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.