Where's his mother?

Far Away because he was at a Fathers and Sons camp-out. . .

A friend sent me these pictures. They are hilarious and proof that all children need a mother.

Snot, Cheetos face, and Hatchet (At least it has the cover on)

To Ben' s defense Gabe was under the supervision of a friend when those pictures were taken. Our friend said he almost vomited when he had to wipe Gabe's nose.

Ben was in the boat helping the older kids fish.

Mud

This is Luke's interpretation of our family as Droids. It made me laugh.

Memorial Day

Our Walk to Remember

We happen to live about a 1/4 of a mile from the cemetery where my grandparents are buried, so we took a family walk over to visit.

My sister was in town this weekend for our cousin's wedding. We had a great time together. We are really close. I love her so much.

Oh how we appreciate those who have and are serving our country. Especially my Grandpa awarded a purple heart in WWII, Ben's brother Dan-Air Force, Luke's birthdad-Marine, & Our neighbor, who just returned from a 9 month deployment. I have also felt extra sympathy for those experiencing the great loss of a loved one (Aunt Laura, Carolina, Jim Chu are greatly missed).

My parents

Ryker and Clark

Luke on his bike.

All about the boys

Fathers and Sons Campout

Sleeping in the pop-up trailer

Fishing

Butterfly cage from great grandma H:

We got our caterpillers in the mail this week.

Luke's Preschool Graduation

One of his best friends from preschool. Both class clowns.

ABC song in sign language.

Gabe's smoothie smile.

(frozen berries, yogurt, and juice or milk-blend-delicious!)

Gabe's new interest. Blowing us away with his computer skills.

Clark's new Highchair that I scored at a garage sale last weekend.

Thanks for a wonderful Mother's Day!

The boys sure know how to treat a mommy!
Breakfast, kids ready for church, presents from Ben and the kids,

a picture with my sons, and dinner with clean-up.

Clark

Started Rice cereal

and Hit 17 lbs.

Discovered his feet

By the look on his face, you can tell he doesn't wear shoes often.

Gabe

I love Speghetti!

And cookies

Luke

blowing bubbles

The Biggest one

Clark eating cereal. Luke being funny.

I love being a mom!

I feel like the luckiest mom in the world!

This may be a tough day for some woman. To be sensitive to couples that are dealing with fertility issue, read this article before you say something offensive.

This is how I survived childless mother's days: focused on my appreciation for my mothers, remember the promptings I had that I would be a mother someday (temple blessings), hugs from friends and family, spending time with my neices & newphews, and a mother's day card from this sweet sister, who didn't forget me and recognized that I would be a mother soon and that I was already mothering by being an aunt, piano teacher, and preschool teacher. This is a day to celebrate woman.

Celebrate!

Happy Birth Mother's Day!

The Saturday before Mother's Day is National Birth Mother's Day

We wish Three Very special ladies a happy birth mother's day.

It hard to fully express my gratitude for these amazing woman that gave birth and life to my children. Without them tomorrow would not be a day of celebration for me. I'm grateful for their faithfulness to God's plan, courage, tears of pain, and extreme love that they have for the boys. Your sacrifice for our family will never be forgotten. N, J, and L you are my heroes, you are amazing, and I love you as deeply as sisters.

This is a sweet poem about adoption that makes me cry.

Legacy of Two Mothers
Once there were two women who never knew each other.One, my darling, is your birthmom and the other is your mother.
Two different lives, shaped to make yours one.One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.
The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One chose adoption. It was all that she could do.The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears,The age-old question through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you the product of?Neither, my darling, neither. Just two different kinds of love

-Unknown author

We "May" Be Crazy!

Making Cookies

Ben is passing on his joy for baking.

So good!

Sweet, Cute & Funny

Lucas:
-He sings to Clark in the car to stop his crying.
-In his prayers, he repents for the things he did wrong that day.

-Recent one liners:
"Did you know the first people on the earth were naked and they ate the badness."
"Did you know Jesus died for your sins?"

"I really, really, really love my birth mom because she gave me my most special teddy bear."

"I really want to go to the temple soon with Clark."
"I want enough money to buy all the toy stores in the world, so I can have all the toys."
I said, "If you have all the toys then no one else would have any." He thought very hard then said, "But mom I really want all the toys in the world."

"I don't want to be a human anymore. I want to be a tiger."

Gabe

Outside helping Dad clean the garage and yard.

All Gabe's pictures are blurry because he doesn't stop moving.

Gabe's first stitches. He hit his head on some one's fireplace at 8:30 on Saturday night. Luckily Ben has skills! We just went to his office and Ben stitched him up there. No ER! 2 stitches. Gabe milked the injury for a rubber glove balloon, sucker, M&Ms, and soda.

Gabe's Funnies:
-During the music at church he waves his arm like the chorister and sings at high pitches (like Happy Feet)
-Shared his soda with Clark when he was sad.

-Helps dad clean out the garage.
-Yells, "Happy!" every time we pass a McDonald's.
-When I asked him to go get something out of his room, he said, "I can't. I sick." Then pretended to cough.
-Asks for his favorite snack of cheese for breakfast.
-Loves Curious George, and is currently trying to push me off the computer so he can play the computer game.
-He tries to garden, fix things with tools, practice fishing, and sweep the floor.

Clark

Is 4 months old

Loves his toys

Loves his daddy

Loves to smile.

Loves to chew on his fingers

Loves being big! Wearing 6-9 month clothes now.

Got his bottom two teeth in a week ago. I took many pictures trying to capture his budding teeth.

Then 3 days later he randomly made this face to show them off. He hasn't been whiny or sad. Just a lot of drooling and chewing on everything.

He is so darn cute!