Before I was able to get pregnant with Caden I remember a plea from one of my prayers.  I don't remember all the exact words, but I recall very clearly begging Heavenly Father to some day bless me with a home that's floors were covered in toys because that would surely mean I had lots of little ones.  Today as I'm ready to rip my hair out because of the mess from my three boys "helping me unpack", I had to laugh at that very sincere prayer I utter 5 1/2 years ago.  It has most definitely been answered--it put today in perspective.  Thank you, thank you for answering that prayer! I am so very grateful for my messy floors.

Last weekend Bryan built this reading nook for the boys toy room.  I love it.  And no, I didn't stage this picture, Caden actually sits still and enjoys reading here.  Miracle.

And I'd be lying if I said it still looks like this.  Parker decided my floors weren't messy enough and pulled every last book down.  I LOVE TWO YEAR OLDS! 

Oh Parker, you make Caden look like an innocent angel toddler.  I didn't see that coming. Today I discovered your drawing wall: the entire half wall in the living room.  Thank you for decorating since I hadn't quite gotten around to it myself.  I don't know that I would have picked the green and orange colors you did but I do like the modern look to your art.  Where you muscled those colored pencils from is beyond me since all the ones I'm aware of are hidden waaay out of your reach and even mine, just to be extra safe.

I'd also like to thank you for figuring out how to break out of the childproofed door during nap time.  (I should sue the company since it has failed to keep either of children safe.)  I'm sorry I underestimated you Parker; You must have been seriously offend because you sure got me back.  While I was showering you broke out and covered your baby brother in stuffed animals.  Then proceeded to cover yourself in the fireplace soot and ripped the handle off the front of the fireplace. 

I would have sold you today but you redeemed yourself by saying I was a queen.  Then covering your heart, bowing with one leg forward, toe flexed, and saying, "My lady."  Where did you learn that?  I have no idea, but you keep me laughing and for that I will always love you. 

Oh good.  I now see you tip-toeing to Caden's room, letting yourself off time out.  You aren't always as sneaky as you think.  :)

Love, Mommy

Wow.  It's been quite a month.  Two weeks after our little Owen was born we closed on our first home and moved.  No, we didn't expect it to play out this way, but it did so what can you do but press forward.  Yay, for adventures. On moving day, as I was driving to our new home, I thought about all the things I had been able to accomplish in the last month.  We had our third little boy, packed up our home,  bought our new home, cleaned two entire homes, painted the upstairs, and moved.  I couldn't help but repeat over and over in my head the phrase, "I CAN DO HARD THINGS!"  This is big for me--like Bryan has said about me, usually if the wind blows in the wrong direction I tip over.   What can I say, I stress easily.  :)  It turns out that phrase in my mind was much more than just me cheering myself on.  It was a tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father. 

When I showed up at our new home later that day I see Bryan completely hunched over.  I thought he was messing with me, so of course I tell quasimodo he's not funny.  Well, he wasn't joking.  I could quickly tell that he was in a lot of pain.  He said something had happened before the guys had even come to load the truck and he'd been trying to help hunched over the entire time.  When he finally laid down, I could tell something was really, really wrong.  I begged him to go to the hospital; When his amazing dad showed up to take him to the ER he couldn't get out of bed.  When he finally rolled onto the floor he was stuck there trying to stand for a good half and hour.  It was awful not being able to do a thing about it, because everytime you tried to help he cried out in pain.  Long story, but after 8 hours at the hospital they found 2 bulging discs and left the question of surgery hovering in our minds.  Luckily, after a very long weekend a specialist cleared up the idea of surgery, but said he wasn't supposed to do anything but lay in bed for at least a week. 

My house was covered in what felt like 100's of boxes and furniture that I couldn't move and didn't know how to put together.  I had three little boys and a husband that needed me to do everything for them.  Plus, I had just had a baby three weeks ago, with a labor that felt way too similar to my first experience and I was hurting.  The wind blew in the wrong direction. I was overwhelmed.  But that mantra, "I can do hard things," came to me again.  With a lot of help from incredible family and friends we finished the move. The week after many of my family members showed up for Owen's baby blessing and we were able to finish the rest of the big projects that I couldn't do on my own.  Our new ward reached out and I just know we are going to love it here.  We have some how survived this month. I can honestly say that though I may have shed a few hundred tears, I can do hard things, and do them with a smile on my face.  This has been a very challenging month, but it has also been one of the greatest months I'll remember.  I have a beautiful angel baby, a wonderful new home, and an even stronger marriage to show for it.

And I promise I'll start returning calls eventually! Or you could just come visit us in our new home--that may be quicker.  :)

These are three days after Owen Jack was born.  He has truly been an incredible blessing in our home.  He never cries, and he just brings me this calm.  Adjusting to three has been waaaay easier than I had expected.  Granted I have yet to go to the grocery store alone with them all.