Drew

Drew is talking more all the time!  He loves his dad!  He actually doesn't like playing in the snow.  He has empathy (notice the bandaid on his head).  He likes going to church, he likes driving things, and 'cooking.'

Andrew cut his head open and had a bandage on it...so Drew wanted one too!

Poor kid...his mom takes a while to catch on.  Found out later that he calls the downstairs downhouse.

Brynn and Drew

I can't wait until Brynn can keep up with Drew.  I'm sure the squabbles with continue and may even get worse, but they will also have so much fun!

This moment was so funny and of course I only caught a snippet. Drew really has an ability to make Brynn laugh. 

Brynn

Brynn is becoming a ham.  She is so expressive and silly!  We just love her.  She finally got her first 2 teeth, and she is so fast at getting around.  She'll be walking by her birthday for sure.  She's been way better at sleeping, for which I am grateful!!  And she actually is becoming more cuddly, I think, which is fun.

8 months

9 months

10 months

10 months

10 months

2013!

Doesn't this year sound lucky?  Maybe just because there is the lucky number 13 in the year, and that number has become 'our number' here at our house since both Brynn and Drew's birthday is on the 13th.  Maybe it's because we are continuing to try and stay positive about the pros about living here in MT, and out in the country, rather than focusing on the cons.  Maybe it's because I have cabin fever and I know that now the days are getting a little longer, spring is the next season, and I will have Drew potty trained sometime during this year. :)
I'm not one for New Year's resolution generally, but I do like making goals.  A goal I made in December was to read the Old Testament from cover to cover.  I haven't ever done that before and I want to so that I can then say that I have read the Old and New Testament, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.  I'm actually really enjoying studying it and am grateful to deepen my testimony of the Bible, Heavenly Father and His plan for us.
All of the other goals that I wanted to accomplish, I found, all hinged off of one goal...going to bed earlier.  Andrew and I have been doing this together and it really has made a world of difference for me.  I am feeling more rested and satisfied of my self-discipline.
Other goals that we have been working on are companionship scripture reading and exercising (4 days a week).
I have really felt happier the last few weeks.  Not that I was in the pit of despair, but I just have noticed an increase in my (our) happiness.  We feel it is a blessing from being more diligent in our scripture study, and I also think it's a blessing from having more self-discipline and being more productive.
I had an epiphany a few years ago about happiness. Self-discipline and mastery.  If we are self-disciplined, we will be doing what we are to be doing, speaking carefully and kindly, thinking carefully and kindly.  Not sure if I am being clear, but that is my goal in my stage of life right now.  Self-discipline.

Family Pictures from November

I thought I was kind of savvy with the computer, but I couldn't get our Christmas card scanned to put in here...duh.  Anyway, I thought I would post the pictures from our little photo session in November. (So Brynn was 8 months and Drew 2 yrs. and 3 months.)

...More Potty

So after that awesome week or whatever...we backslid.  I resorted to using skittles and that helped a bunch!!  After a week or so of that, he was back to fighting me about sitting on the pot although his eyes were swimming.  We have upped the ante.  GUM.  Then I threatened punishment if he messed or wet his pants and reminded him of the rewards otherwise..which I was always opposed to doing.  These last two days have been way better.  This will probably last for a week.  We'll see.  :\  Just felt like I should update.  I think last entry I said (or at least thought) mommy knows best.  Well, now I'm feeling 'mommy knows nothing.' :)