Pool Time

Swimming, splashing and swimming some more!! We took the kids to the gym pool tonight and Jane was in absolute heaven. At first she clung to us like a little baby koala, but after we held her tummy and let her paddle and kick she was a crazy water lover! Each time she'd make it to the other side of the pool she would cling to its edge and shout "AGAIN!!" Her utter excitement made me remember how blessed we are to have children. They remind me daily the simple joys and accomplishements in life. James and I took turns helping Jane around the pool and letting her practice swimming and it was so much fun!! I think she's going to catch on pretty quickly, we were impressed by her coordination. She's such a joy to raise.

How often do we as adults stretch ourselves to learn something new? Or to face a challenge with courage? Children are amazing with how much they learn and how brave they are. No wonder we are asked to become like little children by the Lord. They really are amazing little souls. I can't wait to continue to watch Janes swimming skills blossom and to watch our children face life head on. I hope I can help them know that failure is just a way to learn to get back up and try again. All to often we put failure in such a negative light, but really how else do we learn the great process of picking yourself up after a fall and to try try again. I don't want them to fear "messing up" cause hey we're supposed to. What they need to know is to fix it instead of wallow in it. We all would do well to remember that life is one great big lesson in becoming our best selves! Through ups and downs. We have the power within us to learn and become great!!!!

Flickers of Heaven

Heaven is all around us I'm reminded daily. This world and life is full of clutter and distraction but heaven is here. There is no greater joy than a knowledge and trust in God and a reverence for all He gives us. We are given this beautiful world to live on, we are blessed with bodies intricate and amazing, we are given families to learn to care for one another and be humble, there are opportunities to serve and love mankind, and the greatest of all gifts, His son! We can close our eyes to heaven or we can open them wide to see the beauty this life has to offer. For heaven truly can be life!

Do we take the time to pause and notice it? Moments I am reminded of my heaven on earth are when I take the time to stop thinking of my big to do lists and just breath. I am given the chance to rock a babe to sleep and watch the sweet features in their face change as they sink to sleep. I notice the utter joy and complete thrill in my child's face as she dances around my home. I take time to notice how handsome and caring my husband can be. I pause to drive to the temple and sit under its glowing warmth. I am reminded that pausing and taking time is so important to remember your heaven on earth. We are not meant to get all the to do's the world wants or expects us to do done. We are meant to simplify, to take time to ponder, to reflect and improve, to care for others and to live with purpose.

Heaven is not a place where we will have earthly wealth or compare our wordly accomplishements. It is a place where family exceeds all other positions that vie for our time and focus in this life. It is a place where we will come before Christ and our Heavenly Father and account for the good we've done and the time we've spent in their great work. It is a place we will reflect on our lives. So how do you want to look back on the time you've been blessed with here and now? Because we all will! There is no escaping heaven. It is now and it will be after. Live like you are in heaven now and you will feel comfortable in the heaven that awaits. I have a firm testimony in a God who loves us and a purpose this life has in knowing His plan for me. I get distracted, as do we all, by the pulls and distractions of this world, but I pray I can pause more to catch the glimpses of heaven and live in a manner where heaven is where I am most comfortable.

Grateful #1-2

Grateful #1. FAMILY.

Maybe it's always everybody's first thing, but it's mine to :). My family is the first on my bucket list of gratitude for sure. There is nothing more special, important and dear to my heart then my little family. They are my everything. When I think of the joy and privilege it is to be a parent and wife it's almost overwhelming. My greatest happinesses are because of these beautiful people. I love that there are things you learn in a family that you never could otherwise. The feelings of deep love, the patience that's needed, forgiveness that is given and received, laughs shared, trials gone through, adventures lived and so much more are always better with family. I know that becoming a parent was the best decision Mister James and I have ever made. We have learned so much about each other and we have had so much fun with our children. There are times when it's really tough, and I mean really tough! Anyone who has raised little children knows it's not a cake walk. And marriage is not either. Both take great effort and patience. Both are SO worth it though. Family truly is my #1!!

Grateful #2. Faith.

I would not be anywhere close to what I am today without faith. And I would not know how to face my tomorrows without that faith. And I would not have hope and confidence in my past if I had no faith. Faith is a guiding light and stalwart truth in my life. It is not perfect, it can get weak, it's constantly growing and I have to keep renewing it. But I have always had a strong faith in God and the knowledge that I am His daughter. There's always been a deep feeling of responsibility and love for Him in my life. And I am very thankful for that. Because of that I have been able to make choices that have blessed my life a great deal. I have always known the importance of modesty, of gratitude, of including others, of service, of missionary work, of being kind and striving to talk kindly of others. I am and always have been far from perfect but I am thankful for the testimony I've developed and been blessed with that reminds me of my faith and what I believe in.

With a Thankful Heart

Oh let my favorite holidays commence! The feelings I have for this time of year start to burst out of me right about...NOW! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas so much. They truly are the two holidays that bring to remembrance the things of most importance. I'll admit on Halloween I danced around the house with Jane to Christmas music ;), and I loved it. The tunes of the holidays are some of my very favorite pieces of music. 

The songs, the smells, the foods, the decorations, the traditions and the clothes during this time of year connote one word to me: COZY. That's a favorite word here in our home. Jane started this adorable thing where she'll snuggle up in a blanket and nuzzle in while saying, "cozy, cozy." It's so cute. So, we all have started saying the "cozy cozy" phrase. I can't wait for the times we bundle up to go out in the snow. Or cuddle on the couch in big blankets to watch a Christmas show. And a kiss under the mistletoe is a must.

When I think about all I love this time of year my heart is filled with gratitude for all I am blessed with. What amazing lives we are all blessed with. They are all different, they are all not perfect, they each have trials and struggles, each experience highs and lows, but we all are blessed with life. We all have complex beautiful bodies, we all have spirits within us, we have the ability to feel great happiness, we all have talents and skills and we all have a loving Heavenly Father. We all can be grateful for something! 

As we begin this season I hope to share some of the things I am most grateful for in my life. We have a tradition of a gratitude tree where we'll add leaves throughout the month of November. On each leaf we'll have the chance to write  down things we are eternally grateful for. This is a holiday happening I can't wait to begin. As we enter this time of year think about gratitude in your life. Do you have a grateful heart? Do you strive to see the silver lining and the sunbeams? Start now to fill your life to the brim with gratitude!

3 Months...and ticking!

Our little man is 3 months old today! What!? How the time flies. Each month I am taking a photo with this clock to watch his growth. The hands of the clock will show what month he's in. It's so crazy how when you add another little person to your family it's like they've always been there. I feel like we've always had William and yet when I see the clock ticking and showing we've had him 3 months I feel like it went by so fast! We love this happy and wild little guy. He sure loves smiling, had rolled over once, is extremely strong, loves to be close to his mommy and hold his daddy's finger, loves his Sissie, enjoys looking at light reflections, can be super loud and talkative, has a toot factory and likes to hold in his poops, loves watching fingers and sucking on his hands, he seems to really enjoy being outside, lets us know when he's upset, has kicking frog legs, and is just a joy. We love him very much and can't wait to continue to watch him grow and develop.

Boooooooo!

Pumpkins are carved and costumes were set. And Grammy even sent us some special Halloween books to read! Our theme this year for our family was "Little Red Riding Hood!" James was the woodcutter, I was the old granny, Jane was Red and William the wolf. I'll post better costume shots tomorrow. We filled our day today wearing them at two events.

Halloween at the library was cra-cra-crazy! There were so many people there. It was fun for Jane to be out and about with so many kids. She loves the library, even if it's just for the fish pond and pillow snake to sit on :). I love seeing her curiosity and imagination blossom with book reading. She loves stories and always, without fail, will ask for one more every night. It was amazing how packed the library could be. We even got to see our favorite librarian! She was dressed as a flapper and looked adorable!

We went to our ward trunk or treat this evening. It was absolutely freezing!! A true Idaho Halloween. We decorated our trunk like the old Grandmothers house from the Little Red Riding Hood story and had the classic "Little Red Riding Hood you sure are Looking good" playing to. James and I hand bagged 40 chocolate covered pretzels and sticks to give out in a basket. I was shocked after no more than 15 minutes they were all gone!! Now I know why a parent stays at the car to hand them out. I wish parents taught their children to take one, not 5+! How silly to not be able to trust little kids to be honest and just take one. I guess that's what we get for not staying by our car. It was a fun time watching sweet Jane be fascinated by all the people and costumes. She is quite the social and happy gal. And makes a pretty dang cute  Little Red! James and I won the best dressed couple costume! It was pretty funny, the cute young woman who gave us he prize couldn't find me cause she couldn't recognize me. Guess I made a pretty convincing Granny! What a fun filled day, wheew. Maybe real Halloween day we'll just take it easy.

Back to the Future

At church this last week we had a wonderful lesson by my favorite teacher. She always invites the spirit to her lessons and asks great questions that inspire thoughts. Our topic this last lesson was on the importance of marriage and family. The part of the lesson I loved most was when she had each of us close our eyes and think back on 3 things;

1. Your earliest memory.

2. The first time you were comforted.

And 

3. Something your mom/dad taught you.

It was really neat to think about what memories came to my mind of my early years of life. It's wild how much we forget as humans. I can barely remember a thing from my childhood in Utah. We moved when I was so young and my life in Washington is so much more clear. But I thought back and tried to really recollect my earliest memories of my life.

1. Finding a praying mantis with my brother, Spencer, on our swing set is the earliest memory I can recollect.

As I think about this very early memory it's really special to me. Spencer is one of my dearest friends and favorite people on this earth. He is the one who went on adventures with me, included me, pretended with me, grew up with me and was friends with James and now thanks to him he's now my husband. Spencer is an amazing person and I am so grateful he's my brother! How ironic that one of my earliest memories I can really recollect is with him. Yep, he's pretty special!

A few other hazy early memories are:

The huge sprinklers turned on at our school in Utah.

Playing with a childhood friend in a fort built with blankets and chairs.

2. The first time I can really remember being comforted was when I wanted my parents to get home and I was at a friends/neighbors home. I remember, hazily, praying in their backyard by a gate that they would come home soon. And I felt the comforting feeling of the Holy Ghost assure me they would be soon. And then they arrived minutes later.

This is also a special thing for me to remember and recollect because the Holy Ghost truly is a powerful comforter. There have been many instances in my life that I have needed his care. How grateful I am that I can have someone with me at all times, as long as I am worthy, to give me strength when I am feeling small or comfort me when I am lonely. That is a great blessing!

3. My parents taught me a lot. But the thing I feel that stands out the most is my dads respect and care for money. It has been ingrained in me to not spend money unless I have to. To not be frivolous with my earnings. And to be responsible with my $'s. Sometimes this learning was annoying and sometimes I still feel it's ok to splurge sometimes, but it really has been an important one in my life. I was able to go to college and pay for 1/2 my mission without debt. I have been able to help my husband earn extra money with little things I do. We have strived to be wise as a couple to not buy everything we want and to sacrifice things we desire to make sure we are being wise.

When my dad danced with me at my wedding that was his topic of conversation to. He advised me to be wise with money and to be smart with talking about it with James. At the time I thought, "oh boy, here goes dad on his money rant." But it truly is something he holds in great importance and I have a great respect for that. We as a family learned the importance of being thrifty, doing without and working hard for things that matter because of him.

I am grateful that our sweet teacher made us think about our pasts. Because looking back makes us realize our future. Each one of these specific memories has shaped me and has carried into the things I care about and do in my adult years. You learn good and bad from your past and both have a big impact on your futures. I am thankful for the times of the past that influence us for good in the future!

 

Sickies Sleepies & Soup

We've been a little sleep deprived round here with Jane being so sick. It's made life a little bit of a challenge trying to still do all our to-dos and me having my big Relief Society Activity I'm in charge of this week! We have been surviving but it's been a little bit of a drowning swim. Parents know this state. I've been told it's "passage" to join the club ;). Poor little Jane has had a whallop and we're all crossing our fingers no one else gets it. 

The amazing thing about this girl (and probably many toddlers) is that she still has full steam energy. I think she's had cabin fever for sure! She yearns to go to the park, asks to put her shoes on all the time (which translates as go outside), misses our walks and stares out our front window with longing in her eyes. I love this little gal and am grateful for the extra book time, quick snuggles, coloring and play dough time we've had while stuck indoors. But the whole waking up every hour at night....yeah, done with that! That makes for a tired grumpy group of folks!

I have a dear sweet friend who took notice of the stressful situation at our home and she did something that made my day!!! Soup and cornbread were delivered without even being asked. A warm meal made with love melted my heart. I sent her a thanks text, her reply melted my heart again, "You're welcome. I know you've been stressed & I wasn't sure what to do. But food is always good right?! 😊 you're always giving to people so I thought it was your turn to get some love."

She acted instead of observing and waiting to be asked. I am definitely one who doesn't ask for help a lot. And many offer to watch kiddos but when they're sick and newborn that can make it tough. It meant so much to me that she just brought over a meal because she knew I needed a little help in the sleeplessness and stress of my life right now. That is true charity and a deep friendship. I'm so thankful for good people in this world! And feel blessed to have them as my children, husband and fortunate to have some as friends!

Little Man; Sir William

This sweet little man is growing so quickly. The first few months of a little ones life go very fast and especially for the mom. It's a whirlwind of recovery, getting to know each other, sleepless nights, deep love, and so many tender memories. As I sit and feed William I think about what a strong and funny boy he is. 

His first few months were wild and he was a trooper through the thick and thin of craziness. He has a few newer habits that just make him so much fun. He LOVES to smile. Oftentimes we'll just look over and he's grinning away, other times it's when we tickle his cheek, he loves when I tickle him with my hair and he already enjoys peek-a-boo. It is so fun to see his big gummy happy grins! They truly are what make a mothers heart melt. He's also laughed a few times :), which is amazing for a two month old I feel. They were short little sniggers but sniggers none the less. He loves to hold hands and often has his wrapped around daddy's finger. His legs are like a little frogs, kicking all the time. He just has so many little habits already that I love and adore.

My favorite of all, especially cause he's a boy, is his ability to really burst a burp and his many popcorn toots. When this little guy finally decides to let a burp out it can be quite the blow. They sometimes surprise Mister James and I and we'll all have a good chuckle. And then his tooty toot toots! He is like his sister, and daddy; gassy!! It's hilarious to be feeding him and feeling and hearing his little firework factory going. Or changing him and seeing his whole body scrunch up to let one blow. He's quite the boy already.

We love our sweet boy so much. He has been strong from day one and a joy to watch grow. I'm pretty sure boys and girls are already born with those pretty innate and specific qualities that each sex have. They are divinely inherited and I'm so thankful to see them so early in both my children. Jane already has such motherly traits of tender care. As she rocks, swaddles and diapers play babies, gives lots of hugs and kisses, enjoys helping William and making sure he's ok. And William already has a strong will, an incredibly strong body and a hunger that beats all. Many traits are shared between men and women but I truly believe that some are inherent to a man and some to a woman! That is what makes us unique and important.

I love my little man Sir William and my miss Jane.

Home Plate

We have had this old decrepit address plate attached to our home and I've dreamed of fixing it up since our first day of living here. But the best laid plans sometimes take years to get done. But this summer I started this great DIY project and today it was finally hung. From leftover wood from the chicken coop, paint from our door, new fresh numbers and some plants from the $1 Store I know have an address plate that proudly displays our home. My mister man helped get it up and I'm so pleased with it. I love striving to have a welcoming entrance to a home. My mom used to have a little lantern in our front porch that often had a welcoming light shining in it to greet you at night. I love candles in windows to. In a quaint town in Pennsylvania named Lititz many of the homes had candles in all their windows at night. A tradition of being a welcoming home. I love that symbol. I hope that my porch and home always feel like a welcome spot. Now with this fun new address plate I hope it will be more so. I still have a lot of work to do on our home but this was a wonderfulIy awaited DIY project to get done.

Play Time

My two little adventurers have been sick and a tad grumpy the past few days which has in turn made some parents tired grumps as well. So today I really wanted to do something that would be special and fun for Miss Jane. She is blessed with an immeasurable amount of energy and curiosity and sometimes it's hard to keep up with her need for activity. We try and do good still time reading books, lots of dancing and running around the house, walks, coloring and so on. When this little gal is sick she seems to have more energy, weird huh. So trying to make sure she gets rest but also fills her need to be active is quite the balance. Today we made play dough together for the first time. It was so much fun!!!

Jane helped me measure out the ingredients and mix up the colors she picked out. It was really funny watching her lick the spatula and seeing her "ew that wasn't what I thought it would taste like" face. She got to use her mini rolling pin my sweet Aunt Marion gave her and some fun cookie cutters in her new doughs. It was so fun to watch her roll and cut and poke and smoosh her dough. She is a very creative, smart and fun little gal.

William was an angel on my grocery errands and chicken feed pickup. He has been incredibly observant, talkative, smiley and wiggly lately. He had done really fun moments today of killing his little legs and smiling. I love watching this little man of mine grow and cherish the time I get with just him every blue moon. He is a wonderful little boy and I'm so glad he's in our family.

Being little is a special time. It is a time of endless learning, imaginative play and a loving spirit that loves life. I'm so thankful to have these sweet young people on my life!

Service Warms the Heart

This past week was a rough one with trying to feel on top of things, simple things, in life. I know I may never be on top of everything I must and should do, that is usually impossible for all of us, but this week I have had overwhelming feelings of "focus on things of most importance!" Family and God are what I strive to put first in my life always and lately I have been pulled by so many things vying for my time. One thing that I have been grateful for this busy week though is that my little family and I had opportunities to serve. Service truly is a most important aspect of life. It helps you step out of yourself and lift others. Like medicine to a wound, service allows the soul life.

"Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

There were many opportunities we either sought out or were asked to do this week that allowed a spirit of service to fill our home. We were blessed to attend a baptism for a young boy in our Ward and to help with it. His mother, a single mom of three little boys, asked if I could help and I was excited to ease her burden. We got to make brownies, play the piano and I made his program. I was so happy to help with this important and special day for their sweet family. Baptisms are so important and I want my children to know that.

Mister James and I both had painting service. He went and assited others in helping a woman paint a rental that she was moving out of. I was so proud of him for taking time out of his busy life to go and serve. And then I got to paint some signs really quickly for a young woman getting married! I also got to design a poster with her and her husbands family quote. It was so fun to help her with her special day!

Some other moments were finally getting our "Boo Ghosts" out for this season. I love fun traditions of service and door bell ditching is a pretty awesome one! Then we donated our guest bed to a mother in need. She had been mentioning often how she needed another bed so her daughter didn't have to sleep with her and so we answered the plea. We have been meaning to get rid of that mattress and change up our back room for a while so it worked out.

I am so thankful for opportunities to serve and give of yourself. I love that as we strive to be the Lords hands and help others we in turn are blessed and helped. For service truly does lift the soul and helps you gain a peace and joy like nothing else.

Mothers, Remember

Motherhood is hard. Period. It is not for wimps. It is not a contest. It is not a simple task. It is not a thing to be judged. It is not understood. Motherhood is beautiful. It is not glamorous. It is under thanked. It is the best privilege ever given. It is the most tiring position on earth. As I have been journeying on my motherhood trip for a few short under two years I have learned so much! There truly is nothing quite like taking on the role of motherhood.

As you step into the position you've received little to no "training" on how it all works, you have just gone through one of the most trying physical experiences on this earth, and you now have a little human being who needs you constantly. There is nothing that compares. It's overwhelming, honoring, humbling and daunting. As I became a mother of two many things happened. My love for my first child grew immensely and an added deep love for my second blew me away. But I also began to have advice, judgments and comments I never thought I'd hear from other women. 

My sweet Mister told me it's the "Remember Complex." We as humans (especially in this era I think) tend to forget and forget quickly. Sometimes forgetting is good. How can a mother want to go back and do child labor again? Because she forgets, in part, the pain and the struggle it is. But there is also the forgetting that it was hard for you to when you judge another mothers parenting or coping skills. We forget so quickly and can judge so swiftly.

During my whirlwind recovery after my second natural birth I have had endless comments made to me or behind my back that have overwhelmed and frustrated me. I would have women say (some who had met me seconds before) "you need to feed your baby" or "he's hungry" when little did they know I fed him only minutes before they are telling me this! No wonder people give up on breastfeeding these days. It's hard enough being your child's constant food source but then to have women tell you, like they know, that your child is hungry when they just ate can be extremely daunting and exhausting. Don't step in and be mom! Especially if you've had a baby, shame on you, babies cry about all sorts of things, it's not always hunger. Let the mom qualm and help her child in the way she knows best don't overwhelm her with what you think her baby needs. Be supportive and helpful to a mom of a new infant they are already going through a lot, they don't need you adding to the feelings of inadequacy they probably already feel.

Another frequent thing has been the overwhelming amount of people who will sit and complain about their stressful lives as you sit there running on maybe three hours of sleep, no shower for days, needing to feed your baby again, and not having a minute to be by yourself. Yes we all need vent moments and yes we are all busy in this life. But a new mother does not want to sit and hear someone talk about that. Instead it would be great if you asked them about their life and how the new babies doing or talk about positive things that will bring some happiness to a sleep deprived new mom and yourself! Talking about stress doesn't lesson stress and talking about your busy schedule doesn't make it less busy. Be in the moment when you are with someone, care about them and don't talk about yourself constantly. Step into others shoes and be a little more selfless.

A mothers job is the most demanding and important one. The most shocking comments I've had are ones that make it sound like I am incapable or that I should be able to do more. I serve in a presidency for the women's organization of my church which requires a lot of time and I give it a lot of thought, I am head over the activities for that group as well which is something I take very seriously, there are women I strive to go and visit each month for another church calling, I support my husband, make meals, mow the lawn, care for two small infants, clean my home, write articles for a cooking company to help earn extra money in our home and more. I do not need to hear through gossip that I am not doing enough or handling things well. There was a great quote a while back from a great man who stated the importance that we don't busy our lives so much that we forget the things of most importance. And that we seem to want to wear Badges of Busyness. It's not an accomplishment to be busy. Again women forget that the first few months of having a new baby is exhausting, stressful and SO important. I need support, rest and to have time with my sweet children. It is not about being busy, it's about doing the the things that matter and need your time and attention.

I write this to say, remember mothers!!!! Stop judging one another and help new mothers feel confident in their new addition. Don't provide more stress to another's already stressful life. We all need to remember more how to bring joy to another's life, to focus outside of our own selfie world and to never gossip about another. Remember to love! Remember to be compassionate! Remember mothers!

Two articles that helped me smile and know I'm not alone through all this;

http://news.yahoo.com/mum-diary-stop-telling-me-the-housework-can-wait-090231496.html

http://wearethatfamily.com/2015/09/parenting-is-hard-especially-when-youre-doing-it-right/

The Red Barn Pumpkin Patch

Today for FHE we went and picked out little pumpkins for William and Jane at the pumpkin patch. It was so much fun and the most beautiful day. We heard that Mister James' grandmother passed away this afternoon and after the news we decided FHE needed to happen earlier then planned to bring some happy sunshine to the day and it was perfect. Jane loved seeing all the pumpkins, riding in a wagon, running through the hay maze, chasing and laughing hysterically with the barn dog, and seeing the chickens. It was really special going back to the same patch we took her to last year and seeing how much more she could do this year! 

This pumpkin spot truly is the best in town. It is ADORABLE!! They have a train you can ride, a corn and hay maze, tons of pumpkins, wagons to load up, a huge hay and pumpkin tower with a tree in be middle and all sorts of fun! I love the festive feel it brings to fall time to visit a pumpkin patch. 

I don't know what William thought but he sure was good the whole time. He loves being outside and in the sunshine. I think he is going to have such a blast running around with his sister some day! They are really going to be the best of buds. I love this little family of mine and treasure days like today when we can bring sunshine into each other's lives and make memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.

October 1st, Hurray!

Warm scones, gray cloudy sky, leaves changing colors out the window, bats getting hung up, pumpkin scent going through the house...yes it's a happy October 1st! These blueberry scones are simply the best, my mom gave them to me for my birthday and they are magnificent! So light and fluffy and so delicious. We also broke open the raw honey I was given as well. What a spectacular breakfast to start the day.

Jane and I had fun putting bats all over the front room and even a tattoo of one on her arm. She was quite intrigued by it. I love decorating for holidays and the season of awesome holidays is just beginning! Fall and winter are such special seasons. I get so giddy when they come around again I feel like a little kid when Halloween and Christmas arrive! It's so much fun to decorate, eat festive foods and be with family.

I made my first successful GREEN green smoothie! Usually when I make them they turn out brown and look like swamp sludge. This one was a perfect witch skin green! And it was so yummy to! Must of been Halloween luck ;)! Happy October! 

Chicken Chaos

Yesterday as I was passing by my kitchen  window I saw a chicken fly by. Now I don't know about you but that is a rare sight. We've had this big stray dog roaming into our yard recently and so I thought, "oh dear did he finally get into the coop!" I went out in the yard with Jane and low and behold all the chickens were out and running about the yard.

We had cleaned their coop on Monday evening as our Family Home Evening activity and James had forgotten to close up the coop. So they were having a hey day being roam free chickens all over the yard. And man do they poop a lot! I had to walk about the whole yard scooping little chicken poops up. Jane was in second heaven chasing them and giggling away! Luckily Mister James pulled in right as we were wondering how to get them back into their coop.

He and Jane had a ball running around chasing and grabbing chickens. Jane seriously thinks they are so funny and has such adorable laughter as she runs after them! It was really cut watching daddy and daughter running about the yard trailing clucking chickens. It was a good work out to ;). I'm so happy that Jane can grow up in a "country" filled childhood. I love that she enjoys being outside, getting dirty, being active and how she loves animals.

It's so fun collecting eggs from our chickens. Hopefully they'll all still lay after this traumatic run around the yard :). Oh funny chickens!

Ps. We had a huge white egg one morning and when I cracked it it was a two yolker!!! So neat!!

Little Monsters

"Little Monsters" is the new "little piggies"! Oh how precious a little new babe is. They are the most soft, tiny, innocent, fresh and lovely things on the planet. They also are getting used to so many new things. Oftentimes as adults we expect our little ones to act and behave older then they are. We want them to calm down, tell us when they're diapers are dirty, let us know if they're hungry....etc. There is a time when they will be able to tell you and that you can expect more out of them, but they must be taught and must learn. Parenting is so important and leading and guiding your child is the most important task on this earth. Watching wee William at this tiny stage has taught me again the great importance of patience and the joy of eternal love.

A new baby is completely reliant upon its parents. Eating, being cleaned, helping get gas out, rocking them to sleep all require someone else when they're so new. When you think of the 9 months they're in the womb life is pretty cush and then instantly they are out of it (well almost instantly ;) ). They must learn so much even within the first moments they enter the world.  And it's also a big learning curve for the parents, especially with the first baby. A dear friend of mine recently said, "Being a parent is so wonderful, but no one ever tells you how hard it is!" And that is quite true. Another great person recently stated, "The best things in life can take the longest time and be the hardest to achieve." Things of great worth in this life can be the most difficult. Doesn't that make you appreciate it all the more though? Parenthood is a tough job and the most tiring one on the planet. But it is also the most important of jobs. You are raising another human being, being honored to care for and teach them. 

As a new parent you quickly realize that the sweet and beautiful dream of babyness also has a harsh reality of being really tough. You will always have something wet on you whether that's spit up, slobber or milk. There will be moments you go insane from sleep deprivation. Crying seems to be a constant ringing in your ears. You become a walking zombie sometimes. The limits your stretched to can seem impossible at moments. I think it's important to not hide that reality, cause it's real and hey that's what makes it worth it and helps you to know its so important. We always talk about and remember the good of babies and hush the bad, but I truly do think it's so important to talk about both. All of us need support and understanding when going through the stages of babyhood. And when it is hard you can feel overwhelmed and like you are doing it wrong. You see other mothers looking like models, or families going on beautiful trips, or you hear others talk about how "good" their baby is. We all know it's hard, so don't take the time to compare or think you're alone with a colicky baby. Every baby cries, every baby poops, every mommy is sleep deprived....it's just a fact. Don't feel like you have to be perfect, don't feel like you're doing it wrong, and never forget you are of worth and so important! It can be hard when every day you're exhausted and feel like a warn out rag when you finally crawl into bed. But know that every bumb you wipe, every hour you feed, every cry you rock through...you are amazing!

Parents are amazing!!!!!! Bottom line. They work tirelessly to create, protect and raise children of the future. It is the BEST job ever. You are rewarded in smiles, snuggles, first moments, and love. A love that is so strong and deep that it makes you do it again :). So take courage when your little one is being a monster, cause hey, they all are at moments. They are learning and you are to. Take joy in all the moments you're blessed with and know you're not alone.

Dirty Joy

This weekend I had the big task of clearing our grow boxes in the back yard. Most of what I successfully grew this year came in the form of weeds. I sadly did not get to garden as much as I loved my garden last year. I hardly got anything in my harvest this year. And the even sadder part...I weeded each garden like 3 times in hopes of planting and then still grew mostly weeds. I really want to make sure I get the drive to plant an awesome one next year cause I really missed my tomatoes and zucchini this year!

I discovered while pulling up the beastie weeds that resided in my boxes, that these were the perfect play pens for jane!! She was in second heaven playing in the dirt. She'd sprinkle it on her head, smear it down her legs, dump it in her shoes and got it in every nook and cranny. It was quite hilarious when she decided to climb out of it and get cleaned up. She was covered, head to toe. Normally I'm not a humungo fan of letting Jane make huge messes. Every once in a while she gets to put paint all over her, or smears yogurt while eating, but for the most part it's controlled (well as "controlled" as they can be) messes in her high chair. This dirt experience was complete freedom! I didn't tell her to stop, I let her go as long as she wanted and she was filled with dirty joy!

We just had a beautiful women's conference with my church last evening. At it speakers shared amazing talks that uplifted my soul and gave me much to ponder on. My favorite talk was all about happiness and joy. Elder Uchtdorf of the first presidency of our church gave ab incredible message and shared an inspiring story. My favorite quote was, "God didn't design is to be sad. He created us to have joy!" How true that is, and I firmly agree! We are created to joyfully live life. We are meant to joyfully live life. There is great strength that comes from a joyfully lived life. That doesn't mean that your life is buttercups and rainbows. There are still trials, hard days and so forth....but they don't need to be the bulk of life or allowed to be the focus or the stumbling block. We truly are meant to have joy. I love watching my small children experience joy. Wee William has been so full of smiles and coos this month and it warms my heart to see him happy and curious. My Jane learns new words and phrases daily and is starting to pretend. How joyous that makes me, for pretending is one of my fondest pastimes. There really is great joy to be had in this life, good dirty joy!!