A Very Happy Birthday To My Mama!

My mom hates photos of herself (that's where I got it), so I know she's not going to be happy with me for posting a picture of her here, but I'm going to risk it. Mom, it's ok! You're beautiful.

Tomorrow, March 3, is my dear mother's birthday, and I want to publicly wish her a happy birthday and tell her that I love and appreciate her so much.



As in this photograph, there is nowhere she would rather be than surrounded by her "brood."

(There are a few of the more recent additions to the family missing from this picture -- sorry, Karol, Adam, Olivia, and Joseph -- it's the most up-to-date I have.)

Mom, Ma, Mother, Marmee, Mamala, Mojo, Mammy Jammy, Little B, Marmalade . . . we love and cherish you. Thank you for the years of love, concern, worry, and happiness, for giving your life to us.

"Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love." -- Mildred B. Vermont

Goings On

Do I even need to say I'm behind on blogging? It's my modus operandi.

So, we got a new sofa -- the first real piece of furniture Chris and I have ever bought together since we've been married. We were so blessed by being given everything we needed, and we made it over 14 years without having to buy anything major. That's why the price of furniture was such a shock to us!

But we needed additional seating; our family had long since outgrown the little 3 seater sofa we have always had. Chris and I shopped and debated and shopped and debated some more and finally compromised on the black leather sectional you will see below -- it wasn't our dream couch, but it was a definite compromise in price. It's majorly comfy and has buttery soft leather, two recliners, and provides enough space for the whole family to sit together.

Here it is arriving at the house -- monstrous. It took up the whole trailer and inside of the van.



Joseph and Chris model it for the photographs. We had to get a new area rug because we knew the beautiful new couch would make our tired old carpet look even worse.

This is the life, man.

Many of you probably already know about Mel's sweet new ride -- if you don't, she bought a brand new Mini Cooper, and it is tha bomb! It's gorgeous and so much fun to drive. I'm quite envious!

A random shot of Joseph, covered in his breakfast and looking adorable.

The Cub Scouts in our ward held their Blue and Gold Banquet this week. It was a smashing success. I'm really grateful for wonderful Scout leaders who not only put on a really great activity that night but who are always diligent, dedicated, and creative in serving these boys.

The theme of the banquet was American ABCs, and they had lots of cool stuff to go along with that, including a menu featuring foods from different states. The food was great, and the decorations were awesome. The leaders really put in a lot of work, and it was obvious from the great success of the evening.

They presented awards to each Scout, and Nathaniel's was the "Scout Most Likely to be a Contestant on Jeopardy." His prize was a bag of Smarties (because he is one) and a 100 Grand Bar (because that's how much he would win). It was really cute.

It was a fantastic activity! Much appreciation to our amazing leaders!