End of School Dances

Olivia and Makell both practiced really hard for their school dances. Olivia did the mexican hat dance and then a hip-hop routine. Makell danced to the song 'You've got a friend in me'. They couldn't wait to show us what they had learned. I was so proud of them! Good job girls!

Jacob sat quietly through the whole thing. He's content to just be outside. Today is his birthday too. Happy birthday little man!

Jocelyn kept asking when she gets to go to school. She wants to go so badly. Unfortunately she was born in January so she'll have to wait another year and be almost 6 when she starts kindergarten.

Macey loved watching them dance when she wasn't playing in the dirt.

Jacob's 1st Birthday!

Princess and the Frog & Fruit Throw-ups

We have the movie 'The Princess and the Frog" and lately the girls have watched it several times. Today I gave them some fruit roll-ups and from the next room I heard them talking about "frog tongues". I went into the kitchen to see what they were doing and this is what I saw! Hilarious!

When Macey was done with her fruit roll-up she came and found me and said, "Mom, those are so yummy, can I please have another fruit throw-up?"

Haircut Time

This is Jacob's 3rd haircut. The sound of the razor made him a little nervous so we turned on the water in the sink and that kept him occupied for awhile. Aaron was his barber and did a fantastic job!

Now we've gotta get all that hair off!

It's just not fair that a boy can have eyelashes that long!

This is the fireplace that Jacob would actually climb INTO. Luckily we always kept the gas turned off.

Look at those chubby thighs! I love them!!!

Wild Man.

Jocelyn (4) and Jake (1).

I can get in but I can't get out!

Now that Jacob is almost 1 he loves to climb on and in everything. This is one of his favorite places. He also loves to climb up and into the gas fireplace! He hides little toys in it and then goes back to find them later. No worries, the gas is shut off. He loves to take everything out of the cupboards and climb right in, too. I can tell that he has a lot more energy than any of the girls had at this point. He definitely keeps me on my toes!

Little Mermaids

"Look mom, we're MERMAIDS!"

These two came waddling and hopping out of their room to show me their mermaid tails. It was so cute!

Mother's Day!

My day started with Aaron making waffles with whipped cream and strawberries on them. Yum! I was lucky enough to be able to see both of my moms on this special day. My in-laws were staying with us because of Ryan's graduation and Caleb's baby blessing so I was able to spend a little bit of time with my mother-in-law. I love her so much and have learned so much by watching her over the years. She's an amazing example of love, humility, service and faith. She has treated me like one of her own since she knew I was going to marry her son. I'm so grateful for the encouragement she gave me as a new mother. She has given wise advice and has rendered hours and days of endless service to me through the years. I adore her and hope to be more like her as time goes by.

I then got to see my own mom at church, since we're in the same ward. We were able to sit close to each other and listen to Olivia sing 'Mother Dear' in sacrament meeting. I was so proud of her! I never would've dared do that at 7 years old! My mom, now, is one of my best friends. I can't believe there was ever a time when we didn't get along. But there definitely was. I was a somewhat ungrateful teenager and I thought my mom didn't understand anything. I kick myself now for how snotty I was at times. My mom is such a good example of hard work, perseverance, silliness, forgiveness and compassion. I'm so grateful for the help she is to me. I love living on the same block as her! She's always so willing to babysit and teach piano lessons (to the girls AND me) and stop by to tell bedtime stories. I am so blessed to have been raised by her.

I hope that over the course of my life I can take the strengths of both of these great women and make them my own!

Thanks to you both for loving me, forgiving me, believing in me, encouraging me, helping me and teaching me. I love you more than you know!

The kids made cards for me. Since it was Mother's Day I got to call in special favors, like family pictures! Ha! Aaron hates doing pictures but felt obligated since it was mother's day and he wanted to make it nice for me. :) I know it's a dirty trick, but hey, we got some great pictures so it was worth it!

Aaron bought this corsage for me from the Young Women in the ward. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful!

Macey showing her silly side. :)

I had such a nice mother's day!!! I feel so lucky and blessed to have my own children. To have been able to have their life start within me and grow. To have been able to experience labor and delivery. To nurse them and watch them grow chubby and strong because of me. To see first steps and hear first words. Watch reactions to new foods. To kiss boo-boos, sing primary songs, play at parks and go swimming with. To watch them make new friends and move away from old ones. Mend broken hearts and rejoice over accomplishments. Tell funny stories and pull silly faces. I love rolling down grassy hills, jumping on the trampoline and looking at the shining stars with them. Camping and boating and sledding and sliding. I love teaching them about God and of their Savior Jesus Christ. I love their examples of faithful prayers, forgiving hearts and loving service to each other. I love them so much! I am full of love and gratitude for them. I can't even imagine my life without them. I'm the luckiest mother ever!!!