Lately

Here’s a little update about what’s been happening in our lives.

Patrick – Recently took a trip to Georgia with his dad and brothers to spend a day at the Masters. (Golf Tournament) Golf is a huge deal in their family, so attending the Master’s is similar to attending the Super bowl. When Pat came home he was on cloud nine, and told me, “Seriously Ash, that’s how I picture heaven.” I busted up. The course is known for being incredibly beautiful.

He also just started his second to last semester, (Yay!) He took awhile off after losing Preslee, and ever since returning it’s been a mess dealing with random things with the University. I’m proud of him though, I think a lot of people would have just said, “Forget it,” but he’s stuck with it. December can’t come soon enough.

Ashley – I feel like there isn’t much to say… I’m just busy trying to make sure three boys make it through the day. Though I’m more than ready to get some sleep (C’mon boys, please!) I’m happier than I have been in months. I was a serious mess when the boys cried all day long – like I didn’t understand why anyone thought having twins was amazing. (Don’t worry, I do now.) There were days I would cry and wait by my phone hoping someone would call to say they were on their way to help. (Almost every day) Oh man, sleep deprivation definitely messes with you. But I can’t even describe how fun these last couple of months have been. Though they aren’t sleeping, just having two happy boys makes an incredible difference. The boys are also on a schedule, so 9 months later, I’m finally able to work out again. Exercise goes a long way for me, and I recently started the 21 Day Fix program. We ate out way too much when struggling with the boys. so the clean eating and exercise have made a HUGE difference. I have much more energy, and feel like a better mom.

Preslee – Has left me busy trying to respond to many e-mails that stem from her article in the March 2014 issue of the LDS Ensign. The article was later posted on the front page of LDS.org, which helped it circulate even further. Just following her death, I would have never imagined she would continue to keep me busy. I see it as a blessing.

Ledger – Oh Sledgehammer, he’s been incredible. First off, this kid is totally potty trained! (Even doing amazing at nights) About a month or so ago, he asked to go potty on the toilet and never turned back. We’ve been shocked at how easy it’s been! (The moral of the story, wait until they are ready!) The past month or so, he’s been forced to go through a TV withdrawal. I’ll admit the TV babysat way too often while I was trying to function with his brothers, but now I’m working on getting him to let loose with his crazy imagination, and love listening to him talk. We spend most of the day in our front room on the floor with his brothers and I love watching all of them interact. Learning to share with his brothers has been tough, but he loves their company. When he gets frustrated with them he asks, “The babies go to bed now?”

Right now, he loves hot wheel cars, Jungle Book, eggs and toast for breakfast, Lightening McQueen undies, Braves hat dad brought back from Georgia, Candyland, Pog, and his brothers. He tells me all the time, while pointing to one of the twins, “I wanna play with that guy!” (He can’t tell them apart)

Cannon – Sweet Cannon, just learned to pull himself up on objects, but gets extremely nervous to get down, but is thrilled to be on the go. He loves his brothers, he’s always grinning and watching Cruiz, and is Ledger’s little shadow. Not that Ledger knows the difference between the two, but it Cannon and Ledge play quite a bit throughout the day. He is beginning to mimic sounds, and will bounce up and down when I sing to him.

Cruiz – This kid is on the go. He’s been a little aggressive towards Cannon lately, but usually does it with a smile on his face. He follows me around like a little puppy, and now stands up using my leg to balance. Once he does that, I of course have to pick him up. Pat teases me that I’m always holding my, “Baby boy Cruiz” (He is the baby of the family) but I can’t help it when he’s always next to me. He just mastered picking up food with two fingers, and is eating finger foods like a champ!

We’re more than ready for summer to arrive, Sno cones and long summer days playing in our backyard are hopefully in the near future.