There's nothing quite like a brother....

Except for maybe a sister.

my mom

It has been 10 years since my mom passed on to the other side. And even though I can't see her, I know that she is just as involved in my life and the lives of my children on that side of the veil, as she would of been on this side. I do miss her though and wanted to pay a little tribute to her this Mother's Day.

Here's a short list of some of the things that I learned from my mom

Always trust in the Lord. This is his plan and we are on his time table. When she was sick with cancer, she use to tell us kids, "I didn't complain about the trials I was going to face before I came to earth and I am not going to complain about them now." And she didn't. I never heard her say "Why me? It's not fair," or anything along those lines. Instead she taught me that when trials and hard time come we can either use them to help us grow or to tear us down. It's up to us.

How to have faith and what it is, through her example.

She taught me how to fight when things aren't going your way don't sit around and whine about it, or feel sorry for yourself, but fight through it, learn from it and move forward.

She taught me the importance of family.

She taught me the importance of serving others, she taught me this through her actions. She was always the first to take someone in need into our home, help out a friend or a stranger, if she saw a need she always tried to fill it. She was always putting others before herself.

She taught me the most important gift you can give your your children is to love your husband. And that you love him by serving him. She took such good care of my dad and in turn he took such good care of her.

She taught me how important integrity is. She use to say if you don't have intergity you don't have much.

Lately, Taylor has been asking a lot of questions about her Grandma Debbie and as a result, I have been remembering what a remarkable woman she is.

No empty chairs.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Easton

I LOVE being a mom. Even more so I love who I get to be a mom too. Each of my kids is so unique and wonderful in their own way. So, in celebration of Mother's Day I thought that I would highlight each of my children individually and honor them since it's because of them that I have the most amazing job in the world!



Our little Peaster. This boy is so much fun. He is so easy going and easy to love. He is such a smiley kid and such a flirt. He has a smile for everyone he meets. His personality is really starting to come out too. He can't ever get enough of his brothers and sister. Sometimes when I feel like they might be invading his space a little too much and I tell them to leave him alone and they do, he gets all sad. He loves having them near. He is my little cuddle bug too. He will still sit with me and mold his body into mine, just like he did when he was first born. He is very vocal and grunts a lot. The best thing about his grunts though is that he has a different one for when he wants something, when he's sad, when he's playing, you get the idea. He has the most adorable little face and is such a wonderful addition to our little family. He makes loving him so easy. Love, love, love him.

Talan

Whacky, Whacker, Tally, Tally-boy, this kid is a HOOT! He is my creative one who comes up with some of the greatest stuff. His imagination is top notch. He is also so polite and always remembers to say please and thank you when ever I help him with his latest and greatest ideas. Lately, he has been taking one of Taylor's belts and having me hook it around him so he can use it as his holster for his sword, gun, axe, whatever his weapon of choice is at the moment. Talan is so social and loves to be with friends. He can't get enough of Easton and actually taught him how to spit the other day. Just what I wanted. My other kids never played with their toys as well as Talan does. He is also our fear nothing, go full force child. He will try just about anything hence all the bumps and bruises currently covering his adorable and pretty face. He is also the most determined of our children. If he has something he wants to do, you go ahead and try and stop him. Easier said then done. I dare you! I think this trait will definitely serve him well later in life. Talan always makes us feel so welcome whenever we enter the room, even if I have been gone for only 5 minutes when I come back he runs to me screaming my name immediately followed by hugs and kisses. He always makes me feel so special and loved. He has the sweestest little voice and I can only imagine and look forward to all the fun I know he will continue to bring to our family. Our irreplaceable Tally Wally.

Taylor

What can I say about Taylor....this girl makes life SO grand!! She has such a sweetness about her and gets along with just about everyone, however if the situation requires it she can dish out some sass too. All of her brothers absolutely adore her and I can't say I blame them, they mimic her in everything she does. I never played as good with my brothers as she does with hers. She sets such a wonderful tone in our house. I know that that is part of the reason she was sent to our family first. She is all girl and loves to play dress-up, put on make-up, and do her hair. A couple weeks ago while we were in Disneyland with Cort's parents, Cort's mom gave Tay one of her old purses to carry around. On the second day Cort's dad said to me that he was surprised she hadn't put it down the whole time we were there, I wasn't, because that's our Taylor. She is a peacemaker. She doesn't like contention and is always so willing to give anyone in need a word of encouragement. She is a fighter, she doesn't give up and she knows what she wants. She loves to tumble and enjoys it so much. I always thought she would be my little dancer, but at age 5, after 2 years of dance classes, she told me that she wanted to take tumbling, so I switched her and I'm so glad I did. She has such a knack for it. In her teacher's words she is very talented. This girl is so loved around here and so beautiful inside and out. Our sweet and adorable Taylor bug.

Chase

Chase is my child who is so inquizative. He is always full of lots of questions. Two nights ago Cort was reading Chase the story of the Restoration. Chase was so into it. And began asking question after question. Chase also likes to watch Cort fix things and is always willing to led a hand. Last week at my dad's while Cort was moving dirt around Chase was his little shadow. Right next to him helping out, not because we told him too but because he wanted too, in fact he insisted in true Chase fashion. He is my one who picks up on things so fast. Last summer when I decided to start teaching him to swim all it took was him taking his lifejacket off and trying and that was it! He had it. He did the same thing with his bike, we took his training wheels off and off he went. He is a perfectionist. Whenever he does anything it has to be just the way he wants it. He really takes his time with coloring or anything that he is doing to make it just so. He loves puzzles or any sort of activity that requires him to think. He is very caution. He has to feel comfortable before he'll be okay with me leaving him anywhere. I don't think I'll ever have to worry about him going anywhere with a stranger. He gives the best hugs and his smile could brighten up the darkest room. And that's my Chasers, I sure do love this kid!