Wed

Elijiah- 4 yrs old

Elder M. Russell Ballard on mothering:
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008

Tuesday

Hawaii Trip- 2007

"...the truer measure of sacrifice isn't so much what one gives to sacrifice as what one sacrifices to give. Faith isn't tested so much when the cupboard is full as when it is bare. In these defining moments, the crisis doesn't create one's character it reveals it."Lynn G. Robbins

A week of reflection.....

Jonathan and I '07

"Any task in life is easier if we approach it with the one at a time attitude. ... To cite a whimsical saying; 'If you chase two rabbits, both of them will escape.' No one is adequate to do everything all at once. We have to select what is important, what is possible, and begin where we are, with what we have. And if we begin and if we keep going the weight, the worry, the doubt, the depression will begin to lift .... We can't do everything always, but we can do something now, and doing something will help to lift the weight and lessen the worry, 'The beginning,' said Plato, 'is the most important part.'"
--Richard L. Evans, Thoughts for One Hundred Days

Moab 2010

Moab- 2010

Our trip began early Saturday Morning and upon arrival of the busiest day in Moab( seriously everything we do we are amazed that it seems EVERYONE else has the same idea) :( We decided to head up to Arches National Park for a few hikes. We came prepared- lots of munchies, water and the backpack for Tristan to ride in. Well I continue to be amazed at our bugs. He refused to get in it and instead walked the ENTIRE hike up to delicate arch.

No matter that it took 3 hours almost round trip as we had to stop at EVERY rock pile, every water hole, and every flower. Tristan was absolutely having the time of his life and while we thought we would get in a bit of exercise with the hiking- it was more of a nice stroll.

Ive never seen so many people on the trail. Literally you couldnt walk but a few feet without having to stop or "pull" off to the side so someone could get past us.

The water holes were especially fun- the first 20 of them that is....

And while the rocks were SO COOL- having Tristan want to push down and collect bits of the trail markers got a little tiresome.

But we made it....all the way up the trail. This is one of my favorites to do in Arches- and Jonathans first time in Moab. He commented on how it would be great to come back sans kids to do a few more hikes and explore the area. I TOTALLY AGREE.

For as much as I thought we could get a few hikes in the day- it wasnt to be...this one tuckered us all out and we decided to hit the town and the "hotel" for swimming and dinner.

The hotel pool was great for the kids and we had an early dinner. Without much of a nap for Tristan we decided to hit the sack early.

All was well at the "hotel" until around 9pm when someone in the next room decided it would be a good idea to bring a dog in the hotel, and then LEAVE it unattended. I was awake to its whining and barking. After 3 calls to the front desk we finally got to move rooms....YES!!!

Its not that I mind dogs in hotel rooms...just dont leave them unattended at night when others are trying to sleep! If you have a dog that barks...keep it quiet!!! GRRR. Sleep came in fits but what can you say when you have children in your bed.

We got up and decided to skip any additional hiking and Moab time. We had a great day- REALLY! It was a lot of fun to do something different and new as a family. ( remember we havent done much since tristan was born. we are trying to slowly get him used to car rides longer than 40 minutes.)

We got lots of sun and had a fun adventure!

Mothers Day Continued

Jonathan and I split up for dinner- I going to visit my mom, and he to his...and while the day started out nice, it quickly turned cold and windy. Never to be caught unprepared, I was searching for something for Tristan to wear so he didnt get cold.....as you can tell we did the best we could.

The funniest thing Tristan said as we left the play area to go down to the beach...was "OCEAN, OCEAN!" I was kinda shocked- like he ever remembers being at an OCEAN before.....!?

Perfect end to the perfect day!

Weekend

My father in law took the following photographs. He decided to spend a week by himself, hiking, camping, and capturing the most amazing Utah scenery. His talent is beyond me, and I was completely blown away by the images he captured. Here are just a couple. (I hope you dont mind me sharing your amazing talent Carl!)

Mothers day has been wonderful. The day is gorgeous, the sacrament program at church beautiful...and I woke up to my dear hubby cooking me breakfast and splurging me with gifts-a few new things to run in.
The boys are getting along, and I am ever so more grateful to be who I am, where I am, and doing what I do. My mother, and all those mothers and mothers to be out there- I am in awe. Our responsibilities are great- the rewards priceless.

Thank you mom for being my role model, my friend, my teacher. For without you I wouldnt be much :)

(On another note, I got to talk with my brother today. He is serving a mission in South Africa and will be home in 5 months. It was awesome to hear his voice and get to chat about everything he is doing. Thanks for calling me Cory! Love you!)

Bed Time

In an attempt to be sneeky- I tried to catch bugs without him knowing I was there- however as you can tell, it failed. Each night we try desperately to get this kid to sleep. More often than not he is awake for hours "reading" his books.

And YES we did give up trying to have him sleep in the crib. He seems to like the freedom the toddler bed offers and as much as I hate to admit defeat...we are tired of fighting a loosing battle.