Motherhood, give me a break, no seriously, I want someone to come over in the night and mother my children! I was always realistic about being a mom. I just didn't think about the night part as much. Getting your baby to sleep through the night is one thing, but it doesn't stop there. Then comes the teeth. My 15 month old only has 2 so far and it feels like she has been teething for months. Hadley is ill and has been waking up like crazy the past few nights. It really doesn't stop, the night waking.
I need some sanity.
I know being a mom is measured in the moments with your child and you see your impact and how important it is what you are doing. I just haven't felt that in a while. Where is the light at the end of the tunnel?! Where is it?!

Our mean old witch with a hat. I even got her to sing the song. She is about to put a hex on you with her broom.

Our love bug, about to take flight.


It was the perfect night for trick-or-treating.

This is us before the U game, and there are no more pictures. We thought taking tracks would save us time, instead it took a couple hours there and back. It rained, both kids were inconsolable, by half we were both almost in tears (at least Tony was to the point I could tell he was going to lose it.) We left, so glad we were home and watched the rest of the game. We won't be trying that again anytime soon.

We hiked Timpanogos with Hadley walking and Lainey in a backpack. The hike up the path went well, (Hadley was talking our ears off), but then when we got into the cave, the tour took 1 hour 10 min.! You have to hold your squirming babies in your arms while in the cave, so maybe that explains why I felt like we were in there forever. Also, I got a little panicky when we were in the deepest part of the cave and the tour guide said there was 500 feet of mountain on top of us. It became a little bit harder to breathe. When we finally reached open air, Tony wondered why I hardly said a word, I was just trying to keep it together. I guess I'm getting more fearful. The hike down was long because Hads was on Tony's shoulders and I had to have the backpack with Laines. I'm just glad nobody fell off the edges during the hike and we weren't squashed in the cave by a mountain.
The views during the hike were breathtaking, and of course I forgot to bring the camera. Since I don't like to post without a visual, here is us in a different canyon enjoying fall.



Hadley's artistic touch

OIL AND WATER, FIRE AND ICE

I know she wasn't the first one to say it, and likely not the first to sing it either, but that Paula Abdul is full of it. Opposites DO NOT attract. Case in point - my two lovely daughters. I know its a bit early in the game to be saying it, but I'm not sure that two more different girls have been born of the same mother and father. I love and appreciate my wife for all that she does at home, which is more than I will ever know. My evaluations of what happens at home while I work are based on the moments when I walk in the door every weekday evening. Its not atypical to find the three of my girls all doing something completely different. Meg's usually tending to something that needs her attention (dinner, cleaning, primary assignment or putting out a fire in the kitchen. Hadley is normally pretending something that has to do with puppies (her new gig), or playing quietly somewhere. Lainey can be found creating chaos (screaming, pulling pretend puppies' ears out, starting fires in the kitchen). My fears will soon be realized as Lainey now walks and has two teeth. I don't write this as a complaint. On the contrary, I love my life at home. The different pace each day sets at home is never boring, and it makes me marvel at how the Lord has found a way to make kids from the same gene pool so completely different. It also makes me wonder how all this fits into his master plan. Like I said, its a bit early to worry if my kids will get along or not. They seem to do well enough for now under Meg's supervision and officiating. They make life fun and interesting, but sometimes as I watch the two little ones play, I can't help but think that the Montagues and Capulets had more in common.
At least THEY didn't have to share toys.

I made the blog book! It wasn't hard because the site I used wouldn't let me edit my pages. I had tried that previously and it was taking too long. It is not exactly how I want it, but honestly I don't care that much. As long as the pictures and information is down then I have done my job. Who says it has to look pretty! I'm just glad it is done. Goodbye scrap booking. Seriously, I am not a craft person. I enjoy looking at cute crafts, but not making them.
I made another batch of salsa and thought how beautiful it looked in the pan, but in the picture it reminds me of vomit. The smell of onions and garlic is still lingering on my hands.

I've cut my daughters hair once and decided never to do it again. This time a pro got a hold of her and worked her magic. Hadley even loved having her hair washed. She hates it at home.

He Did It!

Hooray! Tony ran his marathon. Top of Utah in Logan. 26.2 miles, are you kidding me! You made us proud babe. We're all glad that's over with'!

Sweet Hadley loves animals. Often she asks me as a dog barks or a duck quacks, "Mom, what did they say?" I proceed to tell her, "that dog doesn't want you to go on his lawn. That duck was laughing because another duck told him a funny joke." Sometimes I forget she hangs on to my every word. She believes whatever I tell her. This sweet little thing thinks her mom is the smartest woman in the world. Parents can do so much good and so much damage to their kids. The responsibility is enormous. Too bad there are so many who don't see it that way. So, I will continue to give her my knowledge of being able to interpret animals and whatever amazing feats that she thinks I can do until one day she'll realize, I'm just a normal person with faults. I dread that day.

I love being able to get Tony at work for his lunch break and have a picnic at the park with the kids. I realized last time we went, this won't last forever. Our kids youth is fleeting. It seems like I've had babies and toddlers forever. Before I know it, they will be gone and in school.

Baby shoes. Cutest thing in the world, I just wish they would stay on her feet!

My sister Janae just informed us she is having a girl! Yippee, more girlie's! My sisters and me seem to produce one of the sexes in streaks.
Adrian - three boys.
Janae - three girls.
Congratulations Janae and Rob!

(Logan Canyon)

Fall is coming and I can't help but remember the fall of 2000. It's great that one season reminds me of falling in love with Tony. I get to be reminded every year how we started.
The very best decision I ever made and will ever make is that I married this man.
I fell in love with him at eighteen! Even though I always told myself I would never marry young, it was the best thing I could have done in my life.
I think you have to keep finding ways to fall in love with your husband, over and over again. We've always used music to grow closer. This is my new favorite song he introduced to me and made me fall for him again.
(The Fray - never say never)


(Logan Canyon)

I, Megan, made raspberry jam. I just had to document this first canning experience. I did have my sister, Janae, there to teach me. Now I'm not so scared. Salsa is next! Thanks be to my Dad and his wonderful garden.
Peanut butter and jam sandwiches for dinner tonight (not kidding, canning is hard work!)

Eyes are amazing. I thought this was neat to see all different colors close up.

Here are the windows to our souls -

Tony

Megan

Hadley

Lainey

On 8/18/08 weighing 8lbs this babe came to us in a matter of a few short hours.
I find myself telling Tony that Heavenly Father misses Lainey. I know He misses all of us, but I see how her soul makes others smile. I'm just amazed she gets to be with us. She is now 1 years old. Time is crazy! I don't understand it and probably never will.
This is Adelaine, in all her wonderful one year old glory! (still no teeth!)


I think she bit her finger

We've gone on a few hikes this summer and loved them. But, what do you do when the baby starts getting too big for the carrier and can't walk yet?
A hike was me and Tones official first date. 9 years ago we hiked Val Halla (in Logan) with no trail and only some provisions. We both wanted to impress each other and made it to the top of the mountain. By that time the moon was out and we had to hike down in the dark. By far it was the hardest hike we've ever done. I guess it both showed us our tenacity to keep going. Now with kids, it's more like a stroll in the mountains. It gives us a way to show them our love for being outside and encourage them to love it too.

We love the summer. It's busy, hot, and exhausting!



Can you tell they're sisters? In the exact same position eating a Popsicle.

Want some?

I have 5 great loves in this world

1. Tones (aka Anthony, only because he is freakin' hot!)
2. My girls
3. Pogey bait (aka any kind of wonderful junk food)
4. Movies or T.V. (I can't help myself)
5. Books

I do have other loves, but these have topped the list since being a mom.

I can have three of my loves all at once


putting the kids to bed, eating pogey with my lover, and watching a movie (I must be the easiest girl to please)

Speaking of freakin', (I never thought I used the word, apparently I do)
The other day Hadley was trying to put on her pants and having a tough time at it and she says "Mom, I'm FREAKIN' out!"

Some questions I asked Hadley for Father's Day

Why do you like Daddy?
"Because he loves me!"

What do you like to play with Dad?
"puppies"

What does he like to eat?
"Teddy Grahams" (true)

What is the funniest thing he ever did?
"tickled me and turned into a robot"

What is the nicest thing daddy did?
"I don't want anymore questions"

New family pictures. (Taken by John Garrett). Thank you John. We haven't had any since Lainey was 2 weeks old!




I love the look Hadley is giving Tones, such admiration.

Summers are for romping around naked!



I caught Hadley with the peanut butter (notice it on the chair and counter)