One year ago our family decided to slam on the brakes of life and take the chance to embrace a do over. Even though we are smiling in these photos... It's incredible how tired and broken we all felt back then and as we opened our eyes to what was in front of us, it was clear what we needed to do in order to thrive again. All of these changes really began in Dec 2015 as we talked and made plans for a better life after finding out that I was pregnant with Miriam.  We decided to close Chickaniddy (our New scrapbook company), switched to homeschool (we were having so many issues with public school in CA), and move out of California. When April 2015 came we went into action and moved in with my parents to save money. The timing couldn't have been better since I was put on full bed rest with Miriam and wasn't allowed to pick anything up.

The 6 months we spent living with my parents was such a gift. Mom took over the cooking (so I could take it easy), Jason was able to transfer to Missouri for work, the boys were able to spend a lot of one on one time with their Nana and Pappy, Miriam was able to come safely and had so many people around to love her, we saved money, had time to reevaluate our lives and figure out where we wanted to go. When it came time to move, it was difficult saying goodbye. I guess spending a lifetime in the same state can have that effect on a person. We felt so loved and honored from all the parties thrown as a goodbye. On Oct 23nd 2015 we stepped into the plane carrying a bucket full of emotions while all of our worldly possessions where shipped across country.

Sad to leave and excited to go were just a few of our feeling, but what made it all okay was that we had each other... Mr. Sonboul, Bradley, Calvin, Miriam and I, ready to start a new life. When we landed in Missouri it was definitely a journey. We had never even set foot in St. Louis before this flight. We grabbed our bags, got the rental car and checked into a hotel for the first two weeks. In that time we found a place to stay, moved in and settled down for the winter. The winter was COLD and we often stayed indoors, but it was in those 4 months that we really focused on family, spiritual goals, personal goals, financial goals and getting organized. What a splendid feeling it was having time for these topics we normally would put aside. We began to thrive more and more each new day and before we knew it we fell in love with this city. Experiencing all the seasons, explore the lively St. Louis area and the fantastic schools made the move completely worth it!

So here I am.... one year later. A long break from blogging, the move across country, slowing down for what was really important and having more valuable family time was just what we needed. Often in life and in the middle of conflict we realize that we are stuck in the mud and it can feel impossible to get out, but what we learned is that this is completely untrue. We took charge in the course of one year and we chose the better, making time for what really mattered in our lives by cleaned off the mud to get moving again. 

Now comes the questions: What to do with this blog? After closing Chickaniddy I have decided to step away from the scrapbook world. I loved every minute I shared with so many talented crafters, but it's time I retired that avenue. Yes, I will still scrapbook our memories for personal fun, but 12 years of online scrapbooking was a long enough run and I'm ready for something with a different purpose and value. A few thoughts of what to do next was extremely clear. Today I will only share one. It's finally time that I get healthy and make it a major priority in my life. Far too many years (11 to be exact) have been spent over 200 lbs. and I've hated every minute of it. Coming real soon (Aug 2016) I will share my journey to a healthy Heidi and in the meantime I will share Miriam's birth story, some exciting news about our family and a few other updates. I'm excited to be blogging again and I'll see you all real soon.

~H

You don't have to do every day, because I know that can be a lot for some. I will however point out that the days build upon the theme of Easter. Take a look and use what works for you. Happy Easter and Spring!

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Here is the link to the online Friend Magazine if you do not have a copy at home. Simply click the link and turn to the page for the day I mention: 

https://ldschurch.uberflip.com/i/636414-2016-march-friend

March 1st: 

Page 2 of the Friend Magazine - Palm Sunday by : President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

March 2nd: 

The friend Magazine - Go to page 24 and do activity Week 1: Make a palm leaf and read Matthew 21:1 & 6-11  

March 3rd:

Teach them about the Atonement Activity link:

http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2012/03/teaching-children-about-atonement.html

March 4th:

Printable Coloring Sheet link:

http://www.coloringpageskid.com/other/christian-easter-coloring-pages-for-kids/attachment/christian-easter-coloring-pages-for-kids/

March 5th:

Serve as Jesus did and do one service for EACH of your family members on this day. It can be as simple as making someones bed  or writing a kind note for them. 

March 6th: 

The Friend Magazine Page 25 and do activity Week 2: Read Luke 22: 1, 14, 19-20 and Activity

March 7th: 

A cute coloring number sheet from the Friend - found on page 21, click on the print icon, check only the coloring page with a green check mark, and start to print. Color as a family and have each person pick 1 - 2 colors they will focus on coloring.

March 8th:

Read Easter Foot Steps and talk about the Saviors last week of live. Print and follow numbers 1-6:

http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/lds-magazines/liahona-april-2012/2012-04-27-for-young-children-eng.pdf

March 9th:

Share and Discuss This Photo:

Why Do we focus more on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and not him dying on the cross as member of the church?

http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/gospel-art/book-of-mormon/christ-land-bountiful-174607-print.jpg

Q&A's About the subject:

https://www.lds.org/new-era/1996/09/qa-questions-and-answers?lang=eng

March 10th:

Teaching about the resurrection Activity link: 

http://www.littlefamilyfun.com/2012/04/teaching-children-about-resurrection.html

March 11th:

Discuss what it means "I'm trying to be like Jesus". Read the words to the song, then play and sing the song:

https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/im-trying-to-be-like-jesus?lang=eng

March 12th:

Spring hunt. This is a fun opperunity to visit the park and talk about life around us. Jesus give us such a beautiful gift and seeing nature thriving with a spring hunt is the perfect family day out without spending any money. You can even pack a picnic for fun!

Printable:

http://www.seedsandstitches.com/blog1/2014/11/28/free-printable-nature-bingo-for-young-children-plus-lots-of-other-non-toy-christmas-present-ideas

March 13th:

The Friend Magazine Page 25 and do activity Week 3: Read Luke 22: 47-51; Luke 23: 33-34 ; John 19:25-27 and do the activity

March 14th:

Share your testimonies about Jesus Christ

March 15th:

Discuss The First Sacrament and what it means - Video 49

Watch Video linked here:

https://www.lds.org/children/videos/scripture-stories/new-testament/49-the-first-sacrament?&lang=eng

March 16th:

Discuss Jesus and the pain He felt for our sins - Video 51

Watch Video linked here:

https://www.lds.org/children/videos/scripture-stories/new-testament/51-jesus-suffers-in-the-garden-of-gethsemane?&lang=eng

March 17th:

Discuss Jesus being crucified - Video 53

Watch Video Linked Here:

https://www.lds.org/children/videos/scripture-stories/new-testament/53-jesus-is-crucified?&lang=eng

March 18th:

Discuss Jesus is Risen - Video 54

Watch Video Linked Here:

https://www.lds.org/children/videos/scripture-stories/new-testament/54-jesus-is-risen?&lang=eng

March 19th:

Color Easter Eggs and discuss why we color Easter Eggs:

Many years ago eggs were colored red to represent the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for our sins. Today we use all the colors of the rainbow to remember spring, the new life that spring brings us and the gift of the Atonement. 

March 20th:

Today is the first day of Spring

Read - Easter Time Poem and talk about spring and how the season has come:

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/children/resources/topics/easter/Easter-Time-1996-04-friend.pdf

March 21st:

Easter Egg's link to activity:

http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/preschool-resurrection-eggs/

March 22nd:

Read Story: A Gift From Heavenly Father (link)

http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/liahona-march-2013/2013-03-28-a-gift-from-heavenly-father-eng.pdf

March 23rd:

What is the meaning of the Easter Bunny Printable:

http://happyhomefairy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/real-easter-bunnies_0001.pdf 

March 24th:

The Friend Magazine Page 25 and do activity Week 4: Do the activity using your Easter Bag you made on Week 3 activity (March 13th)

March 25th:

Napkin Rings / Easter Dinner with Story. Link to Activity and printable:

http://www.catholicicing.com/have-a-meaningful-easter-dinner-with-resurrection-story-napkin-rings/

March 26th:

Watch this beautiful LDS Video on the resurrection as a family and talk about it:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-007-his-sacred-name-an-easter-declaration?lang=eng

March 27th:

Try to leave for church on time to enjoy this day at church with family, focusing on the sacrament. Celebrate knowing that this day was given to you as a gift and hug your loved ones. Happy Easter!

I'm going to keep this sweet and simple, because these photos say a million words. YES! We are finally having a girl and we are all so excited. The night before my doctors visit we all took a guess and everyone said "I think it's a girl". Then today while at my check up I cried like crazy when Mr. Sonboul and I hear "it's a girl and she is healthy". Life is good today and we are all so grateful for our new little sister coming around Aug 14th 2015.

Hands down, this last few months has been a balancing act of being a magical mama, who keeps a clean home, and a working woman who builds a new company. I feel like my secret to make it all work is that I've poured my heart and soul into everything I touch and somehow it all worked out. Somehow I made the time for business calls and fed lunch to the boys. Somehow I designed a few new papers, while kicking Calvin's butt at the Mario bros game.

I am grateful for this passing summer! I'm sad to see it go and yet at the same time excited to welcome fall. Funny how that works. Fingers crossed that I can pull off being a school room mom and working mom again. Hope you enjoy these pics of the boys. This year they will be in 5th and 2nd grade.     

I'm pretty sure our amazing turnout was because we got a hold of the LEGO Movie before it’s release on DVD and the theme was pretty darn fun! Each kid got a LEGO movie ticket (image above) and theater money for snacks. When they showed up, Bradley and Calvin would punch their tickets and help them buy their movie snacks. The kids LOVED being able to buy what they wanted and our boys loved taking the money and handing out the treats. It was so much fun! I also can't forget to mention that my Mom and Dad came and made homemade popcorn and hot dogs. All of the kids were stuffed and we hardly spent any money.

Somehow, magically, all the kids fit and everyone had a great time. When it came time for candles and wishes, I kept it simple and made these cupcakes. Each cupcake had a white chocolate LEGO guy (white as in type of chocolate, not as in color) that spelled out "Happy Birthday Bradley & Calvin". Hands down this was the fastest party I've ever put together and hands down the coolest! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET AND SASSY CALVIN!

8 REASONS WHY I LOVE YOU:

1. You make the cutest silly faces
2. You are packed with personality!
3. When you decided to do something, you won't let anything stand in your way.
4. Your perfectionist side, because it's just like me.
5. How loud you are :) Again... just like me.
6. How loyal you are to me and always want to protect my feelings.
7. You are amazingly creative and have tons of good ideas, all the time!
8. You know what you want and have always known what you want out of life.... from the moment you were born and I LOVE this about you! 

I know it's going to sound odd, but I'm one of those moms that LOVES summer and LOVES to have her kids hanging from her legs. I think my kids are pretty rad and I adore spending time with them. For years I heard mothers make comments about their children being home and driving them crazy over the summer, so when we had the boys I knew just what to do. I'm pretty sure my success and love of quality time spent is credited to the fact that I spend a lot of time prepping fun events for their summer. For example I made a weekly outline for our family:

• MONDAY- Beach / Baking / Family Home Evening
• TUESDAY- Library / Art Project / Family Bike Ride
• WEDNESDAY- Park / Movie Day With Friends / Family Game Night
• THURSDAY- OPEN FREE DAY
• FRIDAY- Pool / Craft / Family Movie Night
• SATURDAY- OPEN FREE DAY
• SUNDAY- Church / Make Sandwiches For the Whole Week / Family Game Night

This is my overall outline to our summer days and I really stick to it. In between plans I place swim classes and things I need to get done daily (groceries shopping and working for Chickaniddy). On Sunday, I make lunches for the whole week and this helps a lot.

Listen I know that some like to flow with the days of summer and see where it will take them, but I believe that leaves you open for those... "my kids are driving me crazy" moments. By the time 10:30 am rolls around our home is clean and everyone is ready to go. By the time 2pm rolls around we have had so much fun and the boys say "this is the best summer day ever"! Then 2-5 pm we all process the day with free time, which is awesome! And as if we haven't done enough throughout our day, we end it with family fun time spent with Mr. Sonboul.

At the end of everyday my favorite moment is when I ask the boys at bedtime "So what was your favorite part of the day?" and they can't pick. Tucking them in feeling happy as can be and ready to pass out from all the joy... is my kinda day! Sure they have their moments when they want to fight, but that is when I use my Kindness jar (My next post will be sharing the Kindness Jar and it totally works).

Remember that free day on Thursdays and Saturday? I keep those days completely open. We can stay in pjs all day or go to the beach... or wherever the summer breeze decides to take us. I think it's super important to have a day or 2 like this in our week. Whenever we have friends who want to get together, I use this day and pencil them in. Oh and I almost forgot about the Magical Summer Box. We do this every summer and they get to use their points / pick their summer treats in the mornings. You can read all about our Summer Box HERE.  

So there it is friends... the key to loving my kids throughout summer and not wanting to kill them. I find that most throw all their schedules out the window when summer comes and I think it is a big mistake. I know that's just my opinion, but then again I LOVE OUR SUMMERS! 

A long time ago while sitting in a restaurant I looked at my small Bradley (age 1) and thought "I wonder what you will look like at the age of 11"? I'm not sure why I picked that number. Maybe it's because I remember being 11 and loving that year. Today my friends.... it has come full circle and I'm amazed at how fast it all went. I, Heidi Sonboul, have an 11 year old son and I ADORE HIM! There are so many things I can gush about when it comes to my Bradley and here are a few:

1. He has a heart of Gold and helps everyone in need
2. He makes me laugh so hard, because he is hilarious!
3. He loves to do funny voices and right now his favorite is an Italian man. lol
4. He is SUCH a hard worker and pushes himself to always do his tip top best.
5. He is a smarty pants and knows so many facts about everything! 
6. He is such a stud and I love that he has been wanting to do his hair. It's a new thing. I'm guessing he wants to look nice for the ladies ;)
7. He is mind blowing crafty. He creates the coolest things out of legos and has a natural eye and know how when it comes to making anything
8. He is the best snuggler and can't care less about hugging and kissing me goodbye in front of friends. I asked him once "Does it make you embarrassed to kiss and hug me goodbye"? and he said "NOOOO! Why would I be embarrassed of loving my mom"? I could just die!
9. He is so darn honest and obedient. This kid can't tell a lie and always outs himself on everything. It just kills him to not do what is right.
10. His sweet spirit. Bradley has always been close to the spirit and anytime something may go wrong he says "we should say a prayer and ask for help". His example always brings tears to my eyes

Oh and can I say that he is on his way to becoming a teen?! All the things he wanted for his birthday were grown up/teen toys. Trick yoyo, skate board, basketball hoop and scout stuff. So far I'm loving who this kid is becoming and I'm so grateful he is mine! I LOVE YOU BRADLEY and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!