General Conference Weekend

This is one of my favorite times of year. I love the feeling of fall. It makes me feel all cozy and warm inside and for some reason always gets me thinking about where I’ve been, where I am and where I want to be. This weekend has been a particularly special one because of General Conference. Every time I see Temple Square I get a little choked up. It will always hold a special place in my heart because of the experiences I had, the people I met, the relationships I developed and the spirit that I felt every single day I was there during my mission.

Today, I thought about the conferences I spent working 15 hour days contacting the thousands of people that had all joined to hear the voice of the living prophet. What an experience of a lifetime and a privilege to serve on such sacred grounds.

 

Today, I thought about the General Conference that I spent in this room. 4 years ago today, was Aidan’s last night in the NICU. After 6 loooooong weeks we were finally going to get to take him home. In this NICU they would set you up in a room across the hall from the NICU where you would spend the night caring for your baby. I was so nervous because it would be the 1st time he would be 100% in my care. I had to do all of his trach suctioning, the g-tube feeding and give him all of his medications.

It was scary but exciting at the same time because I knew that I was going to bring him home the next day. While I was bummed that I didn’t get to watch General Conference, I was thankful for the blessings of the day. That weekend, 4 years ago, always comes to mind during this General Conference weekend.

Today, this was the scene at my house. I loved it. I don’t think I could have ever imagined this 7 years ago as a missionary on Temple Square. Today was just another special memory I can associate with such a special time of year.

I’m so grateful for a living prophet and the messages that are shared each General Conference. They motivate and encourage me to be a better mother, wife and friend. The experiences and trials I’ve had have made me who I am today and for that I am grateful and hope to continue growing and learning. Go to THIS website and listen to General Conference. It will make you happy. I promise.

Big Events, No Camera

Today, I left the house in a hurry. I was in such a hurry that I walked ran out the door without my camera. I hate that. I like to have it in my bag because you never know when something epic is going to happen. Today was one of those days:( It was a very important day because Aidan was going to go on his very 1st FIELD TRIP!!! To Aidan, the destination wasn’t as exciting as the mode of transportation. His year long dream of riding on a school bus finally came true! That was the 1st thing he told me when I picked him up from school. They went to Young At Art and I got a pretty good report back from his teacher. Fhew!

(So focused doing his homework which he LOVES to do!)

I’m sad that I didn’t get a picture of him in his fieldtrip shirt or on the school bus. I had to drop him off and then rush to our next destination which was Dr. Singer’s office. Big event #2: Arabella’s last ENT visit!!! It was totally bitter sweet but a heck of a lot more sweet than bitter! Just a smidge bitter because it was the last time I would get to say thank you to the amazing doctor that did Aidan’s final surgeries and all of Arabella’s. I feel so blessed to have had one of THE BEST doctors in South Florida for my kids.

Anyway, those were 2 pretty big events that I’m bummed I didn’t have a camera for. Oh well.

I do have this cool picture to share:

We went to Chick-Fil-A last night and there was an amazingly talented lady drawing caricatures! We only had time to get Maya done but we will definitely be back in a couple of weeks to get the other two:D

A Proud Moment

Friday night it was our turn to babysit. We trade off babysitting with 2 other families so that we get two dates with free babysitting and then we babysit once. I love our little arrangement since all of our kids are good friends. Anyway, this past friday night I had a very proud moment. Aidan & Hayden were playing at the train table. Aidan had 1 train and Hayden had the rest (like 6 trains). Kirk came up and said he wanted a train. Aidan said, “Ok, let’s go find you one!” and he proceeded to dig through one of the toy bins where we usually keep the cars & trains. He couldn’t find one so he said, “Let’s go ask Hayden if he’ll share with you. Hayden, can you give Kirk a train?” Hayden got a little upset so I stepped in before it turned into a big fight.

I had been on the other side of the house watching and listening to how Aidan was handling the situation and it made me SO PROUD! He really does try to be a good boy. He has such a good heart and is so thoughtful. I am one proud momma!

3 Year Old Maya

Maya is now 3. How does that make me feel? A little sad, a lot nervous. So far I think that age 3 is the hardest. I shouldn’t complain though because Maya has been such an angel since she was a baby. Definitely my easiest, most laid back kid. I can already see that turning 3 has changed her. I’m up for the challenge so bring it on Maya!!! ;)

As a 3 year old Maya is:

* Becoming extremely assertive. No more getting pushed around by anybody.

*She still LOVES to read books.

*She is really good at puzzles on the Ipad.

*Loves to jump from anything and everything. The higher the better!

*Extremely sensitive to other peoples feelings. If she thinks I’m hurt or sad she immediately asks me if I’m ok. She cries if I cry and is quick to say she is sorry if she thinks she hurt me.

*Loves being a big sister. Lately she’s been wanting to hold Arabella who is almost as big as she is.

*Super active! She loves to run, play & especially climb & jump.

*Makes friends easily.

*Independent. She wants to do everything herself.

* Still very good at entertaining herself which is nice.

*Has not taken a nap in 2 weeks.

*Asks every day to watch Baby Einstein.

*Loves dropping off and picking up Aidan from school.

*Favorite foods: Oatmeal, veggies, yogurt.

*Best Friends: Kirk, Hayden & Hadley, Ella, Lili, Arabella & Aidan

*Favorite toys: Rocks, Cleo (purple dog from “Clifford”), Ipad, Goofy doll from Nana Jackie & Jessie doll from daddy, lip gloss from aunt Julie, Microphone from grandma Baker. She has lots of favorites as of today:D

Maya is so athletic, fearless, strong-willed, thoughtful, giving & LOVING. She has so many wonderful qualities that I adore. She’s so full of sweetness that I can’t help but love my little girl!

Happy 3rd Birthday Maya!!!

Maya’s birthday was on the 22nd but we decided we would keep that a secret from her and celebrate it on Saturday the 24th! She doesn’t know the difference, right? :) We did basically the same thing we did for Aidan’s birthday party, we invited her close friends for some lunch, cupcakes (per Maya’s request), and a great time! For lunch we order pizza.

Even though all of her friends were sitting at the kids tables, Maya did not want to let the cupcakes out of her sight! She was so excited to have a cupcake. She kept asking me if we could sing “happy birthday” to her so that she could have one already.

Can you tell me what’s wrong with these pictures?

I was going crazy, taking tons of pictures before we lit the candle when my friend, Holly, says to me, “Why is there a 2 on her cupcake?” Ummmmm…because mommy is losing her mind!!! Don’t know why I put a 2 on there instead of a 3. I’ll blame it on the lack of sleep.

Problem solved:D

Dreams really do come true…

Let me explain the next part of the party. I’ve always though the idea of a “Candy Bar” at a kids birthday party would be so cool. I imagined in my mind how exciting it would be for all of the little kids to be able to choose from a wide variety, any candy they wanted. I finally decided that it was time to make it happen. I found some little tins at Target and asked my friend, Lucy to print out the kids names on vinyl for me and voila!

And the “Candy Bar”

 

The kids got to go find the tin with their name on it and fill it up!

I don’t know why but when I get an idea in my head of something that would be cool to do, I HAVE to do it! Even if it means a lot of work for me. So, I saw a tutorial of how to make cute little crochet bows and I thought, “That would be a super cute party favor!” So, I got to work.

 

I made them in tons of different colors and every little girl went home with 3.

It was fun, special and memorable. Happy Birthday to my 3 year old big girl, Maya!!!!

Deep Thoughts, By Rich Baker

Today, as we were driving to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy a drink dispenser for Maya’s party tomorrow, Rich said something deep. Funny thing is he totally didn’t mean it in a deep way but I guess I’m just one of those deep thinkers that reads into everything. It was a gorgeous day and all of a sudden, like Florida weather tends to do, it looked like a storm was coming in. I said, “Wow, all of a sudden in got gloomy and cloudy!" And Rich, in all of his wisdom said, “Yeah, but look beyond it. It’s beautiful.”

I don’t know why this struck me the way it did. It just got me thinking-not that I’m going through anything right now. I started thinking about how true that is. When we are in the midst of “clouds & gloominess” it’s so hard to see that beyond it, it is bright and beautiful. It’s even more beautiful that it was before because we see the world through with a heart filled with gratitude. At least I know that this has been so true for me. The “gloom” makes me SO grateful for the “sunshine”. The difficult part is seeing it while in the midst of a trial. I hope that I can have more faith and look beyond my struggles to the bright sunshine that awaits.

A Walk

Today, the kids and I were left to fend for ourselves while Rich finished his scuba certification. I don’t particularly like spending Saturday’s without him but we tried to make the best of it. Some friends invited us to join them for a fun day at the beach but I knew better than to torture myself by going to the beach with all 3 kids and no Rich. I had to pass on that:( Instead they took long baths and went for a walk.

 

(Maya giving baby sister a kiss. Of course I had to tell her to do it;)

 

They grow up so fast. I cant believe that Aidan is 4, Maya will be 3 next week and then Arabella will no longer be1!!!! Time sure does fly.