Monday, January 4, 2010

When it comes to resolutions

I AM REALLY GOOD AT MAKING THEM, BUT NOT ALWAYS KEEPING THEM. I'm not really one who makes a "list" of things I want to accomplish in a new year. Sure, I make many mental lists, but they are always changing. This year, as people are blogging about it, talking about it, teaching about it....."it" got me thinking about what I wanted to do about it! I mean, sure, we all wish we had a thinner waistline, better hair, that we drank more water and consumed less chocolate, that we could manage exercise early in the mornings, Pilate's in the afternoons, and a little Zumba in the evenings. I thought about the many things I had already put down on my mental list....things like: get this baby fat off, be more patent with my kids, watch less T.V., build up my food storage, take more walks, organize my closets, take better pictures, and study more. All of these things are important to me, but are being put on the back burner if you will. I want to first focus on what maters most.

President Thomas S. Monson says that what matters most to us usually includes those close to us....FAMILY. He asks us to love our family. We should never assume that they know of our love, but rather, we need to let them know.

"Never let a problem to be solved, more important than a person to be loved."

Wow. Never has a statement hit me so hard. I thought about all the times I tried to solve a "problem" when the more important matter that should have taken my time and attention was the person behind the problem.

This year I want to try a little harder to respond to my problems with greater LOVE. When my kids are grouchy, disobedient, sassy, whiny, stubborn....I am going to try responding with just some good ol love. I believe that this will work better than what I have tried in the past, which I won't mention... :)

Now I would like to give a special thanks to those who matter most to me...

To my wonderful husband who has shown me great love though out our years of marriage. Thank you for showing me what matters most. I know with out a doubt that you love and cherish me.



To my little Caleb, you always have a way of knowing when I am sad and respond to it with a hug, a kiss, and an "I love you." Thank you for your random acts of kindness toward me. You are such a wonderful example to all that meet you. I love you.


To my sweet Hannah, thank you for always making me laugh! You are the life of the party. I love your "special notes" that I get from you that are always addressed To mom, From Hannah. Thank you for being my little shining light in the darkness. I love you.



To my mother, who brought me to this world, who taught me how to love and how to be loved. Who let me cry in her bed until I feel asleep. Who waited up for me when I came home from a date. Who was there when I got married in the temple. And who always, always reminds me that I am loved. Thank you mom, for all of the other many, many more things that you have done for me.


To my father-in-law, who always sends me kind and inspiring emails.
To my Mother-in -Law Who in loving memory
, reminds me everyday by her life lived what should matter most.


To all of my wonderful grandparents, who remember each one of my kids birthdays, who know when we need a call, and who always smother us with kindness when we visit. Thank you for your love.


To my brothers, who played barbie soda shop with me, who played house with me, who jumped on the tramp with me and who now play these things with my kids. :)


"Despite the changes which come into our lives...
may we fill our days, as much as we can, with those things...
which matter most."

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

May your merry be very

I will clearly never fully understand Mary's sacrifice to bring this loving baby to us all. But this Christmas I cherish the fact that I too am loving this precious baby boy of mine, sent to me fresh from our Heavenly Fathers arms. May all of you have a very Merry Christmas and cherish these precious moments.










Sunday, December 20, 2009

because two is better than one

A photographer friend and I got together to toss some new pose ideas around.....and really, what could be more fun than 4 hours of baby folding, wrapping, cuddling, and a few feedings in between when you come up with this!!! These picture turned out absolutely amazing, if I do say so myself!! So enjoy these yummy photos of my sweet baby Porter!!




Wednesday, December 16, 2009

My little sweetness


We just recently went and got Hannah's hair cut. She looks SO BIG now!! She also got her ears pierced for her Birthday. If you look closely you can see those cute little sparkly balls on her tiny little lobs!!


I have been thinking lately how much I a-d-o-r-e you! I love how you follow me around. I love that you love to laugh and that you love to make others laugh. It just breaks my little heart at the thought of you growing up and not wanting me around...sign....Or maybe you will be like me and call your mommy all the time!
I love you my little bug!

Love Mommy

Out of the mouth of Hannah...
Me: Hannah, time to get off the couch and get ready for the day!
Hannah: But Mom!! It's a party in the U.S.A!!

Thanks a lot Miley!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Christmas music, snow, and cozy pjs



I found these nice 'n cozy matching pjs and Childrens Place and am so glad that I bought them! My kids look SO stinkin' cute in them! And of course Porter is extra snugly! We loved this time of the year and love that we have a new little one to share it with. Enjoy your Christmas holiday!

P.S. There are many of you out there that read my blog that I don't have addresses for. I would love to send you a Christmas Card. So if you don't mind, leave me your address in the comment box so that I can get one to you!! Merry Christmas!

snow day...what to do?

Make your elf self dance of course!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards


Friday, December 4, 2009

Thanksgiving/b-day party snap shots all wrapped into one!

I was so happy to have my family come up to see us and the new baby. They flew in on the 23rd late and stayed a whole week! It was so nice to have a "magic kitchen" and a "magic house"! i.e. cleans itself without me even touching it!

It was nice to not worry about taking care and holding Porter all day and night. The extra help is greatly missed! Thanks mom and Scott for all your help! Love you guys!!



Hannah wanted a Pony cake. She picked out everything, cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, and pony. I can't believe that my little girl is 4!!!

Last one! Blow!!



Hannah's birthday dinner. She LOVES meatballs!!


We went to House of Bounce for Hannah's birthday and it was a blast! Even the adults could bounce! We had so much fun and built up a good sweat!


Hannah and Grandma



Kurtis and my step dad Scott playing this really fun game! You are connected to a bungee cord and have to try to get the little bean bag the furthest. This game was popular with all the adults and even the kids tried! (love Kurtis's face in this picture!)

Jayden, Caleb and Hannah playing "save the princess" or somthing like that!

I just had to snap a picture of these yummy mashed potatos!


Sitting down to eat our feast! It was the fist time my mom ever cooked Thanksgiving dinner and boy did it turn out yummy! We only ran into one problem.....there where no turkeys left at Walmart! Who just runs out of turkeys two days before Thanksgiving?! So we sent the men on a wild "turkey" chase to find us one. They came home with a 20 pounder! Thanks guys!