The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book. It was hard to put down. I am amazed that this was her first novel. What an incredible tribute to women of all different races. We can make a difference even if it is just to a few people.

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Mowgli Run

Delicious Food!

On the 15th of January Clara turned 6 months old. I was a little hesitant/reluctant to start Clara on food because I'd really come to enjoy nursing her and we'd settled into a really good routine. I was nervous to start switching things up again. However, once Clara got her first taste of solid food, it was like turning a kid loose in an ice cream store. She loves to eat! (I wonder where she got it from...) Her first foods were bananas and peas (besides a small taste of sqaush at Christmas dinner). She just can't get enough. She literally is eating every two hours again, now that she has discovered new horizons. Having her on solid food has it's disadvantages (food prep, time, mess, diapers, etc.) but there are some definite advantages as well. Joe can feed her now, which helps me out quite a bit.

Now, at seven months old, she's a pro. She's even drinking through a cup with a straw rather than a bottle. Call me crazy, but I think she just loves feeling grown up and eating like her mommy and daddy.

Christmas Highlights

Here are some of the fun highlights from Christmas.

1. My family was able to come out for about two and a half weeks! It was great having them here! It was probably the last time all of us will be able to be together for the next couple years. This was the family picture from our traditional day of bowling on New Years Eve. It was a blast!


2. McKay opened his mission call! He is going to the Colorado Springs, Colorado mission. He goes into the MTC on the 3rd of March. It has been amazing to see the man McKay is becoming. His testimony is strong and I know that he will serve the Lord diligently and work many miracles for Him. If you want to see him opening his call, the video is posted below. I think my dad's reaction is the best! We are so proud of you bud!

3. Everyone got the chance to go skiing at least once! This was so much fun. It was a little tricky to work it because of little Clara, but we managed. We divided it up into two different trips. My mom stayed with Clara while I went the first time. Shannon got her wisdom teeth out the week before Christmas so she stayed behind on the first trip as well. Then Joe and I stayed behind on the second trip. It was really cool. It'd been almost two years since Joe and I'd been.

4. My parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary! We were so happy that they were here so we could do something for them. We have such wonderful parents.

5. Clara cut two teeth! I am amazed at how fast she is growing. It was great to have my mom here to help me know what to do. Clara never throws tantrums, but this was the fussiest I'd ever seen her and I didn't know what to do. My mom knew instantly what was going on and was awesome at teaching me what to do and consoling my little girl.

6. Joe's sister Sarah got married in the Philipines! We were sad that we couldn't be there, but happy that she was able to be sealed to a wonderful man. We miss her a lot.

Here are some more fun pictures!

It was such a wonderful holiday!

Finally Getting Back To It!

So it has been a while since I've actually blogged for a couple reasons. The first is that the last two months have literally been constant maddness (in a good way of course!). As lame as this excuse sounds, there really wasn't time. The second is that it was really hard to find the motivation to do it. You know how some times it is just really easy to do and other times it is the last thing in the world you want to attempt? That is reason 2. So, forthcoming will be posts about Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and my birthday! Thanks to everyone for being patient with the blog going private.

A quick preview of what is to come:

Clara's first little doll!

Going Private!

Hello everyone!
In just a couple weeks our blog will be going private. If you would like to be added to the list of those who can view it, just send me your e-mail address, or leave a comment on this post.
Thanks!

New Stats to Report

Clara recently had her four month check up. Here are the current stats:

Height: 25.5" = 90%
Weight: 15 lbs. 7 oz. = 90%
Head Circumference: 40.75 cm = 50%

So I had to post this picture. Clara was being so cute, I put her down, walked into the bedroom to put something away, and when I came out I found her like this:


Oh it was so cute!

Here are some adorable pictures from this weekend's football game. It was rather chilly so we made sure we bundled her up really well. She looked like a marshmallow! I loved it.


Clara also had a milestone today: She rolled over! Scared me half to death, but a fun thing to see nonetheless.
We've also got McKay with us for the week! We love having him here with us! We are looking forward to football and food Thursday, Christmas festivities beginning on Friday, and one intense football game on Saturday!

Don't you just love the holidays?