Monday, May 16, 2011

Big 70th Bash

I can't believe that my Grandma Judy is 70 years old!
here is why:

well look at her! isn't she beautiful?! she doesn't look 70.
She has more energy than I do half the time (or at least she fakes it better than me)
And finally, time simply isn't supposed to go that fast.

We celebrated her birthday along with her brother my uncle Mont who turned 75!
It was a great party and so much fun to celebrate two wonderful members of our family!


Grandma with her two kids, my uncle Bret and mom Sheri
(grandpa Clyde was sick that day and was sad to have to stay home, we all missed him!)


the kids had a blast playing like crazy and getting filthy


I think this was Embrie's first trampoline experience. Needless to say she loved it. I rarely got her off the thing.


And Grandma Judy even jumped on the tramp, man! I have to admit I was a little scared that she might break something, but I guess I had nothing to worry about!



We love you Grandma Judy (aka G.G.)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Day to Day

It's funny how your children can remember something you said or did forever ago and still forget the things you tell them every single day like: "don't jump on the bed"


So Garrett brings in these "air planes" that he has in made out of blocks and tells me "look at this plane mom. It's an American one. And President Obama is inside!"




Embrie wearing daddy's glasses, what a little cabbage patch!



They may look pretty sad here, but really they were just watching a movie. I thought it was cute that they were sitting so contently by each other.
(and no worries, Embrie is not completely naked, just in her underwear)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

It is a hard thing to thank the mother's in your life. This is because there is no way to do it properly. I think I always fall short of doing it justice. I picked up some quotes that help me express the feelings that I have about the women in my life who have inspired me so much!


My mom Sheri . . . .

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." ~Honoré de Balzac

I admit it. I am not the perfect child (shocking right?). But no matter what I have done or said in the past I know there are at least 3 people who have forgiven me unconditionally. My Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and my Mother. And to be honest I don't know how she does it sometimes.


"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?" ~Milton Berle

She has to be and always has been one of the busiest people I know. She never turns down anyone who needs help. In fact she is one of 3 people who have taught me the most by example how to serve others.

"A mom reads you like a book, and wherever she goes, people read you like a glowing book review." ~Robert Brault,

My mom has a habit of thinking the very best of me no matter if I deserve it or not.
(on a side note: isn't she such a fun Grandma?!)
"I cannot forget my mother. She is my bridge. When I needed to get across, she steadied herself long enough for me to run across safely." ~Renita Weems

I know the some of times she has sacrificed her own needs for mine or my brothers. But I know I don't know all of them!




My Grandma Judy . . .

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." ~Tenneva Jordan

This quote instantly brought my grandma Judy to mind. She does for others all the time without giving thought to herself or what she wants. In fact, she'll read this right now and say "Oh that's not true." But I tell you it is!
(This is another one of the 3 who have taught me the most about service.)


"A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled." ~Emily Dickinson

She has always been there for me when I needed to talk about anything. I have gotten some of the best advice from her.



"Now, as always, the most automated appliance in a household is the mother."~Beverly Jones
I am amazed at how much energy she has! With 4 great grandchildren she never shows to them how tired she is as they are asking her to play.
She always has your favorite drink in the house for those times when you stop by. Since she has two children and 5 grand children plus other people she knows, loves and takes care of, it's a good thing she has more than one fridge.




My Grandma Watson . . .

"There is an instinct in a woman to love most her own child - and an instinct to make any child who needs her love, her own." ~Robert Brault


My grandma Hila passed away shortly after Garrett was born. And so I cherish this last picture that I have of her holding him.
(Last but not least in the trio of people who have taught me most about service.) She always welcomed all as her own.


"Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together." ~Pearl S. Buck
She would let you know if you were out of line, even if you didn't want to hear it. But she also gave you praise and love whenever you needed it.

"There's nothing like a mama-hug." ~Terri Guillemets
She gave the best hugs, put on some great parties, was a great cook, had lots of life stories to tell and did more genealogy work than anyone I know!




My mother-in-law Peggy . . .

"Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials." ~Meryl Streep

My mother in law is another one of those mom's who takes little thought for herself. She has been known to send us home with extra groceries even after she has spent the week feeding everyone in the family.

"Mother - that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries." ~T. DeWitt Talmage

I am so glad that she raised my husband. She has helped make him the wonderful man that he is today.


"It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it." ~From the television show The Golden Girls

My kids love her. She is always thinking of her grandchildren and picks up something special for each of them.







What about my mother-hood?
Well I have a lot to learn still. Another thing that I don't do well enough is appreciate every precious moment with my children. They are the most amazing little people in my world.
I can only hope to take away a piece of each of the lovely women in my life! To make me a little bit like each of them would help me be closer to the mom I want to be.

Here are some quotes I liked and a few pictures of good mommy moments.

The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman

me and Garrett

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895
I used to think that I didn't want to be like my mother. It might surprise her to hear . . . I take that back.


"A mom forgives us all our faults, not to mention one or two we don't even have."~Robert Brault

I keep finding that just when I think my kids have done something wrong, it usually stems back to something I have done, not them.

"A man's work is from sun to sun, but a mother's work is never done." ~Author Unknown

I love these kids and the one on the way soooo much! They give me more purpose in life, and more reason to improve than anything else!




And an extra shout out to all the women in my life, friends and family. I have been blessed to be surrounded by the very best of women in the world!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Tractors and Cupcakes

Who says that your birthday only comes once a year?

Since some of the kid's birthdays happen after the school year ends his teacher picked a day this month for each of them to celebrate their birthday.

Today was Garrett's "school birthday-day".
He was very excited to take cupcakes and drinks to school to share with his classmates. He got to wear a cool Cat in the Hat -hat and be the special teacher's helper!
This year's birthday theme ? Tractors :) He is so random, or original, take your pick. But definitely 100% cute.

*he wanted me to take a picture of him making a few different faces so . . . we did*

happy

surprised

mad

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Dance Class

Embrie had her first dance class today!
Of course, when getting dressed this morning she said she needed a skirt. That seems to be a requirement in her mind for dancing.

These tiny girls all gathered around teacher Susie to stretch and learn their first dance moves!


they each got to pick out a small beanie baby to hold (props to help them with the stretches). Embrie had a red bird. She is pretty instant that this red bird is now her sole property for dance class. She loved it.


Learning how to point your toes, a task that is more difficult than you'd think
. . . for a 2 year old :)

and doing kicks across the floor

Yay! She had so much fun, I wish I would have gotten some pictures of her doing her ballerina hands and twirling, but I am pretty sure those photo opportunities will come up again. Can't wait to keep going!

(and yes teacher Susie is pregnant and fabulous! not to mention a good friend of mine.)