Attitude

This month a talk was given in Church from the First Presidency Message, Living the Abundant Life. I loved the message and it's made the past couple of weeks so much better for me since I applied it in my life. President Monson offered his version of the ABC's to help us have a more abundant life. A was for Attitude, B was for Believe and C was for Courage. Each of these had such a wonderful message although the letter that I needed to hear the most was A. A is for attitude and it REALLY does make all the difference. It's so easy (for me at least) to have a negative attitude when a bad situation arises although I did my best to remember what I learned and tried to have a positive attitude whenever something came up that wasn't all sunshine and rainbows the past two weeks. It's up to us how we handle what life throws at us and we're taught that over and over again but I seem to forget every now and then and this reminder was just what I needed. My seminary teacher would read from the book, How To Be Totally Miserable by John Bytheway, some mornings and I wish I had the book as a daily reminder that it's really up to us if we are miserable or not. Attitude makes all the difference.

Time Is Flying By!!

Time seems to be going by so quickly lately, I can't believe we are halfway through January. We've been busy this month getting ourselves ready for the very busy months ahead. 

I recently applied to Lakewood College to complete a Pharmacy Technician program. It's a great opportunity for military spouses because it is all online, self paced and financially covered by MyCaa (financial aid for eligible military spouses). I felt like I could not let such a great opportunity to continue my education in the health field pass me by so the night I heard of it, I registered and now I am waiting for my books and supplies to arrive. It's a ten month program although with a lot of hard work I am hoping to get it done before our move to Germany so I can take the PT board exam and become certified while still in the states because I'm unsure if I'll be able to take it once I'm overseas. Walgreens offers an internship as well but unfortunately I don't think there will be a location in Wiesbaden, haha. I am hoping to find work with an on base clinic or drug store though. Lot's of hope and hard work in my future :)! I can't express how very excited I am to start learning and move forward with my education. I'm so grateful for the all the blessings like this that we have received since our family made the choice to enter into the military life. 

Nathaniel's had a tough week because of a bad cold/flu he caught. The health clinic gave him some cold medicine and Tylenol although he's still feeling quite crummy. He has a test this Friday so any extra prayers sent his way would be wonderful and greatly appreciated. He has been a trooper and I am proud of him for getting up at 4am or 5am every morning this week and going about his day without complaining. He was so helpful with Mackenzie tonight when I was feeling pretty exhausted as well. He misses her so much during the weekdays and I know she misses Daddy. They love all their time together!

Mackenzie is still a very happy, playful two year old. We began working on the French alphabet and she's catching on surprisingly fast. I found a French ABC Rap on YouTube and it has been very helpful to us both. It's also fun to sing :) We've been studying our French numbers and it's coming along well also. We've been throwing the idea around that Daddy will speak only French and Mommy will continue speaking English around the house to try and help us all learn the language. We hear it's the most successful way to teach a baby or toddler. Has anyone done this with their children?

Life is happening so fast and I am honestly loving it. I know it's going to be a demanding several months ahead with Nathaniel and I in school full time and continuing Mackenzie's education but I wouldn't trade any of it. I just feel so incredibly blessed that all these great things are happening for our family and we are so excited to share it all with our family and friends. It's so awesome that some of the friends we have made here will be going to Germany as well, it'll give Mackenzie consistency and us a family away from our actual families. Happy happy happy! :)

Mackenzie and her buddies ready for bed <3

What Makes Nathaniel Happy?

Most of all, being a Daddy makes him extremely happy and I must say he's pretty incredible at it.

Daughter and Wife make Nathaniel happy =)

He loves being able to text/talk/visit with his siblings and Mother whenever possible, makes him super happy! 

NBA Fantasy Basketball Draft with his friends and family

He loves his games :)

Speaking French.

Hehe this is perfect because my sweet husband LOVES red bull and working out! 

He really has a love for music and enjoys listening to it with Mackenzie.

He loves watching the Orlando Magic play.

Nathaniel loves animals (especially dogs) and he also loves to cuddle :). 

Currently, this is his favorite ice cream.

He loves wild berry smoothies!

He is definitely a book worm! He LOVES to read and would if he could all the time.

He loves his Grandparents very much and looks up to them quite a bit. He loves to do the NBA fantasy basketball with his Grandfather as well. 

He loves cold weather, he hates to be hot! 

He enjoys hot cocoa, especially chocolate mint! 

My husband has many other things that make him happy although those are some of the first ones that come to mind. He's so special to me and I honestly fall in love with him more each day and with each silly,sweet thing he says or does. He makes me smile, laugh.. He can also drive me crazy :) Haha! 

All kidding aside, he makes me want to be better and I love that. I feel blessed that we were brought together and get to be together forever. Yay ;)

We Have Exciting News :) !

We will be moving to Germany by the end of the Summer!

What Makes Mackenzie Happy?

She loves when Mommy does her nails :)

It's amazing to see how many of these she can eat.

If Mackenzie comes to you with a normal crayon in hand and says, "Help." it is because her crayon is in one piece and has the paper around it still. This is unacceptable to her, she will only use broken, paperless crayons.

"Rumor Has It/Someone Like You" by Glee has been played (not kidding) over fifty times. Mackenzie can sing her version of the song and mimics the dance moves to the best of her abilities. Glee's Performance of it

She loves Elmo and all her Sesame Street books. She isn't a fan of the show though.

Want to see Mackenzie super excited, bring out the stickers! She loves to "decorate" whatever she is wearing at the time.

She loves to sing and dance to this song!

Mackenzie = BIG FAN

Two of Kenzie's favorite things, kitty cats and smelling flowers!

A new addition to Mackenzie's growing collection of "buddies", Valentina came into Mackenzie's life today when we received a package from Grammy and Sweetie Grandpa and Mackenzie is in love :).

This is Mackenzie's favorite thing to say, we are not sure why she says it many many times throughout the day. We think that she just likes the way it flows? Maybe? She's a silly girl! 

Counting, especially with her Leapfrog friends.

Hilltop Park, it's down the street and she loves it! This picture doesn't show the toddler playground but it's the one she loves the most.

She gives the best hugs and she loves to be hugged. 

So- These are just several of Mackenzie's many favorite things, I'm sure I'm leaving out some big favorites but it's almost 1am and I think my sleepiness is getting the best of me. I love my little girl and it was fun to look up all the little things that make her happy and think of the times they did. She's a very sweet, loving two year old. While I was registering for classes today, the lady from the college was on the phone helping and heard Mackenzie in the background and asked me, "Is she a terrible two or a tolerable two?" and I have to honestly say she is definitely a TERRIFIC two! She has her meltdowns and times when she has her own ideas of how things should go but overall she is a very obedient, kind and loving Mackenzie :)!

(Thanks google images for most of the photos! )

New Year, New Post :)

We can't believe how big our girl is getting, I miss that little baby face!

Life has become busy now that the break is over so I haven't had as much free time to write. Nathaniel is slowly getting back into "French mode" and has gotten his date for his DLPT (the BIG test) and it's a couple months away so let the intense studying sessions begin. 

I started toddler lesson plans with Mackenzie. I've been browsing several sites and picking out what I think Mackenzie would respond to and enjoy most. I love the time with her when she's having fun learning. Today was a hard day because she just wasn't "in the mood" for school. This girl has opinions :). 

We spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day spending time with each other and taking it easy. My brother in law's flight got cancelled a couple times and delayed a few as well so we were kind of thrown off from our sleep schedule. It was nice to have a couple days to catch up before the daily routine started. 

Nathaniel has been so wonderful despite the stress his AIT brings him. Each day I realize how blessed I am to have him and all he does for us. He's a wonderful man and I love him SO much :). I am also very proud of all he has accomplished and will continue to accomplish.