{the boy}



sisters & motherhood

                                                (Jamie 30 weeks    Michelle 23 weeks)

Here is a picture at my adorable little sister's baby shower.  I can't believe sometimes that she is having a baby, but alas it is true. We are having little girls just 7 weeks apart.  I think she is probably tired of Angie, mom and I telling her how tired she is going to be, and all the joys of labor and breastfeeding and overall exhaustion of parenting.

 Michelle got her dose this trip of loud, rambunctious girls (and one adorable little boy), never ending meals and snacks needing to be prepared and cooked... and then cleaned up, long car rides with kids that just wanted out, fighting and whining. You get the point.

 I hope that she also saw the sweet hugs, cuddles, thoughtful notes written and pictures drawn, adorable creativity as plays were practiced and preformed.  The sweet spirit that comes with 5 little girls singing primary songs to a 97 year old woman in her living room.  Motherhood is the hardest thing in the world.  It tries your patience, & will power.  Each day you need to evaluate why you are doing what you are doing. There are days where you want to throw in the towel and say, "Why do I do this?" Then in a sweeping moment those feeling can go away when your little boy, with sleepy eyes reaches up to you after a nap, and just wants to rest his little head on your chest as he slowly wakes up. Then you think, "I am the luckiest woman in the world to be able to be here in this moment, that I am your mother."  That moment may soon pass as you hear a loud crash down stairs, and you have to go asses if any stitches are needed, but those small moments are what keep your perspective where it should be. 

I know that Michelle is going to be a wonderful mother. I know that there are things that scare her to death. I know because I felt the same way as I'm sure all mothers have.  I don't think you ever stop learning or growing as a mother. You'll make mistakes and pray to do better the next day.  You'll pray a lot.

  I read more books now than ever before.  When you have your first, you read books about breastfeeding and sleep schedules. Now I am trying to remember breastfeeding and how to handle a sassy, strong willed red head. I am so thankful for an amazing mother, sisters, and other strong woman around me who have taught me not only the importance of motherhood, but the true joy that can be found even when things are hard. 

I told Michelle, "You think that you know what love is before you have a baby, but when they put that little girl in your arms you'll feel a love so deep, like you have never felt before."

I love you Michelle! I can't wait to watch and support you throught this amazing time in your life.

lately

 In an attempt to be a "fun mom" I decided to follow through with a pintrest find.  This one seemed easy enough and for once, I had all the supplies I needed on hand. What better time do to it than when our friend Caroline was over for a playdate. I give you....

"Salad Spinner art"

Supplies:

Salad Spinner

Washable paint (We had liquid watercolors to that worked great too)

Cheap paper plates trimmed to fit the bottom of the spinner

We had so much fun experimenting with different colors and techniques. Each plate turned out unique and beautiful

 Spring break weather in our part of the world is still pretty yucky. Lucky for Anna, who has recently become obsessed with trying to learn cursive, Nana gave her a little light box that has helped greatly to master those tricky letters. She stayed busy for a long time.

 While daddy was working the Saturday before Easter, Nana planned an Easter egg hunt and scavenger hunt for the kiddos.

 The scavenger hunt began with clues that led the kids to places all over the house.....

first in Nana's closet

 Then in the refrigerator

 Lastly in bathroom

 They had so much fun trying to figure out where they were to go next!  The clues were so cleverly written and ended with a great message about the Savior.

Right after the Easter egg hunt we had a big spill and everyone pitched in to help clean up. We soon realized how fun a vacuum can be!

 This is Carter's new face when we say smile. The girls think it is the funniest thing in the world. The more they laugh the more he wants to do it.  Hopefully by the time we take family pictures, we've found a new grin.

I have never seen Anna so excited about something in a long time. She started soccer last week and couldn't be happier.  She is always reminding me when practices and games are.  We are so proud of her for her hard work and are sure that this is going to help her build more confidence.  She is a bit timid to go after the ball but I don't blame her because there are some pretty aggressive boys out there.  Can't wait to see more games!

party time

We had some family over to help us celebrate Brooklyn's 6th birthday.

She was very insistent that she wanted a butterfly cake. We searched pintrest and found this cake. I have to say that it looked do-able but was a little more complicated than first thought. She was very excited though when she came home from school and saw the finished result! Phew.

Birthday Pizza

Nana came over a bit early and we were able to get a quick shot with her favorite grandchildren. (Just kidding)  She will have 14 grandchildren by the end of summer. 

Anna and Brooklyn with cousins Ryan and sweetie pie Emily