Kick Those Legs Mama

Ian alternates between pushing up as high as he can and then laying flat, kicking his legs like crazy, and flailing his arms around.

Of course he doesn't do it as much when we pull out the camera, so I decided to try getting on the floor to perhaps excite him enough that he would perform.

Instead I ended up clumsily demonstrating.

Maybe I should do that a few more times a day. I may actually get some muscles!

Just Because They're Cute

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Can you guess who is who?

We will post a guide next Fri.

The very beginnings of crawling

Briggs is figuring out how to get up on his knees and pushing off his feet so his body is off the ground.

He even moves a little bit, although rolling is definitely his fastest method of current transport (besides me!).

Now if he could just figure out how to keep his head up, move his arms and legs in an alternating pattern, and not tip over...

I think he'll figure it out quicker than I'm ready for.

Let the real baby proofing begin!

Visitors!

 We're so excited to have Mimi and Papa with us this week!

Briggs obviously can't even keep his eyes open he's so excited!

  And neither can Mimi.

Finally, after about 15 pictures we got one with everyone's eyes mostly open!

 And this just cracked me up. 

These boys have their dad in them and can't keep their eyes open if there is a flash!

Nursery Reveal: Finally!

I know it's past due, but their room turned out so cute that I had to share.

This is the view when you walk in the door.

I know the cribs look a little goofy like that, but it is so handy having the rocking chair right there in the middle of the night that I wasn't willing to give it up.

And the details. 

These were stenciled on. 

Also stenciled. 

{I'm rather obsessed now! It was just so fun and easy.}

My MIL lined this lamp with cute ribbon. 

{It may even end up stenciled one day}

We revamped the bulletin board for the second time. 

And my little sister had made this clock awhile before so we just painted the trim and hands teal and it was perfect! 

I think it turned out pretty cute. The bright colors have been so much fun. I could stay in there all day!

The new tummy time

We like to call it "Bummy Time."

It's hard work keeping these two up!

Sundays

I've caught myself wondering some days if it's worth the hassle of going to church. I know that's awful to say, but the thought has crossed my mind. We have 9am church {which is a drastic improvement from the 8:30am we were assigned the first half of the year}and it is SO hard to be on time. The day we came the closest was when we took our un-fed, pajama clad babies and fed and dressed them as soon as we arrived. Regardless of when we feed them prior to arriving, they still need to be fed at least once while we are there which means I spend some quality time in the mother's lounge at least once, if not twice, missing large portions of classes. 

I do meet and chat with the nicest ladies in the mother's lounge and meet other women from different wards in there as well so that is nice but I'm missing the lessons. And let's be honest, even when I'm in the classes I find myself distracted with entertaining, holding, rocking, or just staring at my handsome babies. 

Every time I've had these thoughts run through my head though I am constantly reminded that it is because of my beliefs that I love being a mother so much. 

It feels so natural.

I know that motherhood is what I was made to do.

{I'm still trying to convince Jesse we need about ten more children because these two are just too cute}

I know that being a mother is in my eternal nature.

And when I am telling the boys scripture stories, reading books about being like Jesus or belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or singing primary songs about how our family can be together forever, I feel the most comfortable. They stare at me, appearing captivated by every word, and I wonder if it is because it's familiar to them. I know they can sense Heaven more than I can and I can't help but wonder if they already know the truth in the words I tell them.

I wonder if they remember Jesus and his love for us.

I wonder if they know we can be a family forever.

I wonder if they already sense that they are special to our Heavenly Father.

I wonder if they can see angels helping their poor mother on this side of the veil.

I teach them about the prophets of old like Moses, Daniel, Jonah, and Joseph and I tell them stories from the Book of Mormon about Nephi, Ammon, and the brother of Jared. 

I want spiritual things to be spoken often in our home.

I want them to read and love their scriptures. 

I want them to know that God hears and answers prayers.

And that we can be a family forever because of covenants we have made in the Temple.

I want them to know that I love my Savior and am so grateful for his atoning sacrifice.

I want them to know we have a living prophet on the Earth today and to listen to his teachings.

I want them to emulate Jesus Christ's love.

I love the scripture in Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

and Alma 57:21 in the Book of Mormon

"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them."

I know that if I teach my children right from the beginning and start good habits with them such as praying and reading their scriptures, that they will become extraordinary men.

I want my boys to be able to say that their mother taught them. 

That she loved them.

And that she loved God.

And that is why we still go to church every Sunday, despite being 15 minutes late.

Plus they look pretty cute in their little polos!

{B}                   {I}

{I}                     {B}

 Some were more happy than others to have their picture taken!

{Briggs}

{Ian}

This is one baaaaad hombre.

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If anyone is curious about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can visit mormon.org to find answers about our beliefs. Also, go ahead and ask a Mormon! Seriously, we love talking about our church.