What I believe . . .

I had originally started this post off very differently. I wanted to give everyone an idea of what I believe in but then I decided that if you are reading my blog, it's most likely because you know me. And, if you know me, you know that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and that my faith plays a big part in my life. If you are interested in finding out more about my beliefs, you can go to www.lds.org.

What I really want to do is share an experience I had a couple of weeks ago. I believe that when I pray, Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. I also believe that the scriptures are there for us to search and ponder and that by doing so, we can find enlightenment that can apply to whatever situation in life we are in.

First, I need to preface this by saying that Ian and I decided that when Abby was born I would not return to work. I was an Elementary School teacher and although I loved my job, it could be very stressful at times (but what job isn't?). I was so grateful because I have always wanted to be able to stay at home with my children and I know that there are many women out there who would have taken this opportunity, but had to work for financial reasons.

What I didn't realize is that staying at home is no easy feat. It takes time management (which is a skill I am severely lacking in), self-motivation (if you were to look at my house right now you would think that I have none), and creativity (I have my moments). One thing that I have found is that it can be somewhat socially isolating (for both mother and child) if you don't make the effort to reach out through playgroups and family members. I have been very blessed in regards to both and I feel it has really helped Abby's social skills to grow.

Still, there are those who can sometimes wonder how you can choose to stay at home rather than go out and work. I have been asked, "What do you do at home during the day?"

I do laundry, the dishes, sweep the floors at least 3 times a day (Abby feels that she can eat all by herself now so half the food ends up in her high chair and on the floor), I change lots of diapers, play with Abby outside (she loves the cats around the neighborhood) and keep an eye on her as she walks inside the house and plays with her toys while I make dinner. (To be honest, I also laugh a lot during the day thanks to the adorable little girl that I have keeping me company). Depending on the day of the week, I go grocery shopping, to playgroup, to my sister's, my mom's, or out with my sister-in-law.

I was feeling particularly down one time about this; feeling like maybe the daily things I do aren't really that important. I wouldn't change being able to stay at home and raise my daughter for the world! I know how blessed and lucky I am to have this opportunity but sometimes I feel like I would like to change the way others view this choice.

I was reading the scriptures when I came across this scripture a while back. I remember it clearly because I had the impression that I should make note of it. I thought that was strange because it isn't one that I felt was applicable to me until I looked at it again. I started drawing comparisons, but I never wrote anything down.

During this particular time I recalled the impression I felt when I had read this scripture before and found it again.

It is Mosiah 26:37 (it's a scripture in The Book of Mormon which we believe is another testament of Jesus Christ. We also believe The Holy Bible to be the word of God). It reads: "And it came to pass that Alma did regulate all the affairs of the Church; and they began again to have peace and to prosper exceedingly in the affairs of the Church, walking circumspectly before God . . ."

I felt like if I replaced Alma's name (who was a prophet of God in The Book of Mormon) with my own and the word "Church" with "home" I could completely relate this scripture to staying at home and taking care of my children and my home. Being a stay-at-home mom is hard work. There are lots of "affairs" to get in order. How I take care of my home and those in it will determine the amount of peace we have in our home.

The true peace away from the world comes from " . . . walking circumspectly before God . . .". I believe that this can come through Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ being the focal point of our homes through family prayer and scripture study and staying focused on being an eternal family.

I am so grateful for the scriptures and for how they can be related to our lives. Heavenly Father knew I needed this scripture at that particular moment. That's why I felt prompted to make note of it a while back and prompted to recall it at the time I needed it.

I am so grateful to a loving Father in Heaven that reminded me that raising children and keeping a home is sacred business and one of the most important jobs I will ever do.

Woof!

First off, I just want to say that I know it's been a very long time since I've blogged and that I know most of you think this will be my one blog for the year. I know the only way to convince you this is not the case is by blogging a whole lot more!

I want to thank my dear friend Happy for setting up my blog design! Happy knows me better than I know myself. I was looking for designs I might like and I couldn't find one I was totally in love with and didn't know how to get it on my blog anyways. Happy found this one and put it on for me and it is the perfect one, so thank you so much Happy! She is motivating me to do this blog and I'm thankful to her for that (and I will continue to need your inspiring words Happy ~ you know just what to say!).

My other motivator is my best friend, Adriana. She is an amazing blogger! In fact, she has two blogs which are awesome. She has always told me that I needed to blog so here I am (again) and I'm going to do this! Here it goes!:

My adorable daughter Abby is now 15 months old. I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by! People always told me that it would fly by, but I sometimes did not believe them (especially the first couple of months of being a new mom!). This has been the most challenging and rewarding job and everyday that goes by, I feel like I get just a little bit better at it.

Abby is now walking and talking (well, babbling is more like it). But, she has her own vocabulary for certain things she holds dear. She is saying Dadda (which she has said for a long time now ~ she is in LOVE with her Daddy), Mama (I never get tired of hearing her say it in that sweet little voice of hers), Pp (for her grandpa, Papa who she adores), yaya (water), and finally woof. Woof is for any animal. It can be a dog (which is obviously the right sound), a cat, a pig, a horse, or a bird. I never tell her that she is wrong, but I do try to sometimes tell her the name of the animal and the right sound. Sometimes, I just go along with it because I think it is so precious.

I am truly grateful for this stage in my life that I am in, especially when I get sweet hugs from my little daughter and she pats me on the back.

Abby and I are visiting Kristen's horse,

Reno. "Woof, woof!"

Back in Business!

I cannot believe that it has been almost a year since I have posted a blog. Adriana told me that I would not keep up with it and she was right! But, I am going to ride this new wave of motivation and inspiration that I am feeling for as far as it will take me! What motivated me was my friend, Happy, who told me that I can have my blogs printed in a bound book each year to keep as a journal. I loved that idea, especially now that I have a beautiful baby girl named Abigail (Abby). A picture says a 1,000 words, therefore, I would like to catch everybody up with some pictures of this past year.

Ian's celebrated his 30th Birthday on June 7, 2009! We spent the weekend in Naples, FL.

Some pregnancy pictures. I think I was about 7 months pregnant here. I truly loved being pregnant! I was blessed with a very easy pregnancy.

Getting ready for Abigail!

About 9 months pregnant. Notice the whale in the background in the picture on the right. That's what I began to feel like.

I'd like to dedicate my next blog to the little girl who is the center of our lives now.

We're having a baby!!!

Ian and I are so excited! We are having a baby! The baby's due date is December 24th. Yes, you read that right . . . Christmas Eve. It should be an eventful Christmas to say the least! I am 14 weeks today (translated: 3 1/2 months along) and we will find out on July 27th if it is a boy or a girl. My mommy instincts tell me it's a boy, but I'm new to all of this so who knows! We will be thrilled either way!!! All is well with baby and me and we have heard the baby's heart beat twice. It is so fast and strong like he's running a little marathon.

I'll try to keep everyone updated a little better! Ian and I just moved to Miami so lots and lots of changes! Love to all of you!

On request . . .

My husband just looked at my blog and very sadly commented that I did not have a picture him up . . . I dedicate this to my husband with much love!

At a port on a cruise last year.

Washington D.C., Finally!

A couple of weeks ago my mom and I drove up to D.C. to visit Adriana and her mom who was also going up that weekend. You may be thinking to yourself, "Drove up to D.C.? No, she must have meant flown up to D.C.." I indeed did mean that my mom and I got in her car and drove the 12 hours. Why? Because I have issues . . . mainly with flying. Yes, it is a fear thing, but I have flown a lot in my life. We use to go to Utah just about every summer to visit my grandparents when I was younger. Then, when I moved out to Utah I flew home with Adriana just about every month. I have even flown over the big, blue Atlantic Ocean to go to Ireland (under the influence of Dramamine), but I genuinely hate flying. I hate having to sit in between two men I've never met (very close between . . . I was sandwiched in). I hate it when the pilot tells us the airport we are supposed to land at is closed and we are running out of fuel or when another pilot says we have to turn around and go back to the airport we just took off from because there are not enough oxygen tanks on the plane. Who was in charge of stalking the oxygen tanks and what do we need them for anyways?! But, I digress. . . The point of this blog was to talk about my amazing trip to D.C.

As far as the scenery goes, I can't say the drive was spectacular. My mom and I agree that I-75 from Gainesville to D.C. looks exactly like the panhandle of Florida (which isn't saying much . . . no offense). However, I am truly grateful to my mom for putting up with my issues and I really enjoyed the time we got to spend together in the car talking and listening to good music. I had never been to D.C. before and I absolutely fell in love with it! Adriana was a great tour guide and her mom kept us moving to see just about every monument constructed in that amazing city! (I was ready to pass out by the end of the day, but I was refueled with the amazing food D.C. has to offer). We got to see so much in just a few days. We got an insider's tour of the Capitol (at least that's what I was told), went to Mt. Vernon, and Annapolis. I can't wait for my next trip!

On Capitol Hill!

At Mt. Vernon

Getting pictures in Annapolis!

Getting to know you . . .

I am naturally opposed to technology. I'm not sure why. I just feel very overwhelmed by everything out there . . . the IPhone, simpler things like downloading pictures and songs, and worse then any of them all . . . blogging. Now, I understand that blogging does not take someone that is technically savvy, but it does when you are trying to set up your blog page, which is where my best friend Adriana comes in. She has set up this lovely page that you are now looking at. She is great with technology and so when you see something new on my blog or a picture posted that wasn't there before, you can most likely thank her for that. She is the one who convinced me to do this thing in the first place.
Which brings me to my other point . . . I am also naturally a private person. I really don't like letting everyone in the world know my business. So, with that said, my posts won't be super personal, but enough to keep family and friends informed of things happening in my life and just my thoughts in general. However, you may not find everything that I write as interesting to you as it was for me to write, hence the title of my blog - Nipper Nothings.
And, that brings me to my final point. I do love writing and am hoping this will give me the opportunity to do that and to polish these skills. A few last tidbits about myself . . .I am fiercely loyal and loving to my family and dear friends; I love music that inspires deep feelings in me, whether they be feelings of joy, sadness, peace, desperation, or excitement; reading helps me relax as does holding my husband's hand or singing really loud (and off tune, but I usually don't subject anyone else to this) in my car; I have a slightly obsessive personality . . . when I love something, I really love it (like chocolate , a good book, or a movie that I can watch over and over again); I am a Latter-day Saint because I know that I could not have half the happiness in my life without the eternal perspective that my faith brings me; I am half Cuban and my derriere is enough proof of that, as is the need to dance when I hear salsa music; and finally, I fear change, but I know that is the only way to grow.
Hope you enjoy this new journey with me!