Opening Day of the Water Park

For the first time we got season passes to the water park. All three kids can swim pretty well now and because we got them early we got a great deal. The weather was decent and off we went. A lot of the stuff I didn't take pictures of, but here are a few...


There's little Cai Lynn daredevil that she is; she went on everything her height would allow her to.


I wouldn't even go on this one! (Although I don't like stuff like this. LOL)




We went on these a ton!

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mother's in my life. All of their influences have meant more to me than they will ever know. I would also like to let me wonderful children know how much I love them and how much they mean to me. They enrich my life and make this journey worth it no matter how difficult it may be at times.

While looking through some poems, I found a few that really struck a cord with me and I'd like to share them with you...

Hats Off to Mother

My mother’s job is sometimes hard, and I have heard her say,
“The hours are long, and if I could, I’d like to change the pay.”
Her profession has variety, and I will tell you now
About the many hats she wears—and why and when and how.

1. My mommy’s a nurse who fixes and patches
All of my hurts and my sores and my scratches.

2. My mother’s a chef who fixes each dinner
Fit for a king—a blue-ribbon winner!

3. My mom’s a chauffeur who drives pretty slow
But gets me to places where I need to go.

4. My mom’s a detective, and no one is greater
At getting the truth from me sooner or later.

5. My mommy’s a gardener and works really hard,
Planting and weeding and grooming our yard.

6. My mother’s a maid—at least that’s what she said—
‘Cause she cleans up the house and makes every bed.

7. My mother’s an angel—a queen in disguise—
Who teaches the gospel with tears in her eyes.
Today take these hats off, and please wear no other.
Let me do your work, to show I LOVE YOU, MOTHER!

BEFORE I WAS A MOM:

Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

"I miss you when we're not together"

I miss you when we're not together
I'm growing up so fast
See how big I've gotten
Since you saw me last?

As I grow, I'll change a lot,
The years will fly right by.
You'll wonder how I grew so quick
When and where and why?

So save this card in a safe place,
And take it out each year.
The memories will come back of me,
When I was small and dear.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

A Beautiful Blessing

What a wonderful day we had! We had the opportunity to join some friends in the blessing of their new little addition. Our families have been friends for YEARS. In fact some of us for 20 years. WOW! It was so nice to see them again and to be a part of this special day.










Such a sweet and happy baby.


What a good big brother.



This wonderful woman helped deliver all three of my children and her family and my family have been friends for 20 years.

Jared gets his Wolf Badge

Jared is now an official "Bear" in cub scouts. He just loves scouts. What a great program!



Assisting with the flag ceremony...


Getting some of his belt loops


Pinning the Wolf on my "Mother's Pride"



A skit afterwards

A New Bed?

We've had this little bed (it has a stuffed cat in it) for years. One night while playing with Hadhi on my bed Michael grabbed it off my dresser just to see what she'd do. Well, she would NOT get out of it! We thought it was the cutest thing EVER!

Happy Second Birthday Emily!

It's hard to believe that little Emily (My sister Jessica's youngest) is already two years old. She is such a funny little girl and has so much personality. We enjoy her so much!


All 5 cousins



I love that smile!


MMMM cake

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Popcorn Popping on the Apricot tree!


Before church in front of our apartments I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some pictures. All the trees are in full bloom. They are just gorgeous! (Even though the sun was in our eyes... LOL)