Matt

Matt, my husband, is nearing his 30th birthday. I think it is an important birthday and even though he told me I didn't have to do a post for him, I wouldn't hear of it. After all, he is the most important one on my list and is celebrating the neatest bday!

I will, however, keep it short because he doesn't like a big fuss made out of him, but I refuse to let the chance go by for me to publicly tell my husband how thankful and in love with him I am.

Matt is wonderful husband and father. He always puts his family first. Whenever he calls during the day the first thing he always asks is about my day and how the kids are. The boys and I adore him!

My kids ask about Matt all day long. Each time we pull into the garage, Wade checks for Matt's car and is always disappointed when it isn't there. They count down the minutes until dad comes home! I love that. My whole life I always knew I wanted a husband that was also a good father. Matt is better than I could ever imagine.

He works so hard each day and still comes home to play with the boys and spend time with me. He also brings a strong spirit into our home of peace and protection, and, most importantly, the priesthood that he holds and honors. The Gospel is important to Matt and that is so wonderful to me. I couldn't ask for anything more.

We were able to celebrate Matt's birthday a couple of weeks ago at a "Sun's" pre-season bball game--it was a lot of fun! Matt LOVES the Suns! In the Roper home, we are all excited to get another basketball season underway and WIN the championship this year!!!

Some of Matt's other favorites are: golf, tennis, racquetball, watching movies at the theater or at home, "The Office", Halloween, being with family, but most of all spending time with me and the boys. We love you! Happy Birthday!

Two

My baby, Seth, will turn 2 in just a few days and, like most mom's, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday that I decided "I was going to have this baby" and walked 5 miles with a friend of mine to ensure he would be born THAT DAY. Well it worked and upon completing my walk, I delivered a healthy baby boy just a few hours later.

Seth was such an easy baby. He LOVED his swing and didn't need to be held a lot, but he also didn't mind if you wanted to hold him. All the way around, he was easy and sweet. If I would have done this post 6 months ago it would be filled with nothing but sweet, darling thoughts of my Seth, but he has definitely become a typical two-year-old. I say that with all the love in my heart, but he is a handful right now!

He spends his days circling through our house pulling things out of cabinets, climbing on everything, jumping on beds, hiding shoes and the list goes on and on. Although those things may be challenging, his little personality makes up for anything that might be hard!

For some reason, Seth learned to talk much earlier than Wade and it has been so much fun to hear his little voice chatter on and on about anything and everything. I love his voice. There is nothing like it--so sweet, innocent and curious.

The following is a list of some of "seth's words:"

Dinosaur or pirate: words used to describe anything scary
Nice: kiss
Hold ya: please pick me up
juice: anything (and I mean anything) liquid
teefies: toothbrush
Ampa: Grandpa John (this one is learned from Wade)
mickey mouse cubhouse: anything that has to do with mickey mouse
horsey: horse
spider: any insect varying from a fly to an ant
Gogan: Seth's cousin Logan
munch: Peanut butter sandwich
Wheeles: The Wiggles
candy: anything small, round and colorful (I have to be careful with this one!)
fee flops: flip flops

The list could actually go on and on...

Some of the things Seth enjoys are: walks with dad to see the "horseys", anything sweet--ice cream, cookies, candy (he takes after me!), riding his car, pushing trucks around the house, playing outside, watching "Wiggles" or "Curious George", reading books, playing basketball with dad and Wade, and when Ampa or Gogan come to visit.

It is so much fun to have this little person living in my home who greets each day with a smile, bright eyes, an open heart and mind willing to learn and grow. I love my little Seth so much. He brings me so much joy and teaches me more about who I am then most others. He brings light and love to our home, that no one else could match, and I feel so blessed to be his mom.

Happy Birthday Seth, we all love you so much!

October 27th

What are the chances that 3 EXTREMELY important people in my life would have their birthdays fall right in a row? Well, that is my life. My sister, Jess, has her birthday October 27th, Seth, my son, has his birthday October 28th and Matt, my husband, has his birthday October 29th--can you believe it?

As you might imagine, it can get pretty crazy around here at the end of October. Halloween is my family's favorite holiday (for obvious reasons) and it is a nice "kick-start" into the holiday season. After October 27th, it seems like there is no turning back as I whirlwind through Wade's birthday (November 12th), Thanksgiving, and all the shopping, planning, baking, eating, traveling, etc that goes into Christmas.

Since this is my first year having a blog, I wanted to give each one of my little, birthday celebrator's a special post all to themselves--after all, they deserve it. In order to do this, I thought it would be best to start early and go in order, so, Jess, here you go....

Jess is my best (girl)friend in this entire world. Aside from Matt and my boys, no one knows me better! We have been friends since the day she was born. I just love her so much.

Jess and I have been through a lot of things together and we have always remained strong and closer than ever. I feel so blessed to have her live nearby me so I can see and/or talk to her everyday.

One year, for Christmas, she gave me a framed picture with a little saying across the bottom that said "I loved you too much to be just your friend, so God let me be your sister." That phrase sums up our relationship perfectly!

As a child, Jess was always the silly one. She was so fun-loving and always had a twinkle in her eye. She has always been the peacemaker in our family (classic middle child!) As a grown-up she is still so much fun and there is nothing like laughing or crying with someone who knows you like a sister does.

I am thrilled that Jess is, now, an official mommy, although she has been a second mom to my kids all of their lives. She is so kind and sweet to them. They adore Aunt Jess! She is a wonderful mom, already! I am so proud of her and how well she has done as a "first-time" mom.

Other words that describe my sister are: sensitive, giving, thoughtful, smart, spiritual, loving and caring. The things that I, most, enjoy, doing with Jess are: eating lunch together as often as possible, shopping, double-dating and, actually, anything else--I love to hang out with Jess!

So, Happy Birthday (early) to my sister! I hope this year is the best one, yet, for you!!

P.S. I hope you enjoy the pictures--just a little taste in our "growing up" life!

Microwave S'Mores

We had the best of intentions to attend our ward camp out last friday, but were unable to make it. Matt called me at about 4pm and said he had a patient scheduled at 4:45pm, which meant we would not be able to leave town until after 5.

We knew the mountains would not be nearly as fun in the pitch black (for any of us), which is when we would have gotten there so we decided against going. Our kids are a little deprived, they have never been camping so they, really, had no idea what they were missing out on. They did, however, come with me to the store to buy "s'more" stuff, so they knew that we would be doing something with chocolate and marshmallows.

Matt told the boys that we could make s'mores with our BBQ in the backyard. The kids seemed fine with this solution. Unfortunately, the BBQ was out of propane, so we had no choice, but to use the microwave. I know, pretty pathetic excuse for s'mores, but, luckily, my kids didn't care AT ALL!! Matt and I were so glad.

So our "ward camp out" turned into making s'mores in the comfort of our kitchen and best of all, we didn't get dirty, I didn't have to do extra laundry and we were able to sleep in our soft, warm beds! I wonder how long I can convince my kids that "camping" is making microwave s'mores?!!

Ampa Came for a Visit

Last week my dad was able to come into town for some work, but also to visit us! As I have mentioned before, my kids call him "Ampa" and absolutely adore him! We are lucky that his work brings him to Phoenix about once a month so my kids get to see him pretty often. My dad says that he treats his Phoenix clients the best so they keep calling him back here as often as possible!

Our latest tradition has been going to dinner at "Peter Piper Pizza" where Ampa will spoil my kids with lots of tokens while playing all the games with them. As you can imagine, my kids think this is the GREATEST thing ever.

When he comes, he will spend the night at my house and this allows Wade to run downstairs the minute he wakes up (which is horribly early) and pull my dad out of bed for an early morning trip to the park. My dad will walk down the street with the boys, on the way to the park, while having all sorts of little adventures.

My dad was a mischievous little boy, so that little boy really comes out in him when he is with my kids. They will look for bugs, walk in the orange groves and run and climb on whatever they can. It is so much fun watching my dad with my kids, I really love it.

The past few visits have been extra great because Logan has been here too. I only have sisters, so my dad has been surrounded by girls my entire life so he is thrilled that we keep having boys! I feel so blessed to have such a great dad who loves me and my family so much! Thanks dad, we love you and can't wait until you come back for another visit.

Announcement

It is time to make the official announcement...I'M PREGNANT! This may come as no surprise to most of you for various reasons: 1. We have been trying for a little while now and I haven't been shy in letting anyone and everyone know that 2. My already protruding belly (I promise it is) or maybe, 3. I have been a little under-the-weather and you may have noticed my green-tinted skin or tired, droopy eyes.

I wanted to wait until my eight week appointment before I made the official announcement. This morning, my family--yes, I said my family (Matt insisted that we ALL go to the appointment) went to visit my OB. Seth was a wild man, literally running in circles and screaming in the waiting room. Matt spent most of the time outside so the boys could run around, but they were all there to see the heartbeat.

It is always incredible when you see the heartbeat for the first time. It becomes so real, so fast. It is also a nice reassurance that everything is okay (and makes all the nausea worth it :).) So all is well and great. We are thrilled to be having another baby and feel so blessed.

Why having kids is the best...

This post used to be one of my sidebars on the blog. It explains some of my favorite things about my boys. Obviously I did it before I had Trent. When I did it, Seth was almost 2 and Wade was almost 4.



Dancing in the living room with no inhibitions

Seth gleefully screaming over getting more "juice" (which is apple juice diluted with about 70% water)

Whenever the garabage man drives down the street, my kids drop everything and run as fast as they can to the nearest window to watch him pick up the garabage.


How they both scream "CHEESE" and smile the craziest looking smiles whenever I pull out the camera


playing Duck, Duck, Goose


Wade thinks all coins are called tokens and his grandpa is named "Ampa"


Seth calls beef jerky "eggy", thinks any liquid is juice and LOVES the Wiggles


Singing "Big Red Car" as a family, while traveling in the car, at the top of your lungs


French Fries never lose their novelty and will always work as a perfect distraction


Playing basketball (Wade HAS to be Nash, Seth is Marion and Matt is Stoudemire)


Listening to Wade's prayers


Seth "being reverent" during Wade's prayers


Big, wet kisses