craft day....

I have been trying to improve my parenting skills and broaden my horizons. (aren't we all?!?) So I have attempted some crafts. Art doesn't come natural to me and I LOATHE the mess that usually accompanies it, but for the well rounded sake of my children I am trying. I knew I would need an extra set of hands so we went to Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Cox's house. Grandma did a craft with Hope and I attempted one. (Grandma was much more successful!) Anyway, it just exhausts me, but I'll keep trying.

Family Dinner

We had a family dinner on the Forman side this last weekend. We had some good times. We took turns making dishes and playing with the kids. We ate outside. We let the kids play around on the veranda while we sat and relaxed. Hope made a castle, Bryce kicked and threw and endless amount of balls. Savannah was sweet and entertained by her wild cousins. Thank Heavens that the weather is cooling down because "big Mama" is tired of being hot and sweaty. :)

a tower taller than Hope.....

What a feat! I don't know how we did it, but we somehow managed to keep the destructive Bryce away from Hope long enough for her to build a tower taller than herself. She was so proud of her accomplishment!

A nice Sunday

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Daddy had an unusually light day of meetings this Sunday and we had such a good day together. Daddy took Bryce with him to Elder's Quorum, bless his heart. As I walked to Relief Society I saw him conducting with little Bryce in his arms. It is a treat for me because I have been spending most Sundays in the hall. :(

We then came home and Daddy helped us make a traditional Sunday dinner with homemade rolls and mashed potatoes. Yum! I started on the dishes right away, but soon Daddy called me upstairs to play with the kids in bed. We left the kitchen a mess and played with the kids in our bed. They were in Heaven and it was the best day we have had in a long time. The kids jumped around us, on us, over us, messing up hair and laughing all the way. It was fun. I'll cherish those moments forever.

Kids Bad Day

A few weeks ago the kids had a bad day. They were both crying, and not feeling well. One crying child I can handle, but two are a little more of a challenge. I only have so big of a lap and can hold them for so long. I eventually told them if they want to continually cry they can sit in the crib together. :)

I wasn't sure if I should laugh at their rolling around on top of each other and half-faking screams, or let them be; frankly, I think their lives are not too bad. After a good 10 minute break for Mommy I pulled them out, cuddled them, and we salvaged the day. Crying, or not crying, I just love their little faces.

50th Anniversary

Grandma and Grandpa Cox (Jared's maternal Grandparents) had their 50th Anniversary on Friday, August 14th, 2009. Linda and the family put together a really nice dinner and dancing party for them at the Forman's house. Grandma didn't want Linda to go through the work of putting the party together, but she finally gave into the idea of it. I am sure glad she did because it was a lovely party and Grandma and Grandpa Cox are the sweetest people. They are truly the salt of the earth. We feel so blessed that they are alive and in good health because they mean so much to us. We look to them as examples and feel blessed to have our children get to know them. Grandma Cox has made the kids blankets and a few dresses for Hope. Hope now thinks every blanket and dress that she owns was made for her by Grandma Cox. She blesses them in her prayers every night and gets excited if we are going to see them. One day Jared told Hope that we were going to see them when we got in the car, and per usual he was teasing. When she found out that we weren't going to the Cox's house she immediately was in tears over it. "I want to see Papa Cox, I want to see Papa Cox!" was her plea. Anyway, here are some pictures of our family at the event:

The things our Hopie says........

I have to start writing down some of the things our sweet, precious Hope says. She is so innocent, and pure, and the things that come out of her mouth often keep us laughing. Here are a few quotes from the last few days:

Last Sunday at church: I was asked before Sacramento meeting to give the opening prayer. Just as the opening song began Hope urged that she had to use the potty so she and I raced to the bathroom, then raced back to drop Hope back off at our seats with Jared. The music ended just as I got Hope back to our seats and as silence fills the room and I am halfway up the podium I hear, "Daddy! I went pee pee in the potty!" I had to smile as she didn't know any better.

Saturday at Firestone Tires with Daddy: They are waiting in line and in walks a man with long hair, tatoos, and dark sunglasses. Hope says loudly, "Daddy! There's a bad man! He's a bad man!" ---can you imagine Jared's face?!?---

Monday morning as Mommy was still in need of a shower by lunchtime: Hope ran up the stairs and into my room as I was trying to send an email and tackle laundry at the same time. Hope says, "Mommy! Mommy! Hopie and Mommy need makeup!" Mommy says, "No I don't. I think I look great." Hope replies, "No. You don't." ----I had the best laugh over that one----

Tuesday morning as Mommy has both Hope and Bryce at the Pediatric Dentist for Bryce's first visit and teeth cleaning: To the dental hygenist and the Dentist Hope sat by Mommy and said repeatedly, "Doctor, he no like that. He no like that Doctor. Doctor, he no like that."

You have to know how animated and heartfelt Hope is, not to mention hear her voice, to really get the full effect as she just lights up our world. As we still are fairly new parents every month seems to bring new learning and stages. This one with Hope is pretty cute. She soaks up things like a sponge, and then surprises me with all that she understands and can process. Little kids make the world a better, sweeter place.