Quotes From Kids...

Kaden (during prayer):

"Please bless dad that he will work hard so that he can bring home new moneys for us to spend."

Preston (during prayer):

"I'm thankful that I could eat green eggs and ham.  And that I'm a guy."

Preston (conversation with Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw):

Gpa - "So, who's the oldest person you know?"

P - "The Holy Ghost."

Lil' Fella

Yesterday, Kaden and Preston were outside playing.  I looked out the window to check on them and noticed that they were playing with bugs.  Then Preston started crying.  He came to the door, opened it, and whined, "Mom, Kaden squished my lil' fella."  I didn't quite understand what he was talking about at first.  Then I noticed the potato bug in his hand.  He thought that since the potato bug had rolled up into his little ball, that somehow Kaden had squished his newfound friend.  I had to explain the defensive stance that this bug had taken.  Then I turned around, went back in the house, and had a good chuckle that he was calling the potato bug "his lil' fella".  What great imaginations they have!

Little Red Riding Hood

Today Kaden was in the musical play "Little Red Riding Hood". Last Friday his teacher sent home the script and told each of the students to pick a part that they wanted to play. They were to practice the lines for that character and the 2 or 3 students that had practiced the most and knew the part best got to play that character. Of course Kaden, along with 10 other boys in the class, wanted to be the wolf. So he practiced and practiced. He read the lines over and over again. When he thought he had the lines down, he had me read lines with him. I swear, he was like a real actor trying out for a part. :)

Yesterday, Mrs. Snyder held the "tryouts" and lo and behold, Kaden was granted one of the 3 spots available to play the part of the wolf. He was so excited! Last night he continued to practice and again he had me run through the lines with him. This morning, he kept reminding me that I should be there at 10:00 to watch the play.

I was so proud of my little wolf. He was the loudest and most exuberant wolf up there. He made sure to yell his lines out so that he could be heard. The teacher's husband recorded the whole thing and will be giving each of the parents a copy. I'm really excited to watch it again.

Afterward, Mrs. Snyder told me that Kaden was so cute when they were practicing yesterday. He asked her if she could just be quiet so that the wolves could sing their song by themselves. That's my little Kaden. Wants to prove to everyone that he can do it by himself. :)

Here are some pictures from the play:

But my FAVORITE picture is:

Playground

A few weeks ago I took the kids to the park to play.  They absolutely LOVED it and can't wait to go again.  The pictures don't do it justice, but Ellie was so giddy on the swing.  She had the cheesiest smile every time I pushed her.  But that meant I wasn't taking a picture when she was actually smiling the biggest.  We are glad to live so close (walking distance) to this wonderful park and if anyone wants to come visit us, we'll take a stroll over there and play.  It's a lot of fun!

Mother's Day

Moving has it's drawbacks, like not being able to keep up with things - including a blog.  But I really had to sit down and write this one.

There are a lot of women out there that are special to me and I want to wish them all a Happy Mother's Day!  Especially to my mom and Danny's mom.  We love you both so very much and continue to be grateful for every moment that you have given to our behalf.  You both have done so much for us.

My mom sent me a WONDERFUL new book for Mother's Day (thank you, mom).  And I started reading it last night.  I really needed the messages in the book.  It is called "Contentment; Inspiring Insights for LDS Mothers" by Maria Covey Cole.  I wanted to quote a couple of things from the book:

"As daughters of God, when we acknowledge His goodness and mercy in our lives, accept that life is not meant to be easy, and learn that motherhood is, by divine design, difficult and testing, we will truly be content with the things the Lord has allotted to us."

"If we work upon marble, it will perish.  If we work upon brass, time will efface it.  If we rear temples, they will crumble into the dust.  But if we work upon immortal minds, and instill into them just principles, we are then engraving on the tablet that which no time will efface, but will brighten and brighten to all eternity." (-Daniel Webster, as quoted in Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families)

And, one of my favorites:

"I have come to understand that the echo of eternity is found in each and every human being and in the interactions between human beings, and that we must not allow these small yet significant moments to pass by without valuing them.  That is why I treasure holding my newborn babies, delight in chasing my toddlers around the house, prize going on Sunday walks with my middle children, and relish spending time with my teenagers.  All of these simple, ordinary moments of daily life are precious and are to be savored.  And for a mother, this is where true contentment is ultimately found."

I love being a mom!  I find so much joy in the simple moments of my boys snuggling up to me while we watch a movie.  I love it when Preston runs up to me and gives me a hug and says, "Mom, you are awake!"  I love the little talks that I get to share with Kaden as I take him to and from school now.  I absolutely adore my little girl; trying to make her giggle, going in to her grinning face after a nap, and holding her when she just needs to be held.  I find contentment in knowing that my children love me and they know I love them.  In my opinion, this is what motherhood is about.  And I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a mom and spend time with my children each and every day.