Dear Eric....Yours Forever, Heather

Dear Eric,


From the moment we met, I knew that we would always be together. We have a special sort of connection that has only strengthened as the years have passed. We are so alike, I think that we were made for each other. You are my very best friend.


Thank you for being the sort of husband who lets me be who I am. I don't feel like I have to pretend to be something I'm not, and yet you inspire me to be the best that I can. What more could I ask for? You encourage me in everything I do, helping me to learn and grow and accomplish the things that are important to me.


You are a wonderful father. I love to watch you with the kids. You are a natural! From the moment they were each born, you have doted on them as much as any father could! I especially loved to see the look of wonder and adoration in your eyes as you looked at our babies for the very first time. You are a hands-on kind of dad and have always been a tremendous help for me in caring for them, at any age.


I think the trait about you that I have always loved the most is your willingness to work hard. You apply this in everything you do -- your career, your family, and your church callings. You also apply it in how much you love to help and serve others. I am in constant admiration at your dedication to your calling and those that you serve. You are the first to volunteer to help, and the last to leave when an assignment is completed, just to be sure there is nothing else needed! I have learned a lot by watching you and hope that I can try to be more like you in so many ways.


Above all, I know that you have a testimony of Jesus Christ. You are a true example of Christ-like love and you are not afraid to share your love of the Gospel with anyone around you. You are a true missionary at heart.


I feel so blessed to have you in my life, it would be so incomplete without you. Ever since we were dating, we talked about how we wanted to be together forever. I even inscribed in your wedding band, "Yours Forever." I love knowing that our bond will be able to last longer than time, through time and all eternity. I remember how it felt when we stood in the beautiful house of the Lord the day we were married, looking into each other's eyes, and then looking in the mirrors that seemed to go on for eternity. I could see us together, dressed in beautiful white, holding hands, about to embark on our most wonderful adventure yet. And I remember how wonderfully happy it made me. I couldn't stop smiling and crying. You have made me so happy. I feel so lucky that I get to spend eternity with you!


I am, and always will be....


Yours forever,
Heather

Dear Erica....Love, Mommy

Dear Erica,

I can't even tell you how much light you add to this family! It's hard to believe you've only been a part of it for nine short months, because I can't imagine our world without you in it!

You are such a little character! From day one, you've had a mind of your own, and have let the rest of us know about it! Your recent little addition is temper tantrums when things don't go according to how you think they should be. I know I shouldn't laugh, because it really is a bratty habit, but it seems so funny coming from such a little person!

Now that you have mastered the art of crawling, there is no part of this house you haven't explored. You can't sit still for even a millisecond. And pulling yourself up to standing position has given you a new range of possibilities! I am having to keep things better organized and not so cluttered out of necessity, since you will investigate any and all of it!

I am so enjoying watching you grow and develop. I know that we now have a fun little personality added to our family mix. You are my treasured little sweetie, and I love you very much!

Love,

Mommy

Dear Elise....Love, Mommy

Dear Elise,

My sweet little girl! How can I even tell you how much you mean to me and our family? You have the sweetest spirit. Anyone can see that. Everyone who comes into contact with you immediately falls in love with you, it's inevitable!

I am constantly amazed with how much you have grown and developed. Everything you do is a miracle. You must have a very strong spirit to overcome some of the difficulties you were born with. And yet you are also so sweet and loving. You adore your family. Although Daddy is your favorite, you also love to cuddle with Mommy. And you just light up when the kids are around! Even little Erica, who has sort of stolen your spotlight, you are patient and loving with. I have daily seen you submitting patiently to her swiping the toy you are playing with. Then one time, when she was fussing over something, you turned on your favorite music toy and scooted over to her, offering it to her for comfort. I still cry when I think about it! It was such a testimony of what a generous, loving heart you have!

I have no doubts as to the greatness that is destined for you. You are a very special daughter of God, with a very special place in His kingdom. It is such an honor for me to be allowed to be your mother. I have learned so much from you already, and know that there is much more for me to learn and experience. Every day I get to have with you is a blessing, and I thank my Heavenly Father that you have come into my life.

Love,

Mommy

Dear Ethan....Love, Mom

Dear Ethan,

I remember the first thing I thought of when we found out you were going to be a boy, was, "Wow, we're going to have a little missionary!" I was so excited. And you have been All Boy from day one!

I love all the energy and enthusiasm you bring into our family! You are always full of smiles and schemes. I can tell there is some plan forming in your head at all times! You are so creative and very resourceful. I love the drawings you are endlessly creating. You have a wonderful sense of imagination.

You are a boy who likes to know how the world works, so your room houses an array of dissembled electronics, remotes, machines, along with odd parts and pieces found who knows where. I am constantly amazed to find what little bits of garbage you have salvaged as valuable treasures.

I love all these quirky little traits that are so YOU! You always make me chuckle, even when I get so steaming mad. All of my best stories come from raising you! I hope you know how much I love you. You have always been a "Mamma's Boy," like some people like to say, and that's alright by me! Because that means you'll always be mine!

Love,

Mom

Dear Heidi....Love, Mom

Dear Heidi,

When you were born I couldn't imagine a more beautiful, perfect child. Dad and I were smitten from day one. Now as each year passes I marvel at how you change and grow. Sometimes I still see my little girl, and remember how you used to let me do your hair, or watch you play with your Barbies for endless hours. But now you do your own hair, and your time is more likely spent listening to music in your room. It's funny that time seems to slip away when you least expect it.

I want you to know how proud I am of you, and that I love you very much. You were always a very responsible child, and eager to help with anything. That characteristic has not changed. I have watched you as you tenderly take care of your little sisters, and yes, even your brother. You have a natural love and compassion for those around you, and I think this is one of your strongest traits. I also admire you for your perseverence and willingness to work hard. You really push yourself with your schoolwork, trying to do the best you can, and I am so proud of that. I have also seen you really push yourself to accomplish your goals in gymnastics and in music. Learning to set goals and striving to accomplish them is a skill you will be able to take and use your entire life. It is so wonderful that you are learning that already!

This last year especially, I have seen so many changes in you. You have really grown up. I feel like I can talk to you more as an adult, and I hope you will continue to talk to me about what goes on in your life. There is a very magical discovery for a mother as she watches her daughter grow. She gets to see little glimpses of the woman she will soon become. I know that I can see her, and I like what I see.

Love,

Mom

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Hi. My name is Heather, and I'm a Shopaholic.


I just finished reading Sophie Kinsella's novel "Confessions of a Shopaholic." It's the story of a girl (Becky) who LOVES to shop, especially for designer clothes, until she finds she's way over her head in debt and doesn't know how to get out of it. A very light-hearted look at a very serious issue. She simply can't resist a good deal. Or even a bad deal, if she wants it badly enough! The funny twist is that she is a journalist for the magazine "Successful Savings," so she spends her days writing advice on financial matters, and spends all her money on clothes. As the story progresses, she tries to get herself out of debt by changing her spending habits and making more money, all with disastrous and hilarious results.


It was so fun to laugh at Becky's compulsions while thinking, "Well, I would never do that."


But then my mind wanders back to the coat closet, now being occupied by not one, but THREE new coats. All belonging to me.


This is my rational for there being three new coats belonging to me hanging in the coat closet:
1. It's been years since I bought myself a coat.
2. So I'm making up for it now.
3. They were all on sale.
4. Except the one that I used a gift card to buy (well, half of it anyway).
5. Umm.... Eric has way more than I do!
6. They were so CUTE!!


Then my mind also wanders to the recent incident in Beehives where I was supposed to teach them a lesson on Budgeting.....What's a budget? I am probably the last person in the world to be considered an expert, or even a slightly experienced consult, in that matter!! I managed to grapple through that lesson, relying heavily on the wonderful advice given by the other more capable adults in the room. (Of course, when we got home from church Heidi was looking at the Budget worksheet I had handed out in class and asked, "What is income?" So I guess I didn't do that great!)


I guess I'm not that different than Becky after all. The problem is, I don't get a cute, magical solution to curing all my financial problems. I have to do it the hard way.


But I have been getting lots of fun compliments on my new coats....

Have you ever wondered....?

1. Why they call people who study the weather - meteorologists?

(There must be some Latin form of meteor- that I don't know about and don't want to take the time to look up online.)

2. Where the expression "earning brownie points" comes from?

(Can you really earn brownies for giving the right answer? Sounds good to me!)

3. Why when your hands are all tied up and unavailable, your nose starts to itch?

(ie. gloved up and in someone's mouth, up to elbows in sudsy dish-water, in the middle of cleaning the toilet, you get the idea)

4. Why I seem to get dumber with each child? Or is it more dumb?

You see what I mean?!!

Four is Enough

I tried to do a fun "Eight is Enough" photo with the kids on the floor. Rather a difficult task when only two of the four can understand what's going on, let alone follow directions!

(Hmm, nice shoe there.)

(Hey, where'd that sock come from?)

(Nice try, Mom)

I guess in our case, Four is Enough.