The sweetest things

I have spent a lot of time these past few weeks just enjoying my children. We are lucky enough to be spending the summer in NJ/NY. Because of this my one and only responsibility is playing with my children every day. It has been the biggest blessing in my life. I completely expected to move here for the summer and have a busy, action packed summer with every day full of activities and sight seeing. I never dreamed it would be here that I would learn to slow down in life, to simplify, and to enjoy the little things. I have been able to learn patience, although it will probably always be one of my biggest weaknesses. I have been making a effort each and every day to see my children the way their Father in Heaven sees them. They each have their own personalities that are so different. Instead of comparing how different they are I have been enjoying what makes each of them unique. I always want to remember each and every thing that they do. It breaks my heart to think that I will never be able to see G be 1 again and all the funny things she did but I am loving all the fun and wonderful things she is doing at 2 years old. I look at I and wonder where all the time went and how I went from having a baby boy to having this little man.
Some things I want to remember about each of them right now
I~ He LOVES Monster Trucks and still loves to tell everyone that he had a monster truck birthday party.
His sweetness and patience amaze and humble me.
He listens and hears everything. He is so observant to the world around him and wants to know how and why everything works the way it does.
He has a memory that just wont quit. He can remember peoples names, the color of shirt they were wearing and things they said days later.
I love that 99% of the time if I ask him to do something he does it no questions asked. Even if he is having the best time somewhere if I ask him to get his shoes on because we need to go he will. If two weeks ago I told him no running in the hall he will remember and ask his sister to not run because mom doesn't like us to. His obedience is such a wonderful quality and saves me from having to chase two children down and drag them home.
He loves to make people laugh.
He has a smile that can brighten my day no matter what.
He is my example of being Christlike. His love and acceptance for everyone and his patience are just amazing. He always tells me to not talk angry if he even senses the slightest impatience in my voice. It his through his example and encouragement that have made me want to be the best person I can be.
I still love the reactions we get when he tells people how old he is. Its been that way from the time he was 6 months old. Everyone always thinks he's older than he is because of how tall he is.
I love the way he plays with the tassels on his blanket while he is sleeping.

G~ Oh, where to start with my busy little bee.
She is so independent it's crazy. She wants to do things herself and on her time schedule. There is no other option.
She is so self sufficient. She depends on nobody. If she wants or needs someone she will not ask she will get it herself. The things she can do at two is just mind blowing. I have often found here putting the straw into a juice pouch or sitting with a box of crackers.
She can climb anything. I knew the day I found her hanging from the fire place mantle (when she was only 1) we were in trouble. There is no place high enough if it is something she wants she will find a way and she will get it. She loves hanging from anything. The table, the counter, a handrail, the shopping cart. I think she really thinks she is a monkey. She loves to climb and be up high.
I don't think she has any fears. If she does she hasn't let us know about them.
She LOVES kitties and puppies and animals in general. I have never see a child get so excited about any and every dog she sees.
Even as independent as she is she still loves to cuddle. I am so glad I have a cuddly baby. She has loved to be held from day one. She loves sleeping next to us. We have gone through many times of having to break her out of the habit and get her to sleep in her own bed. It's hard when I enjoy cuddling with her as much as she does.
I love that when she gets hurt even if it doesn't hurt that bad she will do her cute little fake cry and come to me for loves and kisses.
I love that if she is doing her fake cry because I have told her no about something that she peeks at me through her fingers to see if I'm watching.
I love that she says hi to everyone she sees. She is quite the little social butterfly and wins peoples hearts in an instant. With her cute little hi and wave and those wild curls everywhere and her dark brown eyes she captivates the room instantly.
She loves to put on a show and she loves it when people laugh or encourage whatever she is doing.
I love that even though she can talk she still uses her sign language.
I love that when she hears a baby cry she looks at me and says baby, cry, baby sad? then she says baby and does the sign for milk.
I love the little hand signal she does when she wants to go swimming and the way she says swim is just the cutest thing ever.
She can stay up all night if there is something going on but no matter what time she goes to bed she is up bright and early in the morning. We will never know where she got that trait from. Neither J or I are morning people.
I think it's so funny that she wiggles her feet while she is falling asleep. It's only funny because I do the exact same thing but I don't ever realize it unless I'm holding her while she is doing it and then I notice I'm doing it too. She has done it from the time she was brand new. I don't have any idea how long I have done it. Jeff brought it to my attention after we first got married so at least 9 years.
I love that she calls herself baby. If you ask who everyone is she tells you their names and then if you point to her and say who's this she will say baby. If there is something she wants she says baby's and takes it. She is my baby and I just want to enjoy her that way so I love it.
She has taught me so many wonderful things. I am constantly wondering where she gets her energy from. She is the busiest little thing. But I know it's because she doesn't want to miss a single thing in life. She is so excited to see and experience each and every little thing and I have completely enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes. She loves life and has shared that love with all around her.
My biggest challenge of being the mother of these complete opposites is how to raise and guide them without breaking who they are and who they can become. With I he needs a gentle push and encouragement in life and he will be a great silent leader and a very devoted and loving person. I don't want to ruin that. I want him to have that love and compassion and trust in the things around him. With G I have to learn how to be her mom and set rules without breaking her spirit and holding her back from her greatness. Her drive and stubbornness will do great things for her some day and she holds many of the qualities that are needed to be a self reliant, driven person.
I just need to be the best mom because they deserve that. They are the best kids.

Fashionista Advice

Okay ladies (if I still have readers) I need everyone's opinion on a white shirt. I have found white shirts for the rest of my household but haven't been able to find one for me that I love. I would like to get family pictures taken while we are at the beach here in NY and then some outdoors ones when we get back home with everyone wearing white shirts. The boys have a very casual button/snap up shirt with white on white design. G has a cute little girls white shirt with puff sleeves. Now I just need something for me. I don't want a button up shirt because they are cute but I think it would look too stiff in beach pictures. I want something with a little more class and eye candy than just a basic white cap sleeve. So I need you're vote and if you can find others that aren't on this list please, PLEASE, leave a link in the comments. Thank you, Thank you!
The photo above is a shirt at Aeropostale and it comes in white. The white just doesn't show up very good on here.
#2 from Anthropologie

#3 from Anthropologie (it doesn't come in true white would ivory stand out too bad?)

And while we are on the topic of anthropologie can I just say that the dresses on their site are amazing. The shapes and colors and cuts I could look at them for hours. Too bad I was born with a tall body and dresses never hit me in the right spot and end up looking really funny on me. They are still pretty to look at though.
While I'm talking about pretty things I am in love, love with this shirt. I love the cut and the girly details.

Thoughts

I have been super crazy busy lately and have been just trying to keep up on my family blog so I haven't made much time for myself. Part of that is this blog. I have been recently thinking a lot about all the changes in weather and storms/natural disasters we have been seeing. That combined with the state of our economy I have been really worried about taking care of my little family.
I have been mentally making a list of things I need to start getting for our storage. Even if we don't experience a natural disaster we never know what can happen. I want to have my family be okay if something were to happen to myself or my husband. If he were injured and unable to work I want the peace of mind that my children would not go hungry and we would still have a roof over our heads and a vehicle to drive.
We have our cars completely paid off which is a huge thing for us. We have not had a car payment in 5 years. It's such a relief to know that no matter what we have a vehicle and if worse came to worse we have something of value to sell to get money.
I have worked a little on our storage but have gone through some times when we have needed it so it has been used and not replenished like it needs to be. We are hoping that this summer job helps out the financial things for a bit so we can get everything in place that needs to be.
As far as a roof over our heads we are really lucky to have such a small mortgage payment. It's something that could be manageable in a bad situation. With all the foreclosures and the housing market the way it is I am so thankful for my little home. It may not be everything I dream of but it is our home and we have made many memories there. I'm hoping that eventually the market will improve and we will be done with school and be able to get some equity out of the house to keep our payments low on our next home. I guess only time will tell that part.
Anyway here is a video clip I found today that really hit me hard and increased the urgency that I already feel. It is produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but they are talking about our nation and economy. I particularly love the speech by Ezra Taft Benson. Since he was the Secretary of Agriculture it makes it all that more valid. Not only was he inspired but he was witnessing all of it himself.


His full speech can be seen all over the internet and is very good. This is a link to a good version without the hum.