Accounting for a Few Words

Last year I had the opportunity to speak to the young women in my church group.

Girls ranging from 12 - 18 years old.

My church's ward is massive.

Massive.

There were probably 50 people there when I spoke. It was the young women and their moms if they wanted to come. I know for a fact, not all the active members from this age group were present too. Ha.

We have so many youth in our neighborhood. 

It was scary, because teenagers aren't really my forte. Also, I felt intimidated that I'd been chosen to give advice to anyone, ha ha ha ha ha.

The subject was on motherhood and the different types of living and working situations that mothers find themselves in.

There was a speaker who was both a mother and grandmother, and had always been a stay at home mom. Even in her empty-nester stage of life, she remained a homemaker. She was twice my age and a woman that I look up to as a stalwart example of motherhood.

The next example was that of a full time, out of the home, working mom. Total rockstar. Also, a lady who I felt was a giant for strength in motherhood and overall just having it all together.

The third person was me. A work from home, stay at home mom.

I definitely felt like I didn't measure up.

I was supposed to present my life to these young girls. I was to give advice on how I have my stuff together and thrive as a working from home mom?

Ha ha ha ha ha.....

HA HA HA...

Oh dear.

Comical.

I prayed so much.

I prayed that I would say something, ANY. DANG. THING. that would be of use to one person.

I didn't even care if they all thought I was great, I just needed one person to think one thing I said made sense for why I was there.

In the front.

Presenting.

Something so tender to me happened that night when I gave that speech.

The leader for the young womens group asked Jeff to give an intro on me that she could read before I gave my talk.

I wasn't expecting that at all.

And I certainly wasn't expecting this from my accountant of a husband:



"Amber and her husband Jeff have been married for just over 8 years. Together they have 3 kids ranging in age from almost 1 to almost 5. Amber's favorite part about being a mother to her 3 kids is watching them develop and learn new things. She has always had an obsession with childhood development, getting her degree in that field, and working in that field in her jobs and in her role as a mother. She is the best mom to her kids and it shows by the way her kids love and depend on her. She is the happiest when she is out of the house exploring new things with her family and watching the kids discover new things. She works hard to make sure that all of the needs of her family are met. Spiritually through diligent study of the gospel with her family. Emotionally through spending quality one on one time with each member of her family. Physically by feeding, clothing, and cleaning up after all her kids, including her biggest child at home, her husband. She works diligently to fulfill her role as a mother and a wife. Her family is forever grateful and the luckiest people alive to have such a wonderful woman to take care of them."



*tears*

I say my accountant of a husband, because accountants generally aren't very lengthy with their words. They usually don't write long, flowery explanations for things. Jeff certainly doesn't.

But what he said in that paragraph about me and his perception of my motherhood was equivalent to several volumes of books praising me and my life.

I am lucky to have him as my lifeline, companion, and friend.

I know he'll gladly leave the drawn out descriptions to me.

I'm sure he wishes I'd tone down the millions of words I share.

I just want to remember these things. I came across this paragraph as I was cleaning out some things today and I knew I needed to document it so I could remember it in the next 100 years.

You're My Favorite

I need to confess who my favorite child is.

Ha jk.

What I really need to do is update things about my kids, because they are always changing. Always growing.

So without further ado..... here are my kids favorites and other fun tidbits.



Grace -

Favorites-
~Color: Rainbow
~Animal: Rabbit
~Song: Just Sing
~Book: Jo Jo and the Twins
~Toy: She fixates on one toy a day and plays with it all day. It's usually something new each day. It's typically a beloved stuffed animal or small plastic toy. Lately she's been loving her Queen Barb toy.
~Movie: Trolls World Tour
~TV Show: Ryan's Mystery Playdate (someone please help me understand this show... ha ha ha)
~Hobby: Riding bikes
~Breakfast: Cereal
~Lunch: Ham sandwich
~Dinner: Chicken pillows
~Snack: Sticky fruit snacks
~Dessert: Ice cream
~Word/Phrase: "So Mom..."
~Activity: Coloring
~Subject in School: Science or Reading. Or maybe reading about science?

~Thing she asks me for the most: "Will you play with me?"
~Thing she asks Daddy for the most: "Can we do movie night?"
~Where she wants to go the most: Disneyland, the cabin, St. George. Honestly, St. George is probably the most frequent request. She has a very special aunt and uncle there that she adores.
~Who she wants to see the most: her best friend cousin
~Nickname used the most: Sister Chick. She calls me "Mommy Chick"




Hunter-

Favorites-
~Color: GREEN
~Animal: Hedgehog
~Song: God Bless America
~Book: You Will Be My Friend
~Toy: Anything that can be used as a sword
~Movie: Trolls World Tour
~TV Show: Funny Mickeys
~Hobby: Bikes or soccer
~Breakfast: Cereal
~Lunch: "Peanuutter sanich!"
~Dinner: Hard shell tacos
~Snack: A piece of bread
~Dessert: Cake
~Word/Phrase: "I'll spank your butt!" (Really good parenting there....)
Activity: Jumping on the trampoline
Subject in School: ABC Mouse, ha ha ha ha

Thing he asks me about the most: "Mom, do you have a class?"
Thing he asks Daddy for the most: "Play with me"
Where he wants to go the most: Cousins houses
Who they want to see the most: Grandma
Nickname used the most: Hunter Jeff





Logan-

Favorites-
~Color: Red or blue (who knows really)
~Animal: Dog
~Song: One More Time (Trolls techno song)
~Book: Paw Patrol books
~Toy: Captain America action figure
~Movie: Trolls World Tour
~TV Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
~Hobby: Throwing things down the stairs
~Breakfast: Applesauce
~Lunch: Chips
~Dinner: Caesar Salad
~Snack: Crackers
~Dessert: Cookies
~Word/Phrase: "Trolls!", "Shhh!", "Yeah!", "No!", "Yay!", "Wait for iiiiit"
~Activity: Finding things to whack mom with

~Thing he asks me for the most: Trolls Techno song on my phone (ha ha ha ha ha). He throws my phone at me and says: "Trolls" about 1,000 times a day.
~Thing he asks Daddy for the most: To wrestle or watch a show with him
~Where he wants to go the most: The backyard
~Who he wants to see the most: Daddy
~Nickname used the most: Logys

Hope through Impatience

I enjoy observing people. 

I find it fascinating to watch how people choose to interact with each other. How they choose to parent their children. How they go about their lives.

A large part of that is due to my education. 

The majority of that, is just who I am as a person.

Because of this, it has been SO interesting watching people during this global pandemic, that we are living through.

Watching how people cope is beyond intriguing to me. 

Don't get me wrong, I do NOT have the answers or know what is best to do in this situation.

I have had plenty of days where I have thought..... how am I supposed to keep doing this? 

I have had several down days. 

Fearful days.

But overall... 

It has been very educational to watch how people feel, or at least how I suppose they are feeling, by the things they share on social media.

From what I have observed... I have come to a fairly specific conclusion...

Americans are extremely impatient.

We are!

We want what we want, dang it!

We want it NOW!

We want it yesterday.

Heaven forbid we wait another day.

I have become very familiar with the Chinese culture over the past three and a half years. 

I have many good friends in China. 

I have several students who I have known the better part of three years. Some longer.

I have enjoyed also observing THEM.

I love watching how my students and their families go about their life. 

One stark difference that I have seen between my Chinese friends and those here in America is indeed..... patience. 

Yes, China is a communist government, so by nature the people in China obey rules a tad better than people here. 

The students in China are remarkable. 

Let's say it again...

REMARKABLE...

... at having respect and listening to authority. 

So much of this has to do with their culture and long history of again.... following the rules. 

China has been in TRUE quarantine for four months.

Four months.

America hasn't even hit two.

And let's just say.... Americans can glam up their use of the word "quarantine", but what we have done is not actual true "quarantine". 

Have you physically walked out your front door?

Have you gone to the grocery store?

Have you gone for a drive?

Many of my friends in China have not. 

For four months. 

They are just barely leaving their apartments for the first time. 

They have been so patient. 

Since I have seen this firsthand, it has left a big mark on my heart. 

Do I still leave my house and go for a walk?

You bet.

Everyday. 

But I always stop and think of my Chinese friends and what they have gone through, when I see my American ones list off the things that they are sacrificing at this time.

I could list several dozen things that I see people complain about each and every day.

Yes, we are all going without things we love. 

But I have to think it's for the greater good. 

For the greater good we are being asked to do these things. 

And as a person who's immune system decided to say adios some years ago.... I feel like I'm losing when I see my friends complain about these things. Or when I see them out and about breaking those "rules" that have been in place to help us. 

Maybe it's selfish of ME.... but I stop and think..... maybe they really don't care about people like me. 

While I'm sure for many that's not true, it just feels that way at times. 

I also have been thinking about our dear prophet President Nelson A LOT lately.

He is such a wise man. 

He knows what God wants for His children. He is God's mouthpiece for our time. 

During our Come Follow Me lesson today we talked about how the prophet is a seer. He sees what we need to know and what God wants for us. 

I bore my testimony to my family that I know Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. I know that President Nelson is here to help us find that happiness, especially during this hard time. 

We talked about how it's been hard staying home and not going to school or work. It's been hard not going to all the fun places we usually do. 

Grace teared up as I talked about this. It has been the hardest for her of anyone in our family. 

But I also saw her heart soften as I talked about how Jesus wants to help us through it. If we turn our hearts to Him we can find that peace. 

I need to remember that just as much as anyone else. 

I was grateful that I felt that spirit today. I know that God loves me and is looking out for me. Even with all that is going on and will continue to go on, I can feel hope. 

Message from President Nelson :) 

Surivial Mode

I was chatting with my friend the other day (virtually) (ya know.... social distancing...)

And she mentioned how everything is just extra hard right now.

It is!

It's true.

Things that weren't so hard before, seem amplified in difficulty.

We are stressed.

Our kids are stressed.

"Stressed" backwards is "desserts", hence, why the Quarantine Fifteen is a thing.

I replied to my friend and told her, yes, things are very hard right now.... and I think the way I am coping is by throwing myself into a survival mode.

Jeff and I are no stranger to survival mode. We have had some pretty, dang stressful times in our marriage.

Generally, the stressful time peaks during a few days spent in the hospital, and then it tapers off and the stress ball releases slowly after that.

Sometimes very slowly.

THIS time.… in THIS situation....

We are living through a fairly high stress situation.

The stress ball hasn't been released yet.

It's just kickin around.

Mostly my kids are kicking it around.

Hypothetically.

Ha ha ha

As I was talking to my friend, I thought about the other times I have placed myself in survival mode. It became obvious to me, that those times were all surrounded by a near death situation.

When Jeff and I had only been married for 9 months, he ended up in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism.

Go Google it, if you would like to understand the severity of that situation.

He was told, too many times to count, that he should have died.

Dozens.... so many.... doctors told him he should have been dead.

He had a blood clot the size of his fist was in his lung.

The pain he had been feeling in his chest, had been happening for a LONG time. He had pretty bad pain for about the 6 months - a year before he wound up in the ER that fateful January evening.

He spent 3 days in the hospital feeling great, actually - while every nurse told him he was their most critical patient.

I was young.

Jeff was young.

We had NO clue.

NO CLUE, man....

On how to handle THAT situation.

My new (ish) husband was in the hospital from something that was pronounced "very fatal" and yet he sat there and acted like nothing was happening.

It was the weirdest thing. I had no choice, but to thrust myself into survival mode.

Being in survival mode, I was just trying to exist.

It often felt very numb.

People from the outside said I was coping so well, and seemed so put together...

While it looks right from the outside, that's not true, when it really comes down to it. Suppressing emotions has never been the healthy way.


…. and yet. That's what you do in survival mode.

Our next survival mode experience was when Grace was just 10 months old.

I've blogged about this one a LOT. A whole lot.

And that is because... well... it is.... my whole life.

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I threw myself into survival mode and clung on for a long time.

Now, nearly five years later, sometimes I've wondered if I've ever, truly, come out of survival mode surrounding my diabetes.

I remember… vividly remember.... sitting in the hospital bed all alone.

There were many times that Jeff was with me, many times my mom came with Grace and sat with me.

But there were also times when I sat alone in that hospital room by myself.

It was in those times that I'd hear nurses, doctors, even diabetes educators come say to me encouragingly:

"You seem like you are really understanding all of this and doing SO well!"

I've learned to smile through the confusion of new things.

I'm nothing, but polite, even if I'm feeling a lot of pain.


I was in a major survival mode at that time.

My life, every last thing that HAD been normal, was now different.

I've had to adjust to a lot over and over these past five years.

So, especially in the beginning of that I just made myself.... survive.

The third most memorable survival mode for our family was when Hunter was born!

That boy.

Oh I love him, so dang much.

Hunter was in the NICU for the first eight days of his life.

We weren't expecting that!

AT ALL.

After he was born he did really well. I actually got to hold him, which was not the case with Grace when she was born.

It wasn't until after I held him for awhile that the doctors said.... he's not okay, we need to take him to the NICU.

What?

How?

The next week of our lives was the rawest survival mode I've ever lived through.

In lots of ways I felt like I was swimming.

I was so tired.

I was so sad.

I was being pulled in so many directions.

I felt helpless!

I made myself just survive and nothing else.

That's all that felt possible at that time.

Because I did not own up to my emotions, at that time, I struggled with post partum depression the worst of all my children, after having Hunter.

I look back at that NOW and think of how differently I should have handled that.

I should have talked to people more.

Heck, I should have talked to JEFF more.

I wish I could tell myself back then that I didn't need to JUST survive.



So here we are now. In another survival mode of sorts.

I think the biggest defining factor why THIS period of time is survival mode for me, is because I'm trying to protect my children.

In a lot of ways I have placed myself in that numb feeling, because I don't want to scare my kids. I want them to feel safe. I want them to know we are going to come out the other side of this and things will be normal again.

My kids ask daily, if not several times a day, when things will be normal again. They ask me. They ask Jeff.  They ask each other.

My kids are NOT used to staying home.

We are out and about (or were before March, I guess) almost every day. I am an out and about kind of mom.

It is very different for my kids to stay home endlessly.

And for them it seems very endless.

For ME it seems endless.

I can theorize and guess with my friends and family how long we'll be in this state, but that might drive me more nuts.

I'm trying to own up to my emotions this time.

I can see this for what it is.

I am very aware of my mental health, but it's taken me a long time to get there.

All those other survival modes you read about are things of the past, where I was pretty unaware of my insecurities. I was pretty uneducated about HOW I cope with hard things.

I have learned through those survival modes that God is never gone.

We might think He is.

We can sit in that empty hospital room and wonder why He isn't there.

He is always waiting for us to lean on Him.

I know that is true!

And boy is it ever true now...

In this survival mode.

I know He lives and loves us.

Despite the confusion.

Despite the pain.

Despite the loneliness.

Despite the uncertainty.

He loves us!

He loves you!

He will never leave us.

So I'll keep plugging through.

I'm trying to keep my emotions in check.

In the end we are all doing our best.

I can only hope that this survival mode turns out just as reflective as the rest.

Auto Immune

These times are hard.

These times are hard for EVERYONE.

I have seen that even the least anxious of people are struggling with the world's most recent events.

Things have been escalating quickly, it seems. A week ago when school was closed due to the coronavirus outbreak I thought.... okay, this won't be so bad. We can still go around our friends and family, we just aren't supposed to form LARGE groups.

As the week went on, though, it became more and more apparent that I needed to stay home with JUST my family of five.

..... for the next several weeks.


The coronavirus is obviously a hot topic for everyone.... but for people with pre-existing health issues.... you better believe it's the constant discussion.

I am a part of MANY diabetes groups on Facebook. I probably need to unfollow some of them, because of the constant chatter.

Every hour there is a new post with someone asking... "So how bad is this thing REALLY for us diabetics?"  .... "Does anyone know a Type 1 who has gotten this virus?" ....  "Is this really more scary for us?"

The answer, that I have seen is...

YES.

And no.

Somewhere between yes and no.

So maybe?

Having an auto immune disease puts me at risk, this is true.

It's in the freaking NAME...

Auto. Immune.

The fact that my body has compromised itself and does not function in a healthy way, makes me at risk.

Because of this, I have been struggling with people who are NOT taking social distancing, and just staying home, seriously.

The only thing I can do is stay home myself... for way way way longer than I am comfortable with.

I flip flop, back and forth, with how I feel about calling myself "at risk".

Truthfully I am young... I am healthy.

I am mostly healthy, I guess.

My blood sugar could definitely be better, but overall I am okay.

Since I am healthy and young I have a hard time saying I'm more susceptible to this virus than anyone else.

I often have to knock some sense back in to me and remember what sickness does to me as a person with Type 1 Diabetes.

Even a common cold can mess with my blood sugar. I have had colds before where I am not very outwardly sick.....

But... my blood sugar will sky rocket and stay high for days. Days!

Do you know what that feels like?

No, you don't.

Just know, it sucks.

It hurts!

And all because of a non-threatening, simple head cold.

I will have high ketones and wonder if I need to go to the hospital.

I need to remember that things like that can happen with even the most minor of sicknesses.

I have ZERO idea how I would react to the coronavirus.

For all I know... I already have it and am completely asymptomatic.

Who knows.

I don't know.

That's why I linger in the "maybe" category and likely won't be leaving it.

Being a "maybe" leaves a lot of room for anxiety to stir.

A "maybe" leaves me feeling frustrated and worried.

I have geared myself up mentally to do this. To stay home and try to avoid this virus.

I don't feel sad that I have to stay home with just my husband and kids.

It is fun bonding with them more than we usually do.

It is kind of nice not having anywhere to be or obligations to remember.

There IS silver lining in the darkness.

The hard part in it all is how uncertain everything is.

Although I would much rather live this uncertain life withOUT an auto immune disease, I can't deny the grace and mercy I have felt along the way.

I have had to force myself to accept what I can't control.

I'm an utter control freak, so this is hard for me.

I have to had to learn to forgive myself.

I have had to learn to trust myself.

I have had to learn to love myself.

I don't have answers or ways to make this situation better, I just know I need to lean on my family.... most of which are younger than six years old (ha ha) to get through this.

They are so patient with me and love me so well.

I can see God's hand in my life amid the chaos.

That's When I'm Happy

We are in the midst of a hard time of year.

Winter is ................ for me.

You can fill in that blank with any negative word you'd like. Ha ha ha

Sure, I love the holidays and legitimately look forward to celebrating with my family every year...

...but then January and February happen.

January and February are cold and unforgiving.

January and February are not only FREEZING and unbearable physically, but emotionally I really struggle in January and February.

These are isolating months, man.

Jeff works 65 hour weeks during these months.

I do the single mom thing a lot during these months.

While I don't have a lot of the stressors that real single moms have, being alone with my children, unaided can be so tiring.

Being tired in these relentless months....

Man, oh man...

However...

There's one magical instance that's been happening a lot lately...

BECAUSE WE ARE STUCK INSIDE

And it has made me think about what REALLY makes me happy.

What could this instance be, you ask?

This instance is when my three kids are all playing with each other and forget that I'm in the room.

Does that sound funny?

Yes, it does! Ha ha ha ha ha ha

Do I want them to forget I exist for minute?

Yes, it is nice when they do, because I can breathe for a second.

I don't have children climbing me like Machu Picchu. I don't have babies screaming for X, Y, and Z.

X is usually milk. Y is generally a snack. Z is often for me to read or dance with them.



But NO.... that's NOT what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about when they are all playing and laughing and wrestling and talking together ...

And I get to just sit back and watch it all happen.

When I can observe them be together...

With zero distractions of MY own. No phone. No chores. Nothing bogging down my brain.

That's.

When.

I'm.

Happy.

This instance has been happening a lot lately, and I honestly crave it.

I crave the contented feeling I feel when I see my kids so happy with each other.

I swear the sun shines through our windows brighter and makes them glow when this happens.

My kids aren't perfect. They do fight at times.

Grace will yell at the boys, because she thinks she's the boss. The boys do things, very much on purpose, to annoy Grace or each other. They do cry. They do pick at each other.

But those times are minimal compared to them being kind to one another.

Boy, if I'm not beating the notion that kindness is the only answer into their little heads...

(That sounded a little backwards, ha ha ha)



Watching those times when they are unaware of me and enjoying each other's company...

That's.

When.

I'm.

Happy.

When they are just jabbering away at each other....

Hunter talks well enough now that he can Grace have full and LONG conversations, completely unaided.

I love listening to them.

My heart explodes when Logan so intently watches Grace and Hunter play. He takes serious notes on what to do. How to act. He follows their cues like a hawk.

When I see my kids love each other like they do...

That's.

When.

I'm.

Happy.

It's March in 2 days. The countdown is on! I am so looking forward to the Easter season and all things warm and sunny.

I am grateful to God for giving me my three children. They bring me joy. They give me purpose. They are and will always be the WHY to my happiness.

New and Busy and More Busy

Oh hi blog.

It's been awhile.

First post of 2020! Here we go....

2020 has been nothing short of BUSY.

Busy everything.

Jeff is in his busy season at work.

Or one of them at least.

Probably the most busiest of all the busy seasons.

He has been at work most every night till 9:00 or 10:00 PM.

Thus is the life of a public accountant.

I started a second job that is taking over my LIIIIIFE....

Ha ha ha ha ha

But it's fun and usually easy, so I won't complain too much.

It's just been hard juggling being a full time stay at home mom (with a husband who is always gone, so I am ALWAYS ON as the parent) while trying to do two jobs that make money.

I enjoy making money. Money is cool. Who knows how much money I will continue to make. But for now, I am happy to contribute to my family.

Life is a never ending balancing act.

You think you have it figured out, then you add new things.

Then those new things get easy, so you add more new things.

I have been volunteering in Grace's class once a week.

It is fascinating!

My early childhood brain goes insane every time I am there.

I love observing behaviors and learning environments and seeing Grace with her friends is really fun too. She has some very sweet friends.

Grace is a really good girl. Like REALLY good. I am so proud of her and how she has acted at school this year. She is as sweet and smart as they come. I am constantly being told that she is always a rule follower and good example for everyone at school.

Not to mention, she LOVES school.

Oh boy, does she love school.

A few months ago Grace started telling me that her eyes hurt after looking at the smart board at school. This had me worried that she was straining to see, so I got her an appointment with the eye doctor. Of course, by the time her appointment was getting close she wasn't complaining anymore.... cause that's always how those things go, right? 

We went to her appointment and found out that she does, indeed, need glasses!

This makes sense to me, because I have been mostly blind since Grace's age, as well.

Genetics, man.

She only needs them for school, so we will be getting those for her soon.

At her appointment she got her eyes dilated.

I asked if she should go to school with her eyes dilated, and the assistant told me.... "eehhhh...probably not? Her eyes might hurt today."

(would you believe me if I told you those were her exact words? Ha ha)

So as we were leaving I told Grace she was just coming home with us for the day and....

Oh boy.

Oh no.

"Noooooo!!! Mom! No! I HAVE to go to school!"

"Why?"

"I just really like going to school. Please, can I go to school? I really need to, Mom."

*10 minute drive discussing if she should go to school or not*

Grace went to school.

Ha ha ha ha.

I am proud of my girl. She is a really good student.

But really....

Twelve thousand high fives for every kindergarten teacher in the world.

Seriously. Gold star. Gold medal.

I have so much respect for teachers.

I go and read with all of the kids one at a time in Grace's class. Then I switch out their take home folders for her teacher. Her teacher is always so appreciative. Teachers are already overworked. I am happy I can help her, even in that small way.

I have been taking Logan with me when I volunteer (Hunter is at preschool) and it is kind of hilarious.

The kindergarteners, from all three classes, think he is the best thing that has ever happened to their school. They ALL want to touch him.

I am like.....................

Please stand back 75 five-year-olds, that come from 75 different homes, with 75,000 different germs.

Ha ha ha ha

Speaking of Logan. He is getting so interactive and fun at his current age.

He LOVES animals and can make several animal sounds. He growls for dinosaurs, lions, tigers, bears....

He woofs like a dog. He quacks like a duck.

He can sign "bird".

One of his favorite, absolute FAVORITE, things to do is carry my phone around while it plays music. I'll turn on nursery rhymes for my kids and he will carry my phone and dance for so long. He loves it.

The other day a song came on my phone.... it was something about jungle animals.... and there were some birds tweeting in the song.

Logan paused. Looked at me with a stunned face. Dropped my phone. And started signing "bird". Ha ha ha ha ha ha

It was the CUTEST thing. He was SO proud of himself!

I love when babies get proud of little accomplishments like that. So so cute.

He is a super cuddle bug.

He loves quality time and will sit on mine or Jeff's lap for hours if we let him. He thinks it's funny to shake his head "no" when we ask for a hug or a kiss, but then he'll do it after he has successfully laughed at himself for a minute.

Jeff found out that his feet are EXTREMELY ticklish. It's hilarious.

Hunter is my explorer and imagine-er.

He is constantly telling everyone who they are.

"Mom, you're the puppy. I'm the dad dog. Gracie the sister dog. Logan's the kid. Yeah, yeah Mom, let's do that!"

"I'm Spiderman, you're Rapunzel, Gracie's Jasmine, Logan's Hulk."

We switch characters and scenes and stories about 1,200,000 times a day. He moves at lightning speed with his stories.

He likes playing really rough lately.

He thinks it's funny to bother Grace.

He likes to make Logan laugh.

He is at the age where he is trying to prove that he can do things for himself.

I love watching him grow.

Oh my goodness, what a busy time of life.

It'll only get crazier, so I'm gearing up for that.

We are just trying to make it through the winter and Jeff's busy time. Hopefully we will do so without too much stress. I'm already dreaming about summer and going on a ton of little adventures with my family.