Marriage is about love:)

Short story:

Yesterday just didn't feel right. A nauseous and tired Bailee makes for dull company. Upon arriving home I found the surprise (or should I say surprises) that our dear black lab, Bruce, had left for me. I won't go into detail about the actual mess but I will say they are bodily functions most don't desire on the carpet. Not knowing where to start, I did the only logical thing I could think of...called Zach. Yes the one person who had absolutely no power to do anything about the

situation. Poor man, listened to me freak out about a mess he couldn't even see.

After an hour of carpet cleaning I headed off to get groceries. I hadn't heard from the hubby so I worried he was upset that I had not handled the situation a little better. (ps I can't really stand him being upset with me. I ALWAYS have to fix the problem asap). I came home from shopping, unloaded the groceries and started organizing the house, all the while wishing he was home.

I was in the nursery feeding my little monster when Zach came home. He came in and I started in on apologizing for the way I acted. He cut me off and kissed me, thanking me for cleaning up the mess. After I put C down for bed I came out to a bouquet of roses and lilies.

What a man. I'm lucky.

Other news, you may have noticed I'm a little obsessed with the borders around my pictures, sorry.

We're all registered for classes.

I'm working on getting the California pictures up...there's a lot of them and I'm trying to edit and narrow them down.

oh Canyon's 9 month check up....(this is proving to be a HUMONGOUS post...oops!)

Height: 28in (39.9th percentile)

Weight: 20lbs (40th percentile)

Head circumference: 48cm (95th percentile)

what? he's just got a little extra room up there ;)

Canyon at 9 months:

Crawling...EVERYWHERE. The other day I left the room he was in and he followed me like a puppy. I love him

Eating, Eating Eating....he eats everything and is drinking more formula than thought possible.

Jibber Jabber: the boy talks up a storm. Mama when he's sad and dada all other times:)

Still.no.teeth....hmph

loves to watch me clap and or clap his hands together...refuses to do it himself..

I'm sure there's more but my brain is failing me...still :)

Are you ready for Halloween? I'm not

We're on the plane...right now...

I'll be sure to post pictures when we get back!!

I've got that feeling again...

[alert: this may not be the most exciting post ever but I needed to get it out...it's long...don't be afraid to X out now:)]

Ever get that feeling? You know, the one that makes you want to thank everyone you see? Or the one that makes you feel so insignificant compared to all the wonderful people that surround you?

Well I've got that feeling...right now.

I've been hit. Hit by the realization that alone I will never amount to anything, let alone be enough. I think in the back of my mind I always know this simple fact...but every now and again it really overwhelms me.

I promise this won't be another one of my long, boring, sappy post. I just want to express the gratitude I feel. I feel it for my husband, son, family, coworkers and even the strangers that I run into. You know, the ones who point out that you dropped your sweater or wallet, or the ones who let you get over on the freeway. I'm even grateful for the ones who aren't so nice...they teach me a little more about patience and kindness.

Today "this feeling" mostly revolves around the gospel. It's easy to wonder where I'd be without out it but today I'm wondering where I am with it. Am I embracing it to the fullest giving myself the chance to grow with the light it holds? I guess there's always room for improvement but today I think I have found that I hardly take up any space at all. Here's to growing.

I know religion is a touchy subject. I grew up learning how stand for what I believed in while respecting the person next to me. Most of the sweet friends that read this dull blog already carry the light of the gospel in their lives but maybe just maybe this will reach someone who is looking for a little illumination.

The gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is true. It's perfect. The people are not...but the word of God is. I know this as sure as I know my own name. I know that I am a treasured daughter of God. He wants the world for me and to achieve that he has given and will give me trials and tribulations. Honestly, I don't want to think about what I may face in my life time, but I know that what will come will come for my own good. I know that I have a brother. A brother that is so dear to me. He gave his life so my silly and serious mistakes could be washed away. That is the kind of elder brother everyone needs, and coincidently, everyone has. Getting to know him will take a lifetime but it will be worth it in the end.

I'm about to spend the weekend with my husband, baby, mom, dad and sister. I hold these five people closest to my heart. There is no job, electronic, home or other worldly treasure that could ever mean more to me than they do. Thankfully temples have given my family eternity. Nothing is worth more than knowing that I'll be with them forever.

I'm sorry for this little blerg. I broke my earlier promise of a short and exciting post...but I guess this was as much for me as for the reader. I love the gospel and I love my life. What a spectacular realization.

love you all

this is the week

aaaahhhhh..vacation.

We're flying out early Thursday morning to enjoy a little off time. Zach sure needs it. My family will be meeting us at the LA airport and the 6 of us [yes 6, the Russell clan has doubled since 2007] will be heading to Disneyland. Thank you mom and dad for the trip...it is oh so appreciated. I can't wait to spend some quality time with my parents and the adorable Bethanie Marie.

My mom and I have been riding the phone lines constantly trying to plan which attractions we'll be most interested in and that will keep the 3 year old entertained. Our list so far includes:

Peter Pan's Flight

Matterhorn

Space Mountain

California Screamin

Pirates of the Caribbean

Indiana Jones

Nemo Submarine

Soarin' Over California

It's a Small World

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Toy Story Mania

Minnie Mouse's house

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Haunted Mansion

Jungle Cruise

Mark Twain Riverboat

Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin

Splash mountain

and hopefully more... :)

My mom bought Canyon and Bethanie matching shirts for both the days we spend in the park. She was telling the neighbor how excited she was about the outfits because she never had had multiple kids to do it with before. Kay's reply..."you mean you bought matching clothes for Bethanie and Bailee or Bethanie and Canyon?" I told my mom that I would be up for it but she said no...and Zach agreed.

Shhh don't tell but I might just have the guts to pack red and orange shirts for Zach and I...

I like to Move it Move it...I like to .....MOVE IT!

I get this line all the time,

"All babies develop at different rates...don't worry that yours isn't (insert milestone here)"

Then why are doctors always hounding you about things? Every time I tell someone C's age the response, "Oh is he crawling? At that age my son/grand baby/friend was getting into everything."

He wasn't crawling. Hardly even moving around on the floor save

a few rolls here and there...

Yesterday, C saw something he just had to have (a door stop if you must know:) and whoosh...a little scoot here, a little scoot there and BAM! He's a movin'!

Why on earth was I so worried? Moms...:)

Today, Zach and I haven't been able to stop laughing at this little moving man and all his crazy antics. We are in for some trouble. He's already pulled the DVDs off the shelf...twice.

To see a video of our cutie click here.