Merrick's face

This is the cutest thing ever. Merrick gets excited or just playful sometimes and makes this face and noises.  I love it!

5 years!

 This last weekend, we celebrated our 5 year anniversary.  I can't believe it.  It doesn't feel like it's been that long but then it doesn't seem like we have done so much in that amount of time.   We have two kids, have moved more times than I care to remember, gone through Nate getting done with school and now a job.  It's been the best 5 years of our lives and I can't imagine doing anything else right now.  We didn't do anything special, just dinner and visiting some friends.  I love this man so much!  I can't wait for the rest of eternity!

Graduation Weekend

This weekend was a long time coming.  We went to Flagstaff for Nate's graduation.  He graduated on Friday afternoon so we got up that morning, loaded up the car and drove.  We got there just in time to drop Kayton off with our friends so he could hang out with them during the ceremony and then head to NAU.  I wish Kayton could have come to the ceremony too, but he just doesn't sit still long enough for that.  So we dropped off Nate at the dome and then Merrick and I went in and got our seats.  We sat with our friends and their family which was great and they were able to help me out with Merrick so I could take some pictures.  I was so giddy, even more so than Nate I think.  The ceremony was great and except for one speaker, they kept it short and sweet and then went on to handing out the diplomas.  It was so thrilling for me and I thought Nate looked so handsome in his cap and gown.

After the ceremony was over, we went and got Kayton and then met our friends, the Allen's, at Lake Mary and ate some chili and corn on the cob with them.  We loved it and it was a great way to celebrate afterwards.  We left the lake and a while ago we decided to stay the night in Flagstaff so we didn't have to drive all day with the kids.  It was a rough night, but we got up the next morning and decided to do a celebratory breakfast.  We went to Cracker Barrel and had a great meal.

 

 Afterwards, we took Kayton to the duck ponds so he could feed them some bread.  I think it's his new favorite thing.  He loved it.  I wish we could have stayed longer, but we left to go have lunch with the Hunter's at their house.  We had fun with them and the kids and it was a fun place for the kids to play. 

It was a great weekend.  It was a long time coming and I'm glad I pushed him to walk at the ceremony. 

I am so proud of him and all he has gone through to get his degree.  I know there were many times he just wanted to give up and find something else to do for a career, but he did it!  It was really hard for him, but I knew he could do it and now he did.  I love him and couldn't be more happy or proud for him.        

9 Months

My little man Merrick is now 9 months old.  He doesn't seem this old to me, but he is just so darn cute.  He has the most amazing blue eyes and his hair is starting to fluff up in the back so we think he may get curly hair.  At his appointment last week he was 19 lbs and 28 1/2 in long.  Pretty average for his age.  Here are some fun facts about him.  

• He is still very clingy to me and only me, but there have been a few times when he has let others hold him
• He is crawling all over the place.  It took him so long to figure out how to crawl with his hands and knees, but he did it
• He also pulls himself up next to the couch and scoots along the edge of it
• He makes this really cute face where he scrunches his nose and mouth and sniffs in and out of his nose really fast.  I really need to get it on video
• He is very talkative in the morning but he doesn't really say words, just ba ba ma ma and jibber jabber
• He loves to take baths.  He knows whats coming when I open the bathroom door and he hates when I have to take him out and not let him back in
• He loves to swing and we have our own out in the yard which is so nice
• He is starting to eat table food and he loves cheerios and his puffs
• He has 3 teeth on the bottom
• He smiles so much, i love it
• He loves his toys and he likes it more when he gets to play with his big brother
• He is just so darn cute and he knows it

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day.   Today I am most thankful for my stepmom.  We aren't very close which is ok, but I am so glad that she is a part of my life.  She is such a good example and I know she loves her family and would do anything for them which makes her the best example to me.  During the most difficult time in my life, she was the one that got me through it and made everything better faster.  She accepts me for me which is what I need the most right now.  I love you so much Mom and am so glad I have you in my life.  Thank you for everything.  

Now today, I am grateful that I get to be a mother.  Even though everybody is sick today so there is nothing special going on, I still can't believe I am a mother and how much I love it.  There are many challenging days, but it's the little moments that I love.  I love that I get to be a stay at home mom and take care of them.  They are the best part of my life and I can't imagine doing anything else.  I love my boys!