Locks of Love

Well, I did it! I took the plunge! Or I guess, made the cut is more like it! For years I've gone back and forth- should I cut it or grow it? Cut it or grow it?  Well, I decided to cut my hair off now while I was brave enough and cross off a bucket list item of mine.  To donate to Locks of Love, you need at least 10 inches of hair and it can't be bleached or have recent blonde highlights.  I have purposely NOT gone blonde for the past year for this very reason.  So I got out my tape measure the other day and looked to see how short I would have to have it to donate. When I saw that it didn't have to go above my shoulders, I made the brave decision to cut it. I had enough and I knew that if I didn't do it now, it wouldn't get done; I would chicken out- again (for some reason I was VERY attached to my hair!).  So I brought my 2 girlfriends along for moral support and snip, snip, snip- 6 years of growth was gone in 10 seconds!  It actually felt liberating!  I don't know why, but I felt lighter in a matter of seconds.  Crazy how a good hair cut can make you feel like a new woman!  I am glad that someone in need will now get some hair for a wig.  That makes my heart feel happy.  I can't really say that I like my short hair better than my long locks, but I definitely like the change (for now).  I think I'll probably keep it short for awhile, but then grow it again cause I look better with longer hair (in my opinion). However, now I can always say I donated! Not many people can say that!  I cut a total of 12 inches off of my hair today! Woo hoo!  Yay for hair-cuts!  And Shawn LOVES it and assured me that it isn't a "Mom" hair cut- Thanks Babe ;)  (it's definitely more "mom-ish" though!)

Here are some before and after pictures.  I was a little sad to say goodbye, but I really do love it.  It is awesome having healthy, light hair that didn't get tangled all day long- even in the wind!  I can't wait to shower and feel the difference...and save money on conditioner!  Goodbye long crackled hair, hello split-end free hair.  I like it a lot.  This change did my body (and heart) good.

15 minutes before my appointment!

3 Days Before....Good bye hair!

Lindsay decided to get her hair cut with me.  The lady informed her that she had 10 inches if she was willing to donate too. So last second she decided to do it as well! How brave!

                       

One Nation, Under God

Eleven years ago when 9-11 happened, I remember hearing about the attacks before school and feeling shock.  But I was 14.  At 14 years old, I was old enough to understand the events and to feel a great sense of sadness for our nation, but I don't think I was old enough to fully grasp the magnitude of grief that that terrible day would bring to America the Great.  America's heart broke that day. I didn't "get" what had REALLY transpired in the hearts and souls of Americans and all the people it so horribly affected.  Now, eleven years later another tragedy has struck America.  Not just America, but my good state of Colorado.  A city just 20 minutes from where I live.  For me, this hits really close to home.  

Shawn woke me up at 5:30 this morning to whisper to me what had happened and immediately I was up and reading and watching the reports.  I know our country has suffered tragic events since September 11th, 2001 (Virginia Tech comes to mind) but this one has really shaken me.  Maybe it's because it's so close to where I live.  Maybe it's because I'm pregnant and a little extra sensitive these days.  Maybe it's just because I'm older and I feel more.  Or maybe it's because I now have a daughter.  I am a Mom.  And it breaks my heart to think of the Mother's of the victims who were at that theater in Aurora.   It's those Mom's I'm thinking of who sent their children/teens off to what should have been an innocent trip to the movies with excitement buzzing. They never could have guessed that it would be the last time they saw their babies.  I think of Lucy 15 years from now, begging me to let her see the midnight showing of a movie premiere.  Me saying yes, and then hours later learning that I should have never let her walk out that door.  I think of myself waiting in line to go to a few midnight premieres in the past!  How lucky I have been to always have been kept safe- to never have a personal tragedy such as this strike my family.  

I just can't wrap my head around the fact that a seemingly innocent 24 year old med-school graduate could do this.  And what's worse is (for now) there is no known motive.  For him to throw gas bombs into a crowd of fans at a movie theater, and then shoot hundreds of bullets and kill over a dozen people-how could he?  71 injured, 12 dead.  The youngest death reported was a 6 year old, the youngest wounded was just a 4 month old baby.  How could someone DO this to anyone?  To strangers?  To people who just wanted to see a good movie.  My brother would have been at the midnight premiere somewhere if he wasn't serving his Mission.  It could have been him who was hurt.  I just feel a deep sadness in my heart.  This event has caused many tears to roll down my face today, many extra kisses and hugs given to Lucy, many prayers of thanks that she is here safe with me, and many prayers asking Heavenly Father to please comfort the hearts of the victims and their families.  Please pray for these people.  Please pray for the people in this world who just have evil in their hearts.  Pray that this world can somehow become a better place.  It isn't fair.  This world can be so scary, and I really pray that as Lucy (and my future babies) grow up, that it doesn't get worse.  I'm sure it will, and my heart aches for the dangers that Lucy will have to face as she gets older.  

Anyway, I just felt the need to ask anyone reading this to pray, as I'm sure you all are already.  This is truly a horrific tragedy and I just hope we can get through it together- One Nation, Under God.

Just a Reminder...

Dear Lucy,
In case you haven't noticed....I'm obsessed with you :) And don't you ever forget it.

This girl shouldn't have any self-esteem issues down the road....I'm pretty sure I boast, brag and show her off enough that she just HAS to know how special she is :)  Plus, I couldn't hug and kiss her any more than I already do. 

Lucy Barbara, you are loved.

Love,

Mom

God Bless America!

Happy 4th of July everyone! We didn't do much out here in Colorado.  Just a few sparklers and flowers and other little fireworks since the good ones are all banned here because of the wild fires....We also watched The Sandlot (that just seems like a good 4th of July movie!) and grilled some hotdogs.  We played cards and watched the city firework show from home- we're lucky we could see it from where we live! Anyway, I still wanted to post some of the pictures our little family took just to remember our day.  Hope you all had a fantastic Holiday.  We missed all the family we weren't with, that's for sure!  Even though we didn't go all out this year, I still LOVE the Fourth Of July and think it's a Holiday worth mentioning.  I really am SO proud to be an American :)

We love our little firecracker :)

 

I'm already almost 4 months!

She was NOT amused. It was past her bedtime and she was tired.

Good Ol' Idaho!

Well, I'm back! Lucy and I landed safely in Colorado last night after a fun filled 12 day vacation in Idaho!  I took a million pictures and wish I could post them all, but my collage program isn't working today (of course!) so I guess I'll have to only choose the best of the best to share with you all.  And that will still be a LOT.

Our trip started with Lu and I flying to Boise.  Ninny picked us up from the airport and the first place I wanted to go was Los Betos....Mmmmm....How I miss that place!  Boise was the shorter leg of our trip, but we packed a LOT in in 4 days.  I learned how to Longboard (yes, while pregnant with a worried husband at home- silly Shawn!) and I really did awesome, if I do say so myself! Mom and I got to go to a Zumba class together.  Lucy met Russell (we both did- this was definitley the highlight!!). And she is so in love with him, it's just adorable.  He wasn't sure what to think of her at first, but in the end I think he decided she was pretty cool.  See, she is a hugger and a kisser and poor little Russell didn't seem to understand why this strange toddler was smothering him :)  We had lots of family time, a day at the River, and I was able to go visit some dear old friends who I haven't seen in much too long.

Getting into trouble...

Lucy on the airplane. She did Awesome!

Meeting up with the Knuevens :)

Silly Lucy!

The girl cousins and their Flamingo dresses from Spain!  Ninny and Papa brought them home.  They looked so cute!

 

Bath time was not so fun that first night....

Pregnant and Long boarding! I'm moving in this pic, just can't tell.

We couldn't seem to get a good picture of all of us girls long boarding so this will have to do.  It was so much fun!

The bird bit her after this...she loved it until then ;)

 Papa riding with Lucy on his lawn mower :)

My Mom, Dad, Lucy and me then drove up to Coeur d'Alene, ID.  It was Lucy's first road trip!  She's been on a plane 7 times in her short life, but has now only had 1 good old fashioned road trip.  I have to say, I was impressed.  She watched a couple hours of Elmo, took a couple of naps, and played the rest of the 8 hour trip.  Once up in CDA we had a nice, relaxing 8 days.  Lucy was the happiest she's pretty much ever been, and I was shocked that my fiesty baby actually had a calm demeanor for the majority of our stay!  She cracked everyone up with her "tricks" and showed off a LOT.  She got more attention than she's ever had in her life and now that we're back home alone she is acting attention starved!  She was held and chased and kissed and hugged and rocked and walked, etc. for 12 days straight.  She was this little independent baby that just enjoyed the wonders of my families' houses.  She was exploring every crevice she could find and even discovered how much fun trampolines are :)  My dad and I have already talked about her going to stay in Boise with the Smidt's every Summer for a few weeks by herself while we live far away.  She had the time of her life and didn't cling to her Mommy all day like she usually does! I was allowed to be a negligent Mom while on vacation and sit and watch hours of Kardashian's UNINTERRUPTED! That has NEVER happened before!  I was soaking it up!  It was so cool saying "hey, I'm going on a walk- watch Lucy for me!"  And leaving.  Just like that.  As much as I love being a Mom, being able to have a few days "off" was heavenly and just what I needed!

While in CDA, Lucy got to spend a day at Silverwood!  She was such a big girl and got to ride the carousel, the log ride AND the ferris wheel! Now that she is a "toddler" she was old enough for some of the big kid rides :)  She loved the log ride- even the roller coaster part.  And the ferris wheel had her laughing the WHOLE time while her tummy tickled- this baby has no fear of heights OR speed.  She was having the time of her life!  She even rode a kiddy roller coaster while we were there and just loved every second of it!

Lucy, Ninny and Nana on the Carousel

She really did love the horses going up and down, but wouldn't smile for a pic!

Lucy, Liv and I on the ferris wheel :)

We all loved it! Look at Lu's smile!

Lucy also met her 2nd cousin Maggie.  They are only 2 months apart and Lucy loved her.  It was good to spend some time with Holly and her cute kids while I was there- its been 2 years since I've seen her!  In CDA, we had big family dinners, pool days, a day spent at the lake, a day hiking, a day shopping down town, an afternoon watching the Ironman, and lots of late nights playing cards. Plus, Lucy got another top tooth!  It was so relaxing to just sit or be lazy with my family.  Like I said, that NEVER happens.  I enjoyed every minute.  Spending time with my Nana and Pops was just so wonderful.  It is rare these days, and I really do cherish all the memories that were made.  Plus, to see Lucy reach for her Nana and Pops just melts my heart.  She really loves those people and they really love her!

KJ is one of Lucy's FAVORITE people :)

 

She was allowed to throw a couple of temper tantrums...

Lucy was a little rough with Mags...

Nana saying Bye to Lu :'(

Lucy showing off her top teeth!

Nice nose picking Lu

Another highlight of the trip was me feeling my baby move for the first time.  I felt those first flutters one night while sitting around the kitchen table, and a couple of tiny thumps over the course of the next few days.  It was so special.  That moment when you first feel life inside of you is one to remember and cherish forever.  The baby was probably thanking me for all the wonderful, delicious and rich food I was feeding him/her!  Nana should be featured on the Food Network.  Yes- her cooking really IS that good!

It was hard to say goodbye to my Nana and Pops and Mom and Dad and sisters and niece and nephews, but I was very ready to see my Shawn.  The only thing that could have made my trip better was if he could have been there with us.  I missed him like crazy and Lucy did too.  Thank goodness for Skype!  She skyped with her Daddy a few times and they would play via internet.  It was really cute to watch her "talk" to him and laugh at him and light up when his face filled the screen.  12 days is too long to be without the love of my life!  Next time we need to make sure he can come with us!  But I came home to an emaculate house (SOOO thankful for that!) and was treated to an amazing back massage.  Nothing feels better than a back massage when you're pregnant.  Thanks to my very sweet husband for doting on me the second we touched ground.

I am so thankful for the hours spent with my dear family.  It's hard being so far away from them.  I just love and miss them so much!  But Heavenly Father called us to Colorado and so we know we will be here for awhile.  I hope I can visit my family more often because 6 months (or longer) in between visits is much too long!  Lucy needs her big bear hugs and patty cake games from her Papa and Ninny more often!

Thank you to my sweet family for entertaining us and loving Lucy.  We had a blast! At least I have a reunion in the books for 2014 :)

Until next time....

XOXOXOXOXOXO!