The 3rd Child

There once was a girl named Khloe Lin. She was born on August 26, 2009. She came into this world 9 MONTHS ago and I can't believe how quickly she is growing.


I have a lot of catching up to do with Khloe! I have always heard that the last child is the one that suffers and doesn't get what the first and second child got. I have to agree. She doesn't have a scrapbook. She rarely gets new clothes thanks to her big sister Macie and my bestie Christina for hooking me up with lots of little girl clothes. I am not sure why she gets the shaft in so many ways, because truly, she is the very best baby. She will probably give me a run during her toddler years, but right now, she is a dream!

I take SO many pictures, but fail to display them and share her fun personality. This is for you baby girl!

Isn't she sweet?? Oh my goodness. Look at that face!


She is the most content little baby. She sits in her bumbo and watches me work! I wish I had the time to sit and hold her all day long, but lets just face it. Laundry, cleaning, chasing the other 2 kids, fixing snacks, lunches, dinners, etc. I CANT. It kills me, but she just sits up high, watching, and smiling!


Let's see here...hmmmm....what to do, what to do.


Dalan and Macie had an idea. I wonder who thought of this first? Let's build a super cool fort. On TOP of Khloe! AAAGGGGHHHH....and this is exactly WHY she sits up high. Away from the others!!


HELP ME...HELP ME!


"You think you can just walk all over me you two?? You wait. I am silent now, but soon I will be able to hold my own!"


All dressed up for Sunday best. Khloe was sooo tired and ready for her nap. But I had to get one picture. This is the best I could do. Aaaagghhh to be able to scream and just get your way:)


Where's Grandma Mags when you need her? She will always give me what I want!!


I LOVE all these big, fun flowers for Khloe. Although, I am pretty sure the headband days are over. The minute it is put on her head, she tugs it right off.


So instead, we have opted for the water spout of a pony tail. Gotta love that smile!


Check out her first curler!


You wanna know what is "bananas?" You Khloe! Thanks for reminding me you are sitting up high, still watching, although now you are reaching and grabbing, and contributing to the daily messes!


This is my favorite stage. The now. This moment. You today at 9 months.I love that she can sit up and I can give her a toy and she is a happy girl!


Macie is a great big sister. She loves to play with Khloe and she can always make Khloe giggle. It is really sweet to see the two of them interact. I hope their 5 year gap doesn't keep them from being the best of friends.




*** I love these 3 kiddos more than anything. They give me reason to be. I can complain all day long about messes and crumbs and fingerprints on my counters, but I am so lucky to have these littles to love and learn from. Thank you for being the best and making me so proud ***

Boys Drool!

My two favorite boys!


Meet Dalan. He is always being silly!


Yet. He is such a stud muffin!


I am so grateful that Dave is willing to teach Dalan and have the patience with him, which I tend to lack often, and show him what being a boy is all about. Grease, dirt, bugs, and tools. I am not sure if I should blame Dave for Dalan's passion about the garage and NOT being able to keep him out of it. He loves so much his daddy's tools. He has his own "plastic" version, but today when he got them taken away for being naughty...his reply was, "I dont care mom. I want real ones." I was speechless. Crap.

He loves the following: Legos, his scooter, his shark bike, tools, the garage, grease, anything Mr. Yuk (dangerous and poisonous.) He is also my biggest snacker on the planet. He likes to climb the pantry shelves looking for treasures called sugar. He has found just about every hiding place I make! He is sneaky...

Dalan was spotlighted for preschool and for his share, he built this "shooter gun."

Doing what he loves best. Workin!


He is always right there with Dave - working on the Jeep



He does work wonders with my kitchen sink and is great at cleaning those dishes. He was so proud when he was given his very own bottle of dish soap. I know, I rock!

He is full of energy, yet somehow when bedtime arrives...he can still stay up until 10:00! I don't get it. When he finally does crash and burn, he usually ends up on the floor. He doesn't like sleeping in his own room, so right here in Macie's doorway is where he landed last night!


This little dude of mine is one that keeps me on the go ALL day long. I love that little face and as exhausting as he is....his smile is so worth it. I love ya buddy! Thanks for always giving dad and I a reason to laugh at night, even though, in the moment sometimes you aren't so funny.

Like in this moment


When magically the water turned "yellow???" Oh wait, that is just your pee!


*** Dalan is full of such adventure and personality and I would be lost without him. I am so thankful that he is part of our family. He loves his big sister Macie, but he is smitten with baby Khloe. He sometimes forgets his own strength and would love to have Khloe roll around with him and, ya know, punch back. Maybe one day Dal. I am sure she will hunt you down when she is bigger!! I love you buddy and you enrich my life and keep me on my toes and I love ya for it!! ***


*** We had "Mother's Tea" at Dalan's preschool today and it was a lot of fun. Good food, good company, and the cutest kiddos around!


The kids sang us a song with hand actions...


Then Dal gave me the sweetest gift, a homemade "Me and You Book!" Thanks Dal for thinking of mom and for making me so proud!


You said your favorite things are: Airplanes, Fruit Gushers, and Working! You said you love mom to "play games" with you and you love when I take you to the "froggy pond!" pssspp....what is the froggy pond!!?? Love ya bubs:)

Girl Time

It is always a necessity to have some much needed....GIRL TIME!


That is just what we did. Since the boys went camping for Fathers & Sons, us girls had a night out on the town. We had the best time! We first went and ate at the funnest restaurant "Flatbread Pizza Oven." They bring the kids out a mini pizza dough, and they can add the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Delicious food started the night!

Then, we went to the school carnival for some games followed by the best yogurt at a place called Spoon Me. The milk chocolate yogurt is so so good and they have yummy fresh fruit to top it with! Every girl loves ice cream!!

The next day, Macie and I needed some more "girl time" so we headed to the spa to have ourselves a pedicure!




This was Macie's first time and she was so cute and sweet. She LOVED to be able to pick her color, and out of all the pinks and purples....



She went with Firecracker Red!



We soaked our feet, added some fun color to our toes, giggled, talked girl stuff, and the day was perfect! Thanks Macie for a fun time.



*** I am so grateful and so blessed to have my little girls! There is a special bond between mother and daughter and I am so grateful to have 2. ***

Me and my 2 daughters!


Macie, is a social queen and loves to be with her friends.







However, she is a total mama's girl too and enjoys to spend time with me. Macie loves to color, play dress up, barbies, "house" and she is a fantastic big sister. I love this spunky sassy little thing to pieces!

Macie Moo - I love you!




Khloe is such a sweet baby. How did I get so lucky? I haven't yet felt the effects of having 3 kids (okay, there are definitely 'moments') but overall, she is just so easy going, super content, and just fills our home with so much joy! I love this little tot and know she couldn't have been a more perfect fit.

Khlo worm - You make me smile!


My mom and her 2 daughters!



My mom (who is the blonde that looks like she is still in her 30's) is an amazing woman. She amazes me with her strength and example. This lady is one that serves and loves unconditionally. She gives of her time to serve the Lord in the temple twice a week. I tell her she is a show off, but truly she is such an example of being a dedicated and loyal daughter of God. She is also such a GIVER. Truly, if she had her last piece of candy in the cupboard, and it is even seasonal, she would totally give it to you. She radiates love to all. I love you so much mom.

My big sister Amber. I always wanted to be her. I wanted to wear her clothes, hang with her friends, listen to her conversations on "party line!" She is the ultimate cool girl. To this day, she is spacey, goofy, irrational, paranoid, and FUN. All these things make her great and I love ya sis!! You are a great mama and I can't believe you are on round 4!!

*** I feel so blessed to have such great women in my life. I am surrounded by wonderful friends and have a great support system in place. If I can't live close to family, I have been so fortunate to make great friends who have become like family. Women are truly amazing. I was reading an article today that has been on my mind. It was talking about how a good woman knows there is not enough time, energy, or the opportunity to take care of everything on our everyday to-do list. "Life is not calm for most women and although we have a hundred million things to do, the most important thing is to prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."

I truly believe that. I think that with each day comes new tasks, some repetetive, mundane, and sometimes just plain lame...but one thing I know is the importance of motherhood and instilling confidence in all of my littles. I try to do my share to teach them to make good choices, and also leave small impressions within them that will one day make them great. I know this is my calling right now and I am so blessed to be a mother!

Let it Begin!!

Here is to a new challenge:

http://youcanbethebestyou.blogspot.com

I took it on. These are the RULES!

1. Drink 48 ounces of water a day

2. 45 minutes of exercise

3. No soda

4. No sweets (desserts, pastries, candy, or sugary snacks)

5. No fast food, or unhealthy snacks (chips)

6. Consume 2 servings of fruits and 2 servings of vegetables

7. No eating after 8p.m.

8. Read 15 minutes of spiritual or uplifting text

9. Write in your journal (Daily blogs count, too.) Express specific appreciation, love, or praise in your journal...a goal of two or three items is a good goal!

10. Personal goal- each week make a personal goal for everyday or make a goal for the entire week.

If I seem a little "off" this first week, well just know I am following through with the no-sugar points because I LOVE my suga suga! I am looking forward to the growth mentally and spiritually. I have so many goals and tasks that are always on my mind and this way I feel like I will be working towards them and continue to improve ME to make ME a better mom/wife/person.

Isn't it funny how at church, during Relief Society, you feel completely uplifted and edified and then you get in the car to drive home, and BAM...kids are hungry, tired, fighting, and when you get home the house is trashed from hurrying out the door to be late for Sacrament meeting...again. Seriously. Goal * To get to church before the opening song!

I experienced this yesterday. I decided to not let it get the best of me. I decided I wasn't going to yell. I decided to be calm, patient, loving, kind, understanding, and endure, all the things that my Savior is. I decided that THIS was the reason I AM that I AM. I AM a MOTHER first. I AM Dave's wife. I AM ME! So, here is to becoming an even better ME and for enjoying the ride through this journey of life!




*** One specific thing I am grateful for today is my kiddos!!! They really are so precious, so great, and I am so lucky to be a mom. They do test my every spec of patience, but truly it is the most rewarding thing I will ever do in this lifetime and I am learning and growing each day. I truly believe that "The best things in life AREN'T things!" Love you Macie, Dalan, and Khloe ***