A thought for the "mothers" in my life...

So- This past sunday was Mothers Day. I spent the day literally feeling every emotion under the sun! I found this picture of me, my mom and my daughter. It was taken the day that we got her- we were still at the hospital- it is easy to see from my red eyes that it was a very tearful and happy day for us. Ever since Kennedy has come into my life- the actual reality of what it was to be a mother had not really registered. It got me thinking about all of the mothers in my life and I just wanted to let them know how much I love them.

My mother in law, Kathie, is wonderful! She and Mac's dad produced the most awesome, wonderful man on the planet!(And for reasons still unbeknownst to me- he wanted to marry me!) She is so great with Kenna, supportive of everything we do- and she has the most awesome sense of humor, and is not afraid to say it like it is- which is what I love most about her. I am so grateful that she is in our lives.

My mom- is incredible! No kidding when I say that I would be lost without her. She is always there to listen to me ramble, watch Kennedy, hang out with, run errands- you name it. She has become my closest friend over the years and I can only hope that she has rubbed off enough on me- so that I can be that kind of mom for my daughter. I can't remember a time when she ever put her needs before anyone elses. She has always pushed me to follow my heart, and encouraged me on, even when it meant leaving home and going half way across the world-and I am so lucky to have her as a mom.

I think that it takes a really strong woman to be a mother- dealing with all the stuff we put up with on a daily basis. Wiping tears, noses, kitchen counters, and little behinds. I also know- it takes an even stronger woman to do what "L" did for us- and I hope that she knows how forever grateful I am for her. She gave us the most precious gift in the world- my beautiful daughter...I can't even fathom how she must have felt the day she placed her in my arms. Her strengh, and determination to provide her child that she loved with the opportunity of a two parent home, knowing that she would not be able to wipe tears when needed- must have ripped her apart. I hope she knows that I will do everything in my power to be what Kenna needs- I will give her more love than I can even express in words- and I will never forget my debt to her. Even though she is not in our lives anymore- I love her, and pray that God will fill her life with every good thing.

I don't know why God chooses to work the way he does. I don't know why we were chosen to find our family thru adoption. One thing I do know- we were meant to have this beautiful little girl in our family, and I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who provided a way for us to be sealed together. I am grateful for the "eternal links" to generations of worthy and strong mothers- who have paved the way for us.

Well- hope all you moms reading this had a wonderful day also!

Cousins are the Best!

This past Sunday after church we went to my parents house to visit, and my brothers's families were there also. Kenna LOVES playing with her cousins! She is the only girl- and it just cracked me up to watch all of them. The boys were rambunctious and fighting and wrestling- and Kenna just sat off to the side and sniffed the flowers and was dancing and twirling. So funny that kids' personalities come out at such an early age. Kenna adores the boys though- they are all best friends and I love the fact that we are all so close and get to see each other all the time.

Thank Heavens for Annie who always has her camera out and ready! Kennedy (who is WAY into pretty dresses and girly things) was showing Annie how good she could twirl in her dress. The hilarious thing is that her dress goes down to the ground and she had taken her shoes off, so she was tripping over this crazy long dress and falling right on her face! I shouldn't have laughed but it was just SO cute! She definately also needed a nosewipe in the worst way- but to me that only added to the cuteness of it! My tiny little girl- trying so hard to be a pretty princess and having a hard time even staying on her feet!

A day in the sun...FINALLY!

My heck! Thank Heavens that it is finally getting warmer! Kenna and I have been going crazy being cooped up inside for so long- now that the weather is finally getting better we have been outside just about every spare second or the day!

Kennedy is having an awesome time playing outside and exploring everything. It makes me feel like a kid again to watch her. She is really getting into using her imagination and playing in the dirt- just like every kid should do. Anyhow- my sister in law got these cute shots of her and so I thought I would share.

Husband Tag...

Ok- so I have been husband tagged... this is actually a good one for me- because my honey is one of my all time favorite subjects!

What's his name?... McCarrey

How long have you been married?...4 years,8 months and 1 day!

How long did you date?...I am embarrassed!...7 weeks... I know!! But when it's right- it's right!

How old is he?... 29

Who said 'I love you' first?... I think he did...but I really can't remember! It was 7 weeks!! It all happened so fast my head is still reeling from it!

Who kissed who first?... I kissed him- I was his first kiss! He was taking a long time to get the guts up- and one day I just leaned over and planted one on him!

Who asked who out first?...He asked me. We literally met right outside the temple front doors on Main street. I was walking one direction- he was walking the other- we passed each other and said hi- and for whatever reason, we both turned around and walked back to each other. We started talking- he got my phone number- and we have been together every day since!

Who proposed?...He did- and darn good thing too- we'd still be dating if he were waiting around for me to do it!

Who eats more?...He does.

Who is taller?... He is- but not by much.

Who is smarter?...McCarrey is- hands down!!

Who does laundry?...Mostly I do- but he is very willing to fold the clothes- (Which I HATE doing!!) Funny thing though- he will fold them- but he NEVER puts them away.

Who does the dishes?...I do. Yuck!

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?...I do.

Who pays the bills?...Mac does all the bills- I just get to spend the money.

Who mows the lawn?... I do. I have the mornings off- so it's easier for me to do it.

Who cooks dinner?...I do. Last time McCarrey made dinner for me...it was this horrible, pasty rice concoction that had broccoli, (and get this!) green chilies in it. Yup- I am not even kidding!

Who drives when you are together?...Mac does. I hate driving.

Who is more stubborn?...Me! For sure! My husband is so patient and good and I am a monster woman at times!

Who is cleaner?...That's a total toss up! I am more picky about making sure that the living room and kitchen are clean- and Mac can't stand our room to be a mess...so I guess it depends on who is cleaning that day.

Who has more siblings?...I have two brothers and I am smack dab in the middle. My honey on the other hand is the 2nd youngest of 8, 2 sisters and 5 brothers (two of them passed away as children) so he's the winner on that one.

Whose parents do you see more often?...We are lucky because we live in the same city as both sets of parents. We see all of them all the time. Mac's dad is a little tougher to see because he is gone quite a bit traveling all over the countryside. I have to say though- I feel very lucky to have such awesome in-laws and I love that we get to spend so much time with family.

Ok- so that's that. If you are reading this- consider yourself tagged too. Just copy and paste- and erase my answers and put yours in- then let me know so I can read it. My husband is amazing and I am definately the luckiest girl alive! Sorry to all you girls who didn't get him- but I just couldn't let him stay out on the market!

All made up with no where to go...

The other day I was working on the dishes and I realized that Kennedy was upstairs and it was awfully quiet... (Never a good sign!) I went upstairs and found her in my room playing with my makeup. She had taken my concealer stick and covered herself from head to toe! I just started laughing and had to run straight for the camera. She had white. blotchy skin all day! I couldn't get it off!


Kenna is always wanting makeup and dresses on. She is so funny when it comes to clothes and hair. She will go up to a complete stranger and say "Do you like my shirt?" or "I like your hair- it's cute!" Where does she get this from?! I am about as fashion clueless as they come- this has to be genetics because she isn't getting this from me- she just cracks me up!

Time Flies!

Kennedy is two years old now and she definately keeps me on my toes. It is so hard to believe that time flew by so fast! I can remember it like it happened two seconds ago when we got the call saying that there was a beautiful little baby girl at the hospital waiting for us to come and bring her home. It was for sure the craziest time of our lives! We literally had 24 hours to buy EVERYTHING! We had only overnighted our paperwork to the agency the day before and BAM! We were parents! We had a blast running up and down the aisles of the stores throwing anything and everything into the carts to prepare for our new arrival. The first time I saw her- it is not an exaggeration to say that I was instantly in love. She has been the most amazing thing in our lives and she is turning into the funniest kid! She is talking up a storm and developing quite the diva attitude! Heaven help me when she is a teenager!