The tooth crew

My 40 th birthday is coming up on tues and last night I got the surprise of my life!!!! As I was sleeping Alin came in and said I needed to help him catch a bat (if this sounds like a strange request, it's not, we've had a few incidents with bats) so I crawled out of bed, put my sweater on and probably said something like "I can't believe again" and followed him out there EXCEPT for this time when I rounded the corner my barely functioning body and eyes made outlines of tons of people...Alin had everyone flown out here for my birthday(missing Brent and Chaston) but 22 people here, in my house. SURPRISE I can't believe he organized all and surprised me. Thank you is hardly the word to use I need to find a bigger, grander word. I screamed, cried ran back and forth like a chicken with my head cut off (there's video) my heart is so full for my family and that my husband put so much thought into this. He just earned himself 364 sleep in days ( Mother's Day still should be for me)

The funny thing is I kept asking him if he had anything planned and he just kept telling me whatever I wanted. I'd always wanted to go to Paris for my 40th but the arrival of Abbie made that a delayed goal but this was way better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poor guy even yesterday I said to him" this is a big birthday" I've been alive longer than ill be alive" and various other comments. Here's to a husband that completely and still manages to knock my socks off!!!!!!

Horrible days...not a stellar mom day in sight and the kids have been horrible... Really there is no other words for it. Since masons bowel issues( 2 trips to ER, an x-ray a couple of enemas and a suppository) this has gone on for over a month where he whines all day and then when he has to go screams so loud for up to 1/2 hr, sweats and then nothing. I go from feeling so sorry for him to so frustrated...I think I'll stop right here, take a few breaths, count to 10 (maybe a couple of times) but this journal entry is just so you know you will have days like this

We had our little family celebration on Tuesday, Alin took the day off and we had a little adventure, that journal entry was before. So on Saturday we had a little birthday party for him. We had baked potatoes bar (which are always a hit and so easy) vegetables, meat, chips, lots of fruit and another homemade cake (I love making the cakes for the kids) this years was Cars. Had a little banner up, his invitations with pictures and a car piñata as the centre piece. The goodie bags turned out great, I just copied a picture of computer, glued it on brown paper bags, filled them and then tied him up with raffia. They looked cute, and of course the birthday shirt.

We had Azzi's, Mcateer's, Ghamian's, Anderson's, Alin 's parents, Varos, it ws a lot of fun and we played down in the gym. The kids had a blast and got along great.

I love you Mason and love having little parties to celebrate YOU!

Your fierce independence, how you need to do everything for yourself. You learned how to put your shoes on lickety-split which was a bonus but with that came the ability and desire to unzip your sweater or jacket as we're just leaving the house, take off your shoes and just so there's a little more work for me you pull the socks off as well

You love to get into everything, things I didn't even think would be interesting, kids love remotes that I was expecting but to love batteries threw me off. You try and take them out of everything and when they don't come out easily you just smash the remote or said device to floor to see if they will come out.

You love being in the kitchen, fridge, icebox(which leaves super slippery puddles of water in the floor.)

You love doing everything Mason does and he's the first person your excited to see, you try and copy his every move...not fun since he sometimes isn't on his best behaviour but adorable when you look up at him with those striking blue eyes like he's the hero of your little world.

You love "Abbie's" to pieces she is defiantly going to have a best friend in you, bonus your getting a lot gentler (in sure Abbie appreciates that too)

Your a great sharer, and have no problem handing most things over

Your BUSY seems like such a little word for how truly on the go you are. Really hurricane seems to be the only word that comes close. So my little hurricane I just wanted to write this little post about you, the other day I found a quote that describes you to a "T" at this stage of your life, so I'm going to frame it and put on your room. Here's to moving mountains my little one, love you beyond measure. Squeeze,squeeze,squeeze

Tomorrow is masons birthday and our little man is 3!!!!. Craziest phenomena is how the days and nights can last forever but the weeks, months and years fly.
It's funny how acutely I remember some things, the birthing labour part was horrendous and exhausting and then one minute your preparing to be a mom and the next your in charge of this little thing it's been quite a journey from exhaustion to elation to worry to happiness. I do love being a mom, it's the hardest thing I've ever done but the moment you get a little hug or kiss or I luf you melts me.

The things he's doing now:
•Talking a ton
•Still loves McQueen and all his cars
•Loves his Thomas train
•Counts to 20, anytime we see numbers or letters he reads them
•It's been fun to watch him interact with his sisters and react (not so fun)
•he's so smart and picks things up quickly...not so great when Alin walked into the house and mason meets him with "oh for Pete's sake, your driving me bonkers" to Alin's credit he figured out we were having a learning curve day:)
•he is snugly and wants to be hold or cuddled or hugged and kissed all the time

Lots of other little things Mason that makes you perfect for our little family we LOVE YOU and enjoy your company. Happy Birthday love bug💗

Tonight you have gone to the priesthood session of conference with Dan, I hope you have a good time and hear some words that touch your heart and will help us as we raise our wonderful little, busy, tiring, fulfilling, cute..family. As you left tonight and kids were in different stages of falling asleep my thoughts went to how thankful I am to have you as my husband.

I'm thankful of what an amazing dad you are, how you tickle, snuggle and play with them and that you sneak them little treats and gifts (that's what dads are supposed to do, we moms just pretend sometimes that we don't notice) that you have their best interests at heart and you work hard to provide for us all. I know the stress you must feel having to work and then be expected to perform at home as well (cracked my self up, that sounded pretty amorous) by perform I mean hold miss a and listen while I ramble on about and sometimes complain about my day.

I'm thankful for the husband you are to me, that you still crack me up, that I still get shivers up and down my spine when you kiss me, that all I need to rejuvenate me after a day from he.. Is a big hug and kiss when you walk in the door how you appreciate what I try and do at home and that your understanding, kind, encouraging and forgiving. I love you more and more each day.

The kids actually went to sleep quite easily as I tucked in Abbie, rocked Dani to sleep and then snuggled with Mason I do know how truly blessed we are to have these 3 little angels (most days) in our little family, and for the first time as I snuggled with Mason and kissed him under the chin as he giggled I truly felt this is what matters. Not a spic and span kitchen, no crumbs on the floor, everything looking perfect. (This doesn't mean it's going to get worse than it is, it just means I had my aha moment where it won't keep me up at nights)

I am trying to be the best wife and mother that I can, i am far from perfect and have had to apologize to you and the kids before and eat humble pie but I truly have everyone's best interests at heart and strive everyday to be better. I love you and our 3 tornadoes so much that my heart feels as if it will burst out of my chest. I want you to know most importantly that I married YOU because I love the person YOU are and that I will love you always no matter what . Te iebesc your loving wife, Shannon

Ps. I love you big white house style;)
Pps. Good thing I had my aha moment as I was just starting to do dishes when Abbie woke up and instead of getting frustrated I'm delightfully nursing her (okay maybe not delightfully but at least I'm not cursing in my head...that's an improvement)
Xoxoxo