Pictures that make me SMILE!

It is just a coincidence that Madison's shirt says SMILE on it! :) My sister in-law Brook just got this amazing camera, and decided to snap some shots! Thanks Brook! These were taken days before I decided to hack 3 inches off Madison's hair...what was I thinking?!! I meant to take 1.5 in. off, but let's just say that I made a little mistake...whoops! Oh-well, her hair is still long, and it will grow back.

We love this little girl so much, and we are so grateful that she is a part of our family!

I love her expression in this pic!





Look how long that hair is!!



Chad and Madsion





This is my favorite picture of them all! Just look at her sweet little face!

Cloudy with a chance of tears!

This is my forecast today! I am feeling like life is a bit cloudy lately! I am struggling today!! I have been keeping a lot of my feelings and emotions to myself because I have decided that people don't want to hear them. But, I read a blog tonight, and what she wrote gave me courage to write myself (adailyscoop.blogspot.com). I have been consumed with thoughts about why we haven't been able to conceive another child! It has been 17 months now since we started trying, and it's just not happening. I tried clomid for 2 months, but the side effects were too much for me. I wake up in the morning to pee on an ovulation stick during a 10 day window following my cycle, and so far...nothing! Every month I am hopeful, but every month my hopes are dashed! What is wrong with my body?! Why can't I get pregnant?! Ugh!! It has been difficult to sit by while other people lap me! I have friends/family who have children younger than Madison who have already had another child, (and I mean no offense to those friends/family that fit in this category). I am happy for my friends and family, but it has just been difficult, ya know?!! I don't want you all to think that I am ungrateful for all my blessings. I have a great life! I have a wonderful husband, an amazing daughter, and a great family. But my heart breaks for Madison. She wants a sibling so bad, and we haven't been able to give that to her. She prays that I will get pregnant all the time. The other night after her prayer I explained that I might not be able to have another baby, she looked at me and said, "I know mama, but you can try!" She is so sweet, and her faith is strong. Why can't I be as faithful as her?! I hope we can be blessed with the opportunity to give her a brother or a sister someday! I guess I just need to have faith. I gotta tell you though, this is getting harder and harder! I know Satan is taking full advantage of this opportunity to discourage me even further. I think I let him win today! I just keep praying that I won't allow him to win everyday, regardless of the turnout!

Could we be...

twins? This is my sister Melissa. We are 3 years 3 months apart. We are often told that we look like twins! Sometimes Melissa's kids run up to me thinking that I am her, and sometimes our husbands even get us mixed up! I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that we are the same height and approximately the same weight, but a lot of people think we look alike in the face as well. Sometimes I see it, and other times I don't! What do you see?

What I do know, is that I am so lucky to have such an amazing sister! She is smart, kind, patient, sweet, funny, caring, happy, and a ton of fun to be around! We always have a great time together, and can always make one another laugh! We are goofy when we are together!! I am so blessed to have her in my life, and I don't know what I would do without her! Love ya Lissa!!

She is WAY tanner than me in this pic! Man I am so freakin' pale!!

I think we look a lot alike in this pic!

Introducing...

baby Xander!! Xander was born on January 6, 2010! Isn't he handsome! We are so happy to have a new nephew. Congratulations Jeff and Bethany!!

New Years!!

Christmas 2009

White Elephant Party

For the last 3 years we have had a white elephant gift exchange at our house before Christmas. It is a fun way to get the couples in the ward together and have some fun. Poor Adam from our ward could not pick a good gift for the life of him! His first two gifts were girly and stolen from him. Then he chose a lovely green shirt that is pictured below, and no one wanted to steal it from him! It was hilarious!!

Opportunity Village and Santa's Lap

In early December, we headed to Opportunity Village, a non-profit organization that raises money for people with disabilities. They have a Santa Village with beautiful lights. It was fun, but freezing that night!

On another note, Madison sat on Santa's lap this year. She told him that she wanted a Princess plano (piano) and make-up! It was really cute, especially because she can't say piano correctly!

Madison's First Dance Recital

Madison had her first dance recital in December, and she did great! Grandma, Grandpa, Brook, Chad, daddy, and myself were all in attendance. If you look closely at picture 2, you can see that she had to be escorted off the stage by her dance teacher Ms. Laurie. It was pretty funny!! She just wanted to stay on stage with the big girls! Because I was so worried about videoing the performance, most of my pictures didn't turn out so well. Oh-well, at least we have great video!

San Diego Wild Animal Park

The LaLanne family at the Wild Animal Park! Madison was being a stinker when we first arrived, but soon found joy in a day packed full of fun for her!