First Steps

Well it has been a pretty exciting week at the Smith house! Last week Abby took her first two steps. It has been really fun watching her learn she isn't running anywhere yet but she will occasionally take a few steps.
We were able to go for our first family bike ride. It was so much fun enjoyed by all well Abby wasn't too keen on the helmut and cried pretty much the whole time but hopefully she will get used to it.
I also dusted off my homemaking skills and made some curtains. For those of you who are talented at sewing they aren't that exciting but I was pretty excited to finally have some curtains in the kitchen and they are so bright and cheerful. They make my small kitchen just a little more bright.
The weather has finally turned into spring and we got the yard all raked last weekend. However Abby does not like the grass. She curls up her toes and feet whenever she gets near to touching it. Grandpa took some really cute pics that I don't have yet. Yesterday after church we found a small solution consisting of a big jean blanket. It is like a big crib. She will not touch the grass and pretty much stays on the blanket.
Today I got my hair cut and colored. What do you think? I am excited for the change and the gray hairs that were poking through are no longer visible so thanks Aunt Vicki. Don't mind the pic I was taking it by myself. Down below Abby is wearing her Cuba shirt courtesy of the Barfuss family!! Check out all those teeth and lucky for me she is cutting a couple more this week. Yeah for sleepless nights and no routine!
Lastly I was tagged by my friend Yvonne. The challenge is to write a five word meme about yourself and maybe some pics and then tag someone else.
Here is what I came up with:

Loved, Lived, Testified, Endured, and Exemplified

So maybe I am not a writer but that is a meme that I hope to live up to in my life. Thanks for the challenge Yvonne. I won't tag anyone but if you are interested it is kind of fun.

Yeah for Monday!

Yesterday I was in charge of organizing a multi church hymn sing. Five minutes before it started I was sweating there were hardly any people in the congregation and one of the members of our Stake Presidency informed me I should conduct. Can we all say growing experience? Although attendance wasn't amazing it was so much fun. I fumbled my way through the opening and then the music was awesome.Since I have had the stake music calling I have been involved in four or five events with other churches and every time my testimony grows about the truth of the gospel. I love that music can touch people's spirits and I totally felt the spirit as one of the choirs from our church sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives one of my favorites.
On a super happy note Ryan handed in his last paper today. YEAH!!!!! He only has two exams and then he is done for the semester. He is taking one class in May/June and then he is totally done in December. YEAH!!!!
Hope everyone is having a great sunny Monday!!
Here a couple of pics Ryan took. Abby was sticking her face against the glass. Pretty cute. Hope it makes you smile.

Goal Accomplished!

Well it is April but I finally accomplished another one of my New Year's Resolutions. I wanted to learn how to make bread and actually make it by myself. Today was the day. It turned out awesome and it tastes amazing too.
Here's a pic of the finished product. Abby loves it too she kept wanting more and more. Hopefully there's no tummy ache tonight. She had her first raw apple today and she loved it she kept looking for more.

Conference

Today has been such a great day I decided I would write about it. Nothing really extraordinary happened it was just one of those days where everything seems great and I feel so blessed to be where I am in life and have the amazing blessings that I have. General Conference was so inspiring and I felt so uplifted. I loved seeing such a personal side of our new prophet President Thomas S. Monson. I also love when I go to conference and there are a few talks that feel like they were written just for me. It was awesome and my little trooper Abby did amazing as we attended all four sessions. I know we probably won't always be able to do it as more kids come but I love being with other Saints watching conference.
I got this cute pic last week on spaghetti night. I think Abby likes spaghetti. It was pretty cute she was just stuffing her face with her hands. I am sure she will figure out utensils eventually.
Anyway the weather was amazing today so we went for a nice walk. Grandma happened to drive by at the right time so she got to join us. It was so much fun and Abby loved having someone to look at as I am always pushing the stroller so she only sees my shadow. Tonight Abby was so cute as she figured out her toy and started putting her blocks into the bucket all on her own. Yeah she's pretty much the smartest kid ever. I am allowed to say that because I am her Mom. Anyway I just wanted to share that we had a great day and we hope everyone else out there is having a great day.
Here's another favorite pic from this week. Playing in the pots and pans drawer while I am trying to cook. Always fun times!!!

Last Month of Freedom

Well I thought a year ago that this would take forever to come but it didn't and it is already April 1. In one month I am heading back to work part time actually very part time one sometimes two days a week so hopefully it won't be too traumatizing on Abby or myself. I know Grandma is really looking forward to it.
I can't believe how much my life has changed in the past year. I am so grateful to have a beautiful daughter and an amazing husband who have helped me a lot this past year. I mean Abby is always happy even when she used to keep me up at 2,3,or 4am and Ryan is pretty much always supportive and always listening to my crazy ideas or self esteem moments. I am really happy to be where I am in my life and have all the blessings that I have.
I took out my gardening book this morning so excited to plan my vegetable and flower gardens. I am still learning but I love the challenge. Hopefully Abby doesn't pull all the pretty plants up this summer!!
Thought I would put a couple of cute pics Ryan's Dad took. I love the one of her smelling her shoe. She is pretty cute these days I love that she is interacting more and more. Motherhood is so amazing as you watch them grow.