Fleeting moments

I watched a video yesterday from one of the mothers of a child tragically killed in the sandy hook shooting. It hit me hard. I complain about things that are hard in motherhood. My kids don't sleep, Elijah likes to crawl into our bed at night. Sis won't sleep through the night, etc. And I realized yesterday that I need to appreciate these fleeting moments. Because one day Elijah won't want/need me to hold his hand for an hour while he sleeps, he won't want to sleep with me. And these moments are just that, moments. Moments I'll cherish. Moments I daresay I'll miss. And no one can be assured of the days we have our children with us. 

I've been truly blessed in life so far. And I want to appreciate every moment. So if sis needs me to rock her at 2am them I'll do it and if as soon as I get her back to sleep and Elijah wants me to lay on his floor and hold his hand I'll do it. Because I am the luckiest girl in the entire world. 

Cute Pictures of my Cute Family

 Just us girls. She is adorable.

 The entire Family. Melt me.

 My boys!

And Elijah being extra cute!

Thankful

I need to be better at updating our blog. There are so many pictures I should share and thoughts to express. Some of the thoughts are better kept in my head. I didn't write a gratitude post in November and I do have a lot to be grateful for. So I'll write a short list now.
1) I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows and loves me infinitely. He knows me personally and that means a lot. I know that He wants me to return to live with Him and my Heavenly Mother.
2) I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. My feelings can be expressed by the song, I Stand all Amazed. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me.
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine. That he should extend his great love unto such as I, Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt! Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget? No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat, Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
3) I am eternally grateful for Brent LeGrand Adamson. I honestly believe that I am the luckiest wife on earth to have this man as my husband. He loves me even when I am hard to love. He is my best friend and I couldn't have made a better marriage decision. We have so much fun together! I love this man to the moon and back times infinity. We both have our faults and we don't always agree but I can't think of a time that either of us has raised our voice or said something to hurt the other intentionally. He makes me want to be the best me possible so that I can spend eternity with him.
4) I am grateful for motherhood. I have learned to love more that I thought possible. I've also learned I can function on less sleep than I thought possible. Elijah and Madelynn are 2 of the greatest gifts I have received. I pray daily that I can be the best mom possible and teach them all the things they need to know to return to our Loving Heavenly Father. I love these 2 babies so much and I never want to imagine life without them. Though I wouldn't mind using the bathroom on occasion without an audience.
5) I am grateful for our parents. Mom and Dad Eaton have taught me so much in this life. I was telling someone just yesterday how grateful I was that dad pestered me to read my scriptures and how I look forward to pestering me kids. My mom was her kids biggest advocate, even when we would have rather her not say anything. Then when I married Brent I gained 2 more parents. We decided when we first got married that both sets of parents were equally important to both of us. I got the best in laws ever. They have already taught me a lot in the past 3 years and I know I have so much more I can learn. I hope they are as happy as I am that we are family. All of my "parents" have become my friends. People I can call anytime. I love you all.
6) I am so grateful for our siblings. I know we don't always see eye to eye and sometimes I think their decisions aren't the best but I love them. Some of them are my best friends. The people I can call on the worst of days and they will listen to me. People that I can send inappropriate text to and they don't mind. Their are qualities in most of them that I would love to have. Bryant, is a super funny guy and I love hanging out with him. He made me laugh from our 1st meeting and I love him for it. Julie, is so talented and always makes an effort to see our kids. Renee, is one of the hardest working women I know. Jake, is willing to help even when it may not be convenient.  Michael, is so smart. He offers advice, solicited and unsolicited. He has a big heart. Amy, is a great friend and someone I enjoy being around. Melissa, even though I have offended her in the past, she still keeps in touch and I believe genuinely cares. James, is amazing and has been a friend. He makes everyone around him feel comfortable. Rebekah, is an amazing woman. We go through our ups and downs but she is amazing. One day one man is going to be super lucky. Kara, listens to me and never judges. She makes me feel good about myself and I have come to love her so much. Robert, is super analytical and it makes me laugh. He's a good guy and he is a patient man. Charity is someone who I can call and complain to and she listens. Each of these people, whether they have kids of their own or not, are amazing parents. I have learned so much from them and have so much I can/need to learn still.
6) I am grateful for my nieces and nephews. I know I've said it before but there was a time I didn't figure I would get married or have my own kids. Each of these nieces in nephews were my 1st babies. I love how much they love me. I am going to miss them so so so much when we can't live close. They are my kids 1st friends. I love you Ginny, Seth, Aubree, Sydney, Elle, Will, Chloe, Chris, Riley, Jack, Claire, Annie, and Izzy.
7) I am grateful for friendships new and old. For the friends who have stayed forever, the ones who stayed a season, all of them.
8) I am grateful for grandparents! 
There are so many other things I could write about, electricity, running water, Brent's job, etc but I wanted to write about the people. The ones who have influenced my life the most. I have been blessed beyond measure.

Elijah Reed from Dada

Dear Elijah,

What can I say? You are two years old! Time has gone by so fast, yet, at the same time, it is hard to imagine mommy and my life before you. We are truly blessed to have you in our family.

I have seen you grow from a baby to a little boy. Time changes things so gradually that it sneaks up on you. It is hard not to see you as the little baby boy I held in my arms that cold November 30^th 2011. However, I am grateful that you are growing, despite my internal protest, because it means to get to learn and experience new and exciting things. This year alone, you became a big brother when we welcomed Madelynn into our family. You love her so much and want to hold her all the time – more than she wants. You have learned to communicate better with us and can almost speak in sentences. Your favorite things to say is “juice”, though it comes out more like “joo” and “hold you” meaning you want, usually mama, to hold you.  You also love playing with trains (“choo-choos”) and cars (“beep-beeps”).

You bring a lot of joy to my life. You are silly and fun and enjoy laughing and making others laugh. You are a cute boy and a good boy that I am proud to call my son. Don’t get me wrong, you throw a lot of temper-tantrums when you don’t get your way or you’re tired, but the good times we have are well worth the anxiety, the sleep-less nights, and the frustration that comes with raising a 2 year old.

Elijah, always remember that your father on earth loves you and your Father in Heaven loves you! And there is nothing you can do in this life that you could not receive full forgiveness from either of your fathers. We both are always there to help you when you are in need and please come to us when you are in need. We want to help you succeed in this life, enjoy the blessings that await you, and reach that full potential that is in you.

Remember these things and Happy 2^nd Birthday buddy!

Love,

Your Dada