{Simply Me Accessories..Me thinks}

SO a long crazy week this past week for some reason I thought potty training ....getting ready for a trade show..... and writing a talk on the Atonement would be a fun thing to do!! Let me tell you I slept for 5 hours yesterday afternoon!! But all went good  

{well except the potty training he hasn't quite caught the vision on that one;) 

So in picture form instastyle here is our week....

First off my super talented friend and neighbor Rhonda helped me get my product tags designed and done in minutes. I wanted something simple... something me and came up with SIMPLY ME accessories look how cute these are!! THANK YOU Rhonda and Whitney for making me do the Trade Show I had super fun and made good money and loved seeing so many people and some surprises who showed up:) and now I know I can do it:)

.....and our booth all decorated and ready for the big day after all the work making them, getting everything priced and then hoping people would come it was exciting and fun:) Whit sold fresh dough nuts & made some cute family proclamation signs and some really super cute aprons she sold out of dough nuts all 250 + in about an hour and half:)

We called our booth SIMPLY ME and WHITNEY D 

{so cheesy I love it:)}

My baby also went on his first winter scout camp seriously crazy to think he is getting so grown up it really really does fly by:(( Hard to let them go:(

It was 60's day at school and Miss L was super excited:) and cute

This little girl also had her Choir festival trip this week I surprised her and went to it super good and I am just so proud of her it was something she did all on her own joining choir and she really enjoys it! All my pictures turned out bad that day:( but I got a good shot of the temple:)

Then last night we went on a drive to the ranch and let the kids run they were so wired and crazy! Bale jumping is there favorite thing to do! Can't believe how big our kids are getting! Excuse our real life slobbyness;) Thats how we roll on lazy sunday afternoons:)

And then we had talks yesterday both of us had to speak on the Atonement and Repentance Go watch the video He is Risen from this link its beautiful! Anyway all week I thought about it starting writing it and prayed really hard to understand it never get to far but had this and that..... after the trade show and kids to bed I totally wrote a new talk and it finally flowed....and its the first time that I got up and didn't turn red and blotchy or faint;) or have my hands shaking so bad...so its nice to know that my calling is at least teaching me to get out of my comfort zone and its okay:) Hopefully those there came away with a resolve to live better happier lives and to realize why we are here...

Me THiNKS

I just wanted to post the last bit of my talk from yesterday because some of the best quotes I found are there and just a bit to think about in living a better life and realizing that we all make mistakes and that the Atonement is there for us.....This Easter really think about what a gift it is and how blessed we are....and take a couple of minutes to watch the video clip linked above....

One day we will look back at our lives and wonder if we could have been better, made better decisions, or used our time more wisely.

To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, we need  to make some resolutions today. let us:

Resolve to spend more time with those we love. -Be present

Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.• try harder

Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.... There is something good in everyday

Many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and remove the burden of our sins. His Atonement allows us to leave the past behind and move forward with clean hands, a pure heart,  and a determination to do better and especially to become better.

BUT

"Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today." Lorenzo Snow

May God help us to be a little kinder showing forth greater forbearance, to walk the second mile, to reach down and lift up those who may have sinned but have brought forth the fruits of repentance, to lay aside old grudges and nuture them no more." 

"Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it's a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day--and then one more and then one more after that--until we've lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness."

—Thomas S. Monson

"Remember the Heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes-Dieter F Uchdorf."

"When something bad happens, you have three choices...
you can either let it define you, let it destroy you or
you can let it strengthen you."

So Have a great week Make it count:)

So what is your favorite Easter Tradition? Seems nobody has time to comment anymore lately..... but its nice to know who 's reading;) 

{{since the traffic numbers show some high volume:) Who's out there still:) }}

  Have a great Day:)

{Me thinks}

Wow so ready for spring so far march has been snower than the previous three months for two days we had pretty hoar frost on everything so it was fun taking pictures of it but it was pretty frosty cold:( So so ready for spring.

Then came st. pats the wear green kind of day that didn't actually happen with all the kids despite my best efforts:) 

But I do feel...

and then came Sunday and Great 2B8 so happy to have all our special nights done for the year:) and again some green:) I have great councilors and a great secretary and we work so well together  we make a good team:) Simple and fun:)

 

 This and That:

*Those who you live around here did you know Modest is hottest is opening up a store by costco:) YEAH!!

*Did you know there are tons of modest prom/Grad dresses at the Cardston Book Store ? Well there is:) Check em out:)

*Did you know Costco isn't carrying the tortilla land to cook tortellias only the BEST kind and they aren't selling them anymore:( that and frozen cherries or dried pineapple seriously why does it have to be the best things:(

* My baby boy is going on his first 11 year old scout trip soon whoa how did he grow up so so fast ahhh !!

(I know your probably sick of me saying that but its hard to believe:(

*I'm trying so hard to potty train K2 he just fights it so bad and its so so so hard:(

* Please come to the trade show in town On saturday from 9-4 at the ice arena if your around please:) and buy some stuff from me:) how about if you say you saw it on my blog and 

**MENTION that and I'll give you a $1 off :) your purchase:)  **

How about that:)

Just for my side of the booth:) I'm sure whit wouldn't appreciate that ha ha:) 

* D and I have to speak in Church on Sunday so another thing to prepare and be nervous about ahhh:(

MEthinks 

This week I was thinking a lot about how for every holiday it seems to be becoming a much more elaborately celebrated gift giving excuse of a day. 

I think its crazy and also as a side note funny that I was thinking this then somebody else out there wrote a big post about it but this is my post about it and I can't remember where I read the other one.

Anyway our kids have enough at Easter, Christmas and for birthdays we do the tooth fairy, the bunny and Santa here but I draw the line at gifts for Valentines day {we have a nice dinner together and they do cards at school} then comes leprechauns really the lephrechauns hid green treats and mess things up:( no thank you..... we do lucky charms and green eggs and I flat told them that leprechauns don't exist and that I put food coloring in the eggs ........and why would I want to mess up my house I'm the one who has to clean it up I don't need another reason to clean!

{I know might as well tell them there no Santa or easter bunny too right well they can figure those ones out if they want...} 

But sugar cookies and decor and some cereal are fine with us its just that when they come home thinking cause some people or there teachers tell them all about the Lepracauns that its some big holiday to celebrate again and how they should set traps for the naughty beggars and get gifts from him that they should too....its all to much if you ask me. 

I like the simple things like wearing green and eating green eggs playing a game there has to be a line or we could be having a few to many gift giving days to many which in turn makes the special ones not so special anymore:(

So I guess each to their own but I kind of like the simple days and simple ways concept there's only so much and we don't need to compare what others are doing to what we do just making our own traditions but seriously every year seems to get more out of control....in my opinion.... 

Simple days simple ways 

 should be my motto and I shouldn't feel bad that I think that and well neither should you if you go all out....

but just saying it feels like there is so so much more reason for an excuse to over gift, over stimulate and over entitle every little holiday...instead of just enjoying it and wearing green so you don't get pinched like it used to be:)

 What do you think??  

Thats it ;)

Have a great week:)

{Thankful}

 

....I am SO thankful For Reminders Like This one:

I LOVE this post I think its so important to remember and think about what we are doing and what we are showing to our kids is most important...

"Dear Mom On the iPhone,  
{here is the origanal link of this post}

I see you over there on the bench, messing on your iPhone.  It feels good to relax a little while your kids have fun in the sunshine, doesn’t it?  You are doing a great job with your kids, you work hard, you teach them manners, have them do their chores.

But Momma, let me tell you what you don’t see right now…..

Your little girl is spinning round and round, making her dress twirl.  She is such a little beauty queen already, the sun shining behind her hair.  She keeps glancing your way to see if you are watching her. 

You aren’t.

Your little boy keeps shouting, “Mom, MOM watch this!”  I see you acknowledge him, barely glancing his way. 

He sees that too.  His shoulders slump, but only for a moment, as he finds the next cool thing to do.

Now you are pushing your baby in the swing.  She loves it!  Cooing and smiling with every push.  You don’t see her though, do you?  Your head is bent, your eyes on your phone as you absently push her swing. 

Talk to her.  Tell her about the clouds, Mommy.  The Creator who made them. Tickle her tummy when she comes near you and enjoy that baby belly laugh that leaves far too quickly.

Put your eyes back on your prize…Your kids.

Show them that they are the priority. Wherever you are, be ALL there.  I am not saying it’s not ok to check in on your phone, but it’s a time-sucker: User Beware!

Play time at the park will be over before you know it.

The childhood of your children will be gone before you know it.

They won’t always want to come to the park with you, Mommy.  They won’t always spin and twirl to make their new dress swish, they won’t always call out, “WATCH ME!”

There will come a point when they stop trying, stop calling your name, stop bothering to interrupt your phone time. 

Because they know…

  You’ve shown them, all these moments, that the phone is more important than they are.  They see you looking at it at while waiting to pick up brother from school, during playtime, at the dinner table, at bedtime…..

I know that’s not true, Mommy.

I know your heart says differently.

But your kids can’t hear your words, Mommy. Your actions are screaming way too loudly."

All things in Balance.... when we seek balance... we gain peace..
Its drawing a line and doing whats best whether its what we like or not for the things that really matter in the long run.....
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So these days
I AM THANKFUL FOR:

little snuggles

a certain little 6 year old boy who refills the toliet paper roll with the toliet paper on the right side even:) 



the sweet 3 year old kisses..... meant for lips but gets my cheek;)

I'm thankful for
a husband who works hard and is an outstanding boss who really cares about his employees 
he's a great friend and would do anything for anybody

smart kids who try hard

Kids who see what needs done without being asked {far and few between but thankful for when it does happen:)

Thankful for our morning scripture study that is working so so well the kids remind me and make the time for it everything runs smoother!

Thankful for my family all of them:) 
Thankful for a warm house, love and a soft place to fall....be it shoulders or a bed....
Thankful for prayer and temples and for every blessing I have:)

and all the little things in between its flying by and I do want to appreciate every minute because before we know it it is gone:(

 Time is short. What are we doing with it??
What are you thankful for on this dreary foggy cold day if you live anywhere near me:)....

Have a great weekend

{10 for Tuesday this week}

 1. Best play dough recipe ever. Easy fast and soft.... K2 loves play dough  and letters we need spring around here to get out of the house it can't come soon enough:) I've had this recipe for forever though I'm sure its floating around pinterest too;) what isn't right....

r e c i p e.

1 cup of flour

1 tbsp of oil

food coloring or koolaide, 

2 tsp cream of tarter

1/4 cup of salt

1 cup of water

add all to a saucepan stir to mix all the clumps out put on med continually stir till if forms a ball take off heat, take clump out and knead till soft and playdough like:) and have fun....

2. Do any of you have a hard time letting go of the perfectionist in you for teaching your kids to bake or clean or whatever it may be...I do but this weekend D took the boys snowshoeing and I had K2 and miss L. So she wanted to do something like make biscuits and soup for dinner ;) and I just guided her along and let the little things go...... she had fun and the boys praised her  so I think it was a success:)

3. Lately I think everybody is so tired of hanging out inside we all get on each others nerves so scenes like these happen only once in awhile but I really cherish these moments when they are helping each other and getting along so well....

4. Looking forward to a reunion of sorts for D's grandma's 90th birthday at the end of the month, then for TOFW can't wait! Then at the end of the month hoping for Florida with D if we can get it worked out :) for our 16th wedding anniversary and some sun:)

5. My friend entered us in a trade show in a week and half kind of nervous not going to lie...kind of like.... do I have enough stuff ??will people want it?? guess live and learn right we shall see:) sneak peek:) so please come if you live in the area :)

6. I'm excited to do a few fun St Pats activities with the kids this week simple pleasure remember;) D served an LDS mission for 2 years in Ireland so we make it a fun weekend:) Gonna go there someday I am:) Some fun ideas here and the link to this

 

7. Kids got their report cards yesterday good steady kids:) only a couple of improvements and lots of room for only going up:) fun times:)

8. I need a blog uplift maybe I'll get on that. Something brighter happier springyer:) is that even a word?? ha ha

9. Another good read by Julie Klassen if you like  LOVE downton you'll like this one.... same kind of of lord /lady /servants kind of read long in some parts but overall a 4:)

10. Something to think about....

Don't let the negative voices over rule the good and positive :)

“Ask yourself, 'How did God bless me today?' If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.” 

– Henry B. Eyring

Have a great rest of the week:)

{Me thinks Monday}

Today I registered "my baby" in preschool and I can hardly believe it I cried when I took K to preschool and I'm pretty sure I'll cry when K2 goes to preschool just different times in life I mean I missed my M & L but they were so ready to go.....With K2 he is "my baby" and such a sweetheart and I mean look at this face:)

he still naps sometimes even though he fights it now but quiet time often ends in this:) I debated whether to put him in preschool he's a smart one and would love it and he's getting bored with no one else to play with so two mornings a week will be good for him I think. 

{Now if we could make it through potty training yes I still haven't made it successful yet:(  I know just do it!!!! But he is so so so super stubborn with it more than anything and I HATE to P.T}

 Spent a perfectly gloomy 

but very warm friday and saturday catching up on things ...then by sunday we had a blizzard which promptly overtook the spring feelings:( So we played some games, kids made us laugh with their poses and costumes...... made a recipe from my new cookbook:) its pretty awesome;) and the kids loved these bars from here

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

Recipe.  

Cheese Soufflé

We had this growing up and it was one of our favorite meals.... now its  my kids' favorite supper ALL of them love it! I have to make two big casserole dishes of it and thats still not enough for them;)

1/4 cup of butter

1/4 cup of flour

1 cup of milk

1/4 tsp salt/ pepper

a few shakes of Basil

1 cup Cheddar Cheese

Make up melt butter add flour, mix, add milk, seasonings
whisk till it thickens add cheese and set aside.

Separate 4 eggs

Whip egg whites till stiff

Beat egg yolks in separate bowl

then

Mix cheese sauce to egg white's add yolks mix well

Pour in a casserole dish Bake for 1 hour at 325 make some rice and veggies and there ya go:)

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

Looking forward to this in April with some friends this year. I went last year with my sisters and had so much fun! An uplifting weekend and a great time out;)

---------------------------- 

M E  T H I N K S

"Sometimes you face difficulties not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re doing something right."

Something I think alot about all the time is doing the best we can do.

Going the extra mile even when we think we can't.

"God asks of us only the best we can do. He knows that we have different kinds of moments and days and seasons, but He is never asking more then our best. There are times when He will ask for more than we think we can do, but it isn't more than we can do if we'll let Him help us. Think of the comfort and wonder in that. He asks for the best we can do, and for what we can't do, He "fills in".
We do what we can and He does what we can't."-

We learn and grow so much when we do our best no matter what it is.
I love this quote that I heard somewhere
"God wants full custody, not weekend visits"
Prayer is a big part of doing our best. We need to do it everyday not just when life gets hard or the times we think we can't go on, or the times when we take to much on or have more trials then we think are our fair share.

If we do it all the time and ask for help we are more ready and open to receive the part we can't do and the help He can give us.
It is amazing how when we do our best, live our best, ask for help we will get it one way or another I have found that so many times in my life.
----------------

REAL LIFE.

Lately I find myself being impatient .....with myself... my kids...
Feeling..
 like there's a void that something is missing though I don't know what it is
or that a change is coming or needed in my life..
I feel ansy..... I feel stale

There are things that need doing that I don't want to do or feel like doing
I feel like a maid some days
 I think we all feel like that some days
I got mad at my kids this morning before they left for school
{and then felt bad all morning like a bad mom and sad that my children will probably have a bad day because we had a bad morning despite our best efforts every morning isn't perfect thats for sure but tomorrow is a new day and it will be a lot better! }
 It's just that WHERE
do the boots, coats and agendas disappear to minutes before the bus comes? Why do they dawdle so long doing nothing?
Why do the lunches not make themselves??
Why can't anybody SEE what needs done and do it instead of constantly waiting for MOM to do it??

Guess thats all part of the job isn't it...As frusterating as somedays are LIFE IS NOT PERFECT FOR ANYONE
We all have our MOMENTS our DAYS our HARD TIMES

 ITS about finding little things that outweigh the things that don't matter........ finding those things that make us happy along the way is where the fulfillment is........ 

Finding the little wonders
For me lately its:
-The little hugs from my kids
-the little i love you notes M is leaving me everywhere the past week on a note he handed me, on the blackboard, on my pillow
-The note L left on her bed for me so sweet.... made me cry.
-Seeing the note K saved in his scriptures that I wrote for his lunch  months ago
-Or the little k2 voice that said "don't be sad you can have my heart"..
{K2 says that quite often to everyone who is sad he is the biggest peacemaker in his little 3 year old body so aware of everyone}
little wonders. all around us.
Sometimes
I over think things and let my mind wonder to places that are done and gone, or worrying about what the future holds for all of us especially my children.... instead of looking forward.... being in the NOW
I'm
Fighting the feelings that this stage of life is done when everything in me fights it but its all out of my control at this point.
The feelings that am I doing enough? Am I making a difference?
It makes me sad sometimes.
Frustrated.  annoyed. thinking about it all...
 We all have our days.
But despite it all  I am blessed I know that and looking around

and seeing so many trials others have I am more than thankful for what has been handed me when I see what others are going through some that break my heart and make me count the blessings I already have.
And makes me spend more time on my knees.
Because Thats where the real help is.

We do what we can and He does what we can't

I like that.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Have a great week.

{The things you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of your words—these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see and learn both the kind and the unkind things we say or do. Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the home.} -Joseph B. Wirthlin