ROAR! Vance is 4!

Attention everyone!

My sweet and terribly difficult son turned a ROARING 4 years old on May 28th.

Of course we partied!

In Dino fashion.....

And clearly I wasn't paying any attention to his cake banner.....

Lets just say dinosaurs have an accent?

Rented this watery bounce house as the entertainment of the party.

So glad I did!

And yes, yes I did partake of the watery fun.

 (Olivia Bullock, Declan Marshall, Jacob Bradshaw, Mackenzie Marshall, Edward Marshall, birthday boy, Gemma)

Thanks to all these adorably scary dinosaurs for making the party such a hit....

And a very happy birthday boy.

Happy Birthday my little chubby Bubba boy!!

Vegas 2014

For the first time ever really, Mr. S and I got to get away for a few days without the babes.

Thanks SO much to my mom and sister!

I fought for the beach but Vegas won. And Vegas kicked my butt with a damn virus.

After day one, even.

Jerk....

Mr. S kept me drugged up so I could try and survive the remainder of our vacation. In all honestly though, I wanted to die. I hadn't been that sick in a very long time.

I did enjoy being kidless....

laying by the pool....

eating good food (when i felt up to it)...

Shopping......

Cirque du soleil "KA"....

There are some dirty nasty awnry people on the strip though......too much skin.......

Vegas makes me feel gross..... 

Despite being sick, I loved the piece and alone time i had with Mr. S. 

It was desperately needed and that need was fulfilled. 

Next year WILL NOT be Vegas. 

The greatest calling

Sunday was mothers day.

A day where the country ecknowledges the role of Motherhood. And for one whole day, Motherhood is truly appreciated.

Then tomorrow happens, and for another year people forget. 

But us moms will continue on being moms. No matter what.

Continuing on being Brave. 

Compassionate. 

Selfless. 

Giving.......

Scared out of our minds.......Etc....

Happy mothers day to the grandmothers of my children. Without my mom I wouldn't be here. Without my mother in law I wouldn't have Mr. S.

They made me mother.

I will eternally love them so much it hurts.

Stake Conference (5.4.14)

I have a confession.....

We don't go to stake conference.

We should and I look forward to the day we'll actually be able to sit for 2 hours straight with my family, but until then, Mt. Lemmon has been and is church for us. Only twice a year that is.

It has actually become tradition with great friends of ours. I wont name names. "cough...M****...cough".  ;) 

We missed them though this go around. Just isn't the same you guys.

This happens to be our very favorite spot.

Beautiful trees.

Beautiful light.

Beautiful and refreshing air.

If I could some how own this little spot of the mountain, I'd live here always.

With my dream little farm animals. Whom most likely would get eaten by bears and lions.....So Id have to figure something out with that.....

My favorite thing about long drives and little adventures, is when the babes fall asleep and Mr. S and I dream talk and make dream plans. One of these days we'll make one itty bitty dream come true.

 Hiking the 7 Cataracts.

Which is right behind me. The picture doesn't do it justice at all.

Its much bigger.
With a natural pool.
So I've heard.

Heavenly Father sure has given us a beautiful place to enjoy and care for.

Happy Sabbath.

Happy Stake Conference.

8 years

Had anyone told me how our marriage would start out, I never would have said yes. 

Its been 8 years as of April 14 that we became husband and wife. Oh has it ever been hard and completely worth while. 

Marriage is 100/100 as we've learned. It has to be. 

It's work. 

Really hard work. 

But sometimes it's easy and completely rewarding. 

Our love grows more and more with each moment that passes. I dare say I love you more BECAUSE of what we've gone through. Not despite. 

You are my good morning.

I love you Mr. Smith, forever.

Brynlee Eliza

Where to start.......

Little miss was scheduled for delivery via C-section at 7:30 AM on August 22nd.

(2nd picture is a bit graphic. You've been warned.)

Lo and behold, she arrived at 7:42 AM (or 7:46, I can't remember.) weighing in at 7 lb. 1 oz. and 19.25 inches long.

PS. this surgery was an awful experience! I am scarred for life with csections. 

These 2 were excited to finally meet their new little sister, especially my boy. He was ready to hold her and love on her right from the beginning. Gemma on the other hand was very hesitant and wasn't sure what to do. She didn't hold her till day 2 and even then, it wasn't for very long.

Brynlee's going home weight dropped to 6 lbs. 8 oz.

And look at all that hair!

Still in shock I have THREE KIDS! Holy smokes!

Not much else to report. Hope you enjoyed a months worth of my little Brynlee Eliza.