5 year old baby

While walking in to Costco today I was carrying Carter cause he was tired and whiny.  There was a baby somewhere around one year old I would guess sitting in a cart.  She points to Carter and says, "baby, baby mama!"  Carter heard just as I did. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye to see if I had heard.  He could tell I had so he looked away with a little smile on his face.  I started laughing and so did he.  Maybe hearing it from someone smaller will help him realize he doesn't need to be held- he is 5!  Its funny cause at home if anyone says he is small, short, skinny, or looks younger than 5, he gets so mad and offended.  Because he is so small, it is even hard for me sometimes to remember to treat him like he is 5, not a toddler.  Okay, I guess part of that is that he is my baby right now! 
It was pretty funny though!

Patience

Never pray for patience.

End of story.

Day of Good Luck

Lucky the Leprechaun paid a visit to our house leaving us with green toilet water, green milk, green pancakes, and treasure hunt full of green goodies.  The kids are just grateful he is a nice leprechaun because apparently there are some not nice ones around too.

Reading Lucky's clues

We found the treasure! Green drinks, treats, and bubbles, and
of course some chocolate golden coins!

Jazz #2

Even if the Jazz SUCK right now, we are still fans.  Thanks to their losing streak we were able to score $5 tickets.  Although they didn't compare to our complimentary amazing seats a few months ago, the kids were still thrilled.  In fact, more thrilled. When we had lower bowl row 16 seats they wanted to sit up higher, they got their wish.  When we got there, we found our seats- at the VERY top row.  Not Steve's idea of good seats, but it was still fun.  They even gave out free Jazz beenies, pretty much paid for the 5 buck tickets right there! It made for a fun night with Kevin, McCall and Neisha!

Fan of rookie Gordon Hayward

He is a fan of anything his dad is a fan of.

Our AMAZING view

Free beenies!

Blessing learned

Why is it that sometimes it takes not having something to understand the blessing behind it? We take for granted so much without realizing it.  I think we all have times of comfort and  unrest, times of health and sickness, riches and poor, faith and doubt, the list could go on.  It may be far between, but all it really takes is moment of reflection to realize the strength in determining our blessings. This week has been one of those for me. Not that the week has been eventful, but it has reminded me of so much, and the lack of gratitude caused by not reflecting more often. For me its not just on what I have right now, but what I have had and never realized were blessings, not entitlements. I have decided that,

I WILL NOT TAKE FOR GRANTED: (now or later)
- a supporting job (we have been without for too long)
- my education (higher education is a privilege)
- a loving husband (I have lived without)
- a good nights sleep (they are few and far between right now)
- my health (one small cold I can handle. I don't have a terminal illness)
- my neighborhood (I took a walk outside yesterday and forgot how much I love this area)
- technology (one day without internet or TV and it is clear how reliant on it I am)
- the time with my kids (especially given I have to share it)
- a good week (even a bad one, we could be in Japan?!)
- my body (may not look as good as it used to, but it could be worse)
- my garden (takes to much work to take it for granted)
- our extended family (it's not very often you find as strong of relationships as we have)
- a hot shower (took a cold one the other day. Not fun)
- restful legs (I have RLS and it rarely gives me a break)
- my home (I don't need bigger or fancier. It more than suits our needs. Just look at the homes in the Phillipines)
- my school professors (I love them all. How often does that happen?)
- a nice bed (I have slept more bodies in smaller)
- a dinner from Grandma (she is alive, capable, and caring. I love and admire her)
- no food allergies (I have friends who do. Its tough)
- hayfever (it means spring has come!)
- a dirty house (it hold evidence of children enjoying life)
- my white noise machine (I have tried sleeping without it. Doesn't work well.)
- my membership in the church (so many have still not received the Gospel)
- my culture (learning about others at school makes me realize I am where I am meant to be)
- a note from my daughters (they care about me enough to write one. I should keep them.)
- a child snuggle (someday they will outgrow it)
- my friends (they have loved me through all my weaknesses)
- visits from family (I hate when they leave)

I guess I look at my list as things that I sometimes forget, or have forgotten until I have done without. Perhaps that is why Heavenly Father allows us to do without sometimes, or gives us the experience of the good and the bad, to be able to compare for ourselves, the ways he has blessed us and the ways he will continue to. 

The Friend

On Sunday Bailey was home sick throwing up.  Because we had a baby blessing of a family friend to go to, Steve decided to go and take Elli and Carter and I stayed home with Bay.  I had her lay in bed by me for a little while and read The Friend while I read the Ensign.  We was whizzing through reading it and came to the story called, "The Ministry of Christ". It told the story of when Jesus was tempted by Satan.  She was so excited because she had learned about it in our ward the last time she was here.  She proceeded to tell me the whole story and how it was her favorite scripture story.
We spent the next little while discussing spiritual things like patriarchal blessings, the temple, and overcoming temptations.  It was a sweet experience. I love moments like this.

Family

I have been thinking a lot about how lucky Steve and I both are to have such amazing parents and siblings.  It rarely happens in the world as it has with us. We are truly blessed to have the relationships we do. 

Recently I have been going through old journals, photos, and videos for a school assignment.  Many brought tears and laughs.  I lay in bed the other night thinking about my childhood, in particularly the relationships that I have with my siblings from then until now.  I wanted to share a few things so that I can easily be reminded of my immense wealth in relationships in my family.

"To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."  ~Clara Ortega

Sisters

 

I am pretty sure that I am going to get chastised for this post, but I couldn't resist.  I love these two wonderful sisters of mine so very much! They are funny, supportive, wonderful to my kids, understanding, easy to talk to, lots of fun, beautiful, motivating, talented, and the list could go on and on.  Although we didn't fight all that much growing up because I was the oldest and they the two youngest, I still never imagined being as close to them as I am now.  

I remember Neisha sleeping on my tummy when she was a baby.  Mom had plenty of drama to deal with thanks to Kelsee, that I had to "save" Neisha ; ) I was always so protective of her, to the other siblings and to any friends who picked on her. When I look at pictures it brings back memories of her little girl smile. She still has the same beautiful smile.  I remember how excited Neisha was when Elli was born and to this day the closeness they have I will always be grateful for. I remember calling her and mom every morning after Elli was born to come and be with me. I was a scared new mom! Neisha will not be. She has enough experience to be a pro already!

I remember when Kelsee was born looking like an indian baby.  I was so excited to have a sister. I read in my journal from that time and I thought she was the greatest thing to happen to this world. I can still hear her loud little voice from when she was just a toddler and preschooler. She loved to tell me all kinds of stories. I remember being concerned they were lies, but mom saying it was normal to show off at that age.  I remember her sassy attitude as she became a teenager, but always being envious of her personality.  I loved when she moved up here to school for a semester and we took a class together.  I hated when she moved back, despite her good reasoning!

Needless to say, I love these two and consider myself blessed beyond measure for the sisters I have been blessed with to have in my life. 

"A sister is a Forever Friend"

Brothers

 

My Brother Matt.

Adventurous

Protective

Encouraging

 

 My brother Kevin.

Dedicated

Faithful

Talented

My Brother Nate.

Hilarious

Devoted

Caring

Memories:

Matt- We became close when he moved up North by me.  He rescued me several times from uninvited guests, including birds, mice, and snakes. With no other family close, I loved having him around to keep me company and the kids begged for him to come over all the time.

Nate- While recently watching a video of when Elli was born I noticed something that is very typical of Nate, and it brought tears to my eyes. While everyone was huddled around the baby, Nate was sitting by me. Talking to me and calming me down from the experience.  He has always been thoughtful that way.

Kevin- When Kevin got married one of his friends said they always referred to him as "responsible Kevin."  Perfect way to describe him. I remember him always having spiritual quotes on his door, ceiling, etc. I have always looked up to his strong testimony. Anytime I need spiritual advice, he has been there.  I still like to go back and read a letter he wrote me after my divorce.

I feel so blessed to have these wonderful now 'men' in my life. They give me strength, support, comfort, protection, and always a good laugh.  I don't know if it is possible for a big sister to look up to three little brothers any more than I do. And for that, I will always be grateful!

The birds and the bees

We should not have had to have THE talk this early.

 I thought I had a few more good years left to prepare. 

I was wrong.

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to my Little Man!  I can't believe my baby is 5.  He is a handful- of fun, challenge, and excitement.  Life is never boring when Carter is around. Love this little buddy of mine!
Five things we love about Carter for his big 5:
1- He is still small enough to be a perfect snuggler and eyebrow rubber. Helps mom keep a little bit of baby.
2- When he is good he is the sweetest kid alive, when he is not being good, take cover.
3- How he loves SeaHawks, Jazz, and BYU (just like Dad and Grandpa).  He can't wait until they play each other.
4- His laugh makes everyone around him smile. 
5- There is no quiet when Carter is around. His chatter constantly fills our home. Questions, comments, observations, and anything to share his voice with us all.  I love how he tries to figure out the world.

I could go on and on. This is one special little guy. We feel so lucky to have the blessing of raising him in this world.

PS. What do you think about the light saber cake?  I was able to talk him out of a friend party this year and settle for just cake and ice cream with a few friends- as long as he got a light saber cake.  It was an ok attempt, despite the color problem,  but he loved it so it was worth it!