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!