Long time no post....

I know it has been a LONG time since I posted on my blog. I have been posting on facebook more this summer and thus neglected my "blogging" duties. I am sorry and will try to be more faithful :)

We had a FABULOUS summer and now are well into the swing of school time schedules.

Here is a picture from the 1st day of school. The triplets started 1st grade this year and I had mixed emotions. I held it together as we rode bikes to school together but once I got home I lost it. They are growing so fast. I am trying to enjoy each day because I know they will pass so quickly. Tyler is in 8th grade and Steven is in 4th.

In the blink of an eye...

I honestly can't believe how quickly the last 6 years have passed.  I remember so vividly being wheeled down the hall in the hospital after the babies were born listening to the lullaby song they play everytime a baby is born. The nurse leaned down and whispered to me, listen they are going to play it  3 times in a row  just for you and your boys.  I remember feeling so overwhelmed at the thought of caring for 3 newborns but loving them so much the instant I saw them.

  What a precious gift they have been in my life.  I love all my boys so much but there is something special about having these 3 come together.  I told them today that they were such good friends in heaven that they told Heavenly Father that they couldn't come down without each other so he let them come together.  The look in their eyes told me what I was saying was true and they knew it.  There is a reason they are here together.  What a blessing.

Of course there have been crazy times as one would expect with triplets.  Once when they were about 2, I was in the grocery store with all 3 and an elderly gentleman stopped me and said, "Enjoy it while they are young because the years pass so quickly."  to which I responded.."Yes but some days seem to last FOREVER!!!"  

Overall, I have been amazed at the journey and so thankful my Heavenly Father would entrust me with such amazing boys.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER, BRANDON AND COLE

I love you.

The Happiest Place on Earth...

I just LOVE Disneyland...when I walk in I get goosebumps.  It truly feels like one of the "happiest places on earth".  We hadn't been since 2005, the triplets were almost 2 and we had a host of help that tagged along with us.  So as Danny and I walked around just the 2 of us with our 5 boys, I looked at him (almost with tears in my eyes)  and said "We have come a long way!!!"  Our family has come a long way to be brave enough to travel alone and it feels good.  There are still squabbles and teasing but just the fact that there were 2 adults and 5 kids and we only lost Cole for a few minutes was miraculous to us!!!  We had a "magical" time and I hope the kids will have fond memories of a fun family vacation.

Tyler and Tanner getting along...it must be a MAGICAL place!!! LOL!!!!

Cole was chosen to join the "Jedi training" He was so thrilled when the picked him.  It was cute the other boys were so excited for him because they know he is obsessed with Star Wars.  He had the chance to fight Darth Vader with his light saber, the force is strong with him.

Happy Mother's Day

I have been inspired by a friend's post to write my own story of my motherhood journey. (thank you Catherine)
Everyone has a unique journey and I thought it befitting this Mother's Day to share mine.
I have always wanted to be a mother. When I was little and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I said a lawyer but that was just because I was afraid they would laugh at me if I said what I really wanted, to be a Mother...that is all...a Mother. Maybe because I had such a great example it looked like a great job and I looked forward to the start of my career.

So, here I will share a little of my heart this Mother's Day in hopes that we will all appreciate what we have a little more...

I remember the first Mother's day after we had been trying to get pregnant with Tyler for over a year. It was the time in church I had been dreading...standing to receive a flower I didn't deserve. I was not a mother, I shouldn't get a flower.
Danny made me stand to get my potted flower even though I wanted to run out of the chapel crying, but I stood and thanked the young men all the while trying to hold back the tears. I remember when we got home I threw the flower in the garbage (not gently placed by any means...I threw with all the force I had.) I ran to my room crying and Danny lovingly got the flower out and planted it. I don't know why it meant so much to me that he did that, but it did. I remember watching that flower grow and holding on to hope that I would one day be a mother.

Thankfully soon after that Mother's day I found out I was pregnant. I was thrilled of course. It brought such joy to my heart. There was still much heartache to be had when it came to our childbearing journeys...but we won't go into all the boring details.....suffice it to say, I used to be embarrassed about my fertility issues, now I look back with gratitude for what I have experienced because it has made me a better mother than I would have been, it has made me more grateful for what I have, it has made me hug my boys a little tighter at night. (don't get me wrong, there are days I feel like pulling my hair out too, but in a strange way I am grateful for that because you appreciate the good more after there has been a little bad :)
AND...I am in good company...my fellow infertile sisters

So fast forward 14 years from that first dreaded Mother's day, here I sit with 5 beautiful boys at my feet. I never could have imagined how blessed I would be as a mother. Tomorrow I will stand with gratitude (and probably some tears) as I gather my flower. I will remember the joys and sorrows I have experienced on my journey to Motherhood. I will look forward to the years to come.
A dear friend of mine who lost her baby when he was 2 gave some wise council...
"Two years is only a short moment. Even if you get to keep your baby for a lifetime, you never again get that same energy and eagerness for life that you experience with a 2 year old. Don't squander the glory of a 2 year old son...to miss it or lose it, unaware. Hold them, rock them, hug them tight, sing to them at night, Precious children far and wide, makes our house a home inside."
You can imagine how these words helped me as I had THREE 2 year old sons several years ago, but this doesn't just apply to 2 year olds. Each stage of life for our children holds cherished adventures and memories. Don't squander any of them.

I am so thankful for the precious children I have that make my house a home.

I love you.

Love,
Mom

Tyler's Tourney

So TNT has a slogan about the NBA playoffs that says  "40 games in 40 nights"  Sometimes I feel like that could be the slogan for my life :)

Not that I am complaining...just stating the facts.

This past Saturday we had 3 basketball games, 2 baseball games 1 soccer game and a partridge in a pear tree.  We also had a baptism and dinner out for a friends birthday.  Luckily the baseball and soccer games were canceled because of  rain. (don't worry, they were rescheduled for this Thursday, a night when we have an event in SLC to go to)

So....here are a few highlights from Tyler's basketball tournament.  His team did great but lost in the Championship game.  It was fun to watch.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN!!!

Happy 9th Steven.  This is your last year in single digits...enjoy it while it lasts!!!  We love you so much and are so happy you are part of our family!!!

Isn't she lovely...meet my new niece Sienna

I was so excited when Candace said she was in labor, I hopped on a plane and headed out. Danny was sweet enough to stay home with our 5 boys so I could go since I couldn't wait to meet the newest addition to the family. Afterall, we had only been praying for her arrival for about 10 years!!! She is such a dream, what a beautiful little family they make. I am THRILLED!!!!

Look at that thick gorgeous black hair!!

The proud Aunt

She loves her Daddy!!!

What a sweet moment.

OUCH STEVEN!!!

Well...we had a little "mishap" at the pinewood derby last night.  No, it wasn't an accident with any cars, it happened when Steven was rushing to get into the group picture just as the cameraman (not me thankfully) was turning to take the picture and ran smack into the lens...yes, the lens of a camera did this to my son.  He says he blacked out for about 10 seconds.  So all you photographers...take note, lens can be hazardous to your health :)

We are so thankful to have our wonderful Dr. Aunt Heidi to make house calls.

HAPPY BELATED 13th BIRTHDAY TYLER!!!

Of course I wished him happy birthday on his actual birthday but I didn't post anything since we were on our way to St. George for Steven's baseball tournament. (yes, we are into baseball season now!!!) I am doing it publicly now :)

 I have been a very bad blogger lately and have vowed to do better since I have talked to a couple of people who actually check my blog and are disappointed with no updates...I was under the impression no one was looking, but apparently I was wrong so I will try to do better :)

Tyler...our firstborn in the wilderness as Dad refers to you.  What a task you have being the eldest of 5 sons.  You are a great boy and such a hard worker.  We are very proud of the young man you are becoming :)  We officially have a TEENAGER now!!!  

ALOHA!!!  Danny and I spent 5 glorious days basking in the Hawaiian sun.  We had a fabulous time relaxing and eating WAY too much.  Thanks again Mom and Dad for staying with the kids :)