GIVE AWAY!!!

I am having a give away on my other blog ( dedicated to being optimistic. I post everyday on this blog). Please visit and enter for your chance to win!! Click HERE to go!

See you at the movies. . .

Mr. husband and Miss Priss had a daddy/daughter date night. Just the two of them went to see the Princess and the frog together. I am optimistic that this is the start of something speical. . . I am optimistic that times like these are making fond memories for the two of them and building a strong relationship between the two of them that will only grow stronger as the years go on. . . I am optimistic that Miss Priss will be able to turn to her dadda through the years for comfort and guidance . . . I am optimistic that her dadda will continue to take time out just for her to make her feel special and find out more about who she is. . . .I am optimistic that her daddas example will help set her standars high as she enters into the dating world one day . . .I am optimistic that her dadda will continue to find complete joy when he sees his daughter happy. . . I am optimistic that the two of them will stay close over the years and and respect one another through all that comes from learning to raise your oldest child. . .I am optimistic that Little Miss will be able to come to him with problems or concerns. . . I am optimistic that she will want to spend time with him in her teens and not just her friends. . .I am optimistic there will be many more dates with daddy, daughter and memories that will last a life time.

Victory is MINE. . .

I woke up to a child crying, I glanced at the clock as it read 6:03am. It was little man from across the hall. As I lifted my head it felt. . . nice, no congestion, no throbbing, no pain. I went to feed this little hungry boy with a smile across my face. As soon as he was done I go to lay my head back down. I glance at the clock it is 6:25am. My comforting bed, my place for peace, my place to ponder as I drift away to slumber, my place to dream my dreams. I close my eyes. I woke up to crying, i glanced at the clock as it read 6:50am. It was miss priss from down the hall. My kids never wake up this early, but it was okay because I felt better and I had a good nights rest. The day continued with us all showered, fed and ready by 9am. Oh how getting ready for the day makes me feel prepared for whatever comes. A play date, I'm ready. Someone stops by, I'm ready. Someone needs help in some way, I'm ready. Emergency big or small, I'm ready. Although days don't usually start off this well today made me want to strive to have more days start out this way. Prepared. The rest of the day went like a normal weekday. Library time for Little miss, a trip to Costco, salmon, broccoli and potatoes for dinner and a handful of melt downs from each child of mine. Today was different in that sense though. This past week as I have been sick as children have had a melt down I have had a melt down. But not today, I felt good, I felt in control of today and as they both started crying I oddly caught myself smiling. Not smiling that they were unhappy or that they were crying but smiling because I still had peace during this storm they were brewing in my living room. With calmness I was able to comfort them both and bring peace back to my home. For this I am thankful for this past week of sickness. Thankful that as I woke up feeling better I was excited to start my day even if it was with a child crying. Thankful that I could go to Costco and prepare my family for the week with the groceries we need and thankful for peace during chaos. I had been striving all week for this calmness and peace and was thankful to have it this day. I don't think I would have even appreciated the little things in this day if I had not gone through a hard week. And for that I am ironically thankful for hard weeks, days or times because they make the simple good moments great, and the great moments become priceless.

Bitter sweet. . .

Today started off rather um. . . hard. I woke up with the sense of being defeated. Here I am ready to move on from being sick but it just keeps holding me back and keeping me down. I'm behind on chores, I feel like I have not been able to appreciate my kids with feeling sick, my head it throbbing, nose congested, kids crying, and the list goes on. Another thing that had me feeling blue was that today was my moms birthday, she passed away 3 years ago from cancer, a few months before Little miss was born, her first grandchild. I had feelings of sadness this morning as well as frustration with being sick, feeling lousy and the fact that I want my energy back to enjoy my kids, be able to handle being more patient with them and having a sense of accomplishment about my day. As I was sitting with self pity and loneliness I decided to do something about it, after all we decide if we are going to let the day take control of us or if we are going to take control of the day. So I loaded up the kids to meet mr. husband for lunch. Sometimes just getting out can do wonders for one with sadness. As I was driving I felt the need to vent, to cry, to let it all out and to seek advice and comfort. I called my friend almighty, champion of challenges and just let it all out. I received the comfort I needed and cried without shame to a friend with a caring heart. It then started my day towards the right direction. I then sat happily sharing lunch with mr. husband and came home with a sense of optimism. I embraced the card I've been handed and sat with Little miss looking over pictures of Angel grandma. I had a text exchange with sibling about fond memories about our momma. I rocked little man to sleep thinking this is the love my sweet mom had for me. I took a day that started out hopeless and full of sadness and I changed this day into something worth smiling about. Just because your day starts out bad doesn't mean it needs to finish that way. . . We don't get to choose the challenges we go thru but we do get to choose what we make of them.

hmmm. . . . bananas why did you have to go bad on me. . . .The pessimist would see it as food wasted. . . (yes that is a baby doll in the trash, the dog chewed its arm) But the optimist sees it as an opportunity for. . . .BANANA BREAD, grab little miss and let's goBefore. . . After. . . .recipe at the bottom What's that. . . you have never seen a kitchen aid quite like this one? That is because it is an old school one that use to be bisque ( Mr. husbands brother gave it to us after he found it at goodwill for $10!) and Mr. huband took it apart into what seemsed to be 50 peices and spray painted it. I love it and it works perfect and is one of a kind

Set oven to 350.Take your bread pan and place 3 Tbs butter in it and place it in the over while the over is warming.

In a large bowl cream together:

1/2 c. butter

2 eggs

1 c. sugar

Then add:

1 1/2 c flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

blend well, then add:

1 c very ripe bananas

1/2 c sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

mix, add nuts and pour on top of the melted butter that is in your bread pan and bake for about 1 hour. . . ENJOY!

I got a feeling. . . .

It just doesn't quite feel like the sabbath without going to church. . . .still sick. A lot better but I think we would make many enemies by showing up at church with the ulgy cough we have. Have I ever mentioned we are in a ward where there are like 1000 kids. I believe we have 5 nurseries and everyone is our ward is pretty much our family. . . younger husband and wife with a few small kids. I do love it, and have so many great friends in this ward. So yes with that many small kids and many newborns we will stay away a few more days. Elizabeth and Reed both have ear infections and it has just been a demotivating week. Mr. husband and I have already started naming the fun things we want to do this next week since nothing got done this week or weekend. All day we have been singing. . . ."I got a feeling. . . that next weeks gonna be a good week, that next weeks gonna be a good good week." So yes optimism is in the air for the upcoming week. Next weeks agenda will hopefully include some of this. . . .

I bought this last week but have yet to try it, it came highly recommnded. . . thank you.

We also let our vegetable garden go over the winter and are excited to plant for spring. Our succesful planting thus far has included tomatoes, strawberries, honey dew, jalapenoes, bannana peppers, lettuce, and yellow squash. I am optimistic I will get back on top of the chores this week and Little miss will have a cleaner room then this. . .
I am optimistic that I will be able to get my grocery shopping done and have the energy and feel well enough to make dinner nightly. I am optimistic we will get out and about and enjoy the weather before it starts to heat up. . . .zoo anyone?? Mostly I am optimistic that my kids will feel well enough to let me have the time to myself to shower and get dressed in something other than jammies. Here is my goals for the week. . . .good luck on yours:) p.s. I have found when I write a list of some daily goals I do much better at getting these daily goal accomplished and I get excited to cross of each goal as I go with my pink sharpe,if you haven't tried this lately I reccomend it!!! p.s.s I am also optimistic that someone out there will love my new optimistic obsessions blog button ( up top on the right) and sport me on their blog. . . only because I worked 3 HOURS figuring the thing out.

The good, the bad and the ugly. . . .

As I walk into her room and her baby doll is asleep in her toy oven I think," what am I teaching her." As she comes out of my bedroom with mascara EVERYWHERE again I think," what am I teaching her." As we found her in her room trying to go pee in her pretend kitchen pot I thought,"what am I teaching her?" As she shoves as much pancake in her mouth I think,"what am I teaching her?" As she says,"soda please" again,. . . . "what am I teaching her?" or when she put her baby doll in TIME OUT in the dogs' cage. . . really,"what am I teaching her. And lastly when she comes out of her room dressed in only a pink cowgirl hat,"what AM I TEACHING HER??". . . . Nevermind, this must be what her dad is teaching her. . . . there's some optimism for you.

Green with Envy. . . .

I am not a huge vegetable lover, It is just not in me, but I do want to do the best for my body and provide it with the essentials to be strong, fight cancer, make more beautiful babies and so on. . . . after reading this e mail it again reminded me to look past the fact that it is a veggie and remember the good it does for your body. . .

1. A sliced Carrot resembles the human eye including the pupil, iris, and radiating lines. Science indicates that carrots help protect the vision, especially night vision.
2. A Tomato has up to four chambers and is commonly red. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and helps prevent heart disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer and more. Tomato juice can also reduce the tendency toward blood clotting.
3. Grapes hang in a cluster that resembles the shape of the heart. The stronger the color of the grape is, the higher the concentration of phytonutrients. Grapes prevent heart disease and reduce platelet clumping and harmful blood clots.
4. Walnuts resemble the brain, mimicking the wrinkles and folds of the neocortex. Research suggests that walnuts may reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Walnut - Wikipedia The high concentration of omega-3 fats in walnuts promotes healthy brain function.
5. Kidney Beans, true to their name are kidney shaped. They provide nutrients that are helpful to the human kidneys.
6. Celery has a bone like appearance and is rich in silicon and Vitamin K, which are needed for healthy joints and bones
7. the Aztec name for avocado was ahuacatl, meaning "testicle" History of Avocados. An extract of avocado impedes the growth of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. . . . I woulden't mention this to mr. husband while making guacamole:) bad humor, sorry.
9. Oranges, Grapefruits and other Citrus fruits have been compared to the appearance of female mammary glands. These fruits contain nutrients that are helpful in the fight against breast cancer.
10. Sliced Onions resemble skin cells and contain quercetin. Studies have shown when treated with a combination of quercetin and ultrasound at 20 kHz for 1-minute duration, skin and prostate cancers show a 90% mortality within 48 hours with no visible mortality of normal cells.
11. Sweet Potatoes resemble the pancreas and have a low glycemic index count, which is beneficial for diabetics.

And here is our new blender, a.k.a. our valentines day gift to one another. It can blend anything from the center of a pineapple to the core of an apple. We have started drinking "green smoothies" daily and doing our body some good. . . here we have grapes, assortment of berries, carrots, whole apple, spinach, pear and pineapple. . . yummmm, just what the body needs:)

it becomes a beautiful green, actually tasty and filling full of goodness drink. I am optimistic it will keep us healthy and avoid sickness like this week! (little man now has a double ear infection:(

A+

We are all still sick. Well Miss Priss is better, a little cough still but other than that she is good. We gave her children's NyQuil. Yes the box said not to give it to children under four, yes I spoke with a health care professional before administering it and yes she did have increased excitability as the box had labeled under warnings. The first night we have it to her she slept so much better then the night previous where she was crying and coughing thru the night. The following night however, she was not as sick and the increased excitability came. . . and she lay in bed for 3 hours happy, awake and talking to herself. I went and lay by her for a while to keep her company and as soon as I open her door she says," look I awake" I then lay by her and she says,"cars, noise." and she said '"hi mommmy, I awake" about 10 more times. It is hard this week not getting any sleep, with Little man awake a lot and myself waking up coughing until I want to vomit. I'm so tired when the kids wake up and I have not been the patient mother I strive to be. I do not have even close to the energy I need to keep up with these kids. And I am not even close to being on top of the house chores. I am energy less and my entire head and chest hurt. The sound of my kids crying makes my head throb with all the pressure I have and they were both crying at once, many times, and I could not keep up to make everyone happy. Being sick is no fun. But I took happiness in knowing I am doing my best. It may not be your best, or my best when I'm feeling good, but for today it was my best. I picked up downstairs just to have a little more calmness in my home, I lay with the kids in bed to show then I loved them even though I didn't run around with them today. I painted Miss Priss' finger and toe nails when she asked even though I so badly just wanted to lay.No I did not prepair a home cooked dinner for mr. husband but I made him a sweet deli sandwich to show I loved him as well and cared that he was fed. I may have felt like not much was done today but I did my best and that is all you can do. I need to remember to not ever look at another persons best, or another days best but take life day by day getting the most out of it, trying our best and always, always cherishing the joy.

Where did you come from. . .

Dear BFF,
After you left today from dropping off dinner for our family I was in tears. It was so good to feel loved and taken care of. What really meant a lot was you did all of this while sick yourself! I can not express in words how appreciative I am of this. And bff not only did you bring me DELICIOUS home made soup, but you even went through the trouble to make AMAZING home made rolls and a non chocolate dessert because you know I don't like chocolate. You have no idea how you brightened my day, you made my day. As I found Miss Priss with baby vicks all over her hands and walls of her room I remembered," I don't have to make dinner tonight." and that brought comfort. As mr. husband said he was going to be home late with both kids crying I quickly remembered" At least I don't' have to make dinner tonight." The hardest thing about being 2 hours away from any family is that there is not someone there for you when times are hard or you need a little help, but with you here I feel like I have family in town, someone I can always depend on , someone who always has my back and thank you for that! It is amazing how something as simple as putting thought towards someone and bringing them dinner as their family is sick can really be what gets them through that day. I don't think anyone will ever know what good they have really done someone just by caring, and I can not express the gratitude I have for you caring about me, so thank you. . . and I'm sorry for being an Indian giver, I will return the swing soon!
Loves, me!

I'll share mine if you share yours. . . .

We have found this REALLY cool thing that is offered throughout AZ, UT, Id, and WA. It is called BOUNTIFUL BASKETS and how is works is you can go online between certain times and purchase an entire large laundry basket full of 1/2 fruit 1/2 veggies for only $16.50! The last review I read about it the woman said she compared it to Fry's that week and she would have spent $58. Here is what we got last time. . . . With this you do not get to choose what comes in it but that's what I like best is the surprise. They meet Saturday mornings at different parks all over, you would be surprised how close one is probably to you. I love it because I don't have to go up and down each isle in the grocery store produce, I pick it up in one quick stop. It also forces us to try new fruits and veggies and even new recipes with these items. We like it and I recommend giving it a try. They usually offer breads or different add on items as well on their website. And the first time there is an extra $3 charge that is only paid your first time using bountiful baskets. It is open for purchasing now but will end tomorrow night until the next weekend they have it, either every week in some areas or every other week like here where I live:) www.bountifulbaskets.org

Excuses, excuses. . .

I feel like having your kids sick will get you out of anything really. That was us today, my babies were sick. Little man only had a runny nose but miss priss had a 102 temp and a cough that makes you want to stay away. It is ALWAYS harder to take care of kids when you feel cruddy and are sick yourself, and that was today. . . . .

I use to think of sick days as the worst of all days, but today changed my mind a little bit. There was of course the 4pm melt down where little man, and miss priss were screaming and crying and I was at my breaking point, but I now built up just a little more endurance for the next meltdown. . . . right? Today I looked at the opportunity it gave me. . . I was not obligated to do the laundry, dishes or make the bed. I did not feel the need to have a playdate or run errands or even get ready. No, today I had a perfectly good excuse to pay 100% attention to my kids who needed me most. I had an excuse to keep us all in p.js all day and lie in bed reading books. I had an excuse to hold Elizabeth and watch sleeping beauty 3 times. I had no sense of other obligations as little man took a nap on my chest because that is where he was comfortable. Today, as crazy as it seemed, I would not have traded for anything. I forced me to slow down and focus on what is most important and for that I am greatful. Wish us all well.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me. . .

When I'm 64? ( gotta love the beatles)

This Valentines day got me a thinking about LOVE. You know that kind that lasts through everything and can stop time. The kind that can endure anything and come out on top. The kind that changes and only grows stronger as the two of you change and get older and so my optimism began. . . . .

I am optimistic that mr. husband will love me as I age and start to go grey, enjoy prunes with me when the bowels start to misbehave, have wheel chair races when we both cant walk anymore, tell me I'm the most beautiful girl he knows even when all this sun I have soaked up over the years has taken its revenge, hug me close even if there is "more to love", still kiss me every night right before bed- even if its 7pm. I am optimistic he will inform me when my skirt is tucked into my undies instead of just laugh, continue to have me walk on the inside of him away from the road, remind me to soak my dentures, and eat the meals I make as my seeing diminishes and I "try to remember" all the ingredients. . . . .

But then I thought,"no I'm not optimistic this will happen, I KNOW with all my heart it will."

Love is pure optimism

Love Is Pure Optimism

The day we met we talked about lice.

I was out with one of your friends and you picked me up, that wasn't very nice.

But I'm glad you did because we belong together.

And where we are in life we couldn't be better.

The day of our wedding seemed like eternity away.

And you being 2 hours away I missed you each and every day.

It was a trial to be engaged almost a year,

but with you now in my life I suddenly had no fear.

I found my prince charming my best friend my man.

I still promise to make you as happy as I can.

The day of our wedding it was about me and you in His house,

oh what a day to finally be your spouse.

You became mine and I became yours,

we could finally move my clothes into your dresser drawers. . . . .

With our life together trials come and go

but we always stick together so our love can blossom and grow.

With the death of my mom you held me so close,

that was the time I know I needed you most.

A few years just the two of us, boy it flew by quick.

A house, trip to Hawaii and then came the positive on the pee stick.

Planning and painting we worked side by side.

To welcome this child our joy and our pride.

To see you hold this little baby girl so innocent and sweet

I knew is wouldn't be long before another child we would meet

Oh how you danced and shouted for joy,

the day you were told our second would be a boy.

Just like the first delivery you were by my side thru and thru,

Oh how times are that much sweeter when shared with you. . . .

With Christ as our center , we have so much joy

especially now with one girl and one boy.

I must have done something right along the way

to be so lucky to wake up to you every day.

You make me smile and laugh till I cry

and then you are there to wipe my tears dry.

Never for a second have I doubted your love,

its something as pure as the sunshine from above.Thank you for being the man that you are

I have enjoyed every beautiful second with you so far. . . .

What gets me optimistic every single day. . .

There is one thing that is constant and brings optimism into my heart when everything around seems glooomy. One thing that is never changing and is always there. . . . . . .

With Valentines day just around the corner love is in the air. I find it so importanat to remember the most important love. . . the love our Father in Heaven and the love our Savior Jesus Christ have for us. This is perfect love, the best example of love and the ultimate love. We are so blessed to be able to feel and partake of this powerful love. We can feel this love at all times especially by remaining close to our Heavenly Father and Savior. We can have an abundant amount of this love by calling or asking for it at times of trial, weakness, or sorrow. Our Father in heavens' love is always there for us and we can have comfort, peace, strength, hope, truth, knowledge and understanding through Him and His love. I personally know I can feel of His love when I am following the commandments and doing His will. I can remember many times His love was the only thing that gave me comfort or got me through certain days in my life when times were hard or I was weak. I also know His love is there at times of happiness and joy such as the day I was sealed to my husband of the birth of my children. It is His love that makes those moments that much sweeter. I also know as we learn more of Him and His love for us we will better love ourselves and others around us for we all are children of God and He sent the Savior as a testiment of His love to atone for our sins so we could return to be with Him.
In Matt. 22:35-40 we readThen one of them, which was a lawyer, asked [Jesus] a question, tempting him, and saying, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” .
As I was baptized when I was 18 I know it was the feeling of constant love that changed my heart and also changed my life. I know as we grow closer to our Father in heaven and feel of His love for us we can have happiness no matter what is taking place in our lives. There is a calmness and constant that comes from His love. I ask you to think back to a time when you felt His love the strongest. I know mine was the day I was baptized and that is a day I look back on and draw strength from when I feel a lack of love or joy. That day is a day I was fully encompassed in His love and I can never forget or turn my back on that truth and love. I suggest you think back to a day you felt His love so strong and keep it close to your heart and fresh in your mind. Think about it often and gain strength from it as well as share that love with others around you. I have a firm testimony that my Savior lives and loves me and through His love all things are possible. Love, me :)

I get by a lil help from my friends. . .

Karma-"Karma is simply the process of cause and effect. If you do A, B will happen. If you plant tomato seeds, and water and look after them, tomatoes will grow."

I like to think of it as what goes around comes around. I think that to be very true, especially how you treat people. Today I woke up to a beautiful morning with wonderful weather, a nice walk with a neighbor and a trip with some girls to Chick Fillet. . . yum. As we were getting ready to go I received a call from bff saying she could not go because her car would not start. I thought," well I would sure want someone to help me if I were in this situation" and so I undid the kids car seats that are anchored in( and a PAIN to remove) and lifted my third row to help a friend in need and give her and her two babies a ride to lunch, not to mention I just wanted to see her:)

We arrive at Chick Fillet 20 minutes late to a very understanding 3rd friend and we all proceed to wait in line. My turn arrives and I place my order, and open my wallet to find- NO DEBIT CARD, NO CREDIT CARD NO CASH! Instantly I remember mr. husband telling me," if you really want this new budget to work I need to take your cards so you manage the cash you have" here I thought he was kidding but apparently he was serious. Today is Thursday ( payday) so I should have already had my weekly allowance but we had not been able to get to the bank yet. So I tell bff the situation and she offers to lend me the money, except as I was telling her this story the manager who was taking my order simply said," This one is on me" where my jaw dropped and I said,"wow you just made my day." I believe he had the same thought I had this morning,"well, I would sure want someone to help me if I were in this situation." And so do a little good for someone and be optimistic someone will help you one day in return:)

From good to great. . .

Optimism is taking something good and turning it into something great.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll love ya tomorrow. . .

I have learned that optimism and P.M.S.ing do not go hand in hand. I will try harder tomorrow. Regardless of the moodiness I experienced, a day at home with these two was still amazing.

Optimism in others. . .

Today I had some errands to run. . . . I was optimistic (as we went and waited in line at the post office) that my kids would behave and I would look like super mom waiting in line. . . .Nope didn't happen, they were both cranky and I watched the horror come across a woman's face as little mans Binky dropped on the filthy floor.( i DID clean it before returning it to his mouth).Then I proceeded to Target to pick up some diapers. The kids behaved great as we went up and down isles. I found a little something I thought I NEEDED and this month mr. husband and I are really sticking to a budget so we can up our savings. . . I obviously blew my weeks spending money over the weekend and have to wait until Thursday for more. I knew going to Target for diapers I would find something I NEEDED. So, cute little dollar zone items I had to have went in my cart. I brought our tootsie roll change bank just in case I found a little something extra I NEEDED. I thought those around me who saw me counting change out of my cool bank and handing it to the cashier would know I was budgeting and be proud of me, but No I got the same look of horror. . . . Thank you to the person at the post office who could tell I was searching for a pen (with crying babies )for handing me your pen. I placed more optimism in the world around me and you made my day. Thank you to the cashier who congratulated me as I told him I was sticking to my budget instead of giving me a horror look, cashier you also brought optimism to my life. And lucky tootsie roll bank. . . thank you for being HALF FULL as I went to buy my NEEDED extra purchases
P.S. I ALSO HAVE OPTIMISM IN OTHERS THAT BLOGGING WILL BRING OLD FRIENDSHIPS CLOSER AND EVEN START NEW FRIENDSHIPS WITH PEOPLE I HAVE NEVER MET THROUGH BLOGGING. . . AND THIS IS DONE BY COMMUNICATING BACK AND FORTH AKA COMMENTS. SO LEAVE SOME LOVE AND I WILL TRY TO BE BETTER WITH YOUR BLOGS TOO! I STAY HOME WITH KIDS ALL DAY YOU BETTER BELIEVE SOME SOCIAL INTERACTION GOES A LONG WAY.