Mothers.

What a Wonderful Holiday Mothers Day is.  I love this time of year to celebrate mothers and all they do for their families. I personally wanted to give a little shout out to some of the best mothers I know.

First: All my beautiful sisters

Summer-I have always looked up to you and seen you as my 2nd mom. Considering you are the oldest and all. You always took great care of me, and still do. I know I can depend on you for ANYTHING. I am so glad I live by you too. I love your kids, and each of their testimonies and sweet spirits. You really know what your doing when it comes to being a mom.

Raine-Or Ronkie, whatev.  You are such an amazing person who sees the positive in anyone. You love people so easily and always make me feel like I am important. You always have. Remember when I told those judges you were my favorite "Professional Dancer" haha. I'm so glad you and I can share that passion together. You are such a fun mom I really admire the way you teach them about the gospel.

Lacey-Lets just say I try to be exactly like you in so many ways.  When I don't think I know what I am doing as a Mom-I instantly think "What would lacey do?" I am grateful everyday I have you in my life. I feel like I always need your approval on anything I do. Sometimes even over Phil haha.  Keep being a great mom because like I said I try to copy you.

Samantha-I am so grateful Nathan Married you and we get to have you apart of our family. I love hanging out with you and your girls-and I also try to copy a lot of your parenting style. I want Kinz to be as sweet as your girls.

Sara-What a great example you are to me.  Every time I am around your children I am amazed at how smart your children are and what great kids they are. You are such a great mom and love your kids sooo much.

Emily-You are thee Nicest Person I know.  I love your always positive attitude.  You always put your family first and help me realize whats most important.

Next: My Mother-in-law

First off I find it so funny I look more like you than your own girls and way more than I look like my mom. Phil always tells me how much I remind him of you and its one of the best compliments he gives me.  I try so hard to be like you.  You are always so positive about life and that's one thing all your children have in common with you.

You love your children and grandchildren more than anything in the world.  You also welcomed me into the family with open arms and made me feel so comfortable. (Even though sometimes I am still so shy-haha I am weird)

Your willingness to do anything for anyone is such a wonderful trait about you.

I have said it before, but Ill say it again. I'm so grateful for how you raised Phil.  He is a good one and I sure love him.

I am also so grateful for you and all you do for our family. I'm glad I'm also the favorite Daughter-in-Law (for now at least) haha ;)

Lastly: This lovely Lady I call my mom.

She is a beauty.

Here are some fun memories for ya.

Our girls trip 2008. This was a picture of "ugly faces." Oh mom, you crack me up.

 Our sexy faces? My mom kills me in this pic.

 Another ugly shot.

 Baha.

 Always there to support me in anything and everything I did.

 There to rub my back and help with bebe Kinzi delivery.

The moms and I dancing it up at the reception. So. Dang. Funny.

I don't even know where to begin with my mother.  I love her so much.  She was always the fun mom. In high school I was NEVER embarrassed of her. My friends loved her-so did I. I wanted to show her off. I really told her everything. Boys I dated, kissed, she knew it all. She even knew when me and my friends were going out to T.P. someones house. She came to all the dance performances, competitions, pageants, choir concerts in high school AND college.  She supported me in any dream I had. She really thought I could be the next Miss America, so much that I believed it too.  As I have become a mother I have learned what a great deal of sacrifice goes into motherhood.  Although that's what my mom always wanted. To be a mom. She had 6 of us kids and she wasn't done. She would have had 6 more if my dad would have agreed.  And ya know what? I got that from her. All I ever wanted was to be a mom. And now that I am, I want more and more and more children. Thank you mom for all the dinners you made and laundry you did. Thanks for your example and sacrifices you made in my behalf. Like the time I rear-ended someone and I was going to have to pay for it myself but you snuck me $200 dollars cash without Dad knowing. Dad-I hope you don't read this.

 Mama, I love you so very much. I'm sure I will think of a billion things to write down after this so maybe Ill come back and edit. Thanks again for everything you did and STILL do for me.

It's her smile.

Happy 10 months to our cutie. You make life so much fun little girl. All your smiles and giggles make us so happy. We love seeing you grow and become such a funny and happy girl. Thanks for coming to us-we are so lucky to have you.

Faith And Prayers

 My Family could really use some help. If anyone in Az (or anywhere close) could post it on facebook or your blog and get the word out that would be great.  Faith and Prayers are greatly appreciated.

Help us find our brother/uncle/son/friend.

Thank You.

How the?

So Kinzi has found her flowers and bows on her head and this is what she likes to do now...

Funny? Yes. She does it all the time. Especially when I am not looking. Like when were in the car.

Well today when I got her out when we got home, look what she did!

 She destroyed that flower!! How does that even happen? Kinz what am I going to do with you?

Then she realized what she had done.

Grandpa Sure Would

Isn't he just one of those "cute" old men?

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend my Grandpa Sherwood's Funeral. It was a great Service. 

That man was truly inspiring.

It was fun to hear all the memories of him from his children.

My dad spoke and did a great job.

Want to know some fun things about Grandpa Sherwood? Well of course you do!

Honestly, funniest person ever. His jokes and sense of humor was classic.

He was 1 of 14 kids in his family. I know. BIG Sherwood reunions people.

He boxed, but also had polio. So one arm was not as strong as the other. Did that stop him? Nope. He was a tough guy. And as we heard at the funeral, one of his top phrases was "It only takes one of these buddy boy." If you knew him, you get it.

He probably wore a jump suit for most of his life time.

He has GIGANTIC hands. Sherwood hands. My dad got them, and so did I. Um thanks?

He also has the Sherwood uh, ummm, Uni brow. Yep. Had that one too. Until I was old enough to notice. My dad is sure proud of his own uni brow. In fact all the Sherwood men are proud if they have it. My dad always asks if the place between my eyebrows gets cold. And I always tell him I'm going to wax his off in the middle of the night.

My dad looks just like him.

Grandpa and Husband share a birthday. How cool is that.

In fact, the first time Phil met my family back in High School, Gramps was there.  I think one of the reasons why Phil married me was because my Grandpa was so funny.  It was at a party when Phil came and seriously Grandpa was making everyone laugh the whole time. I can't really remember what he was doing, but you had to be there to get it.

He has moves. I need to thank him for a lot of the rhythm I was blessed with. Well all of my brothers and sisters at least. Thanks Grandpa.

I remember him asking me every time he saw me if I was reading my scriptures and praying. He always taught me that if I ever needed the Lords help, whether it be on a test or trials, to pray. He would always be there. And that really stuck with me.
I could go on and on about this man. I know I have missed so many important things about him.  Any other cousins remember other funny things?

It was a good weekend to honor him. To see cousins, aunts, uncles that I have not seen in such a long time. Everyone is so grown up now, its weird.

But I couldn't help but be grateful all weekend. Grateful that I Know what I Know. Grateful for the plan of Salvation. Grateful for Eternal Families. Grateful for the Temple and Temple work.

Our Father in Heaven has blessed us so much to allow us to be with our loved ones forever if we make that choice.  That's one thing that has been such a blessing to know since I have been Married and also become a Mom. No matter what happens, I'll have my family. Forever.

I know Grandpa is doing the work on the other side. I learned how great of a missionary he was and I know that death did not end that for him. Death is not the end. Eternity lasts well, forever.

Girl you're amazing...

Oh my little Kinz turned the big 8 months last Friday. She is getting so big and so fun.

No she is not crawling yet. She is not considered a "late crawler" yet either. So don't judge.

Infact, I prefer it this way.  The girl will sit all day and play with her toys and I don't have to worry about her getting into everything or falling down the stairs and what not.  So for now, Ill take it. She is just gonna be a baby longer. I don't mind really. Friday we went out and took some "I'm 8 months old and so cute" pictures. Yeah she was not that into it like me.

She loves to sing songs and read books.

She does fit into 6-9 month clothes barley. Some are still quite big.

Weighs about 16 lbs which is the 12 percentile.

Sometimes we can carry on a conversation. It consist of me making a squeaking sound and she follows. Repeat.

She thinks "Puffs" are the greatest things she has ever eaten.

Still sucks her fingers to get herself to sleep. Still cute too.

She is an independent sleeper. She prefers to just be put in her crib and fall asleep on her own. Maybe so she can play without me knowing...

She loves Fruits.

 Surprisingly a very  Neat eater. She doesn'tmake a mess unless its something really messy like a graham cracker.

She likes the shower.

She Loves other babies. Or herself in the mirror.

Finally getting more hair.

Has 2 really cute teeth.

She sometimes will lift her arms up for someone to pick her up. It melts my heart.

And we still fight over her.

And what did she get for her 8 month present. Oh just a double ear infection.

She has had a cold and cough for a while and the cough wasnt going away. She was still happy, but just not her usual happy self.  I decided to take her in and found out it was an infection. The doctor even said he didnt think anything was wrong because how good she was being. What a tough cookie.

Happy 8 months Kinzi. We love you.

Now stop getting so old.