Waiting for Chloe...

Some of the best middles

The middle can be so under appreciated sometimes, dont you think? Today I'm celebrating one of the best "middles" of my life. To do that I've made up a list of some of the best middles...

a grilled cheese sandwich: melty, gooey, cheese...what more could you want?

a burger: the middle on this particular item is a necessity, not to mention all the beefy goodness




a cream filled donut: although it can be argued that the cream is superfluous it is my humble opinion that everyone needs a little excess in life sometimes, and this is the perfect example.




Summer: particularly when you are NOT pregnant, but summer is the middle of the year and claims such things as family reunions, swimming every day, barbeques, etc.




Speaking of pregnancy the middle is normally the best part, you're not barfy, you're not too big, you're starting to feel the baby move, you find out the gender, the best part by far..the middle.

There's halftimes, and intermissions, recess and seventh inning stretches, but one of the best middles by far is the one that is in our family: Aiden.

Handsome Aiden,

life might define you as "middle child", but you dear boy are one of the best "middles" this world will ever see. So today when you turn three, please know that you are the cheese to my sandwich, the beef to my burger, the cream to my donut, and one of the biggest joys of my life. And remember, "Beginnings are normally scary, endings are usually sad, it's the MIDDLE thats the best part!" Happy Birthday man cub, we love you!

GREEN DAY!!!

I hesitate to post this only because its evidence to how behind I am in posting, there are quite a few things, important things, that happened between that I'd like to post so maybe we'll play "ketchup" for a little while. Anyway back in March there was an opening in the play schedule and since I had not taken a turn to coordinate play group since we moved into the ward I asked my one of my favorite cohorts Katie H. to help me throw a "Green Day Extravaganza" in celebration of March. She was on board so we planned and had a great turn out! Among the Green Day festivities were a reading of "Green Eggs and Ham" by the good Dr., a Green show and tell, a green snack consisting of green apples, green grapes, and frost-your own green shamrock sugar cookies! Mom's munched on Green lettuce wraps and enjoyed the company. It was a "Green-tastic" Day!

Aiden was more into just eating the frosting than participating.

Either Matthew or Isaac brought his green motorcycle, and did not care to be photographed in order for me to tell (this is what you get for waiting so long to document) ;)

Micah wore his green superhero cape, which his talented mother expertly made!

Audrey brought cilantro, and her awesome mom brought a yummy recipe to share.

All in all a success and a good way for me to get to know the mom's a little better! I can't wait to do another color day, I'm thinking a visit to the fire station for red day, or a pumpkin carving party for orange day...OH THE COLORFUL POSSIBILITIES!!!!

Today you are 4....

Today you are 4 days old, and I'm still getting used to the idea of being your mom, I'm trying to wrap my mind around such a big responsibility. You are the tiniest thing I've ever seen. You sleep a lot...except at night. You are one of the best things I have ever done.

Today you are 4 months old, we spend most of our time together while dad is at school.Leisurely doing whatever it is we want, just you and I. You are the chubbiest thing I've ever seen. I'm learning new things about you, like what makes you laugh and what makes you cry, more often than not we laugh and cry at the same time.

Today you are 1 year old, where oh where did the time go? Your personality is shining through, you are a wonderful mixture of your mom's dramatic side and your dad's mellow side. You are not only doing funny things, but beginning to say even funnier things.

Today we brought your brother home, and now its no longer just you and me all day. You are a natural at being a big sister. You seemed to age overnight when he arrived. Now our roles as a family seem to be more clear. Not one more important than the other, but parts of a whole.Your role, for now, will always be daughter, sister, and First born. You do the job fantastically.

Today you are still four....but tomorrow you'll be five. My heart breaks because we keep moving closer to a time when we may not see eachother every day. My heart sings because I think about all the wonderful things that are still in store for you. So for your birthday, my precious girl, my wish to you is that you'll always be as kind, loving, inquisitive, brave, patient, and sweet when you turn 5, as you are today while you're still 4.

Have you heard about Kimball?

Just in case you hadn't heard about Kimball, here's a quick synopsis:

He is the king of opposites

He is patient, generous, and kind
but he will tell you the truth even if it isn't
always accompanied with tact.

He is methodical and efficient
but depending on the task he may need to
be asked to do it a few times,
before he'll begin the work.

He is smart and insightful
but if there is something he doesn't know
he'll be busy trying to find it out.

He makes the best hot chocolate,
but he has trouble burning toast.

I've come home to find him watching
cartoons by himself.
I've also come home to find him reading
Principles of General Surgery.

He is passionate about his work,
but he doesn't take anything too seriously.

He knows and understands the gospel.
His example testifies of its authenticity, and
strengthens others' convictions of its truths.

He can hang tire swings and build sandboxes
He can throw his kids high in the air, or
gently rock them to sleep.

He is my best friend. He is a my childrens' father. He is
his father's son. He has his mother's eyes.
He is my husband,
and today is his birthday.

Happy Birthday to the King of opposites, we love you.

Tumble Dry on Low

*Before you call CPS, there are a couple reasons this happened...

• There was a certain 5 year old girl who is very persuasive about getting her brother to experiment things on her behalf....do I have to remind you about the dog kennel incident?

• The children have been helping me switch laundry because they like to add soap/dryer sheets and push the various buttons, so I'm sure this idea has been cultivating for awhile now.

• In my pregnant state the children have gotten considerably faster than me when it comes to going up and down stairs

Upon arrival at the scene I quickly had a serious talk with Mya about the dangers of trying to dry our little brothers and sisters, so don't assume I had a laughing session with them about how silly they are sometimes....but I DID have a little chuckle to myself while they weren't watching ;)

Tire Swing!

Early on in May the landscapers came to plant grass seed in the back yard, and it was a good thing that the kids and I were out of town for most of the month because ever since they've been home they've been itching to go out back and play. Finally this weekend, after a little trip to Lowe's, we got what we needed to build a sandbox and hang a tire swing! I was impressed that the tire swing could even provide me in all of my pregnant wonder with a fun time (don't tell my mom). The kids spent ALL day outside! And now they are not only thoroughly dirty but they are both thoroughly convinced their Dad is the Best Dad in the Whole World!