Ethan is SEVEN!

All the boys are turning an odd number this year and it is making them seem too grown up!  Time is just flying by way too fast.  But as much as I keep trying to convince them to stay little, they aren't listening. :)  And so, Ethan's birthday came and now he is SEVEN!  And he is most definitely the cutest seven year old I know--both in looks and personality!

He had a great birthday this year!  His birthday was on a Monday, so he got to go to school on his birthday.  We actually had to wake him up that morning (this rarely happens!) and then we had golden rod egg for breakfast, complete with a candle to blow out, followed by presents.  And his big present this year was a new bike! A new bike with handle brakes instead of pedal brakes and 20 inch tires.  So exciting!  He also got some new clothes, socks and underwear, a new game and tennis balls to go with his new tennis racket that Grammy gave him later at his party.

He had a great day at school and Owen, Lincoln and I even joined him for lunch, and then after school we went to Get Air, a trampoline park, where the Kerrs joined us for some fun jumping!  The kids had a blast and loved having jump socks too!  After we headed to our house for pizza and a party, where Grammy and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa joined us for the presents and cake and ice cream.  Ethan wanted a surprise cake this year, so I made him a bike cake to go with his new bike!  All in all, it was a great day!

At SEVEN years old Ethan is:
--so smart! excellent reader, the best in his class, and great at math
--kind, sweet, loves to write me sweet notes
--competitive, hates losing to Christian (this is starting to cause problems)
--amazing basketball shooter, can beat anyone at double shot and can hold is own outside in the driveway
--an awesome singer! and he loves to belt it out at the top of his lungs!
--so excited to be playing on his first baseball team soon
--an excellent bike rider and loves to ride his bike
--a great helper, acts quickly when I ask
--an awesome piano player!
--a great playmate to all his brothers, he plays well with each one of them
--the kind of person you would want to have as a friend
--active, loves to be outside, playing, swinging, jumping, throwing a football, anything

Ethan, I am so lucky to be your Mom!  You are the sweetest, kindest, coolest seven year old I know!  You are so excited that next year you will turn eight and get to be baptized.  You are such a good example to me and your brothers.  I love you so much!  Happy Birthday!

Love, Mom

Owen is FIVE!

I can't believe our little Owen is FIVE! And it's funny that now, all of a sudden, he seems so much more grown up!  He had such a fun day for his birthday, and I think I enjoyed the day just as much as he did!

It started with french toast for breakfast, complete with a candle to blow out, followed by opening his presents.  He got a red razor scooter, and that was his favorite present! He also got some clothes, socks and underwear, a rocket, a paw patrol watch, and his own mini basketball.  Then the big boys headed off to school and Owen and Lincoln got to go play with Blake and Cubby at their house.  (This was heaven sent because I got to decorate his cake and get the whole kitchen cleaned up while they were gone, which allowed me just to play with Owen the rest of the day.) 

I picked them up and we came home to eat ramen for lunch (per Owen's request) and then Lincoln took a nap and Owen and I played.  And my favorite part of the day was going outside with him and scootering up and down the street while Lincoln napped, just the two of us.  So much fun!  Owen is such a fun little guy!

Once Lincoln woke up from his nap and the big boys came home from school I took them all to McDonald's and we got ice cream cones and french fries and the boys played on the playplace.  We never do this, so this was a fun treat!  Then we headed home for pizza and a party!

The Kerr's and Grandma and Grandpa came over and we opened presents and had cake and ice cream and called it a party!  Owen's cake had Paw Patrol figures on it and then spelled his name on the inside of it, which kind of worked.  It was still really cool and super yummy!  Owen was just so excited that it was his special day and I really think he had a great day!  I loved every minute I got to spend with him!

At FIVE years old Owen:
--is so smart!! He is reading, can add, and knows so many things
--is so good at playing by himself, with cars, rescue bots, or his paw patrol toys
--loves paw patrol
--sleeps with his blankies
--is SO excited to be playing on his first soccer team, the Cheetahs
--loves preschool!
--loves to ride his new razor scooter
--has an excitement for life
--gives me the best hugs! A lot!
--Has the sweetest smile to brighten my day
--plays well with his brothers
--often butts heads with Christian (they are too much alike!)
--gets really anxious about unfamiliar situations, but is quite confident once they are familiar
--is the best big brother to Lincoln
--loves primary
--loves books
--takes a much needed nap about once a week
--is full of questions
--loves rescue bots

Owen, you are my favorite five year old in the whole world!  I can't believe you're five, and that you are getting close to head off to kindergarten! But I know you will love it, because you have such a love and excitement for learning and for the world around you.  You are my buddy and know just how to brighten my day when I'm grumpy, with your bright blue eyed smile and a back rub to go with it.  I love you more than words can say!  Happy Birthday Buddy!

Love, Mom

Lincoln Turned TWO!

I can't hardly believe it, but our baby turned TWO last week!  This cute little guy is all grown up and thinking he's as big as his brothers!

He had a fabulous birthday, filled with lots of extra attention from his three cousins who were staying with us while their parents were in Jamaica for 10 days.  We started of the day with candles in his french toast, a relaxing morning of playing, naptime, a trip to the zoo, pizza and a birthday party!  

We also rode the carousel TWICE at the zoo, because Licoln insisted, and who can resist that cute face when it's his birthday?

But I can promise you that the best part of his day were the candles and the "fire!" Once I let him blow out candles on his french toast (a few times) he asked about his candles the rest of the day until cake time!  And thank heavens I was too tired to do anything else and just made simple cupcakes that Jake decorated to look like baseballs because I don't even think he noticed them!  All he cared about was "more fire!" Jake lit his candles at least ten times and he was so cute blowing them out.  He was still asking for "more fire" when we finally put away the lighter, and then never even ate his cupcake.  The candles truly were the best part!  :)

Dear Lincoln,

How I wish I could freeze time right now and keep you two forever and ever.  You are the sweetest little boy with so much love and goodness.  You have the cutest laugh, the brightest eyes, and a great sense of humor.  Lately you think it is so funny to toot, and you announce it every time you do.  You silly boy!  I suppose that comes from having three older brothers.  You love your brothers and do your very best to keep up with them.  You do a pretty good job of it too!  I'm pretty sure you think you are at least five.  You can say all your brother's names and really, you can say pretty much anything you want!  You are a great talker and for the most part we can all understand you.  Even Owen knows what you're saying, and had to translate for Grammy when she was tending the two of you!  Everyone just loves you, you bring so much joy to our home.  

One of my favorite things about you is your snuggliness--you are so cuddly!  You love your binkies and your white soft blankie that has a pale green trim around it,  Often you will go find those and drop your blankie at my feet wherever I am and just snuggle there.  And if I'm sitting you drop it on my lap and lay your head on me and snuggle.  You love to snuggle with Daddy too and often come in our bed in the morning and snuggle with us.  Before naptime and bedtime we always go in your room and shut the door and rock in your chair for a little bit.  Sometimes we read a story and sometimes we just sing a song and snuggle.  You are so sweet and love your face against mine while I read to you.  And then, when it's time to get in your bed you say, "Fly!" So I hold you and say "Three...two...one..BLASTOFF!" And then soar you into your crib.  And without fail, every time you turn your head towards me and say in the cutest little voice, "Goodnight!" It melts me every single time.  And just today you insisted on a "Tiss" and a hug after you layed down.  You give the best kisses and hugs!  Sometimes I really can't believe you're mine.  We are so lucky to have yo in our family! 

My sweet Lincoln, I know I cannot freeze time, but I want to freeze these memories into my brain so I will never forget these sweet times with you.  I love you more than words can express, and sometimes I just feel like I might burst because I love you so much!  Happy birthday my little two year old!

Love, Mommy

Memorial Day Weekend

We were finally able to get away for a few days over Memorial Day weekend and it was just what my soul needed! It was so nice in fact, that we wanted to stay another week! But alas, it was back to reality. :)

We had a bye in baseball Thursday and the boys were off school Friday so we headed to Wallsburg Thursday evening until Monday. The baseball league even tried to ruin our plans by scheduling a make-up game Friday night, but Jake decided to give the equipment to his assistant coach and enjoy the weekend with the family instead. We are so glad he did! 

We started the weekend by going to the Payson temple open house Friday morning, which was beautiful inside and out, and I was in awe of all the color used inside this temple. The boys loved it too, and I'm always grateful for any opportunity to take my boys to the temple so they can feel of the peace and safety and beauty that is there. We were also lucky to have Uncle Connor with us for the temple open house, who leaves on his mission in less than a month! We are sure going to miss him!

We stopped at Krispy Kremes on the way back, which was probably a highlight of the weekend for the boys. We got to eat hot doughnuts (for free!--a highlight for Jake for sure) and the boys could have watched the doughnut conveyer belts for hours! We had to drag them out of there. :)  

Saturday we hiked Stewart Falls, which was so much fun! Even despite some whining and a couple emergency potty stops along the trail--poor Ethan had diarrhea. :( But the boys did so awesome and hiked all four miles! And the falls were absolutely amazing! The pictures don't do it justice. 

The number 4 tree:

Sunday we attended church in Wallsburg and the boys were so brave and went to primary all by themselves.  That afternoon we went to the Heber cemetery to deliver flowers for Jake's mom and then visited Grandma and Grandpa Merkley in Heber. It was good to see them!  That evening we went on a walk and explored Wallsburg a little and discovered Spring Creek, which the boys could have stayed at for hours, throwing rocks, exploring, playing on the old metal playground. There is going to be lots more of that to come!

Monday we cleaned up and headed out after lunch and tried to do another hike to a waterfall but it got cut short because of rain and time constraint.  Then we drove up to Salt Lake and met my family at Dylan's grave, which was a perfect way to end the weekend, but that deserves a post all of its own...

Other events of the weekend included stomp rockets, BB guns, four wheelers, sheep, ping pong, pool table, movies and lots of puzzles. We even took all four boys on two four wheelers (after a little convincing of Owen) and then owen and linc kept wanting more rides! All in all, it was a perfect weekend. Just what we needed!  Thank you Grammy and Papa for letting us stay there!

Mothers Day 2015

I am so blessed to be a mother to these four.  So lucky they are mine, so filled with love and joy for them that words cannot express.  To my boys, thank you for making me a mother, thank you for braving me and forgiving me for all the times that I fall short.  That is the best Mother's Day gift I will ever receive.  

But this post is not about them.  This post is about how this year Mother's Day has changed me.  I feel like it has been a turning point in my own journey of motherhood.  

First of all, the gift of being a mother and having all four of my boys with me means more than it ever has, as I understand how precious life is and how quickly you can lose someone you love so dear.  Rosanna was on my mind all weekend, and I couldn't help but get emotional each time I thought about how hard this mother's day was for her.  She is an amazing woman and an incredible mother. She is missing Dylan and so are we.  I am trying even more to soak in my children and slow down and enjoy the little moments.

The second thing that has changed the course of my motherhood journey is my own mother.  Mother's Day weekend was dedicated to her, as Friday we attended her graduation at the U where she graduated with her bachelors of nursing, AND received the Geriatric Nurse Leadership award, which earned her a seat on the stage at the graduation.  We are so proud!  We sat in the very top of the balcony at Kingsbury Hall and cheered for her and held up our signs that said, "We love you, Grandma!" and "BEST NURSE EVER!"  I wanted my kids to be a part of this and remember Grandma's amazing achievement.  I think they will!  We spent the rest of the day celebrating with my mom with a luncheon and cake and gifts, and just thoroughly enjoying being together.  It was a perfect day.  And then her birthday just happened to be on Mother's Day to top it off, and I'm so grateful we got to celebrate such an amazing woman.  I was overcome by how blessed I am that SHE is my mother, that SHE is the one who taught me about what is important in life, that SHE knew, just like in the Book of Mormon "because their mothers knew it."  

I read an article about a week prior to Mother's Day that someone else had written titled "The Blessings of Being Raised by a Low-Maintenace Mother" and I couldn't help but compare that to my own life and my own mother and feel so grateful that I was given such a gift as well.  I am eternally grateful for my mother and her focus on things that matter and not on things that were not "essential to my salvation." (She would always say that.) And going back another generation, it also made me grateful for her mother and my Grandma Froerer, who had the same eternal perspective.  I'm so grateful to have these two women in my life still, as they are still influencing who I am and the mother I am trying to be.  

Finally, the last thing that had a big impact on this Mother's Day was a few different texts that I received from friends and family wishing me a Happy Mother's Day.  I do not know what inspired them to send them or if they were truly deserved, but they were the icing on the cake that solidified the new way I felt about who I was as a mother.  One text in particular said, "Camille!  Happy Mother's Day!!! You are one of my favorite moms.  Truly, your example of a righteous mother has been a great blessing in my life.  You are a hands on, patient and ever sacrificing mom who loves he children deeply.  They are so blessed to have you, you are everything they need.  Thank you for choosing motherhood! Hope this day has been beautiful!"  

I am writing these things not to brag or boast or make anyone think I am a perfect mother.  Because heaven knows I am not.  I lose my patience, I yell much more than I ever want to, and I sometimes forget what matters most.  But this Mother's Day I want to remember what changed my life, what changed my journey through motherhood.  I feel right about who I am, that I am not perfectly dressed (ever), that my house is a mess most of the time, that I do not have a perfect chore system or morning routine that boys follow willingly, that I am oh so inconsistent.  I am comfortable in my less than brand new and latest style clothes, I am ok with my less than perfectly landscaped yard, and I feel right about what I'm doing because it's right for me, it's right for my boys and "I am everything they need.". 

I love my boys more that they will ever know, and I love love love being their mother.  I am so very lucky they are mine.