Dora

My sweet (term used loosely today) is currently obsessed with Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! We watch them ump-teen million times a day, have dvds for the car, and all of our books and toys are currently Dora or Diego themed. So when Gwee-ma (my mom) sent a text message saying she had a baby cow at her house that needed a name, it was not really a stretch of the imagination to guess that we would name her Dora. Dora the dogie.

A few weeks ago, my mom put out the word that she was looking for a calve to take care of and bottle feed. If anyone had one that needed care, she would take it. Feeding calves was an experience my sister and I got to have with my Papa and she wanted one for the summer for my girls. I have the fondest memories of going to my grandparents in the summer. We lived in Tucson from the time I was 5 until I was about 12 or 13, so going up there was a treat. It always involved talking my Papa into catching me a horse, him making me saddle it, to prove I knew what I was doing, and me spending endless hours horseback, playing around on their property. If we were lucky, when we got there, there would be a bottle sitting out on the kitchen table, a sure sign that there was a baby cow that we would get to go help feed. It was the best.

Dora is great, too. Someone shot Dora's mom out on one of my mom's good friend's ranches. Who would shoot a perfectly healthy mama cow? Sad. Anyway, when we went to RV for Memorial Day weekend, Kennedie and Kelsie got their first opportunity to feed Dora. Kelsie talked about Dora cow the whole way up there, but when she got there she was terrified! I don't know why, but she wouldn't go near Dora. Kennedie, on the other hand, got right in there and fed that cow.

L.O.V.E.

I need to preface this post by saying that I absoulutely love all of my girls, but Kylar is my newest and we are still in the "honeymoon phase". :)

When I found out I was pregnant with Kylar, I was petrified. Kelsie was barely 20 months and Kennedie was just starting Kindergarten. I was busy, overwhelmed and had no idea how I was going to manage another baby. I spent more than a few days nauseated, crying and worrying. It's not that I didn't want another baby, it's just that I wasn't sure I wanted one at that time, and was scared that I would not be a good mom stretching myself too thin. About 12 weeks or so into the pregnancy, after several hormonal, emotional, and scared prayers, I got an overwhelming feeling that everything would be okay. I went through the rest of her pregancy peacefully. 6 months later I met sweet little Kylar. And she is amazing.

At just shy of 3 months, Kylar is already a huge part of our family and happiness. She is still so little and innocent, but she impacts our lives tremendously. She has such a sweet laid back dispostion. She has smiles for anyone she comes across. She gets mauled by her sisters and loves it. She lets me cook dinner without interruptions. She gets hauled around everywhere we go and never makes a peep. She has an extraordinary sense of calm about her. In her blessing, grandpa Shan blessed her to be a peacemaker. I am amazed at how inspired that was, beacuse since her birth, she has already had a tremendous affect on us as a family, and even all the nurses in the NICU (when she went back at 3 days old) commented that she was the most peaceful baby they had ever had. She's easy going and content almost all the time. Oh, and did I mention that she smells like heaven and has the most kissable cheeks?!

I am so glad that the Heavenly Father decided it was time for her to come to our family. I LOVE HER...

Time flies...

When you are having fun. Or when you have no time to think about time :). Here are a few highlights.

Kids are getting big, especially Kylar. We blessed her in Springerville the first weekend in May. She is so sweet, and the best baby I have had! Nice and easy. Kelsie is trying hard to learn new things and is keeping us laughing and on our toes. Kennedie is getting ready to wrap up her year in Kindergarten. She is getting so big and mature. She is a big help around here. Levi has been busy working and picking up my slack when he gets home. ;} And I am busy trying to figure out how to not leave any slack anymore. Hmmmm??

A few pictures:

Momma

In case you missed it, it's Mother's Day today. A day to celebrate the most important women in our lives. To do that, I want to let my mom know how much I love her.

I am lucky enough to be blessed with a great mom. For those of you who know my mom, you know what I am talking about. She is one awesome lady. As a teenager, all my friends would tell me how cool she was. I hated that, and didn't believe them because she was my mom and I was a teenager. She never acted like a teenager (which makes some moms seem "cool") and she had some pretty high expectations for my friends. Now that I am older, I realize that what attracted everyone to my mom was her amazing energy. There are few people who send out the energy my mom does. It's hard to explain, but people want to be around her. Including me. My mom is also one of those people who loses herself in the service of others. She tends to gravitate to "lost souls". She takes people under her wing all the time. She is many-a-person's go-to-gal. Including mine. My mom has lifelong friendships because she is an amazing friend. Including mine. My mom is highly motivated. She can take a simple project and turn it into something spectacular. People are always turning to her when they need ideas, help, and connections. Including me. My mom can do so much and she is so smart. She has a great head for philosophy, life, and the gospel. She is a great teacher, and many people look to her for advice and guidance. Including me.

My mom has influenced who I am more than anyone else on this earth. She has set such an example for me. She was always there for my sister and I when we were growing up. She took great care of us. I am so glad I had a mother like as her to pattern my own life as a mom after. My girls are lucky I had Karalea for a momma, because I strive to be a mom like her. Even if I am only 1/2 way successful my girls will have a great mom.

And I love being a momma. My Kennedie, Kelsie and Kylar are the most precious little spirits. When I cuddle them there is no denying that Heavenly Father loves me. I also love watching my mom love my girls. I am so happy that they get to have her as their grandma.

There's nothing better in this world than having a momma and being a momma.





I also want my mother-in-law to know how greatful I am to her for raising me a wonderful husband and being a great grandma to my kids. Love you, Pam. Happy Mother's Day!