Motherhood

Now that it has been four months and I'm feeling relatively normal in our daily chaotic lives I find that this week before mother's day I have been contemplating more and more on the wonderful examples of mothers in my life. I have so many examples of charity and nurturing and unconditional love to pattern my mothering after and I am deeply thankful for each of them. I never dreamed when I was a little girl of becoming a mother or having babies. I didn't even dream of what I wanted my wedding to be like till I was in the midst of it. I didn't like to hold babies of any sort or age. I actually dreaded it and avoided it like the plague at all costs. If I did happen to get handed a baby and look for the first person to hand it off to. Its been almost seven years since I held my own first baby and looking back on these years I find it amazing to think of how the Lord has blessed me and changed me. Molding me still into the mother I want to do desperately become. When I was pregnant with Jaxon and after both him and Jake I literally poured myself into every parenting, pregnancy, nursing, discipline book there was and was constantly criticizing myself and the way I handled every situation that was put in front of me. Until one day Jeff was once again listening so patiently to me debate and complain and criticize everything and he took the book I was trying to get him to look at away and told me I couldn't read those things anymore. I was appalled, after all I was only trying to improve myself and my family. It took days of thoughtful recollection for me to realize he was right to some degree. I couldn't read those books without expecting myself to do it EXACTLY like the authors did and have my children respond exactly as their children did. Jeff proceeded to tell me that theses precious little ones were sent to us because we are the best ones to raise them. I finally realized I am the best mother to the ones that were sent just to me. And it made me want to be the best for them. I still read books about mothering and such, but with a different perspective. I take those ideas I like and ponder them then I try to adjust them, if fitting, into our family the way it works best for my kids. I am learning so much more now about myself and what I want to become. A holy mother is what I am striving for. One that loves to still pretend McQueen is winning the race across the couch but also mother who is striving to raise children who are caring to others, have strong testimonies, work hard in all they want to accomplish and who love unconditionally. I am going to be the best mother I can because that is what my Father in Heaven wants from me. He sees all of my weaknesses and he doesn't focus on them, he sees the potential I have to improve those weaknesses and gives me challenges that will test my strength. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a mother though it wasn't something I dreamed about it is now something I love and strive to be better at. Thankful for the examples of righteous mothers around me lifting me up and showing me the way.

Spring Hiking

We have done quite a bit of hiking this spring and it has been a blast. Mostly it has been in St. George where it is actually warm and not blowing constantly. We went out by Tonaquint and watched some people bouldering. It reminded me of my college days and rock climbing with friends. Still wishing I could do stuff like that. The boys were all over the rocks.

 Jeff went with the scouts to Newcastle and ran up the mountain for his Saturday workout. What a hike! 

 We showed the boys Lion's Mouth out by Pinto and saw the petroglyphs. They boys are getting to be great hikers and I love to see them exploring things and having fun together. Even Hudson is getting used to being hauled around in the Bjorn. Hopefully they will develop a love for the mountains like Jeff and I have. 

Jake is Five!!

 Jake turned five this year!!! There is something about five that seems so big, they become so independent from this age on. Its one of those milestone ages. We had a great party with all our family and celebrated the week before with the Squires side since they were in town for Hudson's blessing. We had our traditional pick your favorite breakfast which was French toast for Jake. We hung balloons all over. The boys can't resist that many balloons. We had a party later that night and he got just what he wanted a Black Pearl lego ship. Its so fun to have all the cousins over. We had our third knight party and made a sword cake. He just loves being the hero and anything sharp. At first Jeff was a good sport and had all 10 kids helping put together the ship. Luckily no pieces were lost and we worked till after midnight getting it put together. Jeff put it on our front entrance table as a shrine and we both crossed all our fingers and toes it wouldn't get broken into a million pieces. We did take some advice and super glue some main pieces together. Happy 5 Jake!!

Five Reasons we LOVE our Jake the Snake...

1. Jake, you are the peacemaker in our home and have such a carefree attitude. You are always happy to help anytime. And you do it with such a happy attitude.

2. Your eyes are always sparkling at us and so loving.

3. You are a great friend, very caring and trying to make everyone feel comfortable. You are loyal to your friends and willing to help them no matter what and defend them.

4. We love that you are sneaky. Whether its sneaking a snack in the pantry and sneaking into our room at 5am.

5. You are genuine in all that you do.

We can't wait for the next five years!