CraZy.

I was reading Parents Magazine the other day. I had to laugh when the article about 2 kids under 2 was in the Mental Health section.

Later that same day my sister in law and I were talking about spacing between kids. I said that I couldn't even think about another baby right now. She agreed saying, yeah, your going to wait awhile then huh?!? I told her for sure, I'd have to wait at least a few months before I could even think about it. She laughed at me, because she was expecting me to say a few years.

Maybe I am crazy...

As far as kids go, it is a very different world here. A friend in our church ward told me that there are only 3 families in our entire elementary/middle school system that have 3 children. Not even 3+ children, just 3 period!!! There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, to each their own, but I'm really going to look crazy if I show up to school with as many kids as I'd like to have.

And then there are the looks that come our way when we dare to venture out with the kiddos. I've had someone tell me thank you because I reminded her to take her birth control that day. Wow!

I just have to laugh. I might be crazy, but at least I'm also confident in the decisions we've made with our family. Even more confident that the Lord knows exactly what we need.

Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Utah anymore...

My baby started standing about a week after we got here.

At Apple Hill with Amy, Tami, Maryann...and 8 kids.

I love that my little boy managed to be the only kid who was covered head to toe in mud. I tell myself it's because I'm the fun mom, but really it's because my kid is crazy and I couldn't stop him fast enough from playing in the muddy pond. I swear I have witnesses. At least I can say he had a very, very good time on his first California friend outing.

While we were here another group of moms asked me how close together my boys were. I told them 19 months. One mom replies with: "And people said I was crazy having mine 23 months apart." I'm so sure her opinion of me changed as I left Parker 25 feet behind me while I chased Caden who eventually locked himself in the port-a-potty leaving me on the outside banging for him to open that filthy door. I almost had a nervous breakdown. Don't do well with germs.

Caden and P playing in the yard.

Life might be a little crazy, but truth be told, that's exactly how I like it.

Home, Home on the Range.

Here are some pictures of our HOME for the next long while. {It feels REALLY good to say that.} I can't wait to make memories here, to watch our kids grow, to see what many adventures come our way...

The Kitchen.Family Room. A second row of canvas's are going up...I know they look high...don't judge. :)

Project #800 in the last three weeks. Someday, when money grows on trees, I will own every piece of Fiestaware in this color. As for now I have really fabulous salt/pepper shakers. {And Les, I had to display the platter and love on it every time I walk through the door.} Our Bedroom. Our Sanctuary.
The Master Bath.Park's Room. {Caden's room is still very much in the works, so pictures to come, eventually...}We fixed up an old dresser for him. I'm a big fan of green!!The newest love of my life...double closets. Awh, organization, how I adore you."We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us."
Winston Churchill
I love that!

My very wise, wonderful friend put this quote on her blog a while back: “My creed is that; Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to make others so.” Ingersoll {Thank you. Miss you and love you!}

Simple. True. I love our new home, but I feel very blessed to say that I am no happier now than I was in our over-crowded townhouse when life was daunting with school coming to an end, searching for a job, and praying for an outpouring of other blessings our family stood in need of. I've learned that life really is what you make of it. Happiness is the only good.

Flashback: Rock Canyon Park

After my surgery we'd been house bound for a little too long so Megan and I took the boys for one last visit to Rock Canyon Park. I adore it there. Pretty sure there is no sky more blue.

I asked Caden what he wanted to do. "Find animals mommy." Okay... "Me find a rhinoceros now," and off he trotted. Parker & Aunt Megan.
Looking so innocent...and then below not so much {I know it's blurry but...I caught a moment.} His hand placement proves his guilt.

Erika & Colson Wedding.

{Top two Photos from Erika's Photographer: Afton Huntley}

Erika and Colson's wedding was so special. A beautiful day. Our Grandpa Mathews was able to do their Temple sealing; it felt the we were seeing eternal being surrounded by much of our extended family. The room was filled with so much love. My awesome brothers. At my wedding Cody was still a foot shorter than me. Oh, how the times have changed.The newest Hoggatt/Phipps/Hayes family. :)So glad I married this man at this same Temple almost 5 years ago. That day has made my life better than I ever dreamed.Caden was not pleased with all the pictures he had to be a part of. Melt down ensued. Pouty lip was his contribution to the photos.Then he ran away and hid. Much happier.

As wonderful as the day was, it was also bittersweet for me. It was our last day in Utah, and that was difficult for me. I loved my time in Utah and at BYU. It was an incredible experience and holds so many of my fondest memories. My Aunt's family have been my second family since transferring. To say it was hard to say good-bye would be a drastic understatement. But I feel blessed to have such AMAZING cousins that I've been able to laugh with over the last 6 years. And they informed Bryan that we've been able to stay cool even after having kids so I guess it was a good time to leave because I don't know how much longer I'd be able to keep that act up. Caden made it his personal mission to try every candy at Erika's reception. {And then I'd chase after him trying to stop him from putting his sucked on candy back in the dish.}

Saying good-bye to Jeff.
Me and my beautiful little sister. {You can see I received ZERO of the height genes in our family.} I'm so happy for Erika and Colson, and thrilled to have a new brother in the family.

Park City

The boys and I spent the week before Erika's wedding up in Park City with my family. We spent lots of time exploring, swinging, and swimming. Cody & Caden night swimming. Caden was mildly obsessed with my brothers, and they were so, so good with him. Caden refused to let me outside during his "quality time" with Logan. Thus, all I got was a picture through the door.

And of course moving day. Our families were incredible to help us. No desire to do that ever again though. I'm sure Bryan feels even more strongly about that statement as he was the one driving the truck 30 mph up the Sierra Mountains. Poor guy.