Friday, November 7, 2014

The Clark fam bam visit

My babies are super lucky and they don't even know it. They are loved by SO-MANY-PEOPLE. Their grandparents cant get enough of them. Aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. It's a long list. And oh what a wonderful blessing that is. I grew up in a fun and healthy family environment but didn't really realize how rare that can be until I became a parent. I have friends with little to no help or support as they raise their kids and can tell my situation is coveted by many. It is really special. 

I don't think Isla hardly touched her swing or crib the first month of her life. She was held and kissed non stop. Papa Rock and Nona were here (helping with the big kids and letting me rest) along with each of my sisters and their kids. Maddy came out while mom was here and I feel sick about not getting one single picture of her with the kids. I'm so upset about it. I guess we kept her too busy with the big kids. Oakley came out with her littles and even Scott was here for a week working with Justin and playing with the fam. Summer and Rhea flew out last witch made parting with her the hardest because after she left I knew I'd be on my own, in a new place with three kids and no real strong relationships with neighbors or friends. The day she left I felt like a wet blanket, teary and alone. Justin is so amazing in everything he does. He probably has no clue how much I appreciate him (i know I don't tell him enough), and I can't imagine a better partner in raising our little litter of pups. He's awesome and I wish we didn't need money to buy food and clothes and all that junk so he could just be with us all the time. Although I'm sure I'd drive him nuts with all my snuggling needs. Needless to say, hes the best but gone all day, and I miss my sister play dates. A-LOT. 

Nona, Paisley and Isla

Papa Rock was made to snuggle babies.

Nona stared Beck on piano lessons and he is picking it up quick! I'm really proud of him.

My bookends.



 Welles thought Isla was a snack.


 Nona bought Beck an adventure kit at the dollar store which included these glasses. The glasses are the most popular item. Paisley is a little clown these days.

 I took Beck on a date to the library one night, the week after Isla was born. We danced in the car on the way home and discussed names for our future dog. We picked up a treat at walgreens and Beck kept saying, "It's just you and me, mommy. No one else". He really needed the one on one time.




 Papa Rock gave Beck a tattoo on his arm and then set the marker where little hands can reach. Beck thought he needed more. So while the adults were eating dinner Beck gave himself more. I couldn't be mad. He was so proud of himself. He told us he's either a pirate or a lion. 

 Paisley loves to hold baby for about ten seconds. Then she says "I'm done" and drops her arms. I've learned I should't really let go at all. Paisley talks to Isla in a super sweet, high pitched voice. She loves to be a little mommy.

Beck and Welles. Boy cousins!


Scarlett and Pais playing in the sprinklers. 

 Welles and baby Isla.


 Playing at the park with Auntie Sum Sum.

 I often catch these two practically laying on Isla. Loves.

Summie can nap any time, any place. And she loves a good baby snuggle.


We took this picture right before we said our goodbyes and started crying. It was hard to see her go.

Rhea shows her love with kisses and smacks to the face! She'll be a great big sister:)


I'm so grateful our family is sealed together forever. We loved playing at the park and in the back yard. Nona spoiled these kids with toys and treats. Papa Rock loved taking taking grand babies outside to explore. My sisters helped with cleaning and cooking. And the company was perfect. I love and miss them all. 
 

Thursday, November 6, 2014

My freckle faced lover boy

Beck is hilarious these days. I love watching him learn and discover new things. The way he interprets the world is adorable. He talks lots about animals and bugs, good guys and bad guys, he tells me all about his dreams and about things that make him happy and sad. He loves babies and ninja turtles, cutting and gluing paper, and building towers with mega legos. Beck is super funny and very sensitive. A good mix of Justin and my personalities.

Beck loves meeting new friends. He'll walk up to any kid at the park, older or younger, stick out his hand and introduce himself using his full name. I love to watch him shake hands with other kids. They often look confused. And he calls all of his friends "my kids" when he talks about them. "Mommy, can we have my kids come over and play?", or "my kids at church were funny today".

Beck sometimes calls "bad guys" "black guys" because they usually dress in black. A few months ago while sitting in church he loudly asked if "black guys" go to church. The people sitting around us chuckled hearing me loudly whisper that he meant to say bad guys that dress in black from his batman cartoon... hoping we wouldn't be labeled racist. Beck asked the same question in the grocery store and at the library...

Beck is a story teller. He always has something to say. We're working on teaching him the difference between telling stories and fibs. He doesn't quite get it but thats okay for now. He'll say things like "when I was a dad, I used to eat lots of candy all the time".. or "Papa Rock said I can watch this show because he saw it at the movie heater (theater)". Maybe thats why he loves to talk about his dreams over breakfast. Because you can dream about anything without getting into trouble when you're four years old.

Becks primary teacher was telling me that in class she has the kids "zip" their mouths shut to keep them quiet and that Beck is always "unzipping" so he can tell a story. Last week he really wanted to say something and she told him to keep his mouth zipped up until after prayer but in the middle of prayer he yelled out "sometimes I eat my boogers!!!" and everyone laughed with their eyes closed. He just couldn't wait to fess up I guess.

Beck is such a lover. He is so sweet with Paisley and especially Isla. He is always nuzzling and kissing on Isla and trying to pick her up. He loves to sit and read and play with Paisley and give his mama "prince kisses". Yummy.
 Princess Reagan, one of his favorite friends. Aunt Maddy sent him a prince costume so he did't feel left out when playing with the neighbor girls and Paisley.

 Superhero birthday party. Super fun!

 Beck LOVES cousin Welles. I'll catch him in the corner praying for Welles to be "safe" some times and it makes me tear up. So tender.

 Push ups with Uncle Doug!

 The first lizard he caught in the backyard. We let it go:)

 A letter from his friend Ella. So darn cute. We miss our friends.

 He's so handsome when he sleeps. 

 As I'm typing this I can hear Beck excitedly thanking Pais for something she made him and saying "thanks Pais! I can't even believe this! You're my best friend!". Pais responds "no problem.". They love each other. 

  He knows I love kisses.

 Beck insists we read scriptures every night before bed. And sometimes he insists he read to Paisley before nap time. "Jesus flies and saves us and Nephi builds a pirate ship..." it's the cutest thing.


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Some of my favorites

BECK EZRA SMITH














PAISLEY ALETA SMITH
















ISLA LYDIA SMITH