Happy Mother's Day

As my kids came into my bedroom this morning to serve me breakfast (thanks Justin) and shower me with crafts made with their own two little hands, I paused for a moment as I saw them standing all together beaming and I thought to myself: I love being a mother.

Now, let me back it up a bit. I have not always had that thought. I have always loved my children, but I have had struggles with enjoying motherhood (as I'm sure many have). I don't just mean being bothered every so often with the emotional and physical demands carried by motherhood, I mean I had serious issues with loving, even liking this most divine calling. Part of the problem was not really knowing what I'm doing (I started young), not really understanding how to enjoy it (it's a lot of work ya know). I have also been struggling with depression over the past few years, something I have kept pretty quiet and is another blog post or two or three in itself.

However, without going too much into all of that, as it stands today I am happy. I love being a mom. I love all the drawings just for me. I love being with them. I love observing them. I love hearing them. I love seeing them grow and learn. Don't get me wrong, it's not always roses, but for the most part I am seeing much brighter days. I am feeling so grateful for a very wise, incredibly loving Father in Heaven who never left my side through all the challenges I've faced in the journey of motherhood and who continues to be with me so long as I let Him in. I know that raising these 3 beauties of mine beside my wonderful husband is what life is all about, all the other stuff is just stuff and I am just so grateful.

Early to rise

Amazing things happen when I get up before the kids. Here's the breakdown:

scriptures read
prayers said
yoga makin' me feel all chill
muffins in the oven
bed made
showered
dressed
all before 8 AM

I don't know why I don't do it more often. Wait, yeah I do, I love my bed and I love sleep and right now I am sooo tired. I'm going to reward myself with a nap.

I've been in denial

Mom and dad have been back home for almost a week now and I have been putting off posting about their visit because that would mean it was a thing of the past. We had the best time with them and wish they could have stayed longer, but we're just trying to be thankful we got to have special grandparent time for an entire week!




coloring Easter eggs
Grandma's hands turned purple...at least it's her favorite!
Making resurrection rolls on Easter Sunday
Taylee loves how much grandma spoils her
Of course we had to go bowling



We even squeezed in the dance recital for my classes (mom made 163 cupcakes for the event)
me and Brooklyn in our costumes
Their favorite Idaho grandkids
No visit would be complete without new Michigan apparel
We miss you grandma and grandpa!

Fabulous part 2 (and a little of goofy big brother after school)

To share or not to share?

I shared a room with my sister until the day she got married and moved out. (Well, minus two years while big brother was on his mission).

I recall fights about only one half of the room being clean (ahem, my half) and every once in a while feeling like I didn't have a place to escape. But more than that, I recall talking into the night, falling asleep to pillow talk on the oldies station and repeating this phrase to each other every night: "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the crabby bugs bite, let the loving bugs bite." To which the other would reply "you too," and then the first, "Okay." I remain very close with my sister today and I wonder if that has something do with it or if we would be close anyway.

I imagine that if we had the space in our house, we wouldn't have shared a room, but that's just the way it was.

Justin grew up in a house with 9 kids and no one had their own room-ever. He feels like kids should share a room so that they learn to share and get along with each other and form close bonds (as I did with Nat).

The reason I bring it up is because we have the room for each child to have their own room, but a while back we put the girls together. It works out for the most part, but lately they haven't been doing well together. Either Taylee refuses to lay down and stop talking to Brooklyn or vice versa. Last night, Tay was throwing a fit about not wanting to be quiet and lay down so I threatened, "If you can't be good and lay down you'll have to sleep in the playroom by yourself." I didn't expect the reply, "Yeah, sleep in the playroom!" I set up the port a crib and she fell asleep immediately and didn't wake up until 9:00 after I opened her door.

Now I'm contemplating moving her back into her own room. What do you think? Does it even really matter what we choose?

Whodunit?

On Saturday night I found myself in a very sticky situation......as a suspect in the murder of Take Noble, Sheriff of Drygulch and my dear friend. Meet all of the suspects......

Bibi Gunn, "entertainer" at the Paradise Saloon

Bibi's escort and saloon owner, Shotglass Sam

Bibi and her friend from the saloon, Jackpot Jane

Juan Bandito, mexican outlaw and his girlfriend Rosita

Sally Forth, mail order bride from London for the Sheriff

and her cowboy escort

Jane and her escort Rowdy Azell (once married to Sally and secret lover of Miss Patience)

Miss Patience, Drygulch school teacher and her escort Kattle Karl

Wacky Doc Mallard and his escort Virginia Wessley

Good townsfolk of Drygulch