Watermelon

I think it's safe to say that Hayes loves watermelon. :) 

The weekend June 28-29

Our anniversary was on June 28th, we celebrated 6 years! I can't hardly believe that we've been married that long. It seems so crazy. I don't feel old enough for that. To celebrate, we decided that we would have a family weekend. My mom's family already had plans to go up to Veyo and swim on Saturday, so we went up and swam and ate fried food and loved every minute of it. Going to Veyo with my mom's family was a favorite childhood memory and I am so excited that Hayes gets to experience it too!

After Veyo Hayes was pretty tired so we ordered in Benjas and brought it home. It was perfect. It was so fun to be out in the sun and playing and then to be home. I swear, the older I get the more I like to be home. Its weird because I have never been a home body, but now, I really like it. 

On Sunday, my aunt DeAnn was talking in Stake Conference so we went over a listened to her speak. She did a great job and talked about that you have to take care of your spiritual well being before you can lead your children. I think if it like when you are on a plane, when the oxygen levels drop and the masks come down, you are suppose to put yours on before you help someone else. You can't help someone else if you're drowning, you know. She did a really good job, and it was something I think I really needed to hear. 

After church, we headed up the mountain again. I had such a great experience up there the week before, and I was almost jonesing for another great experience. We went up this time with Al's kids, Ash, mom, dad, me, Sam, Hayes and Gator. It was a different experience, but still brought so much peace and contentment to me. I feel like that mountain has a lot of insight waiting to be found. I feel close to my family up there, I feel like I am giving Hayes a great experience up there, and I feel good about myself there. It's strange really that a mountain can do that to you, but it totally does. We had a picnic and played and hiked and just enjoyed ourselves. It was everything I hoped it would be. 

I really am so grateful that Sam and I got married 6 years ago. I am so glad to have this angel in our life and that we get to be parents together. I am grateful for all of the struggles and hard times we have had together. I think they have only made us stronger, closer, and better people. I am excited to continue to build a life with Sam and to have a family. I am excited to see what our future holds and to see what we can accomplish together. I am hopeful that we have a lot of great things ahead of us. 

The mountain June 22, 2014

We had made plans a few weeks ago to head up the mountain with my mom's side of the family. We hardly ever go on that side of the mountain and we thought it would be so fun to go up there. I knew I wanted to go, but I just didn't realize what a great day it would be, and how much I needed a great day at the mountain. 

We had a little picnic with everyone and then walked around a bit. We took Bonnie's side by side out for a spin and Stock absolutely loved it. He kept telling me "Kacee, I'm gonna buy one of these one day!" I told him to save up and he could do it! I wore my jogging gear and had decided to try to get a run in up the mountain. I needed some high elevation training runs, and I figured it would be pretty empty on the roads that way. 

That run was one of the best I have ever had. It felt amazing physically and emotionally. It was so uplifting and spiritual. I posted a pic from my run on Instagram and I said this: 

"Sometimes in life I let myself get so busy and caught up in what I "should" or "could" be that I miss who I am right now or what I am doing. Sometimes I rush through things and don't take the time to really appreciate everything and everyone around me. Luckily, today was not one of those days. Today was one of those days that feels good for your soul and you feel like God or Karma or whatever you believe in is looking down on you and telling you life is good. Today was exactly what I needed and will not be shortly forgotten. Today reminded me what a great family I have, what a beautiful area I live in, and that running makes me feel more spiritual that just about anything else in the entire world. Today was good."

I just felt so much clarity and so aware of things. I looked around at everything and realized how mindful my Heavenly Father is. I realized how much he loves us, because he has given us so much beauty. He wants us to appreciate it. He wants us to experience it. He wants us to see it. It's like when you throw a party for someone that you care about and you really try your hardest make things special and beautiful. If no one came and no one enjoyed it, it would feel like a big waste. But if people come and really enjoy it and spend sometime, you feel like all your time and energy was worth it. I think that is how Heavenly Father feels when we actually see the beauty around us, and we take the time to enjoy it. Its like all his hard work and time was worth it because we get it. 

Lately I have felt a little judged and over looked. It seemed like to me that people were only seeing the things I wasn't doing or the short comings I had and all of the good I was doing and all of the things I was really trying at were overlooked. It was frustrating and hard. That day on the mountain was so good for my head. It helped me with all of those feelings and really helped me work through what was really bothering me and it helped me come to grips and say "I'm happy with what I'm doing, and that's enough." I  try to repeat this quote to myself when I start feeling that way: "The more you love your choices, the less you need other people to love them." I forget that sometimes and sometimes I let everyone else's opinions trump my own opinions. Once I could sort through that and see it, then I could actually address my problem and work through and be ok with that. It was invigorating and made me feel so refreshed. It was just what I needed. 

Krychele and Roman {June 14, 2014}

Sam's cousin Krychele got married in Salt Lake over the weekend and we were thrilled to go up and see everyone. Most all of Sam's dad's family was there and it was so fun to see everyone, especially because most of them had never met Hayes before. The wedding was beautiful and we loved being up there. 

There is one thing about Sam's family that I just adore (well one of many things) but they are SO welcoming and warm and friendly. Pretty much everyone greets you with a hug and some sort of compliment. They make you feel so loved and welcomed and I have been and I am sure will always be so grateful for that. 

14 Months {June 13, 2014}

So, I have a little confession to make, I have been telling SO many people that Hayes is actually 15 months and then I realized he was only turning 14 months! What's wrong with me!?? I would never wish that precious month away, but now its like I gained a month, so that's cool.

Hayes has been keeping us pretty busy. He hasn't officially started walking, but loves to push his shopping cart around. He can pull himself up and walk along the furniture, but hasn't made the jump to walking on his own yet. He says a lot of words, I don't know I could even list out everything he says, but I'll try:

Mama

Dada

Gator

Bye

Hello

Hi 

Ya

No

Avocado

Walk

Dog

Cookie

Go

Car

Grandpa

Grandma

Dog

There are more, I just can't think of them right now. He will repeat a lot of the words we say. He says "What?" ALOT! 

He still loves music and dancing and can tell the difference between good and bad singers. 

He loves to pack and up pack things. He sleeps well at night and only takes a nap for me in the car.  Apparently when he is at Grandma's or Ash's he sleeps pretty good for them though. 

Hayes is so happy and we just love him.

14 months

Dear Hayes:

You just get more and more fun everyday. I love showing you new things and having you experience new adventures. You make everything more exciting and fun. You are the happiest in the mornings and you are helping me have a better attitude when I wake up. One of my favorite things still is getting you out of bed in the mornings. 

Sometimes you get really made at me and you have the start to a pretty epic temper tantrum. I hope I'm not setting myself up for a lot of problems, but right now I think its pretty funny. I'm hopeful that it won't last (at least your part). You are the best blonde hair and people comment on it where ever we go. They always say "Oh my goodness, he's so blonde and adorable!" and you give them the cheesiest smile. I usually just smile and say, "Ya, we are pretty lucky to have such a sweetie pie!" You love when I say that, and I love that it's so true. 

I love taking you to the mountain and exploring. Going to the mountain was such a great time for me when I was little, and I hope you love it as much as I do. One of the last times we went you got bit by an ant though, which wasn't fun. I guess you need to start walking more so that doesn't happen. I have big plans for you Hayesie Waysie. I want to take you to so many places and show you so many amazing things this world has to offer. It seems like the need for adventure is something you and I both have in common. 

I love being your mama and seeing all the fun things you do and I especially love seeing your personality more and more. You are the light of my life, and I love you forever. 

Love, 

Mom 

Yes, he is throwing a fit in the last picture. Sometimes you have to document those things too! 

Swimming with cousins {June, 2014}

We had my cousin's kids come over and play the other day for a couple of hours. They are so fun and cute and they love to play with "Baby Hayes". The two pools out back were a big hit and Ella loved to try to ride the shark. Hayes kept trying to drink any spraying water he could reach. Hahaha what a silly guy!  Ryne was telling me all kinds of things and having fun splashing the kids. Its fun to have cousins so close, I wish were were better about getting together. Yay for a fun day though! 

California {June 8, 2014)

Ash turned 30 on June 8th and for her birthday she said she wanted to be at the beach, so we headed down to California for the weekend. This was the first time I left Hayes over night and I was a WRECK! It was fun to go on a girls trip, like old times. Once I actually got going and we were down there, I was ok, but thinking about leaving him was so hard. 

We spent most of the time doing what we normally do, sitting on the beach, eating food, and going to a baseball game. It was so much fun. The weather was so perfect and we had such a good time. I am glad Ash had a birthday and gave us a reason to celebrate. 

We need to do more girls trips, I forgot how much I love to travel with my sisters and my adopted sister Lezlee. It's fun and chill and we all like about the same kind of things. You really can't ask for more than that!

Happy Birthday Ash! I'm glad you were born and I am glad you are my sister. You mean the world to me and I hope we have many many more birthdays on the beach together.