Look who's 8 months old today!!

 She is such a fun kid.  I love seeing more and more personality come out as she longs to be mobile and talk.  She's quick to give a big cheeser, fake cough, our mumble mama.  She has brought a lot of fun into our home!

pics of fall

No, these pics aren't of the leaves.  They are our random takes from this month.

Milestones:  eating more food! (other than mom's)

 wrestling and fighting lightsabers.  This kid doesn't mess around wrestling.  I'm not sure how much longer I can take him.  When I tell him how he's going to get bigger and stronger than me - he gets a massive smile!

 Not just sitting anymore....always wanting everything around her.

 We've been enjoying the great weather with a couple picnincs and trips to the park.

 Ashley loves the outdoors.  Just like her siblings.  We were outside playing and once again Hailey insisted on riding her bike (she's obsessed).  She insisted that I could put my baby down "Her's be alright".  So I put Ashley down and went with Hailey on a quick trip to Disneyland.  Ashley was plenty content.  I guess Hailey knows her mothering.

Mom's 60th birthday

Conference weekend we surprised my mom for her 60th birthday party. If only I could be more like my mom....she's my inspiration!! She deserves a lot more recognition than a simple party!

                                    

The family gave my mom 60 postcards from people throughout her life plus postcards from all her kids and grandkids.  It was a fun project and I'm sure I got more out of it than she did.  I looked forward to reading the postcards as they came in the mail...they were my highlights at the end of a crazy month.  It was such a reminder to me that life isn't just getting from poing a to point b and accomplishing as much as we can (something I tend to do :)), it's about the memories and relationships we make along the way.  My mom is a champ in that department.  She is social with everyone and genuinely interested.  Now that I'm a mom little things like how she knew all my friends, roommates, and social situations as well as all my siblings', is simply amazing!

 My dad spoiled us with cafe rio and an amazing birthday cake.

 This picture sums up my mom.  Fun and always happy.  She is selfless and always giving to others.  We enjoyed sneaking in a fun surprise party between conference sessions.  Love you mom!

Fall Break

October has been my recovery month.  It seems bit by bit every day I find myself relaxing and turning back to normal :)  Sometimes I look forward to winter just so life will calm down a little.  October has done the trick.  We've had just enough fun, mixed in with some chill time.

Mid October we had fall break.  The kids were so excited that we were going to bug Grandma and Grandpa and play for a couple days.  They love it there.

Grandma and Grandpa took Whitney and Travis through a corn maze in the dark.  We saw Jeff and Selly's lot.  Ate snowcones.  The kids had a blast at DI of all places.  And we did one of my favorite things to do in the fall... picnic among all the gorgeous leaves.  Wish I took better pics, but we were busy having fun :)

On the way home we stopped for a quick visit of temple square.  It was so pretty and fun to see them stringing up the lights for christmas.

 Love these moments!!

We made it back to the car before the storm, headed home and Aaron took whit and trav to see ice age. 

I think the more committed we are to school the more I realize how precious and important these outings become.  A family adventure.

soccer season

I thought life would simmer down in September.  Wow, I was way off!  Between homework, piano, finishing the basement, and mutual...soccer nights were crazy, but definitely worth it.

Travis had a blast!

 And Whitney enjoyed herself way more than I thought she would.

 Grandma and Grandpa even came to watch.....does it look like we got to see the game?  We got a little in :)   They provided enough motivation for both Travis and Whitney to score that night - icecream was a must afterwards!!

 I think they're already looking forward to next season

7 months!

Wow, 7 months.  In the midst of ALL the september chaos Ashley has grown up so much this month

 She is still such a happy kid.  she likes mom close, just like my others, but is easily content with siblings near by.  Whitney really is an amazing second mom :)  She's the first to ask to get her out of her crib when she wakes up.

 In just a matter of days she went from tipsy to pro.  Her flexibility to sit and reach is quite impressive as well.

Things I love about this stage:  Better sleeping at night, eating more food from other sources than just mom, the big smiles and tickling giggles, sucking her thumb to sooth her whenever, flailing arms when she gets excited, babbling, and snuggles.

She has added so much to our family.  Love you Ashley!

Not all Roses

I'm writing this post so years down the road when my kids are reading it they will realize life wasn't all play.  There are hard times as a mom.  frequently.  And times (like these) when I feel like I have completely lost my mind and all logical thinking process.

It's been almost two weeks since Whitney and Travis started soccer.....well, when they should've started soccer.  let me explain.  It was tuesday, Travis' first day of kindergarten.  I was also in charge of YM/YW and had some errands to run on top of it all.  The day went so smoothly.  Travis had fun at school.  Aaron came home early so I was able to sneak up to the church to quickly set up for YM/YW activity.  This would allow me to see more of Whitney's game before I had to leave for YW.   I came home, made dinner as fast as I could while helping Whitney get her homework done.  We finished dinner just in time to get ready for soccer and ship whitney to piano. 

whitney and travis' games were at the same time so Aaron was taking Travis and the kids while I took whitney to her game and rushed to YW.  What a great mom I was....everything was crazy.....yet working.  Travis and the crew took off and I took Whitney to her game right after piano.  We biked to the field....walked closer....and that's when I started to get confused.  You see, other people on her team were already playing.  How did that happen?

And then it hit me.  The game wasn't at 6:15 like I had told myself.  It was at 5:30.  Knot in my stomach.  I explained to Whitney what happened, and although she was a little confused as to why she couldn't play we headed home.  She was a good sport about it.  She's old enough to know her mom is a bozo sometimes.

But poor Travis.  He'd been waiting for this day all summer.  He'd practiced, tried on his outfit, asked 50 times when it was time to go...and I had to call Aaron and explain what I'd done.  When they arrived home Travis was being tough until I apologized and gave him a hug.  We both sobbed and hugged for awhile.  I know, I know, it's just a soccer game.  They would have a lot more.  But I felt aweful.  I hit a new low.

I was quick to tears all night.  Motherhood seemed harder than what I was capable of handling.  I wasn't doing a good job.  I was in over my head.  At least that's how I felt.  Whitney and Travis were so cute to tell me as I tucked them in and apologized again not to worry about it.  But I did.

So the next day I went to therapy.  By therapy I mean running.  I ran 5 miles and was still a little teary so I ran 2 more.  That did it.  While running I gave myself a pep talk.  I was reminded that motherhood isn't easy, it's hard.  But pretty much everything in life that's really rewarding is hard work.  I would'nt trade my life for anything.  I love it.  It's amazingly great....really...it is!  The highs on the rollercoaster of motherhood are longer and better than the few quick dips.

So kids.  If you ever read this and are doubting yourself or your capabitlites, or life is just being plain out hard, know it will end.  Keep a positive attitude and life will get better real soon.  I make way to many mistakes, and luckily with time, those little mistakes aren't that big of a deal.  As long as you put the things that matter first.  And remember.  If I can do it.....it should be a piece of cake for you :)