Addison had her birthday this week (1/14) and is now one year old! That went by really fast. The strange thing is she still seems very much like a baby to me. I look at pictures of Elli at this age and think that she was so much more mature at one. But either way, she is wonderful and we love her. I don't know if I mentioned before but she said her first word after Christmas. She said "Mickey" when she saw Elli's stuffed Mickey toy. Also, just the other day, she said "uh oh" when she dropped her sippy cup. And we have determined that there is a particular tone of "baba" that means grandma. She says it when she sees Viola and there is no question that that is exactly what she is trying to say.
I usually like asking Elli questions on her birthday about favorite color and songs, etc. But obviously it's a little hard to ask a baby. So from what I can tell she loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on tv, she thinks water is the greatest thing ever (unless it's for a bath), she loves bananas and doesn't like ground beef. She is 27 inches tall and weighs a "hefty" 17 pounds. Little, I know! She's great at giving hugs and kisses and is a joy to be around.
Elli is also very sweet and very funny too. Over New Years we were in Vegas with Andrea's family. As most of you know Janson (Elli's cousin) has type 1 diabeties (sorry on the spelling!) and it has just become a way of life for them. Elli thought that all the new words and poking of fingers was really interesting. She got a little stuffed dog for Christmas that she named "Jaq" (think Lady and the Tramp). Anyway, one say she held Jaq very carefully and told me that she needed to check Jaq because he was getting low. I looked at her and asked, "is that because he has diabeties?" Without missing a beat she replied, "no mommy, he has doggy-beties!) Well, that's rather observant! I should've figured that out on my own!
Then the other day, she came up to me and put her little hand on my face. She softly touched my cheek and neck then said, "mommy, your face looks like a toe-let". (For some reason Elli has decided that toilet should be pronounced with a southern drawl and has become toe-let!) Well, I couldn't figure out how I looked like a toilet so I asked her to explain. This she had a little bit harder time saying, "you know it's round and then goes down to the floor." When adults look at a toilet we look at it from above. She sees it almost straight on. So the bowl and stem area sort of look like a face, jaw and neck of a person - in a three year old sort of way. I decided to take that as a compliment toward the smoothness of my skin, but I still have to laugh at being compared to the toe-let!
So in other news, I got called to teach Sunbeams. I'm not too excited about it, but I know that there are far worse callings and I did grow to love the Nursery while I was there. So, I guess I have to learn to love it if the Lord ever plans to release me from this calling. There are eight little girls in the class (3-4 years old) and they are still adjusting to not being in Nursery (I guess I graduated with them). I take snacks, we sing songs, it's okay - but I have a feeling I will start to understand patience more fully after this is over. Wish me luck!
Gotta run - it's getting late for me. I'll post photos of Addison's birthday soon; keep checking back.
Love, Alesha
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A few reflective thoughts for the New Year
I've been doing a lot of thinking as we've rolled into 2009. It started with a quote Lauren and Josh gave along with a gift this Christmas (Lauren you'll have to email it to me) and while I don't remember the words exactly, I remember the message behind it that there is a need in this world for perspective and simplicity. Christmas wasn't about the gifts that glitter or price tags that added up. Christmas, and life, is about finding happiness and getting our priorities in order. I have made many resolutions for myself over the years and the thing I find consistent is my desire to be happy. Not that I'm unhappy, but that there is always room for something more to bring us higher and make us better.
Maybe this is your year to be bold and try new things. New career, new home, new hobbies - whatever. Henry David Thoreau once said, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." I think everyone should have a dream and should live it. But always keep in mind the welfare of those we love and the commitments we have made.
Or maybe this is your year to unwind and reflect. Sometimes when life gets too crazy it can feel overwhelming. I know I get like that a lot. We look for happiness and peace. We crave the loving care of someone who doesn't judge, but will just listen as we tell our story. In those moments I turn to a favorite quote from Anne Frank, possibly one of the most incredible girls who has ever lived. She had a terrible life and still found hope, faith and the ability to look for the good in everything. She said, "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."
God does want us to be happy. That's why we are here! We have a loving Heavenly father who has made a plan of happiness for each of us. Maybe this is your year to find a renewal in your faith. We have friends of many religions and I hope that each of you take time to find God again this year. He loves you. He wants you to be happy. Our church has taught us that "happiness...is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ".
So, as you take time this year to expand or simplify your world, make yourself better, and search for happiness. Don't forget to spend some time talking to the One who really matters. One who loves you and will never leave you alone. Keep wishing people a "Happy New Year" and then think about what it really means to be happy.
Elder L. Tom Perry said recently, "In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. May we comply with the inspired counsel and direction the Lord has given us in the great plan of happiness. May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey. May we prepare ourselves to accomplish the ultimate purpose of this mortal test—to return and live with our Heavenly Father."
I believe that is true and I wish you all happiness and peace in this New Year.
Love, Alesha
p.s. Check out www.mormon.com or www.lds.org for answers to life's big questions and more instruction on how to be happy.
Maybe this is your year to be bold and try new things. New career, new home, new hobbies - whatever. Henry David Thoreau once said, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." I think everyone should have a dream and should live it. But always keep in mind the welfare of those we love and the commitments we have made.
Or maybe this is your year to unwind and reflect. Sometimes when life gets too crazy it can feel overwhelming. I know I get like that a lot. We look for happiness and peace. We crave the loving care of someone who doesn't judge, but will just listen as we tell our story. In those moments I turn to a favorite quote from Anne Frank, possibly one of the most incredible girls who has ever lived. She had a terrible life and still found hope, faith and the ability to look for the good in everything. She said, "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."
God does want us to be happy. That's why we are here! We have a loving Heavenly father who has made a plan of happiness for each of us. Maybe this is your year to find a renewal in your faith. We have friends of many religions and I hope that each of you take time to find God again this year. He loves you. He wants you to be happy. Our church has taught us that "happiness...is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ".
So, as you take time this year to expand or simplify your world, make yourself better, and search for happiness. Don't forget to spend some time talking to the One who really matters. One who loves you and will never leave you alone. Keep wishing people a "Happy New Year" and then think about what it really means to be happy.
Elder L. Tom Perry said recently, "In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. May we comply with the inspired counsel and direction the Lord has given us in the great plan of happiness. May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey. May we prepare ourselves to accomplish the ultimate purpose of this mortal test—to return and live with our Heavenly Father."
I believe that is true and I wish you all happiness and peace in this New Year.
Love, Alesha
p.s. Check out www.mormon.com or www.lds.org for answers to life's big questions and more instruction on how to be happy.
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