Aiden Smiles...

Aiden has reached the point that makes the late nights, fussiness, and spit up all worth it.. he now smiles. He actually had his first smile a couple of weeks ago, but now he smiles when he hears either my voice or Kimball's voice, I just feel like saying "you DO like me after all!"

Along with this I took some pictures of other emotions we felt throughout our day today...

Happy

Loving

Free-Spirited

Sad

Sleepy

and sometimes even a little...Angry :o)

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? Branbury Park Apartments BYU 58th ward...he was my sunday school teacher...funny story actually you'll have to ask one of us sometime...I may or may not tell you


2. How long did you date before you were married? If you consider going to his apt. and watching him study "dating" then 8 months...if not then about two weeks j/k



3. How long have you been married? Three years and 5 months almost exactly



4. What does he do that surprises you? Folds Laundry, Enjoys poetry (maybe I shouldn't have told you that).



5. What is your favorite feature of his? His Eyes, and his big shoulders



6. What is your favorite quality of his? He is very forgiving, he also does pretty much anything I ask him to which I am not grateful enough for.



7. Does he have a Nickname for you? Holly Dolly, Holicious, Holly Bear, all of them I hate



8. What is his favorite color? Is he choosing a shirt or buying a car?



9. What is his Favorite food? Any kind of comfort food, Meat, Meat, Meat, and more meat . . .But above all he loves Taco Bell almost as much as he loves me.



10. What is his favorite sport? It's a toss up between football and football, he's a freak



11. When and where was your first kiss? Halloween, his apartment, he likey the cat costume, Meow!



12. Favorite thing to do as a couple? Listen to music, take naps, go out to dinner....are you yawning yet?


13. Do you have any Children? 2, Mya the menace and Aiden, his man-cub


14. Does he have a hidden talent? He's a pretty good writer, I think its from the poetry thing


15. How old is he? 29 next June....wow



16. Who said I love you first? Me... since he initiated the first kiss, I decided to take care of this one. Later he said he wanted to say it first but he knew if he did it meant we were getting married. I dont know if that was supposed to make me happy or sad.



17. What is his favorite type of music? He's as much of a melting pot when it comes to music as I am.



18. What do you admire most about him? How hard of a worker he is. Even if he's been on call all night at the hospital he still comes home and wants to help with the kids. He loves his kids soooo much.


19. Do you think he will read this? Most Likely....I hope I didnt say anything thats unfair...I love you so-o much Kimball

I tag anyone who loves their husband and hasn't been tagged yet.

Given a name and a blessing

"Nothing will make you as happy or as sad, as proud or as tired as Motherhood". -Elle Parsons







Aiden will be given a name and a blessing from his father this coming Sunday the 28th. It's a little sooner than we would have normally done it, but with General Conference being the weekend after and Stake Conference being the weekend after that, it would put us into November and Kimball will be in his surgical rotation and I'll basically be a single mom for 8 weeks. So we've decided to do it next sunday and I hope it's appropriate to do this on here but I wanted to issue an invitation to all of our friends and loved ones to stop by after church for a little "open house/get together/luncheon/whatever you want to call it" You may come and go as you wish but there will be plenty of food and it would mean a great deal to us to have everyone stop by, eat, and see the baby!

This One's For You Karey...

You Likey?

In Better News...

Since the last post (thanks by the way to everybody and all the kind words of encouragement) there has been things to report of better news. I'm finally doing it! This friday night I'm having a night of scrapbooking, I have all my stuff together (pics developed, organized, enlarged etc.), my kids are farmed out to their dad, I've got a couple of yummy recipes for treats from the sister (thanks Rinni), and I'm gonna get at least one page done! Anybody who is interested in joining me feel free to come over, I believe Colleen is coming to do crafts if that interests you more, or just come sit and eat, or come take a nap away from your kids, or whatever you feel like doing. Just as a disclaimer though, if you come you have to keep me on track, cause I tend to get caught up in the chatting and the NOT chasing kids. Anyway Friday night at 6pm at my house, leave a comment or give me a call if your interested. Come none,one, or all...either way on friday don't bug me I'm scrappin!

P.S. I've included Mya's fake first day pictures, this morning was a little less chaotic.

My toughest critic

I've often thought my biggest critic was myself...but upon quiet reflection this morning (yeah right) I realized that my toughest critic is not myself but someone else.  I got to wondering why this was...I wouldn't call this person critical, but every time we're together I become "all thumbs" when it comes to everything. I try to cook and it doesn't turn out, clothes I thought were cute seem boring and dull, everything is held to a higher standard in comparison and everything I say comes out wrong.  I feel as though I am always searching for approval from this person. You're probably wondering why I would want to be around them if I feel this way, but I think it has more to do with me and my own perception of this person. You see, to me, this person is flawless. Graceful, elegant, classy, kind and dignified. So my reason for posting this is to ask, how do you avoid feeling that people such as these are your toughest critics?

Beach Bums, First Days, and Welcome Home

September 2nd was officially the first day of "school" for Mya (she goes to a twice a week program during the day) since I was still in Utah her actual first day was on the 4th. But since the night before we were up late driving home from the airport, the morning of the 4th didnt get off to a good start. Mya slept in for like the 3rd time in her entire life...she does it on purpose...I hadn't been home so everything was out of place, I couldn't find the comb to do her hair, I couldnt find her shoes...so the pictures arent as good as I wanted them to be. So I think I'm gonna take some when we've had a less chaotic morning and just remove the date and lie. Anyway, she seems to really enjoy it, I'm very happy she gets to go, not only for my sanity but hers as well. They get outdoor time, lunch time, nap time(I made her a cute mat), art time, she was already sent home with an assignment for the whole family to do, a page on "All about our family", hope to post about that one soon. Enjoy the real pictures until I can put up the fake ones!




I also didnt want to go too long without posting about our annual Bear Lake Family Reunion. My mom generously pays for all of us (Mom, Dad, sisters' families, and this year Granny Cook) to stay at a "cabin" that had 5 bedrooms 3 full bathrooms, kitchen, mini kitchen...the works. It was so fun, hard dealing with the two young ones...but worth it. The Lake was absolutely beautiful, and our cabin had an awesome view. I was glad to see I hadnt completely lost any progress with the wakeboard, and we survived tubing without any major injuries. We're very lucky to be able to do this as a family each year.

Mya decided to become a nudist while at the beach
Parker and Aiden really enjoyed their time at the beach...
Playing in the sand
Me and Granny
Beach feet
Jack Sprat

Andrea and Parker
Parker and Aiden (also known as "the blue one"& "the pink one")
Cannon and Mya watching a movie
Riley and Grace
The grandkids playing poker with dad...he's getting them started early
Dylan outside trying to look at the computer...he was missing all the great football!
All the grandkids (minus two tiny babies ) Truman 13, Madison 12, Abby 10, Jack 9, Cannon 8, Tyson 5, Riley 4, Grace 4, Mya 2, Parker 2 months, Aiden 1 month



Finally since it had been 2 weeks since Kimball and I had seen eachother, he decided to come to Bear Lake for a couple of days and fly home with Mya. After which I flew home with Aiden two days later. He picked us up from the airport and we arrived home to this




as much as he drives me nuts sometimes, he always makes me feel loved!

Beatitudes for Women

Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labor of love; for her willing hands and happy heart translate duty into privilege, and her labor becomes a service to God and all mankind.

Blessed is she who opens the door to welcome both stranger and well-loved friend; for gracious hospitality is a test of brotherly love.

Blessed is she who mends stockings and toys and broken hearts; for her understanding is a balm to humanity

Blessed is she who scours and scrubs; for well she knows that cleanliness is one expression of Godliness

Blessed is she who children love; for the love of a child is more to be valued than fortune or fame.

Blessed is she who dusts away doubt and fear and sweeps out the cobwebs of confusion for her faith will triumph over all adversity

Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal; for her bouyancy of spirit is an aid to mental and physical digestion.

Blessed is she who preserves the sanctity of the Christian home; for hers is a sacred trust that crowns her with dignity.


While at my mom's house I found the above piece of paper taped to the back of the pantry door, titled "Beatitudes for Women". It got me to thinking of the women in my life that personified all of these beatitudes in one way or another, and I felt I needed to thank them in some sort of public way for the help they've given me these last few weeks.

My mother, who always seems to bring peace to my heart and mind. Who is selfless in all she does. If I can be one hundreth the mother that she has been to my sisters and I, I'll consider my parenting a success.



My other mother, who is wise, hard-working, and has more integrity than most. She has helped Kimball and I in many many ways, and has traveled many miles many times to take Mya under her wing while Kimball and I learn how to survive with two children.



My sister(s), all three have helped get me through tough times, this time it was Marinda who took time away from her family to come and sit with me, read to me while I was trudging through the difficulties of nursing, and show me some of the things that make her the wonderful mother that she is. I'll never forget how special I felt that she would come to my rescue.



My other sister, Chanda who was with me every step of the way through labor and the days that followed. She was there to give me the encouragement to keep pushing and the praise I needed to feel like I was getting somewhere. She was always concerned about my comfort through each contraction. I couldn't have asked for a better caregiver, coach, sister, and friend.




To all the women in my life...grandmothers, mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors, I am truly blessed to have such wonderful examples to follow and learn from. For this I will always be thankful.