"Each moment of the year has its own beauty...

a picture which has never been seen before

and which shall never be seen again."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think it's perfectly alright to "Live in the Moment" sometimes,

especially with these little ones.

The past couple of days I feel like I just want to put my life on PAUSE,

...and hold them..... and kiss them..... and never let them grow up.

What moments of your day were beautiful?

FIVE

5 is my favorite number. My birthday is made up of 5's (10-25-85)... I'm sure that's why I like it.
Have you ever had to "pick a number, 1-10" in order to get something? We played it a lot as kids. My cousin and I used to fight over who got to pick the number first... she was born on the 5th of March.

5... it's a pretty number. Halfway to ten. Comfortable in it's own skin, not trying to be 4, not trying to be 6. Happy as it is. Five fingers on each hand. Five toes on each foot.

Today I like 5 for one more reason...

He has been MINE for 5 whole years.

A lot has happened since April 29, 2006.

We have had major accomplishments, minor set-backs, and A LOT of fun.

Five years brought us two precious little babies...

At age 20.5 (it goes along with the theme :) I had no idea what it would feel like to be 25.5... Now that I do, I wish I could have told my old self how much more I would love him now than I did then. But actually, I don't think I would have believed it was possible.

5 years later, I'm telling you, it is possible.

Here is to the next 5 years... 10 years... 50 years. Let's grow old together JJ. I love you!

High Heels and a Big Heart

Part One: Heart
We are trying to hold family home evening and teach Mary a lesson each week. Mary has enough of an attention span to listen for about 5 minutes, maybe 10 if it includes pictures. Last week we taught her about this:

The First Vision. I showed Mary this picture and pointed to Jesus and Heavenly Father. I told her who they are, and that they are the ones who listen to her prayers every day. She stared intently at the picture, looked at me, crossed her chubby little hands over her chest and said,

"I feel dat in my heart."

She repeated it again when I recounted it.

"Yeah, I feel dat in my heart." So quietly and reverently.

I have never said anything like that to her. It was one of those moments that I realized how close children are to the things that matter most.




Yesterday Ashton was fussing a little bit and I hear Mary talking in a high-pitched baby voice, "Hey Ash boy, I hear you. Yes, I hear you. It's alright. Yes I'm here. I'm here Ash Boy."

Last night she didn't want to go to bed unless "Ashton Boy" was lying
"wight there in dat bed by me!!"


Part 2: High Heels
Mary got a new pair of high heels she can call her very own. I am such a nice mom... she got to pick every single part of her outfit, including her accessories, and she didn't even have to ride in the cart (all of which can be quite a struggle with this little princess.)
Well, I should say that she has such a nice Dad, because without him, we wouldn't have had this luxury of walking everywhere at the grocery store. In this video, Jon is ahead of us pushing a 10 foot long plastic car cart with nothing in it but Ashton. It was a fun family excursion to the case-lot sale. I had a cart of my own, and a Mary to chase. (Good thing about the high heels is, she can't run very fast in them!)

I hate viewing movies with my head tilted to the side, so if you do too, don't watch this. If you don't mind a 60 second neck kink, then go ahead and watch Mary show off her fancy grocery store outfit.

5 months old

Don't you just want to squish him? He is my little sunshine.

Ashton's first few months of life were kind of rough, but we have got him all figured out.

He is such a happy and good-natured baby. Loud noises and lots of commotion still makes him put on a pitiful frown and even a sad cry, he's a sensitive little guy!

He caught RSV a couple of weeks ago, which was scary, but we feel blessed that he recovered quickly.

That open-mouthed smile melts me every single day. He's a momma's boy, and I love it.

Just shy of 18 lbs, and he's got the rolls to prove it!

Static

This stuff is perfect for my babies... It smells good, it makes their skin feel soft, and it never stings their eyes.

However, it has some side effects that aren't listed.

THIS is what it does to Mary's hair...

(Pictures courtesy of Jon's phone... taken at Costco, on the display couches)

I learned from a knowledgeable source that baby shampoo doesn't sting kids eyes, at the cost of over-drying their hair.

Do you have static problems?

My suggestion: Stop using baby shampoo and start with this $2 solution.

It totally helps!

Mary

This was 2 years ago when I held my little girl for the first time.

I can't believe how much better my life is with her in it.

She is talking so much, and really becoming more and more of her own person. It is so fun to hang out with her. Mary wears her heart on her sleeve, and I know exactly how she is feeling and what she wants (and doesn't want). She is a gentle and a caring child, but she also has a very strong sense of her way. She loves to be organized and is into her wardrobe, her hair, and her dolls. She sorts her toys by color and category, and always places them in a line. Like most toddlers, Mary definitely feels the beat of the music and encourages me to "Dance!" with her, even when I'm not in the mood.

"MINE!" is her new favorite word. I'm trying to teach her how to share (is that possible at her age? Anyone? My efforts aren't really working) However, when she claims ownership over me, and Ashton, and Jon, I kind of like it. I don't correct her when she says, "MY mommy. MY Ashton. MY daddy."

Something about it tells me that she likes being a part of this little family. And THAT is very endearing. I like it too. Actually, I love it.

And I love her.

"How wonderful life is, when you're in the world."

Happy Birthday Mary!

This blog REALLY inspires me. I hope it inspires you.

THIS post is a good one. AND the one that it is linked to. And there are A LOT more that make me happy, make me laugh, and cry, or are simply beautiful.

Sisters really are the best friends a girl can have. I am so grateful for mine, the ones I've known since birth, and the ones I have loved since we met. You REALLY are some of the very best women I know. Becca, Michelle, Julianne, Heather, Rachel, Kimmy, Jess, Katie. Thanks for being you, Lucky me!