Kirsten's Shower

My sister Kirsten is going to have her first baby this month. As sisters we gave her a baby shower and it turned out great.

My mom, Kirsten and friend (sorry friend, I can't remember your name). Kirsten looks so good. She is one of those really cute pregnant girls.

Celeste and April did the decorations and it turned out really cute. These flower balloons were all over the yard. They were stuck in the ground and hanging from the trees.

Our amazing buffet.

Good thing we didn't have the shower a week later. Little Landon Matthew Chidester was born the next week. Two weeks early, and cute as can be. Congratulations Matt and Kirsten!!!

Beaver D%$#

The other day Jack was playing with a little boy outside who taught him his first cuss word. He must have heard it 7,000 times in the 45 minute period they were playing, because it was burned into Jack's vocabulary. From the moment he came inside he was singing "D%#$ dog, d#$@ dog". I calmly sat him down and explained to him that we do not say that word (I hate, hate, hate swearing, and was very proud of how calm I was) The next few days he tried really hard not to say it, but it always seemed to slip out a few times resulting in sassy spray (a mixture of vinegar and water that we spray in his mouth. He went through a phase where he was getting a lot of soap. We decided to try sassy spray so we weren't poisoning him). After a few days he came to me and said, "Mom, is beaver dam bad?" "No", I said, explaining to him that it's what beavers build in rivers. He was happy with this answer and the rest of the day he kept saying "beaver dam", over and over again. I decided to ignore this and the phase would be over in a few weeks. Then....... I heard him playing outside with some boys when the neighbor dog walked by and he yelled at it "BEAVER DAM DOG!!!!!". Needless to say, we quickly had another talk.

Easter

My cute little Easter boys! (I have always secretly wanted to do matchy matchy)

Jack at the Grandma and Grandpa Done's Easter Egg hunt. He had a blast. At the end he said "I'm soooo tired from all this egg service." He thought we were doing service by picking up other people's eggs. He doesn't like a lot of the candy.

Our family on Easter.

I couldn't resist this picture. Ben and Gracie both crying at the cameras. How chubby does my boy look? I love it!!!!

This picture is too cute for words. Jack loves to play on the swings at Grandma and Grandpa Elggrens. We had a great Easter. We are so grateful for this time of year. It has been amazing teaching Jack about the real reason for Easter. We love the Savior and we are very grateful for the sacrifice that he made for us. The blessing of an eternal family bring me such joy, and I know this could not be possible without the Savior.

My niece Ashton came to stay with us for a couple of days. We had so much fun, and my boys just adore her. Jack loved sharing his bunk bed with her, but loved to play with her phone the most. He had that thing mastered by the time she left. Ben loved to just chill on her lap. He would seriously just lay on her with his whole body lazy and limp. I loved having someone to be with me during the day. We went shopping and I must say Ashton is pretty awesome at the air banjo:). We are so grateful that she would come and stay with us and we can't wait for next time. (Especially my boys.) We love you Ashton!

Jack's April Fools Joke (and other funny Jack stories)

"Hey Mommy, there's a dead man on the floor!" He had placed Buzz light year on the floor. "April Fools! It's just Buzz Light year. Was that funny?" I loved how he thought I was really worried there was a dead man on the floor. I laughed pretty darn hard! I have to admit I was really glad the day was over. A whole day of really bad jokes (that really don't make any sense) really wears on you after a while.
We have been struggling lately with Jack having to go to the bathroom a thousand times after we have put him to bed. The other night I caught him on the toilet yet again. "Jack what are you doing?" "I have to go poop." "You have been on there for 10 minutes. Are you okay?" "Yea, I'm done. I think my bum changed it's mind." I had to leave the room. I was laughing so hard.
We read the family Book of Mormon which highlights certain words that you may not know the definition to. Brendan: "Jack, do you know what a whoredom is?" Jack : "What's a whore bum?" I think I laughed too hard for the age I am. My child has a one track mind, that's for sure!
The other day we saw the sun coming through the dark clouds after the rain. Me : "Hey Jack, doesn't that look like the picture of Jesus when he is coming out of the sky after the big storms and earthquakes?" Jack: "Or it looks like a transformer coming down to earth." A few minutes later. "Mommy, I think you're right. It is Jesus." What a Beautiful Boy. He really is a Child of God. The other day I was watching Oprah where she went to the polygamy compound in Texas. All of the children are so well behaved and quiet. I can't imagine any of them being a class clown. It got me giggling thinking about Jack living there. He would probably be a lost boy at the age of four. (the teenage boys they make run away) I LOVE MY JACK!

A Chubby Face, Finally!

I finally have a chubby baby. Since not being on the charts since his 2 week appointment I finally have a baby that, I think, is on the charts. I don't go in for a few more weeks but his cheeks say it all. He is so cute. All Ben ever does is smile, except when I get the camera out, of course! Jack actually calls him Smiles. That is his special name for him. Jack can get him laughing like no one else and the two of them have a very special relationship. He gives the best kisses and he gives them to me all the time. I am the luckiest mom in the world to have these cute little boys. I am grateful every day to my Heavenly Father for the blessing of being a mom. I am so blessed to stay home with them. There are days when it's hard, and a day away at work sounds great, but then you realize the payoffs. The long days (and nights) turn into tight hugs and big kisses. When they call your name when they are hurt or scared. When they tell you that they want to marry you when they grow up. It all pays off. Nothing makes me more happy then knowing that I get my family forever. That nothing, nothing can ever take them away from me. What a blessing!!

Cute Story

Me: "You didn't bring anything home from school today?" As I pick up his back pack and look inside it.

Jack: "Nope, the only thing I brought home was a hug!" As he runs over and gives me a huge hug!

Oh how I love that boy!