The Bidwi, The Boys...and Me.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Summer...so far...

I have been pretty much MIA from the blog...

we have just been so happy enjoying Summer.

It has been a blissful two months of staying up late and sleeping in, swimming all day, lounging around, last minute play-dates, visits from family, and just enjoying having no real routine.

I have loved just hanging out all day with my boys.

Some days we don't get out of our jammies till noon and I don't feel one smidge of guilt about it!

Here is our Summer...so far...

I don't even want to think about Summer ending for at least another few weeks!

In June several Stakes in the Dallas area participated in a Jubilee which was a cultural event put on by the YW and YM 14 year old and up.

It was delightful and such a great memory for these kids!

As I sat there and looked at this...

...I got all choked up thinking of these kids growing up in SUCH a difficult time,

and they are so pure, clean, and strong.

They amaze me.

Here are three of the Laurels I am lucky enough to work with...

Todd had a few days off over July 4th weekend so we took advantage of it and headed down to San Antonio to our favorite new spot to play and relax!

Thatcher and Tagg goofying off at dinner...

this is their new favorite thing to do with their straws...

They other day a friend of mine told me that if she ever had boys she dreams

that they are just like my boys.

That made my day because I couldn't love these boys more,

and couldn't have imagined them any more perfect than they are.

The resort had a little bounce house wet play area set up for the kids,

and we spent several hours a day here.

The boys LOVED it!

Every night they played movies on a lawn...

Typical Tagg these days...

Dad and Thatch...

My three boys...

We spent all day swimming and hanging out by the pool...

what else do you do in Texas in the summer?

The boys waiting for their turn down the water slide...

On July 4th they had activities planned on the golf course with face painting, snow cones, cotton candy, balloon animals, etc. It was a blast. Unfortunately, Texas is in a drought she we had no fireworks in San Antonio. :(

Sonic...

Kung Fu Panda...

My family (minus Dave) came for a quick visit!

It was so fun to spend time together.

We spent a lot of time in the pool, cooling off from the SCORCHING Texas heat.

It was great to have them here, and I already can't wait till Thanksgiving to see them all again.

Grandma and Tagg

Rebecca, Jon, Abby and Grandpa...

Dad soaking up the Texas rays

Jon and the cutest little girl in my world.

My boys...I have to literally drag them out of the pool!

They would swim all day!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Tagg's Preschool Graduation

Tagg LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Preschool this year!

We are so grateful for Tagg's teacher this past year, Ms. Hillary, who was AWESOME.

Also, we feel like Tagg couldn't have been put into a better class, he made some great friends!

Tagg will miss Apple Creek, but we know we will keep in touch with the friends we made there.

Next year Tagg is off to PreK...

All the kiddos marching in for graduation!

Singing songs...

The girls in Tagg's class.

The graduate!

These two are best buds...Tagg and Aden.

These three little boys are hilarious together...

we were missing one other friend this day, Henry.

The whole year we have met with these boys and their Moms every Wednesday at McDonald's for a play date. We had some good times, and I love their moms!

Ms. Hillary and Tagg...

Tagg wanted to make sure and take a silly one...

Field Day!

Thatcher LOVED his first Field Day!

Todd and I went to watch him and we couldn't stop laughing at how funny Kindergarteners are!

They wouldn't stop wiggling, jumping, giggling, and moving...

So I guess our 6 year old is normal.

Cutie Pattootie Thatch...

Nice throw Buddy!

Thatcher and his good bud Logan.

Thatcher takes everything very serious... concentrating on his next relay.

He LOVED this one...balancing.

Don't fall!

7th Anniversary

For our anniversary this year we decided to do a little weekend get away...

It was WONDERFUL.

We hadn't been away together alone for about three years, so it was so nice.

Highlights from the trip...

The 5 hour drive to and from San Antonio, it really gave us time to reconnect and talk.

Our stop at Chuy's.

The beautiful resort we stayed at.

Going to brunch every morning.

Massages.

Laying by the pool, reading.

I really couldn't remember the last time I had been so relaxed.

We had SUCH a great time, and decided we will not go three years again without doing something like this.

We were so grateful to my brother Jon and sister in law Rebecca for watching the boys the whole weekend, it was great birth control for them! Ha!

The view from our room...

Candid of Todd in the room...

7 years later...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Not Itching...

7 years...

6 moves.

4 Cars.

4 Apartments.

A few memorable vacations...

2 Houses.

A lot of sacrifice...

3 Degrees.

1 Dog.

A ton of great friends.

2 amazing little boys.

A bazillion wonderful memories...

Some heartache, some grief, some stress, and some craziness...

A lot growth, a lot of love, a lot of joy, and a lot of happiness...

and no itching.

Happy Anniversary to my Bidwi.

7 years seem to have gone by in a blink.

I am grateful for who we are today,

and who we becoming as a couple.

I am grateful that we share so many beautiful and precious memories from our past,

and I look forward to a whole eternity of beautiful memories by your side.

Nhobbok ghal dejjem Bidwi Tieghi.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Thursday Thoughts...

1. Do you know who Shawni Eyre Pothier is? You should. She is an amazing mother, wife, and woman and I really, admire her. She recently gave a speech which you can read here, and it really touched me. My favorite quote from the her speech...

"“Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort."

I really, really love that.

2. School is winding down and we are busy... Tomorrow Thatcher has Field Day, which he has been talking about for weeks, and Tagg has his preschool graduation. I will tell ya, this school year has FLOWN by. It kinda freaks me out. Can I just freeze time and have these little boys stay little forever please?

3. For our anniversary this weekend Todd and I will be getting away to a fancy resort in San Antonio and I am more than a little excited. We are talking spa treatments, laying in the sun, sleeping in, breakfast in bed, and lots of relaxation...can't wait!

4. I am in the process of decorating the boys room and our room. I will have some big reveal pictures on the blog by next week! Yippy! Can I tell you that my life has purpose when I am decorating? I am a weirdo.

5. I am so wishing I went to Womens Conference this year! I am totally jealous looking at everyones fun pictures on their blogs of mountains, the Marriot Center, countless beautiful Mormon mamas, Cafe Rio, and then hearing about the classes they went to and who spoke! So, so jealous. I really would have loved to see Nie and C Jane, and Julie Beck! Aghhhh... oh well. Maybe I will go to Education Week? I am needing something like that, anyone else going to Education Week? I have never been. Is it as good as Womens Conference?