blood bath.

Taylor sells pest control for Alterra.  It's a great company and we have been very happy the last two years working for them.  One of the things we love so much about they way they structure the summer is a little thing we call The Alterra Cup.  This thing is gnarly.  It is a bracketed competition between all sales teams company wide.  I'm not sure of the exact number but there are 30+ teams competing in cities across the country.  Taylor's team has done extensive pre-season training and they have set lots of mini goals for themselves as a team in order to come out victorious as the coveted winners of The Alterra Cup.  Along with bragging rights there is about $3,000 cumulative in cash prizes along the way. {hello new golf clubs!}

Last week our team was up against some tough competition in Baltimore.  At one point we were 20 sales ahead, which is a significant lead.  But when all was said and done, each team was scrounging for .01ths of a point because it had gotten sooooo close.  Yesterday was they day for the winner to be announced but because of how painfully close the two teams were, no one knew who had truly won until late in the afternoon due to double-double-double-triple checking points.

Then it happened, Taylor called me and told me that our team had lost and we both felt our hearts break a little.  So much had been invested in these guys winning that it was hard to hear that it was over and that it had been so dang close.  On the bright side, I was happy that Taylor wouldn't have to work a full day today (Saturday) because the competition would be over for them.

Then it happened, Taylor texted me with the reality that we had actually WON!  We won by the slim margin of 0.3.

I still don't know what changed between hearing we had lost and actually having won.  But let's be honest.  I don't care!  Every one on the team won $500 and they are still in the competition (which is only two more weeks) EEEEK!  It's exciting and fun.  I feel very grateful that Taylor and his team were able to pull through and win this week.   Wish us luck for our current match up: Columbus, Ohio!

date night. hallelujah.

With Taylor's extensive work hours {11-12 hrs/ six days a week) we have been craving time together. Yesterday was a gift from above.  Taylor got off a little bit early and we got yummy Mexican at a taqueria near our apartment.  He needed some serious catch up sleep so he rested for a little bit.  We left Elise with our awesome, amazing, super close neighbor friends who live right above us.  It's very convenient because they also have a baby and the trade-off babysitting situation is ideal.

We started off our hot date with a little McFlurry action--Oreo and Resee's--of course.  We then proceeded to the movie theater to see Despicable Me, which was so cute and very funny. We were pretty much the only ones in the theater and we loved being able to laugh as hard and as loud as we wanted.

I have heard it countless times that date nights with your spouse are important and need to be a priority.   I completely agree.  Before we had Elise we always felt like we were on a date because it was just the two of us so often.  But now, the time we have alone is like gold and I am so grateful we were able to spend the evening together last night.  I Love Taylor and can't imagine life without my very best friend.

pictures

My sweet friend Andrea and her husband are out here in Sacramento selling with us.  Kevin is a boss on the doors and Andrea is amazing behind the camera.  She is so good. It's not one of those situations where my friend has a nice camera, so she can take amazing pictures. She's legit {Andrea Brionne Photography} and I love that she took Elise's one year pictures and that she'll also be taking our family pictures. The lighting is soft and beautiful and it makes me happy.

Thank you Andrea for capturing Elise's stoic and sweet personality.

Until tomorrow.

a purse

Yesterday I went to Costco with my sister-in-law, Morgan, who I love and my dear friend, Erin. It was a great time, and having Elise and Brady sitting next to each other attracted a lot of attention.  We heard a story about a woman and her grown twins and we were asked so many times if they were twins that Erin just started telling people they were.

The whole point of the Costco story, however, isn't about the kids.  Rather, about my purse.  I went to Costco which is 20 minutes away--without a diaper bag.  Bringing Up Bebe talked a little about how American moms feel the need to bring so much stuff and it can be quite smothering to their kids. I could feel myself being that mom who was constantly offering this toy and that book.  It was getting exhausting.  I don't want Elise to need constant stimulation from me.  I want her to enjoy her surroundings and experience her environment. Entertain yourself.  Observe what's happening around you.  Instead of my massive diaper bag, I brought this:

Elise doesn't need 15 toys, five diapers, three books, a bottle, snacks, ECT...for a Costco trip.  A road trip to Virginia, maybe, but not to Costco or for the vast majority of our outings. This little beauty came with one diaper, wipes a few crackers and one small toy.  And guess what?  My little girl was totally content and happy---the whole time.  No monster momma bag needed!  Joy was mine and I am so glad I learned this momma secret now rather than later.  Babies are a lot lower maintenance than we give them credit.

Until tomorrow.

reading

When Taylor and I were dating he told me that he wanted to be a reader.  He wanted to be the guy who had lots of books and who read all the time.  After three years of being married--he is that guy.  Right now I think he is reading 5 (ish) books simultaneously.  I love this about him.  

1. That he isn't a talker--he is a do-er.

2. That he reads a lot.

In my Children's Literature class at BYU-I, my professor told us that the most powerful reading influence a child can have is if the child sees their father, not mother, reading often.  Mmmm.  I love my husband.

Yesterday, I downloaded a highly recommended book called Bringing up Bebe.

I'm about 50 pages into it and really enjoying it. It's an American mothers comparison of parenting differences in America and France.  So far, my favorite nugget is this:

“When I asked French parents how they disciplined their children, it took them a few beats just to understand what I meant. “Ah, you mean how do we educate them?” they asked. “Discipline,” I soon realized, is a narrow, seldom-used notion that deals with punishment. Whereas “educating” (which has nothing to do with school) is something they imagined themselves to be doing all the time."

I love the perspective this give me and it makes me more hopeful that raising children will be a positive growing and learning experience for both of us.

Being a wife and a mother are the greatest callings I could imagine having.  I am fulfilled by my family and grateful for their companionship here on the earth.  I am grateful that I am sealed to them for eternity.

Until Tomorrow.

growth chart

Gramma Brown got Lise (and her future siblings) the cutest growth chart for her birthday.  It's adorable.

Yesterday, we measured her and she is 27 1/2'' tall.  A little human is zooming around our house!  A human who was once so small she looked tiny when we laid her in a laundry basket which was her crib for the first month of her life, is now busy doing independent things and playing like a big girl.

 She now...

-- Has 2 bottom teeth
-- says, "hello", "dada" and "mama"
-- loves to pretend to answer phones
-- kisses e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g and everyone
-- knows to be soft with other babies
-- Sleeps 12 hours at night
-- isn't attached to a specific blanket but loves carrying one around
-- Follows me around the house all day long.  When I'm out of sight she comes looking!
-- Eats yogurt, cheese, cereal, lots of fruit and still enjoys a little bit of baby food every now and then
-- Loves swimming at the pool, relaxing in the hot tub and watching big kids splash
-- could swing at the park for hours
-- DANCES!  This girl gets down!
-- still cuddles her momma

Time flies and babies grow too fast.

Until tomorrow.

goals

Three of my friends and I have decided to do a competition {cash money is involved} to motivate us to live healthier life styles.  It was my friend Erin's idea and it's be so much fun.  We've been at it a week and even though I'm not perfect at it, I'm having fun.

Some of the things we are striving to do each day include

--journaling {hence my daily blog posts}
--drinking 64 oz of water
--30 minutes of exercise
--reading uplifting material for 15 minutes a day
--getting fruits and veggies
--not eating after 8pm
--and a few others

Erin's idea came at a perfect time for me.  Since Elise turned one yesterday, I am off the hook for providing breast milk {!!!!!} so I started doing Take Shape for Life.  I have felt so in control of my diet because TSFL provides shakes, bars, soups and other meals that are insanely convenient and packed with nutrients.  After a week I'm down a pound and feeling good.

I've also been doing Jamie Easons LiveFit program via bodybuilding.com.  I'm in Phase 1 which means I'm doing no cardio but rather focusing on weight training so my body can burn more calories at rest.  I love weight training and can feel a difference more than I can see one.  Which works for me!

Life is more fulfilling for me when I have set goals for myself.  I feel like I have direction and each day is a little more well-rounded and productive.

Until tomorrow.