My girl

Kiara has entered a bit of an obstinate phase lately, apparently deciding that listening to and obeying mom is overrated. She rarely sits still and even more rarely sits still on my lap. So it was much to my surprise, and even greater delight, when she climbed up on my lap today to "chat." It didn't last long but we managed to grab a quick picture so that I can remember that it does happen occasionally, and when it does it is oh so sweet!

After our tender little moment, Kiara was back to her goofy self running around the house with a block on her head. This is one of her favorite tricks to do when she wants a good reaction.

The best toy is imagination

My girl has quite the imagination and it seems to grow bigger each day. Today I walked into the living room (incidentally the exact same spot as the previously mentioned incident involving Kiara feeding the Christ statue a carrot), and found Kiara like this in her "boat." Apparently she was cooking dinner.

Not too long after that she followed me out to the garage to switch the laundry. I had forgotten my basket so I went back in the house to get it. When I came back seconds later, this is what I saw. Luckily I had my camera within reach for both of these moments. How's that for convenient?

I was informed that this was her airplane and that she was going to "fly high in the sky to Utah!" Can't argue with that!

Kiara-isms

#1-I was in charge of our Relief Society Christmas Social last week so Ben decided to take Kiara on a little daddy-daughter date to Carl's Jr. They came back to the church to help us clean up afterwards, and Kiara was so excited to tell me about all the fun things she had done with Daddy. I saw the Carl's Jr. cup in her hand and asked her if Daddy had gotten her some dinner. She said, "Yeah, I had chicken, no sauce."

#2-I have a bobby pin with a red flower on it that Kiara LOVES to play with. For whatever reason, it is her favorite toy and she holds it all day long.

She came into my bathroom while I was getting ready this morning and opened my jewlery drawer. The red one wasn't in there but I have a white one just like it that was there.

She picked it up and in the most concerned voice said, "Oh no, bobby pin! The light went out! Where's the light, Mom? Where is it?" All the while pushing the flower like a button, expecting the "red light" to come back on. I found the red one and showed it to her while she was still holding the white one and just about blew her mind! It took her a good 30 seconds to wrap her brain around the fact that there were 2 bobby pins and that it wasn't a light after all.

I get so much enjoyment out of watching how her little mind works!

This and that

Back in October the transmission went out in my car and it took 6 weeks to get the new one shipped in (long story!) and fixed. We got it back late on a Saturday night and then less than a week later, last Friday to be exact, the alternator decided it was done working. Needless to say we haven't been able to get out and do a whole lot since Ben needs his car most days for appointments and meetings out of the office. This has led to a lot of days where we don't even get dressed and I don't mess with Kiara's hair. Well last week, during the brief stint of having my car back, we went to the Children's Museum with some friends. After Kiara was all ready to go I couldn't get over how cute she looked, and I realized I had gotten a little too used to sweats and frizzy hair. I think she felt a difference too because she kept asking me to take her picture. She is looking and acting way too grown up lately and I want her to slow down!

I just want to eat her up when she's sleeping and making the cutest little sounds.

You can tell we didn't leave the house again yesterday by her hair in these pictures, but I had to capture the scene I saw when I walked into the living room. Kiara was feeding Jesus a carrot and then picked him up and hugged him. This was totally on her own, she had no idea I was watching her until I got the camera.

The sweetest sound...

I have been getting headaches almost daily lately, and tonight was no different. It came on suddenly and seemed to get more intense by the minute. I went from playing Christmas songs on the piano to burying my head in the couch in a matter of seconds. The light from my music lamp was overwhelming and every noise I heard sent a piercing pain through my head.
Except this one...

We had just gathered in the living room for Family Home Evening when this headache came on so I told Ben to go ahead while Kiara was still cooperating. We usually read from the children's scripture reader for FHE but tonight had decided to read our favorite Christmas book. Kiara was enthrolled with it.

When I heard Kiara's sweet little voice echoing the words of her father, I was overcome with gratitude. I raised my head and saw my righteous and loving husband and the precious little girl we have the honor of teaching and raising. I saw unconditional love and patience, accompanied by a desire to do what's right and feelings of love and acceptance. My head never stopped pounding during our brief little lesson, but neither did my heart and for that I am so grateful. This is what life is all about.

Temple Square

While we were in Utah we went with our friends to see the lights at Temple Square. For my non-Utah readers you have to know that seeing the lights on Temple Square is all but required during the Christmas season.

Every year I get the same thrill out of it and it's worth the freezing temperatures and insane crowds (especially present the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is the night we went). This year was no different--everything was so beautiful and there was such a calm spirit present. Plus we were with some of my favorite people in the world so it made for a perfect night.

Thanksgiving

We were lucky enough to go to Utah for Thanksgiving again this year and had a blast. It was 5 perfect, relaxing days and we really didn't want them to end. My mom & dad are the perfect hosts and go out of their way to make us feel comfortable and have a good time. This is a good thing in every area except my weight. I always gain at least 5 pounds when we visit because my mom keeps her cupboards and fridges stocked with every snack or treat imaginable! It's really becoming a problem (but in the best way)!

Anyway, while we were there we took my nephews and their friend bowling and Ben and my nephew, Brox (the 6 year old!), creamed us! They were unstoppable. I love this picture with my boys. I don't know why my dad's not in it though.

Like normal, Kiara had a blast playing with her cousins.

Oh, and how cute is my little niece, Macy?

I cannot get enough of this little girl!

My 2nd oldest brother and his wife have six kids and Kiara loves going to their house to play. They have a huge backyard with a lot of fun things to do and space to run around. They also have a gigantic St. Bernard, Hanna. She is a very sweet "puppy" but very, very big and can be quite intimidating to kids (and Ben). Kiara talks all the time about Hanna and going to play with her. When we get there she loves to look at her through the window. She also begs to go play with her; then we open the door and Hanna comes running and it's a different story. This trip she was very brave and would go outside if Hanna was lying down. Well of course Hanna eventually gets up after lying down and Kiara freaks out. I've talked about my nephew, Stockton, before and how sweet and caring he is. This picture totally sums him up after Kiara had an encounter with Hanna and Thomas was told not to run away into the "forest."

So cute and so typical!

We finished our trip with a visit to the Big Guy in red and I was very proud of my little girl for not crying. I won't go as far as to say she liked him, but this was definitely an improvement on last year.