happened...my girls are obsessed with princesses! Specifically, they LOVE Elsa and Anna from Frozen. We have all the dolls and listen to the music constantly!! The moment we get in the car Scarlett pipes up "Turn on Let it Go!" I turn it on and the girls sing every word. They love it when I turn the volume way up and sing with them. Scarlett even moves her arms around and dances in her car seat. We then listen to it again and again and again. Then...we listen to the "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" aka "the snowman song". Even as a write this Alice is dancing around with her Anna doll listening to "the snowman song". She tries her best to say all the words but just can't. It is adorable to listen to her try. I would put a stop to all this madness but when they play with their dolls or sing the songs I can see the magic in their eyes. This is childhood...believing in magic, true love, the power of friendship, and a talking snowman. 

Yesterday Scarlett was playing with her Anna and Elsa doll at my feet while I ate my lunch. She looked up and said " Mom, I am like Elsa and Alice is like Anna. I am the big sister and she is my little sister. She is my best friend and I just love her." I love that Scarlett is learning the special bond of sisters. Thank you Disney!

Headless Olaf...I bet it is under Scarlett's bed.

When Scarlett is at preschool Alice gets to play with ALL the princess stuff and loves it. She is watching Tinkerbell, another favorite in our house.

"Being a sister is even better than being a Princess"