{Mothers Day, Spring time}

The latest around here:

Roo took a field trip to the farm.

Clearly, she saw cows.

And I guess I'm a brand new blogger because for the life of me I can't get this sucker to rotate...

but Adyson and I have been either

A-wanting to tear each others hair out.

or 

B-being best friends.

Is this what happens when your first little one grows up?

I love it.

I hate it.

B

The girls and I have spent a few afternoons here.

Spring has sprung.

We are smitten.

The most exciting news around here?

The girls made the LIGHT team at school.

What is that?

It's a new program the school is starting next year where they implement Steven Covey's 7 habits.

They will plan and carry out a lot of activities for the school and really learn to lead.

The girls had to fill out an application on their own.

(Questions were like this: Which Disney character are you most like?

What would you do to change the school?

What makes you a good leader?)

I let them fill these out ALL ALONE and was so proud when I read their answers.

After the applications they had to go early to school to an interview.

We talked about what to expect during an interview the night before and got them all prepped.

When I walked into the other room I heard Adyson tell Sienna that 

"This is just like real life, and will really prepare them for the future."

So cute.

They had interviews, and then Friday they got told whether they were chosen or not.

One kid per each class next year got in,

and both of the girls came home grinning!

I am so excited for them and  happy for them.

What a great opportunity for them!

Insert random stunning pic of Roo's hair.

I have hair envy and feel the need to blog it.

A sign summer is coming.

Adyson doing homework at dusk outside.

We are ready!

Mothers day came.

I woke up with a lump in my throat,

that disappeared when my little girls treated my like a queen.

I realize I am very blessed with sensitive little sweeties.

Every single night I thank the Lord for trusting me with them,

for the way they remind me of Travis, and I pray that I can guide them how I need to.

They challenge me.  They make me cry and laugh and scream,

but I couldn't possibly love them, or my job raising them any more then I do now.

Thanks to my mother in law for carrying on Trav's tradition of hanging baskets for mothers day.

They are just stunning!

My mother in law was in my thoughts for the entire day.

I ached with her, for her son not being here, and my husband-who made me a mother...it was a tough day.

She had to speak in Sacrament meeting and did a beautiful job.  I was proud of her,

and I know Trav would have been too.

She raised Travis right-and should be proud.

Then my mom took the girls and bought me this darling aqua breakfast nook for my porch.

I LOVE it so much.

It's darling.

I felt spoiled.

We capped the day off at my moms house....letting her cook for us.

Bless her heart.

This year my mom has rescued me more times then I can count.

Let's be honest...the past few years shes done that.

She has helped me in every aspect of my life,

and shown me that I can do this.

I am so grateful to her,

she is a wonderful mom, and a wonderful person, and friend.

I love her so much.

Mothers day was hard, 

but we made it through another first.

I only ate 3 pieces of cake to get me through it!

(not kidding.)

{Roo's Special Day}

Sienna's baptism brought pretty much every emotion in the book.

Travis was missed.

Dearly, dearly missed.

We all were heartbroken he wasn't there,

and the void was felt awfully heavily.

And Sienna felt it....

she wanted him there so much and was heartbroken he couln't be.

I prayed and prayed that she would feel special.

That she would be happy.

And she would know her Dad was there and proud of her.

And she was so happy. 

She beamed with joy all day long,

and I couldn't be more proud of this strong,

joyful, amazing girl,

who is like her Dad in so many ways.

She gave him a pretty awesome b-day gift this year!

I adore this kid.

I am so proud of her for smiling through a hard day and letting herself feel happy through it all.

Simon got baptized in the morning, about an hour before Roo.

We loved sharing the day with him, and pretty much adore this boy.

But, I wont lie,

the reality of Travis not being there hit me most when all the men went to stand in the circle 

when he was confirmed.

It just didn't seem real, or right, that my Travis wasn't standing there with them.
Oh we miss him!

These two shared a blessing day,

and now a baptism.

Wonder if they will get married the same day...?

I love them both!

And I like her too...

Travis wanted to be here for Sienna's baptism,

and really, when it came right down to it,

that was probably the thing he was saddest about.

About a week before he passed he wrote her a letter to be read at the baptism.

I was so glad she had words from him,

a reminder that he is still watching over her,

and that he wont stop loving her.

And that he really hated not being there too!

I treasure these simple words.

Dear Sienna,

I am so proud of you today  for the choice you made to be baptized and to be an example to all of your family and your friends.  You don’t know how much I wish I could be there with you physically, but I promise you, I’m watching you and smiling down with the Angels of heaven.  I am so glad of the choices you’ve been making in your young life.  I ask you Sienna, to please make more good decisions.  I remember a little girl who told me once she wanted to be the best soccer player, and how hard you tried to make that goal, and you did it, because you tried so hard.  Sienna, your family loves you, very, very much.  I promise you I will be watching over you as much as I can.  As you get the Holy Ghost you will have another friend to help you and guide you.  Please ask for his help.  Please continue to be a good girl.  Help your mom.  Be friends with your sister.  And remember that we all want the best for you.  Please don’t lose your smile.

I love you.

Dad

I told Sienna to pick whoever she wanted to baptize her,
and she asked her Uncle Jody.

He did a beautiful job.
The spirit was there, strong, and sweet.
I'm not going to pretend it felt ok,
watching her go into the font with someone other then Travis.
I wanted him there.
I hated him not being there,
but as soon as I saw the beaming smile,
and felt the room full of love,
I knew it didn't matter who did it,
Travis wouldn't have missed that day for anything,
and I hope Sienna never forgets it.
Thank you Uncle Jody for being such a good uncle,
and for loving Roo so much.
It was lovely.

My dad confirmed her,
and why I didn't get a pic I have no idea?
But it was a beautiful way to end her special day,
and I loved seeing her smile and hug some of the men who will step in
and help her any way they can-any time, for Travis.
(And wont forget her shaking the Bishop's hand instead of giving him a hug...it was darling.)

Our weekend ended with a Birthday party for my mom,

Sinco de linda!

She was surrounded by her favorite humans...

her grand kids.

I love my mom.

She is always serving,

thinking of others,

and would drop anything (and often does),

to help me out and take care of us.

Happy Birthday mom!

{Adyson}

I sometimes feel like I have a lot of pics of Roo,

and not a lot of Adyson.

This has nothing to do with me liking Adyson any less...

it's just that the darn kid is never home!

I do adore her.

I love who she is turning out to be.

I was able to spend a few hours at her field trip the other day in SLC.

So fun to see her in her element....

ignoring me for her friends. :)

Doesn't she just look like she adores me??!

Haha....

I drove down with a few of my really good friends and we made an adventure of the day.

First: Shopping at my favorite boutique.

Second: Field Trip.

Third: Food Truck. YUM!

Fourth: a trip down memory lane...

driving in my grandpas neighborhood and finding the church where a friend got her engagements years ago.

Lovely.

And we stopped for some Ruby Snap cookies on the way home.
Life changing.