(Late) but promised pictures

I know I promised these pictures months ago but late is better than never. We just love having Brittney take Serena's pictures, she does such a great job! Enjoy!

Snow!

Serena has just been loving playing in the snow this past week. We have a little hill in the back yard where we have gone sledding several times and she is in heaven. Here are some pictures from yesterday (sorry no pictures of us sledding)

Also Sunday Serena insisted on having all the bows in her hair. I thought it actually looked pretty cute:)

Gluten Free Is The Life For Me!

On Monday I found out I have Celiac Disease.  I kind of suspected the test was going to come back positive, and I had been bracing myself for it, but it is still a little overwhelming.  For those of you who don't know what Celiac Disease is, it is an Auto Immune disorder where gluten (the protein in wheat, barley and rye) causes damage to the lining of your small intestine and prevents it from absorbing the nutrients in food that you need.  So pretty much it means I can't eat gluten EVER AGAIN! 

It has only been a few days but I feel like I have been on an emotional roller coaster for several days!  I go from feeling pumped and ready to completely change my eating habits, to overwhelmed and completely unprepared.  One of the nice things though, is that my sweet husband has been 100% supportive and, willing to go gluten free with me (as far as home cooking goes).   Also, I have been so surprised by how supportive my friends and family have been.  I have spent hours on the phone with my mom, sisters, in-laws, talking about it over and over again.  My mom bought several books so she could read up on it. (that might be in part because celiac disease is hereditary so there is a good chance she has it, but more on that later).  My friend Kim made me my own "board" on pinterest titled "Recipe's for Chelsea" and she has filled it with Gluten Free Recipe's.  I think one of the biggest tender mercies about this though, is that my sister in law, Leslie, also just got diagnosed with Celiac Disease so, although it stinks that we both have it, it's nice to know that someone I'm close to is going through the same thing.  

I can't officially go off gluten until I meet with my gastroenterologist and have a scope/biopsy to see the amount of damage done to my small intestine. So until next week I am enjoying all of the yummy gluten filled foods I can.  I made a big batch of my favorite Macaroni Salad, Lasagna, and several trips to my favorite restaurants that don't offer gluten free options.  However, I am getting more and more anxious to "gut" (pun intended) out all the gluten in my kitchen and start on my new "diet". 

Celiac Disease effects every body differently, and it is so often misdiagnosed.  But that is one of the reasons I wanted to write about it on my blog.  Celiac Disease is hereditary, if you have a first degree relative who has it (a sibling, child or parent) your chances of being diagnosed are 1 in 22.  If you have a second degree relative (aunt/uncle, cousin or grandparent) your chances are 1 in 39.  Most people who read this blog are my relatives so I just have to say that you should do some research on your own and if you find you have some of the symptoms I would really encourage you to get tested, it is just a simple blood test.  What can it hurt?

Anyway, here is to a healthier, brighter future!  Any and all support is welcome and appreciated!

3 Year Picture Sneak Peek!

On Monday my friend Brittney did Serena's 3 year pictures! She just posted a little sneak peak on Facebook and I HAD to post it on here, I am just THAT excited about them!

Prayers

Serena has been learning to pray, I love it!  Her little sweet voice, is so tender, and I love hearing her come up with things that she is grateful for, or for blessings she wants.  Tonight, before prayers she said she wanted to ride her little rocking dragon to her bed, we told her she could if she was reverent the whole prayer... This was her prayer tonight...

Her usual opening (Heavenly Father, we love thee for these things...) THEN "Grateful I can ride my dragon to bed,  it's that way (pointing toward her room) Please bless my dragon can teach my daddy to fly, with his wings...."  

I WAS DYING!  She is so funny, the things she makes up just about kill me! So glad I can be a mom and hear these funny things!

On My Mind

Lately I have been thinking a lot about death.  Not in a morbid kind of a way, but in a my Grandpa is about to die kind of a way.  My Grandpa lives with my parents and with him being on the verge of dying I started a blog where I update how he is doing a couple of times a day so his family can see how he is doing without having to make phone calls all day.  Anyway, it just has dying on my mind recently.

Serena and Joie playing 1.5 years ago  

A couple of months ago Westin's dog from when he was growing up, Joie, died. We took Serena with us when we buried her and we talked about how Joie is living with Heavenly Father now.  Since then Serena has been obsessed with it.  She often times will meet someone and then immediately say "Remember when Joie died?" or "Joie lives with Heavenly Father now".  I knew it at the time, that Joie dying was a good way to introduce death to Serena, I just didn't think it would really stick with her like it has.  I am grateful for that though.  Now that there will surely be a funeral within the next short while I am grateful that death will not be a new concept for her.  I am grateful that even at her young age she understands that we will be able to live with those who die again.

I know I don't normally do real personal posts, but it has been on my mind and I just wanted to get it out there.  And since I probably won't update again once my Grandpa dies I just want to say that I do love him, and am so grateful for the life that he has lived.  He is a great example to his family, and I will miss seeing him sitting in his chair, pretending he can actually hear what I am saying to him.  Love you Grandpa!

Daddy Daughter Night

So Westin's sisters, Joseanne and Alora, invited me last minute to go up to Sundance to see 7 brides for 7 brothers with them. (It was so much fun!) So Westin decided him and Serena would make a night of it. We normally do "Friday night movie night" anyway so he decided to go all out and build a fort, watch 7 brides for 7 brothers, and have a sleepover in it. This is what I came home to... So cute! I sure do love these two!

Book Of Mormon Stories

Serena learned "Book of Mormon Stories" in the car on her way down to St. George with her Grandparents and Aunts a couple of weeks ago.  I think it might be her favorite song now.  Don't mind the fact that she leaves the whole middle part out of it...

Bunnies!

Serena has been loving her birthday bunnies! Here we are playing with them at the park.

My baby turned 3!!!

I can't believe it! My little 5lb 5oz baby has now officially turned 3! We had her birthday party yesterday and had so much fun with her cousins. I only took one or two pictures so I need to get some from other people who took pictures. We decided to get her some bunnies ( which was a huge hit she is in heaven). Also the other picture is of the matching dresses my mom made for Serena and her doll. I will try to get more pictures of the bunnies soon.

Serena holding Little Doughy Doughy for the first time

Dizzy Dah Dah Dah, and Little Doughy Doughy in their box (we have a condo for them, I will post a picture of it soon)

Serena would not just smile for the camera, this really is the best picture I could get of her

Back to school

Westin is taking 2 classes this summer. One of them is an art one and Serena couldn't be happier to get to draw with daddy. Can't you tell?

Serena

I took these pictures on my phone today after Serena's nap. It was dark so forgive how grainy it is but we sure had fun making faces for the camera:)

New iPhone

So Westin got a new iPhone when he was eligible for the free upgrade earlier this month which means I got his old iPhone! I just downloaded the blogger app for it and am using it for the first time. This very well could mean more updates coming from us! I am still working on how to do pictures and everything but get ready for updates galore!

These two pictures were both taken in our backyard 3 days apart from each other. Crazy Utah weather!

Crystal's Virtual Bridal Shower

As sister's we felt kind of guilty about not being able to throw Crystal a bridal shower, what with her living in New Mexico and all, so my awesome sister Leisa thought up the idea to have a VIRTUAL bridal shower for her! Brilliant!

So you are all invited to attend her Virtual Bridal Shower via her Bridal Shower Blog.

Crystalsbridalshower.blogspot.com

Playing Catch Up!

I know this has been a long time coming, I hope the wait will be worth it. It is very scattered and not really in any order. But enjoy!

Serena got a life size barbie for her birthday and she LOVES to put on her clothes and go dancing in them.

Serena dancing with her Daddy

We got some finger paints in our "Thanksgiving Turkey" Serena loves them... can you tell?

This is Serena's "boyfriend" Ender. They are in Nursery together and always hold hands and walk to class together every sunday. Ender's dad is our Home Teacher and he normally brings Ender with him. Here they are sitting together in our chair watching a show.

Serena LOVES her daddy. Here they are cuddling.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

We all had sunday afternoon naps one sunday and normally Serena would wake us up when she wakes up. But this week she went into the bathroom and started playing with the toothpaste. Can you see it all over her legs, dress, hair and face?

Christmas Jammies! I made robes, and matching Pajama pants for christmas this year.

Isn't my hubby so handsome?

Isaac and Jenny welcomed little Andrew into their family before the New Year. I am so happy that they live here in Provo close to me so I can see them all the time!

Westin's school books came in the mail and Serena wanted to wear the package so Westin cut holes for legs and stuck her in it. She LOVED it.

I can't seem to ever get a real smile from her... Here she is cheesing it up

Serena loves to dress herself now days. This day she wanted to wear her snow hat, gloves, summer jammies, and purple necklace.

We were sick this past weekend, and Serena fell asleep with me on the couch. Doesn't she look so pensive?

Well I hope you enjoyed. Sorry it took so long, I will try so hard to not take a month to update again :) Post a comment so I know I am not just talking to myself :)