Why everyone needs to stop hating on 2016

I told my husband I was writing this post as he was putting on his socks. One of the socks had a hole in it and he said, "This is a moment of despair and anguish... 2016 SUCKS!" This was all in good fun of course, but people are legitimately drawing similar conclusions. 

I know, I know... A lot of great people passed away. Maybe the presidential election didn't go your way. But COME ON, PEOPLE?! Was there really more bad than good? Even if the bad overshadowed, is that what we should focus on?

                                                                                             #Focusonthegood 

Am I right?? Good things happened! They did. Look around you. And if you honestly don't see anything, BE the good. DO SOMETHING. And I don't mean protest riot in the streets.... Portland, anyone?

Bad things are inevitably going to happen, but we can choose how to respond. 

We were not sent to earth to be grumps. 

Obviously, it's okay to cry, be sad, and grieve. Trials are a part of this life and sometimes they bring us down. All I'm saying here is I think it's a little dramatic, and also a bit unfair to the rest of 2016, to call it all bad.

Anyway, 2016 was a great year for us. We had a (ridiculously adorable, bias much?) baby, and it was arguably the best day of our married lives. We moved to Utah and Austin started new work. My brothers got married to FABULOUS women. We ended it all spending time with both of our families.

Bring on the new year! May it bring even more good times than the last!

And now here is a photo dump of the past few weeks with our family - including Russell FAMILY PICTURES!! (Thanks Danielle Cluff!)

Christmas Morning!

V was very interested in the paper, of course.

 Church

 V loved spending time with G&G Russell

So much yummy cooking and food!

 Meeting Uncle Chadd for the first time!

 Stockings at G&G Cornilles'

Cornilles Christmas card photo

Now for the Russell family photos!

Awwww...
Merry Christmas
& Happy New Year,
everyone!!

Struggles & Goodness

I use this space kind of as a journal, but because it's also broadcasted to world I don't always openly share my struggles. I should though. Struggle is a natural, even necessary part of life. 

Recently, Austin has been working late. I haven't been exercising or eating as well. V hasn't been sleeping as well. I haven't been getting out of the house as much. I haven't done a great job of studying my scriptures. (Wow, I sound like a hot mess....) To top it off, we had Vienna's 4 month appointment yesterday. She got her shots, which are always a traumatic experience. And she's now dropped to the 5th percentile for weight. *Cue crying face.* I swear we are feeding her!! She's just such a tiny thing. I guess all of these things combined has made me a little more on edge and grouchy. And I hate being grouchy! It's no fun for me or anyone around me. 

Soooo, what can I do to fix this? 

First off, Vienna is taking a nap going on 2.5 hours.... THANK YOU, CHILD!!!! That's helping. But really, I often am reminded that we can't always change what's happening around us, but we can choose how we want to respond. I can choose to be happy and positive! I can choose to focus on all of the blessings and good things in my life - which are abundant. So that's what I want to do right now!

I love my little family.

I am so thankful for a husband who works hard to provide for us so I can stay home with our baby girl.

I love this time of year! 

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, who brings light and hope everyday despite any trouble. #LightTheWorld

I can't wait for my family to arrive on Friday, and to spend a whole week with them!

I enjoy my calling as a primary teacher in our church. Teaching the kids every week is truly a blessing.

I'm loving the baked goods these days.

Even though it's freezing temperatures outside, I love cozying up inside with my husband and an episode of our favorite show.

Thankful for great friends who make us laugh!

Aw, so much good to focus on. Its amazing how focusing on the good in a short post like this can turn your whole attitude around!! I can honestly say I feel better already. Let's hope I can carry this through when V wakes up and the struggles start again ;) 

Focus on the good, people! It's what Jesus did, and he is the ultimate example. He is the ultimate example of light, love, hope, and happiness. I'm not sure if this random, babbling post will even make a difference to anyone, but it did for me. Yay journaling!

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

#reallife

4 Months

V:

You are slowly but surely growing out of 0-3 month clothes, and graduated to size 1 diapers over Thanksgiving. You had your first real laugh, not just a chuckle, and it was at DADDY! You love all things light, color, & sound. You love your feet. You like to pull them up to your mouth and suck on them. You are generally still sleeping through the night, with the occasional "newborn" night. Just to keep us on our toes haha. You love mama, and I'm not mad about it. You are putting everything in your mouth. You are drooling at all waking hours. You are so happy, squirmy and squealy. And we love you so, so much!!

Me:
I'm realizing with every stage of baby and motherhood, new challenges arise. I'm making it a goal to fully enjoy every stage. Struggling with not being able to get outside in this winter cold. The one car situation is a bummer! Struggling to exercise... ugh! I need to get back on track!!  Overall though, happy and grateful for my little family and life :)

#ProjectVandMe