This Year I am grateful for:
My first turkey
Decorating our Christmas Tree-smells Amazing!
Snuggling up to him-our new newphew Maverik
and most of all-This. My family who loves unconditionally.
Whenver I would talk to Mikelle over the course of the summer, I would always tell her that I really hope our boys get along when we get home. I want them to be the best of friends and play really good together. They are having typical 2yr old battles- who had what car first, Hampton seems to enjoy throwing his trains and cars at Deakan, and so on. BUT...all in all they seem to be having a great time together. Wherever one is, the other is right beside him. I love these two boys to pieces and it's been so fun watching them play together. Hampton has been sharing his love for dancing to "Boom Boom" and is Thomas the train. Whenever Deakan will go home, Hampton will usually walk around and say "Help find Deaki Mom." I'm really enjoying the simplicity of this time and their fun consisting of cars, trains, and balls, because who knows the kind of trouble these two cousins will get into one day!!!
On Friday HE will be 2, and there are so many emotions that flood my mind, but the real emotion that has always been a constant is...HUMILITY. Becomming a mother has definiately been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Nothing has been perfect, or gone exactly as I had planned or hoped. But, I am so glad it has'nt been perfect or just how I planned, because my less then perfect life and child has taught me what it really means to love and be loved.
HE is learing what it is to give love, say his prayers, love Jesus, learning his colors and numbers, how to be a real boy with lots of bruises and a REAL scar above his eye, say "I Yove You Momma" and it always follows with daddy too(he is very equal with his love), loves to read, loves Thomas, loves Mater, Sheriff, and McQueen, LOVES HIS BLANKIE(maybe even more than his momma), wants to help me drive(that one can be really challenging), DOES NOT snuggle, does'nt always love to be told NO, has some major and minor temper tantrums(it often keeps me from ever wanting to leave my house again-but I still love him), has some slight obsessions, and just as busy as the average 2 yr old.
HE is my son, my big 2 yr old and I love him more than ever. HE is such a joy and when Mike and I look at each other we either want to beat his little behind, or we laugh and say "could he be any more delicious"...I am so grateful that HE'S not perfect, but perfect enough to be mine and I get to be his mom. HE is my Hampton Stayner, and I love him. Happy Birthday my big boy. I can't wait to watch you continue to learn and grow.
Well the past 7 or 8 mos go something like this...
April-leave for Reno
June-come home for a visit and find out that we are leaving Reno and moving to Fl(for work)
end of June-arrive in Tallahassee, FL
Sept-Mason, Ohio for extention
Oct-pack up and head to my dads in Fl, unload all our belongings and store for the next 2-3 weeks.
Oct 27-The Reeds fly in and we prepare for Halloween and a Cruise
Nov 1-Leave on Freedom of the Seas for a week in the Carribbean
Nov 8-Arrive back in Fl and head to my mom's to have a mini Thanksgiving and then head to my dad's to repack all our things.
Nov 10-Kissed my hubby good bye as he prepared to drive home to Boise
Wednesday Nov 11 at 12:00am-Aunt Mikelle picks us up...we are finally home. No keys on this keyboard could ever express the excitement I feel for this!!
My lack of blogging right now...read above!
We have had a crazy life these past 8mos, but the memories have definiately made it worth it. Being able to be around my family since June is more than I could have ever asked for. I love my family for what they once were, and for what we have all become. We had a great summer, an even better fall, a really fun Halloween, and an amazing cruise to wrap it all up. We are so excited to see our home and even more excited to see all our family and friends back west. When the smoke settles, lots of pictures will follow.
Last week we packed up the Reeds and the Richesons and headed to a pumkin patch. It was free and all the kids activities were free as well. We enjoyed watching the kids play, the hay ride, the candy apples, and good company. I am so glad that Hampton is at the age to start enjoying all these holiday activities. I'm no gonna lie...it makes me pretty giddy about Christmas.
Just like everyone else...I LOVE FALL. I love the smell, the color, the feeling, and the weather. This year we are spending fall in Mason, Ohio and it is definiately fulfilling my need for fall. The weather is splendid and the color of the leaves are undescribable. So far, we are not disappointed. We leave on Sunday, and although I am really excited to be wrapping up, I am not ready to leave this beautiful town. In leau of the season, I decided to make "punkin" cookies with Hamtpon one morning. We had so much fun. He kept saying punkin cookies momma over and over again. He LOVES pumpkins, and points them out every where we go. After the cookies were done he sampled every single one, and after each bite he would say "mmm mmm good." It was so cute, and oh so fun.
It's 50 degress outside, my hubby is working, and my baby is alseep. I am wrapping up in a blanket, painting my nails, and getting ready to watch the new Hannah Montana movie. PLEASE DON'T TELL MIKE...he would probably be jealous!!!!!
I have discovered this blog (nieniedialogues.blogspot.com) through blog stalking and it has changed my views on life and just how special it is. Stephanie Nielson and her husband were on a small hopper plane with just the two of them, plus the piolt, and the plane crashed over a year ago in Arizona. Anyway, they both survived and she was severely burned(over 80%) and looks completely different, but still beautiful. My point in this, is that she and her husband were on Oprah today, and lets just say that I will forever remember that interview and how it has made me so much more grateful for my beautiful family and life. They are LDS and have the sweetest love and respect you have ever seen. Oprah actually commented on how she could tell how in love they are, it was really touching.
Oprah had a woman wright in about how much she hated being a stay at home mom. She just did'nt find pleasure in her role at home. Oprah sent her to the Nielson home and then had her on the show as well today. Oprah asked her how the experience changed her. The woman said that she only spent one day there, but she has a better attitude about life and motherhood. She went on to talk about the day she spent in their home and she said something really touching. She said that it was so neat that the Nielson family has 4 kids and 1 dog and was blown away at how warm and peaceful their home was. She said that they have been throuh so much, but have so much peach and joy in their home and lives. I could feel the spirit so strong when she said that. What a great opportunity we all have to be members of the church. I wish the world could have seen this interview. They did'nt talk about the church, but you just knew. I am so grateful to be a mother and the humbling effect it has on me in the past 2 years. I pray I never forget the way I feel right now, and I pray even more that I never take for granted this calling I have been so blessed to take part in. I love my little boy and husband more than they will ever know or comprehend. I love that my heart still races when I hear my husband unlocking the door to come inside, or that I get butterflies when I think about my little boy waking up in the morning.
Thank you Stephanie Nielson...you have made me a better person.
I came around the corner today and caught Hampton watching TV in his stroller with his ball in tow and all his trains under his bum. Gotta get creative when you have as much loot as this kid!!
I wish I had the time and energy to tell everyone how obsessed my child is with Thomas. Not only do I not have the energy, but as I am trying to type this he is scraming Thomas at the top of his lungs because he saw these pictures. It's pretty unbelievable. He will even cry out for him in his sleep...not funny to us!! He has now become very obsessed with Barney videos as well, but his passion and love for Thomas and his trains still remains intact. My life is so exciting...Barney and Thomas ( the two most boring shows EVER)!!!!! Anyway he is now banging his head on the ground screaming Thomas...guess I better go!!
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