Eliana's Second Steps

For the longest time Eliana has been standing on her own.

Probably since about 4 months.

She stands while holding onto things.

We've been looking forward to the day she'd take her first steps.

She began walking while holding onto things since about 5.5 months.

She began army crawling at about 5 months but was better by 6 months.

She's a fast one.

Then she decided to crawl on all fours at the baby shower while I opened gifts. (8.5 months)

Everyone was more excited about that. Even I was!

That same day she finally stood up and let go of the furniture and stood on her own.

Since we got back from Texas, Eliana walks everyday but she has to hold on to one finger.

Why?

No idea. 

She just does.

One finger.

She even walks just by brushing the walls with her hands.

But she will not walk on her own. 

I knew it wasn't  going to take long before she started walking on her own.

Then today.

It happened.

Casey was studying at the table, back turned to us.

I told Casey I was taking a nap on the couch.

I closed my eyes.

Seconds later....

I opened them and caught Eliana walking towards me by herself!!

No wall

No couch

No finger.

Just air.

I yelled "Casey she just walked by herself!!!"

We took the camera out and told her to walk again.

So here it is! Eliana's second steps. (Click Here)

Brigham Temple

Casey has been wanting to visit his mission field area for quite some time.

The last time we went was when we were engaged.

It has been almost two years now.

I am 6.5 months pregnant with a 10 month old.

And even though this pregnancy has not been the best,

You know all the nausea, lost appetite, and all that great stuff,

I still wanted to drive about 2 hours to visit the area.

Plus, we NEEDED to go to the Brigham Temple Open House.

Last Saturday the 18th

We picked up a friend of Casey's (Colby)

who wanted to join us.

From there we went to a parking lot near the temple 

where buses picked people up to take to the temple.

Eliana enjoyed that ride.

The Temple was beautiful.

But what Temple isn't ?

Eliana has never been that reverent.

The spirit was so peaceful and sweet.

Now we can say we have been in at least 5 Temples in Utah.

There were so many people.

Members and non members.

After the Temple trip we dropped Colby off, ate, and headed home.

This past Saturday the 25th we headed once again to Brigham/Ogden.

We were able to meet people he served around.

I could see the great love that they have for Casey.

Not only could I see but they let us know.

Eric was baptized while Casey served and as he told me the story he began to get emotional.

It was nice to meet someone that joined the church and see how they change.

His wife gave me a handkerchief that they got in Relief Society with the Brigham Temple on it.

Quite lovely.

That night we stayed at Casey's cousins house where his Aunt & Uncle Woody live also.

They enjoyed little miss Eliana.

Surprised at how quick of a crawler she is.

The next morning we attended church at their ward and headed home afterwards.

These were trips that we were excited to make and really enjoyed them.

The Lord has blessed us with such great love from people that I just met but love because of who Casey is.

I was very blessed to have met and married Casey.

I am glad that he has taken me to meet the area he served and the people there.