Gratitude

I came across 2 blogs over the past couple days that have inspired me. They are nieniedialogues.blogspot.com and andrealarsen.blogspot.com 2 women that have gone through great trials in their life. I don't know what it is but I am especially drawn to people that have gone through really hard things, I don't know if it is because I have too gone through some tough things in my life or what it is but when I come across a story that involves tragedy and hardship and trials I am immediately drawn in. These two blogs have really helped me put my life in perspective lately. Over the past week I have felt sorry for myself. It was my 3 year anniversary on Jan 19th of the accident that could have so easily taken my life as well. For those of you that don't know my body was hit by a car going 40 mph, at only 20 years of age and loving my college life it was quite the setback. I should've been taken home to heaven that day, and the only explanation for how I am still here today is because Angels literally lifted me up over the car, I believe this with my whole heart because I felt it and I knew that I wasn't alone that night. The only thing that happened was my leg was broke in half and I had to have surgery on it. That was 3 years ago. It has healed very well and I thought I had full use of my leg back. Until the other night when I went Kickboxing and have been limping around the house for a full week in terrible pain. So that is the reason I have been feeling sorry for myself. I have had thoughts like- why can't I be normal and workout as hard as I want? How is it fair that I am only 23 and already in so much pain? I want to be able to run again, I want to dance and jump like I used to.... anyway all these thoughts were in my mind. Until today. and now I am ashamed of those thoughts. After reading two blogs about women that are so amazing and have gone through so much. And now my attitude has changed and I can't help but feel gratitude to be alive and to have such a wonderful life. After having 2 experiences that could have very well taken my life I have looked at life with different eyes. Eyes that remember every little experience, that take in the smell of my baby, the smell of my husband and commit them to memory forever. Eyes that try to remember every little detail about my husband because I don't want to forget anything. I don't want to take even one second for granted. Because life is so precious. And can be so short. But even after these experiences sometimes we forget and reading those 2 blogs really helped me to remember. Helped me remember not to take life for granted. Every single moment is wonderful, even if it contains washing dishes, doing laundry and changing poopy pants. Every single moment with our families and every single breath is a gift. Lets all make the most of it and live every second as if it were our last.

Need I say more.... I Love being a Mom!

I love my boys!

Sick of pictures!

I have officially decided that growing up is harder for moms than babies! My little boy is getting so big. I guess I shouldn't complain because we have had him a baby and little a lot longer than we would have if he wouldn't have been born 2 months early. But still it just feels like he is getting big so fast! He has been sleeping really good at night and so we decided we should move him to his crib before he gets too old and knows that is what is happening. The night that we moved him into his own room in his crib was hard on me. I kept worrying about him and thinking he was lonely without us. Our house is built so our room is on one side of the house and the other rooms are on the other side so I was really missing him and worrying about him. He on the other hand slept great. I think he likes being in his crib better cause it is more room for him to spread out. But I still miss him right next to me all the time. Also we had Cooper weighed yesterday and he is now 12 POUNDS 9 OUNCES. So big huh? He is so much more aware now too and starting to talk and goo at us. Sure do love that boy!

Daddy's little boy!

Can you tell which pics are Cooper and which are Devin? He looks just like his Daddy. Some people have said Cooper is starting to look like me, but to me he looks just like Devin. So cute! I love that I get to have a little Devin. I sure love my two boys!

I am a little depressed though. Devin went back to school. I have gotten very used to having him with me every day and I hate not having him here. I miss him. I know I'm pathetic but we have seriously had the best time together. We spent most of our time just together at home, didn't go anywhere really or do anything. And that was the best part having him all to myself and all I need for a great time is my hubby. We just stayed home playing settlers of Catan (that game is addicting, we got it for christmas and couldn't stop playing), scrabble, watching movies and playing with our baby. It was the life. And now its back to real life and school and being busy. Anyway I sure miss my Devin. Thank goodness I have little Devin to play with or I would sure be lonely.

Happy New YEAR!!!

Smiling at Mom!
Above- Cooper and Sidney Below- Cooper and Kate
Sorry this is a bunch of posts in one but I just finally got around to posting. It has been a great couple of weeks. I LOVE having my husband home with me. We have a had a great time sleeping in, playing games and just hanging out together. We had a really fun new year with some friends over at our house. I can't believe it is already 2009! hopefully I will be able to keep my new years resolution this year, usually they last about 3 weeks. ha. We have had some visitors with little girls that were born around the same time as Cooper. Two beautiful little girls. Cooper loved having them over as you can tell from that first pic he is so excited! And then the next pic they are linking arms, so cute!

Reflecting back over the year 2008 I have so much to be thankful for. During this year we have lived in Cedar city, Philadelphia and now happily settled in Gunnison. We had the miracle of our lives with the birth of our son and watched him go from the lowest of 2 pounds to now almost 11. What a trial it was to have a premature baby all at the same time of moving and school and having to be apart for a month, but what a truly remarkable son we got out of it and I would do it all again anyday. I am thankful everyday for having my baby at home with me, it was so hard to have to leave him every night in the hospital and to miss him near me so much. What a joy to have in our home and now I can't even imagine what we did without him. This year we also bought our first home and Devin finally got into Nursing school. Wow it is amazing how the Lord blesses in so many unexpected ways. Everything this year just fell into place and I know that we were truly watched over. I will always look back on 2008 and remember the many blessings and trials and good times we had! Now on to 2009 and I just know its going to be a great year!

Playin In Cedar!

My biggest role models, My mom and Sister Jan'L

Cutest Kabryn! Love that little face!
Me and my Honey
Silly Sisters!
The day after Christmas we drove down to Cedar City to spend some time with my family. We only spent a few days because Cooper wasn't sleeping very well away from home and we also think he is starting to teethe. So sad, I hate when he is crying and in pain. Since there are lots of kids in my family we had to keep Cooper clear away from them so he wouldn't get sick so that was a little hard but it was worth getting to see everyone. The first night Jan'L and Dev and I stayed up talking late. Then the next day was Tyler's birthday and we had a party at the church for him. We stayed there playing games and basketball. That night we stayed up late after the kids were in bed playing cards. We had a great time seeing my fam. I miss you guys already!

Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas this year. We stayed here in Gunnison and spent it with Dev's family. It was our third Christmas together and I am now 3 for 3 on surprising Devin for Christmas. That is my favorite part. This year I got him a flat screen TV and he had no idea. A week before Christmas Dev had to go get something in his parents basement (which is where I had hid his TV) and he comes up after taking a long time and tells me all excited that there was a flat screen TV down there covered by a blanket. I was SO mad. but he had no clue it was for him and decided it was prob for someone else in the family, never guessing that I had bought it for him. But on Christmas eve just to make sure he didn't suspect we made up a story that it was for his Uncle for Christmas and that his Aunt had asked to hide it there. So Devin's dad came and asked him to help him bring the TV out to the car with him and then his dad even drove to their house pretending to drop it off. So then Dev was really convinced it wasn't for him. So on Christmas morning we opened all our presents and Dev opened just 2 small presents and then we cleaned up all the boxes and starting getting ready for breakfast. Dev was changing Cooper's diaper and his Dad and Brother put the TV on the table with a big bow. When he walked into the Kitchen he was SO surprised. It was great! Then we just played games all day! I love Christmas!