Naptime

During naptime I like to go check on the boys, cover them up, and give them kisses while they peacefully slumber. Today when I went in, Kai wasn't in his bed.

I guess hiding behind the table eating cookie dough is more fun than taking a nap. 

Home

I finally feel like I am "home." After being here for two months, I would have to say that I feel settled. Settled in more than one way. Moving away from the people and place that was comfortable, to a place where I don't know one person, has forced me to put myself out there in a whole new way.  A way that takes me back to the insecure days of junior high. "Hi, wanna be my friend?" Pretty pathetic.

Since life during the day is often lonely for me, I have really dived into motherhood, in a new way. Reading books, playing hide and seek, watching the Disney channel, and playing at the park fill my days at a new level now. These little boys have become my best friends. I have two little shadows who love me unconditionally. They don't care if my clothes aren't fashion forward, or even if I haven't showered. I have traded in my black skirts and heals for sweats and tenni's. Sweat outfits have become my new mom uniform, and I don't know of a better uniform that I could wear.


Not only do I feel like I am home, as in we now have one, but I also feel like I have become more at home with myself. It has become very clear to me that my calling in life is not going to be owning a high-end salon in downtown SLC. My calling is to be a mom. Poopy diapers, sippy re-fills, naptimes, sleepless nights, sticky kisses, and all. When I think that my life couldn't be any more monotonous, and that my kids couldn't be any more needy, I think of those who would kill to have a life like mine. I think of those mothers who have dreamed their whole lives about having two little boys who demand their constant attention. Motherhood is a gift. I have one shot at this, and I don't get a do-over. I have been thinking a lot about the quote from  David O. McKay. He said, "The greatest work we will ever do is within the walls of our own home."


I often need a reality check to remember what matters. If I can rest my head at night knowing that I did my best for my kids that day, then I am doing my job. I have a lot of learning to do, but I am finding true joy in the journey of discovering myself in motherhood. I hope you are too.

Dads

I love my dad. Since, he is cool and reads my blog, I thought he deserved a shout out! My dad has always wanted to be involved in anything that I'm doing.  I thought that once I got married and had one baby, and then another that we might be un-invited to any family vacations. I was wrong. My dad always includes and spoils us.  Over Memorial Day weekend, he took us to St. George to play with them. 

 He is the best "pa" and can't get enough of my boys. He loves and respects my husband like a son. He makes an effort to call me, and check in on us. He makes me feel safe. Dal and I are constantly asking for his valued opinion. I always know that I can count on my dad. 

Dad's are the best. 

That brings me to Dallin. 

The daddy to my babies. 

The love of my life.

People often tell me that Dallin is the most hands-on dad they have ever seen. It's true. He has a deep love for his boys, and for spending time with them. I love watching him come up with fun little games and activities for them to do together. He will involve them in anything he is doing. He is tender....

and FUN!

We love daddy Dal!

I'm so thankful that my boys have such great people to look up to as their Dad and Grandpa!

Happy Father's Day!

9 months

This little guy just turned nine months old. He fills our house and hearts with love, 

and I really don't know what I would do without him. 

I am crazy about his long eye lashes,  his obsession with his big brother, and his funny army crawl. He has about 8 teeth now,  pulls himself up to anything he can get his hands on, pretty much refuses baby food, and will only drink a cold bottle. He loves to be tickled, and his funny laugh makes everyone laugh. 

Cal is so easy going. Sometimes I feel bad that I don't get to spend more time holding him, but I love every minute that I get to be with him. He is growing up too fast. I think I fall more in love with this little guy every day. 

Sidewalk Chalk

Kai and I have been taking our creativity outside to the sidewalk. I have been trying to make it a priority to have a different activity for us to do together everyday, and this one was a hit! (Good thing the chalk is washable.) I love to see him get excited about the cute lines and scribbles he draws. 

Kai is very routine oriented, so whenever I am introducing something new to him I have to remember that he doesn't think that you can do it any other way than the way I have shown him.  So now he thinks that when we do sidewalk chalk I should be sitting on the ground in a certain spot while he colors around me. If I stop drawing, or stand up, he will start crying because he thinks we are going inside. Hopefully he doesn't notice that the rain washed away our lovely artwork.  And yes, many of these activities happen in our p.j's. :)

What activities do you like to do with your kids?

A Random Update

Life has been moving forward and changed a lot for us, even though this blog has not. Life in Utah is peaceful, and the quality time we spend together is treasured. We are blessed to be here experiencing this new chapter in our lives here together.

Dallin's job couldn't be going any better. Although he can't tell me everything, I love the fun facts and updates that he can give me about the Temple's reconstruction. Did you know that the Ogden Temple serves more members than any Temple district in the world? They are building a new Temple in Brigham City, so it won't be for long. Dal travels to SLC to work at least once a week, but his desk and work is in South Ogden. We really look forward to 5:30 when daddy gets home!

I am still trying to perfect my mothering skills. I have so many thoughts, plans, and dreams of the kind of mom I want to be for my kids. Hopefully I don't screw them up too bad. I love the time that I get to spend here with my kids. There aren't any distractions that are pulling me in other directions, besides the laundry, dinner, groceries, cleaning, and so on. :) I got called to teach the CTR-4 class full of 10 energetic little girls. I still get to go home and work at the salon every 5 weeks, and we also get to spend a little time with our family back in Rigby. I do really well at journaling our family events, but I will try to do better at blogging about them once and a while too.

Kaizer is loving the space we have to run here, and always wants to be outside. We have been having so much fun going on walks, and he absolutely loves riding in the bike trailer. If I would let him, he would watch his shows all day. I sure wish he would look at the camera once and a while. I have lots of stories and fun things I need to share about this little character.

Cal is such a smoochy baby. He is so happy and has the funniest deep, fake laugh. We have started calling him "Calzilla" (you know,  like Godzilla) because of how he is always destroying Kai's creations. The train track doesn't hold up real well to his army crawl. I really wanted him to like binki's, because Kai hated them, so I kept shoving them in his mouth as a baby. Now, he is a little obsessed! I love the new teeth that keep adding to his gummy little grin.

There are lots of fun things coming up, and I am so excited for summer!

2

Kai man turned 2 last week.

 He has been really into Toy Story 2 lately, so of course we celebrated with Buzz and Woody cupcakes. I am pretty sure Kai ate three before lunch! It was our first time celebrating something without our families here, so it was nice of Camille and her family to stop in on their way to Idaho. 

Kai loved the bike we gave him, and we are excited for more warm weather so we can go on rides.

I love watching Kai learn and grow. I am always so excited every time he accomplishes something and now instead of getting scared, he claps and yells with me! It has been a huge victory and relief for us to have Kai start saying some words and understanding sounds a little better lately. We are hoping that his ear problems are all under control now. He has been really into dancing, building with his blocks, pulling his dad around by the finger, and he is still really attached to his blue blankey and now his pillow.

Happy birthday little buddy.