My Eternal Companion

I know the title sounds exactly like Dad. Maybe I am getting old like him! I don't know, but it was the only title that made sense for what was in my heart today.
Richard was actually home to go to church with us today. It has been months since we have sat in a Sacrament meeting together. Through the busy of fighting kids; Hayden moving all over and making Ady cry, Ady trying to mother Tayson and Tayson just wanting to be left alone, Tayson being his usual busy self just wanting to move and play, I looked over and saw Richard sitting there. I don't know how to describe the feeling of seeing your eternal companion (I know, Dad) sitting with you in church. Joy just surged through my soul as I looked at him. Suddenly, the kids and the noise and the craziness didn't matter anymore. I love worshipping with him by my side. It is so amazing to know that we can be together for eternity. There is no person I would rather be with than my Richard. There is heaven on earth. It is found in an eternal family that loves each other and works toward eternity together. I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life, and today, most of all, Richard.

The Fall

Just call me Grace. I may even change my name! To understand this post and truly picture it in your mind there are a few things you need to know.
1. I drive a Ford Expedition. It's big
2. The baby's seat is in the middle so I have to crawl in to get him in or out.
3. I am a big wus.

So, here are the events as they transposed. No names have been changed.
We arrived home from Boise yesterday afternoon tired and in a hurry to get inside because Diana was on her way over for dinner. First, Ady exited the vehicle. She came around to the other side of the truck just as Hayden was swinging his door open. WHAM! Right in the head. She is crying. I am loving her. Hayden gets out and runs into my open door. Kid #2 crying. I love him and hear Tayson crying that everyone has exited the vehicle and he is still strapped into his bucket. As usual, I go around and crawl in, sitting in Ady's seat to get him out. I pull him out and back out of the truck. As I step down, my ankle rolls and I first land on my butt, then feel my head and elbow crack on the cement. Luckily, Tayson landed on my stomach and was spared from contact with the cement. Kid #3 crying.
Ok. I'm not gonna lie. It hurt. I really thought I had broken my lower spine. My ankle hurt. My head hurt, and there was a tiny drop of blood squeezing it's way out of my elbow. Mom wanting to cry!
Next thing I know, Richard is standing over me looking down at me. Tayson is screaming and I want to die. I actually had to lay on the driveway for a few minutes and collect myself. I'm sure it was a great show for my neighbors.
So, needless to say, I am changing my name to Grace, as in Graceful. I'm sure I made that fall look smooth.
For the record, Grace is sore today!

6 months old

My little Tay Tay turned 6 months old yesterday. I can't believe how fast the time is going. I wish it would just slow down so I can savor every second with this sweet lttle angel. I love this little guy so much, I can't believe we ever thought we might not want any more kids. There are so many things I love about little Tayson: He is always happy. I will never forget when he was sick with RSV and he just kept smiling even though he couldn't breath and obviously didn't feel well. That is so signature of my little baby. He is always smiling. He is such a happy guy and loves to be silly. He loves to just play and have fun. Tayson holds such a sweet spot in my heart. I love to see him grow and learn. He is such a smart littly fella. I can see the wheels turning as he is spending his time observing and learning about his world. I love watching him try new things. He will keep at something until he figures it out. It amazes me the things he is already capable of doing. Tayson wants to know about everything. He loves to touch and, of course, taste everything around him. He experiments with his whole body, even his feet. He spends a lot of time kicking things and grabbing anything within his reach. Tayson gives his mom the best slobbery kisses. I love how he just grabs me as tight as he can and pulls me in for a kiss. Tayson has so much love. He freely shares his love and happiness with anyone he sees.
I love you, Tayson. Please continue to grow and learn and share your light with everyone around you! I can't wait to share your next 6 months with you! You are an amazing person already and I am so blessed to have you in my home and heart! I love you!

I'm Number 6!!!

Ady made a list of her best friends today. Although I am not number one (that honor went to Makenna) I am happy to report that I made the list. I am sitting solid in the number 6 spot. Thanks Ad! I love you, too!

Vegas

I'm not sure Richard and I are good for each other. Last weekend a day trip to Salt Lake turned into a weekend trip to Vegas. It started out as just casual conversation. You know, the whole, "We should just keep driving on to Vegas." And I think it spiraled out of control! So, the trip was fun. It was fun to get away from life for a few days. It was fun to enjoy the sunny warm weather while Pocatello was freezing cold. It was fun to Road Trip with my awesome husband.
I was thinking perhaps I would post some pictures from our trip on the blog, but, oops... we lost the camera in Vegas. Richard thought I grabbed it and I thought he grabbed it. I am sad about the pictures we lost, but luckily there weren't many since Richard had just recently downloaded the pictures from the card onto the computer.
I guess I got two things from our trip: a mini-vacation with the family and a new camera! (Camera not received, yet!)

He's growing too fast

My little Tayson rolled over yesterday. I am so proud of him for working at it, but I am so sad that he is growing so fast. I just love the little baby and want him to stay that way as long as possible!
I love you Little Tay Tay!

Ady and the Play

We took Ady to see her favorite babysitter, Sierra, who had one of the leads in Poky's musical. Ady was on the edge of her seat the entire time, singing and dancing along with her beloved Sierra. Here are some favorite Ady quotes:

"Mom, it's like TV"
"Mom, Sierra is a PRINCESS!!!"
"Wow! That sparkly dress is my favorite!"
And when it got later and she was sitting on my lap,
"Mom, let me know when Sierra is singing."

It was an awesome play. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something to do. It was fun spending the evening with Ady and watching her enjoy the play.

Star Whores

Yes you read it right... Star Whores

So, we are at my mom's house last weekend for the Super Bowl party. The boys are all playing light sabers. Hayden's cousins are all obsessed with Star Wars. You have to understand, Hayden has never seen it. So, after the 3rd or 4th "accidental" hitting with the light sabers, Grandpa Simpson took them away. With all the boys crying, Grandma Simpsons suggests we turn on Star Wars in the back bedroom. Hurrays ring out from all the boys, with Kaiden singing, "Yay Star Wars!" and Hayden chiming in with "Star Whores... I've never seen Star Whores before!"
Now, Auntie Tenae has to help out- commenting through the laughter that somewhere there probably is a movie called Star Whores.
It is true... I have never let my 4 year old watch Star Whores...

It's Christmas!

Ady came running into my room this morning. She bounded up on my bed and announced that there were presents under our tree. (You will need to know that there have been no presents wrapped and put under the tree because my kids and husband won't leave them alone.) Ady then asks if we can go open presents. She thought Santa had come in the night! She was so excited!
I told Ady that she had to wait 7 more days to open the presents because it's not Christmas yet. She has proceded to ask about every 15 minutes if we can just open the presents under the tree and do the rest on Christmas! The girl can't stand it!

Ady's Gift

I picked Ady and Hayden up from school on Wednesday this week. They came running out with little Christmas gift bags. They were obviously excited about the gift they had made in school. My conversation with Ady went like this:

Ady: Mom, I made you a present at school, but I can't show it to you. If I show it to you I have to tell Miss Amber and Miss Barb.

Me: Ok. Don't tell me then.

Ady: Don't you want to know what it is?

Me: I will open it on Christmas

Ady: OK, Mom, I will make you a deal. If you wait for 7 minutes then you can open it...

She is so her father's daughter! He can't stand to wait either and neither one of them can keep a gift a secret!

By the way... she had opened the bag and gotten the gift out before we even got home!

Ady, Hayden, and Tayson Dennis

Ady and Hayden are so excited to see their brother after nine months of waiting! Ady likes to help by holding Tayson and wiping his bum during diaper changes. Hayden thinks he is a little boring... we had the following conversation the other day:

Hayden: Mom, when I talk to Tayson, he doesn't answer me!

Me: I know, Bud, but he likes it when you talk to him.

Hayden: Mom, he doesn't even play with toys, not even baby toys.

Me: I know. He will soon.

Hayden: Why do we have him, he doesn't DO anything!

Aaahhh! Brotherly love!

Tayson and his Grandparents

Grandma and Grandpa Simpson were Tayson's first visitors at the hospital. I called them at 3 am and told them it was time to have a baby. They rushed up to the hospital and made it in time for his birth.

Grandma Sue and Grandpa John also visited Tayson at the hospital. They made it in from Twin Falls Monday afternoon. Tayson is so lucky to have two wonderful sets of Grandparents!

Tayson and Dad

Richard is such a softy when it comes to babies! I love that about him. He can sit and hold a new baby and stare at it for hours. He loves to hold and talk to Tayson. Richard is so proud of his new son.

I left Tayson with Richard on Tuesday while I took Ady to dance. Richard called 10 minutes after I left to tell me Tayson was awake and poopy. Did I really need to tell him to change the baby? I guess so! Maybe he was a little rusty after 4 years! Anyway, Tayson has an amazing talent for peeing (and he has distance) every time you open his diaper. He showed his trick to his dad that night. Richard was not impressed when it was not ME changing him! I guess I missed a frazzled dad and screaming baby while on my way home. By the time I got home, all was well...

Tayson and Mom

I love this little boy so much already! I am so happy he finally joined our family. After 4 years, we had thought our family was complete, but after only 11 days I can't imagine life without our little Tayson. He is such a good boy. He brings so much joy to everyone around him. Thank you Heavenly Father for this wonderful spirit!

Welcome Tayson Fisher Dennis!

Tayson was born on November 30, 2009 at 4:41 am. He weighed in at 6 lbs 15 oz. He was 20 1/2 inches long. He is such a sweet boy! He loves to snuggle and I love to sit and take it all in! New babies are so wonderful!

Halloween 2009

For Halloween Ady wanted to be a ballerina and Hayden wanted to be Batman. We could not find a Batman costume in his size, so he settled on Spiderman. The kids had a Halloween party at school on Friday and then trick or treating with Dad on Saturday. They thought it was pretty cool that they got to dress up twice! The kids got so much candy on the two nights that we still have a box full of candy a month and a half later! Aren't they cute!

Bear World

Richard and I took the kids to Bear World in October. The kids thought the bears were pretty cool, they liked the petting zoo, and they LOVED the rides. We invited Grandma and Grandpa Simpson and they brought cousin Ashton along. It was a fun afternoon in the warm fall sunshine!

Ady's Parade Debut

Ady's dance team had a float in the ISU homecoming parade in October. She was so excited to be in the parade and talked about it for 2 weeks prior. It was a cold morning, but had warmed up by the time the parade was moving. Ady's cousins, Lexie and Masi, were also in the parade. The girls looked so cute all dolled up and ready to perform!

Hayden and Tyke were parade observers. They had a good time watching the parade and hunting for candy. What good buddies they are!

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Hayden celebrated his 4th birthday in September. (I know I am way behind on my blogging!) For the previous twelve months all Hayden could talk about was his race car birthday. So, I decided to throw him a race car birthday party. I reserved the gym at the church so we would have plenty of room for all the kids and racecars. We set up all Hayden's race car tracks in the gym for the kids (mostly cousins) to play with. The kids all had a blast racing the cars and playing together. It was a fun night.

Hayden is such a special part of our family. I cannot imagine our lives without him. I love his special spirit. He is such a happy child that can put up with a HIGH maintenance sister and still love her more than anything. I love that he can sit and play by himself for hours, lost in his own imaginary world where there is a lot of drama and explosions. Hayden loves cars. He owns more Hot Wheels than any kid I've ever known. Hayden's favorite holiday has always been Christmas. He loves all the lights and decorations, mostly the lights! He gets so excited to see the lights around town, in the stores, and especially at our house. Last Christmas he cried the whole time I took down the tree. It was so sweet and innocent it brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart. Hayden loves everyone and is always so concerned. Nothing breaks his heart more than to know that someone is unhappy with him. Hayden loves his family with all his heart. He is so happy to be home and with his family. It is when he is happiest. I love Hayden so much. He is my boy- he tells me that all the time. I am so glad that Heavenly Father sent this special spirit to our home! I love you Hayden!