a little love moment.

Today was Cache's first day of pre-school, but that is only part of what this post is about. First of all I will say what all parents say, but I understand it so much better now, they really do grow up too fast. 

I was kind of sad this morning not being able to take pictures and make Cache a special first day of school breakfast but Steve took good care of that. Though, he did say Cache was too excited to eat, but he did get a picture up on facebook :). Steve, by the way, is amazing. In every aspect of his life. 

As I was teaching this morning I kept glancing up at the clock, when it hit 10:00 I knew Cache would be there. Just around the corner, and down the hall from my classroom. Then it hit 10:10 and I thought to myself, I guess Steve isn't going to stop by to give me a report of the morning, I was anxious. 

Shortly after that I saw Steve wave to me from the little window on my door. I told him to hang on one second as I got my 29 students set to go on their next objective. Steve started to tell me about how Cache had done this morning...then I noticed something that made my heart just swell, he was teary eyed. I looked up at him while he getting a little bit choked up and said, "Babe are you crying?" of course he said, "no" and smiled. I will never forget that moment because I knew for a fact that I gave my children one of the best gifts I could ever give them, an amazing father. He loves us so much and he is so cute with Cache, they have a strong relationship. It was so cute to see my 6' 4" husband tearing up because his little boy was growing up so fast. The only complaint I had was that I had to walk back into a room of 29 sixth graders when my eyes were tearing up. 

As I was getting ready to leave guess who returned to school, Steve. He didn't want to miss picking up Cache from school and seeing how his day went. When I was talking to him he said, "I think I was way more nervous than Cache was this morning." 

Just look at these two. I am so grateful to Steve. He is a truly amazing father and I know our children will know they can go to him for anything.

The secret to stopping time.

Since there is no special secret this is what I do: I take (literally) hundreds of pictures a month. So when Cache is 16 I can look back and remember the morning that he was so determined to get himself ready all by his big boy self.

I try my best to enjoy every moment. I write things down. I blog about it. I facebook it. I hold him tight. I listen so carefully to his little, deep voice telling me stories. I try to soak up everything.

...but I still wish I had a time machine to take me back so I can actually relive those moments. 

:)

The most wonderful time of the year

Nope, not Christmas (that is pretty wonderful as well). But I am genuinely in love with summer. Everything about it makes everyday feel like a little celebration. The best part is getting a little taste of being a full time mom :) I know that I am very blessed to have a career that gives me these little tastes here and there. I have to tell you, it's like my favorite treat (guri-guri) I just can't get enough.
There is also the lazy mornings, the afternoons spent in the sun, the extra time spent with family, parties, late evening walks through our little countryside, sun kissed cheeks and Cache's wicked tan line.

This picture began my summer vacation:)I went to put some of my workbooks away and when I got back Steve had all of my presents on display. For me, this was very heart warming, not because of what he did, but because of what he said. He always has positive, uplifting words for me and often lets me know that he is truly proud of me. Thanks babe.

Cache just being the great helper that he always is. 

How could I not love getting home from the gym and seeing these two studying together.

Steve was doing his continuing education for his Insurance Agency and Cache said, 

"Oh, hey mom. We just workin real hard. Dad workin on insurance and I'm workin to help Mickey get ten ducks."

Fantastic.

These two are the best of friends. I love that I not only married a great man, I married a great dad too.

Here's to summer and all of the fabulousness that lies ahead.

:)

He's a big boy now.

Cache Money.

I bought a book the other day that is called, If I Could Keep You Little. I bought it because  I think of the many conversations we've had about you staying little. You always have very strong, valid reasons about why that is not possible.

Today you told dad, "I do my chores, I pull up my own pants, I can dress myself and you still won't let me drive." 

One thing is for certain, we LOVE you. We love how helpful you are. We love how silly you are. We love how caring and sweet you are.

The other day you and I were playing football and you clocked me right in the face. It kinda hurt. You said in the sweetest voice, "Mom, I told you to catch it." Then you ran over to me, gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, "Sometimes you just have to do it again. This time catch it." And then you threw it to me the way threw to you when you were a baby. I caught it and you cheered for me like I just won the super bowl. Thank you for that  :) Just so you know, your mom does know how to play sports :).

I never want to forget that you love to talk in third person right now. When I correct you, you will say, "No, I love to talk in the fird person!" So I let you. You can be crying your eyes out, pause, look at me and say, "I think he's way sad." Then you'll go right back to crying.

I also want to remember that you are very aware of relationships. For awhile now you have been coming up to me saying, "Mom, you're husband is home from work!" or "Dad, you're mom has sleeping bags at her house!"

You are finally sleeping in your own bed! HOORAY!

You also change your clothes about 5 times a day. Drives me nuts. You climb your closet, pull down clothes (or get them from the dresser) and you'll come out with the proudest smile. Your shorts will be on backwards and you'll hold out your shirt for me to put on, or you'll put it on yourself.

You LOVE to wear socks. You even wear them to bed.

You LOVE sports. You can kick the soccer ball up the steep hill in our neighborhood. You are fast. You can throw like a champ. You can slam dunk on your little tikes hoop and Uncle Tj is helping you become quite the golfer. :)

You say amazing prayers and for the most part you listen to me.

I think you're great. I am blessed to have you!

I love you a whole lot!

.Smile.

You know when you  frown then move your hand across your face and magically you have a smile? I did that to Cache awhile ago and he thought it was hilarious. We were reading books on the bed when Cache looks at me with the most serious face and moves his hand over and comes out smiling. Watch close because some of the changes are subtle and some are not :) 

After we put away the Christmas decor Cache decided to write a story...

Did he just call me Krista?!

Tender-roma

"Cache, it is time to go to your bed" says Steve

Cache quickly hides under our covers and says, "night, night."

"Cache you are going to sleep in your own bed tonight."

Steve picks up Cache and walks out of the room.

In the hallway I hear Cache say, "Daddy. Daddy. Daddy!"

Steve says, "kid you really know how to pull at my heart. But you will be all right. We are right across the hall. You have the coolest room ever and mommy and I love you."

"Daddy, no."

"I will stay with you until you fall asleep."

....And he did. 

Steve always does things like this.  I'm so happy, joyful, ecstatic, thankful and in love with the fact that he is my husband and Cache's dad. He is so strong, hardworking, handsome, serious and focused. I love all of those things. But he is also Tender, Goofy, Hilarious and he is quick to make friends and he loves with all of his heart. 

Ever since I have had Cache I am way more emotional about things like that. When I heard Steve tucking Cache in and talking to him, my eyes started to get sweaty. 

Everyone says that your hormones would be out of whack for awhile after pregnancy, but I don't think it's supposed to take this long. But, I think it is okay. Maybe I am just more appreciative of the small moments. 

Steve

Hun, you are going to be 24! I am so proud of the man that you are. I love everything about the person you are.  I love the father you are and the husband you are. You're my best friend and the love of my life.

Thank you for being a good example for Cache and for me. Thank you for your unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love when I walk in on you reading your scriptures, my heart fills with joy (cheesy babe, i know, but hey I don't know how else to explain it). You make me a better person! Especially after family prayer when we say our own prayers and I come into the room (because you know how I like to say my personal prayer in isolation ;) ) and you are still going and going. I think to myself, I need to pray longer... ;) or I need to whip out the scriptures myself.

I know we say I love you everyday  but I feel like I don't tell you these other things often enough. Thank you oh so much.

Might I also add that I think you are stinkin' handsome! And you make me smile and often giggle. Especially when I go on the computer and find pictures like this...

I'm keeping these forever.

I love them and I am positive our children and their children's children will love them too.

The bottom one is my favorite ;)

I love you

today, tomorrow and for always.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

♥ / Krista

Just me and my papa

Thank you to my hubby and son for their patience with my obsessive picture taking.

I look a lot like my dad

Cache in daddy's baby clothes

Steve's Baby Picture

Best Dad and Husband Ever!!

Could I be any more blessed?