Little Bunny Foo Foo

For some reason this little girl loves to bop her little brother on the head. Jacob and I decided it must be some kind of fascination with the baldness. Not only does she love to bop it but she has also been caught dumping sand on it, soaking it with air freshener, rubbing chap-stick all over it, coloring it with crayons, covering it in stickers... etc. She has been so into pestering him lately! Poor little buddy. She does love the little stud though. And he loves her. She loves to sit with him and read him books. He loves to play with her hair. They love picking things out of the garden and eating them together. Curiously enough their most picked and eaten item... basil leaves. It would be tomatoes if those blasted squirrels would stop stealing them!

Ahh.

(Photo by Shane Rickard Photography)

For some reason I feel like I'm back. I was away, far away. I guess it's not that crazy that I too was pretty stressed as Jacob was studying for and taking the bar, and starting a new job. I was stressed for him, stressed about my house, stressed about groceries, and cooking, and children. Well, the children part was the easiest. I pretty much let most things slide, except for them. But today I feel so refreshed. Maybe because the weather has cooled down. Maybe because I got to hang out with a good friend today. Maybe because I made time for me this morning and exercised.

I've really been trying to simplify lately and focus on the most important things. It's amazing how I can still feel fulfilled without going 100mph. I still have so much to learn. But I love that the first step is simply to desire something.

But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
(Alma 32:27)

I DESIRE to have a simple, yet fulfilling life!

What do you do to simplify??

I have been trying to make things that seem overwhelming a little less so by setting a timer. I set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle a task for just that long and no longer. Then I set a timer and do something that I want to do for 15 min. (Inspired by flylady:) I have been getting so much done! Yesterday as I scrubbed my kitchen walls and cupboards I listened to this. An awesome group discussion from the Mormon channel about how to love creatively. How to find little ways to love your spouse and children. And lots of ideas for date night! I loved it because the girls speaking are people I can relate to. I want to be intentional, especially about the people that I love. You should listen to it! And then go to their website. Think of those two links as a gift from me to you... male or female... it's a great way to get you motivated to show your love to anyone!

Did you miss us?

We're back! Very burnt out and a bit disoriented... but things are slowly but surely getting back to normal. Here's a little bait to keep you coming back for more... when I get around to it...

Look at That Red Hair

Happy Birthday Luci!


VERY slowly enjoying Graeter's Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip


Decorating birthday cupcakes with friends.


Crazy hair, birthday french toast with whipped cream and sprinkles, and the most requested treat ever... hot chocolate.

We can't go one place without someone commenting how beautiful Luci's red curly hair is. She always touches her hair as if to say, "who me?" And then she says thank you. She's my little pal. Some of my favorite moments with her happen while she is sitting on the potty. I wish all of you could have the chance to sit there with her while she talks and talks and stares into your eyes while her long flowing eyelashes flutter above her curious eyes. (I am so poetic ;)

Luci's Favorite things are:
Her friends
Helping me in the kitchen
Having people over for dinner
Family Home Evening
Fancy Nancy
Smoothies
Porridge (cream of wheat)
Marshmallows
Shopping
Pears
Hummus
FOOD
More FOOD
The temple
Nursery
Grandparents
Daddy Dates and purple ice cream
Staying up late to play games with the mommies and daddies
Planning and going to pretend parties
Skirts
Headbands("No pink tails, or pony tails, or braids mommy")
Scripture story: Korihor
Writing and sending letters

We definitely have our power struggles, but most of the time she is one sweet, obedient, funny little girl. Last night I asked her to pick up her room and get her jammies on while I put Elijah to bed (since Jacob wasn't home yet). When I came out of Eli's room I was pleasantly surprised to see her room completely picked up with everything in it's correct place. She had gotten her 'footie' pajamas on by herself, and was attempting to floss.

Love you Misses McGuilicutty...
(Pa Paw calls her that and she thinks it is hilarious, especially when she says it)

Developing Taste Buds

I know most of you know my opinions about getting kids to eat healthy... start them young! So, when I read this article I was so excited! I was feeling way more than validated. It's an interview with Dr. Allan Greene. Dr Greene is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, an Attending Pediatrician at Packard Children's Hospital, and a Senior Fellow at the University California San Francisco Center for the Health Professions. He has a couple of books out there on feeding baby. The interview focuses on things like feeding baby whatever the family is eating, even peanut butter! He suggests that holding off on allergenic foods might make a child more susceptible to the allergy (when there is not already a history of allergens). When we feed our babies exciting foods early they learn to love them. Here's the interview. Here's a link to his website. Here's some proof from my family... Both Elijah and Luci loved this cobb salad complete with lettuce, cabbage, grapes, carrots, cucumbers, shrimp, and eggs. The trick to getting Eli to eat it is chopping it up in a food processor or blender with a little salad dressing.

Also, his little blurb about milk was such an answer to my prayers today.

Recently

Museum center A bit concerned with his first sandbox experience

"Cheese"

"

Peanut butter, banana, chocolate chip oatmeal, mmm.

Let me in!

I'm sure you're dying to know...

Did Luci ever get her five golden ice skates??

She got something even better! Boy did we feel blessed this Christmas, and really the whole year of 2010.

How we made it one more year of Law School without an income is ever a mystery only known to Heaven. How we managed to score another adorable, amazing, and unbelievably easy child is a prize we don't deserve. How our little corolla has managed to chug along without any big problems is just as curious. How Jacob scored a job so early in the game etc... All is a mystery, until we remember that someone almighty and majestic is at the helm of our little lives. Then it doesn't seem so mysterious. We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father and Savior whom we trust even when times don't seem so curiously wonderful.

I'm glad I could extend the Christmas spirit for you just a little bit longer with my late Christmas message. continue on for more...

Luci says that all the people with their decorations still up are simply, "still celebrating Jesus' birthday". I know it's cold and it's January, but there is so much to celebrate! Are we like Martha from the story in Luke 10? The savior answered to Martha, “Martha, Martha, thou art … troubled about many things”. But Mary, she was focused on the more important things. When we focus on the Savior we will be able to rejoice! Even without all the Christmas hub bub and decorations to remind us.

He knows if you've been bad or good...

Someone's excited for Santa...

She asked him specifically for "5 golden ice skates"


Jacob took her to see the ice skaters downtown, they got hot chocolate too. She was in heaven...

Mm I Feel Good...

Babies sleeping through the night...

Just went for a swim...
Eating one of these...


Going to bed early with this one...

Equals one happy girl...

goodnight!

~Danielle

Thankful

Tonight I am grateful for this fireball who cracks herself up, and me too. Happy Monday!

please note the pretzels she is holding in her toes...

Vacation Part Two

We got to stay in Utah for almost 4 whole weeks this summer. Luci pretty much took up residence at the grandparents houses. She is always telling people, "We don't live in Utah anymore, now we live in Cincinnati again." Boy oh boy did she get spoiled. And so did we. Babysitters whenever we wanted, delicious Magleby's food, and being close to family. I know I speak for all of us when I say it was the best. Thanks fam.

New Do...

Last week we got crazy and hitched a ride with a hot guy to Indiana... He was going to a graduate fair so we hopped in the car last minute. We were excited to spend some extra time with said hot guy, see some cool waterfalls and have a picnic. It was awesome, except for the unfortunate realization that the waterfalls were all dried up. On the way back to the car Luci said very matter of factly, "We had fun mommy. We had fun on our hike." Elijah hardly even made a peep in the backpack. He's so chill. Anyway, notice the long flowing locks...

This is me, my new Do, and my goose, making faces for you. Something my good friends Amy, and Andrea taught me how to do. Thanks to them I can never look in a mirror and not twist my face in all possible ways. Here's to show I am doing my duty to pass it down to my innocent children.