Well worth the 7 minutes 51 seconds.

If you haven't heard of Reflections of Christ...click HERE. This is a video/slideshow of their most recent work...photographs depicting Christ visiting the Americas as told in 3 Nephi of the Book of Mormon.

Flashback Friday - Ella and Jack in Wisconsin 2004

Seriously...they grow up way too fast.

First Day of School 2009

Here's the crew on the morning of Monday August 10th 2009!Ella is a big 4th grader and about the cutest ever if I do say so myself!!Jack is in 2nd grade an was as ready as ever to start up again. It really was all about Max this year. He is a Kindergartner and couldn't be happier about it!
Nora even got to go to an open house for preschool on the same day! Her she is with adorable Miss Tiffany. Of course I took the kids to school on the first day and was snapping away with the camera. Max looked too cute sitting in his desk next to his buddy McCrae.Here is a shot from the front of the classroom as I wanted to get that front row in the picture. Three of his other buddies are in his class Blaine, Drew, and Tate! I didn't even shed a tear because I knew how excited he was and how ready Max was for Kindergarten. I was sad knowing that I really was going to miss his *constant* questions like "how long could you doggy paddle in hot lava?" or "If I have enough money when I'm nine to buy a rocket can I have one?" But really, I was just so happy for him. Max is one of a kind and keeps all of us smiling all the time. He is such a great kid and always wants us to be happy. He's going to have a fabulous year...I know it.After dropping off Max I went outside to see Jack in line with his class like an old pro. He is seriously the coolest kid. School is a breeze for Jack and I have yet to find something that he isn't really good at. Jack makes and keeps friends easily and is always up for having fun. I could go on and on...It cracked me up how fast they were back to playing silly games with each other and settling quickly back into friendships. Ella...my dear Ella...she is a gem. Here she is in line with her class waiting to go to class. I just couldn't get enough of watching her for every last second. I was NOT ready to send her back to school. Summer is good for us...Ella and I...our relationship. There is less structure, nagging, and things that get in the way. I get to see her free spirit and the enormous heart she has. I mentioned in her birthday post how good she is with little kids. It's almost like my words magnified that in her a million times. I cannot even express what a help, angel, and dream big sister/cousin she was this summer. I had several mothers asking if they could just take Ella home with them. Here they are walking to class. I know it seems an insignificant picture, but this is where my tears began. After they went inside I lost it. All the other Kindergarten moms were teary too, but they didn't know that my tears were for my oldest...not the Kindergartner. Of course I miss Max and have been a little wary of not seeing him all day, but this was the year of Ella. I got to know her so much better this summer and we had a blast. Being nine years old, I am half way through raising her. It's not fair. I want to hold onto her as long as I can. She is a treasure, a blessing, and I am humbled to be her mother.
Here's to a great 2009-2010 school year!

Hope after 9-11

Nora has straight hair

A couple of weeks ago before church Nora kept asking me if I had straight hair or curly hair. I told her that I had curly hair like Nora, but that a lot of times I made it straight like Ella's. That was it...she wanted her's straight like Ella's. So, we started the process of blowing her hair with the blow dryer and round brush. She liked it...for about 2 minutes. Then she kept asking me if I was done. Since I only had half her hair done, the next few minutes were not pleasant. We finally got her hair all nice and straight and only used the flat iron on the most stubborn parts.

It was so crazy for me to see her with straight hair!! The kids were all enamored. She loved it and kept saying, "now I have straight hair like Ella." It was fun for the day, but swimming the next morning finished that adventure. Funny thing is that I think she thought it meant her hair would be permanently straight. She kept telling people that she now had straight hair. It took a few days for her to realize that we would have to do the whole process over again if she wanted it straight again. We haven't done it again!!! I know how she feels!

I can't believe I forgot this one!

One day this summer when we were in Utah we went with cousins to Cherry Hill water park in Kaysville. We walked in and started looking for a spot. Nora was walking in front of us leading the way. It was like she was walking a catwalk!!! I was dying!! All she was missing was her purse. Oh boy...I'm really in for it with this girl!!

Flashback Friday - Nora Jayne

Another Flashback to help catch up! This time it's Nora's turn. This girl had a great spring. Seriously...where do I begin...

Let's start with her birthday...March 17th to be exact. It was her day...and she knew it! It was spring break here and so all the kids were home all day!! My good friend Laurie (also the Mom of Ella's best friend Macy) was so sweet and offered to have all my kids over so I could run a few errands. I'm so mad I didn't snap a picture because when we arrived there was a darling homemade sign on the door that said "Happy Birthday Nora." It was so cute!! Macy had been decorating and getting everything ready for 'Nora's birthday party'! So, while I was gone the kids had a great time playing games, making Nora a birthday cake, and dressing up. Macy even gave Nora a bunch of her old dance costumes so she could dress up in them. She was in heaven and immediately put the pink sparkly one on.

Here she is in said dress helping make and eat her favorite dinner...spaghetti!!
Then came time for the presents!!Do you think she liked her presents?
A side note about the American Girl Doll Twins - When I was in Chicago in December, I got these at the store. I was looking and looking for a doll with dark curly hair and light olive skin. ...none to be found...
They were having a special on the 'twins' set, so I chose one of the African-American girls (Nora identifies strongly to her curly hair), and one I thought looked like Nora (minus the straight hair). When I got up to the checkout the woman looked at me strangely and asked if I was sure that this was what I wanted. I told her I sure was. She rung up my order and the receipt said I had ordered one African American doll and one Hispanic doll.
We like to keep it multi-cultural at our house. She adores them both by the way and promptly named them Chloe' and Natalie.One of Nora's presents was this Cinderella dress. She promptly put it on for the remainder of the evening. Did you know that on your birthday you can go to Krispy Kreme and get a dozen of their original glazed doughnuts for FREE?!! So, that's just what we did to cap off the night. It was perfect.Luckily all of Nora's little friends were in town for the Spring Break and we were able to have a party for her that weekend. The bonus was that Grandma and Grandpa Kelly came in town and were there to help celebrate. (Or maybe I should just say HELP! They were awesome and I don't know how it all would've gone down without them) I made her a castle cake that I was very proud of because I usually buy the cake. Obviously it was a princess party!As all the little girls arrived in their adorable princess outfits we had them embellish crowns and little canvas bags. My older kids were so cute and willing to help. It made it so much more fun. Ella's little friend Paris even came over to help. Nora's best little friend Natalie came dressed exactly like Nora. It was priceless.We played several 'princess' games and the kids were all so dang cute!!! I was so happy that they loved the games so much. It was so simple and they each went along with one of the Disney Princess songs. Finally it came time for the presents and Nora made out like a bandit.
Nora's birthday is the day after St. Patrick's day. I was really bummed she waited that last 3 hours to come or she would've been born on St. Patrick's Day. I guess I shouldn't complain seeing as she came a little faster than expected when she did come! Anyway, this picture is just too cute to leave out!

Another big event this spring for Nora is that we chopped off her hair. I can't believe I waited this long to do it. In my humble opinion it is the cutest stinkin' thing ever!! Here are a few angles for your viewing pleasure:At the LibraryAt CostcoThe finger cracks me up!Looks like she thinks she's pretty darn cute too!

And last but DEFINITELY not least...
...drum roll please...
Nora potty trained!!! Words cannot describe how thrilled I was/am about this. She was by far my latest and hardest. Ella and Jack were barely 2 when they potty trained and I thought I must just be really good at it. Max took a little longer, but by 3 he was a pro. Nora on the other hand...is a little stinker...yes...I know!
This girl is very head strong and knows exactly what she wants. I was convinced that it meant that she would be the easiest to train...boy was I wrong!! Anyway, you don't want to hear all the messy details, but it hasn't been until this week that I can officially say that she is trained #1 AND #2!!! Hallelujah!!
The only silver lining about it all is that she is trained at night too!

To sum it all up...Nora is an absolute joy to have in our home. I can't wait to see the person she is going to be - because let's face it...it is inevitable that she will grow up.

Growing up...not an option!

I have to admit that I'm thrilled to finally be a part of the 'I don't want my kids to grow up' club. Let me explain...

For years I would get hit with an heavy dose of guilt every time I'd hear a mother declare that they just didn't want any of their kids to grow up. I was obviously in a stage where growing up sounded pretty good to me. I'm blaming this on a myriad of reasons, one of them being that my oldest child was 5 when my fourth was born. Yes...I was drowning in a sea of little people.This picture was taken one week before Nora was born. It really does capture how I felt. Our family was about to be complete... and I felt ready. This picture was taken one week after Nora was born. We were thrilled and it shows. The problem is...after a few more days...I started falling apart. It was hard...and I had hit my limit. I didn't want to admit that I wasn't able to handle it all...so I didn't.

It's been a rough three years since then, but we've turned a corner. My kids are still a lot of work, but I've somehow been able to start appreciating the fun more. When I see things like this...

...it kills me, and I know I will miss it when it's gone.This scene (in Ella's room) is becoming a regular occurrence...and I don't mind...because it will soon be gone. Here they are again in Nora's room. I mean c'mon...the hand holding...the thumb sucking...it's killin' me!!!How much longer are they going to want to do water slide trains like this? I hope forever...but you never know.

So...yes...I am one of those Mom's...officially!!! I DON'T WANT MY KIDS TO GROW UP!!

We talk to the kids about this often and how we expect them to stay little forever. They are all on board, but somehow time keeps passing us by. I feel like as their mother I need to lead by example. Therefore today I did my part to recapture my youth...and hold on for a while...Just call me brace face. Yes...I'm in pain...what was I thinking?!

Flashback Friday - Max

In an attempt to 'catch up' with the blog I will designate Friday's as my Flashback Friday!! Today we are going to focus on MAX!!!

Here are some highlights from this spring.

Max turned 5 and had his first 'friend' birthday party at Bounce U! He was so excited...
...can you tell?!
The little ladies table in the corner. Cute Hannah, Claire, and Charlotte.
One table with his friend Blaine, and sister Ella with cousins Ashley and Lauren.
Two table with Friends Ethan, Andrew, Drew, brother Jack, sister Nora, and Nora's friend Natalie.
Blowing out the candles!
Opening the presents on the throne while Paul is talking to the dad of one of the kids. They were like this the whole time. A few weeks later Max was even talking about his party and saying Dad wasn't there...I had to set him straight that he was there...in body.
A birthday picture with Mom. Doesn't this kid have the best smile ever?!
Max shares a birthday with none other than Dr. Seuss so here is a picture on his very birthday at school!Before school Max got to spend the morning of his birthday with Grammy making his cake. He loved it! They then went to get Max his birthday present at Payless. He wanted his first pair of 'Tie shoes' as he calls them. Yes, I am a lazy mom and bought slip on Vans, Converse, or better yet...flip flops and/or Crocs!!! He was thrilled and I began my journey of tying shoes daily.

Last (for now) but definitely not least, I got this letter in the mail about Max......and of course cried.Here he is receiving his award.Grammy came over to congratulate him.She sure was proud.And so was he!

That smile....