Tina's Little Tot

Max LOVED his first year of Pre-School at Tina's Tots. We are so glad we decided to put him in. He as grown so much socially, is so much more assertive, made a best little buddy, experienced so much of the world around him...oh yeah, and learned all his letter sounds and numbers. Tina is really amazing and goes above and beyond for her little Tots.Max's best buddy, Jayce.Mom and Max post end of the year program. He did so well and we were so proud of him!

Rare Occasion.

On rare occasion, we get to enjoy our baby boy like this...

The other 99.9% of the time, we enjoy him like this...

I don't know where he gets his motor from, but it rarely shuts off.

Mother's Day Blessings

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Mother's Day, than to attend a baby blessing. Which is just what we did. We went to Twin Falls to be with my sister, Carrie on the day her darling baby, Owen, was blessed. Brandon did such a great job blessing him. The spirit was very strong and my heart was touched as I reflected on what a precious gift my children are to me. I have come to realize through recent trials that "Mother" is the identity of which I am most proud, of which I am most connected, of which I most want to perfect. Not "Runner", not "Social Worker", not "Friend". I am a Mother. They are part God, part me, part Ryan. I am in a partnership with Heavenly Father, to nurture them, to love them, to teach them, to discipline them. I have a work to do. My life is not my own. And I want it that way. I want them and they want me. This is what I chose. I get to wake up to kisses, have mid-day wrestle matches, and fall asleep to hugs and stories. I get to be more than myself because they demand selflessness. I get to be better because they need example. I get to learn because they teach, unprovoked. They are my refining fire. Patience, Understanding, Unconditional Love. Heartache, Forgiveness, Grace. There is no better way to gain such godly attributes than that of being a parent.
I am a Mother.

When the Flowers Bloom

I was invited to a very special Mother's Day program at Max's preschool complete with a song, lunch, and special gift. It was perfect. I especially loved the lyrics to the song and Max's over the top animation. It was precious.

When the rain comes down,

It comes down on everyone,

Rich and poor, Great or Small,

It really doesn't matter at all,

When the sun shines down,

It shines down on Everyone

Rich and poor, Great or Small,

It really doesn't matter at all

When flowers bloom,

They bloom for everyone

Rich and poor, Great or small,

It really doesn't matter at all

little country boy

Final Pre-School Field Trip of the Year: Farm Country.

Ryan and I both agree that if living arrangements were predestined, he would be a farmer's kid and would be living on a farm somewhere and would be named Huck Finn.

And while he may feel caged at times...we are glad that he is okay living with an Accountant in a small town instead. Luke got to go too. He is a monkey in all sense of the word.

Chillin' on a cow with his best bud Ryland and friend Lizzie.

I rather like the idea of him being a little country boy.

Entertained.

Easter Morn

After a month of Family Home Evening lessons centered on the Atonement and Resurrection, Easter Morning finally arrived and the kiddos were estactic to see that Mr. Rabbit had successfully entered the home while they were asleep and left treats and surprises a plenty. He even ate the carrots Max left for him with a note to search for more eggs and surprises in the living room. We set a picture of Christ's tomb out beside the plate of carrots so Mr. Easter Bunny would be reminded of the reason for the season as well.The searching turned out these...Which turned him into this. Who doesn't need a little Ninja action on Easter Sunday?

#2 was good just to golf, sans the Ninja costume. What a great Easter it was and how grateful I am to my Savior, for the ultimate price and gift he gave to all. We loved the opportunity to take an entire month to teach this to our children and to see them understand in such a plain and simple way how much Jesus loves them.

What Happens When you Blog Stalk.

Once upon a time my kitchen looked like this. Okay, but dated. I began to feel like I was drowning in Honey Oak from the floors to the cabinets. Then I began stalking Layla at The Lettered Cottage and this is what happened.... A little scrubbing, a little sanding, priming, painting... some new fabulous hardware and a gorgeous new faucet (installed by my hubby)...and my favorite....the faux tin tile back splash glazed by yours truly...and I am in love.I decided to take it one step further and added some frosted glass in my corner cabinets...just to break things up a bit. What do you think? To be fair, I must thank this lady. I happen to be related to the wallpaper queen. A remodel is much more fun when you enlist the help of your mother. Yes people, that is paintable faux tin tile wallpaper.

Okay...and a few more thanks...
1. To my children who were angels and who never once tried to utilize or ingest the exposed cleaners under the sink or go Picasso on me throughout the house.

2. My supportive husband, who although not the tidy-est of men, prefers not to live in a demolition state of being and did it anyway...while smiling and offering all sorts of help in his spare time.
2. To my fabulous seamstress sister Jolea...the mastermind behind the valance and the wretched installation thereof.

3. To our neighbor and friend Abe, who cut out the inserts of my cabinet doors so I could take my remodel to another whole notha' level. Bless you. Well, that's a wrap...for now. I will be replacing the rooster decor and the Blessings sign but I haven't found something I love yet. You know me...Miss Can't Leave Well Enough Alone.

Not on the list

None of these items were on the list when we went to WalMart last Friday night. Well, I take that back. The underwear were on the list. I guess this is what happens when you take Dad with you shopping. However, they all have been loved and loved some more since they made their way into our home. And I remember a time when I swore I would never buy character stuff...silly me. Didn't I know what little boys are made of?

Dear Spring,

We are very anxious for you to come. Please quit sending us teasers. It's not nice. We don't like it when we get to go out one day, and then the next it snows. We have lots planned for your arrival and are ready to get busy and dirty. Dad will not turn on the sprinklers until he knows you are here to stay and Mom hasn't even bought a flower yet. The garden is a wreak and needs desperate attention. And also, we are being referred to as caged animals. So please, no more delays.

Sincerely,

Max & Luke

Mission Reunion

General Conference weekend, we had the pleasure of attending Ryan's mission reunion. His Mission President, President Lopez, is from Spain, so it is a rare opportunity to get to reunite with him. Ryan was able to reconnect with missionaries he loved and find out about people they had taught as well as see and hear from a man that had a big impact on his life. I say it was a pleasure, but in actuality, it was mostly a pleasure for Max and Ryan. I spent two and a half hours trying to tame & calm this one. In heels no less. And he wanted to be held the whole time, standing, not sitting. Wouldn't you know this was the night he picked to not feel good. Yeah, it was awesome.