Planes, husbands, apologies.

My husband is officially a pilot. This happened months ago, but I've been too busy, okay lazy, to post about it. So, let me just begin by saying how proud I am of my husband. Denver, you are simply incredible. You're a pilot!!!! I know that we still have years before you get your commercial pilot's license and are able to be paid for flying, but you've already come so far and done so well the entire time. Now, I've got some pictures taken on the day that Denver became official. It was a lot of fun and I thought I'd share.

Notice how he's taller than the plane...Yeah, made me laugh too.


Corbin wanted a go flying the plane-we'll see buddy, maybe someday we'll get you in the air with Daddy.


Can't decide what I get a kick out of more-the look on Mia's face or the thought of Denver trying to maneuver the plane while his legs are hitting the controls....


Now for the apology portion of this post. I'm sorry that it's going to take me even longer to post about all the things that have been happening. I'm sorry that I have yet to get the pictures from Mia's first birthday up or the updates on Peach Days and our Utah trip. I'm sorry that when I post the Halloween pictures the award-winning mummy costume will not be featured because there are no photos. The mummy unraveled before he was captured on film. It truly was an awesome costume. I'm sorry that I don't have time to sit and continue on and on apologizing because, well, wait, I'm not sorry about that last one. I love being busy and having all these beautiful children that make it nigh on impossibly to post because they can't get enough of their mommy when she's home. So, I'll just leave you with this: I'm sorry that you're not all here to see this firsthand because I love you and I miss you.

What? I've been here the whole time...

Yes. I know. Summer hit and we've been busy. Made a quick trip to Utah for my sister's family sealing. Me and Princess were the only ones that went (thanks again Mom for the ticket). It was a fabulous whirlwind kind of ride. As soon as we got back we put together a barbecue for Corbin's 2nd birthday. It was so much fun and wild and crazy and everything it should have been. Water balloons, frog pool and kids everywhere! Corbin seemed to enjoy his Lightning McQueen cake, but not as much as the frog cupcakes! Let's see, what else have we been doing...Oh yeah, a couple of camping trips-both times to places we'd never camped before and both times were more fun than work-an amazing feat when taking small children...4th of July... Denver's been putting in a LOT of flight time so that he can be done a week early and come with the rest of us to Utah for a week to visit family and chill at PEACH DAYS. I AM SO EXCITED!! PEACH COBBLER AND SCUBA BURGERS HERE I COME!!! Enjoy the pics.

Oh dear, it seems that I forgot to mention that we have a puppy....

Eleven

If you're wondering what you missed this weekend, keep going and you'll get the general idea.

You guessed it. Chase turned 11. (I didn't have eleven candles so we just put one and one together to make eleven.) That's him with his six layer german chocolate cake that his ubertalented mother made. All I can say is-at least it didn't fall over, and yes I was worried that it might.
Apparently the two candles confused Corbin and had him thinking his birthday was a little early this year and that he should be the one the blow out the candles...Don't worry, Chase got them in the end. (I think that we only had to re-lite the candles three times, maybe four.)

I love this picture because it captures Chase's real smile, not the dopey looking fake one in so many shots. And just in case you're wondering, Chase got to do his hair however he wanted.

Who knew Cheese Balls would be such a hit!

You'd think the kid had never seen a $50 dollar bill before.

I wish I had some pictures of Chase with his Dad and friends playing laser tag, but Mom forgot to remind Dad to take the camera. She was probably a little bit busy finishing the cake, wrapping the presents, and making up a few rhymes for the impromptu treasure hunt she planned for the boys on their return. (Had to have something to keep them busy while the pizza cooked.) I think it was successful and that Chase had a good day. My favorite line from the weekend though was when Chase was asked by Gama how he felt on his birthday and his reply, " Old and rich." PRICELESS!

*WARNING-THE FOLLOWING POST MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL INAPPROPRIATE FOR THOSE WITH A SEVERE AVERSION TO SAPPINESS, BLUBBERING, AND RUN-ON SENTENCES*

They are everywhere. Without them we would not exist. They have shaped my life without even knowing what they were doing. If I had eternity I still would not be able to list all of them and the things that they have shown me. There are simply too many and their influence is unending because their work is never done.

Mothers.

Brooke. A mother that has the strength and heart of a lion. Over the years I've watched her fight a battle against ferocious predators-exhaustion, fear, loneliness, criticism, prejudice, the list goes on. Yet, she's always stood her ground and protected her "cub". Single mothers have to. Thank you, Brooke, for showing me how to be strong and survive against all odds and to be happy and full of love while doing it.

Aunt Julie. Gina Nelson. Two truly wonderful, beautiful women. Mothers to many, yet birthing none. Although they may not enjoy the traditional role of mother, they have touched many hearts and lives. Examples of charity that cannot be matched. Thank you for teaching me about giving all we have with the tools we've been given and opening your arms and loving unrestrained.

Laura and Denise. Amazing, selfless women that willingly subject their bodies to very difficult pregnancies in order to bring their children into this world. Never thinking of themselves, rather what they need to do for their families. I can't even begin to thank you for reminding me to be selfless and of the power of love.

Charisse. A woman of profound hope and perseverance. Waiting and hoping and dreaming that maybe this month, the results will be positive and the child you've been waiting for is finally on its way. Thank you, Charisse, for showing me how to endure life's agonies without losing faith- for being the ultimate example of hope.

Apryl. Day in and day out, a woman that doesn't stop. Always working, always patient, loving and caring for her small children. Never have I seen such quiet determination and patience. A woman completely and totally dedicated to her family. A stunning example of the type of mother I want to be. Thank you.

Tiffy Jo. The mother who brought a beautiful baby into this world and then gave her more. A chance for a better life with both a mother and father. A woman that was willing to sacrifice all her hopes, love and pride. A woman filled with enough wisdom and humility to understand that the best she could give her daughter was to part with her most precious gift and give her a better chance in life. If only we could all be more like her.

Bess. Such unadulterated joy. A woman that is able to work like a slave and find the beauty and joy in every moment. Someone so full of life that she infuses those around her with a fresh, happy outlook. A mother that will laugh with her children even as they are driving her to distraction. Thanks Bess, for reminding me that happiness is to be found now and as long as we keep our eyes open we'll find it.

Carol. Working, loving, working. Cooking, cleaning, sewing. Loving deeply and always striving to demonstrate that love. Not content to sit idly by thinking about those she loves, rather she just goes out and serves them with all her heart. Thank you, sweet mother, for reminding me of just how important it is to just get up and do and do it with love.

Lori. Mom. I don't know where to start. Here is a woman who has been my hero for as long as I can remember. A woman that has always had faith in me. That has stood beside me and supported me in every way possible. Even though she watched me make decisions that she knew would break both of our hearts, she let me make them because she has always understood who I truly am and that sometimes we just have to let our kids learn things their own way. And then when my heart was broken, there she was to encourage me and support me and cry with me. She's a woman that's had her life torn apart and also had the strength to pick up the pieces. She's held fast to her testimony and been bold in its telling. Thank you for everything. I pray that I will grow to be more like you every day.

There are many of you mothers out there that aren't on this list, but please don't think that I don't admire and love you also. I could never attempt to name you all, but on this Mother's Day I want you to know that I think of your examples often. I love you and I thank you.