Our Precious Moments

One of the few family pictures that we have that everyone is decently happy. Trying to get us all dressed nicely for one picture is like trying to take a tropical vacation to Antartica. At least we have a picture, even if everyone isn't perfect. What am I talking about, this is perfection, is it not?

Having Kayla has really helped me grow as a person. I feel that I'm really learning what I'm capable of, and the down side-- what I'm not. I know I'm going to miss all these little moments that I have with my kids, even when there are so many more to come. I try hard to find the time to write in my journal because my memory is something I wish was a little stronger. Oh well... after twenty-seven years I'm beginning to come to terms with that fact. There are just some things I'm not willing to forget. I'd like everyone to know how grateful I am for forgiving friendships. Friends that understand that my follow through with certain activities are, at times, something to be desired when kids are added into the situation and although I would love to keep a playdate-- the night before was completely chaotic, and taking my nap for the day is just too tempting. I hate cancelling on people, I have a HUGE guilt complex. I just hope I can be as forgiving as those who are with me.

There are so few of these days anymore where Kayla sleeps the day away. I know I took advantage of those days while they were here, but now I find myself still wishing there were a few more moments like this. I am excited for her ever growing personality. Every time she catches you looking at her she always has a smile to share. She's going to be a talkative little girl too. I love when she works so hard to get sounds to come out, and the look on her face is priceless when they actually do come out! I'm not sure how many people suffer the same thing as I do, the second child photo-syndrome. I find that many days I forget to pull out my camera as often as I had with my first. Poor Kayla, not even one picture from our vacation last week. How terrible is that?! I promise to try harder!
Branden is finally able to take care of Kayla more, yeah! She wasn't going to anyone except me for a long while, longer than I care to remember. (Did I mention that she's only 3 months old!) But now that she getting older she's loving the time she gets to spend with her daddy. Branden is so proud when he can take the upset child and turn that frown upside down. I love that he can do that-- but it makes me just a little jealous. Especially when I've struggled and struggled trying to figure out what's upsetting her, and then he'll take her and she's happy in just a few short moments. But I'll take it! I'd like to mention that I find myself at the end of all my very long days thanking my Heavenly Father for a husband who cares more for the love of his family than all the money in the world. He really takes his role as a father and husband seriously, and he is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He completes my thoughts and understands me better than anyone has in my whole life. And believe me, that really says something!
My Little Monster!

That name has rung true more in the last few weeks than in his almost two years he's been around. He loves to help me change diapers and hug and kiss and play with Kayla. It's so hard sometimes because I feel like I'm yelling at him so much to stop this or that-- leave her alone. He just is too little to really understand why it's not alright to drive a car on sister's head like mom does to me. He is so sweet, and it kills me when I look back on the day and feel like I didn't show enough how much I love him, and that things are different now, but a good different. I'm just grateful Heavenly Father blessed us with an unexpected blessing when he did, because if Bryson had to wait any longer for Kayla to grow up, I think the patience factor would wear out. He's already so impatient for his playmate to grow up.

Forgive me for being winded. It's been awhile!

I find it hard to make time for the internet these days. I have so very little time for myself that I decide I'd much rather be catching up on my sleep than spending time online. I'd like to thank everyone who has been there for me in these past couple of months, you know who you are. I wouldn't trade any of my life for the world, but I have to admit that having two children has tried my patience. One of the craziest memories that I've had lately was almost breaking down in the kitchen minutes before my knight in shining armour would be getting home from work. Bryson decided it was just about time to get some attention. I tried to be the 1950's wife I've always wanted to be, by having the house clean, dinner on the table and dressed with makeup on for the day- all before Branden had made it home. My children were there to remind me that that isn't always possible. While I was in the middle of getting ready I realized with all my back and forth between getting a snack & show for Bryson, and Kayla needing my constant attention that dinner needed to get started. So rather than finishing my makeup I headed toward the kitchen. (What was I thinking?) Well, that was when the drama started. I sat Kayla down for just a moment before I realized she wasn't about to let me step away for even a moment. That was Bryson's cue to go into hysterics. All while I had just started preparing the meal, was I at a stopping point? no... but what's that anymore? I was kneeling on the kitchen floor with a hysterical baby, and Bryson fighting for attention sobbing and hanging on to me for dear life. Rather than start balling myself I mustar all my 'mom strength' to try and pick up both kids without dropping anything or anyone. We headed for the recliner and somehow I was able sit us all down and I just started singing hymns to my kids. Within a ten minutes my kids had calmed down, I made it past the tears... and realized no chore is more important than those two kids in my arms. Moments later Branden came home to rescue me. (Now that I think of it, I my have cried when he finally relieved me) But I can't forget how important it is for me to keep calm and remember how short this time is with my kids when they turn to me for comfort and love. I hope I never forget these little, irreplaceable moments.

Well, so much has changed in these last few months. Here are some pictures to go with it. Bryson absolutely adores Kayla. I hoped that would be how it was, but now I have to over protect her-- he loves her a little too aggressively.

Jamie's Cakes!

Here's what I've been up to with my cakes.

Family Pictures by Elloise Smith

These pictures were done by a good friend of mine from my ward, Eloise Smith. She'll be doing Kayla's newborn pictures which I'm really excited about! She did such an amazing job, I was really happy with them. We went out to Sahuarita, by that beautiful lake they have. I hope you enjoyed the fun as much as we did!

Crazy Bryson!

Bryson has found the Vaseline!?! What a mess. We washed his hair four or five times, and we still couldn't get it all out. The plus side, we didn't have to worry about adding product to his hair for a couple of days. He is definetely coming into his own. He's a little scavenger, and loves to climb up on anything and everything... literally!!

We watched the 4th of July fireworks with the Williams. Bryson loves Elizabeth, she's definetely his best friend. They are really cute together.

I got this at a garage sale for $15.00. He loves it!! He wanted to ride it and figured out the battery wasn't connected. It was really cute watching him figure out that that battery wasn't attached. Branden says, "Step on it!" and he'll press the gas pedal, and he doesn't really steer so we're there with him the whole time. Then he gets tired or something because he'll take his foot off the pedal and Branden has to tell him to Step on it again. It's a game to him.

Denver Trip

Branden and I decided that we needed to take a family vacation this summer. We searched for the cheapest airline tickets available, hopefully to a destination we'd never been. Expedia sent us to Denver!! So we were off. We began out trip with a bang. Outlet Shopping!! (My personal favorite day!) I was impressed with how patient Bryson stayed until the end. They had some great sales there, I throughly enjoyed myself. On Tuesday it was a beautiful sunny day so we took advantage of the sun and set our sites on Pirate's Cove. It was a fun water park. Mostly for kids, but Branden and I did enjoy the two adult slides. Bryson liked standing under the big bucket of water that would poor down every 15 minutes. Branden would take him and he'd get this suprised look, but loved it afterward. He loves floating on his back. I think he gets it from the bath tub. But he kept laying down on his back over and over again, and at one point the mother ran up to me and grabbed him because she thought he was drowning, and I just smiled and said, nope, he just really likes to float on his back. I could see where the mix up would be. That night we went to dinner in DownTown Denver. The locals call it LoDo. It was fun to see the night life. One of the best parts about Denver is that you can get around to where ever in less than twenty five minutes. (The length of time it takes me to get to the grocery store here in Tucson.) On Thursday we went to Georgetown, an old victorian mining town that was famous in the 1800's for their silver mines. I loved seeing all the historic homes that had been renovated. Many of the homes had been around since the beginning, and they had signs on those homes telling of their purpose at that time. I really enjoyed this part of the trip. On Friday we were getting ready to head home so we decided to see the Denver Zoo before we left. I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. Some of the animals they had there I had never seen before at a zoo so it was pretty neat.
So, all in all it was a wonderful trip. Branden was ready to get back to life, which is the point of vacation, I think. Bryson was ready to spend time with his toys and sleep in his crib. I was not ready to give up Branden for work. I really loved being with him for that time we had together, and it was sad not having him with me all the time. It's great to have time spent together to remind yourself why he's your best friend, and the importance behind embracing what little time we have as a family here on earth.

Have You Heard??

Well, if you haven't heard the news, Branden and I are expecting a new addition to our beautiful, fun-filled family. SHE will be joining the crew this November. I am very very excited to be having a girl. It would have been an easier road for us if it had been a boy, seeing how our insurance doesn't cover maternity. But when I get online and pretend to buy everything I want, I just have so much fun! Girls really are more fun to shop for. Beginning in June I have had the opportunity to babysit for a new born. He'll just come over a couple mornings of the week while his parents are switching jobs. I think it will be a very good transition for Bryson, getting used to a baby being around. He knows the sign for baby and frequently uses it. Branden and I have decided on the name Kayla Marie, we're hoping that she'll look like a Kayla when she's born, however we have a probable back up name, just in case... We like to use the name with Bryson, he likes to rub my tummy and sign baby. He's only sixteen months, so I don't think he really understands, but it's still cute.