Mother's Day



I just wanted everyone to know how happy I am to be a mom! There was a time growing up, that I wasn't sure this was the path for me. It may seem hard to imagine, but there was a time when I envisioned myself as that go getter career woman, who's feelings of accomplishment and recognition came from breaking that so called "glass ceiling", or perhaps becoming the "boss". I envisioned being married and traveling the world together going places children would just make it more difficult to enjoy. But time has a way a changing a person and thankfully, it has done just that.

After spending a little time in the real world, I realized that there was more to life than chasing after that dream job, having my picture taken with some exotic animal in the jungles of Africa, or perhaps climbing Mt. Everest. My dreams and aspirations go more along the lines of having a clean and organized home where my children feel at peace, loved, and learn to become good, wholesome people. I aspire to be that wife that has dinner on the table waiting happily for her husband as he walks in the door from work, and competing with my children for that coveted first kiss from daddy. Instead of staying up late working on the next report needed for work, I want to stay up late planning out the next soccer practice, slumber party, or family camp out. I want my children to look back on their childhood and laugh at all the good times they had with mom, and maybe cry at some of the memories they have of shedding those tears of disappointment into my shoulder. That is the life I want now. I want to inspire young women and women alike to take that leap of faith and become mother's themselves, because nothing brings one more joy and satisfaction.

I am so thankful for my two treasures that bring me more joy and happiness than I ever imagined possible. I am thankful for those moments when my stomach hurts from laughing so hard at them, while they make each other laugh! I look back and realize that in a way I have become that go-getter career woman, I just chose a different career. As everyone knows I have become the "boss" and every day we are breaking the glass ceiling in our home as we each make our own achievements, no matter how small. I am thankful for the blessings that my children are in my life. It truly would not be the same without them!

Motherhood is definitely my calling in life...and I love it!

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Love Always,

Josie

Home for Ralphy

Well, as most of you know, my Grandpa Ralph passes away and so the kids and I headed for Idaho for the funeral. I didn't take nearly enough photos (hopefully, Jake will send me his. hint hint)! But here are a couple.


We will miss our grandpa Ralph, along with his laugh, smile, soft touch, big hugs, and incredible backbone!

Love you forever Ralphy!!

P.S. This is a short post, because I just burned the rice:(

Choosing the Happier Place

So, this is just a pep talk for myself, but sometimes it helps to write it down, and who knows, maybe it will help someone else.
My friend over at Second Wind, shared this amazing quote that is helping her get through a bump in the road. I thought it was great and helped me get through my rough day as well.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Life is full of surprises, but that is what makes it so great. Right now I am focusing on the blessings in my life. My amazing husband who overcomes so much everyday, yet chooses to be here for us! I am so thankful that we made it home just in the nick of time, before the terrible flooding in Nashville!!! (I guess there was a reason I needed to rush home after all!) I am so thankful for my kids that make me smile each and everyday. I am thankful for my Savior, who knows me and loves me and there for me whenever I need him....no matter what!!

Love you all!

Josie

6 months...ALREADY?!?!?

Rosie has turned 6 months and I can't believe it! She is now eating solids and loving every minute of it! She is also sitting up on her own, but STILL not rolling over. She loves her big brother and laughs at him all the time. She is the joy of our life and such a precious little bundle.

Cruz is turning into such a big boy. It seems like he is changing daily and there is nothing I can do about it. We have so much fun together! He loves being outside in this beautiful weather we've been having lately. He finally LOVES going to nursery, although he's been a little rough lately. I know...I couldn't believe it either. He is constantly cracking us up with his new phrases. My personal favorites are "I awake ALL day" "I play ALL day" "I eat lunch or sumthin" "I play or sumthin" and "party time"! He is just so cute. You just can't help but love him. He also starting to sing. It is so cute. He loves primary songs, his favorite is...I don't know, he loves them all.

I've been messing around with my new camera and my new computer (from the best hubby ever!) lately and here are a few pictures of the rugrats that we all love so much!

ENJOY!

Road Trip!!

A whirlwind 10 days...but totally worth it! Taylor had a quick break between quarters and unfortunately plane tickets are a little ridiculous, so we couldn't head home. Thankfully my best pal from Idaho invited us up to Milwaukee (only a short 10 hours away)!

We invited our new friend Luke, who goes to school with Taylor, and hit the road! The kids did fantastic on the way up. We only stopped once for lunch and a quick stop in Chicago to drop Luke off, and neither of the kids put up much of a fuss! They are wonderful.

Once we made it to Milwaukee, it was PARTY TIME! Cruz and Kevin are only a day a part and they had a blast together! If they weren't fighting, they were playing their hearts out! Rosie and Julia were such good sports as well. They were along for the ride and always with a smile on their face. We went to the Harley Davidson Museum and Cody (Jessie's hubby) showed us around Harley...sooo cool! We also went to the Children's Museum, which the boys loved!! We did a little shopping at the outlets and went to a Milwaukee Bucks game! On the final day in Milwaukee, we went to the zoo and it was AWESOME!! It seemed all the animals were putting on a show. The bears were fighting, a lion threw up, the zoo keepers were feeding the elephants and the sea lions. It was so much fun! The weather was beautiful and the boys were totally into it. Thanks Gray family, we had a blast and couldn't have done any of it without you. You guys are the best!

The next day we were headed for the big city of CHICAGO! We found a cheap hotel downtown and it was perfect! Luke was kind enough to be our tour guide and showed us around the city. We went to the Field Museum and walked all the way down Michigan Ave to the famous "BEAN". Cruz LOVED the big dinosaur at the museum, but wasn't much of a fan of the Egyptian Exhibit (as you can tell from the pictures). We had a little famous Chicago style pizza for lunch, it was everything everyone says it is....DELICIOUS! That night Cruz wanted to hit the pool. We didn't think he would like it much, but we were very wrong...he lOved it! Taylor had him on his belly kicking forever! Then Cruz thought it would be fun to jump off the side of the pool and there was no stopping him! An hour later we were finally dragging him away and hitting the sack...dead tired!

We could have stayed another full day, but unfortunately, it was time to get out of dodge and head for home. The trek home was a little longer than we'd planned. Easter weekend and the traffic was terrible! We hit the wonderful rush hour traffic in Indianapolis along with some rather aggressive truck drivers...BUT we made it! I love that feeling when you walk in the door after you've been gone for awhile and you can take a deep breath and go "ahhh it's good to be home!" Despite Taylor's fears we made it unscathed and not robbed! A perfect vacation.

Cruz loved Easter...his favorite gift was the harmonica Nana Chelle sent him. We have the wonderful blessing of being seranaded every day now! It is wonderful!

I am so thankful for all that we have been blessed with! Good friends, great family, and a kind loving Heavenly Father who continues to pour blessings upon us even though we continue to make mistakes. We had a great trip and are looking forward to the next one! Thanks to everyone who made it possible...we love you SO much!

Love you all!

Rosie 2.5 months

 

When we were home at Christmas we had a friend of Mark and Michelle take a few pictures of Rosie. They turned out pretty cute. Here are a few of them. Enjoy!