My Mallory

Sometimes when Todd and I go up to bed we find messages written to us on our bathroom mirror. They are always very sweet, but the last message left me in tears. This is what was written;

Dirr Mom i love you be kus you kuct and you kerr fr us! and you desidid to be arr mom!
Love Mallory! you are the best mom evrr. i love you!

Mallory

How cute is that?! After reading it I felt so overwhelmed with love for my kids (and a little guilty for not being as patient as I should.) There are times when I'm just not feeling the "joy" in motherhood. You know, the days where certain 8 year-olds want to tease all the other kids to the point of tears, two little boys won't stop fighting, a usually sweet little girl is being very demanding and whiny, and the baby keeps emptying out all the cupboards and has diarrhea. I could go on, but why torture myself. Anyway, thank you Mallory for helping me remember why I love being a mom! I love you too.

Haydyn's First Birthday!

I can't believe little miss Haydyn is already 1! That first year goes by way too fast for me. I have enjoyed every second spent with my sweet girl. The biggest surprise of number 5 was how much joy my other 4 children have found in having Haydyn around. Brigham loves to be the first one to get her up in the morning and bring her downstairs. He also wants to hold her any time she is playing happily on the floor. Mallory is such a nurturer. She knows just what to do when Haydyn is upset. Quin has learned a lot from watching Mallory and can also comfort Haydyn. He is the master at catching Haydyn BEFORE she puts something scary in her mouth. Cole loves her to death. Literally. Well, not quite, but it's just so hard for him to keep his rough and tumble 3 year old hands off of her. Haydyn - we are so blessed to have you in our family. You have added so much to our lives. We love you!

4th of July

July 4th has always been a favorite holiday of mine. Ever since I can remember my family has gone to the parade (in Provo) and to see fireworks. My Dad has always saved places for the whole fam to see the parade. Sometimes sleeping over, sometimes waking up at 4:00 a.m. to get the perfect spot (always 800 N. and University!) With the family getting bigger, and Grandad getting older its getting a little trickier. This year Todd and Brigham slept outside with Grandad, Jake, and Jared. Wouldn't you know it, Brigham didn't fall asleep until 2:00 in the morning. But we got the usual spot and had a blast watching the parade. The kids were so excited and loved every minute of it.

Miley Rocks!

On July 2 a friend of mine called saying she had two extra tickets to Stadium of Fire. I jumped at the chance to go and take Mallory. She loves listening to Miley Cyrus's music. The look on her face was priceless when I told her we were going. "I'm going to take my autograph book!" she said. It was so much fun spending that night together. Everything was so exciting for her. I hadn't been to the Stadium of Fire for years and it brought back all of the same emotions as when I was younger. I always feel so blessed to live in this country and for all the rights and freedom we enjoy.