Kendall is 19 months

I don't think Kendall has stopped running since she started walking. Seriously. She's always on-the-go.

This month, Kendall:
- says nose, mole, belly, baby, soft, mommy, daddy, mine, poop, and a few other words (that's like over 30 words, I think)
- loves to hug and kiss books, toys, and babies
- occasionally hits me but kisses me right after
- helps with laundry, dishes, and cleaning up of toys

Kendall has also adopted my First-Valentine's-Day-with-Billy-Bear as her own. She sleeps with it all the time, day and night.
Kendall is one determined and stubborn little girl! But she is also the sweetest and most loving baby I know.

Luc's First Birthday

This year Luc's birthday was only 4 days after Thanksgiving, so when we made the trip to Maryland, we were excited to celebrate not only Thanksgiving, but Luc's First Birthday with the whole family.

The last time I saw Luc, he was only 4-5 weeks-ish. Now, he babbles, interacts, and walks. I thought it would take him a while to warm up to me, but surprisingly, he warmed up really fast. I even got a kiss from him. (Kendall got like a million.) I was in Heaven. He is such a sweet boy. I am one lucky godmother.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful I was able to spend Thanksgiving with my family. I drove up to Maryland the Tuesday before Thanksgiving with all 3 kids. We had a bunch of snacks in the car, and with all of them taking turns napping, I drove for 6 1-2 hours straight. The kids did great, better than I had imagined. Thank you DVD player.

We found Billy a cheap flight on Thanksgiving day, but because of fogs in Michigan, his first flight got delayed, then it got delayed some more, and then some more, until there was no way he would make his second flight. Long story short, he flew to Georgia, then to Maryland, and got there around 6:30 p.m.

Fortunately, we knew he would miss most of the Thanksgiving festivities, so we had planned on celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday. Ha, the crazy life of doctors... Anyway, it was awesome to get all of our Black Friday shopping done before our Thanksgiving dinner (instead of having to rush dinner to go shopping).

So on Friday, Fred, Marie, and Lucky Luc came over. We chatted, blew up the inflatable castle, let the kids go wild, and ate until we couldn't move.

I am thankful for a wonderful, supportive, loving, family whom I love with all my heart.

Breaking Dawn, Part 2

Even mommies (especially mommies) need some time away from their kids. I love spending that time with my girlfriends. Last night, Vanessa, Erin, Maloree, Stephanie I, Stephanie S, Trinette, and I went to see Breaking Dawn, Part 2, the last of the Twilight movies. The movie was great, but the company was awesome. They even made the 1 hour wait go by fast.

I feel so blessed to live in a city filled with so many wonderful people. I love Columbus, and not just because it has so much to offer, but because I have made lifelong friends here. I'm going to be very sad when we all go our separate ways, which will happen a lot sooner than we all think, unfortunately. I love you, girls!

Sheryl's visit

Earlier this month, my wonderful friend, Sheryl, came to visit. I first met Sheryl about 4 years ago, when we lived in Des Moines. I love this girl. She is so down-to-earth, loving, caring, kind, and generous. She is a great role model and I look up to her in many ways. I feel blessed to have met her and to have her in my life.

I was excited when we moved to Columbus, only a couple of hours away from Sheryl. I was even more excited when she came to visit us. The kids love her so much. Like, seriously, she walked in the door, and all 3 of them were all over her. She's just that kind of person. Everbody loves her.

I am really happy that we have remained friends through the last 4 years... and for many years to come. I love you, girl!

Kendall's First Day in Nursery

This past Sunday was Kendall's first day in nursery. I wasn't too concerned about how she would do because we've been going to the gym for 6 months now, and she has been doing great there. So it was no surprise to hear from her teachers that she was a very happy, content, and easy-going little girl. Still, I was one proud momma. Here is a picture of Kendall on this very special day.

Did I mention how much I love being able to listen to the teachers in Sunday School and Relief Society? These last couple of months (well, since Kendall became mobile), there were Sundays when I couldn't even tell Billy what the subject of the lessons had been. But this Sunday, I could. Let me prove it. In Sunday School, we talked about Talents. Ha! And in Relief Society, we talked about Speaking Kind Words. Ha!

Which reminds me of an experience I had the other day, one that I want to record and remember always. I was at the zoo with the kids, and more specifically at the aquarium. Logan and Kendall were right up against the glass window, looking at the "Dori fish." But Taylor was acting up and running in all directions. So I grabbed him by the arm and firmly told him that if he ran off again, I would put him back in the stroller. Not one minute later, he was off again. So I picked him up, put him in the stroller, and told him that I had warned him about running off, and that from now on he would stay in the stroller. I was pretty embarrassed about his behavior and about having to discipline him in front of a crowd of people. But then a woman grabbed by attention and said, "I just wanted you to know that I've been watching you, and that I think you are an amazing mom. Those kids are very lucky to have you." That comment totally took me by surprise and completely made my day. I think I even teared up a little at that moment. I don't even think this woman knew how much I needed to hear that I am not the terrible mother than I sometimes think I am. I'm not the perfect mother, either, but I do my best given my circumstances. Just like every mom out there, I have good days and bad days. But most importantly, I feel so blessed to be a mother, and to have 3 wonderful children whom I love more than anything.

My vote - reviewed

Well, it turns out my vote didn't change the world. Mitt Romney lost to Barack Obama. I feel sad, betrayed, and for lack of better words screwed.

Here's the reality of what things will looks like for the next 4 years:
* 8-10% unemployment
* $4-$5 per gallon gasoline
* higher electricity costs
* trillions more to the deficit
* 20 million more people on food stamps
* higher taxes
* more wealth redistribution
* more partisanship
* more secret deals with Russian leaders

Nice job, America! On the bright side, President Harold B. Lee said the following:

Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail.
We are living in a time of great crisis. The Country is torn with scandal and with criticism, with faultfinding and conde...mnation. There are those who have downgraded the image of this nation as probably never before in the history of the country.
I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. . . . It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through.
We must be on the optimistic side. This is a great nation; this is a great country; this is the most favored of all lands. While it is true that there are dangers and difficulties that lie ahead of us, we must not assume that we are going to stand by and watch the country go to ruin. We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation.
On the contrary, we should be providing optimistic support for the nation. We must tell the world how we feel about this land and this nation and should bear our testimonies about the great mission and destiny that it has.
If we do this, we will help turn the tide of this great country and lessen the influence of the pessimists. We must be careful that we do not say or do anything that will further weaken the country. It is the negative, pessimistic comments about the nation that do as much harm as anything to the country today. We who carry these sacred responsibilities must preach the gospel of peace, and peace can only come by overcoming the things of the world. Now, we must be the dynamic force that will help turn the tide of fear and pessimism.

The First Presidency also gave a few words:

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are congratulating President Barack Obama on his re-election and encouraging Americans to come together.

They issued a statement Tuesday that says in part: "We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States."
The church leaders also encouraged prayer.
"After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times.
“We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress.”
–Church statement"May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people."
The statement also commended Mitt Romney on his run for the White House, "for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service."
"We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors," the statement said.

I am grateful for the words of living prophets who teach truth, optimism, and faith in the future.

First Vote

I've been a US citizen for a little over 3 years now, so I was excited to vote for the presidential elections for the very first time. And since we live in Ohio, my vote actually matters. Woo hoo! Here are some cliff notes of what's going on right now:

Obama: teleprompter
Romney: no teleprompter

Obama: vote for revenge
Romney: vote for love

Obama: preotesting a YouTube video
Romney: terrorist attack

Obama: bowing to Islamist and Muslim countries' leaders
Romney: working with Israeli and traditional allies' leaders

Obama: upbringing in foreign Muslim home and schools
Romney: upbringing in USA home and schools

Obama: apologizes to other countries
Romney: will negociate with other countries

Obama: desires a weaker country
Romney: believes in American exceptionalism

Obama: friends wih radical domestic and foreign terrorists
Romney: friends with US and foreign business leaders

Obama: weed and "a little blow"
Romney: mission work

Obama: sealed college transcripts and records
Romney: open college transcripts and records

Obama: anything goes
Romney: traditional marriage

Obama: big government
Romney: small government

Obama: government takeover
Romney: private enterprise

Obama: more government
Romney: more private business

Obama: socialism
Romney: capitalism

Obama: hand out more food stamps
Romney: create jobs and less need for food stamps

Obama: stomps on religious freedom
Romney: will secure UDS's religious freedom

Obama: hangs out with Jay-Z and various gangster rappers
Romney, hangs out with Clint Eastwood, Ted Nugent, etc.

Obama: endorsed by Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Vladimir Putin, etc.
Romney: endorsed by Lee Iacocca, LEch Walesa, Chuck Norris, Ross Perot, Jim Walton, etc.

Obama: divides
Romney: unites

Obama: plays the race card
Romney: much too classy for that nonsense

Obama: blames Bush
Romney: takes responsibility

Obama: anti military
Romney: pro military

Obama: wants to limit free speech
Romney: believes in freedom of speech

Obama: wants government to confiscate guns
Romney: believes in citizens' right to defend themselves

Obama: voter fraud
Romney: voter ID

Obama: Joe Biden
Romney: Paul Ryan

Obama: minimum charity time and money
Romney: maximim charity time and money

Obama: redistribute wealth
Romney: redistribute opportunity

Obama: never balanced a budget
Romney: balanced many budgets

Obama: GPA 2.6
Romney: GPA 4.0

Obama: community organizer
Romney: CEO and successful business leader

Obama: planning to move to Hawaii
Romney: planning to move into the White House

2012 elections, bring it on! I'm ready for a change!

Kendall is 18 months

My little peanut is 18 months, which in the LDS culture only means one thing: NURSERY! She does great at the gym, so I don't think she's going to have a problem in nursery, but we'll see. One thing is certain, she's going to love her new freedom. It beats sitting on mommy's lap or sitting right by mommy's feet.

Kendall is such a sweetheart, with a strong personality. She definitely has an opinion of what she wants and doesn't want. 

This month, Kendall:
- repeats pretty much everything I ask her to say
- says shoes, Taydo (Taylor), thank you, socks, snack, water, help, eat, outside, hands, milk, more, bear, and baby... and maybe a few more I am not remembering
- enjoys dancing to music, whether on the radio or television
- signs "please" by rubbing her bare belly
- is very helpful around the house - she closes doors, cleans up toys, unloads the dryer, flushes the toilet, gets everybody their shoes, etc
- listens very well - I am sometimes taken back by how obedient she is
- understands a lot - This also surprises me a lot sometimes
- loves to run around the house with Logan and Taylor, even though they run her over sometimes
- enjoys pinching people then hugging and kissing them
- loves the song, If You're Happy and You Know It - She even does all the motions

Kendall is always listening, even when I am speaking to Logan and Taylor. For example, I'll say, "Boys, let's go potty before we go on a trip." Well, she's the first one at the bathroom, always.
Kendall is a girly-girl, for sure. She loves to hug and kiss her stuffed animals. She has a very nurturing personality. She even enjoys taking care of her brothers by getting their clothes, shoes, sippy cups, etc.
Kendall has definitely made the transition from baby to little girl. I sometimes forget it, then out of the blues, she does something that reminds me of it. She's my little big girl ;-)