First-Time Gardener

Well, I did it! I planted my first garden. Let me reiterate that this is my first time gardening and I definitely do not have a green thumb. But, nonetheless, I finally have seeds in the ground.

The pictures aren’t much to look at; after all, it just looks like dirt. But I will be taking pictures throughout the summer to verify the progress (or non-progress) of my vegetables. I have planted tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, green beans, and watermelon (yes, I am trying watermelon – we will see how it turns out). This year I figure is kind of a test-run. I will hopefully be able to increase my knowledge and gardening abilities in the coming years.

Oh, and by the way, as you can see from the pictures I have not yet killed the flowers that I planted in the pots! Yes – I know it is extremely amazing that they are not all wilted and dead. But they are alive and well so far. Here’s to hoping!

Done With Kindergarten

Thursday was Kaden’s last day of kindergarten. Danny and I got to go to the program that his class put on. It was super cute! Each of the kids dressed up as “what they want to be when they grow up.” Kaden decided all by himself that he wanted to be a cowboy because he loves to ride horses. He even mentioned to his teacher his love of riding horses with Grandpa Bradshaw.

After they all showed off their aspirations for careers, they sang a few songs. Then their teacher, Mr. Kay, showed a video with pictures taken from this school year. He even had some video clips from “dads and doughnuts day” which included the kids and dads all dancing the chicken dance. That was super hilarious and if anyone wants to see Danny and Kaden dancing the chicken dance, I now have it on video. :)

But, alas, my little kindergartener is now considered a first-grader. Yes, I am excited for all-day school just so I don’t have to stop everything at 11:00 to pick him up from school; but it has also made me quite nostalgic the past few days. They grow up so fast that it seems extremely weird. Not only does it seem impossible for Kaden to be going to first grade next year, but I just don’t feel old enough to have a first-grader. :) I guess that’s probably the way everyone feels.

Just Another Frustrating Day

Yesterday started out promising; but it definitely went downhill. After picking Kaden up from school, we went and got some lunch and then visited Danny at his office. After that, we had to go to the store. I didn’t feel like going to the store – I was extremely tired and a headache was starting to form, but we really needed groceries.

Anyway, without going into a big long story of how the lady at the checkout was terribly slow, confused, and enormously frustrating, by the time I got out of Wal-Mart (I was just in the line for over 45 minutes) I was about to scream! Then, by the time I got home, my head was pounding!

Preston had fallen asleep in the car so I carefully put him on the couch to finish his nap, then I unenthusiastically went about bringing the groceries into the house and putting them away.

The reason I decided to write about this particular day in my blog/journal is because of Kaden. He noticed that I wasn’t feeling well. He immediately went to work trying to assist me in putting away the groceries. And every time I closed my eyes for a second to get my bearings, he would come give me a hug and pat my back so sweetly. He then ever so quietly turned on the Xbox (sometimes sadly used as our babysitter) and told me he would play his game while I took a nap.

I know I’ve said it many times before, but the reason we have children is because most of the time we end up needing them far more than they need us. I truly needed Kaden’s sympathy yesterday – yep, even moms need some TLC every once in a while. Thank you, again, Kaden!

My Life As A Mom

Sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough time in a single day to do all that I want to accomplish. And then there are the days that I just don’t feel like doing all that I need to get done. I wonder if this roller coaster of feelings ever goes away… Somehow, I don’t think so – especially as a mother.

There are days I think I am doing an ok job in raising my kids and there are days when I feel like I have absolutely failed. There are moments when I feel so glad that I took the time to sit down and read with my children; and there are times when I go to bed wishing I would have slowed down enough to play a game with them.

But the one thing that I have always tried to instill in my two little boys is the one single fact that I love them! I tell them so every day. In fact, sometimes I can’t help but say it over and over to them as I give them each a hug and kiss. It’s amazing to me how much love I can feel for these sweet little people that have been sent to me from above.

I would be the first person to admit that I am not the best mother in the world. I lose my temper way too easily; I don’t spend enough one-on-one time with either of them; and I don’t give them enough credit for the many times they are super good. But every night I pray for them. And I pray to be a better mom for them. I thank my Heavenly Father for each of them. And I pray that they will ALWAYS know that I love them.

Such is my life as a mom. I look at their sweet little faces admiring themselves in the mirror with their new pair of sunglasses that I bought for them and I smile. I smile because not only are they so darn cute and kissable, but also because regardless of the roller coaster of good and bad motherhood decisions – at least they know that I truly do love them. Not because I bought them new sunglasses; but because I TRY to show them every day. And what it comes down to is that is all I want… for them to always know that I love them.

Learning To Ride A Bike

All I have posted lately are pictures; but, that's all I've got lately. So sorry if you're wanting more informative stories... The pictures will have to do for now.

Monday was such a beautiful day here. Therefore, Kaden just wanted to ride his bike all day long. But with my pregnant belly, I didn't feel like running along with him while he figured out how to ride it without training wheels. Thus, I told him he needed to wait until his dad got home.

After waiting all day long to ask his dad for help, Kaden anxiously tried to ride a training wheel-less bicycle for the first time. He did it. He couldn't get started by himself, but with Danny's help he was able to figure out how to balance himself on a two-wheeled bike. And he only had a few falls - so just a couple of bumps, bruises, and scratches.

Tuesday, after school, he wanted to try again. So I decided that this time I could try to help him. He did so good! I only had to hold him up for a second when he started out. I thankfully didn't even have to run with him. And then he even started by himself a couple of times... Though that was still a challenge. But way to go Kaden! He did it!

No Green Thumb Here...

I would be the first person to admit that I do not have a "green thumb". In fact, I would probably be the last person that should try to grow anything plantlike. But this year I have decided to give it a try. My wonderful sister-in-law Megan was generous enough to give me some leftover flowers... She had overestimated in how many she would need. So I decided to make some nice welcoming pots on our front porch. Kaden just wanted to help by watering them after I was done.

Not only am I trying to keep these flowers alive for more than a day, I have decided to be ambitious enough to start a vegetable garden in a couple of weeks. We will see how that goes. Wish me luck!