Mother's Day

The kids and Chad are always really good about making Mother's Day special for me. It started out with getting to sleep in and cinnamon rolls for breakfast! Then i was showered with cards and gifts. Very sweet.

Me and Mollie and Brielle all painted our nails before church that morning. A special gift because Mollie rarely wants hers painted anymore.

We got ready for church and snapped a few pictures. This is as good as is gets people...

And there is my 35 week belly! The reality of a new baby is really starting to get real! I got to do a little shopping for her last week and it really got me excited to have another girl!

And another special gift chad is working on for me for mothers day is a new light fixture and frame for my mirror. 

It's still not totaly complete but he's got a good start on it! And someone may have been excited about it and broken a light shade while opening up the box (me not him) and had to order a replacement! But I'm really loving it! Ill post another picture when it's complete and my bathroom is clean!

It means so much that I have a good husband that honors me and respects me and loves me so much and children who do the same and who are all around good kids. I'm sure blessed to be a mom and am often overwhelmed with the blessings (and challenges) it brings but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

The rest of April....

With all our trips to Idaho Carter and Mollie missed their first 2 games and so they were anxious to get to be able to play soccer. Mollie has actually done really well. I think she is the oldest on the team, and the tallest, and therefore the best! 

 Chad took on the challenge of coaching Carter's team and I think he has really enjoyed it. Carter of course loves it.

 Mollie also had a preschool field trip to the zoo. It was a perfect day and there weren't too many people there.

 Brielle got to tag along and she thought it was pretty great seeing all the animals and riding the carousel!

 One day we turned 20 lbs of strawberries into jam and I made all the kids help. Carter thought it was pretty great when he came across this beauty!

 We got to watch our nephew Jarrett play a baseball game in Tooele. They are moving in a few weeks to Arizona so we were happy to get to spend some time with them. Our kids have really grown to love the Dudschus family and we will miss them so much!

 And Mollie will especially miss Kaylie. She's mollies favorite cousin and babysitter!

And little Brielle is turning into quite the little character! She is rarely found without a baby or purse or shopping cart and she has just started to enjoy watching movies and cartoons a little bit. As long as she can sit in her favorite chair.

Chicka chicka boom boom day at preschool. One of Mollie's last days.

 And I really wanted to make sure the kids didn't miss out on swimming lessons this year with having a new baby and everything so we got them in in early May and of course the kids loved it. This picture shows off their personalities pretty good right now. Mr. Face puller and little miss poser.

They both did great in swimming. And I love that they aren't scared of the water like I was  (and still am). Hopefully they can get in one more session sometime this summer!

The after party

 After we picked up Adam we headed out for some yummy mexican food and then back to my house. We looked at lots of pictures and chatted the night away. We were all exhausted so we went to bed pretty early. The next day we played games and hung out until late afternoon then most everyone headed to my parents house to get things ready for the weekend.

Our family arrived friday evening and my brother and his family arrived late thursday night.
We played lots of games and went to work getting things ready.

 We had lots to do over the weekend including family pictures! They were pretty painless and we got a few good shots. Here is my siblings and I.

 And here is the whole gang! Although this picture is already out of date since myself and Carrie are expecting!

My mom also wanted to do an Easter egg hunt since this was the first time all the Reed cousins have ever all been together! There are 8 cute grandkids now and here they are sitting around grandma getting instructions.

 Bri was a little more engaged in this hunt and she wanted to open every egg as she went. She was so excited!

Here's all the cute kiddos! It was so fun to have several days to get to play with cousins and for the most part they all played really well. 

 My brothers played several games of FIFA soccer xbox and thought that was pretty great. Late Saturday night after my mom's famous spaghetti dinner we had a small (ok, giant) bonfire!

 And here's a few of the kids playing. Grandma has such fun toys and games the kids were never bored and there was always a constant mess to clean up!

 On Sunday my parents hosted a BBQ with about 60 people there. It was so nice to see friends and family and get caught up. Adam gave a wonderful talk and many people came to support him.

It was an exhausting and wonderful weekend. I'm so glad me and my siblings are so close and try to keep in touch. Many miles separate all of us but we are always there for the big stuff. It was great to be all together again despite the lack of sleep and craziness of all the kids. I sure love my family!!!

Returned with Honor from Romania

The day finally arrived of my baby brother returning from his 2 year mission in Romania! On April 14th most of my family stayed the night at my house in Tooele so that we could go together to the airport on the 15th. The kids were really excited to wake up to have a new cousin in the house to play with. We loved seeing little Ashton...it had been 2 years since we had seen him. Poor guy was fighting some flu bug and was sick alot.

After lunch we headed to the airport and after getting lost once and being in the wrong terminal, we finally found the waiting place where he would arrive. It was a miracle that we made it in time!

 

 We all were very anxious!!

 Here's a few signs me and the kids made.

If you look closely in the back you can see my mom in the grey sweater running towards Adam the second he came through the door.

 Mom and dad of course got the first big hugs and me and my kiddos were next in line. Mollie wasn't shy at all and ran right up to him. Carter held back a little but ran as fast as he could and jumped into his arms. And I love this picture of my dad hugging Adam. Tender!!

Jordan grew a big bushy beard to rub on Adam. I almost didn't recognize him! 

 Tony was next with Ashton in tote. He threw up a few minutes before he came in so he wasn't wearing any clothes. Poor kiddo!!

 I have to take 2 seconds and say how incredible I think my parents are. We all had our ups and downs of growing up but they stuck by our sides and supported us in all we did and most importantly loved us through our mistakes and encouraged us to live the gospel. They have sent 4 missionaries out who all honorably completed their missions and who all are temple worthy and active in the church. I know its rare and I attribute our success to my loving mom and dad. They sure are wonderful people!

Mission----ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

 Four of the 5 of us kiddos. It was so great to be reunited! Sure love my brothers! Justin and his family were able to join us later in the weekend.

 And the In-laws (or outlaws as we sometimes call them!) Looking good!

 After that we headed to temple square. It was snowing so we made it a quick trip but took some time to walk around the visitors center. This spot is always a favorite of mine and such a sacred place.

I'm super proud of Adam and his willingness to serve his Heavenly Father unselfishly for 2 years. I know it will bless his life forever and change him too. I know he feels unsure about where his future will take him but I know too he has a testimony of our Savior and that he leads and guides us. And I know he is on the right path and that his Heavenly parents are so proud of him as well and his earthly family! Love you Adam!! 

Stay tuned for the weekends adventures!