I love this....

I am your PARENT, you are my CHILD

I am your QUIET PLACE, you are my WILD

I am your CALM FACE, you are my GIGGLE

I am your WAIT, you are my WIGGLE

I am your DINNER, you are my CHOCOLATE CAKE

I am your BEDTIME, you are my WIDE AWAKE

I am your LULLABY, you are my PEEKABOO

I am your GOOD NIGHT KISS, you are my I LOVE YOU

I found this poem here.

Things that I love today

I love nothing more than thunderstorms!! The big, loud, rattle your whole house, ones! I L.O.V.E. them! Especially when they happen in the middle of the night. I love to snuggle up to my hunny and enjoy each and every clap of thunder!

(BTW, Geoff took this picture. Isn't it awesome?!???)

This is my new favorite blog! Can I just say that I'm pretty sure the tips and ideas on this blog are going to save me? If I can just use a few of her ideas, I know I will feel more "in control" of my life. I just know it!

I'm sure all of you know by now that these gals are my favorite! Today was a good day. I heard more giggles than screams. I love listening to Emily and Abby laugh together.

Do I need to even explain myself?

This article really hit me today. It was a sweet reminder to me that I need to treat people with more kindness, more patience, and more love. I would like to think I treat people fairly and with kindness....but I know I don't do it all of the time. I know I don't treat everyone this way. After reading this, I am going to do better.

Needin' some privacy please....

After alot of thought, we've decided to make our blog private. If anyone would like to be on the invite list, then send me your email address. The more and more I think about it, I'm not comfortable letting "just anyone" look at pictures of my kids and our life.

"Stay-cation" Week

Geoff had a week off of work! 5 whole days!! That is unheard of!! We were all so excited to have him home with us allday everyday!! Our original plan was to travel to the Oregon Coast with my family. However, with the insane amout of medical bills that we have, we decided it would be smarter for us to stay home. (Plus, the thought of driving for 14 hours each way with three little ones didn't sound very appealing.) Maybe in a few years. So, we were determined to make our "stay-cation" fun and enjoyable. I have to say that we had a pretty good time!

We spent alot of time hanging out at home laying on the air mattress, watching movies, eating tons of junk food, and drinking more pop than we should.

Abby got into a fare amount of mischief. (It's good that she's so darn cute!)
We spent some time at the park and had a picnic.

We went to the zoo....

(and had a scrumptious dinner at Cafe Rio!)

(Emily was excited that she matched the zebras)

(Even Sophie had a good time!)

The ice cream truck stopped by our house....

We finished off our week with a little mini golfing....

Some other fun things we did were:

*went to a movie

*Geoff went for a bike ride on some crazy trail up City Creek

*Emily finished up her gymnastics class for the summer

*did a little shopping

*did some sleeping in

*I got to have a girls night with a great friend

*Abby learned how to walk up the stairs without holding on...

(it gives me a heart attack everytime)

*and even more laying around being lazy and eating

We only had one "not so fun" thing to do this week. Sophie had her two month check-up. This is my least favorite check-up. I hate when they have to get shots for the first time! It's so sad! But, I was strong and she did great! She is having some feeding problems that we're concerned about. She's been having trouble swallowing without choking. We really have to concentrate when we feed her and make sure she is getting enough air. Her doctor thinks she may have the same problems as Abby (a laryngeal cleft) or her tiny chin could also be the problem. So, here's the plan : First, we have to thicken her formula with rice cereal to make it easier for her to swallow.

Second, if that isn't fixing the issues, then we will give her Zantac twice a day to help with reflux (GERD). Third, we will go back in a month to do a weight check and talk with the doctor about how things are going. Fourth, if things haven't changed, then we will do a Swallow Study. And fifth, if they find a mechanical problem during the swallow study, then we will head down to Primary Children's to see a specialist. So right now, we are just focusing on thickening her formual and giving her the Zantac. Adding the cereal to her formula has helped some, but not completely. So, last night we started giving her the Zantac (which she totally hates!). I'm not sure if it's helping since she's only had two doses so far. (I'm praying that it will magically fix whatever issues she's having.) I can't allow myself to even think about all the next steps. We will cross those bridges when we get to each of them.

So, we now have two more weeks until preschool and gymnastics start back up for Emily. Plus, Geoff's work schedule is changing for the better....now he gets to go to all of church! And, I'm going to start doing a little babysitting one day a week. Being busy is good, though! It'll keep us out of trouble!! I am so grateful that we had this week just for us. It was so nice to be together and enjoy each other! The girls loved having their dad around all the time. He's back to work today though. Us girls are all going through major withdrawls!!

All about Sophie...

I still can't believe I have three daughters! And yet, in the same breath, it feels like each one of them have been with us forever. She just fits perfectly into our family. Have I ever mentioned how much I love newborns? Babies are super hard....but the sweet moments far out weigh the bad ones. I love the feeling you get while holding a sweet baby. They certainly bring the feeling of heaven into your home. One of my very favorite times with this sweet girl is in the early morning hours. (Probably because it's the only time we have alone!) I love being able to actually have time to sit and hold her and stare at her beauty. I am amazed that we have made yet another beautiful girl.

Here are some special things about our tiny Sophie Jane...

Last Sunday was her blessing day. These days have got to be one of my very favorites. It's a very special feeling to see my sweet baby surrounded by the Priesthood and given a beauitful blessing. Geoff gave her a beautiful blessing. It was so sweet of most of our family to sacrifice their time (and sleep) to be here and support us. We are so lucky and blessed to be loved by so many! The dress she wore was my blessing dress made by my grandma. I love this dress and each one of our girls have worn it. She also had a beautiful blanket wrapped around her, made by her Grandma Meredith.

Sophie is a very calm baby. She hardly ever cries....unless the usual hungry, poopy, or burpy.

She loves to be swaddled. The minute we wrap her up, she smiles and her eyes get all heavy. We don't even have to rock her to sleep. Just wrap her up tight, lay her down, and she's out.

She's really strange about her hands. They much be covered at all times or she can't settle down. I really hope she outgrows it! I'm worried she's gonna be one of those weird kids that wears gloves all the time!

Sophie loves to be walked around. We could tell the minute she could start seeing things better because she didn't want to be held close anymore. She wants to be facing out where she can see everything. We can always get a smile out of her when she spots the ceiling fan or leaves blowing.

A few weeks ago, Sophie figured out how to give out the real smiles. Oh, they just melt me! We can always tell when a smile is coming. Her eyes tell it all. They are sparkly when she's happy or cloudy when she's sad. Now that she's got the smile down, she's starting to make those sweet cooing noises. It's so fun to watch her try to talk to her dad or sisters!

How grateful I am to have yet another beautiful daughter. Each one of them brings a different sweetness into our family. Each one of them teaches me in different ways. I am looking forward to watching these beauties grow up and become best friends.

All about Abby...

This is our sweet Abby. Or "Abba-dab" or "Babs" or "Abby crabby." (This last name fits quite well if she doesn't get sleep or food in a timely manner.) Oh how we love this girl! Right after she was born, I remember the overwhelming feeling that this perfect little babe in my arms had a very special spirit. I know she's special. And I know there's a reason she was born into our family. This sweet girl has experienced many miracles in her short little life. Because of her, my testimony is so much stronger. Because of her, my faith is stronger. Because of her, I have a stronger love for our Heavenly Father. Because of her, I am determined to keep my family together forever. One day, she will understand how many people love her and have prayed for her to be able to stay with us on this earth. How honored I feel to be called her mother.

Her are some of the things that make Abby special.

*My very favorite thing is when she says "Hi Mee-Mee!" That's what she calls me. I love it!

*She loves her sisters. She loves to copy whatever "Sissy" (Emily) does. She loves Sophie and calls her "Bee-bee." She is very interested in Sophie's paci. She knows it serves a purpose, but she's just not sure what. I often find her trying it out.

*She loves to give kisses. (Big open mouth, tongue sticking out, kisses)

*Abby is quick to give loves....and then a smack on the cheek.

*She finally understands how to fold her arms for prayers.

*She loves her "Dad-eeeee."

*She's sneaky. When nobody is looking, she climbs anything that can be climbed. She gets into the garbage if she spots any food. And, she's fasinated with the potty. This girl definately keeps me on the edge of my seat....literaly....I don't get to sit down very much!

*She can chug Root Beer.

*She is an excellant listener. She always follows simple instructions. I love when we ask her to do something...she is so pleased with herself when she completes her task.

*This is her very best friend. They go everywhere together. She is always by his side. Whenever we pull up to Grandpa's house she claps and cheers and when it's time to go, she sobs. I can't wait for her to get a little older...she is going to learn lots from him!

*She LOVES shoes. All shoes. Anyone's shoes. If she spots a shoe it must be tried on.


*Abby absolutely loves food. She is happiest when food is in her hand. Her favorites are: pears, chicken nuggets, rice, pasta, popcorn, bananas, applesauce, ice cream, pretzels, graham crackers, PB&J's, oh the list could go on and on! She L.O.V.E.S. food!!


*She has this horse, raspy voice that I totally love. I hope it never ever changes.



*She's fearless. She will try anything. (She is the total opposite of Emily in this area!) The only thing she's scared of is basketballs, helicopters, stangers, doctors, and nurses.


*Abby loves to tease and be teased. She loves to play hide & seek. She loves to be chased...and loves it even more when she gets caught.


Our Abby is by far the happiest and sweetest girl around. She challenges me everyday. She has given me quite a few gray hairs. She makes me smile everyday. She makes me laugh (the huge belly ones) everyday. She amazes me. She has reminded me what's important in life. My favorite part of the day is when I get to rock her to sleep at night. It's our special time. I love looking at her beautiful face. Her giant eyes. Her full lips. Her sweet grin. How grateful I am that she is my girl. She has changed me for the better. She has made our family even greater. What a blessing! I sure do love you Abba-dab!!!

All about Emily....

Yesterday Emily asked me, "Mom, why do you think I'm so special?" Honestly, I didn't even know where to begin! This girl is special in so many ways. She special to me in countless ways. The only thing I could come up with right off the top of my head was, "Because you're a child of God. Because you're my girl. And because so many people love you." This question has been on my mind since then. Oh man, is this girl special! She is our miracle girl! She made me a mother when I didn't think I'd ever be one. She saved me! Maybe one day I'll be able to explain to her without crying my eyes out just how special to me she really is.

So, here are just a few special things about our sweet Emily.

*She loves gymnastics. I mean L.O.V.E.S. it!! We have been so amazed at how much she has improved and how much confience she has gotten because of it. The girl can do so many forward rolls in a row that it makes me dizzy just watching her! She has mastered a front flip, backward rolls, and round offs, among many other tricks.

*She is very determined to get things perfect. She works and works at something until she has it perfected. I love that! What a talent that is to not just give up when things don't go your way!

*She loves her sisters. She has really taken to being a big sister. She drives Abby crazy, but she's also very protective of her and Sophie. She's sad when they're sad. She hurts when they hurt.

She's an early bird. She loves to eat breakfast the minute her eyes are open. She gets dressed right after and wants to know what we are going to be doing that day. She always needs to have a plan for her day.

*She's a party girl. She loves to have a party. Which means that we have alot of parties at our house! Anything we can think of turns into a party for her. Her favorties are pajama parties, sleepover parties, campout parties (which means Geoff pitches a tent in the living room and they sleep in it), swimming parties, beauty parties, and birthday parties. I swear, this girl would eat brussel sprouts if we told her it was a brussel sprout party!

*She has a very strong bond with her Grandma Sant. They are best of friends. I am so grateful that she is so close with her grandma! Her favorite thing to do with grandmas is to "take a nap." Meaning, that they lay in bed and read stories and tell secrets.

*Emily loves her cousins. She was shocked and overjoyed when it dawned on her that her cousins are part of her family! That just made her day!

*Her favorite foods are "butterfly noodles" (bowtie pasta), "loaf meat" (meat loaf), "hamaburgers", strawberries, pears, mac & cheese, "daddy specials" (grilled cheese), and she loves a "nice cold drink with ice." She's very concerned about eating "helpthy foods." (Even though a Milky Way is at the top of her food pyramid!)

*She is still obsessed with Tangled. She checks in the mirror everyday to see if any of her hair has turned golden.

*She is also in love with Justin Bieber.....still! She let the doctor know that she had Bieber Fever. Sometimes I find her nose to nose with Sophie and she's singing "Baby" to her because she knows that it will make her happy.

*I'm amazed at how well she can memorize things. She knows so many songs. She will listen to one song over and over until she knows the whole thing. And then she moves on to the next song. She also knows directions. She can tell exactly where we are going by what streets we turn on.

*Emily finally got her first big kid bike. She absolutely loves it! (Even though she rides it slower than an old lady walks!)

*She is very cautious. Anything she tries, she has to be sure that it's safe. (I hope she stays that way when she becomes a teenage!) If she sees someone else doing it and knows she'll be okay, then she'll go for it.

*She is a worrier. She has a very tender heart. She doesn't want to disappoint anyone. It breaks her heart when she knows she did somthing wrong.

This girl has blessed our home in more ways that I can explain. She makes me smile everyday. She amazes me with what she knows and how quickly she learns. She's always making us laugh. She stretches my patience. She keeps me on my toes! I still remember the day when I found out I was pregnant with her. What joy filled our broken hearts! And then when I held her for the first time....ahhhh...fresh from heaven. I will never forget that feeling.

I love you sweet girl! More than you'll ever know!