Bringing Home My Baby...

Right when I woke up this morning I immediately thought about what happened today 7 years ago. I was finally able to bring my sweet baby home. It was such a happy day.

Blake is such a light in my life. For many years I have thought that he was wise beyond his years or I would say he has "an old soul." I was reading in the B of M and this described Blake perfectly, he has a "sober mind." Blake is such a good boy. He knows what is right and he is not afraid to share what he believes with anyone. I really admire him. Heavenly Father knew I needed my sweet kids. I love them to pieces.

Blake getting ready to open his present.

I absolutely love his face. Pure Excitement.

Blake has wanted a remote control helicopter for a LONG time.

I have to share the story of finding this helicopter. Remote control helicopters tend to be really pricey. I was so bummed to see how expensive they were. Since my finances right now are extremely tight I thought there was no way I could get this for Blake. I said many prayers asking Heavenly Father that if it was His will I could find a helicopter for Blake that I could afford. I was at TJ Maxx and saw a few helicopters there. The price was still $60-80. Barf. I then proceeded to the checkout and had decided to get Blake something else. Out of the corner of my eye I see the side of a box shoved in with some random things. Lo, and behold, it was a remote control helicopter at a price I could afford. Coincidence? No. MIRACLE!! I was so grateful and said many thank you prayers. The Lord is mindful of everything. I am so glad Blake liked it so much. It was an absolute tender mercy.

Happy Birthday Blake I sure do love you!!!

So Random

A fun FHE activity with Mater!

Both Blake and Ashley were a little weirded out by it.

My kids have this new thing they call "Hot Chocolate Dances." Before bed they have hot chocolate and dance with each other. They really do love each other, even though half the time Ashley is trying to beat Blake up. Ashley puts up her fists and says to Blake, "you want a piece of this?" The funny thing is, she is dead serious.

A little nerf battle before bed.

These next pictures were taken by Ashley. Blake and Ashley decorated the tree all by themselves they just told me where the higher ornaments should go. They did a great job.

I think Blake is kissing his muscles. I have no idea. :)

After his hot chocolate, I think Blake is about to start break dancing. This boy has some pretty sweet dance moves, it is a riot to watch. For the family talent show we are doing a dance to "Dynamite," with Blake break dancing and Ashley said she and I have to do the "Sprinkler." She is so funny.

Blake has been home most of the week with a terrible head cold. Poor guy. The nice thing is I haven't been called into work that much this week. It has been so nice to have more time with my kids. Time goes by way too fast.

Funny Ashes

First thing in the morning yesterday Ashley wanted me to play big Legos with her. She then had the idea to have her animals eat together. She brought Blake's crocodile over and very politely said to her animals, "Don't worry guys, he is a friendly vegetarian." She is so funny!

Same, Same

This picture was taken when my Nanny (Dad's Mom) was 30 years old, she had been divorced for two years. My Dad is the one on the left. I will be 30 in May and I have been divorced for two years. I really hope I can raise my kids as well as she raised her boys. She has been my shining example through all that I have gone through. It is nice to know that I have a Grandma that has experienced and felt the same things I have. I have felt her helping me so much from the other side. Thanks Nanny, I love you!

Halloween 2011

Batman and BYU cheerleader.

Ashley wanting to "just go" and not take pictures.

Excited Batman.

Ashley was Tinkerbell for school.

Life has been crazy lately. I don't even know if anyone still reads my blog. For posterities sake I thought I should update the blog book.

My Cute Kids

Blake did this face all on his own. Blake getting ready to go to his Western Singing Concert. It was really cute. I, of course, forgot my camera.

Ashley saw this shirt hanging up at Target and said to me. "Mom, that shirt is so blingin'!" I had no idea she even knew that word. She loves anything that sparkles.

Love this picture.

Spider Guys

They love to play Spiderman together.

Both of my Babies are in School

August 23rd, 2011 Blake starts first grade. He was up before me and fully dressed, he just needed my help cutting the tag off of his new Green Lantern shirt. I think he may have been more excited to finally wear the shirt than school.

September 7th, my baby starts preschool. I did better than I thought I would. I did get a little teary eyed seeing her walk in and I walked back to the car alone for the first time without a child still at home.

Love her poses.

Then she was sick of pictures.

Summer 2011

This was a daily scene at our house this summer. We spent so much of the summer in our bathing suits at the pool or on the lake.

Cassi water skiing.

Cassi again.

Poor Sicliy broke her arm. BAD. I was there when it happened. Her arm looked like an S. It was so terrible.

The summer of the broken arms. I broke my arm, Jace broke his arm twice just weeks apart. My Mom broke her arm and Sicliy broke her arm for the 2nd time. We are a site.

My "transformer arm." I got the funniest reactions when I wore it out and about. Little boys always thought it was "cool," and some others thought it was gross and darn right scary. :)

This is Blake the Power Ranger. This was my nephew Jordan's (who is now 17) costume when Power Rangers were big. Blake thought it was so awesome, even if it was really small on him.

This is what I found when I went into the bathroom. Ashley doing her makeup.

Grandma Lowry

My Grandma and Grandpa on their wedding day June 3oth, 1949. Such a cute couple. My sweet Grandma died June 12th, 2011. It was so nice to be able to go up to Canada for her funeral and see family that I hadn't seen in a really long time.

I was able to have some really good talks with my Grandpa while going through some of my Grandma's photo albums. My Grandpa told me how they met and that he first noticed her at a dance. My Grandma had black hair and blue eyes. My Grandpa's words were, "she was stunning, and so light on her feet while she danced." My Grandpa asked if he could walk her home, while they were walking out of the building, my Grandma said to my Grandpa, "I am going to California to marry a millionaire." My Grandpa replied, "I have a dollar in my pocket." My Grandma said, "That will do!" and squeezed my Grandpa's arm. My Grandpa said after she did that he knew he had a chance. They dated for a year. My Grandpa would hitch hike every weekend to go see my Grandma.

My Grandpa said that when he first met my Grandma's parents, my Great Grandparents, my Grandma Passey said to my Grandma, "oh, I could go to the end of the world with him." So funny.

My Grandma died 2.5 weeks shy of their 62nd wedding anniversary.

The day of the funeral, right before the viewing, I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with my Grandpa for 10 minutes, just he and I, sitting right beside my Grandma's casket. The things that we talked about and the advice my Grandpa gave me I will forever cherish. My Grandpa was so cute, even though I am 29 years old he still offered his knee for me to sit on like I did when I was little. I sat on a chair right beside him this time. :)

My brother and cousins.

My Grandpa right before he dedicated my Grandma's grave. My Grandpa has taken care of the Taylorville Cemetary for the past 30 years. He made sure everything was as perfect as possible to have my Grandma buried there.

My Great Grandma and Grandpa Lowry are buried right by my Grandma.
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My Grandparents head stone.

At the graveside with my flower from the casket spread that my cousin Shaula had made.

Patti and I enjoying some yummy Canadian Ginger Beef.

Baby Henry and I. Every time I see him he reminds me of Blake when he was little.

We took the RV (Harvey) up to Canada. My Dad driving with his RV hat on. My Dad has a different hat for every vehicle he drives. So cute.

Jeannie, Honey and Sicily.

Mom and Patti. My Mom is amazing, we left for Canada 2 days after she had surgery on her arm.

Some sweet Phase 10 action going on. Can you see Jeannie and Honey in the mirror?

Driving in the RV made the trip up to Canada seem really short. It was really fun.

Honey and I with major wind blown hair after we had to run up the I-15. The wind was so bad in Montana that it had ripped part of the awning off the side of the RV. We had to run up the I-15 to make sure no cars were coming so my Dad could turn the RV around. Gratefully, a nice man stopped and helped us get the awning off.

Half way there!

I had to take a picture of Jeannie making a sandwich in the RV. For years the smell of sandwiches in the car has made her feel sick. Right after I took the pic and she gave my Dad the sandwich she felt so sick. Bummer. I gave her one of my motion sickness pills.

I am so glad to report that all the way there and back, I didn't get motion sick once! Woo Hoo!