The Rupert parade

The parade was hot. The kids were cute. I love the memories...not really the parade. Fun to see the kiddos fighting for candy and spending the afternoon sharing it!!

The slingshot!

First piggies

Our Epic Fail

 I was just driving home from what seemed to be a total "FAIL" of a movie night with highlights such as: Lucy dropping her pacifier on the movie theater floor...never to be found again. 

2 boys sooo scared (The great and Powerful OZ was too much for them) they either watched the movie turned backwards with hands over ears... or out in the hallway.

Spending most of the movie taking kids to and from potty breaks and popcorn refills...

and last but not least a HUGE blowout right before we headed home...leaving Lucy covered in poop clear to her hair...and riding home in just a diaper. 

 

Something kind of miraculous happened tonight though...I just rolled with it.  I guess I have always just kind of rolled with whatever comes with kids...you have to right?  But this time it felt so natural. I didn't feel like I was faking it or anything. I didn't feel totally defeated either.

 

  I remember sitting in the halls with a crying Aubrey and feeling so overwhelmed and stressed.  I don't know if it is because I am in my PRIME years or if you just adapt...or maybe I was just in a good mood...but seriously I wasn't fazed.  I climbed around the floor of a dirty...yucky movie theater with my cell phone for a light...searching madly for a pacifier to ease Lucy to sleep.  When I couldn't find it...I chuckled.  I rolled.

 

 Later as I sat in the hallway with Spencer I thoroughly enjoyed his dreams of having a "titamium world" so it is "super strong!!!" and "no bad guys could ever destroy because it would be so HARD."  Lucy's lack of a nap...whatever!  She'll survive and so will I.  I rolled. 

 

Even Weston being super scared of the movie.  Before this would have made me feel terrible. I would have felt guilt. You know ladies...MOM GUILT.  When you feel like you make mistakes all the time.  Instead, I found myself thinking how ironic it was that my first scary movie was the Wizard of OZ!  Oh how i hated it...and now his was pretty much the same. He'll probably have nightmares too...oh well!  He'll survive.  As did I. 

 

As we walked to the car...Spencer chatted on about how he knows with a "super power boost" he could easily swim "across the whole ocean."  Weston explained the movie got better and Aubrey thanked her brother for staying with her till the very end.  Lucy pooped like Lucy does and I changed a diaper that would have made most people vomit....and I survived.  Dirty hands and all...I rolled!

 

 As I drove home I called Jake to have him hurry and pick up a pacifier (that was the last one) so Lucy could go to BED as soon as we arrived home.  My kids sang to the radio and I felt...GREAT!  It was weird. This is a weird post.  I guess I just wanted to document how much I am enjoying motherhood lately.  I still get stressed.  I still want things to be perfect and for the kids to "hurry" sometimes....ok, lots of times.  But overall I am enjoying these days.  I feel happy to be a MOM.  I am living my dreams and happy to do it.

I am grateful for the little moments to get to know my kids better.  I love EPIC FAILS almost as much as perfect nights.  Fun times.

 

My mom always said a quote...so I looked it up.  It was Ralph Waldo Emerson"That which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased." She always talked about this when it came to parenthood...motherhood.  I am grateful I have persisted in doing that...being a MOM.  Don't know how great I am at it..but I rolled.

I didn't even get a good pic.  Who cares!?   

Lucy Marie: 8 months old

The months are flying by now and Lucy is already 8 months old.  Pardon the dirty shirt and messy hair.  I just wanted to get the pictures done...and decided it was better to do them NOW then put them off till I had time to give Lucy a bath and get her all dolled up.  She is cute regardless so it really doesn't matter.

Lucy finally mastered rolling over and still doesn't like her stomach...but is starting to tolerate it. She LOVES people so much.  I take her to our gym every morning and everyone KNOWS Lucy!  She smiles at all the workers and kids and other babies the whole time.  I have never picked up her sad, unless it is way past her nap time.  Speaking of naps...they are going out the window in the mornings, cause big brother and sister are home from school and they want to swim and do other things.  Lucy seems to go with the flow pretty well and tries to catch up on naps in the afternoon.  She STILL doesn't sleep through the night...and I don't like that, but I just don't have it in me to have her cry it out.  She is spoiled!  She gets a lot of hugs and loves and gets carted around a lot.  We love you little Lou Lou Lemon (her new nickname.)
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is how she likes to spend her time.  Standing next to the couch....feeling like she is SUPER cool.

 

 

 

Love her bum up in this picture. 

 

 

Family night

I haven't been blogging enough lately. I guess I blame instagram. Life is good. Kids are out of school. We swim every day at Lifetime and that helps us enjoy this wonderful HOT weather. Tonight for FHE we enjoyed some time on the range....then frozen yogurt. Last our sweet Aubrey gave a wonderful lesson on Joseph Smith and the first vision. I couldn't be more blessed. Loving the simple life.

I kept watching the kids with their dad tonight and feeling like we are ALL so blessed to have Jake in our lives. He is an amazing father and works so hard so I can be a stay at home mom!  Not to mention he is a great husband too. Thanks babe!

Hot Date!

 

So two years ago around this time...Jake went out of his way to be AMAZING and took me dancing for the first time.  Our friends had gone to the Mesa High school band/dinner the year before and convinced us to go. So with trepidation Jake attempted to DANCE.  Anyway, it was a total blast and ever since I have been looking forward to going back and trying out the SWING and the 2 step and what not.  Last year I was pregnant and felt horrible so it had to wait till this spring.  This year wasn't AS fun as last year...but we still had some moves.  I was just bummed because before they had people there teaching us how to dance and we NEED that!  haha

Anyway, I just like having a date to look forward to and this was one for sure.  I love Jake and I appreciate him doing something out of his comfort zone!  You rock my dear!!!

Later that night we got to go out with some fun friends from Jake's old job.  It is always so fun to see them.  I wish I would have taken more pics...but here is one.  We ended up doing country dancing with these guys.  Too funny!!

Mother's Day

Left Corner then clockwise: Lucy, Aubrey, Weston, Spencer, Samantha

I put these pics up with the intention to do a blog post about Mother's day.  It really was a wonderful day and weekend really.  We went to Pei Wei sat night.  Then Shelly called and we went shopping together and that was totally fun.  Jake had taken the kids shopping on Sat. and I was wondering what they would be getting me...I love surprises.  Sometimes in the past, I picked my own presents...but this year...I just waited it out.  Sunday morning Jake was actually able to be home from some of his church meetings and that was so nice.  I got cards and colored pages from the kiddos.  Then my presents...Jake got me workout clothes!! I was really excited.  I had actually looked for them myself the night before with Shelly and couldn't find any I liked.  We joined a gym about a month ago and I go almost every day...so they were needed and WANTED! Church was wonderful and I am so grateful for all of the friends, Mom's and Grandmas in my life who are such amazing examples to me.  I love being a MOM.  Although I am not perfect and I find it hard at times.  Being a MOM is by far what makes me the MOST happy in life. 

Later that night we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Watkins and had a wonderful dinner. I loved not having to cook and chiling with the family.   Jake surprised me again with cheesecake (my FAVORITE dessert). 

 

The cute girls with Grandpa Norm.  Not the best pic of this handsome guy...but the girlies look so cute!

The day really was wonderful and over and over again I felt honored and grateful for the wonderful life I have been blessed with.  Not all Mother's days have been easy for me. I know that this day can be hard on so many women.  I remember the one after Samantha died being so hard. Feeling like I may never have the family I often dreamed of.   Then later after Spencer we had a hard time getting pregnant...and that Mother's day was hard. I wanted so desperately to have more children and couldn't understand why that hadn't happened for us yet. I guess I am trying to say that I know Mother's day isn't always a happy day.  Sometimes we have times in our lives where they are hard and maybe feel down.  I have beautiful friends who long for husbands and babies and have the desire to Mother.  I wish this day was always amazing for every girl. I really do. Sadly that isn't how it is...but I hope that we can all have reason to be happy and grateful for our lives.  Remember that life does change and dreams  can come true.  This isn't written very well at all...but what I am trying to say is I am grateful for a Happy Day and I know that it isn't that way for everyone....always;  however, I am going to be grateful for this gift, and pray that all of my dear friends...will have their "happy day" soon enough! 

These silly kids really are each their very own person.  I am in awe of their talents, strengths and STRONG personalities.   

For my kids. 

Aubrey: You are absolutely brilliant.  I am thrilled to see how well you learn and then retain information.  You are a wonderful singer and have hidden musical talents for sure.  I am so glad that you are the oldest and get to help teach and be an example for your brothers....I pray you continue to be a leader and make righteous choices.  I know you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to...and I know you will do amazing things in this life! You are beautiful and kind.  Thanks for beings super organized and wonderful.  Love you!

Weston: You are our "sports boy"...according to you!  Weston though...I want you to know you are more than just super coordinated.  You have been blessed with many talents that I hope you use to serve others.  Weston I want you to be a good boy.  Follow your Father's example and be kind to women.  I hope you are always as hard of a worker as you are now. You bring a lot of joy to me and Dad...we love you "Donny", "Westino Caprino!"

Spencer: You are growing up so fast now days.  I am loving our talks on the way to and from the gym.  You love to have "rituals" and to keep everything fair in our home.  You are a wonderful big brother to our sweet Lucy.  She loves spending time with you and you are sooooo funny!  I am excited to see you develop your personality and talents.  You are going to school next year and Mom will miss you so much!  You're the best! aka Spenner, Benner, Ben...Mookie!

 

And last but certainly not least...

Lucy Bear: You are such a little doll.  We love your smiles, your sweet spirit...your eyes...your chub!!! The list goes on and on. We are so glad to have you in our family and to see who you become.  I personally just LOVE how social you are!!  It is fun to have a baby that smiles at EVERYONE!  I feel you truly make peoples day.  I seriously have random old ladies just hugging you and wanting pics of you!  I let them...because I feel honored to have you in our family and I know that Heavenly Father sent you to this earth for amazing things!!!

All of my kids...Samantha included.  Be patient with me.  Know I want to be a wonderful Mother.  Know I love you!  Know I am grateful for you!  I am so glad to have you in our Eternal Family!!

Lucy Marie: 7 months

I don't quite know what to say about sweet Lucy this month. Not a whole lot has changed.  She still just loves to sit and play with toys and smile and socialize.  She has made NO attempt to roll over or sleep through the night.  She does kind of make crawling motions on her tummy and ends up turning in circles.  She HATES her tummy though and really isn't on it much. Today she was having a hard "teething" day....still no teeth however.  Anyway, it was still her 7 month anniversary so we had a little photo session.  She wasn't very happy...but cute nontheless.  We sure love our little girl and feel so blessed to have her special sweet spirit in our home and family.
 

 

 

 

Biting her lip...alot lately.

 

 

 

 

 

Last day of preschool

This last half of the year Spencer has been going to a co-op kind of preschool.  Myself and 3 other Mom's in our neighborhood have been taking turns teaching the kids.  It has really been a joy with this group of cuties.  Today we celebrated with snacks at the park.