Living the Dream!!!

First Big Adventure: California Science Museum!

2012-01-27T19:06:00.003-05:00

I did it - braved a museum and taking my 2 kiddos into downtown LA, finding the place, parking, and then chasing them around the 3 story place ALL alone!!! I was nervous, and not sure what to expect, since usually Griff goes one way and Cash wants to look at others, but we actually had a great time! Cash wanted to look at every thing and would have been happy to have me read every little caption that told what every thing was (he even does better in museums than I do), but with Griff running pel mel every which way we had to go a little faster. Surprisingly we survived, altho my feet were very tired and had a blister by the end. It was a pretty cool museum, and altho we didn't get many pictures Cash's favorite thing was watching the scuba diver in the tank pick up an eel and then point out the sharks to him! He was so excited. He also has been asking me about cells and how they are in our body non-stop! He is very concerned all the time if blood is still in his body, especially after falling down and scraping his new on the pavement yesterday too! Oh I love my little cautious Cashee!!!

Here he is on the turtle!

Both enjoyed the snowmobile too!!!

As if that wasn't enough excitement for one day - after naps we braved the beach too and met up with some old friends from Cville!!! The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast! Cash had a great time playing with Kate and "digging for treasure" as the water came in, and is much easier to watch at the beach since he is so cautious!!! He doesn't like the water to come too high on him! Griff, on the other hand, is a dare devil and just wanted to run straight into the ocean, not caring that it was cold or he might get swept away by a wave!!! I really have to have my hands on him at all time or I fear he will get washed away, but it was hilarious to see how much fun he had splashing and experiencing the ocean and also chasing the seagulls!!! When he wasn't trying to drown himself, the seagulls got all his attention. You have to watch the videos to fully experience how happy this kid was there. We had a great time and were all TIRED out by the end of the day!!!

Griff chasing the seagulls

The beautiful setting sun right as we were leaving!

My favorite beach runner going after the birds!

Running straight into the water after 1 seagull!!!

In the ocean, almost swept away, soaking mom and loving EVERY minute!!!

Rainy Day!

2012-01-23T14:26:00.003-05:00

When both kids are sick with colds and it is rainy in this city, there isn't much we can go do.....and without many of their toys and things from home mom is left to come up with something fun......so a little creativity and some scissors and cereal boxes later we had a fort, a shield and a sword, and then with some toilet paper made some pretty awesome bombs and bullets to play forts and good and bad guys! This guy was pretty excited about it!

Griff fell asleep at 10:45 am, which is so abnormal for him and is out cold. Hopefully he sleeps this cold right out of his system because I had some fun things planned for us to go do/see this week here in Cali! Guess it was too much partying last week for the kids at Grandma's house!

Here they were super excited to light off these cool lanterns one night with aunt Becky - just like on Tangled!!! So much fun!!!

Early Morning Thoughts On A Saturday

2012-01-21T09:47:00.003-05:00

Today I am awake very early. Actually have been up through the night on and off since 2 am when my little one woke up coughing and pretty much hasn't gotten a very good sleep either. We moved into a spare room in our place and I tried to make him comfortable. After doing so he did fall asleep, only to wake me up an hour later telling me his bed was wet (he had peed his pants), his side hurt, and his bum hurt from when he fell yesterday. We got up, changed his clothes and went back to my bed where I put him in (chip was in room with griff in cash's bed at this point since he also is a little sick and had woken up) and so Cash and I tried to settle down again for another try at sleep. However, I think he has coughed every 15 seconds since 4 am and so finally at 5:30 I turned on a show, propped him up on some pillows and tried to get some rest myself. However, sleep hasn't come. I am sitting here, listening to the rain come down in buckets, and my mind and heart are so full with different things I just couldn't get any more rest.

First, I thought of our trip back yesterday from AZ. We went to visit my in-laws last Saturday because Chip was leaving to China for the week and I didn't want to be in this city the whole week alone......however, after his trip got cancelled last minute as he was boarding the plane he came with us for the drive and then flew home Sunday night. It was a great week filled with TONS of playdates for my little kiddos with their cousins and aunts and uncles, and nice visits for me with familiar faces....being with family is always nice. Since Thursday afternoon around 2 pm Cash learned we were leaving to go home on Friday and has had about 8 major meltdowns, sobbing, throwing fits, and even waking up in the night crying he didn't want to come back to California. He wants to live in AZ at Grandma Betty's and daddy can just "fly there on the weekends"! Getting him in the car yesterday morning was difficult and I wanted to cry myself in a way because it is hard going from a place that is familiar, with family and friends and so much to do, to a place that really doesn't feel like home, where we have no friends, and it seems like we are just passing the time. It was hard for me too to leave and say let's go home, or rather feel happy about going home to a place that is so foreign. And yet the drive also had me thinking. I was at first thinking how tired I was, how the previous night I had been up every hour with my two little ones, both coughing and needing things all night long, how the drive was going to be long, how I am still feeling nauseous and also in pain in a lot of different parts of my body that I believe are related to this pregnancy and how I can't imagine how the next 19 weeks will be any better? I was missing my friends in Cville, the structure and daily things we have back there we are all missing and how it would be nice to be back, although it is further from all our family. However, none of these complaints even seemed at all relevant when I started thinking of my dear friend.

My friend Cheryl, one of my best friends from Cville, found out this past week her son Lincoln, who is only 2.5 years old, has leukemia. Reading the email from her I was instantly in tears, as my heart aches she and Linc have to go through this. I have pretty much been consumed with thoughts and worries and prayers for her since I read the email on Wednesday and at any point during my day when I think my life might be hard I think to myself that my little trials or annoyances or pitiful complaints are nothing next to the trial she is going through right now. How can I complain about feeling uncomfortable when this cute little boy will be experiencing pain, chemo, IVs, Chest tubes, and a lot of other pokes and prodding over the next few years. In talking to her I am inspired by her faith, her positiveness, her compassion, and her outlook on the blessings that have come with it. It is hard to see those sometimes when you are in the midst of something like this. I have no real idea of what she is going through or experiencing, and yet I wish I could take it away, even for a day or just a part of it. As a mom I do understand how hard it is to watch your child suffer, and even in only waking up in the night to watching my son's little body shake as he coughs and cries that his nose is plugged, I think that is hard so for her watching all the machines, and medicines be put into him and what he will endure must be almost unbearable. It seems so unfair and at times I find myself asking why she has to go through this - or why little Lincoln who is a sweet little innocent 2 year old has to endure this -- it just doesn't seem fair.

It has made me question what I think are my own trials and re-evaluate things that are important to me. We really are being looked out for by our Heavenly Father, and when things get tough or trials come he does still have a plan for us. I seem to figure out that a little later then I should sometimes, but I am trying to be more patient, and more faithful in my own and just have felt so much love and overwhelming compassion for my friend the past few days I had to write it down this morning. I hope little Lincoln recovers quickly, and that he responds well, and I pray his little body will be pain-free soon. I love Cheryl and the great friend and inspiration she is to me. I wish I could be there in Pittsburgh this week to give her a hug and I am grateful her family and friends are so supportive there.

Anyhow, random thoughts on an early Saturday - and hey - I LOVE the rain so since it is pouring it must be a good day! :)

Di Dio's Italian Ice.......and my New Years Resolution!!!g

2012-01-12T19:25:00.004-05:00

We discovered this awesome little Italian Ice shop just a block and a half away from our place the other day, and today we thought we would give it a try. When Griffin woke up we hopped in the stroller, and set off on a beautiful walk to the shop. We decided to go with Lime, Coconut, and Mango flavors....and the boys were excited to dig right in!!!

First taste = HEAVEN!!!

Griffin decided he better get his taste too!

What a great way to spend the afternoon with my boys!

I would say it was a hit!

He loved it, but was a little chilly at the end and even asked for a jacket, which is RARE for him!!!

Now what does this have to do with a New Year's Resolution you might ask? Well, I have basically only 1 (or really 2 I guess) New Year's Resolutions that I am focusing on this year. They are:

1: to be a better mom

2: to be a better wife

I have spent the past 3 months basically lying on the couch, not being as involved or doing all the fun things I have wanted, and I have thought a LOT about what I wish I were as a wife and mom, and told myself that when I started feeling better I would actually implement my thoughts into plans and take action and become what I want to be. I am not feeling totally great yet, and still have to usually have some down time from the nausea each day that this little girl inside me is causing, but for the times I am well, I plan on doing more things, and being more hands-on (if that is possible) for my kids. I want to plan activities and find things for us to go do, to experience, and to really get my hands dirty and play. It is often easy to turn the TV on, to let it be their entertainment or teacher or form of activity while I pursue my own project or interest, phone call, facebook, or text messages. And yet, I really don't want them to remember their childhood like this. I want them to have memories, memories of their mom doing fun things with them, teaching them, playing with them, going places, and experiencing life as a kid with them.

I am determined to get out and experience this great place we are in, even though I might not feel the best or be happy with how I look or even really feel like going in public at all, but I can't let that stop me and I don't want any regrets at the end of this year. Thus, this was our first little outing, and it was nothing big or spectacular, but we had fun talking watching the people go by, tasting a new yummy treat, and just getting out and trying something new. My little guys love to do new things and are happy for an adventure and I love the time I get each day with them - so here's to a year full of LOTS of fun memories!!!

2: to be a better wife is something I always want to be. At times I feel I am great and am really fulfilling my calling as a wife, but a LOT of times I am thinking about things I could do that would be better for my family, better for my husband. He does SO MUCH for our family, and is so patient with me, and I don't always feel that I am putting forth my 100% back and doing all I need to be. But I LOVE HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING, and I am so proud of all his accomplishments and the wonderful husband, father, and most of all best friend I could ever ask for to be on this journey of eternity with. I am especially hard to live with sometimes when I am pregnant, and this pregnancy I have felt even more hormonal, more emotional, more difficult to please, and yet he always comes home and asks me if I need a foot rub, or if I want something that he can go pick up for me, or taking the boys out so I can have some quiet hours to rest.......and as I have laid here so many days the past few months I have realized how much better I could be as a wife! I could be more loving, more patient, let the small things that don't matter slide, and most of all be more the wife I desire by just showing more charity and being completely unselfish. I plan on improving on my wife skills and making the moments I get with my hubby be memorable and ones we will cherish!!!

Here's to many a more Di Dio's Italian Ices and great mommy and wifeeee moments for this year!!!! What are your new year's resolutions?

Reunited and it Feels So Good!!!

2012-01-11T19:19:00.004-05:00

How great is it to be reunited to your best friend after over a year of absence. At first these 2 were pretty shy and stayed by their moms for the first 10 minutes.....but then they reconnected and when it was time to go Cash was sad and asking when he could go back to play with his best friend Nora!!! We hung out with them in Utah while we were there for Christmas break! They have SO MUCH FUN together and it was so fun for us moms to listen to their interactions, their make believe play, and watch them just interact so well! We talked about how 1 day they will have to go on a date when they are older.....to reminisce their fun childhood games. (At one point while they were playing we heard them say they were going on a date so it was pretty funny!)

It was also great for me to get to hang with Hillary and let Griff and Adelaide meet again too! They have so many fun toys and things to do - what a great time we all had together!!!

Nora and Cash playing with their dogs!

Cheese!

So much fun playing on the slide together!

they weren't afraid to smile at the camera!

Griff joined the party on the slide!

A fun video of them!

We Made It!!!

2012-01-10T19:55:00.007-05:00

We finally are here in Cali, after very short notice before we were to leave for Christmas! Crazy how fast plans can change. However, we packed up, shipped the cars, and headed off for our new adventure!

I have a lot to catch up on with our Christmas festivities, my bro's wedding, stay at Grammys, friends and family visits, and all that....but it will have to wait while I document our first few days here and travels to our new home!

I feel I have had the best attitude about this move as I have about any of our moves, and that is saying something. I have been excited for a change of scenery, warmer weather, the beach being close, being closer to family, and a new adventure and so have been pretty positive and I set off to church on Sunday with a happy outlook and sure I would meet some new friends. However, it was a different experience than I would have expected. In RS they did not even ask new people to introduce themselves or stand up or anything, in fact they didn't even welcome visitors at all, and not a single person said anything to me! I was a little disappointed and realize I might have to work a little harder than I was expecting to to make some new friends. I am going to try. A funny thing was a lady did grab my necklace and say "those are the most beautiful beads I have ever seen..." and then dropped them and went back to talking to the lady next to me ---- without so much of a "and are you new or visiting?", or anything else to me. I found that sort of funny. I am going to try to go to RS tomorrow tho and see if I can meet some people there. Also, Chip got introduced 3 times in priesthood and stuff and we realized there is a family in the ward that was out in Cville the past couple of years that we had met before and they live close and the mom is also pregnant with her 5th child so that is a good connection for us - and they have boys that should be great to play with our little guys! Hopefully she can teach me the ropes of this city!

Anyways, I am realizing this place has MANY similarities to my experiences in Beijing! We went to Costco on Saturday and felt like we were back in the IKEA of Beijing. I have NEVER been to such a packed Costco with so many people you could barely move. Apparently it is the busiest one in southern California and is always pretty busy! Awesome! Being pregnant and about the same far along I had a naustalgic moment to my life in Beijing and the sickness that went with it! But it was great we have a Costco! Then we went to the Wal-Mart! It was WAY WORSE than the Walmart we went to in China - it was on 3 levels, so disorganized and ghetto, and we were the ONLY white people in the place, and I would venture to guess that more people spoke English in our Chinese Wal-mart in Beijing than did at the one here! Very interesting! At least it didn't have the same smell that would make me sick! So very interesting and it is a very crowded city, with crazy traffic and people living on top of each other, and having to walk a bunch and all that stuff that I loved/hated about China! So I am drawing on lots of parallels between the two, and maybe that is helping me to not be so scared of tackling this place. Not sure! Today we went to a park that I walked to about 10 blocks away and I was one of 2 other moms in the place, and the other 70 women were nannies of the children they had.....another similarity between here and China. Made me laugh! The kids had fun playing in the sand tho - and that is one difference - here you can let your kids play in the sand, whereas we couldn't in China, so that's a fun thing!

Finally, our little walk to the beach. We live 15 blocks from the ocean and so yesterday I set out to walk down with the boys and hang out in the sand for a few hours. It was a beautiful day, and the walk there was great....at first. We got to where I thought it was, and realized it was a big cliff and lots of stairs down to get to the beach. This lady pointed left and told me we could get down on a ramp a few feet that way. I thanked her and we soon found a ramp. However, after we got down a very steep ramp about 300 yards I saw them - 3 flights of stairs we still had to conquer to walk over the bridge to get to the beach. I looked back, realized I wasn't pushing the stroller back up the steep hill, and we had to figure out something. Cash got out and I tipped the stroller and pushed Griff down the steps - it wasn't the best way, but we made it....or so I thought we had made it. Then I saw it - the very LONG stretch of sand, and very soft sand to get to the water....the stroller didn't go well in the sand, so I had to get Griff out, walk 30 feet with the stroller, set it down, go back and get Griff, and continue that route tell we could set up shop. I had no idea how we were going to get back!!!

But hey- look at these cute faces - they had a blast playing in the sand even though we hadn't even come prepared with beach toys or anything. It was a pretty day and we had fun for awhile!

This little guy loved to pick up and throw the sand every which way! He also enjoyed the water and I am going to have to worry about him running in and just diving right in!

Then it was time to go back - I was so tired and not sure I could make it, but we set out - and yes, this is the far stretch of sand I had to walk across packing my double stroller, diaper bag, and two kiddos across! Not easy, especially for a prego mama! When we were about 50 yards from the sidewalk this sweet girl who was running on the sidewalk came out and asked if she could take my stroller for me....In my mind I was so happy but tried to say I was ok. She was persistent and probably saw my stress and tiredness and said "let me just do my good deed for the day...you have kids let me just take it for you!" I wanted to cry I was so grateful to her kindness to me - and what a relief it was for me. So we got back, and then I had to figure out another way to get home since I coudln't hike the 3 flights of stairs with the kids and stroller now!

This was the cliff we had to find a way to get up!

Well, I found another route and involved me hiking up this LONG and steep hill, but at least no stairs! Great workout for me pushing my kids and gear up. I was so tired by the time I got home! We did finally make it home tho - 35 minutes later!!! And Cash already asked me to go back so guess he really enjoyed it! I am tired just thinking of doing it again tho! Think we need to find another route, or another beach or something! However, it is beautiful here and the weather is great! The best I have ever had in January! So we are excited for more adventures!

In coming we drove half way to Vegas and then stopped and stayed at the Bellagio! Best hotel and stay in Vegas I have ever had. We ate at the buffet there for dinner and breakfast, and it was fabulous! Our room was great, the service great, and our kids had fun too! A great decision to break the trip up! We already our planning a trip back there to spend more time at the pools and other fun stuff to see!

Cash enjoying this amazing horse in the lobby while we waited to get checked in at the Bellagio!

The biggest chocolate fountain in the world - apparently 26 feet high - looks decadent for sure!

Think I will have me some of that yumminess!!! (oh wait, sweets STILL make me sick in this pregnancy!)

Griffin sure liked looking at it though - and as he LOVES chocolate I am not surprised!

View out our awesome room at the Bellagio!!!

Looks beautiful at night right?!

We enjoyed the fountain show with music and all from our room - a great way to watch it and not miss anything every 15 minutes :)

Love the Frank Sinatra show music that was on one of the times!

And a quick view of it in the daylight - right before we headed out for our drive to our new home!!! Good times, and definitely would want to stay here again!

So our year has started off full of adventure, and will only bring about more over the next few months. I am excited for all the things 2012 will bring!!!

Starting Off the New Year With Great News!!!

2012-01-02T10:16:00.005-05:00

After way TOO many long weeks of being sick, wishing, hoping, and even praying at times for this little one joining us to be a girl (if of course it was supposed to be), and thinking about what 3 little ones at our house means - the day finally came where I could get an ultrasound and have what I thought already (or maybe was just hoping so much for) verified. I was shaking and SO nervous as I laid there waiting for the question to be answered.

Cash was sure it was a girl and has told everyone that from early on and that he would like to name her Jesse after the Jesse on Toy Story. Chip has said he thought it was a boy, but because he didn't want to get his hopes too high since he wanted a girl but he almost had me convinced a few weeks ago that it was too.....I had previously thought all along that it was a girl based on the pregnancy, the sickness, and all the other differences that this pregnancy has had. I kept telling myself tho that it was a 50/50 chance, and it might actually be another boy. (I LOVE my 2 boys and had it been that we would have been excited for another one..............even tho I really was hoping for a girl this time!) After the ultrasound tech in Charlottesville told me she thought it was a girl, but to come back in 3 weeks cuz she wasn't sure, I know my hopes were a little higher that indeed she was right!!!

I was so excited and overwhelmed and even shed a few tears this time when she said it was a girl! I had a friend tell me early on in this pregnancy when I was in my sickest days and didn't think I could make it that "it had to be a girl because only a girl would be this high maintenance!" I have thought of this numerous times when feeling down and hoping that it was a girl and although I know I am in for a ride and girls are definitely different than raising little boys I feel so extremely lucky and blessed to be getting the chance to raise a daughter! I always pictured myself with both sons and daughters and I am grateful for the gift of this little girl coming into our home!!! Now for a name........anyone got a favorite girl name???

I wish I had gotten more pictures of how we told my family, but only got a few after the fact. We got a bunch of pink balloons, some with "It's a Girl!" on them, and some with polka dots and some plain - I had them all filled with helium and put them into 2 big black garbage bags. Then we drove up to our Romans family party at Cynthias. After dinner we had a fun candybar game where everyone was sitting in a big circle - as soon as it was over I brought in the bags and said I had a game for the kids to play and asked them to open the bags. They got them open and the balloons went floating up. Some caught on immediately, while others didn't get it until we explained it, so it was actually quite funny! However, in the end everyone got the news and the kids had a blast with the balloons!

Chip and I and the boys couldn't be more excited!!!

Cash is excited too, even if he doesn't look it!

And Griff loved playing with the balloons too, even if he didn't get what it was all for!

Can't wait to see our little princess in a few months!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T17:39:00.002-05:00

Our annual visit and picture with a different Santa was once again a success!!! Thought we might get a picture with little Griff crying, but nope, both boys once again loved Santa and smiled great for their picture!

Cash told Santa he was going to get a Finn Macmissile from Cars 2!!! Since he's been a good boy all year he just might! What did you ask Santa for for Christmas???

Hope you have been good so you might get it!

1st Time Gingerbread Houses!!!

2011-12-13T08:18:00.006-05:00

With everything going on in our crazy lives right now we haven't had a ton of time for Christmas traditions, or new activities that I want to make Christmas traditions. However, with Chip home from work early yesterday due to him having pneumonia and needing to rest, we did actually get to have a little family activity time and build the gingerbread village I wanted to do back on the 1st of December!!! We had a great time as a family, the boys loved eating the candy (in fact that is why there aren't too many gumdrops on the houses), and they turned out pretty cute!!! What a fun tradition and one we will continue every year from now!

Ready to get started....or rather eat the treats!

Showing off some of the candy used to decorate!

Chip getting it all started and putting the houses together!

Griff, still smiling for the camera, enjoying the festivities...and Cash loved the GREEN frosting! Why? because it is uncle Kevin's favorite color of course!!! Yes, Kevin, he did mention that at least 100 times during the night while we decorated!

Almost all put together and ready to decorate!

Anxiously waiting to start the decorating!

Here's the little village pre-decorated!

And here it is after we worked our magic!!!

Love Griffin's little smile and happy face!

Proud of our work!

Love me my boys!

Just love Griff's face!

A picture with mom - since I did most of the decorating don't have any pics of the in-process work - but man did we have fun!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Getting Excited for Christmas!!!

2011-12-11T09:24:00.001-05:00

Showing off their new Christmas jammies!!!

It's Finally Over!!!

2011-11-30T08:33:00.004-05:00

The First Trimester of the worst pregnancy in the history of my life is FINALLY behind us. I really REALLY hope that means I am gonna start feeling like myself again and not being chained to my house in fear of dry heaving 24/7 anymore. The heart burn/acid reflux is much better, and I just hope the worst is behind me!!! At 12 weeks I expected to feel great and it didn't happen, and now that I am almost 14 I still don't feel perfect, but things are definitely getting better, so here's to hopefully a great Christmas season full of our fun traditions, with mom getting to join instead of laying on the couch and then hearing about the boys fun adventures. We have lots of plans and I just hope I can do them all!!!! Here's to a much better next few months, started off by the wonderful month of giving and thinking of our Savior!!!

Don't have many pictures from the last few months due to never leaving and doing anything fun, and pics of me laying on the couch are anything but glamorous. I think I have pretty much watched every episode of Law & Order there is, and exhausted the disney channel for the kids too!!!

Anyhow, I do get to spend 2 mornings a week all alone with this little guy. And he sure makes me smile. He is getting so big, has finally started to talk, and I love him to pieces!

Enjoying snack time of animal crackers and marshmellows! Yummy!

Daddy had a birthday and we surprised him with a bunch of gifts this year!!!! I think it may have been my best year yet for getting him gifts he liked without him knowing!

Griff playing dress up like Mickey Mouse in his friend Sam's Halloween costume! Love it!

He likes Miss Megan SOOOOO much!

Always happy, and his contagious smile keeps me going!

How cute is this little face!!!

Really, I want a girl but can't help but smile at this and think that if we are having a boy I will be lucky too as I have 2 cute ones and they make me so very happy!!!!

Thoughts! Gratitude! And a Pregnant Woman's Complaint!

2011-11-09T08:39:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in awhile due to the fact that most days I am in survival mode from about noon on. I literally am doing the bare minimum it takes for me to take care of my kids, my house, my husband, and any other previous obligations I might have signed up for before this new plight of mine began! I feel like I am a failure most days at doing much good - my kids seem to suffer, my house is less than tidy (although a HUGE thanks to all of you friends who have come over and remedied that this past week!), I am in bed before 8 o' clock most nights and pretty much incoherent after 4 pm, although with daylight savings that actually is now 3 pm. But hey, I am trying. I have actually been overwhelmed and so humbled by the amount of outpouring of love that my ward has shown. The RS president called me last week and said she had heard I was sick and asked if they could set up meals. It was going to be every other day and I figured maybe 2 or 3. But no, we have 7 lined up, and other friends have called and asked if they could bring them next week too. Never having been in a position like this before I have an entire new outlook on compassionate service and my testimony of it has grown so much. I would much rather be called on to give a meal, and it has been so humbling to be a receiver of so much service. When you don't feel like you can even get up off the couch sometimes any help at all means the world to me. And boy I can't wait til I get through this time and can once again be asked to help those others who might be going through this or something else. I have a new desire to be better at service, and I know how much it can lift someones day and also benefit those giving it. For this reason I am going to be better at being a giver, and will be better at seeking those who might be in need of something!!!

So why the title a pregnant woman's complaint? I really don't have much to complain about right? Well, for my husband and immediate family they have heard more than their fair share of complaints from me the past 5 weeks....from the terrible sickness and nausea, to the ER trips that ended in more pain than they were even worth, to the constant dry heaving multiple times of day that doesn't do anything and never lets me throw up (to which I actually wish I could so at least I wouldn't just be consuming 1000's of extra calories), to having to eat every 2 minutes to not feel as sick, to being so tired of enduring the past 5 weeks of pregnancy that seem unbearable and I am starting to wonder if anything will ever change, to being devastated at missing my biggest trip of the year and my personal favorite that caused me to miss out on some of the most special things I had planned, to anything else that I feel has not gone quite as I planned it and has caused a major change to all my fall plans. Ok, so I guess I have done enough complaining. And someone wisely told me at one point amidst this that I needed to count my blessings! If I were to start by writing them down and keeping a blessings journal that I would soon see my trials were small and I have a lot more to count as blessings than I do trials. I do realize this, and I have actually started doing a thankful journal and I do realize how truly blessed I am, and how wonderful my life is in so many ways. I realize that although my timing is not always the Lord's timing, and sometimes I don't understand the why's or reasons certain things happen or certain trials go to certain people, he does know best and looking back I know that everything in my life has happened when it is supposed to, even if I don't think so, and even if I wish that I did get a lot less sick in this pregnancy.

This thought is where my complaint comes in I guess. And no, it isn't that I am complaining about being as sick as I am, although I know I have exhausted the complaining on this enough already. My complaint is for how some people respond to those who are enduring or experience the horrible sickness that seems to be one of my trials right now. I have thought a lot about this subject, and then upon reading the NieNie diaries and seeing something that was written in response to one of her posts have to just second what she said and add my own thoughts along with it. It was a post that commented to her that they were really sick of hearing her complain about her sickness with her pregnancy and how there are many women out there who would give anything to trade places with her and be able to have a baby and would gladly take on being sick, so so sick, and how her posting her complaints of how much pain she is in and how it is hard to be pregnant and sick were pretty much invalid. Her response? She asked them if they had ever been burned on 85% of their body and then got pregnant, and could relate to the physical pain alone that it does to the body, as burned skin and stretching from pregnancy is extremely painful!!! (I would definitely not debate this, sounds excruciating right?!) Then she told this reader it was her blog, and if they didn't like what they were reading then they should just stop! She can post her feelings and thoughts and is not going to change what she writes....on a side note, I have read many a post and feel she hardly ever complains and for how much she has endured she is such a grateful and inspiring person, and has every right to complain she doesn't feel well! To which comes my point being a pregnant lady and complaining about feeling sick!

Every woman who has gone through pregnancy has experienced some sort of sickness or uncomfort - whether you are lucky enough to be one who doesn't have any morning sickness at all and just is extra tired or uncomfortable, to the ones who have the sickness so bad they are in the hospital getting fluids weekly and basically hospitalized their whole pregnancy! There is a wide spectrum of sickness and the only one who really knows how bad it is for the individual is the one going through it, in comparison to their other pregnancies or illnesses. Every individual has a different pain threshold, and everyone handles things differently, and that is ok. And if some one who is pregnant wants to write about how crummy they felt or a trial they are having in relation to their pregnancy or other pain they are having then they should be able to, without being ridiculed or told to buck up and deal, or told that others would gladly exchange places with them and they need to be more grateful and not complain.

When those friends write about how hard of a trial it is to want kids and not be able to have them and how they would do anything for them and the desire is so great and they would be such great parents and have that desire, no one says anything but kind comments and expressions of love and extends their arms out to them with compassion and empathy. And that is wonderful, because that is a great desire and it is something that is so hard for some and we don't understand why and don't know the answers why some can have them so easy, and others have that trial to not get children when they want. And it is a good thing when someone shares those thoughts that no one responds rudely or tells them to count their blessings or says anything else that would be mean or hurt them. Because that wouldn't be right. And it wouldn't be charitable or loving or really do anything for the relationship with that person. It would hurt the person going through the trial and make them feel not very good!

So here is my point. It IS NOT nice for those to treat someone who IS pregnant rude by saying hurtful comments, or telling them they aren't grateful, or telling them they should just buck up, or they aren't really that miserable, or that they just don't handle it as easy as others, etc etc. These comments are mean, they hurt, and as a pregnant person who has received all and more of these comments by different people in the past few weeks at different times I can say they do nothing to help. Just because a pregnant person complains about her sickness or what she is going through doesn't mean she doesn't want the baby or will love the baby any less or isn't grateful to be pregnant. In fact, I would say in most cases none of these are true. And when she is feeling down and talks about her feelings to others the last thing she needs is the "buck up camper and just deal with it" speech! No, unless you have gone through what she is going through and can step into her shoes and really feel how she feels, you have no idea and your rude comments should be kept to yourself. If you feel a certain way fine, but don't tell her or make comments like the nienie commentor or anything else. Really, all a pregnant person wants from those she is telling her feelings to is for the other person to say I am sorry you are so sick, I am sorry you are going through that, I am sure it is no fun and is there anything I can do to help?! Really, she is just looking for someone to sympathize with in a moment of pain or frustration, and probably doesn't want a lecture or remedy or anything else back. Or at least that is how I feel and what I would like as one who is currently experiencing so much sickness and frustration! I just want someone to say you can do it and it won't last that much longer!

I can say that after being through different levels of sick with each of my pregnancies until you are one who is so sick that you find yourself wishing you would never wake up because you know your day is just going to be a repeat of the previous and nothing helps, you just don't fully understand how bad it really is. I have so much more sympathy for those who have this and endure it the whole 9 months. I have quite a few friends who that is the case for and my respect and awe of them has gone up amazing! I am only hoping right now that at least what I am experiencing and how awful I feel will actually end with the first trimester, because I don't think I could do it for much longer. So Cecia, Angie, Caiti, Angie N., Megan, and all you other friends who are so amazing to endure it longer so well, hats off to you and thank you SO SO MUCH for being so sweet and encouraging to me.

Trunk-or-Treat 2011!!!!

2011-10-26T18:06:00.005-04:00

This year we went a little more scary!!! Cash switched what he wanted to be for the past 6 months, including everything from Buzzy and Woody, to Harry Potter, to a Pirate, to a SCARY Zombie, and to a skeleton. Skeleton won out because we all went as skeletons! He was SO excited to get his face painted with the black and white paints, and sat extremely still while I went to town doing it. He looks pretty scary!!!! He had so much fun and it was the best year yet for trunk-or-treat with him. He understood, and went up and said exactly what he was supposed to, including the thank you each time after he received a treat. Love my little skeleton. And his "bone bone dance" is something you just gotta see in person - way too cute!

right before we left the house!

I tried to get him to take a nap during the afternoon since we were going to be late but he resisted all afternoon, so the half hour drive to the church made for a great and quick cat nap!

Ready to go in and see the party!

After dinner and fun carnival games in all the rooms, it was outside to go "trunk-or-treating!"

There were some great trunks that went all out in their decorating!

Chip said next year he was going all out on ours and going to have the best trunk! This year it was last minute, but here's our gang. Chip, Cash, and Griff as my fellow skeletons, and Emma as an angry bird!

The whole group! Our family photo inside at the photo stop! You can't see my announcement too good here, and many people didn't get it, but below you can see why we all went as skeletons!

Emma the great angry bird! Loved her costume!

Cash and me, the skeleton duo! Yep, that is what you see in my tummy, a baby skeleton to be arriving next year. Baby #3 is on its way!

I have been sicker than sick this time, and earlier on then both the boys too so we hope it means it might be a little girl!!! We would love someone to dress up in frills and bows and to balance out our boy energy in the house!!! After 2 trips to the ER last week and thinking I couldn't possibly make it one more day, the medicines and drugs are finally working and I am doing much better! (hopefully that continues and I can still travel next week!) It has been very rough so far, but we are excited for another little one to be coming to our family (or at least the boys are.....and after a few more weeks I will feel more excited too!)

Happy Halloween 2011!!!!

Carter Mountain Trip 2011! Apples and Pumpkins!!!

2011-10-25T10:44:00.010-04:00

This last weekend was packed with fun!!! Kevin came on Friday, and after a month of missing him boy were these 2 SO excited. He took them on a walk to the park to play and they had a blast! Not sure who had more fun tho, Kevin or them!!!

They found some fun balls to play with there!

Cash was happy to be outside, and actually agreed to wear a sweatshirt - shocker!

Happy Griff!

Thanks Kevin for ALWAYS sending me pic updates of what they are doing!

Cash is in a stage where he really only wants to wear shorts and short-sleeves, so to get him to put on anything else is a miracle, and as soon as he is back inside it is back to the bare minimum for him!

On Saturday morning we made our trip up to Carter Mountain for apple picking and pumpkin picking. It was packed, but we had a great time! Here is the crew walking down toward the Stayman apple trees. The views were spectacular and it was a perfect day to enjoy the fall air!

So pretty!

Daddy testing them out!

Got one!

Getting ready to taste one!

Way up high!

Picking a bunch of stayman apples!

Griff with Emma, yes he is actually laughing here!

Griff with his favorite uncle!

Family shot (minus me since I took the pic) that hung out together on saturday!

Another gorgeous view, not doing justice!

Family shot!

So pretty!

Kev and Griff

Cute Cute Cute!!!!

The gang making the hike back up to the pumpkin patch!

Perfect day to be out!

Chip wanted to shoot a bunch of shots!

Cash loved picking out his "perfect" pumpkin!!!

View of the other side of the hill!

my boys!

Pumpkin shot w/ Kevin

So many to choose from!

Later on it was time to carve the pumpkins. While we carved the pumpkins Griff played in the bowls....one of his favorite things to do in the kitchen!

Cash was SO excited to carve pumpkins!

Hard at work!

Wo! This is serious! Check out that knife!

All done!

First porch lighting!

The boys loved it, and so did Emma!

My 3 favorite boys with our pumpkins, Halloween 2011!!!!

Highlights of the Week!!!

2011-10-14T08:02:00.002-04:00

Emily came to town!!! Wahoo!!! Always great when she comes. She is here for the next few weeks with us and it is a little like deja vu from 2 years ago. We couldn't be happier!

We ALL went to the circus!!! Here we are, at the very end when it was all over - YES, we are ALL Super tired and looking a little haggard, but it was a great time! Cash was so excited and loved the Elephants (also my favorite), especially when it pooped and then all 3 kept getting in it and making a huge mess. They were very entertaining, and the acts were all great. I think I had more fun watching all the kids with us enjoy. Chip was able to get us the company box and we had 3 other families that went - with 10 kids - 9 boys and 1 girl!!! They all had fun, and we had a great time too! Now what can we do this weekend to continue the fun???

Field Trip To Pick Apples!!!

2011-10-10T10:04:00.010-04:00

Cash's pre-school had a field trip to pick apples at the orchard nearby. He was SO excited!!! And after it was rained out the first 3 days and we wondered if it would ever happen, it finally did come and was a beautiful day!!! They have been learning about apples and leaves and trees and on the way there he told me all about the leaves changing color and then falling off and how in winter they are bare and then buds come out in spring! Pretty impressive stuff!!!

I love how much knowledge he is always retaining and listening to what's going on in his head. In the car he is always ALWAYS talking, and I really enjoy the things he tells me (usually!) Griff and I tagged along and we all got to eat some yummy apples!

With his class before we got to picking!

Griff wanted to eat every apple we picked!

Jamie helping get one up high! Cash munching on his good pick!

Mom takes a turn!

We love October weather!

Lookie mom!

Katya and Thomas!

After they picked the apples playing by the swing!!!

Cash swinging!

Thanks Jamie for taking all these fun pics for us!!!

6 Years Ago Today!!!

2011-10-02T14:51:00.008-04:00

My LIFE CHANGED forever!!! I hung out with my now very best friend in the whole world. It was after priesthood, and I wasn't feeling well so he offered to bring me soup and just hang out and watch a movie. Never did I expect my life to then change for eternity. We talked all night, and started a journey that now will never end. I am So SO SOOOOO grateful he came into my life, and more that I get to spend the eternities with such a great guy and my very best friend. I also am glad that conference falls on this date almost every year, as it helps remind me 1) of our important first hangout! and 2) how lucky I am to be a member of this church and actually get to spend eternities with someone so awesome! I have so enjoyed watching conference this year. I remembered back when I was little and used to complain or try to get out of watching it on Saturday, and now I get so excited and want my family to feel the same way. Although some of them don't have my same desire, they have actually done a great job of at least letting me enjoy all of it so far. I felt like some of the talks were just for me, and as I know we all can, have received answers to some of my prayers and questions! I am so grateful to be a member of this church. What a blessing to have a living prophet and apostles to teach us and give us direction in our lives these days. If you didnt' get a chance to watch it or read it or have no idea what I am talking about go to LDS.org and you can watch it there. Anyways, and now for some random pics of all the things we been up to the past few weeks!

Cash being a super-hero!

Yes, he really did go on a walk like this - to the park and all!!! I was laughing the whole time!

The random turtle we had to stop for as it crossed the road one day when we came home and entered our neighborhood!

My cute little Griffin - he LOVES to be outside and throws major tantrums when we walk by the front door and don't go out!

Brothers!

Griff picked up this tutu and kept bringing it to me so I finally just put it on. It is for a friend's little girl, and yes, his dad wasn't happy!!!

Doesn't he look like he's dancing?! lol

Maybe someday I will have a little princess to actually put in all the frills (sigh)

Ok enough, no more dressing him up as a girl - don't want to give him a complex!

Cash took the monkey and threw it up in the air - got caught on the light! Pretty funny!

Griffy being ALL boy - lest you were worried from the pics above - SO MESSY!!!! He likes to try and feed himself these days! Gross!

A few weeks ago we had a crazy hail storm - Cash tried to go out in it but said it hurt to bad when it hit him!

A little trip to HT to get some groceries. This little guy LOVES to put the stuff in his cart!!!

I won Sister-of-the-Year for my brother and helped him out with a HUGE school project: included getting a focus group of 6 other moms to come over for 1.5 hours to talk about moms in the media, while I watched 7 kids under the age of 4 upstairs, including 4 month old twin baby girls. We actually did pretty great - Kevin snuck away and helped me hold little Halle for a few minutes - she cuddled right up to him and put her hand in his pocket - so cute!!!

Then she fell asleep! What can I say? He has the magic when it comes to kids (or is it twin girls?!)

Kelly, Jaclyn, and Sarah at Jac's babyshower - so much fun! Can't wait to meet the little princess this month!

We said goodbye to this car - the vehicle that has been with us from the beginning of our relationship. Traded it in!!!

I was surprisingly very sentimental about letting it go! Has a lot of history in that car and a lot of miles on it with Chip and me! It has been great, and yet had a LOT of problems that did need fixing so when we got a great trade in for it we instantly accepted!!!

What we traded it in for - wahoo! The swagger wagon!

And yes, we LOVE that it has our name on the back of it! (jk)

Griffin got sick on Friday and after cleaning up vomit from him and Cash (who is apparently a sympathy vomiter) we had to stay in all day, so we decided to decorate for Halloween!!! Got out the cobwebs and went to work on the staircase. Griff loves to drape himself in things and this was no exception! He put the cobwebs around him and trotted around happy as ever!

We went to Bo's 2nd birthday party and this little guy was so cute and happy. Had to get a picture of him. He walks around so big and is such a smiley little guy!

Checking out the big kids and deciding how he can get to do what they are doing!

Happy Conference Weekend!!!

Early Morning Thoughts

2011-09-24T06:43:00.003-04:00

I have been awake for a long time, probably 2 hours or more. Yes, that means I have been up since before 5 am on a Saturday, and it wasn't because of one of my kids. Ugh!!! I am not sure why but lately I have had major insomnia in the mornings and find that this has been typical of my past week, regardless of the time I go to bed. Yes, it means I am exhausted during the day and ready for bed at 7 pm the next night, but surprisingly, I have actually grown to love this quiet time to myself, where I feel alert and alive and can just meditate and think about things and do things that I want to do in peace and silence.

Today I have been pondering about life and the trials we get and how some seem so unfair for some, others seem like those we would wish would be our own or could trade the ones we don't like in for, and how it seems that when it rains it pours, or there are also periods of our lives where it actually seems easy (do I dare say that), and trial-free. I like those times, although I realize that those are not the times I find growth. The times I grow the most spiritually and gain the greatest perspective on things are often the times I find hard, the times that in the moment I wish would just go away, the days that seem hard, or unbearable, or that I just want to be over before they have even started. These times make us stronger, and in looking back I am always grateful, but are hard in the enduring of them.

I also have been thinking how we often want what others have, and yet others want what we have, and we often forget that. Maybe it is that we want to be skinnier like that friend, or maybe it is the desire to have a family like that mom, or maybe we wish we could be living where that family member is living, or be rich like that friend is. Maybe we wish we were prettier like that person, or maybe a little taller, or shorter. We all have desires, and sometimes the grass seems greener on the other side. However, what we don't realize is the person or people that we wish we could trade with, has their trials too....and probably wishes they were more like us in some way. I guess what I realized is that really no one has a perfect life, and that although we might not see others trials or realize their hardships, they are there, and we just don't see what others are going through. I was thinking about this a lot earlier this week as I was talking to my mom and she was telling me about a friend who is battling cancer right now. This woman is so tiny her goal weight is just to hit 100 lbs., and most likely she won't be able to. I was thinking to myself, 'man, wouldn't it be awesome to have to gain weight?' I wish I had that problem. Then, as I further thought about it later that morning I was brought to humility as I was walking around upstairs, getting ready for the day. As I did my hair and was putting on my makeup it hit me. I may not be at my ideal weight, but man am I so lucky to have the body I do. I am healthy, I can do things for myself, I can play with my kids and go places and run and jump and dance. I can enjoy life, even when I might not be the size 2 that a lot of my friends are. I thought of this sweet woman who now struggles to even walk 10 feet, and how she would switch bodies with me probably in a second if it meant it gave her the health and strength to do the things that she loves to do, to run and help her 4 kids, and enjoy life the way she used to. I thought of other things that I wished I could change, that I wished weren't a part of me, and each time I then thought of someone who probably would switch me for my situation in a heartbeat and yet their struggle is something I am actually blessed with. I was brought to tears, and although I know I will still struggle with certain things and still wish I could change things, I felt in that moment that Heavenly Father loves me and has a plan for me and he knows what I can handle and what I need to push me to be better. He doesn't give each of us anything we can't handle, and so I need to be more grateful for the things I do have, and a little more patient in my trials or struggles.

Sometimes the Lord has timing that we just don't understand. We might look back and see it years from now, but in the moment it is so overwhelming and consuming nothing else seems to matter and we can think of hardly anything else. That is how I have felt this past week. I have had something consuming my mind and pretty much taking over my life. Every time I turn around I find my thoughts are there with this one thing, and yet I am just looking at it as one thing. I am not seeing the big picture and trying to understand better what my plan is. Today, early this morning as I sit here typing, listening to the quiet in my house as my family is sleeping, however, I have a different outlook and perspective. I am so grateful for my blessings and for my Heavenly Fathers plan. I am overwhelmed not with what I thought earlier this week was going to be such a big trial for me, but I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love I am feeling from a Heavenly Father who has put his trust in me in ways only time will help me understand. I am grateful for this moment, and I know that this next week will be better. May we all realize how blessed we are and how much potential each of us holds. And now that I have babbled my thoughts and feelings out there, I think I better head off to the gym for an early morning sweat session!!! Have a great Saturday!!!

The Grey Fedora Hat

2011-09-12T15:20:00.003-04:00

This weekend we went down to Richmond so I could attend a baby shower for this cute girl! My cousin Lindsey is due with her first baby, a little boy, on Nov. 25, 2011 --- and if he comes that day his birthday will be sandwiched btw his moms and Chips - how fun!!! She hasn't been sick at all, SO LUCKY and SO UNFAIR!!! She is doing great and got so much cute stuff at this shower that her little man will be the stylin little dude around town! Loved catching up and getting to spend a little time with her, Chels, and aunt Suzi!!!

While I was at the shower, Chip took the boys to the mall and picked Cash up a little something!!!

He was SOOOO excited about this "grey fedora hat"!!! We saw it last week when we were in Richmond and it was love at first sight for Cash. He put it on in the store, then walked around and checked himself out in each mirror! He wanted it so badly, and yet when I found out it was not on sale and was almost $20, I just couldn't get myself to buy it. I thought he would probably not care about it 30 minutes later and would never really wear it!!! Well, upon leaving the store with no hat, and no temper tantrum either from Cash (altho a quivering chin and 1 small tear escaping his eyes as he was trying to be big an brave and not cry.....SO sad, the temper tantrum would have been much easier to say no to!) we went to a few other stores. About 20 minutes later he said to my brother "I am just so mad." Kevin, "why you so mad Cash"? Cash: "I am so mad I didn't get the grey fedora hat. Mom said no cuz it wasn't on sale!"

Well, we called Chip and I told him if he asked his dad and he said yes that he could have it! Chip got out of answering by saying he thought Uncle Kev might be able to loan him the money. So it went, and I thought by the time we got home from the hour drive and it was late and he was tired it would just get forgotten.

The next morning, however, at 7 am Cash came running in our room, jumped on the bed and said "mom, let's go to our mall. Let's go check at our mall at Gap to see if they have the grey fedora hat - it might be on sale here!" Oh boy, I thought, and here it goes again. If I have to listen to this for the next 6 months like I did about Buzz Lightyear it might just drive me crazy (crazier than I already am!) Well, I heard about it ALL morning, for like 5 hours straight, and since we were headed by the mall anyways I said we could check. I had looked it up online to show Chip what it was he was so obsessed about and it had actually gone down a few bucks. Anyways, we got there and searched everywhere and they only had one hat - and it was too big! Bummer! Or Phew!

Needless to say it was a much easier exit leaving the store, but the ranting and talking about it continued so Chip worked out some chores Cash could do for me to earn money to get his "grey fedora hat" as he always refers to it by, and told him that if he did them each day this weekend when we went to Richmond we could see if it was still there and he could get it. Well, he did his part, and we talked about it daily!!! And so while I was at the shower, the boys went to the mall and found it and got it. Cash loves it, and has hardly taken it off since! He is pretty cute I must say in it!!!

Happy new owner of the "grey fedora hat"!

It was a little warm to be wearing it, but he didn't mind, and got lots of looks in the stores. Here in Costco these two were showing some brotherly love and I just had to get a pic!

They really do love each other!!!

Conked out on the way home, but still wearing the hat!

Still styling!

My artsy old style take on this! Gotta love how it matches his outfit so well :)

On Sunday he even thought he would wear it to church. Took about 5 minutes in the parking lot for Chip to explain he couldn't wear it inside - only girls do that! After, he put it right back on during the ride home and then it was on most the day - a fun vid of it and baseball! Gotta watch both videos, as the first he manages to not hit the ball - maybe the hat interfered?!

Withdrawals!!!

2011-09-08T13:10:00.003-04:00

From this little guy for mom!!!

Cash came in this morning to our bed at 7 am telling us that he was going to pre-school today all on his own - mom could just drop him off and he would not cry and he would be nice and listen to the teacher and just miss us til we came back! (yes, he did REALLY say all that!)

He was so excited.....and I would say that I was too.....altho once he was gone and Griff and I set out with our plans of having an easier shopping trip - it felt like something was missing. I actually missed him being with us and the funny things he says and brings up on all of our outings. He sees the world differently and it is fun to hear what is going on in his head and get to see the world through his eyes! (most of the time anyways!)

He had a great first day and I loved picking him up because when he saw me he came running over and said "momma, I had SUCH A GOOD DAY! Pre-school is SO fun!" He had the biggest smile and couldn't wait to tell us about the painting, playing, and reading "I like myself". Seems like it is going to be a pretty fun year for him!

Do I really have a 3 year old? Where has the time gone?

One of my favorite pics!

Griff missed his big bro too I think!

He LOVES Cash!

A pic of the boys over the weekend....my brother nicely babysat the boys all morning while we were out getting the new car!

What a happy 3 year old!

Missed you today buddy, but boy are we excited for all your fun times!

Yep, I sure love him - and I know if I have withdrawals now I sure will be in trouble when he moves out for college!!!

My Cute Little Mopper!!!

2011-09-07T11:32:00.003-04:00

Isn't this little guy a cute little helper. I was in the kitchen sweeping and turned around to see this little dude had put on his apron all on his own (impressive I know) and had gotten the mop and was eagerly trying to help. Had to document it for future evidence of his happy helping attitude!

Even when I was done he was still wanting to push around the mop!

New TV watching friend!

Multi-tasker!

We love Griffin!

He is getting great at walking, and now can stop and turn and go a different direction, and pushing the mop is pretty funny! A must watch!

First Day of.......

2011-09-06T12:13:00.003-04:00

PRE-SCHOOL!!!

Cash has been waiting for this for a long time and was SO excited to go! He got up early and came into our bed and said "Mom, I need to get ready and get dressed for pre-school, and do my hair in spikes with hairspray and product!" (guess he wants to impress the ladies already :)

Anyways, it was pouring rain and only in the 60s so we had to change outfits from what he had originally picked, but we got him all done up, spikes and all, had a great breakfast of eggs and cereal and got ready to head out the door! He was talking the whole time about how he was going to be the nice boy in the class not the mean boy, and that he wasn't going to use any bad words and that he was going to share! (We must go over these things a lot or something, or at least we used to!) We set off and got there a few minutes early! He didn't want to wait so we went in. Upon going in I realized today was only the open house and he wasn't going to be staying! He was so excited and went right to the train table and started playing and didn't want to leave. His teacher seems great and we are all happy that he will have so much fun!

Can't wait for his real first day on Thursday! He wanted me to take pictures of him on his first day and suggested I take a pic with his teacher - definitely my kid as I like to document all these things. My favorite part about him starting school, however, was him getting a father's blessing from Chip last night. We had a little talk about school and blessings and I told him how I used to get a blessing each year from my dad before I started school and how it is so special and exciting and helps us to not be nervous and is from our Heavenly Father and lets us know how much he loves us. Cash sat so still and was beaming during his blessing, and it definitely brought me to tears. He is one special boy and we love him very much, as his Heavenly Father does! I know he will do great this year and enjoy it so much! Can't believe it is actually here. I think I am actually going to miss him during these 3 hours he is away on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

So excited to be leaving!

The big 3 year old pre-schooler!

A spunky picture!

Mrs. McKay is his teacher and she is great. He was a little shy at first meeting her but that wont' last long we know!

I love my little pre-schooler!

The Loss of a Friend!!!

2011-09-05T12:12:00.002-04:00

I haven't written anything about this over the past week because every time I have thought about it I have just wished it was all a dream and I would wake up one morning, get on FB, and see my friend Cami online and chat with her about what's going on in our lives. It seems so unreal that she is really gone. Especially since I had talked to her just a few days before she passed. She was such a woman of strength, so full of life, energy, wisdom, and with so many talents. I have so many memories of her and each one makes me smile, because she had a way of doing that to people. You couldn't help but smile when she was around. She was funny, quirky, silly, infectious, and just a super cool gal! I remember the first time we met! I asked her where they moved from and where they went to school - and after establishing she was a Ute fan and I was a BYU fan we decided we could still be friends but would always be rivals and forever cheer for opposing schools! :)

It seems so unfair that she was taken off this earth so young. She was just 30 years old and had 4 young children. On August 29th, 2011 she passed away in her sleep from a brain aneurysm. It makes you wonder sometimes why this type of thing happens to such good people, and why God would leave her family without their mother. I am grateful to have the knowledge from the church that in fact Heavenly Father does know of their situation, and that more he loves them so much and has a plan for them and also a plan for her and that she was so special he must need her back for more important things than she was even doing here. She left her footprint on everything she was involved in, and I hope to never forget any of the lessons I learned from her or the service she gave and the example she was to others. Yesterday as I was playing the piano in primary my eyes welled up with tears as I thought of the primary in our Mountain Island ward down in NC that will be missing her this day and lost their chorister. She substituted a few times while I was the pianist down there before she got the calling and she was magnificent. For some reason, yesterday while I was playing it really hit me that it is real and she won't be coming back. I love you Cami Southwick, and I am so grateful for the lessons you taught me and the friend that you were! I can't wait to see you someday and give you a big hug in heaven!

I love that you taught me to make grilled salad and how every time I make it I think of you.

I love how you taught me how to make all sorts of other yummy foods and how each time you invited us to dinner it was like we were at a big huge feast! You are an amazing cook!!!

I love how you always were so sweet to me when I was sick and pregnant and invited me over to just lay on your bed and watch Greys Anatomy with you and you would cook if I wanted anything, or just let me lay there and do absolutely nothing but kept me company and took my mind off the constant nausea.

I love that you got me hooked on Biggest Loser and that you were a reality TV junkie like me and would always talk shows!

I love that you had SO MUCH ENERGY with everything you did and your loud, boisterous, and infectious laugh and personality! You were a party girl and knew how to have a fun time with everything!

I love how you were such a great example of a mom to me and showed me every time I was with you how to teach with love and patience and kindness.

I loved coming to Shaylie's birthday party and seeing all the work and time and fun you put into it!

I love how kind you were and how you gave me ALL your baby stuff and boy stuff because you said you were done having babies and you just wanted it out! (and then you had cute little logan not that much later!)

I love that you were always so willing to help anyone and everyone and although you didn't feel good a LOT of the time you always made time for others and really opened your house to anyone and made others feel special.

I loved Loved LOVED the conversations that we have been able to have the past couple years over FB even when we didn't live close, and just how we could always talk about anything!

I loved how much you were so in love with Ryan and he with you and watching such a special marriage and the example that was to all around you!

I love that we had Thanksgiving with you guys and were able to make so many other memories together with your family.

I love that I got to call myself your home teacher and that I could come with Chip so many times and be a part of your family in that way and share so many memories from that. I love that you weren't afraid to say things and the funny memories I have of all the hilarious conversations we had.

I love that we have the memory of the picture above of dressing up for the Emmy's together for our RS dinner and going over with you. You wanted me to do your makeup cuz you said you never put much on - but you certainly didn't need much because you were beautiful and your eyes sparkled without any goop being put on your face. We had so much fun laughing as we got ready, and got into our outfits. You had the best outfit ever finding that sparkly pink hairspray outfit and then using my hat and it was one of my all time favorite memories of you!!! That night I will always treasure! We laughed and laughed before we even got over to the church, and it was just the two of us acting like 12 year old and it was so fun!

I love your testimony and how you always did what was right and set an example to so many of us and just had your heart on your sleeve and were so happy!

I love you, and you will be so missed here on earth!

You are an amazing woman and friend! Love you Cami!!!

Way TOO MUCH Cuteness!!!

2011-08-30T14:15:00.004-04:00

Griff LOVES to put clothes on, and especially likes to put things on his head. Always has us laughing and today was no exception!!! Amidst a quarrel with Cash, he went about putting these on, and after a little help to get glasses on correctly he was ready and happy and forgot all about the horse they were fighting over!!! LOVE THIS CUTE FACE!!!

He also LOVES to be outside and yesterday we went for what was supposed to be a little walk, and then ended up meeting 6 neighbors and other kids, with mom looking less than presentable, and feeling quite embarrassed that we were all in bare feet. But Griff didn't mind, and he was SO happy to sit on the step and proud of himself for getting here on his own!

This face he does whenever he is really happy - think he might catch a bug or two?!!

My favorite little smiley baby!

Now what?!

He has begun walking all over and in fact let go of my hand yesterday and walked across the street to the ball he wanted to get. (no cars of course I looked) Here are a couple videos of his first steps.....nothing cuter then a little toddling toddler!!!

Have a great day!!!

It's Always Fun When Kevin Comes!!!!

2011-08-29T09:36:00.003-04:00

We are SOOOOO happy to have a family member living so close to us now. Especially this Uncle! We LOVE uncle Kevin.

Since he moved out here a week ago today we have had him up her for Wed and Thurs, and then also Friday through this morning!!! Good times for sure! We were so happy it worked out and that we got to have this fun time together before he is super busy with his school. Although Friday started off a little shaky, with the car he was buying being sold to someone else at 8 am and us wondering why we even drove down there and what would happen next, things worked out for the best......as they usually do. We found another one, test drove it, and it was even better and nicer than the first, and $1000 less so it all ends well. (pending the registration goes well today). We drove ALL around Richmond ALL day long, as in we were in the car for almost 11 straight hours, and then we got out of there just in time to avoid the hurricane and power outages that they had. Kev's power is still off and I hope it comes on before he gets home. My kids were troupers in the car, and had minimal melt downs/fights, and we were all excited that Kevin came back with us for the weekend.

On Friday night Chip was working late (as in til 2 am on Sat morning), so after the kids went to bed it was just Kevin and me. We were able to just sit and talk for a couple of hours and it was honestly so much fun. I don't think we have been able to just sit and talk like that actually ever before, and I will cherish it forever. I was able to learn all about Hollie and the more he tells me, the more I love her too....I think he has found the perfect girl for him, and I am SO HAPPY for him to be getting married. He will be a great husband and a great father. It was fun laughing about old times talking of funny stories, and just learning more about his life. I feel I have learned a lot this weekend and I love him so much. He is one of my best friends and I wish I could have figured this out years ago, but I am at least glad I have figured it out now and that we live close enough to get to see hopefully a lot of him these next few months.

We had a great time going to Bonefish on Saturday with the whole family, me squeezing us all in the car together and driving in the rain to enjoy the yumminess of it all, playing Monopoly Deal after the kids went to bed, watching a movie and just hanging out. Cash kept asking "is Hollie coming tomorrow?" and is really excited for her to come and to get to see her dog. All in all, it was a great weekend! We hung out inside all Saturday while Chip was at work, watching updates on the Hurricane and staying out of the rain, and we are SO glad Kevin was here to visit. Come back soon! Also, hope you have a good first day of school today too!

So excited to see Uncle Kevin

Silly faces!

Braving the back seat squished btw 2 carseats!

LOVE YOU KEVIN!!!

EARTH QUAKING TUESDAY!!!

2011-08-23T15:45:00.004-04:00

So today started off normal. We were deep cleaning the house to get ready for fall and winter. Cleaning out shoes, seeing what fits, what doesn't, what is old and needs to be tossed, what old pairs can now be dusted off and introduced for the new fall season ahead. My boys were enjoying trying on jackets and shoes and seeing what they get to wear. I got these really cute polo jackets/coats last year in China for them and they LOVED putting them on. Of course I had to get a few pics.

Cash's is still a little long in his arms - his red one from last year now fits perfect tho!!!

Griffin loves his older brother!

Love Cash's happy face!

Griffin is happy too!

Should be warm in these toasty coats!!! Bring on the fall! (the quality is horrible of these pics cuz they were moving and it was my phone...but still liked them)

Then, something INSANE happened. Something UNEXPECTED!!! Something SCARY!!! I was on the phone, talking to a friend, when my entire house started to shake. Literally, it was shaking and I was freaking out. I told her it was like an earthquake was hitting us......then I heard it. My washer and dryer were on and the washer sounded like it was going to explode. Seriously, I thought it was going to blow right through the ceiling. I was so scared and I grabbed Cash and Griff and told her we were going to die and I had to go and get us out of the house. Cash said "we can't go yet cuz my show isn't over..." and I still grabbed his hand and got us out of the house as fast as I could. I thought I had ended the call with Cecia, but nope, she was still on the line, sort of laughing at me thinking I was out of my mind, but a little concerned since I did sound pretty scared. Once we got outside I am not sure what I thought we would do. None of us had shoes, and it was super hot on the cement so we stood on a patch of grass on the corner. The house on the corner was shaking a little bit and I thought my washer was going to explode through their wall and was debating telling them to get out of the house too. However, then the sound stopped. I walked up to the front door and listened and heard nothing. I told Cecia I was going to go check it out. Cash ran upstairs to watch his show, cuz "mom you didn't pause it so I might have missed some!" and Griffin and I went to check the washer. It was silent now. I cautiously lifted the lid, and.......I KNEW IT!!!! Water covering ALL the clothes. It was plugged again, just like last time, was going to cost me $175 to get someone out here to drain and unplug it, be a super pain with all these wet clothes, and I was just plain sick of the cheapo appliances that the landlord put into this house. WHATEVER!!! As I told Cecia I figured out the problem the phone cut out so she didn't hear what it was. I went upstairs, super frustrated with the whole thing, frustrated that the cell phone service always cuts out down in the basement by the laundry room, and trying to call her back to tell her we were ok. I couldn't get through. I tried calling Chip. No luck there either. It would say it was dialing but could never hear a dialtone. I got a voicemail, and a text, but couldn't call out. What was going on with my phone? I was super super frustrated by now. Finally, I got the idea to walk over to the computer and call Chip from there. When I got to it and went to my gmail I got a message from Cheryl saying "did you feel the earthquake?" What? I thought to myself - is this a joke? I totally thought there was one but then it was just my washer - how did you know? Right at that moment Chip walked up the stairs calling out "hey guys - is everyone ok?" I responded we were fine why - and he said "didn't you feel the earthquake? It was a 5.9 and started right outside of Charlottesville!" What?!!!! I said - So it really wasn't my washing machine? You mean to tell me all is ok with that and it really was an earthquake and I just survived it and actually mistook it for a washing machine problem!!! This is too funny! Or actually not really funny but kind of scary. My heart started racing and I am just very grateful that nothing more happened and that we were ok.

After Chip left a few more little tremors came and Cash jumped off the couch and said "mom, the house is shaking again and it knocked me off the couch! It's moving again!" It wasn't moving much, definitely didn't knock him off the couch, but did get my heart to race again. I hope everyone is ok and the damage isn't bad. It was a very scary moment and I didn't think it was something I had to worry about here in VA. Well, I can now say I have been in an earthquake! Definitely something out of the norm for our Tuesday afternoons. Hope yours is disaster-free!!!

Wacky Monday!!!

2011-08-22T14:31:00.003-04:00

Today we decided to start off the week in a fun way!!!

Checking out his new straw - another fun birthday present!!!

Yeah, the milk finally reaches his mouth!!! Funny face!

Griffin has decided he is a big boy and wants to eat at the table with Cash, instead of his high chair. So here is his first lunch of pizza and pudding at the big table!

Oh boy this is fun!!!

Who knew sitting here would solve the eating problem today?!

My 2 "big" boys!

Love it!!!

Happy Monday - the start of a good week!!!

All Tuckered Out!!!

2011-08-21T16:19:00.002-04:00

This is how I feel EVERY week after church, but especially the weeks I take the kids by myself and brave the 3 hours. Anyhow, that is not what this post is about.

Cash, who NEVER falls asleep during any movie or show, and has decided he is too big for naps as of recently, was WAY TUCKERED OUT the day after his party. I looked over at him when I heard the credits rolling to the movie he was watching and saw this.

I asked him if he wanted to get up and go in his bed and he opened up his eyes long enough to make sure Buzzy was next to him and that he was staying there. Then he slept for another 3.5 hours. Too much partying I guess. And yes, Buzzy is by his side or in his hand AT ALL TIMES these days, even while playing with other toys.

I feel like taking a nap now, so here's to hopefully having a brief sunday afternoon rest before G wakes up and Cash decides he wants someone to play punching bag!!!!

Birthday Bash For 3 Year Old Cash!!!

2011-08-19T12:02:00.017-04:00

This celebration started well before Thursday. In fact, I started making his cake on Tuesday, and good thing too because it took me WAY longer than expected. Total time was probably somewhere around 10 hours. WAY TOO LONG!!! After the Lightning Mcqueen cake for Griffin Chip asked me how I could top that and that the expectation was now high. Cash and I looked for cakes online and at first he wanted a Buzz Lightyear cake, then that turned into a Tigris cake from Kung Fu panda, then it was Mickey Mouse clubhouse, then it was Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb, and then he went back to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake we had seen! It was cute and I thought it wouldn't be too difficult.

Let me just say one thing about cakes. I DON'T like making fondant ones, specifically COLORED Fondant - it was extremely difficult and I have all the more respect for those who make wedding cakes and other very awesome fondant cakes. It was much more work than I anticipated, although the end result and the look on Cash's face when he saw it totally finished was worth the work. I love you my little Cashee boy! Enjoy the pics of the festivities of his day!!!

A little preview of his cake the night before (although missing the figurines and the final touches here)

It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!!!!

Breakfast of choice: cinnamon french toast with chocolate milk!!!

Must be good!

After breakfast we headed to Richmond to meet up with my cousin Chelsea and her kids and my aunt Suzie at the Botanical gardens. It was beautiful and had so many fun things for kids. They played in the water, then we picnicked in the park and Cash got a couple gifts. Here he is with Chloe and his gifts. What a lucky boy.

I wanted to bring Chloe home with me - she is SOOOOO good with little kids and was so helpful to my 2 boys. They loved her immediately and if she lived close by I would hire her to be my helper all the time (pending Chels could share her!) She is darling and so sweet!

So much fun at the climbing tree!

We also got to meet Gigi for the first time - she is such a cute baby. Chelsea and 8 month old Marjorie Kate! Fun to catch up with Chels.

Here is Evelyn on the left, and Felix on the right, and Berkley in the middle. Evi and Felix are Chelseas kids too and so cute and fun. Cash had a great time with them.

Cash didn't want to climb up as high as them, but he still had fun on this great big climbing tree! He has the Rosen gene of rosey cheeks when it is warm - and it was SOOO HOT!!!

Griffin is a little daredevil and had a great time playing too!

Next was the sandbox, and after China I was a little leery since we couldn't let our kids play in them there, but my boys loved it! Griffin even sat there for 1/2 hour playing, and NOT eating the dirt at all. It was great fun!

Then it was home, and after 3 hours of being in a traffic jam due to construction we finally made it - just in time to add the finishing touches to the cake, order and eat some pizza, clean up the family room (to Cash's request) and assemble ourselves again in time for guests to come over. Daddy was stuck up in DC traffic on his way back from Chicago and barely made it in time for the part too! But boy was it a great party. Cash was so excited and we all had a great time. Thanks to our wonderful friends who came and made his day special!

The cake, ready for guests to come over!

Happy Birthday Cash!

Looks so fun!

His name, the path, the fence, slide, shoe, clubhouse, and glove were all made of fondant - the bigger items were rice krispy treats covered in fondant! ooey gooey!!!

m-i-c-k-e-y!!!

Cash was so excited about his cake!!!

Checking it all out!

He helped pick where the figurines went!

angel boy!

look at that!

Poser!!!

Every kids dream!

super fun!

After daddy got home we hurried and lit the candle and sang!

Cash loves everyone singing to him!

He was beaming!

Checking out all the singers!

Ready, set, blow!!!

He got it! First try!

Then it was present time, and his friends were ready to help!

Bennet was SOOO expressive and kept saying "O", "O", to all the gifts! So adorable!

What is it?

Getting some help from friends with presents!

Next! Hands off!

His friends know him well -- he got a TON of Toy Story things!

Kendal and Killean with their gift to him - my favorite and something I have been looking for - felt boards with items that will be perfect for church!!!

Daddy got in on the action to help with gifts!!!

Cash has been talking non-stop about getting a Big Buzzy for the past 6 months. He tells everyone he is getting one for his birthday, and every time we go to the store he asks to go to the toy section to look at them, but not to get them, to just look because he is getting one for his birthday. On the morning of his birthday he asked if we could go to the toy store to get the one the sales lady was saving for him. (I had her tell him she would save it when I actually bought it with him there and bag it so he couldn't see....he was so good and although his lip quivered as he tried not to cry, we did make it out of the store with him thinking it was still there til his birthday, while me getting the last one and putting it in the trunk in front of his eyes. When he came downstairs he saw the presents and said "maybe one of them is a big Buzz mom! I think one is!" When he started opening presents he just was going through them so fast and kept wanting to get the big ones that were from mom and dad. We finally decided that he could open just 1 from us while his friends were all here.......so here it goes!!!

Opening what?.......the big BUZZ!!!

He was SOOOO excited, but turned to show the other people on that side of him first!!!

PURE JOY!!!

Happiest 3 year old ever. "It's just what I wanted mom!!! I got it because I am a good boy!"

He wouldn't put it down once he had it!

He even brought it downstairs to "watch" him swing at the pinata. (We tried to get a mickey mouse one to go with the theme but all the stores were out so we settled on a lightning mcqueen)

Daddy did the rope, and the kids swung!!!

Lucy getting ready for her turn!

Loved watching Chip enjoy it as much as the kids!

Hit it!

Killean takes a turn!

Cash was just happy here because he is holding on to the Buzzy box!

See mom!

My most favorite toy - the space ranger!

All the little kids went first and then it was the big kids turn - Jaden takes a few swings here!

Then the dads turn - here is Mike in action - love the faces of everyone behind him.

Where is it? Again, the faces of the crowd are great!

Totally wish I had a video of daddy trying. It was hilarious, but I didn't have my phone til his turn was over. Get it daddy, get it! Seriously entertaining!

We let Cash try to break it after everyone had their turns - he did pretty good!!! After Lance bashed the rest of it and the kids got all the goodies!

We didn't even finish opening presents after people left because he was so happy with his Buzz, we were all tired, and it was bedtime. So instead he told us we could wake up and open them the next morning!!!

He woke us up early again so we could open presents. Looking a little tired still here!

Think this presents tops all!

"Buzzy needs to watch me open them mom!"

What is it?

A way cool book of puzzles!

Cheese!

Which one next?

Such concentration!!!

I enjoyed watching him open them all by himself - a present pro now!

Gift from Grammy!

YEAH!!!!! Toy Story legos!!! "Ooh, I love them"!

What a great week of celebrating my handsome little buddy Cash!!! I love you with all my heart and am so glad I have had you for the past 3 years. Your sweet spirit, super smart memory, and the millions of "I love you and I think you are pretty moms" melt my heart heart each time. I love having you at home and am so happy you had "the bestest birthday you ever had!" (in his words) Happy 3rd birthday to my little Cash Owen Brown!!!

Dear Cash:

2011-08-19T09:10:00.002-04:00

Today is a special day for me. Although you were born yesterday, I didn't get to hold you until today, on August 19, 2008. You came into this world a big boy back then at 9 lbs. 3 oz. and 22 inches long, and you were the cutest baby I have ever seen and the most precious gift I have ever held in my arms. I was in love with you from the moment you were born, and yet when I got to hold you for the first time I fell even more in love with you. You were such a sweet baby, so alert, so conscious of your new world around you, and just seemed to take everything in. Yesterday when you turned 3 I couldn't help but think back to that wonderful day and the events that took place and being back in the hospital anticipating your arrival and the excitement and anxious anticipation I had about what being a mom would be like. I was so excited to have you in our family, and today I am so excited you will forever be a part of our family. You are so sweet and loving and smart and make every day so exciting.

We had a great time celebrating with you yesterday, and on your 3rd birthday I wanted to write down just a few things you said that I loved. First, you woke up and I heard you singing happy birthday to yourself in your bed. It was early in the morning, daddy was in Chicago for business, and although upon looking at the clock and seeing it was only 6 and wishing I could go back to sleep, I couldn't help but smile as I listened to your excitement about your special day and your little singing voice and then talking about how it was going to be such a fun day. You then came into my room and told me it was your birthday, but you needed to wait for daddy to come home til later tonight to open your presents. "It's ok, you said.....we just gotta wait a little bit longer til daddy gets home, cuz we can't open the presents without him! Cuz that's not good! Don't tell me what is in them because it is a surprise! Shhh! Don't talk about them!" When we went downstairs for breakfast you were sooooo excited to see the table all set up with the presents and cake, and yet you didn't even ask to open them, and were just content to wait til later. What 3 year old is like that? You are really an old soul I know it! You looked at the cake and said "mom, I just love it! I love it so much! Thank you! Thank you! For making my birthday cake for me! I really like it!" (you're welcome my little Cashee......it only took me 10 hours + I think!)

You then commented later in the day when we were at the Botanical gardens and I handed you a water bottle, "oh mom, this is so refreshing!" It had me cracking up, but it really was so refreshing considering how hot it was outside. I love your big words and hearing you use them correctly. On the way home you took a nap for almost the whole 3 hours (yes it took us that long from Richmond due to construction when it should have been 5o mintues). When you got home you said "we better clean up this family room right now so we can have a party - cuz we can't have a dirty house or we can't have a party!" I am glad you cared and even more glad you helped me pick it up and get ready. You were so cute and sooooooo excited for your friends to come over and once they started arriving you never stopped smiling. You were the happiest little guy ever. You kept telling me all day that maybe one of your presents was a big Buzzy! You have told people for over 6 months now that you are getting a big Buzzy for your birthday and I am so glad we were able to get it for you. Your face when you got that gift was priceless. I think if you got nothing else but that you would have been the happiest kid on earth. But you were SOOOO spoiled as well. Your friends all brought you gifts, (with the theme definitely being Toy Story - guess they know you well too) and you were so excited about each one. You knew just what to do and are now a pro at opening gifts. Then it was pinata time. You had fun, but brought your box with big Buzz down with you and I think were more concerned with it then the treats and the bashing of the pinata. I, on the other hand, had so much fun laughing at dad when it was his turn to try to hit it. It made me smile. He didn't even get home til after your party had started, but you were excited to see him and have him share your special day with you. After everyone left you said "mom, that was the best birthday I ever had! That was the bestest day ever! We had such a fun day today!" You really are my son using the word bestest, and I love you SOOOOO SOOOOO SOOOOOOOO much and am so glad I could share your special day with you. It was a great day. I love you my little 3 year old smarty pants!

Love Mom

(pics to come of the festivities very soon!)

Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles!

2011-08-16T15:23:00.003-04:00

These cuties have so much fun in the tub together with their toys and bubbles.

The fact they will play for about 1/2 hour or more nicely together and I can sit next to them and read or have some break time to relax myself makes me LOVE it too!

Cute cute boys!

Trying to make a little bit of a beard with the bubbles!

Or maybe just drink the water!

Such hams, and cute little bubbly, and now clean, boys!

Had a little scare at the end of this bath time experience when Griff slipped and went under the water. I tried to grab him and missed and as he went under he smiled as big as this and managed to somehow not inhale any water. He just looked at me with big eyes in shock. He wasn't too happy once he came up, but glad it was quick and we got him safely and he didn't take any water in.

SERIOUS MOMMY!!!

2011-08-15T13:49:00.002-04:00

Yesterday started off not so good.

Then there was church, by myself with the 2 munchkins.

Prepared for a disaster, it actually ended up going quite well! Cash was an angel during sacrament, being so reverent the entire time, and even telling the kids behind us to be quiet because it was "quiet time"! (Amusing to his mommy for sure)

Griffin was Griffin, and pretty much busy the entire 3 hours, but all in all did great too considering waking up before 6 and having a less than 1 hour nap total by 3:30 pm when church ended. So minus his almost blowout while I was supposed to be playing the piano for primary we did well. (thanks to Rebecca Peterson for playing 1 song for me).

Griff was asleep before we even left the parking lot and so I took him right up to his bed when we got home. I then asked Cash to help me clean up the house by working on the family room. I was in the kitchen, and since normally his helping doesn't really do anything I didn't expect much. However, he came in about 5 minutes later and told me it was all cleaned up. I finished up the last dish and stepped into the family room. It was......SPOTLESS!!!

Literally, the room was immaculate. He had picked up every last toy, put them in the bins, put the blankets and pillows back on the couch, and he was beaming with excitement. Tears sprung to my eyes as I asked him why he was being such a good helper and so good for me today? (he isn't always such an angel) He looked over and said "mom, I don't want you to have to be a serious mom anymore, I want you to be a happy mommy!" My eyes now were blurred by the tears that kept coming, as I realized he had felt my anger and grumpiness and less than happy mommy self. I was soooo happy and so touched and so brought to humility at this point. I told him I was crying because I was so happy and he said "I did it so you would smile mom!" I then smiled big, still with tears pouring down my cheeks, picked up this little boy and gave him the biggest mommy hug I could give. Thank you oh sweet little one for helping me realize things I knew but maybe didn't want to admit....and for helping me have the desire to be the best mommy I can be to my cute little ones. (even if at other times he is telling me I am the worst mom ever and to stop talking to him like that..in my serious voice....and stop counting!) It really was so sweet. I love him and I promise Cash I will try to be more fun and less serious this week!

Later on I asked him again why he was being so good to me all day and he said "mom, I already told you 3 times so you be happy and not serious!" (I guess I must say this a lot too!)

I already told you this Cash, but I love you so much, and can't believe it is going to be 3 years in a few days that I held you for the first time in my arms! You are a great blessing in my life!

Griffin's New Ride!!!

2011-08-10T21:02:00.005-04:00

My sister-in-law Anne is my go-to person when it comes to kid stuff. She recommended the BEST double stroller, which we absolutely love, and then the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 carseat. We got one and put Cash in it and planned on moving Griffin to the Britax one Cash was using. However, upon seeing how great it was, Cash telling us it "fit his body so much better mom" then the Britax one, Chip told me to try to sell the Britax one for at least the cost of another one of the Graco ones and we would just get Griffin the same thing. He hadn't experienced the forward facing carseat yet, as he wasn't 20 lbs., and so I had a little time.

I posted the Britax one and within hours had sold it for more than this one - so a nice extra little play money - wahoo!!! Then, got on Amazon and ordered another one at 10 am monday, and by 6 pm Tuesday it was at our house and Griffin was trying it out! O how I LOVE my amazon prime status!!!

Here he is sitting in it for the first time! LOVE at first sit!

He was giggling and so happy and not even bothered that he is strapped in and can't go anywhere!

Love the cupholder, and looks like this is going to be one comfy ride!

Yep, mom - I think I am going to like this new ride!

Griffin LITERALLY (for you, Cheryl) giggled the entire ride from our house to Sam's Club (a 20 minute ride). He was so happy and content getting to see the world a new way. Cash is pretty happy here too!

My favorite pic of these 2 of the day - brothers in matching car seats, having a conversation! So sweet!

And Chip was worried that he wouldn't fall asleep as well in a forward facing one! But look Chip - he was out on the way home in less than 5 minutes of leaving! So no worries!

We also were cleaning out some of Griffin's old clothes and found a few winter hats from last year. Griffin tried on Cash's and he appeared to really like it too! I LOVE this face!

What mom? Caught red-handed!

Cash put on Griffin's hat from last year, which is now an EXTRA TIGHT beanie on his HUGE head!!! I asked him how come he has such a big head and he said "well mom, I think it is because you gave it to me, just like you gave me my cute name - Cash Owen Brown!" It was so funny - and I guess in a way true! I love his big head!

Playing together making more messes while I try to clean!

We had a great time at Pierce's house today, and these 3 sat on the bench outside and Cash told me to take a pic. Piercy, Milli, and Cash smiling for the picture!

The 3 of them had a blast together!

And Griffin might not talk a lot yet, but he sure knows how to growl, and often will say mmmmmmmmm during dinner if he likes his food. He had eaten an entire McDouble and small french fries by himself last night, and then still managed to down some watermelon and icecream. He may be in the 10% for weight, but he is in the 200% for the amount he can eat! I really wish I had his metabolism!!! Lucky boy! We love him and he is so much fun right now! Enjoy!

BEST. PEACH. PIE. EVER

2011-08-09T21:23:00.004-04:00

Seriously, I have NEVER tasted better peaches than these in my entire life.

They were the perfect ripeness, juicieness and sweetness, without being too mushy or too hard! They just melted deliciously in your mouth and this peach pie is my all-time favorite recipe!!!

Cash and I had a great time making it together, and an even better time enjoying a piece of it a few hours later! I LOVE PEACH SEASON!!!

GRAHAM CRACKER PIE CRUST:

Crush 18 graham crackers (1 1/2 cup crushed). Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup melted butter. Press firmly in pie pan. Chill crust until set, about 45 minutes.

FRESH PEACH PIE:

Combine 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Mix 1/4 cup cornstarch, 3/4 cup cold water, and 1/8 tsp salt. Slowly add to boiling mixture. Cook 3 min. or til thick. Remove from heat. Add 1 TBSP lemon juice and 1 TBSP gelatin (raspberry). Cool. Cut 1 quart of peaches. Mix with filling. Pour into graham cracker crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

SOOOO GOOOD!!!!! ENJOY!

Chicago: Stan and Mary's Wedding!!!

2011-08-08T14:02:00.028-04:00

This past weekend we flew into Chicago for my brother Stan's wedding to Mary.

We had never met her, and unfortunately didn't make it to the pool party on Thursday since our flight was late, so I didn't get to meet her until in the temple after they were already married. However, she seems wonderful, he is super in love and happy, and so we welcome her into the family and are excited to get to know her better at Christmas when we go to Utah for Kevin and Hollie's wedding!!!

Cash was SOOO excited to go see Grammy and his uncles and aunts and woke up at 6 am yelling "we going to cacago today! Today we going to cacago!" on Thursday morning! It was a great trip (minus delayed flights both ways and Griffin's ears bugging him so he was screaming the last 20 minutes of the trip home at 1 am!!!) It was great being with family, celebrating my dad's birthday (which was on the 4th), meeting Mary's family, and getting to spend time together in a new fun city. We got to tour Chicago on Saturday before leaving and it is a great city. Cynthia was our great tour guide since she knows the city so well, and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the trip! I didn't take hardly any pictures, so all the ones I have are courtesy of Grammy! Thanks for a wonderful trip family!

Grammy at the pool party on Thursday, August 4, 2011!

Kevin and Hollie!

The yummy food at the pool party!

Bride and Groom!

sleeping poolside! Kim and Cynthia!

Mother of the groom & mother of the bride!

Hanging out with Grandma Romans

The happy couple!

Kim and Mary's dad!

Getting to see Grandpa!

We finally arrive!!!

Singing to Grandpa Rosen for his birthday!

Cash was way excited to give him our present!

He even helped him open them!

Ties from my mom and Kim!

Grammy had a present for Cash!

The best part of the night was him stopping opening his present, looking up, and saying "wait, you all need to sing to me before I open my present!" So we did - an early b-day song for him. He was SOOOO happy!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Rosen made it out with us and that was fun!

It was great meeting Hollie and getting to know her a little bit. She fits in great to the family!

Cynthia and me!

Alex!

Griffin loves Alex....and shoes!

Cash helping me open the quilt for Griffin!

Grandma Romans made a special one for Griffin to celebrate his birth in China!

We LOVE it - so cute and fun! The back has chinese writing on it and it really is special to us!

The groom getting some pre-wedding gifts!

Excited for the big day tomorrow!

BEDHEAD!!!! Enjoying breakfast on the big day!

3 generations!

Mother and Groom!

Alex and Grandma Rosen!

Kevin joins the party!

Alex, Kim, Kev, and Grandma Romans!

Both Grandmas!

Hollie joins!

Alex and Griffin!

Griffin likes Alex's hat!

Cash likes Alex!

Doesn't Alex look handsome in uniform?!

Daddy and Griff

Bride and groom coming out of the temple! The new MR. and MRS. Rosen!!!

First kiss as a married couple! Handsome couple!

Grandma Rosen wanted to know if I remembered the dress she is wearing. She wore it to my wedding too!!!! I didn't, but once she told me I remembered! It was hilarious!

So I am not looking good here, but the best one of everyone else I guess! Squinting at something!

My parents with the happy couple!

Grandparents - My Grandma Katee did such an amazing job of going, going, going, the whole time. I was very impressed with how much she did, including enjoying a wonderful pedicure with the girls on Thursday!

hanging out during the photos!

3 brothers (missed Sam on his mission)

Kevin and Hollie

Had to get some couple shots too! :)

Kissy! Kissy! Your turn will come soon enough!

Grandpa and Grandma Rosen

Grandma Romans and Aunt Cynthia!

Mommy and cute little Griffin!

Love this little boy!

My mom and her mom!

Cynthia and Grandma Romans with Mary and Stan

Alex and cute little Griffin!

All the siblings - once again squinting!

Dad and Alex

Alex and Kim

Mary's parents

Cash checking out the flower girl Elin! She was pretty cute he thought! He even picked a few flowers and gave them to her - to which she responded by giving him a hug with her head on his shoulder - I missed the whole thing but apparently it was really sweet and made a lasting impression - he had fun with her that night at the dinner too!

Mom and Stan

Mary and Elin! Beautiful girls!

cute!

Playing in the hat at the dinner!

Stan and his good friend Grant!

Alex and Cash outside the restaurant!

cute Kimmy - her photo came out in 17 magazine this week! She's famous!

Kevin and Hollie!

Me!

Mary's dress was GORGEOUS!!!! She looked beautiful!

Showing Cash how to blow on the appetizer!

So in love!

My beautiful grandmother!

The happy couple!

Married!

The ring ceremony!

Dad giving his thoughts!

Cutting the cake!

Alex and Cash!

Seeing downtown Chicago!

The Bean structure! Awesome view of the entire city in this thing!

Cash holding up the whole city!

Riding the bull!

stopping for a quick moment!

Viewing the amazing city!

River walk!

Sisters! (Cynthia and my mom)

All of us!

Chip's favorite big city in the US!

Dad and Kimmy!

Kev and Hollie

Marilyn Monroe statue - I loved it!

Mom and Dad!

Alex

Cash and daddy!

Happy boy - he had a BLAST with his grammy, grandpa, and his aunts and uncles - and once again was an excellent little traveller!!!

Tired boy! He also did great overall on the trip!

Grammy and Cash!

Saying bye to aunt Kimmy!

My dad - thanks for a great trip dad! Happy Birthday!

Cash and Dad on boat ride with Sear's tower in the back!

Walking in the city!

Bull ride!

Our family outside the Bean structure!

We were all preoccupied for this photo but you get a great view of the skyscrapers here!

family shot!

My siblings, Chip, and Griffin!

Cool shot!

We had a great time and can't wait for the next one already!!!!

Boys Will Be Boys!!!

2011-08-01T07:54:00.003-04:00

Ahhhh, summer at the splashpad is great when you are a boy and there aren't any restrooms!

Plenty of big trees to use!

Cash met a new little friend (Jensen - boy in orange shirt in picture) and played for over an hour with him out in this grassy area. First they were hunting bunnies, then they had sticks and were using them as wands to cast spells and were with Harry Potter and fighting off Voldemort and other bad guys, except they couldn't get them all they said. Then it was hitting the leaves with the sticks. Oh so much fun to have a new friend.

He has talked about him a bunch afterwards, telling me he wants to play with the boy in the orange shirt again. Hopefully we will have more playdates soon!

Just Peachy!

2011-07-26T09:08:00.006-04:00

On Saturday we braved the 105 heat and humidity in the morning to go up and pick some very YUMMY peaches. It was a great fun! Cash and Griffin loved it, and although I was dripping sweat by the end I thought it was great too!

Had to take the shots of the worm in the apple! We have Cash when he was just 2 months old here, and now he is almost 3!!!

It was sooo bright you couldn't help but squint!

Griffin had his first experience doing it too and loved it!

This is so funny mom!!!

Cheese!!! Couldn't get rid of the shadows :(

Griffin got a great view of the peach trees!

Checking them to get the good ones!

Maybe that one dad!

Cash really enjoyed helping pick them too!

Checking it for the creamy yellow center to make sure it was ripe!

Got it! He picked them faster than we would have liked :)

Orchard shot!

Father and Sons! (spare you me in any shots since my sweaty self wasn't photo worthy!)

Daddy lifts him up to get a high one!

Afterward we tried to find these railroad tracks that I thought would be great for pictures! Although we finally found some, we realized you can't actually get to the ones I saw without a very long hike! However, we did find this little park and access to the river and the boys hiked down to check it out! We all felt like jumping in!

Just Cash - looking cool in his shades on the way home from church on Sunday!

And a video of Griff to prove he can actually sit up by himself now.....it is very funny as he does almost a backwards roll to get up. This isn't the best clip - but you can get the idea!!!

Life is just peachy here! Hope you all have a great day too!

A Weekend of Firsts!!!

2011-07-23T20:28:00.002-04:00

This weekend was full of many firsts, including:

Cash saying the dinner prayer with NO help from mommy!!!! He normally starts off the prayer, says thanks for the day, followed by "what's the next part mom". So when I asked him to say the prayer, and he preceded to do the whole thing through the amen by himself, I was in shock. He looked up afterward with a big grin and said "see mom, I am bigger now so I don't need your help!" I am SOOOOO glad he is able to do things on his own, and yet sometimes as I realize how independent he is getting I wish I could just keep him innocent and little forever! He is so pure and sweet with the biggest heart. I hope that never changes. His prayer actually brought tears to my eyes and so wanted to document it so someday he can read it. He said:

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, thank you for the food, thank you that daddy will come home safely, name of Jesus Christ Amen!" What a sweety!!!

Then, today we went to Carter mountain to pick peaches. It was Griffin's first time being there and getting a picture as the worm face in the apple (which I will post soon) and Cash getting to pick peaches and help out with that part. It was SOOOO hot so we didn't last long, but the peaches are DELICIOUS and the peach crisp I made smells heavenly!!! YUMMY!!!

Afterwards we came home and tried to put Griffin down for a nap. Normally he goes without a peep but this time I kept hearing him crying and he was making such a fuss I decided to go in and give him some oragel for his teethers. I opened the door and was surprised with another first: He was STANDING in the corner of the bed, binky was on the floor - as soon as he saw me he laughed and was jumping. It was actually a huge shock since this is my little 1 year old who can't sit up from laying down - so what had changed?! Guess he figured out how to hold to the bars and pull himself up. He has actually become extremely good at pulling himself up and walking around things this past week, so think walking might actually be in the near future. Although wishing he was napping, I was actually excited about this little accomplishment for him. We brought him down and put him on his back and made him practice sitting up on his own - and SURPRISE SURPRISE, he actually did it and now we know he can. He didn't nap at ALL today tho and is beyond tired and won't go to sleep so currently Chip is driving him in the car to fall asleep so we can then put him in his bed! That is NOT a first I want to recur ever again. I think his stuffy nose might be part of the problem since when his binky is in he can't breathe and it wakes him up, or his teeth, or his lack of naps period through the day so he is just beyond tired. Whatever it is I hope he sleeps tonight! (because last night he was up quite a bit).

So a fun weekend for us, overall pretty relaxing and some good milestones reached for my kiddos. Nothing makes me happier than seeing accomplishments from my kiddos and them being proud to tell me or their dad about them and show them!

Just a few funny things Cash has said lately too!

After I said, I just don't know where Chip is, Cash responded, "I'll find him! Chippi --- CHHHHIIIIPPPPIII - where are you?" (dad to you Cash)

Today, Cash said "mom, I am daddy's kid actually!"'

In the car Cash told Chip "you are totally funny dad! you are SO TOTALLY funny!" (hysterical)

To Griffin today, "Griffin you are such a cute little baby. You are such a sweet little baby. I just love you!"

Anytime Chip asks Cash who he loves more, mommy or daddy, he responds "I love you both"!

To mom at least 100 times a day, EVERY day! "mom.......i just love you! Mom, I think you are pretty mom!" (never gets old, and yes, he really does say this ALLLLLL the time!)

To mom after she says freaking - "mom, you shouldn't say freaking that is a bad word!" (always quick to correct me)

I love my 2 little angels and the things I learn from them! They really keep me on my toes, keep life busy, and entertain me daily with their fun little accomplishments. I am thankful I get to be their mommy!

1 Year Check Up Stats!!!

2011-07-19T20:38:00.004-04:00

Peek!!!

This little guy had his 1 year check-up today and boy was I shocked!

He was in the 75% for height (no shocker there) at 30.5 inches

10% for weight (TOTAL SHOCK!) at 19 lbs. 11 oz.

10% for head (no shock) at 44.75 cm

I totally thought he was getting heavier and would weigh over 20 lbs.

Oh well - the Dr. said because he had grown 2 inches since last time he was just getting longer and leaner and she wasn't worried. He is going to be a tall, skinny guy!

She said he would pretty much have to do nothing and sit all day eating nothing but bad foods to even have a chance at gaining weight and becoming over weight. I guess that is a good thing - he won't ever have to worry about dieting!!! LUCKY boy!!!

He is healthy and happy, and doing well and that is really what matters anyways!

I have been worried about him that he can't sit up by himself if he is laying down, and that he only says mama and that is it......but the Dr. said she isn't worried at all and that he is fine.

He scoots around faster than ever on his bum, and has started to pull himself to standing on everything and even sort of move around things standing up, so he probably will be walking quite soon! It is odd to compare him to Cash and I have to remind myself constantly that I SHOULDN'T compare the 2 because he is different and marches to a different beat!

He is still the smiliest baby ever, and in fact was smiling at the nurse the entire time she pricked his foot and drew blood for the iron and hemoglobin test, and also right before he was to get his 3 shots (ouch!) Cash was a great big brother and after she bandaged his toe said "that is SO SO sad! Griffi, I am sorry you had to get hurt.....don't worry, it won't hurt too long. I don't have to get shots today!" It was sweet and sort of funny!

He might be little or at the small end of the stats, but he is SO HAPPY and way off the charts for personality and cuteness so we will take it and hope this next year brings more growth and fun learning for our little guy! We think he's a keeper! Love you Griffin!

New Do!!!

2011-07-18T09:37:00.004-04:00

For as long as I can remember (at least the last 10 years) I have had very dark brunette hair!

Every time I get it done I have it dyed darker and sometimes with red or purple highlights. Never have I gone light, why?, because I am not a blonde! I have never thought I could pull it off and have just always seen myself having dark hair.

This summer I got a little brave (or just crazy) and decided to make a drastic change. Since I didn't want to cut it off, and that was my only other alternative to make a drastic change, I opted to try a different color. I had a friend color it, and she took it a little bit lighter, but with how dark it was I couldn't go that light. She did just as I asked and I really liked it. However, soon after I started parting my hair different and so as it grew the roots started to look really bad, and I felt it was looking brassy and decided I didn't like it anymore and, as I had always thought, I am just cut out for dark hair and should go back.

When I went back to AZ for Becky's wedding I told my Emily I just wanted to go back to my dark color and she told me she thought I would really like it if we just fixed the brassiness in it and got the roots again and just did a little work on it. She said that if I go back dark now I couldn't go light for a really long time, and convinced me to try light, because if I didn't like it then I could easily go back dark. I reluctantly said yes, and told her to just do whatever she thought would be best!!!

6 hours later, seriously my hair takes SOOOOOO long for anyone to do (and that did NOT include a cut or anything), I was done.......and a whole lot blonder than I could have ever imagined. For my blonde friends out there you might not consider me blonde still, and really it is actually light brown with highlights and stuff, but to me when I looked in the mirror for the first time I didn't know the person staring back at me. I liked it, but at the same time it didn't feel like me. Anyways, after Chip saying he liked it, other family members giving me positive feedback and a few days of getting used to it I love it and it is a very fun change. I probably will go back to my dark roots at some point, but right now I am liking the fun change!!!

Thanks Em for all the hours of hard work! I love it!

my self-shot from my phone since I had actually done it and was sending it off!

lots lighter you see!

And here I am with my sweet Griffin during Institute....pictures courtesy of my friend Cecia!

Love him!

Griffin's Big Day!!! Happy 1st Birthday Baby Boy!!!

2011-07-16T16:09:00.019-04:00

What a PERFECT day to celebrate our little sweetheart turning 1!!!

It was exactly the same weather as the day he was born, making it feel like deja vu from exactly 1 year ago: hot, humid, overcast, and a little rainy! What a great day!

There are A LOT of pictures, so I will let them tell the story of Griffin's special day!

Up at 7 for a delicious breakfast of Belgium waffles with boysenberry syrup and milk! Yum!

Smiley boy.....Wakes up happy, and is happy all day long!

Then off to open some presents!

Yea, he likes that idea!

Not sure what to do at first!

Cash was eager to help!

What is it?

COOL!

Not sure what to do!

Don't worry, Cash was on to the next one!

Look what it is Griffin!

Fun times with the presents....Cash was WAY more excited to play with them than he was!

Although he caught on quickly!

And soon was really enjoying the cool stacker toy!

Cash thought the train was for him!!!

And got right to play with it too!

After a quick nap it was off to the pool!

Chilling and having a blast!

Loved this pics for his little toesies!

He LOVES the water and relaxed in his tube for about 2 hours!

Pool time is the best!

Then it was home for a nap while mommy and Cash worked on his cake!!!

It only took about 5 hours.......but it turned out awesome!!!

Next was his birthday dinner of pizza and watermelon, followed by more presents!

Cool ring set!

Grammy gave him a way fun bath toy.....Cash also was more excited about this too!

A new puzzle!

Both boys at work on it!

Cheese!

And then it was time for him to get to go at his cake!!! I was a little sad at first to cut into this masterpiece after so little time of getting to look at it.......(however, right before this the back fin had started to pull away and fall off so that lessened the desire to hold off!)

We lit the candle, sang the song, and handed Griffin the cake!

Daddy and Cash helped blow the candle out!

He didn't know what to do with it at first, and cared more about just getting the donuts (aka tires)

Then he got a little bit of it on his fingers....although he was very cautious the whole time!

looking for help as to what to do next!

what's on my fingers?

Hmmm....tastes pretty good!

Or maybe not?

Daddy took the cake off and decided to just cut him his own slice!!!

Now he was getting into it....sort of!

Yum!

I'll take a little bit!

I can hold the fork myself!

Pretty tasty!

maybe the fork is more fun!

I am not really hungry because I ate 2 full pieces of pizza and a LOT of watermelon!

Done!

Tiny hands holding a fork are the cutest!

Still it's fun to make more messes!

Happy Birthday to my baby!

Let's be done and go get in the bath!

It was a great day!

We are all happy we were lucky enough to get this little guy to come into the world a year ago in Beijing, China to be a part of our family! Happy Birthday baby boy!!!!!

Dear Griffin-

2011-07-13T20:05:00.004-04:00

Exactly 1 year ago today....half way across the world....

In a land where we didn't speak the language and healthcare is not what it is in the US.

Your mommy was terrified to give birth for fear something might happen like with Cash!

And yet....that day was exactly like it is today! Overcast, rainy, and just absolutely perfect!

You came so quickly, and yet the stars all aligned and everything went smoothly and within minutes you were in my arms, and were already taking my breath away with how sweet you are. I was looking at you then with such awe, such gratitude, and so overwhelmed with love - and I look at you today with even more love and awe at how lucky I am that you were given to me to be a part of our family. I am SOOOO glad you were born and we have had this past year to get to have you in our home.

Just hours old!

When you were placed in my arms it was one of the most spiritual experiences I have had! It is amazing to be so in love with someone within seconds of meeting them! I love you even more now!

Griffin you are the sweetest little spirit. You are ALWAYS smiling or laughing, and I love that you are my little snuggler and always giving me hugs. You let me hold you and hug you and are so mellow and easy going. You are a daddy's boy, and although sometimes I get a little sad that you don't bounce out of your seat and get so excited when you see me, I actually LOVE this about you and just am so happy you have the same excitement I feel when your daddy comes into the room. You make him feel good, and it is fun at how much of a bond you two already have. You are a great little eater, eating twice as much as Cash at each meal, and sometimes even more then me, and yet are so lean and skinny! You are very calm, but determined and when you really want something you get upset if you can't figure out how to get it. You are so cute when you are sleeping, putting your hands over your ears, or sleeping on your tummy or side and ALWAYS kicking off your blankets. You have 3 little teeth on bottom that are a little crooked, but your top 4 teeth that are just coming in are all perfectly straight and noone has a better smile than you. Your face just lights up every time you smile, your eyes crinkle up in little smiles and it is SO CONTAGIOUS!!!! I can't help but return your smile and you brighten every day with the constant grin. You don't crawl still, but scoot quickly your own way, and are very happy with your little method of transportation. You don't say anything but Mama, and you especially say it a lot when you are upset or tired. You are so easy to put to bed, and yet don't fall asleep in my arms anymore. You sometimes wave, pull yourself to standing, and grab things with your little pointer finger so cute. It has been such a great year. I can't wait for more to come and to get to hear what is going on in your mind as you start talking more. I am so grateful you are my son, so honored to call myself your mom, and I just love you SO SO SO SOOOO much! You are my little Griffi-Grew, and I am glad that 1 year ago today we got to meet and start on our journey together!!! Happy Birthday sweetheart!!!

The happy face I see every day!!! Cute toothy grin! Enjoying his b-day breakfast of Belgium waffles and blueberries!

A little sneak peek of his b-day cake I made (it took me a LONG time but I love it)!!!

More to come soon about his big day!!!!

Pure Joy!!!

2011-07-09T10:35:00.004-04:00

Griffin is ALWAYS smiling....and it is SOOOOO contagious! I find myself smiling all day long with just pure joy from this little sweetheart!!! Look at him! You can't help but smile back at this handsome, soon-to-be 1 with 7 teeth, little boy!!! He really is the epitome of PURE JOY!

I took these pictures at dinner last night because he just couldn't stop smiling! Love it!

While he took a moment to stop smiling and sip a quick drink....

Cash wanted to show me that he could smile too!!! What a cutie!

He told me he could also smile without his teeth....isn't his little haircut handsome and makes him look older!

I have the BEST job in the whole world getting to spend my days with these 2 boys! They really make me happy and bring me such pure joy! Happy Saturday!