Cornbelly's ~ 2010

Today we went on a family outing to Cornbelly's ~ a fun little place to go for Halloween that has a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay ride, and LOTS of fun things for the kiddos. Last year, we went the Scarecrow Festival and we were not at all impressed, so we were a little hesitant going to Cornbelly's because we really didn't want to have the same experience. Well, we had a GREAT time! Noah and Leah had fun participating in all of the fun activities that they had never done before, especially riding the go karts and jumping on the *giant* pillow thingy. The best part was when we did the corn maze and Noah thought that we were really lost "forever"! Honestly, he didn't really enjoy the maze and he was pretty happy when we got to the end, at which point I had that little "I told you so talk" and that he should believe me when I say that we will *eventually* make it to the end{We actually did it in good time...we'll never get lost with Doug around, that's for sure!}. It was a nice little family activity for October...I still can't believe that it is already October! I miss summer! Anyway, here's some shots from our day...

The go karts were a hit and I just loved seeing their faces when Doug was riding it at full speed. They really do love their Daddy SOOOOOO much!
The tractor ride was a bit too bumpy for me, but the kids liked it, and that's what matters. Yeah, this was the best picture...man, getting a picture with everyone looking in the same direction is close to impossible!
We actually got to sit down while the kiddos went down the huge slide over and over again. I was even able to snap a picture of US!

Duck Races...or, as I like to call it, Lets See How Much Water We Can Get Everywhere!

There was an old fire truck that the kids could get in, and this was a HUGE hit with Noah. This little guy just LOVES trucks!

Ah...the joy of being a kid and jumping, jumping, JUMPING on the massively large pillow {as they called it}. I think they liked it :).

Overwhelmed

Yes, I have been a bit overwhelmed lately. Just a little bit!

Let me begin by saying that I have always wanted to be a mommy. Even when I was a little girl. I remember playing with my babies and taking care of them and loving them. And when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I remember saying "a mom". Really, being a mom was my dream job.

And now it is happening. My dream has come true...TIMES THREE! I am a mommy to Noah, and Leah, AND Isaac. Oh my...have they ever come true! Plus I have the most amazing husband!

When I was little, I thought that being a mommy was all fun and games...boy was I wrong. Now, I do try to focus on the good stuff...really I do. But, just because I want to focus on what is good, doesn't mean that the hard stuff isn't there. And, lately, the hard stuff about being a mom has totally slapped me in the face.

Here are some examples {just to name a few}:
~ The tantrums...oh, the tantrums! Tantrums are constant around here lately, and if I'm being honest...I'm SO sick of it! Seriously, when Noah and Leah start throwing tantrums, I just want to go and lock myself away in my bedroom...and I have! And the thing is, is that I know that this just the beginning of many years of this...my oldest IS only 4! Saying "no" to them about something, translates to them that this is the end of the world...and then the tantrum starts. Leah's are the best...laying on the ground, screaming {and boy can that girl SCREAM!}, and kicking her legs. And there are times that nothing will work to stop the tantrum, except time. And Noah, well, he's finally old enough to know that when he starts a tantrum, and then looks at me and sees "the look", he stops. But then he just whines, and, to me, whinning is just as bad as a tantrum.
~ Giving my attention to them has been so much harder lately. I mean, I am always with them, but they all want/need my attention at the exact same time. This has been the one thing that has been so hard for me to balance, especially since having Isaac. Example: Isaac needs to eat, so I start to feed him. Seconds later Leah tries to climb on my lap {remember, Isaac is already on my lap} and wants me to read her a book. Seconds later, Noah comes over and wants me to go upstairs and play trucks with him, and the moment I tell him that he has to wait...he...throws a tantrum {big surprise}. After calming him down, which is getting to be easier, he goes and gets a book to read while he waits for me. And during all of this, Leah is still trying to wiggle her way on my lap and won't even consider sitting next to me instead. Ugh! This happens EVERY day, multiple times a day...they all want and need my attention at once. I know that they need to learn to be patient, but I feel so badly not giving them all of me when they need it. Mommy guilt...big time!
~ Housework. I've always been a little obsessive about cleaning the house and keeping it organized...but lately this has all gone down the drain. There are days that I hope no one comes over because my house is a disaster...I mean a total MESS! Toys EVERYWHERE, laundry piles in every room, dishes piled up in the sink {because, of course, the dishwasher hasn't been emptied}, dirty clothes on the floor, and I could go on, but I'll stop there. Keeping up with the house has been so much harder for me lately. And, if I'm being completely honest, I don't really care anymore. I'm realizing that I'll get to it when I get to it, and eventually I do. I'm beginning to realize that time spent with the kids is far more important than housework. Yes, I do want my house to look nice, but in the long run, what matters is being there for the kids. They do come first. BUT, that doesn't mean that it doesn't drive me a little crazy when I think of ALL of the things that need to be done.
~ The "to do list" keeps getting longer and longer. There is just so much to do and so little time to do it all! The list includes: painting the house, cutting down the tree in the front, organizing and printing out pictures, buying some winter clothes for the kids, organizing the storage room, decorating Noah and Leah's room, sewing curtains, and the. list. goes. on! This is definitely getting longer before it gets shorter. I just don't want to think about it, but I can't help it!.
~ Going on errands is SO hard lately. Yeah, I pretty much don't go anywhere anymore. I do sometimes, and only if I absolutely have to, because taking all three of them to a store is pretty challenging. But, when I do, guess who wins the prize for being the most well behaved?? ISAAC! He just sits in the baby carrier and watches Noah and Leah as they become little terrors. Seriously, I'm convinced that those two get together and create a plan on how to make this shopping experience even more challenging for mom. Like...how many times should we get out of the cart before mom freaks out, OR how many times should we ask mom to buy something before she freaks out. Yes, FREAKS OUT is an understatement, SO, in order to avoid this, I limit our outings. And when we do go somewhere, it's to the park or a someones house.

Well, those are just some highlights of things that have overwhelmed me lately. It's hard to find a medium that will work, but I am striving to find it. Of course I don't want my kids to throw tantrums, and I want the house to be clean, and I want them to be well behaved when we go out...but everything isn't going to be perfect. What I do know, is that my kids know that they are loved, and I sure do hope that they know that I am trying my hardest be a great mommy to them. I want them to be happy, but I also want them to learn that we have to work hard and that life isn't always peaches and cream. There are going to be bumps in the road...and that is OK. I am realizing this too, and it's hard to steer clear of the hard stuff sometimes and focus on the good. The good does outweigh the bad. Yes, I may be overwhelmed, but being a mom, and a wife, is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Life really is good, despite all of those bumps!

Lake Powell ~ 2010

We weren't planning on going on a vacation this year for obvious reasons, and I was a little sad about that. So, when my parents asked us if we wanted to go to Lake Powell, I was all over it! I SO needed a vacation...I just needed a break from everyday tasks and time to get away and have fun with my family. We went to Lake Powell with the Martins 2 years ago and had so much fun, so we were way excited to go again. They have the *nicest* houseboat and we are so thankful that they thought to invite us. We had a wonderful time going boating, wakeboarding, playing in the sand, swimming, lounging around, playing games, etc... I really do think that Lake Powell is one of the most beautiful places, and it was so nice to go there again and take in the beauty of it all! The children had so much fun and we didn't have as many melt downs as I was expecting...I don't know what to expect these days! They were constantly entertained, so this vacation was great for them too! Good, GOOD times!!

Noah and Leah had a blast playing in the dirt...and getting dirty! It was nice not worrying at all about them getting dirty...I'd just dunk them in the water to clean them off before we went in :).

Noah loved swimming over to this rock across the way and jumping into the water with Doug.

Seriously...he is SO cute! Isaac was also SO good on this trip, and I love him so much for it!

Leah navigating the boat...she was taking us to "Disneyland". That's what she said!

Going boating...
I just love Doug's old school Oakleys!

I love wakeboarding and I'm thankful that I caught on easily, since it has been so long since I last did it. Good times!

Doug was pretty good, until he fell and hurt his neck! Nice!

OK...Cam is beyond amazing a wakeboarding! Seriously, look at that! He was doing {and landing} 360's and some amazing jumps! Crazy, yet so amazing to watch! Wow!

There was a little hill where we were, and Doug decided to make the trek to the top to see if he could get cell phone coverage. He did...he just can't live without technology ;).

Leah, of course, was looking all cute in her pink dress at Lake Powell! And, yes, she wears her sunglasses upside down. I think they stay better on her face that way...she always wears them like this!

Drink your water...it was HOT!

Colton and Leah had fun feeding the fish that would come around. I love how easy it is to keep 2 year old entertained :).

Going down the slide was another favorite.

Me and my babes...

Man, they're cute!

Isaac wasn't neglected at all on this trip and was held pretty much every moment he was awake. Leah even took a turn...she sure loves her little bro!

Leah was a bit hesitant about the water, and I don't blame her one bit! When she would get in, she would cling to either Doug or I like a little monkey. We made sure to hold on to her tight so that she wouldn't get scared.

On our last night, we went on a ride to see Lost Canyon, and while on the ride over there all of the children fell asleep! They were T.I.R.E.D!

Lost Canyon

Looking out from a beautiful cave that we found...AMAZING!

Isaac ~ 3 Months

Isaac is now 3 months old and he's growing and learning each and every day. It truly is amazing to watch. I was reading about Leah when she was 3 months and she and Isaac were pretty much on the same page at this age. I love going back and reading to compare their similarities and differences :).

~ He is such a happy baby! He showers us with that beautiful smile of his all of the time...and we can't get enough of it.
~ He is extremely alert. He is very aware of me and the moment that I set him down and walk out of the room, he bursts into tears. The tears stream down his face...it is the saddest thing in the world. So...because of this, I rarely ever leave him alone because I can't bear to hear him cry. It breaks my heart.
~ He is SO spoiled...he is held pretty much all of the time. And, honestly, I don't mind one bit carrying him around all day. If he is happiest in my arms, then that is where he'll be :). I've realized that these moments don't last very long, so I'm cherishing every precious moment that he wants to snuggle with me. He also takes his afternoon naps in my arms. Yes, he totally has me wrapped around his little finger :).
~ He sleeps through the night. Enough said.
~ He is getting more and more chunky every day. I just love all of his cute little rolls.
~ He gets a little nervous when Noah and Leah come around him, and I don't really blame him. He's been bonked by them a few times...nothing too bad, but enough to make him not want them around when they are being all rough and stuff. This is probably another reason that I tend to hold him more...someone needs to protect him from that 2 and 4 year old! They're CRAZY!
~ He absolutely hates his carseat. We just drove back from a trip to Lake Powell and he cried almost the entire time! We pulled over so many times to comfort him because that cry of his is so, so, SO sad! Doug and I felt so badly when we had to put him back in his seat, because the minute that we did, he just started to cry again. It's a good thing I pretty much stay home because I can't bare listening to him.
~ He's starting to giggle a lot, and his giggles are accompanied by the cutest little belly laugh. I love it!
~ He is a major drooler. This only started a few weeks ago, but I have to say that his drooling is getting out of control. The kid's a faucet! I had to start putting bibs on him because he was drenching his clothes with drool. He takes after Noah because he was the exact same way.
~ He keeps me grounded during the days. My days have been pretty crazy lately with Noah and Leah, and having him be so calm has calmed me down. I'm very grateful for that!
~ Noah and Leah adore him. Even though they are not the softest to him, which is something we're working on, they really love Isaac so much. They give him hugs and kisses all of the time, and I know that they love him so much. I'm so grateful that all of my children love each other the way that they do...makes me happy :).

It's true...we love this little guy! We simply can't get enough of him!

He's seriously a faucet...the drool doesn't stop!

Noah's FIRST Day of Preschool

Today was a big day for Noah...his FIRST day of Preschool! It was a big day for me too, sending my first born to Preschool is a huge step. I know that his teacher is going to do a wonderful job teaching him this year, and I do trust her, but it's just hard to let go. And I know that is normal. Letting go is hard...and this is just Preschool! Oh boy...I have a lot to look forward to :).

Back to Noah.

Noah has been excited to start preschool all summer. He has asked me often when he is going to start going and what he is going to do there. This is all so new to him, so I don't at all blame him for being full of questions on this next step in his young life. When I would tell him that he was going to learn more about letters, and numbers, and this, that, and another, and go on field trips, AND make friends...boy, oh boy, was he excited! Especially the part when I told him that in the Spring he gets to go to a fire station with his class...that was the one that *really* put a smile on his face.

Throughout the past week, Doug and I have been talking to him about how to act at school...you know...be kind, be nice, have fun...that kind of stuff. Well, yesterday he told me that I had nothing to worry about! I hope that he is right!

Last night Doug gave Noah a Father's blessing and Noah just took in everything that Doug said. I know that that blessing comforted him...and it comforted me too! So, when I took him to school this morning, we were both at ease and he joyfully walked into his classroom and immediately started to participate, but not before giving me a hug and telling me that he loved me.

It makes me feel like Doug and I have done something right. To watch him walk away from me and know that I am going to come back for him and trust me when I have told him that this new experience is going to be wonderful!

When I picked him up he was grinning from ear to ear. He had such a wonderful time and he has been telling me all day about all of the fun stuff that he did...and all of the fun stuff that is yet to come! The best part was when he told me that he had homework to do for Friday, which was accompanied by a huge smile! I hope that smile stays when he has homework in the years to come ;).

Being the mom that I am, I was excited to pick out his outfit for his first day. I was going to have him wear his new Quiksilver t-shirt, but then Doug said, jokingly, that he should wear a polo shirt so that he looks like he is going to school to learn and not play...ha! I think he looks like a stud in his cute shorts and polo shirt...he's definitely ready to learn!
When Leah saw Noah put on his backpack, she immediately ran and grabbed her backpack and kept saying over and over again, "I go to school with Noah!". I think Leah was trying to steal Noah's thunder by mimicing him...he did not think it was funny. I thought it was hilarious!

Noah in his classroom...he's all ready!

Here's Noah when I went to pick him up. His teacher was giving him his homework...let the fun begin!

Isaac's Blessing

Today was a very special day in our family. Isaac was given a name and a blessing by his daddy, and what a wonderful blessing it was! I am so thankful for Doug and that he has the power to bless our precious children. It really was so wonderful...the spirit was so strong and what made it even better was hugging my Noah and Leah while the blessing was taking place.

Afterwards, we were fortunate to have many family and friends come to our house for a nice meal and wonderful company! Thank you to everyone who came and made this day even more special for our family! We love you all!!!

Isaac wore the same blessing outfit that Noah wore when he was blessed. It was amazing putting Isaac in that same outfit and remember the day that Noah was blessed...it really does seem like just yesterday! Isaac looked so beautiful, or is handsome the right word? No, he looked absolutely beautiful! We love this little boy more than words and we are so happy that he is in our family! We love you, Isaac, to the moon and back!!!

Go UTES!!

I always look forward to the first Utah football game of the season, and this game was GREAT! We won, thank goodness {it was a little too close for comfort}! I also enjoy dressing the kiddos up in their Utah attire...they're definitely cute little Ute fans! Love it!!

GO UTES!!!