My Husband and Best Friend

I don't say it enough, to him or to others, so this post is devoted to this guy right here:



Dallas. Could I have chosen a better eternal companion? Absolutely not. This amazing husband of mine goes above and beyond all the time for me, for the children, for other family, for friends, in the church, etc.
Let me give you a quick day in his life.

Dallas wakes up about 4:30 in the morning Monday thru Thursday so he can catch the bus to get to work. He's then gone all day working hard to earn money to support our family. I might add that he even let's me control the finances....he does all the hard work to earn the money and then hands it right over for me to say what to do with it. What a selfless guy.

He gets home from work approximately 7:00 pm, only a couple hours before the kids's bedtime. He so willingly and kindly eats whatever dinner I have made for him, even if it's bland or disgusting or otherwise, and then packs that dinner for lunch the next day.

He feeds both the children their dinner, changes diapers, gives baths, and plays with them from that point until bedtime, because he knows I'm tired of dealing with the kids all day and need a break.
He helps me to clean up the house, get the kids ready for bed, and does their bedtime routine with them to get them down.

At this point, wouldn't it be so nice to be able to just relax after a long day of hard work?
But he doesn't do that.
He then gets on his laptop to work on an hour or two (or more) of homework because, yes, this guy is working full-time and going to school full-time!
Often he doesn't come to bed until midnight, and then has to wake up at 4 all over again the next morning.  

When he does have any free time, his desire is either to go do yard work, farming, or otherwise with his dad and family to help them out for them being so kind to us. If we have free time beyond that, he's willing to do whatever it is I have planned or desire to do for that day, often letting me enjoy my day while he primarily cares for the kids so that, again, I can have a break. 

I really don't believe he has a selfish bone in his body, even though he has on multiple occasions claimed he's being selfish and should be better (wrong, by the way).

He deals with a wife and children that take advantage of all this kindness and often forget to let him enjoy doing his own interests and hobbies.
Really, I'm not a great wife in that aspect. He'll ask to go golfing with friends or help his dad farm, and I have a hard time letting him go because I'd rather he spend time with his family and help me out. 

 But as I've just described to you, that's basically all he does!

He loves and adores his children. Carson has become his little Buddy and Madeline his little girl. He cares for them when they are sick, he plays with them when they ask, he cuddles with them to put them to sleep. He even brings them into our bed when they aren't sleeping well at night.

When it comes to church, he goes above and beyond, even with his crazy busy schedule. If the only time he can do his home teaching is on a Tuesday evening at 7:30, he'll sacrifice homework and family time to be able to fulfill that calling. The kids in nursery absolutely love playing with him.


Often, others make the joke wondering how he possibly got me as his wife? But I think they are wrong to ask that, because it's obvious in all he does and more.

I love this man more than I can express and even this post in no way makes up for me not expressing this enough and talking highly about him enough,

Just know that Dallas is the best husband, father, son, uncle, nephew, and every other title he holds out there. I love you, Dallas!

June Shenanigans

It seems the summer is getting away from me so quickly! We have been enjoying the warm weather and doing as much as we can.

This month, Madeline got her first tooth (thank goodness because she has been GRUMPY!) and started climbing. That's right, I said CLIMBING! AHHH! She's doing everything MUCH faster than Carson did!
Carson decided he loves broccoli this month and we also discovered for sure that the poor kid is allergic to chlorine.


My dear friend and neighbor has a daughter between Carson's and Madeline's ages. Since I finally bought a jogging stroller, we go on walks 2-3 times a week to get exercise and let the kids get out. Madison school district does this wonderful summer program where they give kids free lunches. We sometimes walk over to the park to let the kids enjoy that and play at the splash park.

A couple weekends ago we went camping with Dallas's family. It was Carson's first time camping and he LOVED it! 

On the 18th, Dallas's cousin invited us to go to the Chukars game with her family. That was lots of fun. Carson was obsessed with Charlie Chukar and kept running up to him to give him high fives and just smile. Every time he noticed Charlie was gone, he would beg me to go find "the birdy" with him. 

This weekend we were busy, but again had so much fun! Friday, I got free flowers from Albertsons because Albertsons is just the best.

That evening we had a ward party at the Splash Park and Carousel. Carson and Madeline HATED the carousel. It was kind of funny, in a sad way. Madeline screamed the second we tried to put her on any of the horses. Carson rode the horse the whole time, but was unsure of it and halfway through started begging me to get down. I convinced him to stay on, but he definitely did not want to go again.

The Splash Park was much more of a success. Madeline played as though she was Carson's age...just walking through all the water and laughing when she would stand in it. Adorable. 

Friday night we camped out in the backyard. For Father's Day, I bought Dallas a 10-person tent. He was so excited and we had to try it out as soon as we received it. I think I'm going to love camping a lot more now, with a big tent!

The next morning we finally began working on a project I've been dying to do. When we moved home, we were blessed to get most of our furniture absolutely free for various reasons. This dining set was given to us from Dallas's grandpa.
I've always wanted to decorate my house with a more country french look, however. I decided I'd brave refinishing furniture and see how it turns out. Not a big deal if I mess it up. After all, it was free!

So far, it has turned out pretty great! Here is the before and after of the first chair: (well, technically the before is a different chair because I didn't think to take a before/after until after we had started).

Pretty schnazzy, eh?

That same day, Dallas's Uncle Brian took us shooting for a bit. It was fun, although we got rained on!

All in all, summer has been going great for us so far! We have a lot planned for July, so stay tuned.

Sick Days

It's always so sad when your children are sick. However, sometimes it's so sweet at the same time. Carson had a slight fever this morning and again this evening, nothing too big. As sad I was for him being sick, he was the sweetest, most cuddly boy all morning and I just loved it! I love cuddling with my baby and him actually LETTING me cuddle with him. He was so cute and kind and I just wanted to do everything I could for him. 

This kid even put himself down for a nap! We thought he went to play in his room, I checked in, and he's passed out on his bed. 

It's moments like these I want to remember and cherish. The times we cuddled and played with each other. The times we just laughed and laughed with each other. The times he was hurt and I could always make it better.

Both my babies are growing up way too fast before my eyes!
Madeline is already walking! I had an 8 month old walker!! My goodness, doesn't she know she's supposed to be little forever? She's become so independent she doesn't even want us feeding her anymore. I've been forced into Baby Led Weaning with her because she wants to feed herself finger foods. 

Her personality is already shining through so strong and I often wonder how different she is going to be from Carson when she is 2!

And, because I just have to throw this in there, look at my gorgeous family!! I mean, come on! We're basically a family of models. ;) 

My Babies

It's pretty official I don't have a baby anymore. Madeline is so close to walking already! She crawls all over the place and climbs up onto everything! She chows down on baby food and is basically already weaning herself. She has such personality now and it is so funny to see how different she is from Carson.

Carson is a talker! He just chats and chats all day long and his speech continues to improve drastically each day. He's the smartest little 2 year old I know, and tries to copy everything his daddy and I do. He's currently obsessed with Big Hero 6 (he calls it Robots) and always begs me to play the scene where they fly through San Fransokyo for the first time. 

Each night both of them end up in our bed somehow. Carson has become so sneaky at coming into our room at night that we don't notice he's there until morning. It's very endearing to me that our children want to cuddle up next to us all night long.
If daddy is home, don't expect Carson to listen to a word I say. He is definitely a daddy's boy and all day long will ask me where he is.
Luckily Madeline is a mommy's girl....so far. If she even sees me walk to the other side of the room, the wailing begins. when Dallas feeds her, I either can't be in her line of sight or earshot, or have to be right there next to  Dallas so she knows I'm watching her.

It's hard to imagine she's already 8 months old! I still think of her as my tiny baby girl.

Carson loves to pray. If we are saying a prayer, whether or not it his "his turn", he will be repeating every word we are saying. He is so serious about them that he will even get mad at Madeline if she isn't cooperating by folding her arms and sitting still.
He insists on helping us cook in the kitchen, always grabbing a chair and pushing it right up to the counter next to us. And during play time, he pretends to go cook on his play kitchen. Maybe we have a future chef?

These beautiful babies are my absolute joy in life. I'm so glad they are mine!

Motherhood

I feel that lately there have been tons of articles circulating social media about what we should and shouldn't do as parents, or what we should and shouldn't  care about, etc.
I'm not sure if it's in light of these articles or just adjusting to being a mother of two, or even something else, but I do know I've done a lot of thinking and had a lot of personal revelation on this very subject. 

Motherhood is so sacred. Think about it....Heavenly Father TRUSTED us to care for and raise HIS children! Let's put this into perspective:

Imagine the most important person you can think of...the president, or Queen of England maybe. 

Now imagine they personally asked you to raise their child for them....teach them their ways, care for and protect them, help them make the right decisions.
Humbling, right? Now realize that our Father in Heaven, who is greater than all of them, asked us and trusted us to raise His children.
Wow.

I must be pretty special in His eyes to be given that amount of trust! There are definitely many days I feel inadequate. I feel like I'm not the best mother I can be, I fall short in so many ways. I could be better about less tv. I could be better about healthier meals. I could be better at being patient with them. I could be better in so many things!

I often wonder if I'm raising them correctly, teaching them correct principles and disciplining them as Christ would. I worry they'll go astray as teenagers because I didn't teach them enough or in the right way. I worry about protecting them in such a scary world. 

And yes, most days are really hard. I wait and wait and wait for Dallas to get home so he can take over and I can have a break. Even then, I wait and wait for their bedtime so I can go to bed myself.
Motherhood is hard. So so hard.

Heavenly Father trusts us. He trusts me. He trusts you. He knows perfectly how difficult motherhood is. He knows our worries, our fears, our inadequacies.
And I keep thinking, if He has this much trust in me, and I believe in and trust in Him, shouldn't I believe in and trust myself?
Yes, I'm not perfect, and He knows that. But He helps me and strengthens me to make me the best I can be.


As I've realized all of this, I've realized what matters right now and what simply doesn't. I have two young children under 3. I can't keep up on housework or facebook or friendships or anything else for that matter. And frankly, it isn't important.
Right now, my two children need me. So instead of trying to clean the house, I let them help me clean a little, and then play with them. Most days I don't get a shower in or even get out of my sweats if I don't have to go anywhere, and that's ok! My kids don't care what I look like. They care that I'm there for them.
I've chosen to not sleep train my children anymore, as frustrated as I was that both of them are not sleeping through the night, because again, I've realized, they need me. I sit in Carson's room with him until he falls asleep because that's comforting to him. I still swaddle and rock Madeline to sleep because that is the only way she likes it and will stay asleep. Yes, it takes time out of my day, but isn't that my calling? Isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing...being a mother to my children?
Of course!

I do get to all my other items, cleaning, meals, etc. But what I have found is that my days are so much better, so much easier and more spiritual, when I focus on my children and do everything else last.

I want all of you mothers reading this to know that Heavenly Father loves and trusts in you. We will not mother the same, because we  are all different and we all have different children. Focus on your family and do exactly what is right for you and your family.
We need to all stop caring about why you shouldn't wear leggings, or why you should discipline your child a certain way, or anything else for that matter. We all can make our own personal choices as to the right way to do things as we remember that Heavenly Father trusts us and wants us to trust ourselves.
You are an amazing mother! 

As of Late

Who knew having only one laptop to share with the entire family would be so hard? Ha. Obviously I haven't blogged in a while, but Dallas needs his laptop to do homework! Only one more year until we get a second one, right? 

So here's a long post of pictures and small blurbs as of late.

Christmas was a blast! Carson's old enough now to sort of understand what's going on and was so excited for all his new toys! And of course, IT SNOWED! I knew Christmas would not disappoint!
After we finished opening presents, Carson and Dallas ran outside to play in the snow. He had a blast (I think Dallas did, too!) 

We celebrated my birthday in January. My sweet mother in law made an ice cream cake for me, which was delicious and decorated beautifully! (I told you she is a much better cake baker/decorator than I am!)

Carson has become so much more active and has quite the imagination!! Here he is cooking in his kitchen and telling me that everything is hot and to  be careful. He also loves to pretend his stuffed animals are babies and do everything I do with Madeline. It's so adorable.
In fact, just the other day he buckled his sock monkey into her carseat, wrapped him up, and gave him toys for the car ride. Another day he had his monkey hit me so he would have to go in time out. Carson really understands much more than I realize sometimes!

And here he is putting all his toys on his toy box because he's a typical brother and was getting mad that Madeline was playing with his toys!

Grammie shopped the after Christmas sales and got Carson his very own Snuffleupagus, which he of course LOVES!

I bought a new cloth diaper for Madeline, but ran out of diapers for Carson one day, and had him wear it instead. Doesn't he look great with a Strawberry Bum?!

We had lunch with Opa, one day while I had appointments to go to.

I got my hair did! And love it. I've always loved being blonde!

Madeline now crawls!! She is such a mover! All over the place. She turned 6 months in February and started solid foods. My goodness you would think I was starving her before because she downs that baby food like no baby I've seen before!
She is more active and cuter than ever! Her personality is showing through so much now and she is so fun to play with. Even Carson has started playing with her a little!

We went down to Utah for my sister in law's baby shower! It was a lot of fun and a nice day trip. Madeline is always held by her cousin Shaylee! She loves seeing Madeline and getting to be with her. It's very cute! 

Somewhere in there was also Dallas's birthday, but we have no pictures, cause we are lame. Haha. it's been a busy couple of months and I know will just continue to get busier and busier! Life is wonderful and we are absolutely loving being back home surrounded by family again. 

Carson's Birthday

I can't believe I have a 2-year old already!! What happened to my little baby?!
Carson's birthday was a blast!
I'm still pretty sure he had no idea today was his birthday, but hey, we made it special anyway.

It started out with him getting anything he wanted, of course. So yes, that meant chocolate for breakfast and watching Batman all morning! I think he was shocked every time he asked for chocolate that I didn't once argue with him.
And boy did he get lots of it. I attempted to make his Batman birthday cake. Let's just say, me and cake baking do not mix. Ever.

So I gave up and Carson thought it tasted great just the way it was. I let him open one present as soon as he woke up so he would know it was a special day. This was from his Aunt Jen and boy was he excited for all the car stuff!

He, of course, ate the fruit snacks right away and then played with the cars all morning. We then headed over to to his Nana's house to play with his aunts and uncles who were out of school early. Quite a life-saver for me because I now had to have my mother-in-law help me start the cake over and hopefully do it right. Thank goodness for great mothers because she pretty much just did it for me, and of course, it turned out perfectly even though she did it exactly as I did.

Again, Carson ate loads of chocolate while at Nana's. Can you tell he loves chocolate? His big present this year was a play kitchen, which I've been wanting to get him for about 6 months now! I pulled it out to clean it, and he found it. So I let him go ahead and have another present a little early. He played with that thing forever! I think that was a win!!!

I took him and his aunt and uncle to go play at an arcade for about an hour. We had gone to this place for my mother-in-law's birthday about a month ago and Carson LOVED the arcade, so I knew this would be a hit. He rode in the play car forever....using about half his tokens on that. We found a batman he wanted me to win for him, but that was impossible, and he was very upset when I couldn't get it for him.

I managed to distract him with ski ball and fruit ninja! And guess what he decided to buy with all those tickets? Why, more chocolate of course!!!
As we were leaving to head back to Nana's, the new Taylor Swift song came on the radio. He started shaking all he had to that song, and it was so cute! He must have known it was party time! 

Back at Nana's, she had finished the cake for me (BIG thanks to Heidi for doing that for me!! I seriously was about ready to run to Walmart and buy a cake!) and we were ready for the party to start! 

We had pizza for dinner, since that's one of the few things Carson will actually eat, and then opened presents. He got new shoes, some shirts, cars, a new book, and an awesome Batman hat from his Nana that has wings to fly! He loves that thing. 

He didn't so much love that Batman poster they tried to give him. Poor kid was scared of that Batman and came running to me to hide his face in my shoulder. We'll try again on that one next year, Bud.

We then had cake and ice cream. I was super impressed that Carson blew the candles out by himself! I was getting ready to help blow them out, and all of a sudden they weren't lit anymore. I don't even remember teaching him that's what your supposed to do with birthday cakes! Smart kid!

All in all I think he had a great 2nd birthday!
Man oh man when did my baby grow up?? Hoping this next year goes slower than the last and I can keep him at this fun age forever!!!

Happy Birthday my little Carson Bud!