Thoughts & Pictures

Fasting - Today was the first day I've fasted in 23 months. Last month I thought, "Ha ha! I get to eat and no one else here does!" Then as I walked into church and started listening to the testimonies, I realized fasting is just like many of the other things we are asked to do. On the surface, they might seem restricting. However, by doing what we have been asked to do, we tap into blessings and opportunities that we otherwise wouldn't be able to. For the next month, I looked forward to today. I enjoyed the expansion of my blessings.

To Do List - On Saturday I spent a good amount of my day sitting, staring at my computer and thinking about what to do about a phone. That's what decisions do to me - paralyze me. I did clean the kitchen, but it took over two hours because when I have a full day to clean, I obsess and deep clean. Late afternoon, Clara and I went to Debbie's to hang out for a few hours and then our families went to dinner. After the kids were in bed, I got all but one of my most important work to do's done. I love it when I am irresponsible and everything still works out just fine. Oh sure, my huge to do list is still going to roll over to Monday, but I got all my pressing deadlines taken care of so I'm not stressed.

iPhone - Every 5 minutes, I decide to take the plunge and get an iPhone. It'd be awesome! Instagram! Better camera! Then I talk myself out of it. $30+ more a month! What if Jason loses his job?! Pay off debt! Save money! TWO YEAR CONTRACT! 5 minutes later, I've talked myself back into it. I'll just work extra! I'll spend less on groceries! I'll actually stick to my budget! Everyone else is doing it! INSTAGRAM! It's rather pathetic. The good news is, today I realized I can use my hands free button to make phone calls. If I can't get the right name with my voice command, I can always say the phone number. Works like a charm. Jason rolls his eyes at me when I say "Call Melzer house" and my phone announces "Calling Melzer house". I think it's marvelous. Jason insists my phone is broken, I insist it works fine.

Happy Life - Last night I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep and thought about how I feel like I have the best of two worlds. I have my cake and eat it too. Jason and I have just as much fun now than we did before we were married, laugh together often and stay up late talking, yet we also get to parent two darling kids, which brings it's very own joys and happiness. It's pretty awesome.

And now for more pictures with commentary than you probably care for...

This happens regularly. I hope it means Hazel likes books as much as Clara.

One day while I was in my room working, Clara loaded the dishwasher without being asked.
Hazel disappears in the kitchen. It makes me laugh every time I turn around and see something like this.
It took me an hour and ten minutes to get to my mom's one day last week. At least I got to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
On the same day my commute took 30 minutes longer than normal, my hem, that was being held with masking tape, came undone, so my pants drug in the rain water and I found the tape on the bottom of my shoe. Moments like that make me feel like one big mess. Or wait, maybe I felt really put together and classy.
I don't know exactly why, but I love this picture. I love the lighting, Hazel's pj's, Hazel period and the Valentine's decorations Clara made all by herself and hung on the mantle. The little pink things are rose petals taped to the mantle and you should really zoom in to see Clara's hearts that she cut out with no pattern.
I guess one downfall of matching PJ's is the 5 year old grabbing the 1 year old shirt.
Can anyone guess what movie Clara watched that inspired this?

{101 Dalmatians}

I feed Hazel lots of avocados in hopes it will make up for all the good fat she's missing out on by not drinking cow's milk. Lately she's made a huge mess with them and I laugh every time.
Awww, such a sweet baby.
Last Saturday Romney's campaign bus was right by our house so I talked Jason into going to look at it with me - awww, such a supportive husband.
Jason had Monday off so I went into work. I came home to Clara's "store" that her and Jason built.
Someone learned how to blink
her
eyes.
Someone still doesn't walk and doesn't try to walk. I stood her up against the wall and was surprised she stood long enough for a few pictures.
I've really been getting into my backyard lately. I feel like I've totally underestimated it's awesomeness until recently.
Cars go brrbbbbbb.
Really happy, really sad.
Obviously the baby swing is big enough for two.
Clara insisted on carrying the backpack on our little nature walk. It didn't last long, but longer than I thought it would.
I decided I'd take my phone apart to fix it. I really like my phone and am so bummed I have to replace it. After that tiny little piece fell out, I panicked and put it back together. I didn't totally break it, but I also didn't fix it.
Clara is obsessed with parties. Friday night we had a bow party. Her and my mom tied bows earlier in the day and we picked bows and put them on our heads during the party.
The fun has begun!