#24: Laci

Laci is my good thing today.  She is so amazing.  All my children are, in their own ways. Laci is the prime definition of middle child.  Her older sister gets a lot of attention for how much responsibility she takes on, and the younger ones get a lot of attention because they are toddlers.

We as parents, love them all, and do our best, but I think she often feels stuck in the middle.

Tonight, she stayed up the latest.  And I really enjoyed our one-on-one talk.

Laci is growing up and so intelligent.  She has a great logic, and I love the way she thinks and the ideas she comes up with.  Today she said it would be great if there was something to make it so we didn't have to clean at all.  She is always coming up with crazy ideas, and the way she gets to the final product just brings a big smile to my face.

She is also an excellent entertainer!  Her giggle is contagious, and though she may be shy with those she doesn't know, she is the biggest clown I know.  With both her little brother and sister, she is the first to make them laugh.  It is her daily goal in life, to make them laugh.  And she will do absolutely anything to accomplish it.

She loves fun, and hates work.  In our family, we work together to pull the load around the house.  She struggles with it, but never gives up.  She has the biggest heart, her emotions are deep and strong in all directions.

I can't wait to watch her grow and see who she becomes as she develops and uses all these traits for good!

Three Things I am grateful for:
1. Play & Pretend at the library. It was our first time- so much fun!
2. Beautiful weather!  We spent time outside, and Kayla finally has figured out how to peddle her bike.  Too bad it doesn't keep her attention for more than thirty seconds! :)
3. I am grateful to live here.  Where I am, right now.  Yes, sometimes it is hard, it isn't super close to the bus, and that bus only runs a 5 days a week/6am-6pm. But after today, and the friendships strengthened with neighbors, and friendships created, I am feeling really blessed!

One Good Thing #13

Bryan couldn't fall asleep when he needed to last night, so the kids and I went to church on our own today.  I am so grateful to everyone that helped me with the kids, and especially Jayce so that I could enjoy the lessons.  I was really touched during Relief Society (LDS Women's Organization) and the lesson that was given.  I was reminded again, how much I rely on my faith to get through every day life.  Without it, I would not have the confidence and joy I have.  With all the daily adversity I face, it is a blessing to know it is a blessing, and a strength, that it is not forever, and that my Heavenly Father is aware, and sends me constant comfort and angels.  Without the help and support of people in my ward (LDS congregation) I would not have gotten as much out of it.

Three things I am grateful for:
1.  It truly takes a village, and I am surrounded by loving people who understand that.
2. Even though Bryan needed sleep, he was able to get up in time to put the lasagna in for dinner.  One less stress for me.
3. Sunday evening golf. Both watching on TV, and live in our living room thanks to two active ball whacking toddlers.

One Good Thing Day #8

This morning, Laci let me sleep in, while she watched Kayla and Jayce for an hour.  She woke up when Jayce started blabbing, and quietly went and got him and played with him in the living room.  Kayla soon followed.  She even took her potty! My kids are so special and I am so blessed.  She then asked for a dollar for babysitting for an hour.  I owe her a dollar!

3 Things I am Grateful For:
1. Modern Technology.  I am so grateful to be born and live in this generation.  I am grateful for medical advances and that I have the opportunity to thrive and live life to the fullest.
2. I am grateful for kind neighbors.  I took a neighbor brownies today, and ended up talking for an hour.  It was so nice to finally get to know them, and I am so glad I reached out.
3. I am grateful when children go to bed without a fight, even if it mean sacrificing their afternoon nap.

Our Court

Ok so here are two videos. One of the (well both) girls playing on the swings in the court, and Sammie is doing 'underdogs.' it is so fun to have kids. It has brought back so many memories of Cass and I when we were little. We used to spend what seemed like hours swinging in the backyard in Glendale.

The other one, (if you ignore my talking to Bryan) is a video of our court, to where I showed you the layout of the 3 buildings, and then with the huge grassy area and playground in the middle.

And here is some cute pictures we took today.

Three Antibiotics, Two Crazy Kids, and One Month Later...

Well, it has been a crazy month! I got sick around the 4th of July and was sick for the entire month until about a week ago. It started out as a fever and sore throat for about a week. I was given antibiotics. After that it turned to a sinus infection and I was given new antibiotics. Apparently, those did not work either, because I did not get any better, just worse. Finally, with a third antibiotic they started working. I guess the third time is the charm!

In July, I considered going to school in the fall. I got all registered, and changed my mind. I decided to put it off until my kids were a bit older, and just focus on our home for now.

Yesterday, I found out Sammie has Ms Jordan for school next year. I am so excited. As is Sammie. Janet Jordan is in our ward and Sam already knows her, in fact it is who she wanted. She has a very loving demeanor and will be great for Sammie. Plus, Sammie and Sidney are in the same class again. That is great news! These best friends may be double trouble, as they are both friendly, energetic little girls, but it is great they will be together for another year.

I got to go to the temple yesterday morning. That was so great. I go with my friend Melinda, who is actually Sidney's mom. We have been trying to go once a month. It is so nice to get away from the kids for a few hours and get spiritually refueled. It was a nice reminder of what is important of what is important and what I need to be doing.

You know my neighbors that I always talk about? Well they are so awesome. We have been wanting to go have a mom's night out for quite a while now. Earlier this week we planned to go to Olive Garden for dinner. So I asked Cass to watch the girls and we left at 4:30pm to get to Provo by dinner time. It was so much fun! We will have to do it again soon. I really love the neighborhood I live in, even though it's an apartment complex and so many people moving in and out all the time. Thank you Cass for watching the girls, and I hope you guys enjoyed the food we brought back for you!

It has been a busy busy summer. Though I have enjoyed having the girls home, I am ready for them to go back to school! I look forward to being able to go through a lot of clutter around the house, reorganizing the house, and just being able to do some things for me. Today I went down to the institute to register for class. Had a good chat with my former bishop who works there. He was bishop when I first moved in. I plan on taking two institute classes so I am there every day. I am so excited for school to start. Sam starts on the 19th of August, but Laci doesn't start until the 8th of September. I am going to try and see if Laci can have an hour long play date on those days so that I can still go to institute and not have to miss until the 8th.

I suppose that is pretty much it. Thank you all for your on-going support, and we hope you are all doing well!

Better Than Okay!

I am so glad the nice weather is finally here! The girls and I have been outside A LOT recently. We all have crazy farmer tans, I am not kidding. Besides a couple little spells of sickness, this first week of summer has been great. We have enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors. There really isn't anything new going on, other than the nice weather.

I have started walking again. It is so nice to be active. I have walked atleast a block 4 times in the past week and a half. I actually just got back from walking just now. The girls are over at Sidney's playing and I decided to make good use of my time. When I came back into the parking lot, a few neighbors were outside and were cheering me on. We have such great neighbors, I feel so blessed to be in this place at this time. They are great.



On Wednesday, Sam and I went out to the movies together while Laci stayed back and played with a neighbor (Thanks Amy!) She had a great time. We saw the new Chronicles of Narnia. I was worried at first that it would be too intense, since I hadn't seen it, and I was worried it would be too much for Sam, but she loved it! She was cheering on the good guys the whole time! When it first started, she said, "I like the first one better mommy!" About 10 minutes later she turned to me and said, "Nevermind I like 1 and 2 the best!" It was a lot of fun!



I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life everyday. I have grown so much from each one of my friends and family. I know the Lord has put people in our lives at certain times, for certain purposes we may not even comprehend completely. I feel so spoiled to have so many wonderful people to talk to and learn from everyday. I have always been a people person. I enjoy getting to know people, but lately, I have just felt so overcome with love for the people who have come into my life.



I know I talk about the adoption a lot, but I feel so blessed to be a part of this experience! I have truly enjoyed watching Tyler grow and experiencing through letters the joy that his parents are experiencing! I remember, before signing the papers, wondering if I would have the courage to do it. I did not think I was strong enough. I remember the thing that kept me grounded was who I was blessing by the sacrifice I was making. I could not bare the thought of taking Tyler away from Braden and Jen. In the end, it was my love for them (and Tyler) that made all the difference!

I cannot believe in a few days, Tyler will be 3 months old! That is just amazing to me! The Lord really did know what He was doing. Even though I thought He was crazy when He answered my prayers with, "I will be there, Melody, and all will be okay," I had no idea it would turn out this good! He has never left my side, and the Lord was right, all is okay. In fact, it is better than okay!