Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day! To all the beautiful women I know!

I had Rett take a quick picture of us on me and my boys. I'm so grateful to have these three little rascals as my own. They are such a blessing in my life. They make me laugh and cry, they teach me about so much. They make me think and ponder why things are the way they are. They make me a better person. And I am so grateful to be their mother! I love you boys!

Our Boys

Crew and Drake make me so happy. Lately they've done a few things that I have to record.

Since we went to the USU homecoming football game Drake has been super into their mascot Big Blue. When Rett and Crew throw the football around he gets geared up in his own little outfit complete with a belt for a tail and runs around waving and cheering them on. I wish I had a picture! It is so funny! At first we thought of discouraging this as parents. But we've decided that we have to support what our kids want to do so we joke about putting him into a cheer camp. He says that's what he wants to be when he grows up. One reason is because he won't have to talk to anyone. This is typical of Drake! So cute! If I get a picture I'll post it!

Crew is growing up so much! He missed the bus today for the first time this year. And the reason why is what makes it funny. He was supposed to be putting his shoes on to get out the door. But when he went into the mud room the messy shoes all over apparently called his name. He was trying to organize them. It reminded me of when he was 3ish. He wouldn't get in bed until the living room was picked up. He is just a little OCD. And isn't always. But he's definitely neater than Drake. Sometimes I feel bad that they have to share a room. And Crew does a lot more of the cleaning than Drake even though it's usually not his mess.

I love these boys! They are so cute and so fun. A ton of work and definitely not perfect. But they are growing up and learning tons. They try hard to do what's right and continue to amaze me with how smart they are. They teach me so much! I love being a mother to Crew and Drake! And I am so grateful for the blessing they are to me!

Sick Kids

I was woke up Saturday morning at 5am to a sweet little Crew in my bed telling me his tummy didn't feel good. He said he was hungry because he didn't eat his dinner Friday night. (Why is it again I try to make meals when my kids want nothing but mac and cheese, hot dogs, spaghettios, and PB&J???) As I walked to the kitchen in my undies and without grabbing my contacts to get him a graham cracker, I was thankful we'd decided to put carpet only in the bedrooms of our home. Crew got sick on the kitchen floor before I could race him to somewhere that required less clean up on my part. Needless to say, the poor kid continued throughout the day, to have an upset stomach. I tried a bowl next to him, but inevitably he had a few misses. I decided that the only thing that would make it worse, was if I was sick right along side of him or was pregnant and nauseous. I am grateful that neither of those scenarios were true this weekend!

As I rubbed his back and tried to console him, I couldn't help but think of how grateful I am to be the mother of two healthy boys. My heart aches for families that have had to deal with chronic illnesses, disease, or other hard health situations with their children. I am not always the most patient mother. And I am grateful for weekends like this that help put things in perspective for me. I want nothing more than to be a good mother and raise my children to be good men. It also made me grateful for my good husband. He is so good to me and to our boys. And it made me grateful for his parents for raising him to be such a wonderful man. I am grateful to my parents for all the times they must have had to sit with me while I was sick and help me feel better. Sometimes, as a stay at home mom, I feel underappreciated and overworked. But in all reality, I love everything I do at home for my family. And I'm hoping to remember to slow down and enjoy the moments with my small children and the love of my life. I am grateful that I get to clean up toys, because it means my kids are having fun. I'm grateful I get to cook meals, because it means we have food to eat. I'm grateful I get to wash laundry, because it means we have clothes to wear. I'm grateful I get to clean the floors, because it means that I've had people in my home who care about me. I'm grateful to help resolve fights, because it means that they are learning to love each other. I am grateful when I get frustrated and Crew and Drake remind me that they love me. I am grateful for whoever started the saying "Don't cry over spilled milk" because it reminds me that silly accidents and imperfectly cleaned homes don't really matter. I am grateful when Rett teases me, because it reminds me of how much he loves me and how lucky I am that he chose to marry me and spend his life with me. I am grateful that somedays I don't get to leave my house, because I am getting to spend so much time with my family. I am so grateful when Rett walks in the door at night, because he is safe and we are together as a family. I am grateful when I get to lug two heavy boys to their beds at night, because I get to be home with them to tuck them in and kiss them goodnight. I am grateful that I get to crawl into my bed with my husband by my side everynight, because I know people who have lost that and I cannot imagine how much I would miss that night time cuddle with my sweet husband. I am grateful to be a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend to so many amazing people.

Today, Rett took Drake to church and I stayed home with Crew. Crew and I colored in coloring books for an hour together. It was so simple, and yet, both he and I enjoyed it so much. Sure, I could have been doing a lot of other things, but I am so glad I took the time to color with Crew today. And I don't regret it one bit. I don't remember a lot from my childhood. But I do know that my parents loved me. And if I can make sure that I raise my own kids to know that I love them and that their Father in Heaven loves them, that is all that matters.

It is fitting that it is November and we're approaching Thanksgiving. But I am hoping that after experiences like these, I take the time to be grateful more often than just around Thanksgiving. I hope you get to enjoy your day and remember how important the little things are in your life today and always!