Before I was a mom:

I saw this on a friends blog. I loved the poem because it expresses the joys of being a mommy! It brought tears to my eyes because I too LOVE being a mom!

Before I was a Mom-

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom-

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom-

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Maddox has been such a blessing to us. I can't ever imagine our lives without him. Each day is a new adventure with new developments made and milestones crossed. When I lay down at night, I can't wait to wake up and see that beautiful smile of his. When I see those big blue eyes look up at me, my heart just melts. He is such a sweet little baby boy.

I am totally head over heals in love with this little one!!!

Island Park, Idaho!!

Before we get into our vacation, Tom has requested that this should be the first thing anyone see..

Alright, this was our final stop on our vacation route! As I mentioned before, Tommy's family has a few cabins up in Island Park and we were fortunate enough to make it up there for a week to spend time with family. It was so fun and we are pretty bummed to be home! I think Tommy fished about 20 hours out of the day! He loved it! We spent lots of time on the 4 wheelers and on the river! We visited Yellowstone, Big Springs, and Mesa Falls.. it was soo beautiful!

We've got LOTS of pictures!

Kaylee, my dad, Maddox, and I in Yellowstone.

Maddox and I at Old Faithful!

Grandpa and Maddox.... Oh they were soo cute together!

Haha, alright, we had gone to walk around the hot springs and when we got back to the truck, from a distance all I saw was this little head bobbing around. It was funny...

Maddox pooped out on aunt Stacey's legs after a long morning at Uncle Tom's!

The three of us at Mesa Falls.

Stacey and Mad-Dog, the dynamic duo!

Maddox's first time on an ATV! This is for you dad!

Well there you have it! Just a few pictures from our Idaho adventures!

Rexburg!

Alright, so we spent a few days in Rexburg. We were both so excited to be back (believe it or not)! A lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same! We enjoyed visiting with old friends and family. My sister got her Associate's Degree so we all attended that ceremony and the rest of the time we just hung out. I got to visit cute new babies of old friends and we helped my sister and my sister in law move out of their apartments. We really enjoyed our time there!

Maddox, Tommy, and Shiloh

Alright, so these are the kids I babysat for when I was going to school in Rexburg. I started when Tommy (the middle one) was two months and now he is 3 years old. Wow! Shiloh was born on Valentine's Day this year. She is almost a month older than Maddox but Maddox was SO much bigger! Aren't they the cutest kids!?

Here we all are after Casey's graduation. Isn't she beautiful!?

Tommy doing his "trick" with Maddox. It scares me to death but they love it!

California!

Alright, so our summer adventures started in San Diego during the week of the 4th of July. Basically, we went because Tom was a groomsman in two different weddings and Maddox and I went along and enjoyed the good weather! I got to visit with some old friends, went to the Del Mar Fair, and just took it easy! Here are some pictures from this trip...

This is Tommy and Maddox at a wedding.

This is Maddie and Maddie! I used to babysit for this family. Madeline and Maddox became good friends!!

Tommy and Maddox on the 4th of July!

Okay, so this isn't in California but it was too cute not to put on here. Tommy and Maddox before church. They match!

Ahh... Vacation!

Well hello everyone! I apologize for not keeping y'all updated on our recent travels! Right now we are in Island Park, Idaho staying in "Grandpa's Cabin". We are up here with Tommy's family (immediate and extended), and my dad, step mom, and niece were able to come up as well. We have had so much fun! We have canoed the river twice, gone on long ATV rides, made a trip through Yellowstone, and of course, LOTS of FISHING! I am proud to say that I cought my first fish ever on this trip!

Maddox has had lots of fun playing with all his little cousins and just plain chillin! He sure has been a trooper on this trip. I feel bad for him because it seems like we can't stay in one place for too long, we are always going somewhere and I am sure it takes a toll on him but, he does great!

We should be on our way home in the next day or so, we aren't really sure! The weather is too beautiful here, we don't want to go back to 118 degree weather back in Phoenix! But, we have lots to look forward to when we do get home.. including packing up and moving! Thats right, we are moving. Not out of Arizona, but into a different house. That will have to be saved for another post! Well, when we make it home I will post pictures from our adventures out here! We love and miss everyone!!

I burned the chicken but we got the video!

Tom got home from work while I was making dinner and all of a sudden this is what I hear...

I love my life....