Happiness

Rio started walking this week! He can't be enticed to walk but randomly he will stand up and take a few steps. He looks like a little toddler now, part of me is so proud of him but it also makes me so sad that he's not my precious little baby.

In the picture he had just figured out how to ring the doorbell of Belize's "makery" house. He was so tickled with himself! He has been standing for a month and saying dog, ball and bird. Still no mama, Belize was the same way- can't I get a kid who loves me before a dog, their dad, and other small animals? There's still hope I guess - not anytime soon for those of you who just wondered.

Belize's artistical take on the essence of her mom in a photograph. (See the engagement picture, dirty cereal bowl that didn't make it to the sink, my wallet (empty), the laptop, and yes yes, I didn't forget the just emptied bag of chocolate chips).
Yeah, they hang out now.

Belize's black eye courtesy of her dresser knob.
The little butterfly dress that Nana and Grandpa brought back from Thailand that up until now Belize has been refusing to wear (she refuses to wear anything with buttons, even if its a fake button hole).
Look at that thigh! I could just eat that drumstick up, it's so dang adorable!
Belize kept saying, "I'm a worker guy." Huh? . . . Oh, the hairbrushes in her pull-ups were "tools". haha
Our ward had a stake fry and bake-off. Guess who won first place for cakes? Moi. Check out the coolest apron EVER!!!! It was totally worth ignoring my kids for the good part of a day. And here are Belize and Brannon attempting to scarf down my Ultimate Reese's chocolate layer cake before judging time.

I am more happy right now than I have ever been in my whole life. Not that I've NEVER been unhappy and not like I don't have things to be unhappy about- some of you may know that our condo has yet to sell and we are barely living within our means and thats including the help we are receiving from our wonderful parents. I mean, I had one nice T-shirt all summer (the 8576309 shirt in all of the blog pics) so usually I just wore long sleeves until my mom got into town last month, took one look at my closet and said, "Let's go shopping- you live in California, not Seattle." I have never been this poor in my life (I realize I am spoiled).

Let me tell you why I am so so happy: I married a good man who never ceases to surprise and amaze me with his spiritual insight, "we can do this" attitude and constant willingness to do the dishes or any job for that matter that I've been dragging my feet at. I have great kids who try my patience so that I can grow as a person, do the funniest things, and give me slobbery kisses and jump in my lap to cuddle. I have a deep and personal testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father who I feel are encouraging me to read my scriptures more diligently, letting me recognize teaching moments with my daughter and holding my hand so that I can indeed "endure to the end."

In short, I am happy with who am I, not perfect but evolving.