Well, we are in Utah. It has been great so far, it feels so good to be out west. Ben gets back from my mom's tomorrow, the kids have a half day today, there is snow on the ground, Halleigh slept well last night, and it is so dry here that our runny noses seem to have disappeared... what more could be better. Actually I will answer that with, Miles could be here.

Although it is good that he is not, because he has lots to do in the next couple weeks. So if you see Miles tell him to get back to work!

I am in fact alive... barely.  After spending a week near death with what Miles thinks was the flu, I think I am finally on the mend, although I can only breath out of one nostril right now.

Sadly, Halleigh caught whatever I had and is now the sweetest sicky ever.  She's so pitiful and cuddly. I love it and hate it at the same time.

In other news, we took Kona to the dog park last night and it was painful apparent that she is in need of several more trips to the dog park... lumbering oalf that she was. 

The other day Miles, Halleigh and I were driving around looking for a fun park and we drove over to Duke Park, and I am in LOVE! That is the coolest park ever!  What you can't see is that there are also various swings for all sizes and usually a billion kids to play with... not that Halleigh does a whole lot of playing with other kids, but she will, at some point, and then the billion kids will be great!

So if you are ever headed to Duke Park, call me, we'll meet you there in 10 minutes!

I am so thankful for Halleigh's budding personality. She truly is a gift from God. He knew exactly what I needed in a child; she stretches me in areas that I need to be stretched and she fills our lives with such pleasure and happiness.  Miles has really started to enjoy Halleigh also, he was really looking forward to a time when they could really play together and that time seems to have arrived.  I am so thankful that Miles adores Halleigh and she so obviously adores him. 

I had a new book club meeting last night and when I got home there were dirty dishes, clothes, bibs, and toys strewn throughout the house.  I more often than not, get annoyed by this, since I am the one that has to clean it up in the morning, but this morning I got up and realized that all of this mess was the left-overs of a fun daddy-daughter night.  Halleigh woke up this morning in a really good mood and I like to think it is because she went to bed and had sweet dreams of her time alone playing with daddy. 

And as I just put Halleigh down for her nap I was struck with thanksgiving that she like to take naps.  It isn't a struggle, I lay her down in bed, put her covers on her, turn on her music, turn off the light, and walk out. Not a peep. Thank you, Lord for a child who sleeps!

Monday mornings I am part of a book club/ play group that meets at a coffee shop (The Blue Coffee Cafe) downtown.  After group Nora Lee and Halleigh were drawn to the above statue, and it turned out to be a great photo-op.  This bull... the Durham Bull was so fascinating to the girls that they had to go see the "cow" as Nora Lee put it.

The Blue Coffee Cafe is great for several reasons, but here are a few.  #1 It is locally owned, and not just that, but it is owned by a woman. #2 It has great coffee and breakfast type foods. #3 It is kid friendly, there is a toy box full of toys and they have a carpeted area that is nowhere near the counter (getting in the way of other people) or the front door (escaping). #4 It is super laid back, no one cares that we are there for two hours or have kids that run wild, in the designated area.

As with anywhere in public, when we get home, Halleigh needs (and gets) a good scrub down, but she really enjoys it and I really appreciate the other mom's in the group.  I have come to really think of them as good friends.

I want to introduce you all, my faithful readers, to a great new blog that our friend Kristy has started! Click here!  Knowing Kristy, it is going to be both informative and very entertaining... this girl can WRITE!  For your convenience, and mine, I have added Kristy to my "Blogs I Read" list to the right.

Miles and I tried and tried to convice Kristy that she is depriving the world by not having a blog, and it looks like the begging paid off! I am so excited that she has joined the blogosphere. 

Welcome Kristy, you are among friends!

I have wanted to update my reading list for a while, but 2008 is speeding by faster than I can keep up with... hence the following belated list...

Books I read in 2007

Baby Girls: An owner's manual by Theresa Foy DiGeronimo

Birth by Tina Cassidy

Blink by Ted Dekker

Childproofing your Marriage by Debbie L. Cherry

Daniel: Lives of Integrity; Words of Prophecy by Beth Moore

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Devil in the White City by Eric Larson

Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan

Isaac’s Storm by Eric Larson

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron

Marley and Me by John Grogan

Mr. Darcy takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll

Philippians by Paul

Proud Shoes by Pauli Murray

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi

Sacred Parenting by Gary L. Thomas

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

The Color of Water by James McBride

What to expect the first year by Heidi Murkoff, Sandee Hathaway, Heidi Eisenberg

It is sad that I only read 19 books in 2007, this may be an all time low... but to my credit I did read A LOT of children's books and my child started walking! And if you know Halleigh, you know that once she started walking, she never has quit! ha ha ha  

I want to keep track of books that I read, and needed a place to keep track, so here it is.  When I started my blog, I had a running list for 2007 in the right sidebar, and I have now updated it, so it is current. Hopefully I will do better keeping it updated this year. If you have any great books that you think that I would enjoy (Kelly, what is the name of the book you are reading now)... pass them along! Here's to happy reading in 2008! Cheers!