Miss Liz...

Hello world.  Yes, we are alive.  But barely.

Okay, better than barely alive.  We are so blessed in so many ways. 

 I have been aware and mentally preparing for Elizabeth's baptism in a couple weeks.  The actual preparations have been harder to get to.  So, on one of the best days ever (Mothers Day), I have had the fun opportunity to spend a little time with one of my favorite kids.  Taking her picture, and playing with her is always fun.  My Elizabeth has the kind of personality that lights up any room.  She is so sparkly.   I love that even as a baby she had this spunk, this bright spirit.  I love that nothing can dim her.  She is full of light, and I love to bask in it!

In two weeks, I get to be with her as she gets baptized.  I'm so excited.  There is nothing like watching one of your children make a covenant with Heavenly Father.  Even with all the worries of the day, the logistics of it all, the Spirit is so strong, all that other "stuff" melts away into nothingness.  Thank Goodness!  Even though we live far from all our family,  on this day, family feels close....because I am reminded that Family is Forever.  

On this mothers day, I have to say, I am so grateful to be a mother.  I am grateful that my babies yell for me when they are excited to see me.  I am grateful they scream for me when they are sad.  I am grateful for slobbery little kisses.  I am grateful for late night snuggles when they are scared.  I am grateful for small hands that fit so nicely in mine.  I am grateful for unconditional love.  I am grateful I have magically taught them all that I have no faults (I know....this is bad, in a few short years...they will discover the truth on their own).  I am grateful that they have taught me what true love is.  I am grateful for the peace when they are asleep, and the insanity when they are awake.  I am grateful for their humility.  Most of all, I am grateful for the woman they are helping me to become.  Through them, I have learned my life's greatest lessons, and I am sure there are thousands of lessons yet to be learned. 

 I am grateful for motherhood.

14 years

It's amazing to me that it has been 14 years since I married my sweetheart.  

A lot has happened in that time.  4 kids, 5 moves, and 25 million laughs.

Although my life looks different than I thought it would when I was 12, the important parts of life, are just like I imagined.  I married a man of God, he loves me, he deals with me, he laughs at my jokes, he listens to me, and he even cleans for me.  

I have 4 amazing children.  They are full of life.  They have a sparkle in their eyes.  They aren't jaded.  They are pure.  And the best part....at least for a couple more years, they love me, and actually want to be around me.

Most of all, I am grateful.  I am grateful Bj loves me unconditionally.  He doesn't mind all my imperfections.  He has taught me to let go of my insecurities.  Whenever I am feeling weak, he buoys me up.  He inspires me to be a better person, by being the better person.  When I am neurotic, he soothes me.  He truly is my partner.  And even though I am getting older and the years are showing, he tells me I am beautiful.  

I am grateful!

Bragging

Every now and then, I have to brag about my children.  It's just a necessity. 

A few weeks ago I went to their awards assembly.  They all received perfect attendance, and then various other awards for achievements in their individual classes.  To be honest, I am slightly spoiled.  My kids always get awards, and sometimes spending 2 hours at their awards assemblies seems....long.  Yet, how blessed am I?  I have some pretty great kids, they all work hard, they do their best, and they are ....well  my favorite kids ever.

In our family, the grandparents have offered some awards for kids who get straight A's in every subject.  I have been pleasantly surprised to find that each and every one of my sweet kiddos has accomplished this every term.  WOW.  A little incentive does inspire greatness.

I love how Madeline looks at me with, that, look.  You know the one.  The one that says: "Mom, are you seriously taking pictures of me?  I am way too old for this stuff."

And because of that look, I want to take more and more pictures.

And, last but not least.  My biggest kid of all.  He turned a whopping 39 a few weeks ago.  This is his last year being in his 30's.  And, it is showing, his body has started to fall apart, evidenced by his constant Dr.'s appointments with various orthopedic surgeons (one hand, one back), oral surgeons, dentists, etc..  

But, even though he is falling apart from head to toe, I still love his guts.

Passing the Torch....(or candlestick)

 Bj was telling Elizabeth the other day how to do a candlestick.  She was nervous to do it.  So, he said, "come here Sarah....let's show her."  Being the wise woman I am....and knowing that Bj just herniated his back...I declined.  There was no way I was going to be the downfall of his back.  NO WAY!  I weigh substantially more than a 7 year old!

So, after some coaching...Lizard went for it.

And, now, that is all she wants to do.  Tricks with her dad.