from surviving to thriving..

This past week has been just wonderful. Baya is growing and growing which I will talk more about in a sec. I got to go to a relief society activity on saturday in florence which was very fun! Dr. Elia Gourgouris (wrote a book about how to go from surviving to thriving in your marriage, relationships, and just everyday life) came and spoke to us on loving ourselves, which honestly was much needed. Sometimes I just get down on myself, and for no reason really, but I am just very hard and critical of myself basically because I always try to be the best I can, but that is not nessecarily a good thing really.  Anyways, he had so many interesting things to say.

Sat.
Love Yourself

• Love thy neighbor, as thyself - you have to love yourself as well. In some cases you have to worry about yourself even before your children or you will get depleted.
• Thou shall not judge - aka thou shall not compare. If you compare yourselves to others than you are judging them as well. Comparisons are destructive.
• Sin of perfectionism (i have a problem with this) - but only moments are perfect, NOT a life. The moment baya was born was a perfect moment for example.
• We have to embrace our weaknesses (another big one for me)

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Ether 12:27

• Forgive ourselves - We are always willing to forgive ones we love, but we also must love and forgive ourselves (much easier said than done)
• Be grateful for everything in life - EVEN for our struggles, personal issues and other adversities. In my best moments, I am thankful for the struggles because they are the best sources of personal growth. Any other time, I’m not very happy with them and wish they would just go away lol.
• Always have an optimistic persective - Heavenly Father wants us to be happy in spite of our trials.

He also told this sweet story about when he was in a gathering with the prophet (Gordon B. Hinckley at the time) and a young man was singing the hymn "we thank the O god for a prophet," but he was so nervous that he messed it up. He said when the young man turned from the podium to see the prophet, that president hinckley stood up and just embraced him for a long period of time and that everyone ended up crying. And then brother Gourgouris continued to compare that moment with when we come to meet our savior for the first time and Him lovingly embracing us.

Sunday
We had an awesome sacrament meeting, and then later we made a trip back to florence to hear Brother Gourgouris speak again, this time on relationships and marriage. He didn't say too much that we havent already heard or known but it definitely can not hurt to hear it again. The thing about hearing things repeatedly is that it could mean something completely different to you at different times in your life. VERY TRUE.
Anyways, he did tell one story that I just thought was funny. It was about listening skills. He said that he had a couple come in and tell him that the man asked his wife what she wanted for her birthday and she said to be 6 again. So the women's birthday came and he woke her up with donuts in bed and then proceded to take her to a fair and get lots of candy and then took her to the movies and got popcorn, sodas, the works. When the night came to an and he asked her if she enjoyed being 6 again and she said she was talking about her DRESS SIZE! lol cute.

Baya Lynn:

Miss Baya is getting so big! Just the difference between christmas time and now is incredible. She got an eistein activity jumper for christmas and I used to put a box under her so she could stand and put her feet down but now both of her little feet reach the bottom just fine!

Just yesterday she actually started this whole new noise that is much higher pitched lol. It is cute (for now haha)

Whenever she wants something she has just thrown her head towards it, but NOW she is moving her feet and almost walking toward it.

She loves to be thrown in the air and caught right now. She loves being sung to. She loves watching tv in the morning. She loves chillin in her bouncer watching us in the kitchen.

Just this past week she has just become 10x more interactive. Laughing and playing with us, she is so much fun! I think I might have a favorite stage! lol it just keeps changing has she gets older. I love her more and more everyday!

We have her four month apointment the 1st. woot woot. i can't believe she is 1/3 a year old!!! lol