HAPPY FIRST FATHER'S DAY!!

It's a special day for Jody - it's his very first Father's Day! Jody is an amazing husband, a patient and incredible father and an astounding person. I always knew Jody would be a great father...I saw that quality in him when we were dating. However, it has been such a joy to watch him with Gracie. He is so tender and fun with her...and he looks great carrying the diaper bag! (Even though he thinks it is way too girly.) Jody keeps Gracie well-rounded. I often find them watching ESPN together, and Gracie has even helped Jody mow the lawn while in her front pack. This is your day Jody! Gracie and I are so lucky to call you "ours".

I've been very blessed to have a phenomenal father of my own. My dad has taught me about the person I want to become. He is so dedicated and such a hard worker. He never gives less than 110 percent at everything. He loves his family so much, and I know he would do absolutely anything for me. I'm just pretty lucky - I've had great examples of dads scattered throughout my life - including my own father-in-law. He is very considerate and loves our family so very much.


And before he was a great Dad - Jody was (and still is) a fantastic husband. Jody and I have so many wonderful memories. I want to share a funny story about us. We were on one of our first dates back in the Fall of 2003. Jody and I were in the backseat of the car with a few friends after one of his flag football games. We were kind-of squished, and so I leaned my head back on the headrest trying to give us all a little more room. (Side note - for those of you who didn't know me in college...my hair was long and curly...and some might say somewhat BIG.) Jody then said, while patting my hair, "Wow - this must be really comfortable when you lay down. Do you even need a pillow?" I laughed out loud. But Jody just looked at me waiting for a response. I then laughed even harder when I realized he wasn't joking!!! I love you Jody! And, yes...my hair used to make a pretty nice pillow!

SITTING UP WITH STYLE!

Little Miss Grace is becoming "Miss Independent"...well at least in the Sitting-Up Department! Jody and I just love seeing her reach new milestones. And yes...notice that she's sticking out that tongue...ahhh the personality!

Sometimes it's just so hard!

Let me narrate this collage below for you! First picture she thinks..."Do I really need this boppy to help me?" Second picture she pleads "Pick me up already...enough torture for one day!" Third Picture she says, "Okay I'm back in the game...Is this thing a lounger?" And finally Fourth Picture - "Success...See everyone...No Problem!"

Spit Up Anyone???

Let's face it...we do some crazy things trying to get babies to smile. We try to scare them, tickle them and often we talk in unusually high - almost scary voices. Sometimes when you're hoping for a Smile...instead you get some Spit-Up. This video is a great example. A couple of weeks ago, while staying at Papa and Gwama Tait's house in Utah, our 3-year-old niece Lauren was helping us try to get Gracie to crack a smile...Unfortunately a smile isn't all we got!

Taking a Walk on the WILD SIDE!

On Friday, May 16th - Jody, Gracie, My parents, Michael, Aunt LaMae, my Cousin Nichole and her little boy Izaac and my Cousin Michelle and her two boys Josh and Caden all decided to do some "Monkeying Around" and hit the Hogle Zoo. My Aunt LaMae kept joking that there are really NO animals at the Hogle Zoo. And now (as I'm finally posting these pictures)...I see I don't have a single one with an actual animal in it. (Although, that could be argued...some of the people look a little wild in these pictures!) You will have to watch the video to see some REAL animals!




What was my favorite part of the zoo? Watching Gracie anxiously look around and take in all the new sounds and sights, chasing after my mom as she almost rolled into the Giraffe exhibit in her wheelchair, watching Izaac attempt to throw his hat to the Giraffes for a snack, the 20-second Train Ride...or spending time with extended family?! They were all fun and wonderful memories!

Sweet, Spectacular and Six Months!

Our angel is now 6 Months Old. Wow! It's hard to think that six months ago, I didn't understand how her laugh would make me forget about my worries in an instant - and I didn't comprehend that I could love someone so much the minute they were put into my arms.

There's never a dull moment when Gracie Jo is around. She loves to sit on my lap when we are eating dinner so she can try and put her little hands in all the food. At six months - Gracie is trying to master sitting up by herself, she still just eats breast milk and some formula, and she found her tongue last week. So now, in addition to her gummy grin - she sticks her tongue out at you too! Adorable! We'll be giving her Rice Cereal for the first time this upcoming week. Delicious...and such flavor - I'm sure she'll be excited for that!

Where in the World Have we Been?

You may have noticed...we haven't updated the blog in awhile. That was partly because of a wonderful trip down to Utah to visit family. While we were in the Beehive State, my sister-in-law got married to her adorable fiancé, my brother Michael got baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we shared many memories with friends and family. Our extended family hadn't seen Gracie since she was only 5-weeks old...so this was certainly a special trip!

On our way home from Utah, Jody got terribly sick. He threw up more than a dozen times on the plane, and we ended up taking him to the Emergency Room once back in Montana. Nurses got an IV in him to overcome his dehydration. (For a visual...in a matter of hours he turned into “Skeletor” from He-Man...Yes...it was bad!) It was a long night...but a longer recovery time. I also got this miserable stomach bug. Jody and I were supposed to work the entire week once we arrived home...but we took a few days to get back onto our feet. We are now feeling better, and we’re excited to share the memories from our trip to Utah with all of you. Scroll down to see our adventures…and keep checking back as it may take me awhile to post them all! :)

MICHAEL'S BAPTISM!

Today was an extraordinary day! Michael was baptized and confirmed a member of the church today. Many of you know Michael as my younger brother who has always given me the courage and strength I've needed when I have been going through a difficult experience. Michael is my hero - Michael has cerebral palsy and has lived a life full of physical challenges. However, this in no way has ever held him back from teaching people the greatest lessons in life. Michael has taught me that life is about living it to the fullest, appreciating the abilities you have and looking for opportunities to serve others.


It was so moving to see Jody, my father and my Uncle Reed supporting and holding Michael up in the font as Jody baptized him.


Michael was so excited the night before his Baptism that he didn't sleep a wink! He has been telling my parents and everyone who would listen for a long time now that he was ready to be baptized. He would raise his eyes to the sky, as if to look at the heavens to let us know he was prepared to make this special commitment. Michael looked so perfect all dressed in white. We are excited that Michael will now have the Holy Ghost as his Constant Companion to guide him through troubling times when he is feeling weak or sick. This will also help him to be an even better missionary than he already is now!! Michael - We are So Proud of You!


Thanks Jody for acting like Craig Ferguson right before this above picture was taken...we are all laughing really hard!

KYLENE AND GREG'S WEDDING!

Today my beautiful sister-in-law Kylene and her sweetheart Greg got married! They were sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. The sealing was so uplifting and spiritual. Kylene and Greg looked so very in love and extremely happy. We were thrilled to be there to share in their bliss!

As many of you know, I love video editing. It is a passion of mine. I made this little wedding video to recap all of the joyful wedding festivities. Of course because it's on the blog, the video quality doesn't look as good as the original; however you can see the beautiful time we shared together as a family. Make sure and pause the music at the bottom of the blog so that you can enjoy the "Wedding Tunes" on the video.




Families are Forever!

First Mother's Day!

Today is a special day - It's my very FIRST Mother's Day! I had a great present because we were able to fly to Utah on this day and share sweet moments with both my mother and my mother-in-law. Now that I'm a mom - I see the world so differently. I want Gracie to grow up knowing she is loved more than words. She has brought so much joy into my life. I'm so thankful to be a mom!


"A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the attitudes, hopes, and beliefs that will determine the kind of life he will live, and the contribution he will make to society."
N. Eldon Tanner, “No Greater Honor: The Woman’s Role,” Ensign.

Playing With Our Love Bug!

Love Makes a House a Home...and we're lucky enough to have a great deal of love! Gracie is Daddy's Little Girl. She just beams when she sees him! Last night, when I was at work; Jody put Gracie to bed. She was fast asleep, but when he put her down in her crib - she woke up and was ready to play. He told me he could hear her just giggling in her crib for about 30 minutes until she fell asleep again. She's such a happy little girl!


Gracie now cries when I leave the room - partly because she is already a very social person, and she doesn't want to miss out on anything. However, there's another part where I feel she is saying, "I need you, Mom." I need you too Gracie! When she wraps her little hand around my finger and smiles at me, I think, "It doesn't get any better than this!"