Camilla is her Daddy's girl in every way!! She even looks like him!! There are other pictures that I have where they look a like (especially when they are wearing hats) but I thought this was pretty close. They have the same mischievous little grin, the same eyes, the same chin, and the same little cheeks. Mr. Stannix was often referred to as MR. DETERMINATION when he was little. Camilla is already following in those footsteps. She is also one determined little munchkin. I often catch her climbing, and never giving up until she finally gets what she wants. When she tries to pull one of her determined stints over on her daddy, he often says to her "You forget who you're dealing with girly, I coined the term Mr. Determination." To which she replies with some babbling and finger wagging.... It's great! They are definitely two-of-a-kind! She's probably only like, 1/4 me...if even. ;)
This is my FAVORITE time of the day. Dinner is done, the dishes are washed (sometimes), the house is quiet, and I get to stare into my baby girls big blue eyes as she slowly drifts off to sleep. I think about what she will look like when she is older, and who she will become. Will her hair stay blonde, or will it darken up? I think about her little giggles, and it brings a smile to my face. I wonder if I'll be able to teach this little girl everything that she will need to know to make her way through life. Can I help her make the most of life? Can I show her how to enjoy every moment? After she finishes her bottle, I get a brief snuggle, and then she wants to be put in her crib so she can go to sleep. I kiss her good night, give her a big hug, and gently place the blankets over her body, and chubby little legs. I then sneak out of the room, close the door, and get ready to go to sleep.
This weekend was a lot of fun! We spent most of the time at the acreage hanging out, laughing and talking with family. This is Camilla one fine morning after she woke up....
My little brother graduated this weekend from high school. Crazy how time flies!! It seems like just yesterday we were giggling together and making mud pies on the jungle jim. I was very proud of him and it was fun to be a part of his big day.
Not only was Saturday his grad, it was our second anniversary. Mr. Stannix and I took off alone after prom and went to DQ to share a banana split! We sat in a booth at DQ and chatted. It was really enjoyable to spend that time together.
When we got home, my dad was making a fire for my brother and his friends to enjoy later on in the evening. While Mr. Stannix and my dad played a game of horse shoes in the dark, I took a seat by the fire. I love gazing into the flames and feeling the heat from the fire while I think. It was a great time to reflect on life and think about my family and of course Mr. Stannix. What a fabulous two years it has been.
After Mr. Stannix and my dad decided it was too dark to play (as they couldn't tell the difference between the blue and white horse shoes) he joined me at the fire side. It was kind of romantic for the short amount of time that we spent outside. We enjoyed thinking and conversing with one another. What a fabulous way to spend an anniversary. It was a beautiful night, and the fire was perfect!!
This is one of the neatest pictures I've ever taken!! On the way home Sunday evening, we drove through the WORST storm ever!! We had to pull over for fear that the hail would break our windshield! The rain pounded down in giant sheets and the sky had a tint of green. Apparently there were funnel clouds, but we didn't see any. I accidentally had the flash on when I took this picture out the front window. If you look closely in the background, you can see a road sign and car lights and the highway, but in the foreground is the windshield wiper, and a reflection of the dash. Cool hey? Anyway, we survived, and made it home safe and sound! It's great to be back and looks like today will bring better weather.
Mr. Stannix did my dishes last night, well, he does them every night actually. Last night, he brought up the deal he made me when we were first married. It was quite funny and brought a smile to my face.
"You cook, I'll clean. If we can do that the rest of our lives, I'd die a happy man". Then he paused for a few seconds and added, "and a fat man too".
I definitely laughed out loud. Mr. S knows how much I hate doing dishes. It takes me all day...(I do other things inbetween soakings) But, I do love to cook! Thanks Hun!!
After, we enjoyed reading some Harry Potter together before bed.
With this guy, RIGHT here.....Doesn't he look Spiffy!?
We dropped off our ball of energy at a friends
place to play with her sweet little friend for the evening.
And we took off to the temple!!
In a few days, we celebrate our SECOND anniversary. We wanted to do something special together.
As we walked around the temple grounds and smelled the flowers, it brought back memories from that special day when we were sealed together for Time and all ETERNITY.
We chuckled as we left the temple last night, because it felt almost the same as June 26 two years ago. There were thunder heads rolling in, and the air smelled fresh. When we were married, there was a big storm and the power went out. It was an adventure!
This is Camilla at her very first movie. Mike can barely keep a strait face as he is thinking about the folding up chair that she is sitting in! Looks comfy right?
She was absolutely loving it!! The HUGE screen the...er...comfy chair...You had to be there, it was pretty dang hilarious!!
This is miss CJ naked (well, almost). Camilla loves being without clothing.
"Mum, do you like see-food?" She is making some crazy alien, shrieking sound in this pic. Also a new favorite thing to do. It cracked me up, and pretty much made my day.
This is how she woke up one morning. I just love those baby blues and crazy hair!
"Mum, why did you put me in Christmas Jammies, isn't it Summer?Oh, and I think you forgot to wash my face last night before bed..."
What are we celebrating you ask? Absolutely nothing! It's just fun.....
My darling daughter who I love OH so much. ( How can you not love a sweet little face like that? ) I was thinking happily this morning of all the reasons I love my darling Camilla. Here are a few that came to mind.
ONE: She's always happy to see me in the morning. She greets me with her high pitched, baby voice, "HI" and tumbles over in her crib from trying to quickly coordinate blowing me a kiss before she is fully awake. Then she crawls over and grabs her teddy and quickly offers it to me. Such a sweetheart.
TWO: She's ALWAYS happy! (minus a few sad cries here-and-there)
THREE: She is care free and embraces life. From this young of an age, I can see her personality and excitement. She LOVES life and everything in it and is a busy little girl.
FOUR: She gives the best snuggles and smooches.
FIVE: She's soo stinkin' cute when she toddles around with her giant cloth-diaper bottom wagging behind her. (seriously, you gotta see it!)
EXHIBIT C: The Rocky Mountains
Isn't that breath-taking? I love the Rocky Mountains and I love camping in/driving through them! I don't think I could live anywhere else in the whole wide world.
EXHIBIT D: Being a Mother
This (being a mother) is one of my greatest loves! I love every bit of it from being at home with my little girl to the late nights and daily duties. Ever since I was a little girl, I've had a desire to be a mother. I personally believe it is one of the best paying jobs around. Being a mother is so rewarding and fulfilling. I love every moment of it. I loved watching Camilla sit on a 'big kid' theater seat last night. Mike and I chuckled almost the entire movie just watching her sit, half folded up, on the giant seat. I love her messy, sticky-outty, fly all over hair that she is sporting today in some Christmas patterned Jammies. (Yes, I know it's summer). I love watching her shake her head as we go through all of her dresses and she decides which on to wear to church. And I especially love snuggling her off to dreamland at night. (Just to name a few...)
*
"I take great delight in my role as a nurturer, which allows me to express my deepest identity as a woman. I never fail to be struck by the way that women, young women, and even little girls seem to have an instinctive interest and ability in nurturing. It is not only a mother's primary responsibility but also part of our 'individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose'. To nurture is to teach, to foster development, to promote growth, to feed and to nourish. Who would not shout for joy at being given such a blessed role?"
~Susan W. Tanner
I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to be a mother and to nurture children. It really is a blessing and I do 'shout for joy'. And I am trying to be better, and more patient every day.
These really are just a few of "The Loves of My Life" as I have many, many, many loves. But I am now going to indulge in my fourth love (which is eating) and fix me and miss CJ some lunch!
I went to the store with Camilla today, and we started browsing the toy section. Mike and I have been thinking about getting her a dolly for her FIRST birthday, but now, it's official!
She loved this doll so much she wouldn't let me put it back!! She loved it and cuddled it for a long time! I can't wait to buy her her own little dolly for her birthday!!
In other news, we had a very enjoyable weekend! We spend most of Saturday afternoon enjoying the outdoors. We went up to the spray park again and played and read Harry Potter out loud to each other. After that, we walked down to the Sev for a slurpee to cool off. It was a fabulous, fun filled afternoon.
I Just wanted to take a few spare minutes this afternoon and wish my sweetheart an early Happy Father's Day! With both Mike and Camilla taking afternoon naps, I find myself alone with my thoughts in a very quiet (too quiet) home. It's great though, because it has given me time to reflect and think about all the things I love and admire about my husband.
He's patient. I don't think I've ever met anyone as patient as Mike. And it's not just that he's patient, but he's patient with ME. I believe it takes a special kinda person to live with me (haha) and Mike just happens to be it. It doesn't seem to matter what I say/do, he's always patient with me.
He's hard working, and determined. He's always willing to go the extra mile and become the best that he can be. I admire that about him!
He still gives me those little butterflies of excitement that I would get when we were dating. With a simple look, or when he grabs my hand.
(Top Left: Engagement photo, Top Right: Wedding Pic, Bottom Left: First Family pic, Bottom Right: Proud daddy and his very first little girl! )
Heloves me for who I am. I sometimes ask him "If you could change anything about me, what would it be?" And his reply is always, "Nothing, I love you just the way you are". It makes me feel super special to have someone who loves me for me.
He loves to laugh!! Even when I am in the grumpiest mood EVER, Mike can crack a smile or a giggle out of me. He's amazing at making me feel better when I'm feeling down.
He is amazing with Camilla. From when I first met Mike, I knew he was great with kids (which is one reason why I married him). He plays so well with his little girl and she absolutely ADORES her daddy.
He Loves the Lord. Ever since I was little I've wanted to marry my prince charming who could take me to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. Well, I found him!! Mike's love for the gospel is contagious and makes me want to be a better person and learn as much as I can.
The list could go on and on!! There is so much that I love and admire about Mike. He is an amazing man, and I couldn't have asked for anyone better to spend eternity with!!
I ♥ You!!
xoxox
A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.
Today is a cloudy day. We've spent most of the day inside playing, cleaning and organizing. Camilla was starting to get bored with her toys, so we pulled the couch cushions off and build a tent, then when that fell down, she enjoyed climbing all over the cushions. She then discovered that she can get onto the couch with the help of the cushions and enjoyed running from one side to the other of the couch. She was loving the new "toys" and independence. She is such a little joy to have in our lives. Every little smile, giggle and kiss is the best thing in the world. She is a little bundle of energy and definitely lives life to the fullest!! Here are a few pics of our crazy girl!
We had beautiful weather this weekend!! Saturday morning, Mike, Camilla and I went up to the spray park to cool off! The water was COLD, but Camilla still enjoyed playing with daddy. It was a lot of fun!
She was a little hesitant at first, but it was fun watching her walk around and check things out.
I just love this pose, with the finger sticking out. She always walks around like this!! It's pretty funny because Mike has baby pictures with this exact same pose.
Camilla gearing up to soak daddy!! She lost (but it's a little unfair when your fingers aren't long enough to reach the trigger (hehe) ) but had fun playing with it lol.
This pic was taken at our Ward picnic. She waited patiently while the other kids played with the parachute and then when they all left, she went crazy with it!!
Camilla wearing Daddy's shoes on Sunday and sporting the dress Jenny made for her!!
She has also learned how to blow kisses recently. Yesterday when Mike got home from work, the first thing she did was blow him a kiss. It's so fun watching her show affection to others. She is such a loving little girl!!
As I snuggled my little girl to sleep tonight, I decided to take my time and enjoy the quiet moment with her. As she is walking and toddling around the house now, it's not often that I get the chance to really snuggle with her anymore. Usually bed times are quick (story, prayers, bottle, bed) and I leave little time for cuddling. But with the stillness of the house tonight, I took a few moments to snuggle with my little girl. I soaked up every detail of the moment. As I counted all ten of her chubby little fingers, ran my fingers through her white blond hair, and touched her soft, sweet face, I realized that my baby girl is not a baby anymore. I thought about all of the night time feedings, just the two of us snuggled up in that green chair, and began to miss them. I realized that these moments are becoming fewer and that I need to enjoy her while I can. I left her room with a tear running down my cheek trying to remember every detail of that moment so I could keep it forever! (I know, I'm a sap). As I thought more and more about time, and how important it is, my thoughts were then turned to President Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey". He says a quote that I love that goes like this “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.” I want so much more now to take time for TODAY'S and enjoy every moment I have with not just Camilla, but my family. And take President Monson's counsel to heart.
"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family." -President Monson-
A sweet little pic of her zonked out before church!
The other day, I was getting out some crackers for myself. As I pulled the bag out of the box (they were Breton's) the bag ripped and crackers fell all over!!! By the time I got back with the broom....... I saw Camilla with her mouth full of crackers (and both hands full too!). She had beaten me to them!! Gosh, you'd think we didn't feed the kid!! (I promise we do...)
Anyways, it was too cute, and I had to pause and take some pics of Camilla getting into trouble...and enjoying crackers!
We bought a new tent this weekend!! We had to set it up the other night and check it out. When it was time to take it down again, Camilla was having so much fun she didn't want to get out! I guess it's good practise for our camping trip at the end of the summer! :) These past few days have been beautiful and Camilla has enjoyed being outside!
