Sunday, April 27, 2008

The Ben and Kade Show.

This was originally going to be a video clip of Kade, but Ben couldn't resist getting in on the attention. So, it is now mostly Ben, with Kade in the back ground. :D

Ben had been singing a little all evening, so I asked him to sing for the camera. He did for a minute and then ran around with the song unfinished......so, I did what a lot of us do...I bribed him with candy. :)

The basket ball game was on, so that's what he's watching the whole time. He's funny.They both are so awesome to me. Enjoy.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Hawaiian Shirts and a Luau.



This past weekend, our family went to a birthday luau. Kai, our friends Megan and Kaleo's little girl, turned one! The luau theme gave me an excuse to buy Kade a Hawaiian shirt and some little shorts; Ben already had a Hawaiian shirt -from Aunt Wendy-. The boys were cute and the party was fun! I'm glad Joe could go for added help with the boys; otherwise, I don't think I could have made it.

So, here's a few pics we took before the party. I wish you could see Ben's shirt, but the print is mainly on the back anyway. I love these boys! They are just too much fun........minus the tantrum times, and I love posting their pictures.

In the last pic, I was trying to get Ben to pose with Kai (she had just gotten done with her cake-thus the nakedness ;D ) and Ben kept pushing her out of his way. Poor Kai. :) Ben was late for his nap, and not about to pose for anything. Like Megan said, "it's funny when you get a picture of kids being real." He's being real alright. :)

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Ode To Joe!

I have collected some pics of Joe and the boys for awhile, and just have to say, I've got one great husband. He is an attentive dad, for sure. I've said it a million times before, the boys are lucky to have such an awesome dad. It's obvious to see why they love him so much.
I've also said a million times before, that I knew I wanted to marry Joe, when I knew I wanted my boys (if I had any) to be just like him. Well, I got boys, and I still want Ben and Kade to grow up to be like their dad. (except I'll teach them to give compliments more ;D wink-wink). He is strong and kind, funny, disciplined, talented and just too good lookin'. (And, as I am blogging this, he is actually cleaning the house, for company! Whoohoo.)

Hanging' Out With Dadda.









Tuesday, April 8, 2008

CRAZINESS!

Joe and I were looking through some old family photos on the computer, and we came across this little jewel. Can you even believe it?! Ben was really this small and looked like this?! Their looks change so gradually --duh, 'cause you see them every day....better yet, every second of every day. So, when you go back and see pictures like this one it's hard to fathom!

His teeth weren't all there, his features weren't as defined and he looks so short. I cannot believe how time flies. I say it all the time, but it really still takes me by surprise. Oh, I miss those days, of hardly any tantrums and very little objections to our requests. :D But, alas, he's a two year old and soon I'll be looking back at this age and missing it. "Live in the moment." That is really all we can do. :D

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Answers To Prayers

As I often do, I prayed before this conference to hear something I needed to hear. I had actually been --almost desperately-- praying for something spoken especially to me; I wanted something so badly. And, I got what I had asked for.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Elder M. Russell Ballard for the talk for young mothers. I needed to hear so much of what he said, about raising young children.

I am grateful for his advice to live more in the moment, to "get less done", so we won't be overwhelmed. I was so grateful to hear him validate my job as a mother as being hard and for him acknowledging the frustration, insecurities, and exhaustion that come with it. I was grateful for his praise for trying to raise children correctly, and I appreciated him reminding me that there is "no one correct way" to raise good kids.

As a mother, I often doubt myself and wonder if I have done what is right for my children. I pray every night to be a better mother tomorrow than I was today --because by the end of the day I add up all my mistakes and plead desperately for the ability to be better tomorrow for my children's' sake.

I felt our Heavenly Father's love for me in my calling as a mother, and I know that He was directly answering my prayers for "something" just for me. I had to mention this moment of spiritual uplift with you other mothers --I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was touched my Elder Ballard's words. I am grateful for all you women who have been great examples to me of being good mothers. Thank you!

I just love our Father in Heaven for knowing me personally and for answering my prayers. I just had to write and not let this moment pass without expressing how I feel.