When Nobody Is Watching…

Today I got to Aidan’s school about 15 minutes before school got out. I love getting there early because I get to peek at him through the window. It’s so fun to watch him interact with his friends when he doesn’t know mommy is watching:) I had a proud mommy moment. You know, those moments when you think, “Hmmm, I must be doing something right.” All of the kids were sitting in their assigned circle time spots and it was Aidan’s turn to get his back pack. He got up and grabbed his back pack and then grabbed his friend, Brian’s back pack. It was so cute to watch him choose kindness without being told or guided. He’s been making kind choices a lot lately and I just love watching him grow into a thoughtful little boy……even if he refuses to smile for pictures.

(Aidan with Ms. Tatiana whom he calls Ms. Tiana)

(Ms. Michelle…love her!)

Momma’s Day/ Happy 6th Anniversary To Us!!!

I love Mother’s Day! It makes me feel so blessed to have my munchkins. What a privilege to be a mommy. Sunday was a really special day to Rich and I because not only was it Mother’s Day but it was also our 6th Anniversary!!! Wow. I can’t believe it’s been 6 years. For Mother’s Day Rich bought me a really cute black pearl necklace with matching earrings and for our anniversary he got me a VitaMix! Pretty sure he really got it for himself because he hasn’t stopped obsessing over it since Sunday. Haha!  We spent the day together and it was perfect. We went to church where all the moms got a long stem rose and a box of chocolates. The kids demolished my rose not more than 5 minutes after I got it:( When we got home we had a quick lunch and then we all took a nice looooong nap. It really was the perfect way to spend the day. Together.

 

Being a mom and wife is the best!

The Mean Man

I’m a crazy mom ya know. I always think of worse case scenarios and worry about things that could happen to my kids. Maybe it’s natural. I get up in the middle of the night to check on the kids all of the time because I have this fear that somebody is going to take them through their window. We even have an alarm on their window but of course in my crazy “worse case scenario” mind I imagine somebody taking a glass cutter to their window so that the alarm doesn’t go off. I’m nuts, I know!

Ok, so where was I going with all of this. I hate instilling fear in my kids because I don’t want them to have to worry about scary things yet. The other day I had just gotten out of the shower and was completely nakey when there was a knock at the door. What do the kids do? Run to the door to open it! Um, hello! I yelled for them not to open it and they kept running towards the door. I had to use my evil voice for them to listen to me. It was time. I got myself dressed and sat Aidan and Maya down for a little chat. I tried to teach them of the dangers of opening the door for strangers but they weren’t really understanding so I had to take it a step further. I told them that if they open the door without mommy then a mean man can take them away and he will be very mean to them. They had so many questions which I answered in the scariest way I could think of. I felt so guilty but I know that it was the best thing to tell them because it was urgent.

Good news is it worked! The next day there was a knock at the door and both Aidan and Maya took off running to open the door but then Aidan stopped and said, “No Maya! The mean man can get us!”

This morning, Maya was eating her yogurt when she came to me and said, “Look mommy, the mean man!”

Apparently she imagines the mean man has a mustache. Hahaha!

They Never Stop Growing

I had a little scare a couple weeks ago. I thought that a few months of my 1st posts ever had been deleted. Thank goodness it was a false alarm because I was freaking out for realz!  I’ve never been much of a journaler (totally not even a word) but for some reason when I was introduced to blogging I took right to it and LOVED it! My love for blogging has grown right along with my kids. I’m always so grateful when I look back at posts of Aidan as a baby. So grateful that I’ve stuck with it and kept a record of the most precious moments in my life. I love my babies so much!

I’ll keep on truckin’, posting pics of my monkeys because the fact is that they just don’t stop growing!

Yesterday Aidan’s class had a muffins for mom’s little breakfast. It was the cutest thing ever! All of us momma’s went in to the classroom where we were served by our little munchkins:)

Maya found the teddy bear costume that Aidan wore when he was 1. She insisted on squeezing in to it and was in heaven once it was on.

Rich and I bought the double tricycle as a joint present for Aidan’s 3rd birthday and Maya’s 2nd. We talked about what a great investment it would be because some day Maya would be big enough to drive Arabella around.

It’s hard to believe that day has come.

They really do grow up too fast.

From The Beginning To The End

Time. Where does it go? I can hardly believe that Rich is officially finished with Pharmacy school! Yes, it’s true! Friday was his last day. Lets compare pictures shall we?

Rich’s 1st day of Pharmacy school:

Friday, Rich’s last day of school:

Just to give a little perspective…..

This is a picture of Aidan at Rich’s orientation:

Even I looked younger and less tired!

Here he is now at his school.

This is what Maya looked like when Rich started school:

This is Maya today:

Arabella before Rich started school:

Arabella today:

Who would have thought that so much could change from the beginning of Pharmacy school to the end? What a ride it has been! Graduation is on May 27th and then we will be off on a cruise with Rich’s parents, my mom and brother! So much to look forward to but for now we are living in the moment, enjoying our last few weeks of Florida. Lovin’ it!

Coming To The Realization

The reality of our impending move is starting to set in. I’m sad then I’m happy then I’m completely torn! Gonna be totally honest, today I’m happy. Maybe I’m just the type of person that needs change? If so, military life is going to be perfect for me! Not too sure about that one, I’m still trying to figure it out. After living in the same house for a few years I start to feel anxious, annoyed and frustrated. Of course, that could be because we are a family of 5, stuffed into a 2 bedroom condo. Hmmm….

Today I’m happy because I’ve been dreaming about living in a house that we actually fit in, with a yard and storage space. Will a bigger house be harder to keep clean or will it be easier because I have more space to be organized? I dream about sending the kids out to play in our fenced in back yard and then going in to bake cookies or something *sigh* :)

Sunday I was sad. I was sad because I was thinking about all of my INCREDIBLE friends. I can honestly say that I have never been in such an amazing ward, ever! I love and feel loved by so many of the local members that it really makes it hard to leave them. I think that for the most part the students have grown attached to the students and since they are all leaving around the same time it would probably make it a little easier to leave. For me it is the opposite. While I have student friends my besties are locals. I’m leaving but they are staying and I’m going to miss them so much.

I’m nervous. What is it going to be like living in Utah? Serving there as a missionary on Temple Square was a AMAZING! I was there for 18 months and yet I feel like I don’t know a single thing about actually living in Utah. What are the people like? Once again, if I’m being completely honest, I’ve never really meshed with “Utah Mormon” girls. Is that a horrible thing to say??? Oh well, it’s true. Could it just have been the ones I’ve met? I guess I’ll find out! If there is anything I’ve learned in life it’s that there are good people everywhere.

Before we found out where we were going to be stationed, Rich and I talked about having a positive attitude about where ever we ended up. I knew that Heavenly Father had a hand in our future. I knew then and I know now that at this very moment he is preparing people to be a part of our lives. It’s so exciting to think about. I know that the people I’ve met here in Florida needed us just like we needed them. My sweet friend, Lucy, told me on Sunday that before we moved here she had been feeling so lonely. She told me that she would pray for a good friend, somebody to spend time with…….and then we moved in. Lucy has been, hands down, my best friend out here. She was there from the very beginning and made our burdens light. I love that girl and don’t know what I’m gonna do without her:(

I look forward to new experiences, especially after our Florida experience. Had we not been adventurous and gotten out of Missouri, we wouldn’t be who we are today. How will Utah help us grow? We shall see!

Jared and Grace Photoshoot!!!

I’ve had a lot on my mind with our upcoming move…lots of deep, depressing thoughts that I just can’t wait to share;)haha! But every time I sit down to write about it, I just can’t seem to make any sense so I’m just gonna push that to the side for the moment and talk about something a little more uplifting.

My friends Jared and Grace are getting married!!! They are such an awesome couple and I’m so happy for them. A few months ago they did Rich and I the huge favor of spending the day with our kids while we spent the day in Orlando for a much needed temple visit. We hadn’t been in years! I wanted to do something for them and was SO EXCITED (and crazy nervous) when they asked me to take their engagement pictures!

Last Saturday we went out to the Ft. Lauderdale beach and had an awesome time taking pictures. I’m always grateful for opportunities like this because it helps me learn and improve. I learned so much and can see things that I will improve next time. Now for all those critics out there, photography is my hobby not my profession:D

I played around with some different presets just to practice.

Good times.