What a day!

Well, what can I say other than things happen for reasons. Not that we really know why, but it is nice when it turns out to be a blessing. Yesterday I made plans to go walking with my best friend and her neighbor. I was supposed to be at her house by 8:30. It was one of those mornings, (well, I have them every day) where it takes me a life time to get my head and body working at the same pace. As I'm rushing to get Kayla nursed, myself even just dressed, and my kids ready, I look at the clock and it's already 8:30! I'm not even out of the house yet! I grab everything I can and chase Bryson around the car to try and get him into his car seat. The only threat that seems to work is telling him that he won't get to see Elizabeth, Karla's daughter. They are best friends too. (Very convienent! Well, more like a blessing!) Anyway, I finally get him loaded in his car seat, and I have to back my car out and reposition it into the garage to be able to load Kayla in the car. I've tried just throwing her over Bryson's seat and threw out my back. So, now we do it the inconvienent way. Well, I'm rushing by this point, I'm so embarressed that it's taking me a lifetime to get myself over there. Not to mention my kids were still in their pj's and I didn't put on any makeup... where the time went, I'm not really sure... anywho, as I put my keys in the ignition and try turning it on, the engine doesn't turn over. OF COURSE! I tried three times, and with all the stress that was just about all I needed! I called Branden and told him the news, and then called Karla and told her the news. What a morning. I unloaded my kids and decided that we would just not do anything today. Branden finds out that Mazda doesn't replace batteries without a fee after the first year, unless it's a replaced battery, then it's covered for three years. There was a discrepency between the website and dealership, so he spent in total, about two hours, fighting with the company and finally won. We were getting a new battery. All the while Karla convinces me to come to lunch with her, and that all the carseat moving around would be worth it. Well, I took her up on her kindess, and moving all the carseats around was as big a headache as you can imagine. Thank you Karla! She was rewarded for her kindness. She opens her wallet, after ordering her food, and there were no cards or cash! I was trying to get them to move her order to the register I was at, when the manager, that was waiting on- her generously comp'd her meal. Wasn't that so sweet? Lucky girl! The best part was when we got back, put the kids down for naps, and we were able to sit and talk for maybe an hour. It's such a blessing to have special people in your life that go through the same things and help you to feel positive and even though we are super competitive, we're competitive for the good things in this life. We acknowledge it though, and hope that it will help us to uplift each other, and no one can benefit from it more than our families. Heavenly Father blesses our lives every day with special people, and situations to help you appreciate those things in your life that would otherwise go unnoticed. So all in all, when my husband came home to jump start my car and found out that I had just locked the steering column, and all that trouble he went through was in vain. I can find joy in finding my best friend, and stabalizing a friendship that will last for years to come. Dear Branden, my sweet heart, I really am sorry that I put you through all of that- I feel so embarressed!

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.