Five Years

Kaden and I celebrated our fifth anniversary on Valentines day. In some ways i can not believe it has already been so long and in others i can't believe it has only been 5 years. In 5 years we have lived in two states, moved 4 times, bought a home, bought a car, attended school, finished school, had several different jobs, visited San Francisco 4 times, Disneyland 7 times, Mexico, Seattle and Nashville once, had three pregnancies and two beautiful daughters. We are so much more in love today than we were the day we said yes to spending eternity together. It is almost silly to think i knew what love was when i was only 19. We were obviously smitten by one another and couldn't stand the thought of not being together forever, but we have truly grown so much over the past few years. We are best friends, we are lovers and we are parents. Kaden works so hard to provide for our little family and make sure we are happy. I hope my loving husband knows how absolutely sure i am that i made the best decision 5 years ago when i committed to an eternity with him by my side. 

She is Blessed

Emersyn Hope Leavitt

was given a name and a blessing on February 9.

Kaden blessed our sweet girl in our ward surrounded by family and few close friends. 

The things that were said were so perfect for our dear Emersyn. She smiled through out her entire blessing and had every man surrounding her smiling back. Our little girl is still so fresh from heaven i can't help but feel a little closer to the Lord every time i hold her. Her blessing said a lot about her testimony and her helping her families testimonies to grow.

Emersyn is 3 Months Old

Happy very late 3 months to Miss Emersyn! 

Seriously she is almost 4 months old now, but these pictures were taken the day she turned 3 months

This dark haired blue eyed girl has two hobbies... blowing bubbles and eating.

Her days consist of sleeping, smiling and being picked on by Leighton.

She is currently working on sitting up and pushing herself up.

Em still loves being swaddled and rocked to sleep.

She is the biggest mommas girl and I am just fine with that.

Emersyn loves cuddles, kisses, and of course Tiffany. 

Those two have really good staring contests. 

She is so strong and has the sweetest spirit. 

 My only wish right now is that she could stay this little forever. 

Her thigh rolls melt my hear and morning smiles make early days so worth while.

Disneyland

I am sure i have at least 5 other posts with the same title, but we went to Disneyland. Kaden started planning this trip months ago, after we decided to move and after he heard about Superbowl weekend being empty. Our move has now been postponed a few months but we still knew we were in desperate need of a fun little family trip and to do something to celebrate our 5th anniversary.

 A few of Leighton's favorites

Melt my heart! Leighton held my hand while we rode the carousel.

This girl just chilled the entire time.

It really was a magical weekend. Leighton was in heaven with all of the music, characters, rides and parades. The first morning we walked into the park for breakfast and Leighton literally danced her way down main street. There is something special about little girls in princess outfits at the happiest place on earth. My family and Uncle Jimi's family were able to come to Disneyland with us and help make the trip that much more fun. We can't wait until both girls are able to enjoy the park together. 

Panties and Pony Tales

If you've  followed my Instagram lately then you should know by now how crazy Leighton is. Ever since our visit to Nashville we have been watching our sweet 1 year old transform into a crazy almost 2 year old that might act more like a teenager than a toddler, minus the boy problems. Heaven help us when this girl discovers the opposite sex. 

Two things we have managed to work on inbetween her shaking her finger and saying no and telling me to go away have  been potty training and doing her hair everyday. She has been awesome with potty training! Only about 1 accident a day and the only time I put a diaper on her is for bed at night. She loves her big girl panties. So much that she put all 6 pairs on when we first got them and ran around yelling woo hoo. 

Her hair has been more of a struggle but if I can distract her with a muffin or a little doot doot (TV) then it turns out pretty cute and she likes to look at it and say pretty. Speaking of pretties Leighton is obsessed with puffy little dresses and skirts. She actually tries to wear a skirt with every outfit and likes to twirl around and watch it flow. We bought her a Minnie Mouse dress the other day and she wanted to sleep with it and then brought it into me at 6:30 in the morning so she could put it on. I actually had to hide it so she'd wear different clothes this weekend. 

As much as I like to point out how crazy and hard she is I wouldn't want her any other way. She is still very sweet and loving and very much her own person. I love seeing her personality grow. I love that she still can't pass up on cuddles or being held. I love that she is still little no matter how big she may seem. And I love that she has really started to take on the role of being a big sister. She has started to hold Emersyn, try to carry her (we don't encourage this), and play with her. The more she talks and accomplishes big girl things the more I know she really will be a great example for Emersyn and she will love having a little sister to boss around. 

Thoughts from Sunday

A couple of Sundays ago sacrament seemed to be extra hard to sit through. Em was upset and fussy and had a horrible cough and Leighton had smacked her head on the corner of the hymn book holder and screamed like crazy. When the last song began I instantly felt peace come over me and Leighton bless her heart tried her hardest to sing along. The hymn being sung was because I have been given much. With Leighton's sweet spirit next to me so reverently singing along with the congregation I couldn't help but melt. I probably paid attention to the words more than ever before. It is a beautifuly simple song that reminded me of what I am supposed to be doing with my life. 

Lately I have felt overwhelmed by my role as a mother. It is truly the most rewarding job I have ever had but the most challenging as well. I worry about 99% of the time that I'm not doing enough. That the 5th load of laundry and placing Leighton in front of the tv aren't exactly what I should I be doing with my day. I worry that I don't give my girls enough hugs or kisses and that even though my time is no longer devoted to shool or a real job that I'm not devoting it to the things that I should be. And it's true I am not devoting enough time to The Lord. I haven't been to the temple since Leighton was born. I haven't done my visiting teaching since our ward split last summer and I haven't held a calling for probably close to a year now. 

Because I have been given much, I too must give.

Because of thy great bounty, Lord each day I live.

I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see,

who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care…

I cannot see another’s lack and I not share-

my glowing fire, my loaf of bread-my roof’s safe shelter over head,

that he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord,

I’ll share thy love again according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed,

thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Because of my sweet daughters eagerness to sing these sweet words I realized my feelings of being so much less than what I should be can be eased if I only begin to live how I really should. I know I am blessed. I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters. With a loving husband. Supporting family and amazing friends. Because I have been given much, I too must give. If there is any one goal I am going to work especially hard on this year, it will be this one. 

2014

Welcoming in a New Year is always such an exciting and well welcomed time but this year I have been facing it with some anxiousness and anxiety. I know with this new year so much change will come and I don't know how much control I will have over it. I don't want my babies to get older or for my sister to leave for a year and a half or especially for Jessica to have to face her cancer. But I know with this new year my girls will grow and continue to bring smiles to our faces, Sarah will bless the lives of others while sharing the gospel and Jessica will be strong and beat the cancer and be an inspiration to everyone around her. 

New Years means new beginnings, the past two years brought new life into our lives and new love with it. (no babies this year) While I try to come up with resolutions every year I felt like it was especially needed now that I have finished school. Here are few that I have so far. 

Spiritual Goals- read scriptures every morning, pray daily with Kaden, teach Leighton to pray, attend the temple monthly and pay tithing regularly.

Physical Goals- exercise daily, be more active, drink juice regularly, no soda, less junk, run more 5ks, run a half marathon.

Mental Goals- read at least 1 book a month, learn new words, write on the blog regularly, help Kaden with his classes. 

Family Goals- make dinner daily, keep the home more organized, go to Disneyland, go to the east coast, move to Nashville. 

I'm sure I'll add more to the list as time goes on but as I am hesitant to start the year as it is I tried to make my goals as achievable as possible. 

I hope that this year is a good one. I hope I can love more, need less and enjoy the simple things that I am blessed with. I pray happiness is overwhelming and growth is welcomed. Ready or not 2014 is here.