I have some catching up to do.

Ok, let us start from the beginning shall we. Halloween. Yes that was over a month ago, and yes I have been very slow. So I made for our ward Halloween party cupcakes that looked like a pumpkin. And Cole made a very cute Hippo.

Now we shall skip to the day after Thanksgiving. We put up our very first Christmas tree as a family. It was fun spending that time together and getting into the Christmas spirit.

So lately Cole has been getting up at 4:30 and thinking that is fine. Well its not. So sometimes if I am lucky I can get him back to sleep and catch some shut eye as well.

Our ward Christmas party was this past Saturday and I sang a song from the Forgotten Carols. I Cry the Day I Take the Tree Down. I think I did pretty well even though It doesn't sound all that great on the recording.

And last but not least. Santa came to town!! As a family we are doing our stocking on December 6th, St. Nicholas day. And on Christmas we will have the Wise Men come to bring gifts. We are doing this to try and keep commercial and sacred separate. We all got some new books, Cole got a fisher price toy, Chris got a new razor (he has had his old one since he went on a mission), and I got the same hair straightener I got for my birthday (it was kinda expensive so I told Chris to use it for this). I can't wait for Christmas to get here and to spend time with friends and family this holiday season.

Back On Her Feet Again

So, a little over a month ago, our dear Roxy had a seemingly minor incident. We thought that it could be fixed over the weekend but as things went, it only got worse; more time trying to repair her, and more money spent. The "doctors" spent all their time and energy trying to fix her up, but eventually gave in and turned her over to the "specialists." She spent a day at the specialist, and after they worked on her for an hour, she was all set and ready to be back out on the town; I could not be any happier. "Who's Roxy," you ask? OUR CAR!

(see this post)

Welcome Home Simba

On my 8th birthday as a gift from my best friend, Megan, I received a Simba doll. This doll in later years became very important to me due to the fact that Megan passed away when I was 10. You see she was born with half a heart. Megan went into surgery for the other half to be rebuilt or built. At the time I had no idea what was going on. I just had a very strong feeling that I needed to see her because at this point I had moved away. I wasn't too far. She was in Naperville and I was in Bolingbrook. My mom told me that everything was fine. Then one day I came home to find out that everything was not ok. Megan was not waking up, and she was now on life support. I then told my mom that I needed to go to the hospital and Megan needed a blessing. My mom didn't know how that would go because they are not members, but I knew she needed one. When we got to the hospital I was not allowed in the room because I was too young, but I could stand in the doorway and look at her. Then all of the sudden Megan became very excited and a bunch of nurses came running into the room to calm her down. Megan knew I was there. When her mom came out to see me I asked if it was ok for her to receive a blessing. With her consent Megan got that blessing. During the blessing Megan woke up, looked at me, and waved. I was so excited that she was saying hello to me. Come to find out a few days latter she was not saying hello, she was saying goodbye. That was the last time she woke up.

That Simba doll has become very important to me. It reminds me of her, and how I want to be like her. She was one of the lucky few who came to this earth and could not be touch by the advisory. But for the past few year I have not been able to find him. I knew that he was at my parents house, but I could not find him. This past Sunday when I went over there to have dinner, my mom, who was sick went down to the basement and looked through things and came upstairs with my lost treasure in tow. I am so thankful that my mom did that for me. And I am so glad that when I have a daughter and name her after Megan that I will have something to give to remind her who she was named after. Welcome home Simba!

For It's One Two Three Strikes Your Out

Today was such a nice day outside. We decided to take Cole out to play some ball. And to tell you the truth I think we have a great ball player on our hands. Chris took the time to try and teach him some form, and well Cole just laughed at me every time I missed the ball (and that was almost every time). But we did have a ton of fun outside today.

Good News For Chris

So today when Chris left for work he left as a full time employee of AIU! That means that he is no longer a temp.

True to the Faith That Our Parents Have Cherished

Today we went to stake conference, and i would like to share a few things that I got out from it.

1. The youth sand the song True to the Faith. When I heard the line "True to the faith that our parents have cherished" I thought to myself how can we as parents show that cherish our faith and this church. After thinking about that I came up with a few things I can do better. I can start bettering my personal prayers and scripture studies. I can go with enthusiasm to do my visiting teaching. I can bear my testimony to my children so that they will know that i know that this church is true. I am sure I will be adding on to this list ad the days. months, and years go by.

2. As I was listening to Elder Gong (the only talk that I was able to hear all of), I was touch by the story of the single mother and her son. For those who were not there. The story is that this mother and son did not get along at all. During the day if either one spoke to the other is would end up in a fight. The mother starting to lose all hope decided that she needed the help of the Lord. So when her son was asleep at night she would go into his room, kneel by the his bed, and offer up a prayer. Sometimes she would even sit on his bed and stroke his hair. As time went on and as she continued to do this the relationship got better and they were able to talk to each other. Another family who was having a hard time with their son ask her what she did to make her relationship better. She said she just gave it time. The son who was in the other room and could hear what was being said came out and said, "Mom, don't you remember you would come into my room everynight and pray for me."
Now I am not sure that his mother did not know that her son was awake while she was doing this for him. I am also not sure what he felt when he heard her doing this. But I can guess that she did not know, and that their relationship got better because he felt the love that she had for him while she was knelt beside the bed praying for help and guidance. 
This story really touched me and now Chris and I every night will be kneeling beside our sons crib and pray for him. I hope that he will know just like that son did that we love him and that his Father in Heaven also loves him.

I am glad that I went to stake conference today and that I was able to feel the spirt and find way to better myself and my family!

A Very Special Day

Today was my cousin's birthday. And not only was it her birthday, but it was a very special one. Today she turned 8. So to make it a very special day all of her family and friends that were able to come went to the church to witness her making he first step to going back to our Heavenly Father. She was baptized.

After the baptism we all gathered at there house for some food and fun. the only thing I really wanted to say about this is that I made 2 cheesecakes. Yes 2. I made a chocolate peanut butter and a pink lemonade. I was told they were very good. So to make you all drool here are some pics of them.

The Time Out Chair

So today I am starting something new with Cole and would love any advise that can be given. I am going to start giving him time outs. I have a chair set aside in a place that is "no fun". I was thinking that I will only give him time outs for one thing right now. I am doing this so he doesn't get too confused. So my question is that what I should do or should anything he does that is not "good" get a time out. I give him three chances and then he goes in the chair for 1 minute. Please tell me what you do! I need help on this one.

Family Photos

Last Saturday we went to Johansen Farm in Bolingbrook (I recommend everyone go before it gets too cold). While we were there we had a our Friend Jamie Cheatham take photos for us (I also recommend her). So here are 16 of the 391 photos.

Signing Time

Today we had so much fun. I hosted my first Baby Signing Time Class. We had fun learning the different signs for eat, drink, cracker, cereal, banana, water, milk, and juice. After the class was over we went upstairs to play with paint. I think this is the start of something very fun. I am pretty sure it will be something that I look forward to every week. Thank you everyone that came!!!

Men Please Do NOT Start a Conversation With "Remember You Love Me"

Ok so the past few days my sister-in-law has been in town and I have very much enjoyed her company. Yesterday we went to the library to go to story time. The lady who was doing story I recognized from somewhere then it click I went to high school with her. Well I was a freshman and she was a senior, but we were in band together. During story time I think Cole got a little over excited because by the end of it he was fast asleep on the floor.

Also with the cousins in town Cole has been feeling a little left out. While he usually get lots of time with his Grandma or at least when he want it. He has found himself needing to share her.So I am so thankful for those opportunities that Grandma has taken to be with him and make him feel loved. One such time is when she takes the time to play the piano with Cole.

Later that day my sister-in-law and I decided to take the kids to the park. Cole loves to go just to be outside and watch the other kids. He finds it funny when the bigger kids are running around him. He also loves to put the wood chips in his mouth. I love going because I can usually get some pretty good pictures of him while we are there.

Today we decided to get out again by going to a petting zoo in Bolingbrook. We had a lot of fun petting the animals and riding on the train. The truth is we were there on Saturday to get some family pictures taken and as soon as I get the cd from that I will post some of those photos. I do believe that Cole favorite part though were the hot apple cider donuts he got to have for a snack there.

And now for the reason of the title of the post. Last night Chris was trying to rotate his tires when he came in and said "Remember that you love me."... ok... What was I to think when he showed me this... Yes it broke of the tire and yes we can not drive the car and yes we have to fix it and YES I HATE his car.

Painting Pumpkins

Last night I decided that I wanted a cool pumpkin. So we put newspaper all over the table and started to paint. I felt like a kid again only without the slimy mess. I have decided never to carve a pumpkin again. I don't like the mess it makes and as a kid I never really had fun doing it. But this, this was fun. We have name him Eloc (thats Cole backwards)!

Here we go

Let me introduce you to my little family.
First there is Chris, my husband. Chris is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He works at AIU inputting transfer credits. I know it doesn't sound like the best job in the world, but we are very thankful for it. You see we have been married for a little over 2 years now and this is the first time that he will be hired on permanently.Yes as of Oct. 11th we will have benefits for the first time. He is a very hard worker, and he love to take care of his family.

Next, there is me, Amy. I love being a mother. I sell Creative Memories. I love to scrapbook (digitally that is). And now I can teach ASL to children 3 and under with their parents. But first and foremost I love being a mother.

Last, but certainly not least, there is Cole. He is now almost 13 months old, and fills all of our lives with joy. He does some of the craziest things like taking his socks of and putting them on his head. He kinda thinks everything goes on his head. He loves fruit snacks and would eat them all day long if you would let him. He truly has the gift of making others happy, and we love him so much.

Well that is our family. I look forward to sharing what we do and what we all love with you!