Let's Hear it for the Boy!!

My guy! Talking about my guy...MY GUY...Oooooooo Ooooooooo....

So, for all of those that are singing along to the song, let me tell you why we are singing especially for my guy today. Basically, I married the best man on the planet! Yep! He's in my home, so sorry for those of you that missed the opportunity. My husband is SuperDad and Mr.Incredible all the time, and these past few weeks have been no exception. Here's a few of the wonderful things my guy has done.
1. He cooked Sunday dinner...Nay, he BBQ'ed Sunday dinner in the freezing cold. But it didn't stop there. He made the salad, potatoes, and homemade cookies for dessert!
2. He took the children for an entire evening so I could have a night with my sistas. (love you babe!)
3. He took Nicholas along to do "manly bonding." ha ha
4. He has completely wired for everything in our new basement!!! so excited
5. He cleaned his side of the room with a smile on his face.
6. He planned an entire date night for me, and I didn't lift a finger.
7. He had all three children asleep when I came home.
8. He's totally supportive of my new calling in our church.
9. I can't begin to tell you everything! He's just amazing!!!!

AND I LOVE HIM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!

Thanks Baby Lou. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxx

Leaving the Nest

So, today was a day I've been dreading for years. It was the day to register my oldest child for Kindergarten. Yes, register, not send....So, I'm really attached to my kids, so what? Anyway, I really was a basket case, ask my husband. Right after I was done, I called him to tell him it all went well, and I fell apart. In a sob of tears I said, "My babies are leaving me, and soon you'll be all I have left." (Not, meant to be an insult, although at the time through my crying, I'm not sure if my husband knew if that was a good or bad thing.)

I have no words to describe how I feel about my children going to school. It's like....spending all your energy, all you time, all your thoughts, all your prayers, all your tears, all you sweat, all your ALL...investing it ALL into building and programming what's destined in your mind to be the world's greatest computer EVER. And then, you simply send it out of your manufacturing company to someone else and HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS what they are programming on to your perfect computer!!!! Basically, I feel like I am losing control over my children, whom I've had complete control over. But, I suppose if I always had complete control over them, it wouldn't really be for their good, would it?

I don't want anyone to think I've never given my children freedom, or that I am some control freak. It's just that I know how good my children are, (not by my doing, the were just sent that way to me from their "manufacturer"), and I know how bad the world can be. I feel like I'm throwing my children into battle. They truly have to be so strong and so..

Today, I had a small glimpse of what our Father in Heaven must feel every time he sends one of his spirit children to this world. I had a small glimpse....and I cried.

The Day the Music Died

Okay, so the music didn't die, and we aren't eating American Pie...but our computer has a virus and it is making me cry. I don't know why our computer decided to die. Okay, okay...enough of the rhyming...

It really has made me sad to not be able to use our computer. Beside the fact that many of our pictures and documents might be lost, I have been bummed to not be able to blog the way I want to for the month of December. Plus, it makes me sad to think that we live in a world where even your computer can become sick. It's disturbing, isn't it?! I apologize to my adoring public that the picture that greets you on my page is such a beauty of the family. What a picture to have "frozen" on the computer. And for those of you that are thinking, "But you could change it on the laptop you are now using...." I know...but it's not the same, okay? Just trust me that my ways of blogging have been affected. *sniff sniff* (As if I blog every day or something!)

So anyhow...that was a long story that basically explained a whole lot of nothing. Hope you enjoyed.

The Magic of Christmas

It's only December 2nd and already my children have reminded me of the simple wonder of the season. Yesterday, our family picked out a tree for Family Home Evening. And last night, my husband and I attempted to put this living thing inside our home and make it a part of our family for the next 25 days. (Don't you think the tradition of a Christmas tree is quite funny?) Each year, we both swear that we will "NEVER" get a real tree again. (It's really not THAT bad once it's all said and done.) And the smell of a fresh tree in the house is unbeatable.

We have quite a high ceiling, so we enjoy getting a tall tree. This year, we got a 9 foot beauty, and while putting it in the stand, the tree stand broke from the weight of holding the tree. So...I quickly made a dash to Wal-Mart to buy a replacement. Upon arriving home, we placed the tree in the stand, threw on around 600 lights and started the process of hanging each ornament in that special place. The children were thrilled beyond words with each new ornament I pulled out of the box, saying things like,"Look at THIS one!" "Remember THIS?!" "Oh, THIS one's my FAVORITE!" I couldn't help but smile to watch my children's faces light up as they hung simple homemade ornaments. The happiness of a child... Even Katie, my 9 month old, was cooing and clapping and giggling. It was truly holiday magic, and I am so grateful that I had a front row seat to see it all unfold. To top it all off, my children have already asked if they can give some of their toys away to kids who don't have toys. Children understand the true meaning of Christmas, for the spirit of Christmas is truly the spirit of a child.

Suggestions?

Well, I just wanted to throw this question out into cyperspace for anyone to answer, and maybe no one knows...
My little Katie is 9 months and has been healthy her whole infancy. Recently, (past 7 weeks) she will vomit every 5-12 days for 3-4 hours. She has no other symptoms. We've kept track of her food intake to see if it's an allergy, but we haven't come up with anything yet that causes her to vomit.

Does anyone know what is going on with her? Any ideas what to do? Thanks!

Halloween Haunts

What a fun Halloween it was! It was fun for once for Kyle to take longer in the bathroom getting ready than me. ha ha I love dressing up with Kyle. He's so festive and such a good sport about things like this. We were Count and Countess Dracula, in case you can't tell.

The kids were Tinker Bell and Yoda....well, at least Yoda at the VERY last minute. Nicholas changed his mind so many times, it was cute. He also spent quite a bit of time in the bathroom with Dad experimenting with Halloween make-up. One time he said, "WOW!! I look scary! I even scared MYSELF!" ha ha So fun.

Little Katie Mae was a mouse. It was a fun Halloween for all of us.

Walking Contradiction

Do you ever catch yourself doing things that you have told your children over and over to not do? For example, I'm pretty big on manners, especially at the table. I always tell my children, "SIT DOWN!" or, "You can't just get up and wander around when it's dinner time. Come sit!" So, last night, I was laughing to myself (and kicking myself) when I noticed how much I get up at every meal. If it's not to clean up spilt milk, it's to get a napkin, or cut some one's meat, or pick up the baby or grab the butter from the fridge.

It started me thinking about all the things I tell my children to do or to not do, and made me question, "Do I do what I tell my children to do?" I wish I could answer more in the affirmative. It's not huge things, but there are many things like interrupting when someones talking, answering when someone calls your name, looking at someone when they talk to you, not throwing books...ha ha (I "dropped" a book off the kids bed last night when I was done reading it, and both kids said, "MOM!! We DON'T throw books!!)

So, in front of my blogging audience, and before myself, I promise to do what I ask my kids to do. And, if I fail, maybe I need to not be so picky with my kids, huh?! I'll report back. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

The-Women-in-Our-Lives

The-Women-in-Our-Lives

Shared via AddThis

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

This weekend, I had a "Mommy Pay Day." I was making Eble Skivers for my children for breakfast, which like many breakfast meals, you eat as they come out of the pan so they are hot. I had just finished the first batch of Eble Skivers, called my children over to the table for breakfast, and the phone rang. I told my children to go ahead and eat and I would put in the next batch and join them in a few minutes. While I was loading up the pan and talking on the phone, I glanced over at my children to make sure they weren't making a mess of the sugar, and I honestly started to cry. I told the person on the phone I had to go, and I quickly went over to my children who sat at the table with heads bowed, arms folded and eyes closed. They were saying a blessing over the food together. Oh...words don't describe how grateful my heart felt in that moment. Maybe, just maybe I am teaching my children something, and it's sinking in somehow. And, in turn, they continue to teach me with their sweet and little (yet enormous) examples.

Just Like Magic

Having children has done lots of things for me, one of which...it's opened my eyes as to how much I really don't know. For example, why does fire burn and why is it yellow/orange? However, at the same time, I've realized the power of the knowledge I do possess. I know more than millions of people on the earth today, and for that I am grateful, and I want to share that knowledge with others.

As a side note, one thing I have learned is night time is unmatchable for learning things about your children, what they are thinking of, worried about, excited about, things that happened that day to them that you might not even know....Night time is a precious and priceless time for gaining knowledge about your children. On the flip side, I've learned, (or rather relearned), that there is no better time for increasing your own personal knowledge as in the early morning hours. That is when Heavenly Father can teach you the most about yourself.

Last night, as I lay by my son in bed, he said, "Mom, will everyone sometime die, and will their bodies be buried in the earth?" See! To illustrate my point, two days ago, we drove by the cemetery, and my son asked what all the headstones were. I quickly tried to explain, and obviously, he has been thinking about that for two days. I pulled him close to me and explained that yes, everyone will die, but that we don't have to be afraid of dying because we will get to go back to Heavenly Father and Jesus. In as little as five minutes, we had talked about the beautiful plan of happiness that our Heavenly Father has set up for us, and how we can return to him if we are obedient to his commandments, and the importance of temples so that we can be eternal families after we do die, and the miraculous power of the resurrection, that our bodies and spirits will be reunited for eternity, and the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Again, explaining those things took such a short time, yet my testimony was strengthened last night as I rediscovered the "magic" of it all. Think on it. We can live forever with those we love...in a perfect body...It's miraculous! Or as my son said, "Magic." My thoughts exactly.

I sometimes wonder too, am I teaching my children? Or are they helping me remember truths I've forgotten? It's magic how it works like that.

My New Hero

Today, I found my new hero, someone that I want to be just like, someone I look up to and admire; someone that makes me laugh and think about things I've never taken the time to think about before, someone who makes me grateful for all I have, especially the small things like grasshoppers, chocolate milk and hiccups. And...lucky for me, he lives in my house and sits at my table every meal.


Let's back up a bit and tell a quick history of the past year. I literally have been thinking about whether or not to put my son Nicholas into preschool for almost a year. (Ask my very loving husband.) After much thought, prayer, and going back and forth with what I was going to do, I decided Monday, (three days before preschool started) to not put my son in preschool. Main reason...I want to be the one to be with my son. He is a complete joy to be around and truly my hero.

Today I sat on our front porch watching him ride his bike up and down our hill, and I couldn't help but congratulate myself for making a good decision on keeping him home instead of going to preschool. I learn so much from him daily, and he keeps a smile on my face and a beautiful spirit in our home. Not only that, but as I watched him interact with his friends, wave to every car that passed and quickly obey my every request, I realized, "I want to be like him."


"Become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things...."

I truly have an amazing boy living in my home. And even though he may be smaller than me, and not able to do all I can do physically, spiritually he is worlds ahead of me.

And you know the best part about it? My hero calls me "Mom", and he says he "loves me the whole earth." Yep. Life doesn't get much better than that.

Home Sweet Home

Last week, my in-laws came to visit and when they started leaving on Sunday, my two children packed their bags and said they were headed out too. Well, after mom dried her eyes and acted really brave, they were off, and Kyle and I were left at home with our youngest child, Katie.

It was very quiet around our house and very empty without my children, and I missed them very much. They had a wonderful time and I have to admit, I got alot of accomplished. I painted two rooms in our house even! Kyle's lucky that the children came home when they did, or the entire house might be red by now. ha ha

In a nutshell, I learned last week just how much love, laughter and joy my children bring into the home. You know the saying, "you don't what you've got until it's gone"? Well, that's been true for me this last week. I greatly missed my children and now know, to a greater extent, how much they mean to me, and how much they add to my life. I am eternally grateful to be a mother and for my wonderful children.

And so we commence

Well, as my husband says, "There comes a day in every man's life..." Today is the last. Tomorrow is the first. Today is the end. Tomorrow is the beginning. School starts tomorrow, folks. Yes, tomorrow! And with it, seminary starts. Nay, 6:30 AM seminary! And with that starting, my husband's beautiful, carefree mornings and relaxing evenings have oh so quickly slipped through our fingers.

It may sound like I'm making light of the subject, but I'm really being quite serious. For those of you who have never had a seminary teacher as a spouse, or have never been a seminary teacher yourselves, let me explain.

Seminary in Casper Wyoming Stake is not a job. It's a calling. Yep! A calling. A wake up every morning at 5:00-ish, get dressed up, go teach a group of teenagers the scriptures, go to work, come home and prepare another lesson for tomorrow calling. Now, I'm not complaining. I'm admiring my husband and bragging on him because I don't know of too many people that would be as willing as he is to do what he does for the entirety of the school year. He's absolutely amazing, and as I say many times on my blog, he's the most wonderful husband and father in the world. If there's one thing I could go back and tell my young self, it would be "Marry the same guy." He's brought me so much happiness and love.

So, one can begin to understand why our summers are so precious. Two of my most favorite times of day are the early mornings and the evenings when Kyle and I talk in bed together. Those moments are so precious to me. With seminary starting, the early morning talks together are taken away. Plus, the evening talk time is sometimes shortened because Kyle's so exhausted from his day and preparing a lesson. During the school year, I truly miss those "couple" moments. (No pun intended. ha ha)

Now, let it be known that because my husband is a seminary teacher, and because he truly magnifies this calling, we as a family and couple are extremely blessed. I know this to be true. Heavenly Father blesses our family for my husband sacrificing of his time and talents. Because we are blessed, I am eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father, and I'm grateful to my husband for serving so that we may reap the blessings of what he's sown.

So, although last night I literally cried in my husband's arms as we laid in bed talking about what Monday brings, and as Kyle is enjoying a "last day" of
sleeping-in even at this very moment, I am thankful for seminary and that my husband has been asked to serve in this calling. I will still miss him though, and the extra moments we spend together.

Kyle, know your family is supporting you 200%. We love you! Have a great first day of seminary and a great school year studying the Book of Mormon. You'll be AWESOME!!! Go get 'em Tiger!

Fabulous Five

Five years ago today, my dreams came true when I was married to my best friend and love of my life, Kyle. I think about the past five years and tears of gratitude come to my eyes. I honestly can't imagine a more wonderful life than the one I have been blessed with with my husband. We truly have something magical that only a handful of couples can say they have.

Today, to honor my marriage and my husband, I first want you to view this video.


Those first few moments as husband and wife are priceless. I love every memory from that day. It couldn't have been more perfect. From the weather, to the people that attended...it was just as I had hoped.

Here are some more pictures of our wedding day, and of the reception that we had 10 days later.








A Few Things I've Learned in the First 5 Years of Marriage
1. It's the little things that matter
2. The things that seem big, usually aren't that big if you just let them sit for a day
3. Welcome home kisses can turn a frustrated, tired man into a happy, tired man and they can turn a wicked witch into a wife
4. Dishes CAN wait, (so can laundry)
5. Children add SOOOOO much to marriage and life, and they add so much love to the love you already have for each other
6. Family date night can be just as fun as couple date night
7. My husband is amazing!!! I am so blessed to have the husband I have.
8. Couple prayer is always more fun when it takes 5 minutes or more to begin the prayer
9. Don't ask the husband to find anything that might be behind something else
10. Movies are funnier the second time you watch them
11. Couple time at night is worth all the craziness of the day
12. Tithing is the key
13. Start with the point. Fill in with details.
14. Listen. (I'm still working on this one. Sorry Kyle!)
15. Hugs solve lots of problems.
16. Holding hands keeps you close. (I know it seems obvious!)
17. Taking the extra time to whip the eggs isn't that big of a deal
18. Cold feet are warmed quickest on warm feet
19. Keeping the shower water running through the whole shower does make for a better shower experience
20. I love my husband!!! More and more everyday! I'm so glad I have eternity with him.

Happy Anniversary Baby Lou! I love you! XOXOXXX

Lived to Tell the Tale

Well, the big 5K race was Saturday for my husband and I. It was really enjoyable. I won't lie to the fact that prior to the race my stomach was in knots. I'm not sure if that's due to the fact that I've always gotten nervous before my races or because my husband had been praying for the past week "that we may not die on our race." (Talk about really boosting my confidence! ha ha)

Well, after some stretching, paying a fee and a tightening our shoelaces, we were off. My husband had a bit more gusto than I did and bolted out of the gates. He was so sweet to first check with me to see if he could go on ahead. I wasn't far behind him, probably 75-100 yards. I never lost sight of his cute backside the duration of the race. That's what kept me motivated to keep going.

We still don't know our exact times. They said our times would be posted in the newspaper on Thursday. That's good ol' Wyoming for you. Kyle thinks he finished around 26 minutes and I was shortly thereafter.

Needless to say, it was great! We survived, AND......we're running another one in two weeks! Yep! That's right. The heat is on!

Runners, Take Your Marks

My husband and I have been training for a 5K race for almost two weeks now. It has been so much fun to be doing a hobby with my husband. Even though we take shifts with running in the morning and the evening, it's so fun to be doing this together. Some nights, we've had to be inventive as to how to fit in our run together. One night we took turns running up and down our street, while the other stayed on the porch to listen for the kids. We ended that workout by running through our own sprinklers at 10:00 at night. It was great! (I wonder what the neighbors thought. "Honey, the Corbridge's are outside running through their sprinklers!")

I've learned that if you can connect anything with technology, it makes it that much more exciting for my husband, and low and behold, my husband discovered the Nike chips that go in your shoes and connect to your Ipod. It really is a fun way to train. You can work on certain physical goals, it will tell you how far, how fast and how long you've run, it will graph it for you on your computer....geeky stuff like that. Right up my husband's alley. Geeky husbands are hot, by the way. So, the training has begun, and the race is on. I will post as to how the results turn out. In the meantime, know that my husband and I are looking good and feeling fine. Get set......

Childhood Passes

Today, I took my son to his swimming lessons, and unlike most times, he joyfully skipped over to his teacher and jumped into the pool. (He loves to swim, but swimming "lessons" have been a little terrifying for him.) So, immediately I was relieved that it would be a good day at swimming.

As I sat there watching my son with his teacher, having fun, splashing, laughing, learning, and then looking down at my little baby and my daughter sitting beside me, I thought, "Where has the time gone?" I couldn't believe that that was MY son, and I was the parent who was observing. Observing with MORE children!!! Then, I had another thought. "He's growing up and next year he'll be in school for most of the day." That thought lead to, "I will miss being the one he laughs with, and plays with, and learns from the entire day. I want to be there still. I want to see his eyes and his smile when he discovers new things. I want to be the one."

I vowed right then that I would slow down and really enjoy my son, and all of my children. They go to school all too quick, and sadly, I think I've probably missed many "mommy moments" because I just had to finish the dishes, or I had to put another load of wash in or I was just plain tired to play. It made me sad. In fact, I was near tears at swimming lessons, and I had to stop thinking because I didn't want to cause a stir with the other parents.

What do we miss out on because we are too busy? Or because we're not listening? Have you ever noticed how small a child's voice is? If you're not careful, you can easily miss what they want to tell you or what they want to ask of you. What have I missed? I pray that I haven't missed too much.

Tonight, I took the time to go in to my children's rooms and kiss them one by one and watch them sleep for a few minutes. I wanted to remember how they looked this young, how they sounded, how they curl up in sleep, how they snore so quietly....It was my way of trying to stop the clock, to try and savor the precious mommy moments I have if only I look for them.

Story Time

I love my daughter for many reasons, but two of them are...1.She has the biggest heart you will ever find and 2. She has the most adorable voice.
Just watch this video and you will see what I mean. And imagine, I get to enjoy these sweet moments throughout everyday. (You can pause the music by scrolling down to the music player.)

Family. Isn't it about....time?

This past week, my family went to our family reunion at Bear Lake. It started out as an adventure. My husband accidentally, (I think), left my suitcase at home. He obviously thought we were going to "Bare Lake." So, I arrived in Utah with nothing. My husband is lucky that 1. I love him and 2. Hate to shop. ha ha Most women would love their husbands to leave their suitcase at home, I suppose. Anyhow, after a miracle of phone calls, we found a family that was traveling to Utah the next day, and my suitcase caught up to us.

The reunion at Bear Lake was so wonderful. I truly married into such a wonderful family, and I am so grateful. It was three days of absolute fun! My children loved it so much that they cried, literally, when they learned we were leaving. I posted some pictures of the fun we had.



To any of my family that may be reading this, thank you for making the reunion wonderful. But more than that, thank you for being a wonderful family 24/7. We love you so much and miss you when we don't see you as often.

The Daddy of Our Home

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's....OUR DAD!!!

Happy Father's Day to my husband, quite possibly the best Father EVER!!! I knew when I met my husband that he would make an amazing father. That is one huge reason why I was attracted to him, that and his massive biceps. (And, for those smarty pants people that might be reading this, I guess it really wasn't when I met him that I thought that, because we met when we were 8, and I can guarantee I wasn't thinking "This little boy would make a great father.")

Nevertheless...
my husband is a wonderful father, and I love him so much. And to show him how much I appreciate him, and to let others know just what they're missing, I wanted to write a little blog about "The Daddy of Our Home."

The Daddy of Our Home
1. Somehow manages each day to wake his bride with a good morning kiss and morning chat, shower, get dressed, teach early morning seminary, cuddle with his kids in bed, and lead our family in morning prayer all before the hour of 7:00 a.m.
2. Shares his bowl of cereal with the princess and shares his steak with the prince
3. Always has time for a round of wrestling, or racing, or pirates, or pretend church, or Super heroes, or whatever else the kids have thought up during the day...that mommy's too worn out to play with them anymore
4. Flatters his wife by asking her opinion with what he's chosen to wear for the day
5. Bears his testimony to his family often, even if it's not FHE or family scripture study
6. Always holds his wife's hand in public
7. BBQ's a mean BBQ, and allows his son to help with every step....even though it takes twice as long for dinner to get done
8. Dances with his wife in the kitchen, and his daughters in the family room
9. Teaches our kids the simple things of life that mean so much, such as...Water is fun to play in and won't hurt your eyes, peanut butter doesn't belong on toast, snowmen are fun to make, some jokes never get old, you really CAN do it, kisses work when whining doesn't, loving family is important, and you have to eat oreos with milk.
10. Fixes anything, knows everything (or if he doesn't will always find the answer on his cell phone or Ipod *wink*), and can practically do it all! (Neighbors even call my husband to come fix their problems!)
AND ONE MORE JUST FOR FUN....
11. Loves his wife and shows that so well to his children by how he talks to her, treats her and respects her and expects the children to do the same.

I love you Kyle! Thank you for being absolutely amazing! We love you Dad!

To Touch a Cloud

So...how long do you wait before you check yourself into a home? This was my frame of mind Wednesday of this week. I felt very tired, cranky, and irritable with my children. And I don't know about you, but when I am that way, I'm upset with myself for being that way and I just get MORE irritable and upset. It's a vicious cycle.

So, I decided, if the children couldn't get along inside the house, we wouldn't stay inside the house, so off we went in the car to who knows where. Just anywhere to get away from the four walls that were suffocating me and my children.

The day was a dreary day, and as we drove past Casper Mountain, my son said, "Look! The clouds are touching the mountains. I want to touch a cloud!" My daughter immediately chimmed in and said, "Me Too! I want to touch a cloud." I thought, well, why not drive up the mountain. Might as well. So we headed that way to touch a cloud.

As we climbed higher and higher, my children's excitment escalated as well, and I couldn't help but have my own mood lifted. The kids were saying things like, "Here we go! We're getting closer. I've NEVER touched a cloud before! I can't wait to touch a cloud." My irritablity faded as I realized how simple and beautiful life really is if we only allow it to be.

We reached the "look out point" and climbed out. Indeed, we were in the clouds and the children were thrilled! They giggled and smiled and "could not believe it!" (I love when my children say, "I can NOT BELIEVE IT!!!") As I watched my children in the clouds, loving such a simple thing as touching nothing but air, I realized once again that I have three beautiful blessings in my life who were truly sent to me to bring me closer to God, to help me "touch the clouds."

The Icing on the Cake

Ha ha ha ha. I can laugh about it now, because my husband is home, safe and sound, and I am able to look back at the week alone with my three children and smile. At the time, I wanted to cry. There are many stories to be told about the week, but I think it's safe to say that everything climaxed on one beautiful Sabbath morning.

It was was son's 4th birthday actually, and I was so proud of myself for being on top of the game. I had previously baked the cake and frozen it, (so it would frost better), I had made the frosting the night before and I had cleaned up the entire kitchen so that all I had to do Sunday was ever so elegantly decorate my son's cake all the while smiling like Betty Crocker.

I was doing just that, and allowing my children to help, as all good mother's do. My son was stirring the frosting and within seconds, the entire bowl whipped off the counter, shattering on the floor. Shattering, mind you! I've NEVER seen such a mess of glass. Not only that, but....now picture this with me folks.....each shattered piece of glass had gooey red red red frosting on it, so now I had shards of glass literally stuck to my kitchen floor and walls. ha ha! (Like I said, I laugh now.)

It literally took my a good 5 minutes to even figure out how to begin cleaning up the darn mess. I mean, I couldn't sweep it, I couldn't mop it, I couldn't vacuum it, and even with my hands...it was impossible because the pieces were so small and burried in frosting. I finally put on my dishwashing gloves (which every woman should own a pair!) and prayed that I would be able to pick things up without ending up with several cuts.

Forty five minutes later....yes, forty five minutes, People....I looked at kitchen and laughed. We began a new batch of frosting and finished the cake.

This is just one of the many things that happened while my husband was away where I just wanted to yell, "Kyle! Help!" I truly missed my husband and have a greater appreciation for all he does around the house for me and the kids. Daddies are missed when they are away. That's for sure. My husband is amazing! I am the luckiest woman in the world to have a man who loves to be a Dad.

And...the cake was delicious.

11:08 P.M.

I write this post specifically because I know my husband will check my blog when he sees there's a new post there and he will be totally turned on to see that I was blogging at 11:08 P.M.

I love you Baby Lou! And miss you even more than you can imagine. Headlines just weren't as funny without you to laugh with, and eating a late night snack without you is just not enjoyable. I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!! XOXOXXX

P.S. Call me *wink*

Top 10 Reasons Why I Let My Husband Buy a Harley

10. He looks dead sexy on a motorcycle.
9.????

What other reason is there?!!

Well, I must be losing my mind...or else I must have lost my heart to the man I love because the unthinkable has happened. My husband bought a motorcycle. But get this, he had my permission! What was I thinking?! ha ha Let's just say that after many weeks of prayer and thought, I decided my husband is a pretty good guy and that he deserves to have something to satisfy those little boy desires that are screaming to get out of every man that walks the planet. ha ha It's true. All men have their childhood boy deep down inside that wants to play in the dirt, or pick up a hammer, or drive a fast car or save the planet.

In all actuality, something has come of Kyle's motorcycle that I would have never imagined. Kyle normally comes home attached to his cell phone still handling work "issues". It takes him a good 20-30 minutes to really "end" his day. But, now that he can't be talking on a cell phone on his motorcycle, he comes home leaving work behind. Plus, he's had a 10 minute "ride" to just relax and unwind from the day. And believe me, there's nothing more sexy than my husband riding up on his motorcycle ready to be a husband and a dad. I love it! Ride on! (ha ha get it, right on, ride on.....never mind.....)

Blessing a Blessing

I have always thought the term "Baby Blessing" has dual meaning. Not only is the baby receiving a blessing, but the baby is a blessing. The family has been given a "baby blessing" from heaven. I can't put better words to how I felt this weekend than that. It was a blessing. Katie is a blessing. And so is all the family that came to support us and supported us in their hearts at home. How grateful I am for the "blessing" of being able to have our daughter blessed this Sunday at church. Kyle gave such a beautiful blessing. I've always admired how he can so eloquently phrase things. He has a love for words, and it's professed in how he speaks, especially when it comes to things of a spiritual nature. I tease him that he is the "Neil A. Maxwell" of our family. I love him for sharing that talent and love with me.

Katie's blessing day was perfect. She is doing so well, as am I. I just love being a mother of three. They are my greatest joy.

Happy Mommy's Day to Every True Mommy!

I love to write. Poems especially. And in honor of Mother's day, which is quickly approaching, I thought I would post a poem that I wrote about mothers. Someday, I will publish a book with all my poems and stories in them. So think of this as a "sneak peek" of what is it come. ha ha

Beginning to See

Mom,
I always knew you loved me.
You showed it each and every day.
I never doubted you’d be there for me,
no matter what came your way.
I always knew you would cry with me
and be quick to give a squeeze.
I never doubted you’d be proud of me.
You were never hard to please.
But…
Now, I’m older
with a child of my own,
and I’m beginning to see more of what
I’ve thought I’ve always known.

I’m beginning to see
the little things are really the big things
I treasure and I love,
like a slobbery kiss, a giggle, a look,
or a small chubby armed hug.

I’m beginning to see
worrying about everything
is something I will do often.
But how can I help it when the
clothes are hot, the air is cold,
or he’s just plain coughin’?

I’m beginning to see
how a mother’s time
is truly not her own.
But to also enjoy each passing moment
‘cause all too quickly, they’re grown.

I’m beginning to see
how much a mother depends
on prayer and heaven above
to watch her family day and night
and surround them with
protection and love.

I’m beginning to see
how a mother would do anything
to take away the pain and tears,
the endless nights, the crying eyes,
the aching stomachs and infected ears.

I’m beginning to see
a mother’s love
truly knows no bounds or depths,
and although I know I still have
much to learn,
I know I will always be in debt
to my Mother, who was also once
a mother beginning to see.
I love her for all she’s done
and all she’s passed along
to a beginning mother like me.
-2005-

Game Time

Can you find four things wrong with this picture?

The Road Trip

This weekend, it was just me and my gals. Instead of staying at home, we drove 4 hours to Powell, Wyoming where my grandparents live. It was wonderful to spend a weekend somewhere where I wasn't worried about my carpets being vacuumed, the laundry getting done, or dinner getting on the table. Once and awhile, I've discovered, we need to leave life to find what life is all about. My girls had a ball being with grandma and grandpa Grape. (When I first introduced my children to their "Great" grandparents, they thought I said "Grape", and the name stuck.) And I think my grandparents had a good time too.

Chunky Munkin

So, I take my little Katie, my two month old, to the doctor for her rountine check-up and low and behold, the girl weighs 12 lbs and 11 oz! She is growing up (or out...ha ha) so quickly! I love how she's still so little, yet so squeezable. I think the picture explains it all. Here are a few snapshots of my little girl, all grown up.

Sunday Bliss

Yesterday was simply heavenly as it was the first Sunday that we "came back" to church as an entire family after having Katie Mae. At church, I looked down the bench at my handsome and righteous husband Kyle, my smarter than a whip and hilarious son Nicholas, my girly and tender hearted daughter Natalie, and my newest little angel Katie in her father's arms....and I said a silent prayer of gratitude for all I've been given. It doesn't get much better than this.

Generations of Time

My perfect husband took this picture when my family got together for my brother's homecoming. The hands in the picture are my maternal grandmother, my mom, myself, my two year old daughter and my two week old daughter. Not only that, but the hands in this picture are 75, 50, 25, 2, and 2 weeks old. How cool is that!! Quarters of a century each! WOW!


This picture is truly...what's the word...thought provoking. As I laid my hand next to the women in my life, I honestly have to say that tears came to my eyes and a thousand thoughts filled my head. I really can't describe it. It was like looking at my whole life, past, present and future. I think the thing I loved the most was looking at the resemblance that my hands have to my grandma's, knowing that someday, I can have beautiful hands like hers if I continue in my path as a mother and wife.

Lovely Oasis

I once read a quote, (and I have it somewhere in my house), that went something like this. "Sometimes we trudge through our desert, waiting for an oasis to appear. Don't forget to stop once and awhile and realize the glorious oasis you're actually in."

I've really been thinking about that this week, as this week has seemed to be filled with all the little things that could drive anyone nuts. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing my oasis. Haven't I always wanted to be a mother? And I couldn't ask for better kids. My kids are the best in the world. (Sorry, they just are.) The first days of this week were drudgery, but as I shifted my perspective and my attitude, I realized that I love what I'm doing and I love my children at the stage of life they are in now. Too often we say, "I'll be happy when....." I made a commitment today to be happy NOW. Because "now" goes all too quickly. My little baby girl is already 2 months and 12 lbs! She isn't a newborn at all anymore. Did I enjoy those fleeting moments? Or was I too busy wishing for the next stage of life to come quicker?

I am going to live in the moment from now on because I truly am in a glorious oasis right now....and it's all I'd ever dreamed of...and more.

Times to Remember

My family and I just returned from a week long vacation to Utah. We were with my in-laws the entire time and it was heaven. For those of you that don't enjoy your in-laws, I'm so sorry. Mine truly are the best. It was simply delightful to have the family together. The really amazing thing is there are 13 cousins total, all under the age of seven! WOW!!! Talk about crazy fun!

You know, even though it was completely chaotic at times (ha ha Laura), I had to step back and smile at the fact that we as a family are "doing it." We are living the plan set up by our Heavenly Father, and it truly does bring happiness. What a blessing the plan of happiness is! As a member of the LDS church, I find great peace of mind knowing that there is a plan and purpose to all this craziness in life. (For anyone who wants more information on the plan of happiness, visit www.mormon.org)

So, to my family, thanks for the memories made this weekend, and thanks for letting me join the family. I thank my lucky stars for you everyday! I love you all! (Ryan and Andy, you were missed! Ryan, good luck with the new adventures in Ohio and Andy, can't wait to see you in June!) Love you all!

St. Patrick's Day

I didn't have time to write about this last week, so I'm writing now. St. Patrick's Day was quite the day for my children. Nicholas thought it was hilarious that we had a day to pinch people who weren't wearing his favorite color, whereas my daughter thought it was "not nice" to celebrate such a day.

On St. Patrick's Day, I took my children to the doctor's. Katie, my baby girl, was having a checkup. Nicholas smiled in delight as the doctor walked in the room without an ounce of green on. He whispered to me, "Mom, he isn't wearing green!" I told him to pinch him (which made me laugh inside that on this one day a mother encourages her children to pinch people!). Nicholas was to timid and didn't do anything, but as soon as the doctor left the room, Nicholas ran to the door opened it up and yelled down the hall, "Dr. G! You better run! I'm gonna pinch ya!" He then ran down the hall after the doctor, but never did find where the doctor had escaped to.

It just made me smile. I love children and the joy they receive from such simple things as St. Patrick's Day.

In the wee small hours of the morning

Oh! The joys of a new baby...reminding you that such a time as 3 AM actually does exist.

As I sat up last night with my baby girl wide awake in my arms, I thought how such moments are bitter sweet. Obviously, it's not my ideal time to be awake with my daughter (and I am still yawning this morning over lack of sleep), but at the same time, no one else was awake. It was just me and her, just me and my baby girl. We even took the time to open the window and gaze at the stars and the peaceful morning together.

I also peeked in on my other sleeping children and feelings of complete happiness and disbelief filled my heart. I looked at the baby in my arms, then at my two year old, then at my almost four year old and couldn't really remember when that growing up had happened, and it made me sad.

So even though I wanted to be in bed sleeping, I was content to know that that moment would never happen again- which once again was a bitter sweet. I will love being able to sleep through the night again, but I will greatly miss rocking my sweet, small bundle while only the heavens join us for a solitude moment, which all to quickly will disappear.

By Small and Simple Things

"By small and simple things shall great things come to pass. And small means, in many instances, doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes." -Alma 37:6-7

This is one of my favorite scriptures, and THE scripture, I believe, that best describes the miracle of a newborn baby. Each time I hold our new baby, Katie Mae, I am overcome with the absolute miracle of birth, of each human coming into this world as a small, perfect being. Equally mind-boggling to me is that such a small person can have such an enormous effect on the world. A woman's life completely changes (or should) when she has a child.

I also believe this scripture pertains to the joy of child rearing. As a mother of three, (and my oldest child being only a simple 3 years old), I am in awe that my life has been forever changed...for the better of course...by the "small and simple." Never in my life have I wanted to be so good and so perfect a leader, teacher and example. I've never loved so deeply or cared so much about making and achieving goals. Even the love I have for my husband, whom I love more than I can put words to...it's a different type of love for a husband than a child because part of you is that child and you are shaping your child daily into the man or woman they will someday be. It's absolutely amazing and, I think, the greatest responsibility one can ever have; that of raising children, passing along to another human being your own knowledge, life experiences and values, and praying continuosly that your hard work and efforts are enough.


You give your absolute all...your absolute all...to something, someone. I've never felt so completely exhausted and yet so satisfied when all my hard work pays off in some little way. I've never been so tried and tested. And again, it is almost comical to me that my greatest challenge stems from the smallest people I come in contact with. How can one so small make such a great impact on an adult? That is the majesty and miracle of Heavenly Father's plan, to confound the "Wise" with his "Small and Simple"....to bring about his eternal purposes.

And, isn't it also funny how what we view as "simple", really may not be as simple as we supposed? What we label as "complicated" here in this life might actually be the unneccesary things, while the simple things are the essential things for joy in this life and eventually for eternal life.

How grateful I am to have three of God's Small and Simple in my home, at my breakfast table, running through my halls....to confound the Wise....and to truly bring about Heavenly Father's eternal purposes in my life.