Capturing the Moment

I haven't been a very good blogger lately.  I don't know what's wrong with me, but I continue to keep missing "moments".  You know, like the biggest Maggie smile ever or something totally goofy Rachel does.  So yesterday morning I set out to find a "moment".  I grabbed my camera determined to capture something.


*slight tangent*
I started a playgroup in my new ward and have been surprised by the turnout. I figure with the way things have been going, I'd better make some friends quick because before long we will be saying goodbye.  However, I hope that's not the case because I got an awesome calling!  I'm in the Primary! Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Jackpot.  Just what I need. And even better... I get to work with the cub scouts.  Double jackpot. First of all, I'm sick of adults. Yep, you heard me... sick of them.  I'm so ready to study and learn the gospel simple again, and of course be with children.  I'm pretty sure I had the biggest smile on my face when I walked up to tell Tyler the good news. Wish me luck! I so want to do a good job!


Anyway, back to my "moment".  This week has been pretty gloomy, so I decided cupcake decorating would be awesome. While pouring the cupcake batter, Rachel climbs up on the counter and starts snitching right from the cups. Here's my chance...

 




So maybe not the "moment" I was looking for... And the worst part, I so felt it coming.  haha.


Yep, all the sprinkles ended up on the one cupcake... pretty much the best cupcake ever.  Good Job Rach!



  
Happy Moment Hunting! :)

 

My Secret Weapon

I am a...

baby cheeker kisser, pavement pounder, sun soaker-upper, wildlife lover, photography learnin, cookie maker, fly-ball catcher, scripture power reader, outdoor explorer, IBC root beer tastin, baby belly raspberry blower, wrestlin, Tyler lovin', American WOMAN! 

And... I am a Mormon.

I feel the need to get this out there.  I'm not one to plaster my blog with "I am Mormon" bumperstickers, but I want to be perfectly clear about who I am.  And if there's a possibility that this reaches even one person out there in cyberspace then it will have been worth it to me. 

Ya'll know me.  I am pretty much an open book. I'm still not sure if that is a good thing, but it's a thing nonetheless.  I've been wanting to put this out there for a while, but somewhere in my subconscience I've been putting it off until I could masterfully wow you with my beautiful words and knowledge.  But let's face it, that's not going to happen anytime soon so I'm just going to go for it. 

If something AMAZING happened to you... would you keep it to yourself? It's the reason why I'm so happy.  The gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is my ultimate secret weapon. There are about a million things I could say about my religion... how it came to be, who started it, facts and figures...etc... but instead I'm just going to tell you how it has changed my life.

When I was about 13 years old I decided that I really wanted to know if this church that I had been attending my entire life was true.  I wondered if it could all be a big hoax that my parents had been brainwashing me with since I was born. There was only one way to find out, so I got down on my knees and asked my Father in Heaven if the Book of Mormon was true.  As soon as I did, my whole body got warm and tears began to stream down my face. It felt like the Lord was telling me, "Jessica, of course it's true. You've known all along."  There was no denying it.  It was true.  But, of course, I'm Jessica, and there have been several times since then when I got back down on my knees and asked again (just to be sure) and every time it was the same.  The Book of Mormon is true. 

The Lord knows just how I like it... high and fast down the middle, but instead he continues to throw me curveballs.  Why does he have to do that?  I don't know.  The fact of the matter is, life is tough.  There have been things that I've gone through and am going through that I know I could never conquer without the help of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that if anyone knows how to hit a curveball, it's him. I know that my Redeemer lives. 

I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true.  I just know it.  Even if you feel like your life doesn't need changing, the gospel will change your life and make it better than you could have ever even imagined.  I promise that this is true.

But there is only one way to find out...

   

For your free copy of my favorite book email me at:

 aggiepains@gmail.com

 It even comes with a personalized letter from you guessed it, ME!  

Give Me A Break...

Since my Mom had off work for Spring Break, my folks decided to come up and visit us.  Well, not really us... the girls! I don't know about any of you, but once I had babies I became chopped liver.  As soon as they drive up a race begins to see who can get the first smile and coo. There's no "Hey Jess" or "I love you Jess", there's only "Where are the babies?". I can't blame them, and I'm not going to even attempt to compete with a Maggie smile or a Rachel kiss.
We all went to Mineral Wells State Park and climbed on the rocks and had a picnic. Besides the coyotes keeping Mom up at night, I'd say it was a great visit! 

the splits

Rachel is such a little show-off.  She loves having all eyes on her... I wonder were she gets that from?  hmm.... no idea. haha. 

Anyway, once she figured out she could get a reaction out of everyone, she just couldn't stop herself from putting on a show.  Every time she went down into the splits she would grab her inner-thighs and yell "OW" and "URT!" (hurt) and then laugh.  It was hilarious.  Needless to say the next day when I asked her to show me the splits she shook her head and said, "No Mommy, that urt!". I guess doing the splits for just Mommy isn't worth the pain.  haha. Crazy girl! 

   

the everyday

keepin it simple...

Well hey there baby cakes!

   

yup, pretty darn cute.


planting time! Nothing like getting dirt under your fingernails. 

sweet Maggie.  Sometimes I wonder what in the heck I do all day, then I just look at this picture... 

First taste of FOOD.  Mag-pie sure loved gnawing on that apple...

I can just see the day coming when Rachel begs me for a pony. She sure loves riding with Aunt Krystal! 

Guess What?

CHICKEN-BUTT!

hahahaha. I crack myself up.

Rachel and I began a little project last week! YES, we're gonna hatch ourselves some chicks! We had fun checking the chicken coop every few hours for warm eggs.  I even got to watch a chicken lay a egg.  Have you ever seen a chicken lay an egg?  Lets just say I'm glad I'm not a chicken. :)

Move out of the way chicken! What you got hiding under there?  

Thats what I thought! Fresh eggs. 

The girls running out to check for eggs...so excited...

Here's hoping some of these little guys hatch... 

Let the countdown begin!  14 days left.. give or take...

Great Day to Be Alive

Such a pretty day today... I wish everyday was this nice. I could just lay on a hammock and sip lemonade all day long. It was the first time we've been to the park in a while.

I am such a sucker for swing shots.  I got a few other playground shots but none of them caught my fancy like the swing ones...

   





Maggie loves being outside!  I think all babies do.  She could be tired, hungry... whatever, and be totally content as soon as I walk out the door.  ...well... as long as shes not too hungry, haha

Boy was Rachel pooped when we got home. She didn't even make it through lunch... HA! I finally wore out the toddler!  That's a good feeling. 

Blessing Day

Maggie's blessing day was awesome.  Even though I've only had two, both Rachel and Maggie's blessing days go in my Sunday hall-of-fame.  It's those Sundays that make me feel like a brand new woman!  I know every Sunday should be like that, but at least I have a hand-full of them. :)
We had beef brisket, homemade root beer, fresh rolls, and red velvet cake! YUMMY! And of course lots of fun family time.  But my favorite part was Sacrament meeting.  There's something so powerful about watching a group of strong, righteous men huddle around a tiny little baby all dressed in white to give her a name and blessing from her Father in Heaven.  I just can't describe it.  It's like you can feel Heavenly Father's love for your little baby and then take that love a combine it with your own.  It's absolutely amazing.




The whole clan

Getting Mags all ready!
Attempt at a picture with both of my girls... yeah, not so much.

9 o'clock church means move on and settle for a picture of just Maggie and Mommy...



Rachel sure enjoyed making root beer with Daddy!