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:)