Loving our yard!

We may not have our stuff moved down here yet, but that hasn't stopped us from having fun in our yard. It is gorgeous, it's private, and we LOVE it!

in between

These are all just a bunch of random pictures from when we were at the 1 bed furnished apartment for a month. (after the hotel, and before moving into our house)

nothing better than baby smiles my little helpers

Swings!

Finally, Mason likes the swings! Addy loved them from the very start..it's taken him a year.

Stolen Identity

I don't want this post to be taken the wrong way..I write my blog for my family's journals, and scrapbooks. So when I have thoughts that need to be written down, this is where it happens. I keep it open for the rare chance that someone else might be feeling the same way and need to know they're not alone..and for those long lost friends that might come across and it want to keep up with us.

So our new Relief Society Presidency came over last week to get to know me and our family. After chatting for awhile, they each talked about themselves and then wanted to know me and what I like to do etc...it was funny, when they asked, "what do you like to do?"..I had to pause for a minute and then I answered "I can't remember." At first I laughed it off...and then answered with things that I used to do and loved.

I know motherhood shouldn't become that, but for some us, our situations add up to that. For Chris and I, we've been married 4 years and now have 3 kids. We moved every 6 months for the first 3 years, and have been scraping by while he's been in school. That doesn't allow for a lot of going out and doing things that may cost money..ie (girls nights that are at restaurants, movies, shopping, sports leagues, etc), hobbies such as crafting cost money..and the list goes on. It doesn't allow for hardly any "me" time, when kids come that close and need your attention 24/7. I can't even go to the bathroom or shower without kids trying to dive in or them pounding down the door. I'm not writing this post to complain about having kids, or the fact that I'm blessed to be able to stay at home, or complain about money. It's just when they asked me that, I realized how long it's been since I did things I love, that I couldn't remember what I used to do. All I could think of was..."I would like to get out."

How do you balance that line between your identity and being a mother? Or is that your new identity once you have kids? I have lots of friends that have frequent girls nights and that are in sports leagues, that get plenty of time away from the kids to get out on their own. Not to point fingers, but the ones that get out the most are the ones with husband's that work from home or who own their businesses etc so they can come and go and help out more. Now that Chris has this job, maybe things will calm down more so we can find our own routine that will allow for more time away. I don't even know what I'd do if I got a few hours to myself..sadly, the past few years my first answer would be to sleep.

Here's some things I've thought up that I want to do with time to myself:
Exercise (run, Zumba or crossfit class, a video w/out kids crawling all over me)
read
play the piano
make crafts
watch a movie
get my hair done
hang out with friends

not very exciting, I know. But I can't remember the last time I did any of those without kids whining and interrupting. This was just a post to ramble..not to complain, because I know how blessed I am. I love my kids, and they are my life. They make my life so worthwhile..it's just their needs to be "me" time in there as well.

McKinley's Blessing

We had an AWESOME time in Idaho this past weekend. We had lots of time with family and Chris gave McKinley the most precious blessing. Of course blessing days are always so overwhelming and she was done being held and passed around and was exhausted..so we don't have very many happy pictures of her:) Big thanks to all of our family that was there, we're so blessed to have such amazing families. It was so great to see everyone. While we were there, we accepted a deal on a house to rent, so it's very exciting to be back here in Vegas getting ready to move into our own house and FINALLY get settled and start this new phase in our lives. I am beyond excited.

Kinley, we love you more than words can express. You have such a sweet spirit about you, and I can't remember life without you in our family. It feels like we've had you forever, and your brother and sister absolutely adore you. You're such a beautiful angel, and I'm so excited to watch you grow up and see your personality come out and bond with your siblings. We're so lucky to be your parents.