It's looking a little like spring!!!

Today, it was over 50 degrees outside! Anyone who lives in Utah knows that it's officially capris and t-shirt weather... (or kind of anyway!) How do we know that it's almost spring?

The mama is getting a little bit blonder...

The feet are pedicured and are sporting some RAD gold flipflops.
And today, we purchased this:
Mysterious Poop Pool disease, I dare you to come get us this year. We're ready to go!

Have Flu, will post later...

I haven't forgotten about my dear, sweet blog. But, I'll post later. Up this week: A kissy post JUST for Nor.

So I've been thinking....

Jason hates this phrase. Probably because most times that it comes out of my mouth, it indicates some sort of life change that I'm proposing. This isn't so much a life change, but just some sort of musing done by me. You don't have to read it, but I don't really care, because this is, as you know, "A Day in the Life of Anne Lee".

Once again, I just received a phone call from the Gold's Daycare trying to inform Annelee that there was a meeting tonight. I just might make an announcement telling people to REALLY stop calling me Ann. Or REALLY stop slurring my name together. It drives me crazier than you will ever know.

I've also come across so many blogs recently that have really caused me to think. More than one baby have I seen that passed away after just about the same amount of time in the NICU that Hazen spent. Each of these accounts brings me to tears, and makes me hug my baby tighter than the time before. I am so grateful for our sweet miracle. I was reading a book the other night that talked about people's overuse of the term "miracle". While this might be true, Hazen Alma Lee is a true miracle. I am so humbled each and every time I see his sweet smile, or hear his laugh, as I remember the day we were surrounded by Dr's and Nurses who told us that we were probably going to have a child with severe brain damage. While he is still not completely out of the woods, his sweet demeanor and amazing personality make every challenge that we've had so worth it. He has taught me so much, and I know that he will continue to do so. I just got a new calling as Relief Society teacher, and I was looking forward to lessons that I will be teaching in the next few months. In July, 10 days before Hazen's birthday, I will be teaching a lesson about obtaining comfort when we lose a loved one, specifically a child. I couldn't help but feel very emotional as I was reading, but also so humbled and grateful. I know our Heavenly Father loves all of us, and I'm so grateful that he felt that Jason and I were worthy to raise such a special soul like Hazen.

Heather was over at the home of one of her friends last night. This friend is a new blogger, and Heather was telling her how everyone does blogging for different reasons. She mentioned that I was blogging to give people the perspective of a young married woman and a new mom. I was so flattered to know that someone is reading my blog who might not be in the same place as I am, and might learn a little something. I know that I learn a lot from the blogs that I read. Heather, for example, has taught me that while there might not always be "beauty in the home", we still need to embrace the chaos that life is sometimes made of. The other night, Abbie was very frustrated looking for a book, and Heather quietly pulled her aside, and used a quick moment to remind her of having "joy in the journey". Sometimes the journey between point A and B might not be very enjoyable, but if we change our attitude, we can find beauty in the simple things. Life is all about perspective. All too often, I find people constantly talking about annoying things, or complaining about stupid things: sometimes, I am one of them, but at the end of the day, I am so blessed!

I was at work last night, and one of the workers mentioned a rich lady who had just dropped off her kids. She was talking about the HUGE house that she lives in, and the nice cars that she drives, and her big giant diamond ring. I found myself saying, "Must be nice." I'm pleased with myself that I immediately corrected myself with, "No, I have a good life too, but that's really neat that she has such nice things". Why do we get so caught up with having "MORE"? Why can't we just find joy in the journey, and be content with the things we have? I can't imagine how bad it makes Jason feel if I talk about how "I want a house". He's doing everything he can to give me so many wonderful things, and I will forever be grateful to him. There have been recent experiences that I've had that have taught me the infinite importance of living within our means. Dearest Jason, thank you so much for teaching me better how to do so. I know that it will be a battle we will long wage, but we're trying!

So, if there's anything that I can give you, from my mind to yours, is this: Enjoy the journey. Life is not so bad, in fact, if you glimpse at the little things, I bet it's pretty good. Do what you can to be better, but don't drag others down in order to make the grass greener on your side of the fence. And look at my baby...because he's so stinking cute.

7 Months!

Hazen is 7 months and one day old. This translates into more than 1/2 a year that I've been completely obsessed with my baby. He's growing so much, and I hear more often than not that he is a "man child". Last week, we went to San Diego. Hazen is a wuss, and he missed his daddy a lot...oh wait, that was me! He was certainly doted upon by his cousins. Once we returned, he was loved on a ton by Maximo, Mia Mia, and Abbie.

The weather is warming up substantially here in Utah, so Hazen got another treat: we took off the blanket thing that zipped onto his carseat. He was very grateful for the warmth it
provided during the cold winter months, but now he is so excited that he gets to grab at the toys we hook onto his seat. It sure makes car rides more entertaining for him!! He does however, miss the full-service treatment that he received from cousin Payton, as she would hold his bottle for him in the car.

I just wanted to post this cute picture of HAL and I at Sea World. I loved the flamingos! I thought they were so pretty! Hazen was a champ while we were there! I was nervous he would cry because he wouldn't get a nap, but I was proved wrong: our boy really is a traveling man!!

One other funny tidbit from our trip: When we were going through security on our way back from San Diego, the alarm went off. I had to get patted down, etc, but they couldn't figure
out what it was, so they had to pat Hazen down, too. It was so ridiculous! Don't worry though, I made them change their gloves so they didn't germify my little angel!!

PLEASE watch this

I'm not normally one to tell people to watch things, but this is something SO worth 6 minutes of your life. Please watch, and let me know what you think. All I can say is our family is so blessed. It's hard for me to be taken back to the time in the NICU, but I think, at the same time, it's good, because it reminds me of my blessings. I have updates, so look forward to another updating Sunday!

http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons

When the cat's away....

While we've been on our trip to San Diego, Hazen has had a lot of firsts....first trip to Sea World, first time with Sun Screen, first time gumming an oreo, first time sucking on a lemon....oh wait....did I REALLY say that I let my son gum an oreo and suck on a lemon? You betcha...how else would I satisfy my cravings for cute pictures of my baby???

San Diego!!

If you wonder why I haven't blogged in a few days, it's because I'm in San Diego visiting "Sista in California"...oh, and my brother and the rest of the family!

We flew in on Friday via Jet Blue. It was fun, minus the fact that it was right in the middle of HAL's nap, and he cried for a few minutes. Rob and Payton picked me up, and we had La Salsa for dinner, and then we went to bed.

Saturday, I had the chance to go to Sea World for the first time with my dear friend, Cheryl, from Nauvoo. I took Hazen and Payton, and she brought her boyfriend, Kyle along for the ride. It was slightly chilly, so there was NO crowd!! (I don't have pictures yet, because I forgot the adaptor cable to our camera, but we were cute, trust me.)

Sunday, we had church and hung out. Rachel and Maddie got back from their Horseback riding trip for Girl Scouts!

Yesterday, we took cute pictures of my baby. That's the most exciting part. Please, look, relish, fall in love.