Van Vleet Street

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mothers Day weekend

I say weekend because I was lucky enough to get mine spread out over a few days...

On Thursday Nathan gave me the gift he made at pre-school. He decorated a mug for me with a cute flower plant tucked inside. The card he had dictated to his teacher and inside it said

"I love you.

I like doing homework with you.

And you have pretty eyes.

(heart) Nathan"
It was SO sweet, I know he put a lot of thought and work into these.

On Friday Tyler gave me gifts that he made in school as well. He made a beaded penquin key chain, a button & flower bracelet, and a sweet note that expressed how much he loves me. He too put so much work and thought into his wonderful gifts.

Josh forced the kids to go with him to the store on Saturday (which made me laugh because all of them hate going to the store) except for Nathan who sometimes likes to go with me, and only if he is pretty sure I will get something for him =). They got me flowers, a card, hot rollers (which I had asked for.... lol), and stuff to make a special dinner on Sunday.

Sunday was full of craziness! Even though I am in the primary presidency, I completely forgot that Nathan had a talk until a couple hours before church. I quickly wrote one up and practiced it with him. He kept saying he didn't want to do a talk (it was his first), but when it came time, he did it! and he was great!
Primary was a little crazy, as it has been for a few weeks since we have been filling in for our primary president who just had a baby a couple weeks ago. I was running around for the last 2 hours of church and one of those with a baby on my hip that cried everytime I handed one of our teachers a cupcake that the Releif Society gave us for Mother's day. He knew how yummy they were and would pitch a fit each time I gave one away =) silly boy =)

Here is that silly boy who fell asleep in his highchair today

and again, trying on his cool shades =)

and here are all of my silly boys, whom I adore!

Mothers Day is always a nice reminder of how important the sacred calling of Motherhood and womanhood is. These sweet children who are entrusted in our care need the love of their mothers and the good example of caring women in their lives.

Serving in the primary with all those kids who look up to me as one of their leaders reminded me that Motherhood extends out to more then just my own children. I got a huge hug on Sunday by a very shy girl, who now smiles at me all the time. At her brother's baptism on Saturday I asked if she wanted to sit by me because I noticed she was standing off to the side by herself. That one gesture of offering her a seat near me and me telling her how sweet she was, made such a difference to her. What a great feeling to know that you have made a difference in the life of a child.

That same day at church our stake president was on the stand during sacrament meeting. Josh noticed him lean over to his counselor & wisper something, followed by the counselor pointing us out to the pres. Of course this caused an "oh no" reaction =) LOL Nobody wants to be pointed out to the stake president for fear you might get a stake calling =) Later on in the day a note was delivered to Josh for us, from the stake President. It was hand written and said some of the sweetest things. He had been watching our family and felt inspired to write a note to us. It was complimentary, inspiring, prophetic, and full of love for us. I know the Lord inspired him that day to personalize a loving message from our Heavenly Father. I am thankful for inspired leaders and for opportunities to lead and be inspired.

I hope that I can always remember these tender moments when the Lord teaches me simple yet important lessons of love.

Monday, May 2, 2011

pre-baby family photos

I can not belive I never posted these .....
They were taken Nov 2009 by a friend of mine (who does awesome work), I was 4 months pregnant at the time so technically we are all in the family photo =) Now that Jacob's here I need to get her to do some more photos =)
you would never know it, but the day before most of these where taken, Nathan had been bit really bad in the face by a dog. He had bruising under his eye, a gash and butterfy stitches on the bridge of his nose. I was so worried and upset about the whole thing, but Shannon (the photographer) assured me you wouldn't be able to tell. She did an amazing job I'd say!

Well, since I've completely missed my baby's life.....

So yes, I realize I am horrible considering my youngest is a year old now and has not even been mentioned on my blog. Even worse..... he has no scrapbook..... say what?! Yep, Kayla as you once knew her is no more. Sadly =(. Okay that must change. No kid of mine goes without at least one scrapbook! =) LOL

I've pretty much given up on trying to catch up on this blog.... trying to catch up is what got me SO behind in the first place. I may try to recap a tiny bit...... oh give me a break, I can't let my Baby have no record of his first year =) LOL

Things are good! Jacob is one hilarious child! He fits in well with the rest of us nuts =) He is learning to shake his head no and nod yes. He is also a huge fan of giving high fives to everyone. Once you get him started it never ends unless you distract him by saying "yay! clap" then he will start clapping =) He makes us laugh.

Tyler is now seven years old. Yes 7! can you believe it? He is doing really well in school and loves the people there, but he is very excited for summer because he wants to "spend more time with Mommy." Which in some way is translated to spending more time playing the Wii, but still, I like the way he thoughtfully worded it to make me feel so loved =). no, seriously, he is actually looking forward to being with his Mommy more. I feel very blessed that he still lets my give him hugs and kisses in front of all his friends at school. I even asked him and he said he likes it when I yell "By sweetheart, I love you, have a good day!" across the school yard =) Yep! I am one of "those moms" and lucky enough to have a kiddo that accepts me for who I am =) LOL

Nathan is now 5 and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Of course I will yell mushy statements of love to him as well =) He may have a totally different reaction but that may just be because he is still small enough for me to pick up, swing around, and kiss =). oh yeah baby! I am totally one of those Moms! Hey, can you blame me? they are stinkin adorable, and they are not getting any younger! I can't believe my little Nathan is Five!!! It is just crazy how fast they are growing up! I am a little upset with time. He is stealing presious moments from my mind and I am frantically trying to keep them fresh there. Back off time! I want my babies to slow down a bit! =)
and while you're at it, hold off on the grey hairs and wrinkles please...... thanks! I'll tip you later!