See Jack Swim

See Jack's teacher try to convince him to put his face in the water.

See Jack use a kick board.

Watch Jack blow bubbles.

See Jack smile!

A few more private lessons, and perhaps we will see Jack not cry and cling to me when walking near a pool!

Our niece Mercedes married her high school sweetheart this weekend in the Salt Lake Temple.

Everything was gorgeous!

The outfits they got for the kids to wear were adorable. But of course I couldn't get Brooke to smile (or look) for a picture.

Grandma & Grandpa

All you can eat cotton candy = Jack a happy boy!

A downpour right in the middle of the reception makes for some fabulous stories.

Congrats Sadie and TJ!

We Love You Guys!

We Like To.....

SLIP

AND

SLIDE!

She Changed My Life

patrickandashley.blogspot.com

Last week there was a tragic accident here in Rigby.

This sweet little Preslee fell into a canal behind her grandparents' home and drifted 2 miles downstream until a farmer who was in the canal found her. They did everything they could, and little Preslee fought hard, but after 1 week at Primary Childrens, she has returned home to her Heavenly Father.

This sweet little girl has affected my life in ways that I can only begin to describe.

I never knew her.

I've never met her parents.

But somehow, I know her.

I love them.

I feel like she was one of my own.

I've shed more tears this past week than I have my entire life. I believe the entire town has. I don't know if it is because Brooke is her same age, or if it because they live so close, or if I feel that it could have happened to any of us. I can't sleep at night because I am constantly praying for her mother, Ashley, to feel peace.

I feel guilty.

I haven't been the mother that my kids deserve.

And yet I get to hug and kiss them everyday.

And Ashley will have to wait to hold her little girl again.

It's not fair.

Sweet little Preslee accomplished quite a bit in one short week.

She didn't even have to open her eyes to change hundreds of lives.

Read the comments on her parents blog and you will see what I mean.

She changed my life.

I've been selfish.

I am always caught up in what I am doing, and often forget who needs me the most.

Not my sewing,

not my workout,

not my store,

but the kids building block towers in the family room.

Tomorrow when Jack says,

"Mommy look at me!"

I will.

I will drop everything that is not important, and run to him.

I will be the mom that my kids deserve.

That sweet little girl touched my heart.

She made me realize that my children are NEVER bugging me, they are loving me.

I am holding them a little tighter tonight.

And will forever.

All because of one amazing little girl.

I've been wanting to write about this all week. I am not good with words. I finally worked up the courage to share my feelings tonight.

If you take anything away from this post,

I hope you hold your angels a little closer tonight.

It's Official

Picnic lunches are taking place

There is sand in every crack

Toes are digging

Life Jackets are tied around cute little bums

Fabric is arriving daily

Hot babes are chillin

Popsicles are painting the cement

Things are getting Slippery

The Spray Park is spraying

(even if my kids won't go near it)

Children are frolicking

SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE!!!

Lagoon-Our Disneyland Test

I can officially check Lagoon off our "Summer-To-Do-List!"

We started the day off a little "unsure" of things. If I only could have captured the look on his face when that car started moving.

He got a little bit wet on one of the rides, and wasn't quite sure how to handle it.

Brooke thought everything was fabulous. In fact she squealed like a pig when I tried to get her out of that boat!

By this point in the day, we are all sweating profusely. It was only like 95 or 96 degrees that day!

I know what you are all thinking about this picture....but desperate times call for desperate measures. I pulled the bink out towards the end of the day just for my sanity.

Overall, the kids did great!

Disneyland here we come!

Oh wait a minute.....

First I have to convince Scrooge (who holds the checkbook) that Disneyland won't kill him.

Disneyland......it was a nice thought.

A mind of her own

Where to start.....

She never ceases to amaze me. She did all this by herself.

And the doll bink?

She sucked on it for 2 hours. Apparently she is trying to prove a point.

What am I going to do with her?

She is constantly trying to take her top off. An issue I hope to have fixed by her teen years.

When she sets her mind to something, she means it! She had a death grip on this balloon for hours.

This is HER space. Don't even think about invading it, or she'll slap you. Poor Jack gets slapped alot.

For those of you who know her, I am sure you can hear the sound she is making in this picture.

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

She loves to ride her horse with her eyes closed. Not recommended. Last week she accidentally rode it down the stairs.

She wants to remain the baby, in every possible way.

She thinks she is pretty hot stuff. The teenage years are going to kill me.

In spite of it all. We do love her.

It's a good thing she's cute.