So I haven't blogged in FOREVER! But I wanted to quickly make a post. We are LOVING it here in Gilbert. I love the school, I love the ward, and I love the people I am getting to know. I miss my dear friends and family in Utah, very much, and so do my kids. But all I can really say is that we have been greatly blessed. We are in such a nice location and around such good people it really is wonderful. I was nervous to leave Utah, and to leave green grass. I am sure when the summer comes along I will really really miss Utah, but for now, I am not missing the freezing cold weather and there is green grass all around me (they say it's a Gilbert thing, so I guess this is where we will stay as long as we are here)!
Anyway, the reason I wanted to blog was to say how much I have been enjoying my family lately. I think the move has really brought things closer to heart. I also just feel more like a real mom, not sure what is different exactly. I have just been enjoying it more. I don't like getting up ever, but it all starts with getting up early, then on to fix breakfast (sometimes even pancakes!!), fix my kids lunch, walk them to school, help them with schoolwork, make cookies with them, cook dinner with them, go shopping with them, go to the park, watch and listen to them playing, listen to their days, pray for them, fix them dinner, a snack, and kiss them goodnight. It's a long, exhausting job, motherhood. But I love those kids so much and I want to do so much more with them.
I am loving watching Amelia as she gets into that adorable innocent stage of walking, talking, learning, and growing. I love listening to Jonathan playing legos and singing his own theme music (quite loudly too--hilarious, and yes, I did get it on film!), I love when Mariah smiles at me and gives me a big hug, I love when Aubrey laughs her real laugh and her sweet smile. I love being their mother and I am grateful for their sweet spirits. Moving here has been really hard for them. Mariah started crying as we walked into her new class on the first day of school. Aubrey was the star of her old class and though she is making lots of new friends, it is really hard for her to not be the leader. Jonathan gets lonely while his sisters are gone and I am busy unpacking, shopping, and whatnot. Amelia has finally been weaned and is not happy about it. But they are such good kids and they are trying so hard and really doing a great job. They are making new friends and our ward is awesome. My kids are such good friends as siblings and generally play really well and work really well together. I really love it and I want our family to be close. I love doing things as a family-it's a great gift indeed to have a wonderful family!