2026 Family Moto

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Motherhood Mission Statement

To provide a loving environment that is centered around God and His commandments while effectively teaching my children to love, honor, and respect all Men no matter the race, creed, or background.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

"Freee"

Today my baby, (who would rather stay a baby) turned "Freeee"!  (That's three for those of you who don't speak toddler.)  Where do I begin?  Edward is emotional. Edward is lovable.  He is kind, he is honest, he is caring, compassionate, silly, wild, a show off, a complete crazy, a baby, and so sweet when he wants to be.  He demands attention constantly.  I thought that all kids were like Edward until Nolen came along and I learned that Edward really does DEMAND attention. 
He loves pasta, the color red, cars, trucks, planes, trains, and anything with wheels.  He got a strider bike for his birthday and I think he really is in love.  He sleeps so well!  I think the months and months of agony we suffered through with him have paid off in the last year.  He stays in bed until 6 AM then comes and climbs in bed with me while I wait for Nolen to wake up.  (That is unless Nolen and I are already awake.)  Edward loves water.  He is gearing up for private swim lessons to start next week.  Edward loves to eat, but mostly sweet stuff like Popsicles and chocolate.  He is not potty trained; however that is mostly my fault because I think it might be harder for me if I have to constantly remind him to use the potty. 
Edward loves to sing.  He sings "Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do" constantly and asks me to sing "The Wheels on the bus" all the time.  He likes to play the piano, the kazoo, and the harmonica.  He does not; however, like to hear me sing Opera or anything else that is not a silly song for that matter.  He tells me the moment I start singing, "NOT THAT SONG!"  I just keep singing hoping he will learn to like "THAT SONG" because I have to learn it. 
Edward loves to swing on the swings and be outside.  What kids doesn't?  He would spend all day at the park if it wasn't so cold here.  Edward loves his little brother, Nolen, most of the time.  He doesn't mind sharing food or toys unless it happens to be a brand new toy, then he will not let anyone near it.  Edward is usually the best kid in nursery and has never had any trouble with me dropping him off.  Let me say that again, Edward rushes me out the door so that he can play with his friends.  He has not ever cried when I have left him.  Not sure if I should worry about that or not.  Edward loves to color, especially if I color cars and trucks with him.
Edward's favorite movie, at this very moment, is Kung Foo Panda, and he was really in to Winnie the Pooh not too long ago.  Amazing how fast kids change from one love to another.  Edward loves his Dad.  He loves to go ridding in "daddy's jeep" and going to Explora with just Dad.  He would spend all day with his Dad if he could. 
Edward now spends less time in time out and more time saying, "sorry".  He knows exactly what he wants and he will do nearly anything to get it.  He is very picky.  He would eat, sleep, play, and live in his basket ball pajamas if I allowed it.  I am constantly doing laundry so that he can wear them.  He wants to pick out all of his own clothes and will only wear his crocks unless I force him to wear his tennis shoes. 
Edward is the little boy who can push me over the edge with his very strong willed, "NO!"  I can only hear that word so many times in one day before I want to jump off a bridge.  I have told Edward it is more polite to say, "No, Thank you" but he rarely says it.  Maybe that one will sink in someday.  He is highly energetic and if he could, he would bounce off all the walls.  He wants Stephen to take him outside and spin him all day every day.  He loves to jump.  He loves to jump holding my hands so that I can toss him high in the air. 
Edward is amazing.  He is creative and smart and can play make believe all by himself for hours.  He can count to 20 and knows all of his letters and most of the sounds.  We have been working on recognizing sight words like "Car" and "Mommy".  So far, he is doing great.  I have even taught him 1+1=2.  If I had the time, Edward would sit with me for hours learning things.  He loves to learn.  I wish I had his enthusiasm for learning. 
I suppose I could go on and on and on, but I think you get the point.  Edward is my strong willed three year old who is full of life and love.  He is the little boy who changed my life and took away all my selfishness.  He has taught me to love and to be more patient and to understand children.  He is so much like me that it scares me.  He can even match my pitch and sing songs a lot like me.  I just love this little bundle of craziness.  I am so blessed to have sweet little boys in my life.  Heavenly Father truly knows me and what I can and can't handle.  I find myself praying each day for patience and understanding.  He has given me the greatest blessings and challenges all with in two little people.  I love them so much and I love being a part of their lives.





















Happy 3rd Birthday, Edward!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

15 Months

Nolen William Barnes was born 15 months ago!  He is outgoing, energetic, silly, wild, funny, crazy, adventurous, calm, passive, attentive, lovable, and kind.  I often joke to my friends that my boys are extreme opposites.  This seems to become more true every day.  Nolen has patience, compassion, and hardly cries.  Is he really mine? 
Nolen slept through the entire night last night for the first time in... well... a year!  It was a miracle!  He still has some tummy issues but we are working to figure out what causes all the gas and pain so that he can rest (and so I can rest).
Nolen can almost say "ball" and says "mamma".  He can climb up on the couch and loves to play in dangerous places.  He follows Edward example and tries to do everything his older brother does.  He loves to sit on my lap and watch baby Einstein for hours.  He is so attentive.  He hardly ever puts up a fight, he just goes with the flow.  He loves car rides and will often fall asleep if we are in the car for more than 20 minutes.  Nolen can ride his little ride on car and drive his Thomas the Train.  He is so smart.  He smiles and giggles and loves to laugh.  He is so sweet and very understanding of his older brothers needs.  Nolen is curious and hardly stays on the same task for long.  He is a picky eater and will spit something out if he doesn't like it.  Nolen does not like to hold my hand.  He wants to walk all by himself just like Edward.  Nolen only gets upset if I take him away from something that he loves, like walking up and down the ramp at the gym or just walking all by himself.  He loves to be outside.  It has been too cold lately to spend a long time outside but we still try. 






















I love my sweet little Nolen.  He is a true joy to be around and he was meant to be in our family.   He is wonderful.  He charms everyone he meets and is the life of the party.  I am so grateful to have him be a part of my life.  I am filled with love each morning I pull him out of his crib (at 5 AM no less).  I think these pictures tell the true story of sweet little Nolen Barnes.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Ba Ba Ball!








Turning 3....

It is hard to believe that Edward will be three in exactly ONE week.  It seems like he has always been by my side tugging at my skirt; however, at the same time it feels like he just joined our family.  For those that live in Albuquerque, we are having a little birthday party for him at our home next Saturday from 11:00 to 2:00.

I have been really busy singing lately and I feel like I have not blogged about how cute my boys are and have been. They are really getting in to more big boy activities now that Nolen can walk and run. Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks. 





Friday, February 3, 2012

stumbled across this jem....



and it reminded me of these....



Monday, January 30, 2012

Videos and a few laughs

Stephen Reading to Edward
Julie Reading to Nolen
Trying to get Nolen to say "Truck".  I think he says it at the end...
Boys being boys