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...

Lil B is the Big 1

Yes this was 9+ months ago....finally got it finished. ugh.

There is something wonderful about families. I feel like I've known this handsome tike for longer than 12 months. Brock's first year came and went so quickly, yet I can't remember life without him. I stopped trying to document his developmental milestones, mostly because its hard to type while holding his hands! Oh how we love our determined, big blue-eyed, cuddly Brockster.

We celebrated Brock's 1st Birthday with cousin Ziyah and a bunch of aunts, cousins, and grandparents. 

Brock & Ziyah's 1st Birthday Bash

went down with a splash! 

Cake Time!

These were some of my most favorite cakes to make because they were easy and turned out pretty cute! Both Brock and Z bug love the water so it was only fitting for a little fishie party. 

Of course my little appendage wouldn't sit by himself to dig into his first birthday cake. Mom's hands would too far out of reach duh. With me right beside him, he dug right in and enjoyed every bite. 

Brock. Where to start about this crazy, lovable, drive me crazy, adorably handsome creature? Despite all the clingy-ness and endless hand holding that goes on between us, I sure do love him. He's got lots of fire in that tiny little body and a determination to do more than he actually can. Sometimes I think Brockster thinks he 16. He expects me to let him drive the car, get the mail out of our mailbox, tries to put shoes on by himself, brush his teeth and hair all by himself, push the buttons on the microwave without any help, and pour his own milk. 

One thing I will never understand about this complex kid is his desire to be so big, yet his tender need to hold my hand and be right next to me for hours on end. All I know is once he finds a balance in staying close to mom and dad and spreading his own wings to explore, Brock is going to really go places. An amazing quality I see in him is that he knows exactly what he wants and doesn't deviate, even at the expense of his mother's sanity. Channel that into the gospel and a life of purpose and big things will happen for you Brock. I love you so much- from your bleach blonde hair to your big long feet! Happy Birthday Brockie-boom-a-lockie, B-rock, Screech, Brockbamboosle. 

Catch Up for 2014...

Wedding Bells:

With Kristi and Blade's wedding approaching on October 17th, we treated the bride to a special day out with the salts. Words can't express the love I have for these beautiful women in my life. They are my closest friends, support system, and those I can laugh with until I cry or pee my pants. How I love them. 

The big day for Mr. & Mrs. Hargiss turned out to be beautiful weather. And of course the sealing was twice as beautiful. Congrats to these two love birds! I'm so happy for my little salt. She was radiating with happiness and salty beauty! And I'm glad she is in good hands; welcome to the family Blade!! 

Harvest:

Heath and I were really excited about how well our garden did this year. The only things that didn't grow well were the green beans and peas. We had more tomatoes than we knew what to do with, beets coming out our ears, plenty of carrots, a good crop of corn, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, cantelope, and peppers! Can't wait to plant this spring!!!

Halloween: 

Long gone are the days where I can dictate how Jack dresses up. I thought I could get away with it for one more year, but was proven wrong. I had a cute idea that would all dress up as a s’more. Heath and I being the graham cracker, our tan Jackie the chocolate, and our little toe head Brock as the marshmallow.

Jack did not approve of his Hersey’s chocolate bar cardboard costume. I didn’t have any back ups either. So I asked him what he wanted to be. Bad idea. He changed his mind about 18 times. From a prince, to a loader, a cowboy, a football player, a tiger monster truck, and so on… For our family party with the Bleazards we forced him to wear his chocolate costume for a picture (that I can’t even find now.) For his preschool Halloween party he was a soccer player and Brock was a cowboy. And for Halloween night Jack insisted he and Brock dress up as football players.

Trick or treating was a hit. Brock wanted to eat his candy as before it even got in his bucket. And Jack loved saying “Boo!” and “Trick or Treat!”

I sure love these rough and tough boys! Happy Halloween!

Heath's birthday! : 

My attempts to make Heath's birthday exciting is loosing momentum. This year the boys and took balloons the school with a secret note in them and something he loves, like a favorite treat, fruit, drink, chap stick. We had them delivered to him throughout the day. Jack thought it was so cool. Heath requested homemade oreos for his birthday cake. Delish. Happy Birthday to my best friend, handsome hunk, and best bud and dad of Jack and Brock. Dang. We are lucky!

Cement: 

Since the weather was still nice in mid-November, we decided to pour a cement driveway on the side of our house. Heath, his dad, and a coworker from the high school worked from 3 until dark. We estimated short, so Heath had to run to Home Depot to get a couple bags to hand mix the rest to finish! The boys were excellent supervisors and I really enjoyed helping with the finish work along the edges. 

Fitness Coaching: 

At the end of October I decided to start fitness coaching through the company Beachbody. It was a decision definitely guided by the spirit. It has been a blessing emotionally, physically, and financially for me and our family. Helping others learn to take care of themselves better and love it has been more rewarding than I thought it would. As I've done so, I've been happier and able to manage depressions much more easily! 

Christmas: 

Christmas was magical for us this year. Jack has started to understand the excitement of Santa, giving and receiving presents, and the importance of baby Jesus. We watched the Nativity video on LDS.org for FHE the week of Christmas. The rest of the week and even now in January, Jack asks to watch baby Jesus. One day I counted and he watched it 6 times. I'm so grateful to have the privilege to be a mother, to teach these two precious boys about their Savior, and about loving others.