Motherhood...

It's been over a month since my last post. Why? I guess I just didn't have anything exciting to share. I was reading on a friends blog the other day and she mentioned she had the blogging blahs. I guess I'm kind of feeling that, too. I read other friends blogs and it talks about their book club, card club, church activity, exercise club, kid club, photo club, baking club, pie club, whatever club - you get the point. I would love to share some fantastic idea I came across or all the cool things I'm involved in, but unfortunately, I have nothing to report. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to have a pity-party for myself (ok, maybe a tiny, eensy, weensy, little one). This has really made me ponder my role in life lately. It has been almost a full year since I became a "stay-at-home mom." A year ago I got to spend 20 hours each week being a grown-up. I got to have adult conversations. I had adult responsibilities. It has been an adjustment staying home full time. I honestly feel like I'm dumbing down. I feel like every day is the same as the day before, except when I throw in my weekly grocery trip to WalMart - wa-hoo (sarcasm intended). What I'm saying is I haven't found my niche yet. So to help me get out of my blah moment - and help me understand that what I do is important - I want to focus on an (very) important role I do get to do - MOTHERHOOD.
I had heard the other day someone say that Mother is the most complex word in the dictionary. Think about it. What does it mean? unconditional love, protector, teacher, example, enforcer, jungle gym, advocate, cheerleader, burp rag (for all moms who have been puked on), kleenex (for all moms who have had a child wipe their nose on your shirt), confidant, friend, chauffeur, cook, laundress, maid, nurse, helper, bill payer. The list could go on and on.
So I may not have any great words of wisdom to blog about, a cool idea to share, a book club to report back on, but I can say that I have the greatest job in the world. I'm a mom!

This goes out to all the great "moms" I know. May we realize what a truly fabulous calling we have and try not to be so harsh on ourselves. Not all super heroes wear capes!!...
Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been
puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
I didn't realize how much my mom had given of herself for me.

What I've done

I'm stealing this from my sister's blog. I thought it was fun. I actually learned things about her that I didn't know.
To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done. Happy discoveries!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band - I've performed with the band does that count???
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain--well climbed "on" a mountain!
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - off the balcony on our Honeymoon on the Oregon Coast.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - I basically taught myself to play the piano.
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked - I've picked up hitchikers.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb - I've fed a lamb with a really big bottle
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Ran a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse - I've seen a lunar eclipse (I think that was the one)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32.Been on a Cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - I've visited my dads birthplace - does that count?
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language. Both French and Spanish. I was awful at Spanish because it is so similar to French and I would get mixed up.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - I think Moab counts as rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance - I've been in the ambulance while my baby was being transported - worst day of my life.
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class - I took self-defense.
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job-I was asked to resign :(
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - I ate the first fish I caught. Didn't really prepare it, but I watched while it was cleaned so I think that counts.
88. Had chickenpox - I still have scars
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit - no but I've been subpeonaed to court
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Holiday update

Both kids are asleep at the same time during daylight hours! So I thought I would finally post something. Plus, I like doing it this way - you never know when I'm going to post. Will be right after an event....the following week....the following month....3 months.... I like keeping you all on your toes. I know everyone is dying to find out what's happening with the Fowler's.

We all had a nice Christmas. We kept telling Addyson she needed to be good or else we would tell Santa. She asked how would I talk to him and I said I can call him. All parents have the ability to call Santa. She was really impressed that mom can talk to Santa. The understanding of a naughty list also started to make sense. Every know and then when her behavior is not ideal she'll ask me if she's on the naughty list!

Here's the highlights...

Making gingerbread houses with my mom and sister and the kids.

The fireman Christmas party (both my dad and bro are firefighters)

Acting out the nativity and reading Christmas stories on Christmas Eve

This is Mary and Joseph riding a donkey on their way to Bethlehem

These are the 2 (we didn't have a 3rd) wiseman visiting baby Jesus

Christmas morning and the rest of the day

We tried to make it in to see the lights at Temple Square. We made it as far as Lake Point before Ella required the return home. We were able to drive around see lights in the neighborhood.
Overall, Christmas was wonderful for the Fowler Family!

Addy's Dance Recital

Addyson began taking dance lessons last February. She is absolutely loving it and is really good at it, too! I think most of all she really loves watching herself in the mirror! At the end of each class her teacher lets them do a "princess" dance. Each girl gets a wand and then they get to free dance to songs. Addyson is always up front singing into the mirror dancing like a ballerina - it is so fun to watch.

A few weeks ago her dance company did their end of year recital. Addy did an awesome job. After they were done she told me she really liked being on the stage.

Here is the video from the recital. Addyson is the second from the left (the one already posing!)

Here's the latest

So I need to fill everyone in on what's been happening in the Fowler household - we've been busy!

Halloween was lots of fun. We actually had lots of trick-or-treaters. Had I known I would have bought more candy. I was looking forward to all the leftover candy, but the only stuff left was milk duds. Jer says it's because we have a yard now and are no longer the weirdos at the end of the street. Addyson went as a hula girl. Ella was dressed in a lady bug costume, but quickly freaked out while I was dressing her and then went to sleep.

Addyson doing the hula.



Before Ella's blessing I decided I wanted to paint the house before we had anyone over. I at least wanted to cover up the paint samples I've had on the wall for almost two years. My sister came over and helped me with it. I told Jer that I was doing an accent wall in the front room we're turning into a den/office room. I think he was a bit shocked at the color, but it turned out really nice.

The blessing turned out wonderful. Jeremie gave an awesome prayer. It was nice to have everyone over at the house afterwards. Thanks to everyone who came and brought food. I have to say that Ella was the prettiest baby. Her dress was so beautiful. It was so much fun to sew it with Grandma's supervision. I hope someday I have just half the knowledge she does. Thanks Grandma!!

I love this pictures. 4 generations!

Well, there you have it...the latest.

Some Pics of the kids

I wanted to share some fun photos of the girls.

Addyson returning to Ms. Julie's preschool.

My Girls!

I finally got around to it...

Okay, so it's been 7 months since I last posted. I've been busy. Let me fill you in on the latest and greatest...

The major reason for the delay in posting is that I've been busy incubating a baby! Finally baby Ella Vivian arrived on August 10 debuting at 10:36 pm. She weighed in at a slim 9 lbs 13 oz and was 22 inches long and a ton of dark hair! It has been an adjustment with a new baby in the house. I remember the first time I left the house with her - I had to pack a diaper bag and didn't know what to put in it. Unfortunately, Ella has reflux pretty bad. We've tried several medications that have helped a little, but she is still miserable. On top of that she also has colic. Fun times at the Fowler home! A few weeks ago at church (the only time I've ventured back since her birth) we talked about the plan of salvation and it's been on my mind ever since. We all knew what our life was going to be like before we got here - what the "plan" is. Well, some of you know I'm a planner (call it control). Some of you also know what a struggle it was to have more children. Well, had life gone according to MY plan and we'd had Ella several years ago, as I wished, I don't think I would have made it having two small children. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. Ella was born at the right time. A time Heavenly Father knew I would have the strength to deal with her struggles. It also helps that she is sooooo cute! It is amazing she is almost 8 weeks old!