Love him more than I did when I married him!

September 16, 2006 was the happiest day of my life up until that moment. I always wanted to get married in the "castle". And I had made the decision at a very young age that the temple was the only place for me to get married. I was so grateful that I lived up to that decision and was able to be worthy to marry in the temple. I am so grateful that the man I fell in love with made the decision to get worthy to marry in the temple. It was such a happy happy day! Being surrounded by our family and friends that truly care and love us.
My hubbie is the most amazing person I know! He has been through so much Throughout his life and always seems to come out better on the other side. He has shown me what it means to work hard, how to be independent, how to trust, how to love, and how to care for someone more than I could have ever imagined! Everyday he shows me how much he loves me. We have had out share of dumb fights and we have said and done things we shouldn't have, but at the end of the day we vow to try harder next time and to show each other just how much we truly love each other. I always tell him that one of my most favorite times of the day is when I get to be snuggled and and wrapped in his arms as I fall asleep every night.
I wouldn't have been able to make the decision to be worthy without the help of my loving parents. I will never forget sitting in the brides room of the temple with my mama after she had helped me get all ready, waiting for our turn to go meet with Zach. We were sitting there silent for a little bit... then tears started streaming down our faces and we held hands. No words were said but now that I am a mom I know what she was feeling. I's sure she was happy that I was getting married at the temple, she was worried that I was too young, she was sad that she was loosing me, she was probably overwhelmed with the sweet spirit that I too felt while sitting there. I will always cherish that moment. And I can't wait for that moment to be shared between Rayni and I. But at the same time I can wait because I don't want her to grow up:)
 My mom taught me to forgive and to always love no matter how difficult. I have used that in my marriage so much! 
My dad was also a huge part in helping me to get there too. He taught me how to ask for forgiveness and that if I work hard I can accomplish anything! After we were sealed for all eternity we were able to hug our parents. Zach later told me that my dad whispered in his ear, "treat her better than I did!" My dad has always treated me like his princess. Just the other day Zach asked if I remembered that he told me that, So I know that he thinks about it often and tries to live up to that statement the best he can.

There have been great things that have happened this past year of being married:
We bought our first house
We had our first baby, Miss Rayni Lou Hoo, who is the joy in our lives!
Zach got a new position in the Drug and Alchol program that has greatly blessed the lives of others

That is not that much but the 2nd thing has consumed our lives and so not much room for anyhting else... and we wouldn't want it any other way. 

Things we have been working on this year:

We have grown together and have worked on building a stronger relationship with each other and our father in heaven. 
We have been working on being more spiritual and recognizing Heavenly Father's hand in everything around us.
We have been working on being good examples to Rayni in everything we do.

Years from now when Rayni is reading this I want her to know how much her parents loved each other, how much we love her, what kind of man she should marry by her father's example, and what kind of wife and mommy she can be by always trying her best!

I have learned that as the years continue that it can only get better from here. It can only get better because I have my hubbie and I am sealed to him for all eternity. Then it got better because I got my baby and I am sealed to her for all eternity as well. I don't know what else may come... I know there may be hardships and trials. But I have everything I need: my hubbie, my baby, my family, my friends, and my testimony to get my through what every may come.

Love you my hub-a-lub!
 Thanks for sticking with me and always being there for me. You are the best hubbie and the best daddy that  two girls could ask for!

Our anniversary date to the Cheescake Factory

(one happy girl)

 Our favorite thing to eat Chicken Bellagio

And this I would kill for! Limoncello creme torte

To die for!!!

Rayni's Blessing Day

Rayni Lou was blessed by her Father on March 4th 2012

It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had with feeling the spirit. 

Rayni and I are so lucky to have an amazing man in our life that is a worthy priesthood holder. We are so blessed to hear the words of our Heavenly Father through him. 

I had a rush of such a sweet feeling when daddy took you from my arms. He carried you up to the front of the room and gently placed you in the arms of the men that love you and care for you:

Your Daddy

Poppy Tim 

Papa Ron

Erik Hunt

Darin Bell

Tyler Young

Uncle Gary

Uncle Paul

Uncle Steve

Your Grandpa Chuck was also there to support

Your daddy gave the sweetest blessing. I am really sad that I didn't do this post right after you were blessed so that I could tell you the sweet things that your daddy said. But I know that you were listening closely and heard every word. Even though you may not remember this special day you have been wrapped with amazing blessing to help you get through this tough life. 

Stay close to your Savior and Heavenly Father and everything will work out. 

Your daddy and I, your Savior, Heavenly Father, your grandparents, and your family will always be here for you. 

Your dress is the same dress that I wore when I was blessed. Your pearls were worn by me at my wedding, given to me by your grammy lou, 

Your bracelet and booties were given to you by your Grammy Lou

Your pink blessing blanket was made with love from your Great Grammy Larraine. 

We love you our sweet angel!

pictures taken by your Grammy Lou

8 months

8 months, 8 months, 8 months! Did I mention my baby is 8 months! I can't stand how fast she is growing up. I want to hold her tight in hopes that she will stay like this forever! 

I think I say this every post but these sweet baby years and drifting away so quickly. I'm soaking in every moment!

Rayni officially stands for long periods of time. She amazes everyone with her pure rush to grow up. Her babysitters hubbie always tells me how amazed he is at her balance. I think that she may skip walking all together and just start running next. No steps yet...but...soon!

She has 7 teeth

Finally started eating from a spoon

And is loving big girl food

Little miss sassy pants! 

ATTITUDE! We are definitely in for a ride!

I have been a little lazy about baby proofing my house. I grew up learning not to touch things im not supposed to and that is what I want to do with Rayni. Of course there are some things like plugs and stairs that need to be proofed. Rayni has been doing really good with beginning to understand when she is not supposed to touch something. She even looks at us as she crawls to certain things to see if we are going to stop her. When we catch her she hurries and crawls towards it or away from it. Big praises when she does!

I have come to not worry so much about the messes. I pick up after her. But she LOVES to pull our her diapers, clothes, burp clothes, and everything else she can get her hands on. She just loves to pull things out of stuff. No matter what it is. It's like a game to her. 

I have had the best opportunity to be able to stay home with my baby all summer. Being a teacher that is a big perk. I have loved seeing her grow and not missing a moment. But I also came to realize that I really am not cut out to be a stay at home mom. Total kudos to those that can. I think it is a really difficult job. I find myself in a better mood when I work. I also love that we have a great babysitter because she is getting to do so many more fun things with her and the other kids than she gets to do with me. Not that I don't do fun things with her, I just think it is better to have that interaction with others rather than just me all the time. She loves it there. She was also becoming a huge mama's girl again. My hubbie said that we needed a break from  each other. Since I have been back she seems to be doing so much better. And happier too. The break we get makes our nights and weekends that much sweeter!

Here are some fun pics from this past month

Loves to throw her hands in the air... while I say, "big girl!"

Swimming at cherry hill

Rayni and her Grammy Lou

And Poppy too

Rayni and I went with my mama and Grammy to park city. 

Love this pic of Rayni... she was just hanging out in the parking lot island with her grammy lou

This was right when Rayni bit her grammy... no more kisses with that mouth full of teffies

Rayni was making us laugh and so was my grammy trying to take the pic. We just couldn't pull it together. 

Love our laughs together!

Thie girls

Me and my baby

Had the gang over for one last summer BBQ

Brooke and Darin and their two girls, Jess and Erik and their 4 kids, and Josh

Rayni and her girl friends.

Saydee, Payten, Hallie, and Breklyn

Has always loves the grass

Caught in the act, then turned around and she was on top of this in a flash. Wish I could have got a snap but It scared me and I hurried and pulled her off. She is out of control!

Look at me mommy!

Happy girl!

First boo boo

This happened right after she turned 7 months when she was still pretty wobbly. She was standing by our bed fell and knocked her head on out bed frame. With how crazy she is there has and I know there will be a lot more of these. 

I am so grateful to my heavenly Father from giving me the opportunity to have this sweet spirit in my life. I love her so much I feel as though my heart is going to explode.  

I get scared of her thinking she is too cool for me, or fighting with me like I did with my sweet mother (sorry mom!) Not wanting to be around me, give me loves, or kisses, or play with me. I hope these days never come. I say that our relationship will be perfect... but I know that that isn't true. I will do my best and my part to be the best mom I can be and do all that I can to make her happy. And if we hit those rough patches I will make sure that she always has a spot in my arms come what may!