Catch Up!

Well, I know I've been a slacker blogger but it's time to finally catch up. So, since the last (real) posting for Kaden's birthday back around March 17th, we've had Easter, Jackson learned to walk, Kaden learned to ride a two-wheeler, and Mother's Day. So, I'll take each one and expand a bit.

First, we had Easter. Since Easter was one week after Kaden's birthday, we really tried to keep it low key (yeah, right) so that we would avoid Kaden getting spoiled...I think it partially worked. But needless to say, Kaden had quite the two weeks with presents galore. We did talk about the true meaning of Easter though but I'm afraid he focused more on the Easter bunny than Jesus so we need to do better with that next year. With so much focus on his birthday, it seemed like Easter was here before we knew it. I hope Easter doesn't fall in March EVER AGAIN!

So, after Easter, things were really hectic with both my work and Ray's work and just life in general, as well as trying to get our basement finished (yes, we're STILL working on it!) It's really hard not to compare your kids and I know that you're not supposed to, each one is an individual and each one learns and progresses at his/her own pace. But, since Jackson was just getting ready to turn 15 months on May 23rd and he had really shown absolutely NO interest in walking (whenever we'd try to walk with him, he'd go straight to his knees and crawl), and Kaden was walking by his first birthday, we were getting a little worried but low and behold, on Thursday, April 17th, I went to pick up the boys at Debbie's house (our daycare provider) and Jackson took 4 or 5 steps to me. Whew! What a relief. Now he's walking all over and I'm so glad because we can go outside now and he's really content to just toodle around the house, he thinks he's pretty cool now that he's walking like big brother.

Now that he's walking, he's tackling other things like climbing into and on top of things...

Yes, in and out of the laundry basket...glad it was clean clothes inside.

A week or so after Jackson's big breakthrough, I went to pick up the boys at Debbie's house again and when I got there, she told me to come outside because Kaden had something he wanted me to see. So I go outside and there he is in his helmet riding a bike with only two wheels! No training wheels, just riding around in circles and the look on his face was priceless, you could just tell he was SOOOOO incredibly proud of himself and even more proud of showing me what he'd accomplished. I was so proud of him riding his new bike with training wheels and here he was, less than two months later riding without training wheels. But, we've had quite a few spills and some pretty nasty scrapes, but he's still in one piece and riding every chance he gets.

So, last but not least, today is Mother's Day. Yesterday, Ray surprised me with a diamond pendant and matching earrings and Kaden and Jackson gave me a pillow (see below) that they made at Debbie's house. Kaden also took me on a date to see Speed Racer (probably more my idea than his) but it was fun to go...just me and him.

Today was great also, the boys let me sleep in and made breakfast for me. Although the primary kids went up to sing during Sacrament meeting, Kaden was a little too shy to go up. But, I'm sure he'll have plenty more chances in the years to come. Kade has the best Sunbeam teachers, Cal and Suzy, who are not only great teachers, but they are some of the few close friends we have in the ward. When he came home from class, he brought the two items below for Mother's Day also.

In case you can't quite read it, it says, "Mom, I will grow to be what I am. And I will be the best Man I can be. Because you were my MOTHER. Love, Kaden"

But, no matter what gifts I got, the best Mother's Day gifts I've ever received will always be...

I am so grateful for my boys, and even though I'm not the perfect mom, they love me unconditionally despite my weaknesses. The love between moms and their kids is AMAZING and beyond explanation. Even on my rough days, when I think the boys MUST be just waiting for dad to come home because mom is crazy, they still want to be with me...they teach me so much.