young love

I didn't think I would be seeing this quite so young

I literally laughed out loud when I found it

 (Me... love....Brigham)

at least I think they're at the temple

Lately

I feel like things have been really great but extremely busy these past few weeks.  With the warmer weather here, we have been spending a lot of time outdoors.  Mowing and fertilizing the lawn.  Fixing sprinklers, planting shrubs, landscaping, going  to soccer practice and games, swim lessons on Saturday and fitting in Aaron's new "hobby"..... running. (Have I mentioned he's lost 25 pounds, during busy season too)  Lets just say I made a lot of salads and he ran a lot.  Such a stud but that is another post. 

We are getting anxious for baby girl to come. Just over 6 weeks.  I think that we've finally decided on a name.  Aaron is tasked with picking her middle name, and has informed me that he'll let me know what he decides when we are in the hospital. 

The girls are out of school in three days. Anna has a talent show this week where she is going to play a piano piece and Brooklyn preformed in a "circus" for graduation last week. She was a tight rope walker. For Summer I am trying to find a way to have some structure but not expect too much.  I need to stay organized or I'll go crazy.  Carter is a sweet heart as always.  He definitely has his moments, but truly he is such a pleasant little guy. I am trying to soak up every bit of him.  Here he is giving his baby a drink. He loves to carry around these dolls, and then in the next breath I can hear him making machine gun noises.  Don't ask me where he learned that. I think boys come wired that way. 

   

 Here I am in the standard awkward pose, trying to document the 33 week belly. 

 My baby basil

 Oh how I hope this smile is a phase

I know that this is so random, but I thought it would be a fun idea to document what you have on your fridge from time to time and how it will change as your family changes.  We have

1. Anna's pink spelling list

2. The girls star charts. (when they fill up all the squares they get a prize)

3.  Brooklyn's picture at bottom

4.  Baby girl ultrasound pictures

5.  Picture of my in-laws

6.  Wedding picture of Aaron and I

7. Our article of faith for the month.  (We work on a new one each month in family night and keep it on the fridge so that I can repeat it each time I go and get a drink)

8. Picture of my cousins adorable baby Luke

9. Tonks family picture

10. Sunday school lesson schedule

and finally..... note to self. Aaron needs a new bike

handy (& hard working) men

(Helping dad fix Nana's sprinklers)

I tell Aaron often that when I married him, I had no idea how handy he was.  At first, something would break or I would want something built and he would say, "I can do that."  I didn't really believe him at first. Slowly though, I began to realize he could fix just about anything.

  Another thing that I love, is that Aaron knows how to work.  When we first started dating, Aaron was landscaping with friends for a large company that did everything from sprinklers to ponds and any other yard related thing you could imagine. He worked very long hours and was very tan. :) 

After we were married he mowed lawns, and was the "maintenance man" and an appartment complex and worked very long hours, fitting in work and school.  Then after undergraduate school, he went off to Ohio State (Go bucks) and got his Masters degree in 10 months.  He worked very long hours and I was so proud of him. He did the same studying for his CPA exam, and communiting long hours to work in Portland.  I never wondered or questioned that Aaron would do whatever it took to take care of our family. 

Aaron is also one of those people that would do anything for anyone.  He doesn't bat and eye or complain. He just says "sure!"  All his best buddies are that way too. Maybe it was something in the water there in good ol' Sugar City.  

How grateful I am that my little Carter is going to be able to grow up with such a wonderful dad.  Sitting side by side, learning how to be an exceptional man and father. 

Love you A!   

{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

25 weeks

These pictures always feel so awkward, but since I haven't really documented any pictures of baby girl's pregnancy I thought I'd better start before its too late.  I am feeling really well. I am exercising everyday which feels great.  I know that it won't last forever so I am trying to get it in while I can. I am also waiting for the weather to turn nice so I can get out and walk our beautiful county road. 

She moves a lot and it never ceases to amaze me of the miracle that is inside me. I keep saying to Aaron, "Can you believe that I am growing our child inside my body."  Its not his fault, but I don't quite think these dads can quite understand. What a gift of being a woman and mother.  I am measuring right on track and have gained just over 11 pounds.  The other day I asked Brooklyn if she wanted to feel her sister moving and she very matter of factly said, "No."  Anna has felt her move once and thought it was really neat. They're always asking when she is coming and how many more months.  They know she is due on the 4th of July and they seemed concerned about how we are going to be able to go to the parade and rodeo if she is coming at the same time.  

This is the first purchase I have made for her.  These Aden and Anais blankets are my absolute favorite blankets of all time. They are a tad pricey but I think worth every penny.  I love to swaddle and there is nothing better.  They are light weight and perfect for a Summer baby. They also make a great nursing cover up and are great to throw over our stroller.

Some days I still can't believe we're having a girl.  It has been so long since we have had a baby girl I am looking forward to hair bows and adorable church dresses.  Poor Carter.... the girls keep saying that he is going to be girl trapped!

faking it

Brooklyn is notorious for getting stomach aches at very "convenient" times.  Usually bedtime, jobs, etc. All the usual times I guess for kids. At night we usually say, "go to sleep and you'll feel better in the morning," or " well, tomorrow we'll call the doctor and try to get you an appointment to see whats the matter."  Those can usually get her back in bed, but we deal with this on a consistent basis.

So this morning she woke up fine, had some breakfast, even watched some cartoons. When it was time to come up, she suddenly had a stomach ache and informed me that she didn't want to go to school.  I asked her if she was hungry. We tried a string cheese, juice, some milk, and 2 pieces of toast. Phew! (We usually don't snack that much but I was trying to solve the mystery)  She also informed me that she didn't feel like it was a throw up tummy ache.

I then informed her that if she stayed home from school sick, she had to stay in her room all day to rest. She then told me that she wasn't sick, but just didn't feel good. I guess there is a distinction. I opted to let her stay home because I didn't want to get a call later from the school, saying she still didn't feel well. Especially because I can't drive and Carter would be down for a nap. 11:30 came and went, we had lunch and she went back in her room.  I got Carter down for his nap and then Brooklyn suddenly appeared.  I just had to smile when I heard the words,

"Mommy I feel all better now" 

Needless to say I now have to stick to my guns and keep a 6 year old in her bedroom all day.

I bet she won't have a stomach ache tomorrow.

sometimes

playing in the water is way better than any toy....

at least 40 minutes of continual enjoyment



move over pintrest

First off let me just say that I still love Pintrest.

Since the new year I've been thinking a lot about how I spend my time during the day. I've always loved the talk,

Good, better, best

by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

I've made some small changes that I feel like have really made a difference in the way I feel in so many aspects of my life. My home, my self-worth, my health, and my relationship with Aaron and the kids.

In our ward council we've been talking extensivly about geneology, as we have a large temple assignment coming up in April with the youth.  Much of my family history is done, and to be honest I have no clue where to start or what I am doing. It is like a foreign language to me. 

Last week I was introduced to what I think is just as important, and perfect for me at this point in my life.

Indexing!

Here is a quote from familysearch.org

"FamilySearch indexing unlocks access to the world's records. Once transcribed, these searchable indexes are made available free of charge at FamilySearch.org, where people from anywhere in the world can search through records that document the lives of their ancestors. The availability of a single record is often the key that allows someone to discover an ancestor or an entire branch of a family tree." 

Believe me, you do not need any special skills to do this and it took about 10 minutes to get started.

1. You need to have a username and password. I already had one that I use to login at LDS.org 

Easy peesey 

2. Download the software.

3. Follow the easy instructions and get started.

The things that I love about the opportunity to do family history work through indexing is the flexibility. You work on batches. Usually 25 names.  I can work on 5 names here.... 3 names there.  It is always saved and I can come back at anytime and start off right where I left off.  If Carter wakes up from a nap early, I just stop. 

 no. big. deal.

I am kind of a history nerd, and so to be able to look over these old documents is so interesting. I am currently working on WW2 registration papers.  Really neat to see people's names, occupations, birth places and family information.

Not to go on and on but what I realized for me is that I do have the time for family history.  If I look at my days and the time I spend reading the news, perusing pintrest, reading blog, or even things that are good, I may be missing out on an opportunity to do something better with just a portion of that time. 

Please click HERE if you would like more information or how to get started indexing.

If you have any questions please leave a comment and I'll try to help in anyway that I can.

Happy Indexing!

Sometimes...

...you forget to put the guard on the clippers when you're cutting your little boys hair.

Maybe a summer buzz will jump start us into spring here... probably not.

Please tell me every mother does it once