Blessed.

What a beautiful, memorable day we had today! Many of our family members and friends all gathered together to celebrate our boys: Asher's baby blessing and Adam's 2nd birthday.

Last night, Nathan and I lied beside each other in the hallway upstairs and chatted about our children. Nathan was lying on his stomach with his journal and pen in hand, jotting down his thoughts about what he wanted to say in Asher's blessing. Together, as parents, we recounted these four months of Asher's life, gushing about all the little details we love about him. I love and appreciate how much time and thought Nathan puts into what he'll say for our children's blessings--he gets that from his Dad. To say the least, Nathan gave Asher a beautiful blessing; I especially loved when he said Asher had a "courageous and truthful mind."

It was fast and testimony meeting at church today, so I went up to bear my testimony. I truly enjoy bearing my testimony--especially when I can share my thoughts and beliefs with those I love most, my family. I am so incredibly grateful to this little family of mine (my husband and children), and days like today make me so grateful for all of our extended family as well. My heart filled to the brim with love and gratitude as I looked out to my friends and family and bore my testimony of the things I believe to be true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the central reason for every happiness in my life, and oh my goodness, am I sure happy!

After church, we all headed to the park for lunch. Everyone loved when I followed them around and took pictures of them eating. We had sandwiches with all the fixings, berries, and chips. It was a simple yet filling lunch.

Adam ran around the whole time roaring like a dinosaur, and Asher was passed around like a hot potato from one set of loving arms to another and another and another! Everyone just enjoyed the simplicity of good food and good company.

Next, we brought out the cake and presents to celebrate Adam's birthday--he turned two last Saturday, but more about that later! Anyway, my sister, Valerie, works in a bakery, and she made the best Sulley cake and Mike Wasowski (from Monsters Inc.) cupcakes.

As I'm sure you all remember from last year (I mean, seriously, how could you forget?!), Adam didn't have a real birthday cake, so this year we definitely had to make up for it! He was beyond excited and kept panting, "Sulley! Sulley!" Then he completely took me by surprise, and planted his face right in there! He was saying the cutest things like, "Mmmm blue monster! De-wish-ous eye ball!" Adam had every single person beaming with laughter and adoration. It was such a sweet, fun moment that I'll remember forever.

After the Sulley sugar rush, it was time for presents! The present opening time for a 2-year-old is pretty comical. It's like, "Oh hey, look at this amazing toy for 2 seconds...okay now, we're taking it away! Here's another one! Oh, you like it? Awesome! Give it back. Now here's the next one!" Everyone was beyond generous and Adam got some really neat things.

Today was definitely one of those exhausting-but-in-a-good-way kind of days. I don't know if tomorrow I'll regret putting Asher down for the night at 4:45pm and Adam at 6:45pm, but oh my gosh, Nathan and I are beat. I feel like I could've hit the sack at 7pm, but I'm glad I've stayed up to share my thoughts and pictures from today. What a wonderful, wonderful day!

Oh, and because I'm feeling guilty now for never posting about Adam's baby blessing--here's a sweet picture of him on his blessing day. Now please excuse me while I go stare at my sleeping children and cry about how much I love them. How blessed I am to be their mother!