Maybe I'm Corny...

May 20, 2013

But in my opinion, a baby eating corn on the cob 

for the first time just needs to be documented!

"What is this?"

"Guess I'll try..."

"Interesting."

"I'll have some more."

"Not bad. Not bad. 

Can we have this again tomorrow Momma?"

T-Ball Toddler

May 18, 2013

Sawyer is a T-Ball player!

He had his first practice last week. 

His coaches are Coach Kayla and her husband Coach Andy. 

I love this picture of him and his cute 1st base coach.

Our high maintenance Reuben just sat in his stroller

 and read a Clifford book for the entire hour of practice. 

Sawyer had a lot of fun at practice 

and couldn't wait for his first game. 

It was today!

He hit the ball really well.

And concentrated really hard in the outfield. 

But most importantly, he had FUN!

So we went for ice cream to celebrate!

We are so proud of you Sawyer!

And we're super excited for the rest of your T-Ball season!

Being Someone's Mother

May 12, 2013

My pediatrician is a resident that I LOVE. 

However, she is a resident and I try to remember that

 when I don't totally see where she's coming from all the time. 

Well she got me a little worried about Reuben not talking. 

She said that a child at 15 months old should have at least 3
words that they say in association with a certain person or object. 

The resident told me that we might need to start an early 

intervention program, but when she checked with the attending, 

he said we would just see how Reuben was doing at the next visit.

I have cried over this. I have lost sleep over this.
I have spent a lot of time on my knees because of this.  

Being a mom is hard. It's amazingly overwhelming how much 

you love your children and want desperately for them to be able to lead happy, 

normal lives. I knew I'd love my children. However, it was impossible for me 

to fully fathom just how powerful a mother's love could be until I had the 

amazing privilege of becoming one. How grateful I am for that privilege.

I thank God for the blessing of being a mom every day.
But Mother's Day has been a day full of tender emotion every year.
I am reminded of the four years spent in tears,
and the first Mother's Day that I held my perfect baby boy
overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. I was finally a mom!

Every year since becoming a mom has been very similar.
 I spend the entire day with a prayer in my heart,
thanking Heavenly Father for my beloved boys
and praying for those who yearn for the blessing of Motherhood.

I know Heavenly Father loves all of His daughters,
no matter what circumstances in life they are given.
And I have felt very strongly the love my Heavenly Father has for me.
Sometimes I wonder how He could possibly love someone
 so imperfect as myself, but then I remember, it's because I'm His.
I'm His daughter. I love Him so much!

And I am sooo grateful for these angels that he's sent to me.
I love them so much. And I can't imagine my life without them.

Reuben woke up early today and I brought him to bed
with me while he snuggled on my chest for a half an hour.
Best Mother's Day present ever!

Then at church Sawyer got up with the primary children
for his first time and stood right in front, smiling and waving to me.
He sang "Mother I Love You" loudly and perfectly
while smiling at me the whole time as I smiled bigger then I ever have
through tears of gratitude that ran down my face.
Best Mother's Day present ever!

Then Lance had creatively and thoughtfully had the boys
put their handprints on a beautiful pot with a flower planted in it.
Best Mother's Day present ever!

It was the Best Mother's Day ever!

Happy Mother's Day to my mothers, 

who have cried for and with me, 

lost sleep over my hardships,

who have spent time on their knees for me, 

and who love me with a mother's love. 

And Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing women I know 

who have made a difference in the lives of children around you.

The world is a better place because of you!

This Means You're Pretty

May 1, 2013

So today Sawyer and I were walking around outside together 

and he picked a huge yellow dandelion, handed it to me and said, 

"Here Mom. This means you're pretty."

Thanks Sawyer Boy. 

Momma thinks you're pretty handsome too!

Welcome 31

April  27, 2013

My birthday this year was great!

I got to go on a date with the most gorgeous guy ever!

He took me to a nice restaurant and had a dozen roses 

waiting there on the table for me. 

It was wonderful and super romantic. 

I'm pretty crazy about this guy!

And I came home to snuggle two more

 handsome boys that I'm pretty crazy about.  

Then we went out to dinner at BJ's tonight with my Marm, Mike,

 Kris, Brent, Nana, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Donny, Kyla and Paige.

The waitress brought an ice cream treat and a different 

waitress pointed a camera at me and took a picture. 

That's why I have the fakest smile ever.

Here's a picture of my leftover cake since we forgot 

to take a picture of the actual cake Lance got me. 

I love his creative 31! 

I think 31 is going to be a magical year! 

Cousin Kyla

April 26, 2013

Today was my cousin Kyla's formal. 

I was lucky enough to get to see her all ready 

since they asked me to take pictures. 

We went to her boyfriend Tanner's grandparents home. 

They had a beautiful backyard. 

While we waited for everyone to get ready, 

Paige helped Sawyer to feed the fish.

And Uncle Donny helped him pump water into the pond. 

And another little someone wandered around the yard.

Kyla looked stunning!

Her and Tanner are too cute. 

I actually got him to give us a real smile. 

What a beautiful family!

Love em!

Although the sun was a little annoying in this photo, 

I love my Nana's cute smile. 

Sisters

Sawyer snuck in a couple shots. 

Thanks for letting us be a part of your day Ky!

Love you so much!

Our Furry Friend is Five!

April 22, 2013

Tuya turned five today!

So we sang to her while she stared at the five flames 

on her annual puppy ice cream.  

Time to blow out the candles Tuya. 

Don't worry, Sawyer can help you!

Then you can open your present.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Puppa!

We love you!

New Little Nephew

April 13, 2013

Our best friends Scott and Ashley Johnson

had a beautiful baby boy March 14!

Meet Rowan Scott Johnson...

We were able to go and meet him today!!

Sawyer LOVED him!

Congratulations friends!
We sure love all three of you!!!

The White Dwyane Wade

April 5, 2013

Lance is a super good basketball player. 

I've always joked that he is like the white Dwyane Wade.  

But really he plays a lot more like John Stockton or Steve Nash. 

He's a great ball handler and passer and boy can that boy shoot!

He doesn't get to play as much basketball as he used to, 

but he still plays every Wednesday night after Young Men's 

with a fun group of guys from church. 

Well he was able to play in a local tournament the end 

of March and we got to go watch some of it.

Wishing him good luck. 

(With a tough guy face)

His game winning shot 

(I can't believe I got it on camera!)

Good game Daddy!

Marm and Mike came too, which was super nice 

cause that meant I could actually watch Lance play. 

(You can see Lance and Sawyer "warming up" 

for the next game in the back of the picture.)

They won the next one we were able to watch too. 

I may be biased, but I think I'm married to the most 

talented and handsome baller out there!

They didn't finish the tournament until after 11pm, 

so I wasn't able to watch most of it, 

but they came in 3rd place out of like 68 teams! 

Strong work you guys!

Boys in a Box

April 4, 2013

One Big Box+Two Little Boys=A LOT of Fun!