"We Have Derailed!"

My first intention with starting a blog was to keep a journal... to me that means writing down all of the things that I want to remember when I grow old. When I was uploading all of the pictures from my camera onto my computer and I came across this shot, it reminded me of one of my better moments as a mom and this is one of those times I never want to forget.

So, while you were all huggin' and kissin' and getting special gifts on Valentine's Day, here's what we were doing... We received a large package by Fedex late in the afternoon on Valentine's Day. We opened the box and it was a suprise gift for Spencer from a dear friend of the family. We had to dig through about 8 inches of styrofoam peanuts to even get to the present. So, after the excitement wore off of getting a new canvas toybox (with Spencers name embroidered on it) the kids went about their business and Todd and I started doing a little bit of work on the computer. Before we knew it, the kids were back in the office with us and Bella started playing with the styro peanuts. Eathan began to put Bella in the box and try to bury her with the peanuts. My initial instinct was to tell them to stop and get out of the room so we could get back to work. I didn't want to have to clean up a big mess. But, I refrained from scolding them and let them play. Bella proceded to break the box apart and before we knew it,... it was raining styrofoam peanuts!!! The kids played and burried themselves and threw the peanuts around and had the most fun ever!!! As you can see by the picture,... our office was covered with peanuts!!! They were everywhere!!! Todd stood up and wittingly said "we have derailed"! That made me laugh out loud. And, the trouble of cleaning up the mess was worth it for me to see the joy on my kids faces as they played their hearts out.

I guess the moral of the story is... sometimes I have to take off my "Mom hat" and put on my "Kid Hat" and let the fun candid, moments bring a little bit of extra happiness into our home! (Especially when it really isn't hurting anybody or anything)So, Happy Valentine's Day to us this year!

P.S. - We all hugged and kissed too! ;)

All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go!

Everyone keeps telling me to put more pictures of Spencer on here, so... here is a fun one! The angle is a little weird,... sorry. This is Spencer all dressed up to go to church! He was smiling at me so I thought I'd grab a shot. He has only worn pajamas or little one piece outfits every day since he was born. This was the first time (at two and a half months old) that we put real clothes on him! He looks like a little man... all dressed up!

The Men In My Life

Ok, I know this picture looks totally posed, but I promise it wasn't. A couple weeks ago, we had an amazing weekend! We had a lot of spiritual things happen in our family (more to come on that later). At the end of the day (after my Sunday nap of course) the whole family was hanging out in our room. Spencer starting fussing and so Eathan laid down by him. Then, Todd came in and laid down by both of them. I looked over and got teary eyed because it was such an adorable moment. I knew I better grab this shot or I would be forever regretful. Anyway, I just want to take a moment to make a tribute to the men in my life... Todd (besides being brutally handsome :) is truly one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my whole life. I love him more than words can say. After years of thinking I knew what life was about, I met Todd and quickly learned so much more. From the day I met him, I started to figure out what I really wanted in a husband... because he was it!!! He is so down to earth and so real. He is so strong and determined that he makes me look like a lazy bum! He is such a wonderful father also! I am so lucky to have him as my counterpart as we try to raise our four children. The second of whom is Eathan.... can anyone say CRAZY!!! He is crazy and I am crazy about him!! He is as strong-willed as they come. I truly believe that he has taught me more than any of my other children have to-date. He is ever-so friendly and kind. He is helpful and thoughtful and quite the little social butterfly. (Lock up your daughters folks!) With his killer smile and those bright blue eyes, I happen to think he's pretty cute too! Speaking of cute, and last but not least, is Spencer. At two months old, he has already stolen my heart. The bond between mother and child doesn't get any less powerful as the years go by. He has made our home a happier place to be by bringing us a little closer to our Heavenly Father. Even though I can't tell what is personality will be yet, let me just say he is very calm and a very good baby... he even sleeps through the night!!! And he handles the madness around here very well. And, boy is he cute too... I think we finally got the brown hair/blue eyes combo... yea!!!

Ok, I'll stop now... I hope no one minds my bragging. Like I said in my very first post... I am so very thankful for my wonderful family. I am really overwhelmed by how blessed I am to have them...and these boys are only part of it... I'll have to take some time to write more about my girls later!