Happy children

Today My children were all so happy. Of course there were "moments" that they were not the happiest but overall we had a wonderful day of smiles, laughter and playing well with each other.
I babysat my nephew Caiden. He and max played well alllll day, chasing each other, climbing up to furniture together and doing cute boy things together. It is so cute to see them so close in age and size doing all the same things and just being happy. Made me so content ad satisfied with my life.
I love being a mother and these "happy moments" make it so easy.
I took Braden, Mac, Caiden and a little girl I babysit in Fridays to Riley's school to see her receive her first award for good citizenship. It was so neat to hear her principal read off a list of compliments her teacher wrote on her award. I could tell how proud riley was and she even remembered to thank the principal after she got handed her award. (we talked about that specific manner this morning).
We ended the day perfectly. The kids got dressed up and we headed to Riley's school festival. Then we all went out to dinner at Denny's (Riley got a free meal with her award from school).
I love all days but I love these happy carefree days the most. I love being able to sit back and smile, laugh and just enjoy my children.

Time with my boys

Yesterday I had the chance to run a quick errand with just my two boys. They looked so big an cute sitting in the shopping cart together munching on one of their favorite snacks-pretzel rods.
After we made our purchase Braden made sure we doubled back to walk through the Christmas displays. He oohed and Ahhhed over the lit up trees, the moving reindeer for your front lawn and the huge ornaments.
It was so nice to be able to talk to them sweetly instead of this errand turning me into a referee breaking up fights between them.
I love seeing my kids grow up but I sure do miss them as babies too.

Blessings

I have not posted in awhile because its annoying to do from my phone but one again I feel I have missed so much by not blogging. So until I get over being annoyed by having to type a lot on my iPhone to blog I am going to try to post once a day listing a specific blessing or tender mercy (as they come) that I have noticed. I got the idea in a mini lesson during relief society this past Sunday.
I think reflecting on your blessings each day and then blogging/journaling/sharing them is a great thing to do and a way to remind yourself that Heavenly Father is everywhere and has a hand in everything.
Today is Riley's 5th birthday. There isn't a better blessing to write about today than her. She is AMAZING. Smart, happy, artistic, fun, nice, joyful,smiley, emotional, energetic, curious, cautious, inquisitive and so much more. I am beyond words grateful to be her mom and to have the opportunity to raise her.
She is my favorite girl in the entire world!!! We have a very strong bond I think mainly because she was my first born and I was able to spend so much one on one time with her. I strive each day to be the type of mom that will allow us to stay so close for ever.