{Me thinks & Winners:)

 

ME  THINKS

Let it Go.

I've been thinking a lot about this since I saw this graphic on pinterest. 

 How many times in life do we hang onto things from the past, for the future, for now ...expectations all around us... 

past expectations, feelings and dreams. 

Sometimes there comes a point that to be truly happy you have to 

let some things GO.

To the person

 who cries every month that maybe this is the month things are going to change, dreams are going to come true, life is going to change

Getting past that is hard like really hard. i know.

Feeling like as each year creeps up we get more uneasy that it won't happen ......feeling like our faith and hope has wavered time and time again yet its always been strong and trusting in what was to come or happen so letting go of

The uneasy feeling.   the Monthly.  daily disappointments

the hopes, dreams, fears and expectations of what we always planned or dreamed would happen in each of our lives

 isn't going the way we planned............ its so so to give up on that.

But it isn't giving up...... its choosing a new reality accepting a new road...

WE have to LET IT GO and accept the new plan, the plan B the new dreams the new hopes

Whether its this

or million other expectations in our marriages, our health, our homes, our children  every aspect of each of our lives...

the things we dreamed for each one that went not so as planned we have to

LET IT GO.

Instead we need to 

accept it and dream in other ways 

make a new plan, pray, appreciate the finer points instead of the if onlys and what ifs.....find the simple things.....

Because hanging onto to the what if's and if only's can drive us insane and only make us unhappier as the years go by

I think for me I've come to the conclusion that letting IT go {whatever your IT may be} is probably best for all....... most of all myself..... quit dwelling on it, living on it, crying over it.... 

get up .....plan something new exciting and

BE HERE NOW enjoy what we do have the privileges we have been given and LET IT GO
 

Because there are just some things we can't change and then there are SO many we can change in order to be truly happy to learn to

grow and accept what we can't change

 and change what we can't accept.

LETTING {IT} GO.

Let what doesn't matter, what you can't change or whats already happened be just that..... move onto plan B we all deserve the best life can offer us and we only hinder and hold ourselves back.

Take a happier step in a new direction.

and Let the rest GO.

 

********************************************

Had to get that out first:)

W e e k e n d  R e c a p

 It was a very long week with the kids out of school and trying to keep them busy and having a revolving door of kids in and out kind of throws the routine out the window and you all know I thrive on that:) But there were good and fun moments between the fighting and boredom 

{which doesn't last long in this house because there is always something that needs cleaned;)

Onto the weekend D was on scout camp for part of a night anyway ended up bringing sick boys home early in the morning...

but I finally finished Downton Abbey and cried my eyes out and now I can move on:) I get "a little addicted" to shows like that and can't think of much else till I finish it so I watched all three seasons in a week and half pretty much worth every second:) 

{See this post for link to all three seasons free just click play and go:)

Sunday we finally got into town to see D's grandma and got some pictures with her she turns 90 next month and a big party is planned and I realized we didn't have enough pictures with her. Only problem was there wasn't someone to take one of all of us together oops didn't think that far ahead :) But we had a great visit with her love her! And spent time at both of our parents houses in the afternoon and evening so it was a good day:) {M was in a mood and half ex.his facial expressions:)

Oh you want to know the winners well here ya go some of my favorite people:)

# 3 Laura Q.

and the farthest almost of anyone on the whole list... Switzerland:)

#16 Kayli 

Shoot me your address and I'll get those off to both of you:)

Thanks to all who entered its always fun to see who's reading and especially to what you are all looking forward to...makes life more exciting having something to look forward to doesn't it:)

H A V E   A   G R E A T   W E E K

{10 on Tuesday and a giveaway}

1. Okay biggest awesomeness link EVER if you want to watch downton abbey {Season 1/2/3} and you must its the best show ever!!! I can't believe I didn't find this earlier thanks Lynn!! No more buying it renting it or waiting number 20 in line at the library!! You can thank me later:) HERE

Officially completely addicted!! I watch it on the computer on the treadmill on the ipad on the apple tv any time I get time.... I have 3 episodes left in season 3! Then I'll be dying to watch season 4 ...I have laughed cried sobbed dreamt about running away back in time:) 

Oh dear I have a problem;) But you already knew that ha ha

2. I feel so stale lately need a change something..an adventure..such a whats next feeling????? that I have.

3. Maybe because its February?.

4. Kids are off this whole week ahhhhh. Took them to the movie Wreck it ralph ---I personally didn't like it and my two littles got bored. Then we went out for dinner..then I wondered why we go anywhere. Sometimes its embarrassing going out 

do we teach our kids manners social skills ??? {I though we were!!}

5. Loved watching the boys play forever building things last Saturday! It was so warm and spring like then it snowed all night to remind us of what season it really is.

6. Can't wait for this to come out.

 

7. We made this veggie lasagna my whole family loved it SO good...

 

 8. Bought this cute outfit for Lady L. for easter so excited hope its super cute when it gets here:) Now to find the boys ties to match...and a cute little necklace like the one in the picture:)

OCD is awesome;)

 

 9. Cute top eh:) Wish it wasn't sold out love this color and obviously the polka dots right:)

 

10.  Did you know I make jewelry for some extra cash {for my Europe trip I'm going on someday} Anyway its fun and I like making it 

SO this week because we all need a pick me up sometimes right:)

I'm going to giveaway a couple pairs to 2 people:)

Tell me what your looking forward to:)

I'll pick the winners next Monday Feb.25:) 

With each winners package I'll add a couple favorite things too:)

"Never be afraid to fall apart because it gives you the opportunity to rebuild yourself the way you wish you had been all along."

Have a great week:) 

 

{Book Review and I ♥ :}

  I ♥ 'ed this book in the first few seconds my heart was pounding and I couldn't put it down. Its an action packed suspense story full of adrenalin rushes, ups and downs, and sadness.... I loved the depth of the characters portrayed. I loved that you felt for the main characters and what they had to overcome to get past, past feelings. The imagery was awesome I felt like a was apart of the journey in  its clear and invoked emotions.... I loved that I wanted revenge on certain characters and cheered inwardly when they had what was coming {thats sounds bad} but its that good! I loved the relationships that were formed and the subtle base of the important things in life that prayer and each life is so important to another if we take the time to listen and feel. 
I really enjoyed this book and found myself not wanting it to end yet.  Its a suspenseful, heart pounding well worth the read novel. Thanks Darrel for the chance to read and review it again. Loved it! 
It was released on Feb 5 so grab a copy 
it will be released on May 2nd on Amazon:) 
Maybe I'll have a giveaway then:)

Finally started watching this! Finished it in two days... the copy I borrowed didn't have the first episode so I was a little lost through most of it till I figured out why:)But loved the accents the clothing the life all things English small fascination I know:)
Now I just need to find season two and three asap:)

I ♥ getaways:) really want to get away February is seriously the month of hearing, reading and seeing pics of every bodies getaways. Need.a.getaway.

I ♥ These aren't they so cute I wish I would have seen them before yesterday when we finished all ours but so cute found here

I ♥ This kid he gave his first talk in primary on Sunday and did an awesome job!! His topic was the first talk K gave so only fitting to use the same talk for K2 ...got to church and realized I had done the wrong topic but it was all good and he did amazing!! So proud of our baby!! He's growing up way to fast!! They all are!  

{seriously look at those blues}  

Smart smart baby.... good genetics;)

 I ♥ all the holiday traditions and excitement with each one...the  cookies, valentine making, food, parties and decor.
But most of all making traditions with my kids love these kiddos!

 {love the instagram photo a day challenge I'm doing too:) Follow me on instagram, here
 &

I ♥ finding good recipes that the kids like {and adults too} Found a good gluten free banana one

Gluten Free Banana Muffins

 

2 1/2 cuts of oat flour  

{pure oats are considered gluten free}

{make your own in the blender}

1 cup plain, Greek yogurt

2 eggs

3/4 cup of honey or aqave

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 ripe bananas

{i added whole oats to thicken it up and chocolate chips for the kids}

Preheat oven to 400. Spray muffin or line tin. Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.Pour in liners and bake for 20-25 minutes I found like 18 min was enough--Enjoy:)

I also ♥ my other half which on Feb 14 {technically 15th it was after midnight ha ha} will be 16 years since he got down on one knee to ask me to marry him!!! Lucky me:) 16 working on eternity love him love us love the learning and loving and growing we get to do each year!!

I ♥ this quote for every Valentines Day always fitting:)

"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." ~Author Unknown

What's your favorite Valentines tradition?

Have a Beautiful Day:)
{so with all the page views on each posts and not near as many comments you should really tell me who you are;)

{Favorites Friday}

 

I think I'll swap week to week with favorite things or things I'm loving lately.... monthly or guess we'll see;) I love thankful Thursday too mix it up a bit right:)

But a few favorites today:

Loving these fun ideas for V-day from here.

 

Heck my whole Valentines Board on Pinterest follow me here

great ideas 

Loving this lip butter from revlon in the shade sugar frosting mix it match with other colors and its perfect love it! The color is in this awesome 

 blog and makeup tutorial post here

 

moving on Loving 

this book so far almost finished then I get to do another book review super excited I got asked to do it again:) So stay tuned for the review it will probably be Monday:)

Out this month is this new book by Darrel Nelson

Loving anything cherry right now especially the frozen ones from costco in my yonana machine:) did you get yours yet;)  so good!

Loving this new recipe we tried tonight add it to the clean eating file it was really good! Found here

 

Next loving this boys love of learning he sat at the counter asked how to spell his name I told him the letters and he wrote it himself!! So smart good genetics thats for sure;) So fun !! Now if he would only "want" to potty train I just don't want the fight because its much easier when they are "ready" to learn!!

 

 Love these free printables from here

Loving 

*house hunters on HGTV we just got basic cable....  and I love all the house shows... income properties, the abroad ones are all my favorites2:)

Loving

 this

quote

 "Your Children will become who you are; so be who you want them to be."

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS right now? 

Have a great weekend! Make it count:)

{Me thinks monday}

M  e   t  h  i  n  k  s: 

Week Recap.

 

1|| Recipe win  found here.....kids loved it and so did we.....

Crockpot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken .... three ingredients

2|| Beautiful winter Sunsets.

3|| I went to a really beautiful Relief Society Conference this weekend... inspiring. Then came home to a perfectly clean house and D had taken ALL the kids swimming:) So it was A perfect day complete with a night out together and dinner with the adults in D's family.

4|| This is working awesome with my kids in the morning LOVE IT! Found here

We started a couple of weeks ago and love that its fast and that it teaches them to look up the scriptures and reading practice and something to think about each day. Try it its fast, efficient and fulfilling and sends them out the door with more to think about...

5|| Didn't watch the super bowl but watched a few of the commercials after they were posted my favorite one...

here .... Happy to be married to a hard working rancher:)

6|| Wednesday was no school we had the best day made breakfast together, played games, built things, taught L how to make biscuts they loved it so did I. 

Seriously when you have days like that it makes you feel like a good mom...... before technology took over our lives eh!! Makes me evaluate how much more wisely we could be spending our time..

 SO PUT IT DOWN AND GET INVOLVED 

in their little lives give them all of you:) they love it! You will too!!

M e T h i n k s

Been thinking a lot about our place in life and where we fit in sometimes in this big race of life. I  went to a motherhood class at our Stakes R.S womens conference this past week end it was given by an amazing mother herself....But I couldn't put it out of my mind how much we think we have to be perfect to live up to some standard we set for ourselves or compare with others lives .....that isn't entirely aattainable for us, how we are all different but yet we all compare ourselves to this person or that and can't find the peace that we are ENOUGH that we can find peace if we realize what potential we have what we can do and be.

 Here's part of a talk 

  I thought I'd share  given by Patrica T. Holland you can read the rest here that puts it perfectly...

its so relevant for each and every one of us in this world we live in...

..."Surely there has not been another time in history when women have questioned their self-worth as harshly and critically as in the second half of the twentieth century. Many women are searching, almost frantically, as never before, for a sense of personal purpose and meaning; and many LDS women are searching, too, for eternal insight and meaning.

If I were Satan and wanted to destroy a society, I think I would stage a full-blown blitz on women. I would keep them so distraught and distracted that they would never find the calming strength and serenity for which we have always been known for.

Satan has effectively done that, catching us in the crunch of trying to be superhuman instead of striving to reach our unique, God-given potential within such diversity.

He tauntingly teases us that if we don’t have it all—fame, fortune, families, and fun, and have it all the time—we have been short-changed and are second-class citizens in the race of life.

As a sex we are struggling, our families are struggling, and our society is struggling. Drugs, teenage pregnancies, divorce, family violence, and suicide are some of the ever-increasing side effects of our collective life in the express lane.

Too many of us are struggling and suffering, too many are running faster than they have strength, expecting too much of themselves.

 We must have the courage to be imperfect while striving for perfection.

We must not allow our own guilt, the feminist books, the talk-show hosts, or the whole media culture to sell us a bill of goods—or rather a bill of no goods. We can become so sidetracked in our compulsive search for identity and self-esteem that we really believe it can be found in having perfect figures or academic degrees or professional status or even absolute motherly success.
Yet, in so searching externally, we can be torn from our true internal, eternal selves. We often worry so much about pleasing and performing for others that we lose our uniqueness—that full and relaxed acceptance of one’s self as a person of worth and individuality. We become so frightened and insecure that we cannot be generous toward the diversity and individuality, and yes, problems, of our neighbors.
Too many women with these anxieties watch helplessly as their lives unravel from the very core that centers and sustains them.
Too many are like a ship at sea without sail or rudder, “tossed to and fro,” as the Apostle Paul said (see Eph. 4:14), until more and more of us are genuinely, rail- grabbingly seasick.

I believe we can find our steady footing and stilling of the soul by turning away from physical preoccupations, superwoman accomplishments, and endless popularity contests, and returning instead to the wholeness of our soul, that unity in our very being that balances the demanding and inevitable diversity of life.".....

 I hope each one of you know how awesome you all are because we aren't all the same 
we need to find our own individuality, our own strength, our own self worth and ultimately we can and will find peace in that, that it is ENOUGH..

CrEaTe BaLaNcE
Be happy
Be calm 
Have a great week:)