Children are Amazing

One of the most rewarding parts of being a parent is the pure, selfless joy of seeing your little ones grow and succeed at life's hurdles. I am not much for crying over sentimental things, sad goodbyes, even a sad movie doesn't get my eyes wet, but there is something that gets to me when I see my three children's excitement/reserve for trying something new, and breaking through to accomplish it. The first time I noticed this part of me was not when my little, but biggest kiddo started his first day of school, but when he was at the starting line getting ready to run his first cross country race. I was standing there with the video camera when all the kids ran by and my son starts to run, but stops when he sees a girl trip and fall, he waits for her to get up, and lets her pass him, then he begins the race. At that moment tears streamed down as see this kind act by Tucker, proud that even in the mist of a competition he felt the need to wait for this girl. In the end, after a mile and half run, red faced and thirsty, my little man won 2nd place!!!! These moments are great to see as parent's, because we raise our children with every hope they will come out decent, and then something like this happens (I didn't tell Tucker to wait for that girl) and we realize that we must be doing something right!!!!

Another proud moment was not lending a helping hand or kind act, but simply overcoming a fear and moving forward. My middle boy, Kemper, is our child who is shy/reserved/a little hot tempered, and has a big fear of strangers. After all, fear of strangers, isn't that what we want. :) This summer my sister-in-law and I sign our kids up for swim lessons, and as some of you know we don't have a pool here in Susanville, so we had to travel to Reno for two weeks of swimming. Yes, it might seems like a lot, but it was well worth it in the end. I was fully aware that Kemper would not be too excited about all the people, and the strange instructors, so I arranged my husband mother to watch Sammie so that I had my full attention on my son. Knowing that I had to create a safe environment for Kemper I got in the pool and help him do everything the other kids were learning how to do. I must admit I felt a little awkward being the only parent in the pool with their child, but I knew this was the only way to get him comfortable. For the first week, was the same, I got in, helped learn to swim, and then by the middle of the second week, he decided to get in on his own. I sat by the edge of the pool, gave him high fives and hugs when he did something good, and watch my son overcome something much bigger than learning how to swim. At that moment, sitting by the pool, I did want to cry, but I stopped myself because I didn't want to look like a crazy person. I am so proud of my little one, and the funny thing is, after that moment in the pool during all those swim lessons, he has been a changed kid. He is not as afraid to try new things and is eager to join in on all the fun.

Being a parent is the biggest blessing that I could have ever asked for. I always say, you can NEVER know the amount of love or the kind of love a parent has for their children until you have some of your own. Parenthood is filled with frustrating times, worry, fear, and poppy diapers; but all that results in these special moments that I will never forget. Moments of "Yeah, that is my KID!" :)

A DAY OF BLACK AND WHITE

Well, summer is here in Susanville, Ca. and that means many fun moments in the outdoors. My family loves being outside, fishing, swimming, camping; the list goes on and on, but the most memorable ones seem to be when we just explore and go on an adventure. One of Susanville's hidden beauties is the Bizz Johnson trail. Starting at the train depot, you pass over some old train tracks, a beautiful bridge, pass the Susan river, and if you keep going you can walk almost 25 miles. However, we did not go that far, as I have little feet and they were tired by the end of our walk.

 

My little babies are getting so big!!! I always remind myself

to enjoy these little hidden moments because times like

these won't last for long!!

 

 

Running down the old rail road track!!

 

Sister finally caught up with the boys at the bridge!!

 

 

Hard to imagine time has gone by so fast. Tucker is no longer a kinder;

he past his first year in school with flying colors and will

continue on to first grade!! Ahhhh!!

 

 

Kemper is our little man who is shy, reserved, and afraid

of a lot of things, but he has the biggest heart; when he sees

someone hurting he wants to make them feel better.

 

Sammie is our wild child. Great!! It had to be our little girl.

She loves being outside and adventure. Rob and I always say

she is worst than the boys about getting into stuff , climbing

on high objects and jumping off, and she even loves playing

shoot'em'up'bang'bang with her bros. She has the most beautiful

smile and big blue eyes.

 

When I was younger; way before I had kids or even met Rob, I always

used the phrase "Enjoy life to the fullest." But, I never really understood

or appreciated that little phrase until now. Time is flying by so fast and it only

seems to get faster as the kids get older. As Mom and the runner of the household

it is my duty to make sure I am bringing up a tight family. I am always reminding my

boys that us five are always going to be there for each other and no matter what we

stick up for each other. Many people might say that I use the phrase "I love you"

too much, but I say, whenever I feel the need to say it I am going to. As parent's

it is our obligation to make sure our kid's feel secure and confident, and that they are

loved more than anything; so when they grow up and find their own life, they always

know who to confide in when things go sour. I love you; my three little musketeers!!

 It didn't seem like

much at the time but it ended up to be a great day that they still talk about!!!