New Toys!

1. A keyboard, resurrected from the computer graveyard.  Look at that grin!  She loves her very own keyboard way more than the "baby" toys we give her.

 2. A toothbrush, to brush that brand new tooth with!  Or... just to chew on...

5 Whole Months Old!

Last week, Noelle completed 5 whole months of being alive.  We are so happy to have her in our family and love to watch her grow and learn.  She is definitely growing (in length) and in character.  She is such a ham most of the time that she constantly cracks us up.

Some of her new favourite things this month are:
- Standing (supported)
- Her Jellyfish (pictured above)
- When you whisper in her ear - it's kind of weird but it just makes her giggle
- Her feet
- Teething Biscuits
- Her Bunny
- Stories and Lullabies
- Typing on the computer
- Going for walks

 This is how we found Noey one morning when I went in to get her.  She was just cooing away in her crib (well, half in her crib anyways).  This is NOT how we put her to bed... She is such a squirmy little goose!

Getting an Early Start

Happy Valentine's Day Ellie!

Watching the Jazz Game with Daddy

She is still working on those first teeth but they're being stubborn going up and down and then up again.  She now naps in her crib and generally going to bed is much more pleasant than it used to be (except when the teeth are moving up ferociously) and she'll even play by herself for a little bit.  She still screams her head off when it's time for a bath, but other than that is a pretty fun little girly to have around!

Faith

A few days ago, some sweet Sister Missionaries were practicing teaching me. One of them explained to me that faith is "a belief that moves you." Maybe it was because of her cute southern accent, or maybe because of the spirit, but those words really stuck with me.
I realized that having faith is different than having expectations. I probably knew that once, but I obviously forgot it. To have faith in God's promises is believing in Him, and trusting in Him, but it is also doing whatever you can to bring those promises about in your own life.
As Christ himself explains: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me (Moroni 7:33). He doesn't say that if we have faith in Him, He will do whatsoever thing with us, but that he will give US the power to do that thing.
As I learnt this lesson this past week, I felt a strong desire to recommit myself to Heavenly Father. I know that His perfect plan teaches us to become as He would have us be, and that our faith in Christ gives us the power to do so.

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" by Gene R Cook (lds.org)

The Mysteries of a Modern World

This picture was snapped on March 27 2010. As you can see, this balloon is from Valentine's Day (over a month ago). When I was young, a helium-filled balloon lasted a day or two. This balloon floating around our apartment is so weird!

Ten Things....

.... and not that I hate about you either.... Our good friend Malorie tagged us in a post (I think...), so now we're supposed to post ten things about us, and then tag 4 other people to do the same. Got it? Here we go...
1. We're probably the biggest nerds in the whole world. Zach has an air compressed pogo stick and Sarah has a stamp collection.
2. We met serving missions in the California Carlsbad Mission... Zach was Sarah's first Zone Leader! Ha!
3. "We collect BO-OKS" (think Bill Nye the Science Guy minus the Rocks...) and in fact have more bookshelves then we have rooms in our apartment!
4. We have a million pieces of Canadian paraphernalia - thanks Mum!
5. We once almost died (not really) on a four hour long tubing trip down a river in Canada.
6. We got married on May 09 2009 so that in some countries, our anniversary would be 09-05-09. And because that's when the temple was available...
7. We have a little red car whose name is Rosie. She doesn't like it when Zach says mean things about her and she gets back at him by turning on her emergency light.
8. In our home we speak French, English, Spanish, and the all-important Spanglish.
9. We love to ice skate, take Sunday walks, and to play play play!
10. We think that you - the dear souls who care to read about our life - are GREAT!

alriiiiight.... now I tag: Kerry P, BriAnna J, Natalie M, and Alex G (though I do recognize this has nothing to do with dreams...)

Things work out...

The lesson I learnt today, I've learnt before. Over and over again, this particular life-lesson seems to repeat itself. And the lesson is: things work out, everything will be fine. After Christmas, Zach and I had our fair share of struggles and trials. But, we are now once again assured that everything will be okay. I am so grateful that a kind and loving Heavenly Father knows us. He knows us and he knows how to best help us grow and become the strong, faithful individuals we need to be. This week has been an answer to months of praying for us, and all of these experiences have once again helped me to see how much God cares. I'm just trying to learn to be grateful that He tends to allow the trials to persist until the very moment I can't handle them anymore! Anyways, I just wanted to share with all of you that I know that God has a plan for each of us, of my gratitude for this plan, His help, and for my wonderful husband who supports me when my hope and faith falter.

Holiday Wrap-up

Christmas came, and went. New Year's came and went. The decorations are put away. And, we are trying - trying ever so hard - to get up the energy and desire for life to start again. I go back to school tomorrow. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible though... I will graduate in April. I have four English classes left, and 32 books to read for those four classes! Work is changing too. Instead of classroom teaching at the MTC, I will be working in the TE, a center for missionaries to come and practice their teaching. I'm sad to leave the missionaries I am currently working with, and to not be in a position to teach Spanish as much. But, I am very excited to experience a change of scenery. Zach is still looking for a job. His classes don't start until Wednesday so technically, he still has two days of vacation left. I think he's bored of being at home without anything to do, so maybe he's not as anxious as me about going back.

Anyways, we survived our first holiday season together. It was great. Some of my favourites were: Christmas dinner at the Jenkins' (especially the Christmas crackers!), doing frustrating puzzles with Zach, cooking and baking up a storm, and the way our apartment looks all decorated for Christmas. Anyways... until next time!