Crown of Glory

In honor of mother's day, I wanted to recognize some of the many women that I have the opportunity to share my life with. I am so blessed to have been born to a family of women who cherish their womanhood and understand the honor it is to be a wife and mother. These two women have definitely molded me and taught me how to be a good mom. I must also acknowledge my dad's mom as well. It's kinda weird as I have never met her and honestly don't really know much about her. I just know she was an excellent mama. She had to be. I just look at my dad and know that her time was short here on this earth only a mere 33 years, but I know that while she was here she instilled all she had that was good in my dad. 

I am so blessed.

This lovely lady is my my mama's mom. Probably the most one humble, beautiful and talented people  I know.

She taught me how to play checkers.

The of beauty of sitting in the garden and eating fresh fruit and veggies right of the plant

How to make corn husk dolls

How to make apple strudels

Had countless sleepovers with me

Played hide and seek with me

Had cooking shows with me

Taught me what it meant to follow Christ's example.

The list goes on and on.

She is magnificent to say the least.

This lady is phenomenal. She is the most giving, hard working, energetic, fun loving talented person I know.

She taught me 

How to give

How to work hard

To pursue  my dreams

To always rely on my Heavenly Father

She taught me how to be a mom.

My memories with this lady are absolutely endless. 

Some of my favorites that honestly I do to this day when I am with her.

Laying in her bed and talking about absolutely everything till all hours of the night.

Watching her get ready for the day and talking to her.

Planting and playing in the garden with her.

Sewing and crafting together.

Getting blizzards or Orange Peel together

Shoe Shopping together.

I love my mommy.

 

Then there is this little bundle. He may not be a mother or even a woman, but he sure plays a huge role in my life. He made me a mama. I am forever grateful to him for that. He has put to practice everything those lovely women have tried to teach me over the years.

Motherhood is by far the most challenging task I have been faced with. It is also the most rewarding. I love my Little Hayden and baby girl more than anything on this entire planet. I would do anything for both of them.

My little family makes me happy.

They make my life complete!

I recently read an article by Ann Romney entitled Three Seasons of Motherhood.

If anything in the article stood out to me more it was the section "Crown of Glory."

I just wanted to share because I believe it to be completely true. It makes me realize how beautiful and what an honor it is to be a mother, and to have a mother in my life.

Crown of glory

Cherish your mothers. The ones who wiped your tears, who were at every ball game or ballet recital. The ones who believed in you, even when nobody else did, even when maybe you didn't believe in yourself.
Women wear many hats in their lives. Daughter, sister, student, breadwinner. But no matter where we are or what we're doing, one hat that moms never take off is the crown of motherhood.

There is no crown more glorious.

 

Life Update

I will be the first to admit that when we got the news a year ago that we were moving to Logan was going to be absolutely perfect. I loved Logan. It is beautiful. It had everything that I loved about Idaho, but it was Utah. Ron was going to go to Grad School. I was going to stay at home with Hayden, and nothing major would ever happen.

Boy did we receive a reality check back in July when we moved here. It seemed that the entire world was out to get our little family, and frankly it was just down right depressing. Luckily for us come November-ish life seemed to go back to its normal hunky Dorey self.

I guess life is just that way. It goes in cycles. There are times when the biggest problem you have is what to make for dinner. Then there are other times when it seems to be getting so difficult that I just want to crawl into a hole and forget everything about life. It seems that first definitely gets taken for granted and only lasts but a second. The second, however; drags on and on. It seems that everything you do blows up in your face.

Okay the reason I have been on my soap box is because this has been our life here in Logan. I look back over the past year, and I am in awe with all the crap we have had to deal with, and how much time we have spent in that difficult part of the life cycle. There have been times where it has been "normal," but for the most part Heavenly Father has definitely made Logan  our growing place. I don't want to say our trial place because yes it has been a trial, but its been a place that I hope I will someday in the future be thankful for. Ron and I have definitely learned to rely on each other more than we ever have.

The last two months or so have been a complete BEAR! Time seems to be ticking by ever so slowly, and it seems that everything is working against us. Examples Ron had a job lined up for the summer, and then they gave it to someone else.  Our Medicaid for our baby girl fell through. For some that might not be a big deal. Because being on medicaid is not for them. We are ever so thankful that I qualify because of the financial strain that we have faced because of grad school. Mostly because my kidney issues really make the Medical bills pile high. It really just seemed like it was one thing after another.

The only that has made the last two months bearable have been two things. 1) Our family. I love my husband, my son, and my baby girl. I would do it all over again for them if I had too. I say a lot of this has been our children that have been pulling us through. Ron and I see baby girl's arrival as an arriving point. Something that no matter how trial some our life has been, that nothing else in the entire world could get in our way when we look at her sweet little face. Until then Hayden just lights up our lives, and seems to know when mom and dad just need something funny to brighten up our spirits. 2 ) Summer. Yeah its been a long year. I am so excited for summer trips, playing with Hayden at the park, bike rides, and NO HOMEWORK!

I am not writing this to complain about my life. Mostly for journaling purposes. Like I said early I know that we will look back on it, and be so grateful for the things we have learned.

I am writing this because I am so relieved that Ron and I finally can report that life seems to be coming back into the "normal" cycle of life. Example on Monday night. I failed at dinner. That was literally our biggest problem that we had faced all day. What we were we going to eat! It was lovely.  So our life report....

Ron:
Finished school as of yesterday! WOOHOO I can't even begin to express the relief it is to have him be done for a few months. It was lovely to spend the afternoon with him yesterday, and the morning with him today! Summer has officially started. He still has to go the school a few days a week to start up some research projects, but at least its not teaching, grading, research projects, and homework!

 Ron will just be doing WORK! YES I SAID WORK.... and research on the side. I am thrilled that after constant prayers, crying, and lets be honest a few arguments; Ron got not just one job but TWO! He applied for Big  5 Sporting goods, and go hired on the spot because of skills and knowledge in the exercise world. Not even 24 hours later, Ron's colleague offered him a job to be the Assistant Manager at her specialty bike shop. Both are part time jobs, but put them together and we have enough money to survive the summer. Not only will we survive the summer, but we won't be  breaking into our savings, and we have the possible chance to actually not take out student loans for next semester!!! HELLO HUGE GIGANTIC BLESSING!

So basically Ron is doing fantastic. I thought I better say it, just in case you are wondering. Ron finished up his course work! That means come fall semester he is only working and doing his thesis!! It is wonderful thought to think that in not even a year my sexy husband will have his master's degree! We have started looking into PH D programs already. So far we are interested in Texas, Alabama, Indiana, Colorado and Florida. We shall see. Hopefully this time Next year we will be in a different state, and finishing up our first semester in his Doctorate program.


Maggie:
 Finishing up my babysitting job that I have had all semester. We sure have been grateful for that extra income.There have been some rather difficult days, but for the most part I love that Hayden has a playmate.

Just entered into the 3rd and final leg of my pregnancy. 3RD TRIMESTER BABY!!! WOOHOO!!! 12 weeks and my sweet baby girl will be in my arms, and not my belly.

I just spent a fabulous weekend with my mommy and sisters. I had a blast just having chit chat with them, and I was baby free which made it even better! I miss being with them all at once. It was nice to have us together again.

I am going to be super busy trying to get my house re organized for the millionth time... note to self when we move for PHD school... rent a house! NOT A DINKY APARTMENT! Seriously living in a cramped apartment is my biggest complaint in life right now. I will also be super busy sewing my little heart out. I am just waiting for my fabric for her bedding to arrive!

Hayden:
Loves having his dad around more. Loves that it is spring time, and that we can finally go on our routine walks again.

He talks a ton. He is pretty much always happy. I can't believe for the life of me where 2 years went. he is getting to be a kid and not a baby. So sad.

Baby Girl:
Growing crazy like ever. I am starting to feel her through my tummy. Every once in a while I feel a bum, or a joint. She found my rib cage. Loves to play in the middle of the night.

Random:
We bought a stroller finally!!! I have been searching like crazy, and couldn't find one I was in love with.  There are still a few things I am not a fan of with this  one. For instance. Its not one baby girl will be able to ride in right away. Its also not my favorite thing for a quick trip somewhere, but everything else about it is great for our family.  It is awesome for my daily walks with the kiddos, and the it turns into a bike trailer!!! Ron and I have wanted a bike trailer for ages now! A high quality one was close to 300 bucks. We got this two in one single/ double jogger for 200 bucks!!!! We have used it a few times already and we love it! One of my favorite features is that it is weather proof for the kiddos!  So even when its started to get cold I can bundle them, and not worry about wind chill or anything.It is also not even close to being as wide as a normal double jogger.

Hayden and I love it because now we can finally go on awesome paths without worrying about shaken baby syndrome (not literally, but still), or ruining our nice Graco stroller.

We are all over places like this. If there is one thing I love about Logan, and right where we live its because of this! Its absolutely breathe taking, and it makes exercise a pure joy instead of pure agony.

In other awesome Garner news... DISNEY LAND. THIS. WEEKEND. I can't wait to take Hayden!

If you made it to the end of this post... pat yourselves on the back, and I am glad that you know I wasn't trying to be a downer at the beginning of my post. I was doing simply what the title of my post claimed, a life update.

Life is wonderful. Have had some complaints, but lately its been pure bliss. I honestly can't complain about anything. Heavenly Father has definitely blessed us.

PS... don't mind any grammar or spelling. I don't feel like going through and proof-reading it.

Some of my Favorites...

Simply Put

This little boy is happy, laughing all the time, growing WAY TOO FAST, and is completely and totally loved and adored by his parents.

PS yes he is walking full blown. He still finds crawling more safe, but he will walk clear across the house. He amazes me everyday.

Thankful

So today as I was getting hayden dressed for the day I started to think. Here is my brilliant idea.

I amSOOO blessed!

Mind blowing I know.

It just a simple thought, but one that changed my whole day around.

This idea changed my day from good to GREAT!!

Here are the simple blessing that came to me...

Hayden... How lucky am I to be able to stay home with my cute little stink all day long! Some days its extremely hard and I want to pull my hair out, but I wouldn't appreciate the good if there wasn't bad days. I love being with him!

My husband.... My partner in crime. I don't know what on earth I would do with out him. I'm so glad I have been able to spend these almost 3 years together. He is such a hard worker. Because of him I am able to stay at home with our precious babe. Because of his hard work and dedication he got the assistantship for grad school. The load of worry about how we'll pay for rent has subsided substantially! He knows exactly how to make me laugh, make me happy, make me extremely annoyed, and how to make me angry. HE KNOWS ME SOOO WELL!!!! Best part? He is still in love with me even though he knows all these things. I'm totally and completely in love with that boy.

BYUI.... The school gave us a great education. It gave us employment while we were in school, and employment even though we're not in school.

Tithing..... Without it the above would not have happened. I'm so grateful for the blessings it brings our family.

Sold our Contract.... This is a HUGE WEIGHT lifted off our shoulders. We well I was kinda worried cause our apartment isn't the cheapest in the rexburg area, but I'm glad someone loves it as much as I do.

Awesome weather... Bad weather seriously makes me depressed... Out of four days 3 have been beautiful!!!! I'm taking hayden out on a walk in just a few minutes. I'm so excited.

Chris and Stephanie... These two are amazing!!! I don't know what I would do without them. I love having family so close. We love hanging out with them. I'm so grateful they're being gracious enough to let us come live with them for a month. Thats just the kind of people they are. So giving, kind, and christlike. I love them both so much.

USU... Thank you for accepting my husband, giving him free tuition in the fall, and giving him a job that I know he'll love!!!

Hayden... again I never said how grateful I was for him. I love that little boy with all my heart. He's my best friend, and I'm his. Ron will get mad cause he always takes me over him. Sad, but secretly I love it!!!

Those are just a few of the things that just made me so happy. So go ahead count your many blessings. I promise you're day will be amazing once you do!!