3 going on 13

Kami, I can't believe you are turning 4 so soon... I wish I could bottle you up to keep you from growing up. You are such a little delight to be around. Daddy and I love you so, so much...and we love getting to know the Kami that is constantly evolving.


 

 All About Kamila- age 3

1. What is your name? Kamila with a K in my name.

2. What is your favorite thing to do: playing with my friends

3. What makes you happy? Playing nicely.

4. What is your favorite food? Maccaroni and cheese

5. What is your favorite treat? Spinach

6. What is your favorite song? Rumor Has It (Adelle) and Last Christmas (Wham)

7. What is your favorite color? Purple

8. What do you want to be when you grow up? A big Sunbeam.

9.  What are you afraid of? Monsters

10. What is your favorite movie? Jack and Sally

11. If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go? Olive’s house…I already went there.

12. Who is your best friend? Olive and Skylar and Alyssa

13. What is your favorite toy? Horsies and the barbies.

14. What is your favorite dessert? Apple pie.

15. What is your favorite thing about Khloe? Playing with her.

16. What is your favorite thing about Daddy? Hugging him

17. What is your favorite thing about Mommy? Hugging you.

18. What is your favorite book?

19. Where do you want to get married? With Porter in the Salt Lake Temple.

Stand Alone

Lately I find myself in a deep inner turmoil regarding who I really am, who I am supposed to be, who I am expected to be, who I should be, and who I want to be. At this point in time, it has become so spiritually exhausting to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ AND a Republican at the same time. It is almost as if Satan himself had taught the world that anyone who fits into these two categories should be stoned to death on accounts of being racist, greedy, selfish, and just plain heartless. Yesterday I found myself rhetorically asking God why he allows very powerful men to fool and mislead so many people. Why do such men have to be in such a powerful position in a country that desperately needs a man who actually has values, who loves this country, and above all, loves God himself? I began to feel the desperation that I felt November 6th. It really is an ugly feeling to feel that your future and that of your children is being so destructively tampered with by a man who a world that resembles Sodom and Gomorrah has placed on the highest pedestal. I digress...there are many things changing around us. In our world, in our country, amidst the members of His church, and in our home. And all I want if for you girls, Kamila and Khloe, to know that it is extremely hard to stand up for truth and righteousness. I get it. I was once young. Can you believe that now as your mother approaching her thirties, it has become even harder to do just that? It is hard when you know you will offend people by speaking out against things that are wrong or for simply voicing an opinion that is not congruent and accepted by a demoralized yet very popular and powerful society? You will lose friends and perhaps the acceptance of people you love, but in the end, it is all about being true to who you are. Be true to the divine in you. Be loyal to the royal within you. It doesn't matter if something is popular. "Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it, and right is right even is no one is doing it". So, my beautiful daughters, remember to always “Stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone”...although, you are never alone. Your Father in Heaven is always with you. I want to share this with you. It was written by the woman behind the blog "Women For Truth"..it brought comfort to me that awful day last month and I feel that her words echo my exact feelings. 

 "As she fell asleep lying next to me tonight, Betty, my five-year-old, got tears in her eyes (mostly just exhaustion) and said she was sad Obama won. I laughed as she was mimicking her mother, who, at the start of the day, hugged her good morning and began crying telling her Romney lost and her mother was sad. In this moment, I realized I needed to write down my thoughts for my children on this post-Election Day, why I am so sad today and why I will keep fighting tomorrow.

I voted for Mitt, but it wasn't because he was Republican, I hate being labeled into a box. I wasn't even voting for Mitt per se- no doubt he would have been a great economic leader, which is what this country so desperately needed. I was voting for more than a man. I voted for the idea that reward comes with hard work, not handouts. That people are the solution, not the government. I voted with the notion that our President should be held accountable for his actions, and that on 9/11/12, a US Ambassador and three other Americans were killed in a terrorist attack, and that our current President blamed it on a video.  I voted because Obama apologized to terrorists and to the world for our First Amendment and the right to free speech. I voted because I belong to a religion that has seen much hatred, and cruel videos and musicals, and yet I believe it is a right for others to speak, so I peacefully ignore those cruel words and videos and musicals. I voted because God leads this nation and the Democratic Party removed his name from their political platform. I voted because I believe contraceptives are a choice and not a right; and even more that women should pay for their own and not expect others to do so. I voted for the unborn who are killed by partial birth abortion. I voted not to pay for abortions with my tax dollars. I voted for economic recovery and for that silly belief that if you can’t afford it- you shouldn’t get it. I voted for Capitalism and the American Entrepreneur. I voted against redistribution of wealth and the thought that the government can decide who has too much and who deserves more. I voted against a President that seeks to divide (class warfare, war on women, race divisions), and voted to Stand United with my fellow Americans, no matter their race, gender, or financial worth. I voted for the belief that this nation was founded on principles that need to be embraced, not “fundamentally” changed.

I voted for you, {Kamila and Khloe}. I voted so that you would be able to grow up in the America I have been privileged to know. I write this so that you know that my vote was not in vain. I realized today that I stood with 48% of American voters, united for a better tomorrow. I will continue to work and serve, and pray so that each year that 48% grows. I learned today that being humble to the Lord and working hard is difficult and tiring, but it’s the only way. I learned that I must make sure, as your mother, that you learn about America, the good and the bad. I learned that America is only as strong as her people. I learned that I am strong. I learned that women are much stronger than men (well that-I already knew)! I learned that even though the outcome is not what I had hoped, fought and prayed for, that a victory was won because of the liberties that allowed me to say I VOTED.

2012 in Review...Part 1

Goodbye, 2012

I am officially the world's worst blogger...and I feel like a runner up on worst many other things. I have said this before, and I will say it again. I really do not enjoy New Year's Eve. It makes me overly nostalgic and I attribute these emotions to the fact that I do not cope very well with change. There is something about just letting go that I can not seem to grasp. That will definitely be one of my goals to worn on this upcoming year.

Where to begin? As I think about everything that happened this year, my heart feels like a sack of bricks inside my chest...but these are happy bricks. After all, bricks make for some of the strongest abodes, right? We have been through so much this year. I think about all of the progress, trials, moments of exceeding joy and times of feelings of despair. We lost my sweet uncle to cancer; Brandon and Hillarie were married, we welcomed our sweet Khloe to our family the day of the second anniversary of my dear grandfather's passing, we said goodbye to GranDad as he is now reunited with his very missed and adored Grammie, we moved to more comfortable home, Ariel and Lycia got married, Kami started preschool with Miss Julie {who I love and as her student I always wishfully thought how great it would be to have her share her love for learning and reading with my own children}, Chip got called to be the ward financial clerk, Brother Romney lost the election  we made new and very special friendships, I met my sweet friend Mandy and am now part of building one of her dreams, and the list can go on. What a special year we have had. I learned so many things that I hope I will never forget and hope that I will carry such lessons in my heart for the rest of my life.

I am so grateful to be a part of God's plan and his restored church. What comfort it has brought!! It has been the anchor and the soothing, reassuring embrace that I have needed when things were more on the bleak side. He has always been by my side. If there is one thing I want you girls, my brave Kami and tender Khloe, to know about your mother is that I KNOW that our Savior is real. He lives. He listens. He comforts. He promises and he delivers. This church is true. I know that if you will work to achieve this surety for yourselves, you will feel it and see miracles in your lives as well. There is no other way to achieve literal and pure happiness.

We have been so blessed. Some questions have been left unanswered, but I am discovering that Heavenly Father's timing is impeccable and that if we are ready and open to accept his answers, they come. I am beyond excited for what the future will bring, specifically this year. I am so undeniably fortunate and blessed to have you, Chip, by my side to raise our sweet babies...they are so lucky to have a man like you for their father. I love the 3 of you with all of my being. Here's to a new year full of new adventures and learning opportunities!

First White Dress

The blessing Chip gave Khloe was very sweet and touching.

My sweet daughter, these are some of the things your father said in your blessing.

Khloe:

-  your Heavenly Father is grateful that you have chosen to follow Him and come to Earth

- because of your faithfulness, you have chosen to come to this family at this time

- you are blessed to be strong, consistent in the gospel, and a light in this world

- blessed to be of a sweet and timid candor, to soften those whose heart is hardened by the things of this world

- blessed to be of pivotal influence

- blessed with health needed to be happy and continue on to have your own children

- raise your own children and to marry a worthy man in the temple

- blessed with a unique ability to discern the light from the dark and choose the right

The men in the circle were your father, Papa, Abuelo, Tio Oscar, Darin, Todd, Uncle Jeff, JD, Michael, Shad, Uncle Steve, Josh Harris, Jordan.

I am so grateful for the gift of being your mother. Your sweet spirit has brought us so much joy. Your sister adores you; I can't wait until you are older and for the both of you to develop a strong and sincere friendship unlike any other than what only sisters can have. I am so grateful for the gospel, for this church. I know it is true. I hope that you will heed the blessing that your father bestowed upon your head that you may receive the wonderful blessings that have been promised to you if you are obedient. We love you so, so much. May this beautiful dress be the first of three very special dresses that you will wear when you are ready to make covenants and promises with the Lord. I love you with all of my heart, my sweet blossom of wisdom.
Melanie, a deep, huge thank you for the beautiful dress. Sharing your wonderful talent with us made the day much more special. You have an amazing gift.

Mandy, thank you so, so much for the adorable headbands. They are perfect! You are the sweetest and have such a talent!

Both of you girls are so sweet and made Khloe look radiant! Thank you, thank you!

 P.s.- you can see more of Melanie's vintage lovelies here {Sadie Then Ty} and more of Mandy's beautiful creations here {Lacy Mae Designs}.

Khloe's Blessing Day

Memorial Day weekend

My family came into town on Friday at 6 am. We mostly rested that day and had dinner, of course, at the Brick Oven. Then, Fabi, Oscar, Alexa, Chip and I went to see The Avengers once the kids were in bed. On Saturday we went up to Salt Lake for a waffle for breakfast, did some shopping at City Creek, my parents took grandma to see Temple Square {this was her first time in Utah}, had dinner at Cafe Rio in Draper, and watched movies at home. Sunday was Khloe's blessing. My parents, Alexa, Fabi, Oscar, Luca and my grandma came to town from my side and Mom, Dad, Brandon, Hillarie, and their kids from Chip's side. 

Khloe's blessing was Sunday morning and after sacrament we had a brunch with everyone invited. It is always so much fun to have everyone together. That night we made dinner and had Mom and Dad and my family over for dinner. Chip made Buffalo Chicken Tacos and then we had a red velvet cake for dessert to celebrate Abuelita's 87th birthday. Having her here made everything so much more special.

Monday morning my family returned home and we went to Mom and Dad's hotel for some swimming. Kami loves being in the water! We then headed up to SL for brunch at Grandma Joan's and to take M&D to the airport. It was a great weekend. I miss you all so much. Abuelita didn't wait for us to finish singing to her and just blew out the candles! It was kind of hilarious.