snuggle blanky...

asher has really started to love his blanky! his grandma carrier made it for him right after he was born. just lately we will ask him "where is your blanky?" and he'll find it and give it hugs or attack it and bite the little yarn ties. i love the little funny games you end up playing with kids!

not fun...

poor asher was sick a while back with a tummy bug that made it so he couldn't keep anything down... so he also ended up becoming dehydrated. there was one scary night when we even took him to the hospital. we were very blessed and everything turned out ok! he is completely better and back to his old self again.

one thing that i took away from the whole experience was just how thankful i am for justin and that we are in this parenting thing as a team! he was great and made the whole thing easier on me and asher. i was touched by how justin was hurting because asher was hurting.

it was so sad to see this sweet little boy, who never stops moving, feeling so bad that for two days he didn't ever move from our laps. the first time i knew something was really wrong was when asher was crawling over to justin and his arms let out and he fell down (kind of weird, but not unheard of) but then he just stayed down (he has never stayed down before! he always jumps back up and keeps going.) this broke my heart.

we love asher's energy and are so happy to have our busy little boy back!

bubbles...

justin tried some bubbles with asher a while ago. this is just a little clip from the beginning when he still wasn't quite sure about the whole thing. he did start to like them more and more after a while.

We thank Thee, o God, for a Prophet...

I'm probably not the only one doing this, but since the internet seems to be such a good sounding board I thought I'd write a few thoughts.

Undoubtedly anyone who reads this blog has heard of the passing of President Hinckley.  We were at my parents'  house, and my brother's girlfriend got a text mentioning President Hinckley had died.  We check the news channels and nothing (it was only 8:00), but they were talking about it on the radio.  I mentioned that I had actually had a thought that morning about how things work when he passes.  I have to admit I have had thoughts now and then, usually in the shower in the morning, wondering if that would be the day we heard the news.  Maybe that's a bad thing to admit, but I think I was just bracing myself for the inevitable, even though some would liked to have thought that President Hinckley was going to be here forever.  And despite bracing myself, I found myself shedding tears for his passing, and rightly so.

Like many in my age group have mentioned in the news interviews and things, President Hinckley was the prophet of our generation.  I was a youth when he delivered his "B's" talk and when he talked about one set of earrings and no tattoos.  He was the prophet I testified of on my mission; I was blessed to be in Ukraine when he visited the people there for the first time.  I can without a doubt say he was instrumental in the forming of my own testimony because he was God's representative during those years when my testimony was becoming my own.  Then I think of my younger brothers who are 17 and 19, or Abby's younger siblings who are 19, 13, and 10.  He's the only prophet they've known.  He by far hasn't served the longest, but when he's been the prophet for your whole life - or half your life in my case - and done so much for the growth of the Church, I hope that his death has an impact.

I'm happy his family was able to be with him when he passed.  I'm happy he's able to be with his wife again, whom he's greatly missed.  The thought that has the biggest impact on me though, is that he's returned to that God and Savior of whom he has been testifying his whole life.  Can you imagine the feeling in the room when he, or any past prophet, passed?  I'd like to think that He was there, ready to personally escort His beloved servant home.

I love and respect President Hinckley.  What an amazing man, a true example of a man of God.  I had hoped, ever since my mission, to meet him personally, to shake his hand and express my love, respect, and gratitude to him.  Now I'll wait, but that's okay.

As we listened to the radio driving home last night, Abby asked who I thought would get more coverage, President Hinckley or Heath Ledger, the young actor who died last week.  We turned on the news when we got home and of course, being in Utah (and being KSL), that's all they talked about for the entire newscast besides the 10 minutes for weather and sports.  This morning I checked the national news shows; one had a 10 second blurb during their check of the "rest of the news", the other, who had a whole special on Heath Ledger last week and was still talking about him this morning, said absolutely nothing.  So I guess that answers the question.  It's a little annoying for sure - not only was he our Prophet but a great man and leader in our country - but I know what he meant to me.  And while he may not receive the attention from the mainstream media of our country he will have the attention of 13 million people around the world who are church members, not to mention the countless other friends and leaders with whom he had association during his many years of service.

We have a family friend who, if I remember the story right, left the Church after the death of President Kimball.  For some reason or another, his death broke her testimony.  I can't help thinking how many people will end up doing the same.  We have to remember though that while President Hinckley was a great man - no doubt one of the best the world has known - that this wasn't his church.  I know he'd be the first to point that out, and has on many occasions.  This is the Lord's church.  We'll mourn our Prophet's passing, and then the Quorum of the Twelve will meet and appoint his successor, the First Presidency will be reconstituted, and the work will move on.  It will move on just as it did when the Prophet Joseph was martyred, and just as it has after the passing of the other 13 men who have led the Church.  My son will hear his words quoted just as I have heard the words of Joseph, Brigham, President McKay, President Lee and all the other prophets.  Unfortunately my children will never know this great man, but they will know his teachings and testimony, and they will know the next prophet, and the next and the next.  The work will move on.  In fact, I think President Hinckley's passing will cause people to ask even more questions..."I've heard of this man, who was he and what did he stand for?"

I've been told I'm a good writer but I feel like I've written a bunch of ramblings.  Hopefully they made sense, and if not they made sense to me.  I know that we have living prophets today and that President Hinckley was that prophet, and I know that his successor is and will be.  I know that this church is lead by a living God and his living Son and I'm grateful for that testimony.

Farewell, President Hinckley.  Thank you for your example, service, and testimony.  As we sometimes said in Ukraine, "do zustrichiy na nebesach" - until our meeting in heaven.

getting ready for church...

isn't he handsome?!




















asher has been doing this silly new laugh lately were he throws his head way back and shuts his eyes really tight. he's our funny boy!

p.s. check out the two top teeth coming in. way to go, asher!
















i couldn't ask for a better little baby!!!

lots of new toys...

we had a great little outing the other day with my friend stacy and her little boy adam. we took the boys to the children's museum at the gateway mall. adam was old enough to love it all and asher did really well too. first we spent some time in the area for little kids and he had fun, but he really liked being with the big kids. there was also an area that had hundreds of balls to play with that both the boys really liked. we are so lucky to be able to do fun things like this with such great friends. what sweet little boys!

he just likes to do what the big kids do.

i bet he doesn't even know that he looks like a shrimp when he is with them :)

You're it!

Two names I go by:
1. Abby
2. Ab

Two things I'm wearing right now:
1. My new maternity shirt (3/4 length sleeves, black with purple little stars all over it).
2. Dark jeans.

Two of My favorite things to do:
1. Make Asher laugh.
2. Paint.

Two things I want very badly at the moment:
1. Banana bread.
2. Warm weather.

Two favorite pets I have had/have:
1. Pets....umm, not really my thing.
2. Before I had a baby I kind of wanted a puppy. Does that count?

Two things I did last night:
1. Bought some new clothes.
2. Watched a movie with my husband.

Two things I ate today:
1. Turkey bacon BLT.
2. Life cereal. (Yucky! I hate cereal).

Two people I last talked to:
1. Justin
2. Asher

Two longest car rides:
1. A very bumpy, awful bus ride around the WHOLE Island of Zanzibar.
2. From Orem, UT to my Grandparents house in La Habra, CA when you're only about 7 years old... in a Volkswagen Vanagon with 2 brothers and 2 sisters... and the back of your legs keep sticking to the vinyl seats. Gotta love that never ending orange fence too. I also remember something like a throw-up domino effect episode. What a trip.

Two favorite holidays:
1. Valentine's Day!
2. Thanksgiving.

Two favorite beverages:
1. Water, Water, Water. I love it!
2. Fruit Smoothies.

Well, that was fun. I guess I should pass it on. I tag Emily C., Stacy S., Melissa B. and Amy A.!! (And anyone else who wants to play!)

my true colors? (green is my favorite color, so that's fun. fun quiz lisa!)

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Green

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

Take this test >

asher's first christmas...

of course he liked the ribbon best.

justin and i really only got asher one gift, the busy ball popper. we knew that he was going to like the wrapping paper and boxes better then anything that we could give him (not to mention grandma's, grandpa's, aunt's and uncle's generosity) so we were just going to have fun with that stuff this year, but i kept thinking that he would really like this ball toy, so when we saw it on sale we got it for him. this picture is right after justin helped him unwrap it and right before justin turned it on and asher was so scared that faster then i could blink he was climbing onto my lap. really funny!

now asher likes the busy ball popper. he will even look down the shoot and let the balls bop him in the face. this video was the first time we had played it after christmas and as long as he was close enough to daddy then he was doing okay.

funny baby...

asher now likes to bathe standing up.













oh, well...it's easier to wash him that way.

seriously?!

this was not my favorite night. justin was at work, and asher and i were getting ready for dinner. justin's brother called and asked if he could borrow something and as i ran to the other room to check on it, asher with his amazingly long arms (...when he is grabbing something that he shouldn't) got his bowl of veggie mush that i truly thought i had moved far enough away and made this lovely mess.

i guess the funny part was that the whole time i was in the other room asher was being really quiet and i remember thinking "what a good boy." i don't think that he knew he was being naughty, but i do think he could tell that something had happened that doesn't usually happen and he was just sitting there waiting for me to come help him. i guess this starts the days of wondering what bad things are happening when your kids are too quiet.

oops...

our power was out for a whole day a while ago due to a car that crashed into a power pole (ouch...) so we all got to wear our hats and mittens to bed... and pretty much all day.

it's really fun to see all the quality time fun things that you end up doing when you are without power. asher was a trooper! a very fun, yet cold day.

christmas lights...

we were able to go enjoy the beautiful christmas lights on temple square twice this year! we had so much fun with our family and friends that made the trek up to salt lake and braved the FREEZING cold!!!

asher either slept in his stroller or snuggled up inside his daddy's coat! what a lucky kid.

i love velcro...

we finally found a winter hat that will stay on asher's head! we really like velcro straps.

some benefits...

well, i have some major blogging catch-up to do, and i think i will start with sharing one of the many benefits of being a member of my family. it's lisa. she's fantastic. super creative, ultra caring and an out-of-this-world cook.

we celebrated 4 birthdays in the month of december and these are some pictures of her yummy birthday desserts. and of course the birthday boys and girls get their treat of choice. this time we had snickerdoodles, german chocolate cake, fudge/brownie cake with sprinkles on top, and watermelon.

you spoil us lisa! thanks!

happy birthday justin!!!

i've known justin for over 10 years, and i have always loved him. we've been married for nearly four years now, and they have truly been the best years of my life!

times like this i wish i were great at using words and saying just the right thing.

justin is perfect for me! i am so lucky. he stops my heart and makes me laugh. we agree on the important things and he values my thoughts. we are a team. i am so proud of him and how hard he works and learns. he has amazed me with some of the personal sacrifices that he has made in the last four years to make me happy or more comfortable.








justin is a great dad! i cherish the moments i get to just watch my boys. i love how honored he feels about his role as a father.

i love his dreams and his goals!










i think that justin is the best looking guy i have ever seen. i love his eyes, and eye brows, and his cheeks, and his hair, and his shoulders and his hands and his smile and his everything! he's my kind of rain.

justin is so good. i am so happy that i get to share my life with him forever. he's my buddy, he's my pal. he'll probably never know how much the little things, and the big things, and the in between things mean to me!










i deeply, deeply love him and am so thankful that i get to be his one.

happy birthday friend.

two little teeth...

this is not a happy face, but at least you can see his two sweet (and sharp) little teeth.

happy asher...

asher loves to see himself in the mirror.

have you ever felt like this?

face pictures update...

well, i put all the month birthday face pictures into the frame. there are seven months so far. more then half a year! i had been putting this off for a while now because i was telling myself that if i didn't see them all together then he wasn't really getting that old, and that his first year isn't on the downward slope. but, denial is useless...so here we are. i have loved the last seven and a half months and try so hard to live each day with asher fully present in the now. not wishing for the future or longing for the past. he is such a wonderful gift and i am thankful (whether i'm tired or fully rested) for every moment that i get to spend with him!!

i just liked these pictures...

aunt olivia was the first person that asher gave "kisses" to, and she is still the only one that he will always kiss when she asks.

our happy holiday dance...

here is a little holiday dance from our family to yours!
man, this cracks me up. thanks gretchen for putting it together. happy holidays everyone!

passing the time...

asher and i were taking pictures of ourselves with the camera on the computer today (the things you do when you spend all day with a 7 month old...). it was really funny because he loved seeing himself and would smile really big, but it takes 3 seconds for the camera to take the picture, so by the time it would snap the shot his smile was gone. oh, well...i'm sure we'll try it again another day.

funny noises...

asher was making funny noises while he was eating today. you have to listen close to hear it, but it sure was making me laugh!

oh, boy...

asher has figured out how to unlock our entertainment center. i caught him in the act! i need to not only baby proof our apartment, but asher proof it. and his morning just isn't complete unless he pulls my dish towel of the rack, and most days, all of the towels out of the drawer. what a sweet little trouble maker.