These two make up my life at this moment. I have all day to devote to them. I used to think I didn't want to be a stay at home mom. And I thought it was pretty selfish of me to think so. I enjoyed getting out every day and doing something worthwhile. Something that meant something to more than just two little people. I felt needed and I felt like I could make a huge difference as a teacher, and I felt really good at what I did. I loved it. Then I got to spend time with my little ones. And actually sit down and worry about nothing but them. I didn't have the constant worry in the back of my head about the other 26 kids in my life. (You teachers know how it is. You can't ever stop worrying about your students.) I had a really hard time the first few weeks. I craved adult conversation and I felt overwhelmed as a mom. I didn't feel appreciated. Then something clicked. As I read stories to my daughter while feeding my little man I realized this is what it's really all about. These two are what it's all about. If all I do all day is make my daughter giggle and my son smile, I've made a difference. In two of the most important peoples' lives. My children. So whether you're a stay at home mom, a working mom, a mother to be, you've been a mom, or you mother someone else's children, remember what it's all about. Them. And make a difference in their lives. Make them smile.

Summer Camping Trip

As summer came to an end, my family decided to say good-bye to summer and drive to Currant Creek for some camping. There is no better way to say farewell to the warm summer days and welcome to the cold winter nights than being in the outdoors, sleeping in tents, and sitting around a campfire.
We enjoyed roasting marshmallows over the campfire (and I enjoyed eating all of them), trying unsuccessfully to catch some fish, throwing rocks into the water, taking a ride in the canoe, tossing around frisbees, chasing cousins around, and most of all...getting dirty! I was surprised at how often one of the six walking grandkids fell over and skinned a knee!! The kids loved camping! (and us grown-ups did, too)

Jack (my parents pup) was the most exhausted. He chased anything he could into the water...rocks, sticks, more rocks. Savy discovered a new fascination while up there...ROCKS! She loved tossing them into the lake.

Eli was the busiest boy I've ever seen! He was all over the place! (Savy loves to feel grown up and help Eli out)

Two of my three heart throbs.

And here's my third heart throb. Although by his cross-eyed look, one might wonder how he could melt any one's heart!

Thanks, fam, for throwing together such a wonderful weekend. Maybe next year we'll last longer than two days!!

The Average Joes

After months of cheering, the kickball season has come to an end. Savy, Dex, and I had a great time cheering on Sammy and the rest of the crew. There were many great moments (and only a few embarrassing moments)! Now I find myself wondering what will I do with my Thursday nights? I guess I'll have to be satisfied with watching SYTYCD.

My Sweet Savy

This girl is absolutely amazing!! Daily, Sam and I look at ourselves and ask, "Is she for real? Do we really have such a sweet, smart, silly, beautiful girl?" We are quite biased, but she's convinced us there is noone better, cuter, smarter, or funnier than our little two year old. Here are a few of her (and our) favorites.

Reading Where the Wild Things Are. She has it memorized and can read almost the whole thing back to us.

Singing songs--I Am a Child of God, I Love to See the Temple, Families Can Be Together Forever, Itsy-Bitsy Spider, and the Turtle Song.

Waking up at 6:30 in the morning and asking for "Elmo." (It's educational, so it's okay if she watches it every freaking morning, right?)

Mothering her babies--she's become quite the expert mother. She breastfeeds, burps, walks, and sings her babies to sleep.

Dancing--anytime a good dancing song comes on she says "Pretty song. Mommy, dance. Dance like me."

and last (although I could go on forever)--her politeness. She was supposed to be sleeping the other day, but as I walked by her door, I coughed, and from her bedroom I heard..."bless you."

Seriously, how did she turn out the way she has? She's absolutely incredible and I love her to pieces!!

Fun, Fun, and more Fun!!

FUN can finally serenade my every move!! This is one of the best albums I've had the pleasure of listening to for quite a long time! Can't wait to rock out to it in the car!!

If you have not been introduced to FUN, check them out! (Listen to Be Calm. It's my upmost favorite) It's the lead singer of the Format and some other talented people from Anathello (forgive me for the attempt at spelling their name)!! And, if you don't know who the Format is....it's my numero uno band, so check them out as well!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. And what a great birthday it was!! My husband was wonderful to me and gave me all a woman could ever ask for...he got up with the baby during the night so I could sleep for a five hour stretch at a time (haven't done that in months), he entertained Savy in the morning so I could stay in bed until 9:00, he let me spend the evening with my whole family eating good food and playing an intense game of pounce, and then he let me take a nice hot bath while reading a good book!! What more could a woman want? And to top it all off, we're going to take dancing lessons up in Logan. Watch out SYTYCD season 7, here we come!!! Thanks, Sambo, for making it a wonderful day!!

Oh, and my mom also made me a delicious banana chocolate chip cake...Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Good!!!

This next year is going to be full of changes, but I am excited to take them on!! Here's to 26 years of life!!

Logan...Here We Come!!!

Sam's brother offered him a job up in Logan. And after a week of serious thinking and praying, we decided to take it! We've spent almost 4 years away from the sweet little town of Logan, and now we're going to return to the beautiful Cache Valley with our two chitlens. I'm excited, yet a bit hesitant about returning to those cold winter months. I'm just trying to not think too hard about the things I'll be leaving behind, because then the tears will come. But I will be able to spend more time with my kids and who wouldn't love to spend time with these sweet things??






Dex is growing like a weed. He's gained two pounds and two inches since we've been home!! He's starting to get a little chunk to him, and to get a bit fussy, but that just means I get to hold him close to me more often. (He's currently snuggled up on my chest while his sister is snoozing in the next room)!

I've loved watching the relationship that's starting to grow between Savy and her little bro. She's such a sweetheart to him (even though she can be quite the stinker to me). Quite the special bond between siblings. It starts at such an early age, and grows and grows over the years. The close proximity I have to my sisters right now is what I'm going to miss the most!!!