Two Worlds

This is my life.....

We found a snake in the yard the other day and Josh has taken it in. It sits on the porch in a bucket.

It has been a great source of entertainment for this kid. He has found worms for the snake to eat and checks every morning on it.


Josh named this little pet snake snakes. He told Brad, "It's a snake and it has eyes"

Everyday Josh tells me he will keep it for three more days.

I can't believe the little guy has hung on this long.

While in the middle of raising three boys, I have found that life is very different then raising girls. I love spending time with Jamie and her two little girlies, and when I say girlies....I mean Annie loves everything that is "pretty". Pretty shoes, pretty dresses, pretty jewelry, pretty bags....it goes on and on. Since I am without a female child I don't experience this on a daily basis.

Last week Josh, Jackson and I head down to PG to hang out with Jamie.

While hanging out my world of raising boys took a shock to the system. I am pretty sure the Cinderella movie was on repeat play. Annie looked for pretty dresses all over the house (Jamie has hidden many of her dresses so she doesn't change all day long) Annie recently acquired this little tutu (thanks grandma) and after taking off all her clothes she pulled on her tutu, grab some of Jamie's high heels and wanted to dance.

Needless to say boy and girl world are two different places.

My "Mother" Heart

Lately I have noticed a surplus of those "mother" pains that I feel in my heart. I know that I seem to be feeling everything a bit more deeply these days, but as certain events have taken place I find that that those aches and pains I get in my heart are a sure sign of my complete transition into motherhood.

I never thought I would be here. I remember saying that I never wanted kids. That I never wanted kids to spit-up on me, or wrinkle my ironed shirt. I knew deep down I was to be a mother. As I have had my kids and stay at home each day with the kiddos I often wonder, "really, this is my life???"

As life has unfolded I realize that life is amazing and goes by in a flash. Those aches that I feel in my heart are those aches associated with growing.

I am weaning Jackson from nursing and as I thought about the days that I no longer have to calculate what I do around a feeding schedule I am giddy with excitement. Once again, as I have feed Jackson in the early morning hours I have that ache that I will soon no longer have those quite moments that his little body cuddles into me and those sweet little noises has he fills his belly.



Josh, my sweet little wild card!!! The things this kid figures out. He took on the neighbor boy 10 years older then him and I tell him, Josh you will end up crying....5 minutes later tears. I want to shout I TOLD YOU SO, but the mother ache in my heart grabs him up to hug and kiss the pain away. Is it really possible to feel the same pain my children does?





James started 2nd grade this year and the night before his first day we were getting things ready. In my mind I am so excited for school to start. I am so excited that someone else can work on entertaining and teaching my child. Sad summer has wrapped up? NO.



However, Sunday night as James and I were pull things together I told him I will drive him in the morning and walk around back to the doors with him. James is quite for a moment and looks at me, "hum, I will just walk by myself"



Hip Hip hurry for Independence...Yes, but the ache in my heart as I realize that my boy is growing up and is happy to do things without Mom by his side.



"My plan to faze myself out is almost complete"




One evening James was saying family prayers and his prayer stated this, "please bless mom to be more patience." Do I laugh? No, I feel that ache and realize that I have failed my kids, and James understands to much now days.

I sometimes find myself wishing away these days. For some reason I think once my kids are grown and self-sufficient all will be right with the world. I now know that as my little kiddos continue to grow and slowly spread their wings I find those pains in my "mother" heart when I least expect it. I never thought I would feel bad when I stopped nursing, I am ready for my body back!!! Sad when Josh of all is the one crying when he gets hurts....No, I am sure he had it coming. James growing and needed me less and less.

Life is amazing and I truly and grateful my little guys and the spice they continue to add to my life. Onward and upward, and I will continue to experience my little aches and pains.

Library Square

First let me say, not my smartest idea with my three boys and our neighbor on a hot day, but we did it.

This morning we started the day off right with a trip to Banbury Cross (A gift from heaven I am sure) Oh so good. You can smell the fat once you open your car door, but every bit is worth it. We walk in and admittedly graced with the sight of sprinkles covering every inch and the shelves lined with cinnamon heaven. One of my favorite places. *On a side note one girl that works there said,"I didn't know you had another baby. I remember seeing you prego with the two other." What does this tell me.....#1. I go way to often!!!!

After loading up with our savory treasures we headed a few blocks south to Library Square. I thought it would be fun to hike the stairs to the roof and eat our donuts. I place Jackson in the backpack and load up a bag with drinks and donuts and we head out. After just a few steps up and feeling the full effect of a hot day, I wondered why I thought this would be fun??

We eventually made it to the top walked around and once the boys spotted the elevator quickly replayed, "We didn't need to walk all those stairs"

It was fun to do and sad to say that was my first experience at Library Square. (My first time at Library Square and I seem to be a regular at Banbury. I could have my priorities just a little switched)

Staining a Cabin for Dummies

The DREADED project (that is staining the cabin) came around this year. It is a project that comes around once every 5 years or so. Thanks to our organizational director (Jake) that got this project on the calendar and then failed to show......(Jake we can square later)

After many emails worth of planning and discussion the weekend was set. With a crew headed up on a Friday to tape all windows and a crew the next day to stain. The staining fell over into the following Saturday to finish things up.

So after the work is done and clean-up finished I reflect back on a few things I learned...

1. (I am sure the most important) Is having a great foreman to over see all the work that is being done. (make sure foreman has a cold drink in hand to place foremen in a euphoric state of mind)

2. Make sure to have a well supplied staff that is ready and willing to help.


3. Have a bunch of kids close by looking for trouble.

4. Find a crazy to do the hard to reach spots.


5. Be sure to have a "taxi" to get all your hard workers to their next assignment.

6. Watch out for any and all individuals looking creepy

7. Be sure to have the background check done on all workers before placing them with an assignment.

8. Refer back to rule #3

9. Be sure to have has many individuals as possible (preferably little kids that have to be watched closely) in close proximity to where you are working for best results.

I am glad the deed is done!!!! Everyone worked so hard. Thanks to all the work that went on behind the scenes to help get the job done.

Cheers to have the cabin stained......

My Favorite Things

Since I lately feel that I live in the lone and dreary world, I thought it a good idea for myself to reflect, take stock, acknowledge some of my many blessings and a few things that make me smile.....

*Laying in bed at night with the window open, hearing the rain and having the rain air blow through my room

*My hospital mug from being in the hospital having Jackson. Most expensive mug ever, but it makes me happy to have it around

*My little Jackson when he sees me and his little face lights up

*Sitting in Sacrament meeting and during the sacrament Josh leaning placing his hand out in front of his face and asking, "Mom, which finger is the bad finger?"

*Listening to my boys say their prayers and James asking to, "bless Mom with more patience."

*James and Josh taking care of Jackson (at times it is alittle scary, but I appreciate their willingness to help)

*James and Brad getting all excited about a show on TV about the universe. (I lay in bed next to them thinking...NERDS, but I love them)

*I found a vending machine that has Diet Coke so cold it has little diet coke ice crystals in it.

*Hanging out at the pool with my sisters

*Having families that rally around me and my family

*The Gospel

*A "grin and bare it" mentality, for when life gets alittle overwhelming

*Having my 9 year old next door neighbor tell me I am a "good cooker"....Who would have thought?

*Being surrounded by amazing people

*When I see James and Josh happily playing with one another

*Seeing those quiet acts of service that help others

*A lunch at Pei Wei

*Being around others that make me laugh

I truly am blessed!!!