Elijah Grant

Don't you just love the sound of that name? Baby Grant is finally here and I am finally posting some pictures. He came out a little bruised and battered. I panicked when his face was so purple, I thought for sure he couldn't breathe and would never make it. It took a while for the nurse to convince me it was just bruising. He actually looks quite handsome and normal now. So we need a whole new slew of pictures. Maybe tomorrow... For now feast your eyes upon my 8 lb. 13 oz. 21 inch long giant of a baby.

My Dad

On this Father's Day I want to take a minute to honor my Dad, who will always be "my Daddy," even when I'm 64. What other Dad could have 5 girls, no boys, and never once make us feel that it wasn't everything he ever wanted. We were Daddy's girls and whenever someone made the comment, "Your poor Dad," I was always confused. What a gift to to grow up in the loving home I was raised in. I love the memories of Daddy coming home climbing up his legs and doing a flip, or receiving tickle torture when purposely sitting in Daddy's seat. I love his example and love of the gospel, the time he took out of his busy work days to see me run in Jr High, or swim, or play water polo when I was in High School. I enjoy running with him, eating ice cream, or just having a good laugh. He has always been there to support me in every new stage of my life. He was a shoulder to cry on when Melissa died, made the drive to Las Vegas with my Mom to help when Caleb was born, and uses his vacation time to be with me and my family. And though he "gave me to Spence" with his beautiful words at my wedding breakfast, he is still my Daddy. I love you Dad! Happy Father's day.

Hilton Head Island

We just returned from a week long beach vacation, thanks to my Mom and Dad. They flew out from Utah to meet us at Hilton Head, and we even had Spence. With all the time spent with my parents and 4,000 pictures I took, somehow I didn't get any of pictures with my parents which is sooo sad. I know my children will always treasure the memories of their beach vacation with Grandma and Grandpa, as will I. With much difficulty, I narrowed down a few pictures to share.

Daddy's Coming Home!

Hooray, it is finally here! After being away from home for nearly 6 months, Spencer is on his way. And we are always sooooo glad when Daddy comes home! Caleb and Amelia helped make something special. This is for you Spence; we love you.

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Should I let my Children look like this?

So tell me, is this good mom or a bad mom thing? Caleb was writing with a pencil and accidentally made a mark right across my left breast. He immediately apologized and started erasing it. A little awkward! I told him I would take care of it. Then later that afternoon I lay down with Livvy to take a nap and she stuck her thumb in her mouth and started wiping away at my face at what she thought was food (actually it was a zit). After getting a taste of my own medicine, I now feel bad about the countless times I have tried to wash spills off their clothes while they are still in them and/or used the old spit on thumb trick when a dirty face is belatedly discovered after we have left the house. Does anyone else do this, or am I the only one invading my children’s personal space on a regular basis. Am I inflicting psychological damage? Did my own Mother treat me in such a humiliating fashion and I have just completely blocked it out of my mind? Will I find myself in a psychologist’s office trying to recover these lost memories so that I can learn to like myself and accept my own Mother? Will I ever be able to forgive her? Okay, so I am being facetious--but it really was strange to be on the receiving end of a Mommy clean up job twice in one day. I may even have to cut back, maybe put those wipes in the car that I am always planning but never do, maybe let the children clean themselves up once in a while, or maybe check their faces BEFORE we get in the car. Wow, maybe I really am the only Mom who still uses spit.

Grandparents...

Today is Sunday which means it is my designated post day. But I don't have anything noteworthy to say, so just my rambling thoughts will have to do. Last Sunday when I was looking for Mother's day pictures I came across this picture of me and my Grandpa. I have been thinking a lot about all of my grandparents and how much I enjoyed them growing up whether it was an apple party, a Thanksgiving sleepover, or just a Sunday visit. But what I didn't appreciate until I was much older was the life they lived. Growing up during the Great Depression then raising a family or getting married during WWII. So many changes happened during their lives, so much wisdom gained. I love you all, and look forward to spending precious time with my beautiful, talented, intelligent, and wise Grandmother who is still here with us. Thank you to an amazing generation who sacrificed so much for their posterity.

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Here it is another Mother's Day. This year I have decided to reevaluate what Mother's day is all about. It is not, and probably never will be a "day off". I am approaching it as a day to step back and recognize the great blessing of being a mother. I am going to embrace the day and be grateful that I have been trusted with these choice spirits to raise on earth. That includes Caleb setting his alarm at midnight so he could get up and hide my Mother's day gift, cleaning up a tornado struck kitchen after an "appetizing" breakfast in bed, Amelia asking if I bought her a gift for Mother's Day, and Livvy grabbing back the Mother's Day gift she made for me at school explaining that she made it and it belongs to her. It also includes being asked for the millionth time if I am about to deliver (no, I have 2 more months!), Amelia sticking out her tummy and waddling to imitate my walk, and Livvy's daily question of "why are you so big?" It includes hugs and kisses, love notes, smiles, and I love you's. It is being "Mommy", being needed, being loved. It is what I have always wanted to be. Thanks to my amazing mom for showing me the way to this challenging path of joy and fulfillment. For my Mother's day gift to myself, I have gathered pictures to remind me why I am grateful to be a mother and I want to share it with all of you.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com