Worth it

Emma was asking me the other day how babies get out. In the most gentle way I could, I explained that mommies have to push the babies out of their bums (because that's our word for the back and the front hole). Her face was a mixture of horror, amazement, and disgust (and yes, all these reactions are appropriate for any age). She then asked me if it hurt. "yeah, it hurts a lot," I told her honestly (especially without an epidural but I think she's learned enough for one day). But then I decided to take the opportunity to let her know how special she is so I told her, "it hurts a lot and it's a lot of work but you know what...it's worth it! Because now I have you and Weston and Andrew! And all the pain, I was glad to take so you could be in our family."

Andrew was by far, my most traumatic labor ( I had a seizure during labor) but that only made the sight of that healthy baby boy all the more emotional for me and oh how I was grateful he was here and he was well. And I was glad that all the pain and difficulty was mine alone and not his. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and love (even more so than my first whose labor was relatively easy). It gives me a small understanding of how our Savior can love us so much, because he suffered so much on our behalf.

Then the other night I was kneeling and noticed some spider veins in my leg. They've been their since I was pregnant with Andrew as well as some other choice marks on my stomach. Physically this child has taken his toll on me in many ways and the effects are longer lasting than expected. But I rarely think about these marks and count them as proof of my love for these little ones. Because physically the affects of motherhood aren't pretty but emotionally, spiritually you will never know love and understand your Heavenly Father and Savior like you will when you have children. Sacrifice is giving up something good for something better and I have found that something better. So, yes my dear Emma, it will hurt but it is worth it!

Butterfly Festival

I have four brothers and they are all adventurous outdoor type of guys and we grew up hiking and camping and stuff so I have this sense of bad parenting and guilt when I think about how little I get my kids "out." They don't hike, they've never camped, none of them remember ever going to the beach. I'm sorry guys, I've failed you! So when I heard about a butterfly festival yesterday at a nature center, I decided it was a good place to start my repentance process. The kids had a great time at the "butterfly party" where they did a lot of butterfly crafts, listened to live music, and learned about insects.

Oh, and guess what else they had...

They gave the kids paintbrushes soaked in Gatorade to attract the butterflies in the tent.

My tough kids show off their insect tattoos and butterfly wings.

Andrew enjoyed eating dirt and rocks during the "concert." His shirt is perfect, it reads "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Yeah, my kids experienced some nature! Now am I good to lock us up for the rest of the sweltering summer?

Tropical Flat Emmy

While her family sweats it out in hot and humid Atlanta, Emma left the mainland and headed for beautiful Hawaii!!! Jealous? I know we are! Can't you just feel that breeze blowing through the trees and the sand between your toes? Ahhhhh

Her balcony at Kalapaki Beach.

(Diane, how could you let her stand on the rails like that?)

Digging her feet into the Kalapaki Beach- best snorkeling

(but Flat Emmy doesn't do well in water)

With her travel companion, Aunt Diane at Waimea Canyon

"Spouting Horn" in Poipu

Working on her tan. Yeah, this is the life! Thanks Diane!

Westonisms

"I'm a bad guy and bad guys don't snuggle"

(while playing with a googly eye in the car) "There's an eyeball in my nose!"

"You're my bad mom, I want my good mom!"

(When I caught him shaving-pic above) "Mom, I have an itchy face so I have to do this."

Flat Emmy Stomps through Stamford

This week Flat Emmy decided to go back to New York since she liked Albany so much, but after flying with some very rude people to White Plains; Emmy decided to stay in Stamford Connecticut instead. She was surprised to find in Stamford a memorial to World War I veterans (first picture and Second pic).

Sister Annie has been a lot of places and they always have WWII memorials and never WWI even though that war changed history more than WWII did

Flat Emmy really liked the buildings in Stamford they were all sorts of shapes and sizes

The old buildings were blended into the new buildings

In fact they had a church that was built on that spot since 1776. It burned down a couple of times, but since 1816 it has stood there (fifth pic). Stamford's first library still operates out of the church.

Flat Emmy's Nevada Travels

My mom and dad ("Nana and Pop") sent me this:

"We took Flat Emma with us on our exciting drive to Minden, Nevada (anyone who's driven up through NV can smell sarcasm here) to visit Carson and Hunter. We made stops in Goldfield, Beatty, and our capital Carson City. I posted some Flat Emma pictures on my web gallery:

http://gallery.mac.com/russcannon

Here is Emma with Nana and Pop visiting the state capital building in Carson City.

Here is Emma waiting for the train in Beatty (gateway to Death Valley)

Here is the old steam engine train that used to stop in Beatty.

Here is Flat Emma with some of the famous aircraft that has flown over the Nellis Bombing Range and Nevada Test Site (aka Area 51).

Emma with an old fire engine in Goldfield

Flat Emma behind the wheel of the old fire engine in Goldfield.

Flat Emma in front of the Ore House (not to be confused with the other brothels we saw in Tonepah)"

Weston Wonders...

What happens if you walk through the car wash?

What happens if you eat naked?

(Jamie taught Weston how to pee standing up) Can I poop standing up?

Will this worm bite me?

(to his buddy we're babysitting) Cole, do you love me?

Does Heavenly Father eat oatmeal?-Weston

No.- Emma

What does he eat?-Weston

Bread and water.-Emma

Flat Emmy flys through Philly

Uncle Brent and cousin Brighton pose with Emmy at the Philadelphia airport on their way home from their "visit to the dr." Brighton must really love his cousin smiling like that because I hear this was not an enjoyable journey home.

A Bunch of B.S.

(that's Brent, Shayla, Brighton and Seth)

Jamie's sister Shayla and her hubby Brent sacrificed their sanity and dragged there two lil men on a plane to come out and visit us. It was a treat having them here, even better than the Blue Bell ice cream Shay introduced us to (which was dang good)!

We spent a day with the "bishes" at the Georgia Aquarium! Our family bought season passes so anyone that comes in the next year, we'll take you to the aquarium. Fun place!

We had a day of sunshine and relaxation, enjoying the cousinly love that abounded

(by the way that is NOT Emma in the bikini, that's our neighbor)

Emma fell madly in love with Baby Seth. One look into those blue eyes and she was smitten! She wanted to hold, snuggle, entertain and feed this baby all week. She even offered advice to his parents on why he was upset and what they were doing wrong (amateurs :o) )

The kids loved the playground and fountains at Centennial Olympic Park, well except Andrew. It looked good, but one squirt from that fountain and he ran away crying. Brighton was by far the bravest, jumping through the upcoming sprays. Thatta Boy B!

But alas, all good things must come to the end. Now we're moping around our house in our pjs with mounds of laundry, eating mac n cheese and left-overs, and breaking up fights between siblings missing their cousins...sigh. We miss ya'll! But I guess the summer has just begun and there will be more adventures around the corner.

How sweet it is

What is it about this sleeping babe that makes me sigh sweet motherly sighs of contentment? Is it those chubby cheeks pressed against his dimpled hand? Is it those pouty lips that become misaligned? Is it that fair skin? Is it the way he tucks his knees under and curls into a ball? Is it the way he wraps his little arms around my neck and squeezes when I carry him to bed and he whispers "I love you too mommy" giving me warm slobbery kisses. Or is it just because this is the only time Weston's feet are down and he's lying so still and peaceful? Whatever it is, something brings my lil heart unmeasurable joy every time I see this slumbering sweetheart.

Flat Emmy's Adventures in Albany

Flat Emmy hit the jackpot! Her last (as opposed to old) primary teacher is a flight attendant so Emma's getting in some travels here. We love Sister Annie and she has a fun new take on the Flat Emmy Project. She's been sending stories of Emmy's adventures. Fun! So here's Sister Annie's

"Flat Emmy's Adventures in Albany"

(okay, she didn't actually call it that)

Flat Emmy came to Albany and was surprised to find out how nice it was even though it is one of the oldest cities in the USA. It is more important than New York City because it is the capital of New York

All of the buildings are very old because the Dutch came to live there before the English. Why these people liked Albany because it was close to the river Hudson, and people still like the Hudson River today because they walk and run next to it. They also used the water to get food, they had a farmers market next to it, but the market looks like a castle.

Albany is also important because one of the people who helped make the Declaration of Independence was born there.

Flat Emmy liked the Albany because it was older than anything she has seen so far, and there seal had a pilgram and an "Indian" getting along