Saturday, February 5, 2011

Time to Go


Yesterday, I said to the kids "It's time to go take Seery to school." I put the baby in the car and turn to find Liam ready to go alright. He decided to wear my shoes and grab one of my purses. He put his toy cell phone and sippy cup with water in the purse. (I never leave the house without my cell phone and a bottle of water in my purse) I have been told that "immitation is the highest form of flattery". I'll take it.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Happy Groundhog's Day!




Phil the Groundhog did not see his shadow today! He has predicted an early Spring which rarely happens. We will see... it is hard to believe with the Arctic front we are experiencing! Anyways, I love to celebrate every single holiday. It's fun how excited my kids get on each holiday, no matter how small. I adore my kids' artwork, but more importantly I love to see their proud look when they have created something.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Made My Day

I have been trying to catch up on all the cleaning, laundry, and organizing this house needs. And if you know how much time we have been spending in hospitals and doctor's offices these past few months you can probably imagine what an undertaking this is at the moment. So lately I have felt overwhelmed, to say the least. I felt like I was going to cry while vacuuming one day. I began taking cushions off the couch and chairs to vacuum those too. Under a chair cushion I found this drawing by Aidan of Buzz Lightyear and Woody. Seeing this picture just made me smile. And just like that my day was a little brighter. It doesn't take much to bring happiness. If there is one thing I have learned through these difficult times it is to stop and enjoy the smallest of things.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Objects of Their Affection





Every child has something that they're attached to, carry around, and love. They each have that one object to which they bestow their affection only as a child can. I never want to forget what their objects are.

Aidan loves his teddy bear, aptly named "Teddy". He has had Teddy since he was about 2 when family friend, "Grandma" Carol, came to visit with this gift in hand. Teddy has gone to Preschool with Aidan for "Polar Express" Days, and to Kindergarten for a teddy bear picnic. For the longest time Aidan has slept with Teddy, although those days are probably coming to an end the older he becomes...

Seery loves her Winnie the Pooh, simply called "Pooh Bear". Her Uncle Patrick brought Pooh Bear back for her from one of his Disneyland trips when she was 2. Pooh Bear has accompanied Seery into surgery 3 times at Primary Children's Medical Center. I think they will always have a special bond going through those tough recovery days post-surgery. Seery will dress Pooh Bear up and has a permanent spot in her bed.

Liam loves his green blanket, called "Blankie" of course. In March 2009 our family stayed downtown in Salt Lake City at the Marriott for a night just for fun, compliments of Verizon. Since he was a baby they set up a crib in our room, gave him Johnson & Johnson baby toiletries, and as an extra gift gave him this soft green blanket. For whatever reason from that first day that blanket has been his one object he cannot live without. He sleeps with blankie every night. He carries blankie around with him every morning. And when he needs that extra comfort blankie is bundled up in his arms.

... And of course, those three wide eyed children are the people to whom I bestow my affection.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Seery's Spring Painting


April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Created By: Seery
April 29, 2010

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Aidan's New Hair Cut


David took Aidan to get his hair cut yesterday. He wrote a story and drew pictures about it this morning. In the first picture he is getting his hair cut, in the second he is getting his hair washed, and in the third he is holding a bag of skittles he received for being so good.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

These are the Moments....

The other day I suddenly noticed that my house was awfully quiet. Which, as any mother knows, can be a wonderful thing and a bad thing, depending on the day. I stopped what I was doing and went to see what Aidan and Seery were up to. Liam was taking a nap. I went upstairs and that's when I heard it. One of the most beautiful sounds a mother can hear, coming from Seery's bedroom. I tiptoed around the corner and peeked into her room. There I saw one of the most precious sights I have ever seen which matched the delightful sound I had been hearing. Aidan reading to Seery, Mary Engelbreit's "Mother Goose Rhymes". My heart just melted right then and there. A big brother taking the time to read to his little sister. And I knew. This is why I do what I do. I never want to miss a moment like this. These are the moments I live for. These are the memories that make my life wonderful.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Once Upon A Time....


Journal Excerpts

August 2, 1998
"... David Kipp and I met through Carl Pantle. Last weekend 7 of us went up to Bear Lake for the Pioneer Day holiday...Wow! It was an awesome kiss... I mean he's totally gorgeous...."

August 6, 1998
"... David...he is so cool, I really like him even if he is a freshman and I'm a sophomore, and even if I am 6 months older than him...."

August 12, 1998
"... And then he said there was something he had been wanting to tell me. He said he was crazy about me."

August 17, 1998
"... I'm dating David and I know it's a fling, we probably won't last... But he's proven me wrong so far... In a lot of ways I hope he does prove me wrong... I've never enjoyed kissing someone so much... I have so much fun with him. I love being around him. We have the same sense of humor. Plus with David I don't have to worry about the big word-MARRIAGE! He still has to go on his mission!"

January 15, 2002
"I've gone out with David Kipp now twice. We have emailed and called a few times since he's been home from his mission. It was so nice to see him. We just picked up from where we left off. It felt so comfortable to be around him. He's so cute. We've both grown up a lot since we last dated.... I felt like we clicked. Plus I love that we just talk and talk and see so may things eye to eye. I feel like we have so many of the same likes and goals. I feel like I'm falling for him all over again, but at the same time in such a new way."

February 19, 2002
"Things are going so good with David. We are dating pretty seriously... We went for this drive through a ski resort and stopped at this look out point. We reclined our seats back and talked about everything. And then it just hit me as I was looking into his eyes. I knew that I had fallen in love with him. I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach that I have waited my whole life for. I knew that I loved him so much that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I realized that he's the man I want to fall asleep and wake up with for all eternity. I just knew that he's the man I want to marry."

And they lived happily ever after...



Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The 10 Minute Rule








When times get tough, which they inevitably do for all of us at some point, I have a little rule I like to apply. When going through hardships you get 10 minutes a day to: worry, cry, obsess, fear, rehash problems, be angry, state the obvious, drink an extra large Diet Coke....WHATEVER you need to do to expel some anxiety and/or sadness. You can do this at any point during your day, when you have time alone for yourself. Set a timer if you must. But 10 minutes is ALL you get. After your time is up that's it. You MUST pick yourself up and pull it together and get things done. Your problems can't define you unless you let them. Trials are just a part of your journey in this life. So hold on and enjoy....we don't get a "do over" for today.