life and appreciation

{2012 Christmas Card}

I believe everyone who has ever lived will, at some point in his/her life adventure, have a life changing experience. I have used that term lightly in the past, but now have new appreciation for the meaning. For my Mr. and I, our life changing experience was school the past four years. I'm realizing with each passing day how difficult it really was.

Everyday, and I mean EVERYDAY, we mention how thankful we are that he is not studying, driving to Salt Lake, leaving so early in the morning, and carrying the enormous weight on his shoulders. We mention how we LOVE crawling in bed together every night. He LOVES playing the children without homework or seminar hanging over his head. He graduated 7 months ago, and everyday of freedom still feels like a gift.

I missed my sweetheart the past four years, and he missed us too. Everyday we are so grateful for our time together. I can now say I am thankful that we chose a difficult road. It has given us so much appreciation for our everyday life. And that is a gift. 

today.

Today this baby walks! He has been taking steps for a few days, but today he's walking everywhere. Freedom for my sweet boy! He laughs as he walks, mouth wide open of course, which makes us laugh. It is wonderful to see him master each milestone he has worked so hard to achieve. He is brilliant!

This baby's mind is beautiful. He is so aware of his accomplishments, and so determined to conquer the next one that lies ahead. I am so lucky to be his mommy. He is a wonderful teacher.

Halloween 2012

Halloween was so fun this year! It always is. My toadstool went to 2 church Halloween parties, Halloween Recital at USU (she play "Arioso" by Bach, accompanied by daddy), school festivities, and 2 of her friends came over for trick-or-treating last evening. My little owl dressed up for the school festivities yesterday, but since he goes to bed at 7pm we skipped out on the trick-or-treating for him. He helped me give out candy instead!

Lizzy had so much fun trick-or-treating with her friends. Mr. W walked with them for about 2 1/2 hours, then they came home for hot chocolate and checked out their loot. It hit me last night that her trick-or-treating years are numbered. That's strange...

Today I packed up the Halloween decorations and brought out our few Thanksgiving ones. I LOVE this time of year! It was a HAPPY Halloween, and now we are ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.

++ A quick note about the girl... She captured a fly (walk) last night and named him Ralph. He went trick-or-treating in a tea basket with her. This morning when I was doing her hair I told her "I love my girl" (as I always do) and the tears came. She pulled the empty tea basket from her drawer and Ralph had passed away. She is so sensitive and sweet. She even has a place in her heart for flies. I love my girl!

happy birthday little one.

Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! I can't imagine my life without you. It's hard to believe you have been with us (in person) for an entire year. We are all so happy you are ours! You are the sweetest baby when you wake in the morning and from nap time. Daddy and I love to hear your sweet voice first thing in the morning, calling to us like a little bird from sister's room. Oh how I love that wide-open-mouth smile of yours! I can't help but feel happy when I see it.

You are one tough baby boy. You had a rough start to life. (thanks to mommy's antibodies and your dairy allergy) But, as tough as you are, I felt your tender spirit from the first moment I held you in my arms. That tenderness is more and more obvious as your personality emerges. I have loved watching you grow and learn this past year and nine months. In many ways, you have helped me grow and learn too. Every day is a new adventure with you my little one. I look forward to many more. I love you sweet boy!

xoxo,

mommy

pictures from a fall walk...

she's off...

Lizzy left for Teton Science School on Wednesday morning. She was so excited! She was happy to say "goodbye" to the three of us and be on her way. That was comforting to me, and I needed it! I suppose I find comfort in her independence because that is the ultimate goal when raising children...right? 

I'm sure she's having a wonderful time. I check the school's website and you tube channel about 50 times a day. She is just as good at avoiding their camera as she is mine...she's not in very many photos. The time lapse of her eating breakfast was a hoot! I MISS HER! I can't wait to pick her up tomorrow and hear all about it!

conference weekend.

mommy loves peppermint hot chocolate!

The four of us enjoyed a beautiful weekend. Conference was wonderful. It always brings happiness to my heart. And so do our beautiful children. Mr. Fuzzers mastered standing from a sitting position this weekend! Lizzy was the entertainer of choice for all 4 sessions. I don't think he stopped watching her for 5 seconds. She is very patient...

I'll have to add more details later...I'm off to pick-up sis from school!

wagon rides and pumpkins = fall!

my pumpkin peddler

It's that time again... FALL time! I LOVE fall! I love the crisp cool air, bright blue skies, garden harvest, warm soup and bread, and of course pumpkins! I never took an official count, but I know this was our largest pumpkin harvest to date! 

Lizzy has been trying to earn money to help pay for Teton Science Camp next month, so we agreed that in exchange for her helping with the harvest and clean-up, she could sell some of the pumpkins. She did great clipping pumpkins from the vines, making sure to leave a nice stem attached, then dragging the gnarly vines into what is now a heaping pile waiting to be burned in the center of the garden. Certainly the most exciting part for her was pulling the pumpkins in the wagon from house to house and collecting money with every stop. She came home with $31 from one evening, which was a thrill for her! I believe we have started a new tradition...

deciding which pumpkins to keep and which to sell...

Last night my Mr. hung bike mounts in the garage for us! (bless you baby) While we were working on that, Lizzy took Mr. Fuzzers for a wagon ride. He was in heaven! I believe his mouth was wide open from excitement the entire time! She is such a great big sister. I am so thankful both of our children came to us when they did. It couldn't have been more perfect. 

Last Friday we got to visit with mom and dad during their layover in Salt Lake. It is always a treat to see them, even if it's only for 3 hours. I'll take any time I can get! I appreciate them looking for flights that allow them to stop here, especially considering it means they arrive home in the middle of the night. We went to lunch at A&W, their favorite, and Lizzy's too. They are the sweetest grandparents. I wish they lived closer...

And finally, I know fall is officially here when we eat homemade tomato fontinella soup and grilled cheese for dinner. YUM! I've even converted my Mr. to tomato soup. Now, if you know him that is nothing short of a miracle ! This morning he mentioned wanting to carve pumpkins tonight. Welcome fall, we've missed you!

me & my girl.

Yesterday Lizzy was enthusiastic about cooking! (thank you Mr. W, for grabbing the camera to capture the moment) She helped make Sunday dinner, and then asked if we could make cookies for our neighbors. She helped with both, start to finish!

Last week I knitted a scarf for a little friend. It must have sparked the same flame in her, she asked me to teach her how to knit with needles. Again. We've attempted mini teaching sessions in the past, as she has requested and as long as her attention span would allow, but as aforementioned, they were mini. This time was different. All of those sessions must have added up to learning little by little, because this time I instructed her for maybe 2 minutes, and she was knitting away on her own! Oh the excitement for the mommy! Now that I think about it, I wonder where she has stashed her knitting... I haven't seen it in a few days. I guess she's moved on :)

I love these moments with my daughter. I've learned through the years that this kind of excitement usually comes for a moment, then she's on to something else. I try to jump at every opportunity when it presents itself. I believe these are the moments that are shaping and molding her into the woman she will become.

Last week we had a mommy-daughter date to Kneaders. She loves the eclairs, and I love the one-on-one time with her! She is growing up so quickly. I don't say "too quickly" because I love every stage with her! Even the, "I'm independent and do not need you to go to Teton Science Camp with me" stage. Independence is the ultimate goal after all, right?

first teeth!

(hurry up little teeth, you're hurting my gums!)

Before this very important date slips my mind, this little boy got his first tooth on Tuesday! The likely lower central incisor. The neighboring tooth is following closely behind. It's almost through those swollen little gums! He's a few months ahead of Lizzy, she didn't get her first tooth until she was 14 months old. But who's counting... I'm just happy to avoid the dreams of having my infant fitted for dentures because she is the only 1 year old with no teeth!