Dear Chris,

Today starts a new day for me, for you, and for our family. It started out with you sending me an email of a talk. I watched it and loved it. I was Elder Holland's talk "Remembering Lot's Wife". It made me think about things I need to forget...nothing big, but things that may be holding back growth for me which in turn affects growth in our family. I then watched a CES broadcast by Elder Scott "To Have Peace and Happiness" given Septemebr 12, 2010. This talk has touched my heart deeply. It had made me reflect on us, our marriage, and what I am doing to create happiness there. You should watch it. It really is amazing. I came to the realization that I need to be more humble and be a better wife. I admit that I am oh so stubborn and have a feisty fighty attitude. I am also selfish. I know that we all have weaknesses but I am grateful that these were made more apparent today. I want to change so much to so good to you. I want to have a home where the Spirit is always there because we are happy. I want to have a home where we can laugh and enjoy our time together. I want to have a home where our kids feel our love and know they are loved. I want those things but sometimes I wonder if I am doing the things I need to be doing to bring those things into reality. When pondering on how I can better myself and our relationship and our home the first thing I think of is treating you with more love and respect. I need to get  my priorities straight. I need to be better and developing my spirituality. I need to be better at my patience with Lincoln. I need to be better at showing  my love for you. You do so much for our family and I truly appreciate it all. Today starts a new day. I am writing all this down so that I can commit to become a better person...for you, for Lincoln, and for our family. I want our family to be genuinely happy. I want love to always be within the walls of our home. I want to fall in love with you every day of my life and I want to make you the happiest man on earth! I love you Chris and I want to be with you forever!!!

Love,
Your completely devoted, hopelessly in love, entirely committed wife,
Shayla


Here is the link to the talk that changed my perspective:
http://www.mormonchannel.org/ces-devotionals?v=2434265856001

1 year photo shoot...for real!

So Taneya came over to do Lincoln's 1 year old pictures. They always turn out so much better when she takes pictures! She was able to catch a whole lotta personality and I love it!

Birthday Celebrations

 Happy First Birthday Lincoln! I hope you had as much fun as I did. This birthday thing is way better with kids!!!

 I just love his face in this one...he is king of making faces!

 He totally opened his presents all by himself. We didn't show him how or anything...he's pro!

 I love my new bath toys!!!

 Mom, that's enough pictures already! I have about four times as many pictures than I put up...he's our first kid...what do you expect!

The cake didn't turn out too bad. You can totally see the checker board pattern...so fun!!!!

1 year photo shoot...fail!

 This was the best I could do today. He took his first steps yesterday and is still trying to really master walking. But he loves to stand and clap at himself doing it! The photo shoot went something like this...

He is such a clown!!! But a cute one!

Birthday Preparations

Preparations started early this morning for Lincoln's very first birthday celebration! I ventured out to make a fun cake so I tried a checker board cake...we will see if it turns out. It was fun to watch Lincoln watching the cake. I don't know if he really gets what is going on but I have made sure to make a big deal out of it and hope he gets excited.

 He had fun pretending to make the frosting

 Setting up for the festivites!

Summer Evenings

Refreshing

Wrestling

This is becoming a very common scene in our home...boys wrestling. It's special! No, for real! I know that these little bonding moments are establishing a strong relationship between father and son. Every time is happens it makes me smile. Just imagine growling and grunting-by both boys-as you look at each pictures. So great! Lincoln is a tough little boy too. He gets pushed and shoved and just laughs. Hopefully we aren't turning him a completely fearless boy. 

 Lincoln coming to get Mom!!!

11 Months

A little late on this one. This lil' guy is getting quite the personality. He loves to laugh, loves to growl, and loves to wrestle. He doesn't stop moving...EVER! He has graduated to whole milk!!! I hated buying formula and I am so glad I only had to for a couple months. It's all real food for this kid now! Since the first time he got thrush it came and went a lot. So we had to go see the doctor a couple times and kept treating it until he threw it up and kept throwing it up every time we gave it to him. And then, ever since we moved to our new place, it hasn't come back...what a blessing!

He is such a happy kid and so much fun to play with now. Love you tons Lincoln!!!

Unpacking...Yuck!

Unpacking....a dreaded task but a somewhat fun task...only because I love organizing things and getting rid of stuff. It was a fairly quick process but we are still working on it. The first floor does look put together and feels like a home...because anyone who comes over will see that first. Everything else is a work in progress.