Here's to...

Wow... 2009 was a year to remember!  Life gave us the greatest joys and the greatest stresses at the same time.  Don't get me wrong... I love Larkyn, I love being a stay at home mom, I love my husband who lets me do pretty much whatever I desire {which is a little bit of everything}, I love everything & everyone I have in my life.  I'd say that 2009 was the most humbling year that we have ever had as a family.  I have had to learn to put others first {which I haven't done in a long time}, I have learned to have faith that things will work out, I have learned that hard work is the only way out, I have cried more than ever, I have learned what true love is, I have swallowed my pride and accepted help, I have learned what it means to be a true friend, I have gained 60 pounds and only lost 50,  I hope that everything we have learned as a family stays with us. 

So here's to...
Being a GREAT wife & AMAZING mother
Getting out of Debt
Being a better Friend, Daughter, Sister
Owning a SUCCESSFUL photography business
Designing clothing & putting myself out there
Cooking more from scratch
Working harder to be healthier
Running more races
Expanding our family {hopefully}
Learning how to build frames and other home decor
Setting the best example I possibly can
Serving those around me
Getting to know my neighborhood better

2010 is going to be a great year!  I will be expanding my photography business, so please watch for all my promo's, its gonna be fun, crisp, beautiful and colorful!, my friend and I are going to be pushing our childrens clothing and accessories, and I want to try to share more of  my cooking, cleaning, spiritual, beauty, and health tips... so if anyone has anything they want me to touch on let me know! 

Here's to becoming a woman extraordinaire!!

Faces of Larkyn...

The other day I decided to play around with my camera {its been a long time}...  seriously I think I have been given a daughter that will not smile for me!!  What is up with that??  How I am supposed to practice getting great shots when I end up with a booboo lip and popeye??  :)

Merry Christmas

It's that time of year again... when all the madness and shopping begins.   It's Christmas!  This year Logan and I are not buying Christmas gifts, we didn't even put up a tree.  This was brought on by a number of things {that I will not bore you with} but I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and for the growth that we have had as a family. 

We have had a great December, for the most part, and we have been able to focus more on Christmas and the true meaning behind this wonderful holiday.  We haven't been stressed out about what to buy each other or other family members, we haven't nearly killed each other, and the time that would be spent shopping our hearts out is going toward better causes. 

This year we have been focusing more on our Savior's birth and the life He lived.  This man known as Jesus gave every second of his life to others.  Not only did He serve others, but He did this with a smile on His face and with pure love. 

At the Christmas Devotional given by the 1st Presidency, President Monson urged us to take a step back, relax, and remember. 

Every year we always get caught up in this Holiday, and the true meaning of Christmas almost seemed forgotten in our home {well to me anyway}.   It has always been fun to get showered with gifts and to spoil other family as well, but it's been fun to bring back the spirit of Christmas to our home.  It's been a relief not be be apart of the hustle and bustle this year.  I hope that Logan and I will always remember the things that we are going through and I hope that we will be able to look back and reflect on the things that we have learned.  I hope that we will be able to teach our children the importance of Christmas and about our Savior's birth, life, and legacy.  I hope that giving our time and talents will be the most important thing to our family for years to come. 

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Larkyn - 6 months!

I can't believe my baby girl is 6 months old.... Mindy Young Photography took these adorable pictures and there are too many to just pick one! Mindy does such a great job and she was marvelous with Larkyn.

I love my little chub a lub so much.  She is so stinkin' cute.  So far she can... 

Sit on her own, laugh, squeel, dance (wigglin' her head and shoulders), sing in the car, splash in the tub, eat food and some how manage to get it up her nose, tries to wave, says ma ma ma, da da da, ba ba, and lots of other ooh's, she can blow raspberries (I think that's what they are called), she loves her jumper, the BYU chant with dad :) , drool everywhere, smiles at everyone, and the best of all gives hugs and kisses (tries anyway ;) ). 

I will never forget the overwhelming feeling I had when the doctor placed her in my arms 6 months ago.  She is such an angel and brings so much happiness and love into our family.  She is my sunshine on a dark day.  We are so lucky to have her sweet personality in our home! 

The Hot Tamale

So we are going to be selling our red car... aka the Hot Tamale.  This is a sad departure for me since this is the car I bought in high school.... so many memories.  LOL. 

It is a 99 Pontiac Sunfire and it is in decent condition.  We are asking $700 (o.b.o.).  If you know of anyone that is interested please let me know or feel free to stop by.  I can be reached at 801.390.2288 or Logan (probably the better person to call about the car) 801.358.4550.

Tootles! 

Haylie Lyn Photography

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five years

This past Friday, Logan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary!  WooHoo.  I feel like we have accomplished so much and grown more than I ever thought possible.  We went to dinner to celebrate (I know super exciting ha!) and we were talking about everything we have done, bought, learned, loved, and given.  We never in our wildest dreams would have pictured our life the way it has been!  Logan said that he thought we would have had more that one child by now (where was he when I wanted to have kids??  LOL)  We have been through many many challenges and I am sure we will have many more. 

I am so thankful that Logan took me to the temple to be sealed for all eternity.  He is my knight in shining armor.  I love him more today than I did that beautiful day 5 years ago.  I wouldn't be who I am without Logan and I wouldn't have learned all that I have.  Logan is the most forgiving person that I know... and for that I am extremely grateful.  I have made so many mistakes, but he always sees the bigger and better picture.   Logan always makes me feel beautiful inside and out.  I am lucky to have such a wonderful husband! 

Larkyn Ainsley

I cant believe my little girl is almost 6 months old! 

Happiness Is A Grateful Heart

Lately I have been thinking a lot about everything I have been given.  I don't think its Thanksgiving do you?  : )

I have wanted to post this for some time now and just the past couple days I have felt the urge to spread this token to pure happiness in this life. 

About 6.5 years ago my visiting teachers came by and with them they brought goodies {of course} and attached to those goodies was a little tag that said Happiness is a Grateful Heart.  Little did they know that this would have such a huge impact on my life and that it would hang on my fridge for years and years.   I have noticed that the times when I have struggled are when I am not being grateful for everything I have been given; the times when I am being completely selfish and unwilling to soften my stubborn attitude.  Does that sound familiar?  Yes, I honestly think all of us were given that little hint of stubborness just to make this life a little more difficult and interesting. 

Life gets crazy all to fast and the world will break us down if we allow it.  It is soo important to atleast acknowledge the blessings in our lives.  Some of you might not believe in praying, or are too afraid to get down on your knees and pray, but maybe if we were all to carry gratitude with us in our hearts the world could truely be a better place. 

When I express my gratitude and recognize the blessings in my life, this positive impact tends to rub off onto others around me.  I feel more loved therefore I can spread more love. 

Every single one of us struggle because of something {debt, money, sex, depression, children, religion, and lots of others} I don't know a single person who has the perfect life.  I hope that when all of these struggles seem overwhelming that your heart will be softened and that you will be able to recognize ALL of your blessings to enjoy happiness.  I hope that your struggles will not bring down those you love or those who are around you. 

I have been blessed with so many things that I am grateful for, so I will keep my list short..  I have a wonderful husband who forgives all of my short comings, a healthy baby girl who looks at me with loving eyes, a messy house, food on the table, clothes in piles waiting to be folded,  and great friends and family. 

What are you grateful for?

Pet Peeve #1

Why is it that when people go grocery shopping they can't ever put the shopping carts away?  ooooo This gets me going every time.  If you are guilty of this please dont take offense.  :)

So we were out doing our regular shopping this past Saturday and its snowy and cold... So what does every one in the world do???  They leave their shopping carts every where... not only in parking spots or the medians but right in the way of people driving.  This only causes more frustration for all of us who are trying to park or leave the parking lot.  What does it take to put a cart away?  Maybe a whole 10 seconds..  Who's lives are affected by this laziness?  Drivers, Pedestrians, ME, The Dear Employees at These Wonderful Grocers, ME, ME  and yes ME again.  My wonderful husband learned of this pet peeve of mine back while we were dating and so he is wonderful and will walk the shopping cart to any cart return just to keep the peace LOL. 

What do I ask?  Quit being LAZY and return the cart! 

That's All!