It Takes A Village

After fun get togethers with family and friends, I'm reminded of how blessed we are to have such wonderful people in our life. One of the promises in my patriarchal blessing says just that too. I'm grateful for that blessing in my life, especially for the influence it has and will continue to have on our boys. Jack and Brock have the best grandparents in the world, the saltiest aunties, cool uncles, fun friends, and great parents of those friends. Jack especially shows how much he loves these people by the way he greets them. "Graw-ma!!!" he will yell while running toward one of his loving Gma's.

I believe there is a lot of truth in the statement 'it takes a village to raise a child'. My kiddos have an amazing village of family and friends behind them. As a parent, its comforting to know we are surrounded by good people, who love and try teach my kiddos right from wrong, and are willing to give this mama a break every now and then from her Mowglies.

I'm especially grateful Jack and Brock have great cousins. Cousins who are becoming their best friends and are good examples to follow. Jack LOVES his cousins. He talks about them nearly every day. If I tell him we will be going to see any of them, he reminds and asks me about it until we are actually in their presence.

Here are just some of the village-raising moments I'm grateful for.

Hugs and Backrubs for Aunt Kristi...

Hanging out with Jake...

 and Easton...

A little baseball with Tanner...

 and soccer...

Swinging in the hammock with Madi...

All time favorite tractor rides with Gpa...

Watching 'Let it Go' with Aunt Kristi and the Hatchs...

Airplane rides with best friend and worst enemy Emily...

 I can't forget about dirt angels with Em either....

Air toss with Jake...

Digging with Gma Kristy...

Horse rides with Jax

Pitches from Great-Gma Bonnie...

Best friend fun with Kason...

Coldstone with Hunter...

Car rides with Logan...

Trucks with Hunter...

Brock Kerry chillin with Gpa Kerry...

Swinging with future in-laws...

 

Papa Nate...

 Easter crafting with Kason, Demi, Kennedy, Kloe, and Karter...

Silliness with Demi...

Hanging with Little L-Man...

and Brayden...

The Twinsies B & Z...

 

Doing tricks with Aunt Jame...

Naps with Gpa...

Blessed with wonderful grandparents...

I wish I had a picture of every single person that is part of my boys 'village'.
To all of you thanks! 

We love you.

A Little Dose of My Favorite Medicine

The track season came and went too fast. I loved every minute of it. I didn't just love getting outside and being around a sport I love, but I learned to love the kids I coached as well. I started calling them 'my hurdlers' because they quickly felt like little brothers and sisters to me. I would say they felt like my kids, but I just don't feel old enough to say that... I couldn't have asked for a better group of kids. 

They came to practice wanting to improve and succeed. We were the last ones to leave the track most practices and they often did two workouts- one with the sprinters and one with hurdles. My two little assistant hurdle coaches, also liked practice most days. Jack made two buddies, Hunter and Brooklyn, who he loved getting attention from. He also loved helping me call them to the blocks and nearly perfected his own start. My best babysitters for Brockster was surprisingly a couple of junior boys. I would often see them trying to entertain him on the grass while I was working technique with other kids. 

I had butterflies at our region meet just like I would get on my own race days years ago. It was an exciting meet; so many of my hurdlers improved. In the 110m Hurdlers our boys placed 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th.

We dominated the medal stand in the Boys 300m Hurdles as well, placing 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. 

Those boys helped our men's team take home the region trophy. So proud of them!

Even though they didn't make the medal stand, I still have much to say about my dear hurdlerite girlies. I could use many words to describe them. Determined? Yes. Hard working? Yes. Persevering? Yes. Optimistic? Yes. Silly? Double yes. If I ever have a girl, I hope she grows up to be like these awesome chicas. Despite ongoing injuries, they didn't give up and they brought laughter and smiles to every practice. I'm not sure exactly why, but they started calling me, Jack, and Brock 'Lady Bleazardereth and thine seed'. ...goofs. Sadly I didn't get pictures of them, probably because when I would watch them I usually ended up laughing. 

My knees keep me from running and racing much, but coaching has given my heart and mind a little dose of the rush I miss like crazy, just without the sweating. I truly enjoy watching these kids work hard to improve and succeed. Go Stallions!

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.

Easter 2014

Events surrounding Easter this year helped our family ponder our Savior's role a bit more. How grateful I am for Him and His infinite atonement. Because of Him I can be with all those I love after this life. Because of Him I can be forgiven for my many shortcomings. Because of Him I can be strengthened to endure the trials of mortality. I truly love my Savior.

Heath's Grandma Marjorie passed away the week before Easter Sunday. I was often told I didn't know the real Grandma Marjie, but from all the stories I can tell she was an earthly angel. A couple years ago I made a special video about her for her 90th birthday. After interviewing all of her children and scanning and organizing 100+ photos of her life and posterity, I felt like I sure missed out not getting to be around the younger Marjorie. What a lady!

Her funeral was one of the happiest ones I've been to. Not at all because she was gone, but because she helped create a posterity that has testimonies of the gospel. The most tender moment of the funeral was hearing her sweet husband Grant sing, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" at her graveside.
We love you Grandma Marjie!

Jack seemed to enjoy easter egg hunting quite a bit, but just like last year I think he would have been happy with 2 or 3 eggs. Once he found one, he would open it right up and enjoy the treat before moving on to the next. He even shared with Aunt Kristi and Grandma. Brock liked his chocolate treats just as much as his bro. Here's snaps of our Easter fun....

Captain Jack's Log : "I Not Cute. I Big"

One day I told Jack he was cute. Disgusted with my compliment he said, "I not cute. I big." I realized cute is the word we call Brock and other babies. It has hit me several times over the last few months, Jack is not my baby anymore. He's becoming my fearless, adventure-seeking, brilliantly talented little boy (minus the diaper...).  Here are some moments that I have seen glimpses of what kind of big boy Jack is going to grow up to be.


Nothing new here, but one day this kid is going to throw a lot of strikes. His pitcher face alone will leave the batter shaking in his cleats, but he also has an arm to back up that intense look. Whether he ends up playing baseball or not, Jackie will be one determined young man. He already is.

I think Jack is going to be a lover of anything with an engine. Tractors, motorcycles, trucks...you name he'll love it. As much as I wish it wasn't true, he's going to be a dare devil too. All I hope is that his fearlessness will help propel him through the tough times that we are here to experience in mortality. 

There's a good chance he'll be like his dad and have girls wanting to hold on to him tight while sitting on the back of his bike. (Just not until your 30 okay buddy? And only Jordan.)

Jack is also going to be a man with a tender side. The kind of guy who knows how to show those he loves he cares about them. 

It may be a good back rub...

A snuggle...

Or a kiss...

I see Jack being a leader. The kind of leader that makes others feel empowered, capable, and wanted. 

I hope he is a leader for his peers. One who doesn't put up with bullying or evil. I see super hero in my Captain.

Jack will be that person that naturally lights up a room. He remembers people's names and greets everyone like its the best thing in the world to see them. He can make just about anyone laugh. He's going to spread a lot of happiness.

I see Jack being a hard worker in everything he does. After all, he is learning from one of the best in that department (not me, his dad. :) I pray he chooses to work hard toward the things that really matter because...

 

I see him being a King.

 I love you Captain Jackie.