Want to be - Like Bree

I've decided that I want to be like Bree. She is such a cute, happy, and VERY friendly baby. Goes to bed with a smile, wakes up with a smile. The only time that she ever gets really sad and angry is when the chocolate is gone (aren't all women like that??).

The other day I was outside doing yard work. I wasn't necessarily happy to be doing it - I had lots of other things that were way more important, but my yard has turned into a jungle. It HAD to be done.

Bree came out with me and was just happy as a clam - especially when cars would drive past. She would turn and wave - with both hands high in the air and a smile. It made me smile. Then I started noticing that it was making the drivers smile, too. What could be better than having a cute, chubby baby (with dimples, might I add) wave to you with a huge smile on her face?

I decided to make a goal. I want to be like Bree. Do I have to know someone to be friendly, wave and smile? I don't think so. Some days we could all use a wave and a smile. So, if you see me outside waving and smiling, just know- I'm happy to be trying to be like Bree

Parent Teacher Conference

Yesterday was Parent Teacher Conference for my boys. The boys were excited for me to go and I was hoping that I would get good reports from all of their teachers. But, it didn't happen.

I heard GREAT things about them!!!

I don't normally brag (okay, sometimes just a little!), but these little men of mine are just fabulous!!! Bradyn has three fabulous teachers: one for music, one for science, and a core teacher. How did I get so lucky to have all great teachers? I don't know...but I'm not questioning it. All of them told me how amazingly smart my boy is. But that was not the best part of the report. EVERY ONE of his teachers repeatedly told me that not only his he very smart, but so, so kind to everyone - even the girls. Do reports get any better than that?? I don't think so.

Next was Joshua. Same thing (but only from one teacher - music teacher was gone) as Bradyn. Great student and a VERY nice boy! Such good reports. Such a fantastically happy mom.

Somehow, somewhere, in the midst of all my shortcomings and setbacks as a mother, my sons have still managed to learn good manners, being kind and helping everyone that they can - even the girls. I'd like to take credit for this, but I can't. It's just how they are. They are the nicest, smartest, funnest, funniest, most handsome boys that this planet has ever seen. I don't know how I got lucky enough to have them sent to me, but I'm grateful every day of my life for them.

Way to go, boys!! Keep up the good work! Love you tons - Never change!!

Happy Birthday!!

I love having a big family. I love the movie parties on the big couch. I love waking up in the morning with at least two parents, two kids and a dog in the bed together. I love the noise (usually....okay, only sometimes), and I love that we have a birthday almost every month of the year.

Sam turned fourteen yesterday. She is such an amazing, incredible, beautiful, talented, smart young woman. I have so many fond memories of her. Sam was born early in the morning via c-section. She was premature and weighed only 4 lbs. 12 oz. She was so tiny!! Tiny toes, tiny fingers, tiny little body....but BIG personality and a great BIG heart with so much love to give. One of Sam's best qualities is to see the best in people. She has a christlike love for so many, and forgives so easily....It is my goal to try to be more like her in those areas.

As Sam has grown up, she has become even more beautiful and fun. I'm so lucky to say that she is not only my daughter, but one of my very best friends. She can make me laugh, cry, scream, tear my hair out, and feel like my heart is going to burst open from all of the love that I have for her. I cherish every moment with her, the good and the bad. And luckily we have much more good than bad.

I know that as she grows up, we're going to have some growing pains. She's wanting to spread her wings, and I'm wanting to hang on to her for dear life. I have a quote in my room that says "It is the wise mother that gives her child roots and wings." I want to be that wise mother. I want to see her grow up into the beautiful woman that I know she will become. I want to skip over all of her future heartache for her. I want to protect her forever.

It's starting to become clear to me just how much Heavenly Father must ache for each of us when we leave his presence. He knows the trials that we will face. He knows that we have the ability to do great things in life. But how hard it must be for Him to watch as we make mistakes and falter. And then, how great it must be when we turn to Him and let Him wrap us in His arms and love us unconditionally. I want to be like my wise Father in Heaven. I want to guide, to teach, to allow her to make mistakes, and have confidence that she will, with guidance, grow into the woman that Heavenly Father intends her to be. She has her roots, and hopefully they get a little deeper every day. Now, I just need to give her just a little bit of room to fly.

Sammy, I love you. I want you to know that I love our Heavenly Father and our brother, Jesus. They are both always there for you no matter what the problem. I know that the Spirit will help to guide you and will be there for you in times of need. And I want you to know that you will always and forever be my little Sammy Wammy! I am always here for you as well. We might not always see everything eye to eye, but my love for you never weakens. It grows stronger every day. You are a fantabulous young woman and I'm proud to have you as my daughter!

I love you forever xoxoxo :)

Time Flies

We just recently celebrated Bradyn's 8th birthday and his baptism. I can't believe how fast time flies. Eight short years ago, I was pregnant with this cute little boy who was so active that I would hold my stomach tight, trying to get him to settle down. He would turn, kick, wriggle and squirm all over the place - bounding into my ribs, bouncing on my bladder, definitely my most active baby!! He was larger than life back then, and he's gotten even better over the last eight years.

Bradyn is an absolute joy to have in our family. He is funny, intelligent, energetic, and very most importantly...he is kind. Don't get me wrong....He's not perfect. Nobody, at least in our family, is. But he's dang close. He is so sweet with his little sisters. A big helper for his mom and dad. A thoughtful grandson. And, now, finally, he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

His baptism was such a beautiful day. It was on Saturday, August 1st. He was so excited. He had practiced with Dad what was going to happen and how they were going to do it (Bradyn's not a big fan of water in his face, so practice was essential!!). He got up that morning, ate breakfast, took a shower and went to get dressed. He came out of his room dressed in a black suit, white shirt and red tie. It brought tears to my eyes. He looked so handsome and so much like a junior version of a missionary that it just took my breath away. The baptism went well and we are all so proud of his decision to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.


We love you, Bradyn. We're so glad that you're in our family and we love you so much!!

SAM'S HOME!!

hi everybody!!

I got home two days ago!! it's so good to be home!! I came home and the first thing i notice was how utah smells! it smells sooo amazingly good!!!

Oregon was a fun place to be for a little while but i hate not being home...in oregon we hiked and went camping and stayed at home...when we hiked we went to a waterfall and we were so high up i couldnt believe we had hiked that whole way!! its so good to be home!!

Cant wait to see everyone again!!

Adventures in San Diego

David and I decided it was time for a family vacation. The boys are very into Lego's right now, so we decided to go to the San Diego area and see the beach, SeaWorld, and most importantly - LegoLand! We left around 8am on July 5th. Our GPS (Lola) told us it would take about 10.5 hours to get there - Boy, was she wrong!!

Sophie is potty trained, and we're SO happy about that, but it makes traveling a little bit...well, llonnggerrr. Before Las Vegas, we had already stopped several times, including gas, lunch and breakfast, so it was taking quite a while. But after St. George we were really staring to make great time - cruise control set at 80 mph, MJ blaring on the CD player, happy, smiling kids. And then it happened. Construction in Vegas. We were suddenly down to 8 mph (sometimes zero mph) for an hour and a half!!! Could this have happened in a worse area??!!?? Two very inquisitive little boys looking all around outside with curiosity at the (horrible, vulgar and downright trashy) billboards that were VERY slowly passing us. This is the only time in their lives that I have wished that they couldn't read. We told them to get their gameboys out and play a game, and luckily, they never looked up again.

Finally, we got out of the construction mess just in time to take a wrong turn (Dave thinks we took a wrong turn. I think Lola has a wicked sense of humor). We ended up taking a scenic drive to our hotel. In the dark. With hungry, cranky, tired kids. And a REALLY cranky momma (sorry, Dad!!). Not a good start to our vacation. But, we finally arrived (almost 15 hours from when we started) and got settled down for the night.

Our hotel was great. Marriott Residence Inn. Bedroom upstairs with a bathroom, another downstairs with a full kitchen. We loved it. Oh, except for the stairs. Here's where the adventure continues.

Sophie got up Monday morning and was so excited. She ran upstairs to see Grandma, went potty, and then we were all off to their continental breakfast. As soon as we were done, Dad went to print off our tix to the Zoo and Grandma, I and the kids went back to the room to pack a bag and get ready to go. Sophie had gone upstairs to see Grandma and the boys. She was walking downstairs and somehow her feet got tangled and she took a LONG tumble down 14 stairs. I heard thump, thud, WHACK. And then the scream. Not just an ordinary scream. The "I am really hurt and need help!!!!" scream. I went running, smacked my hip hard on the edge of the dresser and got to where she was laying and screaming at the bottom of the stairs. I knew she was hurt but was hoping that she was more scared than anything. Not so. She was REALLY hurt. After an hour she still couldn't put any pressure on her left leg. Dave went to the store to get Ibuprofen and I called the pediatrician. The doctor told us just to watch it and give Ibuprofen. They don't like to do anything for 48-72 hours until the swelling goes down. She had calmed down by this point and was yelling at the stairs, telling them how naughty they were, so we decided to try to go to the zoo. She couldn't walk but we had a stroller for her so off we went.

We got to the zoo around noon and Dave dropped all of us off at the front. Then he went to park. He took FOREVER to come in the zoo. And he had a look on his face. A look that said "don't worry, it's going to be okay". Not good. Apparently, after dropping us off at the front of the zoo, he hopped back in the van to go park and we had no brakes. He went slow enough to get into a parking spot and then made some phone calls, finding out that we had a major repair to look forward to. Since we were already there, we stayed for a few hours and then began the next journey of trying to find an auto repair shop. Long story short....new front brakes, $700, Rental car for the next day $80. Lucky us. But seriously, we felt so blessed. What if that would have happened in the middle of all that construction in 113 degree heat?? It happened at the best time (if there is a good time for this to happen). We felt very blessed. Also, our hotel ended up being only a mile or two away from a dodge dealer and the car rental place, so it worked out as well as it could have.

Sophie was a trooper. She hardly ever complained. We gave her Ibuprofen for the first 48 hours and then she didn't seem to need it anymore. We went to the zoo, SeaWorld, to the beach and visiting relatives, and then to LegoLand and on Friday we came home. Her very favorite was the beach. She loved it. She was shivering and so cold, but she would just cry when we made her get out to warm up. I can't believe how tough she is - she did all of that with a hurt leg. When we got home, we immediately went to the doctor and they took x-rays. Her leg is broken and she gets her cast (from her toes to above her knee) next week.

The boys and Brielle had just as much fun as Sophie. Their very favorite was LegoLand. They loved the rides, building with Legos and their souvernirs. All in all it was a great trip with lots of Adventure!!!

Baby Steps

I love the milestones that come during baby's first year of life. The first tooth, the first time sleeping through the night, first smile....so many firsts. I love them all. But I have to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with one of the firsts - baby's first steps.

Brielle has finally started walking. She actually started about a month ago, but didn't really get it mastered until now. Today she has been walking all over the house. And part of me is SO happy and excited!! My back doesn't hurt today. I've been able to use both of my arms today instead of just one. I only had to make one trip downstairs carrying groceries because I didn't have a baby to carry with me...All of these are good things, right??? Yes, they are. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

There's just this other part of me that really doesn't like it. In fact, this part of me hates it and wants her to stay little forever. I love picking her up and cuddling her. I love that she's my little buddy that just lives on my hip. And I love that she WANTS to be carried and that I'm able to carry her wherever her little heart desires.

But, the two of us had a talk. I'm letting her grow up. I'll let her learn to walk, talk and feed herself. Maybe I'll even someday let her go to school. And in return, she just has to make me the promise that she'll live with me forever. That's not too much to ask is it?? Maybe I'll change my mind at some point in the future and let her move out, but not for the next two or three decades. Baby steps for her, baby steps for me.