We Love the Park

These next two pictures just make me laugh!

Hair cuts

A couple of weeks ago, Jacob cut our whole family's hair. Yes, the two boys, himself, and then mine. Mine is still a work in progress, we are going to have a friend come and teach him how to really cut it (mostly layer) and then he can just always trim it afterwards. I'm excited for that!

Thanks to Veggie Tales, Steven did great! (it's been hard the last couple of times we cut his hair) And it was Christopher's first hair cut, and he did pretty well! When Steven had his first cut, we had to have all sorts of distractions, but Christopher didn't need any.

You're going to do what to me?

My handsome boys

Simplify

A couple of weeks ago there was a talk in Sacrament meeting that got me thinking. It was on simplifying our lives; she also referred to the talk by Elder Oaks entitled, "Good, Better, Best." Also that Sunday, I won't go into the whole story, but there was some misunderstanding and some sisters in Relief Society thought I really loved to cook. I was trying to explain, that I didn't love to cook, I was trying to be better at it. I was trying to be a good homemaker. But these two ideas floating in my head were clashing.

I want to be a good wife, mother, homemaker. I want to make delicious meals for my family from scratch, sew a quilt for each milestone in their life, make homemade presents for my friends, can goods from the garden for food storage....and the list goes on. It's all overwhelming!

The thought of simplifying kept creeping back in my head. How can I simplify and still be a good homemaker? Then it hit me, what's really important to me? What will make my family the happiest? What makes ME the happiest? I thought about it and came up with this list. (In no particular order)

Scripture study: This is a must to help me be happy and really to function throughout the day

Journal: Once again I know from experience that I'm happier when I write in my journal, preserve my thoughts and the moments throughout the day.

Enjoy Jacob: So often I take it for granted that I get to live with my best friend. When he's home, I want to enjoy my time with him; remember why I love him so much. (it's usually not that hard to remember)

Make Christopher laugh: He's been extra moody lately due to teething. He cries a lot. And this makes me want to cry a lot. I need to remember this is a phase. I want to remember my happy baby, not just his screams.

Listen to Steven: He's talking so much now and really making some fun observations. I want to listen when he comes to me excited over something. I want to make sure we have a good friendship and relationship that will last us through his teenage years.

A clean house: I'm happier when the house is clean. And when I'm happier, everyone's happier.

Dinner made: I feel good about myself when there's dinner on the table. It doesn't have to be gourmet, usually a casserole, but I want to know my family's temporal needs are met. It makes me feel accomplished in a small way.

Read to the boys: I feel this is the best way I can help with their vocabulary, learn about the world around them, and develop a love for books. This is something I feel is important.

Exercise: Again something that helps me feel good about myself, and when I'm happy usually my family is as well.

Pray: I really want my family to know that they can always turn to prayer. There is Someone listening who cares, and who will always be there for them. I want them to know that I know that as well.

It seems to me that there are a lot of things that are good that I can do with my time and even better things at that. But I want to find what is BEST and fill my day with those things. I feel this is how I'll be a good homemaker. It's not the filled jars, piles of cookbooks, and yards of fabric that makes me a good wife and mother. It's enjoying the days I get to spend with my family when they are young and crave my attention. Who knows maybe I will become a gourmet chef or wonderful seamstress through the years. I hope I do. But I'm not going to get down on myself about it now.

Right now I'm going to enjoy my children. I'm going to make sure I keep my self happy and sane and then I'm going to give all I have to my family. And if there's time left over I just might make a gift for a friend, make a nice meal, or teach myself to play the piano. But if those things don't happen, I'll be ok, I still did my best. And that's what counts.

Big Boy Bed

With the new apartment, the boys got new beds. Steven got a big boy bed, and Christopher moved up to the crib. It was much over due. Steven is so cute in his bed, and for the most part does well with it. We have to lock the door right after we put him in bed, so he'll actually go to sleep instead of roam around upstairs. Don't worry, we unlock it after he goes to sleep. Also, before he goes to bed we talk about what we'll do when he wakes up; it seems to work.

Christopher also loves his new bed when I lay him down he usually gives me the biggest grin. He also has been sleeping through the night for almost a month. All in all, they love their big boy beds. And I love them.

Playing in the Tub

We like bath time around here.

Steven’s Two!

Last month Steven had his second birthday, and boy was it a good one! In the afternoon we had lunch at the duck pond, always a favorite for Steven. We then went to Spanish Fork to the splash pad park with the Roberts and Peterson cousins.

Water + Cousins = instant fun.

We then had a BBQ at the Roberts' house and had a cake for all the August birthdays, Emma, Anna, and Steven.

When we were getting ready to go, we couldn't find Steven anywhere. He was outside, doing this...

Good thing it was his birthday, or else he would have been in trouble!

We had a moving party with the Morrise side of the family on the following Monday. Truth be told we tricked them into helping us move by giving them birthday cake. Steven was so excited for a "choo choo train cake."

Steven is funny; he's shy at first glance usually with his thumb in his mouth, but when he opens up...he's crazy. He is obedient, as much as a 2 year old can be, and kind hearted. He loves to be near Christopher and just touch him mostly. My new favorite is him including Christopher into things we're doing, for example: singing, "I am a Child of God, Christopher..." and saying, "There's ducks, Christopher", "Amen, Christopher." I know they will be good buds once Christopher is more mobile.

He loves to read, a few of his favorites include: Arthur and Friends, Curious George, and is starting to love Dr. Seuss books, but really he has a new favorite each week! Good thing we have so many. Steven's new favorite past time is playing at the park. He's getting good at all the toys and even makes good friends, my favorite recent quotes are, "Becca's foot got my hand" (a little girl accidentally stepped on his hand climbing past him on a ladder). "Hey guys, I'm swinging!" "Hey guys, let's go slide!"

I love you Steven!!!