Early Retirement

Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to work in skyscrapers and wear business suits. She grew up, went to college, and started living her dreams. She spent time working in London riding the subway to and from work everyday. She worked five busy seasons and put in many long hours. She spent lots of time in airports and flying to different clients. She wore heels, had business meetings, and hauled around her laptop. She was living the dream.

Then one day after an early morning train ride to Chicago, she found herself outside walking through streets looking up at all the skyscrapers. She remembered the girl with a dream to work in skyscrapers and wear business suits. As she felt the baby kick and wiggle within her, she realized she had fulfilled that dream and had much bigger dreams to live. Months later as she held that baby in her arms she knew skyscrapers and business suits were a thing of the past, and she wanted to spend everyday at home with her baby girl.

I am finally living THE dream! Friday was my last day of work, and now I am officially a stay-at-home mom. I love it! Look at this cute girl that I spend all day, every day with! Lucky me!

Feast Upon the Words

This morning Colb was taking a test and I was trying to get a few work things done, so I was just letting Dev play in her room while I worked from the rocker next to her. She, of course, wanted to get into everything besides her toys. She finally settled on the books in her bookcase (not something I usually let her play with alone) and I heard myself say, "Dev, we don't eat scriptures." Then I laughed as I thought about "feasting upon the words of Christ." I doubt Nephi had such a literal meaning of feasting in mind when he wrote that. I had to get a couple pictures. We feast upon the words at our house.

As of late...

Nothing too new is going on here...just school, work, church, and Dev. Colb got his schedule for next year when he starts his hospital rotations, so that was pretty exciting. We're almost half way done! We also just finished up an eagle project that happened in almost three weeks. We made 60 fleece blankets and put together care packages for Children's Hospital. (He is the YM pres in our ward). Winter came and already melted in Wisconsin, so we have enjoyed the warmer weather. We are staying busy and happy!

And then she was done smiling for the camera...

Sad Dev, Happy Dev

I tried to take a picture of Dev tonight for my mom, but Dev had just woken up and wanted to be held and not photographed. The result...

Sad Dev

Once I set the camera down and picked her up to put on her jammies she was back to normal.

Happy Dev

Look at what I come home to!

So I'm still working for Ernst & Young. After maternity leave I went back to work part-time which in public accounting is still a lot of time. A couple days a week I have to be at the client, and yesterday was one of those days. I have the hardest time leaving Devri. She stays with Colb the days I work, but I still miss her so much! I left first thing in the morning yesterday and put in a lot of hours. I called Colb on the way home to check on he and Dev. He said Dev had just fallen asleep, and he thought she was out for the night. I was so sad! However, when I walked in the door guess who was awake to greet me...

I feel so blessed to have this in my life!

and this...

and this!
Also, today it snowed in Wisconsin. It has been a very calm winter so far so we haven't had much snow. I guess winter is really going to come now.

Yep, I'm a lucky (blessed) girl! These two are who I come home to!

Christmas Break 2011

I think the best part of being a student forever is that we still get a Christmas break. It did get a little trickier when I graduated and started working, but the accounting world usually slows down toward the end of December and we've been able to take about a two week break every year. As soon as Colb finished up finals and I got wrapped up at work we headed to Utah to spend the holidays with our families. We had such a wonderful break and so much fun with our families. We are so thankful for the holiday season and our knowledge of the gospel and our Savior. For all the partying and playing we did, we didn't take enough pictures but here are some of our fun break.

Above is a picture our favorite gift under the tree that we received in 2011. She has been such a blessing in our family and brough so much joy to Colb and me.

I think our families were most excited to see Devri. She spent a lot of time with all of her aunts and uncles.

Aunt Halli and Devri

Uncle Tim and Dev

Auntie Kate and Devri Kate

We spent the first few days with Slater before we dropped him off at the MTC. He is serving a mission in Russia.

All of Colb's siblings (and me and Dev). It had been a long time since we were all together.

(Tieker, Braxton, Slater, Katie Devri, Brynlie, Tim, and Colb)

I love this picture of Colb and his brothers. Colb is the oldest, but you can't really tell that by height. (Tim, Colb, Slater, Braxton, Tieker)

Devri and Great Grandma Shela

At our annual Swain Christmas party, I moved down another spot in height. I am the oldest and used to be at the top! We left a space for Mitch at the top for a bit longer.

Our sweet baby Dev on Christmas

Christmas morning at the Hales

It was extra early because we had 9 am church.

Hales Family Christmas Day

We really missed Mitch who is serving in a mission in Ukraine.It was so fun to talk to him that day though!

Christmas afternoon at the Duncans

Our attempt at a family picture

Our happy Dev

Visiting Santa

On our way to Utah for the holiday break we ran into Santa at the airport (in both Milwaukee and Denver). I wasn't sure about handing my baby to a stranger, but it was Santa and she needed to tell him what was on her Christmas list so I relented. I think she must have whispered that she wanted lots of cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, and ribbon because those were her favorite things on Christmas and she was a happy camper!