Deer in the Headlight

I know it's an expression...but seriously, A DEER in my headlight.

Sadness.

Pure sadness when this event happened.

The week before Christmas I went down to Utah to visit my parents and see a few friends. I really wanted to spend some time with Samantha as well. I have noticed since the baby has come our one on one time together hasn't happened as much. I wanted to just talk to her and sing with her and tell knock knock jokes. We loaded up the van and headed off. Rod stayed home with Hallie and took her on a daddy daughter date to get her Christmas shopping done. All was well until I got to Richmond. There were at least 6 deer on the road. I only saw 2. I slowed down when I saw the 2 but then the others seemed to come out of nowhere. I swerved slightly and ended up hitting one! My van made this horrible moaning sound and thank goodness I was able to pull off to the side of the road without any trouble. My heart was beating so fast and Livi and Sam were both crying. I didn't dare get out of the van because I thought I'd see remnants of a deer head or something! So, I just sat there, tried not to cry, consoled the kids and managed to call my dad. Luckily he saved the day and he and my mom came to my rescue. My van is currently in the shop and the ladies and I are cruising around in a rental Ford Fusion these days.

I miss my van.

And yes, that is deer hair in the headlight.

While in Utah I took Sam for a little pampering. She got a darling little haircut at Cookie Cutters and we had fun doing some shopping. I do love Cache Valley. I don't love main street in Cache Valley (honestly, driving there during the holiday was like survival of the fittest!). There is just something about home that makes me a bit nostalgic. It was nice to spend time with Samantha. I think it's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day and miss out on little moments with our children. I am trying to find the balance with each of mine. I want that one on one time. I want to have real conversations instead of just, "hurry, get ready, we have to get here and be there...." I know that it's challenging for all mom's, especially with a baby that needs so much attention but one thing that I have been trying to utilize is our car rides together. There is just something about having the kids sitting, unable to escape anywhere that can create great conversation and playtime. I think it's all too easy to turn up the radio or put on a movie or hand them the iPad.

But I have been trying and I think the payoff is well worth it.

Sam loves to play "I SPY", or Person/Place/or Thing while we drive. She loves to hear stories about when I was a little girl and she LOVES to tell jokes. She loves to sing songs too. She loves the Primary songs. She is singing her first solo in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday. (pray she doesn't get scared or I'm afraid her mother will be singing a solo this Sunday!)

Such a cute place for a new do!
She said when she got her hair washed it tickled her teeth.

The following week Samantha had her preschool Christmas sing along. She sang her heart out and made me smile the whole way through.

Christmas and kids just mix perfectly.



Livi liked the singing too.