Spring Soccer 2016

                   

The girls really wanted to play soccer this year so I moved Alice up a year and put her and Scarlett together. I wish I could say Alice rose to the challenge but she struggled. It was a good learning experience for her but she didn't really understand the rules or enjoy all the running. She did love going to practice, feeling big, wearing the uniform, and getting the post game treat. Scarlett on the other hand excelled!! She is so fast and coordinated and the other players always under estimate her because she is small. But she is aggressive and really gets in there to get the ball. She has only scored a couple goals but is a great defender! And Jack... he just caused problems and always ran onto the field to get the ball. I can't tell you how many times he almost got trampled but he still loved being the team mascot.   With the minivan, three kids, soccer gear, giant mom bag I am officially a soccer mom! Great season Sharks!

Jackson 18 Months

Jack is such a joy to watch grow and explore. I love his sweet smile and blue eyes. When he looks at me my heart just melts and I have to squeeze his chubby legs. Our whole family adores Jack and he never goes a minute without a hug, squeeze or kiss. In the last couple of weeks he has started to say all sorts of words and though they sound like gibberish I can understand them. His sweet voice is adorable and the girls and I try to get him to talk all day. 

What He Says

- Hi, Bye

-Done

- Ball

- thank you

- Whoa

- shoe

-nose

-baby 

This is what I love: when he kisses his baby doll goodnight, when he leans his cheek against my mouth requesting a kiss,when he points to his nose and ears and then points to mine, when he gives me a high five and fist pump, when he gets upset when I don't give him the whole bag (chocolate chips, craisens, chips eat), when he blows me a kiss. My favorite thing these days is how happy he is to see me after nursery or the gym day care. He drops all his toys and just runs to me and then gives me kisses. Oh I love it!! 

This is what Jack loves: to play outside, throw balls, put on his "pack pack", feed himself, put on shoes, climb on everything, be rocked to sleep every night, read books, get into the girls jewelry box, build with duple blocks, play baby dolls,

First day of nursery!!

Mothers Day 2016

"Being a Mother isn't  a job. It's who someone is. It's who I am. You can quite a job but you can never quite being a mother. I am a mother forever. Mothers are never off the clock; mothers are never on vacation. Being a mother redefines us, reinvents us, destroys and rebuilds us."

"You are the one person that can give you children a happy mother."

In my 30 years of experiencing life motherhood has been my greatest, hardest, and most rewarding adventure!! Scarlett, Alice, and Jack help me to be the very best version of myself. I am the mother I am today because of those that have paved the road for me. How could I mother if I did not have a mother or grandmother? How could I understand how fast the years go if I didn't have sisters that are one step ahead and leading me by example? I feel so eternally grateful for all the wonderful women in my life that offer support, love, and selflessness. I feel buoyed up by their example and guiding light!! Happy Mothers Day

Late Easter Pics

Because I work hard to get them ready, coordinated, and looking at the camera!

Parenting 101

These three are sure keeping me busy these days!! Jack never sits still, Alice needs a drink every 5 seconds, and Scarlett is weeks behind on some "math computer program" for school. I am feeling like true mom these days! I can never seem to stay awake longer than 5 minutes if I sit down and any moment of silence is a dream. I have had a parenting book siting on my nightstand for a month. Nick mentioned yesterday that I have yet to crack it open. I said "well i guess I am too busy parenting to read any parenting books." Life is busy, messy, tiring and completely wonderful! I know I am living some of the best days of my life and these sweet kids make it even sweeter. 

I have been thinking about how beautiful parenting is lately and how close it brings us to our Savior and Heavenly Father. The love we have for our children teaches us the love our Heavenly Father has for us. I am the parent but I am also the child. I try to always remember that and that I am so, so very loved by my Heavenly parents. They yearn for my happiness just as I yearn for my own children's. I love this gospel and constant perspective it gives me. 

Here are some of my thoughts on parenting lately:

1. The days are long but the years are short

2. Having kids has exposed a depth of every feeling I never knew I had. I feel everything so powerfully because of my children. Pain, joy, happiness, remorse, guilt etc. are all magnified since I became a mother. I felt like I truly started to live when Scarlett was placed in my arms.

3. Having children is one of the most fundamental experiences of life. I ache for those that choose not to or are unable to have children. 

4.  2 Nephi 33:3 "For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry". Every year I read the Book of Mormon this scripture brings me to tears. Is this not being a parent?! It has become my new favorite scripture. You must have SO much faith as a parent. Faith that you are doing right, that you can continue to do right, and that ultimately you did enough for you kids. 

5. "Nothing is more powerful than the prayers of a righteous mother" Elder Packer. I have this in my closet and I read it every morning. It makes me think of my sweet Grandma LaRue, the power of prayer, and the strength I have as a mother. 

6. As I will continue to tell myself over and over "stop, sit and play". I want to enjoy this brief moment of motherhood and not fritter it away doing something of less worth. 

Children of my mine, you are loved beyond words!!

Alice approached me one afternoon last week and said "mom, I want to learn to ride my bike". She picked it up on her first try and now we spend every afternoon outside riding bikes. I love watching her ride around with such a big smile on her face. I don't love 1. yelling at her to watch out for moving cars 2. yelling at her to watch out for parked cars. We have also been going on bike rides around the neighborhood in the morning but jack always cuts it short cause he WILL NO sit in his stroller.