thirteen

i have a teenager now!! the three girls and i went shopping on her birthday . . . she was in heaven. while my second daughter and i stopped to get a bite to eat, oldest dashes into a shoe store to see what she can find. she joins us while we eat and is preparing me for the news . . .

oldest:

"i found a pair of high heels! they are so cute, i can't wait for you to see them."

me:

"you don't want high heels, you'll tower over everyone"

second daughter:

"you just don't want her to be any more taller than you"

me:

"no, that's not it"

oldest:

"you just don't want me to grow up"

we finish eating and i reluctantly go into the shoe store to see the shoes my birthday girl has fallen in love with. i like what she has chosen, but i am still on the fence. she excitedly tells me all the reasons why she should have these shoes and that she will be happy to pay for them.

"you are a teenager now" i say. "how about you pay half"

its a deal. she walks up to the register with her shoes and the clerk informs us that it is buy one get one free. second daughter picks out a pair of cute little flats and i decide to foot the bill.

oldest:

"are you sure mom, i am happy to pay for them"

me:

"i'll get it, you save your money. both you girls get a cute new pair of shoes"

doesn't she have good taste? look how cute she is in her grown-up shoes.

a couple more . . .

five months

here is the latest of my little lady. just look at that sweet baby face. i can't seem to get enough:)

oh what do you do in the summertime . . .

do you swim in a pool to keep yourself cool? my kids have been spending a lot of time keeping cool in the pool! turns out this little lady loves the water . . . luckily she has big sister's who love dressing her up in her suit and taking her out for a dip!

and a fun daddy to launch them high into the air so they can flip, dive, or cannon ball.

oh, how we love the summertime!

home again

vacation: anticipated with pleasure, experienced with joy, and remembered with nostalgia

loved it all . . . the company, the location, the weather, the food. it was perfect!

my darlings

abi {twelve}

gracie {ten}

carter {eight}

nate {six}

mitchie {three}

lydia {four months}

in the alley

a few days ago i met my photography buddies downtown and snapped a few pictures of lydia in this alley way. i feel like a little girl again playing dolls as i dress little lydia up in these cute little numbers and take her picture. we sure have fun!! thanks laura and audrey for a fun night and for sharing your fun props and adorable clothes. i always love these little outings:)

lydi love

i just love these pictures. they capture just the way i feel about my babies. i just love kissing those soft little cheeks and squeezing that cute little body. thanks laura, for snapping these for me. i love them!

my first born

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.

little miss lydia

three months old already! oh how the time flies. this little darling has been a little piece of heaven. i have just been savoring every moment. isn't she just precious?

a little opera

i love running into these little treasures abi has created. she makes me smile.

in the orchard

perfect parts

i just can't seem to get enough of this little one . . . her sweet baby breath, her grunts and sigh's, nuzzling my nose into her little neck. she is perfect and pure. i am doing the best i can to memorize every bit of it . . . to stamp it on my heart forever.

a rough day

girlfriends

I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing.

~Katherine Mansfield

That is exactly how I feel about these girls . . . there is no explaining. They know me. Where I am from, what I am about, my shortcomings, failures and dreams. They celebrate milestones, and provide comfort through trials. I can always be myself around them and I know they will love me just the same. There truly is nothing like childhood friends.

Thanks for making the trip girls . . . the door is always open.

blessing day

we blessed our little lydia at home this last weekend while we had family in town for spring break. what a special and sweet spirit was welcomed into our home. lydi's beautiful blessing dress is a gift from her O'ma and O'pa Brasher who are serving a mission in New Zealand. we definitely missed them, but are so grateful for their service and example.

Grandpa Carter and Bishop Duckett stood in the circle with Doug.

auntie lizzie and abi

Grammy & Grandpa

lucky girl!

she found the gold and silver eggs . . . and we thought we had hidden them so well, they were going to be looking for months.

next year will be much more of a challenge!!

April Goal

Make Time for Teaching and Learning

A mother's life is often focused on the temporal aspects of family life and taking care of the home. It requires extra care to make time to teach and learn in the home. President Ezra Taft Benson said: "Mothers, teach your children the gospel in your own home, at your own fireside. This is the most effective teaching that your children will ever receive. This is the Lord's way of teaching."

part of my world . . .

and i am so lucky:)

3 1\2 weeks

A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you're fast asleep.

baby dear

A babe in a house is a well-spring of pleasure,

A messenger of peace and love,

A resting place for innocence on earth;

A link between angels and men.

four and six

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully

wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

March Goal

Embrace the day-to-day. Live in the present. Have joy in the journey.