Testimony

As I have listened (as much as possible with a 2 year old and an infant) to the LDS General Conference this weekend, my testimony has truly been strengthened. I am even more excited and greatful for my role as a wife and mother. I recognize that while the bad days are overwhelming and challenging, the reward of motherhood is a much greater joy!

As sweet little Morgan's testimony is budding, I have a small glipmse of the joy of motherhood. A few weeks ago, I bought Morgan a "My First New Testament" book, so that we could start doing daily scripture study with him. He is so excited to read the stories about Jesus! The other night, we were late getting to bed, and I was trying to rush through the bedtime routine, so I skipped over scriptures for the sake of sleep. As I rushed him under the covers and turned on his music, Morgan looked at me and said "Read the Jesus Book mommy!" A little lesson to me from my toddler - nothing is more important than teaching my children the gospel. The faith of a child is so sweet!

As a parent, I am greatful for the gospel more than ever. It is the best parenting guide there ever could be (and I should know - I take every parenting magazine known to man). The principles of the gospel teach us to be better people. By following them, we can avoid the many things in the world that cause pain, sadness and frustration. My children won't have to wonder where we came from, where we are going, or what we need to do to get there. I teaches me to be a better mother and a better person - more patient, more loving, more compassionate, more understanding, more courageous, and better focused on what really matters most! It is all about family and I sure love my family!

Independent Curiousity

Morgan has really started to discover his independence. Lately, he wants to do everything himself. "I do it!" he declares persistently, followed by a proud declaration of the same phrase with different inflection, "I do it!" He particularly likes to climb into his car seat and hook it in place by himself.

Along with this newfound desire to do everything by himself, he has also become very curious about everything around him. "What's this Mama?" he asks. Not just about things he has never seen before, but things he sees every day. I think he just likes to confirm he knows their correct names.

Six Months

Chloe is 6 months old. Morgan is almost 2 and a half.

Six short months ago, I had a newborn and a 23-month-old.

As Morgan, Chloe and I ran errands today, I realized how much difference 6 months can make. Morgan has become such a great helper. Six months ago, errands with Morgan were quite a chore. Now he is so helpful, sweet and obedient - as long as it isn't too close to naptime. Before we left the house this morning, Morgan helped me take out the garbage, make his bed, pick up all the toys, and swiffer the floor (and the fridge and cupboards). He stayed right with me at the store, held my hand in the parking lot, and even got in and out of the shopping cart when I asked without a fight.



If you think this is just the crazy rambling of a sleep-deprived mommy, you are partially correct, but I am guessing you have probably never run errands with a 23 month old child - or at least not one like mine!

Later in the day, Chloe was playing on the floor during "tummy time" and I noticed that she was trying to get her knees under her so she could rock on her hands and knees. She is so close to crawling, it is crazy! Six months ago, she was just over 8 lbs, had skinny little legs, and the most exciting thing she did was smile. Now she is a 22 lb chunk and a half, rolling around everywhere, eating baby food, giggling, ticklish sweetie who is on the brink of crawling. One thing hasn't changed though, she is still nearly bald and what she does have is so blonde you can't tell it is there! As soon as I got the camera out, she started rolling over instead of rocking on her hands and knees, but you can kind of get the idea.




I just love watching my little ones grow, but it never ceases to amaze me how much can happen in such a short amount of time.

Happily Ever After

Our 4-year wedding anniversary is fast approaching and it makes me remember just how lucky I am to be married to the most wonderful man in the world!

Seth is the sweetest husband, the greatest dad to our kids and dogs, and my very best friend. He is a great cook, auto-mechanic, handy man, gardener, deal-finder, bread cutter and so much more. He works so hard to provide for our family, listens to me go on and on and on about nothing relevant just because I didn't get the chance to talk to an adult all day, and makes me feel like I am amazing despite my many shortcomings. He makes dinner and takes the kids to give me a break without a second thought. He looks at my latest scrapbook pages with an impressive amount of interest for a bunch of pictures on a cutesy page. He makes time for our families - his and mine. He listens to my rants on various political issues, people that drive me nuts, and the play-by-play of my daily grind. He is a good friend, a driving force of fun, and an adventurer! He even puts up with me when I am pregnant - need I say more!

On top of it all he manages to make me laugh - a lot - and remain as attractive as ever (a total stud!)! I sure am glad our fairytale romance gets to last for eternity! I love you Sethy!

Potty Training

It is started. Yesterday Morgan, Chloe and I piled in the car and rode to Target where we bought a training potty and some Lightning McQueen undies. Over the past two days Morgan has spent hours on the potty - reading books, singing songs, and yes - he has even gone pee (once)! Yay! I am so proud of my little boy getting excited about the potty. Soon enough, I will only have one baby whose diapers need changing. :)

Sweet Stuff

Well, I have been "tagged" by my good friend Ruth to create a list of things that make me smile, giggle, laugh, or feel happy, so here goes (train of thought - definitely not by priority rank)...

The sound of wind rustling in the tops of the trees
Hiking
Hearing Morgan sing (see my last blog post for more about that)
Singing
Listening to FM100's - Soft Sunday Sounds on Sundays - I love LDS Pop
Kisses from Seth before he leaves for work, when he gets home from work, and everynight before we go to bed!
The Office
Scrubs
When I know that people I love are happy (especially after they have had a rough patch)
When Callie cuddles with me in bed on nights when Seth is working. She gets under the covers and everything - cute thing
Friday playgroup
Scrapbooking
Completing projects
Taking pictures
Naptime
Playing with Chloe
Playing with Morgan
Buying toys for my little ones
Buying clothes for my little ones
Alright - you got me - buying pretty much anything for my little ones
Camping
The Cabin
Catching up with old friends
Spending time with good friends
Working very part time (barely enough to call it work)
My family
Talking to my Mom - every day!
Hanging out with Grandma Colleen
That Seth still comes around and opens my car door for me when we go out
Going to the Temple
Sushi
ICE CREAM...mmmm
Holidays - especially Valentine's Day
Traveling
Fitting in my pre baby pants - It may be awhile yet before I get to smile about this one
A Clean House
A clean car - you'd never know it if you saw my car - right Mom?
Finding a really good deal (like $3 jeans or two vintage stools for $8)
Going to church
Scriptures
Conference
Leaves changing colors
Kissing in the rain
Writing music
Making homemade cards for birthdays, weddings, babies, thank yous and just because
Homemade cookies and milk
Cheetos
The fact that Seth will watch Chic Flicks and Romantic Comedies with me without any expectation of me watching scary movies or action films - ever!
The look Seth gives me when he looks over at me and finds me crying during the chic flik/commercial/song/mid-conversation/etc.
Country Dancing with my sweetie - even when he wants to do lifts and dips when I am pregnant :)
Reading with Morgan
Playing Ring Around the Rosy over and over with Morgan
Rascall Flatts
Seeing how much Morgan loves his Uncle Michael and Uncle Stephen and loving them all the more for how much they love him!
Living by both of our families
My in laws (parents, brothers and sisters - they are so great!)
Tate family movie nights whenever Jonathan is in town (or any other time)!
Getting priesthood blessings from my sweet husband
Knowing that Seth doesn't mind when I volunteer him to help someone move, give a blessing, or fix someone's car
Taking a nice hot bath every day instead of a shower - I think those days have gone.
Saying kids instead of kid when I refer to my family - Thanks Chloe!
Tickling Morgan - this makes me laugh hysterically
Reading scriptures with Morgan and having him repeat everything I say
Nights when I have fallen unawakably to sleep and Seth still reading scriptures out loud so we don't miss a day - he is just the most amazing man in the world
Chloe's giggle
Watching Seth interact with Chloe and Morgan
Knowing that I get to have my whole family with me in eternity - dogs included
Watching Callie and Roxy run around together when we go hiking
When Seth gets ticklish :)
Tickle Wars
Newly bathed dogs and kids
Boating!
Sleeping in
Nursing Chloe
Singing "If You're stinky and you know it say EWWWW" with Morgan to the tune of If You're Happy and you know it
Kisses and Hugs from my little man
Kisses and Hugs from my big man
Looking at Seth's amazing calf muscles
Bows in Chloe's "Hair"
Cooking for Seth and knowing that he loves it
Getting ready - hair, makeup and a cute oufit
Buying Scrapbook supplies
Sweet neighbors
Chloe's thighs
Knowing that being worried, overwhelmed and sleep-deprived is a small price to pay for the wonderful blessing of being a mom!

Yep...all those things make me happy, and there is so much more, but I am sure you don't want to read anymore! Thanks for the Tag Ruth!

Jesus Wants Me For a SunBEAM!

Morgan loves to sing. About a month ago, I was singing primary songs to Morgan while I picked out a few notes on the piano (very slowly) and he got all excited about music. Since then, we have tabbed his favorite songs in the songbook so he can turn to them and "play" them on the piano while we sing along. We marked Give Said the Little Stream, I am a Child of God, I Love to See the Temple and his very favorite of all...Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam.

Thursday I was working on a project in the backyard while Chloe took a nap and Morgan was out there with me riding around on his cars. He was babbling to himself the whole time, but then he started singing "Jesus wants me for a sunBEAM -to shine - for him - each day..." He loves to repeat the first line over and over and then go on to sing "In every way try to pleeease HIM, at home - at school - at play" and back to the first line.

Yesterday, Morgan wanted to call Grandma Tate on the phone, so Seth dialed the number and handed Morgan the phone. He talked to Grandpa first, and then Grandma got on the phone and he burst into giggles! He talked to her for a minute and then started singing, "Jesus wants me for a sunBEAM..." I know it made Grandma happy to hear him sing, but from the other room I was just beaming knowing that my little boy has developed a love for one of the most special things in my life - singing!

Mobile Baby

Chloe is getting to be such a mover. She is constantly rolling and scooting around - which is quite impressive since she is only 5 months old and she is gigantic (22 lbs.). Here is a cute little clip of her scooting around to play with some toys.

And some stills of my little sweetie...