Sequoia turns 1!

So my bald beauty just turned one! Yes, it's already been a year since I had her. It's amazing how time flies. There is a story behind her birthday cake. We first had a small party at my parent's house and, of course, we let her have her own piece of cake to do with whatever she wants. I suppose after getting fussed at several times for making really bad messes with food she just didn't want to make a mess. She poked the cake with the fork and with her finger, but just wouldn't dig in like she ought to. So we gave her a second chance on her real birthday. This time she made a mess with her hands but nothing else. She wasn't even interested in eating it. So after 10 minutes of just too much cleanliness, Dave took her little hand and rubbed it all over her face and hair.

Close Call

So I just had one of the worst scares of my life. If anyone wants an excuse to have a messy kids' room, here's a good reason for it. I was in the kitchen making dinner when Dave got home. Phoenix went to his room to find a ball and a few minutes later we hear a loud crash and screaming. When I get to his room I find Phoenix's brand new five drawer dresser laying flat on the ground. Phoenix is nowhere in sight. I panic. I can't see Phoenix at all but I definitely know from the screams that he is laying underneath the dresser. Dave and I pull the dresser off. Of course Phoenix is screaming like crazy. Dave checks him out head to toe and all we find are a few cuts and scrapes. Phoenix eventually calms down and asks to play with his dump truck. So five minutes after the whole ordeal Phoenix is happily throwing blocks in his dump truck. As I was sitting in the room with him I notice that a big green block box and some other clutter had been right beside Phoenix when the dresser fell, so I imagine the box and clutter had kept the dresser propped up just enough to not entirely crush Phoenix. Can I just say that I know Heavenly Father was watching out for my little red head. It was a very close call. I was about to sue IKEA (we bought our dresser there) but Dave said the dresser actually came with a band that hooks to the wall, he just hadn't put it on yet. Yes he's attaching it right now. I'm pretty sure Phoenix was trying climb up the dresser when it all happened. Anyway, here's one good reason to keep your kid's room messy.

ABC Tag

Here you go Briana!

A= ADVOCATE FOR: Being a mom. I don’t want to miss a minute of it.
B = BEST FEATURE: Dave says my legs.
C = COULDN'T DO WITHOUT: My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be who I am without it.
D = DREAMS AND DESIRES: To go RVing across the US with Dave when we are old and wrinkled.
E = ESSENTIAL ITEM: A/C! How did they survive in the olden days?
F= FAVORITE PAST TIME: What’s that? No really I like reading when I can.
G = GOOD AT: Dreaming. It’s really easy. Honestly though, I do have some crazy dreams. I’d like to write stories of them some day.
H = HAVE NEVER TRIED: Sky diving, and I never intend to no matter how much Lorena begs.
I = IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: Pay off school debts, save it, pay tithes, and give some to my mom and dad.
J = JUNKIE FOR: Cookies, all kinds, all shapes, all sizes.
K = KINDRED SPIRIT: My hubby.
L = LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I don’t know the difference between itch and scratch, and yes, I did major in English.
M = MEMORABLE MOMENT: Giving birth to my two kids, but I’ll spare the details.
N = NEVER AGAIN WILL I: Throw up while I’m pregnant (I wish).
O = OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Chocolate, well, a little more than “occasional”.
Q = QUOTE: My Grandma used to say, “It ain’t so bad that it can’t get worse!”
R = REASON TO SMILE: I can’t be mad at Dave. For some reason he always makes me smile.
S = SORRY ABOUT: All the times Phoenix hit and pushed Ava! Yikes!
T = TAG SOME FRIENDS: Whoever reads this and hasn’t done it yet.
U = UNINTERESTED IN: Going all day without a nap.
V = VERY SCARED OF: Snakes, I think it’s a genetic thing. All the women in my family are terrified.
W = WORST HABIT: Not taking enough down time from my kids. I’m always a lot nicer after I get a break.
X = X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Europe
Y = YESTERYEAR DECADE OF CHOICE: My college years while I was dating Dave. It’s funny how you date way more before you’re married.
Z = ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius

Child of God

Phoenix just finished singing Castle Song and then he started singing I am a Child of God. We thought it was really sweet. He then proceeded into what will also be a big hit, "The Chair Song."

Here's a little serenade for our blogging audience. The actual song is much longer, but we cut it down to a mere 42 seconds. Phoenix really enjoyed singing it.

July 4

Somehow Phoenix has enough pull at the railroad museum to get a spot in the fourth of July parade. They really only reserve the parade train for "upper level members" but Phoenix goes to the station so much they decided to give him a spot. So we decorated our stroller and walked along beside Phoenix inside the parade car. I do have pictures I hope to be posting soon. Phoenix was dressed as a conductor with overalls and red bandana and a conductor's blue and white striped hat. He really enjoyed the parade and so did we, although for 10 a.m. it was very hot. My parents and sister and brother in law came to watch also. That's our latest!

80 cents

Phoenix and I were looking at some pictures of Dave's parents (Grams and Grandpa) on the computer. They live in Washington state. Phoenix said he wanted to go see them and I said we couldn't because we didn't have enough money. I told him he needed $800 so he ran to my room and ran back out with a handful of coins. We counted them and he had 80 cents. Just 1000 more handfuls of that and he'll have a ticket!