Live for the Moment

Because of the season difference between the two, this is the first season that Walker is really wearing all of Wyatt's old clothes. As I see Walker in them, it takes me back to when Wyatt was wearing them. It seems like yesterday, and it is hard to believe that four years have passed since Wyatt wore them.
I really loved general conference this weekend. It is always so inspiring. So many of the talks seemed to relate to things that I, or those close to me have been going through. I really felt a message of peace and hope for this crazy world that we live in. I loved President Monson's talk, especially when he talked about how one day we will miss all the messes and finger prints around the house. I have really been reflecting on how fast my kids are growing up lately. Wyatt will be 5 next month, and my baby isn't even a baby any more.
I feel like I get way too caught up in things that don't matter. I get frustrated when I clean the house and turn around and it is a mess again. I sometimes focus too much on my own things (like blog reading), and I don't focus as much as I should on my kids. I am not as patient as I should be, I could go on and on. I really feel like instead of focusing on these things, I need to remember how precious my kids are, and how fast my time with them will go. I feel so blessed for the opportunity that I have to be a mother, and I know that these days won't last forever. It is my goal to live in the moment, and really focus them and their needs. As I find myself getting frustrated, I am going to try to remember that these are the very things that I will miss one day.
I am very grateful that General Conference comes every six months. I always feel so motivated right afterwards, and then so ready for it to come again.

First Day of School

Yesterday and today were big days for Wyatt and McKartnee. They both started school.
McKartnee started a little joy school yesterday. Last year she had such a hard time with Wyatt going to school, that I knew that she was going to need something this year too. I talked to a few of my friends that have kids the same age. We decided to do a little joy school/play date once a week. It is pretty chill. There are only 4 kids, two boys and two girls. We are just going to focus on learning a letter a week, and do a little learning, but mostly play. She was so excited to go to school. She was so happy all morning, and wanted to get ready first thing. The only problem of the day was when she asked for her backpack. I went in and got Wyatt's old one, because I didn't buy her one. She got a little upset, because it wasn't pink, and she wanted a pink one. I talked her into taking a picture with the blue one on, but she wasn't about to take it to school with her. Even without her back pack, she had a great time.
Wyatt is going to the same preschool that he did last year. I have been so happy with it. The teacher is great. Wyatt loves her. It is through the child development course at the high school, and a lot of the girls in the class are in our ward. Wyatt was so excited to go back today. He got all ready, put his back pack on and wanted to wait outside a half hour before it was time to go. When he got home, I was asking him about his day. I asked him if it was good to see Miss Fin (Miss Finlayson, his teacher), and he said "Yes, she was so happy to see me." It is always so hard to get a lot of info out of him, but I got that they made a puppet of themselves, had cheese balls for snack time, and wrote their names. I can't believe that he is almost 5. When I looked at him today as he was waiting to go to school, he looked so grown up. It just doesn't seem possible. He is such a good kid, and I love watching all of them get so excited for all the firsts. I remember having those same feelings when I was a kid.

Disney on Ice

McKartnee and I went to Disney on Ice this weekend. It was a lot of fun. My grandparents used to take us every year while growing up, so it was fun to be able to carry on the tradition with her. She really liked it.
I have to write down a couple of funny things that she has said recentley, so that I don't forget them. She has been a little singer lately, and will try to sing every song that she hears, but she never gets the words quite right. The other day, she was trying to sing the Sweet Escape song, and where it says "Take me away, take me away", she was singing "Give me away, throw me away". I was laughing so hard.
Also, Every time that I talk about Utah, she thinks that I am saying "you" tah. Jimmy's cousin was out here this week, and her little girl Annie and McKartnee really hit it off. They were best buddies. Here is one of the conversations we had about her: McKartnee: Mom, can I go to Annie's house? Me: No, Annie lives is Utah, and that is a long ways away. McKartnee: Annie lives in "My" tah? Me: No Utah, by where grandma lives. McKartnee: Oh, can I go to "My"tah and see grandma and Annie? I love the stage that she is in right now. She is such a fun girl, and we love having her around.

Yankee's Stadium

Jimmy has been wanting to take Wyatt up to a Yankee's game before the stadium gets torn down. This last weekend he got tickets, and him, Wyatt and his dad went up to New York to the game. They had so much fun. They went into the city to look around, and took Wyatt to the big Toys R Us store. That is where they ended up spending most of their time. Once he was there he didn't want to leave. He rode the Ferris Wheel, and even said there was a huge moving dinosaur. He was in Heaven.
Then they went to the game and had a great time. It was a fun grandpa/father/son outing.

Family Home Evening at the Ball Game

Last night we braved it and took all three kids to the Nationals game. We thought that we would be lucky if we made it to the 5th inning, but the younger two did surprisingly well. Wyatt has been to quite a few games with Jimmy, but we weren't sure how Walker and McKartnee would do. They loved it. Walker was happy clapping, and just looking around at all the lights and people. There was a nice couple sitting behind us that helped entertain them. They even gave McKartnee a ball they got from batting practice, because it was her first game. We left at the beginning of the 7th, but I think they could have lasted the whole game. It was a fun night.

Sweet Water Tavern = YUMMY!!

On Wednesday night we had a girls night out at the best restaurant in town (in my opinion), the Sweet Water Tavern. Every time that I have gone there, I have loved the food that I got, the service has been amazing, and the desert is to die for. They have these flourless chocolate waffles that are soooo yummy. ( and I wonder why I can't loose the rest of my weight) After we were done eating we just sat there and talked until the waiters were visibly wanting us to leave. Cali, my sister in law, and Kristy have been the greatest friends to me. They have definitely made living out here a lot easier. I am sad because they just split our ward, and Kristy is now in a different ward, and I won't be able to see her each Sunday. I guess that just means we need to have more girls night outs!!

Family Beach Trip

I am a little behind on posting these, but last week we came home from a week long beach trip with all of Jimmy's family except for Jeff and Chelsie. (We missed you guys)

It was such a fun trip.  Jimmy's youngest brother left for school last Monday, and we wanted to do a family vacation before he left.  We went up to Bethany beach in Delaware, and stayed in a really nice beach house. There were 21 of us, and we didn't even feel crowded.   The kids loved spending time with all of their cousins, and are still going trough withdrawls.

We Celebrated Brandon's, Greg's, Cali's, and Chelsie's birthdays. (even though Chelsie wasn't there)  

By the end of the trip, this is how we all felt, although we didn't want it to come to an end.