E's bday

A New Perspective

So, I haven't blogged for awhile because I had this infection I couldn't quite get over.  It was a couple of weeks being ill. Today, I had to take S to her first physical therapy appointment. She is delayed in some of her gross motor skills. She has to go every week for an hour of therapy, plus at home exercises.  Needless to say, I was feeling a little bit "Woe is me" as I walked out of the appointment. I was standing in the lobby waiting for the written instructions of S's exercises and I looked around the room.  There were cute, cheerful children playing but as I looked at them I realized they all had Down Syndrome, except one. That little boy had a Dad who was wearing his sunglasses inside a building on a cloudy day and seemed quite out of it. You know what I am saying? I looked at S and started counting our blessings. S and my trials are a lot smaller, shorter, however you want to put it then those children in the lobby. I have a child who needs physical therapy for a few months of her life, not that will need specialized help every day of her life. S has a Mom who is drug-free,  mentally with it, and able to parent. Suddenly, I went from feeling sorry for myself to thinking of how blessed I really was.

Babymoon

A year ago, JR and I went away for a weekend before the baby came.  Everyone kept saying, "Oh, you're going on a babymoon." So, I learned a new word.  It's like a honeymoon, but one last trip before you have the baby and can't leave for awhile.

I was looking through our pictures to help a daughter with a school project and stumbled on these, and since it was a year ago I thought I would post the pictures. We left the kids with Carly, a great, adventurous babysitter (She stayed with them for Trek) and headed out of town. We had lunch with my aunt and uncle.  I am glad we did. They have since moved. I cried when they moved because they have always lived in that house as long as I can remember and it was only a block from my grandma's house. It was like losing a family connection that had precious childhood memory.

 After that we were brave and rode the ferry. Thanks Lindsay for your blog post to make me want to try that again. Ir is not so nerve racking as an adult and without a brother trying to launch himself off the rail. In fact it was semi-relaxing--it is better then traffic.

 We went to a surprise 40th birthday party and really surprised the birthday girl by being there. The rest of the weekend we went all over eating our way through the town.  It was so nice to have an adult weekend. Oh, some day again!

A crowded market

 Fat, pregnant, and surrounded by beautiful flowers.

Ah, what a nice babymoon :)

Girls Weekend

This past weekend I was able to get together with some friends from where I use to live.  It has been almost 6 years since I moved, but I still love being with these ladies.  Almost all of us have relocated. One even moved away and is moving back.  That time has brought a lot to change to all of our lives.  We have had new children, new jobs, and many other changes. We've all experienced trials and blessings.  It was nice to be together and share our experiences and feel each others love and support. 

Some of us were able to get together Friday morning. We headed downtown and had a huge breakfast and did some shopping. We were all suppose to meet at the temple to kick off our weekend. Sick kids, traffic, life--kept that from happening. We did however all meet in the lobby of the temple. That was a nice experience. I had to take S with me since I am nursing. She was a great travel companion--bad photo taker.

Left to Right: Laura, Me and S, Jeanette, Kellie, and Cara

I was trying to remember how we all became friends. To tell you the truth I am not exactly sure. I do know that we all served in Primary together (Cara, Kellie, and Laura were in the presidency. Jeanette and I were music). When we all lived in the same town we had an awesome book club we all attended. But mainly, life throw us together and we have stuck around ever since.

That night we went out to Thai. Then we hung out and talked late into the night. Laura and Kellie had to head home but the rest of us continued the weekend. The next day we went out to breakfast and shopped. Then Cara and Jeanette headed down to continue Girls Weekend with Laura and Kellie, and I headed home to see my handsome hubby and sweet girls.

Happy faces and the remains of a yummy breakfast. We ate well this weekend.

Primary Pianist and Chorister

Well, back a long, long, long time ago. But, what a team!
Hopefully, we can get together again soon.

A peek into every day

Here are some recent photos of our lives.



She is always very expressive with her face.

 A kiss from Daddy

 Our non crawling baby still finds a way to get around and terrorize the house.

Time to baby proof again!

 R gave me this as seeds in a plastic cup for Mother's day.  It has really grown since then.

R took the bottom picture. She is quite the photographer for her age.

 A screaming good time!

Hugs for sister

To the Hard Working Moms

So, I was going to write about how us moms need to love and be patient with our children.  We do. Also, I was going to include something about motherhood being a noble calling.  It is.  However, I found this quote and it inspired a new point of view.
 

Children Helping Mothers

"What can children, even young children, do [to help their mothers]? Now, you children, please listen to me because there are some simple things you can do to help your mother.

"You can pick up your toys when you are finished playing with them, and when you get a little older, you can make your bed, help with the dishes, and do other chores—without being asked.

"You can say thank you more often when you finish a nice meal, when a story is read to you at bedtime, or when clean clothes are put in your drawers.

"Most of all, you can put your arms around your mother often and tell her you love her."

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 110

Thank you Elder Ballard for those kind words. I encourage you all to share this with your children young and old :)

I Remember

I remember that day 10 years ago. 

 I humbly thank the Lord for all my blessings and pray that He will preserve this nation and watch over all of us.