Bursting Bubbles

The other day the girls and I went to our favorite park to go on a bike ride/walk/run. The girls rode their bikes while I pushed Hailey in the stroller. After awhile of this, I realized that maybe it wasn't the best idea to have the girls on bikes because they were so far ahead of me. I started to get anxious and my mind started to wander as I began to think about all of the horrible things that could happen in just a couple of minutes. I decided to run the rest of the way but not before I pulled them aside and gave them the whole "not everyone in the world is good" talks. I hate those kind of talks. The kind where the perfect little bubble world that children live in is burst as they learn and are exposed more and more to the harsh reality of the evil and corruption in the world that surrounds them.

But then as I was passing an old man who was out walking, we began to talk and just as quickly as the pessimistic thoughts had entered my head, they were replaced with ones filled with optimism and hope. Optimism for the future and hope in mankind because all though there is a lot of bad of people out there, there are also LOTS of good ones. Ones who are still virtuous and honest, ones who still put family first, ones who still believe in marriage between a man and a woman, and ones who still put their trust in God...no matter what the future may bring or how bubble busting our reality appears.

Happy Father's Day

Walk a little slower, Daddy,
Said a little child so small.
I'm following in your footsteps
And I don't want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they are hard to see;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
For you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up,
You're what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.

Family Update with Pics

So I tried to be cute yesterday with my not-so-great cupcake decorating skills (one of my new laurels had her birthday yesterday)....I thought it was really good until I saw how messy the frosting looks in the picture. Apparently it is not one of my "presents" (you have to read the previous post to understand what that means).
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Yesterday me and my three daughters ventured out to the mall. It was a lot of fun...but there was one major problem. In the midst of shopping, Hailey had a blow out. Not just any blow out....the blow out of all blow outs. By the time I ran across the mall to the nearest bathroom (why don't malls have more bathrooms?!!!), the poop (sorry for the gross details, but it just makes the story that much better) was everywhere!!! It was all up her back and out her legs. In fact, when I picked her up it was sloshing out the side of her leg and oozing out all over the carseat. I told Katelund to get out the wipes and diaper and Cloey to find the extra outfit that I keep in the diaper bag. The extra outfit and the wipes come out but NO DIAPER!!! Somehow the diapers had come out of the diaper bag and were on the floor of the van. So I did what I had to do, I used my McGyver skills (did anyone else used to watch that show with their dad?) and I put her in the extra pair of panties that I keep in my bag for emergencies. Then I put a changing pad under her and hauled it to the van before she peed all over (which she did). If it had been my first baby I might have been in tears, but for some reason by the third time around...all I could do was laugh.


Playing around at the mall.

This summer we are spending a lot of time at the pool because the girls are on a swim team. They have practice three days a week and then a meet every Saturday. They had their first meet the other day and they did GREAT!! They are both LOVING it!!

Hailey starts rice cereal this month. Although I have only done it one time, she did great with it. I've never had a baby figure it out so quickly. Third time around must be a charm because not only does she eat great, she is also the best sleeper I've ever had. She sleeps around 9 hours straight every night. She must be feeling the pressure to keep up with her older perfect sister, Clairisa. :)

One of the things that I do regulary in my house is give pedicures. To my children (I've even given Hailey one) and to my husband (I think he needs it the most). This last time we snuck some flower stickers on his toenails. For the 10 seconds that they lasted on there, I had to get a picture (aren't his toes crazy?).

Remember how I was trying to decide if I should dye my hair auburn again or get highlights for the summer? Well I got both done and I absolutely LOVE it!! I just couldn't ask for a better color specialist (that would be Cory). I had my hair back in this pic but at least you can see some of the coloring in the front.

"Presents"

{This picture has nothing to do with my post...it's just the most recent picture I have of her.}

Tonight Katelund said our family prayer before bed. It was seriously one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard her give. She prayed for those who do not have families, she prayed for each member of our family specifically. She then prayed for everyone on the earth and for the prophet. She thanked Heavenly Father for Clairisa and that she is still part of our family and blessed her that she would have fun in heaven. :) She then thanked Heavenly Father for a Daddy that is fun and that plays with her, for a Mommy that takes care of her, for sisters who love her, and for a family who will go to her parade (she was very excited about the parade that she put together...Cory played the drums, I was the queen, and her and Cloey marched, danced, and sang) Then she said the following....

"...and thank you for all of the wonderful presents that each of us have been given. Thank you for the present that I have of being nice and caring for other people...."

At this point, I was on the verge of laughing and crying at the same time. Laughing because I thought it was so cute how she said "presents" instead of gifts. Crying because once again I have been powerfully and humbly taught by a child. I have never said a prayer of thanks for the gifts that I have been blessed with, in fact, most of the time, unfortunately, I am too focused on admiring and wishing for the gifts of others. Comparing. It is a horrible thing to do. Something that I have to persistantly and constantly try to avoid. Just this last week, I read a blog post of a friend that really effected me and has been on my mind ever since. If you click here you can read it from "Mommy Snark" herself (She's a fabulous writer!) My favorite line from her post is this...

"What a disservice to someone’s talent to only enjoy it through a veil of jealousy, to waste time that could be spent appreciating and enjoying, tearing myself down over something that I am not, that I may not ever be. I remember that when I love who I am, it is much easier to love others for who they are."

She is so right!! So tonight as I say my prayers, I will pray for the ability to love myself and others for who they are, repent of the natural [woman] in me who too often looks at others through a "veil of jealousy", and express gratitude for the "presents" that I have been so very blessed with.

Four Things I LOVE about you at Four Months

ONE....How you squeal with excitement whenever I walk into the room.

TWO....How you squirm and laugh whenever I tickle you.

THREE...How you fuss and fuss in your swing while we're eating dinner as a family, but the second we bring you over to join us, you are as happy as can be.

FOUR... how you do your crunches when your laying down, how you pout your little bottom lip when you are about to cry, how much you hate a dirty diaper, how you love to sleep in your crib, how you slept 11 hours the other night (unfortunately it was a one time thing and I didn't even enjoy the sleep b/c I was awake all night checking on you to make sure you were still breathing), how much you love to be held and rocked (oh wait, maybe I should rephrase that to how much I love to hold you and rock you), how happy your are in the morning, how tolerant you are of your sweet over-loving sisters, and last but definitely not least, how when you smile your entire face lights up and somehow the world becomes a better place. (Did you really expect me to just list four things???)

Hailey's Hands

Last week Hailey discovered her hands for the first time. Ever since then, she spends almost every waking minute staring at them. As I was watching her do this the other day, I found myself lost in my thoughts as I began to think about the many things that she will do with those sweet perfect little hands. She will build, organize, draw, paint, design, and create. She will use those hands to reach up for help and to someday reach down to lift another. She will clasp those hands as she says her first prayer and join those hands with the man of her dreams as she walks out of the temple doors. Her hands will be used for good as she serves others and then also folded in humility as she ask for forgiveness. Her little hands will be used to push around her little baby stroller and then to someday hold a perfect little baby of her own.

As a mother, I pray that she will always remember how important it is to only use her hands for good. To never use those hands to steal, cheat, or injure another. To keep her heart pure and her hands clean as she uses those hands to prepare for eternity. As she raises her hand in sacred ordinances and with her hands partake of the sacrament, may she always remember that it is upon the palms of His hands which she is engraven. And may she understand that it is because of His hand in her life that she can one day make her hands become like His.