Many Blessings

There have been too many times this year that I have struggled to find something to be thankful for. And for this I feel sad. It shouldn't take a day like thanksgiving to make me realize all the many blessings I have. Yes it has been an EXTREMELY challenging year for me and my family but I have a family. Not just any family MY family. A wonderful husband who has been beside me through all the heartache, tears, and heartburn. He works so incredibly hard so I am able to stay home with my babies and for that I am truly thankful. My beautiful daughter. Tears come to my eyes when I think of how fast she has grown. I don't know how it happened but she is already 3 going on 16. My handsome little boy. Again how the time flies. I cannot believe that he is crawling around and for the very first time yesterday (perfect) he said "mom". I know I sound like the grinch when I complain about Christmas coming too soon. My reasoning is this; there is only one day a year that is set aside for us to think of all we are thankful for. Just ONE day. And that to me is not enough. So do me a little favor and remember Thanksgiving this year. Not just on Thanksgiving but maybe throughout the year when you might be having a hard time thinking of something to be thankful for.

*HAPPY THANKSGIVING*

Spotlight

Just in case you didn't get enough pictures of my kids in the last post I decided to spotlight my little 8 month old baby boy. I can't believe he is 8 months old (almost 9). This year with him has gone by so fast. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect baby. He's always happy to see just about anyone. And he makes my day every time he smiles. He has now started crawling and getting in to EVERYTHING. He is going to be a handful. So much more then Olivia was I think. He is also trying to pull himself up on things but doesn't quite have the balance for it yet so he ends up falling over and bumping his head a couple hundred times a day. We love you baby Caleb.












8 months old and getting his first hair cut already! Kacy did an awesome job. His hair is already growing in thicker.

Fall Festivities

So here I am once again WAY behind on my blogging duties. I really have no excuse besides a super slow computer and not enough time. Let me start out by saying I LOVE FALL!! Now it's November and the weather has been fabulous. I hope it stays this way. I don't want it to end. We had so much fun in October getting ready for Halloween and doing a bunch of fall things. We visited pumpkin patches, carved pumpkins, went trick-or-treating, and ate way too much candy. I have a bunch of pictures to post. I will try to be better at this but I say that every time.

A fun fall day at the park. Caleb LOVED his first swing ride. He couldn't stop laughing and slobbering. I love watching him enjoy and explore the fun things in the world.

Picking pumpkins at the "PATCH". Olivia took about an hour to choose just the right pumpkin. She was so excited about them all. It was a beautiful fall evening. What a great place to spend time with the family.


Carving Olivia's pumpkin. Caleb was in heaven. He couldn't believe we were letting him play with messy, goopy stuff. He would put his hand in, grab a handful, then look at me and giggle. Olivia on the other hand wouldn't even touch it......."EEEWWWWW"






Once again it's cycle cross season for Nic and my dad. We spend almost every Saturday morning at his races. The Halloween race was a blast. Nic was super bee. He finished 2nd despite the costume. He kicks butt!!







Princess Snow White. She was so in to it this year. She is already talking about what she should be next Halloween.
Mr. Happy the "Gwarf" as Olivia called him. He hated his costume and most people didn't know what he was. But I think he looks dang cute.

Olivia as usual is yelling "GO UTES!!!" Cody was at the game so he missed out on all the trick or treating fun.

Lessons Learned

This morning, like every other morning I woke up to a baby babbling away in his crib. After that a 3 year old called "MOMMY!" Like she does every morning when she is ready to start the day. Yep just a normal day except today I am a year older. When I was younger there was nothing I loved more then my birthday. Now with each year I dread it more and more. Why? I'm not really sure. Maybe it's the realization that I'm not a carefree 16 year old anymore, the tole gravity and child bearing has taken' on my body, or just plain old grumpiness. In any case I am trying hard today to take deep breaths and enjoy. It is my day. I'm going to eat lots of nummy and bad for me foods, give my kids lots of kisses, enjoy hanging out with my mom and husband, and stop worrying about getting older. That being said, I am a year older. And being older I would like to share some things I have learned this year.

*Being a mom is the hardest, most rewarding, full filling, and exhausting job in the entire world.

*It is okay to ask for help.

*Nobody expects perfection from you.

*Nothing can make your day better like a smiling baby.

*Baby puke is a nice accessory.

*I married the most supportive, patient, and understanding husband.

*Prayers may not be answered exactly the way you want them to be but they will be answered.

*Having dog hair on the carpet is much better then not having a dog.

*Laughing with a friend can save you from what was a rotten day.

*Family is more important then anything in the world.

Now you may all go forth with the wisdom of a 29 year old (phew) yep 29 year old women. The best is yet to come I have been told.

Some new pictures for your enjoyment as well!!

My best friend Jenny took a bunch of pictures of Caleb for me. This is one of my favorites. I just want to squeeze his face everytime I see it. Thanks for the awesome pictures Jenn!!

I wish I could chop my head out of this picture not the best picture of me. But the kids are dang cute!

Enjoying the fall leaves. Nothing is better then fall.

If anybody has seen this dog let us know. He got out last week and we haven't found him. We are all heartbroken over this. He was just starting to blend in to the family.

6 months!

This little boy has my heart in the palm of his hand. I can't believe 6 months have passed. I love this baby more each day. I do feel a lot of guilt because I waisted a lot of time with postpartum and trying to adjust and didn't spend enough time soaking in every sweet moment. Now that I finally feel I am in control of my emotions I am not waisting time. My BFF Kacy is having a new baby this week. It makes me realize how precious time is. They are only newborns for a short time. And although you are sleep deprived, emotional, and stressed it is worth it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Yesterday my little brother turned 24! I can't believe it. He's become such an awesome guy and one of my best buds. I love him so much and I'm very proud of all that he has accomplished. My mom put together a great party for him at his new pad it was awesome! Happy Birthday Nic!!!!

Thank goodness my mom doesn't read my blog. She'd kill me for using this picture. It cracks me up how weirded out we get by human contact in our family.

My new nephew, Juke! I went with Nic to adopt him last week. He's a handsome guy. He loves Nic and fits in perfect with the family.

I Want To Ride My Bicycle!!!

Life has been super busy this month. I can't believe it's the middle of June and the weather has been this crappy. I can't wait until summer officially comes and I am sweating to death. Yesterday me and my dad had the opportunity to ride in the Tour De Cure. It's the bike ride that raises money for finding a cure for diabetes. It was so much fun getting to ride with him. Nic came up as well and rode with us for awhile. Although he did the whole 25 miles in about 45 minutes. Even though it was rainy and a little chilly the ride went well. I am proud and not too shy to say 25 miles to me now isn't that bad. Now on the other hand last weekend I did an all women's ride up in Logan for cancer research. It was 40 miles and I thought a few times I wasn't going to make it. But I did and I am kind of proud of myself for accomplishing these little goals. It's not much but it makes me feel good. Also I'd like to thank those of you who opened up your wallets and donated money so that I was able to partake in Tour De Cure. I would have been bummed if I had to miss out on it and thanks for your support!

WE DID IT!!!!!