Thursday, May 20, 2010

Ava about Aidan

The other day I had been cleaning out Aidan's clothes... you know, putting away the ones that are too small and getting out the new size. Ava was looking at them and asked why I was packing them up.

Me: They are too small for Aidan. Don't you think we should put them in the basement or should we just leave them here just in case we have another baby.

Ava (completely serious): Leave them here. I think we should take Aidan back to the hospital and trade him for a girl baby.

Me: WHAT?? You want to give Aidan back? We love Aidan!

Ava (looking like she knew she did something wrong): I want a girl baby! Or we can keep him and have two babies.

Glad she feels like she is making the decisions... too bad she is not. Hmmm...maybe she is not as attached as she leads us to believe.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Mother's Day 2010

All weekend David kept telling me that he had not had time to get me anything and was really worried. He said one thing, really really small, to which I said, "You always say that and you are always lying" to which he gave me a really bugged look... what if this time he was serious? I didn't want him to feel too bad... (ok I totally would actually, but he actually did great so no worries).

Well, I heard David and Ethan making breakfast early Sunday morning, and because of the rough night sleep, I just hid under the blanket and fell back asleep. I was not in the mood... then I remembered last years Mother's Day. I was grumpy... and bugged. I had expectations... some were met and some were not. The day started out ok, and went south in the afternoon. And here I was grumpy again because I was so tired. And then I remembered- I am a Mother.

I had a friend last week say, "Is it so bad that the one thing I want for Mother's Day to to be away from the people who call me Mother?". Another and I were talking about our favorite time of day being at night when they all are asleep. Motherhood is tiring. Monotonous. A constant battle for me... listen to the whole story, even if it is 22 minutes long; don't yell, don't yell, don't yell... they are almost in bed; don't sweat the small stuff, people are more important; I am so sorry I ________!!!;

Yet nothing is so wonderful, so satisfying, so heart melting, so slobbery, so fulfilling and motivating and hopeful as being a Mother. I love it! I am thankful every day multiple times that I have the opportunity to be ... a mother! Being a wife and mother are by far the two roles I hold dearest, and the ones that make me happiest. I am stretched and beaten down countless times, but I would not get up and try try again (HELP ME!!!!), if it were not for these I hold dearest.

This year Mother's Day was wonderful... even though I was the only one awake at my house by 7:30 pm. (Dave did wake back up a bit before nine). I thought about being a mother, and read about being a mother. I want to be deliberate, to help them find and create their dreams, to be so busy living and loving, that I don't have time to get mad (until tomorrow when they won't clean their room after I have asked 76 times). To be focused on the blessing of being a mother. I love it. My expectations were not high this year, and they were more than met.

We also went and saw my angel mother. She is amazing to me. I don't have her temperment. I wish I did. I don't have here patience, her listening ear, her calm nature, her controlled tongue- I wish I had all these qualities. I never remember her getting mad at me in my entire life. She tells me it is selective memory. I think of her often as I am mothering our children. Do-bi-do bi- doo she hums still as she goes about her daily tasks. I am thankful for her, and have high hopes of developing part of one of her qualities I mentioned above. Do-bi-do-bi-dooo. Just need to start humming. Happy Mother's Day!!!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

April 1st- the best day of the year and that is no joke!

April 1st is an amazing day here at the Howell Residence. Not only is is April Fool's Day (always fun), spring is in the air, summer clothes fill our closets (from the boxes down stairs, not the stores) but we have our DAD/HUSBAND back!!!!! And this year to top it all off, we went to the happiest place on earth... it was awesome!!!!!













Princesses, Jedi's, roller coasters, treats, Splash Mountain, Pirates, Mickey and everything else that comes with Disneyland. We have never been on a real family vaca before... I mean a couple of small things here and there, but this was so much fun. We worried about the lines being spring break and all, but the rain kept many away the first day and after that...we used fast passes and parent swaps and had a blast! Disneyland for two days and Legoland for one. We were within walking distance to Disneyland and our kids did great! I think we started a new tradition- having a trip planned and BOOKED the week after busy season is over!!!

Happy Easter 2010



Yes, it was early...





But oh so so fun!!!!

After Easter morning festivities we watched the morning session of General Conference and left to California!!!!! The happiest place on earth!