Happy Halloween

From Three Little Goblins

We're Here

The last few months have been a whirlwind.  In a nutshell, we are now living in Utah.  Tim is starting a new career, and I am trying to get our house set up and kids ready for school.  The transition has been hard on everyone, I think.  But at the same time we know it's where we are supposed to be, and we're excited to start this next phase of life.

Another school year has ended, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

It's wonderful to not have a hectic schedule, but boy summers can get LONG.

And I'm not sure how I feel sending this one off to kindergarten next year.  She's ready, but I'm not.  She sure made a cute little graduate though!

And, like always, Bobo thought he was one of the big kids, picture and all.

Congratulations!  Today is your day.  You're off to great places, you're off and away.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful boy.  I'm so proud of your decision to be baptized!

{I can't believe I'm old enough to have an 8 year old.}

The holidays are now over. *SIGH*  Sadness and relief all rolled up into one big sigh.  Now that the holidays are done, we have resumed our day-to-day life, and I finally feel like I can function normally and not on "panic mode."

Life is good.

My little girl has started gymnastics this month and is loving it.  I sat in a couple of times, and watching those little girls learn to do their tricks is absolutely ADORABLE!

Sometimes I wonder if I put her in more for her or for me. . .  Either way, we're both happy.

Mr. T is busy doing basketball now.  Whatever sport he is currently playing is his absolute favorite.  It's so fun to watch him get excited and play.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of this season . . . yet.

So, instead I am putting in a picture of my little BoBo.

Just because we can never get enough of him.

And so it begins . . .

The task of saving him from himself.

FIRST CAMPING TRIP

Here they are being sent off.

(If you look closely, you can see T behind his dad, trying to be in the picture)

And Bobo wanting a part of the send off too.

In the past, this has been a father/son activity, and my little girl has been wanting to go camping for a LONG time, so this was GREAT!!!  Everyone came home happy.

Not Exactly a Green Thumb

Last spring I planted a garden.  However, I planted it very late in the season, and unfortunately the plants never got bigger than what you see below.  So, this fall I thought I'd try again.  They came up pretty good, and I was excited.  Then we had the never ending summer, and about half of them withered and died in the heat.  I replanted those and kept watering and hoping the others would make it through.

The heat spell broke, and all seemed well . . . until this afternoon.  We got a rainstorm, then the wind started picking up, then the hail came.  When all was said and done, not much was left of my little garden.

Actually, we got off pretty lucky.  I lost most of my plants in my garden, and the mesquite in my backyard is bowed over, but many got it worse.

On the way to pick kids up from school, there were a ton of trees, even big ones, that were uprooted, and had branches broken off.  I had to wait a few minutes for a bulldozer (At least that's what I think it was.  I haven't been watching Bob the Builder lately.) to clear some big limbs from a fallen tree off of the road.  Some of my neighbors have broken windows from the hail, fallen and shattered roof tiles, leaky roofs.  

So, I feel pretty lucky all in all.  But, I still hope I can get some produce from my garden this season!

FLAG FOOTBALL

What a hard worker, and sure fun to watch!

. . . and just a little bit more soccer

We've had some long, hot Saturdays, but it is so fun to watch these guys!

MOTHERHOOD

fatigue

endless exhaustion

whining, screaming, fighting

diapers, spit-up, drool, mysterious messes

nighttime sickness, worry, medicine, doctors

making dinner, scrubbing, fingerprints, potty training

kissing boo boos, wiping tears, mending hearts and feelings

first smiles, first giggles, first steps, first day of school

hugs, slobbery kisses, snugging with a story

tickle monsters, laughter,  games, fun

magic, belief, trust, wonder

forever relationships

eternal love

joy

SOCCER . . .

Ready or not, here she comes!

Now if we can get her to focus on the game instead of hugging her friend . . . {unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries during that part}

Preschool Photo Shoot

My little girl started preschool the other day. 

We tried . . .

. . . and tried to get a picture of her with her eyes open.   We tried taking a little break.

She even tried to hold them open.

Finally, with a turn and a "flash" surprise . . .

WE GOT IT!!!  Have a great day at preschool you cute, little girl!

A different child . . . 

A different love.

A NEW LOVE

Isn't it great to live near a mom and sisters who can help you do this?

Random thoughts

First:

I think teething might just be the end of me. Bo Bo's 4 molars have all broken through this week, and he let me know all about it. Yes my little boy, I know they hurt, and I'm sorry. Now Mommy's head hurts too.

Second:

As I was tending to Little Bo this afternoon, I was listening to T and H. They were playing "lava" together. I loved listening to them play the same game I used to play when I was little.

Birthday, School, and Everything In Between

Our sweet little girl has been waiting all summer for this day. She turned 3 . . . again! At least that's what I kept telling her. She really wanted to be 4 though, so I conceded---this year.

I took some birthday pictures of her right after church. I don't know what they do in her class, but when I send her in, she looks absolutely adorable and put together. When she comes out, although still absolutely adorable, she is also a bit disheveled. I guess that's what happens when you fill a room with 3-4 year olds :).

That evening we enjoyed cupcakes picked out by the birthday girl herself. Little Bo really got into the birthday spirit. I don't know if he was the one who enjoyed it the most (although he was happy about it), but he certainly got the messiest. I had a blue tub that night.

Not to be upstaged, T had his first day of school! With two years already under his belt, he was not nervous in the least. I love the confidence that school gives him!

And here's just a random shot of T and a lincoln log house he was proud of. He made it once with my help, then built it again all by himself.

They won't be little forever

I'm just starting to understand what people mean when they say to enjoy your little ones because they won't be little forever. Because, I mean, sometimes it sure seems never ending. But lately I have been amazed at how big my kids have gotten. It really does seem like just yesterday that little J was born, that H had NO hair, and that T was just starting school. So, although often the days seem looooong and repetitive, and looooong and repetitive, I am trying to enjoy the present, because when its gone I know I'll miss it.

You Know You're a Parent When . . .

You open your eyes in the morning to a face inches away from your own. I still wake up with a start some mornings.

You lay on the ground and you instantly become a human jungle gym.

You get random hugs and kisses throughout the day "just because."

Summer means more work instead of a break.

You find yourself returning from a date at 8:30 instead of leaving for one.

The word "Mom" becomes both your favorite word and your least favorite word.

You've ever unplugged the phone during nap time.

HAPPY EASTER 2010

{a little late is better than never}