The little things...

When you're a mom, sometimes it's the little things that keep you going. Alone time with my mormon coffee (aka Pero with Girl Scout cookie coffeemate!) and The Avengers while the kids are out playing. It will end soon, so I'm soaking as much RD Jr in as much as I can! 😊

And... It's over! Let the chaos commence.

This weekend...

This weekend has given me so many different emotions along with so many experiences. I won't got into detail of the bad times that I experienced this week, because truly I am still trying to figure all of that out. I will however, talk about last night. Saturday. 

Weeks ago when I was in relief society, they announced that the upcoming Women's General Reilef Society meeting would included all girls and women ages 8 and up. At first I didn't think much of it, but as the weeks went on I started thinking about how that day could be a time where I could be with my daughter Mara at a very historic event in our church.  I never really thought about it before because my girls were going to have to be 18 before we could attend that meeting together. 

What a meeting it was! Best women's conference I have ever been too/ seen. Sister Wixoms talk was incredible and it's inclusion of the young girls brought tears to my eyes and happiness and peace to my soul. Mara took 6 pages of notes in her journal and seemed to be soaking it all in. Looking at my notes and then looking at me smiling. Messages of love, examples, becoming a better person, etc.  I watched the young girls that I was surrounded by and saw in their faces love for their mothers, sisters, grandmothers and friends. That moment hit me like a ton of bricks. What an incredible time to be a part of our Savior's church. To look down at my side and see my daughter writing as quickly as possible so that she could cling to all that was said. The peace and love that I have for her and my family came over sweeping over me in a way that I had never experienced and did not expect. This night will be one that I will remember forever. A small gift from my Heavenly Father during a time when I truly needed it the most. The eternal perspective. The love of my family and the hope for the future. I love my church. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Grateful for the amazing women that are examples to me of love and friendship. Grateful to live in a time where I can be sealed to my family and keep them with me forever. Grateful to have the temple so close to my home. I'm just plain grateful and am almost giddy with excitement of the upcoming general conference. My heart is truly full. 

And then last but not least, grateful that we got to laugh all night long with dear friends and devoured yummy chocolate cazookies! 

My first game...

My William is completely obsessed with soccer. Very specifically international soccer. He knows names of players, their teams, jerseys, colors, shoes... You name it, he knows it all.  He thinks Lionel Messi is the most amazing person and truth be told, in the soccer world, he is. Every day I have to peel Williams Messi jersey and shoes from his body. They may soon walk on their own he wears them so much. I have to admit that his obsession has become a family affair. We all watch them. All of them.

I LOVE watching the games. I do. They are thrilling and just enough out of control to get your heart racing and yelling at the screen. 

So, Brandon got William season tickets to RSL for Christmas. He was so excited he could hardly contain his little self. Asking daily when the schedule would be posted. When time came for the game, he asked if I would go with him! Ummmm... YES please! So on Saturday, I attended my first MLS game. Can I just say, I loved it! I had so much fun with my little man! I love his enthusiasm and love for the game! I love being with him and having one on one time. I love the game and singing and hanging constantly. So, my first game will not be my last! I am hooked... To both my son and his love for soccer. 

A little note...

A little note can mean so much, especially when you think you aren't a very good at this mom thing.

Love you, Mara!

 



Friends...

Quote from one of my favorite movies ever... It's A Wonderful Life.

"..No man is a failure who has friends."

I happen to have the BEST kind of friends!  Just feeling thankful today!

 

My little Mara...

My Mara turned 10 on the 30th. 10!  My oldest is now in double digits!  This little lady is incredible in more ways than she knows.  She is sensitive, sweet, hard working and yes, a little bossy.  But, I am confident the last one will take her to great places in her life.  She is a natural born leader and a talented young lady. She is in her second year of competition at Black Diamond Gymnastics and does fantastic.  I LOVE watching her doing things that she loves and that challenge her.  She loves being part of the ward choir and did a duet/ solo with a dear friend of hers.  Her voice sounds like an angel.  She is thriving in school and is part of the science club.  She LOVES to learn. 

She was born on a beautiful snowy day.  She was a week late and still when I was induced, we had to do an emergency C-section AND use a vacuum to get her out!  She is still as stubborn as ever, but that is one of the many things that I love about her.  She is sensitive.  So much so, that when she hears someone swearing or sees someone making a bad choice, it is almost as if you have hurt her heart directly.  I hope she never loses that gift and always stands up for what she believes in.  She has an amazing testimony of her Savior and of the gospel and takes church very seriously.  She is not afraid to share this love.  This is something that I could learn from her.  I LOVE this little baby doll of mine!  Life has been good to her and I cannot wait to see how she continues to grow.

 

Happy Birthday to my darling Mara!

Family...

Christmas has come and gone. Almost as fast as I thought it would.  It goes too fast and it always makes me sad.

 

My parents came from NY to spend the holidays with us and to be here for Williams baptism.  We haven't spent Christmas together in years.  I cried when they left.  While they were here, everyone person in our household got sick.  Everyday, someone new woke up sick with either the stomach flu or a really bad cold/ flu bug.  It was awful, but we managed.  I truly could NOT have pulled Christmas or William's baptism off without my parents here. 

Below you will see sick kiddos, Christmas morning, Max the dog loving my dad, my parents, building a snowman, making cookies for Santa, a trip downtown with cousins and many wonderful memories!

 Christmas morning!

 

 

This Christmas was wonderful.  Now onto 2014!