3rd Anniversary

December 21 was our 3rd year of being married. Can I just tell you that Kevin is such a sweet guy. I basically forgot about it with being so busy with Christmas stuff and school finals that it came so fast. But Kevin didn't forget. He got me the most beautiful flowers and wrote the sweetest letter to me. I'm not going to lie- I teared up a bit. Then we went to dinner at Chilis and just hung out the rest of the night. It was great!  I sure do love that man of mine. I am so lucky to be with him for time and all eternity. We are looking forward to another hundred years of marriage!!! LOVE YOU KEV!!!!

Grandpa

My grandpa is such a great guy. From the time I was a little girl I was always his little sweetheart. He liked me the best of all the grand kids ;) At least I thought so anyways. When I got married he thought he lost his little sweetheart, but I didn't think so- I always thought of him as one of my best friends. When I had Kinlee he has been hooked on her bright blue eyes. He then called her his sweetheart as with the other grand babies. He has long been my only grandpa and I cant believe how fast it can all be taken away from us. He has still got a little of time left- he is in the hospital right now not doing so great, but I hope he knows how much we love him and we are thinking of him. I want him so badly to pull through so that I can show him how much he means to us. We have been so caught up in our own lives that we haven't been over to visit him for almost a year. How pathetic is that to my one and only Grandpa whom I love so much. Grandpa has always taught me so much. He tells 3 hour stories about how to use a telephone, or reads every traffic sign to us all across the state on the longest drive to the coast. He makes sure that we know how HE wants something done. Grandpa would always just show up to our houses just to say hi when he was out. Even IF he had serious leg problems. Grandpa always wanted home-made jam from our apricot tree. He loved it. Too bad this year we didn't get our apricots or we would have had a reason to go see him. I wish I had just 2 minutes left to tell him how special he is to me. 

Please, Please, Please let him pull through.

Thanksgiving.

We had an awesome time in FLORIDA over Thanksgiving. Here are some pics from the trip!

This last one is funny because we tried so hard to get a good picture of us under water with my new waterproof camera, but we couldn't get it in time!!!

We went shopping.

We went fishing! (twice- it was too fun the first time to not go again)

Kinlee caught a fish.

Kevin caught several fish.

I caught 2 fish. 

We celebrated Opa's 79th birthday!

We relaxed. :)

Went couponing.

Kinlee got MAJOR spoiled. 

We went on walks every night around the block to try to get Kinlee to sleep.

Kinlee slept in a big girl bed and woke up early.

The flight was long, but Kinlee did awesome.

Alan gave Kevin and I birthday presents- Joey Logano hats....SIGNED!

We went to the beach. Kinlee had a ball.

We went to Saratoga Jungle gardens where we got to see up close animals and watch silly little shows that were educational and fun.

We ate tons of awesome food- but didn't go out even once to a restaurant.

(Oh how I love people who can cook)

We went swimming in Oma and Opa's pool.

We had Thanksgiving with Alan, Angie, Derek, Oma, Opa, Corey, Wilfred and Ushie ( From Germany- I dont know how to spell her name for real) Aunt Joan, and Howard and his wife. (Also from Germany)

Such a fun time! Cant wait to go again!

Day 14, 15, 16

Day 14: I am grateful for temples. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve people I don't know just because I know they need the help. I have never really understood temples until I was able to go through for myself. I love it, and I have a goal of going every month, and even though that doesn't happen because life is so crazy- It will start happening when I am done with work. No excuses now.

I am beyond excited to do the marvelous work for the lord and all these wonderful people.

We will be going in Florida to the nearest temple and boy am i excited. "I love to see the temple" is one of the songs I love to sing to Kinlee- because I hope that one day she will have the desire to enter that sacred place of love and beauty.

Day 15: I am grateful for good friends.I am always feeling sorry for myself when I haven't heard from friends in a while and I feel just lonely. I don't know why, because I have the most amazing friends ever that teach me so much. I am grateful for the fact that they share the same standards as me. LDS or not, they are great people who care about me and others. I was able to go to a girls night last night, Bunco, with one of my great friends and I met so many amazing people. I see how important it is to be close with your ward family. They are all so fun and such great people. I had a great time. Thanks to those ladies for the great laughs, food, teasing, and loud FUN!

Day 16:  Today I am grateful for music. Music has always been a big part of my life growing up in a music teachers' home! I wish I was more musical myself, but I just LOVE listening to music. It always finds a way to be uplifting and gets me into a better mood! I love it because Kinlee dances too!! haha She is so adorable! I definitely will always cherish the silly little things she does!!

Day 11, 12, 13

Day 11 I am grateful that I get to teach the girls in Young Women's. I often wonder why I am the one who teaches them, when I feel inadequate. Not only is this calling for them, it is for me. I am learning soooo much and I am grateful that I have that opportunity.  I love to learn about the basic principles we learned as Young Women. Although it hasn't been long since I was sitting in my own YW class, i feel like I have forgotten so many of the basic things we are taught. I am grateful for the refresh in my memory it gives. I love the girls. I teach just one most Sundays and that makes it difficult for her I am sure because she gets ALL the questions, quotes, activities to herself, but she is amazing and SO smart!!

Day 12 I am grateful for Family Night and for quick dinners!  I love when Kevin comes home and it is play time for Kinlee. I love the sound of laughter and feet running around. She is so hilarious when daddy comes home. I am grateful for family night that gets me focused on what really matters in my life and not the unimportant things. I am grateful that I have a family to spend family night with! 

Day 13: Today, I am so grateful for Kinlee's prayers. Even though I cant understand a word she is saying, and she doesn't really know what she is saying either, but it is adorable and so innocent. I am grateful that she is learning so quickly the things that matter, and the commandments we have been given to keep us happy. Praying will definitely do that for her. I'm grateful also for the communication the Lord gives back. We are blessed big time.

Day 10

Day 10: Today I am very grateful for work. I'm not necessarily grateful for the work I do, but grateful that I have a job! I am grateful that I can learn from work, become a better person, and meet so many new people to become friends with. It will be sad to say goodbye within the next month, but I feel it is time to focus my energies on KINLEE and SCHOOL right now. Who knows...maybe somewhere down the line I will get to go back for the summer or something. :) 

Along with that, I am grateful for my parents, and my sister who always watches Kinlee when I am at school or work. 

I am grateful for Kevin being able to work so hard each day to support us and get us the things we need. Right now, with the holiday coming so fast, I was getting a little stressed about money, and how we are going to pay for presents we need to buy, and decorations I need in my house, and this and that, but still have a great feeling about quiting my job. It was confusing me!!  I know though now, that it is not all about gifts, and having things. I am beyond excited to have enough time to hang out with the two loves of my life. I'm also looking forward to finding some kind of creativity that might be hiding inside of me to get gifts for family and friends. Kevin and I also decided that for our presents to each other we are going to have about a $20 limit and do something special for each other. We are probably going to fall in love with the idea, and make it a tradition! I am SOOOO excited for CHRISTMAS this year!

Yeah, so what....I got a little off track ;)

Day 9

Day 9: I realized that I should have gotten caught up and had the days in sequence with the days of the month....but I didn't oops. Thats ok. Today I am so grateful for movies and books and toys that are used to occupy Kinlee while I am doing homework. Kinlee just loves Curious George, Shrek, and Dora! She sits on my lap for a few minutes while I am watching my lectures. I always feel really bad making her do things without me while I am doing homework, I just keep reminding myself that I am getting a degree for both of us! I will be smarter:) and be able to only work a couple days a week, and Kinlee will be able to have the things she needs, and possibly a sister. I am grateful for Kevin today also, for the many things he helps out with to make this possible.

And then....Kinlee comes grabs my finger and says come come come...momma please. AHHH she kills me. 

SO CUTE!

Day 8

Day 8 Today I am not feeling very grateful. I have been so busy with school, and flunking tests that I forgot to think about how grateful I am. But, today I am grateful for food. How grateful I am that my family and I can eat each day and be fully satisfied.  We have started a great tradition where we take food to homeless people each year for Christmas and Thanksgiving. We love the service, and they love the food. I am grateful that I can do that to help someone!

18 months!!

So Kinlee is now 18 months and she is cute as ever!

*Currently she is without diaper and pulling dvds out of their cases. AHH. But she is very persistant, and doesn't want that darn diaper on. I can feel a potty training coming on! 

She says so many words:

Momma, Daddy, Gus, Saige, Grandma, Papa

Banana, More, Please, Thanks, Shrek, Dora, George

Ball, Ka-Ka, puppy, kitty, cracker, food, movie,

sippy, blanky, baby, teeth, cheese.

She is not apposed to trying words we tell her to say. They are usually pretty close, but funny to listen to. 

There are too many words to remember at this point, but holy cow is she learning. 

She LOVES treats. (wonder where she got that?) 

She LOVES playing with her cousins

She Loves being outside. Uh oh for winter.

She loves her baby. 

She loves George, dora, and Shrek. Always asking to watch those three movies.

She loves puting my make-up on.

She always wants to go in her tent with us.

She loves bananas, grapes, waffles, and chicken noodle soup.

She loves being with mommy and daddy!

She loves brushing her teeth- NOT when WE brush her teeth, just her.

Her hair is getting long enough to put in pony tails.

She loves pulling clothes out of her drawers.

She LOVES LOVES LOVES shoes. 

She HATES baths. -ugh, she used to love them.

She wont sit in the grocery cart.

She is spoiled, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We love spoiling her! haha. 

We love our Kinlee!

Day 7

Day 7  I am grateful for my bed. I LOVE SLEEPING!!!  

I'm fortunate to have a nice bed, one I can sleep in every night!

I feel so warm and cozy when I'm laying there!

And then I wake up rejuvenated and ready for the day! (right)

List of items for Sullengers

PAY IT FORWARD PROJECT:

1 Box of Granola Bars
2 Trail Mix (Personal Size)
2 Goldfish (Personal Size)
6 Fruit Leather (At Costco you can get a box with 48 individual leathers for under $10)
Breath mints/Gum
Small Eye Drops (Visine)
3 Pens & Journal
Fleece Blanket for the parents (47" x 57" OR 42" x 52"- Try and go for the bigger one :) )
2 Pairs of Socks (preferably with grips on the bottom)
2 Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Chapstick
Small lotion (non-scented if possible)
Playing cards
Disposable Camera

I am donating a  full basket, their goal is 200 baskets, so if you go here you can stay updated on the items they need. Anything helps! Just let me know if you would like to send something up with me or if you would like to come up with me to donate your time!  They are putting them together on Dec. 17th.

Day 6

Day 6: I am so grateful for my in-laws. Every one of them!  Kev's mom, his dad, his brother, his step parents, his grandparents, his great grandma, his aunts, uncles, cousins (although I still haven't met his cousins). I feel so welcomed into the family and they are all SUCH amazing people. How lucky Kinlee is to have such loving family on both sides. She is one spoiled girl from these amazing people. I hope they all know how much they mean to me, and I cant wait to get to know them even better than I feel I know them. They are a huge part of our lives, and are the most giving people I have ever met. I feel loved by them, and I hope they know how much they mean to me. THANKS for all you do for us!!!

Day 5

Day 5: I am grateful for my siblings!  They are wonderful. Whitney, Chelsie, Shaylee, and Todd. They have always been my best friends and I am so glad that they are a part of my life. I have always loved having 4 siblings and I want that for Kinlee. I am grateful for all of us being so close to each-other.

Love you guys!

I was always told,

"Keep your siblings close to you, they will be your best friends when you are older."

Its true- and they are!

Day 4

Day 4:  I am grateful for my Mom and Dad. Having Kinlee has taught me a lot about sacrifice. My mom and dad have always been the most amazing parents anyone could ask for and they did it all without a fuss. I always felt loved. They dedicated their time, money, talents, efforts, knowledge, and love toward me and my siblings and continue to do anything and everything for us. Knowing now how much it takes to raise ONE child, I know they worked hard each day and night for all FIVE of us kids. They sure do know how to parent, I wish I could be half as good as them.

They are the very best grandparents. They love their grandkids so much and it shows. I know Kinlee and her cousins are always asking for her papa and grandma. She loves them so much.

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live."

 

My parents sure did that! If only I can no do that for my kids:).....

Day 3

Day 3: I am so grateful to have a home. 

One I can call my own. One that I can decorate. One that I can feel safe in. 

One that is small so that when I am in one room I can still talk to 

Kevin if he is in the clear other side of the house. 

I feel so blessed.

PS: These are in NO Particular order in ranking. Just wanted to clarify. If I had to rank them I would be in trouble because I am grateful for them all.

Day 2

"Family is Everything"

 

Day 2: I am indeed grateful for my beautiful Family. Kevin is the most incredible husband, and Kinlee makes me smile all the time. They are both great examples to me. So grateful they are a part of my life.

Grateful Challenge

"When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life."

- Dallin H. Oaks.

I have often wondered how so many people can feel so grateful after a very hard challenge. I know of 2 right off the bat that have touched me personally. The first, being Patrick And Ashley Sullenger. I dont know them, but they have touched me. I hope that one day I can bless as many lives as they have through their adversities. Since Thanksgiving is coming soon, I find it appropriate to find all of the things that I am greatful for. I often get too caught up in every day activities, and forget how blessed I am for all the "things" and people I have in my life.

I will attempt to update every day leading up to Thanksgiving. I will post something each day that I am thankful for. You are welcome to join along with me to do this yourself!! 

Day 1: I am grateful for the Gospel

I know that no one really reads these posts, but I'm going to attempt to get people together!  I have been following a blog and they lost their little girl in July. For her birthday which would be in December they are gathering people, and donations to get some baskets together for families at PCMC suffering with a loss or injury. For more information you can go here. They are getting so much support, but it is a big task, and the more they can get together the better, and the more families we can help. So far they don't really know what they need, but for sure granola bars, gum, chap-stick, shampoo and conditioners, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Also, they are setting up a paypal account for donations. Even if you cant donate things it would be fun to donate your time in putting them together. I know I am SO THRILLED to get to help!!! I will probably be making a drive, but we can carpool:)

What a great way to PAY IT FORWARD.

Family Pics

Sorry for the picture overload, but I just love these Pics of Kinlee. 

She is so adorable.

Thanks Whit for taking them for us!!!

Dentist!

Kinlee went to the dentist for the first time. I must say we paid WAY too much.  We thought since she has had so many teeth since 6 months old that we should get her in to be seen and get them cleaned so she doesn't get tartar build-up.  We took her in and it literally took 15 seconds for the doctor to look in her mouth, and chart which teeth she has and tell us they look great!  See you in 6 months. $45 later we are thinking Yeah right! ha We wont be taking her in until she can sit in the darn chair and get them cleaned!!  Good experience for her though, and the doctor was VERY sweet to her. She was adorable.

She loves the dentist already

Doc looking at her teeth.

She got to pick out a prize too! - She picked a baseball whistle (I later threw away- mean mommy)

Date Night

The beautiful temple- shot on the way to dinner:)

On the way to dinner also

At the river- the temple is behind us- just too dark outside to see.

Kinlee was a little upset about the driving home part!

Kevin and I haven't really gone on many dates by ourselves since Kinlee was born 16 months ago.... and in our temple sealing our sealer told us to go on dates, and even when we have kids to make time to go as a couple and do it frequently. We haven't been so great at it, but we finally found a day to get out.  We drove up to Idaho Falls and our original plan was to go to the temple, dinner, AND movie- but I was feeling really sick the day before and had some lingering effects that day so we cut out a few things.  Instead, we went to Outback and Reeds Dairy to get brown cows. Then we walked around the river by the temple. It was a great time! Kinlee had such a good time at her grandma's too! 

Boring

I don't have any pictures to show or really fun stories to tell, I just want to document Kinlee- so that's what I'm doing!

Today and yesterday I had quite a bit of school work due, so the majority of the day was spent on the computer doing that, while little Kinlee was destroying the house. 

She is so stinkin cute though. 

I love watching her do new things.

For instance. 

She now crawls onto the ottoman and sits and colors a picture. 

She breaks the crayons and says "Uh- Oh" and throws it on the floor.  

She couldn't get out the raisens from the box, so instead of asking for help, 

she takes the box and shakes it and bangs it all over the place to get them out. 

When she has eaten something and dropped a piece

gus(our dog) runs over to eat it for her and she YELLS at the top of her lungs "NO NO NO NO GUS!"

She is still petrified of the vacuum.

I wanted to take a picture of her, 

she ran up to me and kept saying "cheese" "cheese"- but the batteries were gone. Dang.

She grabs the keys and comes and gives me a kiss and says bye bye. Love you.

Today, that all happened.  LOVE HER!

 

Incredible

Today I was searching through some blogs and I stumbled across an amazing one.  This sweet family in Rigby, ID lost their little girl in July and it is such an inspiration the posts they have made, and the testimonies they have shared.

As I sat here BAWLING my eyes out- even still- I just cant help but think of my sweet little Kinlee and how hard it would be to lose her. I cannot even tell you how this blog has made me realize how important it is for me to blog and document all of the little things Kinlee does each day.I have so many emotions running through my head right now, I hope that I can get it all out.

I can relate to this family so well, even though I dont know them. They had been engaged in May 2007- Kevin and I June 2007.  Married that same year- them Aug, us Dec.- They had a baby girl in Feb 2009 (I believe feb), us a baby girl May 2009- Both in school, and our age. This really made me think about how life can just be so short. We dont know what Heavenly Father has in store for us, but we know that no matter what it is, it is to make us better. That is what the Lord intends for us, and it is up to us to decide whether to make ourselves better from it, or be hateful and angry with the Lord for giving us such a trial. This family has definitely been so greatful for such an awful thing, it is a true testimony of the love the Lord has for us. They just kept saying how much the lord has blessed them- never angry at the Lord for what he has taken from them. Truly inspirational.

I have been so busy with school work lately that I have forgotten what it is like to just sit and play with Kinlee. I have SO much to do today, but all that I can think about is how much I want to play with her, and rock her to bed, and just hold her in my arms. So I think I will:)

As I am writing this, Kinlee is on my back biting me, and all I can think of is how much I would miss that, instead of getting mad at her. I hope that I can remember this every day as she is pulling trash out of the garbage and throwing it all over, or taking things and throwing them at my computer screen. Or biting me, or hitting me, or throwing fits in the store.....

I am going try my hardest to be the best Mother I can, and help Kinlee to grow up knowing how much she is loved.

If you would like to read that amazing story, the blog is patrickandashley.blogspot.com

Kinlee

Kinlee has decided to grow up in less than a week and learn to do everything on her own.  She has been having a lot of alone time because of her neglectful mother doing homework 24/7.  The hardest thing I think I will ever have to do- spend less time with her and more on stinkin school work. But...i remind myself it will be worth it in the end!!!  

She has become such a mocking bird. She says so many things now. When she talks on the phone to her dad, she carries on a real conversation. Saying yes nodding her head, saying no shaking her head. Saying love you and kisses at the end. Cutest thing EVER to watch. Her newest words include Ouch, Nooooo, Please, Kitty, Doggy, and animal sounds. When she doesn't want to do something (like go to bed) she says Mom OUCH!! NOOOO!  It kills me every time. 

She is getting so funny too. She dances ALL the time- and when people are over to our house she is such a show off! She runs in circles and dances and runs away and just acts silly.

She acts like a dog. All the time- on all 4s walking through the house barking like a dog. Very cute.

She carries her doll around everywhere with her. She likes to tuck her into a "blanket".  Her blankets include hand towels, daddy's shirts, her clothes, and even pillows. Whatever she can find she uses. Another cute thing. 

She now is obsessed with the T.V. (not a good thing- another sign of neglectful mom) But LOVES sesame street and Curious George. Loves watching movies too- Finding Nemo and Ice Age are her favorites. 

She can now open doors...AHHHHH- and loves to get into our pantry and pull everything out, or the shoe closet and pull our shoes out. She has always been a shoe girl! :) 

Well, I guess that's all for now- We just love our Kinlee- She just turned 16 months!!  Where has the time gone!

Today is a good day.

Today is the day I got my cricut back.  

Kinlee is happy.

The house is a MESS.

Im eating a popsicle.

GOOD DAY! Almost Friday.

Kinlees 2nd "1st Birthday"!!!

Kevin's grandparents are so great to us every year they come.  We are so lucky to have them here right now. They have been here for a little over a week and will be leaving in a little over a week from now.  Since they weren't able to be here for Kinlee's 1st Easter and/or her 1st Birthday they decided to celebrate with her now that they are here.  So, we had a very nice birthday party with Kinlee and an Easter egg hunt! We love our little munchkin and we are blessed that we have such great people to influence her and love her so much.


 
Kinlee's cake with a little rocking horse on top.  They spelled her name wrong- "Kintee"- why would your name be Kintee?  But, it was an easy fix... just scraped the frosting off and turned it in to Kinlee!

 Kinlee is making another one year old wish.

She found her easter eggs hidden and each one had a fruit snack in it, she would eat the fruit snack and throw the egg down and move right on to the next egg and do the same thing, until they were gone, and she went back through all the eggs to be sure she didn't miss any.

 She was in the middle of saying "Oh Wow"- her most used phrase.  She just looks so cute.

 She always makes that her "fort"  so she placed her baby down in it.......

 ......and then sat down with her!

 Trying on the dolls shoes...they wont fit.