Tuesday, April 29, 2008

So what's the Motto with you?

I recently read a book called "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson and she quoted a proverb that I know I've heard before that I've decided to take on as my new motto, creed, whatev. Here it is:

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby(ies), and babies don't keep.

Author Unknown

By the way, I added in that parentheses. So if I don't apologize to you when you come to my house and it's messy....here's why!

P.S. This picture is from last June but I just had to show this cute picture since it was before I started blogging. And so you could see firsthand why my house has been a disaster the last year. Oh, and they actually got into this position on their own, I just about died when I found them, my heart was so full to bursting. My, they grow so fast. Can you believe these two cuties are walking now?

Friday, April 25, 2008

Mother's Day is Coming


I've been thinking about Mother's Day today. Today at about 2:45 my three youngest were actually all asleep and so I tiptoed in and actually laid on my bed during the day! (You have no idea what a miracle that is) Well about 20 minutes later the doorbell rings, and rings, and rings, and rings, and rings....you get the idea. So I trudge downstairs, open the door and there is my little E. Of course the first thing I say is "Why are you ringing the doorbell?...the babies are asleep..."and maybe I wasn't using my nicest voice. He gave me this huge smile and said: "Mommy, my hands were full so I needed your help." And then he hands me this little plant and says: "Happy early Mother's day Mommy." And my heart just melts. (You can see the little picture of it above. It's a paper bear holding the cup with the plant. So cute!)
I love being a Mommy so so much! I love my little stinkers and now I can appreciate so much more all that my own Mother did for us when we were little. Of course she keeps me sane now too! A little while ago I entered my Mother into a Mother's Day Contest. She didn't win but here is some of my entry:

My Mother

Knees bent, to bear my burden. Cool hands, to calm and soothe. Arms open, to offer comfort. Sleepless nights, so I could sleep. Her life on hold, to be there for me. Without my mother, I would not be a mother. She saved my life.

Not that I would literally be physically dead, but without her I would not have been able to go on, I would not have made it this far with my sanity intact, and without that, without her, I might as well be.

My story is not extraordinary, I have a good life, but what it comes down to is that I owe so much of what I have to my mother. She is my best friend, my confidant, and has been there for me, with me, through all of the trials of my life.

I have been blessed with four beautiful children. I love being a mom but have also struggled with a low sense of self worth. My mother is always there with a word to uplift. Many days, because of her, I can go on. My last pregnancy was twins which isn't too special these days, but was very special and challenging for me. She was there with me through it all, if not in person than by phone and email. She communicated with people where I live and because of her they brought me meals for almost two months when I couldn't seem to cook for myself. She cleaned my house, and basically ran my house for the first little while after the babies were born so that I could just enjoy them. Most days I can't even think about my mom without getting teary eyed.

I know there are millions of amazing mothers out there, and there's really no way to express how incredibly special my mother is. But at least this is my opportunity to say thanks, and that I love my mother so much. She gave me life, and daily, she saves my life.

Just so you know

I've noticed a lot of bloggers going more private and after much deliberation, I've decided to do the same. I mainly blog so that my family can see what's going on but I will also be doing some book and product reviews in the future and I want to be able to put pictures and things but I've decided to take our names out. So just so you know:

DE is Dear E, for my wonderful husband
E is for my oldest son
A is for son #2
Iz is for twin #1 (son 3)
O is for twin #2 (son 4)

I know it makes it sound less personal but those that know us know who I'm talking about and since this is open to the entire world out there I don't want someone to be able to find us and be able to approach my children because they know what they look like and their name. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for understanding!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Happy 1st Birthday to the twins!

Today we celebrated Isaac and Owen's first birthday! It's hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since they were born. It really does go so quickly, but I also really enjoyed each precious stage they went through during this last year. I am excited (and a little tired just thinking) about the next year to come. They are taking more and more steps each day. It's only a matter of time until they are walking and then running and I don't know how I will ever keep up. This week I have been trying to clean and get things ready. This ended up being a crazy weekend for everyone so although we had planned to have a big party on Saturday we just decided to have cake and ice cream today with whoever could come. So to start off with, here are some pictures of the babies trying to help me clean to get ready for their birthday weekend:I actually had the entire kitchen clean and went down to put a load of laundry in and came up to the above. Ethan was a sweetheart and picked it all up for me.



I had originally wanted to do a Noah's Ark birthday but then I saw some really cute two peas in a pod birthday stuff and changed my mind to that at the last minute. If anyone knows me they know I am not a great cook and I do not generally bake. So this is my attempt at a two peas in a pod cake. My Mom and sister told me it was cute but I wonder if they were just humoring me.;) The babies loved it anyway!




Let's get this party started!!

Happy Birthday song for Isaac

Happy Birthday song for Owen


MMMMM....

This is yummy!

It was so funny because the whole time Isaac sat there eating his cake carefully and enjoying it bit by bit just using his two fingers to pick up little pieces. Meanwhile....

Owen was having a grand old time making a huge mess, stuffing it into his mouth and then flicking the cake everywhere because he didn't like having frosting all over his hands.


Owen was a little whiny boy when we started opening presents. He wanted to play with the camera I was holding. I love the look on Isaac's face!

I want that toy, no I want that toy!


It has been a tradition ever since my oldest brother had his first birthday that my parents get all of us and now the grandkids these special bouncy balloons for their first birthday. It was their favorite toy to play with!



We had a great time, babies are washed and all funned out, family is all on their way home, and Mommy and Daddy are pooped!

oh, and you'd never know I cleaned this week. ;)





Wednesday, April 16, 2008

One day is better than none I guess

We had ONE beautiful day on Monday and I am trying to keep the warmth and beauty of that day with me throughout the week. The day wasn't really that special or unique except for the fact that it was WARM! It was a regular day as far as days go. Get up, get kids dressed, fed, try to clean, attempt doing laundry, get to the post office, you know, usual stuff. Well that afternoon when DE (my husband dear E which stands for his first name) got home we all just kind of ended up outside. DE was slaving away weeding the front planter in the yard and my friend across the street waved me over and I went over there and visited with her and a couple of ladies for a while. It was just an amazing couple of hours. The sun was shining and everybody was out of their house enjoying it. Kids riding their bikes and scooters, people going for walks, people working in their yards, visiting with each other, playing, and just generally enjoying the day. I realized on Monday that I love living in a neighborhood like this! I took a picture later but by then you couldn't see all the people out and about anymore. Just imagine the street with kids and people on the sidewalks and street.
One funny thing happened on Monday. E had gotten in trouble for something and so I brought him over and talked to him sternly and put him in time out. Well out of the blue a couple of seconds later, A came up to me with his lower lip just quivering and said to me in his gruffest voice: "Don't talk to my brother!" With each word he pointed his finger at me quite forcefully and then proceeded to start crying. So we had to have a little talk and snuggle. I'm glad he wants to stick up for his "Bruvver" as he pronounces it. He was quite upset and yes, I barely managed not to laugh. Each day is an adventure isn't it? Here's my sweet older boys bonding with Grandpa.
One other bit of news. O and Iz have both taken a step or two on their own in the last couple of weeks. One of them (DE and I tried to remember which and can't remember, O we think) took his first step Sunday, March 30. Then this last weekend, Saturday I believe, so the 12th, O took 3 steps on his own and then Monday and today Iz took a couple of steps on his own. It won't be long now. I think this will add a whole new sense of "adventure" to our lives. I am going to include a few picture of my kiddies new adventures in the last little while. O is the one sleeping in the high chair and on the horse. Iz was the one who crawled inside a box and then just chilled. And then they both emptied my recipes out of the cupboard and stamps out of my stamp box. And of course they love bath time! Stay tuned!











Saturday, April 12, 2008

Reflections on Conference

Last weekend we had the privilege to listen and watch General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I always have to go back and read conference later because with four boys I only end up catching so much. This conference was special to me in a few ways. First, we had the opportunity to sustain Pres. Thomas S. Monson as the new prophet of our church. Monson has been a favorite of mine since High School and it's hard for me to believe this day has come. I have had a quote from him in my scriptures since my second year of seminary and it is a quote that has always stuck with me: "Eternal Marriage: When you love someone so much that you would do nothing to keep them from going to the Celestial Kingdom." This always reminds me that since I love my husband and family so much, it is up to me to make sure I am doing what I need to do for them and for myself so that we really can be together forever.
As I listened last weekend I really felt that the theme that rang out to me through the entire conference was that of family. I think that in the world today the break up of the family is what is leading our society to failure.Second, one talk that stuck out to me in particular was by Elder M. Russell Ballard. He seemed to speak to me specifically and here is one part that touched me in particular: "...recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." He also quoted author Anna Quindlen, "The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little lessLook at my adorable kids! How could I not just enjoy them every second? That line in bold has been my goal this year. I have not done too well so far and I seem to have a hard time keeping the balance between getting things done and enjoying my family. This is my renewed goal again. When my twins were born a year ago so many people said just to enjoy them because it will go so quickly. I really tried to do this. I have cherished each stage and moment. It has been so amazing and wonderful and I am so blessed to be a mother. I look forward to each moment to come. It's like my husband said a few days ago, I get so frustrated with so many poopy diapers and my older boys still having potty problems and he told me that even though it is so frustrating it will all be over in the blink of an eye. I hope that I won't miss it.

A-Z Tag

A. Attached or single? Married for eternity.

B. Best friends? DE, Mom, Shell, Liz

C. Cake or pie? Depends which one is chocolate

D. Day of choice? Sunday

E. Essential item? clothes

F. Favorite color? PINK (used to be blue until I had four boys)

G. Greatest accomplishment? Getting through each day.

H. Hometown? Pinon Hills, California

I. Indulgences? Chocolate and reading

J. January or July? July for sure!

K. Kids? Four boys: E 7, A 3, Iz 1 in a week, O 1 in a week

L. Life is incomplete without? family

M. Marriage Date? July 31, 1999

N. Number of siblings? 3 two brothers, 1 sister

O. Oranges or apples? Apples just because they are easier to eat

P. Phobias or Fears? Snakes, tight spaces, heights

Q. Quotes?
"...Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." Elder M. Russel Ballard, General Conference 2008

R. Reason to smile? I love and am loved!

S. Season? Spring... I think we've all got spring fever in a BAD way! I am so ready for green green green!

T. Tag three friends? Anyone who wants to

U. Unkown fact about me? Unknown by whom? I guess most people don't know that one day when I was in High School all that me and my friend Liz (now sister in law) ate was Candy and a Cream puff, and then we made up a song about it that we've never forgotten.

V. Very favorite store? I think I'm with Holly I this one, I really like Ebay since they have a bit of everything and you can usually get a good deal.

W. Worst habit? Eating sunflower seeds

X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasounds, you get to see your sweet baby and it doesn't hurt like an xray does when you break your arm.

Y. Your favorite food? differs from day to day but I love pasta, brussel sprouts, chocolate, chicken, chocolate, tacos, fruit, chocolate, prime rib with lots of horseradish, chocolate.....

Z. Zodiac? Scorpio

Thursday, April 3, 2008

One Word

  1. Where is you cell phone? broken
  2. Significant other? forever
  3. Worst bad habit? sitting
  4. Hair? damp
  5. Favorite Food? Chocolate
  6. Your favorite thing? Reading
  7. Your dream last night? pyschotic
  8. Favorite drink? Water
  9. Dream/goal? house
  10. Room you are in? family
  11. Your ex? nonexistent
  12. Your fear? snakes
  13. Where you want to be in 6 years? home
  14. Where were you last night? home
  15. What you're not? skinny
  16. Muffins? chocolate
  17. Wish list item? House
  18. Where did you grow up? California
  19. Last thing you did? teach
  20. What are you wearing? clothes
  21. Your TV? off
  22. Your pets? nope
  23. Your computer? addiction
  24. Your life? good
  25. Your mood? silly
  26. Missing someone? yes
  27. Your car? white
  28. Something you are not wearing? shoes
  29. Favorite store? kidless
  30. Your summer? warm
  31. Love someone? Forever
  32. Last time you laughed? today
  33. Last time you cried? sunday