To my sweet Hayden...the things I love about you!

1) I love that you are so forgiving, There are people in your life that have let you down, yet you always choose to rise above it all and keep going. You are such an example to me.2) I love your funny sense of humor. You know how to really make people laugh from their heart.
3) I love your cute little duck feet :)
4) I love that you always say you love me, even when we're just sitting watching a movie together or riding bikes. You say it at the most random times, and I know it comes straight from the heart.
5) You have shown me what it means to have courage and to face life head on.
6) You have reminded me what it truly means to be a child of God.
7) I love that you remind me to say prayers and read scriptures, even when I'm too tired to think and just want to go to bed.
8) Thank you for teaching me how to love you unconditionally in a whole new way, the way only a parent can love their child.
9) I love the way you pray to Heavenly Father, and pray for people all around you, and pray about funny things too. I love how thoughtful you are.
10) I love that you love almost every fruit and vegetable there is, and that you inspire me to continue eating healthy each and every day.
11) I love your perfect little teeth :)
12) I love that you have good hygiene, even at such a young age. You take time to brush your teeth well, wear clean clothes (most of the time) and wash your hands after using the bathroom without even being reminded.
13) Thank you for inspiring me to continue changing for the better, and encouraging me to keep going even though you didn't even know you were doing it.
14) You are a wonderful artist, and I am so grateful for all the pictures you draw and paint for me. Just so you know I have saved them all :)
15) Sometimes you tell me I'm pretty, even when I just got out of bed and have crazy hair and unbrushed teeth. And the best part is that I know you truly think I am pretty. Children have an amazing way of seeing our inner beauty.
16) I love when you laugh in your sleep. Sometimes I will be laying there and hear you giggle, and it just makes me feel so happy to have you in my life.
17) I love how creative your mind is, and how I can look at you when you're watching shows like Dennis the Menace or Home Alone and see the wheels in your head turning, trying to figure out how to be as mischievous as they are.
18) I love the way you find the beauty in all things. An example would be the other day when you picked Aunt Jeanne's apricots off of her trees because they were "fuzzy and soft."
19) I love how charming you are, and how you can make my heart melt just by smiling at me when I'm upset with you.
20) I love that you have so much energy, and that you enjoy things that are really fun.
21) I love that you can hike almost as far as an adult can...I don't know many kids who can RUN up The Emerald Pools trail at Zion's, run back down, and then want to go again.
22) I love that you enjoy doing chores, especially ones like cleaning the toilet and scrubbing the bath tub. It sure takes a load off of me.
23) I love that even though sometimes you act like you are a toughie, deep down you are a softie. One thing that I really enjoy seeing is the way you interact with babies. It is so sweet to see you make silly faces at babies we see at the store, and how they giggle and laugh because you made them happy. I love how gentle you are.
24) I love how much you have taught me about life, and how you have given me a chance to apply the lessons I've learned in life to a real situation.
25) I love the way you feel music in your body, and how you can keep rhythm really well. It makes me smile when you play the air guitar or the air piano, or how you imitate almost EVERY instrument you hear and play it in the air, lol.
26) I love when you sing songs while we're in the car, songs I had no idea you even knew the words to. One of my favorite songs you sing is Love Today by Mika. Also Hand In My Pocket and Hey, Soul Sister.
27) I love how independent you aspire to be, I know you will go far in life in whatever you want to do because you have the courage and determination to do ANYTHING!
28) I love the way that you can do anything you put your mind to, like when we got you your new bike last summer and before we could put the training wheels on you jumped on and took off down the street and taught your self to ride. You never cease to amaze me!
29) I love how you are a dreamer, and that you view the world the way you see it, and not necessarily the way it is. That is an amazing trait to have, because too many people lose hope when all they see is the negative in the world. It takes a dreamer to see the positive.
30) I simply love the way you love me


A child knows love from being loved. I love my child not only for who he is, but also for what he will be. I have loved him from the day he was born, and will love him for my entire life. His actions will never change this. My love will only grown stronger as he becomes his own person and chooses his own path. I need to thank him when he is older, he is an inspiration to me to want to be better and better each day.

Hayden, I am writing this because I want you to know that I am so lucky to have you in my life, I am so blessed to know such a sweet boy, and you bring joy to my life that only a child can bring. I want you to know that I see all these things in you and so much more. Always remember who you are, and what you are capable of achieving in this life. I know you will go far my little man :)

A Day in the Life of Hayden

Hayden, when you read this in the future, I just want you to know that it is a beautiful life with you. I love you so much little guy. I'm so glad to have you in my life.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Seven Peaks 2011

We took the kids to Seven Peaks and it was a blast. Tyler was kind of afraid of the water, but even he enjoyed it. We went on slides, played in the kid pool, got some SUN, and goofed off all day. The boys did a pretty good job following directions, which was really nice. HUGE BONUS! They turned into hellians on the way home, they were all tired and ornery as hell. Oh well that is to be expected I guess when you take your kids out into the hot sun all day. All in all though I enjoyed my day and I hope to be able to go again soon. Here are some pictures of us :)

 Tyler and Hayden getting ready to leave the house to go to Seven Peaks!!

 

Me and AJay at the pool

 

Hayden being a grumpy butt and not letting me kiss him. But I got one anyways and he couldn't help but smile. I'm cool like that.

Haha I was just messing around in this pic but it turned out cute I think. 

Me and Tyler leaving Seven Peaks.

AJay at home before we left to go swimming.

Me and my best friend Kalee. I really love this picture it we look really cute and really happy in it. 

 Super cute picture of all the boys together. I made all of their towels for Easter to go along with their Seven Peaks Passes. I'm loving the bright colors in the sunshine!

What we're up to

Oh heck it's been quite a long time since I have posted on my blog. I meant to post like every day but as we all can see that didn't happen. So what's new in our life? Hmmm...let's see. We had our ups and downs, but things seem to be settling down for the most part.
Tyler turned 4 on April 16th. We had a family party and it was a lot of fun. He had a Buzz Lightyear cake that was really cute, and he got spoiled rotten with presents. I got him a bike and he loved it. Wouldn't you know it, his dad took the training wheels off after a few weeks and he hopped on and off he went. It is the exact same thing that Hayden did when we took his training wheels off. The boys are getting super big. I can't believe that Tyler is 4 and Hayden is 6, almost 7. Where does the time go?
This was them not too long ago...sigh :(

We had a fun Easter, I made the kids some hooded towels and got them swimming trunks and a Seven Peaks Pass for each one of them. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can actually go. This rain and cold feels like it has lasted FOREVER. Oh well I guess I should be happy for the moisture. 
Hayden finished his 1st grade year, and on grade level too. I am so proud of him. School is a struggle for him, and the year felt super long. But we did it and we are so happy for a break this summer. Hayden also completed Stride, a 13 week after-school program that works on kid's social skills and how to communicate in an appropriate manner. We loved the staff, and Hayden loved them. He finished his program the same day school got out.
Hayden has been really acting out for the last month. I know it has a lot to do with my stress and I feel like a really bad mom sometimes. I want him to have the best life possible, and it makes me really sad that he is stressed out. I am really hoping it will pass soon. It seems like no matter what I do he wants to do the opposite. 
I have been really sick, it seems like my body just does not want to get better in a lot of ways. I will hopefully have some answers really soon, because I am tired of always feeling like I ran a marathon by 10:00 each morning. It is getting really old. Despite my setbacks I am trying really hard to keep a positive attitude. It has not been easy, but it has made all the difference in the world.
My nephew Drew was born on May 20th, and it has been such a blessing to have him in our lives. He is such a sweet heart, and I have got to spend a lot of time holding him. I feel like I have a really good bond with him, and I am so grateful he is here. I love him so much. It is really fun to see Hayden and tyler interact with him. They like to touch his soft head and talk to him, and they can't get over how tiny his little hands, feet, and ears are. I love it!
Well that is about all that is new in our life right now. I am hoping for a very fun summer with the boys. I am making a goal right now to be better at updating this blog.