(mowing is apparently a seriously business)
One of my favorite things in the world is to watch Aaron and Carter mow the lawn. I don't know what it is about Aaron and his little man, going back and forth across the lawn. Usually Carter isn't so serious and he'll wave and wave as they pass the kitchen window. I'll miss these memories when the weather gets cold and mowing comes to an end. Each year Carter will grow, until he is to big to sit on dads lap. Oh how I wish some how I could freeze time.
Oh chipper.. or as Carter calls him "chippy." It is amazing that you are still part of our family. I have told Aaron at least 8 times that this dog has got to go. She has chewed several hoses, bike seats, her foam dog bed that I found in a hundred little pieces strewn over the front yard, tipped over and destroyed all of my flower pots, just to name a few. I have to say that the excited jumping on people phase has all but ceased and she has seemed to mellow out.
I'm not sure when this smiling phase is going to end, but for now I am loving it. I told Aaron yesterday that I wanted to freeze him that very minute. He is the most happy, easy going kid I have ever seen. He is starting to talk so much more and asks so many questions. He pretty much copies the last few words of anything the girls say. He just adores Lila. When he wakes up he runs to every place she might be and says, "Where's wiwa." He'll get right up in her face and smile and talk to her. We'll see if he still likes her so much when she can start taking his things.
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School is going great for Anna. Along with the usual subjects she is starting typing which she thinks is so fun. Each night is filled with reading, spelling words, math worksheets and vocabulary lists. It feels very busy most nights. She started soccer a few weeks back and is doing great. She had never played soccer until this last Spring and is improving each game. She always scores several times a game and once for the other team a couple weeks back. (Sometimes it is hard to remember which net is yours :) She is so lucky to have her Nana and Grandpa and Grandma Tonks who come watch her play. Aaron says I cheer to loud but I can't help it. I get it from my mom :) She is very excited to start attending activity days at church and seems to be growing up so fast.
This is Brooklyn sporting a new short A-line bob hair cut which is so adorable. School is also going well. She adjusted well to a full day and enjoys riding the bus. She was having a hard time getting motivated to get up each morning, but all it took was one day missing the bus... being grounded, and it hasn't happened again. Brooklyn also started a tumbling class a few weeks back. She didn't really seem interested in soccer or t-ball or any other sport. We even tried to talk her into trying karate. Tumbling seemed to spark her interest so we're giving it a go!
My sweetheart who I can't ever get to smile. Work is going well for Aaron. Pretty slow in the summer but I am not complaining. He is playing a lot of golf and staying busy with my seemingly never ending lists at home. Boy did I score almost 10 years ago!
Oh my sweet baby girl. Lila is almost 3 months old and really is a near perfect baby. My mom always reminds me of how lucky I am to have such a great baby and boy do I know it. She eats great, sleeps great (9:30 to 7), and is content unless she is messy. When she is tired, I swaddle her tight, lay her down in the crib and she dozes off. Sometimes I rock her because I just want to snuggle her and watch her slowly fall asleep. What a blessed mama I am.
As far as me, I feel busy. There is always something that needs to be done or someone that needs help. I tell Aaron that I feel like things are half done many times. When I am in the middle of something, I am very often interrupted with an "uh oh," by Carter, or a spilled glass of milk, or a question from a homework page. I feel like a hamster on a wheel a lot of the time. Just like so many moms, I feel much of my time is spent doing laundry, making lunches, helping with homework, reminding about jobs, washing hair, making dinner, paying bills etc. I am trying to learn to slow down and enjoy the things that really matter. Good, better, best!
I like to watch the news and try to stay as informed as possible on current events. Recently in the news there has been so much unrest. So much hate and anger not only in our country but around the world. I read about the mistreatment of women in china who are forced to have abortions, many times if they are carrying a little girl. I began to cry the other day driving in my car back from town. We live out in the country a bit and I drive past beautiful trees, a little stream, and fields with new baby colts and stinky cows. I watch my kids run around our house with the neighbors and chase butterflys or jump on the trampoline. Believe me, I am not trying to paint a picture of perfection out in our corner of the world. I don't have to worry though about how I am going to feed my children or if they are going to be cold at night. Aaron has a great job that provides for us. I guess what I am trying to express is my gratitude for all I have, even though life can be hard. There is heart ache all around us no matter where we are. I try each day to have faith and look for ways I can help another. To be an example of our Savior to others and my family. So many days I fall short. I am not patient with my kids so often and get discouraged that I am missing the mark.
I pray each night, "Heavenly Father, I know that I do this every night, but please help me tomorrow to do better."
and I hope I do
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