She's Three!

After patiently waiting through her three older brother's birthdays last month, Little C. finally had her day in the sun. She was so excited for her birthday all week, that I think she was a little overwhelmed when the day finally arrived. 

We started the day with presents from her brothers and her choice of breakfast; Coco Puffs. She loved the little presents from her brothers and the outfit from mom and dad. We probably could have stopped there and she would have been thrilled. 

She was very anxious for me to make her cake, so when C. Bear went down for her nap we made her Tinkerbell cake. It was a little more work than I was anticipating, but she loved it so it was worth it.

 

Dad came home from work early and we went to the lake to swim and play at the park.

We ended up not being able to swim because the water was contaminated, but everyone had fun climbing on the awesome jungle gym at the park.

 

C. Bear even had fun hanging out in her chair while everyone played.

After that we went to Grandma's for Little C's birthday dinner (pancakes and eggs),  presents,

and cake.

Little C. is such an amazing girl. She has such a love of life and of people. We love her so much and hope she had a wonderful day!  

Happy Birthday Little C.!

Birthdays, and Blessings, and Baptisms, Oh My!

This has been one full and amazing month for our family! It started with Claire's blessing,

and was followed by G. Diddys birthday a few weeks later.

This was the birthday he has been waiting for forever. He turned eight and got to start scouts and get baptized! (More photos are coming of that event.)

The next week was H. Man's birthday.

 

This was also a "big" birthday for him. He turned twelve and got to receive the priesthood!

We were so proud of him. It was so awesome to watch him as he worthily passed the sacrament this Sunday. I can't believe we have a twelve year old child!

The week after H. Man's birthday, G. Diddy was baptized.

He was so excited! The day was awesome and he just radiated joy all weekend. I've never seen him behave so well in church. He read his new scriptures through most of sacrament meeting, and bore a wonderful testimony.

The final event is I. Mac's birthday today! 

He turned 10 and is an amazing child. We're getting ready to go swimming this afternoon and have his birthday dinner at Grandma's this evening.

The overwhelming feeling I have had over this past month is how much Heavenly Father loves His children. I have been struck by the fact that although these are my children here on earth they were His first, and it is my responsibility to do all I can to help them get back to Him again some day. I am so blessed to be the mother of these wonderful children. I hope I can be the mother they deserve. 

Global Warming?

It's four weeks past our average last frost date. I thought I was safe when I planted our summer veggies last weekend. Apparently not. I am in mourning today over my lost "crops", including:

- 6 tomato

- 8 pickling cucumber

- 4 slicing cucumber

- 4 bell pepper

- 4 jalapeño

- 2 basil

- 2 eggplant

- 4 cantaloupe

- 1 zucchini

- 2 banana squash

Luckily I hadn't yet planted my pumpkins, and a few other squash. I also had two leftover jalapeño plants that I hadn't given away yet. I have been sick about it all day though. I am trying to take solace in all the spring veggies I have growing that don't mind this cold too much. I hate the thought of having to buy all those replacement plants, but I hate the thought of not having all those wonderful fresh veggies this summer even more. Maybe I can find them on sale somewhere? Wish me luck.

2 Months

I can't believe our little C. Bear is two months old today.  It's hard to believe that two months ago I felt like I would never be able to get on top of all of the house work and gardening again. Well, I'm a far cry from being on top of things, but I did get to spend several hours working in the garden this weekend, even though Doug was gone for most of it. After a rocky start, she has finally settled into a decent schedule. I'm able to put her down for naps in her own bed several times a day, and she even sleeps for a good 6 hour stretch at night and then another 4.

She has gotten to be so much fun too. She gives you the biggest, brightest grins at the slightest urging, and loves to carry on conversations with anyone willing to coo-along with her. The boys are convinced that she can say "hi" already, and I have to admit that when you say, "hi" to her, it sure sounds like she is saying, "hi" back. She has the most kissable chubby cheeks you ever saw, and although we may be biased, around here we think she is the most adorable little ball of chub we ever saw.

Blessing Day

We blessed our beautiful C. Bear in church today. It was a wonderful experience. The dress she wore was my great-grandmother's blessing dress. Little C. was able to wear this dress on her blessing day too and it was so neat. Events like baby blessings and baptisms always seem to heighten my knowledge of the importance of family. It makes it even more poignant to have my babies wear this link to past generations of my family.

I always worry that my baby will be good and not cry during the blessing. C. Bear slept for most of the meeting, but when Doug took her to go up to the front of the chapel for the blessing she woke up.  I was a little nervous, but the neatest thing happened. The entire time Doug gave the blessing she just stared at him with a huge, beautiful grin on her face. Doug said it was an amazing experience. It was as if she was connected to him, and on some level understood what he was saying and was feeling and recognizing the spirit that was present. She was perfect the rest of the meeting and there was an incredible spirit the rest of the day. We were blessed to be able to share it with our wonderful family and friends.

I am so thankful God gave us families. My family is truly the most important thing on earth to me. I am grateful for the glimpses into Heaven I get through my experiences with them.