Simple Moments : Let Loose and Love

Lately I've noticed I've been a serious, got to keep the house clean, and check off my to-do list kind of mama. While those things are good and needed, I realized they aren't the best or the most important. Which is probably why I haven't been very happy lately. I've been snappy and irritated with my boys. 

I was looking through pictures on my phone one day recently. I found some that truly made me smile. I made this important connection- All those picture I found were times when I let loose and allowed myself to be silly with my boys. I took time to enjoy them. I devoted all my attention to them. And we made each other laugh. I remember some of those days were some of the best in the last month or so. 

I love this quote by President Monson that I've heard a couple times recently- 

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important that a person to be loved." 

Here's to the little persons that need and deserve my love more...

Simple Moments : The Things that Matter

The last few weeks I've felt really anxious and stressed. Heath has been needing to spend several nights a week over in Grantsville working at the barn on their fodder project. Our dishwasher stopped working and my lap top had a virus and the optical disc drive is completely done for. Jack's preschool group was scheduled at our house and I had been facing a few hiccups in some projects I was workng on. And most importantly, we were trying to schedule a day we could go to the temple. Definitely ordinary things, not the end of the world, but I was struggling dealing with it all. 

Hind sight, I realize Satan was doing his best to stress me out and hoped that I would use it as an excuse for not making the trip into the city. I think he knows I have a hard time leaving my boys when I'm stressed and anxious.  

It was a blessing he didn't win that battle because I got to spend a lovely afternoon in my favorite place, with my favorite person. It gave me a glimpse of and reminded me why I want to win the war against that evil one. The material things, like a lap top, dishwasher, or having a cute craft for a preschool group, really don't matter. I shouldn't let myself get worked up over them.

However this place, this guy, and our handsome boys are everything that matter.

Simple Moments : Jack the Babysitter

This last week, our house seemed to be babysitting station. We watched three of our neighbors kids on three different days. Jack loves having friends over to play and honestly, so do I. Both my boys much better behaved and happier with other kids at our house. Surprisingly, Baby Tanner even kept my little rascals attention. I saw Jack's tender, protective side come out while Tanner was at our house. He didn't leave Tanner's side the entire 30 minutes and held him for at least 5. Jack makes a great big brother and loves babies. The Captain was glowing as he held him, kissed his forehead, shared his tractors, and read to him. I didn't encourage any of it because I was busy keeping Brock from licking or sticking his finger in Tanner's eye (that's the Brockster foot in the first picture...).
These little moments were heart melting.

Simple Moments : One on One Time

One of the reasons I think Brock is such a whiny baby is his need to compete for my attention. That wasn't the case this afternoon. Jack and Heath were out moving some big rocks from a neighbors yard on the skidsteer, so Brock the Rock and I had some great one on one time. We both LOVED it.

He showed me just how smart and adventurous he actually is. Rather than attaching himself to my hip or leg, he pointed to the toy barn on the shelf and said "mooof". I pulled it out and we played animals. Cows and dogs are his favorites and he has his own words for both of them "moof" and "dod". Next we did some pillow jumping. He loves it when I throw all the pillows on the floor so he can fall on them.

It was fun to give my full attention to Brock. Despite all this clinginess, I sure do love him.

Simple Moments : Going to Bed

The last few nights I've really enjoyed getting into bed, more than usual. I love opening all our windows and feeling the crisp night air flow in. After hot afternoons and evenings pulling weeds it has made going to bed that much more relaxing. Instead of Jack and Brock's endless noise, all I can hear is the crickets creating a sweet lullaby for me. Ah.... I'm grateful for an incredible comfy bed, cool breezes, and nature's music.

Simple Moments : Silliness in the Tub

Last week was a long one for me personally. Heath was busy from the time he got done at school until well past dark playing his cowboy role everyday last week. I was with the boys from the time they woke until their heads hit the pillow nearly all day, every day. I honestly don't know how single-parents do it. I am completely drained. I tried to look for those simple moments to be grateful for and soak in. It was really difficult some days, but I still found them. I can honestly say those moments kept me going, along with a phone call to my angel mother to cry and vow I wasn't having anymore children (I'm sure we will...it was just one of those moments!)

One of my favorite moments from the week was bath time on Thursday night. Once he hears the water running, Brock is like a magnet to the tub. Jack couldn't be more polar opposite lately. He has despised taking a bath the last few months due to some awful rashes he has had. Brock was busy playing in the water. I wasn't planning on giving Jack a bath because I didn't have the energy to fight him, but surprisingly he said, "I wanna play Bawkie in the tub!" He willingly took off his clothes and diaper and climbed in. Once he was in he said "Two boys. Cute!" Soon they were making each other giggle and splashing like crazy. I'm not sure what was so hilarious but they were both laughing so hard they could hardly breathe. Goodbye frustration, hello love. I love my silly boys.

Simple Moments : Graham Crackers and Milk

I love the moments I get to spend one on one time with either of my boys. Brock was napping, so Jack and I had a chance to have some fun together. Nothing says fun like sharing graham crackers and milk and Thomas the Train. It wasn't anything special, but one of those times I realize how much my Captain is growing up and how much I love him. Jack showed his sweet side by handing me a graham cracker from his pile- "Here Mama!" So glad the camera was right in front of me to capture his cheese ball face.

Simple Moments : Peace and Quiet

On Thursday this week I took Jack to play group at his friend Kason's house. When I got home Brock was ready for a nap. He went down quick and stayed asleep for 1 hour!! Both completely out of character for Brock. I did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen and living room, and warmed up some leftovers for lunch. I can usually only get one of those things done while Brock is napping if I'm lucky. I was sitting at the table in the warm sunlight eating in a quiet house. Something so simple felt so incredibly good! I could enjoy my food, enjoy the sun, and actually think without someone interrupting by whining or pulling at my leg begging for something. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE my boys, but it was just the kind of moment I needed to rejuvenate and one I probably wouldn't have appreciated 2 years ago!

Simple Moments : Driving Out of the Smog

On Tuesday last week, I drove up to Kamas for a much needed hair cut and coloring and to do some videography. We had an awful inversion in our area and it was even worse in Salt Lake- gray, yucky sky for far too long. As I reached the Jordanelle lookout point, before decsending into my much loved Kamas valley, the crisp blue sky was breath-taking. It was clean! I could see as far as my eyes would let me. I hadn't realized how awful the air around us had been until I was out of it. The contrast made me appreciate the beauty around us, especially when we can see it!

Simple Moments : Jack the Protector

This is my latest edition to our blog : Simple Moments.

Each week I'm going to try to share a short post about a simple moment I experienced in the past week.  Lately I've recognized that the more I take time to enjoy these little things, the happier I am and the easier it is for me to deal with stress and frustration. 

How could this sight not bring a smile to my face? A few days ago I set Brock on the couch and pulled out the vacuum. Before I even had it plugged in Jack was racing to higher ground. I started vacuuming and looked up to check on Brock, but realized there was no need- His big bro was there to protect him from the scary vacuum. Luckily I was able to snap a quick picture. I get the feeling these two have been friends for a lot longer than 5 months. Love these brothers. I'm one lucky mamma!