Six Months Old...

My baby is going to be six months old tomorrow. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it. Is that normal?? I hate how fast time is going. I wish there was a way to just slow things down. And I wish I would do a better job of just enjoying every minute. Because I feel like before I know it, she's going to be in college...(or at least in kindergarten!)

I love my little girl so much. More than I ever thought possible. I feel so lucky to be her mom!

Bribery

Those of you who have ever held the calling of "ward choir director", or who have even had friends with this calling, know how hard it is to get people to actually participate in ward choir. For some reason, it seems to be my eternal calling. I clearly haven't mastered it yet, I guess...

Shortly after moving to Phoenix, I was once again assigned this calling. After attending the first rehearsal and assessing the participation (or lack-there-of), I decided that desperate times, called for desperate measures. I was clearly going to have to bribe the ward into coming to choir. So I quickly instituted a treat policy, which was basically this: "come to choir, you get a treat; bring a friend, you get two!" You're probably thinking "how juvenile, adults don't actually care about treats that much." But in fact, they really do! I have been making treats for choir every week since August, and for the most part, we have had steady participation!

Tomorrow is one of our last performances before we move. I decided a basic chocolate-chip cookie just wasn't going to cut it. So I decided to make a Kunz classic, which has become one of my most favorite treats of all time. I had it for the first time my first Christmas married to Ben, at his parent's house, and have been hooked ever since. It's a variation on the old classic caramel corn...and sure to be a crowd pleaser at any party you take it to! So next time you're in a pinch and need a go-to dessert that everyone will love, MAKE THIS!

Kunz Popcorn:

12 cups of popped pop corn
1/2 cup of white corn syrup
1 and 1/3 cups of white sugar
1 cup of butter

Put all ingredients in a large pot, and bring to a boil (soft ball, approx. 220-230 degrees).

Once boiling, take off heat and add:
1/2 tsp of cream of tarter
1 T of baking soda
1 tsp of vanilla

Mix together and pour over popped popcorn.

Melt dark and white chocolate, and drizzle over top. And beware, once you start, you can't stop!!

And speaking of food...I swear we don't starve our baby. But this video would lead you to believe otherwise.

She's so hungry, she's resorted to eating her toys...

Could someone please teach this girl some manners?

Worth Sharing

I don't usually post random videos on our blog, but Ben made me watch this Google commercial yesterday, and it totally made me cry! It is so sweet. It's probably old news...everyone's seen it before. But it was new to me. And just too cute to not share!

One of those days...

It's been one of those days. You know, the kind that just needs to end. And it's only 2:00 in the afternoon. Too many tears, too few naps. I think my child just might be bi-polar. Yesterday was the most perfect day. Two long naps, and the rest of the day we spent laughing and playing together. Today, the exact opposite. No naps, and NO laughing! I'm just counting down the days till Ben's schedule ISN'T 6-6 everyday. I think Lexi gets sick of my face by the end of the day...

It's a good thing her face is so dang cute though. How could I ever get sick of a face like this...


I've decided it's really hard to fill 12 hours of the day with meaningful activities. I feel like we do it all; read stories, play with toys, listen to music, go on walks, go to library, the zoo, the park, the mall, buy groceries, run errands, clean the house, cook dinner (occasionally)...and it's still only 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I'm running out of productive ideas...and my baby is only 5 months old!

Ahh, the joys of motherhood! Speaking of motherhood. I had a great Mother's Day, thanks to my incredibly thoughtful spouse. Beautiful flowers, a delicious meal, and a lot of relaxing on the couch! I feel so lucky to be married to someone so perceptive and caring.

I still hear crying coming from a special someone's bedroom. I think I'll just go to my happy place and let her work through this one on her own...