The Joy of Family Time

These photos sum up the last few weeks in my children's lives. I cannot say more about my family's dedication to making me successful at work than to point out what they have been doing to show me support.

As a working mom I was worried that my kids would not be able to partake in the summer leisure activites that childhood is supposed to be full of. I love Cole and Alyson because they have totally stepped in for me where fun is concerned (read: trips to the park, hot tubbing, hiking).

I never remember to bring my camera, thank heaven Alyson was a professional photographer in another life.

Thank heaven for Gobbies, who drop everything to make sure that the kids are cared for during my shifts.

Thank heaven for sisters who will watch Beauty and the Beast with 3 year olds in my absence, and actually enjoy it!
Thank heaven for kids who role with the punches, and don't give me too much grief.

And most of all, thank heaven for a husband who takes pride in having a smart successful wife, and who has suffered through all the adjustments like a soldier. I love having a partner in this life!

Thank heaven for my family who has supported me through the last 10 weeks of training, and although my training culminates in a week paid vacation to Florida, I know that I would not be going without my supportive family.

Thank You: Mom, Cole, Ali, Alyson, Joe, Kippie, & Johanna for being all the support that I will ever need

What a SUMMER!
I cannot believe that summer is almost over, it has been such a blur for our family. Johanna turned 3, we visited the family in Illinois, I got a promotion at work, and Kip started walking. I cannot believe how fast children grow, now that we have decided that our family is complete I am realizing how fleeting childhood is, my baby is 18 months old. I have been lucky enough to be able to be home most of the time with my kids, but now with my job change I feel like they change while I'm at work! But the good news about childhood is that I have been present in my children's growth and have appreciated it for what it has been, just a moment in time that is so precious that words cannot express it. I am grateful that we have been given these two precious little souls to look after, I feel that with each passing day I have the opportunity to see God when I look at my kids.



I am writing this blog right after putting my kids to bed for the night, which is one of the times of day that will always touch my heart. My kids are as different as two could possibly be. Getting Kippie to sleep is about as complicated as breathing, give him his blanket and milk and he is out in 6 seconds or less, no frills or gimmicks required. Now Johanna, on the other hand, is about as challenging as I have seen: stories, milk & water, back tickles, several trips to the potty, and finally she is settled.





I love my kids
I love the girlishness of Jo, and the boyishness of Kip
I love how they love and look to

me for guidance, even when I don't know whats going on
I love that they are mine, and I theirs
I love the smile that stretches their face at the mere sight of me
I love that they have a naughty streak (just like me)
I love Jo's hairy back, and Kip's massive head
I love their Chocolate skin, and deep eyes
I love that they look enough like me, but enough different
I love their laughs; and cries
I love their cheesy smiles
I love that right at this moment I'm being called "mom"

PRIDE Festival 2009

Every year I go to the PRIDE Festival at the City and County Building in Salt Lake. This year I decided to take my kids (with tons of help from my bff Amanda) so that they could have the experience. Had it not been for the rain, it would have been a joyous event. We had so much fun watching the parade, Jo had her eyes wide open the entire time to all the new sights and sounds. The highlight of the day for me was the when Kippie decided that he wanted to be held by the man standing next to me (read: 50+ year old Latino man with big goatee, shaved head, great veneers, and his 20 year old boyfriend).

Amanda and I braved the storm this year, and with her help I had a great time. Next year maybe we will have sun.

Cole graduated from the University of Utah yesterday! He is so cool, and I am so proud of my baby bro! It was fun to be there and cheer for him as he crossed the stage! He was also really smart and booked it out of the Huntsman Center as soon as he walked across the stage.

As you can tell, Joe did not want to be in this picture with me.........But he sure looks cute!

I Love My Family