Living in the moment

We had a great Memorial weekend! We mainly just hung out and relaxed, spending time as a family. We spent our weekend going to Chuck-E-Cheese, doing some work around the house, going out for ice cream, and even went and saw Narnia: Prince Caspian. We had such a great time. We have really tried to focus living in the moment. Ever since General Conference when Elder Ballard gave his talk on daughters of God, I have really focused on becoming a better Mom. His talk really had an influence on me. I don't know if it was the timing of his talk, or just the topic itself that really touched me. At the time, I was really struggling with adjusting to having two kids under the age of 2. I was really stressed out and exhausted! Every day I felt like I was such a failure at mothering my two boys. I would lose my patience with Wesley in only seconds. I was constantly yelling at him and felt like no came out of my mouth every other word. And then Elder Ballard gave me a different look at life and motherhood.
On Sunday, our lesson was given on this particular talk, and again it left a lasting impression on me. Elder Ballard talks about how demanding the role of motherhood is, he stated about how "There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they made. Sometimes even husbands have no idea of the demands upon their wives." I just want to say for the record that Rob is a wonderful husband and knows the demands that I face every day. I know he appreciates all that I do.
Elder Ballard goes on to talk about a few things that might help young mothers with the challenges they face. He asks what us as mothers can do to enjoy our families more. He suggests to "first, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." He suggests to live in the now, and not to overschedule ourselves or our children. He also suggests that mothers find time for themselves to do things that they love to do. And last, he says to pray, study, and teach our children the gospel.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have really tried to implement these teachings into my role as a mother. I have tried to have more patience with things, and I have learned to pick my battles. I have tried to live in the moment. I have put off doing household chores in order to spend 5 more minutes with Wesley before he goes to bed. Or sitting and reading books with him instead of watching my favorite tv show. I have stayed up late holding Beckett while he coos and smiles at me, instead of putting him in his crib or bouncer. I have really tried to live in the now. Rob and I had a lot of things we wanted to get done on Saturday night, but instead we decided to take Wesley to get an ice cream cone and spend some quality time together. I have really noticed a major change in our lives. We all seem so much happier. I love my boys! More than anything! I have had a lot more of the "shining moments" in the past couple of weeks than I have had in the past year!
I absolutely love being a mom! It has been one of the most rewarding jobs. It makes my heart leap when Wes calls for me in the morning after he wakes up. And when Beckett gives me one of his heart warming smile. Or when Wes comes home from being out with Rob and greets me with the cutest "Hi Mommy!" It is so satisfying to hear Wesley sing "I am a Child of God," or say his ABCs. It is very gratifying to know that I am teaching Wesley and he is actually learning something from me. I am so grateful for my boys. I feel so honored that my Heavenly Father has blessed us with two of his choice spirits. Most of the time I feel very inadequate to teach and raise them, but as long as I rely on the Lord, I know that I can do it. He said it wouldn't be easy, but it would be worth it!

Lost! If found...HUGE Reward!!!!

Tonight we suffered a tragic loss. We lost Wesley's favorite blanket (aka his "night night"). The picture above was taken of them together shortly after Wes was given the blanket and they have been together ever since. That was until their separation earlier this evening. My Mom's dear friend Char made Wes this blanket when he was a newborn. The night he got it, we wrapped him in it, and from that time on, he would only sleep if he was swaddled in that particular blanket. It went EVERYWHERE with us. He would throw the biggest tantrums if we had to wash it or forgot to bring it with us. Tonight we went out to dinner with my parents at the Cheesecake Factory. Wes' blanket was brought in with us, and I even remember Rob picking it up from the bench when we were seated at our table. We walked out to the car and noticed we didn't have it. Rob went back in and checked our table, asked our waitress and the hostess desk, but no one had seen it. I thought that Wes was going to go balistic when he realized we didn't have it. I called my Mom immediately and she was off to the fabric store to see if she could find something similar. As I am typing this, she is at home cutting and sewing away. What a great Grandma!!! Wes didn't even ask for it until we were putting him down for bed. I thought it was going to be rough, but he didn't even cry. Rob told him we didn't have it and he went right to bed. So, if any of you find Wesley's treasured "night night," please let us know. We will give you a HUGE reward!

Good Ol' Cedar City

This past weekend, we all took a little road trip to Cedar City. My old roommates were having a little reunion. This was our first road trip as a family of four. I was SO nervous to drive 3 1/2 hours with two kids under two. I was pleasantly surprised! The kids did great! I think the main reason for Wesley being so good is that he got to watch The Incredibles the whole time. Beckett and I actually rode down to Cedar with our friends Tom and Meg. Rob had to work on Friday, so Wes and him came down after he got off work. But on the ride down and back, both of the kids did awesome! I am not so nervous now for our trips to Bear Lake this summer. Rob and I love visiting Cedar City. We have so many fond memories of that little town. That is where our story begins. Cheesy I know, but it's true.

It was so great to see all of my old roommates, their hubbies, and kids. It was a very relaxing weekend. We just hung out and got caught up on each others lives. Kourtney and Scott were so kind to open their house to all of us. It was really fun to watch all of our kids play together. They are all around the same age, and they all got a long great! Which doesn't really happen all that often with 2 yr olds. The only downside to the trip was that Wesley got the stomach flu. But he was a trooper and we still all had a great time. I'm so glad we were all able to go! Here are some pictures from our little trip. I would have posted them earlier, but I got the stomach flu yesterday and was pretty much in bed all day. Here is the whole clan The roomies Doesn't his smile just make your heart melt? Gorgeous Glowing Lis and her hubby Dave Meg and Tom and their daughter Lexy Rob, Kyle, and Kennedi Lis and Meg

Sweet Beckett Little Kennedi - aren't her cheeks the cutest? I wanted to eat them up the whole time! Wes glued to the Incredibles on the ride home Trying to keep the sun out of his face

Shake it like a polaroid picture

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

My new MUST have...

Last week was insanely busy! I am so glad it is over! I feel like I have been going a million miles a minute. But things are finely starting to slow down. The art and gift show I was a part of this weekend went pretty well. It was tiring being there all day both days, but I think it will pay off. The art and gift show was held in a model home. When I went to set up, they had me in a small bedroom downstairs in the basement. I thought I was going to be super bored and majorly claustrophobic! But luckily, I was in the room with 3 other girls. We actually had a lot of fun chatting. One girl was there selling her baby slings called Modmums. I had tried slings before, but never really loved them. Modmums fabrics were SUPER cute, so I decided to try one out on Beckett while we were there. Beckett loved it! He was so cozy and snug that we would fall asleep almost every time I put him in it. It came in handy at the show, especially when I had customers to help. Over the past three days, it has been a LIFE saver! When I have other things to do and Beckett wants to be held, I can now stick him in the sling and he is perfectly content. Today I did the laundry, fixed Wes and I lunch, and did the dishes with Beckett happy and content. I am so glad I bought one. It was definitely worth the money!
Beckett had his two month check up today. I can't believe he is already two months old! It feels like yesterday that I was at the hospital in labor. He is growing so fast!

Beckett at 2 months

Weight- 10 lbs 6 oz. 22%

Height - 22 1/2 inches 52%

Head - 40.5 70 %

Beckett also had his tongue clipped today. We found out he was considered tongue-tied. It was weird. The other day I was talking to a friend about nursing, and she said she had a rough time when her daughter was a newborn. She said she saw a lactation specialist who wanted to look at her daughters tongue. Her baby was tongue tied and once they clipped it, she nursed fine. Well, Beckett hasn't had any problems with nursing, but that night he was crying, and I noticed he was tongue-tied. I had never noticed before. I asked his doctor today about it and he recommended we clip it. Usually babies have problems sucking when their tongues are like that, but Beckett doesn't have that problem. His doctor wanted to clip it because sometimes if you leave them, they will have problems with speech. Although it didn't hurt him, he got really upset when the doctor cut it. His tongue immediately had more mobility. And to top it all off, he also had his shots today. It was a pretty sad day at the doctor's office. Beckett was a little trooper though.

Beckett's Blessing

Beckett's blessing was this past Sunday. It was such a special day! Rob gave Beckett a really beautiful blessing. I am so grateful to have a husband who holds the priesthood. We feel so blessed to have Beckett in our family. He has already brought so much joy and happiness into our lives in the short 7 weeks he has been here. I feel so honored to be the Mom of two beautiful boys! After the blessing we had our friends and family over for lunch. I was a complete stress case all last week trying to get our house ready for the 50+ guests that came. Luckily is was a nice day and we were all able to eat outside. Thanks again to our families for helping with a delicious lunch!
Here are some pics from that day. I failed to get any pictures of our guests. Oops!
So...I don't know why this picture is sideways, because it's not that way on my computer.
Isn't this the best family pic ever? Beckett and Wes look so happy!