Stoddard Family Est. 2008

SNOW WEEK!

2012-01-22T16:43:00.000-08:00

When it rains it pours and when it snows in Spokane, Washington it means it's time for some serious snow time!

This past week HelenAnn and I enjoyed being stuck inside because of the snow. By the end of the week we had Cabin Fever and we were ready to party hardy.

We went out on Friday afternoon and wander around Manito Park. The Hills were perfect for Miss HelenAnn. She thought it was hilarious when her and Daddy went really fast down the "BIG girl" hills. Mommy didn't seem to think it was to funny. :)

On Saturday morning we went with some of our dear friends back to Manito Park to again enjoy some wild sledding. If you know my husband Jeremiah he enjoys a good thrill and was willing to try anything that could get him into the emergency room. :)

Jeremiah and Mommy sledding down the hill.

Daddy going tummy down.

Mommy trying to "Smile" for the camera. Jeremiah thought it'd be sweet to give me a good ol' push down the hill. So thoughtful.

Jeremiah trying to "snowboard" on a plastic sled down the hill. He was unsuccessful.

The whole gang enjoying some snowmen and treats.

Jeremiah, Archie, HelenAnn and Indie.

The Stoddard Gang!

Stoddard Babe

2012-01-22T15:53:00.000-08:00

I probably should make a post about some very exciting news

... if you haven't all ready seen this on Facebook...

We are pregnant!

Due Date: July 9th 2012

Right now.. I'm 16 weeks pregnant!

We are super excited for this sweet little spirit to be apart of this crazy family.

It has been a very different pregnancy than my first. I was super sick with HelenAnn. I felt like I barfed every other second those first few months. This pregnancy has been mild, with only being tired the first few weeks. I finally am starting to get back my energy. I haven't gain any weight ((yet :( ))) Which is good. I've been working out daily doing weights and cardio. When I was pregnant with HelenAnn I was horrible at eating healthy and didn't exercise.

HelenAnn doesn't really understand that Mom has a baby in her belly. I've found it really difficult to protect my tummy with this stinker... HelenAnn thinks that she is free to jump on whomever and whatever.

*Big Sister HelenAnn*

We are really excited for this summer!

Horary for Babies!

.Life is So Sweet.

2012-01-20T20:48:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you ever get on blogs and start hopping around.

.Well I do.

After my husband and child passed out on the couch I grabbed my self some hot coco and started blog jumping.

I stumbled upon a story of a sweet little family

The beginning of December 2011 a 27 year old father unexpectedly passed away in his sleep leaving behind his unborn baby ( she was born this MONTH), a little toddler and a lovely wife.

I lost it.

(** crying, blubbering, unable to breath out of my nose because I was crying so hard.)

My heart just ache for this family.

I wanted to give her a hug.

There is a video on the website of the wife giving birth to their sweet little new babe ( born sometime this month).

I can't image the feeling of giving birth to the child of your beloved husband and not having him there with you.

What a strong, brave, wonderful women.

I have so much love for this women and I don't even know her.

I have so much gratitude and love for my sweet husband, for my sweet little daughter HelenAnn and for this sweet little spirit coming to our family this summer.

*Look how cute this little stink was and still is... :)

I love them.

I am truly grateful for my forever family.

SassySass ...silly lady...

2012-01-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well I've not blogged about Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years... so I thought I blogged about the current happenings of our little Sassy Lady HelenAnn.

My last day of work was December 21st and since we've been partying like wild animals.

HelenAnn has become quite the stinker around these woods. She loves to talk and tell us stories. She loves to boss everyone around (still the same). She can count to 10! And sing her A-B-C. She loves going to music class, gymnastic class, craft group and story time. She loves making faces and she personally thinks she is hilarious. When she in trouble she looks at us in a grumpy face and then starts laughing. We are slowly potty training her but there have been many moments of this lady being obstinate with the whole thing. And there has been lots of pooping in random places. She says "poopooo makes me nervous."

**That's when Mama steps outside, screams and then slowly regains her sanity. Okay lets be honest I lost my sanity along time ago. I now understand what my parent’s were saying when they'd say "Child your going to be the death of me!"**

HelenAnn loves friends... we hear the names Indie and Scarlet often in our home... She is constantly playing in her bedroom, reading books and dressing up in her princess wardrobe. We love sneaking around the corner to find this little lady talking to herself or calling Nana or Papa or sending them a text on her play phone. She loves to go shopping and will not leave the house with her purse. She loves carrots and apples and will become very defensive if she finds Jeremiah or I eating them.

Beside the waking up at 4am and asks for " Cheese, Chocolate milk and Caillou Please Mommmmmy!???!!!".

We really like this lady. She's a keeper.

Story time.

Princess HelenAnn and Indie

Modeling one of the many dresses from Nana and Papa.

Mom experienced with doing raggs in HelenAnn's hair.... It turned out very curly!

This is 75% of our week!

Our stylish little lady.

HelenAnn and cousin Nikki or as HelenAnn refers to her " Coley".

Here are some funny video's of HelenAnn.... it shows how crazy/silly this lady is.

TWOTWOTWO

2011-12-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

I officially stink at blogging! But it's never to late to blog about our sweet little HelenAnn who turned TWO November 20th! I feel like it was yesterday, HelenAnn arrived and bless our sweet little family.

On November 19th we a bunch of HelenAnn's friends over for a good ol' ELMO Party!

Before the Party.. HelenAnn getting into her Elmo outfit.

Indie arrived to the party! HelenAnn and Indie are like sisters. They fight and love each-other like sisters.

The entry table with the party favors.

The buffet table!

The chocolate Oreo were a BIG HIT! The Kids LOVED them!

Here were a few more Party decorations.....

I had three party stations... Elmo's Color Station...

Elmo's Tattoo Parlor

And a Cookie Monster Toss

I had lots of fun foods.....

and we had fruit kebobs. We had Big Kid Pizza for the adults.

All of HelenAnn friends came....

Cookie Monster TOSS

So Random... Jeremiah's brother Joseph lived with us for the last year and moved out in September to travel. He randomly showed up to her Party. HelenAnn was very excited. She loves her JoeJoe.

This is our dear friend Jillian. She is amazing. She took all of these fabulous pictures. Truly a Lifesaver.

Scarlet & Colton. These two are adorable!

Baby and Daddy.

HelenAnn freaked out when blowing out her candles. We had about 30+ people staring at her which made her a little shy. She had friends that were willing to help her blow them out :)

She was in HEAVEN!

I love this picture!

Opening Presents from all her friends!

We had so many wonderful and dear friends that came to support HelenAnn turning TWO. During our time in Spokane we've made some friendships that will truly last a lifetime. We feel pretty lucky.

So..... HelenAnn's Uncle JoeJoe left in the middle of the party and came back at the end of it all with a BARBIE Bike and all the girly biking gadgets. Yes...... my child is very very loved.

At the end the three ladies (HelenAnn, Indie & Scarlet) munched on some yummies and ate way to much sugar!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET BABY!

We feel so lucky to have this stinker in our life. She is a sassy little thang but we're loving every moment of it.

30303030

2011-11-14T21:46:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my sweetheart's BIG number ((((30)))) birthday! I met this old man when he was just a wee boy of 25! Now.... I'm married to a 30 YEAR OLD!!!

Gosh... I really do love my Mountainy man. I could live with out the beard but I sure do love him.

This year will be a BIG one for Jeremiah... many achievements and new adventures to come!

Here are a few facts about my lovely 30 YEAR OLD husband:

1. He hates leftovers
2. He has three children (1st HelenAnn, 2nd Camping and last place: APPLE)
3. He considers himself very organized. (More of an organized mess :)
4. He is amazing father.
5. He is a full blown country boy from Arimio, Idaho
6. He eats/drinks/pops Vitim C like it's going out of business.
7. He thinks running until you puke or almost puke is awesome.
8. He enjoys placing his clothes right next to the laundry hamper and not in the hamper because he love me.
9. He could spends hours in REI
10. He thinks Amazon is freak'n awesome.
11. He enjoys talking and singing to himself.
12. He will never be seen without an Apple or REI item on him.
13. His daughter thinks he's the coolest thing EVER. He has recently been given the title Princess daddy.
14. He drinks at least 2-3 gallons of whole milk each week.
15. He loves Mac & Cheese and Chili
16. He eats a PB&J sandwiches
17. He loves to go running every morning.
18. He loves to watch Movie Trailers.
19. He hates dancing
20. He loves to cuddle
21. He really, really, really, really like Meat.
22. He likes to make backup plans to backup plans
23. He goes into his daughters EVERY night and gives her kisses
24. He wants to go on a hike that like 4-5 months.
25. He writes poems
26. He enjoys painting and drawing.
27. He love his family.
28. He loves his Daughter and wife.
29. He is a good man.
30. He is a good person.

24

2011-10-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

It’s my 24^th year… and since it's my blog, I'm totally going to subject you to a list of 24 things about me you may or may not know:

1. i wish i had an accent... either southern or british.

2. my favorite snack popcorn with a glass of milk

3. the weather affects my mood more than i'd like to admit

4. the only food that really makes me gag is egg salad.

5. i would love to get a massage, but i don't want to pay for it.

6. i could wear yoga pants everyday
7. i want to live in a house with a wrap-around porch
8. i'd love to garden, but I suck at harvesting
9. i change my outfits *sometimes* 4 times before making a final decision .
10. i would paint my nails a lot more often if it didn't start chipping 4 minutes later.
11. i’m obsessed with being a mom.
12. i am OCD about having my house clean
13. Primary songs make me cry. And don't even get me started with Primary programs...
14. i'm currently obsessed with the Rachael Zoe Project.
15. Washing my face & brushing my teeth at night is one of the best feelings ever.
16. i'm not a fan of texting.. Talking on the phone is so much better.
17. i have to shave my legs and arm pits every time I’m in the shower.
18. the worst chore in the world is folding laundry
19. i love working out. it is the best feeling ever.
20. i get my eyebrows waxed every 2 weeks. religiously
21. i try my hardest not to say negative things about others
22. i use my iPhone a lot more than i thought i would... Jeremiah was right
23. i worry and stress way too much
24. sometimes i am so overwhelmed by my blessings all i can do is cry

This will be fun to look at in a few years.

Happpppy Halloween!

2011-10-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

This is our sweet little Dorothy.

She was REALLY excited to get dressed up because she got to put on "Lipsock"

She's such a cheese ball.

We kinda like her.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Transition

2011-10-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

Bleh.

I love fall. But for some dang/darn reason it makes me want to sit around and do nothing. My house use to be organized and cleaned but now I barely get the dishes and laundry done. I want to eat everything that is yummy and waste time on that dang Pinterest. I want to climb into my "den" and hibernate for a season. This might sound like a depressed whiner but I'm really not... actually we are really happy with our life right now.... but I think a lot of it stems from:

The Stoddard gang being in transition.

Yesterday I put in my 2 month notice for my job. My last day of work is December 22, 2011. It's a weird feeling. Almost like losing a piece of my identity. I long to be a full time Mommy... but there are so many aspects of working that I enjoy. Truly bitter sweet.

It is a really weird/confusing time for us because our time in Spokane, WA is coming to a close. And it doesn't seem real yet. I don't know if I'm ready to be a "grown up". I don't know if I'm ready to move on from being a "Law School Wife". I don't know if I'm ready to start making lots of mula... ohh wait... I'm WAY ready for that.

Well Cheers to Change & Transition.

This pictures is a excellent depiction of my feeling about this whole change/transition thing.

Here a few of my favorite thing

2011-10-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah and I sat down together wrote down a few of our favorite sayings from Miss HelenAnn:

“ Mama! BABY grumpy! Daddy grumpy, mama grumpy, kitty grumpy………..”

“Lets go Bye-Bye HelenAnn”-Mama

“ Okay, Mama! Bye-Bye Kitty, Bye-Bye daddy, Bye-Bye babies, Bye-Bye toys, Bye-Bye home…”

HelenAnn’s favorite thing is to strip down to her bare nothings several times a day and she says “ Mama I dirty, so I need bafh!”

“Mama, baby HAPPY!”

“ HelenAnn say 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10”-Mama

“ No Mama! 2-3-5-7-9 and 10!!!!”

“Mommmmmyyy.. I be a princess?”

“Mommmmy I so pretty!” As she takes lip chap to her entire face.

She loves to have her window down in the car and she’ll say “ Hello EVERBODY … HelenAnn’s HERE!!!!!”

“ Mommy.. I have cheese and Milk? Please, dhank you!

“ Mama where Nana, Papa & Matty???” –HelenAnn

“They are in Vancouver at there house.”- Mama

“Ohhhhh noooo!! I love my Nana, Papa & Matty!!!!!!!!!!”-HelenAnn

“DOWWWWWNNNN Kittyy!!!” Pointing her finger she’ll say “ No, no, no, no kitty… DOWN!”

My personal favorite.. Whenever we drop Jeremiah off at the school she’ll say “ Get out Daddy! I go bye-bye! Get OUT!”

“Daddy I wan Chocolate milk!”

“Daddy cheez”

“Daddy elmo”

“Daddy Train”

“Daddy Mi Mouse”

These all happen between the house of 5am-6am

“Daddy go Potty! Mama go potty! Baby go potty!” As she points at the toilets

She loves to walk around the house and point out everyone’s stuff

“ Mama… that babies! Mama.. that daddy?

“Dada… Where Landon? Dada Where Elot? Dada Where Shelci?”

“Where Indies daddy?

“NO Dadddddy!!!! NO!”’

“Daddy, you silllllyyy!”

“RED LIGHT---- GEEEN LIGHT---- GOOOOOOO!!!!”

She loves to stand right next to sidewalk

cracks and she’ll say “ 2—2—2—JUMP!!!!”

We love life with our bossy-red headed-Mormon princess.

At this very moment....

2011-09-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha

Jeremiah is super busy with school and trying to figure out our future. He spends every moment he can with his ladies. He loves his daughter more than life it's self. Jeremiah visit REI weekly to look at things he can't buy (which sounds horrible). He hates leftovers. He has forgotten how to clean. He loves nacho cheese and chips. He love the outdoors (a LOT). He loves going on his early morning runs. If he could his diet would consist of milk, cheese and PB&J sandwiches. He is ready to be a grown up and start his career.

Samantha is super busy with keeping everyone afloat. Everyone day I try to find a balance with everything... still trying to find it. I loves my downtime with a little reality TV. I find relaxation in decorating painting, organizing, sewing and doing absolutely nothing. I love my church and I love the people I serve.I love being a Mom more than anything. I love a clean house and I'd love if someone else did my laundry. I love doing things for others.I love popcorn. I love candles. I love working out. I love the feeling of being productive. I love being a mother and depending on the day i love being a wife... just kidding.

HelenAnn is super busy with destroying my house. HelenAnn has hit the stage of princess shoes,dresses and makeup. She is starting to talk in sentences. She loves to make funny faces. She loves Milk and Cheese (ya, I wonder where she gets that). She loves her babies. She loves baths.She loves her good friend Indie. Memo=Mickey Mouse. She is supe close to being potty trained. She loves Elmo.She loves to boss anyone and everyone around. She has to kiss everyone's "ouchie". She hates wearing her shoes. When she is in trouble she says " Sorrry Mama, baby be nice, gentle". She is super polite to others. She loves her doggy and blanky. She love her Mama and Daddy and we love her too.

Forget~Me~Not

2011-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was the General Relief Society Broadcast for the women of our church.

The Broadcast was delightful and gave me that boost to keep going strong. The broadcast closed with Present Uchtdorf, who spoke about the beautiful, delicate Forget Me Not flower. He talked about how sometimes we may feel like that flower, which seems small and insignificant compared to other larger, more colorful flowers. But really in the eyes of our Heavenly Father we are all unique and beautiful and we should never forget that he made each of us with his never ending love. There are five petals of this sweet little flower and he shared the five things that we should never forget:

"You may at times feel a little like the forget-me-not—insignificant, small, or tiny in comparison with others... I hope (the forget-me-not) will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet."

"Forget not to be patient with yourself.

Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

Forget not to be happy now.

Forget not the why of the Gospel.

Forget not that the Lord loves you."

Thankful

2011-09-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

Life is happening so fast. I feel like when I think I have a hold of a moment I turn around and it quickly disappears. This is our fourth Fall in Spokane, Washington and it is somewhat bitter sweet because this will be our last fall in Spokane. Next fall we will be living back east taking on new adventures in our upbeat life.

With school back in session and fall just around the corner I find myself wanting to turn on the heater, bust out the blankets and eating more than I did 3 months ago. (No, I am not pregnant!) Jeremiah is busy, busy with law school stuff and I am busy working and love’n my sweet little babe. We are happy. Life is good. Since the summer flew by like a pregnant lady going to the ladies room we are really excited about our newfound zest for life.

Recently a family friend back home passed away. He left behind his Wife and five children at the young age of 56 years. It made me think of my parents, siblings, my husband and HelenAnn. What would I do if Jeremiah left me to early? Am I prepared? Can I do this by myself? Or could I handle my best friend /mother to leave this mortal existence before I really was able to enjoy this crazy party with her?

This past Sunday we were in Vancouver at my parent’s ward and some of the comments that were made during Testimony meeting were “ We came here to experience two thing: One, gain a body and experience life; Two, to experience death.”

Death makes life looks so tender and special. I feel very sheltered because I personally have never experienced the death of a loved one. But death often comes when it’s least expected. How does one prepare for such sadness and great loss?

At moments these questions really boggle my mind. But I’m always reminded of the Knowledge and truth that I’ve been given. I am thankful to be able to be with my family forever. It is the most comforting and reassuring feeling one could have.

I know that my family will be together forever. (“Through Heavenly Fathers Plan.. I always want to be with my ol’ famillllyyyyy”… I’m totally belting that out right now!”)

I feel like this is a really snappy/mushygushy/makeyourbrainthink/ post. I know that many of my friends that that read my blog are not of my belief but we are all human beings that go through the same emotions and the same ups and downs. It is not hard to relate, understand and sympathize about death.

I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for parents that love me. I am thankful for siblings that slapped me across the face when needed. I am thankful for a Heritage that is full and rich. I am thankful for good friends that enrich my life.

I am thankful for a husband that kisses me daily and loves me through the hardest moments.

I am thankful for my sweet 3ft princess who has taught me that a mother’s love is different from any other love you’ll ever experience.

“ Once you become a mother, you walk around for the rest of your life with your heart outside your body.”

xoxo

Sweet Babe-- 21 months

2011-08-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

My baby is no longer a baby. She a small walking monster that colors my house with crayons and decorates my home with toys, crumbs and the smell of poo.

Where does time go? My little girl is a full functioning toddler. Everyday she is learning and discovering something new. She is the center of our tiny universe.

Here are some fun facts about our busy little 21 month old:

- She is a GIRLY GIRL-- princess and sassy describe this lady.
-She always has a “purse” in hand and someone's cell phone.
- She loves to talk-- She definitely is not afraid to tell us what she wants or what she thinks.
-If she could, her baths would last forever.
- She LOVES LOVES LOVES to Color--- anything.
- She is the pickiest eater alive. She loves anything bad for you... PB &J, Cheese and Milk. Everything else is a hit or miss.
-She is a Drama lady- this child gets ticked off super easy and it will always be followed by screaming and laying on the floor "crying"
- When she Smiles she has to "Cheese”
- She sleeps from 7pm-7am and 3-4 hr naps.
- She loves to dance-- especially with her daddy.
- She loves to boss people around mainly her Mom and Dad. (We have a Cat and HelenAnn loves to follow the Cat around the House saying " No Kitty Cat! No! Down Kitty Cat”)
-She loves to do summersaults.
-LOVES TO take walks to the park and swing!
-She hates the vacuum cleaner.
-She loves to play pretend with her tea sets, kitchen and will burp and feed her babies.
- She loves to make silly faces.
- She LOVES to Swim!
- She is super independent, wants to do everything herself.
- She loves to read Books!
- When given a tissue she blows her nose on it
- She dances whenever music comes on.
- Daddy's girl 100%
-Dances whenever music comes on
-Can sign eat, more, please, thank you
-Folds her arms whenever we sit down to eat, ready for prayer and will yell aloud "AMEN"
-She loves her Doggie (stuff animal)
- She loves Shoes and changing outfits

We really do love this little lady.

Sweet Summa-time!

2011-07-30T23:06:00.001-07:00

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."

It truly has been a very "exciting" and eventful summer. It feels so good to be back home doing our thang!

I love my sweet little family.

*More posts to come about the happenings of Summer 2011.

Three.. 3... Three... 3

2011-06-27T00:37:00.000-07:00

It's been 3 years since we made the "eternal" promise to not kill each-other and love each other forever. Well I am happy to report we are still breathing and we love each-other ... even more than the day we married. It has been a rough 3 years for Jeremiah and I and this crazy thing called marriage. It doesn't help that I am stubborn ~~Jewish~~ princess child and he is a somewhat simple ~~Hill Billy~~ boy from Arimo Idaho (just kidding- dot dot dot- or am I?).

Tomorrow I will be having a hot dinner date with my child, mother and little brother. Sounds.... totally Hot!? Right! Yah :) Jeremiah has 2 weeks till he returns... I'm pretty stink'n excited.

Here is a little somesomething (aka: Letter) for the "Stodster" and "Samuel" to reflect back to in later years....

What up.. Lover....

Happy 3rd Anniversary! Well we've survived 3 years and no one is dead (yet). I truly believe that " true love only grows stronger and deeper each passing year." I love you Jeremiah Trent Stoddard.

Since you've been gone I find myself thinking a lot of your "smart talk" (something I really miss), those genius hints on every subject that only you can come up with. You a well rounded, fun, creative and intelligent man. You are the hardest on yourself because you always want the best in life. I admire that.

You truly have a remarkable personality. I knew from the very moment I kissed you that you would play a very important role in my life, and I knew at that moment I had many lessons to learn with you. It has been 4 years since that moment...and the feelings still remain. You are and have been, my best friend, my most loyal guide and my most “inspirational” teacher . You are so special in my life. Thank you.

We have a bright life ahead of us! I just know it!

I promise at this very moment (June 27^th 12:20am) that I pledge to you that I will give you my never-ending support; and constant encouragement to soar beyond our wildest dreams.

I am honored and grateful that you’ve chosen me to be your partner in crime and I am very proud that I have chosen you on this journey towards a fulfilling life we both deserve so much.

Thank you for this, Jeremiah

How I love you so...

Happy Anniversary Lover…

“Samuel”

aka Samantha

P.S. Thanks for creating our sweet little mormon princess. I like her. Lets make more of these. xoxo.

Clarification:

If you wondering " Why does this crazy lady call herself Samuel and her husband Stodster?" Well first I'm not that crazy lady. Second.... I always wanted a fun,sexy pet name for my husband like "Cupcake" or "Sweet cheeks" ... But the husband was not going for it.. .So I started calling him "Stod" which he hates.. but I can't help it now. It has stuck. So he started calling me "Samuel" totally awesome right? ... nope... wrong. We will go to stores or restaurant and he will call me "Samuel"... can someone say AWKWARD!

Dear Baby Girl...

2011-06-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby HelenAnn,

I knew you long before I ever saw your face. And when I first held you in my arms, I fell in love with you tiny toes and tiny little hands. Some days I think I know you better than I know myself.

I know the way your hair naturally falls. I know the shape of your round button noses. I know the chub of your big toes and the way that nail has a curve to it that makes it hard to trim. I know the gentle curve of your tushie. I know the way your eyes sparkle with your smile. I know the little dimples on your elbows. I know the pink shade of your lips. I usually know what you’re saying, even if no one else does.

I know where your bruises are, and I how you got many of them. I know that when you hurt your head that it feels better after you put your head to mine. I know the sound of your laugh better than I know my own. I know the smell of your hair after a bath. I know what helps you fall asleep. I know the way you fit so snugly in my arms. I know your tears and what they mean.
Your singing always makes me smile. You have inspired me to keep going when I felt like giving up. Your sweet kisses and hugs make me melt. You are my sunshine in the storm.

When I look at you I am overwhelmed at the flood of emotion that washes over me. What a perfect little gift you are! Never before did I realize to what depths a person could love until you came into my world. It is a love that is not for what you can do, how you behave, what great feats you accomplish or for how you look, but just because you are. It is a love that brings laser sharp clarity to the expression “to kill or die for”. It is a love that has shown me the tiniest bit of a glimpse into the love our Father in heaven has for us all.

How I wish I could always protect you and keep you from harm! But I know, and you’ll discover, that you can’t learn to walk without a few falls. That’s ok, as long as you keep getting up and trying again. I know this world can be a big, scary place, but I will always be there for you, for as long as I can be. And if ever a time comes that neither your father nor I can be there for you, your father in heaven will.

You amaze me. You teach me. You have taught me more about what unconditional love is. It’s given me a firsthand glimmer of how God must feel toward us. I am a better person because of you, so thank you.

You are now 19 months old, but sometimes when I look at you, especially when you’re sleeping, I still see my little newborn baby.

Please, don’t grow up too fast.

I love you, stinker.

Mama

HelenAnn at Nana and Papa's house June 13th 2011

30 days...

2011-06-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Well we've survived two weeks! The child is still alive and I haven't gone crazy on anyone yet. Once we returned to Spokane HelenAnn and I just relaxed and regrouped. We have my brother in-law and our dear friend Megan living with us.. It has been really nice having Megan to chat with and not be completely lonely. We call our selves “Sister Wives” (just kidddding). I've been very busy with work. I found out last week at work that I have a new boss….which is FABULOUS! This new boss let me know that if I needed, I could bring HelenAnn to work everyday he does not care.. Just wanted my work done. I am feeling very blessed.

Right now.. HelenAnn and I are at my parents in Vancouver Washington. I love coming HOME. I love that homey, warm feeling that only your Mother knows how to create. And I love leaving all responsibilities behind... ohhh I really love that.

We talk to Jeremiah daily... every morning he "calls" me between 5am-6am (YAH... I tell myself every morning “you really, really do love him”:) and we talk till we need to head out for the day at 7am and Jeremiah needs to go to sleep at 11pm. This morning he Skyped me from a "tiny" town (Meaning like 5 million people) and he took me on a walk through all the stores and streets. He said that it was really normal to see little 3 year olds playing outside at 10 pm (..which I saw many little kids playing in the streets). He said that he has been humbled since being in China. Everything and everyone is ran and controlled by the government. There freedoms are so limited and they live very such simple lives. It makes me so grateful for a everything I have especially the gospel.

Here are a few pictures of Papa and HelenAnn playing outside today:

XOXO

Samantha

44 days...

2011-05-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

A forever family

Only 44 more days till Jeremiah come back home.

I know.. your thinking "Suck it up lady"... "Be a real women" hahaha... But 44 days without your pal is really hard. I think that if I wasn't working.. that this whole thing would be a heck of a lot easier...(I'd go with him!) Over the next few weeks I'll be flying back to drop HelenAnn off with my parents.. coming back to Spokane... then 2 weeks later my Mom and brother will come to Spokane to watch HelenAnn... and take care of me :) **Isn't that what Mama's are for?***

It doesn't help that it's already been a rough couple of weeks... one of my best friends.... completely and utterly deserted me for Sunshine. And then when Jeremiah flew out Friday (5/27/10) I cried like a baby... ** can you tell that I'm an emotional creature :)

As of today...I still haven't been able to talk to Jeremiah because of internet issues... I feel like I'm waiting for my missionary's letter to get here... I'm pretty sure that my gmail has been check every hour for the last three days.

Before Jeremiah left we were able to take HelenAnn to the Portland Zoo for the first time (Jeremiah's first time too). Since I was a whiner the whole week.. Jeremiah took me to Ikea for some fun purchase(( we bought Helenann a cute little car)).... my husband knows me well. We walked around downtown POrtland on 23rd and the Pearl. And walked around the Portland Temple grounds.We had lunch a fun puerto rican Restaurant.**Jeremiah LOVEd it... he served his mission in PR. It was a nice.. but.. very emotional week.

*Daddy and HelenAnn with the "kitttty catt"

*HelenAnn walking around the temple.

*Feeding the birds... HelenAnn wasn't a fan.

HelenAnn LOVE coloring.. EVERYTHING... furniture and all.

*The child is love'n life at Nana and Papa's house... she has everyones attention at all times!

Well... here we go...

The count down is on...

EASTER 2011

2011-04-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

"EEESSTTTER!!" This year our sweet little lady was able to enjoy the candy and easter egg hunting. **BONUS weekend... we had Jeremiah for a nice 4 day weeks...The bonus of having Jeremiah attend a Catholic school .** On Saturday Morning HelenAnn, Mama and Uncle Joseph went to our dear friends house for some egg hunting. HelenAnn loved running around the backyard gathering all the eggs but after 15 minutes she figured out how to open the eggs and quickly lost interest in gathering and placed her focus on eating as much candy as possible.

Happy Family! Hunt'n for Eggs!

Sweet Baby HelenAnn Easter morning

HelenAnn enjoying a beautiful Sunday Morning before Church... Thank you Nana for the beautiful Easter Dress.

We had a wonderful Easter Dinner with our dear friends The Crandells and The Fischers. The Dad's scattered eggs everywhere... but after 10 minutes of hunt'n for eggs 3 out of 4 of the kids were done.

HelenAnn and her little men.

And we can't forget our sweet little Baby Mason :)

We are so grateful for this holiday it reminds us of our r Savior's love for us. It's a day to celebrate His selfless sacrifice, and the miraculous events following. I love that it is a day to remind us that Christ's Atonement was not only for our sins, but for every physical pain, every loss, every heartbreak...He went through it all, so that we would never have to go through it alone. He is always there for us.I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. He lives. I know He lives.

Happy Easter!

XoXO

The Stoddard Family

growing like a WEED

2011-03-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little baby is starting to act more and more like a toddler. Every morning she wakes up and screams for "dink! dink! dink!". She is starting to say new words everyday: Banana, dada, bye bye, hello, mama, papa, nana, dog, dink, no, ya, ouch, oops and our favorite "DOWN Kitty!" She walks around the house wearing all of Mama's necklaces and anything with a handle she will carry like a purse. She loves burping her baby dolls and she will push her stroller around the house while talking on her "cell phone"... Yes.. she is a little mini me :) She blows kisses, gives hugs and she loves her "DADADADA" very much. She loves reading books and she think the song " Itsy Bitsy Spider" is hilarious. Since the weather is beginning to "warm" up (aka anything above 20 degrees) HelenAnn and I have been regulars at the park. HelenAnn is such a good little girl....We really feel blessed to have such a sweet heart in our lives....

I am still working "full time" but my job is flexible enough to allow HelenAnn in daycare only 3 days a week. HelenAnn is watched by one of our friends Monday/Tuesday/Thursday from 8:30am-3: 45pm and then Wednesday and Fridays she hangs out with Mama. We are working hard to **crossing my fingers** have me be a stay at home mom by November 2011 :) :) :)

The flu hit the Stoddard home hard this year...... during the second week of March Jeremiah came down with a horrible flu and for some reason in "Husband LuLu Land" they are able to sleep all day long and relinquish all responsibilities. The next week HelenAnn caught the bug and I slipped down a flight of stairs at work. (I have to go to Physical Therapy 5x weekly! Yippee!). Things are for sure exciting.

Yes... we are busy... I wake up most days wondering what happen to the last. Time is flying by so quickly that I can hardly remember what I did 10 minutes before. In the coming months there will be many changes such as dear friends moving, family events and Jeremiah leaving to China for two months. I keep reminding myself to keep "sane” while the insane happens and just hope for the best. I have so much gratitude and love for my wonderful parents, good friends, a very understanding husband and a blessing named HelenAnn in my life.

Spring... .... Are you there?

2011-03-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

(HelenAnn and Mama playing at the Park March 2011)

"Spring is a miraculous experience. The whole world comes alive after the winter in which it seemed that everything was dead. The world comes filled with color and the scent of delicious greenery. The world that seemed so dull and cold has come alive once again. Little did we know that beneath the cold hard ground the plants and trees were preparing for rebirth. Spring gives us hope for rejuvenation in our own lives as well. Spring is a time to renew the excitement and zest for life that lives inside"

We are ready for spring.. We are ready for warmth... But ultimately we are ready for SUNSHINE!!! Hurry up SPRING!

Miss Sassy Pants

2011-02-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

HelenAnn is starting to show more of her devilish side. On February 6th 2011 she FINALLY took her first steps and just started walking around the living room table. She is getting much better at walking anyway and everywhere. The only issue she is having is standing up after falls down. The big thing that HelenAnn has recently started doing is screaming "DADA! DADA! DADA! DADA!" She will doe this while we are with friends, at the store or at home. The funny part is she will start screaming Dada randomly.. We were at the grocery store and she hadn't seen Jeremiah since the morning and right in the middle of the grocery store you hear this high pitch something just killed me scream saying "DADA! DADA! DADA!" lasted at least 5 minutes... It looked like I had kidnapped or beaten this child with the intensity of her scream.