Tender Mercies vs Harsh Realities

Tender Mercies

So, I do not have time to be blogging. We are right in the middle of moving from our tiny apartment into a house my dad bought but I have had so much on my mind--that I need an outlet {enter blogging}. Tonight we had two incredible tender mercies. Packing, in and of itself, is freaking hard. Packing with a 4 month old, freaking IMPOSSIBLE. My dearest friend Ammie called and said she would be willing to watch Callaway for a few hours so I could get my ~amazing~ packing on. {tender mercy--Ammie} I went crazy being baby-less! So much got done is such a short amount of time. Well, as I'm packing up my closet (and for those of you who know me, know I have TONS of clothes--so HUGE undertaking) my VT and friend Katie calls me and was asking how the moving was going. After getting off the phone with her, I was feeling a little overwhelmed--to say the least. As I'm sitting in my own denial of things I need to get done, Michael yells upstairs "Ash, you have a friend here." {enter 2nd tender mercy--Katie}. Katie is the cleaning/packing/organizing extraordinaire! We got so much done in the few minutes we had. 3 cars loaded and unloaded! Oh yah.

Harsh Reality

I must say, Michael and I have an angel baby....come to find out tonight, that was JUST FOR US!! My tender mercy {aka Ammie} was screamed at and yelled at by our dear baby girl. Yep, I pride myself in the fact that Callaway has my lungs, but not tonight. Poor Ammie. Apparently, the only other person to watch Callaway, tender mercy #2 {aka Katie}, said the same thing! OH no. That redheaded personality is already rearing it's fiery head! EEK.

I could not be more grateful tonight for such incredible friends. I am so indebted, first to my Heavenly Father for hearing my whispered prayers and second, for those amazing people standing in as Heavenly Father's helping hands. My cup is full.

Santa Baby!!

At our work family Christmas party, Santa stopped by. Callaway wasn't sure what to think but just after mom finally snapped a picture--she started giggling and laughing with Santa! Of course, mom missed it with the camera. Callaway has been VERY good this year so she will for sure be getting a visit from Santa!

DIXIE

Of course living in Southern Utah, I wanted our first family pictures to be against the RED ROCKS because we are so in love with St. George! They were taken up on the bluff by the DIXIE rock. The pictures turned out super great and I LOVE them. It's funny--I had all these coordinated outfits, what Callaway would wear, what I would wear to match her, and how Michael was going to tie in the whole ensemble--yep, last minute, this is what we found and I like it a MILLION times better! Thanks Nikki Nelson Photography...AGAIN...for doing such great work!

Quick update: things have been going good with getting our loan approved for our home. We have run into some road bumps but are working diligently to get over them. Everyone told us buying a house was super stressful, it's just like being a new parent, just have to experience it to believe it. We believe! For the meantime (while we wait to close on our house), we are going to be moving into a house my dad bought in Green Valley! It's super cute too--it's in Countryside Estates.

Callaway is growing LIKE A WEED!!!!! It's amazing and sad all at the same time. My baby is growing up. At her 4 month check up she was 17 pounds 5 ounces and 26 inches long. She is in the 98th percentile for height and 99th for weight! What a healthy baby girl!!! She is so dang fun too. She is chatting up a storm now--cooing and gooing. Amazing how she always has something to say--I LOVE THAT! She even said 'bababababa' the other day. Callaway is such a mover--she rolled over super early and now just rolls from her back to her front all time to get where she wants to go. She is definitely a Griffiths baby because she LOVES to sing. It's so fun having a baby girl with such long hair cause we can do pig tails, FRENCH BRAIDS, and put all sorts of bows and clips in her hair. Callaway is also getting her daddy's super blue eyes. She gets more stunning everyday and I love waking up to her little noises and sounds. Being parents has been the most incredible experience! We love the new adventures each day brings! LOVE YOU BABY CALLAWAY!!!

...BIG NEWS...

Callaway, Mike, and I have some good news! We are BUYING A HOUSE!!!! It happened super fast. Super fast.

...now that I think about it, all of our major decisions have been made quite rapid between time thought of and executed...hmmm. Anyways.

My dad has been looking into buying a house down here in the St. George area--either for a winter home or a rental property. My dad and I went into the ERA real estate office just to look around...this was last Saturday. Yep, our offer was accepted on MONDAY. Fast. But it's been an incredible ride that we are everyday so grateful for. Here are the pictures of the house!

It's pretty small. A perfect little starter home for our little family!!! It is located in Ivins Utah just outside of St. George. GORGEOUS views coming into the housing development area. The Snow Canyon Mountains, Historic Santa Clara, and all the amazingness that is Southern Utah surrounds us! Yipee! ...we still have to see if our loan is approved. *wish us luck*