Junior Jazz Player

Last night I was able to go

watch my awesome nephew play basketball.

He's played a couple of "seasons"

but I haven't been able to go until now.

He made quite a few shots,

and lots of rebound.

He hustled down the court,

and was always the first one down 

to defend.

Awesome job Hunter!

I'm so proud of you!

I can't wait to see you play with the big boys!

7 Years

Yesterday Blake and I celebrated 7 years of marriage.

We actually celebrated on Saturday night,

and I spent the evening last night at the P!nk concert

while Blake worked.

The concert was a BLAST,

but more about that later.

Saturday

The kids had a sleepover at Grandma's

{their favorite thing ever} 

Blake and I went on a "staycation" in Salt Lake.

We checked into a hotel

went to dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen

then watched

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

The best part of our getaway was spending

time together.

Not having to worry about

putting little sweet ones to bed.

Not having to wake up to an alarm clock.

{I may have slept till 10:00}

We talked

and laughed and cuddled.

We snuck a caramel apple into the movie,

I am such a rebel.

I'm so thankful for my amazing husband.

He is such a good person.

He is thoughtful,

and kind.

He keeps my feet on solid ground

when I feel like the world is crumbling around me.

He is such a good daddy.

He and adores the kids,

and even though they don't act like it sometimes,

they adore him too.

Happy 7 Years to us,

I can't wait to spend the rest of

Eternity with this handsome stud!

I'm trying...

At bed time,

we have a routine. 

Read books,

rock in the chair,

and sing songs.  

We usually sing primary songs.

I just feel like they are so relaxing,

and meaningful at the same time.

The other night I sang Gweny

a primary song I hadn't heard for some time.

"I'm trying to be like Jesus"

I'm trying to be like Jesus

I'm following in his ways

I'm trying to love as he did

In all that I do and say

at times I am tempted

to make a wrong choice

but I try to listen

as the still small voice whispers,

Love one another as Jesus loves you

try to show kindness in all that you do

be gentle and loving

in deed and in thought

for these are

the things Jesus taught.

I love those words.

Every word in that song is true.

I need to strive every day to be like Jesus.

To be gentle and loving

in deed and in thought.

My goal this week is to do just that.



Better late than never!

I have a dear friend

{well 7 actually} 

But one in particular

had a birthday was last week.

I was home with the flu.

And although I sent a

Happy Birthday text,

it just isn't the same as going to lunch.

{Which I still want to do!}

But I want my sweet Devyn,

to know how much I love her.

 We were inseperable

the whole summer after high school.

We went country dancing every Tuesday and Thursday.

We had a few mishaps with our pants,  

and stopped at Wendy's on our way home

to get a free cup of ice water.

We both met our husbands there.

We went on dates just for free food.

A few of them really.

We met some great guys,

and a few crazies.

We slept at one or the other of our houses

every night, excluding sunday

{our mother's were so mean}

We laid in bed and watched

Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban

Music videos.

She was there for me when I needed a friend

the very most.

When I said Yes,

and she repetedly told me to

"just say no..... To drugs."

{not drugs in the literal sense, thats not my style}

And I like to hope that

I was the friend that was there for her,

when she needed someone the most.

Even if she didn't know it at the time.

She is beautiful and stong.

She is an amazing mother, and friend.

She's so kind hearted, and loving.

Anyone who knows Devyn knows this is true.

I'm so glad that we are still close friends

and get to see each other on a regular basis.

I love you Devy poo!

I hope you had a great birthday!



2014

I can't even comprehend that it is already 2014. 

We had a great 2013, 

I got a new job, 

Blake didn't quit his

{although he threatened multiple times}

Blake and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary, 

we went to Red Lobster for dinner, 

and took Nixon skiing for the first time.

I may, or may not have almost

let him fall off the lift. 

 

That's another story for another day!

We ate lots and lots of Ice Cream cones

{and Gweny grew some hair!}

Afternoon cuddles, 

And lots of kitchen dance parties, 

 This big boy turned 5, 

and I think he grew a foot this year!

At least an inch and a half in 6 months!

We went on a family vacation with the Tingey's to Yellowstone

Hiking and 4-wheeling by the "B"

Nixon started Kindergarten!

He loves it, 

and is learning so much!

My baby brother got married in Sept.

Gweny turned 2. 

She can talk really good, 

and is potty trained!

(Score!)

We spent alot of time at the park

Nixon started playing soccer, 

his team was "the lightning bolts"

Halloween

Nixon was a Ninja

Gweny was Dorothy

Christmas morning 

Christmas Sunday

all dressed up for church

All in all I think we had a great 2013.

I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us!

Happy Birthday

A little blog shout out,

for this sweet girl I work with.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLEE!

This was us on Halloween

{obviously we don't dress in capes on the daily... maybe we should}

we were Witches.

Les and I were the ONLY ones

working upstairs that day.

Don't worry,

we made the best of it.

I'm so glad that I get to work next to Les,

we are more alike then we ever knew.

We both know the most important things in life,

Dirty cokes,

and pens

lots and lots of pens!

I'm glad that I have been

able to get to know her a little bit better.

She is sweet,

and thoughtful.

She is a wonderful mother,

and always thinking about her family.

She listens when I need to vent,

and vents when I need to listen.

She helps me when I need it,

and doesn't laugh at my stupid questions.

She is smart,

and loves to write

and she is good at it too! 

{check out her running blog}



I hope that you have a  Happy Happy Birthday Leslee!

Thanks for being such a good friend!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

From us to you!

Nixon talked Santa's ear off.

I had to ask him to stop so I could get a pic.

Gwen....

Not a fan, obviously.

We will try again next year!

Wishing all a Merry Christmas!!

Snow Day

The other day,

it snowed

like a ton of snow.

Blake was out plowing,

the kids and I were staying in where

it is warm.

Miss Gweny,

Was running around the house

naked.

Butt naked.

She says

"Mom inna play in the snow"

So I opened the door,

just to see what she'd do.

She stands in the doorway for about

a minute and says,

"burr mom, cold toes I need socks."

I thought it was so funny

because she didn't care that

her little bum or hands

would be cold.

Just that her toes were.

To go on further with the story,

she came back wearing

a pair of Nixon's undies,

and two mismatched boots

minus the socks.

Such a silly silly girl!

Jammin' Friday

How incredibly awesome is this!! 

We have a house that does something similar just up the hill from us.

It is a holiday tradition for us to park in front

and watch the show. 

I hope you enjoy it too!

Innocence

Laughter...

The best cure for a hard day.

And it is amazing to me that my sweet 2 year old

knew that was just what I needed yesterday.

So many days,

I feel like I'm being pulled in so

many different directions.

I don't know which way I should go first.

Being stretched so thin.

That was my day yesterday.

So many requests

from so many people around me,

very little understanding 

No patience.

At bedtime,

reading and singing to my sweet daughter,

she did something to make me laugh.

I laughed, and she continued,

Growing more and more pronounced.

Then giggling until tears

poured from both our eyes.

The innocence of a child.

With the spirit of the Holy Ghost surrounding her.

Knowing what I needed most

to brighten my day

was a little silliness and a good dose of laughter.

Jammin' Friday

I don't know why but I love this song. 

I think it has such a good rhythm 

and it just makes me want to dance.

I especially love the sound of the accordion used. 

And the view in the video is spectacular!

Have a listen! 

Did you like it?   

My dear sweet Children

Once again linking up with Mama Kat and her writing workshop.

This week was so easy for me to choose.

3. Something your child did or said this week that made you smile.

Well let me start off by saying

that when Nixon first said this it made me cry.

I was having a bad day,

and for some lame reason

I was taking it out on everyone around me

which just happened to be my little family.

Nixon said to me

"mom, I love you even if your mean."

I couldn't believe it!

He told me I was mean!

How dare he!

But now looking back at it,

I was mean.

I was being a big selfish brat.

But I'm so so glad that Nixon knows

that he can tell me how he feels,
and is not afraid.
That we have that type of relationship.

Even if I bawled uncontrolably after his remark.

But even more.

I'm glad that he still loves me,

even when I am mean.

It means the world to me!

A few other sweet comments from my darling kids.

Gweny:

 as she is swinging our poor little Jingle Joe by the feet{elf on the shelf}

"MOMM! Look I found Joe!"

P.s. In case you don't know,

your not supposed to touch the elf on the shelf because he might loose his magic!

Whoops Sorry Joe,

We really hope you can come back tomorrow!

Gweny:

"Mom, I'm the big bad wolf.

I will huff and puff and blow your house down."

She is slightly obsessed with the 3 Little Pigs at the moment.

Nixon:

Sitting in church, leans over

and says {not so quietly}

"mom, I love you"

The lady in front of us turned around and said,

"oh that is just the sweetest"

Nixon:

Belching and burping

"Excuse me"

I said "Nixon, stop burping"

"But Mom, I said EXCUSE ME!

that makes it ok"

And the one that I will never forget,

although it was ages ago.

Nixon likes me to lay with him in bed for a little while

he's rubbing my face and my hair,

N: Mom you nice soft skin

Me: thanks buddy

N: Mom you have such pretty eyes

Me: Oh thank you.

N: Mom you have such awesome hair.

N: Mom you have such awesome all your body parts!

Leave it to a 5 year old to make you feel

the very best!

What funny things have your kids said that you won't ever forget.

Spiritual Thought Sunday

 I recently read a conference talk given by

President Thomas S. Monson.

I thought it fit perfectly with this Thanksgiving season.

Even though Thanksgiving has passed,

and the Christmas season is now quickly upon us

I am trying hard to be thankful all year round.

He spoke about how most often we take the

things that are most important to us for granted,

These are not worldly things,

these are usually those people who are closest

and most dear to us.

President Gordon B. Hinkley said

"When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arroance and conceit and egotism,

you walk with the spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you

and will bless your lives."

Thomas S. Monson said

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings,

but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love."

I hope that you will join with me in

showing sincere thanks year round.

I know I feel so much better

 when I count

the many blessings that God has given me.

And recognize how loved I am.

 You can read the talk here

it is amazing!

Jammin' Friday

In honor of Good ol' Turkey day

The Turkey song by Adam Sandler.

I think he is just plain funny,

and he comes up with some really unusual

and funny lyrics.

Have a listen and tell me your favorite part of the song!

Vacation

I had some vacation days left that I needed to use before the end of the year.

I took last week off to be home with my kids.

I learned a few things:

1. Paid vacation days are a great time to potty train a 2 year old
Which I'm proud to say is going pretty dang great!
And all it took was a penny gumball machine.

2. I didn't get to sleep in, not even for a minute.

3. I still don't clean my house even when I'm home for 5 days straight.

Plus, what's the point when kids are home
Destroying everything faster than you can clean it.

4. I can have dinner made by 3 o'clock every day

{my husband teases me relentlessly for that one}

5. I read an entire book during the short naptime hours.
"The Art of Racing in the Rain"
Good read {more about that later}

6. I find as many ways to get out of the house as humanly possible.

7. I Absolutly LOVE spending time with my kids,

snuggling in our jammies until right before dad gets home from work,

going to get a coke/slushie {in said jammies} at 9:30am, yes we have a problem.

I still have a few of those Vacation days left

to use before the end of the year.

I am looking forward to them.

8 Favorite Books

I decided to follow one of Mama Kat's writing prompts this week. 

If you haven't checked out her blog, 

every week she posts a writing prompt. 

They are pretty fun because she gives you 5 ideas 

of something to blog about. 

A little inspiration!

This week I chose to write about 8 books

that I think everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. 

So I am just going to put down my favorites!

1. Harry Potter 1-7 by J.K Rowling

Harry Potter is my all time favorite! J.K. Rowling has a way of making 

a children's book totally appropriate for adults too!

And as much as I love the Harry Potter books,

The movies are completely amazing too!

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I was up through all hours of the night reading this book. 

Based during Nazi occupied Germany, 

a young girl whose mother and brother are killed 

go to live with foster parents.

They hide a Jewish man in their basement. 

He teaches the girl to read, 

and in her thirst for knowledge, she steals all the books she can find.

I absolutely LOVED the descriptions, 

they were so subtle, yet so vibrant.

A movie adaptation was released Nov 8th

and is on my list of movies to see!

3. 11/22/63 by Stephen King

This was such an amazing book.

I'm slightly fascinated with history anyway, 

and although this was a work of fiction

many historical events were included.

11/22/63 is about a man who goes back in time 

to try and prevent the Kennedy assassination

and everything that happens 

in the world when the historical events 

are changed. 

It is 800+ pages, 

but I didn't once get bored or hoped that

it would hurry up and end. 

4. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

One that I think should be read to every child. 

The story about a tree who loved a boy. 

The boy would come to the tree everyday. 

As he got older, 

he expected more of the tree. 

The tree loved him, so the tree gave and gave. 

A remarkable story about the act of giving, 

and showing love to those around us. 

5. The Host by Stephanie Meyer

This is not the MOST famous book that Stephanie Meyer has written, 

but it is also nothing like Twilight. 

This is a little hard to get into at first and understand, 

but believe me you will love it!

The world is invaded by other life forms

who take over the human brain and occupy the bodies. 

Melanie Stryder's brain is taken over

but she refused to give in. 

Such an exciting imaginative novel!

I think this is also a movie, 

which I haven't seen. 

Is it any good?

6. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The thought of a child with cancer is heart wrenching to begin with, 

but this brought a whole new perspective. 

About wanting to be remembered in a life that is "a side effect of dying." 

I loved how Hazel saw the world around her. 

I loved that she fell in love.

 The kind of love that is so magical and real. 

Not typical 17 year old puppy love. 

And I loved all the charactera that John Green created.

Be warned, YOU WILL CRY!

7. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

An unlikely friendship 

evolved between a wealthy boy, 

and the servant's son. 

How he feels he must hide it, 

and how they learn to show their friendship and love.

I loved this book in so many ways. 

It was sad, and terrifying at the same time. 

Towards the end of the story, it describes the state Afganistan is in. 

It scares me, and breaks my heart that so many people have to deal with such terrible things.

8.The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This book was so unusual, 

and unpredictable.

A Circus appears unexpectedly no one knows

when it will come, or how long it will stay

The story behind rivalry and

forbidden love.   

AND A BONUS #9

I couldn't leave this one out!

The Book of Mormon

You can read it all here for FREE! 

Those are some of my favorites! 

Have you read any? 

What are your favorites?

PLEASE SHARE!!!

Spiritual Thought Sunday

Take Time to Be Holy

Take time to be holy, speak oft with they Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak, 

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. 

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; 

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone. 

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be; 

Thy friend in thy conduct His likeness shall see. 

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide; 

And run not before Him, whatever betide. 

In h\joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, 

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul, 

Each though and each motive beneath His control. 

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love, 

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. 

-William D. Longstaff

Jamin' Friday

Just a favorite dance jam at our house

"Harlem" by New Politics

Spiritual Thought Sunday

I'm super late on my Spritual Thought Sunday,

I've been having way to much fun

spending time with my kids.



Mosiah 4: 14-15

"And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.

But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another."

This scripture came up in my Sunday School Class on Sunday 

and I loved it!

It is such a great reminder that we need to learn

all that we can,

so we can teach our children

to do what is right.

I know that I need to work on being a better

example to my children.

I need to be better about letting

them see my pray,

and read my scriptures,

and make sure they know how

important it is to attend the temple.

My goal is to strive to teach my children these things

at a young age.

What will you do to teach your children to

"walk in the ways of truth?"

Motivation and Jammin' Friday

A coworker of mine shared this with everyone on our team.

I loved it and thought it was

great advice to help get us through our friday!

Highest vision

Look up from what you’re doing and look around for a minute. See what a beautiful world you’re in.

Take your mind off the problems for a moment, and focus on the positive possibilities. Consider how very much you are able to do.

Turn your attention for a while away from the worries and anxieties. Remind yourself of all your many blessings.

The direction of your focus is the direction your life will move. Let yourself move toward what is good, valuable, strong and true.

The things that fill your awareness are the things that will fill your life and your world. So expand your awareness beyond your own concerns and toward the best of what can be.

Look up and look confidently toward the highest vision you can imagine. The moment you do, you’re on your way there.

— Ralph Marston



I felt like this quote inspires us to strive to fulfill our potential and forget the negative things in life. I don't know why, but this song immediately popped into my head. Enjoy "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor.

**P.S.** It's a long weekend for me! I am thrilled to spend some much needed time snuggling my kids, and husband. I also plan on avoiding housework at all costs {as if that were an unusual thing to be doing}. I hope you do the same!  

HAPPY FRIDAY!!