Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Lover's Day, Lover!

I LOVE Ryan!

He is truly a wonderful husband and I have so many reasons to rejoice in our marriage.

He spoils me more than I deserve and loves me even when I am not my best self.

He encourages me and strengthens me in all my endeavors and truly does his best.

It has been a wonderful almost 7 years since we went on our first date.

What an incredible journey we have been on and I couldn't ask for a better partner in crime.

I love you, Babe!

10 Things I Love About You

Dear Monica,

here are 10 Things I Love About You

10. I love that days like today are a few and far between. You went to timeout at least a dozen times. But on the last timeout you still, at the tender age of 4, were able to tell me how your heart told you to not jump on the bed or yell at your mom, but how you listened to your brain instead. You amaze me with your perception, with your earnest desire to please your parents. You're doing a great job!

9. I love that you love music. You can pick out the beat to any song we listen to and have a great sense of rhythm. You dance to the beat, but in many ways to the beat of your own drum as well. You also sing with your whole heart, and it is a joy to hear you make up your own songs about brushing your teeth, or how you don't want to go to bed. I hope you keep that creativity always. 

8. I love the sound of your laughter. When Daddy tickles you pink, or Leah does something funny, your contagious laughter brings a smile to all who hear it.

7. I love how inquisitive you are. You are so smart. You love your letters and learning how to write. I love that you are so eager to start school. It will be a great adventure for you.

6. I love your spirit of service. Whether it's picking up the toy room or making your bed, you always give it to me as a gift. And it is a beautiful gift I always appreciate. I love how you help your little sister get out of bed in the mornings and help her get a cup first thing. I love watching you help her open her string cheese and show her where to color in the coloring books you are working on.

5. I love that you love kitties as much as I do! And you are very good with our cat and take care not to hurt her and help protect her when others might be a little too rough.

4. I love your innocence. How every old man is "grandpa" and every kindly looking old woman is "grandma". You have never met a stranger. Every child, every person we meet is a friend. Would that the world was a safer place for you to truly be yourself and accept everyone at face value.

3. I love that you are still cuddly. I love your hugs and kisses everyday.

2. I love your free spirit, honesty in expressing your opinions and your willingness to compliment freely. How if something doesn't feel, sound or look right, you bring my attention to it. I love your observations and turn of phrase. You, my dear, are FUNNY! You are INDEPENDENT and at times headstrong, but I'm sure glad you are not a doormat. No one will walk all over you and get away with it.

1. And most of all, I love your desire to do what is right. Your early love of the Lord and desire to make Him happy and do what He would do is truly admirable. I love to listen to you sing "I Am a Child of God" because you sing it like you truly know who you are. For as young as you are, you teach me so much.

For all these things and more, I love you, my dear Monica.  

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Last Friday, we went to the park with Matt, Emily, Julie and Jonah so the girls could play together and kick around some soccer balls. It was pretty windy so Ryan suggested we get some kites. While I was around the corner locating the perfect kites, apparently Julie and Monica stared at each other more than they actually wanted to play. So the idea was a great one, in theory- let them run around and wear themselves out and have fun doing it. But they didn't seem to care to in actuality. So when I got back to the park, there was no problem getting the kites up. Once they were out, I pulled out my camera and had some fun!

Ryan got Monica's Princess kite up for her.

Matt got up Julie's "Toy Story" kite. 

Monica had a blast holding her kite up and never let go!

"Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height. Oh let's fly a kite and send it soaring..."

Uncle Matt and Julie.

My 3 most favorite peeps.

Uncle Matt and Julie were buddies.

Emily was keeping Jonah tucked up and protected from the wind.

Uncle Matt and Lee-lee

Miss Monica

The last three pics are my "Vision For the Future" pics.

I'd totally vote for these girlies!

Leah and Julie watching the kites.

It's Over Before it Began

This morning I woke up with a sinking feeling at about 4am. I had started bleeding, not just spotting. As the day went on it got heavier, so tonight Mom came and stayed with the girls and Ryan and I went to the hospital to find out what was going on. Finally about midnight, after quite a few tests, it was determined that I had miscarried. We were very disappointed, but ultimately we know it is in the Lord's hands. I know the body has a way of knowing if an embryo wouldn't survive. So I think the important thing is that we are staying positive. We know that we will keep trying and eventually #3 will find their way into our little family. I'm grateful it happened now, less than a full week from when we found out we were pregnant, than later when it could have been very painful, physically and emotionally. I'm grateful to have a loving support system of family and friends. And I'm especially grateful to have a wonderful husband, to hold my hand and wipe my tears. We make a good team. And I'm grateful for the beautiful blessings that are my little girls. As I was considering the fact that I had miscarried, it made me appreciate them even more. And the thing I am most grateful for is the knowledge that all things are in Heavenly Father's watchful care. I'm grateful to feel His love at this time through family and friends, and through the caring medical personnel who treated me tonight.

One Year Older and Wiser Too

Today was a spectacular birthday!

I was spoiled rotten by my wonderful hubbs,

heard "Happy Birthday" sung by Monica at least 10 times,

and got lots of hugs and loves from little Leah,

who has been really stingy with her hugs lately.

I got to do a little bit of shopping,

Not lift a single dish in the sink,

Got in a great nap,

Have a clean house with little effort,

eat DIVINE pork roast tenderloin from Outback,

and enjoy ice cream cake with my family.

And I didn't have any homework due tonight. WOOT!

27 was a busy year, but hopefully 28 will be even more productive.

I certainly look forward to it and all the milestones happening this year! 

New Toys

For my birthday, and the next few major holidays, Ryan got me a camera I have been eyeing for quite a while! So yesterday I started playing with it and found some pictures I really liked!

These were my two favorites of Leah yesterday.

These were my two faves of Monica yesterday.

The cat makes a surprisingly good subject to practice on, so out of the 50, these are my two faves of the cat!

I was playing with the aperture on this one.

I think it turned out pretty good.

Then this morning I had fun shooting the girls before church.

I loved the succession of Leah's facial expressions!

I was still trying to figure out the focus on the manual setting, just so I knew how to do it.

When they were bigger than the thumbnail on the camera screen, most of the ones of Monica were blurry enough to hurt my eyes a little or she had squinty eyes if they were in focus. I caught this one though, and thought it was so expressive.

After watching the Super Bowl, I showed off my new toy and thought I'd try getting some more practice after some advice from Dad.

Like mother, like daughter...

In beauty, that is!

I thought it was funny that I had just caught Julie digging for gold and then Emily pretended to when I pointed the camera at her.

Monica loves to ham it up!

Finally, out of nearly 300 pictures, these next two are my absolute favorites!

My little beauties!

Coming soon in approximately 9 months...

Baby Allred #3!

Yes, that's right. This was the second test of the day. The first one was one of the cheapies from Walgreens and I wasn't confident that the faint vertical line was really there, so Ryan picked up another one that would be less confusing. It took about 1 minute (the box says it could take up to 3 minutes) for the hourglass to stop turning and VOILA! Let the doctor appointments, uncomfortable proddings, and stretching begin! Because in the end, we'll have a beautiful baby to love on.

I know the chances of having a boy or girl is 50/50, but sometimes the pattern of the male line adds to the fun. Just to make it more interesting, here are the stats on Ryan's family (he lending the XY chromosome and decides it, so my side really doesn't matter, though we can bring it in later for argument's sake). Travis' pattern goes Boy-Girl-Boy-Girl. Jodi's pattern is Boy-Girl-Boy. Kimmie's pattern is Girl-Boy, and Spencer's pattern is Girl-Girl-Boy. With this in mind, we have long since bowed out of the oldest 3's patterns. Which leads us to wonder, will we follow Spencer's pattern or make our own? Now here's where my side comes in. My family has a 3:1 ratio of girls to boys. Not kidding. My mom and dad currently have 8 grandchildren, 6 are girls and 2 are boys. Extend that to aunts, uncles, and cousins and the ratio holds. Matt and Elisha appear to be having a girl, (the ultrasound was not conclusive to a boy) which follows the pattern of my dad and uncles who all had a girl then boy. So let the guessing begin!

Will we keep the ratio in my family going and set our own pattern in Ryan's family and have a girl? Or will we throw off the balance of my family and follow Spencer's pattern after all and have a boy? Vote now! Winners get something super sassy... like bragging rights!

P.S. Just in case you were wondering...we are super excited! YAY!