Just Another Day in Paradise... Really???

The last 2 days have been LOOOONNNNGGGG!
At 4:00 when I woke up with Hallie, I thought.."Good I have 3 more hours to sleep before the kids wake up" well, those 3 hours went fast. Luckily the kids slept in until 7:30. I was so tired though, and got a little teary eyed as Brian left for the day, thinking, can I really survive another day of taking care of these kids when there are 3 of them, and only one of me??? I soon realized, I really didn't have any other choice... I don't think my fairy godmother was going to show up, so I got out of bed, & went to see how the kids were doing. Brian is such a sweetheart, because he always gets them breakfast started & entertains them before he leaves for work. So today, they were happy. I walked out, and this is what I found. Morgan wanted to hold Hallie, and with all 3 of them sitting there in their cute pajamas, I couldn't help but take a picture. Our typical day is long! The kids eat, make a mess, we watch Curious George (8:00 a.m. I don't know what I would do without that little monkey... watch for an " Ode to Monkey George in upcoming posts) & then start the day, I take my 5 minute shower, 10 minutes if I'm lucky, clean up the mess made while I was in the shower, play with the kids, do breakfast dishes, give the kids a bath, or at least get them dressed, & if I'm really lucky, I actually get to eat something before 10:00. 10:30 we watch a movie while I do something like laundry for the 5th time this week, eat lunch, and at last the kids take a nap! This is the time when I SIT! :) I eat, read, & use the computer, & just rejuvenate myself. The kids sleep for 2 hours, and if I'm really lucky, Morgan will even take a nap while Jackson & Hallie sleep. The kids then wake up for a snack & play & even argue with each other a little more, and then, around 5:00 I hear one of my favorite sounds all day the sound of the garage door opening, and I know my help has arrived. :) I was thinking about it yesterday, and how nice it will be when the kids are all in school, and I will have all day to myself to get LOTS of things done, but then I thought about how lonely it will be. How lonely it will be to not hear little giggling because they're making a mess with the soap and it's so funny, or the funny little things they say that just make me laugh, or even at least being blessed to having a little mess to clean up after. Today I was grateful that while I was getting dressed after my quick shower, & Hallie was crying, that Morgan went & gave her the pacifier & sang "I love to see the temple" to her and immediatly Hallie calmed down and went back to sleep, and I thought, "I am doing something right!" And, even the little mess I had to clean up (Jackson decided to spread his nice blue toothpaste over anything that looked like it needed some color in our bathroom while I was in my 5 minute shower) really wasn't that bad. My mom came today to watch the kids while I went to the grocery store, and I am so grateful that I have someone like her that can help me & is such a good friend to me. At the grocery store I saw 2 of my really good friends from my ward, & realized what a blessing it is that I'm able to have a car to drive to the store, and to have $ to buy groceries for my family... plus some fun things like ding-dongs for Brian :) I feel so blessed, and at the end of the day, I realize that I really am living in paradise!
Here's some nice pictures of us in the morning, and by the way, X-May on the makeup- Kay! :)
We took turns with the camera. :)

Conference Weekend

Our whole family was together for conference weekend. We went over to Mom & Dad's for breakfast Saturday morning & watched conference together. The last time I have watched conference together with my family was probably 8 years ago. I remember living in Texas, and going to the stake center with all of my family for all 4 sessions to watch conference since we couldn't get it on our T.V. at home. It has been so nice being able to watch it at home. I loved conference this year. My favorite sesson was the Sunday afternoon session. I loved the talk from Elder Ballard (I think) to all the young moms, & I love Pres. Monson. It was so nice being with family. It was a little bit easier to hear the 2nd session on Sunday because it was just our little family, and the kids were sleeping.
The kids were a little quiet so Brian went to check on them, and this is what he found... reading books. :)
Saturday night while the men were at the priesthood session, my mom brought out all of her costumes to divide up between Jen & I. Jackson loved trying on all the different hats, and was making the goofiest (is that even a word?) faces.
Once again, a goofy expression on Jackson. The poor boy only has girl cousins in the smith side... hopefully that will change in September since my sister Brittany will have a baby then. Congratulations Britt! :)

Pizza Night with Cousins

My sister Jen & her family came to town this week. Her husband, Jared, had to go to Missouri for work, so Jen & the 3 girls stayed with my parents. We had so much fun with them. We went swimming, made pizzas, watched movies, made cards, talked, & watched conference together. The kids LOVED making pizzas. We even made a stuffed crust pizza which was delicious!!!
Jackson & Aliza. Jackson was trying to show Aliza how to make it, but I think they were both too interested in eating it. Aliza didn't want to wait for her pizza to be cooked, so after she had put on the sauce and the toppings she ate it. She is such a little cutie!
Madeline, Carly (my sister) & Morgan
At last... they get to eat their pizzas!!

Crazy Kids!!!

Oh my kids make me laugh! I walked out fo the room the other day, came back in, and this is what I found... while they were watching a movie, Morgan was NURSING her baby. I asked her what she was doing, and she said, "My baby was hungry so I'm feeding her." I couldn't help but laugh... at least she's got the modesty thing going with trying to cover the babies head. ha ha ha :)
Another one of Hallie's smiles. She smiles so much, and I love it. I think she looks kind of goofy with her big cheeks, little eyes, and big smile, but it always brightens up my day when I can get her to smile at me. Morgan loves it when Hallie smiles at her, and will come running in the room to tell me that Hallie is smiling. What a cutie!

Hallie's Blessing Day

Here is our cute little family on March 30th, Hallie's Blessing Day. This is probably the family picture that worked out the best (out of like 10!) Do you like the nice big goose egg on Jackson's head? Yeah, Morgan & Jackson got in a little argument, Jackson threw a pool ball between Morgan's legs, and so Morgan decided to throw a pool ball at his head, thankfully he wasn't hurt worse... Brian is definatly the calm parent. :) When I got called to be the Primary Pres. back in December, in my blessing the Bishop said that my family would be blessed as I served in this calling, and for heaven's sakes have I seen those blessings! There have been so many times, especially recently when someone in our little family could have been seriously hurt, and we haven't. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sends Angels to watch over us & protect us. Anyway, back to the blessing, it was beautiful. I had planned on it being so nice and springy outside, and we woke up to SNOW! Not just a little bit of snow that just barely touches the grass, but a LOT of snow, 2-3 inches!!! So I decided to let Morgan wear her cute spring dress & sandals anyway (hmmm maybe thats why she has been kind of sick the last 2 days) It was still snowing as we went to church too. We had so much support though! Thanks everyone! The blessing was beautiful! I am so grateful for her, and the blessing she is in our life.

Brian is such a sweetheart. I am so grateful for him & for the Dad & husband he is.
I love my girls! I love this picture of us. I love how Hallie even has a little smile.
What a funny & cute picture! Don't ya just love the big chubby cheeks. She is so sweet!

The Men in the Circle

I am so grateful for all of these men, especially that cute guy in the middle with the baby. We have such great support and I am so grateful for families.
(Jared, Steven, (brother-in-laws), Great Grandpa Spencer, Brian & Hallie, Great Grandpa Smith, Grandpa Smith, My Dad, Cameron (my brother) missing in the picture is Jeff -Brian's brother.
And of course Jackson had to join the picture. He has been so excited about his tie. Now " I can wear a blue tie like Daddy" with extra annunciation (sp?)

Grandmas & Grandpas

This is a picture of my 2 grandmas. I am so blessed that they are still alive, and for the example they are to me. I love them both so much, and I am so grateful for their constant support for our little family. I love how they didn't look at the camera for this picture, but are both looking at Hallie, to me it's precious!
My 2 amazing mothers! Karen (Brian's mom) is on the right of me, and my mom is on the left. They are so sweet, & I am so grateful for all that I have learned from them, and continue to learn from them. I am so gratful for my mom, and for all that she taught me growing up, and I am grateful for Karen, and for the incredible guy that she raised... I will owe them both forever.
Our 4 generation picture. I LOVE this picture. I LOVE that we are able to take this picture with all of us. I wonder if Grandma will want to live to be in a picture of 5 generations. :) Just kidding Grandma, hopefully you'll be the one watching over my grandkids at that time. :)
My 2 sweet grandpas. I love them so much. They are such a blessing to me. My mom's dad is by me, and my dad's dad is by Brian. They are such a huge support to us, and both of them have led wonderful lives, and are amazing examples to Brian and I. We love you both so much!