Family Update

Time sure flies by when your having fun. Let's see where do I even begin...

Calvin flew his first kite by himself. Then let it go soaring over our neighbors roof, landing in their backyard. He just likes us to go over there to get more aquainted with them. Such nice people. 

Went to Austin, just Calvin and I. We stayed with our cousin Jaisey. It was so fun to get away especially since Daniel was working till 3 am in the morning. Blah.

Calvin enjoyed his first Easter egg Hunt.  He got mawled by the other kiddos so we ran ahead so he could at least get a couple eggs.  He loved picking them up and then putting them back down on the ground.  

Experienced being alone for 3 days. So WEIRD. But at the same time so Rewarding and relaxing. Dan made fun of me when he came home when I told him what I did... Dan: Did you go to the spa or get a pedicure? Me: No. Dan: Did you read a book or take a long nice bath?  Me: No, I take baths all the time with Calvin. Dan: so what did you do then to relax? Me: I refinished furniture and worked day to night on projects. (side table, and dresser) I love it. Loved I could prawl through a project without stopping. But I missed them so so much.  And I would never replace being a momma for anything. I also got lonely at night. I didn't like going into Calvins room, it felt too weird not having him there. Glad they had time to be with fam and spend a little time together as Daddy and Son. At the airport, every time he saw an airplane he'd go look see plane WOW.  

Made Homemade Strawberry Jam. mmm and Multi Grain Bread. I am now converted to making my own bread. No more of the store bought stuff. Unless of course it is Great Harvest or Village Baker. mmm.

Calvin loves loves water. In our backyard i will turn on the hose and he will play in the water for hours and does not care that his clothes are sopping wet. Oh the joys of being a child. 

I tried the painting thing again. It actually turned out a lot better this time. He actually tried painting intsead of eating it. I love kids in big t-shirts don't you? Brings back so many fond memories when I used to wear them.

Calvin learned a new trick at the park.. (watch video)

He is a very bright little boy. I am astounded with the things he knows.  My biggest fear I think is not teaching him or doing my very best for him.  

Hanging out with Cousins lots. Dan's Uncle Brent lives 10 minutes away and our cousin Sadie had a birthday party on Saturday with all sorts of lawn games and a bounce house. It took Calvin a little while to get used that thing. We love having family near.   

Our very Large Carrot from our Garden. YUM

Cousin Sebastian

Cousin Sadie

Houston Rodeo

Last weekend we went to the Houston Rodeo. If you have not heard about the rodeo here... well let me tell you it is the darnest biggest RODEO I have ever been too. It goes on forever, we literally could have spent all day long there and not seen everything. Every Texan/Houstonite talks about the Rodeo and how amazing it is.. We decided while we are here in Houston we want to really engage ourselves in the culture here and experience all that Houston has to offer. 

I got my cowgirl gear on.. My white cowboy boots---i think I was the only girl with white boots... I think they were meant to be for fashionable reasons not actual get up on some stallion kinda boots.

It was crazy packed... and we headed straight to the animals, petting farm. There were llamas, goats, piglets, kangaroos, fawns, and a donkey. Animals are so cute when they are little. 

Calvin had no problem saying hi to them all and going up to touch them. he even got head butted in the stomach by a baby goat.. didn't even phase him. He's a tough little guy. Loves his animals.  Next we went and saw the cows, man were these beasts huge. It's another world in the farming business. Saw some pretty massive cows worth a lot of mula. 

The rodeo was awesome. Tim McGraw was even more Awesomer. He sure makes my heart sing. We had nose bleed seats but it was still amazing. 

Really do you have to put your mouth on the same place I'm sure all these animals have put their mouth.

My little cowboy... so handsome

friendly goat...no we don't have food

where did you come from whitey

whitey distracts while blacky goes in for the Head Butt

 

Teaching in the home

Over the Past few months I've really come to love being a mom. With Daniel working long hours 6-7 days a week I have had a lot of Calvin and me time. At first I hated dan being gone so much, ( I still do) but I have come to accept it and try to stay positive and enjoy all the one and one time I have with my baby. I have  also grasped the importance of teaching in the home.  Teaching incorporates all aspects of life and through teaching we also show by example how to live and act. Teaching allows us to draw near to the ones we love and care for.  Everyday I try to think of ways I can teach Calvin that day.  Sometimes I think too much about all that I could and want to do to teach him and then I realize I wasted an hour or more.  Or I let myself get caught in the List Trap... I have so many things on my list to do that I forget that one of the most important things on that list is Calvin.  I was reading somewhere that babies learn so much by watching. this hit me pretty hard as i thought what am I doing that I would not want Calvin or my future children to do.  We need to live our lives the way we want our Children to Live!  If you are like me I want to do so many things to teach Calvin but just don't know where to start or feel like he's not grasping anything I'm teaching him. But I know he is I just have to be patient and continue to teach.  Also there are so many resources out there for ideas and ways to strengthen the home and the best of course is LDS.ORG.  For awhile now I have been listening to the Mormon Channel while I work out in the mornings.  It's by far my favorite APP. I listen to Gospel Solutions for Families and it's Amazing. I have learned so much on what I can do better within our home and family and as a wife, mother, daughter, and sister.  They talk about everyday struggles and give examples of what they do but I am always inspired on what I can do better etc. I urge you to take the time to listen to it.  They talk about handling your children at church, FHE, there's a marriage episode, teenagers, mother daughter. It goes on. I know it will help in ways you had no idea. It has helped me be more appreciative of my own parents, especially my mother who I am so grateful to. Thank you for never lowering your standards and always doing what the Prophet counsels. 

Here are some pictures of my darling Calvin.  I love him so much.  Mom you were right again about how much I will love my own children and that he is my world. 

Going outside is our favorite thing to do during the day. We either go to the park, backyard, walk around neighborhood, or all in one day and there are a ton of teaching opportunities.

He loves getting the mail. He asks for the keys everyday and then off we go in his little red wagon to get the mail. He opens it up almost all by himself. 

Calvin is such a sweetie and gives kisses frequently throughout the day

 Waiting for the Cookies to be done.. cant wait any longer

My GARDEN. I love growing a garden. I love Houston weather that allows for a garden year round. There is something about harvesting your own vegetables that just makes my heart and belly sing. All these were planted by seed except for the brussell sprouts and tomatoes

Brussel Sprouts

Carrots

 My little helper

Broccoli

Cauliflower

We are also growing, peas, beans, beets, spinach and lettuce and the smaller box has all my herbs that Makana planted for us that are on steroids are something.. they are huge, I want to dehydrate them. 

Happy Weekend.