Nash turns 6 in Quarantine!

So Nash's 6th birthday had been in the planning stages since January.

He knew 3 things:
Who he wanted to invite (Shawn Kerrigan, Mason, Liam, Silas, Grey and Henry, Evan, and Maximus--from school)
What type of party: PIRATES!!
What type of cake: Chocolate with chocolate frosting!

I ordered lots of fun things, planned lots of fun little activities for the boys. Talked with the moms. Everything was set.

Then the coronavirus hit and sent our country into a lockdown "quarantine"...literally the week of Nash's birthday/party.

I, of course, postponed his party (but it doesnt look like it will be happening...we will just have to do it next year, hope he still likes pirates!) But my sweet little boy's world just got rocked. No one had done a quarantined birthday, so I had to make it up as I went. It was a very rainy day which was a bummer. But I had Jace make Nash a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs (his favorites!), we downloaded new video games for him and Jace and I played for a LONG while, I made his birthday signs of course, we gave him his new bat early and we went to a park (before those were shut down) and played for hours! We visited Papa at work (through a window), got neds to go for lunch (you could only do to go from places!) We then got Barros to go for dinner and went to gramma and papa's house (before we quarantined for good) to open presents. I made his chocolate with chocolate cake and we had a good time.

(going to bed, last night of being 5!)

(Ned's at the park on a cold and rainy quarantined day!)

(He was SO pumped to be in coach pitch...before all of this and before baseball was cancelled, we bought him a bat of his own for his birthday. We broke it in with batting practice!)

(He kept calling himself a "slugger!" It was adorable.)

(Before we started staying away from Gramma and Papa's house...he had to celebrate his special day with them and pizza!)

(Some of his "loot"! Lots of books, legos, flashcards, math games, shark stuff...it all helped to keep him entertained and doing homeschool stuff during quarantine!)

He said he loved his birthday, and I really hope he did.

He is my very best thing. I love that kid so much and I hope he always knows that.

I am your biggest fan and supporter Nash! You are smart and kind, you love hard, you are so inquisitive, you want everyone to be your friend, you have a great imagination, you love your family, and you always try your best! All fantastic qualities!! Being your mom is my favorite thing I've ever done! Dont you forget that you are my BFF forever!! xoxoxo

Nash is 3!

I dont know how it happened.

But another year has come and gone and my baby is older.

I sat tonight and told him the story of a girl who wanted to be a mommy. And her wish finally came true. And the best part? He was the happy ending to that story!

I am feeling so many feelings. Ive been pretty bogged down with life stuff and the lead up to Nash's birthday and it will be...lets say minimal. I'm not doing a theme or a big party or anything like that. We are having family over for cake and presents and during the day we will be taking Nash to do some of his favorite things. We'll get barros pizza for lunch (his favorite), go to the splash pad/play in the water/play on the playground, and maybe go to the library and get more books. I'm sure there will be Rescue Bots, or Curious George watched at some point, and maybe watching daddy mow the lawn.

I made our annual birthday signs...some the same every year, with new funny ones relating to jokes or favorite shows over the last year. This year is a mish mash. :) Mario Cart, Star Wars, Phineas and Ferb, Moana, etc.

This sweet boy is a constant joy. He really is. He has his moments for sure--and he definitely doesnt give me any space or time to myself which can be hard and annoying at times. But my goodness. This little PERSON. This sweet spirit was sent to me from my Heavenly Father. I longed for the day when someone would call me momma and want to be around me all the time. I begged and pleaded for that day to come. I will never ever take for granted the huge blessing and wonderful miracle that Nash is in my life.

There were times over the last couple of years that I didnt know how I was going to make it...and Nash was the answer. He was the driving force in me to keep pushing on. To keep trying harder. Nash is mimicking all the time now (copying like no ones business--and his imitation of me laughing is FAR from flattering) and all I can think of is, "what is he going to say out and about? have i set a good example? will he be kind and caring, compassionate, and understanding? will he have a testimony of Christ that he would share with the world? will he be true to who he is and be open and honest?" I think these things everyday.

I have such a love for him. I really cant express it. He is my light and my joy and my everything. How glad I am that he is mine.

**a few things of note:

at age 3::

Nash copies EVERYTHING. Movies, songs, people. He picks his favorite word or phrase and will keep saying it over and over.

Nash will stay on repeat of the same statement or question until someone acknowledges him. Its highly annoying when his dad is home because Jace can tune him out completely.

Nash loves to play chase with his Papa (my dad) and Jace. He doesnt get to see them as much and he knows that this game will ensure all their attention on him.

Nash loves my dad. He loves my parents house. He constantly asks to go to "grammas house" and see "papas van" and "bebe".

Sleeps with "blanket" and "mr. peddypaws/gnocchi/Figuero" It changes depending on what shows he watches. lol (rescue bots/curious george/mickey mouse)

He loves to watch Tom and Jerry, Mickey Mouse, Thomas the Train, Rescue Bots, Little Eisensteins, An Extremely Goofy Movie, Phineas and Ferb, and Curious George on rotation.

He saw his first movie theater movie Moana and LOVES having it here at home. We've watched it at least 10 times in 11 days. His favorite songs are the voyagers song, your welcome, and shiney. We have the soundtrack in the car and have to listen to shiny at least twice every drive.

He wants to help with things. His new skill is helping to crack the eggs for his breakfast! He also likes to help sweep...even if he doesnt have the coordination for that yet. He also will help carry in groceries and when we are done with the cart, with mommas help he puts it back. He can throw stuff away if I ask him to (and hes only thrown 1 bowl in the garbage!) He has learned to wash his hands by himself...its not entirely clean, so I come in and help him finish, but he can do it!

We have started going potty on the toilet. We are not toilet training yet, but I feel that will come in the not too distant future. He likes to get stickers and how excited we get when he goes. In fact, he'll come in when i go to the bathroom and say "you did it momma!" ha!

Had our first real talk about private parts and why momma's are different than Nashs. (Showers dont happen for momma during the day unless Nash comes in with me.)

He is tall and skinny. He is officially too tall for the ergo backpack (i tried! and failed)

He still adores outside time. Its now in the 90s so swimming isnt too far off. He is signed up for legit swim lessons this summer with the woman who taught ME!

He is a great sport when I have to work. He knows when i drop him off at my parents that I'm working. He looks at me and says "you taking pictures momma?" and when I say yes, he says "okay do good!"

He worries about others. If someone coughs, he asks if they are okay. If they sneeze, he says bless you. My brother Randy will seize and Nash asks if he is okay and apologizes that randy is hurt.

He is so sensitive. I hope he never loses that.

and he loves. He loves everyone. He makes new friends (young and old) where ever we go.

His smile lights up a room. His laugh is contagious. His spirit shines so bright.

These last 3 years have been so amazing. I cant remember what my life looked like without Nash in it. I sure am grateful to be his mother. Happy Birthday my sweet little man!!

Here are some from his 3 year photo shoot....its getting much harder to keep him still! lol

29

Yesterday was my birthday.

Over the last few years...my birthday has been just another day.

I've had friends wish me happy birthday through Facebook, my parents sing me happy birthday on the phone, and my family gets together for chocolate cake.

Last year was a "bad" birthday. I had recently found out about Jace's addiction. I felt isolated, sad, and angry. He was offish. I didnt want to be around his family. My family didnt know what to do for me. So my mom took me and my SIL out to brunch and that was basically it...i think. I cant remember anything else happening. Seriously, total blank except for brunch. PTSD man.

This year, leading up to my birthday the weeks have been difficult. Its hot and miserable. Jace and I fought and I really was thinking that we were heading for divorce. We are both working hard to make money to pay off debt quicker. My son is energetic and needs alot from me.

However, Jace and I had a bit of an "ah ha" moment a few days before my birthday. Jace met with our bishop and things have been...relaxed for the most part. Jace did some "honey'dos" that i've had on my wish list for a year now. He and I cleaned all the night before so I could wake up to a clean house and not have to do anything. I had a good friend bring me a treat that morning. My mom babysat Nash so Jace and I could go to lunch alone. We had to call poison control because Nash decided to drink some Fabreeze (hes totally fine), Jace gave me a necklace that makes me think of Nash (his birthstone) that I love. My shoulders and feet got rubbed. I received Facebook messages from friends and family, a few text messages, and a card in the mail. :) My family went swimming with me and ate pizza (my favorite) and chocolate cake (also my favorite). I fell asleep early.

It was a good day.

I think it can be hard to do so, but we need to look for the good days. The world is crazy right now. This week alone there have been 3 tragedies in Orlando.

I'm grateful for another year here on this earth. I'm grateful to be a wife and mother, which has always been my dream. I'm grateful for the things I keep learning.

So, I'm excited to make this last year in my 20's good. Nothing spectacular has to happen...I just want to be able to fill it with good days. At least more good than not.

Nash's birthday party and then actual birthday! Picture overload!!

We had a weird circumstance this year that didnt allow us to have nash's party on his actual birthday. My best friend Troy was getting married and Nash was the ring bearer and I was the best maid!! It was totally worth it, but it also meant figuring out what to do. The answer for us, was to do a party on the 17th (St. Patrick's Day). It was spring break so Jeff and Mindy werent there. Kara and Jeff are in Utah. My mom and Randy couldnt come, and it was Joe's softball tournament that night. HA! oh well. We opened presents, ate food and cake, and played outside. It was perfect for my little guy.

I went with a mickey mouse theme. He FREAKING LOVES mickey mouse clubhouse. I cant wait until we get to take him to Disneyland. I reused the paper chains that I made for his 1st birthday (those babies cost me HOURS AND HOURS of my life...so they may get reused EVERY birthday!) and I bought a few twirly decorations from the store. I made Nashs cake...and it was delicious. I made the labels for all the food and tried to go with the theme of "Nash's favorites". 

We had "Plutos Pizza", "Minnie's M&Ms", "Toodles Tray of Fruit", "Donald and Daisy's Dip and Veggies", "Goofy's fishies", "Mickey's cake", our "Mouskatools" (utensils and cups), and our "Say Cheers" section of drinks. 

Nash was spoiled and loves literally every present he received. He plays with them all daily. Which means everyone hit the nail on the head with what this boy loves. He got a vacuum, magnets, clothes, and his first tricycle from me and jace (he LOVES to vacuum!!), he got his first ever basketball hoop from my parents plus new jammies!, He got a cool new hat and baseball and bat from uncles joe and randy, A mickey mouse train and singing mickey mouse stuffed animal from uncle jeff and aunt melanie, cool blocks from aunt jamie and uncle josh, a mickey book from aunt jen and uncle ken, and a light up race car from nana and poppa.

His favorite part of the night was definitely having so many cousins over to play on the swing set with him that night though. :) He then got his first ever hair cut!! He was so good. Nash is great about things that normally you'd think kids would be a pain for. He just sat there and let me cut his hair, not a care in the world! Now he looks the same, just without the rats nest in the back :)

BEFORE:

AFTER!:

For his actual birthday the next day, I woke him up singing happy birthday which he loved! We got him dressed, fed him cake for lunch, and took him to a splash pad. He was in heaven playing in that water and we had to bribe him to leave. We went home and watched the Good dinosaur...nash lasted 15 minutes longer than I expected (he made it 30 minutes). He refused to nap that day and so we just played and watched his favorite shows until it was time to go to the rehearsal dinner. We went, had yummy food, met great people, and nash was awesome at walking down the aisle with me. :) Then we went home and crawled into bed. I think he had a pretty fun filled day. :)