And so it begins

I know I am probably asking for it when I say I am excited for when Jocelyn does and says funny things. But I kind of am. Lucky for me today I saw a small glimpse of it.

Due to random things happening I had Jocelyn with me when I helped teach primary today and that is a whole different story. However, during one of the very few moments she was not screaming she walked over to one of the students and sat on the chair next to her. Then she said hi and lifted up her dress as high as she could then started saying belly button belly button! and pointing at her belly button.

I might need to talk to her about modesty one of these days. Or stop asking her to lift up her shirt to show me her belly button.....

California Part 2- The Beach

After a few days at Corys parents we headed to El Capitan to camp with my family. For three days we spent the entire day on the beach. There was a lot of boogie boarding, some surfing, kayaking, sand playing, sunburned bodies and a ton of fun.

This was actually the last day in Ventura at C Street. It is a tradition to dig a big hole while at the beach. The kids loved it and the babies thought it was grand to climb in and out of.

The three youngest loved the sand toys. Anne and Jocelyn liked to sit next to each other and take each others toys.

Dad and Cory kayaking.

Jocelyn got a ring pop. After licking it a few times she looked at it, looked at the sand and decided it would taste better if she dipped it in the sand a few times.

She is looking at Sara wondering why on earth she has not dipped her ring pop in the sand yet.

California Part 1

In July we took a little break from life and went home to California for a family reunion my parents put together. We went up a few days early to spend some time with Corys parents who just bought a new town house. Jocelyn had a blast with her Nana and Grandpa!

Cousin Alli had some super fun braids to play with.

Nana knew Jocelyn liked rocking chairs and happened to have the one she had when she was little. So, minus a few complications that Uncle Randy was able to work through, she put it together for Jocelyn to use.

We, of course, went to the beach. Jocelyn was watching her dad surf the harbor. I think she is getting ready to go out too.

Walking to greet the waves. No fear. At all.

She loved her Pa Pa. She even fell asleep in his lap, which she has never done before for anyone.

Along with the beach we also got some good pool time in. Jocelyn loved swimming with Nana, I think Nana liked it too.

Why not?

"Do not ask for tasks to meet your ability, rather, ask for the ability to meet your tasks." Thomas S. Monson

This morning, after a late night up talking with Cory about our life and the direction we want to take our family, I turned on the TV as I usually do while getting ready for work because I don't like complete silence. Normally I would just turn on the news. However, this morning, when I turned it on there was Pres. Monson. I thought about changing the channel then thought "Why not?" Well, the quote above spoken not 30 seconds later is why not.

I am not sure I could explain exactly why that quote holds so much value to me right now. But I will say that I needed that, more than anything. I tend to think about all the tasks I have in front of me and become overwhelmed and find myself anxious, hoping some will go away or someone will take them away for me. Sometimes I just ignore them only to let them become greater tasks. I think all along I knew that was not the way to go, but the thought of finding a way to handle it all scared me.

But that is not the way to live life. So I will,as cory says, "pull out my straw and suck it up". I will lay my tasks before me and instead of feeling fear, I will find strength and when I cannot find it, I will pray for it. I will and I can do this. (however, sometimes I might feel fear again. But I will work at being better.)

Gotta love the inspiration we receive at 6 in the morning.

16 Months

It seems little boo is changing and growing so fast I cannot keep up. I love this age so much, however, I think I can finally say I almost wish she could slow down a bit so I can enjoy it a little more. She is now 16 months old. I swear I was just talking about how much I love having a one year old. And I still cant believe I am typing that, up until now it was just excitement for each new stage.

In the last month Jocelyn has begun walking everywhere, talking a ton and is discovering her love of laughter. Making others laugh, things making her laugh etc. She is so funny. She is starting to make the funniest faces when she does things. One of our favorite things to do together is make faces in the mirror.

She has a funny fake laugh she does when she can tell someone else is fake laughing, and when she does something that makes someone laugh she keeps trying to do it.

Other things she is doing:

She talks to her reflection, ,mostly in the oven. She also walks around outside to the neighbors doors and bends down to look in the brass door panel and says hi. She will do this at each door.

She loves to talk and loves animals. She has to see and say hi to every cat and dog she sees. She talks and talks. She knows quite a few words but also just babbles. She also tries to read books as well.

What a cow says-

ABCs up to f

No- she is really good at that one