Relaxation and Family Fun

Well, after a nothing week of pretty much being shut in again, this time with a sick little girl instead of a sick me, I was ready for a break! One of the only great things about the week was how much time I spent with Suzie and her kids! I want to thank Suzie first of all for taking Emily even when she wasn't quite well yet. I had lunch with my hubby and found my shirt for my sister's wedding. It was a nice date. On Friday, Jeff and I went to the Nickelback concert. It was very different from our last concert, which was Kelly Clarkson, but we had a blast!

On Saturday, one of my friends was having a tea party for lunch to celebrate getting ready to have her third boy!! It was definitely a girls day! We went for pedicures after and I loved just chatting with some of my favorite girlfriends. I haven't been too excited about posting pregnant pics, but here goes!



After the pedicures, Jeff and I took the kiddos swimming at the YMCA, one of our favorite things to do. We had a great time and Emily is finally feeling like herself.


Dallin gave his first prayer in primary today. He wanted me to help him, but I knew he could do it by himself. I was in there and I told him when he walked to the front if he really needed me to wave to me. Well, he looked right at me, smiled and then bowed his head. This was his prayer, "Heavenly Father. Thank you for this day. We are thankful that everyone has a family. We are thankful for the Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." Very short, but very sweet. Of course, I teared up. I told him how proud I was that he did it all by himself. He is such a good kid. I feel so lucky.

So, that is our basic update. We are headed for California this week, and I can't wait to see the whole family!! My little sister is getting married and everyone will be there. I can't wait for everyone to see how much Emily has changed in the last 6 months. I love my family!

A Happier Me

I know it has been a while since I have posted and I wish I could say it was because I was off doing exciting things like traipsing through Europe, but no, unfortunately there was no Europe, nor traipsing, involved. I have been mostly laying on my couch, sleeping to keep from coughing, and watching my kids play video games and watch movies. They have loved it!! I have been miserable and felt totally useless, but it has given me a lot of time to think. Here are some of my thoughts.

Young Women's
Wow! This has been such an emotional time. I was released from Young Women's after 4 years. It came as a surprise and I was really sad. I have loved those girls with all my heart. After praying about it, I felt very strongly that this is the right thing. The new presidency is amazing and it is time for other women to have a chance to influence these wonderful girls. I also realized it is my time to focus on my family. With this new little one coming, I am looking forward to trying to figure things out a little better. I thought being sick was taking away from this opportunity, but it has let me ponder on this.

Motherhood
I have been contemplating this a lot. I have known for a while that I had to figure out my own definition of what a good mother is and the kind of mother I want to be, or I will never be truly happy. It can't be based on anything else except what I can give. It is the most important role I will ever play and I want to succeed. I have struggled as I have tried to come up with this definition. What do I bring to the table? What are my talents? Is it okay that I don't do art projects with my kids very often? That I don't sew them cool things? That I don't scrapbook all their pictures? I have thought a lot about it and today I finally feel closer to my definition. I had an awesome walk with my good friend Suzie this morning! (This is one of the things I miss most about running. The friendships and venting that spending kidless time together allows.) I started thinking about when I feel happiest, and I realized it is when I am not in the house. Now, being a stay at home mom, and living in Oregon, you might see where I am going with this. I have always said that I feel I am a much better summer mom than winter mom. I love being outdoors. I can spend hours at the park playing with my kids. I love swimming. I love boating. I don't like being indoors. I just don't know what to do indoors and I feel like all I do is clean up after messes when I am inside. So, during the summer, we clean in the morning and then spend the rest of the day outside. I feel my kids are happier when they are running around also. Then we come home and have down time and I feel renewed. So, I have a few more months before the capri weather comes, and I am determined to learn how to be a good winter mom. If you have any ideas let me know. For now, I am going to try to take the kids swimming at the YMCA more and even just meet other moms at the Y to let the kids kick around a soccer ball.





I found 2 pictures of when I look truly happy, and of course, they aren't inside my house!! (Sorry that they both happen to be in a bathing suit, but being pregnant, I am remembering a better time!)


So, that is all for now. I am going to keep trying to find my strengths and use them. I do want to find joy in being a mother. I feel so lucky to be at home with my kids and to have a supportive husband.

Happy Birthday, Dallin!

I can't believe he is 5! I keep saying that over and over. I can remember the day he was born like it was yesterday, and yet he has grown up so much that I guess I can believe it!

Here is my little munchkin a day or two old. After 16 hours of labor , the doctor was wheeling me into the OR for a C-section and I remember him saying, "He must be a big baby, and that is why we are having a hard time getting him out." As they pulled out my scrawny, 6 lb 1 oz, 19 1/2 inch baby, we were all surprised! I thought he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. Jeff just kept saying, "He's perfect."

It has been a great 5 years. I feel so blessed to have Dallin as my son. Here are 5 things that I love about him.

1. He is the sweetest, gentlest little boy you will ever meet. (He is just like his dad.) He is a great, loyal friend and never wants to hurt anyone's feelings.
2. He loves books as much as I do and has since he was an infant.
3. He is a great big brother. He loves to make Emily laugh or giggle. When he hears her wake up from a nap, he asks if he can go get her.

4. He has an incredible memory. This can be good or bad. I hope he will remember the good things, and not so much the bad things!
5. He will still cuddle with me. He tells me he loves me often.

I love you, Dallin! There is so much more I can say. We had a fun day today. We started off with his favorite breakfast, oven pancakes and juice. Then he went to preschool where I brought cupcakes and everyone made a big deal out of his birthday. Then we went to the Burger King with the big playland and met up with his buddies. The rest of the afternoon was his favorite.

I let him play the Cars video game as long as he wanted. (This also gave me a nap! Usually I limit him.)

He loved all the Cars things that my mom bought for him: new sheets, a duffel bag, a new shirt, and wipe on/wipe off activity boards. Thanks Grandma Nise! He also loved the Scooby Doo movies from Grandma Di and the motorcycle from Aunt Crystal. What a loved little boy.