Ultrasound Results....

Can you tell who isn't too excited about the news? 

Texas Size Storm

Typically there isn't a lake in our front yard!

Just over a week ago, a storm swept through our town in Texas. It wasn't a tornado, but what they consider a 'straightline'. Meaning the wind is just as strong, but all moving in the same direction. It left as fast as it came and we were left with water in our office and front entry. Even the closed, locked windows on the front of the house seeped water through them. 

(typically there isn't a river in our backyard either!)

The biggest loss, to the kids, was what we found in the backyard. The playset had been ripped from the ground, tearing through the 4x4 supports and tossed across the yard. Macy was the most saddened by the site, as she spends several hours a day on it. It didn't take long for her to proclaim that it was fine though, that now it was just a different playset, get her water clothes on, and summit the 'new' pile. 

What remains of our playset now lays in a heap in our driveway, waiting to be disposed. The kids... are finding plenty of pleasure on their bikes. Now we just need to decide if and when we want to invest in another item that might be destroyed by a Texas storm.  

We Love Mom

I've decided to "hack" Anna's blog account to post a few thoughts from Mother's Day.  Hopefully I won't embarrass her too badly.  

I asked the kids yesterday to think of some of the reasons they love their Mom so much - the specific question was, "Why is Mom so special to you?"

Asher:  "Because I know that she loves us ..."  Dad: "Well, how do you know?"  Asher: with a sheepish grin on his face ... "Because she gives us BIG, WARM snuggles every single night!"

Macy:  "Because she's so much fun..."  Dad: "What type of things are so fun about her?"  Macy: "Well, Dad you know..."  Dad: "Sure I do, but I want you to tell me yourself..."  Macy: [getting impatient] "Daaaaaaaad" [Pause - her fingers are busy tracing lines up my arm] "Oh ok - it's because she takes time to play so many games with me and do arts and crafts and all that stuff..."  

Sawyer:  [long thoughtful pause] "Dad - it makes me feel good that she doesn't go to work so she can spend time with us here at home."  I didn't see a need to follow-up on that one ...

I asked our fourth child, but all I heard were gurgles and gas bubbles.  

So there it was - in the mouth of my babes - they love their Mom because they see and feel, unconsciously, the amount of time she spends with them.  It's kind of like that cheesy commercial that every now and then pulls at your heartstrings or mists your eyes a bit ... "It's all about time."

I would never want to diminish any other mom out there, because I know there are many who are stellar lights for their families.  But ... I just want to brag on Anna a little bit, because she's a remarkable mother [and wife, but that's for another post].

Here's a few reasons why I think she's such a fantastic Mom (not in any particular order):

1. She loves the Lord more than anything (or anyone) else - and because of that, she knows exactly what her priorities are - things like her role as a Mother, her commitment to her family, her willingness to serve others and care for them, etc.
2. For those that know her well, Anna is a talented designer and has a real knack for ... how shall I say ... planning and organizing empty space into functional environments.  It reminds me of something I've heard somewhere - "see yonder is matter unorganized ..." Ok, anyway, she really could make some moolah if she chose to ... but she's chosen to set that aside for now and focus on being a Mom. 
3. Anna's tough on our kids when they need it - she doesn't "cave" to their tantrums or emotional manipulation.  She follows the counsel to "show ... an increase in love" after an episode of admonishment or discipline, hence love is able to prevail in our home.
4. Lastly - one of the things I love about Anna that will hopefully pass to our children - she's a realist with hope.  Over time, she has developed this wonderful ability to let the past be the past and devote her extraordinary gifts and talents to the "holy present" - thus her ability to confidently exclaim to me or the kids, "it is what it is - get over it and make the best of it..."  It is good, strong medicine for us.  It reminds me of a talk given by one of my theological and personal heroes, Neil A. Maxwell.  He commented as follows, "Thus, within our allotments we see how the saintly display kindness even within barbed-wire circumstances, yet others have barbed attitudes even within opulence. Meanwhile, the discontented continue to build their own pools of self-pity, some Olympic size."  That comes from a great talk of his titled "Content with the Things Allotted unto Us" ... you can read it in its entirety here: [http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-4-28,00.html]

Well, that's enough pontificating for now.  I'm so grateful for Anna and how committed she is to being a stellar Mom.  She's incredible - and a true blessing to our little family.  I love her dearly. 

And no, for those of you who thought it, I'm not writing this because I "forgot" about Mother's Day.  The kids and I had a lot of fun w/ her yesterday ... and you'll have to ask her about the peanut sauce.  

New Tradition

Now that the kids are old enough...too old they tell me for the traditional Easter Egg Hunt, we tried something different this year. A friend suggested that we do a 'flashlight Egg Hunt', making it more difficult to find the eggs for our 'advanced in age' children. So with more than 200 Easter Eggs, friends gathered, and a dark night, we moved forward with our plans. A storm loomed in the distance (for other Texans, you know that storms in Texas in April can mean chaos!) Fortunately, we didn't have to move our activity indoors, we made it inside just before the down pour, with all eggs and children in tow. The kids loved the added mystery and challenge of finding eggs outside around the house. Pros: we found several 'obvious' eggs the following morning. Cons- they were wet and muddy. Another negative- no cute pictures due to the lack of light! Will have to make this activity an annual event! 

Not a chance for outdoor Easter pictures this year- too much moisture!

This is what happens when three bodies have consumed an unnatural amount of sugar and are expected to sit for more than a few seconds (no matter how old they are getting!) 

In her White Dress

There is nothing like witnessing a 

daughter of Heavenly Father

 being baptized by her daddy. 

Especially when she is yours. 

This is one 'spirited' girl.

An emotional rollercoaster.

A leader and dictator.

A confident child with

high-self esteem.

A sweet and loving angel. 

I am glad that she made the

decision. I am glad that she 

is clean. I am thankful for repentance.

I am proud to be her momma. 

May you always stay as clean as the dress that you were baptized in...

Top Ten

MY SWEET BOY

It's been ten years (and a few days) since I started the most wonderful and rewarding job ever, that of being a mother. Sawyer celebrated his tenth birthday March 1st. Here is my list of Top Ten for my now double digit child.

10- He willingly removes any unwelcome critter that comes into our house,  promptly, to rapidly squelch the screams from the females living here. 

9- He loves to be entertained and has from birth. Not the type of child to sit quietly in the back seat of a car. Never complains when life gets too crazy, he loves the action! 

8- He is a very loyal friend. If you are Sawyer's friend, then he will do anything for you. 

7- Enjoys all things boy. Wrestling, karate, hitting, hanging, hunting, fishing, ball; this boy is up for anything. 

6- Loves books; big, little, short, long. He will read until the wee hours of the morning, if given the chance. 

5- Is always up for a game. No matter what game it is (okay, Pretty Princess is out). He doesn't play for the win, but for the mere sport of it. 

4- Has a better knowledge of the scriptures than most adults (including me).

3- Lives in a VERY black and white world. Knows and keeps the rules and gets frustrated when others don't or get away with things. He always wants to do what's right. 

2-  Always been sensitive to the spirit and to others feelings. Very thoughtful child.

1- World's best cuddler. He will come anytime, any day, no matter what he is doing, to give his mom warm snuggles. 

So, that's my first child in a nutshell. He is truly a blessing in my life and a remarkable example to those around him. 

We had his party at an indoor sports center, playing Dodgeball/DeathBall. He and his buddies got so sweaty they ended up all removing their shirts. A friend commented that they resembled 'Lord of the Flies'. Here is a picture of some of them at the end of the party. 

Here are some pictures of my boy through the years (no early ones as he was around before digital and I haven't scanned them in!)

Age 2, playing in his 'car shop'.

As a Pirate, Halloween 2004, age 5.

With one of his favorite people, Grandma Gloria.

With Asher in 2005.

This is the game when Sawyer ran the bases, he made sure to run right through all the puddles. Age 3. 

Age 5

I told Sawyer that he was done with birthdays. I want to keep him 10 forever....like that worked before when my plan was to keep him 5 forever. I guess that I can only ask and hope that the next year will not go as quickly as the last 10 have!!!! I love spending each and every day with my boy! Love you forever son! 

From one proud momma

Backseat Ramblings

Never a dull moment when these two clowns are pinned by a strap to a seat with all doors closed en route to anywhere. The following are completely random comments coming from the back seat on a car trip today:

Asher (looking out the window, his favorite thing to do while traveling): Oh, there is a fake mom and dad.... (then silence)

Mom: What do you mean Asher?

Asher: Oh, you know, those things that people put in chairs in front of their houses that look like mom's and dad's.

Mom (thinking): No Asher, I don't know.

Asher: I just saw a flying cow bird!!!

Macy: Did you know that polar bears can fly too? They don't need wings, they just go really fast on the ice and then flap their arms, but people don't think that they can fly because they don't have wings. Sneaky huh?

Passing a field of cows and sheep. Asher: What do you think those animals names are?

Mom: Don't know, what do you think Asher?

Asher: Oh (matter of factly), there's Cowy (obviously looking at a cow), and Bully (observing a bull with horns), oh no that's not Bully, Mom. That's Horny because of his horns. Yeah, Horny!

At this point, I waited for the reaction from the two older siblings in the car and then let out a deep breath when there were no apparent giggles. Public School hasn't reached them there...yet!

Making a turn on a dirt road, I accelerated a little and spun the back of the SUV around.

Asher: Mom, you just dragged.

I didn't get the response I was looking for. Say like, "Mom, that was awesome!"

Mom: Hey, wasn't that pretty cool guys?

All three monkeys, very matter of factly: Oh when Dad does it, he goes all the way around.

BUSTED!!! I'll be sure to have a talk with 'dad' when he gets home!

After arriving at our destination, we headed back the same exciting route.

For the majority of the time in the car, the oldest, Sawyer, is sitting in the front seat next to me, quiet. Obviously pondering a question he had, he finally asked it.

Sawyer to Asher: How do you know what all the animals names are?

Mom (thinking): Really? Did that question really come from my 4th grade straight 'A' student? Really?

He is a very logical, black and white boy, but did he REALLY not know?

Macy (after passing a donut shop): I really wish that you could have a birthday party at a donut shop and they let you eat all the donuts you wanted. That would be SO fun!

Asher: Hmmmm....wonder where the fake mom and dad went...

I was moving slow enough that I could track his line of vision to the front of a red brick house...with two empty rocking chairs on a patio, kids playing in the front yard.

Mom: Maybe they went to make dinner... for their fake kids!