Things that make my life EASIER!!!

In no particular order, here are some things that make my life easier:

1 - Rubber gloves - I searched for a picture, but could not find one. I got these rubber gloves at Wal-Mart. They are unlike regular rubber gloves in that they are a little fuzzy inside and they don't leave you with nastiness all over your hands. They are by all the other rubber gloves, but they're white...if you want to check them out! I love them and they make dishes and cleaning so much easier!!!
2 - Rubber gloves - Yes, I know, it's double. Let me tell you why! So I bought that wonderful pair of gloves from Wal-Mart and I used them SOO much that they got a little hole on the thumb. So instead of throwing them out, I use them for cutting up food. I use them for peppers, onions, meats, or any type of food that would get my hands dirty...causing me to have to wash them again. Those of you who know me know that I have exzema particularly bad on my hands....so no fragrances and certainly no washing them a lot. Using rubber gloves for this purpose has truly made my life easier. I just wash my gloves with soap after each use...awesome!
3 - Boppy pillow - I use my boppy pillow to nurse Benjamin. I have to say that this is a wonderful invention and it has made my life so much easier! Especially with some of the early morning feedings! For those of you who are mothers or mothers to be, I highly recommend the boppy!
4 - Extra set of keys - Recently we lost the key to our Plymouth Neon. We searched for a couple of days for it. We called the different places that Josh went that day and nobody had turned in a key. So he had to call the lock and key place here in Logan and they, luckily, were able to make him 2 new keys. Phew...but had we made a duplicate key, it would have saved us $47! THAT would have made life easier. So if you only have A key for your car...DUPLICATE IT!
5 - The Scriptures - I LOVE the scriptures! My mind is made clear, my life is in focus, and my trials are manageable when I am daily reading the words of our Heavenly Father. It also helps our family. And even though Benjamin doesn't understand it now...he does understand the routine that every night we read from the scriptures. And someday he will understand and he'll know it's important because we've just always done it! My life is made easier because of the scriptures!
6 - Jessie Hylton - So many times I need to run to the store, go visiting teaching, or do something during Benjamin's nap time. Jessie so willingly listens for Benjamin. It's nice that I can just take the monitor up to her apartment and she's able to listen from her home. I am so grateful for her help! Thanks Jessie, you make my life so much easier!
7 - Lysol wipes - If you know me, you know that I don't like a dirty house, but I especially don't like a dirty bathroom! So when I have had a crazy day, but I still need to clean my bathroom...these wipes are heaven sent! They're also great to disinfect during this "wonderful" time of cold and flu season!! Love these wipes..they make my life easier!
8 - Benjamin Howard Huff - So how does a 5 month old baby make my life EASIER, you ask? He makes it easier to live life to the fullest because I know that every moment counts. He makes it easier to get out of bed every morning (even at 3 or 4 a.m.) because he smiles at me or he laughs. The spirit of peace and joy and happiness and the feeling of completeness that he brings to our home makes each day so much easier to live!
9 - JOSHUA AARON - Last but not least is my dear, wonderful husband. I know he thinks that he stresses me out more than anything, but it's not true. I enjoy every minute of my time with my sweet husband. He truly is a gift from my Heavenly Father and I couldn't be happier. There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't tell me that I'm beautiful or how much he loves me. He takes care of our son, picks up around the house, goes to school and goes to work. Most importantly, he lives the gospel of Jesus Christ and honors his priesthood. That makes my life so much easier to live!

4 months strong!

Benjamin had his 4 month appointment last Thursday. He weighs 14 pounds (45th percentile) his head is 17 inches (75th percentile) and he is 25 inches long (75th percentile). So he is growing strong! He wouldn't give the Pediatrician any smiles so the doctor said, "No smiles for me, so shots for you!" We tried really hard to get Benjamin to smile after that, but he just wouldn't do it...he was too tired. So he got shots. He actually did really well and only cried a little bit. He likes to stand a lot and he loves to just hang out by himself on the floor. He is starting to laugh a little bit, and he loves to talk! He especially loves his bath time. I'm going to try and post a video of him in the bathtub - don't worry, he's covered. If you listen very carefully and turn up your volume, you'll hear Benjamin creating bubbles in the tub!

As for me and Josh, we are doing well. Josh is keeping busy with school, work, and being in the bishopric. I'm going to work from 7:30 - 2 every day and loving the time I get to spend being a mommy. We are currently looking for a new car...well, new to us, but most likely used. The little Neon is slowly dieing. We'll let you know what we find...like I said, we're just looking right now. We are all doing well and feel so richly blessed for all that we have. We love the Lord and are so grateful for the plan of salvation which truly is the plan of happiness!

BUMBO!

Benjamin got a bumbo for Christmas from his Grandpa and Grandma Howard. He LOVES it! He just hangs out in it and is completely content. So here are some of the many faces of the bumbo that we all just love!

Christmas with the Huffs

Well, we are back from Indiana! We left on December 24th to go to Indiana for the holidays. Josh's parents were not expecting us until the 25th, but Josh wanted to surprise them...so he and his sister made a plan. I was extremely nervous to fly with a 3 month old, but my nerves were calmed when they bumped Josh and I to first class for our first flight. That was bad for us...now we want that all the time! It was also a HUGE comfort to have Evan and Ashlee on the same flight out to IN with us. The 2nd flight to IN wasn't as great and Benjamin was overly tired so he screamed for a good 20 minutes and the guy in front of us kept looking back at us. Yes, I am making my child scream on purpose just to make your flight miserable, sir! Anyway, we stayed in a hotel on Christmas Eve because it was really late. We stayed at the Marriott and they even gave us a Christmas card! The next morning we got up early and went to his parents house with his sister. Josh's sister walked in first holding Benjamin...the looks on all their faces was priceless. Josh's mother just kept calling us rotten. It was hilarious! We had a great time spending time with family and eating at restaurants that are only found back east! It was also nice to be able to relax a little bit as well. Everyone just loved Benjamin and for the most part he was on his best behavior. He had a hard time not being in his own bed...but who doesn't, right? Benjamin made out like a bandit this Christmas! Not only did we have THREE Christmases, but Dani also threw me a baby shower as well. So needless to say, we had to take another bag back with us, plus we had to ship a box. But he has a ton of clothes for the next year or so of his life! I'm not complaining. We are so blessed to have such great family. Josh's parents sacrificed their own room so that we would have one - thanks mom and dad! We had a great time, but were very grateful to get back to our own beds. When we left Indiana it was about 60 degrees, when we came home to UT there was so much snow that we had to stay in Clearfield for the night. But we eventually made it home safely. Now Josh is back in school, I'm back at work, and Benjamin is back to a good schedule! We wish everyone a very HAPPY 2009!

WHY?

So why is it that when I go to put a picture on our blog from our mac laptop it looks a little something like this

I don't get it! It hasn't always done this...just within the last couple of weeks. That is why we don't have a picture on our header anymore...I tried to change it and the picture was all crazy. So if anyone knows what the deal-e-o is, please let us know. And don't say that it's because we own a mac - that one is old. Alright, thank you, and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

It's updated

I updated our blog yesterday, but the date says the 9th because that's when I started it...so to all of you who get the "Who's updated their blog" list...ours did not show up. But I would love for everyone to read our blog...so read below. :-)

Motherhood, the best job in the world!

Well, here are some pictures of our cute little Benjamin. He had his 2 month check up on December 1st and he weighed 11 pounds 15 ounces and was 22.5 inches long, putting him in the 50th percentile with height and weight. When they gave him his shots, at first he was confused, but then he screamed. After they gave him the roto virus orally and we popped the binky in his mouth, he was just fine. What a trooper!

He has been sleeping better the last couple of nights, but I also have been home because I was sick...yuck! I've been sick more this winter than any other time in my life! AND I even got the flu shot and the whooping cough shot. It kind of makes me not a believer in those shots for me. Oh well, what do you do?

It's been hard to go back to work, but what a great blessing it's been knowing that he's either with Josh or with Alyssa Howe, whom we trust! I do have a confession. When I was about ready to give birth to Benjamin, I was terrified of being a mother and was being altogether very selfish about the whole thing. I thought that I wanted to go back to work and that I really liked my job. While I do like my job at the University, I was unprepared to fall in love with being a mother. Truly, it is a job that I love and I love doing! Yes, it's hard and there are days when I cry and get stressed out, but at the end of the day...I still love being a mother. I can't believe how much I love being home and taking care of my boys! But I am grateful that I am able to support my husband through this time that he is in school so that someday I will be able to be a stay at home mother. I find it such an honor and a blessing to be a mother!