quick update.....

so, I was reading a friend's blog, and she did a little update on her family members. I thought, "what a great idea!" So, I'm going to steal the great idea and do it for us :) (thanks Laura!)

Quenton

* working normal hours at his construction/electrician job (after a couple weeks of late late nights, this is nice)
* getting ready to take a course so he can finish his journeyman electrician (he's also an electrical engineer)
* thinking/preparing for when he'll take his p-eng exam (he's so smart!)
* sanding and staining a diningroom table for us so I can have our other table as a sewing table downstairs :)
* working as a Primary teacher at church (what a good example!)
* helping out with meals when preggo here can't stand to cook raw meat
* being the best dad and husband xoxo

Tanya

* getting bigger all the time
* trying to get some crafts going for winter as well as Christmas cards (we'll see how that goes)
* working as the Activity Leader in Primary
* actively working on losing a little weight during this pregnancy (don't worry, it's all healthy and nothing CRAZY)
* thinking about taking some massage/accupressure courses to use until I can go back for my ASL Interpreter Diploma (which would be when we're done having kids)
* absolutely loving being a mom and wife :) I have such a great family!!!

Hazel

* getting REALLY BIG --- 100% for height and 98% for weight. wow.
* getting more and more inquisitive every day! especially with a Christmas tree filled with fun ornaments that fit perfectly in her little hand :)
* running all over the place, pointing, learning what things are
* talking to the dogs. they have a special language ;)
* learning that having fits when she doesn't get what she wants sometimes works, but mostly doesn't
* being, seriously, the best little girl we could have asked for :)

Baby #2

* about as big as my palm right now
* moving around a lot. I can't feel the baby all the time, but there have been flutters since about 13-14 weeks. love it!
* kicking the monitor when the doc listens for it's heartbeat!
* getting ready to show their beautiful face in a week and a half (so. excited.)


As for Buddy and Sugar, they are the same as always; a handful, but I'm greatful to have them around. I love love love my little family. I can't even begin to express my love for such a kind and loving Heavenly Father who has known my needs from the very beginning. Quenton is more than perfect for me; I believe we were prepared for eachother. Hazel is the light in my life, and this new little one will be such a welcomed joy to our family. Life is good, and it's only getting better :)

gratitude

I was just watching  20/20 with Diane Sawyer interviewing Gabby Giffords and her husband. What a horrible ordeal for her to go through, but what an example of optimism and courage in the face of adversity. I know that my life has been tough sometimes, and I've seen some of the struggles my friends have gone through as well. I know how difficult it can be to rely on faith, to rely on the Savior when we feel alone, or when we feel like there's nowhere to turn. Enduring can be one of the most difficult things we must do in this life. And to endure it well?? Sometimes that seems unatainable. But, after watching that interview, I feel renewed faith, renewed assurance that anything is possible. I think it's something I need to take one day at a time. It's good to look at and to remember the big picture, having that eternal perspective and knowing that in the end we'll be okay, but to just take life a day at a time and do the things to keep strong, to stay optimistic. Love is what matters, and WE matter to someone. YOU matter to me, even if there are miles between us.

happy.

So, I have been feeling SOOO tired lately. I'm sure a lot has to do with my busy little Hazel :) She only stops to eat and sleep, and occaisionally cuddle with me! I have so much on my to-do list, so I try to take advantage of the moments where I feel a burst of energy :) I mean, Christmas is almost upon us!! I have decorating and planning and crafting to do! :)
So, I wanted to mention my darling husband for a moment. He's been working some crazy hours these last couple of weeks, so we get a little more time with him in the mornings. I think Hazel LOVES it!! She's never too happy to see him leave for work. I'm so grateful for the sacrifices he makes for us! Aside from work, he has to deal with a hormone-ridden, moody, expanding wife. Who signs up for that anyway? ;)
Along with this new baby coming soon to our family, this time in our lives seems to be filled with a lot of change. Quenton and I have had such great discussions lately, and the love I have for my family, even for myself, is growing :)
Heavenly Father is so mindful of the things that we need, and when we need them. I am so grateful for the continued learning of ourselves, the Spirit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the things that really matter. :) I think I'm going to listen to Christmas music now.

sneek peek....

We had amazing Kim take our family pics yesterday, so here are some to wet your appetite :)

Thanks so much Kim!

Our baby (or not so baby) H

So, Hazel has been 1 for almost a week. I cannot believe it!!! I know moms everywhere talk about "where did the time go?" but seriously, where!?!?!? I feel like it was just yesterday that she was learning to roll over, or smiling for the first time. She is my little angel, and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father decided to bless us with her when he did.
Here's a recap of her first year :

And that's 12 months of heaven in our house :) I sure love this little girl. She melts my heart and lights up the room with her toothy grin :) I can't wait for her to be a big sister!!

Our House! (well, some of it)

So here are some before and after pictures of our paint job upstairs. We were thinking of painting the basement as well, but after a week of painting upstairs, we've decided to put that off for a while. ;)
Here are before pictures of the living room:

And here's during:

And here's the finished product:

Here's the dining room before:

And here's after (sorry if the pictures aren't that clear....):

 Finally, here's pictures of Hazel's room before:

And here's her room after :

I still have to hem curtains, and I'm sure I'll be re-arranging for the next while, but we're pretty happy with our house :) We've been pretty blessed with getting this house, and the timing of this next baby and everything. So, if you're in the neighbourhood, feel free to stop by! It's not clean all the time, but as long as there's toys everywhere, you'll know that's the reason why!

We're Back!!!

Ok, so we were here mostly, I just haven't gotten around to posting anything for a while. :) So much has happened!! I'll give a rundown of the last few months, then talk more later about Hazel's Birthday.
For one, we moved into our FIRST HOUSE!!!! We spent the month of August packing everything up, which was interesting since I was having major back issues. But, we got it all ready to go, and August 31 we took possession. :) Once Quent moves the pictures from his work computer to here i'll be more than happy to show you the before and after shots of our week of painting!
It's been so nice to not have to worry about bad neighbours upstairs, pot smells filling our basement, and we love the privacy! Our neighbourhood is really nice, and we are actually excited to be handing out candy this year!
Hazel had her 1st Birthday on Friday! I can't believe a year has gone by! She really is the SMARTEST little girl! we had 3 fun parties for her, and she was pretty spoiled. I love her so much, and can't wait to celebrate more birthdays!
On another exciting note, we're PREGNANT!! It was a bit of a surprise to find out, expecially since we had the miscarriage in July. But, clearly Heavenly Father is in control, and now is the time to start expanding again :) I've been more sick this time around, and having a busy little 1 year old makes for long days. I wouldn't trade it for anything, though :) Sometimes I feel overwhelmed thinking of having 2 kiddos, and how I'll manage. I'm sure things will be fine, but it's definitely the unknown. Good thing we moved to a bigger place!!
Anyway, this is just to recap, and I'll give more details later. Life is good, friends. Life is good. :)