Sporting the Skinny Jeans...

I am not brave enough to sport skinny jeans myself, but I do find this little girl to look rather adorable in them. Thanks to our Aunt Nikki for keeping Cam in style!

I do love dressing this little girl up. I always look dumpy but it's okay if she looks so cute!:)

We are definitely looking forward to Christmas. Only 2 more weeks until we get to go home to see family.

Finding Strength in Others...

If you don't want to read my whole blog entry that is fine. But take the time to check out this blog- http://journeytoheal.blogspot.com/.

Last night I lay in bed unable to fall asleep. I gave it a good 45 minutes before I decided to get up and do something more productive. There was a blog that a friend of mine had shared with me that I had been wanting to read. I figured while the apartment was quiet that this would be a good time to sit down and look it over. I had no idea it would be such an amazing experience. It was a tear filled night, but also very comforting, cleansing and uplifting. I want to share a few of my thoughts and I hope that you will take the time to read some of the entries from this blog. I promise it is well worth your time.

The last few months I feel that I have found myself wanting more from my life. Truly my life is fabulous so I am not in need of anything in particular. I am sure we are all familiar with that feeling I am talking about. In truth I should say that I have needed more spirituality. I can not doubt that this is what has left me wanting. My spirituality goes in spurts. At times I am sure I have been over the top...almost selfrighteous. And other times I have been lazy..almost defiant. One day I hope to be able to figure out how to stay consistent, continually moving forward.

The BIGGEST problem from all of this is I have found myself being overcome with fear. It has consumed me at moments. Left me feeling empty and scared. Most of my fear has been completely unfounded. Yet I find it taking over my thoughts and dragging me down. It is true that fear and faith can not coexsist. And that is scary to think that I have let fear overcome me...where is my faith?

Last night as I read from this blog A Healing Journey I found exactly what I needed to humble me to my knees. Up to this point I know that I have been falling into the trap of thinking I know what is best for me. And if God won't give me what I need how can I ever be happy? Funny how we think we are so strong all on our own. Luckily he gives us gently reminders to help us stay the course.

Last night as I read I felt so strongly that God is aware of me. And if I will just turn my will over to him all will be well. Not easy...but well. That has been proven to me TIME and TIME again. I just keep forgeting. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who doesn't give up on me.

Anyway, I highly recommend that you take some time to read from this blog. It is a girl that I know from BYU-Hawaii. I always thought she was a wonderful person. I just didn't realize how wonderul. The blog does better at explaining the whole situation so I won't go into detail.

These are a few of the entries that really touched my heart-

http://journeytoheal.blogspot.com/2009/06/overcoming-fear.html

http://journeytoheal.blogspot.com/2009/04/humbled.html

No Place Like Home...

Ever since I graduated from high school I haven't lived in one city for more than 2 years. Most of my moves have taken me to a different state. I can now claim to have resided in Utah, Idaho, Hawaii, New York, Connecticut, Iowa and Ohio. This is pretty big for a small town girl who grew up in the same town, same house her whole life. In a year and a half my little family will pack up and move again. That place is yet to be decided. Out of all the places I imagined living I never would have thought that I would consider Des Moines, Iowa one of my homes. The saying is true "Home is were your heart is".

Cambri and I took a quick trip back to Des Moines to visit friends last week. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it was to see friends. I know it has only been just over 4 months since we moved from there, but the friends I have there are near and dear to my heart. And I needed to see them and enjoy a little girl time.

We traveled by train. Honestly being on the train wasn't bad, just long. We left Sandusky at 4:55am and got into Des Moines around 9pm. I was definitely done with the train ride by the time we made our way back to Ohio.

I was able to teach some exercise classes at the gym I use to work at while in Des Moines to pay for my travels. I think I might have even made a little extra. Or maybe I already spent those extra dollars on some cute clothes for Cambri:). It was fun to be back in my old stomping grounds.

I already miss everyone.

If I could have a super hero power I would choose to be able to teleport so that I could be anywhere I wanted. And with this power I would teleport all my friends and family to a nice warm,beautiful island. And next we would make a stop in Italy. Until that happens my travels will continue to take me to Des Moines, Iowa.

Thanks Friends, I love you!

Fun Pictures...

A few weeks ago my friend Annie took some pictures for me. I wanted some pics of Cam and me while it was pretty outside. It was a cold day but it didn't seem to bother Cams. I wanted her to wear her little hat because she loves it. When I take it off she gets mad. Today she wore it when she went down for her nap. Thanks Annie for being our personal photographer. We love the pictures.

The famous Cheese face. She has been doing this a lot lately.

I love my baby girl.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Having a little one makes all the holidays so much more fun!

Our pumpkins had to be happy ones this year, otherwise Cambri was afraid of them.

Don't mess with this girls pumpkin bucket...she will release a blood curdling scream. I don't think she completely understood the trick or treat thing, but she had a fun time doing it.

Getting the party started with a little root beer:)

Weekend Fun (and other updates)...

We have been a bit sick in our home this last week and finally we seem to be on the mend. Nate is pretty sure he had the swine flu. He was never diagnosed but his symptoms matched up and right now he is on his pediatric rotation so he spent all day everyday around little kiddos with the flu. I am so glad he doesn't want to be a pediatrician because I don't think I could handle him bringing home all the germs.

Now that we all seem to be feeling better I will try to catch up on a few things...

Little Cambri has become quite the 'cheeser'. It is still quite the challenge to get her smile on camera but occasionally she holds still long enough for me to get the perfect picture. I think we caught her giggling in this picture. Her laugh makes everything better.

Here is our pink princess. Most of the time she pulls her headband off and takes her shoes off but here she wanted them on. Even though we were closing up shop and going to bed. This is also her favorite place to watch tv...two inces away from the screen.

I know I am biased, but pretty sure she was the cutest kid at the Halloween party. She kicks and screams when I put this costume on her, but once we get it on she embraces it. (We seem to be encountering a lot of those power struggles these days.) Cam really got into the trick or treating. She loved putting all the candy in her pumpkin and she made sure to say "thank you" to everyone who gave her candy.

She won't ride in her big girl stroller to save my life, but she wanted to be pushed around in her baby stroller with ALL her "babies" all day long.

And finally our weekend update...We went to a pumpkin patch with some friends. We didn't exactly pick the best day to go. In fact the weather was miserable...cold, wet and windy. And we got lost on the way there thanks to faulty mapquest directions (it had nothing to do with navigator error:). We are definitely getting a GPS for Christmas). Somehow it didn't phase this little one. She loved everything about it. She especially love the horse drawn hayride and petting zoo. I feel like she is growing up so fast but pictures like this one remind me how small she still is. At least compared to her daddy.

A little action shot for you. She got a little muddy from this fall. Notice how dad is just standing there watching.

It was a cold day but we still shared a pumpkin ice cream cone. It was delicious. (I truly have an obsession with pumpkin right now. I crave it constantly. I have a new cookie recipe with pumpkin that I will share later. You have to try it.)

Ok so this was pretty much a chance for me to journal a few Cambri updates. Thanks for indulging me. Here is to a healthier week!

Today I Am Grateful...

On Monday my dad had to go in for a biopsy on his prostate after having some questionable bloodwork results. I know it is only Thursday but the last few days have felt like an eternity as we have awaited the phone call from the doctor. Everydy that passed I wondered if it was good or bad that we hadn't heard back yet, or if it meant anything at all. Of course the night time was always when the worries started flooding in. My mind was full of so many "what ifs". Honestly I felt numb anytime I started to think that my dad could have cancer...I have to even say the word. I hate cancer. My dad means the world to me. Plus Cams needs her Grandpa.

But everything is going to be okay. And that is why I am grateful today. Because the biopsy came back negative. What a relief. I can breathe a little easier. All my fears can be calmed. At least for right now. I know tomorrow may pose its own struggles and trials, but today...today is a good day.

And tonight...tonight my prayers will be a little more sincere. My heart will be a little softer. And my desires a little more pure. So that tomorrow I can try to live with no regretts. Because you never know what tomorrow will bring.