HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPENCER!

It's been one whole year since our little Spencer boy was born. I can hardly believe that so much time has passed already. I still remember so vividly the days when he was so tiny and I wanted to frame that very moment so I wouldn't ever forget. I look at all the pictures from the past year and am amazed at how big he has grown! He is turning into a little boy...no longer my little snuggle bug baby. I am so proud of him though--proud of all he is learning and doing. But most of all I am proud to be his mom.

When I see Spencer, I see hope in things unknown. I was terrified at the prospect of 3 children--I wasn't sure I could be a good enough mom for yet another little person. I even remember being in the hospital and feeling like I could hold off having him for as long as possible because then EVERYTHING would change. And you know what? Everything DID change. But it changed in a way that I could never have planned myself. Spencer has brought me a new outlook on life and plans and loving. I feel so blessed to have him in my life...I think we ALL feel that way.

Spencer is such a smiler! As I was looking through the pictures from the past year, I had a terrible time choosing because he just melted my heart in almost every single one. Always big, bright eyes and such innocence. As I watched him today, I realized how far he has come in such a short time. I remember worrying that he would never roll over or crawl because of how much his siblings "loved" / attacked him. Now he is off and climbing everything he can. He stands on his own and gets around WAY to quickly. I love to see him watching Jenna and Kaden...you can just see him planning his next move to try to get involved in whatever they are doing!

Sweet Spencer--we love you so much! Thank you for all you have taught us in such a short time...thank you for your precious smile, your sweet cuddles, and your contagious giggles. You make life so much better!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Paddleboats and Pirates

Today we had SUCH beautiful weather--and we just couldn't stay in the house! So, we headed somewhere new to us--Wallace Lake, in the Mill Stream Run Reservation. What a great little place! We rented paddle boats and went out on the lake, but they had swimming too--I think we will definitely go back for that sometime.

Spencer looked SO cute in his little life jacket! :) He could hardly move!
The kids sat facing back--we sat facing forward. I was scared to death Kaden would jump ship--but he sat there calmly the whole time (with the exception of the time he tried to throw his shoes overboard)

Here's proof--I WAS there! Pasty skin, flabby arms and all.
Jenna wasn't so sure about the water at first. Within 2 minutes of leaving land she started crying to go back--but then we saw another family out in a boat and created a whole story of how we were pirates and they were trying to steal our treasure (Backyardigans anyone?) She got so excited! Our entire boat ride was spent collection treasure and treestars (leaves off the trees we got close to) and talking about our special map (I LOVE her imagination) and how we would escape the other pirates. It was such a wonderful, magical time!

(She just found a treasure!)
The water was calm--
And the scenery was beautiful!
It was the perfect thing to fill our afternoon!

Swimming in the rain

Okay--not really swimming in the rain, but more swimming in the sprinklers and acting like it's rain! :) Kaden was so funny and kept sticking his head right in the sprinklers. :)
Jenna, on the other hand, was protected by her trusty umbrella!
And little Spence just crawled around eating grass.

I LOVED this picture below and wanted it for my picture of the day, but Kaden has been the sibject of the past SEVERAL pictures of the day--so I tried to go for some variety!
Jenna was okay to soak everyone, except herself....
And Spencer and Kaden played so nicely with the big Tonka truck. Seeing them together just melts my heart! :)
It was a fun, HOT afternoon. I had been planning for weeks to have a "campout" dinner for family night. But after all our play and getting stuff done, I was wiped out! We ended up just grilling hot dogs and having chips and fruit with them. Lame, I know...we'll roast our smores soon... :)

After dinner, I got ready and went to a library class I signed up for about fun things to do in Ohio. It was really nice to get out and do something for me. The class was really good--went over a ton of different things to do here...5 pages of activities, museums, and national parks all over the state of Ohio. I got SO excited about all we could see and do.

And then reality sunk in...there is no way we will be able to do and see all I want to while we live here. I started to panic! What if we only live here the 4 years of school--and then we move? What if we never get to come back? We will totally miss out on all this great stuff! Maybe I can convince Brandon to stay here for a little longer. :) I have never felt so passionate about exploring where we live--and really going and doing and taking in every chance we can while we live here. And sure, when we move I hope to do the same thing again--and I look forward to it. But right now I'm in love...in love with this State and all there is to do and see. :) And I am just not ready to break up yet.

Speaking of things to do here...we're down to one month until our big summer vacation. First stop? 5 days in Hershey, PA. enjoying lots of chocolatey things, seeing Gettysburg, swimming, relaxing, and enjoying a variety of sights! :) Next stop? A few days in Washington, DC. My sister is there with her husband while he is doing an internship right now, and they live only a few blocks from the capitol building. They are leaving the middle of July, but have their apartment paid through the end of the summer--SO, we get to have free housing and explore the city for as long as we want! We are SO excited about that! And we get to see old friends at each stop! It is so fun to reconnect with people from the past--and we can't wait!

Sno-Cones on the brain

My silly, crazy kiddos decided to dress up today--sigh--the downfall to being a boy born after a girly girl. :) Kaden LOVES all things girly--he LOVES it when I tell him "PRETTY", when he twirls in skirts, and wearing strands of beads around his neck. He loves it all just as much as he loves playing in dirt, racing cars, and pretending the dinosaur figures are fighting.

And Jenna loves her new toy chest--it's her perfect secret getaway (though, not very secret).
Poor Spencer even got roped into the fun...Jenna picked Cinderella for him, and I found it quite fitting! He really COULD be our little cleaning boy with all the crawling he does if we would just strap a swiffer to his belly. At least it would keep his clothes cleaner!! :)
Kaden was Ariel--Last time he dressed up he was Snow White and it was pretty darn funny!! But it's always nice for a change of pace...

Hiding again---
My two girls--I mean, BOYS.
The kids ran out to play in the yard while I was getting dinner ready. Kaden, Little Mermaid top, striped truck shirt, no pants...no shoes...filthy socks.

Boy am I glad there are no hidden cameras in my backyard...or are there??

Not so sure what is so fun about the hose reel, but hey--we got a smile from her!! :)

On a total sidenote, I hope that any of you living in the Rexburg area are going to Snoasis tonight to get a sno-cone in my honor...black cherry cheesecake, thank you....I am roasting...and you have absolutely no idea what I would give for one right this second.

And yes, I even went as far as looking at plane tickets...

I don't feel like Ohio is really a humid state in general--unless it rains during the warm weather.

It's rained almost all week...it's been warm almost all week.

It's very humid right now...

YUCK, YUCK, YUCK.

And we have no air conditioning in our house, except the 3 window units that are packed away in our attic. The car has become my favorite "retreat". Make no mistake, I am blowing that air full blast the second I sit my toosh down.

So tonight, I am dreaming of bathing in black cherry cheesecake sno-cone (with one to drink in hand), surrounded by black cherry sno-cone scented candles, reading the latest issue of Sno-Cone weekly.

Sigh....

Response and Responsibility

I really struggled this morning. I was so darn tired...and had no energy to do much of ANYTHING! And nothing says "it's gonna be a great day" like bouncing your beautiful baby boy in your knee and snuggling him close while unbeknownst to me, he was spewing poop from his backside--all over my clothes.

Why is this the story of my life?? :)

But I forced myself to get going and change my clothes and my attitude (even thought getting going didn't involve a shower). After lunch, we had a little playtime / dessert. I made up a batch up pudding and put food coloring in different bowls, and then the kids went to town "painting" and making crazy artwork--all over their paper, the chairs, and themselves. :) And let's be real--much of our special "paint" disappeared! :) yum....

Even little Spence joined in the fun!


Jenna was VERY specific about what she drew. It was SO funny to listen to how her mind works and watch her create!
Everyone took a GREAT nap after our art project, which I was SO happy about! I desperately needed some time alone today. I was able to get the kitchen wiped down and mopped and I got to do some things online--so it was productive AND relaxing.

Now, why the title of this post? Jenna has been so good to respond to us lately. I mean, REALLY good. It is like she is finally catching on to why we do and don't do things--she says please consistently, apologizes when she has done wrong, and is willing to do things when we ask. WOW! If I had known it would actually CLICK with her someday, I would have stopped the worrying and stressing a long time ago! :) She has taken WONDERFULLY to this little responsibility chart I got at the yard sale last week. She LOVES to put the magnet on to mark what she has done, and I feel like we are really on track with how she is getting along in life. It isn't that it is PERFECT--I would really worry if it were. :) But to me, it's such a great balance for right now and I feel good about where things are going.

Speaking of Jenna--funny story from today. When I put her down for a nap, I stuck my hand in and gave her the "I love you" sign with my hand...she put two fingers up and said "PEACE OUT!". Perhaps you had to be there...but it was SO funny at the time. Melted my heart--I love my girl.

Many times in life I have tried to think of the best time being a mom...and every time I think I have the "time" picked out, it gets better. (it also gets more stressful!! :) But I am so glad for each stage in life--so grateful to go through the trials and BLESSINGS of each time in life...the cuddling, the talking, the laughing at the silly things they are learning...

It's so great to be a mom...even on the poopiest of days.

Family night adventures!

For family night tonight we went to a place I heard had shaved ice...the Mootown Creamery. I had SUCH hopes for possibly finding a replacement for my beloved sno-cones back in Idaho...

Cute place--a lot like Coldstone, but with an entire cow theme. Cute... :) The kids and Brandon ordered ice cream...I went for my shaved ice.

And the verdict? (drumroll)

It was really just OKAY. It was overpriced for a bare bones shaved ice....disappointment...

I suppose it's kind of like missing an old friend and then seeing who you THINK is your friend, and realizing it was just a look-alike...

Okay...not quite, but you get the gist! :)


Jenna was SO cute for the camera tonight--I got all these pics of her trying to look into the camera lens. It made me laugh so hard! And while this one is more serious, I thought she looked beautiful!
Do we have an ice cream lover here? YOU BET! Spencer was in HEAVEN!

It was a great way to start the week! It's hard to believe that Jenna finishes preschool this week and then we're on her summer break! Lots of time to play--to explore--and to enjoy...okay, and let's be real--lots of time to be picked on by Kaden, fight, and really learn to love her brother. :)