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.

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.

Seery's Spring Painting

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Created By: Seery
April 29, 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.

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.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

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...

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.

Girls Day Out

Seery, Liam, and I took Aidan to school today. As soon as the sliding door to the van shut, Seery looked at me and said,

"Mom wouldn't it be fun to go get a hamburger at In-N-Out?".

With those big green eyes and eyelashes batting ever so innocently, I caved and said,

"Of Course!".

We pulled up to the restaurant and she wanted to eat inside. She picked a quiet corner spot with 2 stools at a counter height table. We ordered our food and sat down together. She is still so small. Her cute legs were dangling high above the floor. I just watched her cute pink suede boots swing back and forth. The sun was picking up the highlights in her hair. She was beaming from ear to ear when she said,

"Isn't this so nice? Just us girls out to eat and talking. I like this girls date. I like having alone time with you."

My heart melted right then and there and I thought to myself....how did I get to be so lucky?

The Kiss

Aidan came home today from school bursting to tell me his secret. He quietly whispered in my ear what happened. A little girl from his Kindergarten class kissed him on the cheek and said, "Aidan, you're my best friend!" Surprised and embarrassed, Aidan told his teacher, who then talked to this little girl. We talked all about this at dinner. Seery said, "Uh-Oh Aidan! Now you're in love with each other!". We all laughed. However, I'm thinking.... "Really? You're only 6! Turn back the clock!!!"