September 11, 2016

September 11th has become a day we remember with a lot of different emotions; for some it was a day of loss of family or friends, for others it was the day they had the burning desire to serve our country. No doubt everyone has at some point or another been affected by the events that took place 15 years ago today. I can still remember sitting in my drama middle school class watching the tv not really understanding what was going on, but we could feel the tension in the air from our teachers responses and worried looks. But for me it has another meaning. You see the year after that horrible life altering event took place something life altering took place in Rob's life. He was helping to build a cabin up Strawberry Resiviour when a wall fell on top of him and crushed his pelvis and broke him literally in half. He was a young 18 year old that was just about to put in his mission papers; to him the world was a wide open space with limitless possibilities. His future was all set out for him, mission, friends, college, sports, girls; there was nothing that was going to stop him and nothing in his way. And then the wall came down on him and he was faced with the possibility that he may never walk again, never have use of his bowles, no longer was his future HIS. I didn't know him, but I've seen the pictures of him and it was bad. But how grateful I am for that experience. It was a 'boy to man' experience that changed him and molded him into who he is today. Because of that experience, he still talks to one or more of his brothers everyday, even with us 10 hours away he is involved in their life and them ours; he learned that friends are just that, friends. But family is everything, and as a family we stick together though the thickest and thinest of times. He has a firm and sure testimony of the power of the priesthood and that the power of God is on the earth just as much today as it was when the Savior was on the earth. And he uses that priesthood authority to continue to bless our family today. So as I sit here reflecting not only on the last few weeks of our adventures, my thoughts are turned even farther back. It is in the remembering that we learn some of life grandest lessons. Its days like today when we have the chance to look back and remember who we wanted to become and if need be change a few things so we can hop back on that path to lead us towards that person we've imagined becoming. I hope we will hold our family a little closer and treat them a little kinder, because we can.

The last few weeks have been some exciting ones.
Rob and I got to go on a date! It feels like it only happens about once a month, and I love every second of it. We went to dinner and then to the temple. We tried to make it to the session but were late which was ok because we did something else and then sat outside and just talked. I know this is going to sound weird but between school and kids we don't really get time to talk. But sitting on the temple grounds next to each other we have had some of the best conversations. I feel like my best friend and I get to connect again and I love it! It's like every time we sit there i fall more in love with him, and feel our relationship grow that much stronger, which is a huge blessing seeing how crazy our schedule is and what the future holds.
Max started preschool and loves it! His teacher is great and he seems to have made friends already (not that I thought he wouldn't, but a mom has her worries) He asks daily when his next school day is and can't wait to tell me all about his day when he comes home! For his 1st day picture I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up and he said 'everything my dad is'! Which just goes to show that his dad is awesome and he knows it! With both of the big kids in school for a few hours a week that leaves Dane and I with some one-on-one time. Mainly its been spent shopping, I mean who passes up the chance to shop with 1 instead of 3?!? But this weeks goal is to focus on Dane and take advantage of our time together since it's not going to last for too much longer. We hit our 30 week pregnant mark this last week! Crazy that in a few months time we'll be adding a new member to our family!
Dane turned 2 yesterday!! I woke up early and enjoyed the quiet time to reminisce about the day he was born. It feels like time is speeding up and my babies are all going to be grownup and out of the house if I keep blinking. So I'll try to stop blinking ;) But seriously it was a great day celebrating our Baby Dane aka Burrito Boy! He loved that we sang to him and kept reminding him that it was his birthday and we loved spoiling him with kisses and extra love and attention throughout the day. We had a pool party over at Taylor and Kelsey's apartment complex. I'm pretty sure some of the people that actually live there think we are residents, we spend plenty of time there. Sean, Tiff and Graham, Lisa (Reed and Cash were watching the BYU vs UofU game), Matt, Shannon and their 2 girls Maggie and Lucy and our most favorite cousin Matthew all came and helped us celebrate! It was such a great way to end our night. I love being a mom and having the little moments turn into fun memories we'll look back on. Some fun things about Dane
he has started talking so much lately, and I can understand a lot of what he is saying
his favorite phrase is 'that is funny' with a long pause between is and funny.
He eats just about anything and has no problem telling us more meat at every meal.
He absolutely worship the ground Max and Kylie walk on and loves running around playing with them and will do just about anything they tell him to.
He still loves to cuddle with me and gives the best slobbery wet your whole cheek kisses!
He can completely destroy a room in .2 seconds and has no problem letting you know that he is in the room and wants to be heard.
His prayers are something else, he blesses everyone in the family by name, and it melts my heart.
He flirts with everyone that we meet and pretends he is shy by ducking his chin down and to the side and then smiles, and everyone knows that is why he gets away with whatever he wants. We love him to say the least and are so glad he is a part of our family.