To my daughter on her birthday

My sweet Elizabeth..... you have just turned three. What a special day. Not only is it special because we celebrate you being born but also this is the day I became a mother and your dad a father. It is a day we hold dear to our hearts and it is all because you came into our family. You are growing by leaps and bounds. You are fully potty trained when you are awake and love to talk all day long. Lately your favorite things to say have been," I have to tell you something mom..... I love you." Or you talk on and on about the candy you hope to have in your stocking Christmas morning. You are sweet as sweet can be. Every night before you go to bed I lay by you at your request. Sometimes for 5 minutes sometimes for an hour. We talk as mom and daughters do. I tell you stories off the top of my head and I love this time with you. Most nights this time leads us to talk about Jesus and His love for you. I love it because the world is still and you can feel the sweet peace that comes. I love you, oh how I love you my daughter. I wish I could bottle up all three years of you and keep them in my pocket to bring me happiness and joy because that is what you bring to our home. You are still so innocent and this song playing my Taylor Swift (never grow up) puts into words a small fraction of the emotions I feel as your mother. I know this year will bring more little girl giggles filling the rooms of our home, special times with our new 3 yr old and many memories made by a little girl who has the world in her hands. You are amazing Elizabeth and I'm so blessed you are mine.

Elizabeth's Party was tea party themed and we had the tables set up like this on both sides of the yard.....

 I made personalized table settings for each child attending and made them each a party hat with their name.

I made my first birthday banner for my sweet daughter

 I made the kids ham and cheese sandwiches, used a cookie cutter to make them snow flakes and then    sprayed them a fun edible color

  Here is the coconut cake I made her with fondant flowers on top.

                           we had face painting and a cotton candy machine

                                 So I have so much more to write but I just want to focus on her today so I will be updating often. I miss my blogging friends and promise to stop by and visit you all more often!

and of course we cant forget about little brother who was thrilled to have cotton candy for the day!

ELIZABETH…. You are at a time in your life where your watch every princess you love and try to emulate their kindness and beauty. I’ve met a lot of girls in my life. Some were as sweet as could be while others thought they were showing me they were better then me by being rude or bratty. Sweet Elizabeth I hope you never think rudeness is beauty.


I pray you go through out your life with your heart on your sleeve because such a beautiful heart you have. I hope you are an open book for all to read because you have so much to offer this big wide world. I hope you share everything that is dear to you with your friends and let them grow from your beauty. I hope you treat everyone like a sister or brother and give all that you have to others because that’s how you will find happiness. Go out of your way to make others feel happy or special or important. As your grandma Gina would say, “pretty is as pretty does.“ Sweet Elizabeth while I sit here as your momma hoping that you never grow up, at the same time I cant wait to see you grow and bloom into your full potential. I know great things wait for you, just please remember I am always here, and always on your side. XOXO my sweet baby girl

                                  Halloween 2010.... halloween post will come later this week

Let's just pretend....

Oh my Elizabeth. Her little imagination is in full bloom.One minute she is a princess with the evil stepmother after her and the next thing I know her and her best friend Bryson, who isnt even over, are playing in her room. She is amazing. I could eat her and her excitement about life up all day long.
      Last Tuesday I had someone stop by in my ward unannounced. To be honest I love these types of visits because I want to come across as someone who would welcome anyone at my door. I obviously would love if it occurred when I was ready for the day with my kids dressed and with the house in order but whatever, its life so that doesn't happen.....ever.
    When I answered the door last Tuesday at 11am I was in pjs, my son in a diaper, my daughter naked with a mess stuck to her  bum cheeks, a dirty diaper in hand ( I realized later it wasn't even wrapped well so you could see all the inners) and my house a DISASTER! But I opened the door, and we chatted for a while.
     After she left I felt a little embarrassed about the way we must have appeared. I thought what I could have done differently that day to have things together a bit more when she stopped by. I thought about that morning how I sat with my children at the breakfast table all of us in our jammies. How we sat and read books, how we played in the backyard, watched butterflies, and I listened to Elizabeth play pretend. How I chased my rowdy son and tickled him until I heard that belly laugh of his that melts my heart and then it occurred to me that there was not one thing I would have changed in that day. It was a messy day, it was a lounging day, it was a perfect day. My children will not remember if I had make up on every day or not but I am sure they will remember the time their momma spent with them....

She is her mothers daughter.....

 Recently I have been going over the idea of putting Elizabeth in preschool. She will be three in December and is smart beyond her years. She also is starting to get bored around the house and trying to test me to see what she can get away with (more than usual). My thinking was that she would get some education, but more importantly she would be happy having some time with me not always saying no to the new adventures she thinks she is old enough to take part in... ( painting her fingernails by herself, putting in her own dvds, cooking with real food in her play kitchen....). I was at a loss and was thinking as soon as she starts preschool she is now not in the home and with mommy full time. So I just sat on it for a few days and then tonight mr. husband and I read a talk by Elder L. Tom Perry titled "Mothers Teaching Children in the Home". And voila here was my answer. This talk spoke about how we as mothers are our childrens greatest teachers and how teaching and learning in the home is most powerful. I sometimes forget that I am the most powerful influence on my children at this age. I was reminded by reading this that I only have this small window of time to have my sweet babies all to myself and under my little momma bird wing before they are off in school, sports, with friends. This is my chance to instill in them simple but essential things, like how special they are and not to doubt it no matter what, wrong from right, how hard work pays off, to be kind and loving, how to choose the right, manners, and so many small but important things. I have come to conclusion that I need to take this time for all it is worth and cherish it and use it to the best of my mommy ability. And that I need to remember that my example teaches her more than anything. I have found that this is not her time to start school but my time to put forth the extra effort to teach her while I still have her in our home full time. I will say it is rewarding when I see her caring for a baby doll the exact way she saw me caring for Reed. Or knowing all her knowledge in knowing letters, numbers, shapes has come from her parents hard work or more importantly seeing her grasp Gospel truths and concepts.Here is to another yr at home:)

to read this talk I was talking about in its fullness click HERE

as of late......

I have not been much of a blogger unfortunately. I miss it. But more importantly I know years from now reading this I will most likely wish I had written down more. So I'm hopefully back to writing more frequently. Sometimes I feel like I'm going through a bit of a transition phase of life. That is kind of how I have been feeling these past few weeks. Sometimes when in those transitions periods of life when I am going from one big event to the next I tend to just go through the day to day things without really focusing on them. Having a list of things to do and accomplishing them just because it's part of the day. Or days where I try to cram as much into a day like cleaning, crafts, an outing with the kids, lunch with the hubby, homemade dinner, yadda yadda yadda, and those are the days that FLY BY so quickly I don't even remember much of what occurred that day.  After listening to a general authority in our church council us to "slow down" and "simplify" our lives I have been trying to keep that in the front of my mind. But it's hard. I am one who trys to do a ton in a day. I think I need to always be picking up toys when let's face it I could just sit and join in the fun and pick them up at the end of the day. Or that I need to be doing 10 things at once while the kids are calmly distracted with their fishy crackers. And after listening to the talk last week I have decided to do things a little differently. I do not need to fit everything into one day. I can have a freezer dinner some nights and spend that extra time with my kids and that's okay, more than okay its wonderful. I can include them in folding the laundry even if it takes all day as long as they are involved. I think sometimes I worry too much about my duties as homemaker more than my duties as a mother and I obviously know what is more important. Another quote I heard that I loved was that "love is spelled T.I.M.E." and how true it is. Several times I have referred back to my writing on my blog to remind me of the things I have learned and the person I am striving to be. I guess this is one of these posts..... and speaking of slowing down, a little update on my children...

Reed: 15 months!

This boy is CRAZY. He is always trying to get into trouble or pester his sister. The only words he says is "momma" and "eeet"(light). He loves fruit and can be found usually walking throughout the house in just a diaper, eating a whole peach, plum, or pear. He is SO entertaining. He laughs at everything and will make the cutest faces all the time. If he falls off the couch he laughs, if he runs into something , he laughs, and there is nothing this boy is afraid of either. He is all boy and we love it!

Elizabeth: will be 3 in two months! She is my gem that girl. She can make or break my day, but usually makes it:) She is talking so much and loves to tell me everything that comes to her mind. She loves baby dolls, barbies and princesses right now and the color pink. She is pretty much potty trained except for when she sleeps and we are so proud of her. She tells me these days things like " I'm so excited" or " momma don't be mad" if I get after her. She is still my little cuddle bug and I pray she always is.

so I'm thinking about doing my hair chocolate brown? yes or no? not that anyone comments much these days but I thought I woulds throw it out there?

Days like today

Oh my sweet babies, it's days like today that I just can't get enough of your goodness. Nights like tonight that I just crawl into bed and talk with Elizabeth as she rubs my back and I run hers. I could just go pick up baby Reed right now and cuddle the night away. I spent nap time updating baby books for them and looking at baby pictures. It just reminded me what a blessing these little ones are to have. How I need to not take a minute of it for granted and how I need to document it all so I can go back and read about these little moments later when they are in those drive you crazy teenage years:) I wish my mom would have documented more, and now that she is gone I can't ask her about these stories but I just sit and imagine  that my childhood possessed the same sweetness and perfect moments that I share now days with my little ones. This will go in my second printed blog book and I hope as my children read this one day they know what special moments they had with their parents in their early childhood. Like last night in the middle of Elizabeth finishing dinner, as she sat in unders only, asked her daddy for a hug and at the same time Reed came hugging daddy from behind as tight as he could. Or just a few afternoons ago when I looked outside to see an older sister with her arm around her younger brother just looking into the yard. Things that make a moms heart melt. The one that really got me this week was walking into the living room to see Elizabeth saying a prayer on her knees with her arms folded and eyes closed asking her Father in heaven to bless the members in our family. I am so thankful for these sweet babies of mine. Better go..... mr husband is home with a gallon of ice cream and a red box :)

This week....

I love the weeks that leave me excited for the week ahead, the weeks that things are on the up and up and you feel like your head is on straight. Last week was good......
   

      Since I have been having these darn health issues I just have been a little out of the sorts you could say. Last week my breathing was not nearly as labored as weeks previous and my energy was back to almost normal. I was getting so depressed that when the day was 1/2 was done I was spent and had no energy or motivation to accomplish anything. I felt so bad especially for my sweet babies. But not last week no, I was able to feel good and had fun making dinner, playing outside with the kids and finished Elizabeth's snow white costume. And the icing on the cake came Saturday night when I went to a church activity especially for women, or as I felt, especially for me. It's called Woman's broadcast and we hear from the Prophet and leaders of our church. I felt inspired, I felt important, and most of all my faith was strengthened.  I loved hearing our prophet, Tomas S. Monson speak to us all on judgment. He told of a man who was not pleasing to look at and a particular trail he had in his life when he came to a town to receive medical treatment for the abnormalities on his face. He spoke of his difficulties finding somewhere to stay when he traveled for these treatments and that he even would have been happy to settle sleeping on a rocking chair on someones porch. There was one woman who was able to look past his outer appearance and see his inner greatness and was more than happy to let him stay at her inn as he traveled through this area. Our prophet then told of her going to a green house years later; there was the most beautiful flower planted in a rusty old pot. This woman asked her friend," Why do you have that beautiful flower in a rusty old pot?" the woman replied," I ran out of pots and knew this beautiful flower would not mind spending a little time in this pot." This flower stood taller and more beautiful then all the flowers around regardless of the pot. President Monson then told of how he could imagine this man being sent to Earth in his rusty old pot but our Father in heaven knowing of the beautiful flower that harbors inside regardless of the appearance of the pot. I loved this and needed to hear this.

      After the broadcast ended there was some socializing and it was so nice to sit and talk with friends. I am learning how powerful we can be. How powerful our words are. I am realizing that we posses the opportunity to make or break someones day and that we can have a daily affect on someone if we just take the time to do so. Sometimes all someone needs is a little love, or help, or to feel accepted or to know someone cares. It is a wonderful feeling is it not? I don't think we can ever over do caring. The quote that was stressed that evening was "Charity NEVER faileth" and how true it is. Throughout this past week or two since I was MIA for a bit not feeling good I was amazed at how many women either called, texted, e mailed or came and asked how I was. I can't tell you how good it felt to have others care and want to know how I was. It has inspired me to reach out to others. See how they are. Sit by someone I don't know and get to know them or even do a little service for someone I care about. I am also learning not to forget to compliment or show  I care to my friends and family. I think sometimes we get in the rut of things but friends love to hear when you think they have done something good, or that you care. Husbands need to be reminded you are their biggest fan and think the world of them and that they are amazing for fixing the toilet and of course our sweet children need to be praised daily for the wonderful  little people they are. Just last week Elizabeth decided her name was going to be "Hannie". I have never heard this name neither has she, she just made it up! It was so cute and she would not let me call her anything else. Reed is growing like a weed and walking! He loves it and the two of them play a lot more now that he is walking. The weather is cooling down, life is falling a bit more into place and I am ready to take this week and focus more on my scriptures, my prayers, my family and my blessings....
a few other things I wanted to write so I can come back and read:
do not spend money for that which is of no worth, don't spend time on that which is unimportant and most of all there is no greater success then success in the home.
And I hope anyone reading this knows I am not giving advice but just documenting this for what I know I need to hear and come back to read and remind myself:)
And here is Elizabeths Snow white dress.... I still need to make the cape thingy she wears:)

oh my it's been too long.....

Have you ever had a time in your life that things would not just settle. Maybe you had a feeling off being a little frazzled, not yourself, or felt like life was just a little more complicated then you had imagined. That's been me as of late. The long absence of blogging has mainly been due to health problems I was experiencing. I suddenly had moments where I felt really tired and out of breath, those moments turned to hours days and after a week I went to the Dr. I had x rays, ct scans and blood work done. During this little scare I was able to ponder what it is that is really important to me. What it is I want out of life and what I need to do to be the happiest I can be. I will tell you this...... Money or material things were the farthest away from my thoughts or goals to reach this happiness. During this time all I could think was how can I make decisions that will lead my family to the best place we can be, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Let's take a few steps back real quick......
    About a month ago I suddenly became a little baby hungry. I started planning things and decided "I" thought it was time. I had been thinking about it a lot. I was also thinking about where we are going to live, you see Mr. Husband and I received a very strong impression it was time to "go home" as in Mesa. I keep trying to tell myself differently but this is what my heart is telling me and I can't deny it. That leaves us in a little sticky situation with our home and the market and I wont get into that but we are going over the options..... anyways so there are obviously some big decisions in front of us and as soon as it was coming up to baby making season this breathing thing kicked in..... or as I have come to understand it.... my sign it's not the season quite yet. And that's what I love about life and the plan for me. I love that there is a plan and it's Him who is guiding it and I love how one way or another I receive answers to life's most difficult questions such as should I have another baby. So there was my answer to that one. And now we are still figuring out things with the house.... I can't help but think of our life thus far.......
           2005 we were living in an apartment, we felt prompted it was time to buy a house. We went and signed to buy it only to realize things were going to be too tight. RIGHT before we moved in porter received a great raise and we had exactly the same left over each month as when we lived in our apartment.....
        2008 after we had Elizabeth, I felt prompted to stay home. I told porter I was going to tell my boss the next day that I only have 2 weeks left of my part time job. That next day Porter came home to tell me he was promoted and once again we had the same amount left over every month without me working now....

    I have been given experiences in my life to teach me to trust in the Lord  and the prompting I receive from Him and the blessings will come and I feel like this is another one of those moments. I feel we are being guided and directed and I will be the first to say it's hard not knowing exactly where were going to be living or how it will all work out but one thing I know for sure is that it WILL WORK OUT. So I guess with all of this going on I have been a little off. A little anxious, a little less on top of things and not quite myself. I am realizing just to take this experience as a time to show faith and to quit worrying. I need to enjoy this time and not worry about what's to come because I am in His watchful care. So here is to me washing my worries away, reminding myslef to trust in Him and enjoying the life I have been given.....

Giving away some mommy and me aprons....

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE COOKING BLOG AND ENTER TO WIN!

seven years of plenty.....

Sometimes I can't help but think how depressing it is to be at the time in our lives that we are starting our family, trying to prepare a good future for that family and trying to gain some sort of financial security or goals..... not to mention bask in the freedom we are just embarking on after living with our parents for 4/5ths of our lives thus far, only to be trampled on by this ugly economy. I will be the first to say that we are not sitting as pretty as we would like to but are still being blessed tremendously and my husbands work is wonderful..... We are at a time when some of our homes are not an asset of wealth but a burden. Some of us are living with parents once again when we just felt we left. Some don't even have jobs to provide for their families or money in the bank. This economic crisis hit as we were just getting started.... I have heard of 7 years of plenty comes seven years of famine but what if the famine hits first? I will tell you what I have gained from all of this......
Humility, Faith, Gratitude, to see that material things do not bring joy but people do, to hold on a little longer and pray a little harder and to realize things will always work out....they just do.
And when I really think about it I think how great it is that I have the chance to learn all these things right off the bat as our family is just starting, and that I can carry this throughout our life instead of wishing I had know this years ago. I am learning the importance of a savings account, to stay away from debt and that we are always in His watchful care... and if that doesn't lift my spirits kissing these cheeks always does....

I just got a $50 Gap giftcard for $25.....

Have you heard of GROUPON?? Every day I get an e mail with a local buisness bargain for 50%-75% off. Elizabeth is getting private swim lessons for a STEAL and yes I just got today this Gap giftcard for $50 but only spent $25. I'm optimistic you will LOVE it as much as I do, plus I just like the suprise of what the deal is of the day CLICK HERE to sign up!

LIFE....

Did you know I truly and honestly believe life is supposed to be a challenge...... to test us and try us....But I also know we can have complete and utter joy during this life as well....... And sometimes for a brief second we get a glimpse of heaven on earth....

and most of my glimpses of heaven include these two cuddled up close to me....

and all of my glimpses of heaven include Mr husband of course......


I.AM.BLESSED.....

P.S. I made my dress and Elizabeth's dress shown here and want to give some hand made dresses away very soon, stay tuned:)

This is a GIVEAWAY I could really use........

pitty party for one....

Yesterday was one of those days.... I could not even blog about it at the time. I was sick again, Reed was sick again and Elizabeth had far too much energy for me to keep up with. As Reed took a nice 2 hour morning nap yesterday I closed my eyes on the couch to try to feel a bit better myself. I took out everything needed for Elizabeth to create a beautiful picture as I closed my eyes... I woke up to one of our new kittens crossing the living room floor...this orange ish cat was now full on pink. I rushed to my feet to find a pink stamp pat at the scene of the crime..... already feeling like a neglectful mother I went to get Reed who had recently woken up....my head was pounding, my body aching and my glands in my neck swollen and throbbing. I felt defeated, I felt like this was all too much for me today, mothering, being sick, keeping things in order, caring for someone besides my sick self and little miss started a screaming fit right in the middle of my own melt down..... the tears just came streaming down my face but luckily at the same time so did my faith... I instantly turned to prayer.... not just asking but begging for comfort from feeling sick, pleading for desire and strength to comfort my children and care for them this day and help to make it through this day. It felt good just to cry and KNOW Someone was listening, He was listening. The events didn't change instantly but throughout the day things went smoother. I had a bit more energy, Reed was more content and calmed down as I held him and Elizabeth was calmer and more helpful. I listened to hymns and the peace that the spirit brings entered into our home and into my being and my burden was lightened. And today when I woke up I was excited to do the laundry because I felt good enough to do it...... amazing how trials put things into perspective for me and help me to once again remember the big picture:)

oh the things they say.......

Today as little miss Elizabeth was telling me what to do I said," no Elizabeth I am the parent and you are the child." to which her reply was." No, I'm a child of God.... and momma's a child of God and Reed's a child of God and dadda's a child of God." All I could do was agree, give her a hug and forget about what it was I was disciplining her for....

Giveaway winner, "how to" and ANOTHER APRON GIVEAWAY...

To enter to win one of my aprons along with a yr subscription to Martha Stewart Living Magazine click HERE!

As for the HOW TO I promised......

I'm OPTIMISTIC you can make this too.....

Trace a onesie or free hand the outline of a leotard onto cardboard (box of diapers)

Take selected fabric, wrap it around and glue it to the back using a hot glue gun.... Next you will cut some tulle (tutu fabric)..... about 6'' x 12'' (feel free to do several layers). With needle and thread and weave in and out to slightly gather the tulle, place a knot to secure the end and then glue it to the front the fabric. Next add the criss cross ribbons across the chest and then a thick ribbon across the mid section where you glued on the tulle (tutu fabric). Lastly glue a ribbon to the back for hanging as well as glue flowers or pearls or rine stones to the tutu part..... Feel free to e mail with questions...my next how to, "I'm optimistic you can do this" will be more detailed I promise:)

And the weekend giveaway winner goes to.....

Jenna said...
That is adorable! I just got my girls pink and black bedding for their new beds so this would match their room perfect! You are so crafty, I tried on my sisters apron she won from you and it is so cute. I want to try to make one! And I am already a follower!

PLEASE E MAIL ME YOUR SHIPPING INFO!

Last chance for Weekend Giveaway!!!

Up for grabs this weekend is a bow holder for your little princess (this would also make a great baby shower gift).... HOW TO WIN.....

1. LEAVE A COMMENT FOR 1 ENTRY

2. BECOME A FOLLOWER FOR 1 ADDITIONAL ENTRY....

giveaway ends Sunday night 9PM and there will be a tutorial on how to make these in case you didn't win!

Welcome to my kitchen...

Jenny & I spruced up our cooking blog and it has added features as well as easier navigation to find recipes...Check it out.... http://www.envymycooking.blogspot.com/ and if you have not e mailed us a recipe before now is a good time to add your recipes and join in on the fun!

The times I get the most pessimistic are when...... I hear of a new virus going around or disease... I ALWAYS think we are going to catch it. Sometimes I even get to the point that I think something really awful and tragic could happen. I get really scared of loosing one of my children or even my husband. I think this all stems from loosing my sister at a young age and then my mom 3 yrs ago. I have been through the trials of death and know how much it sucks and how hard it is. Sometimes I think what if my husband never came home from work that day.... I pray everyday that he is safe and makes it home to us in safety but whenever the 4 of us are not together I always worry about whoever it is that is away. I always push the thought aside and focus on the good and the blessing we have but today as the quick thought passed through my mind I wondered if this incredible man really knows how much I love him?
If I am trying everyday to show him.....and if he knows how much joy he brings into my day, everyday. I want him to know that I am thankful for him and the nights we spend cuddled to a movie and a treat. That I adore him and would do anything for him. I want my kids to know how lucky they are to be raised by two people who still today are head over heels for one another... and I want to remind myself to cherish those little moments.... don't think about the dishes while we kiss and don't let a day pass by without reminding him how much you really love him....

Sometimes my kids PLAY IN THE RAIN....





Sometimes THEY stay up way past their bedtime because they are just too cute to put to bed....

Sometimes my children swing wearing nothing but a smile....

Sometimes I let my kids eat cake batter with raw eggs as an ingredient.....

Sometimes I disagree with parenting magazines.....

Sometimes my daughters face is just to pretty to wash before bed.....

Don't ever let anyone make you feel like you are not doing things right just because you are doing things a little different. There is not just one right way to do something including mothering your children... I have learned the difference between me being a good mother and me being a great mother is.... not listening to others but listening to my heart:)

Can you spell that for me....

When I was in the third grade my classmates and I were tested to see if we could be in an accelerated learning program. I did not pass the test. My two older sisters passed the test and were in the class as well as my older brother and a year later my younger brother. My mom had me take the test again thinking that something went wrong and I should surely be in there if my older siblings were.....

I have realized in my years of growing up that there are things I am just plain not good at...... spelling, math, waking up early, eating nutritiously instead of crud, getting out of PJ's before lunch, playing a music instrument (many more things).

Fast forwarding to present day..... I just finished a homemade quilt for my son, this weekend I made my nephew a Thomas the Train birthday cake, I have finished a sprint triathlon this year and I biked 38 miles this past Saturday on my road bike, I have made my daughter dresses and bows and I can cook well enough to make my families tummy happy. I have come to realize there are things that others may be good at or wonderful at and I need to be happy and support their greatness. I try to never be jealous of others accomplishments or talents but remember that I have talents and have had accomplishments of my own that make me who I am.

I learn as time goes by to focus in on the talents and skills I posses because that is what makes me happy. To not worry what others can do or if they are better at me at something and try to remember my own worth.

We will all be old someday...

Mr. husband really is amazing inside and out. Amazing for instance when he stopped yesterday to help an elderly man who was broken down on the side of the road. The man had a flat and his spare tire was bad as well. This husband of mine took the tire off, took it to Discount tire, had a new tire put on the rim and returned to the elderly man and then placed the new tire on his car and sent him on his way. I can't tell you what joy this man had on his face and gratitude for my husband. I fell in love all over again with this husband of mine and his ability to help. And then I thought about many many years down the road.... when my Reed will one day become an elderly man. I hope and pray that if he is ever in this situation that a young man will come to his rescue. When I think about others and then think of them in a sense that they are someones child and that this mother would want their child taken care of just as I want my children taken care of I cant help but want to do something. I have had times where I try to avoid eye contact with the homeless on the corner, or the person taking 8 years to cross the road when I need to turn right at the light but then as soon as I think of them as someones child I cant help but have love towards them. And to sum it up I know they all are someones child and that is our Father in Heavens child....each and every one of us, even that nasty lady who made that nasty comment to you that one time (she was probably having a bad day and I'm sure didn't mean it).And if that doesn't do it for you to be nice....well I do believe in KARMA.

When I'm feeling blue....

Sometimes I have those days....you know the ones you can't even blog about because people may just see how imperfect you are... well I am very imperfect and have those days creep up on me from time time. Days I don't feel good enough, days I don't feel liked. Days when things just seem too hectic or overwhelming. Those are the days that I turn to one thing to help me get through it.... I have learned that service for others can do wonders. It doesn't matter if it is doing something special for your husband, best friend or even bringing dinner to a family in need, it just makes me feel good, makes me feel needed and even if I don't feel like anyone likes me I know my Father in Heaven does and I can feel that more as I serve. I challenge you next time on your cruddy day to do something special for someone..even if its your kids, some how it turns me from thinking..."wo is me" to what I can do for someone.... I promise it will make things brighter:)

I read a post on a friends blog and it was just the dose of optimism that I needed.... click HERE to read it.....

optimistic about this week....

I'm going into this upcoming week more focused and goal oriented. Nothing major, just a few things that I feel will help me get more out of my week and enjoy it more. I just sat down and wrote out each day...goals for that day,what to make for dinner and things planned. I wrote down different ideas for activities to do with the kids and chores/projects to accomplish during nap time. I want the TV off in our home and more learning and fun taking place. I hate going to make dinner and nothing comes to mind or I'm missing an ingredient. I hate having a day go by and not feeling like I planned it well enough to really enjoy the day and get the most out of it. I want to sit on the floor and play pretend with the kids because I have set time aside to do so and have balance between all the things that are on the agenda each day. I'm going into this week optimistic that it will be great, rewarding, more structured and less stressful, making me a happier me.

Faces that make me smile....

Our recent California trip....

The beach....

naps in the car.....

Disneyland...