Leftover Spaghetti

2016-01-282016-01-30

I planned leftover spaghetti tonight for dinner (such a good idea), so when Jake came home from work and played pillow fights with the kids, I practiced songs on the piano. Their laughter was more music to my ears than my piano playing, but the two sounds were happiness to me nonetheless. When I walked into the kitchen to get the spaghetti out, I saw pink hues out the window. Quickly we opened the back door, wrapped up in a blanket, and admired the painted sky. We finished the night with spaghetti faces, donuts, and a handful of meltdowns, and I’m just feeling really blessed. #mamanotes

And can I just mention how much I love our piano? We bought it from our friends when they sold us their home a few years ago and it’s totally out of tune, but it is one of my favorite pastimes when I have just a few minutes of free time here and there. Making music (even as a total novice) is uniquely joyful for me.

Another side note: While Ava was eating a donut that Jake brought home after work today, she shared it with Hyrum as he followed her around the room. When she bent over to give him a bite she said, “I won’t forget about you little chub.” hahah

Surviving the Stomach Bug

2016-01-222016-01-26

“Mom are you sure I can drink this soda? Because I don’t know if I’ll survive it.”

We’re recovering over here after being mauled by an ugly stomach bug. How many of those are there!? I think we’ve seen the likes of them at least three times this year.

Ava seemed to be able to keep most of her water down throughout the day, so I thought I’d give her a treat of some ginger ale. She was hesitant, but I reassured her that she’d probably be fine since she was able to keep her water down. A few minutes later she was standing over the toilet. She looked back at me and said, “Mom, who was right?”

“Yep, you were definitely right. I’m sorry!”

As much as I hate seeing her sick, I thoroughly enjoyed the times she fell asleep in my arms today. As I scooped her long slender body up to cuddle in the rocking chair, it was clear to me that she is no longer a chubby cheeked toddler, but a beautiful little girl. As I thought about how long I would have before her carefree, mama cuddling days phased out, I just wanted to hold her there forever. I want to keep her running through fields, picnicking in the grass, and dancing in the kitchen with me. I want her to believe that embracing these simple joys will never be childish. She is so spirited, so excited about life. I want to help her hold onto that. #mamanotes

Baby in the Drawer

2016-01-222016-01-22

Hyrum perched himself here while I did the dishes. We don’t have a dishwasher, so washing dishes can take a while at times. Hyrum does just fine filling in the time. He plays with tupperware, empties the drawers, and tastes each kind of cereal by shaking the bags out on the floor (I should’ve moved the cereal out of that cabinet by now.)

Meanwhile I listened to this devotional by Russell M. Nelson and his wife while I washed, and it was probably the best part of my day. Every time I listen to the prophets and apostles, I feel a greater desire to draw closer to God and align my life with His will. I just feel so good, and I’m so grateful for them.
This promise really stuck with me, so I made a quote to pin it. Feel free to use it too.

Hyrum’s First Birthday

2016-01-152016-01-22

My little one year old, do you know how loved you are? I want to share with you a small part of the way I feel about you, my sweet little boy.When we first learned that you would be joining our family, I jumped into your father’s arms rejoicing. Even the thought of your arrival was joyful above even the most happy of things. And then you arrived, and when I saw your squishy little cheeks and your perfect little body I felt as if my heart would burst. I could not get enough of you. I held you as often as I could, kissing the crest of your nose so many times, as if I could convey to you in some way how much I loved you. But I don’t know if I ever could convey that deepest of feeling. It just came when you came. I love you without limits, without knowing who you’ll become, your talents or your goodness. From your glorious beginning, you were first His before you were mine, and I wonder if this feeling is precisely what God gives us parents so that we can feel His love. He shares with us a tiny piece of what He knows of you and your eternal destiny and how perfectly he loves you, and He packages it up in this transcending peaceful wonderful feeling we call love. And oh if I could show you how much He loves you! But that is something you will come to feel for yourself, in time. And it will be a most wonderful thing.
So for now, I will kiss you and cuddle you and sing you lullabies of your heavenly home so that you may know that the love we have for you spans oceans and skies, binding heaven and earth with the divine alliance of your earthly and heavenly parents. So for now may you know that you are so dearly, everlastingly, loved.Happy one year my dear, sweet Hyrum!
#mamanotes Hyrum turned one on December 30th. We were still in Utah at the time, so we invited both our parents for a little cake to celebrate (it was the first time we had any family nearby for any of the kids’ birthdays, so we were pretty excited about it.) My favorite part was watching Hyrum’s face while we sang Happy Birthday to him. He looked like this…
1st birthday (It was adorable.)

These two

2015-12-142015-12-15

These two. They give me so many messes and slobbery kisses and earfuls of requests. They give me energy, exhaustion, and a new kind of fun. They give me hugs. And when they wrap their little arms around my neck, they give me love in bushels. They give me motherhood, something that I have hoped for since I was big enough to carry a doll. Between their tears and their giggles, they are refining me to be more patient, kind, and selfless. They are showing me how to be more playful and creative. They are reminding me to simplify, to give, and to be humble. They are teaching me how to be their mother, and in the process I am learning how to follow the Savior a little better. I think God meant it to be that way. So, these two… they bring me a whole lot of joy. What brings you joy? Share with the hashtag #thatwemighthavejoy ☀️