PRECIOUS PRESLEE

This sweet angel has touched my life! She is a miracle. I came across a link on facebook from someone in my old ward growing up. Preslee was 18 months old. She was playing with her little friends in Idaho when she fell into a canal and was found 2 miles down by some farmers who were working in the water at the time. She was in the hospital for a week, hanging on, making some progress they thought when Heavenly Father had a different plan for this sweet angel. She passed away a week later surrounded by her amazing parents and loved ones. I can't even BEGIN to express how this little girl has touched hundreds of thousands of people from across the world, myself included. I have thought about her and her family everyday. I was feeling very sorry for myself at the time when I came across her story. It changed my WHOLE perspective once I read about her and her families strong faith. I began to speak a little kinder, hug and kiss my children a little more, turn off the t.v. and other distractions and sit and play on the floor with my own little angels. Realizing that in an instant life can change and I don't want ANY regrets! I honestly feel like I am mourning with her family. I can only imagine the depth of their grief. What a sweet blessing it is to have the knowledge that they were sealed as a family and will be reunited with their beautiful daughter again. Preslee and her family has rebuilt my testimony and my heart is filled with gratitude for this angel who has gone home to her Heavenly Father and her amazingly strong family. I am forever changed. Thank you Preslee!

Charly's 9 1/2 months!

Can't believe that Charly will be already a year old in a couple short months! She just had her checkup and is doing wonderful! She is 16lbs, 10 oz. and is 20% in weight and 90% in height! Another tall one! She is currently trying so hard to learn to crawl. When we put her on all fours she rocks back and forth. She really is THE happiest baby and loves to say mama and dada and nigh nigh...she loves to sleep! She cracks up every time she sees a picture of herself. She ADORES her sisters and they are so smitten with her as well. They are such amazing big sisters and help me out so much. I am soooo blessed to have these 3 wonderful little girls in my life!

Taiyah's Graduation

A few days ago, Taiyah had her graduation from Kindergarten. I was such an emotional wreak before I even sat down in the seats. I don't understand why I'm having such a hard time with these precious girls growing up. They are still so young, but I feel like their entire lives are flashing before me. Congratulations to our two graduates, Taiyah and Addisyn. We love you both so much!

Addie's Preschool Graduation

I know that I'm supposed to be happy that my little one has graduated from preschool, but it was actually a very emotional time for me. Between the baby growing so fast and Addie graduating from preschool and Taiyah graduating from Kindergarten all in the past 3 days I've been having a "moment." I've been trying to hug them more and be in the "present" and cherish everyday with them. They grow too fast and before I can blink they won't want to have slumber parties with me in my bed and movie nights. Such a bittersweet time for us. I'm so proud of the girls. They amaze me each day! I'm so blessed to be their mom.

Charly's 8 months!

I cannot seem to wrap my mind around how fast this little one is growing! Charly turned 8 months today and is turning into a little character. I haven't quite yet figured her out completly...she is changing everyday, but for the most part she is a VERY mellow and happy little girl. Always smiling and babbling to anyone that will give her a second. I remember back when I found out when I was pregnant with her and I cried and cried because I wasn't sure I was ready for another one. Sorry Charlize. But I seriously could NOT begin to imagine my world without her. She definitely fits right in this crazy and fun family. She has mastered sitting on her own a couple of months ago and now she is just ready to go...but can't go because she hasn't figured it out. I love this precious girl and the girls are smitten with her. So excited everyday to see what she will be like.

DISNEYLAND

While we were in San Diego visiting my family and doing the 1/2 marathon, we thought it would be fun to get the cousins who live there to go to Disneyland. They had such a blast. I have so many wonderful memories of when my parents used to take us when we were little and of course I had to have that rub off on our children as well. The girls highlight of the day was getting to meet Tinkerbell and Rosetta from Pixie Hollow and getting their face painting. The babies did sooo good with nothing more than a 20 min. nap and getting to bed past 11pm! Thank you everyone for going with us! It was so much fun.

LA JOLLA 1/2 MARATHON 2010

I'm so proud of myself! I've done a handful of 1/2 marathons, but not so soon after I had a baby. My goal wasn't about my time this one around....it was about NOT walking, and I DID IT! I did have an amazing partner to keep me motivated though...my sister Brooke. It was her first time running one and she is totally hooked now. We had such a blast doing it. It was such a huge accomplishment especially because both of us were still getting up during the nights to feed the babies and still managing to muster up the energy to train. It was the most beautiful 1/2 marathons that I have run. The Torrey Pines hills were killer, but we did it...and with smiles on our faces. Now that it is over we are looking to do the triple crown next year...3 1/2 marathons in January, April and August. Thank you Brooke for training and doing this with me! WE ROCK!!!

SWIMMING AT THE CASTLE

On Easter Sunday, we all went to T'chad's Aunt Gert's castle for dinner. It LITERALLY is a castle. It is amazing. Well, all the kiddos got a little restless waiting for dinner to be ready so they all went in the pool. They had fun splashing around. It was Charly's first time in the pool and she loved it! So excited for summer!!!

MY FAVORITE HATS!

Well, Grandma has done it again! She has made more of THE most adorable little hats for Charly! I LOVE them! My mom is so talented and we get stopped DAILY in stores from people asking where did I get my hats and does my mom sell them. My response now, sadly is NO...they are special just for her grandchildren. Thank you mom for making another round of beautiful hats. We just love them!!

HAPPY EASTER!!

The girls were so excited when they woke to find a trail of chocolate eggs from their bedroom leading into the kitchen to where the Easter Bunny left their baskets. It's so priceless to watch the excitement and smiles from their faces to see the goodies that was left for them. They got some pretty fun stuff this year. The newest Calico Critter Family...The Elephants, some new art stuff, and Alvin and The Chipmunks movie 1 and 2. Not to forget the candy and makeup. I honestly don't know who gets more excited for the holidays. Them or me!!! From the Leeds family we wish all of our friends and family a wonderful Easter holiday!

SPRING BREAK COMING TO AN END...

It's been so nice to have all the girls home this past week for spring break. We didn't have any trips planned, so we just loaded the week with fun stuff to do. I was a little scared having them home for a week because all I seem to hear lately is "I'm bored" or fighting between the two older ones. But, I have been pleasantly surprised. They all have been so good and having fun. I can't believe how fast the year has gone since the girls started school and Charlize was born. I will have a 1st grader AND kindergardener come August. The house will be so quiet with them both gone FULL day. Charly won't know what to do without her playmates, and neither will I. I'm trying to savor every last bit of them being little. Before we even can blink they will be "too cool" for T'chad and I. We have had 3 slumber parties in my room this past week and even though I don't sleep well, I LOVE having them in there with me snuggling. I love these girls more than anything! They brighten my day with their non-stop chatter and giggles. Life is pretty great around here with 3 little angels!

LOOK AT WHAT THE GIRLS BOUGHT!

This morning the girls thought it would be so funny to put their baby sister in the shopping cart and push her around. I emptied everything out of it and layed her blanket down, made it comfy for her and put her in. They started pushing her around the house and I have to admit, it was kind of cute. I don't think Charly thought so though.

DAY AT THE ZOO

Visiting the sea lions.

Charly's first time in the stroller!

She found a yummy strap to chomp on and keep her busy.

Happy girls!

Well, it's that time again...SPRING BREAK! We started off the week of festivities on Friday when I picked Taiyah up at school. After I put the baby to bed for the night T'chad stayed home to watch the baby while I took the girls to the dollar movies to see Alvin and the Chipmunks...2. Saturday we stayed in our jammies ALL day and watched movies in bed. Sunday we had a slumber party in Mom's bed while daddy was at work. Monday we had a fun playdate with some friends from school. Today the weather was gorgeous and warm for the first time in a long while so we headed for the zoo for some fun. The girls love going to see all the animals and Charly was such a good girl. Who knows what's in store for us for the rest of the week. To be continued...

FIRST TOOTH!!

I was in Barnes and Noble today and Charly was chomping on my finger and I felt something sharp bite me! I flipped her around and pryed open her mouth and sure enough she has her first tooth poking through on her bottom gum. My baby is growing up too fast! I can't believe that we've already gone from being a little one wrapped up so tightly in blankets to fast forward almost 6 months and she is eating and getting teeth! I don't know why, but it seems so much more exciting the 3rd time around. I think because the first two were so close in age I was just trying to survive each day and with the age difference with Charly and the other girls I'm able to slow down and enjoy these "little" moments more!

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

Back in January, my sister Brooke and her kiddos came out to visit us! I can't believe that she drove from San Diego to New Mexico all alone with her kids. She is a brave one! She stayed about 2 weeks and it was lot's of fun hanging out and watching the kids play. I also got to meet her little one Vaughn for the first time and she was able to see Charly for the first time as well...I didn't get any pictures of Vaughn. :( Next time for sure. We loved having them and we were so sad when they left.