So, another Mother's day has come and gone... I got a food processor this year, which is actually what I really wanted, Steven, oops, I mean Lizzy and Jack were really listening. But it made me reflect on being a mom. I love my job, it is the best job in the world. I find myself repeating that like a mantra at 1:30 in the morning when I am stripping Lizzy's bed after an accident... or perhaps at 2:15 the same night when I get up to feed Jack. I will repeat it when I hear "mommy" whined out in a perfect immitation of the voice I used on my own mother. I repeat it when Jack refuses to go to bed at the same time as his sister or when Liz informs me that she only wants to be nice to her dad and not to me. I repeat it when Liz comes inside after skinning both knees and only my kisses will make it better. I repeat it when Jack giggles uncontrollably and then flashes me a smile. I repeat it when Liz tells me the best part of her day was a walk that just she and I took together. I repeat it when Liz memorized the third article of faith after only 4 nights. I repeat it as I doze off with a sleeping Jack in one arm and a quiet Lizzy in the other arm. I repeat it as Steve gives me a great big hug, with a child in each of my arms. I repeat is when I am on a date, and despite me insistance that I need a break, I miss my kids like I have't seen them in a week. I repeat it when I realize that despite the amount of work, there is absolutly nothing else in the world that I would rather be doing. Thanks mom, for being an example of righteous mother for putting up with me through all of those tough times... surely I was a perfect child though, right? Thanks mom-in-law, you raised a wonderful son, whom I adore, and your are truly like a second mom to me...

Okay, okay, enough mushy stuff, here are the most current pictures of the kids...

Jack is starting to eat real food! He LOVES bananas, tolerates rice cereal and has gummed his way through grahm crackers and cantelope. He can get water out of a sippy cup, but he won't swallow it for some reason. The odd thing is that he loves to drink his bath water (I know, its disgusting...) He will scoot himself down as low as he can in the tub until the water covers all but his face. Then he will turn his head and start sucking down the water... We are so proud!

Liz has insane hair in the morning. She got her curls from her dad's side, definately not mine. When her hair is combed it is quite nice, but every morning she looks about like this... well not exactly, this is a pretty calm day.

Grandma Charlie (Steve's grandma) came over for a visit the other day and we took the opportunity of taking a few four generation shots. We didn't get a single one of everyone looking at the camera, but this one is close.

My kids are so stinking beautiful! They are absolute best friends... for now. Liz will sing him songs if he ever gets fussy, mostly one that goes "lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby... you get the picture.

conversations with Liz-

Liz- (mutters something unclear about missionaries)

Mom- what? you want to be a missionary someday, Liz?

Liz- (rolling her eyes) no mom! I am a human.

Family Home Evening... every week-

Grandpa- Do we have any announcements before we get started?

Liz- (waving her hand wildly) me! me! me! I have a 'nouncement!

Grandpa- what is it Lizzy?

Liz-We do something bad and so we can't go back to Heavenly Father. Jesus did something good and now we go back to Heavenly Father! Then those mean weren't nice to Jesus. Then he died! But then he came alive again! That is called the ez-a-ec-tion (ressurection)..... and he prayed in the garden, and got owies in his hands and his feet... (this may or may not go on for a while. This is her explanation of the atonement, and really not to bad for a two year old. Not sure why it is part of the announcements every week, but we don't mind at all)

Liz- (at lunch) I love my corn dog, mommy!

mom- thats nice.

Liz- I love grandma and daddy too.

Mom- that is great! any body else?

Liz- (thinking about it) Um... I love grandpa and max and my cousins!

mom- anybody else?

Liz- (thinking harder) auntie Ang.... and adney.... and grandma!

Mom- wonderful, is their anybody else at all?

Liz- (thinking harder still) grandma debbie, thats your mommy, and grandpa..... grandpa Allen, he is your daddy.

Mom (feeling a little left out) great! What about your mommy?

Liz- nope, I just love my corn dog....