A California Weekend

This month has not gone as I had planned. We had some devastating news a couple of weeks ago. My sweet Aunt Cindy suddenly and tragically passed away. It has been a difficult couple of weeks as my family and I have tried to process everything. It is never easy to lose someone you love, but even more difficult when you don't understand why. She was my Dad's only sister and has always been a wonderful Aunt to me and my kids. We miss her so much!

We had one of our famous whirlwind California weekends last week for her funeral. She has one daughter (my cousin Robin), and Robin asked that we pretty much take charge of the funeral. So it was a fast trip and a busy weekend.

We left bright and early Saturday morning and drove all the way down to L.A. The kids and I traveled with my Aunt Dee, along with my brother David and sister Katy. The kids did amazingly well the entire weekend! We were so blessed because Tessa didn't get sick once!

The kids were grateful to be done driving on Saturday night and got cozy in our hotel room.

Sunday morning we went to the cemetery to visit my grandparents.

My Aunt Cindy was being buried next to my Grandma Lemley and when we got there, they had already dug her grave. If Adam has problems when he is older, my siblings get to pay for his therapy. They had fun trying to throw him in the grave. (It wasn't that deep since she was cremated....)

Tessa wanted her picture next to the flower cat

A picture with Grandpa Lemley

When we pulled into town, Robin had a bag full of gifts for the kids. She bought Tessa this Dodgers dress and was thrilled to see that I let Tess wear it to the graveside service. We all love our Dodgers!! Aunt Cindy was a big Dodger fan too!

Right after the graveside service Monday morning, we headed back home. We stopped in St. George for the night and the kids were thrilled to get some pool time!!

Tessa and Katy and Adam and Kevin

Tessa loves her Grandpa's! My poor Dad was so tired from driving, but that didn't stop him from staying up way too late to draw pictures with Tess.

Now we are home and move on with life. There is so much happening with my family the next month and a half! I hope I can keep up with it all!

Adam is 5!

Our sweet boy turned 5 this week! Where has the time gone? He loves being a big boy and is such a good helper to Mom and Dad and a wonderful big brother.

We love you so much Bug-a-Boo!

May 2006

May 2007

May 2008

May 2009

May 2010

May 2011

Dinosaur Week

This past week we finished up Mommy School for the summer. Actually, we will be doing Mommy School all summer long. I have lots of fun things planned for this summer! However, our theme weeks are over. We went out with a "roar!" and celebrated one of Adam's favorite things....DINOSAURS!!!

We pulled out every dinosaur toy he owns and had them on display all week. This picture doesn't come close to what he has. He can also tell you the names of almost every dinosaur he has. Pretty impressive!

We read all the dinosaur books we have. I felt inadequate as I was corrected on my pronunciation of several dinosaurs. It's pretty sad when my 4 and 2 year old can say dinosaur names better than I can.

We made dinosaur fossils out of play-dough! This activity was a hit and they did it several times throughout the week.

We made dinosaur rice krispie treats with dinosaur cookie cutters.

We've been saving our tissue boxes for a while so we could make some dinosaur feet during dinosaur week.

They turned out pretty good!

I sewed the kids some dinosaur tails. They loved them!

On Friday we took the kids to the "Dinosaur Museum" at BYU. This is the greatest place on earth! It's free and takes about 5 minutes. The kids wanted to wear their tails, which made me happy! While we were there, a Paleontologist came out of the back room, saw the kids in their tails, and said, "Look! Future Paleontologists!" Adam thought that was funny.

Since we only took about 10 minutes at the Dino Museum, we ran over to the Bean Museum. That is the favorite place to go with Daddy while Mommy is at work. Adam was doing a scavenger hunt and was almost done finding all the animals on his paper. He was having trouble finding a frog when Tessa finally spotted one. She showed it to Adam who then exclaimed, "Tessa, you're brilliant!!"

We've had so much fun doing Mommy School this year! I can't believe next year it will just be Tessa at home for Mommy School. I love being able to teach them and watching their love for learning and imaginations grow. Mommyhood is the best!!

A Happy Mother's Day!

I have been thinking a lot about Mother's Day this week and have thought about all of my mother's. To be a mother does not mean you have to give birth. Motherhood is so much more than that. I have been blessed my entire life to be surrounded by many wonderful mother's who have taught me and been examples to me. It is because of these women that I am who I am.

My Mom

My Mom taught me how to be a good mother and the importance of motherhood. Mom always says I teach her more than she ever taught me, but that is far from true. She has been one of my greatest examples and seeing how she valued motherhood made me want to be a mother all the more. I couldn't have asked for a better mom!

My Mother-in-Law

I hit the jackpot when it comes to in-laws! I love my Mother-in-law! I so appreciate her positive attitude and how easy going she is. She has taught me faith and selflessness. I am always amazed at how quickly she puts the needs of her kids first and how quickly she is at our side when we need help. Even if it is just a listening ear. She is a wonderful woman and mother!

My Grandmothers

My Grandma's taught me sacrifice. They were always helping their kids and never complained about it. I also learned optimism from them and how to always have a positive outlook on life. I miss them both so much and wish they were still here to teach me. There is so much more I could have learned from them, but I am grateful for the lessons I did learn and for the beautiful and talented women that they were!

Aunt Dee

I feel so blessed to have an Aunt who has always taken such good care of me. She has always been there for me. I am so thankful for the love and support she has always given me (in many different ways) and for all the wonderful memories we have together.

Maggie, Kathleen, and Tami (not pictured)

These women have been everything from my piano teacher to my young women leaders. I have learned so much from each of these women. Their love, support, and encouragement are things I have and always will treasure.

I could go on and on, but these women in particular are the mother's who have made me the women and mother I am today. Thank you doesn't seem like enough, but I hope that each one of them knows how much I love and appreciate them.

I am so thankful to be a mother myself and am so very thankful to have been entrusted with the angels that have been sent to our family. Motherhood is a wonderful blessing and I am thankful to have it as a part of my life!

We Love To See the Temple!

May 1, 2011

Provo Utah Temple