Happy Mothers Day

Jeff and I, 7 years ago when my mom bought me this dress. The first maternity dress I ever owned. She bought it for me as a Mother's Day gift.

       My Gramy and all 5 of her children.

Me and my sweet kids today. Same dress, different angle... not as flattering as the first picture :)

20 weeks baby!

We had a wonderful weekend filled with sunshine and mom's requests being granted.

The requests started yesterday and went in this order:

1st request: please can I have poached eggs with toast..........check

(eating the same thing is so much better when someone else makes it)

2nd request: please can we all run to Braxton's soccer game and home...............check

(love running with Jeff so that he can push the stroller and not me!)

3rd request: please put the kids down for nap so I can finish weeding the front flower bed...........check

(love weeding my flower beds because they look so nice afterwards)

4th request: please make dinner..................check

(Jeff is getting really amazing at this cooking dinner thing!)

5th request: please lay on the couch and watch The Vow with me!

(ok, I didn't really ask for this but it happened and it was good)

I was showered with sweet cards from my husband and kids. Pretty pictures and lots of hearts.

Braxton made me really special cards this year that he wrote in himself. One of them said, "my mom  has green eyes, brown hair, and is 91 years old."

I am not sure about the number 91???? I have since been drilling him on my age.

The next one said, "my mom makes me good dinners." 

This I thought was really sweet and didn't surprise me. Braxton is a really good eater and is always thanking me for good meals to help him be strong.

Another said, "my mom likes to play the piano and helps me read the scriptures."

This one was also a bit surprising. I am trying to teach myself the piano, yes, but I can't say I enjoy it, nor do I work very hard at it. There are hundreds of other things I would rather do, and usually do do, instead... like help Braxton read his scriptures, which I have been doing :)

Last week I found Braxton up on his bed after school. I looked up to ask him what he was doing and he was laying there reading his scriptures. He is such a sweet boy! I am grateful for his desire to learn the Gospel.

I hope all of you mothers enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. I am grateful for the mothers in my life who I continually learn from.

the difference of 7 years

Yesterday was beautiful. The sun shone and was calling my name. I wanted to go out and lay in it. I wanted to rest and relax and close my eyes and let the sun beat on my face. Seven years ago, that's what I would have done.... maybe, if I wasn't working or at school.
Instead, yesterday, my growing belly and I played a wild ferocious game of soccer with my 6 year old son. The one I would have been pregnant with back in May all those years ago. I ran around my backyard chasing him and the ball. I even scored a few times and at one point tied the game that I ended up losing.
At first I was bummed out. I just wanted to rest.  The other kids were napping and I wanted a break. Then I was thankful. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
I am thankful to be a mother. I am thankful for early release days and the one on one time it gives me with my oldest. I am thankful for strong, healthy children who can run and play wildly in the backyard. I am thankful for the many sunny days I will get to spend with them this summer...I will definetly get some basking in their somewhere!

The Happy Mormon Mom

I randomly found this article today while searching the internet in preparation for the lesson I am teaching on Sunday. The article has nothing to do with my lesson but I found it really interesting and a good read.
It's written by a non-Christian, highly educated, single lady who is addicted to reading Mormon blogs.
Who knew?



And with that, last night at Relief Society a friend of mine shared this poem. I loved it and I want to have it hanging somewhere in my home. The author is unknown.

Excuse This House

Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there.
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
The signs are every where.

For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges on the doors;
I should apologize I guess
For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children
And we played and laughed and read,
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to
Choose the one job or the other,
I want to be a housewife . . .
But first I'll be a mother.

Sissy Says

Adelle: "Mom, when I grow up and when I'm a mommy, I am going to be the best mommy to my kids!"
Me: "Yes you are sis. Your kids are going to really love you. How are you going to be the best mommy?"
Adelle: "I am going to let my kids watch movies all day!"

I bet Emmett and Braxton wish Adelle was their mommy!

The most prettiest cake I ever made

My friends birthday was today so some of us got together and partied it up. I made this lovely cake, sorry the picture is so dark. It was tasty but more than that it was really pretty. I was proud of myself. I have never really focused on appearance when I've baked but.... I may be hooked!

All I did was make a chocolate cake. I used a recipe from my Betty Crocker Cook Book and subbed honey for sugar.
I cooked the cake in two round pans.
I put one layer of cake on the bottom.
Then one layer of sliced fresh strawberries.
Then another chocolate cake layer.
Then homemade whipped cream on top.
Some dark chocolate shavings.
And of course, the favorite of the kids, chocolate covered strawberries.
Yum!

Happy Birthday Jenny!

"Amen"

Yesterday morning started at 6:30am when the alarm clock rang. There was no ignoring it. No turning over. No snuggling. It was time to get up. My brother, and Jeff's new "employee" would be at our house in 15 minutes and we had a lot to do before then.
Jeff and I jumped up (well, that is an exaggeration) and out of bed. I hit the kitchen and started boiling water for poached eggs. Jeff got our toothbrushes ready and got himself dressed. Mid breakfast our unlocked door opens and in steps my brother. He's ready. We aren't quite. Meanwhile Braxton wakes up and starts working on some homework. I grab some stuff for Jeff's lunch and fill his water bottle. He grabs his big black book with all the important stuff and kisses me goodbye. Wow. All in a matter of about 20 minutes.
Adelle wakes up next and then Emmett. We all sit on the couch for a few minutes under the blanket until the heat finally fills the room and we can get up and start moving. Braxton and Adelle make their own toast, something they pride themselves on lately, and they make one for Emmett. We all eat together and talk about the day. Then we all get dressed and ready.
I am always the last one ready. I like to hang out and be comfy and get everyone else ready and then, go get ready. But it works, it takes me about 5 minutes. The kids are all looking for rain boots out in the garage, I grab my bag and cell phone and start walking towards the door only to realize that I hadn't said my morning prayers. I usually kneel right on my bed before I get out of it but this morning that did not happen. I was in too much of a hurry. So I stopped in my tracks and knelt.
I started to pray outloud and thank Heavenly Father for my blessings. In the background I heard the garage door open and all of my kids stepped inside and around the corner where they saw me, praying. The noise stopped. It was silent, except for my voice of course. I continued with my prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for each of my children, individually. I thanked Him for my good husband and for how hard he works for me and our family. I went on and on and when I was done I said Amen, only to hear 3 other little voices whisper "Amen." I looked up to see all 3 of my kids standing, in a row, arms folded in prayer. It was one of those moments that I want to seal up forever.
It made me grateful for the time I took to do such a simple gesture. I have forgotten to pray in my bed before and have settled for a silent prayer in the car on my way out or and afternoon prayer while my kids are asleep. But for some reason, yesterday, I stopped and prayed out loud, for all in the house to see, and I think we were all blessed because of it. I love my little ones so much. They are so reverent and meek and I am so happy that they heard me thanking my Heavenly Father for them.

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Yesterday my mom turned 51! We had a fun birthday party/dinner for her at our house after church. The cake was a delicious flop...the nameless person who made the cake will have to practice getting it out of the pan in one piece!

My sister left her camera, lucky for me because I didn't get any pictures.

Please be patient with me as I try to figure out how to use blogger! Does anyone else find it difficult???? I am struggling!

Oh, and I also gave Emmett another haircut yesterday. Doesn't he look BIG! He is the best little man and sits so nicely so that I can cut his hair.

You're never too old to get a gift in a Victoria Secret bag Mom!