Things I LOVE about my kids...

So, today started out really great. Jake didn't go to work until about 8:30 so he helped me bathe, feed, and pick-up around the house before he left. What usually takes me two hours to accomplish, I was able to get it done in 30 minutes. Thanks lovie!!! Tyffanee brought Sienah over to play, the kids took naps and then I went with Wendy, Jaron, and Maycee to the movie Walle. (A total waste of money, but Isaiah seemed to enjoy it.) Then when I got home, I went to feed Corban in his room. Usually, Isaiah just plays in the family room with his toys, no big deal, right? Well, I walked into the family room and Isaiah was no where to be found. I was in panic mode! Well, Isaiah can open the doors now! He opened the laundry room door, and then the door to the garage. I found him in the dark garage just standing there! I didn't know whether to hug him or spank him!!! Ever have those moments?

So, in order to calm my nerves, I thought about reasons that I love him:

1. I love that Isaiah was my first born. He is such a mellow little dude and is very happy.

2. I love that Isaiah is a good eater. He definitely has his favorites: pizza, noodles, chicken nuggets, hamburgers, french fries, green beans, fruit, etc.. He loves diet coke!! I wonder who he picked that habit up from?

3. I love that Isaiah goes to bed when he is tired. Jake and I are in awe that we sometimes find Isaiah fast asleep for his naps or bed without us telling him to go.

4. I love that he folds his arms when I put him in his high chair. He says ,"men" when the prayer is over! Love it!!!

5. I love that Isaiah is such a soft, kind big brother to Corban. He always shares his toys and will trade toys with Corban when he wants the one that Corban is playing with. He shares his snacks with him. Sometimes, I have to go fishing for fruit snacks or goldfish so that he doesn't choke, but, I don't want to discourage him from sharing everything that he has.

6. I love that Isaiah is such an independent player. He can entertain himself for hours. His favorite toys are balls, the shape sorter, his Tonka trucks, the piano, and his leapfrog toys.

7. I love that when I ask Isaiah to go get a book, I don't ever get away with just reading one to him. We usually have a stack of books that we read 5 or 6 times. His favorite books are the Ladybug book, Old McDonald had a Farm, The Alphabet book, Tails, Good morning, Goodnight, What Makes a Rainbow, Who's Hiding in the Jungle, etc. (There are WAY to many to list!!)

8. I love that Isaiah loves his baths. A bath is not considered a bath unless he gets to play for at least 30 min. I usually leave the room wetter than he does. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Plus, it's just water and it cleans up really easy.

9. I love that Isaiah plays well with his little friends. Thanks to Amber, Wendi, Tyffanee, and Roz for always being willing to hang out with us! We love going to the park, eating at Primos, going to the movies, etc! Thanks guys!!!

10. I love that Isaiah crawls up in bed with me in the morning and watches Sesame Street so that I can get 20 more minutes of sleep.

11. I love when Isaiah says, "uh-oh, hi, yah, up, car, bawl (ball), nak (snack), men (amen) and most of all, mama." These are the only words that he can say so, I am grateful when he says them. For all of you out there that wish your children would just be quiet, I would do anything for my child to TALK, TALK, TALK.

12. I love that Isaiah is infatuated with helping me do chores. He puts dishes in the dishwasher, he pulls his sheets up on his bed, he puts the clothes from the washer to the dryer for me, he unfolds all of the clothes that I have folded and lastly, I kinda love that he follows me everywhere I go when I vacuum the house.

12. I love that he rides good in the car. I can count on one hand how many times Isaiah has cried in the car.

Okay, there are millions of things that I love about Isaiah but I will stop for now.

So onto Corban. I have to premise this with a laugh. Corban has been a rather difficult child. He wasn't the happiest baby and I can't count how many restless nights of sleep we got but,

1. I love that Heavenly Father sent Corban to our family. He has taught me so much about unconditional love and has taught me to have patience.

2. I love that Corban is just like me. Determined, stubborn, and always cries his mind. He can't speak or I would say speaks his mind.

3. Corban is so excited to see me in the morning. He kicks his legs so hard with joy.

4. I love that Corban has the biggest smile. You can always get a smile out of him. Now, it is accompanied with a giggle.

5. I love that "Goobers" will eat anything that I put in his mouth. He ate 1/2 a french toast with syrup this morning, mac and cheese for lunch, and chicken noodles, green beans, and sweet potatoes for dinner. Along with 4- 8 oz bottles. He is gi-nourmous. If that is even a word.

6. I love that he will play in his walker for awhile. The only thing that makes me SOOOOOO mad is that he eats my plants and pulls them over. I flick his hand and it doesn't even phase him!!! He loves his new found freedom!!!

7. I love that Corban can crawl. I didn't think that I would say that, but, it is nice that I no longer need to bring the toys to him. He can go and get them for himself.

8. I love that Corban is sleeping through the night. I didn't think that this was EVER going to happen. He sometimes wakes up and cries, but will fall asleep soon after.

9. I love that he is a good little brother. Isaiah "wrestles" (by that I mean climbs all over him) with him and he laughs and laughs. He always grabs Isaiah for a "tight" squeeze.

10. I love that Corban has taught me so much about Heavenly Fathers love for each one of us.

And much more.....

The following is from the October 2005 Ensign by President James E. Faust:

"While few human challenges are greater than that of being good parents, few oppor-
tunities offer greater potential for joy. Surely no more important work is to be done in this
world than preparing our children to be God-fearing, happy, honorable, and productive.
Parents will find no more fulfilling happiness than to have their children honor them and
their teachings. It is the glory of parenthood. John testified, “I have no greater joy than to
hear that my children walk in truth.”

In my opinion, the teaching, rearing, and training of children requires more intelli-
gence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance,
and hard work than any other challenge we might have in life. This is especially so when
moral foundations of honor and decency are eroding around us. For us to have successful
homes, values must be taught, and there must be rules, there must be standards, there
must be absolutes. "

I love that Heavenly Father has entrusted me to care for HIS children. I love them with all of my heart!