Year Ten!

The week before we closed on our house (of course!) was our Ten-Year Hawaii trip.  We had tried to go several years before, but we looked ahead and promised that this would be the year.  So forget being in the middle of buying a house!  Forget being eight weeks pregnant and sick!  WE WERE GOING!

Even though I was a little worried about the timing, it turned out to be for the best.  We really needed a break.  And to spend it with my best friend was just what the doctor ordered.

Although I've only been to one island, I think Kauai may be hard to beat.  It was so beautiful.  It didn't feel super touristy.  We filled our days with drives around the island - good food - zip lines - kayaks - hikes - waterfalls - macadamia nuts - luaus - books by the pool - luau - yummy breakfast and time to actually have a conversation! - snorkeling.  No agenda.  Just me and Brian.  It was seven days of heaven.  There's nothing like being in a beautiful place doing pretty much nothing with the person you like most to make happy memories.

There was a time when being married for ten years seemed far away.  Once upon a time Brian's heath made things questionable.  But I am forever grateful for the time that we've had together and hope for many more happy years.  With time comes a comfort and safety and trust that is important.  We get each other.  The good and the bad.  I know that he will love me regardless.  And our three (+1!!) kids in ten years are pretty miraculous.

Thanks to my honey for making this trip happen and for sticking it out with me.  Let's do it again!!

Jonah turns ONE!

 The only picture I have to show for Jonah's 1st birthday doesn't even have him in it!  I am a failure as a mother.  Who does that??  I won't lie - I was a bit frazzled.  We were in the middle of packing a house, getting ready for a trip to Hawaii the following day, getting things settled for babysitters so we could leave for a week.  His birthday did not go how I planned at all.  Luckily, he didn't really know or care.

We went over to Brandi's and had dinner with Mother, Susan, Jourdan, Jake, Spencer, Brandi, and Gilbert.  The kids played and came up and we sang to him and had him open a present.  A towered spinning ball thing that he figured out and loves.  We tried to get him to dive into his cake but he wasn't into it.  Oh well, neither were we, I guess.

We tried cupcakes again a few weeks later on Easter and it was a hit.  So we'll count these as his birthday pics as they are the first true tastes of that yummy treat.  He ate three!  Of course, there was at least a full one in crumbs!

Dear Jonah,

I can hardly believe a whole year has gone by.  I honest to goodness feel like we JUST got you!  It's interesting how things change the more kids you have.  I think I've tried hard to appreciate you and the time more.  That hasn't been hard for me to do at all.  Although somehow this year has gone so quickly!

You are such a good baby.  Really.  You have been the best and pretty low maintenance.  Unless you are sick or teething, you really don't have much to complain about.  You are happy and so pleasant.  While you were our smallest baby at birth, you have turned into the biggest!  I never thought we'd have a kid pass Gavin up in size, but you did it, buddy.  You weighed in at almost 28 pounds at your year appointment.  You have started babbling all the time.  You say mom, mommy, mama all the time.  ALL the time!  I love it.  I feel like you are starting to understand what I'm telling you.  You can say dad and owie too.  You feed yourself and make a very big mess every time you eat.  There's really no point in having you wear clothes!  Your brothers love you and take good care of you.  Sometimes they pick you up and carry you wherever they want you and you usually go along with it.  Although you are letting them know when you've had enough.

I really do love everything about you.  You are squishy and smiley and perfect.  And that strawberry blonde hair is so cute.  It's definitely toned down since you were born, but it's most certainly there.  I can't wait to see what you learn this year.  We are so grateful for you and glad to have you around.  I can't imagine it any other way!

Love you,
Mom

McKay turns 4!

McKay has been waiting for his birthday for 365 days.  Seriously.  On his last birthday it was about noon and he said, "For my next birthday can we…."  Right when we were in the middle of living that one.  So funny.  He's into legos and Chima and so that's what we went with.

First he had lunch at Old McDonald's with Gavin and Owen.  Sister Knapp and her boys decorated the front door for him and Grandma & Grandpa Woolf sent him a Power Rangers costume.  Score!  The bummer was later that day when he and Gavin and Jonah ALL got pink eye.  I took them into the doctor about 3:00pm - right before his Chuck-E-Cheese party.  So we had to cancel that.  And his cake and ice cream.  His birthday request was to have Kaylee and Sage come to CEC with him.  Then for cake and ice cream he wanted Sister Hill, Sister Lee and her nine-year-old daughter Aubrey.  Such a sweet boy.  I was more sad than he was that we had to change things.  He was more excited that he'd get another birthday in a few weeks.

So we improvised and did our cake and ice cream and had hot dogs at home.  Right when we got back from our Hawaii trip we had our Chuck-E-Cheese party.  The kids loved it.  The ticket blaster was for sure a highlight.  A fun few days to celebrate our sweet four-year-old.

Dear McKay,

Boy howdy are you a wild one!  You bring so much life and energy into our home.  Sometimes we're not sure what to do with it, but along with that comes a sweet and soft side.  You are the first one to my bedside every single morning.  Up and at 'em with a hug and ready for a treat.  Not breakfast - a treat!  You go go go all day long.  You also can fall asleep in 60 seconds flat at night.  I would too if I moved around like you do!  You love to play with friends.  You are getting really good at sharing and watch out for your little brother.  You love Jonah and give him hugs all day.  You still lick him sometimes - not sure what that's all about…  You and Gavin are best buds and share a room.  You have a pretty normal brother relationship - buds one second, fighting the next.  You can keep up with him on your bike and your scooter now.  That's been fun to watch you get good at both of those the past few months.

You love taking a bath and going to get a treat at the gas station.  You love to watch Power Rangers and Paw Patrol.  You recently learned how to work the Netflix remote and navigate it like a champ.  You are being such a good helper and when I ask you to do something you usually do it pretty quick.  The other day you grabbed a wipe and a chair and started wiping down the windows.  You said, "Look mom, I'm doing service!"

I'm so glad to have you around.  I am learning that you do things and need things different than your big brother did.  You need things to be soft and calm.  You don't respond to me freaking out or giving you sass very much.  In fact, if I do that you give it right back to me - ten fold!  But that's what it's all about.  Learning what makes you tick and what is best for each child.  What fun would it be to have two kids just the same?  Thank you for teaching me and being patient as I keep learning.

We are so glad to have you around.  Life wouldn't be nearly as fun without you!

Love,
Mom

Ordinary Days

Our days with a five, three, and almost one-year-old consist of

• story time with friends
• play dates with friends - must wear costumes!
• taking advantage of family when they come around.  Finally saw Mark and Jenn and their kids.  We haven't seen Mark in five whole years!  That's crazy!  He's been pretty busy being a dentist and such…  
• Someone being sick 
• Randomness and fight poses

Moving On

It's been a busy month.  I used to like busy.  But several years ago I changed my tune.

Around Christmas Brian and I started casually looking at homes and even walked through a few.  Well, you know what happens when you start looking for a new home...You find one you want.  The walls in our cute little Pleasant Grove house are feeling tighter and tighter.  And suddenly when we realized there was more out there we had the feeling of severe claustrophobia and couldn't get out fast enough.  The past month has been a whirlwind.  We found a house that we liked in January but they didn't want to accept our offer than was contingent on our house being sold.  So we thought if we sold it really quick then they would work with us.  So we worked fast and got the house cleaned up, took pics, and listed it at the end of February.  Three weeks, 25+ showings, lots of lost sleep, and two offers later, our house in under contract and we are under contract with the house that we liked in the first place.  Right now we are in the middle of repairs from the home inspection and waiting to hear what the appraiser says.  We are hopeful and hope that things continue moving forward.  In which case we will close April 15.  So that's McKay's birthday, Jonah's birthday, a trip to Hawaii, grandparents coming home from their mission, and packing a house all in the next three weeks.  Wish us luck.

Our life in pics...

I finally uploaded pictures from my phone and found these gems from the past couple months.  Don't want to forget our simple times and happy days.  Where is Brian???  Oh yes, he's at work.

The latest

I just don't know how it's possible that January is almost over.  Gavin is already more than halfway through Kindergarten and before we know it Brian will be getting ready for Summit graduation again and we will be off on our summer adventures.  Crazy.

As per usual, everyone is sick around these parts.  I don't know what it is with us and January - but really!  We are on week four of someone being sick.  And the rounds are just starting over again.  We're just doing our best and hanging in there.  It hasn't snowed much this winter.  When the snow is fresh the boys have loved putting on their snow gear they got for Christmas.  I just need to bundle them up more often and send them out back.  Things get squishy in here - especially in the winter - so anyway we can get outside and moving is good.  The Summit High gym and hallways and grandma and grandpa's front room have been our other play places.

Some days it's hard to enjoy what I've got right here, right now.  Just today I was holding Jonah and telling Brian that these times will soon be just a memory.  I kissed his chubby cheeks and made him smile in the mirror - one of his favorite things.  What consumes my life right now and is the norm will really be over before I know it.  And then we'll be in new stages.  And on and on.  I'm making a conscious effort to enjoy where I am now.  I've decided a well-rested mom (or just a mom who gets an hour to herself everyday) is the key to that success.  I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that I will just be tired forever.  So I take my mom time, rested or not, and gear up and keep it going.

Right now is also tricky with Brian working three late nights a week.  Buying into the Alpine Center was a good decision and I think will turn out to be profitable for us.  We've been doing this crazy schedule for a year and a half! Two more years to go.  Someday I will also look back and remember these days - I know it won't last forever.  Thank heavens for good friends and family that I can bother in those last evening hours before bedtime.  A quick trip Melinda's or having friends over for dinner is just what we need sometime to make the night end on a happy note.

Brian and I just booked our 10th Anniversary trip to Kauai.  We are so excited!  We are looking forward to six days in April.  Then I'll be off to London in May with Mother and the other girls.  Lots of fun trips to look forward to.

Gavin is learning to read and I cannot believe how much he has grown in the past six months.  He is officially a big boy.  He is super responsible at getting things to and from school and keeping track of hats and coats and gloves at school.  Recently a sweet older man from our ward passed away.  Brother Conley loved Gavin (and all the boys!) and he was sick the day of the funeral.  I would have taken him with me.  When he found out he couldn't go he said, "Mom, when you get back, will you tell me all about it?"  And when I got back he saw the program and asked me what I had learned while I was gone.  It was so so sweet.  When we saw his wife at the grocery store he hollered, "I'm sorry your husband died!" as we walked away.  Sincere as could be.  And again, just tonight we went to visit a lady in the ward who lost her husband.  On his own he grabbed one of his toys from his bin and said, "I want to give this to her little boy.  It is one of my most favorite toys.  I am sad that his dad died."  He teaches me so much.  These days he teaches himself songs on the piano and has the cutest laugh when he sees a funny part on a movie.

McKay has learned to write his name and is so close to riding a bike.  Soon!  He is so proud of himself and I am glad to see him interested in learning his letters and doing mommy school with me.  I've been thinking about him so much.  I feel like it is really important that I spend this one-on-one time with him while Gavin is at school and Jonah is napping.  I felt that last year and I feel it even more now.  He needs me.  He loves to be with his friends and always wants to be going somewhere or be with other people.  It's easy to ship him off and let him play at friends when they offer.  He has fun and I get things done.  But at the same time I keep feeling like I want him here with me.  Like we need to keep our days simple and less filled with 'stuff.'  He certainly still has his moments but I feel like we are nearing the stage where he grows out of his fits and anger when things don't go his way.  It is much easier to talk and get through to him than it has been in the past.  He is my bundle of energy and I love his hugs and constant kisses.  These days his slumpy shoulders when he gets a 'no' followed with his eye rolls and "Are you kidding me???" are killing me.  After I told him he would be in a timeout he sighed and said, "Ugh!  Why did I make that decision?"  So funny.

Jonah is loud and squawky!  He is all smiles and crawling and getting all over the place.  He is already pulling himself up onto the couch and chairs - something I know McKay didn't do until he was one.  Jonah is almost 10 months.  This month he weighed in at 24 1/2 pounds!  I didn't think we could make a baby bigger than Gavin, but we have done it!  He is busting out of all of his clothes so I had to buy him some new 12-18 month winter clothes and borrow some others.  Tonight he is wearing 18 month jammies that FIT his 9 month body.  Crazy!  These days he finds me where I am and pulls himself onto his knees and grabs my pants.  I love to see him sitting up in his crib and crawl towards me when I come to get him.