Life between the everything else

I have a baby and a toddler, and that's pretty much my whole life right now. But in between changing diapers and making sure everyone is fed, some other stuff has happened in the last few weeks:

1. We bought a car! We're officially grown ups because we not only bought a car for the first time (buying my dad's car doesn't count), but also it's a minivan. I call her Bessie. We love how much space we have and feel like she's the fifth member of our family.

2. We got new couches! Mom found these at a yard sale and scooped them up for us. We absolutely love them! Our blue couch was good enough, but these are like, real couches that look nice, even used. Thanks again Mom!

3. Graduation for our brothers. Tim's brother Scott graduated from UVU and my brother Ethan graduated from the U of U on the same day at almost the exact same time. What are the chances? I went to Ethan's graduation (with both girls - it was a loooong day) so I don't have pics from the other, but we were (and are) so incredibly proud of all their hard work. I know a lot of people find the graduation ceremonies boring and/or pointless, but I'm a strong believer that everyone should take the time to celebrate and honor all the hours and work that goes into achieving that diploma.

4. Rosie's blessing. Since Tim's parents were here from California for Scott's graduation, we also blessed Rosie that same weekend. It made for a very busy weekend but we were so happy to have all our family there to support Rosie. She was an absolute doll all day, plus Tim gave her a beautiful blessing and we had the perfect weather for our outdoor gathering after the meeting.

Our Maryon family. (We did take a Herrick family photo but I don't have a copy yet!)

I couldn't resist adding this darling photo - could she be any cuter??

5. Mother's Day. We forgot to take a picture of our little family on Rosie's blessing day so we recreated the moment (complete with the same outfits because I'm weird like that) on Mother's Day. It was a lovely day: we went to church with my mom, had a delicious lunch, I got to take a nap, and there was a lot of chocolate involved. Including this chocolate shoe from my mom - how fun is that? (There were also two throwing up incidents - one of which soaked me - and a blowout diaper, a super soggy diaper, and plenty of tantrums. Mother's Day to its very fullest!)

While I'm on the subject, and all sappiness intended, I just wanted to say how much being a mother means to me. I am "in the trenches," so to speak, as so many of my friends are - getting up at night, wiping noses, changing diapers, fielding tantrums, trying to love and teach and nurture without going crazy, and it's hard work. But these two little girls are so incredible and so precious to me. I love saying "the girls" or "my girls" more than is reasonable. And that's what being a mother is - loving and giving and sacrificing more than is reasonable. Everyday makes me more and more grateful for what my mom gave and sacrificed and I truly hope someday my girls will be able to say the same thing.