Emma's 5th Birthday & The Arrival Of Landon

Emma turned 5 on the 18th. Where has the time gone? And by the way did you all know that my mom is the very BEST by far!!!??? Well if you didn't I'm telling you now! She rocks!!!! Words can't even express how grateful I am for her. Emma would have not had a birthday if it weren't for my mom. My mom made Emma the best little castle princess cake (better than what I would have done... I was thinking of just a plain chocolate cake with pink frosting) but noooooooooooo my mom went all out & so happy that she did like I said my mom is COOL!!!!  Emma invited, her cousins Evan, Ty, & her little friend down the street Peyton (aka Peanut.. it's what she is known around the neighborhood) They played in the water & went on a treasure hunt that my mom put together with a treasure box & all & they had pizza & the yummy castle cake. I wish I could have enjoyed it more but I was in labor with Landon. Yes, Emma & Landon share the same birthday. I think its kinda cool but ask me next year at this time & we'll see how cool it is when Emma has to share her "princess day" with her little bro. 

Here's Landon's story & I cry every time cause I am so overwhelmed with emotions & with blessings. Blessings that I feel that I don't even deserve. I am so forever in the Lord's debt. I have been watched over & blessed tremendously. 

Contractions started Wednesday but were not bad till Thursday morning. I had Andy take me to the hospital in the morning after dropping the kids off at my mom's. Got all hooked up to monitors & was told I was only dilated to 2 centimeters. I was there for an hour with no improvement so I was sent home even though I knew this baby was coming I didn't argue (although looking back I should have) I thought the nurse knew best & so I went to my mom's for the afternoon. I was timing contractions like crazy but the duration of them were not that long & supposedly they don't want you at the hospital till they last 45 to 60 seconds each. Finally by 4:30 my sister convinced me to go to the hospital. I got there & I was 10 centimeters. No time for a an IV no time for meds. No time for NOTHING! I was admitted at 5:03 & Landon came at 6:03 weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. 20 inches.  Due to the fact that he came so fast he had a few complications & was rushed to NICU immediately. His lungs collapsed & he was checked for other problems. He was there for 4 days. He's home now & happy & breathing on his own. It was hard leaving the hospital without him.  I am so happy he's here & healthy. I love my little family. Now we need to teach him the difference of night & day.

"Little Bugs" Graduation

Emma graduated from preschool almost 3 weeks ago. She loved Miss Paula & all of her friends. On the last day they had a play about a ladybug & all his other bug friends that helped him plan a party for his preschool graduation day. Emma was the bumble bee & was so ecstatic cause she was the only one! The kids were so cute & it was fun to watch Emma participate & it's been fun watching her grow this year. Miss Paula is the best & will be missed, but Emma is ready to move on! After the play Miss Paula had each student stand up & tell what they loved most about preschool. Emma said she liked playing with her friends. Then their teacher all gave them a diploma & a scrapbook. Too cute!!! :) The pictures show of Emma as the bumble bee & her graduating class.

While I Was Sleeping.......................

The kids were doing this. They had a good time & I enjoyed the quiet & my nap :)

The New Erkel

You have to know the show "Family Matters" to enjoy this caption that aired from 1989 to 1998.

Happy Birthday Andy!

Today Andy turned 39! (next year is the BIG ragger & you are All invited) I love Andy in so many ways so I thought I'd share 39 reasons why I love him so much:

1.) At the end of the day no matter how frustrated & tired he is he still finds time to read to our children (Gavin & Emma request him over me EVERY night)

2.) He loves to work no matter the task.

3.) He loves the gospel & loves to teach it to others.

4.) He makes me laugh!

5.) He has the most perfect smile. :)

6.) He does the dishes for me.

7.) He massages my poor pathetic preggo. feet.

8.) He'll get up in the middle of the night to get me water. 

9.) He's the most patient person I know!

10.) He'll go grocery shopping for me.

11.) Andy can cook up a mean BBQ!!!!!

12.) Andy is very faithful to his friends & family.

13.) He's punctuational.

14.) He's easygoing.

15.) He folds the laundry :) & irons sometimes too :)

16.) He'll go the extra mile for you even if it's out of his way!

17.) He loves to teach young children & has the patience for it!

18.) He knows exactly what to say & do when he knows I've had a bad day.

19.) He makes dinner. :)

20.) He's like a kid! (fun, silly, surprising) (I love it!)

21.) He's muy muy sexy!!!!!

22.) He always makes sure that the kids & I are well taken care of.

23.) He keeps me on the straight & narrow.

24.) He never makes you feel left out. 

25.) He compliments my cooking even when I know it does not taste good.

26.) He over looks my differences & loves me still!

27.) He plays dolls with Emma 

28.) He plays catch with Gavin & will take him to the skate park on his days off at the crack of dawn.

29.) He loves to work on my dad's ranch.

30.) He can solve almost any problem.

31.) He never complains no matter the task.

32.) He loves his family very much & would do most anything for them.

33.) He helps our neighbors when they are in need.

34.) He listens even when  I whine & tries to make it better.

35.) He loves the holidays & gets into spirit. (this may not mean much to any of you but could you  imagine being married to someone that is not?) (NO FUN!)

36.) He loves to build things!

37.) He loves to learn.

38.) I love his variety of music & I love to listen to him sing.

39.) I LOVE HIM just cause I do & he's mine FOREVER!!!!!

Happy Birthday babe! I love you!!!!!!! Hope you have a great day!

Father and son camp out

Well, It's officially official. I am truly a Dad, for  I have taken my son to a father and son camp out. The Oceanside third Ward left our safe haven to venture to an uncharted and very dangerous spot.  A couple of miles north of Pauma Valley Casino.  No, we didn't stay at the casino! We spent our evening with a group of fathers at Rancho Corritos campground. It was a nice evening with the standard marshmallow defeat between the chocolate and the gram. The weather was perfect. We went exploring in a dried up riverwash. When we got home the house was still standing, I guess the girls didn't throw that rager party after all. Thanks Girls! 

Happy Mother's Day

I woke up this morning to a breakfast table that was decorated with presents & tulips. Andy made us crepes with lots of various fruits & whip cream.  My sweet kids greeted me with a hug this morning & with homemade gifts (the best presents of all) Gavin painted blocks blue with the words "MOM" on them & Emma made me a key chain. I love my calling as a mom. I love watching my kids grow & learn. I sometimes wonder if they hear what I try to teach them & that split second I lose hope & want to run away they surprise me & they truly do listen & learn & it makes being a mom so worth while. I want to pay tribute to my mom this day for loving me as she does for taking on my challenges along with me. For never giving up on this little red headed kid :) Thanks mom for teaching me the gospel for making me see the light when I needed to see it the most. Thank you for always having the best answers in the world when I needed help finding them. You are the BEST MOM EVER!!!  You never give up & you are always there for another person in need. I hope 1 day my kids will see that in me! I LOVE YOU!  Happy Mother's Day Mom :)

I would also like to pay tribute to Andy's mom (Midge) Thank you, for raising such a loving man! He has taught me so much & continues to do so.  Our kids are so lucky to have him as a daddy. And I am truly blessed to have him as a husband for eternity! I love you & appreciate all that you stand for. Happy Mother's Day Midge!

Lastly I wanted to share the little note Emma gave me:

My Mom (and me) by Emma:

My mom's name is Melanie and Mom. She has black hair and blue eyes. My mom is 2 feet tall & weighs 50 pounds. She is 5 years old.

One of my favorite foods that my mom makes is chicken.

I really like it when she makes me strawberry cupcakes.

My mom likes to tickle me and especially likes when I sleep in my room. I love her because she's my mom.

I often hear my mom say, "Clean your room!"

but my favorite thing she says is, "I love you!"

My mom is nice to me!