So There Was a Time...

When I broke my foot. It isn't even a good story; toys on the floor, trying to keep Gavin from taking a head dive off a chair led to said broken foot.

Whoever invented crutches and made them the standard fare for lower extremity injuries must not have had any nerve sensations in their arms. Scooters are much better and by the time said foot is done healing my right leg will be twice the size as my left!

I won't lie and say this has been a walk in the park, (especially since I can't walk) but it's been eye-opening. I'm grateful for all my family, ward members and friends who have taken care of us. I'll never take for granted again that I can pick Gavin up and walk across the room with him.

Maybe this happened because I needed a reminder of how blessed I am to have the ability to take care of my kids. Every time I bend over and almost crack a rib on the scooter to pick up a dirty sock, I remember that I used to think it was hard to pick up socks with two working feet.

Perspective is an interesting thing.

Spring

We're all so glad spring is here! It's so nice to spend more time outside than inside!

We're go grateful for awesome neighbor kids who play with Lauren and Gavin so well. I know I don't have to worry about Lauren when she's with them. We couldn't ask for better neighbors! I am so glad that even though they're alot older, they are still kind and let a four-year-old tag along (Or boss them around, which is usually the case!)

We've been playing at the park, planting peas, cleaning out flowerbeds, and playing with cousins.

Cute Boy

Gavin just makes us smile. At Sam's yesterday, a lady behind us in line touched my shoulder and told me I had the cutest little boy she'd ever seen. The same thing happened earlier this week. A few weeks ago someone actually asked to take his picture he was so cute.

Personally, I think he is the cutest little guy on earth, but realistically I knew I was biased. It's almost going to my head that so many people have commented on his cuteness. ;)

I found this Oscar shirt in the hand-me-down bin and I thought it was hilarious. We've dubbed it as his Sunday shirt since he's such a grouch on Sundays. And of course he had to try out Lauren's new scooter and helmet making the perfect future blackmail picture.

 

Birthweek

It was Lauren's birthday this last week. I felt like we celebrated for a whole week! Three parties, treats at school, ice cream, cake...it was almost too much: she was exhausted, but so excited and happy!

She asked for a Princess-Frozen-Rainbow-Castle Cake, I'm not sure how close I got but she was happy with it thankfully! She's been interested in scooters so that's what Chase and I got for her and I don't think she's been off of it since!

 

 Listening to Conference always makes me think about when she was born. We listened to Conference while we held her in the NICU four years ago today.

Lauren is wonderful. I never quite know what to expect from her. She can be the sweetest and kindest kid I've ever seen and yet she can be so determined, stubborn and will-full.

She makes friends easily, She will walk up to any little kid, say "Hi my name's Lauren, what's your name?" and she's made a friend for life.

She lives on bandaids and kisses. Thankfully those take care of most of the hurts.

She takes care of everybody: her baby, and especially Gavin.

Once she's made up her mind it is nigh unto impossible to change it.

She remembers EVERYTHING. We picked out a stone on the temple that could be "her's" to make the temple special to her. We went once several months ago to touch it. We went again the other day and she remembered the exact rock and how to get to it.

Thankfully we don't have the melt-downs anymore, although being sassy and talking back to me are her new things.

She's constantly on the move, always running, looking, asking and hardly taking a breath before she talks.

She frequently says she needs Jesus and asks if she can see him.

We sure do love her!