Wrapping February Up

Both Mac and Jaxton had awesome basketball seasons.
Nate helped coach Jaxton's team and led him to a successful first year. Jaxton loved playing and always had a big smile on his face through each game. He was also known as the "play maker" from game one because he'd take the ball down the court, pause to motion to one of his teammates where to go and then pass the ball and carry the play out. He's such a great kid!

Mac had a great season as well. I LOVE the competitor in Mac and I LOVE his passion for sports. He's quick, he's a thinker, he's a hustler and he was a great asset to his team. He loved that he was now old enough to be in a league with refs and where there was actually a winning/losing team. He's spent countless hours outside shooting hoops and I think he's found a true love for basketball.

It snowed! We weren't sure it was going to happen this year, so we were pleasantly surprised to wake up last Monday morning to enough snow to satisfy me for another year. The kids couldn't wait to get out in it and it's a good thing they jumped on it because by the afternoon it was 60 degrees and the snow had melted away.

Lately it seems my family is an accident waiting to happen. We went from Beckam's broken arm to Jaxton falling on the train table and hitting his ear. I had no idea an ear could turn as purple and swell up as fast as his did.

Jilli is 2 1/2 years old and we celebrated her milestone on Thursday. She chose a pink princess backpack for her trip to UT and then (with the help of Beckam) chose Honey Buns to share with the family and blow her candle out in. This little girl amazes me every day. I'm so thankful for her. She is the smartest, wittiest, sweetest, most beautiful little girl I know.

And Dear Makenzee, we, the Peterson family, are such big fans of you! Thank you for loving my children and letting them maul you. We think you are awesome!

Lions, Tigers & a Princess

On a whim we decided to head to the circus. The kids loved it and made it through the whole 3 hour performance. I discovered that I missed my "call in life" and I couldn't help but wonder what life would be like in the circus. I think I would have loved to have been one of the acrobat girls who hung from the ceiling in a glass ball that opened up into two pieces with each split and trick they did. I've decided that I will nurture Mac's new dream of being a dragon slayer in the circus -- maybe they'll let him bring his aged mother along for the ride.

Let me just say that Jilli is such a lucky little girl to have three brothers that love her with all their hearts.

My friend, Chelsea, gifted Jilli with two bags full of dress-up clothes and Jilli has been blissfully happy and content in her little princess world ever since.

And this is one of the sweetest pictures ever. I love how it turned out. She's quite my lil' ballerina princess!

All Things HEART Day

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPER . . .

Two weeks ago tomorrow Beckam had a lapse in good judgement. Apparently he forgot that he couldn't fly and decided to Superman jump off our neighbor's tramp. I was told that he laughed at first and then asked my neighbor, "Will you hold me?" to which she then put him in the stroller and brought him to me. And because ANYtime you need a doctor it's on a Friday afternoon we decided to let him sleep on it and see how it felt in the morning. That whole night he basically stayed on the couch and didn't care to move around too much and when morning came and I saw him lifting his hurt arm up and around with his good arm, we decided we better take him to Urgent Care.
Sure enough, not only was it broken, but both forearm bones were broken just below the elbow (one was cracked almost all the way through). They splinted it up and sent us home with instructions to get it casted above the elbow on Monday.

So, while Beckam may not be able to fly like Superman, he's every bit as tough as him. The kid NEVER cried, which according to the doctor is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. especially with breaks like he had.

Fly or not fly, you're definitely SUPERBECK to us, buddy!

Love Notes, a Terrific Kid & a Princess

I was thrilled to find these cute mailboxes in the dollar section at Target -- and even better, they had four different colors for four fab kids! Every day Nate or I (mostly me) write something we love about each kid and put it and a small treat inside for them to discover in the morning. It's been a big hit and it forces me to think about something different for each kid each day that I love about them -- let's face it, sometimes after a long day of loudness, chaos, silliness and such, that's quite the task.

That's right, we officially have a TERRIFIC KID in our family! Jaxton was awarded the honor and I was able to go to the presentation where he was spotlighted by the assistant principal, then told how proud he was of him and then was kissed on top of the head (it was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes). This is what Jaxton's teacher had to say about him: "Jaxton is certainly one of kindergarten's finest. He comes to school each day with a smile and a "let's go" attitude. In addition, Jaxton can always be counted on to help others and he is a great friend to play with at recess. We are delighted that Jaxton is part of our class. What a fabulous Eagle!" I have been nothing but impressed with the teachers and staff at the kids school and I'm so thankful to send them to a place each day where I am confident they are loved and nurtured. Way to go Jaxton -- we always knew you were terrific, but now we have an award to prove it!

Jilli and I had a girl's outing with Jesica and Kaylee where we went and saw Beauty and the Beast in 3D. When I told Jilli what we were going to do, she immediately disappeared upstairs and returned dressed in her own princess clothes. She loves to dress in princess attire, turn in circles with her arms opened wide and sing to her hearts content. She's quite the girl!

Two Birthday Boys!

Another good year come and gone . . .

How grateful I am to have Nate in my life! He's such a great guy and really the light of my life! My heart still skips for joy every time I see his car pull up to the house or hear his keys unlock the door. Glad to call him mine! Happy Birthday Natey!

Sweet, sweet Mac! My heart holds such a happy special place for my oldest child! It's hard to believe that 8 years ago a 6lb. 14oz., white haired, blue eyed baby was placed in my arms. My life forever changed that day and the love in my heart grew exponentially.

Mac continues to love anything that has to do with competition. He thrives off a good challenge and strives to be the best in all he does. He has a fire inside that drives him and it excites me to see what life has in store for him.

Mac is also the world's sweetest and most thoughtful 8 year old. He can't stand to see someone sad and is always looking for ways to make those around him happy. If I'm upset he is the one who will come and find me, wrap his arms around me and tell me he loves me -- he will NOT leave my side until I'm completely happy again.
Tonight I was craving a treat and nothing in the house was satisfying that need -- when I went upstairs I found a note on my bed with a dollar attached, telling me to go and buy a treat for myself from Mac. Seriously love that boy!

This last year Mac has also developed an even greater desire to be the funny guy. His teachers have told me that he loves to be the center of attention and STILL has something to say about everything. Admittedly, he is pretty funny.

Love my birthday boys! Hoping this next year brings happiness and success to you both!