Happy Birthday to my favorite brunette boy! Mr. M turned 6 today and is so happy to be older. He is one of my very favorite people in the world and I am so blessed to know him. He is FUNNY without trying. He is kind. He is responsible. He is smart. He is hardworking. He is imaginative. He is athletic. He is loving. He is an awesome sharer. He is an amazing big brother. He is reliable. He is helpful. He is friendly. He is resilient, nothing gets him down. He is determined. He loves to dance, dance, dance. He loves flag football. He loves wrestling. He loves his dad, brother, and sister. Perfect? Nearly. Wonderful? Completely.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Liberated
As Miss M. has gotten older and life has become more streamline with schedules: A's work, boy's school, workouts, naps, scouts, jiu jitsu, football... My kids get older and new challenges appear with each stage of development, but I am Truly grateful that they are getting older and life is simmering down.
With E. I had a really rough go when he was a tiny baby and my feelings for him were strained for several years, but that has changed as he has gotten older and as I've learned how to be a mother to him. With Mr. M. it was easier, but I never allowed myself to really let loose and enjoy each stage of his development. I always knew there was another person who wanted to join our family, and with my fertility issues it was a stress. Wondering when and where and how the new member of our family would get here. I didn't relax and breathe in the moments of sweetness and fun and spontaneity that he brings to my life.
With Miss M. it has been a totally different experience. I have loved each stage of her: as a newborn, infant, baby and now toddler. She is amazing and I am totally smitten. Yet, ask me, and I will tell you that I wouldn't go back to any of those stages if given the choice.
We have decided as a family that we will never do fertility treatments again. And if that means that the Gilbert clan remains at a count of 5 we are absolutely, 100% positively, content with that number. Even if Miss M. had been a Mr. we would still be good at 5.
For me this decision has been one of the most liberating decisions I've ever made The burden of wondering if/how my family would expand has been lifted off of my shoulders. If Heavenly Father decides to send us a miracle to make our number 6 then that is great; if not, that is great too. I now actually enjoy other people's babies, to cuddle them and squeeze them and smell their sweet heads, and hand them back when they are fussy or stinky or hungry. I have visited 2 good friends in the hospital after they have had their babies and each time I leave to come home to children who sleep through the night and take predictable naps, I snicker to myself with glee. I find a HUGE amount of happiness in knowing that it is highly unlikely that I will have a tiny infant to care for again. They are a lot of fun and love, but a lot of WORK.
I no longer feel any stirrings of jealousy if one of my friend's get pregnant. I don't miss it. It is true that it is a miraculous feeling to have that baby move inside of me, and without contest the most joyous sound in the world is when they take that baby out of you and you hear that little voice for the very first time, truly, completely, awe striking and humbling. Ask me, and I will tell you, I won't be sad if I never have the experience again.
I LOVE each of my children. I LOVE that they are growing up.
With E. I had a really rough go when he was a tiny baby and my feelings for him were strained for several years, but that has changed as he has gotten older and as I've learned how to be a mother to him. With Mr. M. it was easier, but I never allowed myself to really let loose and enjoy each stage of his development. I always knew there was another person who wanted to join our family, and with my fertility issues it was a stress. Wondering when and where and how the new member of our family would get here. I didn't relax and breathe in the moments of sweetness and fun and spontaneity that he brings to my life.
With Miss M. it has been a totally different experience. I have loved each stage of her: as a newborn, infant, baby and now toddler. She is amazing and I am totally smitten. Yet, ask me, and I will tell you that I wouldn't go back to any of those stages if given the choice.
We have decided as a family that we will never do fertility treatments again. And if that means that the Gilbert clan remains at a count of 5 we are absolutely, 100% positively, content with that number. Even if Miss M. had been a Mr. we would still be good at 5.
For me this decision has been one of the most liberating decisions I've ever made The burden of wondering if/how my family would expand has been lifted off of my shoulders. If Heavenly Father decides to send us a miracle to make our number 6 then that is great; if not, that is great too. I now actually enjoy other people's babies, to cuddle them and squeeze them and smell their sweet heads, and hand them back when they are fussy or stinky or hungry. I have visited 2 good friends in the hospital after they have had their babies and each time I leave to come home to children who sleep through the night and take predictable naps, I snicker to myself with glee. I find a HUGE amount of happiness in knowing that it is highly unlikely that I will have a tiny infant to care for again. They are a lot of fun and love, but a lot of WORK.
I no longer feel any stirrings of jealousy if one of my friend's get pregnant. I don't miss it. It is true that it is a miraculous feeling to have that baby move inside of me, and without contest the most joyous sound in the world is when they take that baby out of you and you hear that little voice for the very first time, truly, completely, awe striking and humbling. Ask me, and I will tell you, I won't be sad if I never have the experience again.
I LOVE each of my children. I LOVE that they are growing up.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
She Walks
So far, only to Mr. E. Still prefers crawling, as it's a faster mode of self-propulsion.
Love the Frankenstein stomp.
Love the Frankenstein stomp.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Happy 1st
Happy Birthday to my baby!
Miss M. turned 1 year old today.
She has been a huge blessing in my life and is constantly a joy in our family. She has by far been the easiest of my three babies. She is content with life and is easily pleased. She is an awesome eater, sleeper and self entertainer. She loves her brothers and will follow Mr. M. around the house wanting to play with them. She is crawling and crusing along the furniture. She can stand on her own, but it still makes her nervous. She waves goodbye and shakes her head yes and no (she is known for crawling towards something she is not supposed to touch shaking her head no the whole time, gets to her destination and proceeds to touch the forbidden). She has 3 teeth, the bottom middle two and the top front left. She has almost strawberry blond hair, blue eyes and amazing dimples. She isn't overly sure about strangers, but quick to smile at those she knows well. She is a happy, wonderful, amazing addition to our family.
I am so happy to know her.
Miss M. turned 1 year old today.
She has been a huge blessing in my life and is constantly a joy in our family. She has by far been the easiest of my three babies. She is content with life and is easily pleased. She is an awesome eater, sleeper and self entertainer. She loves her brothers and will follow Mr. M. around the house wanting to play with them. She is crawling and crusing along the furniture. She can stand on her own, but it still makes her nervous. She waves goodbye and shakes her head yes and no (she is known for crawling towards something she is not supposed to touch shaking her head no the whole time, gets to her destination and proceeds to touch the forbidden). She has 3 teeth, the bottom middle two and the top front left. She has almost strawberry blond hair, blue eyes and amazing dimples. She isn't overly sure about strangers, but quick to smile at those she knows well. She is a happy, wonderful, amazing addition to our family.
I am so happy to know her.
Friday, November 30, 2012
E's funny
My boys really want a pet. I really do not want a pet. Fortunately, for my children, we happen to have several lizards living in our backyard. To me, this is the perfect solution. The boys tend not to agree.
Mr. M noticed that one lizard was doing what looked like push-ups. E told him that it was a boy lizard and that it is doing the push-ups to impress the 'Lady Lizards' (said in a high-pitched female voice).
He's a funny.
Mr. M noticed that one lizard was doing what looked like push-ups. E told him that it was a boy lizard and that it is doing the push-ups to impress the 'Lady Lizards' (said in a high-pitched female voice).
He's a funny.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Little Bits
Last week a friend from A's work gave us free tickets to Disneyland. We kept the boys out of school for a day and spent it at California Adventure. We had a great time. Miss M. stayed awake nearly the entire day, which is super impressive since she's not even 1 year old yet. The boys had fun, loved the new 'Cars Land', and had a great time going on old favorites. It was a perfect day to go, the crowd was manageable, and I think the longest line we waited in was about 25 minutes, which for Disneyland is super quick.
We went out to dinner last night to Mimi's Cafe. Mr. M. was quite impressed, he told us he had never been to such a fancy restaurant.
I have a long list of deep cleaning to do before the Thanksgiving festivities begin. There are things that really could be done right now, but I prefer to wait until the last minute so my house is as clean as possible when all the joy starts, rather than doing it now and then having to again right before.
Contemplating what to make for my Christmas goodie plate this year. I didn't do it last year since Miss M. was brand new, so I'm having a hard time figuring out what I should do, if I should stick with old favorites or try some new ones? Do I want several kinds or just a few really yummy things?
So glad it finally feels like Fall here in the South Land. It was so hot for so long that I was just done with it. (I know... I can hear my AZ friends all the way from here, I have it pretty nice compared to the weather there. But come ON people, it was never 90 degrees inside my house when I lived there.)
We went out to dinner last night to Mimi's Cafe. Mr. M. was quite impressed, he told us he had never been to such a fancy restaurant.
I have a long list of deep cleaning to do before the Thanksgiving festivities begin. There are things that really could be done right now, but I prefer to wait until the last minute so my house is as clean as possible when all the joy starts, rather than doing it now and then having to again right before.
Contemplating what to make for my Christmas goodie plate this year. I didn't do it last year since Miss M. was brand new, so I'm having a hard time figuring out what I should do, if I should stick with old favorites or try some new ones? Do I want several kinds or just a few really yummy things?
So glad it finally feels like Fall here in the South Land. It was so hot for so long that I was just done with it. (I know... I can hear my AZ friends all the way from here, I have it pretty nice compared to the weather there. But come ON people, it was never 90 degrees inside my house when I lived there.)
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Justice
I have been remembering this moment of sweet justice. I'm not sure why this has been playing itself out in my mind so frequently lately. Perhaps because I have a Kindergartner right now.
This was back in the day. None of this homework-doing, sight-word-learning academic type learning. We are talking REAL world stuff like, your address, how to tie your shoes, how to sit and listen, you know, stuff that will be applicable forever.
I was at the 'listening center' where we sat at a half moon table with 4 other scholars, headphones on listening to a story then colored about what we had heard. I was very good at listening. I needed to use the bathroom. I started to take off my headphones when Kenny (I have not changed his name in hopes of protecting the innocent, he is not deserving) said, "It's not over, stupid!"
Not wanting to provoke a confrontation I put my head phones back on and continued to listen. Problem was my bladder was only 5 years old and didn't know that listening center required an extra measure of capacity. I couldn't maintain the hold.
I wet my pants.
I sat in my wetness and finished listening center then dutifully shuffled to my next task, preparing for snack. Mrs. Swanson approached me from behind, put a hand on my back and asked me if I had wet my pants. Humiliated and scared I admitted the deed and was sent to the nurses office to wear a dry sheet waiting for my mom to bring me a change of clothes. She brought me a red shirt and purple pants. I didn't get the snack of graham crackers and orange juice (dipping graham crackers in orange juice is better than one might think).
Oh how I loathed Kenny. He had brought me to shame.
First grade, Kenny and I did not share a teacher. No pants wetting, no mismatched clothing, no more being robbed of snack time. I dodged the bullet that year.
Second grade, justice was served: Kenny was held back to first grade.
I guess wasn't so stupid after all.
This was back in the day. None of this homework-doing, sight-word-learning academic type learning. We are talking REAL world stuff like, your address, how to tie your shoes, how to sit and listen, you know, stuff that will be applicable forever.
I was at the 'listening center' where we sat at a half moon table with 4 other scholars, headphones on listening to a story then colored about what we had heard. I was very good at listening. I needed to use the bathroom. I started to take off my headphones when Kenny (I have not changed his name in hopes of protecting the innocent, he is not deserving) said, "It's not over, stupid!"
Not wanting to provoke a confrontation I put my head phones back on and continued to listen. Problem was my bladder was only 5 years old and didn't know that listening center required an extra measure of capacity. I couldn't maintain the hold.
I wet my pants.
I sat in my wetness and finished listening center then dutifully shuffled to my next task, preparing for snack. Mrs. Swanson approached me from behind, put a hand on my back and asked me if I had wet my pants. Humiliated and scared I admitted the deed and was sent to the nurses office to wear a dry sheet waiting for my mom to bring me a change of clothes. She brought me a red shirt and purple pants. I didn't get the snack of graham crackers and orange juice (dipping graham crackers in orange juice is better than one might think).
Oh how I loathed Kenny. He had brought me to shame.
First grade, Kenny and I did not share a teacher. No pants wetting, no mismatched clothing, no more being robbed of snack time. I dodged the bullet that year.
Second grade, justice was served: Kenny was held back to first grade.
I guess wasn't so stupid after all.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Joy
I've been reflecting on how many times in my life I've felt real joy. We are taught in 2 Nephi 2:35 that we are meant to have joy in our life. I have also been personally promised that I will have joy in my children. In the pre-earth life the hosts of heaven shouted for joy at the decision to come to earth and use our agency. I am generally a happy person, but I believe that joy is greater than a general happiness.
The most recent moment that I remember actually shouting for joy was when I found out that my brother was a match to donate a kidney to my dad who was on the waiting list for a transplant. The feeling of peace to not have to worry about my dad's health, the love I felt for my brother for his sacrifice, and the overwhelming sense of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for His mercy toward our family overcame me and I literally shouted for joy.
Other times in (relatively) recent memory of true shouts of joy are the days I found out I was pregnant with each of my children. Again the relief, peace and gratitude all mixed together ended with a shout for joy.
I recently attended the baptism of one of the boys in our Ward Primary. I am not related to him but I know him and am friends with his parents. When he was baptised you could feel in the room a collective, silent, shout of joy.
At the marriage ceremony of my brother-in-law and his wife, in the celestial room, you could, again, feel the collective, silent shout of joy.
What do all of these experiences have in common? The feeling of the Spirit of God, prompting gratitude to Him for His great blessings. I learn in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit, or products, of the influence of the Holy Ghost are love, joy, peace...and faith.
It is a personal goal of mine to make more time in my life to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and focus on remembering those moments of true joy.
When was the last time you felt the need to shout for joy?
The most recent moment that I remember actually shouting for joy was when I found out that my brother was a match to donate a kidney to my dad who was on the waiting list for a transplant. The feeling of peace to not have to worry about my dad's health, the love I felt for my brother for his sacrifice, and the overwhelming sense of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for His mercy toward our family overcame me and I literally shouted for joy.
Other times in (relatively) recent memory of true shouts of joy are the days I found out I was pregnant with each of my children. Again the relief, peace and gratitude all mixed together ended with a shout for joy.
I recently attended the baptism of one of the boys in our Ward Primary. I am not related to him but I know him and am friends with his parents. When he was baptised you could feel in the room a collective, silent, shout of joy.
At the marriage ceremony of my brother-in-law and his wife, in the celestial room, you could, again, feel the collective, silent shout of joy.
What do all of these experiences have in common? The feeling of the Spirit of God, prompting gratitude to Him for His great blessings. I learn in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit, or products, of the influence of the Holy Ghost are love, joy, peace...and faith.
It is a personal goal of mine to make more time in my life to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and focus on remembering those moments of true joy.
When was the last time you felt the need to shout for joy?
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Come Back
I have been contemplating my blogging comeback for a while and have been putting it off for a lot of reasons, none of which are any good so I will spare you the effort of hearing them. So I will just give a run down of major events
The past several months since I've posted have seemed so busy, busy, busy.
We had an excellent summer. The boys did a lot of backpacking and hiking while the girls stayed at home and slept in beds. We went swimming a lot at friends pools. Mr. A and I went paddle-boarding with some friends, it was our first time. It was fun and easier than I expected. A's brother got married and we are super excited for a new sister-in-law. The Haltermans from AZ came to stay with us for a few days (we literally live less than 6 miles from the beach and less than 20 from Disneyland. We love having company so if anyone wants to come stay, please do!). My nephew Jacob (E's most favorite being in entirety) stayed with us for a week then E went to stay with him for a week in the Bay Area. We had a family reunion with my side of the family at Lake Tahoe. E went to Cub Scout Day Camp, which he thought was the best thing ever. I got a new bike so we have been doing some family cruising.
Lots and Lots of fun!
My new goal is to blog every Friday, starting tomorrow.
Contemplating topics....
The past several months since I've posted have seemed so busy, busy, busy.
We had an excellent summer. The boys did a lot of backpacking and hiking while the girls stayed at home and slept in beds. We went swimming a lot at friends pools. Mr. A and I went paddle-boarding with some friends, it was our first time. It was fun and easier than I expected. A's brother got married and we are super excited for a new sister-in-law. The Haltermans from AZ came to stay with us for a few days (we literally live less than 6 miles from the beach and less than 20 from Disneyland. We love having company so if anyone wants to come stay, please do!). My nephew Jacob (E's most favorite being in entirety) stayed with us for a week then E went to stay with him for a week in the Bay Area. We had a family reunion with my side of the family at Lake Tahoe. E went to Cub Scout Day Camp, which he thought was the best thing ever. I got a new bike so we have been doing some family cruising.
Lots and Lots of fun!
My new goal is to blog every Friday, starting tomorrow.
Contemplating topics....
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