Slipping Away....

Several months ago in Relief Society, I jotted down a unique thought another woman had shared.  I can't remember the exact topic of the lesson, but she said,

"Enjoy what it is before it isn't." 

I thought that was so powerful and so true.  Sometimes when we are in the trenches of life, we can be tempted to wish away a "season".  I know in this particular picture I probably was doing just that. 

This classic and adorable picture is of Alexis and Golda (age 3ish).  We were at Jeff and Richelle's garden wedding reception.  I was NINE months pregnant with Jackson in JU - freaking - LY.  Yeah, it was hot.  I know I wasn't the best at keeping track of Alexis that night.  I remember her being brought back to me a few times.  (sorry - kitchen ladies)  I also remember she had more than one dessert that night.  A mom who can barely move isn't too picky about treats. :)

I'm sure at the time I was wishing she was a little older so she wasn't under foot so much.  But now.... I'm on the downward slope.  On the way home from the gym today, she and I were talking about Izzy taking over her room when she leaves for college (Yes - Izzy already has it all planned!).  I only  have about 5 years left with my beautiful Lex.  Five.  Five Years.  Holy cow.   Where did the time go?  Five Years is nothing. 

I'm so glad she is mine.  I'm so glad I have every day with her - even if some are more painful than others. :)  (just teasing, Lou!)  I'm so glad we have our mom / Lex talks, our looks that only we understand, our tickle / wrestling fights, our love for the same things, and oh so much more. 

I love you Lex.  I hope you always remember how important you are, how beautiful you are (even when you don't feel beautiful), and that before you were my beautiful child, you were your Father in Heaven's beautiful child.  And, you still are! 

You are worth more than you even know and realize.  You can do anything you set your mind to do.  And, you have an inner strength and power that is limitless.  You can do hard things, Lexie Lou! You can make the right choice, even when that choice isn't popular.

And... most importantly.... when you feel like dad and I are on your case, you know you wouldn't want it any other way.  We care about you more than anyone else on this earth.  We can help you get through anything.  Thank you for letting us in so easily and for letting us be a part of your life. 

Love you Lexie Lou - with your eyes so blue!!!   

Throw Back Thursday...

Here's a cute little Christmas picture from years gone by.  Aunt Nikki was leaving for the high school Christmas dance.  We stopped in to wish her luck.  I love Lexie's and Nik's tongue pose.  So cute, ladies. :)

Oh, how fast the years fly by.  Alexis is now almost 14 and Nik is prego with baby #4.  Life happens in a blink of the eye.

TBT Intense....

How is this for an intense Throw Back Thursday? Pre-Easter 2005 The kids and I were dying Easter Eggs. Alexis was trying to lower her egg into the dye with the little wire scooper. Her egg fell into the cup and cracked. She was SO upset. This picture makes me laugh every time I see it. I'm so glad I was able to capture her intensity.

I had to add my two cents on this one... I'm with Jen about laughing every time I see this picture. What really strikes me, though is the complete roll reversal displayed in the picture. This was a time when anything and everything could set Jax off, and look at how calm he is... In contrast, our little Lou-Lou, who has always been mature beyond her years is in complete shambles. Ah... Memories... (Ryan)

Throw Back Thursday ~ Brotherly Love

These two little souls  have been having a rough time of it lately.  They just can't seem to get along.  Collin thinks Alexis is bossy and Alexis thinks Collin is annoying.  Ahhhh, siblings.

They are both making a conscious effort to improve their relationship.  Alexis is trying hard to not be the mom and Collin is trying hard not to tease.  To help them in their efforts, I resorted to bribes.  I highly recommend this strategy.

Collin has had a chart on the fridge for every day of this past week.  If he can make it through a day without a meltdown or teasing, he gets a check mark.  At the end of the week, if the boxes are filled, his tummy will be as well.  He and I will get a special date, just the two of us, to.... You guessed it.  YOGO-licious-love.

See.... This is a win-win... for me.  I get to hear less fighting and I also get a treat. :)  Brilliant!

Alexis asked if she gets to go too.  I said, "Most certainly not!"  This was a deal for Collin to stop fighting - something he was having a hard time doing.  For her, the challenge would be different - something geared towards her struggles.  Maybe she could earn a Yogo for a whole week of no eye rolling or back talk.  Now there is a challenge. :)

Challenges aside, these two are precious souls.  I hope their relationship will continue to grow.  They need each other.  Even though they may fight, I know they care for each other.  Alexis is a great big sister, and Col is our tender hearted little man.  I told him that looking back at some of these pictures makes my heart hurt.  I remember how much he and I adored each other - just as it was with each one of my children at certain ages.  The adoration is still there, but as kids grow older, the relationships change.  There is just something so precious about a baby / toddler.  You just can't help but love them to pieces.  Ahhh.... it makes my mama heart melt.

Happy St. Patrick's Day & Happy Birthday to our little cousin, Tyler!!!

ps - Remember when a sucker could cure all the world's wrongs - at least for a toddler?  Such pure simplicity.  Those ticking hands of time move too fast.

 

Throw Back Thursday...

Alexis has always been a great big sister.  There is a reason this strong soul was sent to our family first.
When the boys were younger, they were always ready for anything she threw at them.  This included playing dress up. 

 

Jackson, Collin, and Alexis - June 2005

Lex, you are still our princess!  You have always had an extra little somethin', somethin'.  You add energy, style, and flare to not only your outfits, but to our lives.  We sure love you!

ps - Isn't this going to make great blackmail material for Collin when he starts dating? :)

Throw Back Thursday...

Sometimes my ole' blog is a little heavy.  You know... heavy on all the "real" stuff we deal with in life.  So... I thought I would add in a little bit of fun and a few memories every now and again.

I used to be an avid scrapbooker.  I was never really good at it - the creative layout side of scrapping.  Talk about pressure!  But, I did enjoy preserving our family memories.  That is one of the many reasons I enjoy blogging.  Every year, I hit print and a hard bound book is generated.  (Well, it is a little more complicated than that - but you get the point.)

I was faithful at keeping a scrapbook up until Izzy was born.  After she arrived, we moved two months later, and then the remodel and adjustment period began.  This July Isabella turns 5, and.... she still doesn't have a baby book.  She is going to be scarred for life if I don't get that thing done. 

I thought one way I can preserve all those photos I never scrapped was by adding them to "The Blog Book".  They may be late and out of order, but at least they'll be preserved for the kiddos after I'm on to bigger and better things on the other side. :) 

So... to kick off our first Throw Back Thursday, I came across this picture of Alexis and Jackson.  In my talking / dating post on Monday, I mentioned one of my favorite days - our first family trip to Disneyland.

This picture was taken just outside of the Winnie the Pooh ride, near Splash Mountain.  As you exit the ride, you will run right into a little General Store.  At the corner of the store is the best little treat shop.  Not only do they have several flavors of fudge which they will package for you to TAKE HOME, but they have amazing treats. 

Jackson's personal favorite is the Tigger Tail.  The next time you go to Disney, you really must check it out.  We love that spot.  I'm sure there are other great treat destinations in the park, but this particular one holds such great memories for us.  No matter how old I am, whenever I go there, I'll think about my three littles (Collin was just a baby), loving our first Disney experience, eating treats, and just enjoying our time together.  The memory truly is priceless.

I also love this picture because it captures Lex and Jackson's personalities to a tee.  Lex, the quintessential Diva, and Jax thoroughly enjoying his food.  He has never been one to miss out on a full culinary experience - taste, touch, texture.  I love you two so much!  Back in the day, you two were best little buddies.  Jacks worshipped Lex and Lex was the little mother.  Today things are not that different.  We are all just a little older and wiser.

Hopefully we'll have more Disney days in the near future!