Hooray... Jackson's cast is OFF!!!

This morning bright and early, Brian took Jackson to the Dr. office to get his cast off. Brian said that he didn't cry at all. When Morgan got her cast off, it scared her so she cried, or should I say, screamed... the whole time! Brian said that Jackson just watched & thought it was pretty cool. Even the guy (Dr. Brian) removing the cast said that usually kids just scream. My cute brave little guy! It is so nice having his cast off. Although, he is a little sore, and can't put any pressure on it. He had taught himself how to walk with the cast, and was running all over the place, but now he's taking it a little bit slower, and scoots around on his bum. I'm so happy to see his cute little leg again.
My cute boy posing with his "cast free" leg. :) (It's the right leg)
This picture was taken a couple of days before he got his cast off. I love this kid so much.

See this CUTE face...

7 years ago...I fell in love with this face for the first time (well in this life-time anyway), and honestly, I can say,it WAS love at first sight. :) Brian & I met on a blind date. My friend Paul had met Brian earlier at church, & Brian asked if he could ride with him up to the conference center for a fireside. Paul told him that he was setting his other friend Cory up on a date with me, but Brian could tag along with him. Well, in the Bronco, I saw my date, and wasn't too excited about the night, until the guy sitting behind me said something that made me laugh, and I turned around and there was a bright glowing spotlight around Brian's face, and the angels started singing... aaaaaahhhhh. I thought, " Well, well, well.... what do we have here? Who is this handsome guy?" :) So, we started talking, and at the Conference Center in Salt Lake we sat next to each other. We hit it off great & talked the rest of the night. On the way home, Paul rode with some other friends, and Brian felt a little awkward asking for my number... since I was supposed to be on a date with this other guy so he kept it casual. I asked them what they were doing for the rest of the night, ( I was really just interested in what Brian was doing, but didn't want to be rude) :) Brian said he was going to sleep because he had to be up early the next morning for work, but he wanted to go with me to family home evening the next night. So the next night we went to my ward's FHE, and then went out for shakes. We were engaged 6 weeks later, and the rest is history. Oh, and as for Cory, he was there 6 weeks later when we announced to my friends that we were engaged... I'm not sure what he thought... maybe he thinks he helped... :) I'm sure he is happily married now. :) but anyway, I am so grateful for Brian, and for the amazing guy that he is. He is such a strength to me & has blessed my life in so many ways. He is everything I ever wanted when I was younger, and he is everything I want today. I love him so much, and I'm so grateful I can spend the rest of my life with him.

Brittany's Baby Shower

This past Saturday my mom and I had a baby shower for my sister Brittany. She is expecting her first little baby... a boy on September 29th. We are sooo excited for her, and Jackson will finally have a little boy cousin on the Smith side. This will be the 7th grandchild for my parents. 5 girls and 2 boys. The shower was so much fun. It was fun having family here and Brittany's friends. We missed Jen, our other sister, since she lives out of state. I am so excited for Brittany. She and Steven are going to love being parents. It is so rewarding! Congratulations Brittany... we can't wait!!!
Here is me and my cute girls in our blue. I love little boys, but I am so grateful for my girls. (My Grandma Spencer is in the background.) I am grateful that she & my mom taught me how to have a nice and fun party. Thanks Grandma & Mom!
Me, Brittany, & My Mom
This is the shower invitation that I sent out, and yes, this is Brittany. For so long I have thought that pictures of pregnant women were kind of weird, and I think I let Brian take a picture of my belly once, but I never developed it, because I felt huge and fat, but now as I look as this picture, I realize how precious it is to carry a child. Even though, the woman goes through so many emotional, physical, & mental changes... it is so worth it! It is such a neat & spiritual feeling to feel this little spirit inside moving & kicking. I have felt the closest to my Heavenly Father when I could feel one of my children move inside of me. I have many friends who are not able to have children, or have lost one, and my heart goes out to them. I wish with all my heart that they could experience what I along with so many others experience. it helps me to understand the sacred responsibility we as women have, and what a blessing it is to be able to have children. I have enjoyed parts of being pregnant, but I have now seen & realize even more the beauty of a pregnant woman...

Chocolate Pretzels

This is what we made for Brittany's shower to give as party favors. They kind of took a while to make, because you have to kind of baby them with the caramel, but they were DELCIOUS and they looked nice and fancy too. YUMMMY!

I also attached a cute little poem about how the baby is so happy we are celebrating with his mom. It's really cute! You can find the chocolate pretzel recipe HERE under "Chocolate & Caramel Covered Pretzels" they also have a lot of really yummy other recipes and ideas.

Happy Birthday Mom!

My Mom's birthday is today... Happy Birthday!!! My mom is amazing. I always knew as a kid that she was great, but I've never really appreciated it until I've been able to be a mom too. I look back on all of the things that my mom did for me growing up. I remember having to make a poster size picture of Shirley Temple, and I had procrastinated doing it until the night before it was due. My mom stayed up late with me and helped me finish it, and gave me ideas for how to make it great. I can't count how many times there was a wonderful home-cooked dinner waiting for me when I came home from somewhere, how many wonderful birthday parties she had for us, how many sporting or activities she went to with us. The dresses she made for us, and the list goes on & on. Being a mom now, I wonder, " How did she do it? Especially with 7 kids?" How did she keep from not going insane? :) I'm not quite sure how she did it, but I hope I can follow in her example, and be the kind of mom to my kids that she has been to me. My mom has ALWAYS put herself last. She has taken care of everyone else before herself. I am so grateful that she lives close to me and I can learn from her even more right now.
Recently there was a conference talk about "Mother's Who Know" and my mom is one of those "Mother's who know" and has taught us the basics & princilples of the gospel. She has taught us how to live a good & productive life, and how important it is to have the love of family surrounded with you. I love her so much & wish her the best birthday ever!


The top picture is at our Spencer Family Reunion
This picture is at the 4th of July parade with my 2 sisters Brianna & Carly
Again at the 4th of July parade with Morgan.
My mom with her first baby... Me... I was such a good baby she decided to have 6 more in hopes they would be just like me. :) Just kidding :)
My mom looks beautiful here, and still does today. I am so grateful that I could come to her home to be raised by her and my dad. I love them both so much!

Pre School Pictures

Sorry these didn't post... here are the preschool pictures!

First Day of Pre-School

A friend in my neighborhood is having a playgroup/Pre-School for the kids Jackson's age. He was SOOO excited to go yesterday. She is so sweet to do this for all the kids his age in the neighborhood. It's basically free... and Jackson gets to play, learn, and have fun. I think there are 6 kids total, and they are all in Jackson's class at church, and there is only one other little boy, so he gets his choice of the ladies. ;) I'm so glad he can go and experience this, plus, Morgan & I can have one on one time. My little baby boy is growing up!!!!
Morgan's first day of Pre-School was today. She too was sooo excited! Jackson will go on Wednesdays, and Morgan will go on Tues & Thurs. I'm so excited to spend one on one time with both of them.
You can just tell Morgan is so excited. She got dressed right away, and wanted to go when Brian left for work. When we got there she kind of clung to me and didn't want me to leave. I told her I would bring Jackson in so he could enjoy the preschool, and right away she sat down and told me I could go. I promised to come back. :) A really cute little girl came and sat by her and said, "Hi, can I play with you?" Morgan was happy about that. She is such a beautiful little girl, and I'm so grateful for her in my life. I'm excited for girl time with her and Hallie while Jackson's at his little school.
Morgan was so happy when I picked her up. She had a great morning, and can't wait to go back next week. There are 2 of her friends from our neighborhood in our class, so it's nice for carpooling, and that she can already have some friends in class. We're excited for all she'll learn this year.