Little Bits

Seems like we have hardly left the house during the past week yet life has been so busy--how does that happen? I am hosting an enrichment activity at my home tonight so I am taking a little break in between cleaning projects to blog and mainly post some fun pics of my sweet, silly kids:

Caroline cuddling Bentley's blankies
Bentley showing off his new Mater socks
Picnic lunch with cousins at John and Krista's houseCaroline testing her walking skills (she still needs support but she is getting close!)

Motherhood

Last night, I laid in bed with Bentley, sharing a pillow and tickling his tummy for a few minutes to help soothe him before he fell asleep. He rubbed his blankie against his face for a second and then turned and stretched it so it reached over both of our heads in a little blankie cave. He whispered to me "I love you so much sweetie." It felt like heaven.

3 years ago, my doctor placed a brand new infant in my arms. He was crying and very messy, and he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And he was mine--my very own child to love and raise. I fell instantly in love with that tiny helpless baby and immediately knew that he had filled my heart with an immeasurable amount of love--the kind of love that only a mother can feel. 1 year ago, I met my baby girl and felt the same natural, immediate and overpowering surge of love for her. It hasn't diminished nor do I think it ever will for either of my sweet children.

So, to Bentley and Caroline, thank you. Thank you for making me a mommy. It is the most fulfilling role I have ever had and I know you are helping me reach my divine potential. Thank you for being patient with me when I am tired and cranky. Thank you for indulging me on trips to the mall and Target and TJ Maxx. Thank you for all the hugs you give me with your warm little bodies. Thank you for teaching me about love and sacrifice and innocence and joy. We have quite the journey ahead of us and I will make many mistakes. I have already made countless ones. You belong to me and I belong to you, forever. If you only remember one thing your mommy has taught you, whether you're 2 or 12 or 20 or 50, please, please let it simply be this--"I love you so much sweetie."

Thank you to my own, special mother who has always supported, nurtured and taken care of me and continues to do so. Thank you to my mother-in-law, Ruth Ann, for raising a wonderful family and adopting me into it so easily and lovingly. Thank you to my sisters and sisters-in-law--whether you are mothers or not, you are loving, kind, affectionate mothers to my children who are so lucky to have you in their lives. I am lucky to have you in my life. Happy Mother's Day!

24 Dancing Bodies

That's the number of students of mine who performed in their big concert today. And they were beautiful! I loved watching them move with such freedom, happiness and energy as they danced on stage. I love my job. Granted it isn't much of a job (2 hrs a week!) but it is a perfect fit in my life.

I am proud of all my little dancers and how hard they worked and how well they remembered and executed the choreography they helped me create. That's the beauty of creative dance--it allows each dancer to make her own choices, choose her own shapes, and test her own abilities. I love seeing how individual each dancer is but also how well they can work together and create art. It was a fun day--a busy and rushed and stressful day--but very fulfilling.

I have been dancing forever. And I still remember every single concert, every costume, and the feeling I got when I stepped out on stage. It is a thrilling, anxious, wonderful feeling.

I forgot my camera today so I am expecting some pictures via email--I will post them when I get them!

Happy Birthday Mary

Mary truly is...amazing :) --and she is a dear soul to me. I have known Mary for a long time now and we have laughed through many fond memories. A few early favorites: eating lunch up at Campus Life, suffering through Wilford Griggs New Testament tests, dancing the ever famous Die Hammerschmiedsgeselln (say that 10 times fast!) and Rustemal, and cheering on Vocal Point at countless performances. I am so lucky that Joseph has such a cool family (seriously--they just really are cool!) and that they all let me feel like I truly belong to them. I loved seeing Mary on campus when I was a newlywed. She always pulled me in for a solid hug and her bright, familiar face made me happy.

I love how open and giving and honest Mary is with her emotions and beliefs. I know it made her a powerful missionary and it makes her an endearing, trusting friend. My hubby and I truly missed her while she was on her mission and felt so sad that we had to wait longer than almost everyone else to see her once she was back (we lived in Phoenix at the time). The summer she returned home, Mary showed me what an incredibly forgiving person she was, and also how strong and determined she was in choosing that which is good. A year later, while floating on soft, rocking Lake Powell boat waves, she shared great stories of her new love, Seth. We could all see that he had brought more joy and happiness to her heart than anyone else ever could.

Mary is a very attentive mom. I love seeing her with Tillie or with any children really. She is kind and patient and my kids easily respond to her nature. Mary has an incredible knack for bargains, makes some very tasty banana bread and lasagna I cannot get enough of, was one cute pregnant girl while living in London, and tells really great stories. She is a fabulous girl and I love to be around her--I will be sad if she moves far away again because I will miss her company so much. Happy Birthday Mary--I hope it is a wonderful one!

Happy Birthday Krista

Happy Birthday Krista! I remember the first time I really hung out with Krista. It was during all the wedding festivities of our friends Matt and Lizzie Stevens back in August of 2003. Joseph and Johnny decided to create quite a wedding gift (last minute of course) which left lots of time for Krista and me to hang out (since we are not the design pros/nerds our hubbies are). I loved how open she was, how easy she was to get along with and how happy she made Johnny--which was easy for anyone to see. We made even better friends when she and Johnny came to Phoenix to play with us several months later. They were engaged by then and I was thrilled at the prospect of having her join the LeBaron clan.

Krista is very loving and very aware of those around her. She is sensitive to other people's needs and can make anyone feel welcome and cared for. I love how adventurous she is as witnessed by her camping escapes with Johnny, Sisi and Coco, her daily commute to and from work in Manhattan, her mission service in Italy, her leadership of the Primary in her Brooklyn ward, and her easy willingness to become a mommy. Krista is fun to hang out with and I especially love shopping with her at H&M (or anywhere!) and chatting with her about motherhood, ottomans, blogs, and being married to silly LeBarons :) I love Krista's laugh, her decorating style, her innocent nature, and her gentleness with children. She is a true friend to me and I am grateful for the leap of faith she took in marrying Johnny--it has changed all of our lives for the better. I love you Krista and hope you have a lovely day!

Sick Sweetie

This is how we spent the weekend at our house--holding Caroline who has felt miserable. It's fascinating how much of a disaster my home is when I don't have any free time to clean and pick-up and wash dishes. But today is different and Cares seems better. I am so happy that a tiny smile has returned to her face and that she has begun to laugh and play and eat a little more. I am hoping this means we will actually sleep tonight (I shouldn't get too excited though, because we may not be there yet.) Caresie really was a sweetheart through it all, especially if her daddy or I would just hold her and cuddle her as her fever spiked or when she couldn't breathe through her snoggy nose. I am making a plea for an end to sick kids and for more sunny Spring weather!

Family Home Evening

We have turned a new leaf--I hope. Last night we had our very first Family Home Evening as an actual family. I feel like a slacker, but at the same time, Bentley is just days away from turning 3--a great age for actually participating and learning and helping. We began with a prayer given by Bentley (and helped by me). We followed with a song chosen by Bentley (It was "lightmean da queen song" which translates to Life is a Highway. Not the most spiritual song but it was fun to roll with his idea). Our lesson consisted of talking about fathers and how Bentley has 2--Daddy and Heavenly Father. Bentley asked if Heavenly Father was up by the stars and rocket ships which I totally loved :) We ended the lesson by baking chocolate chip cookies together. It was a lovely evening for us. I think it may have been, in part, because Cares was already asleep. I think the other reasons must have had something to do with sharing simple testimony with an adorable child and making happy memories.