How time flies!

Wow, can you believe Memorial Day weekend is already over??? It was a great weekend for us, but I just can't believe how fast it flew by. Our weekend started out with a trip to Tacoma on Saturday morning for State 2A track. Todd's brother Wes was competing in three events. It was awesome weather, and we all came home with pink skin because we'd been expecting rain, not sunshine! Wes did great, he got 1st place in Pole Vault, and set a state meet record (He also placed in his other two events). Garrett was so proud of him! I had cute little shirts made but unfortunately this was the only picture I got there before my batteries died. I'll get pics of the kids in their shirts later, I didn't think we'd ever get Garrett to take his off!

Sunday was a lazy day. We didn't have church until 1:00. Then we get there only to be told we get to go home right after sacrament meeting. Something was up with the sewer system. I can't tell you how disappointed I was not to be teaching my YW lesson that day. ;)
Monday came the tradition of visiting the graves of my ancestors. I really love this tradition because it's the only time I get to visit my dad and brother's graves, as well as both my grandpas (by the way, I did have some Columbine left over for Grandpa Cox, yeah!). It brings tears to my eyes every time I look at their headstones and all the memories come flooding back. I miss them all so much. I wish they could be here to share my growing little family with. It just reminds me how grateful I am to have the knowledge that we'll get to be together with them again someday!
After visiting the cemeteries we went to the park for a BBQ with my extended family. I just love this tradition too! All the yummy salads, and you can't go wrong with a steak off the grill! Unfortunately we didn't all walk away unscathed, poor Lauren took a tumble (she's always trying to run faster than her little legs can go) and ended up with a pretty good scrape on her forehead. She's a trooper though and it didn't take long before she was running around with the kids again.
Here's part of the family hanging out after lunch.
This is Lauren in the car on the way home. We were all soooo tired!
Garrett telling me not to take a picture of him :)

Beautiful

Last year when we moved into our house I noticed a single columbine flower blooming under where our hose hangs on the house of all places. I love columbine because it was my grandpa's favorite flower. I'm so happy to say that it's back this year and it looks like it's going to have more blooms this time. Here's the first one, it's funny that such a delicate pink flower can remind me so much of my grandpa...but he was such a huge part of my life growing up, there's not too much that doesn't remind me of him. So as we come upon Memorial Day, here's my reminder of my grandfather, Richard Lyle Cox. I can only hope there's still some left next weekend so I can leave them on his grave.

My sweet boy :)

I wanted to use a more recent picture (this one's from Christmas), but it was the most recent one I could find that he was actually looking at the camera and not making a goofy face!


Wow, this has been such a crazy week. I have found a whole new respect for working mothers. I did work when Garrett was little, but it was different then. Having two is much more chaotic, especially when you're not in a routine! I have been working at a flower shop this week in preparation for Mother's Day. It has been so fun learning to arrange flowers, but I'm so exhausted, and I caught a nasty little cold to top it off. Wednesday was especially hectic as we were trying to get out the door and I couldn't find Lauren's bottle. We finally got in the car and Garrett would not stop talking. Ya know when you are trying really hard to think and all you can hear is the sound of your child rambling on about nothing in particular. So yeah, he's talking and I keep telling him he needs to be quiet (in my mind saying, will you PLEASE SHUT UP?!, I promise I didn't say it out loud!)

He finally just starts saying, "Mom....mom.....mom."
Me: "What Garrett?"
Garrett: "Mom, you look nice today."

OK, so my heart just melts right then and there. And I start to think about what a horrible mom I've been all morning, and all week. Yelling every morning for everyone to be quiet and find their shoes/bottles/sippy cups/_______ insert any article of clothing here. It just made me realize how truly forgiving our kids are. How they love us unconditionally, and how easy they make it to love them back just as unconditionally. Even though I make so many mistakes, and sometimes the kids make me want to pull out my hair....it's all so...so worth it. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for sending me such amazing little spirits to take care of, and I can only hope I can make Him proud.