Family

We had the opportunity to go to Utah this past weekend and the trip wouldn't be complete without visiting our Collin.

Words cannot express how grateful we are that families can be together forever! 

We love you, Collin.

Utah

If you're reading this blog I'm sure you already know, but if you don't, surprise! We're moving to Utah in a month. Chris will be working in Lehi at Sorenson Capital (a private equity firm). We are excited for the new adventures ahead. We are excited for his new job which will be much more reasonable as far as the hours go. We are excited to be close to family. And we are excited for our new townhouse! But...we are so sad to leave California. We have had a wonderful two years and have made some incredible friends! More posts to come about the amazing California but this post is going to celebrate our new townhouse. More pictures will come once we move in

3 bedroom 3.5 bath

Ethan's excited about his new room (so are mom and dad!)

Living room

Kitchen

Master bedroom

Master Bath

Basement

Bathroom in the basement

15 months

I cannot believe this boy is already 15 months!

Time flies when you're having fun. And let me tell you, we have fun! 

A few things about Mr. Ethan:

- walk/runs everywhere

- favorite foods are watermelon, banana, apples, pears (really any fruit), string cheese, scrambled eggs, carrots,  oh and cookies, chocolate, ice cream... I try not to give him these everyday... he'll devour an entire chocolate chip cookie in one bite...

- hates milk. Drinks juice and water. Still nursing before bed, but only for another week! 

- loves to be mom's little helper! 

- loves airplanes and points them out in the sky

- loves dogs, ducks and birds

- left handed just like his grandma Shelton. 

- one of his favorite things to do is throw rocks...

- takes one nap a day, anywhere from 1-3 hours. 

- chats all the time. says, mom, dad, dog, ball, bubbles, bird

- loves bubbles! 

- loves balls. He has quite the arm! 

- loves to jump on the bed. It's hilarious and cute

- such a happy, fun energetic boy! He laughs and smiles all the time.

We love you, Ethan!

Motherhood

I had every intention of writing this post before or even on Mother’s Day but that obviously didn’t happen so now will have to do.

Motherhood is something I dreamt about as a little girl. I’m not going to lie I was quite the tomboy; however, I always LOVED playing house. I loved carrying my dolls around, dressing them up, feeding them, taking them to pretend school. I loved playing the game MASH where you image up your future home and family. I remember playing this game with my sisters and then we would all draw our future families and name our kids. 

When Chris and I became pregnant with Collin I was on Cloud 9. I was ecstatic to become what I dreamt of my whole childhood. I was finishing my degree at BYU and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. I would graduate then work for a couple of months before welcoming our precious first born into our home. I remember planning the trips to the park Collin and I were going to take. God had a different plan for our family and our sweet Collin returned to Heavenly Father three short days after he was born. I remember feeling as though motherhood was taken from me. I knew that Collin was still my son and that I was still a mother, although at times it was hard to feel like a ‘real mom.’ 

Fast forward a year when I became pregnant with Ethan. I was thrilled to welcome our second son into our home. I’ll be honest I was a little worried that I would either struggle to love Ethan the way I loved Collin, or that I would love Ethan too much and forget Collin.  Those worries vanished as Ethan let out his first cry. I was overcome with emotion. I remembered Collin’s birth as well as the moment we held him in our arms as he was taking his last breath. I felt my heart grow. 

Collin has blessed our home in so many ways. Even though he isn’t here on earth he is a constant reminder to our family to live worthily so we can be together forever. Collin reminds me to enjoy every moment with Ethan. I’d be lying if I said I never get frustrated when Ethan is fussy or struggling to sleep; however, more often than not I’m reminded of my sweet Collin and how I would give anything to have those frustrating moments with him. 

I may ‘baby’ Ethan too much or not give him enough alone playtime…but I can’t help it. I LOVE being a mom. I love spending all day at the park. I love playing catch with the ball, playing cars, reading books, swimming at the pool, going to the beach. I love that the littlest things I do can make Ethan laugh and laugh and laugh. I love that when he’s hurt or sad he immediately looks for me. I love that he wants me to play with him. I love that while we’re playing he will occasionally lay his head on my lap with a huge smile on his face. 

I learned how to be a mom from the best. I’m sure all of you can vouch for me. If I can be half as good as my mom and mother-in-law then I am set. 

I love that my mom played with me with while growing up. She took me on bike rides up the canyon. She played kickball and kick-the-can with all the kids in the park. She taught me to enjoy life. I remember when my brothers, sisters and I were arguing or complaining she would stick tissues in her ears and start dancing or singing – which made us all laugh. She taught me to work and she worked with me. She taught me to love the gospel of Jesus Christ. She taught me to be a friend to everyone I see. She taught me to serve and to be selfless. 

My mother-in-law is the most selfless women I know. Her whole life is devoted to her kids. She has sacrificed so much for all of her kids, yet it never seems like a sacrifice to her. I am forever grateful for all that she has taught Chris, which has shaped him into who he is today. 

I am in no way the perfect mom. But I know that my love for both of my boys is perfect. I am eternally grateful to be called mom. 

Oh the simple things in life

This boy cracks me up. He thinks mom and dad are the funniest. He'll just about die laughing over the simplest things. 

I am one lucky mom.