Old pics

I found a few pics of you that made me happy... And a little teary to stumble across.  I miss ya sis!  

This is with you and Rach just days after my little Lauren was born an you lived in our apartment complex.  What a fun three years that was living next door to you!  You were so sweet with Lauren, you bought her "baby's first Christmas"  pajamas - you were pretty much baby hungry from that point on.  You wanted to be a mom sooo badly, and you LOVED your boys even though you had to wait another 6 years until Matthew was born.

This was when Rach and I had our double wedding.  You weren't officially a Smith yet, but we threw you in the family pictures because we wanted you to be.  You looked gorgeous with your spiky hair and in that classic navy suit. . .

This was when we visited mom and dad in Lake Powell. . Truthfully I can't remember what the occasion was. I think it was Thanksgiving when Jonny got married.  So beautiful - you and the landscaping.  :)

Life with boys

Marina sent me this cute exchange a while ago!

"Matthew is helping Andrew put his socks on.  Yesterday morning conversation between me and Matthew:
Me: Matthew, go and put your socks on! Matthew:  No mom, I can't!  Me: Why?  Matthew: I have to eat my breakfast, I don't want my socks to  get dirty, I can't go to my daycare in dirty socks!
Me: :/. . hmmm, and how is eating your breakfast make your socks dirty?  Matthew:  I don't really know, but it will! . . . . . . Owh, wow, go figure this one out :p"

That crazy little man. . .

"Cute Andrew in the sink. .. . no wonder he was so quiet! hahaha!  Crazy boy!!" She said they were potty training and that his little bum in those undies was adorable.   I haven't asked to see how that's all going, but knowing Marina he's probably got it down pat!

New Day Care

Marina was kind enough to send me pictures of the boys at their daycare.

"Hi, a little update on the boys!!  They started a new daycare, they absolutely love it.  Lisa is an amazing lady and boys are having so much fun. Ben and I love her, she is incredible with the boys and it makes me very happy to see that."

Yeah!  Lisa was highly recommended by a friend and has not disappointed at all.  Ben and Marina had their schedules arranged up until recently so that one of them could be home with the premie!  But now even little Nathan has started and is doing so well!  Loving ladies are a blessing.

Baby shower

Sweetest Lans,   It's been too long since I've written. . . I'm not in the trenches as much with your babies so it is harder to write and capture true life as it is.  So I'll give you snap shots.

Forever ago. . .Marina's many friends and your mom threw a baby shower this new little Nathan angel.  This baby is so good. . .. so beautiful, so chubby, such an absolute delight.   Surely worth celebrating.  This shower was beautiful- diaper cakes, actual cakes, balloons, games, delicious food.  Marina is so loved.  Tons of friends who care came and showered her and baby with love and presents. Clearly she has touched the lives of many and they love her right back.

If I had to pinpoint Ben's greatest strength, I might just say it is his ability to surround himself with women who love him no matter what and take goooood care of him. A friend of mine asked who was hosting the shower and I told her your mom . . her jaw dropped to the floor, clearly amazed how loving and accepting your mom is to welcome Marina to the family with open arms.  I told her that's the kind of woman she is- remarkable!  And that is why you were who you were (with some crazy help from #1 dad of course)!

Not that loving Marina is hard to do - on the contrary!  She is a blessing, we all say that you must have sighed with gratitude the day she came into our lives and your boys were taken care of.  She is a hard working, hard loving, fun woman - a GIFT!!!

And look at this baby. . . .

They did good.  . .

I almost vomited when I went to upload the few awful pictures I had from the shower on my phone and realized I had deleted them on accident. . .my heart breaks to not pay tribute to the hard work of these sweet friends of Marina.

My parents love Marina's darling accent.  Marina said he has "Chickmunk chicks!"    She loves these boys so much - they thrive with her love and guidance.