"Fly like an eagle..."

Have you ever heard of the "Flight or Fight" response? Well I think I am in the "flight" mode, because there seems to always be so much to do and I always find a way to leave it and do something I probably don't have time for. (Like Blogging when I should be getting my Young Women Calendar done and getting ready for bed). So my latest weekend flight was up to the Burton Cabin. We had a great time relaxing, walking, eating, and laughing at Anna and her cousins. Yet again another weekend when the floor did not get swept, my dog sat in her kennel with an occasional visit from the neighbor, and the moving boxes stayed empty. ( No, I feel no guilt-right?)Oh well there is always another day. Here are some of our moments...

During the drive up we saw this poor old mail box. I think it has seen a better life.

We had to stop and take a picture. I love how the dents show the sunset.

The traditional picture on the front porch swing. I could sit here for hours!

Our little Elf! She had to wear this hat at night because the cabin can get cold. She woke up the first night many time with cold cheeks. But she doesn't look too worse for the wear. She is such a smiley babe!

This is Hannah, one of Anna's biggest Fans. She wanted to hold her all weekend if I let her. I snapped this picture while trying out some features on our camera. It is a bit blurry, but I thought it was okay for an amature.

Anna liked seeing FIRE for the first time. This is Emily helping me capture the moment.

I think my arms got a workout from this spot!

My favorite phrases from my nephew Jack this weekend where..."Push me...higher, Catch it to me (meaning throw the ball), where's my trailer ( his favorite toy in the world), I hold Baby Anna, and I want to see my grasshopper (referring to his shirt)."

These are some funny kids!

Now back to reality and most importantly for this moment - to bed!

Too much too little

I have so much going on in my head and have too little time to write about it! I thought I would quickly say, life is AWESOME! I have had a wonderful month of May. We celebrated mother's day, Dave woke me up to Breakfast, Red Roses, a sleeping baby, beautiful garnet necklace and earrings (Anna's birth stone), and raincheck on a "mother's ring," and my favorite perfume. He spoils me! We had dinner with my family and enjoyed the best news from my sister Holly! She is pregnant again! I am so excited...turns out I should have given her the bassinett. (: There were so many other experiences this month including getting beef thrown in my eye by a crazy Asian chef... yet stay tuned for another blog about this new Heidi-ism! The other Highlight was that we just returned from St. George! Yep, it was great, especially because I got to be with Anna for 4 days straight! We enjoyed Zions, Snow Canyon, the pool, treats, funny nieces and nephews, Anna learning how to really use her voice on purpose (I will try to find out how to put the video on the blog), Pizza factory, treats, Anna being the best baby, and time spent together as a family! Thanks Papa and JoJo for a great trip! Here are some of my favorite pics...

Four Generations on Mothers Day

The Cutest Baby and Daddy in the world! (I know I am biased)

Zions with a sleeping baby and happy parents

To My Mother

Do they have computers in heaven? I'm not so sure, but I have a feeling that you'll get this message one way or another.

This Sunday will mark twelve years since you passed away. How fitting that one of the most incredible mothers the world has ever known would leave this earth on Mother's Day. It's impossible to write to you without the tears streaming, but please know that they are tears of love, gratitude, and awe. In fourteen short years, you made the most resounding impact on my soul that I could have ever imagined. Your kindness, compassion, and sincere love for all people still resonates in me today as the ultimate goal I seek to achieve. I have a long way to go, but I have a great example to turn to.

Sometimes I wonder why you had to go, not in the "why me?" sense, but rather "why you?". You had already given so much of yourself to others, yet there was still so much to give, so much to be enjoyed by all that knew you, so much for you yourself to enjoy. You were a light that drew others in. Your sense of humor lifted spirits and your embrace warmed hearts. I'm sure it still does.

Your legacy lives on down here, through your family, children, and grandchildren. Our baby Anna now carries your name (and I have a feeling you humbly approve). We live each day building off of the foundation you and Dad set for us, remembering the great times we shared. We're getting older (and I wish wiser), yet your memory still resides in the forefront of our daily thoughts. We'll never forget you, Mom, and the words we wish we could magnify a hundredfold are "thank you".

On this upcoming Mother's Day, I wish I could send you flowers. I wish I could join you for dinner, or just sit down and talk for a while. I wish I could hear your laugh, see your big smile, or give you a big hug. Instead, I'm posting you a Mother's Day Card. I know it isn't much, but it will have to do for now. As for all of the wishes, I have no doubt that our time will come.

I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Anna's Blessing Day

Mr. Mom

Long before I decided to get into this crazy mess of being a full-time dad, I already had a significant amount of respect for mothers and the tireless workload placed before them. However, now that Heidi's back working full-time and I'm daddy all day during the week, I have begun to realize just how much work being a "mom" is!! Don't get me wrong, I love every moment I get with Anna and I consider this a very special time in that I won't ever be able to spend so much one-on-one time with any of my other children. I just didn't realize how much went into taking care of the munchkin on my own! Heidi has really been a good sport in going back to work (dang health insurance) and we know that this setup is only for a couple more months. In the meantime, I'm doing my best to juggle being a father, realtor, and Spanish interpreter all at the same time (not to mention trying to prepare everything for our move across the country!). To all you moms out there, thanks for what you do and know that you'll never hear me question how much work you put into each and every day.

This is a typical day in the Miner household (along with Anna eating and pooping). She found that if she fusses JUST enough when I put her down to sleep, she'll get a nice, comfy pillow known as dad's belly. This then effectively paralizes me so that the tasks I had in mind to complete get put off once again!

This is our version of a fig leaf! :) Anna loves bath time (as long as the in-between naked time isn't too long or she freezes). She also makes it clear if mommy or daddy makes the egregious error of not getting the bath water to her preferred temperature. She could stay in the water forever (little fish that she is), but all bets are off once bathtime is over. She will scream until purple in the face if we don't get her dried off and in warm clothes within about 2.5 seconds. Still, it's a lot of fun.

A few pics have been posted on our friends' blogs of this storied meeting of the three trouble-makers (Anna, Grace, Aubrey). We managed to take a bunch of pics, but not get a lot of good ones. This was our best of the bunch. It looks like they're locking arms and doing a jig! :) It's so much fun to have dear friends with little ones roughly the same age (don't worry, we still love our friends without kids just as much). We look forward to spending time together often and seeing them grow up as friends.

DREADING TODAY, BUT I DID IT!!!

Yes, today was a big day for the new Mommy! I left my precious daughter in very capable hands for 8 hours! I HAD to go back to work today. I have to say I think leaving Anna is one of the hardest things I have yet experienced as a new parent. I cried a lot last night, and many (8+ if you want to count) times this morning. Luckily once I got going on my day, the hours went by quickly. I love my job and my co-workers, so that made it a little easier. We'll see how next week goes when I have to work a full week!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! What a great holiday full of Spring Celebrations but most importantly the focus on the amazing life and ressurection of our Savior. It is my turn to go to church today (we haven't taken Anna just yet) and I am excited to feel the spirit of this day and focus on Jesus Christ.

This past week has been awesome. Anna is growing more each day. She is so alert, loves to squeak and grunt, makes the cutest faces, and is starting to smile and mimic our faces! Last night I stuck my tongue out and she copied me! It was priceless. I wish I had it on camera, but she did it again at 3 AM so I am hoping she'll do it more often! We have done more this week including going on walks (she LOVES the Baby Bjorn),

She loves it because she loves sleeping on her tummy and right up against us. I think it is comforting to her. We have also enjoyed some shopping, going to a few restaurants, celebrating my niece's 5 year old birthday!

having an Easter egg hunt, having a baby shower with my child life co-workers where Anna gots lots of books and toys from the Gurus of the best stuff out there!
And catching a little cold. The bulb syringe has become a must and both mommy and baby HATE it! Hopefully it will be short lived. Until then I have a stuffy nosed little one who is an angel through it all, mostly sleeping it off, but I feel so bad! She is too cute!