Ethan's Baptism

Ethan turned eight a few weeks ago. We believe that this is the age of accountability. Also, it is the age we believe is old enough to choose to be baptized. Ethan chose to be baptized.

Ethan's baptism was very nice. Grandma, Nana, Tara, Chris, Kristy, and their kids were all able to be there. There were some nice talks, a beautiful musical number and then we waited for our turn to have Ethan baptized... There were 9 kids getting baptized the same day! We were the last to get to use the baptismal font- it was a long wait ;)

When it was Ethan's turn, Brian baptized him (twice, because the first time he didn't say the words quite right). Then, since Ethan was the last kid, he got to pull the plug on the font- he was very excited about that. After Brian and Ethan were dried off and changed, they came into the room and he was confirmed and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a beautiful blessing. As he was being blessed, in my mind I saw Ethan as a grown boy, wearing a white shirt and tie, out serving the Lord on a mission. He was handsome, brave and strong- and he knew what he believed and was happy. I felt the Spirit so strong. Then, Grandpa Miles played his guitar and sang a song about baptism. It is a song that Miles wrote for Brian when he was baptized. So cool! Then we finished up the rest of the program.

For lunch we went to Golden Corral! Buffet! (Ethan keeps talking about the buff-ette that we went to ;)

It was a lovely day, and I'm so proud of Ethan. He is growing and maturing so quickly. Before I know it the day will be here that he is out serving that mission for the Lord. He'll be a fantastic missionary.

Enjoying Motherhood

There are moments in motherhood that some people call paychecks. Here are some of my "paychecks"...

Seeing what Nora has decided to wear to school.

Making silly faces with Wesley, watching him grow.

When the kids play together nicely.

Family walks on beautiful nights... and when funny stuff happens. "your eye, mommy!"

Ethan taking 12 samples from the Vitamix guy when he says, "take as many as you'd like!"

I love being a mom. When I look for the good stuff about being a mom- I see it everywhere, I hear the sweet things they say, I feel their chubby arms around my neck, and I know how to make them happy.
These kids were meant to be mine, and I was meant to be their mom.

Chicago and a baby!

 

 I'm not one to go on a trip without my kids in tow. I've rarely been away from them more than a night. BUT - my sister Megan was about to give birth to her fourth child... I hadn't seen her in so long, I haven't been able to be there for my sisters at any of their other births, and I we just got our tax return... ;)
So I presented my argument to my husband. And he lovingly said that I could go (after I promised to take care of all the details, told him how important it was to me, and begged a little).
So with kids schedules taken care of, meals planned, and totally AWESOME friends willing to watch the kids until Brian got home from work- I bought my plane tickets.
A little back story- Megan was going to have her baby naturally and I was planning on going to see her two weeks before her due date. But I just knew that she would have the baby while I was there! Everyone kept asking me (even Megan) but what if she doesn't have the baby while you're there??? I assured everyone that even if she didn't, that Megan and I love hanging out together and that we'd finish tons of projects and I give her back rubs- still a total win! Secretly, though, I knew she'd have the baby while I was there.
I caught a late flight out of Dallas. It wasn't until I got to the airport that I realized just how much I was going to miss Brian and the kids. It hit me kind of hard as they dropped me off. I kissed and kissed them and then headed off on my adventure.
The flight was lovely (I was nauseous as usual on the plane). I sat next to a Pastor from Naperville named Dave Ferguson. We chatted about kids, family, religion and politics.  I enjoyed every minute of it! I think I talked his ear off. After landing, and not throwing up, I was delighted to be in Chicago! But I forgot how long each of the terminals are- my legs were burning by the time I got to the front to be picked up. Meg was there waiting for me! She is so pretty pregnant.
We hung out, finished projects- checked them off of her mega-nesting list (yowser that thing was huge!), and talked and talked...And loved on Linky, JJ and Hazel of course.

Thursday night I got to meet up with some of my favorite gals from high school.  I hadn't seen them in years and years. I sure love them. Now we are "grown up" it's amazing how much closer you can be just through gaining similar life experience (husbands, jobs, bills, kids, mortgages) and I wish we could've had a sleep-over so we could've talked all night. I love those girls.

Friday was especially eventful. We went to Home Depot to buy a new toilet- it was cold and rainy, so of course the minivan wouldn't start. Jeff came to save us, but we just couldn't jump the van. We went home and organized, sewed, and cleaned... And Meg started having a lot more regular contractions. So by midnight she packed her bags and we headed off to the hospital.

It was so awesome to be there for the birth. Megan was amazing. Louisa was born on Saturday morning, she was perfect.

I got to spend the next two days with Megan at the hospital. We mostly just stared at Louisa, slept and talked. Seriously the best vacation ever!

Since Megan came home on Sunday, I had an extra hang-out day before I had to head home. Yay! So I packed Linky and JJ into the car and headed out to Sycamore to visit one of my favorite places- Ollies (I love you custard ice cream).

Tuesday I headed home. 
I had the best time.

11 Years...and counting!

Last week Brian and I celebrated our 11th year anniversary.
This is what I posted on his Facebook page, and I'm putting it here because I really think it sums up how I feel:

Happy anniversary stud muffin! It seems like we've always been together and like it was just yesterday that we met and fell in love. It's a good feeling- I love sharing my life with you.

We took Thursday and Friday to ourselves (sorta), and spent the night at a hotel to "get away"...  About 20 miles from home :)
Mostly we shopped for furniture, ate awesome food, and took naps. And mostly we just had a really great time being together, remembering why we love eachother.
Highlights:
Attending a local play staring the 2nd grade (Ethan had a speaking part!)
Attending the temple together
Eating at awesome restaurants and ordering without being worried about the price
Buying a grown-up couch and love seat (I love hand-me-downs, but there is something liberating about choosing it yourself)

Newlyweds

11 years feels great.

New Year!

2011 was a bumpy ride for me.  Not just personally, but things that occurred to my extended family as well.
Anyway, I don't want to dwell on the hardships- I'm ready for a New Year and a clean slate (although I wish I didn't have to start over on my deductible and out-of-pocket max with my insurance!) 
Last years awesomeness:
Baby Max was born

Nora started Kindergarten









Nora lost her first tooth

Wesley and Mama get to spend the day together while the kids are at school
Ethan started piano lessons
Wes moved into a big boy bed
Brian got an iPhone (so did I)
Brian and I have a nightly tradition of watching Jeopardy together :)
Ben got home from Afghanistan
Mom and Dad finished their basement!
We vacationed on the beach









We took the Kids to Disneyland for the 1st time








My sister came to visit

I grew a vegetable garden

I survived 3 surgeries ;)

And lots of other awesomeness...
2012, I'm ready for you!  And you are going to be GREAT!