Splash Pad!

Yep, I am still blogging about our vacation.  It was really that fun...and I really did take that many pictures!  In my defense, part of it is because I had lots of opportunities to mess around with my camera a little and practice (something I don't get a chance to do very often these days), but I'll admit that the other part is that I am just flat out obsessed with my kiddos.

The splash pad at the hotel was awesome!  The boys loved it and I loved getting to play around the fast shutter speeds to capture all their fun.

Pool Practice

I really love living in the South!  However, there is one piece of California that I just can't shake...swimming.  As a child, my summers were spent in a pool.  Whether at swim practice, a swim meet, or spending the entire day at the Aquatic Center (with little more than a towel, sun screen, and a quarter to call home), I was swimming all day every day.  My teen years weren't much different.  By then we even had a pool in our own back yard.  By 14 I had started giving private swimming lessons and was helping coach the younger children on my swim team.  Then, after 10 years of teaching, I ran my own swim school for two years.  Jake spent his first year and a half on a pool deck or taking naps in a little red wagon in the back office.  Long story short...swimming has been a constant in my life...until now.

Swimming lesson at 2 months

Hanging out at the swim office

So needless to say, it makes me a little sad that my children don't have the access to pools and rec leagues that I had growing up.  But it drives me nuts that they don't know how to swim because we don't get to spend all summer swimming.

Why am I rambling about all of this?  Because I wanted to express how much I appeciated that we had at the pool on our vacation, and how much I enjoyed watching my kids learn and play.  The first day I kind of forced Jake into a "lesson" but it only took one before he was asking me to work with him.  Each "lesson" lasted about 15 minutes and then he would let me know he was done.  But he didn't end the lesson to go play, instead he would stay in the shallow end to practice.  Again and again he would go to the wall and push off into a stream line.  Watching him glide through the water with greater and greater ease, I flashed back to car rides more than 5 years ago.  Where I would listen to my baby's little froggy voice practice words over and over again while he was buckled in his car seat.  Barely a year old and JakePool Pr would repeat a word until it sounded just right. They grow up, but I don't know how much they really change.

His practice paid off and before our trip was over, Jake was gliding with a perfect streamline, kicking with strong full leg kicks, diving for rings, and even adding some tall slow motion big arms!  I am excited to get him in the pool more this summer, even if we have to fight the crowds on post a little.  Who knows, James might even take a break from jumping off the side of the pool to join us.

My Sunshine

Getting Jamie Do (a name he coined for himself while watching/reenacting the snowboard competition this past Olympics...it started as Jamie Dude, but almost immediately was shortened) in front of a camera these days is getting quite tricky.  But I did my best to get some pictures of him during our trip.  I might have been a little over zealous because on our last day there, as I begged him to "look up" (I don't even ask for smiles anymore) he said with great annoyance, "It is like you are always taking pictures!"

What can I say?  There is a little sour in my sour patch kid.  But there is whole lot of sweet too!  Not to mention a natural sense of humor and comedic timing that constantly catches us off guard and keeps up all laughing.

Since he was a tiny baby, I have described James as the color yellow.  He adds a warmth and light where ever he is...when James enters a room, it becomes a little brighter.  And I am not the only one who notices it.  At three and half, he already has a natural charisma about him.  I remember my dad trying to explain charisma to me when I was young, and he described it as a person that people naturally gravitate to, someone people just want to be around.  "You can't replicate it or fake it, someone either has it, or they don't," he told me.  Well, it appears James "has it."

This boy gives life 100%, and man does he have the bumps, bruises, and scraps to prove it (check out the bump on his head in these pictures)!  He is my dare devil.  The strider bike cannot go fast enough, he is already begging his daddy for a red motor cycle, and there is nothing that Jake can do that he isn't willing to try.  Luckily, three has brought with it a little wisdom and forethought...calculated risk has replaced recklessness...thank goodness!  If he is going to be a little crazy, I am sure glad he is really smart!

But sometimes smart and spunky can get a little trying, especially when he decides to digs his little heals in about something (did I mention he is a little stubborn?).  However, I know if it weren't for his feistiness, he might not be here.  When he came into the world he had to fight to stay, and I am so blessed that he was strong (and stubborn) enough to win.  

I can't imagine my life without him.  And despite the lip service I may give to him staying in his "big boy bed" each night, I am always happy to wake up to his warm little body cuddled up against me.  He is such a big boy so much of the time that I welcome moments when he still wants to be my baby.

James, you are such a blessing to our family, and I have no doubt that you will continue to bless the lives of others throughout as you grow.  I may not be able to predict the future, but I do know that wherever you go, smiles and laughter will follow and the world will be a little brighter.  Your light is a gift from your Father in Heaven, and you must never be afraid to let it shine!  

I love you with all my heart, Jamie Do!  You really are my sunshine!

Daddy Time

This past weekend marked our first ever family vacation.  A trip with no other purpose than just getting away for a few days and spending time together.  And let me tell you, it was A-mazing!  

However, it wasn't just the sand "that looks like snow*" or the gorgeous clear water that took my breath away, but it was the beauty of my own family.  More specifically, it was watching the amazing man I married with each of our babies.    How lucky I am...how lucky we are.

I love these pictures because they perfectly capture Arthur's relationships with our children.  The love is unmistakable and the trust is almost tangible.  In a society of broken homes, where father's are too often considered obsolete and even unnecessary, I couldn't be more grateful for my husband.  He not only understands the importance of his role as a father, but he works hard every day to fulfill it. 

* James' explanation of the sand

Rolls, Toes, and Giggles (aka Grandma Candy)

Scarlett turned four months on the 27th of last month and I can hardly believe it!  I don't even have words to describe the love I have for this sweet girl!  She is a perfect addition to our family and every time I look at her I can't believe how lucky I am to have her.  

When I was very early pregnant, when I was hoping but didn't know for sure, I came down with a bad case of strep throat (like there is a good case).  I was so miserable that I ended up asking a close friend for a priesthood blessing of healing and comfort.  And while I'm sure the blessing included those things, I can only remember one thing that he said while his hands were placed on my head.  I was blessed that I would "feel the renewed joys of motherhood" I knew that if I wasn't pregnant yet, I would be soon.  And I was so excited that I almost didn't care that I couldn't swallow. 

A "renewed joy of motherhood" perfectly describes how I have felt since this beautiful girl has become a part of my life.  I adore my boys and am grateful every day that I am home with them.  However, between the cooking, cleaning, and repeating the same 5 phrases (each one beginning with please don't), I can loose sight of the beauty of motherhood and the divine responsibility of my roll.  The helpless innocence of their babyhood has past, and when I look at them I no longer see tiny babies.  Instead I see little boys: loud, busy, and full of life.  But when my perfect baby girl was placed into my arms, this precious little spirit straight from heaven, I remembered.  It was the third time a precious child of our Heavenly Father was being entrusted to Arthur and me to love, nurture and teach.  

So my princess girl, I will make you the same promise I made to them.  I will love you unconditionally, and I will always do my best to be the mother you deserve.  I know I am not here to shape or to mold you, but instead I will do my best to help you find your strengths and discover your passions.  I will also try to help you overcome the weaknesses that this life will exploit.  I will do everything I can to raise you in wisdom and light so that you will choose to become the woman your Heavenly Father sent you to be.  

Thank you for letting me be your Mommy!  Scarlett, you a heartbreakingly beautiful baby.  Your smile takes my breath away and your giggle will forever be one of my favorite sounds.  I could kiss those cheeks a million times (and I probably have), and I love to play with your tiny feet and toes.  Your soft skin and chubby rolls are baby perfection but through your bright eyes I can see already the depth and eagerness of a spirit who has waited forever to get here. 

You have only been here for several months, but we already can't imagine our lives without you.  Just the other day, your daddy was telling a friend that very thing.  We both love you with all our hearts!

We are yours and you are ours, forever...

Performance Day

Saturday was Jacob's third violin concert.  In the past, I have been able to snap away while he performs, but with Scarlett constantly in my arms, I had a sneaking suspicion that my normal paparazzing would be a little trickier this year.  And sure enough, it would have been nearly impossible.  So I am grateful that I had a little bit of forethought, and that I had Jake head out back for a little pre performance photo shoot.  I love how they turned out, and I love that I got to just sit back and watch this year.

Jake was so excited about the recital!  The week of the concert, it was actually easy to get him to practice.  And the morning of, was spent is a constant state of humming.  He didn't even pause for the water and bubbles running down his face as he rinsed his hair in the shower, he just squeezed his eyes tighter and hummed louder.  

As excited as he gets, I am a little surprised that he doesn't get nervous at all.  But so far he seems immune from any stage fright.  But I guess that shouldn't be too much of a shock, this boy has always been dripping in confidence.  

Jake walked onto his mark with such presence.  It is such a big stage for a little boy, but you'd never know it by the way he carries himself.  He was so eager to start playing, that he didn't even give the pianist time to play her intro (he had just practiced it with her twice only 45 minutes before), but as all good accompanists, she jumped right in.  He played a piece called Lightly Row.  It is a very pretty legato piece, and he played it perfectly.  Arthur and I were so proud of him, but more importantly, I think he was pretty proud of himself.

Just a week before the concert, he had been struggling to remember what part of the piece he was on (since the sections are quite similar) each time he tried to play it.  "How many Cs?" was the question of the week.  Jake first learned the song several months ago and we have kind of neglected it for newer songs during our practices at home.  I was actually a little surprised that it was the song Miss Robin picked.  But in retrospect, I am really glad she did.  It gave him an opportunity gain the sense of achievement that can only come through hard work.

This priceless life lessons is one of the main reasons Jake is taking violin.  Of course, I hope that he becomes a beautiful musician and will fill his life and the lives of others with music.  And I hope that we are instilling in him a life time appreciation and love for music.  But if he gains nothing else, from this experience, than the value of hard work.  Then every dollar spent and every minute of practice (event the frustrating ones) will be worth it.  Natural talent is wonderful, but it will only get you so far.

Jacob, you are amazing!  Heavenly Father has blessed you with a bright mind and an inquisitive nature. Because of these gifts many things come easily for you.  Since you were you a tiny boy, you have impressed people with intelligence and understanding far beyond your years.  Use these gifts, but remember to never shy away from things when they don't come as easily.  Never be afraid to work hard.  Remember how great it felt to perform so well after working so hard.  Set big goals throughout your life, and reach them.  And most important, use all your talents both innate and learned in service of others.  "When you are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)

Your Daddy and I love you more than words could express, and we are so proud of you! 

Easter Eggs - Nailed It!

Not!!

So we tried to mix it up and do something a little different with our Easter eggs this year.  I mean, how hard could it be?  A little shaving cream...a little food coloring...  Well, apparently too hard for me.

We gave it a go, and Jake and James had fun getting messy, but when it came to actually getting color on the egg, we went back to the little color tablets and vinegar.

Pinterest, you might be full of overwhelming new and creative ideas, but there is comfort (and success) in the tried and true.

They can really drive each other crazy, but they are the best of friends.