VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER...

STARTING THIS THURSDAY AT 8 PM!

Anyone that is as excited as I am is welcome to come watch it at the Cragun Pad.

We'll start it (on DVR) around 8:30 pm. Bring a treat to share and don't be late!

I miss Benji already!

Our Pirate is 5 years old!

Our 5 year old, Tanner had his 'Pirate Party' today. He woke up at 6:30 am telling me to hurry and get my pirate shirt on because we were going to be late! I had to distract him all day long until 3:00...not easy! Anyway, we invited 10 of his best friends and held the party in the apartments' community center. As each one arrived Tanner would say to them, "What are you supposed to say to me today?" He was referring to, "Happy Birthday". He takes birthdays very serious...he gets that from his dad. Each friend received a 'treasure map' when they arrived and had to follow the map to each station where they would then receive a part of their pirate attire; eye patch and earring, tattoo (or stickers, according to the girls), hooks, and pirate hats. The girls weren't quite as into it as the boys were.

Tanner dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow. He had waited for almost a month to get the captain jack costume. He had to get 15 stickers on his chore chart (8 of those had to be 'no whining') before he could get it. He wears it everywhere!

The brothers also got into the whole Pirate thing!

Tanner and I started early this morning making his cake. He was very specific about where he wanted everything. He was a little upset when he found out that we were going to be

cutting it up and eating it!

What is that smell?

Tonight Logan talked us in to letting him sleep in the "big boy bed" instead of his crib, and since Dad is a sucker, he gave in. We were across the hall with Tanner cleaning the playroom before bed, when Dad thought he smelled Desitin. He asked me, "Do you smell diaper ointment?" I could. We immediately knew who the culprit was...LOGAN. We walked in his room and he looked surprised to see us. He then did the sign for 'Lotion', hoping to get out of trouble. I guess he got the two slightly mixed up? Enjoy the pictures.

Our Wireless Baby!

Well, after 6 long months Chase is finally finished. Finished with surgeries, finished with medication, finished with IV's, and finished with weekly doctor visits. Last week, I told his doctor, "I see you more than I see my husband!" I'm excited for that to change!

Chase had his final surgery, to have his broviak tube removed, on April 27th. Dad calls him the wireless baby! It's been nice to have that worry off our shoulders. He took his first 'real bath' a week after the surgery. Up until then, he could only have sponge baths. Tanner has mentioned that in his prayers for weeks, "Bless that Chase can soon take a real bath with the two brothers."

Can I PLEASE just get one Mother's Day Picture!?

FINALLY...

Happy Mother's Day!

It's Mother's Day again! A day when I get to be the Queen and I take full advantage of it. I make sure I get the full 24 hours and some years I have declared it "Mother's Weekend"--to which no one seems to argue. It's a day when I get three fantastic meals, cooked usually by my husband and this year, my two oldest boys. It's a day when I sleep in like I did before I had cold, tiny hands tugging on my arm to wake me up. It's a day when I love to get flowers, even if they are picked from outside my apartment window by someone so young, he still thinks I'm the smartest, prettiest, funniest person he knows. It's a day when I get so excited to open homemade gifts and cards colored with crayons, when 6 years ago I thought I'd hate that. It's a day when I feel love and admiration for my own mom as well as regret for giving her such a hard time during those awkward teenage years. It's a day when when I stop complaining about what pregnancy has done to by body and show gratitude for what it has done to my heart. It's a day when I realize being a mom has taught me more than all my prior education ever could. It's a day when I give thanks to my Heavenly Father for trusting me enough to have this scared calling as a mother for three of his most precious human beings and ask forgiveness for not doing a better job. Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms and future Moms, I hope your day is special!

Here is one of my favorite poems. I have it framed and sitting by my bed to remind me daily how short life really is...

To My Child …
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank Heavenly Father for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day...
-Unknown

This is one of my favorite songs...

Let Them Be Little
I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle Oh just let them be little Let them be little
-Lonestar

P.S. There is a fun website with funny "true mom stories" to check out at www.inthemotherhood.com

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I Love You!