I've realized that I prefer to stalk blogs instead of updating my own. Every day is pretty much the same though: Mackenzie wakes up around 6 (it was 5 before the time change-yuck!) and eats. Usually she lets me put her back down and I unsuccessfully try to sleep while Keith's alarm proceeds to go off every 5 minutes for a good half hour. We're usually up around 7 and the rest of the day is filled with Mackenzie's eating, playing and sleeping while I try to squeeze in a few chapters from a book.

In the past couple of months I've read: Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng, Multiple Blessings by Kate Gosselin, P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Uglies, Pretties, and Specials all by Scott Westerfeld, The Host by Stephanie Meyer, and I'm currently reading Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama. The Secret Life of Bees was my favorite read but Life and Death in Shanghai was a close second. I learned a lot about China and felt again how grateful I am for the free country I live in. This book is a must read for those who believe socialism/Marxism is the way to go. I really enjoyed The Host once I got into it and for the past few nights I've had dreams about it. Scott Westerfeld's books are aimed at young adults and I think that's why I didn't like them as much as I wanted to. The first and second ones actually kept me fairly engrossed but with quite a bit of eye rolling. The third was a complete waste of my time but I had to find out what would happen to the characters. I hate that I do that; I can start an awful book or movie but I have to finish to see what the conclusion is. That brings me to the Presidents book. I'm about 60 pages in and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get through the rest. He's a great story teller which is no surprise but the voice of the book is one of superiority and haughtiness. I really am a book worm when I have the time for it!

On the 3rd, Mackenzie turned 4 months. She is growing so well, still on the long and lean side which is the opposite of what I thought my babies would be but with Keith for a husband, she has a good chance for height. She is typically a really happy baby full of smiles, especially for those her size. Mackenzie's been teething for a few weeks now and has recently developed the habit of chewing on her tongue which is pretty cute.

I finally feel as if my life is pretty normal but more fulfilled than it was pre-Mackenzie. I actually enjoy nursing her now and love to take her on walks. The 40 degree weather here lately feels like heaven and I'm so grateful for the chance to venture out of our little apartment and introduce Mackenzie to the outside world.

On the 7th, we went to my great grandma Wixom's funeral. Pauline Owens Wixom was born in August 1911! She was one tough woman who was orphaned at 14 and a convert to the LDS church. I remember her strong will and I only have fond memories of her. One in particular sticks out of her eating watermelon at my Grandma Pearson's house. Everyone was getting on her case to stop eating the watermelon because she was a diabetic. She proclaimed that if she was going to die, she was going to die happy eating what she wanted. If you're interested in reading her obituary click here.

Keith had a couple basketball games this past week with the ward team. He usually plays Saturday mornings at our church building but hasn't been able to lately with all of his weekend tests. He was glad to get back on the court and they won both of their games and they are now in the playoffs.

On the 14th, we went to the Idaho Falls school district 91's production of Grease. David is currently playing Danny in the play and did a fabulous job! The play was really well done and we had a lot of fun watching it.

Nycole and Scott flew in from Vegas and Grandma Anderson and Aunt Peggy came from Utah to see it. Keith and I spent the weekend at my parents so we could be with everyone and had a fun time being with all of my family again. Rachel and I encouraged a family picture but didn't have much success.

You think my family might not like having their pictures taken?

Love Giveaways?

Anne Bradshaw, author of the blog Not Entirely British is giving away two books by Sarah Hinze, We Lived in Heaven and Songs of the Morning Stars. The books are about our divine origin and pre-birth expereinces, they sound really interesting! If I don't win, I'm definitely going to be checking them out at the library. Check out the books and how to enter here.

Also, my friend Megan just started a blog that directs you to all the fun giveaways. Check her out here.

Another blog that often does giveaways is called Seriously So Blessed and it is one of the funniest blogs I have read! I just discovered it today and had to go back and read from the beginning. If you don't mind a blog that pokes fun at Mormon culture and mommy blogs (such as my own) check it out, you will be entertained for hours!

15 weeks

I can't believe this cute girl is only 15 weeks old! I feel like she's been with us forever. As you can tell from the pictures, she's developing a little personality. She loves to play with her daddy. When he comes home for the day her whole body starts to jerk and move with excitement when she hears his voice. She is sleeping 8 hours most nights which is a major blessing that I attribute to "Baby Wise" and a Heavenly Father who knows I can't function well on little sleep:)

This is why I don't bake

These are supposed to be heart shaped sugar cookies. Enough said

My Recent Project

I'm not a crafty person but I loved the painted letters I saw in boutiques and I was not willing to pay $20 a letter. So I spent a day painting these and actually really enjoyed it. The lines aren't exactly straight but Kenzie doesn't care right? I plan on hanging them from ribbon but seem to forget to pick it up everytime I go to the store.

The honesty of children

One thing I love about little kids is their brutal honesty. For example, every time I have a zit or a freckle out of place, my little niece Kate will inform me :) What I didn't realize until today is that little kids don't need to be able to speak to express how they really feel about you. This morning Mackenzie was playing on the ground and I decided to lie down and join her. As soon as I started to talk to her, she babbled a little and started closing her eyes. The next thing I know, she's asleep. I like to think I have a soothing effect on people but I think my little Mackenzie was faking it to get me to go away. In fact I see the little sneak of a smile on her face right now as she slowly opens her eyes to see if the coast is clear...

I woke up this morning to my baby's beautiful smile and a snoring husband. Life is beautiful.