F is for Family...

The stages we go through in life related specifically to our families baffles me. At first, we rely completely on our mothers and fathers. In fact, we would die without them, or a mother or father like figure. Can you imagine being born and then put into a crib to fend for yourself? (Forced laugh-Ha. Ha. Ha.) Needless to say we need our parents for everything. As we grow, we learn independence. We learn to crawl, talk, and walk... Simultaneously we learn that we aren't happy without being held by mommy! Before you know it you're in the stage of teenage life where you can't stand your family. Fighting with your siblings and parents. The stage where you would WAY rather be with your friends and would make any excuse to go hang out with them. Soon after that phase is the advice phase... At least it was for me. Where heartbreaks, career choices, and religious trials send you running back to your parents and siblings to hear their wise words of advice and experience. Then..WHAM! You yourself become a parent. Clueless and freaked out of your mind, you once again go running to your parents for help. The ups and downs of these stages are quite humorous if you really stop to think about it. I am at the WHAM stage myself and can no further explain the relationship changes related to families because I have no idea what comes next. My mom is my best friend. I do not see that changing anytime soon. I am who I am today because of my parents and my siblings. My Dad always teaching me how important education is. He taught me about being selfless. He taught me how to take care of myself and how to support myself and how to hold a steady job. He taught me about the priesthood. And not a day would go by without a lesson on  respecting my Mother. I remember when we would start to raise our voices at our Mom we would take off running because we knew our Father would be after us! I cannot forget to mention all that my Mom has taught me as well. From letting loose and teaching me how to dance like a fool on the kitchen floor, to sitting properly and reverently at church. Oh the lessons I have learned from my Mother. She taught me how to be myself, and to never let what others say affect me. She taught me how to serve others, how to love others the way Heavenly Father would want me to. She taught me how to have a good time, how to laugh, and how to be laughed at. She taught me how to share, be kind, be respectful. She taught me how to cook, bake, and how to decorate a cake from the bottom tier to the top. Funny though, I never realized she was teaching me how to be a mother. I suspect those were her intentions the entire time. :) And so I learned.

Well now, here I am, with a family of my own, and my parents still teach me every day. Only this time, I am being taught by two sets of parents. Man oh man! Did I get lucky marrying into the family I did. I feel like I won the lottery with the family members I have gained through Eli. :) I am so blessed to call them my family now. The things I have learned from them are already too many to count.

F is for Family. My family. All kinds of families. My extended, my immediate, my in-laws, my little family with Eli and Payson. I love my family. I love them, I love them, I. Love. Them.

Speaking of families...Here are the updates of my little family and I.

Payson is still not crawling. Everyone keeps telling me I should be thankful for that! But I feel like he will have so much more fun when he can move where he wants. I guess I should take everyone's advice though.. They have, after all, been there. Done that. He LOVES Gerber's Sweet Potato ANYTHING! As long as there are sweet potatoes in it he loves it. He has caught my recent 2 week cold, and it breaks my heart every day. He has a little cough, and a constant stuffy/runny nose. It doesn't stop him from laughing, however, and that makes things a little better. He LOVES his walker. He can now turn, stop, run, walk, and even pick up his feet to coast in that little car walker. He still loves his pacis! He likes to take them out of his mouth to chew on them because his teeth are bursting through. His two bottom teeth broke through the week he turned 6 months old. They are VERY visible now. I still cannot feel any bumps on the top of his mouth but with the amount of drool constantly flowing out of his mouth, I am sure they are on their way too! He flaps his arms when he gets really excited about something and turns and buries his head in the chest of whoever is holding him. He loves music. Mostly live performances of music from anyone with a guitar, piano, or other musical instruments and a singing voice. He LOVES Blue. Just at the sight of Blue he starts to laugh and smile. Today they played together (with a baby gate in between them and with Mommy watching very closely) and Payson loved every second of it... Well.. Until Blue pawed his face that is. (Do not worry! We got it on camera!) Payson weighs about 16 lbs 14oz. Although I think the 14oz comes from his full thick head of hair! He got MANY gifts from his loving family members for Christmas and loved opening presents! He is as happy as can be, and I love him.

Eli was spoiled with a lifetime supply of soda, chips, and kettle corn. Ha! Which he says he will have to finish before January because he is swearing off of soda. Hahaha! We will see about that. He is running everyday OUTSIDE in 10 degree weather! If that is not dedication I don't know what is! He has started watching Blacklist as suggested by his sister Des, and so far he really likes it. He loves to play Fifa, although he doesn't play that often, but he still loves it. If you ask me, I think he thinks and dreams about playing it on a daily basis. Hehe. Do not worry! He really only plays if once a week if that. He is working on getting his applications done for his PHD. He did get all his professors he asked to agree to write his letters of recommendations which was such a relief to him! He was unsure if they would agree. I laughed at the thought of them saying no... I mean, this is Eli we are talking about... Everyone who meets him loves him! He is as patient with me as always, and treats me so good. He is the best husband I could have ever imagined and I love him with all my heart.

As for me, well... I am on the 2nd week of my "never ending" 2 week cold. It has been horrible and I cannot wait until it is over. For me and for Pay. Knowing Eli's immune system he's right behind us. With the help of a good friend, Alisha, I was permitted to start working part time from home for Groopdealz.com. This is great news for us! GREAT NEWS! We are counting our blessings every day! Never do we deserve all that we receive, but man are we thankful! I am happy, and I am thankful for this life I was given.