Letters to the Little Ones

Best Friend

2013-11-08T23:04:00.002-07:00

Let's be real here. The last few months have been killer. Selling a house, moving in with family, who have been awesome, and losing a job. I am the first to admit it could always be worse, I admit that mostly because I think if I say it, then it won't get worse, like the universe can hear me and no longer feels the need to prove it.

I am lucky enough to have some amazing people that I feel honored to call my family, I would say friends too, but the kind of friends that I am blessed with count as family too. This is about YOU.

When I feel discouraged like I can't fight on, I think of you.
I think what would you do?
I know you have faith it will all be ok, I will lean on that for awhile.
When I feel powerless and scared, I know that you are there to catch me when I fall.
When I call you crying about something silly, you remind me that I AM being silly.
I tell you with steam coming out of my ears about how someone was so mean and so hurtful to me, you remind me that maybe they are fighting challenges too and I just stepped in their path at the wrong time.
You make me a better person, you make me strong enough to fight another day.
You make me remember who I am and what I am capable of.
Most important, I KNOW you love me on my best days and on my worst days.
You make this journey worth all the hard times and you make the good times even better.

So thank you my friend, for being my support, the one that keeps me in line, that someone that I can depend on no matter what. I will be forever grateful for the friendship you have offered me.

While we were off on a little family trip we stopped at a National Park that was made from lava. The whole park is old volcanoes and lava. You can imagine that not much grows out there. There were however these little plants all over growing in the rocks. We found a sign that said these little plants have a root system underground that is about three feet wide. This makes them able to resist the crazy winds that come through the area. These little plants made me think of my own roots, what keeps me grounded when the wind blows around me.

Reminder

2013-04-07T13:48:00.000-06:00

So we have been struggling for a looong time with trying to find a job that better fits our family. I mean years. It has been a long hard thing for me and I have had a very hard time maintaining faith in our decision. For me it has happened in stages. First I was ok as long as the job was here and I didn’t have to change my life too much. SHOCKER. That didn’t work. Then I decided that I was willing to move but only if it was to a couple different places that I really enjoy, next time my 12 hour driving radius from where we are now. Nope still not working. It look me years to really bend my will to the Lord’s and be willing to say that I would go anywhere and do anything. And actually mean it.

These last few weeks have been very hard. We know that the husband’s job will probably only last a couple more months. They have/are restructuring at work and we have gotten some warnings that his turn will be in early June. Needless to say we have been hitting the pavement hard. Really hard, every spare moment I spend looking and applying to jobs. What’s happened? What great blessings have been poured down?? …..crickets…… One job interview in probably thirty applications. See how a person’s faith could waiver? I might have needed a reminder that I am simply waiting on the timing.

Twice this week I had a little whisper in my ear. Both times I really didn’t notice until everything was over and I could see how the choice I made with that little whisper changed the outcome. Were they life altering things, no, where they things that reminded me that the Lord does see and hear me and that he speaks to me directly, yes. It reminded me that in this very long journey that I am not forgotten. That our time and his time haven’t hit yet. It reminded me that when it does that things will work out. Things will get better. If the Lord cares about the little things that he prompted me on this week than he does care about the huge life altering things that are to come.

For me I would add that we aren’t always lead when we want to be lead, or that we don’t see that we are being led until we can look back and see the journey we have had without even noticing that we were moving. There is a quote from the LDS conference this morning that I will try to find and post. It talks about not giving up and taking less just because that is what is in front of you. Always striving for those things the Lord has in store for you, never giving up for something less. This is something I have to remind myself everyday as I battle going forward in this journey. This week the Lord sent me some little reminders that he has a plan and that he knows me and the things going on in my life. I just need to continue to prepare myself to be ready for him to lead me where HE needs me to go.

Spring

2013-03-24T20:18:00.000-06:00

So I hate winter I mean I really really hate winter. I do not like the snow and I really do not like the cold. Then wonderful spring rolls around and bring with it allergies that make me want to crawl into my bed overdose on Benadryl and wake up when it is summer. But then again I am allergic to grass and I will curse you each and every single time that you mow your lawn. Really I will have some pretty intense feelings of hatred that will be floating in your direction. While I was outside being attached my all the allergies I took this picture and I love it. Isn't she cute?? It reminds me that while Spring makes my eyes water and my throat swell and snot some out of places that it should not come out of, that it is a time for new beginning. Beautiful little things reappear that have been hiding for months. Some my wonderful tulips will return and after them My garden will appear and I will be so very excited. I am having more fun everyday playing with my camera and figuring out how to use the thing. What ever happened to just taking a picture?? Oh but the many things that you can do now and so much fun.

Why I Run

2013-02-25T09:42:00.001-07:00

While I was running this weekend, and I use the term running loosely, I thought why do I do this to myself. Granted I do enjoy a good run, I love how it feels and I enjoy the time to clear my mind and push myself physically. But what gets me to lace up my shoes?

Well what makes me put on my brace, my compression sleeves, then my shoes? I look like a real circus act when I go running. I feel bad for the people that are willing to go run with me.

I do not run outside in the cold. That would be crazy. No cement under my feet here.

I run for my kids. I run for the life that I want to live not watch pass me by. I want to run on the beach, play soccer at the park, chase my kids down when they run away. I never want my lack of dedication to my physical health to hold me back.

I have some physical limitations. I can’t do everything that someone else can do. I can do it in my way to my potential. That is all I expect from myself, a dedication to my physical health so that I can live life and play with my kids.

Running is a sport I love. I won’t say that it is a “fun” sport or something that doesn’t come with some injuries. As my awesome Physical Therapist said, “If you keep running I am sure to see you again.” It is a sport that clears my mind, fills my soul and body with good feelings and strength. I am glad that after so many years I started running again. I am grateful for the life that it has given me and the life in turn that I can give to my husband and kids. It’s just a bonus that because I wear compression sleeves I don’t have to shave my legs first.

Choices

2013-01-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

So years and years ago I was graduating from college. I wasn't married and wasn't really in a serious relationship. It was one of the scariest things to me. Not that I wasn't married but that I was done with school and I had no one but myself to decide where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. When I went to college I was underage and I had two choices of where to go. Stay home or go with my sister to where she was. I chose to go away. So this was the first time that I ever really felt like I could go anywhere and do anything.

I did get married and supported him through grad school. So with that we went where he needed to go for school, and where he got a job after school. Things kind of have just moved along without much effort on my part for the last 11 years. One job lead to another we moved but not very far from where we lived before. Life has been pretty regular.

Then BAM! Time for something new. The husband and I have talked about how we need to make a move. How we need to find a new job and move forward in his career path. I am blessed to get to stay home with the kids so it has been my job to help prepare them for the next step in our families journey. Thing is, we still don't know where that step will lead us.

This takes me back to the scary feelings that I had as a young adult leaving college. We have looked at jobs all over the country. Applications have been put in at all kinds of companies, cities, towns, states, so many places so many choices. I am a bit of a planner. I like to research things and be prepared for when they happen. The last few weeks I have been trying to let go of that. There are too many choices, too many places that we have the possibility of going. As an LDS person I believe that the Lord has a path and a plan for us. I have been trying so hard to figure out what that next step is and where it will be.

What I have learned from these two adventures? One that isn't near over yet. Well, I have learned that it rarely works out like you think that it will. Then all that planning and all that control that you thought you have go flying out the window. When the timing lines up and things work out, it is so much better than you ever could have imagined. The road there is often really hard. I have been so frustrated and down the last few weeks. I have reminded myself of that young college graduate and how the choices I made led me to the most wonderful man and the most wonderful career I could have ever hoped for. So for now, I will keep the faith, do my part, and repeat in my head over and over, "Be still and know that I am God."

Stupid things

2012-06-18T22:30:00.001-06:00

So I just have to say sometimes people say stupid things. I am sure that I am frequently one of those people. But then again I think we all probably are.

I wanted to scream at someone today, "If you only knew what my life was like you wouldn't say stupid things!" But then again they don't. Things that stress me aren't a part of their life. I think they probably feel the same way about me when I say stupid things to them.

One of those times that I wish that we could see into each others souls and see that is going on inside. I think if we could then we would understand other people better and we could feel like they were understanding us better.

Grateful

2012-06-10T20:52:00.001-06:00

It seems so hard to be grateful for what you have. This is a real trouble that I have with blogging. You see when I read someone else's blog I think snap their life is cake and filled with roses. But thing is a actually know some of these same folks. Yep that is right like know them like real actual people in real can reach out and give you a hug land. I also know that their lives are filled with roses but also they are filled with trials and heartaches. They have to endure things that I take for granted or even sometime resent.

My kids are having some serious summeritis. Am I the only one? Man it is like when the weather turns nice they turn into yelling, screaming, greedy monsters. Nobody feels the need to clean up after themselves or do chores or use manners. It's like living with 5 mountain men that have lived alone their whole lives or maybe were raised by wolves. Really it might turn me into the scary monster at the top of the mountain that all the natives are for sure will eat them alive.

These are the days that I look at my friends that have smaller families or kids that are older and I think, if they only knew how easy they've got it!!! But I know some of these same friends hearts ache for the sound of a baby screaming and a toddler peeing all over the floor. I know they would trade in the peace and quiet in a heart beat for the noise and craziness that is my life. I also know that each of my kids are such a blessing and I would never feel complete without each of them in my life. I couldn't live with just two kids, which 3 would I think my life would be better without??? Yep, I am good with my choices and the blessings that God has seen fit to assign to me.

Moral of the story is I wish that we could see all the things in our lives that others look at and wish that they had. Maybe we should all sit down one day and start writing little notes to each other that say, "man I sure with I had ....., tonight you should make sure you thank the Lord for that blessing, because man I would be so happy to have it."Maybe then we could see ourselves and our lives the way that others see us.

I often look and my kids and think what my Father in Heaven must be thinking and feeling about all of us. I think being a parent has given me a perspective of that relationship that otherwise I wouldn't have. This week in the craziness of the summer monster infestation, it was that NO mean NO. It doesn't mean ask me again in the next five minutes and all the sudden I will change my mind and say yes. I think sometimes I need to step back and stop bugging the Lord and except that right now the answer is no. But just like my kids it doesn't mean a little bit down the road you won't find me asking again.

Past, present, future

2012-05-02T23:41:00.001-06:00

So as I can't sleep I was browsing the FB page that FB so nicely assigned anyone I am friends with from high school to. There are a few folks from the old school I keep in touch with. People that made a huge impact on my life and helped me through some of the darkest times. Those people that will forever shine a special light in my heart. Browsing around I found lots of friends of friends that I know. It made me think.

I am not good at keeping in touch with people. I think I'm too excited or absorbed with what is in front of me to think about how I got there. I cling to a few people, but mostly once your not in my everyday existence, I move forward without you. Sounds really harsh. Not that I haven't loved people. Connected with them. It's just I think most relationships have seasons. Once that season has passed I'm ready to move onto different adventures.

I firmly believe that people are sent into your life so you can learn and grow from them. So they can aide you in your journey and you in theirs. Once that purpose has been served doesn't it make sense to move forward to new attachments to learn and grow from? Maybe I have a serious screw loose on this one....

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Week One Dinners

2012-04-01T17:48:00.001-06:00

Shipwreck Casserole
1-2 pounds ground beef*
2 pounds frozen tater tots*
1 onion, diced
two cups frozen sliced carrots
1 can (11 ounce) tomato soup
Instructions
Brown beef and onion together until done, drain off any grease. In a greased 9x13 inch pan, place all of the tater tots in one layer in the bottom. Salt and Pepper this layer lightly. Cover with browned meat and onion mixture. Lightly salt and pepper this layer as well. Place carrots evenly over top and sprinkle 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning over them. Mix tomato soup with one can of water (use the tomato soup can to measure the water) and pour over all. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for one hour. Hide from pirates, they'll smell it and come running!
*If you have diced hash browns you can use those in place of the tater tots. I try to never make a special trip to the grocery store if I have something that will work.
*You can economize on ground beef in this recipe if you like. Simply use one pound of ground beef and add a few more tater tots if you need to stretch it a bit. However, I sometimes use one pound and just keep the tater tot and carrot amounts the same.
Link to site I found recipe

Spaghetti
1 pound cooked ground beef
Noodles of choice
Ragu Chunky Vegetable spaghetti sauce
Green beans
Pillsbury Large Cresent Rolls
Really if I need instructions to make a spaghetti dinner I'm in big trouble. I do put the sauce in the blender to hide all those yummy veggies.

Pizza
Pizza dough see recipe or use Pillsbury pizza dough
Mini pepperoni
Canadian bacon
Fresh mushrooms
Red onion
Shredded chicken
Ragu pizza sauce

Pizza Dough
1c warm water
1-2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp yeast
3 cups flour
Soften yeast in your 1 cup warm water. Mix everything together and add enough additional flour to make a nice smooth dough. I usually double the recipe.
Assemble the pizza. I do sauce on the bottom and top since we don't use cheese. I put all the toppings everywhere and if the kids don't like them they pick it off. Sorry kids mom doesn't make 5 different pizzas.

Chicken Brocolli Casserole
Cooked Chicken cubed
5-6 cups cooked Rice
Brocolli
1/4 c Butter
1/2 c Flour
1 Rice milk
2 cups Chicken broth
1/2tsp Curry Powder
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Ritz crackers blended up in the blender
Melt butter in pan. Add enough flour that it soaks all the butter up. Slowly add milk, then chicken broth until desired thickness. I LOVE Better than Bullion chicken broth!! Add curry powder, I use more as I like curry. I also add salt and pepper. Add the lemon juice now too. Spray pan. I use our large 13x15 pan. Layer rice, then chicken, then Brocolli, pour sauce over the top. Top with crushed crackers. Cook at 350 until it bubbles, about 25-30 min.

Taco Salad
Cooked ground beef
Lettuce
Tomato
Green Onion
Avocados
Beans, whatever you like.
Catalina dressing
Tortilla chips
I just put out bowls of everything a the family makes their salad how they like it. Yummy!!
I will add pictures as I cook this week. Maybe that will motivate me to actually cook. :)

Shopping List
3 pounds ground beef
2 pounds frozen tater tots
1 onion
frozen sliced carrots
1 can (11 ounce) tomato soup
Lettuce
Tomato
Green Onion
Avocados
Beans, whatever you like.
Catalina dressing
Tortilla chips
Noodles of choice
Ragu Chunky Vegetable spaghetti sauce
Green beans
Pillsbury Large Cresent Rolls
Rice
Frozen Brocolli
Nucoa
Flour
Rice milk
Chicken broth
Curry Powder
Lemon
Ritz crackers
Mini pepperoni
Canadian bacon
Fresh mushrooms
Red onion
Chicken 4 breasts
Ragu pizza sauce
Sugar
Yeast
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Making old new again

2012-03-31T21:45:00.001-06:00

We gel stained our cabinets. It was super easy and I think they turned out great.
Before

After

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Friday Confessionals!!!

2010-11-12T13:57:00.002-07:00

I confess:

I went on a vacation with a super fun group of women.
I left all the drama at home.
It was super fun.
There were 8 of us crazy ladies that went and we had a wonderful condo with a private deck with a hot tub all to ourselves.
We went shopping and to this super yummy restaurant. All kid free.
Why is this a confession??
Well, I only invited 7 other ladies on this vacation and left everyone else at home. I might feel bad about that.
But hey not everyone can get along for an over night trip. Some choices had to be made!
Stop making me feel guilty!!
To be honest I don't like most people enough to last two days with them.
Shocker!! I am not such a long term people person.
I'm good with short periods of time but then I'm good at home with the husband.
It makes me sad that so many people aren't happily married.
Really, I've discovered most people aren't.
I sometimes want to strangle by husband but he really is my best friend and I would rather do things with him than anyone else.
By things, I do mean things... but really I'm just talking everyday activities.
I confess I like my husband. :)

Vent

2010-10-18T12:52:00.002-06:00

Do you ever feel like if you don't vent you might explode??? I'm having that feeling today. I am so in need of a vacation from everything. Am I the only one that ever feels like that? I'm super sick of throwing up everyday and not being able to eat more then a birds serving of food at a time. It really isn't so much fun. I'm not having fun waiting to get sick. I get really bad kidney troubles and I know that sometime in the next 8 or so weeks, I will be sick and not feel good at all. Just imagine feeling like your head is going to explode and that your body is shutting down on you. That sounds like a fun time doesn't it??

I've had some breakdowns lately with people that are supposed to love and support me. They aren't, enough said about that drama. So I am feeling a tad alone these days, knowing that I have to figure out how to do this whole baby thing with less help than usual. I am super blessed to have some great friends that have offered to help. These sweet ladies are so willing to help that it even makes me more frustrated at the people that could help with much greater ease than them but are too self absorbed to open their eyes. Bitter much.

I read this quote about how Charity is trusting that everyone is doing their best and that forgiving people when they are dumb. Mind you the quote was a little more eloquent than I am. I really struggle with that. There are some people that don't have an ounce of Charity in them. If it doesn't have a pay-off they aren't interested, if it puts them out, isn't even or fair, don't go calling them for help. I struggle thinking these people are really doing their best. I think how can you not see people around you with need. DO you and you are just too BUSY?? I might need to work on this whole everyone is doing their best thing. Or I might need some medicine to make me more mellow. :) That sounds nice.

See don't you think I need a vacation. I think I do. I need to move too. Is that too much to ask? A new house, neighborhood, school, ect? I might have some avoidance issues. Well, I big shout out to whoever called the fire dept for my neighbors house when they weren't home. That is the kind of neighbors we need. Those that look out for each other. I miss that from our old neighborhood. A big thanks to those friends that take the time to know what is going on with me and caring enough to help even when I don't NEED it, when it just makes my life a little easier. I'm sure you already know how much I love you. Those of you who don't, well, I'm sure you are doing your best. That's a start, right??

Life Questions

2010-08-11T10:51:00.001-06:00

What's up with the world? Seems like everyone is having a happy ending and I want mine. We have been searching for a new job for 2 years now. Still looking... Watching other people move on to new jobs and new places and loving it. Meanwhile, I sit here growing slightly bitter about the waiting game.

How to you survive the waiting game? You know where you do all you can and put your trust in the Lord that things will work out?

Real trouble here is that I got the wonderful idea to save some money. Sounds like a good idea, well here is the trouble. I cut down our cell phone minutes. Let's be honest those people are trying to bankrupt us all. Well, now I have 5 days left in the month and I am totally out of minutes. I got rid of my long distance plan on the home phone to cut costs. So here I am not being able to chat with those friends of mine that keep me sane. Those friends that truly know my soul and how to talk me out of my mental breakdown. You know those friends that get spread across the country, and the world sometimes but that you still love like they live next door? Sometimes I think it is easier to talk to friends that are far away instead of friends that are close. Seems like you can be more honest because you don't have to see them at church on Sundays. You can go on acting like life is all smiley and nobody knows different. Plus, I think when they are not involved directly in a situation they can give better advice.

I need to just relax. Not something that I do well. I like to know what is coming. I like to plan ahead for things. I get a little crazy about it. Which might be why my poor husband comes home to the news that we are going out of town the next day. If I decide to go tomorrow I don't stress near as much and we just go and have fun. If I try to plan weeks in advance I almost kill myself and everyone else. See how this whole waiting game might be the death of me. I would do much better with him coming home one day and saying, "Honey, I got a new job. Pack your bags we have to be there in two weeks." That's my groove.

Germ city!!!

2010-07-20T19:05:00.003-06:00

So I got some weird throat infection two weeks ago. It was bad, there was no swallowing. So I got a shot in the booty. It got better. Sounds all happy??? Well, now I have a huge sinus infection. My sinuses might explode. Really and I might drown in snot. Isn't it summer time? I think I need a break from being sick. My poor little #1 is super cute. She keeps asking if I feel better yet? Again, and again..... Nope sweetie not yet. Wait until my voice don't sound like an 80 year old smoker.

Anyone have some good news to share? I need some good news. One of my bestest friends just moved away from me. Great for her, I am happy for her, sad for me. I have been sick for like a million years!!! The kids go back to school soon and that makes me sad. So blog world, cheer this sick lady up!!!!

Brace yourself...

2010-07-09T18:19:00.002-06:00

I confess:

I type so much on my phone, that corrects my spelling and conjunctions, that I get confused when I type on a computer.
Like hello, why can't it make my cant can't. My phone can, step it up computer.
I think I offend people all the time.
I just say what I think
And what you should think...
No not really, you can think whatever you want.
I also tend to call people out when the contradicted their options and their actions.
It's a pet peeve.
Don't act all holy then whore it on the weekend.
I'd still love you even if you whored it all the time.
Just be real.
I am not a good forgiver.
Things are deal breakers for me.
Once you have proven that you are a crazy, or a liar, or disloyal, your out.
No real chance for redemption.
I'm a Christian.
Hum, maybe I should call myself out, that seems that a contradiction.
Nah, I'm immune from my own scolding.
Isn't that how it works???

I commit

2010-07-07T18:30:00.002-06:00

So I had an interesting conversation with one of my teenage cousins this week. You see, I was looking at vacation pictures of one of my friends. Wait, let's back up a little bit. I'm Mormon. Are you suprised... Anyways, as some people might know we have some pretty conservative standards when it comes to clothing. Not that we don't wear swimming suits or anything crazy like that. But ours shorts and shirts are a little longer than most and our shoulders are covered. Cleavage hanging out isn't really something that happens either, not that I have a challenge with that.

Back to my story. So I was looking at these pictures and I noticed that every single women there had on these tiny little swimsuits on. You know the ones that might jump right off your body if you actually got in the water. Yep all six of them. Now I am a pretty modest person. So I called my cousin to see if that is just the way Mormons act these days. I was relieved when she told me that it wasn't. She herself has made the decision to only wear one piece suits, and she feels like there is no reason not to wear one piece suits. She says there are tons of cute ones out there. That gave me some hope for my girls.

This whole world of instant photo posting and facebook we get a look into people's lives. I have really been shocked with people lately and how they aren't living up to commitments that they have made. That sounds harsh. That's not what I mean. It just scares me that people that I know have made commitments to themselves and God are making choices that are different than what they believe. It breaks my heart when I see little baby girls dressed in things that you would never let your teenager out of the house wearing. Why is their little body worth less respect, it isn't cute, it's disrespectful.

Now if you believe something different than I do, more power to you. I don't expect you to live my life or my commitment. I don't believe that makes you or me a better person than the other. Anyone that knows me knows that I am not out to make people live the standards that I have chosen. See that is the point, I have chosen them, you have chosen yours. What makes me scared is that I am raising three little girls that will soon be teenagers. Yep all at the same time, I might need a padded room by then. What makes me scared is that there are people that they will know that have committed to the same lifestyle as them that will be not living up to those commitments. How do you explain that to a teenage girl? That other girls and even women that made the same choices as them are dressing in a way that isn't consistent with those choices. It's easy for me to tell them that other families have different family rules and we have ours. But what happens when those rules are supposed to be the same?? Oh the future is scary.

Back on the Wagon

2010-06-26T14:32:00.002-06:00

A little late but I'm here!!

I confess:

1. I hate drama

2. Just tell me you hate me, don't act nice then dog me behind my back, I can take it.

3. I need a major kid free vacation.

4. Summer off school is kicking my trash.

5. I truly might explode if I hear, I'm bored one more time!!!

6. Most people I think should just go away.

7. I just "dumped" some FB friends.

8. GASP.

9. I know right aren't you suppose to strive for a super high number???

10. Really if I wouldn't invite you over and all I want to do is peak into your life.... Maybe not.

11. I've missed my blog buddies.

12. Wish they would invent a virtual lunch.

13. You know, so we could all go to lunch together.

14. That sounds fun.

15. I think I'll go get a slurpee, they make me less grumpy.

16. Lady trouble=More grumpy!!

Where did you go....

2010-06-20T11:06:00.002-06:00

Oh my, what happened??? I haven't posted for sooo long. Started out with a traveling husband and no time to sit. Then the kids got sick and then well I just got lazy. That happen to anyone else.

Side note. I hate cramps, this post is going to be about my lovely husband but I just had to put that out there. That I really do hate them and I think they should happen. EVER.

Ok I feel better.

My sweet husband is the best daddy ever. The kids are so lucky to get to grow up with him. I always said I wanted at least one boy so he could grow up and be like his dad and make some lady as happy as his daddy has made me. That's what I got, my one little boy. He will be a great daddy one day.

My heart breaks a little every Mother's or Father's Day. I feel for those people that want a child so badly. People that can't have that dream fulfilled. People that are waiting patiently for the day that they get to bring their child home. I truly breaks my heart and I hope they know that we love them and that we couldn't raise our kids without their love and support. That their are kids that love them and will remember them always.

I hope you all enjoy this day with your special little families. No matter what that family looks like.

Poop

2010-05-24T20:14:00.002-06:00

I might not be a clean mom, but I am a fun mom. Today we had some friends over. They got a little bit wet and dirty. Don't send your kids over in a white shirt that is all I can say. I thought to myself, maybe I should have a disclaimer when kids come over.

While at my house your child may...

Go barefoot outside.

Play in the dirt/mud

Get really wet

Eat something they shouldn't

That means candy or rocks and dirt.

Have the time of their LIFE.

Today we got our garden boxes ready for their plants. That meant that we had to amend our soil. We added some cow poop and compost. Well, the littlest one thought that looked like something really fun. I turned around to find her elbows deep in the cow poop. Yep, I left her there to enjoy the new "dirt." See what I mean, you want your kids to come and play??? I cleaned her up after don't worry!

Gratefulness

2010-05-23T11:04:00.003-06:00

Did I even spell that right?? I have been thinking about this the last couple of days. We are such a blessed little family and I need to be more grateful for the things that we have.

We had the chance to go to church with someone else last week. It was a great experience. The people were friendly and you can tell they are really dedicated to their church. I love it when you can see people that have a passion for their religion whatever that religion might be. I happen to be LDS but most of the people that I grew up around were not. They were great people with great passion.

This experience made me really appreciate my church and all that it has to offer. I know that most people look at the "mormon" church and think that it takes over your life. Well, you are right. It does take over your life. It isn't just a religion that you attend on Sunday and Wed nights. It is a way of life. A way to live and raise your children. It gives you a moral road to follow and hope in the dark times and joy in the good times. I am so happy that I have the chance to live this life.

I do believe that their are other churches for other people. I know some very dedicated people with some lovely beliefs. All I am saying is that for me this one is the right one. I feel safe and secure when I turn my life over to Christ and live the life that I feel correct.

The sicky

2010-05-04T21:08:00.002-06:00

So I am feeling much better but this weekend I was sick as a dog. Yep, throwing my guts out and everything that goes with that. So not fun. I hate being sick.

Well the one thing that I like about being sick is that you get to really know the people that love you. Like my sweet husband that stayed home to take over my job. He is a sweet man and the kids have been such sweethearts too.

I also love my sweet friends that have offered to help me. They have run to the store for me and offered to take the kids. You know those friends that notice that you are missing and call you to make sure you are ok.

This whole personal cleaning thing I am loving it! I am not going to let myself feel bad about those people that are upset that I haven't called or been around these last few days. You know the people that I mean. They are mad or offended that you haven't called them. You are laying on the bathroom floor and they are busying wondering why you are ignoring them. So against everything that is me I am going to just let them simmer. I already have four little people where I am the total giver in the relationship. I need people in my life that are give and take.

So to those that love me and run to my aid when I need, I love you. I love all my blog buddies that comment when I am down. If you are laying on the floor throwing your guts out, I'll bring you some Sprite.

Exactly my point.

2010-05-02T10:15:00.002-06:00

I read this on a filer this weekend. I love it, it spoke to my soul. It is exactly what I was talking about a few posts past. That we all need to learn to love each other more and help each other achieve our very best. If we all just look out for ourselves or if we don't surround ourselves with happy helpful friends, we truly do live in hell. I am even more committed to limiting my circle to those that help me achieve and don't tear me down! I might have to go find the rest of this article or book or whatever it is.

There is a story about a man who left this earth and was taken on a tour of the inner realms. He was shown a room where he saw a large group of hungry people trying to eat dinner, but because the spoons that they were trying to eat with were longer than their arms, they remained frustrated. "This" his guide told him "is hell." "That's terrible!" exclaimed the man: "Please show me heaven!" "Very well," agreed the guide, and on they went. When they opened Heaven's door, the man was perplexed to see what looked very much like the same scene: there was a group of people with spoons longer than their arms. As he looked more closely, however, he saw happy faces and full tummies, for there was one important difference: the people in Heaven had learned to feed each other.
-The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore. by Alan Cohen

Want to feel good about yourself??

2010-04-30T21:25:00.002-06:00

I confess:

I am SUPER
Look at my pervious post
Check all my friends out, their blogs are great
I might be a little too excited about my very first blog award.
Best thing that happened this week.
The mall and I have broken up.
I can't go there without getting the "All those are yours" comments.
One day I tell you things are going to get nasty!
I might be having some serious withdrawals.
I miss my iphone more than I should. I mean I really miss it!!
I think my three year old is trying to kill me.
Really I do, that kid is soooo hard.
She is about to drive me to the edge.
I might jump off.
Anyone want to come with me?
I wonder what is on the other side....

I am LOVED!

2010-04-30T10:45:00.004-06:00

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blogging world.

Of course, awards come with rules…
1. Put the logo on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.
3. Link to the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award

Can you even believe it??? My very first blog award. I am so excited. Who knew that people read my musings on life, let alone enjoyed them. I am one happy lady. I even got it from two different readers. Man I tell you I love you both!! So go over and visit them, they are super.

TYLAINE and Crazy Mom of Four

So to share the love...

1. Heather

I just love her. She always leaves the best comments. I feel like she totally gets me and I love her blog. She is just real, you know? I love people that just tell it how it is not how they wish it was.

2. Lisa

I love her blog. She has this way of always being inspiring. Like even when her day is going badly she always has this way of writing about it without making you feel down. I love that.

3.Beth

Beth is always making the cutest things. Sometimes I feel like a lazy bum when I read her blog but one day I'll make some of her cute things!

4.Glamazon

Ok, this one I don't even have to explain. Just visit her blog!!

5.Erin

I think we are so the same that it makes me feel normal to read her blog. I love that she is who she is and let us all know a little bit about her. It really love reading her posts.

6.Oka

She is my new bowling buddy. Do I even need to say more?? Her blog is so cute and I love taking a look into her life.

7.Blueviolet

She is a way sweet lady that always leaves the nicest comments. I love her blog, she makes us all feel loved and normal.

8.Melissa

Lets just say one day I would love to sit in her craft room or her kitchen table and chat.

9.Georgia

Ok if you want something totally cute visit her blog. She is always doing the cutest things that she shares with us less creative folks.

10.Jaymi

Oh the adventures that we would have if we lived closer. I love reading her blog and how she hates being home so they go and do fun things. I hate being home too my friend.

11.Linda

Anytime you need a giggle head on over. Her take on life makes me smile. The pictures she uses are the bestest!!

12.Mindi

She deserves a little sunshine in her life. I love how she types just like you were sitting in her living room having a nice little chat. I almost feel like I should talk back.

If I missed you this time. I still love you, I hope you still love me too!

Cleansing

2010-04-28T22:38:00.002-06:00

I went to a wonderful class tonight about taking better care of our bodies. How this body is the only one that you get and that there is so much bad stuff around that we are putting into it. It was a good class and I look forward to learning more about that.

It was especially interesting because I have been thinking about this lately. I started out thinking about how some people are fun and how some people aren't. You know what I mean?? Some people make everything more enjoyable and there are those others that you cringe a little when you find out they are coming. They are downers. I hope I am not a downer.

There are some people that make you feel bigger and better and like you can do anything. I think we all have those friends. You know like when you say, "I worked really hard today and ran 2 miles." Person #1 says, "that is sooo great. You are a super star. Sometime I want to come with you but you might leave me in your dust!!" Person#2 says, "you can do more, I have to still run my 1000 miles this afternoon. How fast did you run, are you sure it was that far? Is it everyday or just one?" We all know those people.

I think as women we are born with a lower self esteem then men. Like we come out thinking that we aren't super, let's all be real most men think they are super. Anyho, point coming sometime..... While I was run/jogging today I made a decision. I am done with the downers. Those people that make you feel like less when you leave them. People that make you feel like nothing is good enough and depressed. I am trading them in for people that make me feel smart and loved and like I can conquer the world. I know I some people you can't get away from. Some are in your church or your neighborhood or even your family. Still I hope you join me in limiting the interaction you have to have with those people. We all deserve more.