momma's girl

 

 Adeline is the biggest momma's girl and I really don't mind one bit. 

We always felt like five kids was our number. Having each of our kids has been some of the happiest moments of our married life. I felt so much like a 'boy mom' after having Levi and I truly loved it! After we moved into our current home, we were completely ready for another baby. Before we even became pregnant, I just KNEW it would be another boy and I was more than okay with it. I didn't like that people seemed to pity me. I was SO happy to have another boy. (and looking back, we can't imagine our life without Rudger, he was meant to come to us at that time)

When we started talking about having our last baby, I felt slightly nervous. I knew five was our number, but this felt so final. If we were to have another boy that would be just fine, but my heart did long to have a girl and I so badly wanted to see Justin with a daughter. 

We had an ultrasound when I was almost 14 weeks pregnant. The doctor asked if we should check the gender, I didn't think that was possible, but sure. When he started looking, we found something that looked a lot like it was a boy. My heart did sink just slightly, but then it was gone. The doctor kept checking and then told me he was 95% sure it was a girl. I didn't believe him. My 17 week appointment came and he said 99% sure. I sort of believed him then. The nurses told me that if he said 99%, then you can trust him. At my official big ultrasound appointment, they said 99.9999% 

The day she was born, the first thing I said was, "is it really a girl" and then I cried happy tears. I felt so lucky to have a daughter!

So yes, from day one she has been a huge mama's girl! She has plenty of moments when she just wants daddy, but in the end, we all know who she prefers :)  Adeline often comes running over to me, grabs my legs, and turns back to her brothers and yells, "no, it's my mama"  So yes, she is a mamma's girl ♥♥  

a conference we'll never forget

:: Every Wednesday, Adeline goes to our friends house so that I can go volunteer at the school. Our friend is in the MoTab, so all throughout Conference, Adeline was so excited to find 'Heather!!!' ::

I started this Conference with happy, grateful tears and ended it with those same emotions. My heart is still so full. I had forgotten all that would be included in the Solemn Assembly, but as soon as we started I remember doing the same thing for President Monson. Watching President Russell M. Nelson, with tears in his eyes, made me feel so grateful that he is our prophet!

The talks were oh so good and all of the announcements were crazy, but at the same time it all felt right.

I don't think anyone was expecting our prophet to announce 7 temples at the end of conference...seven!! Justin teasingly said, Kaysville, Utah...how about, Layton Utah...Layton Utah. Then a moment later President Nelson announced Layton Utah!! We were all jumping up and down screaming. It was such a happy moment. Then I all but lost it when he announced a temple a Russia. (and India too)  The work continues to move forward ♥♥♥ I hope our kids always remember this moment and remember how special temples are!!

We ate orange rolls and baked omelets throughout most of Saturday. (I had planned on making other foods but we just kept coming back to these) We had our word jars by the tv and all of the boys did a really good job listening to the first session, the others sessions were hit and miss. We also sneaked in a bike ride and some basketball. 

This was such a great way to celebrate Easter weekend and to kick off our spring break!! But one things for sure, this is definitely a Conference we'll never forget! ♥♥♥

Easter 2018

I love Easter! The world is waking up, the sun is warmer, signs of life everywhere, it's so light and peaceful. Over the years the meaning of Easter has become more sacred to me. I love my Savior. I love that he brings warmth, life, light, and peace to my life. Life IS beautiful to me because of my knowledge of a Redeemer who loves me, no matter what. 

It felt so good to be home all weekend surrounded by this family of mine. I was smiling from ear to ear after having my spirit filled with so much goodness taught from our church leaders. Each year those eight hours goes faster and faster. Justin's parents and sister (along with her family) came over for Easter dinner. It's always so good to be with them. And the benefit of this family is the food is always delicious and there is so much variety!  

:: definitely one of my favorite pictures: Adeline just singing a The Little Mermaid with all the confidence in the world :: 

The rest of the weekend we did puzzles, ate plenty of food and too much candy, we decorated Easter eggs, had an Easter egg hunt, got super excited about the new shirts and socks that were in the Easter baskets, and enjoyed as much outside time as we could sneak in! 

I love Easter time!!

our march at a glance

March had a good balance of inside and outside time. We got a lot accomplished and spring fever is at a high. Life continues to be busy, but at the end of every month, the goal is to make sure we had plenty of family adventures and happy memories.

:: started the month with a trip to the jr high to register Taylor for 7th grade (cue the tears) and the moon was amazing peaking over the mountains + Dr Suess day at school ::

:: caught all the boy and a friend watching one of Adeline's shows ::

:: while reading this book to Adeline, she kept coming back to this page and telling me it was Mandi and Jon :) + Sunday dinner ::

:: we had such a fun Sunday night surprise from our friends who moved an hour south + tried a gluten free cake with coconut whip cream...not the best thing, but not the worse ::

:: target trip! + Adeline on Women's day ::

:: krispy kreme donuts ::

:: brunch with our treat night friends + I texted this to Corbin, he was thrilled!! ::

:: school park + Adeline sneaked into Rudger's room and cuddled right up ::

:: Levi and I read this book for his class literature circle, we liked it a little better than all the other kids + daddy giving the girls a foot rub :) ::

:: Adeline likes to find my phone and take pictures ::

:: she got one of dad too ::

:: lego building at grandma and grandpa's house + kinetic sand at Mandi's house ::

:: 'seven on the line' basketball game ::

:: we have come a long way with school - he's gone from being in the fetal position for 20 minutes on the classroom floor to thriving and reading so well + Taylor's 7th grade shots ::

:: another Adeline picture - just spreading mulch all over our front lawn ::

:: the mayor came and talked to the cub scouts, levi got to be an angry citizen in the skit + those two ♥♥♥ ::

:: I absolutely LOVE this picture + Adeline and her microphone (and she really does climb up there) ::

:: they don't get to venture down the toy aisle as much as they used to, I thought this was adorable of Adeline and after I took the picture I saw what she was looking at... *yikes* ::

:: that peace sign ♥♥♥ ::

:: sleep over with cousins!! + taste testing ::

:: family long boarding/bike riding/rollarblading adventure ::

:: I don't want her to grow up...ever ::

:: after nearly seven years, the last room with the ugly orange/beige walls is going bye bye...hello white walls ♥ + those blue eyes ♥♥ ::

:: the boys want to build a little room up there ::

:: welcome to my life!! ::