Aileah's first ice cream cone!

My dad bought a box of Drumsticks, thinking they were normal sized. But... luckily for Aileah they were Mini Drumsticks. She loved it! She sure does have a sweet tooth.

This was her reaction when I told her it was all gone.

Too funny!

Hi. My name is Heather and I'm a blogger slacker!

I have, actually, been very aware that I have not update the blog in a ridiculously long time. But thanks to some encouraging, "subtle" hints from some family members I am actually doing it. Life has been going crazy fast lately. I just finished up my 9th year with Headstart. WHOO HOO! If things go according to plan, I will not be going back in the fall. I am watching two great kids, Korbin and Chloe. And it allows me the opportunity to stay home with my cutie! So he's a quick rundown of some of our latest adventures, complete with lots of pics :)


We went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.

Took a fun vacation to Disneyland

Really enjoyed playing in the ocean.

Really didn't enjoy playing in the pool.

Celebrated my first Mother's Day!

Celebrated Aileah's first birthday. She was way too tired to really

celebrate. We will have another bigger party soon.

What I can do- by Aileah

I can wave hello and goodbye. Sometimes it's a wave, sometimes it is
just a raised arm. I love people and I wave to everyone I see!

I can talk to Daddy and Mommy. I love to talk!

I like trying new foods...like chocolate. YUM!

I can use my monkey feet to grab and hold my toys.

It's pretty fun....see?

I love to read! My books are some of my favorite toys!

Sometimes I just gotta ask, "What are you doing, Mom?"

I love just sitting outside and taking everything in.

I will let Mommy and Daddy put funny hats on me...sometimes.

I can chew on my fingers... and I do all the time!

Our trip to the duck pond

Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful Spring- like weather. Aileah loved seeing the ducks and exploring grass1 sure love this little girl!


They were all paired off. Maybe they knew it was Valentine's Day :)

I love this pic! It totally captures her personality.

Just checking out the duck pond!

A gratuitous cute photo of our little doll!

Yummy Shredded Pork Tacos

This recipe is quick, easy and inexpensive. Oh yeah.... and it is super delicious! I found it in a Cooking Light Cookbook.

1/2 C. chopped onion
1/2 C. water
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
2 C. shredded lettuce
1/2 C. reduced fat sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 C. finely chopped onion
1/4 C. reduced fat sour cream

Combine first 6 ingredients in an electric slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 6 hours. Stir in cilantro.
Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 1/4 C. pork mixture with 1/4 C. lettuce, 1 Tbsp.. cheese, 1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped onion, and 1 1/2 tsp. sour cream. Fold tacos in half.
Makes 4 servings (2 tacos each)

The greatest gift I have received

I couldn't find a more recent family photo. Sadly. it's missing the Mercers.

This time of year it is easy to get wrapped up in all the gift giving ( and receiving). Tom, Aileah, and I went to see the lights at Temple Square and I was struck with the feeling of being abundantly blessed! We have had our share of worries and struggles but what a great life I have. I am married to my best friend. I have an adorable, sweet, healthy baby girl. Tom and I have jobs. I have a family who loves and supports me through anything.
I have received so many wonderful gifts throughout my life. But by far the greatest was from my loving elder brother, who gave his life so I could repent of my sins and return to my Father in Heaven. He made it possible for me to be with those I love through eternity. I could not imagine a more wonderful gift!

Lesson from a sunflower

Recently I learned an interesting fact about sunflowers. Why are sunflowers called sunflowers? Is it because they look like the sun? Nope. It is due to the fact that they will follow the sun throughout the day. As the sun moves across the sky the head of the flower will turn to face the light. This little tidbit of info has me thinking. I want to be more like a sunflower!
How do I react to trials, disappointments, and frustrations? Do I dwell on all the negatives or do I look to all the blessings I have been given? Sadly, it is so easy to think about how bad things are or about how you wish things were. But from this day on I will become a sunflower. I will look for and follow the light in my life... because I have been truly blessed by a loving Heavenly Father. And that is what I will choose to search out from here on out, rainy days and all.