joy.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

move over cake pop!

Hello rice crispy treat pop!

I wanted to make a treat for the children I teach on Sundays, but it was a little tricky since one little guy has a lot of allergies. He can have rice crispy treats, but I thought that was a bit boring for a 7 year old. So, the rice crispy treat pop was born! His treat was delivered without the chocolate and sprinkles of course, but he didn't mind.

And this little girl had fun helping make, dip, and sprinkling these fun little treats. I taught her how yummy the marshmallows are when they melting and covered with melted butter, which may have been her favorite part of the entire process! I think we'll be making these for years to come!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

five months ago.

This is what we were doing five months ago today. It was the third most beautiful day of my adult life. (first being my wedding day, and second was Lauren's birth) It's hard to imagine life without our little chubbers. What a miracle! I'm still in shock how this little person came into our lives. He has brought with him a little piece of heaven.

I am amazed how much room there is in my heart. It felt so full when I found Mr. W. Then even more so when we were blessed with Lauren. I felt happy and content with our first little miracle.

Little did I know there was space waiting to be filled by our second little miracle.

I'll never forget the emotion of that day. Mr. W and I, waiting to see this beautiful baby we had created. Lauren's excitement for this brother she had waited nine years for.

Mr. W whispering the sweetest words to me while I labored. His voice is so soft and tender.

He held my hand and told me he had never loved me more.

I still get butterflies.

Then when he finally arrived, we all cried. He screamed, then he peed on the doctor.

(way to make an entrance into the world my little boy!)

Then he started to calm, and he stared at his sister as she held him. She said she didn't expect to cry.

I tried to take it all in, trying to file away every moment into my memory.

As the two of them put on his first diaper, I laid there and watched my Mr. become the father of a newborn again, and my little girl become a big sister.

I sobbed.

This is the sweet baby that has taken his place in all three of our hearts. The past five months have been beautiful. (even the typical moments of newborn struggles)

We're glad you chose us. You were worth the wait!

Love,

Mommy

Saturday, March 17, 2012

oh baby!

-spring break kite flying-

-dad teaching sis archery-

-dying coffee filters for her projects-

I can't believe how quickly time is slipping away.

Next month my girl will be 10 years old.

Is that possible?

In 3 days my baby will be 5 months old!

He has brought so much joy to our family.

I love watching the two of them. They love one another so much.

He has given sister so much confidence and a sense of belonging.

This morning I when I was changing his diaper he was crying.

Until she talked to him.

She said, "he cries when he looks as you, but he's happy when he looks at me. I must have the magic touch!"

And that she does!

I love family.

I love the family I was so blessed to come from, and the family my sweetheart and I have created.

Typically I go to bed at night exhausted, but it's a good exhausted. I know this phase will pass so quickly. While mom was here visiting last week she said this is the sweetest time in life.

I believe so too.

...and oh yea, Mr. W is starting his LAST rotation in 1 week! Graduation here we come! He went back to school in 2003. For some reason it doesn't seem like that time slipped away so quickly...

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

yesterday and today.

(playing with instagram on the ride down)

Yesterday was wonderful. We let sister sluff school, and the Mr. took me (and the babes) shopping in SLC!

I have to admit, it was a little heavenly for me. The shopping was fun, although felt sinful after about 5 hours, but still fun for the mama! I love any day that I get to keep my family with me all day long.

It's even more fun on a weekday when you know you're avoiding all responsibility and enjoying only moments of pleasure!

This is sister's favorite thing to do when we're shopping.

I'll never forget the first time she pushed him in the stroller she said, "now I really feel like a big sister." I love seeing the two of them together.

(deciding what to draw from her favorite book "make a world")

Now, as for today....on to organizing, hanging curtains, nursing the babe, (who slept through the night for the first time on his 3 month birthday!!!) clean, finish laundry, and what to make for dinner?....

I love days like today.

And yesterday.

edit:: best part of today so far...play time with baby, then rocking and singing him to sleep. I love feeling his body relax in my arms as he drifts off to a peaceful slumber.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

happy.

Today I feel happy!

(not that that's unusual)

I'm happy to be a wife and a mother.

Happy to be healthy.

Happy because there is a fresh blanket of snow on the lawn. And I hear my wind chimes.

...they always make me think of my mother.

This morning I laid on my bed with my baby. He held my finger while he slept. He held on so tight that his fingertips were white. I laid there looking at his beautiful tiny hand, and I felt so grateful to be his mother. I love my children. I love being their mother. I love that every moment is unpredictable. Well most anyway. I can count on a 9 year old that hates waking up for school, but is happy to be at school when she gets there. Silly girl.

Yesterday I asked sister to shovel the sidewalks for us.

I peeked out the window at her, and she was shoveling the neighbors driveway!

A proud moment for the mama.

I love those little moments where you see fruits of your labor as parents.

I was so touched by her compassion and thoughtfulness.

Especially since the neighbors left for their 18 month mission yesterday.

And let's not forget the trip to the aquarium Saturday.

She finally got to see real otters! And spend the day with her daddy.

And that made one happy little girl.

Friday, January 13, 2012

oh how I love these two!

Every morning sis comes in our room to give brother his morning greeting.

He loves her, and she loves him.

It completely melts my heart. It melts Mr. W's too.

Some mornings we just sit in bed together and observe what we've created.

It is a beautiful thing.

I love that we have a 9 year old and a newborn. It's wonderful to watch the chemistry between the two of them.

I love to say that I have "children." It gives me butterflies in my tummy!

I feel so blessed everyday.

(of course bear bear is with them too)

This is what sister has been up to lately. She's working on the longest picture in the world!

She loves the Ed Emberly drawing books she got for Christmas.

I love how she always has to organize her crayons and markers into a rainbow when she's creating!

I made baby some pants out of a t-shirt...I always have to embellish the bum!

(I can already hear him say, "oh mom, do you have to say that?)

Check out the chub! I think he needs some bigger socks for those ankles.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

settling in.

I can't believe my baby boy is 10 weeks old.

My heart is full.

Full of love for these two incredible children I've been blessed with. I feel like I'm settling into this new role. Mother of two, and mother of a newborn. I love it. My little boy knows I am his mother. I can speak to him from across the room and it comforts him. When he sees me he smiles. And I do too! I'm learning to stop mid-whatever to come to his rescue, and be okay letting things (cleaning) go. I'm learning that the best product of the day is not the the tangible, like sewing something from start to finish, but rather a happy and content baby and 9 year old. These days I'm doing good to get my exercise done and the house cleaned before it's time to pick up sister, and I love it! My days are full of everything I've dreamed of.

This little boy loves his sister so much.

This morning on the way to school I was watching her in the rear view mirror. She was resting her head on his seat and staring at him. She helped him grasp his toy and taught him all about how to play with it. She has been amazing. Even more so after being the only child for 9 1/2 years.

Life is sweet. Happy. Beautiful. Lovely.