I have to be honest. Lately my kids have been breaking my heart. They are growing up so fast I don't feel like I can keep up with them.

Being back home is nice. We are getting back into the swing of things. Our days are now filled with joy school, teething, breathing treatments (still), Daddy time, tea parties, crawling practice (with a little bit of walking/standing), and enjoying the fall weather.

We are having some good days and some very apparent bad days but we love spending time together especially when dad is around. He is the center of our universe and nothing is complete until he walks in the door. We are so glad we have him!

What can I say?....

Yesterday Kate and Carter were playing together. Carter tried to sneak away Kate's toys as he laid on the ground while she played. She repeatedly tried to tell him "No this is my toy" after a few tries I walked in the room to try to help out with the problem when upon my arrival I see Kate smack Carter upside the head. He didn't cry but she still had to go to time out because that is what happens when we hit. She sat there and I was near by when the following conversation took place with Kate and herself:

Kate #1: Why are you on time out?

Kate #2: Because I hit Carter.

Kate #1: DO WE HIT?

Kate #2: No we don't hit Carter even if he takes toys.

Kate #1: That's right. You need to apologize....

She sure gave herself a good talking to. This is almost exactly how our conversations go when ever she is put in time out. I guess I can start letting her take over the time outs. She is so precious. She is always surprising me with her whit and brightness. Three is such a fun age!

To Wear the Glove or Not to....That is the Qestion

It doesn't get much better than this. You can't find this sort of dedication in your average Joe. The worst (& Best!) part is she knows that. We miss you hun! Love You!

There are many ways to heal. Sometimes it takes good doctors who know how to perform certain maneuvers to save a life...thank heaven for those. Sometimes it takes just a very strategically placed band-aid with a little bit of neo-ointment that is always topped off with a kiss. Then there are other times when laughter and good, loving people around you is what you need to heal. When it seems like nothing else is working sometimes laughter and love can heal that tender spot that nothing else can reach.

Right now I feel like my eyes have been pried open and I have learned. Maybe sometimes I wished it wouldn't be so hard or painful to learn, but all good wisdom that we take in helps us for the better. Sometimes in life we learn through our own personal tragedy and sometimes we learn through others. I have seen so many wonderful women in my life suffer. Some I know well and some I only know through others, but my heart has felt close to them, and their suffering I have shared. Even if just a tiny morsel of it. I have stood in amazement at the capacity of good that abides in all of them and also the strength that has been available to them through our Heavenly Father. This life isn't easy but it is made easier by having good loving people around us. We are blessed with family to lean on in times of need. Luckily though if you are like me and don't come from a normal family dynamic or live thousands of miles away from them there are friends that we can adopt as family. Some of my closest friends have now become sisters to me. Not second or third sisters, but sisters.

I have learned over these past few months as I have watched these good women battle through it all that there are ups and downs. That every good person out there when faced with affliction falters. They have their down days and their ups. I've learned it isn't about being up all the time it is about when you fall down getting back up and sticking it out the best you can. Putting your shoulder back to the wheel and "pushing along". I don't mean to be preachy I simply mean to share something I believe in, because I know I have had times when I have felt my best wasn't good enough because it wasn't perfect....well that is okay because I know it never will be but better yet it doesn't have to be! I can just do my best...sigh...that bring relief.

Thanks to all those wonderful women who keep going even when faced with what seems like insurmountable obstacles that completely overwhelm you at times. I love you and think of you always. I am so thankful for your example, friendship, and love.

Just wanted to start out with something to melt your heart. AWWWH! Aren't they cute. Okay on to the updating.

I am going to be the first to admit. I have been slacking. With lots of good excuses but lets face it excuses are just like opinions-everyone has one and they all stink.

So instead of all my lame excuses I decided to post an really long blog...here you go Holly. I hope it can hold you over until this week. I know they are cute and I would miss them too if I didn't get to see them everyday.

We took a trip out to California to have a small family reunion with Chris' family-we missed you Dave and Michelle. It was nice to have the family together and figure it had been at least 3 years since that many of us had been together. This is Kate with her cousin Kendell they haven't seen each other since Kate was 9 months old. Kendell lives in Hawaii so we don't make it there-ever!...someday though. This is Kate on her first official ride with no parental supervision, at least within 5 feet. I was nervous she would freak out. I was so glad Kendell was there otherwise she would have been all alone.

We went to Knot's Berry Farm while in Cali. It was my first time and it was really fun.

Just Checking....

We had such a fun time with the West family. It is funny though out of all the things we did I think one of the funnest things (and I have heard others agree) was just sit around in our mom and dad's room and talk. It was nice just being together.

This is us enjoying the waves. We were so bummed we forgot our swimming suits this day. The waves were huge. I love, love, love the ocean!

Then we took a trip up the road to "The Happiest Place On Earth". This was our first time going to Disneyland with kids. It is much different. Chris and I had season passes when we were first married and since we only lived a few ours away we would jet down to Cali every now and then to get away. We would have a blast and just go, go, go. Those of you who have kids know that doesn't fly. You are still constantly going but at a much slower pace. Seriously I would wake up at 7:00 am and not stop doing something until 12:00 or 1:00 am. It was so much fun. There is something different about getting to watch your kids have fun.

Watching the light in Kate's eyes when she would see something exciting or scary. It was a new kind of enjoyment for me. I loved it.

Minnie was the first character we met. Kate just laid her head right on her head. She loved it.

Then we met Mickey. Notice how she cuddles up to him again.

Main Street view.

Notice the legs hanging out on the side of the picture. This was only half way through the first day. Disneyland isn't for the weak.

Kate with Grandpa Dave in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

These are my favorite all time pictures. Grandma wanted to take Kate on her first ride so Chris and I could go on some. She was kicking and screaming and just wouldn't go so she took Carter instead. This just shows his personality. He is always up for a good time. As long as he is fed that is.

Mom and Kate

Aunt Julie and Kate

Family pic-Carter always gives the characters the stare down.

Disneyland

More to come.....

What a women!

Despite what most of you might think I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth. Our computer has been in the shop-Best Buy- what feels like for ages and the we have been jet setting across the country to visit family and also the most magical place on earth-Disneyland. More to come on all of that but first I wanted to update some of you on the goings on of my sister. I know some of you I left hanging during a very frantic moment and since have wanted to update you and explain.

My sister Melynda was in a bike accident about two months ago. It was pretty bad and she crushed a bunch of cartilage in her hip. Since then she has had many complications which eventually lead to a stroke on the 4th of July. She is now recovering the best she can. She is still in wheel chair in part because of her previous injury and because she is on so many blood thinners to ward of future strokes that she can't walk around. She is working learning to speak and using her right arm again and is hanging in there. She has a long road of recovery and has already been through a lot. She is such a tough lady and admire her for her strength. I was lucky to take a trip out to see her and spend some time with her. Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, and support. They have helped. Lately she has been talking about how grateful she is even for the little things. Life has a funny way of helping us slow down and appreciate what we have been given. The other night she called and sang "Happy Birthday" to me on the phone-I cried. She could sing it completely clear and sound just like her old self. No studders or long pauses. (I guess singing uses a different part of your brain than normal speech.) So we joked that she is now going to communicate in song from now on. Her husband is excited because he is thinking she won't be able to yell at him anymore but I told her I sure we could find some to songs suite her purposes when needed. Thank heaven for small blessings.