Mother's Day & A Mama's Boy

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Quite a bit has happened in the weeks since I wrote last!

First, Peter's father was called to be a general authority for the LDS church (general authorities are like the leaders the church) in April, and he was finally able to announce that they will be moving to South Africa to help preside over the church there. It's kinda crazy to think that my in-laws will be living so far away, but I'm grateful for their willingness to literally leave everything behind and go serve the Lord.

Next, two weeks ago we moved...again! This is the 5th apartment we've lived in since we got married, and seriously, I am sooo sick of moving. This move was definitely the shortest; instead of moving across states we simply moved across the street. Overall, we really love our new apartment--it's so much larger than our old one! Plus, DOWNSTAIRS! (Carrying babies and groceries up stairs is a huge pain!) While it's definitely an older apartment, I'm super grateful for the new space and storage. There are several other families from our ward in the complex, and almost everyday there is an impromptu play-date out in the courtyard, which Jude loves. That being said, the place is not without it's quirks. Our garage (yes we now have a garage!) is nice, but incredibly narrow. Our car already has a few dings from trying to shimmy in there... Also, our oven runs at least 25 degrees too hot, which I unfortunately discovered while making cookies. And once again, no grounded plugs... this neighborhood is just too old, I guess. Anyways, we really love our new place and I pray we don't have to move again in a year!!!

Jude is turning everyday into even more of a wild child; I can barely contain him most days. He says "ma ma" and "da da" and "what's this?!," along with a slew of animal noises. His new favorite thing is the movie Monster's Inc, which we watch at least once a day. He calls it BOO! I now know most of the movie by heart! Also, he learned to do somersaults across the floor (at least we have the space for it now) and jump off the couch (which is really more of walking off the couch and landing painfully). Jude colors on everything (thank goodness for washable crayons) and likes to play with his play-dough.  Oh, and he is obsessed with the pool, even though it's FREEZING! Jude just likes to put on his life jacket, put his toes in, and throw his toys in so they collect in the drain. What a nutter.

And Jude is a serious mama's boy. He only wants me 99% of the time. Even Peter's presence in the room can cause him to get hysterical. While it's cute and fun to know Jude loves me so much, it's also incredibly frustrating at times. Especially when all I want is a few minutes of sanity and Jude won't go anywhere near Peter. Thankfully, it's just a phase.

And since today is mother's day, I have to say how grateful I am to be a mom. Choosing to stay home with my kids full-time was difficult decision, but I honest love it more than anything else I could be doing. I love getting to see all the little things Jude does, as well as teach him new things. I love being woken up every morning with "MA MA?! MA MA?!" coming from Jude's crib. I love having Jude grab my finger in his tiny hand to walk around and hearing him ask "Ma ma? What's this?" to every drain pipe and sprinkler we see. Being a mother isn't very glorious or thankful, especially from a toddler. Being a mom is incredibly irritating and endless at times. But I love it just the same. I am so grateful Heavenly Father blessed us with these children and has entrusted them to my care. I'm grateful that families are eternal; that knowledge makes each moment with my family so much sweeter.

I hope everyone has a wonderful mother's day!