Boy

Dearest Boy,

I can't believe you are 4. I have been caught of guard lately by the things you say, and do. Every once and a while I even see the Man you are becoming. Thank you for being the perfect match for our little family! You are an amazing Big Brother and such a good example for Jack.
I love you Baby, and even though you tell me "I am not a Baby" You will always be my baby, because you are what made me a Mommy!!

-Mommy

Picture by Andrea Stratton Photography

Cowboy Cooper

We had Coops Birthday Party Today.

One of my students hosted us at her Horse Ranch and we played Cowboy!!

The little one on the end almost got bucked off.  He held on like a champ and Garrison (my students brother) was a super hero, pulling him off the very angry Horse!!!                    \/

Happy Birthday Big Boy!!

Things I am thankful for tonight..

#1 The Art Teacher at the high school, she had a dream that she was helping me load my kiln, so Tuesday she stayed after school for an hour and helped me do just that.
#2 Jeremiah.  My Teacher Neighbor.  He donated his 8th period class to help wash all the walls in my Ceramics Studio.
#3 Jessica and Alyse.  They had some stuff in the aforementioned kiln and instead of just taking their stuff out, they unloaded almost the whole thing while I taught my Middle School Class.
#4 My awesome neighbor Natalie.  She watched Jacks and her own baby for an hour tonight so I could go load and start the Last Glaze Fire for this Semester.

The last week of school is tough on Teachers... I got out of it last year, thank you Jacks, but this year has hit me like a freight-train.

“God does notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.” Spencer W. Kimball

Jacks @ 1 Year

Jacks: still wears size 3 diapers
wears 12 month clothes


Stands by himself
Can take 3-4 ateps alone
Loves balls
Plays catch
Smiles all the time
Loves "real" food
Adores his big brother
Has about 10 words in his vocabulary


On Jacks Birthday Thursday the Babysitter made cupcakes and we spent a nice evening at home as a family, because on Saturday we....

Had a Party!!!!!

And what is the theme....

Well balls of course

I found these awesome 

inflatable sports balls 

and they were the "party favors"

This was his "SMASH" cake

And here are the cupcakes 

for everyone else.

Jacks LOVED his cake, 

and had a Serious Sugar Rush!

Still so cute though

He had A LOT of help opening his presents, 

in fact, I think his "guests" were getting a little frustrated!

Happy Birthday 

Jacksie Cracksie 

we sure do love 

having you in our family!!

Baby-Mine

 I look into your eyes and see the depths of the Universe. Holding you, your head heavy on my shoulder, grounds me and reminds me of the weight of my calling as your mother.  You are my truest addiction, your smile, your laugh, your temper tantrums.
My heart burns with desire to guide you, safely, to your infinite potential.

I am now and will forever be, 
your First Defense, 

your Biggest Fan, 

Your Mommy.

525,600 minutes measured in LOVE.

Happy Birthday Baby!

In case you were curious...

 Every Story has a beginning.  

This one begins October 2 2002.

Our First Date:  I had to beg someone I knew, from working the Shakespearean Festival that summer, for tickets because I was broke...

and there was this really cute boy!!

October 8: He became my "Boyfriend" (Yup fast movers)

End of October.. Pretty sure we were  "Serious"

My 21st Birthday.  He proposed the next day.

(we drove to Manti so he could ask for permission...

oh and the ring, which was my Great-Grandmothers)

Our First Christmas.

We had some really fun Roommate-Group-Dates.  

This one was Ice cream Sculpture.

Roller Skating in Veyo

For Spring Break a group of us drove to San Diego.  

Visited the Temple Grounds, went on the Price-is-Right,

And went to the Beach

May 10, 2003

The First Day of our Forever...

Bah 

 Thank you for being you.  For being my everything.

I Love You

Happy Anniversary

Mom

I am who I am, because of you.

Thanks for being My Mom!

And Thier Grandma.

Number 300

In honor of my 300th post I have decided to follow my friend Jenn's example and post 10 good things about today.

1. Jacks slept for 12 hours last night...count that 12!!!

2. Lunch time with the boys was so fun.

3. Jacks took 3 steps during the aforementioned lunch.

4. I made it the entire way through my lesson plan in all 3 classes today.

5. I was able to clean out 2 full cupboards for the physics teacher who will be sharing my classroom next year. (only 7 or 8 to go!)

6. I found the cutest little brown polo shirts for the boys for family pictures next week.

7. Nick told me I look like I am wearing a tent...which means my crazy night-time workouts are paying off.

8. Jacks says "DUP" when he wants more food.

9. Coop can take a shower and do everything, but rinse his head, all by himself.

10. This totally awesome video of Jacks showing off his wordage!!