Just the Two of Us

For our birthdays, Devon's parents watched the kids while we took off to sunny, warm, St. George.

It's funny how dramatically life changes after having kids. Looking back, it's hard to remember what we talked about or did together before having them.

This weekend away was much needed and it was good to experience being just the two of us again.

It's surprising how much you can do when you're not towing around three little ones with you everywhere you go.

• We saw two movies
• Were able to eat out without feeling rushed to hurry and finish before the kids started getting restless. It's amazing how much greater the food tastes when you actually get to chew AND swallow.
• Shop. Oh, how I miss shopping. Shopping is not the same when you are looking for little ones hiding in the clothes racks, chasing them down the isles, or wrestling with one in your arms while you try to pay the bill.
• Hold hands.
• Stay up late and watch movies without feeling worried about being woken up during the middle of the night.
• Sleep in
• Shower without being interrupted by screaming/fighting children and having to negotiate with them to get along while washing my hair.
• Quiet car rides.

Needless to say, we had a great time together...but we really missed the kids and were anxious to get home to see them!

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Goodbye Summer, Hello Winter

Goodbye warm, summer mornings at the park...

Hello 32 degrees and hot chocolate...
Goodbye flip flops, barefeet, shorts, and playing with the hose and mud in the backyard...

Hello, snow, winter coats, sweatshirts, long pants, socks and close-toed shoes...


Goodbye beach {{oh, wait. we already said goodbye to that}}, suntans, and air conditioning...

Hello, heated indoor pools, snowballs, snowmen, rosy cheeks and noses, and extra blankets...

Goodbye popsicles, green leaves, bright flowers, blue skies, and bicycles...

Hello, bare trees, runny noses, fireplaces, slippery roads, and snow sleds.

Bug Catchin' and Smores!

Taylors teacher, Mrs. Clark, invited all of the families from her class out to her parents home in New Harmony for a cookout and to catch bugs.

Mrs. Clark's dad is a bug scientist and loves to teach the kids about bugs. Of course, I had nothing to do with the bugs, but had fun watching the kids catch them.

It was so much fun meeting the other families from Taylors class and getting to know her teacher. In San Diego, we would have never experienced a teacher inviting us over to her house for a cookout...I love it!

Boys Will Be Boys

Have you ever heard the saying: "Life is not measured by the breaths you take, rather the moments that take your breath away."

This picture definitely demonstrates one of those moments that takes my breath away.

In that brief,breathless moment, I am grateful I have no neighbors within eye sight to judge me for letting my kids run around like this. At the same time, I am thinking..."you know you're a red neck when...(you can finish the sentence)."
Ay-yay-yay!

So You Want to be a Helicopter Pilot?

Uncle Curtis, next door, is a Helicopter pilot. He recently flew his helicopter back from Mexico and before cleaning it up and flying it back to the hangar, he let the kids take a look and hang out in the cock pit.
Obviously, Luke and Blake LOVED it!
It's not every day you get to hang out in a helicopter for fun! Cool, huh?
Thanks Uncle Curtis!

The River

We have been exploring the outdoors and finding new and different things to do here in Southern Utah.

Our most recent adventure was driving up the canyon and stopping by the river to throw rocks.

Some of the highlights were:

• Running water always makes you have to pee
• Clay, when wet, is very slippery and does not wash out of clothes well
• Devon insisting on digging up a very huge rock because he just "had to take it home"
• Thank goodness for crocks!
• Don't let the kids use the camera to take pictures, it always ends in disaster!
• There's nothing like bonding as a family while throwing rocks in the river
  

Simple Gratitude for the Ones I love Most

I awoke this morning feeling very tired! The husband and I stayed up way too late watching a movie. Even though we stay up late, every night, I love our time together and the moments that are ours when the kids are in bed. When the alarm went off at 7:15 am, my warm bed and pillow were beckoning me not to leave. After snoozing, three times, I finally pulled myself out of bed and staggered to the other end of the house to wake up Taylor. She, too, was very tired, but anxious to go to school.

I love that she loves school! I love our morning chats, her smiles and I love you's in the morning. She is always so sweet and affectionate. I love curling, braiding, and topsy-tailing her hair before school. She always cringes and cries because she says I pull too hard, but always loves the end result. She is beautiful! I always find myself staring at her in amazement wondering how I created such a beautiful little girl. Our conversations are always simple, but fun. Her giggles and wiggles always make me smile and warm my heart. After she eats her breakfast, brushes her teeth, and puts her shoes on, we walk to the bus stop. Every time I watch the bus drive away, I feel a slight tug at my heart as I realize she is growing up and becoming more and more independent every day.

Today, as we were walking to the bus stop, the school called me to substitute teach and I accepted. I spent the entire day with 4th graders and had a blast! However, at lunch time I missed my two boys and wondered if they ate their lunch, if Luke got off to preschool okay, and if Blakey missed me singing to him before his nap. I missed it!

After school, I rushed in to find my boys and picked each of them up and squeezed them tight! I marveled at how tall and handsome Luke is. I love that he loves to show me his projects that he made at school...he is so proud! I love to watch the wheels turning in his brain as he explains to me his love for legos and how he can create such amazing things from them. He wants to be Darth Vadar for Halloween...when did his passion change from Toy Story to Star Wars? He gives the best hugs and kisses, and, on his own, always says "mommy, I wuv you." My favorite thing is to listen to Luke pray. His prayers are sincere, thoughtful, kind, and from the heart. His most recent phrase, during prayer, is "please bless all the people on the planet earth, because we love them, but not the bad guys..." He is so cute and so sweet.

Blake is a mamas boy these days. Everywhere I go, he wants to go. He loves riding in the stroller to the bus stop. If he is left behind, I find him at home hysterically crying. I love that he is obsessed with ant hills and loves to crush them and poke sticks in them. I know it's gross, but it is fun to watch him explore. Actually, I love all of his obsessions with bugs-especially spiders, or as he says "spidy." I love his cheeks, his smile, his eyes, his entire chubby little body! I love to watch him explore and play with his brother. Although he is still a "bruiser," he has calmed a little, but I love to watch him wrestle and have fun. I love that he loves his big brother. I love to watch him copy everything Luke does--he idolizes him! I am constantly in awe with how smart he is and how much he is learning and growing every day. He is our sweet little Bubby!

After homework with Taylor, and "rabbit" (rock) hunting with the boys, we spent time together for FHE. Both Taylor and Luke took turns leading the music and sharing their favorite songs. Blakey participated too.

It's been a good day. A day that has left my heart overflowing with gratitude for my husband and precious children. Sometimes it's the simple things in life that make life so great and so worthwhile and I thank my Heavenly Father for these wonderful blessings every day!