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.

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. :)

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.

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

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.

Anybody Need A Runny Nose?-I've Got Two of 'Em.

Both boys have colds and have the worst runny noses I've ever seen! We are constantly wiping noses, every two seconds, all day long! NOT JOKING! Ben's little nose is all dried out and cracky from the roughness of the tissue, and Kade is getting use to the sucky ball thing constantly sucking everything out. (Ben doesn't mind that too much.) Fun stuff -let me tell ya. I thought about posting pics....but then thought, "Nah -I don't think people need a literal visual of what our latest "boogie nose"entails. "

I know things could be worse, and I'm really not even complaining. A little cold is nothing compared to the flu, or tubes in ears, and other things you all have been dealin' with lately, and I feel dumb for even mentioning these colds, but I still hate seeing the boys uncomfortable, feverish, not sleeping well and just not being themselves. Sicknesses always seem to come on fast and furious, and all we can do is buy tons of tissue, keep on top of the fevers and wait it out.

Well, that's what my life's consisted of for the last couple days --runny noses and an all around sleep deprived, grouchy family. Fun, Fun, Fun. Fingers crossed that it won't be too much longer.

Easter Fun-Fun-Fun!

What a fun Easter! This was the first year I did anything, really, for Ben. I figured now he could really grasp the idea of an Easter egg hunt and the Easter bunny. So, Saturday he woke up to me and Joe waiting with an empty basket and tons of enthusiasm. We told him the Easter bunny came and hid eggs, and that he had to find them all. So, he did. Granted, I "hid" the eggs in pretty obvious spots around the house, and he looked and hurried and had the best time. He found them all...with all little help...and, then at the end of the hunt, we told him the Easter bunny had hidden a basket of presents. I hid it behind his "big boy chair", and we "helped" (meaning we told) him where to find it, and he did.

We dyed eggs a little later, and he LOVED it. I love seeing all of his "firsts". It was totally fun and Ben enjoyed it. I have always wanted to be the Easter bunny, or tooth fairy, or Santa, and now I have a kid old enough to anticipate, and get excited, and remember what's gonna "happen tomorrow", ie...the Easter bunny's coming tomorrow.

Sunday, we watched shows about Jesus, and he learned about the Resurrection in nursery. I am grateful for our Savior and that fact that we can live again because of his sacrifice. What a blessing to have the knowledge of the atonement in our lives. I hope everyone had a great Easter holiday!

Kade's Blessing Weekend --Lots of Family Fun!

This past weekend Kade was blessed and a lot of our family came into town to be there. It is fun to get together with everybody. No one had met Kade yet, except my mom and older sister, so he was passed around a lot and was the star of the show, for sure.

Kade's blessing was wonderful. Joe repeatedly blessed Kade to be social. I'm thinkin' he'll be a little more reserved like Joe and need to put himself out there. We'll see. I am grateful for Joe's priesthood and this opportunity to bless our son, and the future opportunities to bless our family.

I love my family! They are all just awesome people, and I miss them all the time. I couldn't ask for better. And, to top it off, I married into an incredible family, where they are all close, kind and hilarious. We are so blessed -no doubt. It was a great weekend.

We're so Glad When Dadda Comes Home!!!

Joe is home we are all happy about it! Ben is back to being attached to Joe --at all times, which is cute to see, but also gives me a break. Joe has been taken over some diaper and bath-time duties. Whoohoo for me! Also, Kade hasn't forgotten who Dada is. He's smilin' and talking to Joe all the time.

Also, I've included some cute pics of Kade in some new church clothes. He's getting so big, but loosing some of his hair. (I'm betting it will grow in lighter.) He's two months! Crazy!

Anyway, we are all happy for Joe to be home! Fire season......don't come too quickly.

Change is Coming.

Today was our family's last full Sunday in our fabulous 18th ward. This is the ward that we moved to just awhile before we had Ben and now, over two years later, we have Kade and are on our way to a "family" ward. Yet this ward has been our family! We have loved being with all the amazing people there! We have made great friends and have grown a lot.

It's a hard move --especially for me, but I know its time and good things are ahead. I will miss seeing the beautiful faces of the amazing women I've come to look forward to seeing every Sunday. I have been blessed to get to meet the "cream of the crop", the "best of the best" and I won't ever forget all I've gained by rubbing shoulders with them.

Change can be good...and I'm crossin' my fingers for a similar experience in our new ward.
We will be missing our wonderful 18th ward, come March 23, when we're not there. :(

Whoohoo!

Joe is coming home this evening! I can't tell ya how happy I am that he'll be home for awhile. It's easy to forget --when I see him everyday-- just how wonderful he is, as a dad and a husband.

I know I don't tell him enough how much I appreciate him for all his hard work, for the freedoms and luxuries he gives me, and for his encouragement and love for me. He is the best guy I know and I am truly a lucky girl!

The boys adore him and they are lucky to have him as their example and dad. I hope they grow up to be just as great of men as Joe. I Love My Husband!

Keepin' Dad Updated -Having Fun at the Park.

While Joe's away, he can see what the boys have been upto. Just chillin'.

For those of you who live in Cedar, don't forget the fun of Discovery Park. I hadn't been there in awhile and forgot all that there was to offer our little ones. Ben had the best time ever, exploring everything, cruisin' down the "big kid" slides, and swinging. Kade -as you can see- had a great time too! :b He's such a good baby. When the weather gets nice again, I'm takin' the boys back.

He's Really Smilin' Now!!

Kade is smiling more than ever! Even in his sleep! He is such a happy, wonderful little guy. Coudld he get any cuter?! He is getting so big. Time flies, my friends! Especially once you have kids!

I've Just Gotta Brag for a Second!

Ben has proved to be his father's son when it comes to intelligence. He's known his alphabet since 18 months, he knows his shapes, and colors, and how to count to ten....but, now the kid is amazing me with his art. (He actually got something from me.)

Ben drew this picture, and when I asked him what it was, he said, "It's Ben-Ben." It atually looks like a person! It has legs, hair, and a face -kinda-. It's amazing what comes out of this kid. He likes to draw, and this just impressed me. Kids are awesome creatures!