She wants to know

Wow, my sweet Ali came to me tonight and casually said something that I think has been weighting heavy on her heart.  As a mom it was one of those moments that stroke hard.  I will remember where I was standing for this one.  She looked and me and said,   "Mom your right I shouldn't have wished to grow up fast."  "Why is that?" I asked. "Because as you grow you loose some of your cute personality.  I look at Madi and see all the cute things she does and think I used to do that.  I used to play with dolls.  I did funny things that people laughed at."  (I must say the first thing that went through my mind was wow Ali is growing and she is amazing she is smart she can speak her frustrations clearly.)  I said yes Madi does like to play babies and you did too at a time.   But you are lucky you can write songs and play them on the guitar, Madi can't come close to that."  She smiled, she knew it was true.  The conversation continued and filtered down to; why does Madi get all the attention, why do you spend more time with her,  why does she get to stay up with you at night... The list could go on for Ali.  She needs to know that she is still my everything too.  I sure try to do this and I did mention the special things I like to do for just her but she needs more, more of me. I am glad she could express what she is going through.  She has been a trooper through the move and the transition living at grandma's  and grandpa's.  But my heart hurts for her.  I am trying to be what she needs through this busy thing we call life. 

Blue Tickets

The house is quiet...I think they're all asleep.  It's that bitter sweet part of the day!  For years this was the hardest, truly testing part of the day.  I would always fall asleep putting them to bed.   We are in a new home now and with that comes new adventures. We have a special place we end the day at.  Our "reading nest."  Grandma has bought 90% of the books that fill our bookshelf.  Pages and pages of new worlds a day at a time.  Bedtime is now an enjoyable time of day that I cherish. I look forward to all the stories and memories we will share in our reading nest  I am a firm believer in function, order, and comfort.  Dan and I and many others worked hard for us to be in a home that provides us the space we need to have these things. (more about our new home later)  Today I am grateful for our home, for one more step in the right direction for these angels of mine!  Good night as I place the well earned blue tickets under each pillow.  They earn a one ticket for going to sleep on their own after prayers and two if they do it without a fight.  They don't question what they are earning tickets for, but they just like collecting them.  They are that simple sometimes.  Good Night!

Can You Spot The Difference

Luke annoyed that we are asking him to smile

It's amazing that when Dan offered a piece of candy for anyone who would smile the picture looks totally different

Another Adventure

So Beautiful

She loves being a big girl

A little nap in the car with her baby

                                                             

Always looking for fun

                                                              

To School for Cool

He's ready to join     

Today we headed out for an all day Saturday kind of fun. We loved it!  The kids were great and we packed it in.  Cascade Spring, a  fun little park in Midway for a picnic, then off to an ice cream shop and we ended the day at Bridalveil Falls.

    

When You're The Best Of Friends

One of Luke's favorite things is to make Charlee laugh.  It was a fun summer afternoon watching them crackup about silly things.  They both went through two sets of clothes before we finally called it a night.  I know what Luke is capable of,  he has this fun little water table that he has to keep filled up at all times!  I would hear the water go on and walk over to see the damage.  He just looked at me and said, "Mom you're not suppose to be here, go back over there."  He really hates getting busted.  Like any other 3 year old he just wants do what he wants to do.  And so they did, splashing and sliding made their day!  Along with sneaking cookies when mom wasn't watching... or was she!

Maddi

I will take one of her all day long! 

She has been blessed with Dan's dimples, 

a love for life like no other and she will ask any mom to hold her.  

She has her choice of favorite moms and I am at the top of course, but my bff Kimberli is next in line.  She will go up to most women and put her hands out to be held,  she is not a cuddlier but I think she just wants to share her joy for life with them. It is so fun to watch, Luke and Ali were not this way at all.  I am excited to she where her desire to share life takes her.  But really I could take a dose of her all day long!  She is super busy and very messy. Can you see the gogurt she has spread all over the table?   But she shares her dimple smile more often than not so I will take the messes.

She Did it!

Love this girl!  Look at how much fun she is having cheering in the air as she jumps.  The ironic thing is that her bff Callie has been prodding her for months to do this.  Ali would not take the plunge until today when Callie was not watching.  I am so proud of her.  At times she is hesitant to try things that are fast, high or just plan scary to her but she always comes around and gives it a try.  Then of course she sees how much fun it is and does it all day long.

Finally

The sun has finally came out to stay!  It was a rainy and snowy spring so it feels so good to get out in the sunshine.  We went to dinner with Anne the other night and it was all Alisha and Luke could do to resist the water.  It started out slow one drop at a time.  I knew what was coming and I had my camera ready to capture it. 

Luke is a Sunbeam

A new milestone for Luke. He has been preparing for this day for a few weeks now. He woke up this morning. Put on his underwear by himself, which he normally doesn't do. Got dressed and headed out the door. Ok lets be honest he did give us a fight when it was time to put his shoes on, but it would not be a normal day if he was not impossible. The whole transition from nursery to primary was going great until he realized that his bff Tommy would not be in his class. After that it was all over. His heart was shattered. Luke and Tommy have been hanging out in nursery for a few years now and today their Sunday "rock star" playing ended. Today they grew up to be big boys and they both missed each other. In all he did great. We picked him up from class and he was proud. Proud to be a Sunbeam and he had stories to share. As for me its fun to see him grow but I always want it to go a little slower. I am just glad that I'm not Sister Memmott who I overhead giving a lesson in Relief Society today. My heart literally sunk when I heard this. "My son left for his mission this week, and I cried. Not because I am going to miss him but because he is not longer my little boy, that season is over he is a man." (and its true he is a mature responsible young man) Really did she say that? No my heart was saying this can't be true. I love being Luke's mom. I love that I teach him about life and all the amazing things he can do. I know that it will go way to fast, and that one day I will feel like Sister Memmott, no matter how many hours we spend together or the wonderful memories we will make. I will never be ready to have it all end. I used to think that when the time came I would have the wisdom to embrace new seasons but I am quickly learning that it does not happen that way. So for now I am going to embrace the spit, the tantrums, the meltdowns because the hugs, the games, and the laughter come with it. I will try to not let one moment slip away. Her words really hit my heart.

Bundle of Joy

Madison Mae McGarry has completed a piece to our family! I have really enjoyed baby number three. She has a calm peaceful spirit. Luke and Alisha love her more then I could have wished for. Luke is so gentle with her. We have been having so much fun at our house.