Every child is an artist.

family love...

2012-02-14T20:53:00.000-08:00

...happy valentines day...

...we enjoyed it together...

...our royal valentine banquet...

...notice how she eats her veggies...

...notice how he eats his valentine candy...

(spots=penicillin reaction)

having fun...

2012-01-22T22:34:00.000-08:00

...with a Pier 1 curtain...revamped a little...

Happy New Year

2012-01-14T21:31:00.000-08:00

The best thing about a sister is having a best friend for life

Young boys should never be sent to bed...they always wake another day older!

2011-12-21T22:18:00.001-08:00

from the children...

2011-12-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

...two stories of Christmas told by children...

so cute...funny...and true...well mostly!

if you're feeling weak...

2011-12-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

busy, but...

2011-11-30T10:27:00.001-08:00

...good

never-ending, but, right

monotonous, but, fulfilling

enjoy this time...

...she has this autistic way of thinking...

2011-11-21T14:55:00.001-08:00

...right now my daughter has a doll buckled into a booster seat. she just asked the doll a question. then, she made the doll say, "I don't like this buckle, mommy." I've never heard her doll talk to her before..the sound of imagination! my daughter reassured her doll that it was just a head-band she's wearing...the quick, random shift in topic...then she gave her a toy cupcake to eat. then she turned to her sister and asked if she would make some more cupcakes...interaction!

...after every question statement my daughter makes to her doll, she jumps several times and flaps her arms. she's just happy. her statements are usually repeated several times...but look, now she's hugging and reassuring her dolly...empathy, love! she just asked her sister if she could please have a pink cupcake...looking down at the table as she asks...always looking just below the chin or down at the ground...just a glance now and then at the eyes...that wonderful glance.. immediately at me just now as I tell her dolly is going to get a tummy ache eating that icing. this is special icing she explains. letting me into her play...

...a different normal...autism...shy...personality type...a way of thinking...fascinating...as are all my kids personalities...to me...

"Here are some things you will not find in your research on autism:
....You will not be told how it may fundamentally alter your perceptions of what is "normal," how it may change your view of human beings, how it can force you to question small talk and why we behave the way we do, how it will transform your outlook on life, how it will change you..." Read the whole article

Happy Autumn :)

2011-11-09T16:08:00.000-08:00

we're still here...

...most of us anyway...

"our first day of school, we're eager little learners..."

2011-09-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

L is for...Looking good

...Loving it!

M is for...Maybe it will be fun?

H is for...Having it her way all day!

S is for...Soo ready for a break from his kingly treatment!

summertime fun...

2011-08-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

we've had a good summer

a busy summer

I just luvvvv the summertime

baby boy growing up so fast

ballet recital

hubby falls of a mountain...and we make new friends!

races, visitors, camping trips.....family!

Family Night

2011-08-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

...for family home evening this whole summer we have gone on adventures!

we might be tracking down lost Nephites,

running from arrows as Samuel the Lamanite,

following the trail signs as we Follow the Prophet,

all in all we've had a grand time

and always in nature

hiking

tracking

hiding

climbing

picnicing

we spent no money, travelled no more than 15-20min from home, and

we became the Book of Mormon stories

so loved...

2011-05-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

...so thankful to all who shared in his blessing day...

blessings...

2011-05-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

...we sure love this little guy...

wrapped in love...

2011-05-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

...he loves it...

...it's a collaboration made by some friends with a little bit of Texas and Utah in it...

...i love it...thank you :)

happy spring

2011-04-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

happy Easter

mom, pink bunny ears? please, i'm a little BOY...

happy Earth Day
plant something!

hey! kiddos...

2011-03-24T11:01:00.001-07:00

quiet moments...

2011-03-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

...just enjoying...

...each in our own way...

...looking and looking...

hello new soul...

2011-03-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

proud sisters...they made him this blanket while i was in the hospital...

...all 5 lbs12oz, 17.5in of him...

...my two babies...

...thank you everyone for all your support! If you want an email announcement with babies name and all, send me your email address...

you are loved

2011-03-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

I went through a depression recently...

I think it was to learn...

lately, some people close to me are also going through some hard times...

for whatever reason...

life is hard...

I got through it with support...

listening...

blessings...

and I know they will too...

but it's still very hard...

so I want them to know...

you are loved...

this Josh Groben song touched me...

because when it was hard for me, a close friend and sister said

"I love you and we are thinking about you and praying for you"

and it really made a difference...

so to you who are having a hard time...

you are loved and my prayers are with you!

happy valentine :)

2011-02-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

...my tile floor cleaned+
...a pedicure+
...a massage=
a very happy me
thanks :)

support...

2011-01-31T09:13:00.000-08:00

....support...sure has brought me out of my depression for the moment...

that is one nice thing about pregnancy, you can count on many many people understanding

empathizing

completely.

...but when you are in it, in that own little world of yours

you kinda forget all the support around you.

I would love play dates guys!

Thanks for offering!

(that is, if I can drag myself out)

I feel better for now...

thanks :)

I will greatly multiply thy sorrow....in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children;

2011-01-29T10:28:00.000-08:00

...why?!?
greatly increase your size...
that includes your ankles, feet, hands, nose, lips, hips, etc...not to mention the tummy...
"you'll have to thank Eve one day" my husband says sarcastically...
but the thing is, I will...not for this...but for the fact that I can even have children...
her insight and actions, though premature...were right on...
I am grateful for her...
there are many who don't get this privilege on earth...

who ever heard of someones teeth/jaw becoming misaligned during pregnancy???
I understand better the depression and anxiety of others during these last months...
never really had that like this before...

when did the month of january get to be soooo long??
ever seen those fat suits? I have one on right now...
sometimes when I look in the mirror, I can see myself peeking out of it through squinty eye slots...

I feel like I have a disability...
in some ways, I do, for sure...

on the other hand...when physical disability hits, other things in life drop out of priority...
all of a sudden, I'm not nagging my kids/hubby so much about "things"...
I don't even care about those things right now...
what kind of vanity do you want in the bathroom? what color paint in the office? honestly, just something that looks nice...you choose...I'm sure you will choose something great...
oh, you made a mistake...well, I'm sure you will work it out...
wet the bed for the 5th day in a row? whatever, clean it up...
in the same pj's...all day long...for the 3rd day in a row? hmmm, that's nice, lucky you...

...still...over a month to go...
somedays I say, just skip the epidural and knock me out completely...
nesting for a little boy is fun though...
priorities seem to be good...
...just enjoy this...it'll be over before I know it...

happy holidays :)

2010-12-23T12:07:00.001-08:00

...to post or not to post...

2010-12-23T11:16:00.000-08:00

...our christmas card...

I'm tired...
we are finishing our basement...
had a scare with gestational diabetes, which turned out better than expected in the end, thank goodness...
bigger this pregnancy than with any other...
uncomfortable...
busy...
chasing around the busiest kid on earth...who also happens to be very much a mommies-girl...and can throw a tantrum like no other one year old (except her twin cousin!)
did I mention tired...
how in the world do you catch up on house work???

but...
I am, finally, in my third trimester, done with morning sickness for the most part!
I am loving that oh-so-stink'n cute mommies girl
I am feeling pretty good overall,
I am feeling like this pregnancy has gone much faster than the others (despite the whole second-trimester morning sickness bit)
I am in the waiting game now, just wait, grow, and baby will finally come in a couple of months,
I am loving the joy of the kids this Christmas season as they understand things a lot better than they ever have before...
The kids still love me, despite it all, amazing, and tell me so...can you beat that?
well,
I am, very much in love with a guy who does ANYthing for me, and EVERYthing for his family, and somehow gets it ALL done...endless energy? endurance? whatever it is...I like him!

...so, okay, I'll make a card...and post it!

we have fun...

2010-10-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

...we got together with the cousins and did the whole set! so cute!

...getting in the mind-set...

2010-10-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

I love fall...and the coming of the holidays...I haven't been in the "mind-set" for too much these days...

...sure I dragged the costumes out...and the girls are loving it...

...but I've mainly been in the survival mode...and getting in the mind-set to actually have a baby boy around this place come march...wow...really?

...love it!

2010-10-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

I have a very talented cousin doing work in baby designs right out of Scotland...you can catch her shop by clicking the link on the side for JoyNevada LittleOnes...these designs are so unique!

In the beginning...

2010-09-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

...day one...

of read the Old and New Testiment

of the King James version of the

Bible

in one year...

I'm going to doing weekly

brief posts on facebook.

Then a final review on my

Goodreads account...

join me on facebook if you are in...

competition...motivation...inspiration...?

2010-08-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

i want to read the Bible in a year!

Old and New Testiment.

King James Version.

Anyone else want to join?

For motivation? for competition?

we can reward ourselves at the end?

I want to speed read it

My sis-in-law will read it with a student manual

read it however you want!

Any other ideas?

I was thinking Sept. 11, 2010- Sept. 11, 2011

excellence...

2010-07-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection.

Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business.
-Micheal J. Fox

...it occurred to me after reading this quote, that in Church the Young Woman celebrate Personal Progress goals they have achieved or are working towards in an event called:

Young Women in Excellence.

Not Young Women in Perfection.

I hope that...instead of trying to make my daughters be Perfect...

I can teach my daughters to reach for Excellence
in all they do in this life.

personality...

2010-06-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

...she's got it!

competition

2010-06-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

...so I taught a Sunday School lesson about the Book of Mormon, and challenged everyone to re-read it like President Hinckley did a few years back...and I took the challenge myself...with a little help from hubby. he set us up a little competition. he gave us about two months to re-read it and for a reward we would go out to dinner. if one of us did NOT read it by that time, they had to bring a PB&J to dinner and watch the other enjoy their meal!

...well, we did it! I got about half way through the 530 some pages with two days left and sped-read the rest in two days...awesome! I do believe it's a true book... in my "GoodReads" (see link on side) you can read more of my thoughts on reading it this time around...

but there is something to reading an informational book all the way through in a short amount of time...

I might just start with the Bible (King James Version) next...from Old Testament through New to the end...what an adventure this would be!

the power of moms...

2010-06-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

...here I am once again promoting a cause I can believe in: the power of moms and supporting a mom who is doing her best to promote the cause as well. click here for her link. One idea I just got from her site was the "say yes" challenge, how often can you tell your kids yes and see what happens...or...if you want peace in the home...get laryngitis...haha, so true!!

events...

2010-06-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

...remembering...

...and first break...

yes...

2010-05-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

"God doesn't give children with disabilities to strong people: He gives them to ordinary, everyday people, then He helps the parents to grow stronger through the journey. Raising a child with special needs doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family." Author unknown

congrats grads!

2010-05-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

it's that time of year again!

this is a VERY COOL graduate lei at Pioneer Party

what do YOU give your teachers to thank them for all their hard work???

I need ideas :)

"be still...

2010-05-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

...and know that I am God." (psalms 46:10). there have been several times in my life when I have made this scripture my "theme" to help me get through whatever I was going through...in church today we talked about how we receive personal revelation for our lives and for our kids...for me:
in the shower.
chopping veggies.
doing the dishes.
on my hands and knees cleaning.
driving with the radio off.
all of these with the radio off.
turn off the noise and be 'still.'
keep my hands doing something that doesn't require my mind...
just myself, and my thoughts...
and the 'thoughts' come pouring in...
answers to my prayers come pouring in...

deals to meals!

2010-05-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

I love local business...this is my shout out to a great blog/website that I have been a member of for some months now. they find the best of the best deals at all the grocery stores...then you can make your own personalized shopping list...and they tell you if you want to build a food storage, how much for each person, shelf life, etc etc...they also plan meals for the week and give you the shopping list if you want to follow that...I think it's a fantastic service...they aren't coupon oriented, so if you use coupons you are getting an even better deal, but that's why I liked them, cause I don't use coupons. I shop by the deal only, and plan my meals around those BEST deals...so I always save money! check them out by clicking! plus, they have some awesome free giveaways! so if you DO sign up, tell them who sent you (me) and I get entered into their giveaway, AND YOU get entered into their giveaway!

happy mothers day...

2010-05-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

to everyone who "mothers" ...

I don't know how to do these videos, to see this full size on You Tube click here...an incredible mother's survival story, here is her blog...

are clowns scarey???

2010-05-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

...what do YOU say? cause here at our house, we don't think they are scarey! in fact, they are friends! we had a special guest visit and this is one clown who spends his life doing good. Chip has travelled the world as a nurse, but most importantly as a clown! he is always willing to help anyone from people with disabilities to orphans: Marie's Children Chip is always willing to answer questions, just ask for an email address!

...at first, this is as close as the kids would get...but after some time, they were good buddies...

the subtle, oh so important milestones...

2010-04-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

...when she called me "mom" for the first time...

even if she was over 2 years old when it happened...

...when she told me for the first time "I'm hungry" or "can I have a snack?" because she felt hungry

...when she asked me for the first time "mom, will you play with me"

...or even better, "mom, can I play with my friend?"

...first time she put a spoon on her head and pretended it was a hat

...when I asked her at 4 and a half years old: "where are you going?" and she told me "I'm going potty"

...the first time she asked "will you help me, please?"

...when she told me the other day, "we look at what we are pointing at." and I didn't tell her that!

...when she said "mom, we don't say the word stupid." and she came up with that on her own: haha!

...when she asked today "mom, do you have your chapstick?" because she realized her lips needed it!!!

...I notice these things kiddo

...and I get so excited

...you are you

...you are so unique
...innocent and good

...I love to watch you learn

...I love to teach you in your way

...hand over hand

...over and over again

...then you get it

...and you excel

...this is your way

...dedicated to kids who learn this way

and their moms who notice the subtle,

oh so important, milestones...

mundane monday...

2010-04-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

"what is it?" something fun to do on Mondays? Okay!

the reason we started this new blog was so that the cousins who live in different states can do an activity "together" and share it...to keep in touch...today was the first day and my girls continued throughout the day asking if their cousin was doing all the things they were doing: "is Meg eating watermelon now?" "is Meg going outside?" "is Meg going for a drive?"

cute...

2010-04-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

...this baby has the cutest little belly button...

we go a little crazy...

2010-04-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

...these are the matchies of just one trip!

touring...

2010-04-12T12:44:00.001-07:00

...spring is here!

...visiting GREAT-grandpa...

Arizona!

Disneyland!

...ballet lessons...

the bunny, the bunny...

2010-04-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

...things went a lot better than last year...
...in fact, this year I wasn't even going to bother, but the girls started asking to see him, and M told me, "I'm bigger now so I will give the Easter Bunny a big hug and a delicious carrot." she was true to her word...

Happy Spring!

He Lives

2010-03-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

He Lives

teaching about butterflies...

2010-03-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

...my little girl came home from school with this...I think it is SO clever...

fake it 'till you make it

2010-03-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

after a conversation with my sister, I wanted to remember:
*there aren't grumpy people: there are people who decide to BE grumpy
*there aren't angry people: there are people who decide to BE angry
*there aren't happy people: there are people who decide to BE happy
*there aren't confident people: there are people who decide to BE confident
*there aren't patient people: there are people who decide to BE patient
*there aren't faithful people: there are people who decide to BE faithful
*there aren't ...
*there is only what we decide to BE...

EAT!

2010-03-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

Baby H's version of the sign for EAT...sign language is normally quiet, right but when she signs EAT, she's so determined that I can hear it!
(just hope she doesn't hurt herself)

...craft night...

2010-03-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

...growth charts!

diaper dance...

2010-03-01T21:05:00.000-08:00

...how easy is it to get these kiddos to hold still for one good picture?!?!?!
...three out of the five 2009 grandbabies...

little doll...

2010-02-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

lily tomlin...haha

you better believe it...

2010-02-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

...this kid's hair has refused to grow

(daddy didn't have any hair until he was three!

she is almost three)...

...it has no style...

...sometimes I use gel on it...

that's pretty cute...

...today we cut and styled it..

pixie style...

..."like Tinkerbell," I told her, "like Pixie Hollow."

"You better believe it." She replies...

...this kid cracks me up...

...I thought she was saying something she'd heard from Jungle Book...

...maybe, maybe not...

thanks!

2010-02-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

M just told me, as I put her to bed:

"Mommy, you're a right, good listener!"

thanks, kiddo, that's good to hear!

EYE spy...

2010-02-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

...i know...this is a little weird... but can you tell who's is who???

...and this is why I did this, because aren't these just the sweetest eyes:

...and, eye color, it's so fascinating...

few books...

2010-02-05T22:21:00.000-08:00

..some recent winners for mommies...my reviews are usually posted on my Goodreads (see link to the right)...
Parenting with Love and Logic: Birth to 6 Years
(even my first-born loved it, could hardly put it down!)
a FUN approach giving me the attitude: "Yeah kid, mess up, make mistakes, hit those terrible twos, hooray! Do it now and learn from it now cause the consequenses now are soooo much easier and less permanent than when you are older..."

...and Potty Training for Dummies.
Two books that gave me attitude adjustments about parenting.
This quote from Potty Training literally brought tears to my eyes:
"Show your child respect in this awesome discovery process, and he will return the favor tenfold."

Hmmm conversation...

2010-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

...this is how it went this morning: (by the way, we had just had a Family Night lesson on kindness and following Jesus example in being kind when we see people hurt like the Good Samaritan):

L: Mommy, if you get hurt, what should we do to help you?

Me: ummm, I guess you could call 911 (they have no idea what this means)

L: ...and what if we don't help you?
Me: ummm, I might die? (maybe a little to harsh for a 4 yr old?)

L: well, then we could get a new Mommy.

Me: you want a new mommy? who would it be?

L: we would have a grandma mommy! "Bing!" (with a wave of her hand, you know, like "bibbity bobbity boo!") and she would come to our house!

Me: Grandma, huh? Well, how about T & H, could they be your new mommy?

L: no, they are not a grandma. and Grandma Bobby could come to our house.

Me: and what about Grandmama?

L: she could come too. that would be good!

Me: where will I go if I die?

M: to Heavenly Father!

Me: that's right! To Heaven with Heavenly Father. Will I be happy?

M: Yes!

Me: That's right, I will be happy in Heaven with Heavenly Father! He loves me.

M: And you will be happy with Jesus and with Santa Clause!

I guess these are important conversations to have with our kids, right? Sure wouldn't want anything to ever happen to me! Though, they sure seem well adjusted to the idea...hmmmm :(

where have I been?

2010-02-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

...well....I did it! I did my 2009 photo album. finished it. this is a big achievement. in our 7.5 yrs of marriage this is our first and only year scrapbooked! and my new goal...get each previous year done by Valentines Day, and it will become "we love our family" day where we look at the previous years events and celebrate family. that way, with all these girls, I figure valentines day will always be about just loving each other and they don't have to have it ruined by some sappy boyfriend in the future...haha

remember when....

2010-01-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

...I love sharing the things I use to love with my girls...

a little advertising...

2010-01-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

...for me that is! I don't have a good advertising sense, or know-how, I could try Etsy, but I thought I would start on here...

...these are personalized maps I made for Christmas presents. They would be about 3.5 x 3 feet. Made of real canvas, hand-painted, leather straps to hang, and personalized to the children. They can be girls colors with princess themes too! They roll up to fit into a tube and are durable enough for the kids to haul around a bit and lay on the floor and look at and explore. They are meant for their bedroom/playroom/indoor treehouse walls (but of course, how boring is that!). Anyway, they were so much fun to make, and the kids loved them so, encouraged by my overly-supportive husband, I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone is interested in buying them as a gift. I've seen something similar for sell for over 200$ plus shipping and handling. Yes, I realize, a posh little gift for a child's room. But, I thought I would start by selling them for 100$ and that includes shipping and handling. For now. We will see what happens...

prayer...

2010-01-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

tonight in the kids prayers they were thankful for:

"Jesus, Santa, and Zebras" -M (In that order)

"Love-a-Lot Care Bear, Birthday Bear, the Beast (and Beauty too I'm sure), the master (???)" -L

(we really were suppose to be blessing the food, my sister snapped this picture...I didn't realize what was going on the whole time!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010-01-01T00:17:00.000-08:00

games, good company, late night, too much sugar/pop/goodies, loud noise makers, yelling of "happy new year", tired/timid/sugar high kids, all around= a fun night!

Happy 2010

"As we reflect on the value of resolving to do better, let us discipline ourselves to carefully select the resolutions we make, to consider the purpose for making them, and finally, to make commitments for keeping them and not letting any obstacle stop us. Let us remind ourselves at the beginning of each day that we can keep a resolution just for that day."

-N. Eldon Tanner

tradition...some more...

2009-12-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

...the mall Santa..."okay everyone, on the count of 3, look in a different direction, but NOT at the camera!"

After a family dinner out, where my first born L explained to the waitress that her sister was using the potty and that "she is still going," then later asked if "that big girl went to the potty" too, meaning the waitress...

...we had a lovely evening at Salt Lake Temple Square. My second born, M loves beauty and love, she gravitates towards it, when she sees anything loving or beautiful she can not stay away or resist touching or gazing. Some quotes of the night from M:

We told her we were on our way to the Temple, the house of the Lord. We had to confirm over and over again that 'yes, mommy and daddy were married there...yes, mommy put on her pretty dress, no she didn't dance inside the Temple with Daddy, her prince, but outside, sure!' And we told her that we would see the Christus, the big statue of Jesus. This seemed to make her a little nervous. We explained that Jesus is very loving and not scary. She asked if she could bring her doll. I heard her whispering to her doll:
"Baby, you will not be scared, and I will not be scared..."

The whole way there we heard at every tall, decorated building:
"Is this Jesus' house? Is this Jesus' house?" over and over again...
"Are we going to see Jesus?" (yes... for the hundredth time...)
"Jesus had a hurt food and hand. When I had a scar, I had a hurt on it, when I was Jesus..." Hmm?

Finally we got out of the car, M ran down the sidewalk:
"We are running to see Jesus!" (that's the attitude, kid!)
"Are we going to see Baby Jesus? Are we going to see Baby Jesus?" over and over again...
"I think Jesus is coming out of His house to see us! We need to see Jesus!"
"And there is Snow Whites tower!" pointing to the Temple. (Okay, maybe we let the princess thing go a little too far)

And on the walk up to see the Christus:
"Lift me up so that I can see Jesus!" over and over again...
Finally, we get to the Christus:
"Can I touch His big toe?"
"Can I touch his scar?"
"I just want to give him a big hug!"

...then, "will he give me a bell?"
And then I realized, she thought she was really going to see Him on this night. And was so excited about it. Yet nervous. And I told her that one day, she will be able to give Him a hug. The real Jesus. And that He does love her, very much.

for that one person...

2009-12-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

...who reads my blog but I don't have your email address to send out your Christmas Card:

...so I do email Christmas Letters each year now. Lame, huh? Well, I don't really think so actually. It's not that cards are way too expensive. I mean, I don't want to spend money on them, there are other things I'd rather spend money on. And they don't take all that much time to send, but definately more than an email. But, there is a reason that I actually love my email letters: I love to check my email for the next couple of days after I send the letter. This is the time I write to all my people. You know, the Christmas card people. And for the next couple of days after my letter, I get to hear good things back from all of these people... immediately. You can't do that with a 'snail mail' letter. Isn't that so much fun!

more traditions...

2009-12-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

...I love the idea of having the kids choose from their toys to give away, to a second-hand store or toy drive...make room for the new toys...also, for one of our extended family parties, we have a theme each year. This year was Japan as my baby brother just returned from a church mission there. We ate Japanese Pancake (okonomiyaki), two soups (soybean-miso), Japanese sweets (Satsumaimo potatoes-yams), and "Japanese Christmas Cake." Fun!

traditions...

2009-12-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

i love them!
"...traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive." -L. Tom Perry, 12 Apostle of the Lord

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T10:44:00.000-08:00

This is a FABULOUS thanksgiving video called In the Spirit of Thanksgiving...I love it when he sings "If I were a rich man" from Fiddler on the Roof...haha...
...so here is how we concluded our Family Nights Gratitude Tree project. My friend Marci gave us the AWESOME idea to plant a tree that would grow and we'd always remember it and give thanks...and that is what I really really really wanted to do. In fact, our new home has zero trees and that would have been sooo perfect...except that it's winter...hmm, so we went more simple. The girls made cookies and painted thank you cards and we took them to their Sunday School teachers. They were sooo excited to do this too. That made it worthwhile.

girls in white dresses...

2009-11-20T07:36:00.001-08:00

...with white satin ribbons...

...the hair bows are ribbon from my wedding bouquet as a matter of fact!

...with a nice camera, beautiful background, and my sister's energy we got some beautiful pictures!

...my red-heads...

dress up again?!

2009-11-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

...Disney Princesses On Ice!!
...what we learned: don't tell a toddler three weeks in advance that you are going to see princesses...

...thanks to great friends for the borrowed costumes...and a compliment to my friend who made her Belle costume... without a pattern...it was one of the best there and got many many comments and people stopping us to take pictures...you are so talented!

ta da...

2009-11-11T19:35:00.001-08:00

...so I went with the dark brown...

...and I like the way the curtains turned out...there is black out just on the top where there are no blinds...I enjoy the colors in my girls Americana room....

...and I thought I would share a bit more of this seemingly eternal project...it was a foreclosure, vandalized, graffiti, broken water pipes, mold, wind, etc etc etc...and in the perfect area...so we bought it, a few hours before I went into labor. I saw little of my hubby for the next month while he (and many other wonderful people) meticulously painted and repaired, following the plans and pictures that I had put together the month before...

...here is his Father's Day gift from me to him:

He wanted a curved fireplace hearth...Lowes and Home Depot said it couldn't be done...so we made it happen:

...and here is another of the many, many, many, many gifts he gave me in many hours of work... ...I honestly did not take many pics of this place before, and in the ones you see, they are touched up so you don't see all the mess that was left...it felt cold, yucky, and dark...now it feels warm, happy, and like home! (even though it is an ENDless project and I just can't wait for a fence and some BIG trees!!) I'll post some more before/after pics if you are interested....? ...and...what would you do with that white tile inside the fireplace...I can't really remove it...so what else??? Leave it?

italian pizza...

2009-11-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

If you have never had it, don't expect American Pizza to be anything like it...but, do expect it to have an awesome unique taste all of it's own. My husband served a church mission in Italy where he fell in love with Italian food. He took me to the Salt Lake City restaurant called Settebello for an authentic Italian Pizza. Sooooooooooo good. I craved their margherita with italian sausage my whole pregnancy. They also have Gelato...the awesome Italian Ice cream. I would go there.

Now, in Provo valley, they have the restaurant Terra Mia. We tried it. Just as gooood. As we were leaving, we saw some couples walk to the door, look in, and decide not to go. WHAT!?! Do you not know how good this pizza is?! I would go here too. These places import the real ingredients. They also have Gelato...

one of the greatest lessons...

2009-11-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

..."never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved"...

Our Prophet President Monson shares a minute message about what matters most...

"they do not love, that do not show their love" -William Shakespeare

this is halloween...

2009-11-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

...take ONE...This is the Place Heritage Park...
...what can I say, it was game day...BYU monkey, Firefighter, sweet Pea Pod...

...take TWO...preschool parade...firefly,cow butterfly...first Halloween...

...Take THREE...HALLOWEEN DAY!...Halloween Princess...Lion...Octopus...

...so thankful to friends for letting me borrow adorable costumes!

The pumpkin story...

2009-10-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

...the fall season, we love it, the leaves, the colors, the pumpkins...
...my husband's work decided to have a pumpkin carving contest, so they gave him a pumpkin...it's the little one in the picture...what kind of a pumpkin is that! All you can carve on something like that is a pair of eyes, maybe! So we did....

...we even managed to get a mouth...the girls got bored shortly after this picture about, like 30 sec after, and left. That's when things got a little scarey. Our BIG family pumkin, well, I think the little excuse for a pumpkin insulted him...so he took matters into his own orange head...

...literally...

..."I eat your sorry excuse for a pumpkin in one bite!

....next year, give us a REAL pumpkin to carve!"

OH YEAH! He won...10 whole dollars gift card to Star Bucks, Woo Hoo!!!

a grateful heart...

2009-10-25T17:08:00.001-07:00

A grateful heart will give you a touch of refinement that can come in no other way. -Marjorie Hinckley, wife of President Gordon B. Hinckley I have wondered how we can teach gratitude and humility to our American children in the face of such abundance. Perhaps the best way is to be constant in the matter of family prayer.
It is good to kneel as a family and to hear daily expressions of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the blessings we enjoy. The Lord intended His children to enjoy the good things of life. With all that we have, we must also have grateful hearts. We must teach our children not to take all that they have for granted. –Marjorie Hinckley
This is our gratitude or thankful tree that we are putting together the entire month before Thanksgiving. L was our Thanksgiving baby, born right on Thanksgiving morning after some years of infertility testing and many prayers. So this holiday has taken on extra special meaning to us. Our goal is to speak only positive things for this month (harder than you think for us!) and then daily write something we are thankful for on a leaf of our tree. I want to end in a culminating event during the thanksgiving holidays. Something they can look forward to. But I can't think of anything that would be meaningful for such young ones...any ideas, please? My blogging world always comes through for me, I'm thankful for you. :)

on becoming a new mother...

2009-10-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

"Remember that this is the time in my life that I have dropped off the face of the world as I knew it, to enter the realm of motherhood. My eulogy will mention all of the accomplishments I’ve done before this time and after my children are grown. But the greatest achievements of my life, will be the children that come from this quiet anonymous period." –Me, written in my journal shortly after my first daughter came into the world.

calling all decorators...

2009-10-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

...my latest little project needs a little help...this is what I started with...
...and after some lovely scrapbook paper, and mod podge, here is the final...however, which boarder around the clock? Dark Brown:

Blue:

Black:

Cream:

Or just leave it the way it is right now? I feel like the brown paint I oozed into the paper to make it look 'older' or 'worn' or 'distressed' makes it just look sloppy? What should I do? Help please? Then, very soon I have finished curtain pictures coming up!

hooray for modern medicine...

2009-10-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

...even with all it's glitches...I feel we are a people inspired by God in the advancement of medicinal break-throughs...
...flu shots hurt! But we are thankful for them. When a flu rolled into our home this week, I stayed well (I was immunized a few weeks ago), both girls (immunized a week earlier) got a mild case clearing up after a day with only lasting weakness, and my hubby is still sick, sorry sweetie (no shot for him). Do I think the flu shot caused the girls to get sick? uh, no. And we might get the flu a few more times this season! But if it was as mild as this case, bring it on! My mommy nerves can handle it. Are we diligent in getting the flu shot? no, more as a convenience. Do I ever want a loved one to be 1 of the 500 in 40 million that contract a serious illness as a result of adverse reactions to the flu shot...never. Even knowing we were perhaps helping the greater cause would not ease the pain and suffering of loosing a loved one or remaining permanently disabled. But would I regret getting the flu shot and go on an anti-flu shot campaign? no. Because you do the best you can for your family. Would I stop driving my kids around because the stats of dying in a car accident are by far greater than them dying by the flu shot? no. You do the best you can in this world...and...I'll continue to luuuuv my epidural...

it's that time again...and we are enjoying it...

2009-09-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

go BYU!

a little creativity of our own...

2009-09-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

...my sis made me do this...we made these little dresses in a few hour burst of creativity one evening late into the night...I was sick of it after one dress...she persisted and encouraged and we got them all done...she will be good at encouraging her own kids efforts one day...

lights, camera, action...

2009-09-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

...a friend has an etsy shop for her creations and my girls tried some on to display the pieces...and quality pieces they are too! I was impressed...creative and well done...check them out HERE. Hey, if we live close to you, I'll bet you can just pick it up from me instead of paying shipping!
Baby leggings, soooo cute and cuddley!

"I'm a little teapot..."

touring...Yosemite!

2009-09-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

"The mountains are calling and I must go."...

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings."-John Muir

...first we spent the day watching Daddy climb this mountain...

...Nevada High Point: Boundary Peak...

...then we spent the day waiting for Daddy to climb this mountain...

...Half Dome...on a scale of 1-10 it's an 11...

...then...we spent time with nature...great trip with family...

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." -John Muir

...calling all interior designers!

2009-09-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

half window...vaulted ceilings...bay windows...arched window...I need to work with all of this to make a window treatment...and there is a light that shines from the street into this bedroom all night long...so we need to darken it too...and I need help!! So, we bought this this place. A fixer upper. We signed on it the day I went into labor. :) My husband has done and incredible job with everything (with the help of a lot of wonderful people). I've hesitated to post pictures and tell about this project as it's been one looooong project and is still a daily work in progress. But I'm to the point of decorating a bit. And I want help with my ideas! And I thought, my blogger friends will help! I have some pretty talented friends. In this way, you can also see the new place...it's been fun...please give me your ideas, advice, even criticism, and I'll have some fun decorating and post the finished pics too!
..okay, so this is a trivial item, but should the valance hang with the line of the ceiling or the floor, slope or straight? Any other input on this tough-to-work-with window?

ha! ha! ha!

2009-09-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

Baby H. just had her first ever belly laugh last week at three months old. I was pushing little M in a swing and thought H was having a coughing fit. Then I realized, she was laughing! My friend grabbed her cell phone to record it, thanks! That's all baby H you hear, it's the funniest baby laugh! (pause my music to hear!)

blessings...

2009-08-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

four grandchildren in two months...and one more on the way...busy grandparents!

family reunions...

2009-07-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

...we just love them...of course, you never know who doesn't want their child's picture posted on a public blog, so instead of asking every single person, I just tried to maintain a bit of anonymity...

our favorite song of late...

2009-07-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Pause my other music!

God bless the USA!

2009-07-05T22:51:00.000-07:00

...I love to celebrate this week...

i dunno...

2009-06-24T14:51:00.001-07:00

...who she looks like, they all look similar...but different...

They are in order of baby #2, 1, and 3....

the "ooooo" face....

2009-06-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

....you know the one...here are my three girls and theirs...who is who??

Once again, baby #2, 3, then 1....

..a new soul...

2009-05-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

...welcome to the world Baby H...
...all 6 lb 12 oz, 17.5 in of you...!!!

...soo loved...

"...love little children with a perfect love..." -Moroni 8:17 (Book of Mormon)

play'n school...

2009-05-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

...love how the girls play together these days. We go to library story time weekly. At home, L called little M over the rug and told her to sit down, and proceeded to hold up a book and 'read' it to her just like the story time lady. Then L got some letter blocks and held them up:

L: M, what letter is this?
M: 'B'
L: what sound does a 'B' make?
M: Buzzzzzz

So smart, a bee does go buzzz.....

Mother's Day...

2009-05-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

...I was looking forward to our church Sacrament meeting today because I knew the children would be singing a song to the mothers. I had been practicing this song for a couple of weeks with the girls and they had it down. Then L got sick and couldn't make it to church. I was sad. I know it's a little thing, but I was sad. Well, we recorded the girls singing it for me this evening before bed. First they had to sing the "I love Daddy/Mommy" song, then the Mother's Day song:
"I often, go walking in meadows of clover. And I gather armfuls of blossoms of blue. I gather the blossoms the whole meadow over. Dear mother all flowers remind me of you." Thanks girls! (remember to pause my music to hear this well!)

Another great mother's day gift I recieved today was from L. Because she was sick, my sweet husband got up to comfort her in the night and ended up on the floor by her bed when she woke up this morning. He told me, she leaned out of bed first thing, looked at him and asked, "where's Mommy?" Then, my little girl who is just entering the world of personal pronouns and full sentences said, "Mommy makes me feel better." Awww.... Then continued without prompting: "Mommy makes dinner... Mommy makes cookies... Mommy makes cookies in the oven."

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

watch your cart!

2009-05-07T08:12:00.001-07:00

...had an interesting experience awhile ago at the Orem Costco. I was thinking about it again today and thought I would share, one to be aware, and two because it was so bizarre. So...I walked up to the shopping carts and chose one placed by itself to the side of all the other carts, it was all set up to load the kids. I put them both into the double cart. Little M started to complain about hers. I reached behind her thinking I was going to move one of the straps or something, but instead felt something sharp. I quickly pulled her out to find a pair of scissors! Not just ordinary scissors you would carry in your purse (too sharp and long for that), or not even the kind used by a Costco worker. These were the thin long handled kind with the small sharp scissor top, surgical scissors. And they were placed just right so that the handles were open hanging out the back of the seat and the open sharp points were sticking straight up angled towards baby's bottom, but too thin and matching in color to the cart to be noticeable. With the way they were placed, there was no way that a child could not have somehow been affected by them. I had been lucky enough that one, M was in a thick diaper and two, in putting M into the cart I pushed the points towards the back of the seat so they were just scratching her, otherwise...
I gave them to a Costco worker explained and then even placed a complaint with Costco...never heard a thing from them...wow...watch your cart!

we believe...

2009-04-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

...the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly, we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

I'm a reader. I'll admit, I usually have a few books that I'm reading all at the same time. I love reading and it influences my life in many positive ways. I've taken advice on which materials I choose to read from people I consider wise or people who seem to be entertained or uplifted in similar ways to me. I try to update my book list (see my links) not to let people know what I like to read, but to myself remember the things I learn from books.
The times when reading has the most influence for me is when I'm in need of some advice or direction. Lately, I've noticed that if I read a parenting book/article about an issue I'm having in parenting, then I immediately feel more confident in my own abilities and better able to handle situations. Even if I don't really agree with or follow the advice! Even if I only get something I can use from one little sentence. I see this is how I learn. By studying, pondering, then action. I want to do God's Will. With the little store of knowledge I build and my own intuition I feel I am adding to a list of resources that God can use to do His Will with me, especially in motherhood. I feel more prepared. If I fail to do these things for a time, I feel a little out of control of my life.
Thus it is with my reading of the Scriptures. The Bible. The Book of Mormon. The words of the current Prophets and Apostles. When I fail to read them for a time, I feel a deep lack in my life. A hunger. A hunger that is immediately filled when I commence reading these sacred words. Once again a feel a flow of direction and confidence from God enter into my life. I feel it so abundantly that it makes me wonder why I would have stopped reading in the first place, if I knew all along what great value it is to me?

big and chunky...

2009-04-18T14:24:00.001-07:00

...honestly...aren't you glad there's nothing wrong with love'n chunky?
My sister dressed us up to go the the annual BYU alumni ball...

...I usually don't stand out in a crowd...not at all...this evening though, I got several glances...I guess I looked extra good...or maybe it was the shimmery green belly on the dance floor?

happy easter...

2009-04-15T21:02:00.001-07:00

...we loved the Easter bunny...

...on a more serious note. I'm so happy to know that the events of Easter happened as they truly did: The resurrection of Jesus Christ. So many things make me grateful for my Savior this time of year.

thrift, self-reliance, and talents...

2009-04-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

...this is what we are taught to use, especially in these economic times...and that, I believe, applies especially to the little things in life......a friend of mine introduced to me a new sort of "bow-making" get-together.
Thrift: each of us brought bunches of flowers, the best were from the dollar store of all places! She shared hair clips and brads. Each bow was probably a dollar to make at the most (instead of the 6$ you would buy it for pre-made).
Self Reliance: made them myself! we threw all the flowers into the middle of the floor, and from there, tore apart each one and mixed and matched and made new hair-bow flowers. it was so much fun to do, I did it again soon after with my sister.
Talents: so easy to do! be as creative or as simple as you want. also...a tribute to:...happy cherry blossom days!

...especially to my little brother serving a church mission in Japan right now and my sister who served in Washington D.C.