help

o.k. I know not everyone has had the pleasure of meeting my little man, Ethan...but I also know from your stories that there are many more "Ethans" out there....so any wisdom would be more than priceless to me! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY SANITY!

To be completely honest, Ethan is like 5 Catherines rolled into one. He is the most curious and adventurous little boy I can imagine. He doesn't mean to be destructive, and he really isn't for the most part...though he has left his mark in every room of our house.

I feel like a crazy mom putting up gates, locks on everything and contemplating remodeling part of our house to save my sanity.

My most recent problem areas: the bathroom...shredding toilet paper, turning on the tub water...flushing the toilet (hopefully free of toys or other clogging objects)...climbing up in the pantry...emptying clothes out of drawers...but my latest worry is our computer desk...I worry about him swallowing staples, sucking on permanent markers, or just coloring on everything...

I've tried to keep things out of his reach...but the safest spot to store harmful things is up in our kitchen cabinets and pantry... and we're running out of room for food and dishes!

any wisdom?

melting my heart

I love my kids.  They are the joy of my life.  The other night I was in Catherine's room with her as she was getting ready for bed.  I was just sitting on her bed quietly, smiling at her and admiring her sweetness and innocence and loving her more than I could ever imagine...

She must have noticed my gaze because all of a sudden she paused, leaned her little head to the side, gave me a sweet smile and said, "I love you too...I love you too, Mom."  

Today while Catherine, Ethan and I were sitting at the table having lunch, I looked over at Catherine and said, "I love you Catherine."  To which she replied, "I love you too."  Then I smiled at Ethan and said, "I love you too, Ethan."  He smiled and said "TOO."  

My heart is full of gratitude for my wonderful husband and children.  I can't imagine a greater gift than my family and the love we share.  

kid talk

Catherine says the funniest things that always keep me guessing.  This morning, for example....

Catherine:  "I want to get a chicken for my birthday someday.  And another Mickey Mouse cake."

Well, she IS three years old now...

More Kona

Just so you know, Larry blogged a lot of pictures from our trip. You can see them on his photography blog HERE! Enjoy!

Innocent Ham

Ethan is our little ham and he gets away with so many things because he's still so little and innocent...I mean, just look at this face....

...and it's usually the face we get when he does something mischievous...like today...
What is it with kids and toilet paper? Today he had pulled a long strip of it through the bathroom, down the hall and into Catherine's room (doesn't it usually tear off by then?) where I was putting clothes away...of course he was showing off his accomplishment and when I reacted sternly..."Oh, Ethan...uh, oh" he got a little concerned face then pulled a piece off, handed it to me with a similar smile as above and said, "Thank you!" Then he proceeded to show me how responsible he was and took another piece to start wiping his nose.

Kids sure do start early!

a sneak peak at Kona

We had a wonderful vacation on the Big Island this past week and a half. Thanks, Mom and Dad for inviting us!

I asked Catherine what she enjoyed the most and she replied "going on the boat!"

This is why...

We all loved it!

Grandpa Ray Heagle

Grandpa Ray Heagle peacefully left this earth this morning with grandma by his side in their Aurora, UT home. He is a great man and we will really miss him. This past summer we were able to see him and grandma and we had a good time. We're grateful for the many memories we have with him and will cherish those memories forever. God be with you 'til we meet again, grandpa! We love you!!