{me thinks..}

 

One cold and snowy weekend, one husband away on scout camp, one tired over thinking over processing wife....... what did I do..... I crafted, I baked and I practiced some shots for a photography class I'm taking.  

Part of my goals this year is to actually learn what my camera is capable of and learn some photo shop, 

so I saw a class being offered in town and went to start learning a few things about my camera. I got some cute pics of K2 who likes to think he's a big boy and can sit on a stool like the big kids!

I than made some of these flower balls found here

so fun and I love the way they turned out total cost of one ball $3 dollars! 1 for the ball and 2 for the crepe paper copy of this valentine print found an on sale frame that will do for now...and voila

 and than I also made the felt heart wreath at the top super easy and relaxing and I love the way it turned out too! tutorial found here

 Than me and the kids made these on Saturday most of the  kids really liked them I thought they were good and They turned out like the picture....

also got to see two of my cute sisters and 

have a nice few hours laughing and talking.

Its always so awesome to hold my sweet

little niece India and just holding that little 11 pound bundle reminds me that prayers are answered and miracles do happen.  

Not always. But when they are supposed to. Its beautiful.

-------------------------------

Finished off the weekend with some popcorn and rummy cube with the kids {anybody else find it more frustrating than fun to play a family game and not have it be chaos? Oh the joys right...it was fun ..

---------------------------------

and a church funny from little MISS L

L: mom I'm bored {whispered} 

Me: L please be quiet and try listening to the speaker

L : {whispered }can I have some BBQ CHICKEN......

me: uncontrollable {quiet} inappropriate shoulder shaking laughing

like seriously the things she comes up with sometimes 

BBQ CHICKEN in sacrament really???

funny funny girl...

----------------------------------------------

Me Thinks

{Is there anybody out there like me?}

There is probably something you don't know about me 

{imagine that after all this time eh...}

I love HISTORY I love to read it in fiction and non fiction

 I'm reading this series right now

I love to watch movies about it...especially European history, WW2, the holocaust, slavery, pioneers and all such unrelated and related things..but I also love family history and stories that got us to today.

I find it fascinating and  disturbing at the same time some of the atrocities that are associated with it.{whatever it may be}I cry watching it and reading it, and wonder how things like this happen, how hatred  so strong turns into something so vile.,..

D thinks I'm weird to dwell on it I don't dwell on it.... I just like learning their stories and learning what history gets repeated if we don't watch what has happened and remember.

I like to think what would I have been like if I lived then?? 

I would have been killed for my big mouth but I also would have been one who hid Jews and helped those that were despised just for being who they were...

I watched The Last days {1998}

a doco/history of five survivors of the holocaust while I was on the elliptical this morning 

{I told you I was weird } 

But for real being in Germany and FEELING the history behind the stories that weren't stories anymore being there was completely different and a highlight of my life to feel that history and see the places I and you have learned about our whole lives was something totally indescribable unless you've been there and felt it too.

This quote from the movie  I watched this morning really stuck with me:

Dr. Randolph Braham: "The Holocaust has to be taught as a chapter in the long history of man's inhumanity to man. One cannot ignore the discrimination inflicted on many people because of race, color or creed. One cannot ignore slavery. One cannot ignore the burning of witches. One cannot ignore the killing Christians during the Roman period. The Holocaust perhaps is the culmination of the kind of horror that can occur when man loses his integrity, his belief in the sanctity of human life."

-----

I believe in a small way that when we become lax as a society and people and don't stand for what we believe in we let a little more integrity slip away..when we don't stand up for what we believe in, when we don't speak up and when we don't teach our children.... life and history tends to repeat itself...if we don't learn from where we've been....

{{anybody else think like me??}}

Have a warm week!

{Me thinks/we thinks}

-photo credit Natalie's sentiments

Another weekend another week and another day..goes by so fast....we had a fun weekend lots of family fun....Friday night was a girls night for me and L we went to dinner and out to a movie it was fun just the two of us while the boys had a boys night at home. I love going with my children one on one you learn so much more of what they are thinking and how they are doing....love my girl!

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥

What happens around here on a normal Saturday well pretty much this....

and then we play the kids had a blast sledding finally it wasn't freezing! 

Fun times...we work hard & play hard pretty much our motto around here! We all work hard together and then we end with something fun! I love my family!

I love that the wii was a great thing to get them for Christmas let me tell you my house gets cleaned, rooms get clean, homework gets done, piano gets practiced....whoever said we couldn't work it! and it provides some good family fun!

---------------------------------------------------

 ME THINKS.....

from here and there...

Life is not the way it's supposed to be.
It's the way it is. The way you deal with it
is what makes the difference.
Virginia Satir

---------------------------------------

 The world revolves around the superficial, try the real way to real beauty....inside out.......

Know that in this moment, you are complete. 

You live your life now, and it is not a race.

Change happens now, if you so choose; not on January 1st 

or your __th birthday. 

Happiness happens now. 

You do not need to wait for Someday or Someone or Something. 
Sometimes life brings big changes work with it live with it and learn from it.

You are alive. Enjoy it.

{poster by good good times}

--------------------------------------- 

35 ways to be beautiful 

{where it counts}

-from tiny budda

1. Smile. As the quote goes, “I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.”

2. Be there for someone who needs you even if there’s nothing in it for you–give without expectations.

3. Make a sacrifice for someone you love.

4. Admit a mistake, even if it’s hard to say you’re wrong, and work to make amends.

5. Share your struggles, putting your ego aside, to make someone else feel less alone.

6. Create something that helps people. A song, a blog, a support group, a non-profit–anything that inspires.

7. Help a child feel good about him or herself.

8. Tell someone what you appreciate about them, even if you feel vulnerable.

9. Forgive someone without needing to hear the words, “I’m sorry.”

10. Give someone an uncomfortably long hug when they need it.

10. Create positive energy around you by thinking positive thoughts and acting with positive intentions.

11. Sit with reality without judging anyone or anything.

12. Accept someone for who they are instead of trying to change them to who you want them to be.

13. Treat people like you want to be treated.

14. Notice something simple but beautiful in the world around you.

15. Acknowledge the beauty in others, instead of feeling threatened or competing with other people.

16. Be the change you want to see in the world, as per Gandhi’s suggestion.

17. Tap into your personal power and do something that makes a difference in the world.

18. Find strength in a challenging moment. It’s not easy to do, and you deserve credit for it.

19. Talk kindly about the world around you instead of gossiping or complaining.

20. Forget yourself for a minute and do nothing but listen to someone who needs it.

21. Measure a person by their best moments, not their worst.

22. Give yourself the same courtesy–focus on the good you’ve done, not the mistakes you’ve made.

23. Take the high road when someone hurts you instead if being cruel or catty.

24. Make someone laugh. A smile can literally melt stress and pain away. How beautiful of you to do that for someone else!

25. Make someone cry–tears of joy that is. People want to feel moved, inspired, motivated. Never underestimate the power of touching someone’s heart.

26. Keep an open mind instead of sticking with a judgment or assumption.

27. Love what you’re tempted to fear.

28. Be the voice of optimism when the people around you need it badly.

29. Show humility when your accomplishments would make it easy to stand above people.

30. Handle rejection or failure with grace. It’s far more easily said than done–and it sounds so cheesy and cliche–but accepting loss gracefully makes you a true winner.

31. Show unbridled enthusiasm for something that excites you. All children are beautiful, and I think their unadulterated joy has a lot to do with it.

32. Hear what someone means, not just what they say. Anyone can nitpick. Not everyone actively works to be understanding.

33. Imagine a world where people know peace, and do one small thing to create it.

34. Honor the values that matter to you. Showing integrity is the first step to feeling good about yourself.

35. Accept and love yourself

 “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”

~Sophia Loren

Have a Beautiful week .....

{Thankful Thursday. Awesome.}

So there's this book and lately I've heard from so many people that it is well awesome....

called "The BOOK OF AWESOME" I have it on hold at the library I'm only number 41 or something like that, but I can't wait to read it. From what I can tell its about the simple things in life the things that make life awesome that we don't even realize  or that we take for granted ......little things reading over some of them brought back so many memories..some made me smile laugh..or think to myself other people do that too?

I am So thankful for laughter. family. memories. time. 

for living where I do, for having the GOSPEL in my life and realizing more each year that 

its the little things that make the big things in life....

its finding that 

if we enjoy the simple moments in  life, we will be happier.” 

- Ben Huh,

 "Little things, it turns out, are extremely important to happiness, and The Book of Awesome will remind you of a thousand little things that will make you happier."--website

Here are some  from the book that created a memory or made me laugh hard....each one is connected to a short story or essay. I got these from the 1000 things of awesome website ... I think this is an AWESOME book {that I haven't even read yet ha ha} because it brings us closer together to realize that we all feel the same about lots of things and that they bring back such memories that you didn't realize where such great things to be thankful for like....the simplest things we aren't even aware of....

#417 The sound of water lapping against a dock

#418 Carrying the ice cube tray you just filled up all the way back to the freezer without spilling

#412 The air just before a thunderstorm

#414 Driving home from a long trip and getting all your radio stations back

#415 When you’re not the new guy anymore

#401 The sound of dry leaves blowing across an empty parking lot

#404 When someone’s leaving the bathroom at the same time as you so you don’t have to touch the door

#376 Realizing you still remember the words to a song you haven’t heard in years

#373 When you think you’re out of candy but then find one more left in the package

#358 When you sneeze and fart at the same time so nobody notices the fart....... It’s like getting away with something illegal.

#360 Finally cleaning your disgustingly filthy windshield

#353 Seeing Christmas trees through the window

#341 Saying ‘See you next year!’ to everyone on new year’s eve and then laughing hysterically

#335 Catching someone you love admiring you from across the room

so did any of these strike something in you too?

---------------------------

Awesome eh check it out for yourself 

-------------------------------

Speaking of AWESOME I have four little awesome's each one perfect in their own little package...not a day goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for these four awesome children. I'm not a katy Perry fan but for some reason when I heard this song I heard it in a different way and I thought of each of my kids and how much I want for them in this life....

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow

And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what your worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

--------------------------------------------- 

and have an Awesome Day..

{JUST Be. Me Thinks.}

This should have been my word or phrase for 2011 maybe for 2012..

But just be...content

just be ...happy

just be...calm

just be...an example

just be MORE RELAXED

I could come up with a hundred more....

-----------------------------------

 This month is already half over I swear each year it goes by faster and faster...I feel like sometimes I don't have enough time to do what I want with my kids and have to remind myself constantly that I can't do everything as long as the important things get done and they still feel loved appreciated and heard then we are okay right!

We had a alright weekend lots going on kind of it was cold but it is winter... So Friday Robert Munch came to town, our neighbors won a contest with a story they wrote so they got to have Robert Munch come to town and so being brave I thought I would be a good mother and take all four of my kids to the Robert munch reading yeah next time I'll get a babysitter for two of them!..

{poor tired baby before the show even started just got to laugh or smile sometimes when things get so crazy!}  

The older kids enjoyed it but K2 was ready for a nap and M was h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e and I was embarrassed...oh well such is the life sometimes...

just be....{relieved its in the past maybe ha ha}

SO

 Kid randomness..

L decided she did not want her hair cut short anymore. For now she wants to grow it out so she can have a ponytail...okay didn't know she cared so much nice to hear an opinion she is such a riot always coming up with great things....

 M decided that hugging people for long periods of time was the thing to do and to rub their backs, butt etc.... had some long talks with him this week on whats "appropriate " so we count when we hug 1, 2 love you done not sure where its coming from but its there.... any suggestions?

K lost his lens from his glasses at recess today in the snow yeah don't think that would be easy to find oh well thats life with glasses

K2 decided to develop a wicked glare if he's mad at you he won't look at you for nothing and just glares till he decides to be happy again {its secretly kind of funny} and he got shots today that I was a year behind on and he didn't even cry!! I got brave and asked that he only get three this time and not the MMR yet and the nurse didn't even get mad at me.... Bonus...

---------------------------------------------------

So we Had a family dinner D's brother was up from the "Y" visiting his girlfriend {oh and doing some banking hehe I asked if he had to visit the post office next weekend! Long drive but what we do for love!} But it was fun to see them again. I could have done with better behaved children but more on that later.

So more randomness this might just be a new 2011 thing

We tried a couple new recipes and the kids loved them both! I thought they were pretty good too,

if anything this one was pretty ha ha 

photo credit and recipe 

 We also made this recipe that my friend Rebecca posted on her blog and guess what all my kids including K2, 

{who has decided he doesn't eat much of anything for dinner!}

and when D goes back for seconds I know its a keeper!

photo and recipe credit

 ------------------------------------------------------------

Wanted to share an awesome app I found for my ipad for the kids its amazing and worth the money...

seriously amazing what technology can do...this can help them read give them each something to do a great Sunday activity a help at FHE or anywhere...

photo credit and site

love it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

And some fun pieces here {or good ideas}

------------------------------------

also LOVE this bag and the saying and the colors are perfect

{only problem is they don't ship to me 

probably a good thing cause I would love it....}

 --------------------------------------------------

ME THINKS

I had a bad weekend.

Okay I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that kids are crazy sometimes okay truthfully they are just being kids.

But its so dang embarrassing somethings how they act...

like they've never been taught anything

like manners don't exist

like running around and dodging your mother when she is trying to get you to sit down because there are a lot of people and your supposed to be the example....

.......really your doing that???

like for some reason they act like we never have company and its an excuse to say and do everything they are normally not aloud to do

or

your out eating at a restaurant and burping isn't something we do at the dinner table right were not the only ones who have that rule in general right?? and we try not to burp/fart just for kicks anytime...

but out of the blue out at dinner with family what??? really or how about talking about/saying things that we just don't talk about at the dinner table??

or being old enough to know better....

Its kind of like leaving somewhere and feeling like a failure as a mother..... like they haven't learned anything and seriously feeling like what we are trying to teach isn't going in  

oh its going in but its going out the other ear!!!

Does anybody else feel like this??

I really don't feel like this often maybe cause I don't usually take all four out by myself? and I know that in general my kids are really good kids and people tell me all the time what great kids I have and I know that, but this weekend was

a different story.

So I'm hoping its just the weekend.

Because I know they are good kids I just have to know that I'm not the only one who feels like this I know some of you would say just be happy that they are active happy monkeys? oh I am...believe me........... but really sometimes I just shake my head..

and say did you really just do that....

Really??

---------------------------------------------------------------

{so maybe this is the answer lol}

A characteristic of the normal child is he doesn't act that way very often.  

~Author Unknown

or

You can learn many things from children.  
How much patience you have, for instance.  

~Franklin P. Jones

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

{thankful. voices.}

 Winner

is

  We are Anderson

{{So S get me your address and I'll get this out to you!}}

 Thanks  to all who entered it was fun to read everyones favorite things some were simple everyday luxuries we take for granted.... which I loved, others were links of fun things but to each of us different things apply loved it. So much out there. I loved seeing who is reading these days too.

{I tried to do this first thing this morning so I picked the winner this morning just took this long to get it up  blogger wasn't cooperating with me} 

  ------------------------------

So thankful for a lot of things everyday but today I'm thankful for this little blue eyed boy...

Look at this boy all of a sudden he looks like a big toddler and I'm not to sure I'm liking this! why do they grow up so fast why?? Seriously its killing me!

.....still the best baby ever content happy but he is {starting to develop a little stubbornness and independence streak...... he even full out smacked me for no reason..... then glared at me for like five minutes still not sure what I did .....oh well he's still the best baby ever just can't get over the fact that the baby part is kind of going away....rough isn't it. ----------------------------- 

Thankful for pretty things love the gray and yellow combo

-------------------------------------

Thankful for things that make me laugh

okay I thought this was funny it made me laugh anyway... I might need to do it for my boys. K can never seem to keep his tucked in he somehow might just keep it in if I did this!

{disregard the mothers only part....goes for anybody aunts sisters whoever...}

----------------------------------------

 This also made me laugh 

if you don't get it...... don't worry about it  

{thought you might like this one shelley p.}

----------------------------

Thankful for knowing that we come in all different shapes, sizes, and packages yet we are all the same.  We never know what kind of battle people have gone through, and are going through.....just to get to where we all are right now....be forgiving, less judgmental and more understanding....cause behind every smile there's a battle being fought or hid.

these help me see that...

.....  something worth checking out if you haven't

---------------------------

Thankful for generous people and examples...

Love Becky Higgins love this whole setting and her freebie prints found here

---------------------------------------

....and I'm thankful for things like this poem and how something so random can make you really evaluate what you do in your life and how its perceived  when I read this poem it really made me think how our voices and tone make all the difference ...

The Tone of Voice

It’s not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it;
It’s not so much the language you use
As the tone in which you convey it;
“Come here!” I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
“Come here,” I said –
He looked and smiled
And straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair

And the tone may pierce like a dart;

Words may be soft as the summer air
But the tone may break my heart;
For words come from the mind
Grow by study and art –
But tone leaps from the inner self
Revealing the state of the heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you mean or care,

Gentleness, kindness, love, and hate,

Envy, anger, are there.

Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words –
Keep it out of your voice.

~Author Unknown
--------------------------------------

I know my posts are so random lately but whatever right....
Have a great weekend.

{Favorite things..... thoughts..and a GIVeAwAY..}

 love this

Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes here, on the phone and on face book! What did we do before face book its kind of fun to see who is thinking of you the day of! It was a nice day I got a dozen roses, and a cake and D's parents stopped by it was nice to visit with them, and my sister D stopped by too! All with kind words and a gift so nice of them...my kids each brought me a rose and told me kindly the things they loved and appreciated about me and them D did it was awesome! Plus a less colder day of cross country skiing in one of our favorite places not to far from here! 

For a mom birthday it was a good day. 

 {besides waking up with a allergy ridden eye apparently now I'm allergic to oranges and mangos}

 -----------------------------

Some super cute valentines links

would love to make these I'd do my own spin on them but they are cute

 from here

----------------------------- 

also loving this wreath from here

--------------------------------------

 or something like this one so pretty from here

and then this subway art from one of my favorite blogs

so pretty love the whole display...

-------------------------

 this isn't valentines but the colors reminded me of it and I love it gonna do it in my basement so cute! 

I think its from {house of smiths?}

 ------------------------

and of course a shirt to go with it cause no holiday is complete without the perfect outfit right??

-------------------------

love this print too not sure where I borrowed it from though?

 ------------------------------

 and look how cute these are one of these days I'm just going to get me some found here

-------------------------------------

Me THINKS

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~Marianne Williamson

love that.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 And for the giveaway since its so cold and snowy and because its fun.....

 giveaway consists of one of my favorite scents for winter...... a bottle of bath and body works twisted peppermint body mist and a gray head wrap: you can use it for a hair accessory or an ear warmer or whatever you please its one of my new favorite things

these are awesome because they don't destroy your hair and for girls like me lets the bouffant reign on....lol

 So to enter just tell me one of your favorite things

your loving 

right now or a link to a fun valentines idea your loving...

good luck you have till 

Friday January 14th..

Have a great week!

 

 

{thirty. plus five. whoa}

me at six months old

 On Monday  I will be 35 and I seriously can't believe I got to be this old {which I know isn't that old} but I used to look at people who were in their thirties and think wow thats old I never want to be there if thats thirty five. 
 But here I am.  
Really I don't feel thirty five 

 I feel good. Its okay..

 I feel like I've done a lot, been through a few things to get me to this point. There really is only one reason turning thirty five is hard. Since I was 21 we've tried to have/make a baby but 14 years later not once has that ever happened, why no one knows  

{tmi/fyi nothing medically wrong with either of us 
for those that were wondering ha ha.}

 But I also know that these four awesome kids we have the privilege of being ours forever are meant to be here and couldn't have otherwise if all things had worked the "way" they were supposed too.  

But it did work the way it was supposed to 

that I am sure of. 

But it doesn't take the part of my heart that still wishes, hopes, and prays for each day, each month for just the once even to know to feel and to experience but  

alas ha who says that... I am a old lady now moved up into that next dreaded age bracket {j/k} 

no for real I'm fine I'm in a good place.  I'm happy and nothing matters more to me than my family, our happiness within and as a family and our dreams whether 
its now or never. today or tomorrow. this year or next. 

It is what it is.

and that is pretty good.

5 years old

 -----------------------

So I found these awesome questionnaire thingys and there happened to be thirty five questions so I thought it would be fun not sure what you could possibly learn new about me but whatever its fun right! so here goes.....

{{ to doing my own birthday post/or vent post?? ha ha}}

I WANT: my kids to always be happy and make right choices. and to know what matters most.
I HAVE: so much.... i have dklmk2 .
I WISH:  for a lot of things lol
I HATE:  when my kids hurt,  I hate doubt, I hate worry, I don't like negativity
I MISS:  the beach,
I HEAR: the bathroom fan
I WONDER: when? why?
I REGRET:   nothing.  all things happen for a reason.
I AM NOT:   like everyone else. i am me.and u r u
I DANCE:  with my kids and miss actually going to a dance to dance with D,
I SING:  when I can {or in the burb?},and trying to sing more in church each sunday with the hymnbook instead of just using it as a comfort cushion on my lap.
I CRY:  once in awhile
I AM NOT ALWAYS: one who keeps her opinions to herself and its gotten me in trouble a few times, but I believe in standing up to defend what's right no matter what anyone thinks.
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS:  so much. dinner. hair. crafts.
I WRITE: on my blog. my thoughts feelings opinions recipes family fun I enjoy it.
I CONFUSE: myself sometimes.
I NEED:  nothing much but what I've got.
I SHOULD: get a few things done around here...
I START: early in the morning getting ready and helping my kids off to school, prayers, scriptures, showers, breakfast and on time for the bus.... we are doing good this week!
I FINISH:  what I start.

35 Questions about moi:

Where were you born: 

Bella Coola, BC

How old will you be this year?   

35

Nicknames: 

Chris, mom, hon. lol, critty lee 

Are you taller than your mother? 

um yeah

Do you cry often during movies?  

yes all the time { i just cried in tangled ;)}

What is your biggest pet peeve?  

people who don't do what they say, really late people, people who don't understand or who leave others out intentionally, 

 Favorite color: 

don't really have one anymore I think they are all pretty nice ha ha

  Favorite foods: 

I love {Yoplait}  yogurt, peaches and all bran every morning, I love egg white omelets, and chewy candies, black licorice  and fruits veggies anything remotely healthy  pretty much

Favorite beverage: 

water or a good smoothie

  Favorite cold cereal:  

 alot of different ones but i don't eat it much  I do like corn bran,  I used to pick fruit loops growing up for my sugar breakfast now my kids get to pick a cereal on there birthdays that we don't usually buy!

Favorite  Smells: 

freshly bathed babies lotioned up, the earthy smell just after rain, fresh buns or bread, freshly cut hay

Favorite time of day:  

tucking my kids into bed the quiet hours that follow but I love reading to them, having scripture study together, hearing about their last thoughts and feelings before they go to sleep, K's question of the night, M's excuses why he can't get to sleep love it!

 What is your favorite game?   

love sequence, apples to apples, werewolf

How many pillows do you sleep with? 

1

Do you play an instrument: 

No but I wish I could play the piano

What was the last movie you saw?   

Tangled with little miss L

What is your favorite article of clothing? 

a cardigan /jeans

What is your dream vacation? 

I really really want to go to Europe.... England Ireland where D served his mission, Italy to see everything, France to see the Eiffel tower all of it!

What do you love most? 

Fresh rain, a good exciting storm, The gospel, my family, a great husband who is my best friend, four beautiful children who I feel so blessed to have as my children and sealed to us forever and ever! A home thats ours,

What do you wish you could change? 

The sick world we live in pretty much! but judgments of others,  why can't we just see each other for the children of God that we all are equal no one better than the other!

If you were an animal what would you be? 

a horse....... I'd run and run, flip my mane saa j/k and then I'd be useful for work and riders

What is your favorite "me- time" activity?   

getting my hair cut, reading, working out, a hot bath
a weekend away {yeah like that happens haha}

What is one of your weaknesses? 

on-line shopping?? Probably the need for cleanliness I like things orderly and clean {is that a weakness?} I'm kind of impatient sometimes {aren't we all well a lot of us anyway but I'm trying!}

What is your favorite birthday dinner? 

Every year growing up I always had the same thing lasagna and salad and cherry cheesecake the no bake kind, or angel food cake! My mom is the best and still has us over for birthday dinner most years!

What is the emotion you feel the most?  

 happiness I guess with a bit of stress and a little worry? only for my kids and what the future holds but I don't worry to much and only do my best right now to prepare them to make right choices......

Do you consider yourself outgoing? 

Yes way more than I used to be I think a blog has been a great outlet for me to get my thoughts out,  I can still be pretty quiet if it's a new situation and new people,

{and thanks to those that even read my blog who give advice, love and tell me what your thinking I love it!! and appreciate it!!} THANK YOU!

What are some of your talents?  

 not sure??  I can craft sometimes, i like to sing {in my shower}  

What is a word or phrase you overuse? 

seriously? {i always say that} stop that, I LOVE YOU.

What was the hardest thing that happened to you this past year? 

just realizing that you can't be affected by others actions and how they act  has nothing to do with me I do the best I can and the rest is in someone else's ballpark...

What is the best thing that happened to you this year?   

gained a deeper testimony, a stronger family bond, working together on our house to get things done, buying the boat and all the fun family times on it!

The best thing learned this past year? 

that all that matters is family and the relationships cultivated within them....you can't control what others say and do but you can have strength yourself and teach the children and shut all else out that doesn't feel good or right! Being surrounded by gratitude and finding the good elsewhere!

What was your favorite thing about being 34 years old? Another year not really a favorite thing besides learning and growing which I assume we continue to do till we die right.

What  are you most excited about being 35 years old? 

 to still be here.... all that I've learned to get to be 35 probably,

What the scariest things about being 35?  being 35.

What is the thing that makes you happiest in your life right now?

I have a roof over my head, a comfy bed to sleep in, church to go to, knowledge and faith, four awesome kids, a strong, hard working husband who loves me and our family and works hard everyday, 

Having a testimony and faith that all things happen for a reason we may not understand the why's all the time.... but for me looking around I can name four why's that make us the family that we are....

We turn not older with years, but newer every day.
- Emily Dickinson
We are always the same age inside.

- Gertrude Stein 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND...