Christmas time is here...

Spencer FINALLY let me put the outside decorations up. We've had our inside decorations up for about two weeks, but he would not allow me to publicly display Christmas lights until after Thanksgiving. But they're up now! Here's a few shots (pardon the blurriness):

They are simple, but beautiful to me! AND no blog post would be complete without an adorable picture of Miss Maddie. She's become quite the social butterfly and is CONSTANTLY talking on her cell phones (that's right, plural--cell phoneS). We can only dread what our phone bill will look like when she becomes a teenager!

And she actually has conversations, mostly to "papa" (that's grandpa in maddie talk). There's a "hi" at the beginning, a bunch of jibberish interspersed with the real words she knows, followed by a "bye", and a quick punch of the "end" button. One must experience this to sincerely appreciate the cuteness.

Oh how we love our Maddie girl!

Piano Prodigy

Every time Mommy starts to play the piano, Maddie is not far behind. She LOVES to strike the keys and ruffle through Mommy's sheet music.

Hopefully this means she'll be a pianist as she gets older! Time will only tell!

Snowing in Provo

The last two weekends it has snowed! And Maddie was introduced to it in style. We bundled her up after church last week and let her out to roam freely. She LOVED the snow. She didn't wanna touch it, but loved stomping through it. Here's some highlight pictures:

We're so excited to be able to play with Maddie in the snow! And it'll only get more fun from here on out!!

Crossing my Fingers...

Anyone who knows me knows that I am quite involved with politics. I like to keep up with the comings and goings of even the smallest political happenings--needless to say that the debate on health care is not a small matter but has become a heated topic (*Disclaimer* I will be getting on my soapbox for a small moment*). AND as most of you know, the House passed this bill in a 220-215 vote. And now it comes down to the Senate vote...I'm just hoping they do the right thing. Don't get me wrong, I think universal health care is ideal, but that's just the problem--it's more ideal than realistic. Giving everyone a chance for health care is a goal this country should work towards, but rushing this bill so quickly is a definite mistake. And in this day in age, too many politicians are in it for their own political gain rather than what is best for the people. This 2,000 page bill (which I'm sure not many politicians took the time to read in its entirety) will:

• Put our country into even more debt ($100 billion dollars per year for the first ten years)
  
• Ruin private health insurance companies which means no other option other than the government's plan; who wants to compete with a government run health care?
• Coincidentally, put millions of people in the private health insurance out of jobs
• Will cost more than other insurance options
• The Individual Mandate. You will have to either buy health insurance if you don’t have it or have a 2% tax increase.
• Tax Increases to the wealthy--believe me, I don't fall into the "wealthy" category, but something must be said for punishing hard workers to give to those who won't work for it themselves
• Increased government involvement--didn't our forefathers break their ties from their homeland to avoid this?
  

These are only a few things that really worry me. I don't mean to push my ideas or thoughts onto others--believe me, I know that everyone has his/her own opinions on topics, and I respect that. I just needed a moment (and a post) to voice my thoughts and feelings on the matter. I would LOVE to know what others think about the bill even if you don't agree with me. :)

Obama Has Harder Task Ahead Lobbying Tougher Senate on Health Care - FOXNews.com

Posted using ShareThis

A Relaxing Sunday

After church today, Maddie was in a VERY cuddly and photogenic mood....translation? CAMERA time!! Here some of the precious ones we got, although after a short while she was ready to be done...

Cuddling with Mommy




Two of a Kind





Cheese!!




And then a little later...she was DONE!



So..... Mommy & Daddy took pictures together!




Happy Sabbath!!

~Happy Halloween~

This year, Maddie was a legitimate "Trick-or-Treater!" We had so much fun visiting family and friends, and Maddie especially enjoyed the C*A*N*D*Y!

Maddie's costume was a little bit scantily clad, so we joined some of our friends and went to the University Mall for trick or treating inside; each store gives out its own candy, so it's trick or treating within a reasonable walking distance for a 17 month old.

Hope your Halloween was as fun as ours--our little Lady Bug kept us moving, that's for sure!



Mackenzie & Madison with our little Maddie


Mommy & Maddie


McKennan & Maddie(the Lady Bug has fallen in love with the chick)



Gloria & I with our little ones

And I know it may seem too early for some, but we are excited for the holiday season coming up--you WILL notice that my post will become more frequent at this time of year because there's sooo much to post!

Stay Tuned!

I've been TAGGED!

So i first must admit that i'm TERRIBLE about updating my blog, but I make sure to keep up on others' blogs....and today, I read my friend Gloria's blog where she wrote "Six favorite things" about her family--and she tagged me to do the same thing! :) Because there are sooooo many favorites, we've narrowed down our search to discuss one of our most favorite things: Maddie. Here are 6 of our favorite things about our little girl

6. Belly Laughs: We love Maddie's laugh. She laughs often, but we find joy in her "belly laugh" which occurs when something especially hilarious is happening, whether that be tickle fights or a new game invented by mommy or daddy. Her belly laughs brighten up a room and we can't help but chuckle too when we hear it!

5. Hip-Hop dancing--Maddie loves music and will dance to anything. But her FAVORITE? Chris Brown's "Forever". She dances and grooves her little "thang". It's hilarious!

4. "Maddie talk": She's a little jibber-jabber who will constantly talk nonsense words at us and expects us to understand. Recently, she has started adding actual words that she has learned into her jabber, so it's easier for us to understand. :)

3. Social Butterfly: Maddie LOVES people. Wherever she goes, she makes sure to say "hi" to everyone and everything that she comes across. Especially when dealing with little kids, she loves to hug and kiss baby's, toddlers, and especially primary children! :)

2. Singing: Maddie loves to sing and on several occasions, she can be heard as she plays with her toys. Her favorite song to sing is "I Wonder When He Comes Again". Of course, she only knows the first two words, "I Wonder", but sings them on pitch! :) The rest then becomes singing jibberish.

A TIE for 1st:

*Cuddle Bug: Maddie is an affectionate little girl who loves to reassure her parents through hugs and kisses. She loves to be held (sometimes a little too often) and thrives on all the attention we give her. During her play, she takes time-outs to plant wet ones on us and give big loves. We soooooo enjoy this and hope it lasts forever. My favorite cuddle? Little leg hugs--especially while doing dishes or preparing dinner, etc, Maddie will come and say hi and give my leg a little squeeze just to say "i love you".

*Femininity: Maddie is SUCH a girl! She loves her bows, shoes, frilly dresses, mommy's jewelry, and especially LOVES to play with mommy's makeup. She knows what a blush brush is for and will use it accordingly. She also always knows to smack her lips after mommy applies some lip gloss on her lips. In fact, in an effort to keep maddie out of mommy's REAL makeup, I cleaned/washed out some of my old products and made Maddie her own makeup bag. She carries this bag along with her in her little purse which she carries like a diva (around her forearm).

(Girly-girl Maddie picking out which mascara she wants from the store)

Plus there are so many more--it's hard to narrow down completely, but these are a few favorites to say the least. We love our baby girl more than we can say, and we are definitely enjoying the journey. She warms our hearts and brightens our lives so much. We're so glad to have that diva in our lives. :)

Lost in Kohls...

For my birthday, many of my family members got together and worked out a plan to give me a shopping spree at Kohls for a much needed new wardrobe (thanks again!). Upon our arrival at the store, we found that Maddie wasn't quite digging the whole shopping experience, at least not from her stroller. Being the good daddy and husband that he is, Spencer tackled the big job of trying to keep Maddie entertained while I tried on clothes in the fitting room. After a few moments in the dressing room, I got a panicked call from Spencer explaining to me that Maddie was AWOL!! She wasn't enjoying being in her stroller, so he thought taking her out and letting her walk around would help. However, upon putting her down, Maddie bolted into the nearest clothing area and disappeard (as a side note, Maddie doesn't walk anymore--she RUNS and runs fast). As he told me this, my half dressed self sprinted out of the fitting room to join Spencer in the search. I can't explain to you how heavy my heart was as I thought about the possibilities of what might happen in the moments she was not under our supervision. I quickly went to the front of the store to alert the employees of a missing child--they alerted the other employees of the "code yellow" and all of us, including the employees at the store, were on the hunt for Madisen. A few minutes later, Spencer called to tell me that he had found Maddie in the shoe department! The little fashionista had found her way into the shoes and was happily occupying herself by looking around at the endless possibilities of SHOES!

Don't get me wrong--at the time, I was mortified and so worried! But looking back now, Spencer and I giggle at our fashion conscious little girl who loves her shoes (and accessories, and purses, and makeup, and clothes, etc, etc, etc.) and is willing to get lost in a store (or at least lose her parents) in an effort to see some shoes. Needless to say, Maddie will be less of a participant in shopping until she understands more. However, I can't wait to share in those experiences of shopping with her. But for now, I think it's safe to say that she will stay at home the next time Mommy wants to shop...and i'm sure Daddy won't mind either. :)

I AM a disciple of Christ

This post is specifically meant for me to share my thoughts and feelings about General Conference this weekend. I soooo look forward to October and April so that I can hear the messages of the apostles and prophets. And then when it's over I have mixed feelings--I feel the need and desire to try a little hard, to be a little better. But at the same time, I yearn to hear and be close to these great, humble men. Two days of inspired sermons is never enough!!

This conference seemed to be centered on the topics of love. Many of the apostles spoke of the importance of loving one another as Christ loves us. And although this topic seems obvious, I find myself knowing that I could do more to improve myself in this area. There were two specific talks, however, that shook my Spirit into wanting to be completely devoted to my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf talked on the importance of becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ. How do we become devoted disciples? Christ himself told us how: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." And when Christ was asked which commandment was most important of all--Love God. And the second? Love others as thyself. LOVE should be at the center of our lives! It makes sense that when we are completely and utterly devoted to God, of course we will want to obey and make Him happy. What we love determines what we do, think, act, & even determines who we are. I love God and my Savior, Jesus Christ, with all my heart, might, mind, and soul and want nothing more than to emulate him in every word and deed. When people listen to or see me, I want them to know of my complete devotion to Him, and I want my actions to reflect my inner beliefs and feelings. I know I need to work a little harder at this. I'm not perfect, but I want to strive to be more like Christ is. His ENTIRE life was devoted to the service to others. His sacrifice for us in the Garden of Gethsemane and then his ultimate sacrifice of giving His own life that we might live with Him again shows how much he truly loves us all. As I think about my own willingness to do as He did, I know I fall short. I know that I can in no way live a perfect, sinless life. And that is why I am also so grateful for the opportunity Christ's sacrifices give me to repent of my sins and continue to try to do all I can to serve Him.

And Jeffrey R. Holland...there are never words to describe his powerful testimony of the Savior. I can only allow those who have not heard his powerful witness the opportunity to hear it for himself/herself (thanks to someone who quickly put these on youtube)

Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld0_7fKGdRM
Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITVvtnw1q1k

I, too add my testimony to that of Jeffrey R. Holland's. The Book of Mormon is another testamant of Jesus Christ and only stands as more proof that He lived and loves all. As discussed by Jeffrey Holland, we love and revere the Bible as well; the two are in accordance with one another and stand together as a testimony of Christ's divinity and mission on the earth. I have read this book for myself and feel that my testimony and understanding of my Savior has increased and strengthened as I have read these pages. As I have prayed to know of its truthfulness, I have received a powerful witness that it is true and that men will come closer to God by reading for themselves. The power of revelation is NOT shut to us. God spoke to prophets of old (Abraham, Moses, Peter) as he STILL speaks. Why would God speak to those of other dispensations only to shut His mouth to us? Why would God elect prophets to lead and guide only a few only to leave us in the dark now with no way of communication or direction? Christ HAS a prophet in these latter days as He did in the days of Abraham or Moses. He continues to speak and give directions to prophets today and I am so grateful to have this knowledge. God is the SAME yesterday, today and tomorrow. If He and remains the same, then why would he change His modes of communication? I invite all to learn for himself/herself about the Love of God in allowing us to have modern day prophets and personal revelation to know for ourselves what is right and true. I'm so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and to know that my Heavenly Father KNOWS me and he LOVES me depsite all my weaknesses and shortcomings. I know that I CAN return to live with Him again one day and am grateful for the teachings of the Gospel. Without them, I would be lost. Without them, I would not know the purpose or meaning of life. And WITH them, I have full purpose and confidence in my role as a disciple of Christ.

Our Little Water Baby

We did a lot of swimming and water activities this summer! It's already becoming cooler, and we already miss the outdoor water activities! Here are some pictures of Maddie doing her most favorite thing during the summer:



And although the summer is over, we are so very excited for the fall activities to begin! :)

4th of July Festivities

Highlights from our 4th of July celebrations:

• Maddie was named "honorable mention" in the beautiful baby contest for her age group

• Went to Provo's 4th of July Parade (it was packed...)

(enjoying treats too....)

(REALLY liking the floats)

(keeping "cool" with the shades)

(quality time with Daddy)

oh...and the parade.....

• 

• Enjoyed family picnic with the extended Empey family

• Had Flag Cake! (now a tradition in our family)

What a fun and PACKED day! :) We enjoyed celebrating together as a family, but definitely missed the family we had with us last 4th of July when my family was here to meet little Maddie---here she is one year ago----I know this statement is cliche, but time really does go by so fast! We miss our itty bitty Maddie, but our toddler Maddie is so much fun and continually makes us laugh all day!

Madisen's 1st Birthday

So i have DEFINITELY been absent from the blogging scene for way too long! Life got a little crazy after our family vacation, but there's been A LOT that's happened! Among them......Maddie turned ONE! Her party was "ONE-Derful" too. Thanks to good friends who helped to prepare the cakes (thanks, Misti!) and for those great ones who came to celebrate too! Here are some highlights:



What a fun time we had, indeed! It's hard to believe my baby girl is already 15 months old. The time went by so fast and at times it's sad that she will never be my little newborn anymore...she's growing SOOOO much and developing so fast right in front of our eyes every day. She's so smart and unbelievably sweet. She is willing to give kisses to ANYONE who asks, loves to say "hi" to everyone as they pass her, and is such a cuddle bug with her mommy and daddy. She is the pride and joy of our lives and we are sooooo grateful to have her as part of our family. Funny how it doesn't take long for something so little to completely change your life. In this instance, it's been for the better. Of course, parenting does have its challenges, but we've been so blessed to have such a happy, beautiful girl who has the sweetest spirit. And although it's sad to see her growing up so quickly, we have learned to treasure every day the good Lord gives us and to make the most of it.

....More updates from the summer to come....
STAY TUNED!