An Epiphany

This week for FHE we went to the Phoenix Arizona Temple site. We are so excited to have a temple so close! We were joined by Aaron's sister, Leigh Ann and her little family. It was fun to learn more about what it is going to look like and how they construct a temple. Afterward we went on a little hike with kids on Thunderbird Mountain. It is was a nice FHE.

Landon found some mud in the backyard one morning this week. Anytime he plays in the mud the placement of it is always so perfect like he was holding a mirror and putting in on like makeup.

We were able to go to the temple this weekend. It has been too long since we have been blessed with the peace that comes only from being within its doors. There I had somewhat of an epiphany. I was pondering on my struggles as a mother and what I could do to lessen them or change my outlook of them. I realized that my thinking has been backward for a long time. At the end of the day instead of thinking of all the things I did NOT accomplish, I need to be thinking of all the things that I DID accomplish. I have three kids (3 bouncy, noisy boys), sometimes there are days when all the stuff in my head isn't going to get done. And I need to be okay with that. In fact it reminds me of something that happened this week. We have been trying to re-do the boys room. We finally started painting and Aaron had asked that one of the days when he got home that we get immediately to work on it. I started working on it around 4:30pm. I was trimming and trimming and trimming and grooving to Pandora. He gets home and comes in the room and I finally look at the clock. It is 5:30. I have a meeting at 6 and I have not started dinner. I start huffing and puffing. Aaron asks what is wrong and I tell him that I had not intended to paint this long and now I wasn't going to have time to make dinner before I had to leave. He said that was okay they would figure something out. But I just let myself get so upset that I wasn't making dinner for my family and Aaron kept saying "but look at how much you got accomplished with painting." I wouldn't listen, I just stayed mad. This is a perfect example of my attitude lately (okay, it has been that way I long time). From now on I am going to try and focus on the positive things in my day and not the negative. I am grateful for the temple and the ability I have to go there and be taught by the Spirit to change my life for the better,

I want to share a video with you that I turn to often when I am having a bad day. It always lifts my spirits and reminds me of the work that I have to do. It reminds me that I do not have to do it alone. I have angels and the Lord with me every step of the way. The days I forget to call on them are my hardest. I know the Lord loves me and has entrusted me with these sweet little boys. I only pray that I am making a difference in their lives.

And....We're Back!!

So I decided that I am going to start my blog back up again. I know most of you have given up on me. That is okay. I almost gave up on me too. Adding a third has been hard for me. I will go more into detail in later posts. My life with 3 (well, I guess 4 :) boys is super busy and crazy. We have a lot of things go on on a daily basis. I am hoping to capture on this blog our mishaps, messes, and fun. Those three things are what make our little family who we are. I had a hard time deciding what pictures to use. These are all from the last few days.

1. Our mishaps. We have a lot of mishaps. My boys are little daredevils and run everywhere. Landon bonked his face just this evening. I don't think he needed stitches but probably could have used some glue. Aaron refused to take him somewhere to get it fixed so he is going to have an "awesome scar."

2. Our messes. My boys love to make messes. Landon's new favorite thing to play in is the dirt of my live plant. (The only live plant I have been able to KEEP alive in this house. Thanks to my brown thumb.)

3. FUN. Inspite of the two other things we do have a lot of fun. All 4 of my boys love to play. I am so grateful that they can bring that out in me. I do have a tendency to be too serious most of the time. :)

Hopefully, I can keep up with this a little better than last time. I would love to throw in a recipe here and there. I love cooking for my little family and making treats for those we love. Here's to round 2! 

The End of May

Packing!!! We are going to be gone for 3 weeks and this is the pile of clothes for the boys I worked on for a whole week!
Landon has been sleeping a lot. He is getting so fat. One day this week I swear he slept 18 of the 24 hours.

Kilee and Kendyl (Aaron's twin sisters) just promoted from the 8th grade. We are so proud of them. I can't believe they will be in high school next year!

Weekly Update

This weeks update includes:

COUPONS! I am going to try to start getting into couponing. Still haven't decided how crazy I want to be because this is what my table looked like for a whole week as I sifted and sorted and that was only with one newspaper. If anyone has any tips or tricks...please share! Also if you get a Sunday newspaper and don't use the coupons, please share!
Landon is 10 weeks this week. During tummy time he decided to roll over and then roll over again and again. He refused to stay on his tummy. We got the ol' BUMBO out and gave it a try. He does fairly well, but looks like a bobblehead character. (Kaden always wants to be near Landon and wants to be in every.single.picture we take of him)

Kaden graduated from preschool. He really has learned so much this year. In the picture he is on the back row right in the middle. I can't believe he starts kindergarten in a few months.

Landon (left) and Jarrett (right) during play time at Nana's this week. Landon is starting to catch up to Jarrett. I can't wait until they are running around together. Here is a picture from when Landon was right around 3 weeks old so you can tell how much bigger he is...

The Day to Celebrate Moms

2 wiggly boys + 1 newborn + one mom + windy outdoors= priceless Mother's Day memories.

I am not going to lie, being a mom is difficult on most days and extremely challenging on others. As I look into their faces each night as they are sleeping (the only time there is quiet and calm) I realize how lucky I am to be their mom, even though half the time I don' have a clue what I am doing. They are each so much a part of me that life without them would be dull and meaningless. I am so grateful to be given the opportunity (and challenge) of figuring out parenting with them by my side. I also could not do it without Aaron who is the best Mr. Mom a woman could ask for. Happy Mother's Day! (a little late)

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

Isn't that how the saying goes? Well, I have to admit I have cried over spilled milk and the many other forms of mass messes that my sweet, little Brendon can create. The messes themselves are trivial in the grand scheme of things, but when you have just delivered a baby and find yourself now at home with 3 little ones it seems like the world will end if another mess is made. My darling Brendon is the master at getting into things and it all came to a high point right after Landon was born. I would sit down to nurse Landon and just pray that he wouldn't get into anything. My prayers weren't always answered. I thought I would share some of the pics that I took of the mischievousness. (and these are only a few from the collection I have.) Salt and pepper spilled in the cabinet and all over the counter below. I cleaned the mess and refilled the containers only to have him get into them again that very same day, making the very same mess.
Some of my toiletries out and dumped all over the floor. He came to me while I was feeding Landon and I could see he was all wet from something. I discovered this in my bathroom shortly thereafter.

During this time, he discovered how to open the fridge by himself. It allowed for this mess to be created...chocolate syrup with a little finger painting on the side.

I found him making a creation in a cup from the spices in the cupboard. Three different spices were dumped in the cup as well as what was left in the vanilla bottle.

He would also go out the front door and go walking down the street. One time they were out playing in the backyard and Kaden came running in to tell me Brendon was stuck. I went out to find him on top of the city garbage can screaming his head off. He did it another time and our neighbor's landscaper was holding his hand from over the fence to help calm him down while Kaden came inside to find me. Needless to say I was afraid of the messes, but I also feared for his life (or limbs)

Some of you might wonder why I take a picture of it. At the time of the incidences I would be so upset (remember I was sleep-deprived and still very hormonal from delivery). Each mess would cause tears and create feelings of doubt that I was suitable mother and all the other horrible things Satan puts into our minds. I started to take picture so one day I could look back and laugh and remember how crazy the first few weeks are when bringing home a newborn.

Landon isn't that old, but already things have simmered down AND I can smile at the memories.

Festivities

We had a wonderful Easter. Aaron is the one that always heads up the decorating activities. (Landon's feedings always land right when I am trying to do something important.) The boys enjoyed coloring eggs. They both love hard boiled eggs so they wanted to eat them the entire time we decorated. I got the "Monster Egg" coloring kit which came with stickers of monster eyes and teeth and hair and fuzzy twine stuff.Some finished product...Kaden named Aaron's creation "Mustachio"

Easter Day hunting for eggs. After church (it is always difficult to get a nice picture of both of the boys)
It is such a joy to have both families close. We went to Aaron's parents Easter morning for breakfast and had an egg hunt there with surprises from Grandma K (what the boys call Aaron's mom). We went to church. For dinner my family came to our house and we had another egg hunt in our backyard with the eggs from Nana (what the boys call my mom). Sometimes it is hard trying to fit both families in on special occasions, but after all is said and done the memories we create are priceless.
One more picture from the day...(the color of the day was lime green. My dad, Brenton, Jarrett, and Landon all had the color on.)

Shocker

Okay so I haven't been great about updating this thing. This week my goal is to post daily to get up to date and then to post on a weekly basis to stay caught up. If you are out there...thanks for sticking with me! This week they won't really be in chronological order. I should probably start with the story of Landon, but I will save that for later this week.

These are pictures from swim lessons the last couple of weeks. The boys loved going each day. They are definitely my little fishies that love the water.

A little goes a long way

A lot has been going on with our little family. I am just going to highlight a few things.

We bought an Excursion. We are trying to sell the Tahoe. Anyone looking for an amazing vehicle (that we are really, really sad to give up)?I had a birthday. Number 28. Pretty crazy. I am holding our nephew, Jarrett. My mom always makes me my favorite cake--carrot cake. It is from scratch and I could pretty much eat the entire thing myself. I have never tried, but I am pretty sure I could do it.
The boys all ready for church. They are growing so fast. It is so hard to believe Kaden will be starting Kindergarten this year. He is doing awesome in Preschool and can't wait to go to the "big kid's school." Brendon is a stinker. He drives us crazy one minute and the next he is giving hugs and telling you he loves you. He is talking up a storm and loves being with big brother wherever that may be.

Last, but definitely not least, as of today I am 35 weeks along. This is a shot from today, courtesy of Kaden. I am feeling pretty well for the most part. A lot of days I feel like a hamster on wheel. I am moving constantly and so busy but I don't really get anywhere or anything done. I guess that is just how it is towards the end.

New nephew

Brent and Sarah welcomed Jarrett Brenton to the world on December 7. I just happened to stop by for a visit at the hospital (Sarah was supposed to be in labor) and they had just whisked her away for a c-section. I was one of the lucky ones to see Jarrett just a few minutes old. The rest of the family was able to partake in his sweet spirit this week.

There is just nothing like a newborn. They are so perfect when they come straight from heaven. We are so excited for the new parents as they embark on the adventure of parenthood. We love you, Sarah and Brent!

Check it out!

I am so excited! I hope to soon be able to put a new picture in the blog header. We just had our family pics taken by Kara Layne . She is amazing! I have been following her for a long time. Her photography is breathtaking. You can take a sneak peak at some of our photos and her genius here. Enjoy!

Happiness Is

I love my boys

What is a Boy?

By Alan Beck

Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood we find a delightful creature called a boy. Boys come in assorted sizes, weights, and colors, but all boys have the same creed: To enjoy every second of every minute of every hour of every day and to protest with noise (their only weapon) when their last minute is finished and the adult males pack them off to bed at night.

Boys are found everywhere- on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around, or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them, and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket.

When you are busy, a boy is an inconsiderate, bothersome, intruding jangle of noise. When you want him to make a good impression, his brain turns to jelly or else he becomes a savage, sadistic, jungle creature bent on destroying the world and himself with it.

A boy is a composite- he has the appetite of a horse, the digestion of a sword swallower, the energy of a pocket-size atomic bomb, the curiosity of a cat, the lungs of a dictator, the imagination of a Paul Bunyan, the shyness of a violet, the audacity of a steel trap, the enthusiasm of a fire cracker, and when he makes something he has five thumbs on each hand.

He likes ice cream, knives, saws, Christmas, comic books, the boy across the street, woods, water (in its nautral habitat), large animals, Dad, trains, Saturday mornings, and fire engines. He is not much for Sunday School, company, schools, books without pictures, music lessons, neckties, barbers, girls, overcoats, adults, or bedtime.

Nobody else is so early to rise, or so late to supper. Nobody else gets so much fun out of trees, dogs, and breezes. Nobody else can cram into one pocket a rusty knife, a half-eaten apple, 3 feet of string, an empty Bull Durham sack, 2 gum drops, 6 cents, a sling shot, a chunk of unknown substance, and a genuine super-sonic code ring with a secret compartment.

A boy is a magical creature- you can lock him out of your work shop, but you can't lock him out of your heart. You can get him out of your study, but you can't get him out of your mind. Might as well give up- he is your captor, your jailer, your boss, and your master-- a freckled-face, pint-sized, cat-chasing, bundle of noise. But when you come home at night with only the shattered pieces of your hopes and dreams, he can mend them like new with the two magic words- "Hi Dad!"

2nd Reception

Okay so I haven't really chronologically gotten to this point yet in my blog, but my mother is begging me to post these pictures from Carly's reception in Wickenburg. So to please my mother, I am doing this now and will finish with my other pics the days leading up to it later....
(they are not in the greatest of order, but I did not feel like switching them all around...enjoy)