I've been reading Daughters of God, and awesome book by M. Russels Ballard. I found another quote about parenting that I'd like to share:

"Parents and teachers should see beyond the little girl in pigtails and should not be misled by the ragged little boy with a dirty face and holes in the knees of his pants. True teachers and leaders see children as they may become. They see the valiant missionary who will one day share his testimony with the world and later become a righteous father who honors his priesthood. The inspired teacher sees pure and beautiful mothers and future presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary, even though today they may be girls who giggle and chatter on the back row in the classroom. Sometimes people say, "Well, boys will be boys!" Not so --boys will be men, and almost before we know it.

To see our children grow, succeed, and take their places in society and in the Lord's kingdom is an eternal reward worth any inconvenience or sacrifice."

- M. Russel Ballard

What more needs to be said! Enjoy those little ones!

I've been reading Daughters of God, and awesome book by M. Russels Ballard. I found another quote about parenting that I'd like to share:

"Parents and teachers should see beyond the little girl in pigtails and should not be misled by the ragged little boy with a dirty face and holes in the knees of his pants. True teachers and leaders see children as they may become. They see the valiant missionary who will one day share his testimony with the world and later become a righteous father who honors his priesthood. The inspired teacher sees pure and beautiful mothers and future presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary, even though today they may be girls who giggle and chatter on the back row in the classroom. Sometimes people say, "Well, boys will be boys!" Not so --boys will be men, and almost before we know it.

To see our children grow, succeed, and take their places in society and in the Lord's kingdom is an eternal reward worth any inconvenience or sacrifice."

- M. Russel Ballard

What more needs to be said! Enjoy those little ones!

I miss her!

Last night at midnight, while sitting on the couch with a baby who would not be soothed, I realized how much I miss my Mom. She was the person I called on mornings like this when my eyes are puffy from tears and my head hurts from lack of sleep, and I'm all around exhausted. She was the one who understood what it was like be a mother of 4 young children. As much as I love them, my sweet husband and Dad just are not the same.
I know this is a bit on the rambling side, but it just hits me now and again just how much I am missing without her. She was the one woman in my life who always put me first because I was HERS. There was no one else to come before me (except dad of course!) because I was her daughter, and she was my best friend. I could talk to her about anything and everything and she always had great words of wisdom to impart.
And so it is mornings like this that remind me how much I miss her. She would have offered a big hug and a promise that it would all get better. I know it will, I just wish I could hear her voice say it to me. So for anyone out there who still has their mommy, never take for granted what she means to you. Don't take her for granted. Pick up the phone, call her, give her a hug, and let her know just how much she means to you because she needs to hear it.

The Childrens Gardens at Thanksgiving Point.

Kena Climbing the rocks. The boys climed too but hopped down before I could snap a pic.

The kiddo's by the waterfall with Daddy

Trace and the bear in the bear cave

Kena, affraid of the bear. She wouldn't sit on it for anything!

Jax and Trace in the Noah's Ark fountain

For Memorial Day we took the kids, along with Cory's fam down to Thanksgiving point to the Childrens Gardens. We had a blast playing in the water and wandering through the nature classroom. What a fun day. Be sure and look at the following post for a few of the happenings at the Hadley household.

A photo update

A beautiful Wyoming Sunset
Brotherly Love

Tea Party (my favorite is Jax wearing the pearls!)

Candy Land! I love when they play together

Mason's first bath

We have a thumb sucker!

Treasure the doing a little more and the getting done a little less

While reading the book Daughters of God this evening by Elder Ballard, I came across a quote that I'd like to share. It, along with all your kind comments, has made me feel much better about my situation. The quote is from Anna Quindlen and the italicized section I think is what I'm going to make my new motto.

"The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make...I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting done a little less."

Tales of a "has been" super Mom...

What exactly has happened to me? That is the question I sit here pondering, in my messy house, with my dirty children. Once upon a time I could have every person in this house bathed, dressed, and fed before 8 in the morning. I was on top of things. We'd start the morning with the dishes and straightening. My children knew that what we got out we put away before the next toy emerged and dinner was always done by the time Cory got home from work (well ok not always but even Super Mom has her kryptonite right!).

Since Mason has come home chaos has reigned supreme. I've been told often enough to cherish these years (and I do) and to not worry about the little stuff (I try), but I still find myself wondering how on earth we went from one day of laundry a week to one load of laundry every other day? And how is it that our family, that only expanded by one little mouth, now suddenly requires me to do 2 loads of dishes a day? I thought all Mason was using were a few bottles a day? Perhaps he sneaks the occasional midnight snack?? And what of those amazing kids who put away those toys...where did they go? I've knicked my foot 3 times on the same hotwheel track that I am honestly starting to believe is putting ITSELF in the middle of my living room floor.

So today I'm wondering where she went, that super mom, and wondering if she plans on returning any time soon. My house sure could use a visit from her, but on the bright side we are all dressed, and everyone is fed and happy. Perhaps that is what I should focus on until she gets here!

A happy Mothers Day

By and large Mothers Day was awesome. Cory took the kids to church so I could get some rest, and they gave me the most beautiful wall hanging and the book Daughters of God by Elder Ballard. After church Cory made tasty bacon cheddar filled burgers and hot dogs for dinner and it was wonderful (and tasty)! Then he did dishes, could I ask for anything more! It is good to be loved!

I'm so greatful to be a mommy. I have amazing kids and an amazing husband. I'm greatful for my own Mommy. She was such an amazing example of what a mom should be. I miss her so much, but I'm so blessed to know Heavenly Fathers plan and that I will get to be with her again soon!

The little loves who made me a Mommy!

My beautiful wall hanging. It says "Family: the center of life's meaning"

My book, which is a really good read by the way.

2 Peas in a Pod...or something like that!

Last night I had Mason asleep on my lap and I just had to take a picture. It was flash back to 22 months ago when Jax was a baby. He looked so much like him it was amazing. What a cute boy! He's doing really well and we are all so in love with him. He's calm and peaceful and a wonderful addition to our home!

I've been waiting for this day...

I love my family! We've had Cory home this week, which has been heaven! We've done a little playing, a LOT of resting, and some work too. This morning we went out to get our yard ready for spring. The kids and I were cleaning the garage and Cory mowed the lawn. After wards we sat down to just enjoy the warm spring sun. It was while we were relaxing that the sweetness started, I got my first bouquet from my kiddos. One by one the picked every dandilion in our yard! It was so darn sweet. I remember doing it for my Mom and looked forward to the day that my little ones would do the same. When we were done Trace brought them all inside and we put them in a glass of water, thats when Trace turned to me and said, "Wow Mom we must love you a lot!" *sigh* Life is good!

Our newest love, Mason...

...and here's his story. Cory and I got the hospital about 7:30 and we were well on our way by 9. All was great and wonderful until it was time to push. We discovered that our little Mason was looking for the path less traveled and tried to come "sunny side up" or face up if you will. The doctor was able to successfully turn him around and he was born at 2:50 PM. He was perfect and wonderful, but a little slow to cry so the wrapped him up and headed to the nursery. It was never very serious, but he had to stay in the nursery and needless to say I was heartbroken. Mommy just wants to make it better, and hold her baby, and it was hard not to be able to do that.
So about 10 last night we decided to was time to intervene. Cory, his father, and our dear friend Rich came right over and they gave him a blessing. It was simple and beautiful, and within 2 hours his stats were right were right where they should be and he was back in our room with us. He's been beautiful and perfect every since. It has been strong reinforcement of my testimony of the priesthood. I'm truly blessed to have it in my home!
So here we are, we are home and everyone is happy, healthy, and we are all adjusting well to life with our newest love, Mason. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!