The war of wills

Let me just tell you all the on going war of wills me and Aaron currently are fighting. As you know Aaron and I went on a cruise in May. The suitcase we used is still in the same spot that it has been in since MAY! The suitcase goes in the attic and I am a girl that will do a lot of things but climbing and crawling in a attic IS NOT ONE OF THEM. It is really not that he will not put it away if I asked I am sure he would. I just think a suitcase that he literally walks past every single time he gets in and out of bed is something that he should NOTICE and realize needs to be put away. That is where our little war comes in at. I think he is secretly doing it to see how long I can live with a suitcase in our room before I break down and ask him to move it and I am in a war of wills to not have to ask him to do something that clearly he has to realize he should do. Here is the one problem though. There is a large black suitcase in my bedroom that I have to now dust because it is a permanent fixture in my room. Here is the one hole in Aaron's plan that he has not taken into account...... I AM A GRADEN. I am pretty sure in the dictionary under stubborn there not only is a picture of my dad but my mom is joining him. I will win this war even if it takes me a year and I have to make a flower arrangement to go on top of the large black suitcase. I will win!!!!

Obsession

My little man has a serious obsession...... SHOES. He loves shoes! Watch out if your around him and take off your shoes you will lose them. He can not get enough. It is so bad I can not take him into a shoe store because he wants to go wild. Thanks Auntie Jen for sharing your new boats with him.

I am thankful!

I have to be a little honest and say I have been a little bitter about life these days. Not that I am not thankful for my family, or all my many blessings. I am so thankful! I watch my happy healthy kids play and giggle and I say a quick pray for how wonderful my life is. I do the same everyday when I see my handsome hubby who I am lucky enough to look at and feel like the most beautiful and lucky women in the world. I am just bitter with my leg and doctors and everything that has to do with the medicine field. That brings me to my point. Last Saturday one of my best friends Lisa from Alaska called to say that she was engaged. I was so excited. I am lucky to say I have lots of amazing friends that would do and have done so much and who I have shared so much with. Lisa and Nancy are in a whole different bracket. They have literally cried and fought and laughed threw moments in my life that were life changing. Nancy for years supported me and pushed me in my wheel chair. Lisa was with me when I found out I was pregnant with Abi. When Lisa told me she was getting married I was beyond happy for her but a little sad I would miss it. Coming up with the money to fly to Utah in December would never happen. With Christmas we could never budget for both. Then Lisa called me and told me that her mom and dad were going to fly me to Utah for the wedding on the condition that I was their wedding slave. In that moment I was full of absolute love. Love for my Heavenly father for giving me a big " I love you and I know you". I know my Heavenly blesses me with all my many talents. I am so blessed. So, I just wanted to share my testimony of my Heavenly father. I know that he sent his son here to suffer for me. I think a lot about how unbelievably hard that must have been. How lucky am I. I have the option to go to my Heavenly Father and repent of all my mistakes so that I may have the chance to live with my wonderful husband and my amazing kids and all my family not only temporarily but for eternity. What a amazing gift. I know that Joseph Smith knelt in pray and was given the knowledge to begin a new church. I think of how easily I get frustrated in my life then to think about all that him and Emma went threw and lost I can never be more thankful for their strength. I am know that modern prophets lead and guide us today. I know that my heavenly father loves and knows me. I know he knows of my frustration and my battles and I am thankful when simple moments happen when I feel like he says" I'll throw you a bone. Take a breath- enjoy!" I can not say I will not be bitter about life every now and again I can say that I will never stop fighting to always remember how blessed I am.

Like father, like son!

I love my hubby (very much). I do not love, his love for video games. The bad news is I think I have been tagged teamed and now Harris has joined Aaron in the love fest known as the X-box. At least they are both super handsome while they drool over the games.

Cool and Cute!

I am going to go out on a limb and say I have one of the cutest boys ever.

A dirty face, sunglasses and a rocking bull only add to how adorable he is.

I love you Harris! Thanks for giving me a Monday full of giggles!

We love FLorida weather!!!!!

We love our Florida weather! It is crazy hot but nothing is better than jumping in a pool, running in a sprinkler, or sliding down a slip and slide. We found a slip and slide on sale for $6.00 and could not wait to get home a play.

It was Harris' first time and he loved it but needed a little push from daddy.

Then Harris was busy stealing shoes. He is obsessed with shoes. He even sleeps in them. He was in heaven!

Then we talked daddy into demonstrating. We were all impressed!

We love Florida, we love getting wet, and we really love each other. It is a perfect day when we get to have all 3!

Certainly not a lizard!

The other day we were welcomed by a new friend Mr. Turtle- Turtle outside our sliding glass door. Our dog Coheed was barking at something outside, Abigail went to check it out and then said " mom it is a turtle" I said "No Boo it is probably a lizard" Then she responded with " Mom it is certainly not a lizard. It is a turtle". She was right! The 3 of watched his every move for most of the day and of course named him. Say hello to Mr. Turtle- turtle. Our next move was to call daddy, and all the grandparents to brag about out new friend. It was fun.

Mr.and Mrs. Mathew Grieve

Last Saturday was a great day for 2 reasons. The first it ended almost 3 months of crazy. I have been so busy between mom and dads 35th anniversary party, all the weddings I have been doing, then girls camp, I am exhausted. The BEST reason is because my sister in law Aubrey was married in the Orlando Florida temple. It was amazing. I love my sister in law she is truly stunning inside and out. In the almost 6 years I have been a Jammes I have admired her so much. I was in young women's when she first turned 12, when we shared with the family that we were pregnant with Abigail, Aubrey was the most excited and spent the next 9 months talking to my tummy. The day Abi was born Aubrey held my daughter in her arms and with sweet and tender love cried. It was one of the sweetest moments in all my life.

Watching as Aubrey worked and never wavered on never settling for anything less than a temple marriage was amazing. When I think of important qualities that I hope Abigail has I always think of Aubrey.

When Mathew and her walked into the sealing room they were breathtaking. She was beautiful and Mathew was handsome. They both had smiles so big it was as if their faces would crack they were that happy. It was wonderful to be a part of it. The night before Aubrey went and received her endowments. Once we were in the celestial room Vickie and Mike gathered all their children and their spouses and had us stand in front of a mirror so we all could take in what a blessing it was to all be together in the temple. What a extraordinary moment.

I will share the reception pics later but Katheryn came to the temple and took these amazing pictures and I thought that they needed and deserved there very own blog post.

I am so thankful and blessed to have such a amazing sister in-law. I am so happy for all the joys that are coming her way. Marriage is wonderful and what a great blessing to start it off in a beautiful and breathtaking temple. I love you! Congrats!!!