Happy Birthday Jamesy

Dear Jamesy,

Happy Birthday little bug. What would I do without my little Jamesy? I think my heart would burst. You are my little cuddler. You have the biggest heart and you wouldn't hurt a bug. You wear your emotions, there is no hiding them. My favorite is when you get so excited you can't keep your arms or legs still. Or how could I forget your laugh. You have the best, most contagious laugh. My heart melts every time I hear you laugh...sometimes I just have to tickle you to get it out.

I love to hear the little pitter-patter of your feet making their way to my bed with your blankies in tow every morning. You just snuggle right up and fall fast asleep. I try and sneak out, but you usually wake up and there is no letting me out of your sight in the morning. At least not until after you have had a cup of warm juice.

I am so proud of you. I can't believe all the things you have learned this year. I love to watch you triumph over new skills. The world is yours my little boy, and so is my heart.

love,

Mom

Just a Spoonful of Sugar

What do you suppose is keeping these kids occupied longer than 2 seconds?

Cookies!

Bake Sale

This is no light-hearted post as things usually are around these parts.
Emmett is a 1 1/2 year old little boy who is fighting a very aggressive type of cancer.
My heart just aches for this little guy and his family.
He is the same age as Anna.
Here is a link to the blog tracking his progress.
I feel so helpless really.
I wish I could take it all away.
I am so grateful for this mortal experience, even the tough parts.
But I am especially grateful for Jesus Christ, faith, hope, and miracles.
They are all real.

Our efforts are just a drop in the bucket, but I was so proud of my kids who helped bake all the goodies and then worked hard to sell them.
They were so proud to drop off their $21 donation.

I love the spelling.

Little Emmett, we are fighting with you.

A Picture Story

April Fools

This may be the best prank I have ever seen....wiring a car horn to the brake lights?!?!?!?!? You got it, anytime you step on the brake, the horn honks.

We tried pulling this off on my brother's car when he got married. Unfortunately we blew a fuse in the process and then his tail lights didn't even work. I was so disappointed. I had seven years to come up with something good to do to him on his wedding day after he strategically planted whoopie cushions at my very formal, sit down dinner wedding reception.

Back to the story. Melanie, who is practically my sister out here, pulled it off beautifully this year. While our husbands were innocently watching the Priesthood session of conference, she hooked up the wires and wala! Ok, so obviously we let Christian in on the little joke because we needed a filmer and he was going to know what it was immediately...since he already had tried doing it. I know I have a simple mind, but I think it is hilarious.

PS: You have to watch it a couple of times to really see the beauty of it.

When I graduated from high school, my Dad gave me a copy of the book Les Miserables. I read it, but it took me four summers. Well come to find out, it took Christian three summers to read the book. And now after more than a decade, we got to see the play.

Maybe we should stick to shorter novels. Or, we could just skip the book and see the play. But I would recommend both. I found them quite moving and inspiring.

General Conference Weekend

I love General Conference weekend.

It starts with a clean house
(this time thanks to my mom for the clean house)
and fresh flowers.

There is always yummy food and brunch with friends.

We have plenty of outdoor walks in between.

Although a family with three young kids does not quite lend itself to a quiet, reverent, meditative state for eight hours in a weekend, I am grateful for the chance to be with my family. It is a welcome change, and for some...

...it is relaxing.

Sometimes I can't wait for the day when I actually get to sit and listen to all the talks and take notes...but on second thought...

I'll wait.

I wouldn't trade anything right now.