A nice quiet week...

My family LOVES the month of May. We all try to schedule as much into the month as possible. This year was no exception, in fact as the last week was approaching we decided we better cram in a few extra activities. My youngest brother decided to get married on Wednesday. My other brother and his wife decided that moments after the wedding festivities were done that it was time to head to the hospital to have a baby. Not to be left out my sister and I decided that as soon as her family reunion was done that we would have both of our girls baptized. Not too much for a five day period. So, here are a few pictures I managed to snag during our business.

Grandma

How does one begin? Can you ever really understand the memories that run across my mind as I stare at this picture and others like it. This woman gave. That is what she did. She was always giving. I remember asking my mom how I would repay her for her generosity. My mom insisted that neither she or her mom, my Grandma expected repayment. They only expected me to continue sharing all that I have with my children. I can and will do that. I will also try to show them the value of an education, help them see the beauty in the world that surrounds them, and help them to feel the love that comes from spending time with family. I will try to help them understand the excitement she had for missionaries, and why she felt that was such an important work. I will carry on the legacy of love and teasing that she and my Grandpa shared.

Chloe at Costco!!!

Check out my beautiful daughter at a Costco near you!!! (If you live in Utah, and hopefully others.)

While I have NO desire for my children to get into modeling, this is kind of fun. I was able to get some great pictures from Shana Whipple Photography, and I get to brag about how pretty my little girl is.

When I learned they had pictures of her for their new display I had to drag her into the Lehi Costco last weekend. (Even though it will be at our Costco soon.)

Kitchen remodel....

We are getting closer!!!! I can not express how excited I am to have this almost done! We still need appliances, the granite, and the bead board around the island, but it is coming together. It is a lot more of a Country look than I have done in the past, but I do think I will like it. The green looks amazing against the cream! We also raised the microwave because my canning pot only just fit before, but I knew once I get my gas stove it would be too tight. I think that this helped break up the looong line of cabinets we had before! Now if I can just get the painter out of my house!!!! (It has been a month.)

Marriage is a CRAP-SHOOT!!!!

My sister came up with this theory: marriage is a crap-shoot! And I completely agree! How well did we really know the person we married? Being LDS most of us were young (I was 20), we dated only a few months (OK, I surpassed that one with over a year), we never lived together, chances are he was not into his career (Chris had only one semester of school done--much less a career). I knew he was cute, smart, and ambitious (hugh? what's that?) Eleven years later I saw my husband for the first time this morning--this time for who he really is!

Out my frost covered window I saw him as he finished shoveling my driveway. He took a moment out in the bitter cold to pull out the bright orange sled and push our little blond boy down the mountain of snow they had built together. I could only see the giggles that filled the chilly air, but I knew in that moment that I had everything. Five happy, healthy children, and a husband/father that exceeded all of my girlish dreams. I think I won in this game of crap-shoot.

Thankful...

Our family is talking in church in a couple of weeks. (ugh! it was bound to happen with being new to the ward, but I was hoping we could skip it.) I sat down at the computer this morning to start my talk. I read some great talks, and started writing some very profound thoughts. I was feeling very proud of my progress, so I took a break. I checked face book and my usual blogs, then closed the tab to return to my talk. Up popped another document. On the top was Anna's talk, on the bottom was Preston's. I was humbled, each wrote of their love and gratitude for their family and their Father in Heaven. They were written in their own words. Chris and I had told them we were speaking, but had not had a chance to guide them on what they were supposed to speak. They spoke from the heart, they bore their testimonies in a way that I could not. Nothing I wrote could be as profound as their beautiful and simple knowledge.

For children that remind me what true gratitude is... I am thankful...

A few pictures from our last Newport/Disneyland trip.

These must be my favorite girls.

Would you believe it took a little convincing that sand really is a wonderful thing?

Tell me that is not pure joy!

Crazy kids! I guess we will just have to go again next month!