Baby Soren is 1

I haven't blogged in 2 weeks because I didn't want to move forward without acknowledging baby Soren's birthday.

Why yes, I am still calling him Baby Soren.
I'm also still nursing him (hardly), still using a bucket style infant carseat (hey it still fits), and still carrying him around everywhere. He doesn't walk (thank goodness) and probably won't walk until he is 25 because he doesn't really know he has legs.  Aaron tells me I'm raising kobe beef cow.  You know...those calves that the farmers feed all day, but never give the chance to walk, so they'll be nice and fat?  My kobe beef baby and I like this arrangement just fine. Soren is such a lovey baby. He is a snuggle baby and a cuddly guy and I love it.  I know it won't last, and that breaks my heart, so I soak it up while I can, which means I hold and spoil him a lot. He deserves it.

The night before his birthday I didn't want to put him to bed. I knew it was my last night with a real baby baby in the house. I rocked him and sang to him and he humored my need for baby time by sucking his tiny thumb and nodding off in my arms.  It was perfect.

We celebrated with cake (yep, from the walmart bakery. Eat your heart out, fancy party pinterest moms), a candle, and a lot of laughs.

He grabbed his slice right off the serving spatula and shoved it into his mouth before it ever had a chance to touch the plate. These pics were after slices 2, 3, and maybe 4...

He cried every time he ran out of cake. 

So we gave him more. 

I love this baby so much, I probably don't even need to write it down, because everyone I know is sick of hearing how much I love him.  

Sweet Soren, your life is one of my greatest joys.  You are a perfect little pleasure and being your mother is truly a gift. You are a constant reminder to me of God's love and power. 

I love you, I love you, I love you. 

Poop Happened

After plethora of potty prizes and praise, poop happened. Way to go, Corbin! You can do it! 

 

I Hear

Quincy: "If I mix my vanilla yogurt in this chocolate pudding do you think it will be totally disgusting or just kinda gross but still good to eat? I'm going for it, Mom."

Reese: "Mom, since you're having a baby and dad is at work and there is a LOT of laundry on your bed, I am doing a secret special something in your room, so just take a nap and don't peek. And if you need to go pee, you'd better use my bathroom, or knock."

Corbin: "I horsey, Neeeeiiiiggghhhhh!!!!! I horsey! No.....wook! I a piggy, oink oink, rrraaarrrrrrr! I piggy-tiger!"

the dryer humming.

cardinals chirping and nesting in the crepe myrtles.

the kitchen cabinets being opened and closed 100 times by Quincy, our kitchen snacking mouse.

silence from the toilet that isn't "running" anymore because I fixed it (booyah!).

rain pouring out over the sides of our gutters.

squawky Scoutie and Eleanor telling the world there are eggs to collect. (Happy 1st birthday, chickens!)

"Make a Wish, Take a Chance, Make a Change..."

Our back to school party was everything I had hoped it would be for the kids. (scroll down to the last post for the lesson)
I don't have the right set of words to describe just how beautiful and peaceful the evening was, and the photos don't do it justice. It was special night I hope my children never forget. Thanks to the Irlenborn girls, Zebleys, Nielsens, and Engers for partying with us!
Prepare for photo overload

yup, that's Corbin dressed as Woody. He was the lone boy with 13 girls! I think he grunted, threw enough rocks and waved enough sticks that no one dated question his masculinity.

Be a Light

I really love being a mother.
My kids are totally rad and I love them very much.

Right now, I am the most important influence in their lives. What I teach them, what I expose them to, the words I say, the example I set....this is all they know. I am their truth, their constant, their safety, their stability, their reality.

That's a lot of responsibility.

Every year, we have a little 'back to school' family party, where we introduce our family theme for the school year. Last year, our theme was, "I Can".
This year, we invited a few friends to join us and participate in the lesson. We had so much fun!

The Willardson 2011 theme is: Be a Light

We met at Lake Ann for a bike ride/princess dress up parade, then we gathered under the pavillion and I gave this simple, but hopefully meaningful lesson:

Ye are the Light of the World

A long time ago, before airplanes, boats were used to travel across the sea. With no land visible to use as landmarks, the sailors could look to the stars for guidance to help them know where they were. The North Star in particular was very important to sailors, and without it, it would be easy for them to get lost at sea. How would it feel to be stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean, with no light around to tell you which direction to get you safely home?

I showed the children several other objects that provide a source of light.

-a flashlight can light up a path for ourselves.

-a candlelight can provide light when disaster strikes and causes us to unexpectedly lose power.

-the glow of the fireplace can give us warmth and comfort.

-we could not live without the sun. It gives us constant, predictable light every single day.

-a traffic light keeps us safe and provides direction

-a light bulb is a light that we need every day, even for little things that we take for granted, because without the lightbulb, these tasks would be very difficult.

-lights on a storefront or house can make us feel welcome and invited.

-a nightlight provides comfort in darkness and protection from fear and lonliness.

-the flashing lights on an ambulence mean that help is on the way for people who are struggling.

Jesus Christ said, "Ye are the Light of the World. (Matthew 5:14)"

What does that mean? How are you a light?

How can you be a light to others?

What kind of light do you want to be?

What does example mean?

Who is the perfect example for how we should live our lives?

Each of us has the Light of Christ within us. When we follow the example of Jesus Christ, make righteous choices, and try to be like Him, that Light glows stronger and can lead others unto Him. We can learn and come to know our Savior through studying the scriptures and listen to the counsel of prophets who testify of Him.

This year, at school, and everywhere you go, try to think of the example Jesus has set for you. Be a shining example by standing for what you know is right. Let the Light of Christ grow brighter within you and bring you and those around you closer to Him, and let His love make this year a great one. I testify that Christ's love will provide all the light you need to guide you through darkess, sadness, confusion, or any troubles that you will face this year. He is always there for you, even if you feel lost or alone like the sailors traveling across the dark ocean long ago. You only need to look for light to get back on the right course.

After the lesson, we turned off the lights to the pavillion and the real magic began. We sent 10 sky lanterns (like in the movie, Tangled--hence the princess dresses on the little girls!) I will post a zillion pictures tomorrow, but here is a quickie video of the fun. Thanks Kasey for taking great pics and documenting the evening for us!

Perfect evening.
Well, until we were packing up to leave and Reese accidently crossed a wasps nest and was stung on her finger. I put some mud on it and that pacified her until we got home and she selected a Buzz Lightyear bandaid...because it fit our Light theme. Quincy and Corbin both gave her kisses and helped her feel better. Mud and Buzz have nothing on sibling love.

They make my life brighter.
I love you, sweet children. Shine on.

{Nine}

"...Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken..."

-William Shakespeare

I disagree.
True love does alter.
It bends.
It stretches.
It sacrifices.
It strengthens.
It swells.
It grows.

Which is the why and the how it can "look on tempests and never be shaken". For 9 years my love has altered. It is the alteration that makes it true love. Real love must be willing to bend, divide, give.

I am so glad time is not my enemy, and that I will be with this guy forever and ever and ever.


And now, a little flashback from the archives of our wedding pics.
Enjoy!











Happy Anniversary, sweet, wonderful Aaron.
I love you very, very much.