Addyson's "friend" party

I always tell the girls that they are not allowed to get any older, but they do.

Addy had a tinker bell party, her first "friend" party- it involved:

11 girls & a boy (that's a lot of little girls)

A moon bounce (thanks Rachel)

Strawberry cake

Strawberry ice cream

Other yummy food

Loosing Addy for a short moment to find she went up stairs (to be all alone) to paint her nails

dancing & playing with balloons

"kid music"

LOTS of FUN!

Ethan was post call and showed up the last few minutes of the party, we didn't even expect that so it was a pleasant surprises! He put on his "happy, I have lots of energy face" for the guests, I was impressed, poor sleepy guy.

If I don't I'll regret it!

So this is the thought that goes through my head literally EVERY-SINGLE-DAY! I will totally regret if I don't document life. I can't keep saying I will do it and not do it. Just do it Krista!

I most defiantly have the WORST memory ever. I would like to update life from the last 9 years, but... I will not, But... I will start with today.

1. Brynlee told me a few days ago that she had not seen me wear "that swimming suit in years".

2. We picked a ton of delicious blueberries, with Joanna!

3 We also picked Cherries, in PA.

4. It doesn't bother Trey to eat rotten cherries.

5. I'm in love with fresh stuff.

6. It's 1:13 a.m. and my baby is crying:(

7. I miss Ethan when he is gone, and I don't like getting into bed when he is not in it!

8. This part of the country is amazingly beautiful, it's quit amazing green everywhere!

9. I stayed up way too late tonight to decorate for June's b-day, I'm so excited it's her first "friend" party, its Tinkerbell, SO cute, just like her.

10. Did I mention I miss Ethan when he is on call?

Trey's First Hair Cut

This is more than just shaggy, it's full on mullet!

Oh my lanta, I just want to squish him.

Not so sure at this point...

Oh, it's so I have to play with my blocks on the chair instead, no biggie!

As long as he's with mom he's happy!

Sniff, sniff, he already looks older, I DON'T like that. But I was not digging the mullet either!

Pretty sure he had more hair on his first cut than the girls, go figure. I have cut all my babies hair at about a year and a half.

No Nut Kids

I pretty sure it's official- we now have 2 no-nut-kids and 1 no-nut-parent. I was hoping that Trey would escape the allergy, but to no avail this is what happens when he got ahold of peanut butter. I'm very grateful that it was just the red swollen face and that there were no respiratory problems. I was in a panic with Ethan on the phone and all ready to put Brynlee's epipen in action. He was totally fine and lucky the benadryl did the trick. At least his allergy is most likely milder than Brynlee and Ethan!

Trey about 10 min after the "partaking" (it was Addy's spoon of peanut butter that she had licked "almost" clean, He had it for a total of 5 seconds-maybe!

This was Brynlee at almost a year old when we found out she was allergic to eggs. We gave her eggs before church and it gradually got worse and worse, we actually didn't take her to urgent care till right during sacrament. After this very scary episode of respiratory problems as well, we discovered the nut allergy as well as milk. Luckily with in a year she grew out of the milk and egg allergy.

Now I have to remember all over again how careful you have to be with a 2 year-old with allergies. Brynlee has been quite "mature" about it for awhile, and I can't take that so lightly!

Maryland Spring

This is what we see when we look out our window every-single-day! I would say we are very blessed.

Spring makes me happy, very happy!

The beauty we are surrounded by now is absolutely amazing, I really am in ahh every time I see a bloom. Things LITERALLY bloom over night here!

It is incredible!

Cotton on Trees

The Cherry Blossoms in Maryland remind me of cotton, but on a tree! It is beautiful this time of year here. I was amazed by all the cherry blossom trees and really I could have stayed all day and just soaked in their beauty....but then I'm reminded I have to chase 3 kids around!

Just me and my honey!

Bernell and Lolita were brave enough to venture out to DC with our crazy bunch. We really enjoyed having them around for a visit!

Brynlee's having a hard time with the whole "natural smile" thing, but she's cute either way.

It's the best by far of all of us together. Does it get any easier to take a family photo when they get older?

Trey man has just been a walkin boy for a few weeks. He was 15 months old before he realized it was for him, but man alive he learned literally over night!

Grateful to be a Mother

I'm feeling extra grateful tonight to be a Mother. When Ethan is out of town (or just gone till late hours which is usually the case) I tend to use my evening time after the little rascals have gone to bed to ponder. For some reason I have thought lots about my three little blessings. I get to be with them 24/7 and am so glad I do. We have a schedule that works pretty well around here (I know its a bit ridged when they are in bed by 6:30 and 7), yet I often wander if I try to rush things too often.

I want to soak up the way they each are now!

I will forget in a month what each are like right now. As I heard my friend Lyndsey say not too long ago, I want to "memorize" each child. I always want to remember what it feels like when I pick Trey up from his crib from being startled for some reason late at night. His head goes right nice tucked between my shoulder and neck. He is light but getting bigger. He fits so nice around my arms. it's the ONLY time I ever get to snuggle with him. He just feels good as I embrace him. Can I always remember how he says "bawwwwl"?

Never Ever do I want to forget how squishy Addy still is, to kiss her cheeks is like a little taste of heaven. She still has the "baby squish" at 3 almost 4 and I LOVE it but....It will go away and will I forget that? Will I forget how it melts my heart when she puts both of her hands on my cheeks and chin and tells me she loves me???

One day I will miss that Brynlee always has "one more thing to tell me" before she goes to sleep. Will she still want to make sure she gets a hug and kiss from me before I drop her off at school? I melt when she says I want one more big hug and squeezes me tighter than I thought she had strength! Can I keep up our in "bed talks" when she is a teenager????

Amidst all this love do I still get easily frustrated? YES YES YES but...... when I remember these moments I find patience later to handle the difficult times a little better.

So for today I am trying to see the Saviors love more often in my three gifts to give me that patience when things are not so fun and happy!