Piano Hands

Ella is getting so good at playing piano.  I think she finally has reached the point that she knows I am not letting her quit and so she might as well enjoy it.  She doesn't fight me much anymore and sometimes just sits down to play something because she knows it sounds good.  I love it!

I love having music like this in our home and I can't wait for the other girls to start developing this talent too.  So proud of this girl.

My Valentine

 Dustin left yesterday for a 3 day fishing trip with some friends  He got to spend the morning with us before he left and the kids were all home because they had the stomach flu the night before and were still trying to recover.  He and I took a walk and talked.  He did it only to please me because he normally doesn't like to go.  

After only an hour or two I was missing him like crazy!  Like super crazy!  I started to feel sad for all those who I know that recently lost their spouses.  My heart was aching and realizing how petty a lot of things are that we get upset about and how we need to find more time to be together.  I love this guy so much and feel so very blessed I get him as my eternal companion.  He is so very perfect for me.  

Beautiful Weather

The weather has been out of the ordinary warm for February.  We have had 40 and 50 degree temperatures the last week and it has been AMAZING!  I love when the kids can go outside and play.  I can already tell Lincoln cannot wait to join them.

We have taken at least 4 walks this week and we even went to the park for an hour.  Lincoln went on the slide for his first time and thought it was wonderful.  I love watching these babies experience things for the first time.

In light of trying to live more healthy we did lap around the track doing some jumping jacks and bunny hops.  We also ran to the track one night and did lots of walking/jogging.

Molly realized how fun it is to climb the tree out front.  She hasn't figured out how to get out of the tree yet though.  :)

We put the baby gate up at the front door and let Lincoln sit and look outside watching the kids ride their bikes and such.  He thinks it's pretty great.

We watched the girls doing some cool tricks - Alissa's one handed cartwheel was pretty impressive.

Love Molly's hair...

I can't help but think how lucky these girls are to have each other.  They may fight often right now but I know they will be best friends one day.  As they wrote in their journals today they filled in the blank - I love ____.  Both of the little girls didn't hesitate and wrote, MY FAMILY.  Ella's answer was pink, but that's ok too.  I am grateful for these kids and my family.  

Happy Valentines Day

The preschool Valentines party was at our house this year.

We didn't get a picture of Molly's Valentines but here is her Valentine box. 

Alissa writing on her Valentines.  She picked flower suckers for her Valentines. 

I love her little writing. 

Ella had big ideas as though she has browsed Pinterest.  :)  Her Valentine box was a pink fluffy unicorn dancing on a rainbow.  She makes me laugh.  She did  good job making it.

Her Valentines were little pants with smarties stuffed inside that said You are a Smartie Pants Valentine.    I think she was happy with the turn out. 

Love these kiddos!!  Dustin and I get to go out for dinner and movie tonight for our Valentine date.  It's such a blessing to be surrounded by these people I love so very much on this fun day of LOVE.

Sick Baby Boy

Because of the medication Lincoln was on in the NICU he has had to have  series of hearing tests to make sure there is no hearing loss from those meds.  I took him in last week for his 10 month hearing check and he failed due to fluid on his ear drum.  I took him a couple hours later to the doctor and he had an ear infection in both ears.

He took amoxicillan and felt better for the first couple days.  However I noticed after a couple days that he was acting super clingy and sick again.  I took him back into the doctor to find out he now has RSV.  Poor kid, I am sure he is getting teeth too because along with hose turned on his nose he is drooling like nobody's business.  So I have spent the last few weeks doing not much other than hold a whiney, clingy baby.  I have to laugh because he even falls asleep holding onto me.  He won't sleep long if I get up and leave.  Makes me a quite crazy however I just love my baby and am so grateful I get to be a stay at home mom and be with my kids through all the good times and bad.

Cody's Sealing

Saturday was a day I will never forget.  All morning I was feeling emotional as I sat and thought about how 1.5 years ago I would have only hoped and dreamed of this day.  My baby brother, the last of all my siblings entered the temple and was sealed to his eternal family.

Sweet Lily was waiting outside for Cody and Kylie to come out.  She looked so beautiful in her fluffy white dress.

Her two most favorite aunts made her post for a picture.  :) 

So many friends and family came out to support.  My grandparents came from Utah and my grandma Bateman and Bitton were both there.  We had aunts and uncles and cousins and so many friends cheering them on.  As I get older this support group means more and more to me.

Cody's pride and joy - Jameson. 

I just truly feel so blessed and so grateful for the power of the atonement.  So grateful that because our older brother, Jesus Christ paid the price for sin, our sins - we were able to be there, in that moment together.  Most of my siblings, including myself have not just glided into temple marriage.  It's been a struggle and a learning curb, however I am truly grateful for a merciful Lord who has allowed this miraculous day to happen. 

And I am CRAZY about this eternal companion of mine.  So blessed!

Expedition University

I was thinking today as we were driving to lessons just how important riding in the car together has been.  My kids have learned to sing the books in the Book of Mormon along with countless other songs, memorize all kinds of things, practice all kinds of things like spelling, counting, etc and listen to books on tape about friendship and other fun topics.  Although it can get a bit monotonous chauffeuring each week it sure has been beneficial.

Ella has been asking me to teach her the songs to sing the books in the Old and New Testament so today I pulled out the Primary CD and we sang and we will continue to sing until she is satisfied.   I had a small moment in the car today where I just felt so thankful for these opportunities to drive from one place to another with my kids in tow learning and talking and singing.  Sure am blessed to be a mom.