Happy 6...I mean 7 months!

Scarlett turned 7 months last Sunday, and guess what I still haven't posted...her 6th month photos.  I will spare this blog another dialog about how quickly time passes (at least for today), but I will try to give a little update on our growing girl and her milestones.

1) She is seconds away from crawling...as soon as she can coordinate those chubby little knees of hers there will be no stopping her.  She wants to "go" so bad, and with each failed attempt, her frustration mounts until she is prostrate on the floor stretching her fingers out as far as they will go and crying/yelling.

2) Did I mention she is stubborn...and eager and determined and okay, maybe a little emotional (I still don't know where she gets that one :-)).  But I love her passion!  I already know she will challenge me and at times try all of my patience, but I wouldn't want her any other way!  She has a fire about her and I know she will accomplish great things.

3) Remember that "beautiful smile that will lighten up every room?"  Nothing could be more true about our baby girl.  When Scarlett smiles at you (especially if her little tongue is sticking out), you can't help smile back.  She can turn full grown men into mush...

4) She is always singing!  She just loves music.  Jake's violin practice is her favorite part of the day and if you sing a note to her she pitch matches (my dad was the one who first discovered this, and he was pretty darn proud!).

5) And of course, because she doesn't want to miss a second, she fights sleep.  But when she finally gives in (and I have gotten over the shock that she is really asleep), I could stare at her angel face for hours.

The One Women Firework Show!

I don't give her nearly enough recognition, but I have a great little sister!  And she is one AWESOME Aunt!  Robyn has always been the fun one of the two of us.  With her living only an hour away, my kids get to enjoy all the energy and life she brings.  And let me tell you, she did not disappoint this Fourth of July!  She put on a one women firework show that even the grown ups couldn't resist.  I should have gotten some pictures of her performance, but it was hard to turn the camera off of all these great expressions!

I love the combination of terror, excitement and joy all at once!

Hazel might have a little crush?

"The Faces of James"

A Beautiful Blessing for our Beautiful Girl

"I thought she was just going to give the blessing herself," joked a woman from church, as she commented on Scarlett pre-blessing performance...and I was worried she was going to cry.

Nope, there was no crying from this little girl.  Looking as precious as can be, in dress borrowed from one of our closest friends, Scarlett was all smiles and coos as Arthur took her up to the front of the chapel.  Then with my father, the Elders (Cragun and Jaros), and several members of the bishopric encircling her, Scarlett recieved her name and a blessing from Arthur as he cradled her in his arms.

Scarlett, you will not remember the words that were spoken over you on the sacred morning of your blessing.  However, I believe there will be times in your life that you will be able to draw strength and courage from the things that were said.  I am recording what I remember so you can always have them.  You are precious and I hope that this blessing, given by your earthly father from your heavenly father, will always remind you of who you really are, a beautiful daughter of God who is loved more than she could ever comprehend.  

The following will not be a direct quote.  Instead it is my best attempt to remember what was said and I did try to write the words as close to the way they were given as possible:

Scarlett you were blessed to live a long and healthy life.  Throughout that life you will develop "a knowledge...a keen knowledge of your Heavenly Father's love for you."  You will also have a "love for the the knowledge of the gospel and "you will have a deep understanding of the plan of salvation."  You will be raised in a family that "cares deeply for you and you will care for them."  "You will have a unfailing love for others and you have been "blessed with a beautiful smile that will lighten every room."