Yes, What She Said

 I love to read. I love to read blogs. I love that so many can share their talents now through the magic of the internet. I love to find in the words of others, the very thoughts that I couldn't quite articulate.

In the way that Red Star Mama did when she recently expressed her testimony of the Gospel.

Or when Regarding Annie wrote about finding out the gender of her babies at birth, rather than ultrasound. Amidst her usual humor and sarcasm she manages to perfectly described the moment when I first met Anne.

The moment the doctor pulled him out and said the word, “Boy!” I was madly in love. I didn’t have a chance to miss my baby girl, she had been replaced with a handsome, strong, new little man that took over my world with his first wail. It was magical, shocking, ...

Of course, there is also cjane. Who can't help but love cjane? And when she writes posts like For Ever Hallelujah!  I just want to find her and hug her and say, "Yes! You get it. You understand! Thank you!"

Yes, I love to read. Especially when somehow those who write manage to read my mind.

Library Party

Tuesdays were library days around here this summer. We would stop at the "library park" first and then head over to story time. It's a toss-up who enjoyed story time more, me or the kids.

As a finale to their summer reading program, the library held a splash party. The kids loved it. We stayed there so long that we saw them take everything down. This was a big disconcerting to William. He wanted the party to stay there so he could go back some day. And who wouldn't want to go back when you have this slide to ride down?

After some rubber duck racing, 

 frog flinging (must admit that this one was kind of lame), 

 and fishing,

 we made it over to my favorite stop --- face painting.

Meet Miss Nikki. I'm not sure her title at the library, but she has been around for as long as I have been taking my kids to story time (you know, a whole 2.5 years). She witnessed countless weeks when it was all I could to get William to even look in the right direction, let alone sit through the entire 30 minutes ... all while holding Marie. Now she gets to witness William sit attentively, completely engrossed in the book. Marie on the other hand, she's a work in progress.

While the other kids got hearts or stars or other small paintings on their cheek she was quick to appease William's request for a tiger. I'm not gonna lie, he's one of her favorites. Not to be outdone, Marie requested a pink kitty with purple whiskers.

They make pretty good looking cats, if I do say so myself. I'm so proud of my little bookworms, well, at least we're working on earning that title.

Six Years ... Just Like That

Six years ago, Brandon and I stood on the grounds of this temple and declared our undying love for each other. We agreed that our lives would only be complete if we continued them together. We're cheesy like that.

Five months later we were sealed in this temple for time and all eternity. This year, to celebrate the 6th anniversary of that wonderful day we thought we would take the kids back to where it all started. We're sentimental like that.

The jaunt around the temple with the kids was short and sweet due to a certain hungry baby, pictured above. I wasn't about to feed her on the temple grounds. What can I say, I'm modest like that.

William and Marie, now affectionately known as "the kids," (as opposed to Anne, who is "the baby") indulged Mommy's desires for some pictures, mostly. All I can think of when I see this picture is how on earth Marie's pigtails managed to be so uneven. Yep, I'm fickle like that.

Taking a picture of just the boys was our most successful moment of the trip. In my opinion, a perfect picture because they're handsome like that.

Six years later and we've gone from being two twitterpated college students to being the parents of three spirited off-spring. 

Yep, we're blessed like that. 

Those Who Love You

Aunt Rachel

The happiest 

moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.  ~Thomas Jefferson

Aunt Becca

Sometimes our hearts 

get tangled
And our souls a little off-kilter
Friends and family 

can set us right
And help guide us back 

to the light.
~Sera Christann

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  

~Desmond Tutu  

Aunt Ashley

Great-Grandma S.

Cousin Jocelyn

Grandpa S.

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot

My gratitude overwhelms when I consider the number of people that love and adore my children. As a mother who always hopes for the best for them, I know that they have that in their support system of siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Thanks to all of our family and friends that have stopped by to see all three of my beautiful children recently .... some documented in pictures and others not. We love you! And to all of our family that have yet to meet Anne in person, we can't wait to see you soon.

Summer Entertainment

Cold Treats

There is something about sticky residue from frozen treats. That something keeps me from giving them to my kids very often. Before this summer I don't think Marie had ever had a popsicle and we could probably count on one hand the number William had eaten.

So what do I do to remedy that? I bought a bag of fudge-sicles. Yes, I'm crazy, why do you ask?

No worries. Nothing a shower in the garden hose can't fix.

Splish Splash

Speaking of water ...we take any chance we can to get wet around here.

 

  The backyard, the splash pad, the city pool ... we are all happier when water is involved in our day. The kids especially loved it when Grandma P. was here. They went swimming almost every single day. I must say, although I thoroughly enjoyed the quiet at home with Anne, my water loving self was a bit envious of their fun.

Rainstorms

Summer afternoon rainstorms take me right back to my childhood in Wyoming. I'm so glad we get one every so often her in Utah. I'm also glad we don't get one practically every day, like in Wyoming. And I'm glad that my genius husband had the idea to send the kids outside to splash in the puddles during this rainstorm. Something I would normally have thought of were it not for my state of sinus infection/sleep deprivation on that lovely day.

Marie-esque

Anne was waking up from a nap this afternoon and started to cry. As I started to pick Anne up, Marie attempted to give her a pacifier.

Me: No, Marie, she doesn't need that, I am going to feed her.
Marie: Yes, she needs her 'dat'!
Me: No, she doesn't.
Marie: (In most authoritative voice she could muster) No, I'm the Mommy! You are the Marie.

Right.

Da-Goon!

Or Lagoon, if you aren't my silly kids. A day out with Daddy and the rest of the S clan ... minus Anne and me. We held down the fort at home. The kids could not have been more excited to go and they have barely stopped talking about it since. 

Rattlesnake Rapids -- It is hard to believe that they are both tall enough for "big kid" rides. They went twice and rumor has it they managed to get soaked.

The planes with guns. An absolute favorite. The kids on the ride? My absolute favorites.

 These next two pictures I have to add because they are indicative of what picture taking is like around here, especially when the kids are doing something fun. Notice that they are both obeying the instructions to smile, but just can't quite manage to pull their attention away from the ride and look at the camera. Story of my picture taking life. Seriously. 

William's on-demand smile. Love that cheesy grin. Now where are those eyes?

And there is Marie smiling away ... at another camera, perhaps?

I just love and adore her face here. If that isn't a girl having fun, I don't know what is.

And a great big, "Way to go!" to William who actually managed to drive the bumper car this year, instead of just spinning around in circles, although that was quite endearing to watch in the past.

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for giving the kids and Daddy such a fun day and for giving Mommy a day off! We love you!

Meeting Anne

The day Anne was born, William and Marie were at our neighbor's house while I went to the doctor's office. I stopped by afterward to let Megan know that we were headed to the hospital, but my kids were too busy playing to even acknowledge my existence at that moment. I almost cried as I walked away from her house, knowing that the next time I would see my kids our whole world would be different. Tears of joy or sadness? Who knows. Hormonal tears? You bet.

Grandma and Grandpa S. picked them up from the neighbor's later that afternoon and delivered the exciting news. They had a new baby sister! Nope, they said, Mommy is just at the doctor's office.

When they came to see the evidence in first person William tried to pretend he didn't care. He had informed us, after all, that if we had a girl he was going to be nice to her but he wasn't going to love her.

It didn't take long for her cuteness to win him over though.

And Marie? The pictures say it all. A sister in love.

Since we have been home the loving and smothering haven't slowed down too much. William informs me on a daily basis that Baby Anne makes him feel better, Baby Anne is so cute, Baby Anne's eyes open make him happy, he needs to kiss Baby Anne, he needs to hug Baby Anne, you get the picture?

In all his smitten-ness, he is not incredibly impressed with her cry. I don't blame him. This girl has got one serious wail. Good thing she doesn't use it too often.

Marie has watched me very closely and often knows as well as me, or better, what Anne needs. "Baby Anne needs a diaper change." "Baby Anne needs her 'that' (Marie-esque for pacifier)." "Baby Anne needs you to hold her." Her dolls have seen an increased amount of attention as she models my actions with Anne. It is darling to see and I can't help but smile as I find her dolls in strategic locations throughout the house.

Brandon and I have loved watching the kids fall in love with this sweet little baby, even if it has meant taking on the role of referees for the game of Little Anne vs. Big Brother and Sister.


These three little munchkins have many years of memories to make together. I am honored to take a front row seat as they develop their relationship as siblings.

What a blessing family is. Here's to our own little party of five!