Jackson and Maisy

It Just doesn't get any better then this.

While in Vegas we were short one stroller so we stuck Miss Mo and Jackson in the stroller together.

Jackson looks alittle more excited to be sharing then Maisy does.

Happy Birthday Josh!!

Happy Birthday Josh!!

This kid has been so excited for his big day. I have to say that as a mom I love that my kids get so excited. The day came off great.

So happy that his day as finally arrived.
Josh wanted to go bowling so we headed to the local bowling ally and let every one bowl to their hearts content. Really, I would say half way through the first game bowling had lost a bit of it's appeal with the kiddos. Fun times!!

After bowling we headed back home for the pinata that Josh wanted. Once the pinata broke it was the slowest pick-up of treats I had ever seen. All I can say is I hope they all got exactly what they wanted.

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It was a wonderful day. I am so grateful for Josh. I experience the full range of emotions with him.

Frustration, anger, wonderment (is that a word?), amazement, confusion, excitement, happiness, enjoyment and many more.....

Josh keeps me guessing and I just never know what each day will bring.

I love you, Josh

Isn't It Ironic???

An employee at McDonalds pointed out the irony of Brad with his BYU shirt and Jackson in his Ute onies.

Talk about sending mixed signals.

Blast From the Past

Yesterday afternoon the boys, along with our neighbors were in need of an activity. So I decided to introduce them to an all time favorite for me growing up. I am unsure how the game came to be, but as kids when were we able to play we LOVED it.

The Flour Game.

items needed...

canister of flour

penny

cup

plate

knife

Place the penny at bottom of the cup and pack in the flour. Once flour has been packed place a plate over the cup and flip over. Ever so slowly pull the cup up so you are left with a tower of flour and a penny right in the middle.

Each player takes a turn to cut part of the flour tower. As each player takes a turn to cut the tower becomes smaller and smaller with the prospect of the tower crashing. If you make the tower fall you go in after the penny, without the assistance of hands. Once you find the penny you have to pick it up with your teeth.

This is what you get!!!! The boys used their foreheads to move the flour around to find the penny.

It was so fun to watch the boys play. I can clearly remember playing the flour game as a kid around our kitchen table.(I think having the flour game outside is a must) The kids loved to play and the group of kids kept getting bigger. I quickly realized how unsanitary this game is and as the group size increased I had to call the game on account of too many kids. My germ-a-phobia kicked in on high.

With flour in everyones hair and all over my driveway I considered the game a success. Nothing better then being able to hose them constants off when the game is over.

Round #2

Today we had another appointment up at Primary Children's Hospital for his heart. I have such anxiety going into these appointment, but I am happy to report

things went well.

Brad and I both knew Jackson still had the heart mummer. It was still audible at the Dr.s office during his well child check ups.
After a night of little sleep I headed up to PCH early this morning. I am so lucky that my Mom was able to go with me. Our first stop was at Radiology to get chest x-rays and my boy did great. After x-rays we headed to cardiology to met with the Dr. and have the rest of his testing done. This kid was all smiles as we wait for the nurses and Dr. to get to work on him.

Once in Cardio the little guy was weighed, measured and blood pressure taken. After being man handled Jackson was hooked up for his EKG. Once again the kid was a champion. He had about 12 stickers placed all over his chest and belly and then hooked up for a few minutes. Jackson played with a set of keys and never let out a cry. After the test they have to take off the stickers and I cringe as the nurse starts to take them off, Jackson didn't even seem to notice.

After the tests and meeting with the Dr. the diagnoses is the same that I had anticipated. Jackson still has a little hole in his heart, but the Dr, assured me that with most cases the hole will close on it's own. We will still have to have check-ups about every 6 months with the cardiologist, but as long as Jackson keeps growing the little hole will not be a problem.

I feel so blessed!!! While walking the halls at the hospital I saw plenty of little kids that truly have struggled through some major physical hurdles. I feel blessed that the prognosis for my little Jackson is positive. I feel blessed that I have two other boys that are physically healthy. As Brad and I have struggled through some hurdles of our own lately I realize that to have our own healthy and happy children is truly a blessing.

Until another 6 months......

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.