Valentine's Day 2017

 Valentine's Day 2017! 

The night before Valentine's Day Aaron and I decided to run to target and pick out a couple things for the girls. We originally were not going to do this hence why it was so last minute. However, showing up at Target on the eve of a big holiday/celebration is the wrong choice. The aisles were packed, most everything was already gone, and people did not seem happy to be shopping. 

We decided to head to the dollar spot and pick up a couple things. The girls ended up with a more summer/Easter theme, but they were so happy to wake up and see their little surprise. The bubbles (which come in a pack of three for $1!) got the biggest reaction. I don't know what it is about bubbles but the girls LOVED them. The chocolate was also a huge hit, probably cause their favorite characters were on them (Paw Patrol for Lilly and Shopkins for Hannah;) however do NOT opt for the cheap chocolate. It tasted gross. 

For breakfast, I made some heart pancakes. I again was ill prepared, and did not have a mold or even a Ziploc bag to pipe the mixture out. 

I had to improvise and although they ended up looking really homemade, I think they turned out pretty good. The girls were impressed, and they tasted great!

Valentine's Day is a day of love. The girls certainly were loving on the brother in this picture. He, however, was not as impressed with all the cuddles, kisses, and pictures being taken. 

I did manage to find the all the kids some clothes with red in them, and Lilly Belle kept her bow in for this one picture :)

Our apartment complex were giving away free balloons and cookies. So the girls and I headed over. They were not excited to kiss in the kissing booth but did love their balloons and cookies.

Courtney and her kids came over to spend the day with us. Hazelle is five days older and a total cutie. She is a lot lighter than Beck. I think they are both adorable!

We ended the day with some chocolate covered strawberries - made by me - Josh (my little brother who lives with us) bought all the ingredients and I made them for him to share with me :)

Motivational Monday #17

2017 has begun with our family going through a bit of a trying time. As I go through this, it is sometimes (mostly all the time) easier to be a total grump!

This quote from Marjorie Pay Hinckley is a good reminder that despite the hardships of life I can still enjoy it. There is happiness in everyday I just have to choose to let it in. 

Confessions of a Valentine's Day Saboteur

While making Valentine's Day cards with Hananh, I started thinking about my first Valentine's Day crush. His name was Cory. He was American, had blonde hair, and was super cute. I spent hours making him the perfect Valentine's Day card. It had to be the best because obviously this was how I was going to confess my love to him, and then he would definitely confess it back. 

I decided to give it to him on Wednesday night, at the church. We were there practicing for our church's roadshow/play. I was both excited and nervous.

My friend (not pictured) had also showed up for practice and was also carrying a Valentine's Day card for Cory. I couldn't believe it! She never told me she liked him, whereas I had made it very clear to her about my feelings for him. I was not happy. 

For some reason, she had left the foyer where we were anxiously waiting for Cory to be done practing. That's when I noticed her card! She had left it sitting on the table. In that moment a little devil popped up on my shoulder tempting me to put her card into the trash can. I knew I could never put it in there. . . . . . . . that would be the first place she would look. Instead, cunning and devilish Jaimie decided to set the trash can on top of the card. Come on, who would ever think to look under the trash can. Sure enough Lauren came back for her card. When she couldn't see it on the table, she immediately looked IN the trash can. After looking around frantically for her card, she gave up, and disappointingly (is that a word) headed home. 

I, on the other hand, proudly handed my card to Cory. We never fell head over heels in love. In fact, his family moved back to America not too long after that (probably to get away from the psycho girl in his primary class.)

Looking back, I am not proud about what I did. I was young and a bit of a brat, but you know what they say - "All is fair in love a war."

Visiting Teaching Message February 2017 Handout

Christ's Atonement is Evidence of God's Love

click here to read the message

you are welcome to use these handouts. 

Simply right click, save, and print

Quotes to help You Through Those Hard Times

The following quotes were all from the October 2016 General Conference

quote by Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

quote by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

you are welcome to save, print, and use any of these posters

We Love to see the Temple

Living in Utah means being surrounded by beautiful temples. The girls love walking around the temple grounds (just not when it is freezing cold - oops.) Every building is unique and has the most stunning details. Our goal is to see as many as we can. So far we have seen 

Provo

Payson

St. George

Provo City Center (Hannah's Favourite . . . so far)

Salt Lake

and Oquirrh Mountain

We will be heading to California in the springtime and hope to go see the four in Southern California, as well as more in Utah and Las Vegas. 

We Have A Secret

As I write this blog post, I am actually quite nervous. I will start by saying that no, I am not pregnant. My secret is that we started a YouTube channel, and post videos of our everyday life. 

Why on earth would we want to do that? well One reason is I don't want my children to every forget their grandparents, cousins, parents, pets etc. I love that they will be able to sit down with their children and grandchildren etc and be able to show them things like their trip to Knotts Berry Farm, making pancakes in the morning, or playing games together. One of my biggest fears is to be forgotten, and I guess in some way, this will prevents that.Another reason is babies don't stay babies! My kids are growing so fast and I want to catch their little quirkiness at the age that they are now. Like how Lilly Belle says milk or how Hannah gets excited about everything, and how hard it is to make Beck smile. 

Wanting to do these videos is something I have been wanting to do for a long time. Almost four years ago was when I first started toying with the idea; however, I was worried about how I looked and what people would think. Those are still concerns hence why I am so nervous to share this, but I figured what the heck just do it. So if you would like to see our family and what we have been and are up to here is our channel link. Subscribe if you would like and hope you enjoy! 

The Craig Family - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyJxHCTRgaUDqkCBhIJcSjg

Another Doctor's Visit

Today Beck had a doctor's appointment with a urology specialist. The doctor wanted to check the imaging from Beck's ultrascan and his test where they inserted the dye into his bladder. He did confirm that Beck had some urinary reflux into his left kidney, but has a 92% of it fixing itself over the next year. This was great news to hear because the more severe the reflux becomes the more likely it would be that Beck would need surgery to fix it. 

The doctor did decide the change his medicine which Beck has to take everyday for the next year. Every couple of months we call the doctor back with Beck's most current weight, and then he adjusts the amount Beck takes. His medicine is to prevent another urinary tract infection from occurring, this medicine is 85% effective (I think that was the percent the nurse gave.) If a UTI does occur while on the medicine, then we would have to reevaluate everything and go from there. 

This time next year we will be seeing the urology doctor again, repeating the test with the dye, and if it is all fixed Beck can stop taking the medicine. 

The doctor thought Beck looked good. Beck continues to eat and sleep really well and weighed in at 14 pounds (with clothes on.) Beck's next doctor's appointment will be his four month well visit. 

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

dry ingredients - 1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 salt

1 - 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips 

wet ingredients - 3/4 cups milk

1/4 oil

1 egg

in a large bowl combined all your dry ingredients

in a smaller bowl combined your wet ingredients

add your wet ingredients to your dry ingredients and mix until moist (don't overmix)

spray a muffin tin and add mixture (this recipe will make 12 good size muffins)

bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes 

Beck's Two Month Update

My little guy turned two months old! 

Beck has been doing really well since coming home from the hospital. (click here if you want to read all about it.) He is still on a preventive antibiotic and will stay on there for the time being. When we went for more testing, they found out that his left side is allowing urine to flow into his kidney. Luckily, it isn't anything to worry about and should go away with time. We are assuming he will have to go back for another test at some point. I also need to remember to call urology and inform them about it. 

Beck still has a red eyelid and his hair is still a dark brown and he still has beautiful blue eyes. He is a good combination of both his sisters. I think Beck will be the sibling that connects them all together. Meaning, people will look at the three of them and think oh ok I see how the girls are related now. I always looked identical to all three of my sisters so I have no idea what it is like to have a polar opposite looking sister. 

Beck still eats about four ounces every three hours, although I have noticed a drop in his attitude. I don't know if this is because of his antibiotics, his age, or the fact he just got shots this week. He also fusses quite a bit while eating, so he might have gas. Gosh darn it why can't these babies just tell us what is wrong? :)

Beck has also started to sleep through the night. I fed him around 9 and then he eats again around five. Ok so it only happened last night, but generally he wakes around 2:30-3ish and then again between 6-7. I don't mind this at all as long as I can go back to sleep after he eats. . . . both time. 

Beck loves being wrapped. If he is fussing, I put him in the wrap and he is asleep within seconds! TRUTH!! 

 Beck is by far the hardest baby to make smile. Most of the time he just stares at you and makes you feel like a loser. When he does smile, it is super cute! I haven't been good enough to document this occasion which should tell you how rare it is. 

I am totally in love with my little guy.

Beck is 24 inches long (83%) His weight is 12 pounds 13 ounces (55%) and his head circumference is 37.7 cm (7%). So basically he is a tall, average weight baby with a little head :)

click here to read all about our hospital stay

click here to read about Beck"s two week checkup

click here to read Beck's birth story

Knotts Berry Farm

Our family took a trip to Knotts Berry Farm!

Everyone had a blast. I forget how much fun Knotts is.

The best part was watching Hannah experience all the rides.

She wasn't sure at first but by the time the ride was over she wanted to go again and again!!