I threw Brad's clothes away!!!

Yes...along with all the other things we've been up to these past few weeks one important thing I forgot to mention was that I threw a bag of Brad's clothes away. Now considering other than work clothes the guy has about 2 bags total of nice clothes. So, when said wife throws one of those bags away, the bag with perhaps the cutest of the cute and nice clothes, it was pretty lame. He was great and didn't even get phased by it. But, we did get to go out on a date and choose some new clothes for him (which was fun for me cause we don't have money to go shop ever so this necessity shopping trip was fun)

And...my Brad-with help from our awesome friends-moved us from one house to the next with a broken rib. Such a guy.

Several years ago my parents took us all to this heaven of a place called McCall Idaho. Well flash forward several years and 3 chambers kids later and they planned the trip again. I hoped with everything I had that it would somehow work for me and the kiddos to join the rest of the Nelson clan. The stars aligned and we made it for the trip (no Brad...boo) but it was awesome and I am so so so glad I took the kids and joined them. I can't even thank my sweet parents enough and my great siblings and their kids. It's super hard to be on a vacation by yourself with your kids (even though you are surrounded by people) and they just stepped up and helped me and loved us and it was such an amazing time. So here is the picture journey: 

McCall is in Idaho. The pretty part of Idaho.

Here is Grandma Ruthie and Grandpa Robert with the whole group. I'm loving this picture.
                                       
Plenty of time for games. We love Ticket to Ride, Legretto, Play Nine, Kings go Wild, puzzles, and Pit.

At night. This cabin had a bedroom for all 6 kids and their families.

 Icecream in town. Ez's fell off the cone the second they handed it to him. Don't worry, i picked it up and we ate it anyway...dirt and all.

 Lola got lots and lots of love. My cute neice Sadie asked her mom is they could keep Lola and then her mom could get pregnant and give the baby to me. Nice plan!

 All the cousins before we left.

 So glad I borrowed this baby Bjorn. It saved me as we got on and off the boat and up and back to the water.

 Uncle Brett and little EZ.

 Best cousins.

 The pontoon boat.

 In the day.

Most of the group went river rafting.

 We stayed back and had our own good time. That's my cute neice Morgan. She is in India now improving the world!!

 She is so talented at doing their hair.

 The Chambers family!

 Cute mom and dad.

Perhaps next time we go to McCall Brad will make it and we will be living closer!

We like a lot of pictures.

Our kids are so lucky to have such a fun place to spend a big portion of their summers. Here are some of the highlights...

We went to Liberty Park canyon water area. This picture is all EZ. Always checking out how things work.

Took a ride on Trax with Em, Sadie, Grandma Ruthie and Grandpa Robert.

Went to a Disney radio train ride thing.

It is tradition to take the kids to the spot I first heard "I love you" and the spot we got engaged. Here I am retelling the story.

All things pioneer!

A hike with a brother to a picture perfect mountain spot. I love you mountains.

Some good good friends and their sweet kiddos.

Cousins.

Sleepovers. We went on 3 mini vacations in the one big vacation. Lola is now sleeping like a crazy person since our return because I had to wake her so people could stay sleeping but you know we wouldn't trade it for the world.

We were there for father's day. We missed Brad but glad to be with my dad.

Gma Ruthie's birthday. I haven't been there to celebrate with her in person for a long time. I made her a cake with simple forget me nots on it because she loves those and cake!

We skipped out on church our last week after sacrament meeting and headed to temple square. Such a perfect place.

Plane museum.

And since we've been back...we moved out of one place and into another about 1 mile away. wrecked the van. Sold some couches. Bought some couches. Had no tv for 4 weeks. No internet for 3 weeks. Still no couches to sit on. Diagnosed by the Doctor with mono (for both of us) finished 2 weeks of swim lessons. Watched movies. Popsicles. Explored the neighborhood. Hopeful thoughts of exercise soon. What else?? Just lovin' summer and our new place.

She is growing

We have been on a month trip to Utah. It was amazing. Remember my last post when I talked about how I hoped the plane ride would go? Well, I think I "planned" for everything but..Ezra getting violently ill on the first leg of our flight. The kids had been up since 4:30am for the 3 hour drive to St. Louis, then the shuttle ride from the parking lot with all our luggage to the airport where we went through you know, the airport stuff, then sat and waited for 2 hours (we were a little early but I'm never going to be left by a plane again). We got on our flight and my little man was in the fetal position on his seat. Not typical behavior for a 2 year old. Turns out from that point on he cried and moaned and was beside himself with a fever and congestion and I think a little motion sickness. So we land for our layover and I am left with a little guy who only wants me to hold him, a baby who can only be held, Chloe (thank goodness) and our luggage. Thankfully, I had the worlds greatest flight attendant (go American Airlines) and she carried all my stuff (which was 3 bags) while I followed. Miracle 1 we had no gate change in Dallas. She said "this never happens". So we just found a comfy seat looking out the window and she got us settled and had to scurry off. Miracle 2...by my first point of tears a sweet man came up and said, "i can tell you need some help. What can I do?" Then he had to leave after a while. I was still in need of help so I said a prayer. Immediately miracle 3...I saw this angel woman and went over and said, "you don't know me, but you look nice and I need some help." She she came over and sat with me for the 3 hour layover. She held the baby, talked and played with Chloe, calmed me. She was truly an angel who Chloe remembers he name being "Grace". Whether or not that is true she was truly an answer to prayer. She didn't just come over and sit for minute till we were settled she sat there, uncomfortably at a point, for the whole 3 hours. Then she helped me on the plane, almost switched her seat, then helped me get off and took us all the way to my mom who was waiting. I'll never ever forget her and hope to always pay that kindness forward.

So...you're more interested in Lola. Here she is at 4 months (she's 5 months today but that will come later) 

She loves to suck her two middle fingers instead of her thumb now.

She is 13 lbs at 5 months. No longer my 9 lb chubbers.

Her first time rolling over came in utah when I hear my dad and brother say, "Lola just rolled over you may want to come see!" 

She is so happy.
She is ticklish in between her back bones just below her neck.
She has the softest most perfect head and the bluest eyes.
She hold my face in both of her hands.
She has started to hold a toy in both hands but gets bored quickly with them or they fall out of reach.
She drools and always wants something in her mouth.
She goes with the flow thank goodness.
She doesn't seem to appreciate her carseat like the other kids did.
She likes to nap in her bed and will nap very long.

Well, we're moving. As of Wednesday we finally found a place...not bad considering we were having to leave our current place by Saturday! It all worked out in the end and I just kept packing knowing it would. I'm assuming stupid AT and T won't get us service till the end of the month but keep checking back.
Happy summer.

July 4th shirts

I was walking in and out of some stores the other day when I saw all these cute July 4th stuff. I knew I had some white t's at home that I bought for much less (like to the tune of $1) so I decided to make some this year. These took about 5 minutes (longer to dry) 

I hope you're inspired. Happy 4th coming up.

 And really...these are the most gorgeous flowers.

Today, when I should be packing and cleaning we have been in the car for the past who knows how many hours tracking down a birth certificate. Good news is I checked for birth certificates last night so I was able to remedy the missing one today!!
We are off to Utah tomorrow. I will be flying alone with the 3 kids. I really thought last time was my last time flying alone but here we go again. I can honestly say I have never had any major scares or emergencies or rude people next to me. I've never been quite so lucky to sit next to someone like my mom who would totally help a stranger but i've always been next to people who are tolerant and usually very cordial and kind and there is usually someone nice to help me get my bags from above (curse you airlines for charging for bags so now I have to lug them all on the plane because hello, we can't afford 300 more dollars in baggage fee!!) Once Chloe made friends with the flight attendants and they hung her pictures throughout the plan. Twice I flew to Utah with friends and their kids. Once I was left standing in Oregon on Father's day Eve with my two kids and was told "you will have to come back tomorrow, your flight has left!"We've driven 31/2 hours just to get to the airport and start the long flight portion many many times.  I started flying alone with a 4 month old and flew twice alone with two kids and now we have a 5 year old and 21/2 year old and a 4 month old. We're all so excited to see family that the journey is just something we have to get through to get there and there is where our hearts will be for the summer.
Happy traveling.

Summer is coming...

With summer coming we...

ran through the sprinklers for a couple of days and have run through the rain a couple times.

 Watched some baby Einsteins.

 Had a memorial Day barbeque.
Ez has sustained 2 head wounds so far...and summer is just beginning. Nice bandaid, kid.

 We love our fire pit we won last year at a raffle. But...since summer is beginning I want to share this info: Don't buy generic stuff for smores. Gross. Just buy the jet puffed and the honeymaid!!!

 We've been picking blackberries everyday from across the street. When other people are picking we think, "these are our berries." But really it's just this small lot of unclaimed land that just so happens to grow the most sweet, delicious black berries around. We eat them all before we get any home.

 We went to a strawberry festival.

 And...we happened upon this gorgeous field of wild flowers. My parents grew some of these in their backyard for a few years and they are simply gorgeous. Gorgeous!

I'm going to pot a July 4th project in the next few days so stay tuned.

Bumpo

Miss Lola Belle, how is it possible that you are 3 1/2 months? Pretty soon we'll be taking you to Utah to meet your huge family. Pretty soon you'll start eating other food. You already laugh and "talk". Thanks for being a snuggly baby and sucking your thumb and sleeping through the night and smiling. We're so lucky to have you in our family and despite a year of many disappointments your life more than makes up for them. I am in constant awe of your miraculous life and the wonders of Heaven you brought with you to this earth. When it comes to things that matter, baby girl, it's you, Bluebird, EZ and your cute dad. I can't imagine a more full life. Keep growing and changing and we'll keep loving and learning!

                                                    

Being a mom.

I love being a mom. I really do. When I worked I knew and hoped it was just a means to end till I had kids one day and could stay and work at home with them. I love being a mom. I love planning meals and trying new meals (brussel sprouts tonight, baby) coming up with fun things to do, planning our next vacation, planning special times for when Brad is with us, snuggling on the couch and watching Curious George every single morning for the past 5 years. (they are making a few new ones every now and then!) Kissing Ezra on his neck and hearing him laugh and laugh, seeing the thoughts roll through their brains and hearing them stutter as they try and get those innocent thoughts out, being able to teach the gospel to them in the moment...when it really matters and they will really learn and be receptive. It's all the little hugs and kisses and wiped tears and refusing to eat, but then all of a sudden liking to eat, the moment of quiet when it's just me and a baby eating or breathing hot breath on my shoulder and slowly falling to sleep. Those first smiles, those dimpled smiles, those growing up smiles. The uncontrollable laughter, the falling asleep before we've turned the light out or the up all night chatting to each other nights. All the songs, the reading of book after book and memorizing them along the way.  Or turning movies I've seen into stories for Chloe and hearing her think I am the best story teller in the world. It's the pats on the pillow with little hands inviting me to come sit close and lay together and just talk or sing or tickle backs, choosing clothes in the morning and jams at night, giving tubs, teaching love, feeling love, and giving love. I've learned so much from these 3 angelic faces. Like how to forgive quickly and move on, how to roll with it, how to cook better and more efficiently, how to sing pretty well, how to love, how to respect, how to teach, how to be more silly, how to plan my time, how to sew cute little clothes from my bigger clothes, how to shower at the gym (gross but necessary now) and how to look at my own mom and other "mom" influences and love and appreciate them even more as I become more.

They spoiled me on my special day. Bluie and My Brad has been hushing secrets around the house for the past 2 weeks. I loved seeing her eyes get all big as she made the "zipping" lip motion and would giggle at the surprises she held inside. They cooked all three meals for me and included all my favs.

So, it's becoming apparant that my little guy is going to need a mama who can sew him some pants as he grows. So I found a patter at Made and went for it. These pants are so adorable. They are an actual pattern (yes, I did my first pattern folks. remarkable considering all I've sewn) and they fit him pretty cute. This was a trial pair but I plan on perfecting it and just making him church pants as we go. i made these out of one of Brad's old shirts. They were soft. All day I just kept picturing him on a boat in Cape Cod. he's such a handsome little guy.

 Ez is still in the stink eye phase of pictures, but I love it and embrace it because as we look on back on these we'll remember these funny stages.

 And miss Belle. This is why she sleeps so well. She regularly goes down at 8 and wakes at 6. Really! I put in 2 kids and 5 years of basically never sleeping 5 consecutive hours so thanks little Lola. I am the first to admit that it has nothing to do with anything we've done.  She is a pretty amazing baby all around. I think this thumb sucking has some benefits!