The Everyday

Emi and I went running with Karin H. from the ward this morning. Emi enjoyed babbling and Karin and I enjoyed getting a good run in.  Then Emi and I got ready for the day and it was time for My Gym. Today they had tunnels which are Emi's favorite. She always loves playing "Peek a Boo" through them.  One of Marty's and my goals this year is to be consistent with family night. For our activity tonight, we went to Coldstone. I got my usual--Cheesecake ice cream with pecans (and Kit Kats). Emi approved of our activity based on the sheer amount of ice cream she ate. 

Today was filled with lots of meetings. Ward Council, YWs class, Youth Council, and a Worldwide Youth Broadcast. It's exhausting! Not just for me but for Marty too.  In the evening we went to Kimber and Drew B.'s house for dinner. We played "Ticket to Ride" with 3 children running around and a newborn. If that's not a feat I don't know what is. haha.  When we got back, I played "Dominion" with Peter and Alex online and Marty hopped on a game with some of my guy friends. Never in a million years did I think my husband would be keeping up with some of my old high school and college friends. It's funny how life's like that.

Yesterday and today we had a basketball tournament for YWs at the Stake Center. We had an incredible turnout, and I think all the girls had fun. I'm also pretty sure the girls were more excited about Emi being there to support them than me. haha. I don't blame them--she's pretty cute! In the afternoon we headed to South Valley Park to go hiking. I'm loving that the weather's warm enough to get out! Emi taking a quick snooze. In the evening we had the missionaries over for dinner and I think the highlight of the meal was chocolate chip pie. That stuff is so yummy!

One of my friends, Summer, and I go to the gym Monday-Friday together. It's been fun to have a gym friend to keep each other accountable and also chat in classes. We've been going to these "Team Training" our gym offers. The class is structured with 30 minutes interval running/walking, and 30 minutes of weights and strength exercises. I've never been great at doing strength exercises, but over the past few weeks I've noticed how important they are (you were right, Marty!). I've always loved cardio, but now I'm liking strength too. After class today, we had Summer and her kids (Ronny and Jules) over for an impromptu play date. I love when Emi gets to "play" with other kids. At this point she mostly does her own thing around other kids, but I think it's valuable for her to have modeled how to share and interact with other littles and start developing those skills as well. "Uh oh." Googly eyes and pom poms. I love having little one

Our rug got a makeover today along with Emi's pants. Somehow she managed to bleach our rug as I was going to the bathroom right next to her. My running stroller's up and running again! Marty and I went to Ace Hardware and with help from an Ace Hardware employee, we found a nut the right size of the missing piece on my stroller. I'm excited to be back on the trails! 

The front wheel on my running stroller has been very shaky for a while now. I had Marty take a look at it, and it's missing a very important piece. haha.  On the right hand side of the wheel, there's a piece that's supposed to hold the wheel to the rest of the stroller. It's been missing for who knows how long! Emi in her cubby.

Emi and I went to the store today in hopes of getting her some new-non boot-shoes. Unfortunately, we went to several stores and the options were scarce in her size. We encountered the same problem when we went shoe shopping with her last time. I'm learning the best thing to do at this age is to find a pair of shoes her size (even if there's only 1 available in 1 style) and then order directly from a brand's website.  Aren't little shoes on little kids so cute? Emi decided she didn't want to wear a shirt for the last half of the day. Daddy came home and showed her how to color with markers on her tummy haha. 

This past weekend we got to celebrate Gram's birthday in Tubac, Arizona. Almost all of Marty's extended family on his dad's side came to celebrate! It was a quick trip--we left Saturday morning and were home Monday night--but it was nice to be able to see everyone and even meet a few of Marty's cousin's I've never met before. The weekend's schedule was loose which left room for a lot of socializing. Emi enjoyed getting lots of attention and wandering along with the other little ones in the group.  I really admire Marty's grandma. She is so kind and genuine. And from what I know, her life hasn't always been a walk in the park, but she has such a good outlook and perspective on life. Emi getting picked up by Aunt Courtney at the airport. Emi is lucky--all of her grandparents are so fun!  Emi dancing with grandpa. Yep, Emi's Marty's and mine. Neither of us really like the dance floor. haha. (*I like dancing but not the dance floor*)  Emi snoozin

I just wanted to write down some of the cute things Emi's done recently. -She has started using "more" when she wants us to do something again. Up until this point, she's only signed "more" with food, but now she does it with anything she wants to do again. -Yesterday, throughout the day, Emi kept putting just her head and feet on the floor (she was in a piked position) for no apparent reason. Marty and I tried teaching her how to somersault because she was already halfway there, but she didn't quite get it. haha. Instead she just would roll to the side. It was so cute! -She's learned how to scribble.  -She loves any sort of accessory. Her favorite is to bring you an accessory, have you put it on, and then she'll take it off. -She can identify family members really well. If you ask her to point out a family member, she knows who's who. -She loves playing with Dad when he gets home from work. Emi and Dad have a game where Dad is on one side of

I haven't written much these past few weeks because I just got called as Young Women's President for our ward and it's taken up most of my time and energy this past bit. I've been meeting with so many people, trying to figure out my responsibilities, and thinking about the 29 girls in our YWs. I am exhausted and a bit overwhelmed. I'm hoping it gets easier from here. I'm excited to be staying in YWs but was shocked when I got called as the president. This is not what I thought would happen (nor did I want it to) but I think the girls in our ward are so great and I have many wonderful leaders to work with. 

We had a great week with my parents here. Thanks for making a stop here, Mom and Dad! Here are some highlights of our week with them. -Ate lots of good food. We went to Torchy's, Snooze, Chik fil A, and Wild Ginger. -Made lots of good food. Mom and I made 13 (!!) pies. 8 of them were Chicken Pot Pies and the rest were just the shells--so I can add whatever fillings I want to them. Mom also whipped out a few loaves of bread (Dad and I tried to learn how to make bread too) and she made homemade noodles for our soup one day. And of course she made brownie sundaes. I've missed my mom's cooking. She's so good!  -Went to My Gym a few times. My dad retrieved the balls Emi liked throwing out of the ball pit. haha. -Hiked/walked up Waterton Canyon with my parents and Emi. -Got to see pictures of my parents' trips and hear some exciting stories. -Played lots of Splendor and Rook. -Watched The Fugitive and the new Mission Impossible. Both were good! -Went to the Children's

They're here! So happy to have them back in the states. I haven't seen my dad (in person) in over a year, and I saw my mom briefly for Bubsy's graduation in the last year but that was it. Last January my parents headed to Jerusalem to serve at the Jerusalem Center for a year and a half. In October they left the country and were unable to return because of the war happening there. The BYU Jerusalem students' semester abroad was cut short in Greece, and when the students left my parents went to serve in the Rome Temple for a few months. Before the war started they had a Europe trip planned with Bubs over Christmas, so they went to Germany, Norway, and Denmark before flying out to see us. They're hoping to return to Jerusalem later this spring, but no one really knows what the actual time frame of them returning is.  Thinking and praying fort those in Israel--on both sides of the conflict--who are suffering. 

 We started off the New Year right by getting our house in tip-top shape! Bye Christmas! Love having little footprints at our house. Our accessories girl.