gwyneth breann jones

This is my new niece. Isn't she adorable? Congratulations, Eric & Jenny. We are so excited for you guys. Your lives will NEVER be the same...in a really amazing way.  Good luck!

half marathon

I had the awesome experience of running in the Salt Lake City Half Marathon. Originally, I had intended on training for the full marathon, but when I realized that I wouldn't have enough time to complete the full training schedule I decided the half marathon would be a good compromise. It was so exciting to begin training. I lost my original running partner after our first long run (sorry Lisa), but I gained two more running partners; Alissa and Carrie.

I ran a full marathon 5 years ago and have continued running about 3 miles a day ever since (except during pregnancy).  I finally decided that it was time to step up my game. The first 5 miles felt great, then 7 miles, 10 miles and finally 13.1 miles. The training was incredible and the race was even better.  It was easy, fun and I felt great afterward! I can't wait to do more half marathons later this summer.  Also, it was a pleasure running with these ladies and getting to know them better.  Can't wait for more!

off track

Payton was off track the last week of March and first couple weeks of April.  We love having him home with us.  We got to sleep in many mornings, we had lots of play dates with friends, we got to spend time at the park, we went to doctor's appointments, we went to McDonald's and the boys got to sleep over at their Grandparent's house.  We also got to go visit my Grandpa's grave site and see his new marker.  It was a fun filled few weeks. 

Aren't these faces irresistible?

wicked

The show was WICKED awesome! It was my second time seeing it and I LOVED it just as much as the first time! I can't wait to see it again. Thanks Babe (and Kent for waiting in line for the tickets)!

happy easter

Easter was fabulous for us! We were able to celebrate by coloring eggs on Easter eve. 

The boys woke up on Easter morning and found their hidden Easter baskets. They were simple this year. They also got new Easter outfits, which they wore to church (and I neglected to take a picture).

After church we had a nice dinner with Tim's family and an Easter egg hunt.  

(Don't you love the sweet picture with the awesome shadows.  Thanks Pay!)

(Love this picture of Bricey-Loo)

(Another cutie pie...little Em)

Fortunately, for me, I was able to celebrate Easter and focus on the true meaning of this day well into the next week. Our church had our Easter Sacrament Program the following week due to Fast Sunday being on Easter.  I was asked to speak about the Atonement. Specifically, our Savior's sacrifice for us in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I'm so grateful for this incredible time of year that we have to reflect on what Jesus Christ did for us. 

"Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement.  Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully.  The nature of the Atonement and its effects is so infinite, so unfathomable, and so profound that it lies beyond the knowledge and comprehension of mortal man."

-President James E. Faust.

unselfish service

This past week Tim was out of town and Cooper was sick.  Cooper is always sick when Tim leaves town.  It must be some deal that the two of them have worked out.  Needless to say, no husband and a sick baby is a recipe for disaster.  Tim is home now and Cooper is feeling better, but I'm left feeling exhausted.  

Tim had the day off today so I left the house this morning for an appointment and to run some errands.  I thought that having some time for "me" would make "me" feel better.  I was angry when I returned home to a messy house, messy kids and a busy husband hustling about doing his yard work.  I started to feel really angry.  I was exhausted, I needed a break, but because I am a mom, I never get a break.  My job never ends.  I need more time for "me."

After cleaning up the house and pouting for most of the day I decided to sit down at the computer and catch up on my blog and e-mails (you know all the important stuff I have to do).  I pulled up my internet home page, which is lds.org and noticed the conference talks were posted there.  My friend told me how much she loved Elder Dallin H. Oaks talk from conference.  I remember thinking it was good, but couldn't remember anything specifically so I decided to read his talk.  The following portions of his talk, Unselfish Service, were an answer to my prayer today.  I wanted to share them with you.  

"Mothers suffer pain and loss of personal priorities and comforts to bear and rear each child. Fathers adjust their lives and priorities to support a family. The gap between those who are and those who are not willing to do this is widening in today’s world…We rejoice that so many Latter-day Saint couples are among that unselfish group who are willing to surrender their personal priorities and serve the Lord by bearing and rearing the children our Heavenly Father sends to their care. We also rejoice in those who care for disabled family members and aged parents. None of this service asks, what’s in it for me? All of it requires setting aside personal convenience for unselfish service. All of it stands in contrast to the fame, fortune, and other immediate gratification that are the worldly ways of so many in our day.

C. S. Lewis explained this teaching of the Savior: “The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first—wanting to be the centre—wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan: and that was the sin he taught the human race. Some people think the fall of man had something to do with sex, but that is a mistake. . . . What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come . . . the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

A selfish person is more interested in pleasing man—especially himself—than in pleasing God. He looks only to his own needs and desires. He walks “in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world” (D&C 1:16). Such a person becomes disconnected from the covenant promises of God (see D&C 1:15) and from the mortal friendship and assistance we all need in these tumultuous times. In contrast, if we love and serve one another as the Savior taught, we remain connected to our covenants and to our associates.

The values of the world wrongly teach that “it’s all about me.” That corrupting attitude produces no change and no growth. It is contrary to eternal progress toward the destiny God has identified in His great plan for His children. The plan of the gospel of Jesus Christ lifts us above our selfish desires and teaches us that this life is all about what we can become."

This beautiful talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks put me right back in my place.  Who cares about me?  I'm ashamed that I was being so selfish.  However, there are so many people in the world today telling us that we should care more about ourselves than others.  Thank goodness for Latter Day Apostles who can guide and direct us, when many others seem to be leading us astray.  I'm now inspired and motivated to get back to serving my family.  I'm grateful for the renewed energy I feel by reading the words of a latter day apostle of God.  I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to serve God's children every single day of my life.  I hope that I never take this opportunity for granted again.  

one year old

It's truly unbelievable that our sweet little Cooper is already one. This little guy has brought so much joy to our home. He has been an angel baby. Cooper is always content and happy.  He loves to play with his brother's and he is such a Mama's boy, (which I LOVE).  

This past month Cooper's 4 front teeth have popped through the gums.  We love his cheesy smile!

Cooper is now in a forward facing car seat.  He was stunned the first time he rode in the car this way.  He wasn't quite sure what to do with himself.

Cooper loves to pull himself up and walk around everywhere.  He is extremely mobile, but hasn't dared to let go and take off on his own two feet yet.  

Cooper discovered the stairs this month and loves to torture me by trying  to constantly climb up them.  I've caught him a number of times almost to the top (without any supervision).  Scary, but it is so cute to watch him climb those stairs.  He's fast!

Cooper is still growing, but is slowing down (just like our other boys did).  He weighs 21 pounds (25th percentile) and is 28 1/2 inches long (20th percentile).

Cooper loves to explore and crawl all over the house.  His favorite place is right under Mommy's feet.  We love our little Coopy and are excited to see how much he changes over the next year!

cooper's first birthday party

My friend Lisa gave me all the decorations and ideas for this party.  Her twins turned one last month so I got to benefit from her creativity.  I did have to make my own invitation though.

Cooper and his cousin, Eme, loved playing with the balloons.  Eme just turned one also.  They were born three days apart.  

As you can see, Cooper's favorite thing was the balloon!

He did like opening his presents (as long as his balloon was in hand).

He did not like sitting in his wagon.  I guess he had too much fun already!

After his tantrum, Cooper needed to refuel.

Once he regained his energy it was time for the cupcakes and cake!

Cooper loved everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him.

He took his time and enjoyed taking little bites of his cake.

Cooper had such a fun time at the party and so did we!

guess who?

Do you believe that the picture above and the picture below are the same child?  I'm having a hard time believing it!  Parker decided that he wanted his hair cut "like Payton, Ashton (his cousin), Cooper and Daddy."  I guess he was feeling a little bit left out.  I didn't want him to cut his hair.  I loved that he was different.  He had the best long hair that suited his personality.  However, he is getting older and wants to make decisions for himself.  I had to let him do it.

Payton took pictures throughout the whole haircut process.  Parker looks like he was having doubts!

Tim asked Susie to cut his hair into a mullet first.  They almost left it, but then decided not to.  It would have been pretty funny for a day or two. 

Parker loves his new "spiky" hair and so do we!  

twenty excuses

For my blogging comeback I thought that I would share all the wonderful excuses I could give you as to why I haven't blogged in a month.  The following are twenty things I've been doing instead of blogging:

1. Supervising my 4-year-olds double dates (with an older woman). And enjoying some yummy frozen yogurt at "Spoon Me" with great friends.

2.  Watching this little guy change every single day.

3.  Having fun with girlfriends. I love spending time with these ladies!

4.  Going on a field trip for preschool.  I love Parker's preschool class.  He is so lucky to have two of his best buddies in class with him.  Parker is such a good student.  His teacher tells me every time I pick him up how good he and his friends are.  I feel so blessed that Parker is a good boy and that he has good friends.  (Let's hope that lasts through the teenage years!!)

5.  Spending time (six hours) at Primary Children's Hospital with Cooper. He ended up being sick for 2 weeks with Bronchiolitis accompanied by a Restrictive Airway Disorder (considered Asthma in older children). We are hoping this was a one time deal that we will NEVER have to deal with again. It was such a hard couple of weeks.

6.  Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with my three boys (and Tim). My boys loved their "Hulk" t-shirts that Grandma Patty gave them.

7.  Going to Payton's Parent-Teacher Conferences and hearing about how well he is doing at school. We are so proud of him. We also loved that Payton got to be the Star Student at school this month. It was fun to celebrate Payton. He is such a good student, a responsible child and a fun BIG boy (I wrote "little" boy and he got mad. He made me change it to "BIG.") We LOVE having him in our lives and feel so blessed that he is such an easy, well-behaved, kind, loving son!

8.  Training for this...

9.  Watching Payton play with his loose tooth until he finally lost it on Wednesday, March 25th.

(BEFORE-it looks like his tooth is gone, but it's just pushed forward.  

His new tooth was already growing in behind it.)

(AFTER - He loves his new gap in his mouth.  

It's amazing how fast his permanent tooth is shooting out from behind.)

10.  Cooking.  I love these yummy broccoli, cheese omelets.


11.  More cooking.  I made these Petite Turkey Meatloafs with Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes.


12.  Loving Payton & Parker's beautiful artwork that I always display on the garage door that you can view in the kitchen.  It's so great to enjoy the artwork for a week or two and then replace it with new artwork. Once I take it down it usually goes in the trash, but I'm always grateful that we got to enjoy it instead of just saving it in a box!


13.  Being harassed because of this...


14.  Having fun with friends making edible playdough.

15.  Saying Goodbye to Tim's Great-Grandma Hull. She was 97-years-old and led an amazing life. It was wonderful to spend time with family at her funeral and learn more about her.

16.  Having an awesome night out at the Jazz Game with friends. We loved being able to go down on the floor afterwards and enjoy the excitement. We also got to go to a reception with Greg Miller, Randy Rigby and Andrei Kirilenko. It was an awesome way to end an amazing game!

17.  Baking. My new favorite recipe is black bean brownies. Yum!

18.  Missing my husband.  This cartoon sums up his new job.

19.  Cherishing every second I have with these little people!

20.  Enjoying the journey.  I've spent a lot of time reflecting this past month.  After two deaths in our family, Cooper's illness, and feeling crazy with the busyness of life, I've really tried to slow down and enjoy each day; each moment.  Don't I look like I'm enjoying life?  (Payton was having some fun with the camera.)  I'm really trying hard not to sweat the small stuff and enjoy everything and everyone around me...including myself!