DON'T "say cheese"

Last weekend we did a little family photo shoot with a wonderful photographer, Morgan Trinker. There were no sqeaky toys, fake backdrops, or crying babies in the neighboring cubical. It was fun, easy, and totally relaxed. Because it was so smooth and we just hung out while she took photos with little direction, I had no idea how they would turn out. Well, I got the photos today and it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about them! I am beyond happy that we have captured how happy we are right now with our lives in these photos that we will have forever. I am truly blessed and I can't wait to see what life has coming our way! I think we will see more family pictures by Morgan in the future... she is SO talented and I am blown away!! I just wish she didn't live in Salt Lake City...

Come on Moms... give me a smile!!

Today at group therapy, I mean MOPS, I didn't say what I wanted to. I actually didn't say much at all, so I thought I would say it here. It was one big "woe is me" fest that I did not quite know how to participate in even if I had wanted to. I looked at these moms who had children young and old and they were still hung up on the disappointment that came with the birth and beginning of their relationship with their kids. I just want my kids to know that I like being a mom and not just a mom but their mom, well, just Tristan so far.

I thought I would hear horrible birth stories where mothers and/or babies almost died, but what I actually heard were stories not unlike my own. My one experience so far was scary and went not as planned. It was hard, I could not push hard enough or long enough to get Tristan out so they had to assist. Instead of being sad and feeling like a failure, I choose to look at it a different way. This was the first of MANY times in Tristan's life that God will tell me, "it's not always about you... this is between Tristan and I, and I know what is best." I'm thankful that I get to be a part of my kids life and that I have been entrusted to guide them for the first part of their life. I wanted to speak up today and say, "I love being a mom! It's hard, but did any of us really think it was going to be easy? It's going to go fast, so laugh a little more." I didn't say any of that because, well, I just didn't. I think the only people that need to know that I am/was happy are my kids!!!

Surprise!

These days I try to multi task as much as possible, but sometimes that backfires on me. Yesterday, I put Sesame Street on and went to get in the shower. I closed my eyes to shampoo and rinse my hair, and when I opened them again Tristan had ever so quietly climbed into the tub, the little monkey! I was really surprised! Fully clothed, he looked up at me and started laughing thinking he was the funniest thing, which of course he was. He walked closer to the water and put his head down for me to wash his hair. I didn't, but I did let him play in the water for a bit... why not, he was already wet. I guess I will have to shower during nap time from now on.