We got a live one!

After waiting 11 long weeks to hear a heart beat, we finally heard it. It seemed official at about 8 weeks when my stomach exploded out from my body. People pretty much already knew by then between the belly and the crazy amounts of ginger and mints that I was eating for my morning sickness. My morning sickness has been worse with this one, so we are hoping that it is a girl and not just an increasing trend of misery.

 I never posted for mom on mother's day, but basically my favorite moment was the month (maybe longer, but she could've stayed forever) that she stayed and helped me after Carter was born. I can promise you that if mom had not been here, Carter would be in a different home right now!!! Mom dealt with all the household drama, in-law drama, my postpartum depression and everything in between. This post doesn't do it justice because she was simply amazing!

Our Wonderful Mother

Mom I am so grateful for you and everything you put up with when I was younger.  Kerissa and I watched home videos for FHE and there was a part where you let Toshi just cut his hair.  His eyes were closed and it was freaking hilarious.  Kerissa almost died and said I hope to be as cool as your mom and let my kids do things like that....well I guess when she is burnt out there will be a lot more funny videos for our kids to see.  Anyway I wanted to talk about the yes....the presents that I would be for you and inside were the cutest animals you could possibly find.  I remember running to your bed curling up in a ball and if you did not notice me I would give you a nudge and then go back into a ball until you opened me up to find a new baby whatever (Puppy, seal, prarie dog, kitten, add anymore if you can think of them ;)) Those were the best moments.  I remember it being so fun and it was my way of showing you how much I love you mom.  I am just glad you kept going and didn't lose your patience with me.  Mom you were and are the best.  Thanks for being our mom!

NOT a slacker

Well I actually did get mom something and also sent a homemade card (boo yah) BUT I had to add a little post about our amazing mom.

It finally happened. The other night Ruby came into our room at 1 am and said she was scared and wanted to sleep with us. I walked her back and sang songs until she fell asleep. Repeat above scenario at 3 am. I was SOOOOO tired but I couldn't help but think of the THOUSANDS of times that I did this to mom. All the nights I slept on her floor, the nights I made her sit by my door - and how she did it. She did it every time and I never sensed even an ounce of annoyance. I don't know how you did it mom!

Happy Mother's Day

I was trying to think of something to post on the blog. This might actually be my first post. But the fun memory I have of mom is the time we played hoopla in Utah and she acted out Viagra. May have been the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. 

I also started writing down some thing in church, figured I could make it into something really corny and this is the result. Hope you like it mom. Happy Mother's Day. You're the best. 

Mother

Mother, it's a powerful word. One with many definitions. It's a word that can make pain and tears disappear.  A word that refers to someone always awake to talk or willing to help with homework at any hour of the night. A word defined as work that never ends. A word that means,  all knowing.  The only word in the English language that means, one who teaches, works, loves, and cares with all her heart, and takes a macaroni necklace as payment. One that is willing to give all that she has for the sake of her family.  Someone who is willing to do everything from giving up on dreams she had as a child, to watching a 5th grade band concert for the 6th time and still cheering as loud as she did the first time.  A word that means master multi tasker. A word that in Latin means healer of ripped pants. This word refers to someone crazy enough to drive 14 hours straight at 4 in the morning to be there for her children. All of these definitions can be summed up by saying that mother means love.  But most importantly mother to me is defined as someone who has never stopped loving me and I know never will.  Thanks for helping me become the person you knew I could be. I never would have made it without you. 

Mom Post

Well it's Mother's Day, so I thought I'd put together a few of my most favorite things I thankful for about you, my Mother. (Anyone else who didn't get Mom something for Mother's Day may want to create a post as well.)  Having a child of my own has really opened up my eyes to the many sacrifices and blessings you have provided me.  First off, let me thank you for the hundreds of diapers you changed on my behalf in order to keep my bum fresh and clean.  I can't even imagine doing the clothe diaper thing, though I don't remember if this was still done on me or not.  Next comes the meals.  One of the things I hate most is to spend the time making a meal for Paxton only to have him turn his nose up and seal his lips shut.  I'm sure I did this as a child, but can definitely remember balking at some of the dinners Mom made for us as a kid and teenage.  I now realize how frustrating this can be and thank you Mom for all those meals that I didn't thank you for previously.  Then of course there's the chauffeuring.  I don't know how many times I got after Mom for being even a couple minutes late in picking me up or dropping me off.  As a kid I didn't think to consider that there's responsibilities other than taking care of my every need.  With all that you had to juggle, I thank you Mom for always being there and trying to make each of us feel special.  Having this last week away from Pax and Connie, I've come to realize how exhausting a time consuming a child can be.  And who can forget the relentless piano teaching.  I can remember blasting away over and over that stupid Wigwam song only to try to annoy you into letting me quit.  You endured a lot through those piano years, and though I have yet to thank you for the instruction (and will hold to the claim that I never will), I do thank you for your patience and longsuffering.

One final memory I wanted to share with you Mom is one that you may have forgotten, but still remains very dear to me.  I remember quite vividly a lesson taught in our Primary Class by a very stern and unique individual (I won't mention his name).  He hammered into our heads over and over that, "If you utter the words, 'I don't believe in Jesus Christ,' then you would go to hell."  I even remember him telling a story about a man having a gun pointed to his head and the shooter telling him to deny his belief in Christ or he would be killed.  I went home that day freaked out, but just like a kid being told not to throw rocks into the neighbors pool, I had to see what would happen if I did.  That night I remember being in bed (actually I was on those couch pillows sleeping in front of the fan in the hallway) and saying the words quietly under my breath, "I don't believe in Jesus Christ."  All of a sudden I was balling my eyes out.  I tried to take it back, prayed to say that I didn't mean it, even tried to sing primary songs, but nothing worked.  I thought for sure I was doomed to destruction and I was terrified.  It was at that point when I went and got Mom.  I told you what had happened, and together we knelt down and prayed in the living room.  I remember you told me everything was going to be ok, you told me that Heavenly Father still loved me, it was you who hugged me until I felt safe and loved once again.  Thank you Mom, for always being there.  Happy Mothers Day.

Manny

Toshi thought about coming to stay with us for a few months last year but things didn't work out. This year we begged and he made the trek down from Idaho right before Gary was born. PERFECT TIMING! He stayed from August to December and it was GLORIOUS to have him around. (PS in case you are trying to figure out how to lure him into living with you for 5 months try offering him a job that he'd love and then once he arrives tell him it isn't going to work out, but don't worry, we have plenty of stuff around here to keep you busy :) In the famous words of Ruby....SUCKAHHHHH!

Not only was he amazing with the kids, but he was also handy around the house! While he was here we finished painting almost every room, took down and painted all the doors (there are only like 24 in this house people....), replaced all the hardware on those doors, painted most of the trim with oil based paint (ugh), replaced all the outlets and switches - with only a few glitches :), painted the closet in Ruby's room with chalkboard paint (she loves it), spent hours installing several "10 minute" ceiling fans, put up all the outdoor christmas lights (only breaking 2 sprinkler heads in the process), removed some VERY stubborn wallpaper, cleaned the back porch roof - super gross, and removed a toilet (which did end in the calling of a plumber BUT also a toilet that no longer wobbles). He also did loads of yardwork, roof blowing, babysitting, and vacuuming. He was my side kick for a non stop, through the night, roadtrip up to Michigan (or more accurately I was HIS side kick). When our boat cover was slipping off during a torrential downpour he threw on a swimsuit and ran out with a bucket. After getting out most of the water he strapped down some extra tarps - what a guy! He read snow white a hundred thousand times and made the best fairy godmother when Ruby wanted to "play" cinderella.

This morning Ruby made cupcakes in her play kitchen and said, "this one is for uncle toshi. Where is he?" I explained that he left to go back to school. Ruby's response, "well let's just put it over here in case he comes back." We all miss him.

Tosh, if you get too cold in Idaho there is a fake cupcake here waiting for you on the window sill that you painted :)