Big enough to pitch a fit!

Kennedy throwing a tantrum, she's seriously tired, and this is just before she started walking, last week or so.  Also, when she got her birthday card from Grandma Mary with her dollar bill.  She didn't want to share, obviously!

Enjoy!

Respect where it's due...

I am so thankful for the sacrifices of so many on behalf of the freedom of this great country in which I live.  I have watched the National Memorial Day concert on the White House lawn with Tim for the last 9 years every Memorial Day and it really keeps the reason for the remembering alive.  It  is hosted by Gary Sinese and Joe Montegna.  I highly recommend watching it and really making time to let the kids watch it too.  I personally keep the box of kleenex close, but that's just me.  Who knows, it may be that way for you too.  It usually is on at 7 pm on PBS on SUNDAY night before Memorial Day.  Check the website for more information.  

This is the link:  Sunday, May 24, 2009

Wants to be like sisters

Kennedy silly! with her sisters wearing this helmet to ride roller skates, she has to have a turn too.  Silly girl!  I think we have another goofy in the making here!  Then again with the goggles, seriously, she put them on herself after seeing them on Emma, and I happend to have my camera close!

blowing kisses

1st grader?

I need to enjoy summer first, but I can't believe Emma will be in 1st Grade next year! And 6 years old next month! I can't believe 'next year' is July! I wonder if there is a way (and comment if you know) how to catch more time with my kids.  They grow so quickly.  

Emma's music recital

When Emma is older and asks "why don't you have pictures of my "events" I'll tell her she is camera shy.  I will have these though, blurry from zoom in, not quite looking at me and a forced un-smile. Oh well for the record, right?

 

Emma has been doing "Let's Play Music" with Roseanne Tidwell and it has been so fun for both of us.  I've learned how much I don't know about music, and it is so simple and amazing.  I am so blessed to have Emma and be able to do this with her, she has the voice of an angel and also perfect pitch!

the 'bug' rhythms

singing to the beat and puppet show

Definition of animated!

Kennedy is up, up, up.

My baby is growing up, despite all my efforts to thwart her growth, she demands to keep up with the rest of us, mostly her sisters, and she is now a walking maniac.  I found a little life lesson in her learning to walk.  I realized that I watch people around me doing things that I probably don't think I can do or am to afraid of failing, but they seem to do it just fine.  Sometimes I can get over my fear of "falling" and take the steps out of my comfort zone to try something new, but if I fall it is hard to keep trying.  As my kids grow up I see my habits reflected in them.  Emma is almost debiltatingly shy, Audrey talks without thinking, and Kennedy well, there's hope for her.  I have to break out of my shyness to be an example to Emma, I have to watch what I say or Audrey will echo me, and Kennedy is just wonderful.

I love the toddles that new walkers do.  It is a visual example of faith to me.  Here is Kennedy doing just that.  She was organizing the jello by favorites when I caught her toddling.  It is short before she grabs my hand.

The Garden

Tim is great, (that goes without saying) and he has overhauled our back yard to facilitate a garden.  It is amazing. Right now we only have these seeds planted with some pepper and chili plants and about 8 tomato plants, but more is hopefully to come.  It only took 3 1/2 weeks to get to this point from the seeds.  Watermelon summer here we come!

And some pictures of the awesome back yard we have now! amazing what a little water will do for the grass and about 5 tons of retaining wall bricks, tumbled pavers and rock to add the finishing touches.  Tim rocks! 

the peppers and chilis

planting the watermelon seeds

3 weeks later.. only 2 1/2 months to go till fruit's ready!

the tomato plants and our beatiful patio... which brings me to

the good stuff...

Tim did an amazing job laying pavers... no easy feat mind you!!
and built an awesome 70 food retaining wall for more garden area

Mothers Hands

Whenever I see pictures of myself with my kids, I notice my hands. They look so different in pictures than they do to me. I guess that means they're not photogenic. It makes me think of my mothers hands. When I see photos of my hands, I see a loving mother's hands, and when I look at my hands, I see my mothers hands, her fingernails, her cuticles, her callouses, her love. I am so grateful for my mother. I am so grateful for the love and the example she has shown me through my whole life and I feel blessed to see her in my hands.  

By the way, it is impossible to take pictures of your own hands by yourself, but super funny to try!

Guys, you gotta listen to this...

Audrey is our animated story teller! At dinner she just started talking...
"Guys, guys you gotta listen to this... One time, at Gaga's (grandma's) house, Jacob took a stick and SQUISHED a lady bug in half and juice came out EVERYWHERE and Alie freaked out and I was VERY upset with him. It's true... He really did it. I'm telling the truth. I really am.

3 year olds rock. I hope I have the strength of memory and determination to write all their sweetness, sillies, and faith down for the record, for everyone.

not just words

I usually feel like I need to have pictures when I post, but I am growing up and trying to get away from that. I feel like I need to ramble a little bit tonight. I just read my friend Tara's blog and she made me cry with her sincerity. I feel so blessed to have 3 beautiful healthy children. They are my world. Tim has been so wonderful in helping me keep a little bit of a level head in this crappy economy, and without him, I would be a huge mess. Everyone at some point in their life has felt like they are really stuck between "a rock and a hard spot" and that feeling of being sucked down to where all is dismal is horrible. It almost happened to me this past few weeks, but I went to stake conference and was blessed with simple clarity to remember what I know: which is turn to Christ. I know the steps, but for some stupid human reason I stop taking them or forget or get to busy or whatever then I'm off track and have that terrible lost feeling. I remembered I know that Christ will give me strength if I put his yoke on me I can receive rest for my soul (Matt 11:29). Solace in this time of craziness. Peace for my lack of patience. Comfort in my faithful obedience. I feel better now, and a little lighter for the tears I've shed.