Thanks In Giving

This has not been an easy year for me. It hasn't been the worst either. When I consider the year as a whole, I realize that although some things have not come to fruition for me, especially one thing in particular, I have much to be thankful for.

I have a beautiful home in a safe and quiet neighborhood full of really good neighbors. I have two beautiful children who are healthy and happy and thriving. I have a sweet husband who, after nearly 16 years of marriage, still loves all of my craziness. I have three of the most amazing sisters on the planet and two kind and loving parents who still continue to teach me what it means to be a good parent myself. I have security, good health, a good job, great friends and Eric and I are able to provide for the needs of our children-such wonderful blessings from the Lord!

I have wonderful parents-in-law who treat me with love and respect. I am very grateful to have them in my life.

Overall, I am one blessed girl! I have had to deal with many personal challenges this year and come to grips with the reality that having more children is probably no longer an option for me. It has been heartbreakingly painful to watch that dream begin to fade. I have not always been the nicest person to be around as I've struggled to understand and work through the torrent of emotions that have seemed never-ending at times. This is a trial that has tested the very foundation of my faith at times. I am so thankful to be able to say that it has undoubtedly strengthened not only my testimony, but also my relationship with my Heavenly Father. There is nothing I love more than being a mother and I cannot express how much fulfillment and contentment I have experienced as I raise my two daughters. I cherish every moment I have with them and I do not take any of it for granted because I know how hard I fought to get them here.

My blessings are numerous and in a time where so many have so little, my cup truly runneth over. How grateful I am for the trials and tribulations I have been given by a loving Heavenly Father who has shown me kindness and compassion and provided me with multiple opportunities to build and strengthen my testimony, my character and my faith.

Beautiful Butterflies!

Well, I'm not exactly sure what kind of butterfly Mikaela is trying to channel-frankly, I'm not sure I want to know. She's looking a little crazy.
We went downtown to the Farmer's Market with my parents one fine Saturday morning in August where my girls swiftly convinced my mom and dad to buy them magnets (or "maganets" as Mikaela calls them) and facepaintings. Now, my dad has always been a bit of a softie when it comes to his girls, but ever since the grandkids came along there's NOTHING he would refuse them. Any and all resolve completely melts the moment the grandkids run through the door. He's the kind of grandpa everyone wishes they had. I am beyond blessed to have such a completely kind and generous man who will drop anything he's doing if I ever call on him to help me with my girls. There are no words to describe how much I appreciate and rely on my wonderful father. There are not many men who are so completely devoted to their grandchildren and actually WANT to be around them for any extended length of time-I count my lucky stars that I not only know such a man, but was also raised by him too!
My girls love going to their house and watch my mother when she's cooking. They love helping her and want to do everything she does-teach them well mom, so I can hand over the keys to the kitchen! They especially love having her show them how to stitch and crochet. She's the perfect teacher for it too! I don't have half the skill she does when it comes to teaching those kinds of things.
I'm so grateful for such loving and generous parents. You are truly a blessing to me and my family and we sure do love you!

Sleeping Out!

Sorry, I know we're a mile past summertime, but I'm just getting around to working on all the summer fun me and the girls had! This is where we spent the majority of our summer evenings-sleeping out on the back deck watching movies!
The girls loved it and I actually enjoyed the cool night air. Too bad there were so many mosquitoes! Those things are seriously my living nightmare during the summer months. Oh well, what's a few mosquito bites compared to a full summer of memories? The girls sure didn't complain-for once-and I am just grateful that I was able to spend the time with them.

A Few of My Favorite Quotes About Kids

The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child. ~Joe Houldsworth

Anyone who thinks the art of conversation is dead ought to tell a child to go to bed. ~Robert Gallagher

Any kid will run any errand for you if you ask at bedtime. ~Red Skelton

If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe

If you haven't time to respond to a tug at your pants leg, your schedule is too crowded. ~Robert Brault

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt Streightiff

A rose can say "I love you",
orchids can enthrall,
but a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,
yes, that says it all.
~Author Unknown

A child seldom needs a good talking to as a good listening to. ~Robert Brault

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

An Observation

I ran into an old friend whom I haven't seen for several years the other day. After catching up for a moment or two she began her lament about the summer flying by and not having had any time to spend with her children (she doesn't work, by the way) and began listing all of the things she needed to do ending with, "I still need to go home and clean my house, it's been neglected for three whole days now." Wow!
I chose not to say anything, but if she came to my house she would soon realize that my house comes AFTER everything else! Sometimes it can take me a couple of weeks before I decide it really is time to clean. But here's the thing: my house will NEVER be Buckingham Palace. As long as small children roam my house there will always be fingerprint smudges on the glass (right after I do clean it, of course); there will always be tiny shoes scattered across my kitchen floor; my carpets will never again have that "just vacuumed" look to them; there will most likely be Barbie shoes, tiaras, play dresses, and pom poms mixed in with my laundry baskets and there will ALWAYS be a place on my refrigerator for original works of art compliments of my little girls. It will never pass a white glove test, but you know what? I'm okay with it.
My children have one childhood. I have one chance to spend their childhood with them. If I have the choice between going to the park or cleaning out my pantry, the park will win every time. Being a mother is the most important job I will ever have and I enjoy every crazy, funny, stressful, hair-pulling, tear-jerking, wacky, loving moment of it. As Pres. David O. McKay once said, "No amount of success can compensate for failure in the home." To me, that speaks volumes. I could not imagine my life without my children, it's up to me to make sure they grow up knowing just how much they are loved and cared for. I'm just grateful that I have the opportunity to do just that. The housework can wait!

Backyard Fun!

Sprinklers and a trampoline...pure magic to kids!

Why Can't Flowers Last Longer????

Aren't these beautiful? They're from my mom and dad's backyard. Haylie and Mikaela persuaded my dad to give them some and he ended up giving all three of us pretty bouquets! I stuffed them all into this vase and just love how summer-y they make the house feel. I just wish they lasted a lot longer!