Alphabet Soup

I loved alphabet vegetable soup... OK and cereal as a kid. I was fun to try to find all the letters. Here is my alphabet soup/cereal of things I'm grateful for.

Aaron is my wonderful wonderful husband who has supported me in everything I do. He's a doting father and the best debater ever (born to be a lawyer I guess) ;) "I don't know much, but I know I love you."

Brownies are my preferred desserts. I was dumbfounded that no one in my ward realized that the girls in my family are brownie girls. So for my wedding I got cake mixes instead of brownie mixes. I think we still have those cake mixes.

Cherry blossoms are a big to do in DC. I've missed them every year we've been here and I'm DETERMINED not to miss them again this year.

Dreams... I have the CRAZIEST dreams. All my sisters and Aaron can attest to this. One of my favorite quotes is about dreaming. I wish I could remember who it was but here's the general idea. "Dreams allow us to go safely and silently insane every night of our life." So true in my case.

Eli, I can't even sum up all the ways I'm in love with this baby! He really is the best thing ever. He has a lot to say and is so expressive in saying it just as though we understood what all his cooing and gurgling meant. He's not a shy smiler and Aaron and I always get a wide toothless grin when we get him up from a nap or in the morning!

Family is so important. I have such hopes for how my family will be close to each other and to their cousins. We were not meant to go through life alone and I feel very lucky to get to go through this life with the best family ever (in-laws included)!

Ginger is my favorite spice. I love it's smell and taste (diluted to reduce the spiciness).

Hot chocolate is my winter beverage and Stephen's hot chocolate is the best! Once Aaron got me Ghiradelli hot chocolate and was horrified with himself when it tasted nasty. Come to find out that it's not like other hot chocolate that can be mixed with water. It must have milk. Once we figured that out it was quite tasty.

Ivy. I love it! It makes things look so... elegant! I just wish it didn't reek such havoc on the bricks and didn't need to be trimmed back every week.

Jesus Christ is the center of my life. His teachings define my upbringing, my personal convictions, and I strive to have his spirit to help me in my parenting.

Kisses... so nice from Aaron and Eli (although Eli's are a bit slobbery ;) XXXxxXx

Love. It's the best thing ever. An unequalled amount of self confidence is gained when we know that someone loves us unconditionally. I'm so grateful for all the people who love me so much!

Mysteries are awesome! I love to try and see if I can figure out who did it. Sometime's I get lucky. Aaron and I listen to a mystery series on tape and we love discussing possibilities as the story moves on.

Notes, music notes, are wonderful and miraculous little things. Such small and simple little blots create melodies which are so moving!

Opportunities present themselves with every new phase and I hope that I am taking advantage of them.

Parties are not my forte. The last party I tried to throw ended... OK and began with Aaron in the emergency room for most of the evening with burns all over his leg. OUCH... sorry honey.

Quiet time. Ahhh!

Rainy days are so beautiful. I love walking out some mornings to a misty sky and the smell of wet pavement. It's almost calming.

Spring fever as permeated our house for the last few weeks. Those precious days when it's warm enough to take Eli on a walk are absolutely priceless.

Talents are everywhere. I'm always amazed at what the people around me can do! It gives me inspiration and determination to build and develop my own.

Udders. We get milk from them and I LOVE milk.

Variety is a must with me (silly because it takes me forever to make a decision). I can't have the same menu for dinner every week. I love variety in all it's forms. It makes life much better.

Whale watching sounds amazing! A lady in my ward told me of when she went whale watching and they saw a blue whale. Now wouldn't that be something to see the largest animal in the world with your own eyes!

X is a fun letter. I'm sure we could just use "cks" and get the same sound but then the alphabet game on long trips wouldn't be as fun.

Yellow is my favorite color. I prefer yellow roses over others. Yellow is happy!

Zoos hold a soft spot in my heart. Some people think they are boring, but I absolutely love zoos!