my 24th year

I am 25 today.

Every year on my birthday, I try to take a look back on the previous year and see how I've changed, grown, etc. Almost every happy memory from this year stems back to one little person: Sam.

Sam has made me patient and selfless. Sam has taught me that I can survive on small amounts of sleep. Sam has shown me that true joy lies in caring for others. He has made me see a side of my sweet husband that is most attractive to me.

I would be lying if I said that the past year has been nothing but happiness and perfection. I miss having girlfriends to hang out with and be goofy with. Having my first baby drastically changed my body and the way I feel about myself. I went from feeling confident and pretty to awkard and frumpy, which leads me to my next subject: Goals.

In my 25th year, I want to rid myself of the remaining 25 lbs. of pregnancy/Sam weight. I want to be a sweeter, more serving wife. I want to be sweeter to my parents and sisters. I want to contribute to our income without sacrifcing my time with Sam. I want to build strong, lasting friendships. I want to have a house of order that is filled with the Holy Spirit.

I remember one time my boss from the scrapbook store up in Flagstaff told me I had a charmed life. That couldn't be more true. I have the cutest little family. We live in a darling little house. I married into a huge family that I actually enjoy hanging out with! I have two sisters who, even though we're not as close as I know we could be, would defend me to the death if I asked them to. I am so so thankful to say that I am happy and optimistic.

Massel Tov to myself for 25 years!!!

Somebody Call 911

We made a video with the elders Friday night. Devin and I were telling his parents all about it when we were out to dinner for Brooklynn's birthday. When I asked if I should put it on the blog, John said, "Probably not." In my and Devin's world, what John Barry says goes. We think he is the supreme authority on right and wrong. BUT, the elders personally gave me their permission to post this, and actually requested that I do so, so that their parents can watch it. So, without further ado, I give you The Hungry Missionaries.

IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!!!!

After 9 1/2 long months of waiting, little Samothy Barry finally slept through the night!!!!! 10 straight hours!

You can see how well that worked out for me

Why you so obsessed with me??

I was talking to Selena yesterday as I was editing the latest Brooklynn/Allison video, and she asked, "how do you and Brooklynn always manage to make videos together (I noted some jealousy in her voice, by the way)?" The answer is simple. Devin and I invite Brooklynn over, Devin takes a nap, Brooklynn and I sit and stare at each other until we decide on something to do. Brooklynn and I are pleased to present, The Case of the Clinger.

Remember this?

Ok. So the following video. Selena, you will be so happy about this! So one time Scott and Devin came up to visit Selena and me in our Flagstaff apartment. After a fun-filled day of sledding, we had a dance party in our apartment. Devin decided to be sneaky and set up his camera to catch it on film. We were NOT aware of this...so this is how we really had fun back in the day.

mid-August

Well I can't believe that August is already halfway gone. I am going to be 25 in less than a month. gross.

We haven't really been up to that much lately...Devin and I have been keeping busy with our callings, and Sam is getting bigger and more active by the day. Yesterday we had stake conference and I am grateful we survived the 2 hours. Sam was SO LOUD the entire time. I showed Devin the trick that we can now give Sam cheerios to keep him content. Haha bad idea. Devin is very into being proactive about situations (i.e. if you have a headache take a dang advil already, if you see a bump on your arm you better pop a benadryl, etc.) Any time Sam would make a peep, Dev would search frantically for our little plastic baggie of Cheerios. Needless to say, when Sam was actually sitting in the chapel with us (probably a combined total of 15 minutes), he constantly had a soggy cheerio in his mouth.

My sister, Becca, is getting married in 2 months. She wanted ME to take her engagement pictures!!! Oh man, Selena, I wish you could have seen me. I was totally just trying to think of every pose I have ever seen you do and just copy them. My sister and her fiance are both good-looking, so they weren't a complete disaster...

Here is a picture of my big man Sam! Notice the cute shirt he is wearing. I found it at Kohl's for $1.00 (Thank you, Jennifer Tieman, for guiding me on how to find cheap kids' clothes)!

Here are my two buddies that I spend every day with. Aren't they sweet? Well, the one on the right definitely is.

9 Months Old

Sam is 9 months old today! Here is a short video of a really funny face he's been making lately.

Selena's pictures of Sam

Here are more of the breathtaking pictures Selena took of Sam. When she posted them on her photography blog last night I stared at them for a good half hour. Thank you, Selena, for being so talented.

Andi Barry

Here is a picture of our sweet niece. She and Alli finally got to go home yesterday.