She Lost Another One...

There is something so VERY cute about little kids loosing a tooth.  It's such a big deal in their little lives.  Something magical about falling asleep and finding money instead of gnarly tooth.   Natali awoke this morning to find 5 shiny dimes in her tooth fairy pillow (so happened to be the exact about of money needed to buy the ice cream at lunch that she had been begging for...win-win).  She was happy, "look at all my money's!" was what she said to be exact.  Then the tooth fairy got reprimanded for not counting in inflation and for being overly CHEAP.  Common' the kid was happy!  Let's run with it.  Either way this little face was all smiles today...especially during some after school  running through the sprinklers time.

8 years ago...

8 years ago today I got to marry this guy.  He was my best friend, my support, he made me "horse" laugh, made me feel special, unique, and beautiful.  He teased me, I harassed him, it worked.  I am grateful to have him by my side.  I love him.  Happy Anniversary.  

Mom

Happy Mother's Day

Being the mother of these three monkeys is no easy task.  But I love them with every fiber of my being.  This morning Natali walked into my room and we had the following conversation...

Natali: "mom...it's a specail day today!"

Me:  "oh ya, what is it?"

Natali:  "It's Mothers Day (without taking a breath) and aren't you going to get up and make us some special cinnamon rolls on this special day."

Yeah my kids didn't get the memo that mother's day is suppose to be a break for me, especially as I dragged Spencer out of sacrament meeting crying.  But I knew that when signed up to be a mom.  It was no longer about me!    I love these three kids.  There is no greater blessing, privillege, or reward that I have experienced than being a mother.

I don't ever remember thinking that motherhood was suppose to be easy or that I wouldn't want to run away from my kids screaming sometimes.  But I had NO idea somedays would be, well, HARD!  REALLY HARD.  I've read this quote before, but the last time I read it it really hit me hard.  I felt like it really applied to me, not just overall life...but especially this role of mother.

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around and shouting that he has been robbed. The fact of the matter is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."  -President Hinckley

I feel blessed to be able to be a mom.  I am grateful for my mom and the wonderful women in my life who contiune to shape and influence me and my children.  I am working harder each day to enjoy the small moments, savor each peanut butter handed hug, and very sloppy kisses.  They sure can make a mess but they can make me feel very special too!  I love them.  Crazy hats and all!

Spencer and his Bebe

After this little man turned 2...and once Grandma was gone...I decided to take drastic measures.  

I took away the binky, aka "bebe".

One evening while getting ready I took his bebe in the other room and snipped off the top.  

I presented it back to him saying, "uh oh bebe broken."

Well, as you might guess he was NOT happy.

I was ready for the worse.  

I already made a game plan...let him cry.

That probably sounds mean, but he still had his favorite blanky to snuggle too.

Thankfully after 15 minutes of squawking and asking for "bebe" in the sweetest little voice imaginable he finally fell asleep.

It really hasn't been too bad.  We are on day 4 now.  Each day he asks for it less and less.  

The only thing that I am worried about still is Sunday...1:00 church...right in the middle of nap time.

This could be INTERESTING. (mental note...bring lots of snacks & bribes)

30 and Loving IT!

Last Monday I turned 30.  To be completely honest I hadn't really been looking forward to it.  I mean really...does anyone LOOK FORWARD to turning 30?  I thought about how I wouldn't be able to say I was in my 20's anymore as my older and wiser friends had already entered their 30's.  (I kinda liked that)!!!   I thought about the stigma that seemed to come with turning 30.  Plus, after 30 it's 40!!!

But as I reflected and thought about it leading up to the day of celebration I realized I had it all wrong.  Turning 30 was AMAZING.  It gave me a chance to reflect.  To think about all the things, people, places, I have done, met, and lived.   Several nights I just layed in bed thinking about my life.

I thought back to when I was 16, I had NO IDEA what was going on.   I thought back to starting college at BYU.  I thought I was so old and wise.  I thought back to making the decision to marry this blond blue eyed boy from Utah (I had sworn to NEVER marry a Utah boy).  I thought back to teaching 4th grade.  I thought back to delivering my first baby.  She ROCKED my world.  Let's be honest...she is still rocking my world.  I thought back to deciding with Ben to start Podiatry school.  Making the decision to move our small family of 3 thousands of miles away from family to live in IOWA.  When I would tell people we were moving they would say, "now WHERE is Iowa again?"  I remember being SO very scared and excited at the same time.  I thought back to having baby#2...Isaac.  Facing some of the struggles that come with student life, the ups and downs that it brings.  I thought back to discovering we were expecting baby #3.  Realizing our "perfect timing"...as Ben would be leaving a short 5 weeks later to start traveling all over the US doing rotations.  I remember watching him say goodbye to our three little babies knowing it would be weeks before he saw them again.  And then watching him pull out of the driveway and thinking to myself, "how will we ever survive this."  I thought back to discovering that we really were moving to Temple, Texas and the miracle that had occurred in our lives.  I remember sobbing for hours as we drove away from Des Moines, not certain that we would ever love a place and people more.

I thought about all the people that have entered my life.  From wonderful girlfriends growing up, BYU, Provo newly wed days, Iowa, Texas, etc.  I have been blessed to have wonderful people in my life.  People who I can't imagine not having met or known.  People who have helped and blessed me.  Friends who have shared the joy of welcoming my brand new babies home, and who have also been there as a support when I needed it.

My 30 years of life has not always been perfect, that's for sure.  As I look back though I can not help but see the blessings and wonderful opportunities that been opened in front of me.  If you would have asked me when I was 20 where did I see myself in 10 years, I am pretty sure that no stretch of my imagination would have placed me in Central Texas, 3 kids, and a husband in residency.  Isn't life amazing!

I am happy.  I am loved.  I am blessed.  I am grateful to be 30!
(thank you to all the wonderful texts, phone calls, messages, etc...I felt very special)

Spencer is 2!!!

How on earth did my BABY Spencer get to be 2?  All I do know is that it has been a joy and privillege (minus the ocassional tantrum) to be his mother.  Watching him grow, learn, and develop into his little personality has been a blessing.  Today we were able to celebrate this mini milestone in his life.  We had a day full of fun.

We started the morning off right with BALLOONS.  This boy (and his siblings) were in heaven.

We had some play time with Grandma and then we were off to preschool.  It was a nice treat for me becuase I got some alone time with my mom and we were even able to sneak off and have lunch together with out kids.

Then after naptime we blew up the bounce house and played in the backyard.  The kids thought it was AMAZING.  It was the perfect size for Spencer (yay for hand-me down toys).

Next we played with the parachute.  Another big hit!!

Finally it was time for pizza, presents, and cake.

This cute guy was trying so hard to blow...he made them flicker, but not go out all the way.  Natali and Isaac were all but happy to help!

My very basic attempt at a cake.

We finsihed the day playing outside with new toys and enjoying the gorgeous day.  It was such a GREAT day celebrating Spencer.  I am so lucky to be his mom and even more GRATEFUL that I was not in the hospital preping to deliver a 10.6 lb chunck of a baby via c-section.  Spencer, Fudgey, Pencer...I LOVE you!

Easter 2011

Easter is such a wonderful time to celebrate.  This year was no exception.  We participated in a ward Easter  Egg activity on Friday that provided not only great company, food, fun, but also a great reminder on the REALLY meaning of Easter.  Saturday we took advantage of the Scott & White employee egg hunt.  Crazy (slightly resembled a battle scene) but fun activites for the kids to participate in.  Sunday we were able to do our own family thing in the morning and then drive down to Austin to enjoy Sunday dinner with my Aunt and Uncle...and get my MOM!   It started her week long trip and week of birthdays and celebrations.

It was fun celebrating but it was also very important that we remembered the real reason behind it all.  It was great to teach the kids, talk about, and watch videos about our Savior.  To remind ourselves how grateful and blessed we are to have a Heavenly Father who loves us and sent his Son.  Happy Easter.

Topiary Project

I love topiaries.  I think they are the perfect way to decorate and add a little color to a room.  But what I don't love is the $$$$$$ it takes to buy them.  So instead I did a DIY project.  I made a topiary.  I am so happy with how it turned out.  I need to make a few more mini ones to go around the house, but so far this is the only one I have finished.  Yay for DIY projects, especially when they turn out they way you envisioned them.

Ressurection Rolls

I ran across this idea on several blogs a while back.  I thought it seemed like a really fun, cute, interactive idea to help teach kids about Easter.  I did it this week with some kids I do preschool with.  And let me tell you...it was a hit.

-Butter

-Large Marshmallows

-Cinnamon Sugar

-Rhodes Rolls

We flattened out a thawed Rhodes roll (could be used with fresh homemade dough or Pillsbury crescent roll).  We placed a large marshmallow inside and wrapped it up.  Talk about how when Jesus died they wrapped up his body.  Then we rolled/brushed the roll in butter.  Compare to the oils they used.  Then we sprinkled the top with cinnamon and sugar.  Compare to the herbs and spices used back in those times.  I let them rise for about 30 min or so.  Bake 350 for about 12 minutes.  Then once slightly cooled cut it open.  The marshmallow is gone, and the inside is hollow and empty.  Just like the tomb.  It was a great little visual for the kids.  They loved it.

***Optional...have a super crabby kid whining at you the entire time you are doing this really super GREAT activity.***

Easter Eggs 2011

The kids were so excited to dye eggs this year.  We took advantage of Spencer taking a nap and decided start the fun.  I thought a dozen would be plenty of eggs, they weren't.  I think the kids could have done more like 3 dozen.  I'm happy to report no spills, and minimal crackage of the eggs while being dyed.  One a different note...both kids woke up and declared they were ready to play soccer.  I was instructed to take them to soccer practice.  Funny, since we didn't enroll in soccer this season.  Maybe we will try it out in the Fall.  Maybe it will be more successful than we did Natali last year (LOTS OF MELT DOWNS & TEARS).

Happy Easter

Uncle Spencer

We were so very lucky to have Ben's brother Spencer come to Texas.  He wasn't actually here visiting us.  He was at an academic conference hosted at Baylor University in Waco....which is a short 35 minute drive away.  Between his schedule and Ben's were actually able to meet up Friday night for dinner.  We weren't sure it would all come together, but it did!  We went out to eat at Rudy's.  We HAD to take him there.  Rudy's is totally a Spencer kind of place.  He LOVED it!!!  We sat there eating, laughing, and talking (when the kids weren't demanding his attention).  The kids loved every second of getting to spend time with their Uncle Spencer.   It was a perfect night.  Let's not wait another 1 1/2 years to do it again!!!

It did remind me how much I miss being close to family.  How much I hate saying goodbye...yep I cried.    But thankfully we will being seeing him soon this summer and the rest of the family.  Thanks for fitting us into your schedule Spence...we loved every minute.

Addicted...

Lately I have been on a bow making kick.  Silk...felt...ribbons...and lately corker bows.  These little buggers are addicting.  I love seeing all the colors combined, plus they are cute little curls (what's not to like about that).

I think the 4th of July ones are my current favorites!

A very hungary caterpillar

Today we found a little green caterpillar outside.  He was on Spencer's back.  We held him and watched him wriggle around on our hands.  We helped him find a tree full of big green leaves to eat.  We watched him crawl up the tree.  The boys both sat at the base and just watched him climb in all his mystery and glory.  They were facinated.  It was one of the those really happy mom moments.  I appreciated it!

(Isaac loves this new "hand-me-down" t-shirt.  It's transformers.  He thinks he's a pretty big deal)

(His face is messy but oh so cute)

Our First Garden

My Grandpa & Grandma Chase were farmers in a rural Idaho town.  Although they don't live on the farm anymore for as long as I can remember they have ALWAYS had a garden in their beautifully well manicured backyard.  Pretty much, my Grandpa can make anything grow.

Growing up we had an orchard in our yard.  We grew anything and EVERYTHING it seemed.  Plums, peaches, apricots, lemon, oranges, pomegranates, figs, avocados, berries, etc.  Both my parents still have a variety of fruit trees they prune and harvest.  They have a "green" thumb.

Then you get to me.  I LOVE the idea of gardening.  I "helped" as a small child weed and pick fruit.  But I have always been a little intimated about doing my own.  Plus we have always been renting homes or in apartments.  Not quiet ideal.  But I finally decided to test whether or not any of the gardening genetics got passed my way.

This week we finally took the plunge and did a mini 4x4 grow box.  Baby steps!!!

 Snap Peas, Cucumbers, Squash (yellow & green), Roma Tomatoes, Basil, & Red Peppers

Husbands can be so handy sometimes!   

I had already started cherry tomatoes in a 5-gallon bucket...we'll see. 

 Adding a little color, and some rosemary.

Our cute little backyard helper.