Giggly Girl

A friend once told me that my kids were easy laughers.  I really enjoyed that compliment because Rob and I spend a lot of time trying to get laughs out of our kids.

I took this video of Claire with my phone about two months ago - and have been enjoying it ever since.  My kids have all been pretty good laughers, but about half way through the video she hits a level of laugh that I didn't even know existed in a two month old!

Easter

Typical take 1

Four shots later

Cousins/Aunts/Uncles?  It all gets confusing around this age.

Maddie and Jodie, take 2 (posting take 1 may just end the great friendship Jodi and I have)

My handsome  hubby

Cousin Brad - professional wrestler

Ella's big buddy.  (We're going to miss you Brad!)

Catch Up

Here's a quick look at what April and May has held for my family (including what's to come in the next two weeks):

Four day visit from my mom and sister
Rob out of town for nine days
Planning (and then pulling off) a dinner/talents show/fund raiser for 200 people
Baptism of my niece
Six softball games
My dad's wedding (which involved a 4 day trip to IL)
Six Young Women activities
Baptism of my nephew
Easter
Mother's Day
Two t-ball games
Our eight year anniversary
Planning (and attending) Youth Conference (a two day event for 20 teenagers)
Preschool Graduation
My nephew's mission farewell
My sister-in-law's mission call opening
Four-month shots
Four Young Women Camp meetings
A grade school carnival
A friend's wedding
Five Sunday morning church meetings
An on-going battle with potty-training  (It's only in-style some days, apparently)

So there it is...documented. When all is said and done (and by that I mean...sometime in June) I will finally post some of the "festivities" that spring has had to offer. We've had a lot of fun - it's just been busy.  I'm starting to realize WHY I can't seem to keep up with dishes, cleaning, ironing, and laundry for six! I laugh because I don't even have kids in full-time school. I can't imagine what all of YOU are going through!!

As a side note - it took me over two hours to finish this post due to the following distractions:  two diaper changes, one feeding, snack time, TWO "wipe my bum" calls from the bathroom, one laundry switch, one "You'd better get cleaning or I'll set the timer" squabble, getting three kids dressed (including the I don't want to wear that discussion), and three phone calls (one more that went unanswered).  Phew!  I think I'm ready for a nap.  Oh wait, it's now lunch time!  

Mother Lover

To my special lady:

In just a couple of short weeks, we will be celebrating our 8^th year of marriage.  That’s unbelievable to me!  Now, this isn’t an anniversary post, but as I got caught up in thinking about what we can do for our special day I totally overlooked one of the most important days of the year. 

It was last Tuesday when I realized that in five days the kids and I would be attempting to make you a delicious Mother’s Day breakfast while you were supposed to be sleeping in.  I say “supposed to be” because a pillow held tightly over your ears can only block out so much noise from the “playful” screams of our four little angels. 

I suppose I could blame my lack of awareness on the past few weeks that have been packed full of non-stop craziness, but like Jeff always says, you should treat every day like it’s (insert special day here…in this case it would be mother’s day).  In theory, my brother’s philosophy is a good one.  We should treat each other like every day is Valentine’s Day or your birthday or Mother’s Day.  Then again, if we did that, how could we appreciate these special days that only happen once a year?

Anyway, before I start busting out in the Carpenters singing about how the world needs more love, let me say these three simple words…I love you!  And seriously, more than words can ever say.  I could go on and on in my awkward way of expressing my undying love for you, but let me do it by sharing my top 5 favorite things about you.  There are only 5 because I got a late start on Tuesday.

1. Your smile.  There’s nothing I love more than seeing you happy because you don’t just smile with your mouth.  It’s like Willy Wonka created a new kind of candy especially for you that tastes like toblerone and haribo gummy bears but better and you just tasted it for the first time.  Your eyes brighten, your lips are the perfect shape and you just radiate happiness.

2. Your selflessness.  You always put others before yourself even when you shouldn’t have to wait.  It’s a reminder for me to be better and I know that the kids appreciate it, too…in their own way.  Let’s just say they will appreciate it when they get older and come to understand how much you’ve done for them.  

3. Your friendship.  You’re always so thoughtful and you remember all the important dates, unlike your absent-minded husband.  If I get stranded on a deserted island and can only bring one thing, I’m bringing you.

4. Your sense of humor.  From fist pumping to hip shaking to honking, your sense of humor is definitely one of my favorite things.  I love that I can throw out a terrible joke and you will laugh at it.  Or you will play along with a spontaneously ridiculous story because you can catch my slightest hint.

5. Your influence.  I really like myself more around you even when times are tough.  Actually, especially when times are tough.  What else can I say?  You...complete me.  It's not plagiarism if it really applies, right?

I look at you and at what we’ve accomplished over the past 8 plus years and get overwhelmed in thinking about what lies ahead of us.  You are everything I need and want and I love you so much!  Thanks for being a wonderful, beautiful, strong wife, mother and friend. 

Love, Rob

I got out of the shower this morning to find that Ella had found my lipstick and transformed herself into a real-life-joker.

Which originally was real-life-adorable.

Until I went to get the camera and saw that the lipstick was also all over my real-life-carpet.

Then I was real-life-mad, and she went to her real-life-room. Oh, how quickly emotions can change in real-life.