So I never forget........

Being a mother means seeing a child grow and develop from the most intimate perspective. It is the details of a smile or the feeling of soft, plump cheeks under your kiss that bring the sweet feelings of joy and satisfaction to my day to day life.

Let me readily admit, becoming a mother has been the hardest undertaking of my life. I am far from the perfect mother I always dreamed I would be, and often find myself on my knees pleading to know how to teach them to love others and to love the Lord.

Since becoming a mother I am fully aware of my weaknesses and habitually ask Heavenly Father for forgiveness. And similarly enough, for more patients and to be more soft spoken.

But.......

just so I don't forget these precious moments of motherhood, I wrote them down so I can always remember my little boys, as little boys...........

CJ at 2 1/2 years old:

1. The highlight of his day is playing "tackle" with dad every night.

2. Puts his head on my shoulder and says "I wuv you ma ma"

3. Whenever bored, comes to me and says "So, like, what you want do ma ma?"

4. He is a pooping machine, about 4 times a day! Try not to be jealous.

5. Likes to get up on his "ool" (stool) and be my little sue chef.

6. Seems to have acquired all of my expressions, such as, rolling his eyes, as I opened a box of Halloween decorations, exclaiming "oh, beautiful!", and as I was lighting the grill, cautioning "careful, ma ma, careful"

7. Throws anything and everything when upset.

8. Any time we are all together in the family room announces "tine famee home eeneen!" (time for family home evening)

9. Can't go to sleep without his bedtime stories.

Chase at 10 months old:

1. Loves to talk to me in his raspy, growly voice.

2. Looks at CJ with absolute adoration in his eyes.

3. Thinks everything CJ does is just hilarious.

4. Weaned himself at 9 months old, much to my surprise and leaving me feeling very rejected and sad. But got over it quickly thanks to the wonderful ease of bottles, I love those things.

5. When he gets really excited, he traps my face between both hands and with a fully opened, slobbery mouth, attempts to eat me......I love it.

6. Very ticklish and playful. You can always get him to laugh.

7. Can't get enough of him naked right now.

8. He lived in onesies this summer and thus has a prominent onesie farmers tan.

Four and counting...

So I had my 4th wedding anniversary! We actually did something fun to celebrate too! (besides a fancy dinner) My Mom and Dad watched the boys and we went to pismo beach and stayed at a nice resort. We rented some ATV's and rode around on 10 miles of sand dunes. That was fun but very bumpy and at times scary. It was the highlight of the trip for Chris of course. Then we scheduled full body massages, which was amazing, I had never had one before. We had dinner watching the sunset over the ocean and enjoyed our very own hot tub! :) It was so relaxing and serene and needed. That was my first time over night away from the boys in a year. I've been breast feeding and of course have no family around to do things like this more often.

And to my very own......I couldn't think of a more loving and kind person to spend eternity with. Thank you for all you do to help around the house and with the kids, you serve so willingly and show me what it means to put others needs above your own. Thanks for always making me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world and making me smile. I love you! The best is yet to be........