My Dear Babies

A little while ago I finished a book that was a collection of our family pictures, our blog and your scanned art work. I've loved it so much that I'm determined to keep up with this blog in one way or another. I have however decided to change how I write a bit. I'm going to write to you, instead of just about you.

I love you all so very much. You four little bodies are everything to me. I am so blessed to be mom to such sweet, loving kids. I realize that I've been more than a little stressed lately and that I have yelled and shouted more than I like and I promise I will do better. It has been one of the hardest six months I can remember but that isn't an excuse for raising my voice. I've been trying to work on one characteristic each month but I keep coming back to patience. Honestly I've NEVER been good at that one, ask grandma :)

Bryce, I'm so proud of you for being willing to be the spokesman for the scouts at the library event tonight. I know you hate being in front of people you don't know but you are going to be awesome. I KNOW it.

I love you all with all my heart,

Mom

Yum

My poor son made cumin toast today instead of cinnimon toast. When I noticed he said ,"I thought it smelled funny." Then he put cinnimon on it and ate it all together! Maybe he is on to something but I wasn't brave enough to try it. Yum.

Ouch

These are a little late. Paxton's been out of surgery for three weeks now. These were taken five days after sugery. I really tried to be soft taking his bandages off but I didn't do a very good job. I should have Googled, "How to remove medical bandages" before instead of after. It was like removing his chest hair with duck tape. Poor guy, I think that was the most pain I had seen him in since sugery. He is healing up nicely now. He has even been helping with the dishes and with vacuuming. Three more weeks in the sling and then we can start therapy!

Let Boys Be Boys

I've had to appologize to Paxton, again. It won't be the first or the last. With Paxton's shoulder surgery I have had to be more of schedule nazi than ususal. I had a plan for getting Bryce's pinewood derby card done and Paxton was taking way longer than I had expected. Granted he was doing it mostly with one arm but it is hard for the kids to go to bed while he is grinding away in the garage late at night. Anyway, I knew he was proud of the car and was excited to show Bryce the end product. I was being mentally grouch (and really trying not to say anything to my credit) but I had a million other things that had to be done besides the car. When it was done Bryce loved it and was sure it was going to take first place. Durring the racing he got a little nervouse but had a blast. Then when it was all over and the winners were called, he wasn't one of them and I could watch his little, sweet heart break. He tried to turn away from the other boys so they wouldn't see him cry. Then the announced that there was one more award voted on by the boys themselves for Best in Show. And the winner was Bryce Quigley. I'm so glad I had my camera. The look of incredulity on his face was priceless. I could see every mom in the room breath a sigh of relief. They all know and love Bryce. As you can tell from the last picture,  he was a little more than excited. That night in his prayers he said that he was thankful for the first time in his life that he won something all by himself. That is when I looked at Paxton and appologized. Happy day.

Locks of Love

Avery decided she wanted to try having her hair short. While we were cutting it we decided to donate her ponytail to Locks of Love for her Aunt Lindsay. I am so lucky to be Avery's mom!

Bryce Turns Eight!

I hope I'm excused for being a little late on posting these.

Woot, Woot!!

I have been officially hired as a photographer for Ballet Idaho. I have done pictures for several girls in their office through the pageant and when they needed a new photographer for the little ballerinas, one of the gals who was Miss Idaho International year before last recommended me. I was totally and completely floored and excited beyond all belief!! I shot my first event for them last Saturday and had a ball. Someone asked me if I always smile that much. I said, "Only when I have so many cute kids around and a camera in my hands!"