Life's Big and Small Moments

Believe in children--there

is faith in their eyes, love

in their touch, kindness in

their gestures. Thrill with

them at life's big and small

moments...hold them close.

I have that saying on my wall where I see it every day. Unfortunately I don't always take it to heart. When I took this picture of Kamden, I could see in his eyes that faith, kindness, and love, and I was reminded of that saying. I have found myself so busy with four children, that I often am just going through the motions. I'm not "thrilling with them at life's big and small moments". Kamden especially, is changing and learning new things every single day. They are growing up on me, and I'm missing it. I mean, I am here to help with homework, to make dinner, to wash their clothes etc., but it is a rare thing to have me genuinely laugh with them and have a smile on my face instead of a scowl. I remember hearing one time (can't remember who said it), but when talking about being with your family for eternity, the question was posed "Are you being the person your kids and husband will WANT to be with for eternity?" I have thought a lot about this question, and I know my family are the people I want to be with for eternity, and I hope that I am being the person that they will want to be with for eternity. However, we have each other here and now, and I'm not sure I'm taking advantage of every single moment. Yes, life is busy. It's easy to remember to thrill with my kids with the BIG things, but it's hard to remember to "thrill with them with the SMALL things". When I took that picture of Kam, it was one of those moments that I was thrilling with the small things - and I'm so grateful that I did. That small moment turned into a big moment for me and a big awakening that I need to make every moment count here and now, and "hold my children and family close".

Pictures...Pictures...and more Pictures

If you know me very well, you know that I am a picture FREAK!!! I always have my nose behind the camera. I feel safe there - that way I am seldom IN FRONT of the camera (I like it that way). I love the laughter, smiles, and memories that the pictures bring in years to come. So don't say I didn't warn you when you have to scroll for an hour just to get through all these pictures.

We started our trip with high hopes of sunshine and warmth. We were quickly set straight when we drove through a snow storm in the middle of the desert!




We had one day of total down pour. We used that day to just hang out with my brother Todd's (and Lisa) family in San Diego. We had so much fun spending time with them.

This is Emilie with her cousin Karlie.

We had half a day at Disneyland that had lots of rain - but that didn't stop us from going on the rides. We came prepared with ponchos. When it was all done, we went back to our hotel, changed into dry clothes, and then back to the park.



This is with my brother Tyson's (and Mandi) family. They happened to go to Disneyland the same time as us. We overlapped by one day. It was so fun to get to spend the day with them.



What Utah Dorks we are...wearing shorts and sweaters!

We were determined to get some sun.

Splash Mountain...Brer Fox & Brer Bear - our favorite!!


And to think that Brayden will have a drivers license in less than 4 years - SCARY!

I let Kam play with this ball in the store, and he screamed when I tried to put it back.

So of course it was a no-brainer - I bought the ball!

Jarin has named our family after Disney characters. He's had us named for about a year now, and whenever he sees a character, he will say, "look ??? it's you." He named Ira "Goofy" (fitting, I think). I am Minnie Mouse (I must always look sweet like Minnie...HA - THAT'S FUNNY!). Brayden is Mickey. Emilie is Daisie Duck. Chewie is Pluto. Then when Kamden joined the family, he was stumped who Kam should be. Finally he concluded that Kam is Peter Pan.

Jarin was such a punk! (a CUTE punk...but still a punk). He closed his eyes on the Winney the Pooh ride cuz "It's scary."

Hu??...Winnie the Pooh is scary? Since when?

Then as soon as we weren't paying any attention to him, he uncovered his eyes and was all smiles through the ride (notice the before and after pictures above and below).

He would say that all the rides were scary. We made him go on them anyways, sometimes kicking and screaming. The ride operators would ask us if he was OK. We either helped him face his fears or we traumatized him for life. Time will tell...

However, ever since we got back, he has talked non-stop about those "scary" rides. He wants to go back so he can go on Splash Mountain and Space Mountain again.

The below picture is with my brothers family again. Jarin had already seen Mickey Mouse, so he was not about to cooperate for another picture with him. And he's ONLY 3!


Ira bought these jammies for the boys - they are so cute. Again, Jarin was having a melt down and didn't want any more pictures. Maybe I DO take too many pictures. Hmmm......??....NAH, one can never have too many pictures!

Below is definently a "daddy ride". Good thing he's such a good sport!

My hopes of having Ira's "undivided attention" quickly went out the window as well. What was I thinking? I got to compete for his attention with 4 kids!!! Oh well... I should have known better than to dream such a dream. But our kids needed their dad as much as I needed him, so we learned to share. :)

SEA WORLD

Brayden caught this cool shot. I have taught him well to take lots of pictures!

We pet the dolphins.


Elmo and Zoey live at Sea World...who knew?

Sitting in the "Splash Zone". Not sure why, cuz during the show it started pouring on us.

California Here We Come...

We're off! I can't wait to spend time with my family at Disneyland. I am excited to get to have my husbands undivided attention for our 12 hour drive there, and 12 hours back (poor guy!!). I do like to get him "cornered" so I can get my YEARS worth of talking in.

I am excited to get to be the "fun" mom with my kids, and not always the "bad" guy who's always on their case to get their homework done...jobs done...be nice...etc. etc. I am excited for the warmth and the sunshine. I'm excited to see my brother's family in San Diego.

But more than anything, I am excited to get to hear my childrens laughter, see their eyes sparkle with joy and excitement, feel their hands in mine as we walk together. I am excited to create memories that will last forever!

Brayden & Emilie made countdown chains for our trip. Those are pretty long chain!

Our kids are watching a home video of a previous Disneyland trip.

They have watched these videos over and over again. This is one thing that I am excited to NOT have to watch anymore.