Thoughts about our 2011

Generally this time of year I would do an elaborate post about how our year shaped up complete with pictures and fantastic commentaries on the wonderfulness of our life, especially now that we are back in Colorado. However, I kind of don't have the desire or energy for any of that this year. The last few months have been exhausting with no end really in sight.
So, here are some things I have learned this year. Before I start, let me preface this with the statement that we are all fine. Nick and I are fine. Quincy is fine. We are just experiencing one of those trials that you never think you are going to experience. Nick is back in Texas for a while. He is there taking care of some things he needed to take care of long ago. Unfortunately, we cannot be with him for the time being, so Quincy and I are trucking along in CO. I am looking for a job as Nick lost his. We are working hard to keep our family together and to make life as normal for our baby girl as possible.
Sometimes I wonder if moving home was the right decision for us, but then again, I know it was okay. Q and I are close to family, and we are blessed to be in a wonderful ward with people who support us as well. Life right now is probably harder than it ever has been before, and yet, I am unafraid. I know that we are being attended by angels everywhere we go. I know that Nick is doing the right thing. I know that we are going to make it through all this, one long day at a time. I know that my strength, my patience, my ability to cope are all being tested right now. I am thankful that Quincy is so young. She is aware that things are different, but she is still our happy little girl. She is growing so fast, and I thank my Father in Heaven every day that I have such an amazing daughter. She is my everything.
I probably just made myself sound like an amazing martyr, which I am not. I struggle. I cry just about everyday and at the smallest things. I worry. I don't sleep some nights. I complain. I question. I say and do all the wrong things. I am far from perfect, and I am not going to pretend that I am even close to perfect. I love my husband. He is not a perfect person either, and I love him because of that.
I know that one day we will look back on this time, and it will be but a brief moment. This hardship is one that we will conquer. It will pass, and we will rebuild. Isn't that what people do? Fall and rebuild. Try and fail until you meet success. If you know me at all, you know that I refuse to give up. I will work hard to build the life I know my family deserves. I will protect my family. Somehow I will learn to ask for help. Somehow I will learn to be more patient. Somehow I will come through a better, stronger wife, mother and overall person.  

Quincy's First Thanksgiving

We were able to spend this Thanksgiving holiday with some truly fabulous people. We packed Q and headed over the river and through the woods. Holly, Eric, Lisa, Hondo, Monroe, and Kelli were all there too. We played with the babies, napped, laughed, talked, and stuffed ourselves as is appropriate for a Thanksgiving feast!
Q had a big weekend when she stood up on her own and then began crawling. She is our noisy girl, but she proved just how loud she can be ALL week long! She loves the sound of her own voice. I really am so crazy about this little girl! She is so funny. She will fake laugh at me or fake cough and then just giggle at herself. She thinks she is hilarious (a trait she inherited from her Grandma Mahan, I'm sure.)

We were lucky enough to both witness her first standing. This is the first time she has reached a major milestone in front of Daddy, and he was thrilled. She does love the men in her life! Every time her dad or her grandad walked out of the room, she would yell or cry at them to come back. It is cute to see them cave each time and come reassure her that they have not left her for good.

Her first birthday is fast approaching, and I don't know if I am ready for it! She is growing so fast! Where is my baby?! I do love every minute though, and I am so glad that I am able to witness it all. I really do have the best job! 

Just Feeling Restless

This is the story of my life these days. I am not sure what it is...maybe the season or the holidays or the crazy events that have taken place in our lives recently, but I am one restless momma. It is strange to be so busy and feel this way. Q keeps me on my toes all day long, and when Nick gets home, she wants nothing but Daddy, so that is when I can actually DO things without an attachment.

I have projects to work on and people I want to see. I have presents to think about and a birthday party to plan. Our house is never spotless and the laundry is never done. I am searching for interesting recipies and easy crafts to keep me occupied. I have a growing stack of books to read and a lot of sleep to catch up on. So, why am I so restless?

Perhaps it is because I am always distracted. Projects get started, but never seem to be completed. My head is racing a million miles an hour, and the only time I am focused on one thing is when I am in the gym. I need a chart that is a huge TO DO List. I need someone to come and look at my list and tell me it isn't out of control.

Then again, maybe I am not busy enough. I am home with Q all the time. We go to the gym and run a small errand or two on a daily basis, but then we are home together all day. Maybe I am experiencing a little cabin fever. Maybe if I was busier, I would accomplish more. I have always performed better under pressure. Now that I have no deadlines and grades aren't due and papers aren't piling up and I don't have an essay to write or copies to make or lessons to plan, maybe I am slacking. Except, I don't miss that stuff. Okay, maybe I miss planning lessons and reading books and regular adult interaction, but I wouldn't trade it!

So, for now I will be restless...I will make that long list and even cross off a few things. Or maybe, I'll go help a little girl figure out how to crawl. That sounds better...crawling.

Oh, Life!

Sometimes it feels like the universe is trying to break me in two. It is at those times that I try, try, try to count the many blessings I do have because they are plentiful! So, in additon to the craziness that is already happening, Nick totaled the Tribute on his birthday. Sigh! Luckily, our car insurance company (Progressive) was AH-MAZING! They had our rental car to us and the Tribute picked up within 24 hours of our call to them. We picked up a check and shopped for a new car over the weekend. I am now driving a 2005 Ford Escape. It is a bright red, and I am liking it more and more as time goes on.

We have managed to do some fun things here and there, however, so I will share some pictures from Q's first Halloween and her first snow! She had a really fun time watching all that was going on around her.

Her first Trick-or-Treating expereince was at the Spooktacular that the City of Broomfield does at the First Bank Center. She wasn't really into the candy part, but she was very into the people watching part. She is so good when we take her out in public! Thank goodness for that!

She had a fun time helping Mom and Dad carve pumpkins this year. She held the cut out pieces for us and chomped on them too. We had a big pumpkin and a little one this year...both turned out great!

We also have had some snow, which I missed so much while we lived in Texas. Quincy seemed to like it! Here she is all dressed up to go and play in it for the first time. I love this hat and mittens. Both are too big, but she'll grow out of them before I am ready!

It just wouldn't be right for her to play in it and not eat it! She seemed to like it. I think it helped cool her gums...we'll see some teeth one of these days.

She also had to stand in it for a minute! She has super cute snow boots, so we had to put them to use. She will be my little snow bunny yet! I love the snow and the feeling that white blanket invites. It is good for my soul.

Fun Family Fall Days

Well, Stef inspired me to post something today since she did. I can't be outdone by my sister, now can I? I am not really going to update all our happenings from the last few months. We have been very busy. Q is growing like crazy! She is pushing 20 lbs., and she really, really wants to crawl. I am excited for that and NOT excited at the same time. Once she is mobile, we are in for it! Shockingly, she is incredibly vocal...and LOUD! She loves entertaining the whole room and gets upset when all eyes are not on her. (Hmmm...I wonder where she gets that. Nick and I are so shy, quiet and reserved.) While attending an Open House the other night, she stole the show from the Elder we were wishing well. It's a good thing she's so cute!

I am loving these fall days. The trees are gorgeous! The air is...well, how do I put this? The air is just fall-y, and I love it! There isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful to be back in Colorado. We have been trying to do as many activities with Q outside as possible. We go on family walks, and we recently took her to Anderson Farms, a really great corn maze/pumpkin patch.

We made it a true family day and brought Uncle Adam and Aunt Kara along with us. I had never been to a pumpkin patch, so I was excited, but I don't think my excitement could match the excitement of our girl! Q was laughing and yelling and screaming before we even made it in the gates!

She rode a pony; she picked a pumpkin; she witnessed the birth of twin goats; she posed for a million pictures; and, she loved every minute of it! My goodness, we are blessed by her presence and her personality daily!

There are lots of changes coming for the Sadler's, and I have to take a minute to thank our family and friends who have already been so supportive. I would be lost without the love and support from people near and far, and I never want to seem ungrateful. Our journey will be long, but somehow, through faith and love, we will make it to the other side--one step at a time.

Summer Happenings

Wow! I sure have not touched this all summer. Oops! I guess that means a quick summation of all our going's on all summer long. Complete with pictures, of course!

We took a trip to Utah for a weekend full of famly fun and Lisa's baby shower! Nick, Q and I made it to The Mug which is essentially a Rootbeer Float shaped concession stand that my brother-in-law, Eric, helps his sister run. It is great! Located in a prime spot in Provo Canyon. If you are ever there in the summer months, check it out!

Quincy met Maggie, whom we all love through the many stories Holly shares. She is Holly and Eric's niece, and such a cute character!

We spent the Fourth of July in Casper with Nick's family. This is the first time Q met her Great-Grandma Boyer. I think they like each other! Don't worry, Q didn't get her glasses, not for lack of trying!

On that same trip we spent an afternoon with the Sadler side of the family as well. Q is playing here with Nick's cousin, Jayme, who came to see everyone all the way from Washington State. She and I had met briefly once before, and it was so great to spend time with her and her daughter, Jordyn.

Ahhh, yes! The family pic with Great-Grandma and Grandpa Sadler, Nick, JB, Jayme, Jordyn and Quincy. Jordyn didn't want her picture taken at this particular moment. :-) She is a pistol!

I should have taken more pictures up here, but here is one that I took of Q and her Grandpa Desi at the Halasz cabin. It really is so peaceful up there! I really enjoyed being there with everyone. (FYI, they are talking to Uncle Bob.)

We took the opportunity to take Q to the outdoor waterpark in Broomfield! The Bay! We love The Bay! It really is very little kid and family friendly. She enjoyed it more than she is letting on here. Later in the summer, Aunt Kara and I took her again. And we will go one more time when Aunt Stef, Uncle Matt, and MJ get here!

If you have known me for any length of time, you know that there are two girls who are my SISTERS FROM ANOTHER MISTER. Amber and Kristie and I are doing our best to manage our busy family, work and personal lives and still see each other. We had dinner, and this was the first time that all three of our kiddos were together. M, C and Q are just adorable! I love those two little boys as much as I love their momma's.

Another cousin! We were blessed with a quick visit from Aunt Jessie, Uncle Matt and W! This is Nick's step-sister's new baby boy! He is such a long, skinny string bean, and too, too cute! (Note: Matt was watching the US Women's Soccer team play in the World Cup Finals. He could not tear his eyes away!)

We spent more time swimming with Meagan (Parker) and her little ones. I will post pics of our babies together, but I have to wait for Maeg. She has them.

We took Q to the Denver Zoo! This was her first Merri-Go-Round ride. She seemed to enjoy herself! Check out the rosie cheeks! It was a hot one!

There is more to share, but it will have to wait for another day! We had more visitors, and played more games, so I will post about those soon! Also, we do have another new baby in the family! Aunt Lisa had her little girl. We will make sure to post lots of pictures when we have all the girls together at last!

Q and her Uncle Adam

I am a BAAADDDD sister! I looked at the blog last night and realized that there isn't a post about Q and Uncle Adam. Why? Perhaps because he and Aunt Kara live just across town and can see her whenever they want! Perhaps because I'm still a mental mess (does pregnancy brain ever go away?). Either way, it is unacceptable! Especially since I love watching my little brother (yep, I said it!) with my daughter. He is great with her! She loves him! (And her Aunt Kara too!)

I also realized (ahem!) that we don't have pictures of Q and Aunt Kara yet! What is wrong with me?! So, Aunt Kara, get dolled up so we can change that! Q and you need to pose for the camera! We love you guys!