Things that make us smile....

These are some of our awesome friends that we went to the Astros vs Nationals baseball game.

Astros 3 Nationals 2!

This is what Layne does when we go out...

BUSY WORKING!

Ethan sure loves to help and he was very persistent that I let him help and feed Riley.

And of course being a GREAT BIG BROTHER. He sure loves his little brothers.

Mason's Blessing

Mason was blessed on July 3rd by Layne in our Ward here in Houston. As I always say I couldn't believe that we were blessing our 3rd little boy. Layne did such an Amazing job with his blessing ,and even though I had the other 2 boys being little farts while he was blessing him I still was able to feel the spirit. Layne told me after the blessing that right after he said his name Mason let off a nice loud fart. He said that he was surprised that no one in the congregation heard it because the mic was so close. So only the men standing in the circle had a good little chuckle while they were waiting for Layne to go on with the blessing. Mason didn't cry or make a fuss during his blessing and that helped my crazy mind.

Mason is such a sweet little boy and it turning into such a handsome one. I think every day he gets more adorable, and his double chin gets bigger. :) My boys never stay little for long, they bulk up pretty fast.

After Church.... "YAY I DID IT!!!"

Before Church.

I am so thankful for the blessings I have been given in my life. 3 Sweet little boys that will grow up to be such amazing young men. I can't thank the Lord enough for them in my life. Even though they keep me going 24/7 they help me grow in more way then I ever thought possible, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Im also thankful for my wonderful husband that will be such an great example to all three of them. I know he questions himself, but I know with out a doubt what a wonderful father he is and will be. He has had wonderful examples. Im thankful for the blessings that he brings into our home as a priesthood holder and what joy and happiness the priesthood brings as well.

MY BABIES

Riley was laying almost on him but of course I couldn't get that picture fast enough.

My 2 little babies are growing up so fast. When I look at Riley I think that he should still be Mason size!

Sometimes it makes me so sad to look at him and how big he is already, I feel like I missed out on his first year for some reason. But I sure am enjoying every moment I can with him. He is my cuddle bug. He isn't talking but his own language. :) But he sure does have a high pitched squill on him... its one of those high pitched sounds that you think is coming from some horror movies, BUT at the same time he has a very deep voice and like I say he has Layne's range. Not only is he walking but he is running. He has such a fun personality and is such a blessing in our home we love him so much and cant wait for his little brother to tag along with him and Ethan, they all are such amazing little boys and will be great Young men some day.

Riley is already ONE and more.

RILEY IS ONE I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! WELL RIGHT NOW HE IS A LITTLE OVER ONE BUT THAT IS BECAUSE i'M SLOW GETTING ON THIS. WE HAD A NICE RELAXING DAY AND JUST ENJOYED THE DAY. RILEY IS ENJOYING HIS ICE CREAM CAKE FROM COLDSTONE. IT WAS QUIET YUMMY.

ETHAN LOVED RILEY'S BALLOONS, I HAD TO REMIND HIM A FEW TIMES THAT THEY WERE NOT HIS BUT THAT RILEY WOULD SHARE WITH HIM... AND WE STILL HAVE THAT CLEAR BALLOON FLOATING AROUND WHERE EVER RILEY DECIDES TO WONDER.

OPENING HIS GIFTS

GRANDMA AND GRANDPA BOWEN CALLED HIM ON SKYPE AND ETHAN AND RILEY THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY NEAT.

HANDSOME LITTLE STINKER. I SURE DO LOVE HIM. IT MAKES ME SO SAD TO THINK THAT HE IS NOT A BABY ANYMORE, BUT I OF COURSE STILL TREAT HIM LIKE ONE.

BROTHERLY LOVE NOT VERY OFTEN DO I GET A PICTURE OF ALL THREE BOYS TOGETHER.

lAYNES FATHERS DAY GIFT.

LITTLE MASON IS GROWING UP SO QUICKLY, I AM CLEANING OUT CLOTHES AND I STARTED CRYING THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE MASON WAS ALREADY OUT OF HIS NEWBORN CLOTHES. I GUESS IM SO USED TO KNOWING THAT IM THERE IS ANOTHER LITTLE SOON IT NEVER BOTHERED ME TOO MUCH. BUT NOW THAT I KNOW WE ARE DONE FOR A WHILE OR FOR GOOD ITS KINDA SAD.

1.5 MONTHS OLD

Moving Forward

Gosh it's been a long while since I have posted, but I have a good reason. .. LIFE.
I have had a whirl wind of events and enjoyed them all, mostly because they included the people I love the most, My family.

As life goes in the forward motion I find myself some days struggling to get out of bed, new babies do that to parents for a short time for some. My boys are growing as all kids do, and with that comes so much joy and sometimes sadness... not sad because I have them but sad because I see how quickly my life is going and how quickly my boys are getting older. It gives me a daily reminder what is most important in life and that is Family, and working to be closer to God every second of every day so that what he has promised us will be there in the end of THIS life.
My father in law is a great man and I am so blessed to have his council in my life. I want to thank him for the Sunday talk he gave to us. It really stuck to me when he said that we shouldn't worry so much about the economy, money and all the temporary things of this life ... what we need to do is make sure that we are getting as close to our Heavenly Father as we can, that is what is most important.
These are not his exact words but close to what he was trying to get across to us. It made me stop and really think about all that I worry about... is that one of my daily worries? Am I working my hardest to become closer to my Savior in my life? Am I being and example to not only my children but those who know me? I believe that we should stress the importance of becoming closer to our Savior more then anything else in this life. Doing this does not lead to a dead end but to a road that will bring happiness and eternity with our families. These questions I sadly have to answer honestly with a "No"... I know I am far from perfect and that is why I SHOULD be doing all I can daily to become closer to God so that my children can see the joy it brings into your life and the strength it gives you when hard times come your way.
I know that in our home we try... but I don't always do a very good job. There are days I KNOW if I would have let the spirit guide me instead of being hard headed I could have avoided a fight with my husband, a moment of impatience with the kids and it getting the best of me. My list goes on. But I know which direction I want to go and that is to keep moving forward.

I'm thankful for my families and for the chance I have been given to be apart of all the wonderful craziness both bring to the table. I love you all and thanks for showing me how beautiful life is with family.

*.* Mason Tyler Bowen *.*

Mason Tyler Bowen

Born April 26th 2011 at 4:15 pm
6 Lbs 11oz

Well we would like to welcome out new little one into the family! Mason was in a hurry to get... of course with some help from the doctor. Here is the little run down of the day he got here.

I had a doctors appointment on Tuesday the 26th for my weekly visits to check on the status of Mason. After checking me she said that she wanted me to go up to the Labor and Delivery to be monitored and if I was having any contractions then she was going to break my water and get the little man here.

I was a little skeptical at first because I hadn't had contractions that were painful enough to even make me stop and wonder if I was in Labor. So Layne and I went up there and they hooked me up. (surprisingly, I started feeling them which I think was from her checking me.) After about an hour the nurse finally came in and said well I let your doctor know whats going on and she said to admit you and get you ready so she can come up and get you going. I just looked at Layne and he said "Sounds good! Lets go!" :) All I was thinking was "FINALLY!!" So we walked to the delivery room where they hooked me up and did all that fun stuff with needles and such.

A little bit later I started to wonder if I was just going to sit in that bed all day when finally the anesthesiologist came in, and normally I have a good sense about people... well my thoughts were right on with this guy... I was ready to have my epidural and enjoy what was left of my labor... Long story short on this part I felt more while he was putting in the line then I ever did the Ethan and Riley and the ending results ended up in me only feeling contractions on the left side of my stomach... I could still move my feet no numbness at all and to top it off I had the worst back ache. Even though it hurt like the dickens it was awesome (now that its over) to feel it all. Weird I know.

Before they did my epidural my doctor came in at 3pm and broke my water about 15 minutes later the guy came in to be a complete waste of my time and money... I say this much enthusiasm.

In the mean time, Layne had run home to go pick the kids up so he could run them to our friends home... while he was there he I had to call him and let him know he better hurry back to the hospital or he was going to miss the show! :) So I guess in the rush out of their house he forgot to leave diapers and the car seat for Riley ha ha. :) Luckily our friend is resourceful! Layne got there just in the nick of time walking/running into the room 30 minutes before Mason finally got here. So two pushes and TAA DAA a baby is born!

Everything went well and Mason and Myself were glad that moment was finally over with. We only stayed one night and came home the next day! Its been great to be home with my boys. Ethan just loves Mason he was so concerned when he came to the hospital and he was crying. I didn't think he would be so excited about his new little brother but he was. He came right up to the bed and peaked up over asking if he could hold Mason! Ethan for sure is full of hugs and kisses and big brother concern for his little brother(s). Riley... well he just knows he likes him... but doesn't know what soft means... So we keep him a little further from his reach when we cant be holding the both of them.

The next day I took Riley to see his doctor and Poor Ethan was so worried... "MOM HE CANT GO TO THE DOCTOR... HE WILL GET A BAND AID!" After a few minutes of letting him know he was going to be JUST FINE he let me get out the door.

It amazes me how fast/slow time goes... now Mason is already 5 days old... still cute as a button, still keeping me up at night. :)

Here are a few pictures for this post.

36 weeks and 2 days

I had a doctors appointment today not expecting anything to really be going on down there... but I'm more then ready to have this baby get here. To my surprise my doctor checked me for the first time and said that I was dilated to a 4 and 50% e-faced, she said she was concerned that I wasn't feeling my contractions, but in all reality I have been feeling them they just haven't been anything to catch much of my attention to become concerned... so I had to go get a NST and of course that was just fine. Baby is great and moving LOTS and I'm feeling fine other then the normal aches and pains at the end of a pregnancy. So I'm hoping that at the end of this week little Mason will be here cause I know Ill be more then ready to end this being with child phase.
:)
WISH US LUCK!

My moment

I was sitting on my living room floor just taking in all the craziness that has made my life... and it made me smile. I have found myself taken back when I just sit for a moment and breath while my 2 boys are playing, crying, laughing, sleeping, or sitting next to me looking at me for an answer or a simple moment of a mothers love. These moments make tears fall from my eyes that burn from few hours of sleep and fill me with the greatest joy and happiness that only comes from being a mother. It amazes me how happy my children can make me when I feel as if my world is falling apart, or I'm just so worn down I cant give any more... but a smile, I love you, or the sweet laughter of my children gives me reason to get up and keep going, to look at all that is wrong and look at the things that make life beautiful.

I am thankful for the chance that I have been given to bring healthy little boys into this world and try to teach them the ways that will make my Heavenly Father happy and proud. I'm thankful for a husband that has more strength, is more forgiving then anyone truly knows... He has been my saving grace. I know the Lord saved him just for me and my boys, he loves with all his heart not just enough but more then enough.

I pray for these moments at times I feel I need an extra push, and even just to have that close moment with my sweet boys. I'm excited to have another little boy running around driving me crazy, making me wonder if I am EVER going to get the laundry or dishes done, and going to the store more then I need to because they have already gone through 6 gallons of milk before the end of the week has gotten here. When people think I have my hands full or will I already know that, my hands will be full... full of life, love, joy, and I'm sure many gross things. BUT the Lord has picked ME as their mother to raise these 3 sweet boys that will forever belong to me. For that I am eternally grateful.

*.*THREE*.*

I can't believe that my Ethan is 3! Or that Im even old enough to have a 3 year old... but im sure as time passes ill wonder where the time when when he is graduating High school, but that is a scary thought so Ill stick to the low numbers in age.
He said he wanted puccakes for his birthday... and PUCCAKES is the way he says cupcakes... so we iced them into baseballs and a few other things. :) He sure had a good time making them as did Layne and I.

We had to blow out the candles 3 times because he wanted us to keep singing to him.

Making his cupcake.

Putting together his bike.

Riley liked Ethan's Balloons.

I asked him what he wanted for breakfast and he said a peanut butter sandwich... so that is what he got. :) And he sure was happy about it.
I went to the store before he woke up and got his balloons, and when he came out and saw them his face just lit up! He smiled soo big and said "MOM LOOK!!! GRANDMA BEDDES SENT ME BALLOONS!" ha ha I just laughed and said well bud... those are from mom and dad. He didn't care and I'm sure he played with that more then the rest of his toys.
Im so thankful for Ethan, he is such a sweet boy even though at times we have our moments with him I am very thankful for the blessings he has brought into our home a blessing he is IN our home. He is one of my pride and joys. :) I sure love him and am very blessed to have him as an example to his younger brothers. :)

This was taken right before his birthday up in Tyler Texas where we went and visited our friends for the week. He kept asking where his hat was... and I told him I was sorry I didn't bring it with me because I didnt know it was going to SNOW!

.*.More to do.*.

Things have been going great, Layne is out of town a lot these days but that happens towards the end of the months. Hopefully next time he will get to take us with him before the baby gets here. He has been super busy with helping the missionaries teach lessons to a few investigators in the church which has been an awesome growing experience for him spiritually. This Sunday one of the ladies is going to come to church with us! I'm excited about that! Along the lines of Church and spiritual blessings, I thought that I would let everyone know that Layne again is super busy! He has been called to another calling in church and now is the Elders Quorum Secretary. He also is in charge of the Music on Sunday and leading in Sacrament, so he has lots to do! At first I thought, " When in the world are you going to have time for your family?" But I know that the Lord will bless him and us more then I can comprehend... I'm thankful for the opportunity that he has to be more involved with some amazing men in our ward, and I know they will be a great example to him!

Part of my New Years resolution I wanted to be better at family prayer and scripture study, all I can say is so far we are doing awesome! We have Ethan "read" the verses for us because he wont let us most of the time... he wants us to "Help" him read and it is so adorable to hear the words come from his mouth. He is able to pronounce some of those BIG words so well he sounds like a grown up. After words we say our prayers and he most of the time has to say them but we let him... Just watching and hearing him participate makes my heart so full. I have noticed such a HUGE difference in ALL of us... of course I feel it so much inside myself and notice that my attitude just with Layne working so much has changed... I feel more accepting of his job, and dont sit around all day upset cause he has been working for 14 hours with maybe a 20 minute launch break... The Lord has helped calm my nerves and I am happier, and so grateful for the help he has provided. I'm So thankful for the gospel in our lives and the beautiful family I have been blessed with. I know that the power of prayer is real, because I have felt and witnessed the changes and happiness is brings into our lives.
I'm excited to keep up on reaching our goals as a family, and to teach our sweet boys the importance of living the gospel, and the joy and happiness it brings.