Angel Wings

Atticus passed away yesterday afternoon. Here's the link to Cindy's blog. He will be greatly missed but his strength and courage will continue to be a force for such good in so many of our lives. I love this picture that Cindy posted on her blog and cry everytime I see it with a mix of heartbreak and joy. This is what Atticus looks like again healthy, happy and pain free. Cindy has said it so many times on her blog but I can be a second witness that this little boy really was wise beyond his years. I know Heavenly Father called him home early for a very important work and I feel blessed just to have known him and his family.

As I thought about talking this through with Ashton I searched Cindy's blog for pictures of the two of them. Cindy had documented every moment and memory of Atticus' life and I'm so grateful she has it all to remember. I loved this collage of their afternoon a year and a half ago at the Dallas Arboretum.

Ashton (and all of us) will have an extra friend from the beyond the veil reminding us to do our best so we too can live with Heavenly Father again. My heart aches for the Hansen family and knowing how much they will miss their sweet son. I'm so grateful for the knowledge Lord's plan and for eternal families. We love you Hansen family.

Texas and Turning Three

I'm starting to feel as if I don't blog my favorite pictures they will get lost in the abyss of picture folders on my computer never to be seen again. I know I should start making photo books but for now I know I can keep up with blogging.

When I decided to go to Texas to see Cindy I knew that meant packing up 3 kids and doing the 7.5 hour drive on my own. I've never roadtripped longer than a couple hours without David. They are used to be me being able to crawl to the back on a moment's notice for whatever they drop. This trip was a completely different story but they handeled it amazingly. Not a single melt down and no whining. We only took one stop to get out and stretch our legs and one other quick bathroom break. I was so ridiculously proud of them for being so great the entire drive. Ashton and Hannah are becoming pros at sleeping together. I checked in on them one night and this is what I found.

Since I didn't know I was coming to town until last minute and wasn't sure when I would have free time I didn't tell any friends until I arrived. I literally texted a few of my good friends and said "what are you doing in an hour?" and luckily for me I got to see them all. They were quick short visits but it did my heart good because I miss my friends like crazy. Ashton begged and begged for me to stop by Cici's pizza in Richardson so he could pick up some more ninjas from the quarter machines. Some friends met us there on short notice and the kids all got to sit at their own table. They loved it and Ashton didn't leave Max's side for the entire 90 minutes.

Hannah Turned Three!! I've avoided princesses and princess theme stuffed for an entire three years. This year all she wanted was a Cinderella dress. Look at this reaction. It was so worth it to give in. She also got a tea set. That all three of them love. Ashton knows it's girly but doesn't care because it's an excuse to get water from the sink all the time to make sure the girls' cups stay full.

You can also see the dress up shoes her Nana and Poppy got her which have been a huge hit around here.

I worried with onslaught of princess themed things her days of playing ninjas and army men are over. I was so glad this week to see she still plays regularly with Ashton's army men and loves watching Batman cartoons. I love this little girl. Her endless emotions leave me lost so much but she is the best snuggler and the first person to give me a hug and tell me she loves me everyday.

We flew David in town last minute (thank goodness for military discounts) so he could see his family, we could go to the temple and I would have his help on the way home. David's parents took such great care of us and the kids. It was so great to spend time with Cindy and everything else was a huge bonus!

A Different Kind of Mother's Day

Last Friday I read Cindy's blog and my heart just broke for her. I hadn't seen her since October and all I wanted to do was give her a hug. So I called her and told her I was heading to Dallas on Monday even just to see her for an hour.

This pictures is of the kids and I with our Angels for Atticus bracelets. It was a really really hard week for Atticus. I was grateful to spend some time with Cindy before their many ER visits. For those of you who read her blog and have felt of her incredible strength just through her words I can promise you that she and Eric are all that they seem and more. Amazing and incredible don't begin to describe this family and what examples they are all of pure courage in the face of adversity. Atticus is a special boy called on a special mission and his parents are equally special. I am blessed just to know this family and learn from their examples.

I love and adore my Mom but on this Mother's Day I can't stop thinking of Cindy and how she is one of the best and strongest moms I know. Please keep Atticus and the Hansens in your prayers.

Zonked

I've always wanted a kid that can fall asleep anywhere. The other day I fed the kids lunch when they were done I sent them to go play while I cleaned up the kitchen. I came into the living room to find Hannah crawling on top of Mallie trying to open her eyes. She didn't even stir. I apparently forgot to wash the peanut butter and jelly off her face. I picked her up wiped off her face and hands before I laid her down and she slept through it all.
Since then I've started to pay attention. Every day at 12:30 it doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing this girls is done. Gotta love those regular nap times.

Father and Sons

Ashton has heard a lot about girls' camp recently. A few weeks ago he started talking about a "Boys' Camp" and telling me all the fun things that he'd do there. Just so happened that the stake father and sons was planned and Ashton got to live up his dream. I knew David wouldn't take a single picture even if I did send him with the camera.
Ashton picked out his stick and told Hannah to take care of his stuffed animals and they were off.

He had the time of his life sleeping in a tent and David said he rolled all over the 6 man tent that just the two of them shared. Hurray for Boys' Camp!!

Hello May

I opened the front door this morning to leave and found this. I love my guy. Just a few days ago we were making fun of our relationship and our very pragmatic no nonsense approach to everything we do. We're both thinkers with a capital "T" if you've taken the Meyers-Briggs test you know what that means. Usually in marriage you can find the thinker/feeler combo. Not with David and I. Every decision we make is very logical. Even our disagreements are logical so they never turn into arguing. We love that about each other. We've decided the only thing we're missing out on both being head-ruled is some spontaneous moments and maybe a little of the cheesy romance stuff.

So today he left me a love note. He was feeling a little extra lovey. Maybe it's because I asked for a food dehydrator for my birthday so I could make him homemade beef jerky anytime he wants. I romance David through his stomach. He usually romances me with letting me catch a nap whenever I need to.

Romance for us....  David=Stomach   Sammy=Sleep

And I've got to include the rest of the porch because it was so ghetto. We usually leave the bubbles and chalk out but last night we hit an all time low. We had the kids out in the yard weeding with their own gloves and they got so muddy we had to strip them down outside. And I have yet to clean up today... 

Last but not least I found this picture while downloading the porch pictures. Hannah always asks to stay up and watch GI Joes with the boys but on Saturday night she tanked a few minutes in. I love it because Ashton is smiling normally for once with his awesome new buzz cut for the summer and you can see how much David adores him.

Life is good at the Jacobson house.