{Wednesday/Thursday Thoughts....}

Since Monday flu by {pun intended:) } and tuesday flu by too:) Here we are at Wednesday...So in point form here's the run down!

- I have never cleaned up so much PUKE and POOP in all my life as I have in the last week my poor baby lost like 4lbs and didn't eat for 4 days:(( the good Dr got me some good stuff to help him out... Then M got it then K got it then L & I got it yesterday hoping its leaving the house for good!! Not fun!!  
{my cutest little bobble head picture as my mom calls it:)

{I have lots of pics of K2 I know but its because we spend everyday together:) Soon he'll be in preschool I can hardly believe that and then they'll just be all pics of me j/k!!

-Soccer is crazy this year!! CRAZY! mess! but today it starts and hopefully all things will be sorted out! I'm hoping! ahhhh!

-SO SO ready for sun!! Flying away soon:)Crossing of some bucket list stuff nothing major but fun and celebrating 16 years together:) 
wow time goes by fast!

-Got out running this morning for our schools walk and run and it was heavenly can't wait to get going outside again

 Anyway wanted to do something different so here goes:)
I ♥ this by Becky Higgins

"As human beings, sometimes we think that other people’s marks about us define who we are. We know better. But sometimes we need to be reminded. Your grades don’t define you. Your review at work does not define you. What someone else thinks about your parenting style or political view or haircut does not define you.

Your thoughts define you. Your actions define you. 

How you treat your spouse and your children? Of course this defines you. How you treat a stranger also defines you. How you handle adversity defines you. What we do with our spare time, how we serve others, the choices we make … these are all things that define us.

So the next time someone belittles, criticizes, labels, or falsely accuses you, sure — stand up for yourself if necessary. But resist the urge to spend too much energy fighting or defending or criticizing back. Instead, look inward. Look at your core.  

You know who you are. 

You know what you’re about. If you question your worth, don’t. Not for one second. Get on your knees and pray to a loving Heavenly Father who knows you and loves you unconditionally. He will remind you how awesome you are. And if you humbly and sincerely ask, He’ll even let you know what you can do to be even better."

I love this
So who am I??
 A little LOOK inside....
my imperfectly normal world...

-I love to read... to my kids... on my treadmill.... at night ..and I prefer actual books not electronic copies...

-I love to make new recipes for my kids and hear its a keeper.... though I rarely eat them I love baking them:) Though I get compared to my baking friends on the street a lot and I don't quite live up to that yet;)

-I get my nails done about once a month because then its a least one thing that lasts awhile and an hour of me time is a nice break {I call it therapy ha ha} and really because I used to do my own but don't have time to redo them every three days after making messes by picking it off everywhere I went, and I like it. 
some people don't care.  i just do. that's me.

-I like to be busy and productive otherwise I feel kind of useless.... so thankfully soccer, primary, basketball, and my life in general right now keeps me plenty busy:)


- my house may look clean if you were to just stop by 
but I have lots of junk drawers that drive D nuts lol

-I'm impatient a lot but I'm working on it... maybe I expect to much from my children like clean rooms and to pick up after yourself

-I hate disorganization and misunderstandings and bad communication 

-I have a huge desire to travel just have to get the money for it:)


- I love routine a schedule and feel off balance when things are out of it?

-I still get my  hopes up each month that this might be the month even after being married for almost 16 years...don't think those feelings will ever change. I hate it.


-I have a constant fear that something bad will happen to my kids or husband everyday. I think that might just be normal??


-I think about my kids birth parents everyday and hope they are doing good and are happy. 

I pray for them everyday and thank my Heavenly Father for them in my life, each day I see a piece of each of them when I look into my children's eyes and hope someday my children will understand how important they are and still love us like they do now.



-I hate it when people compare doesn't matter what it is.... we are all different... its a never ending dead end circle... waste of time...we still all do it though. 

-  I'm gluten free and clean eating and I feel SO much better.. its hard sometimes but I feel good...and that makes it worth it..


-I feel like a good mom WHEN

-my kids ask if the food I'm making{ if its not something  I usually make} if its for them or to give away means I've taught them something about service

-they tell me things

-when we are all laughing around the kitchen island I love it
 
-when they ask a story about when they were babies or their adoption stories when I tuck them in each night

-when I make a favorite meal or treat and they tell me I'm the best mom ever

-when they behave in public ha ha

-when someone calls to tell me something good about my children that they did something to help someone, what ever good it might be {and when I tell them thank you they think I'm creepy that I know things ha ha:)
 
-when my children get up to bear their testimonies in church and I cry because I feel like I'm teaching them something that is the very most important thing in my life and I only want them to feel the joy it brings in life too....

-when I hear my kids talking to someone or each other and repeating the things we've taught them but you never know if they understand or hear you know what I mean...

-when I watch my kids helping others ...

-when they play nicely together and stop fighting for 10minutes at least;)

These are the things that make me happy:)
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Elder David S. Baxter said:

"Selfless service is a wonderful antidote to the ills that flow from the worldwide epidemic of self-indulgence. Some grow bitter or anxious when it seems that not enough attention is being paid to them, when their lives would be so enriched if only they paid more attention to the needs of others.....The answer lies in helping to solve the problems of those around us rather than worrying about our own, living to lift burdens even when we ourselves feel weighed down, putting our shoulder to the wheel instead of complaining that the wagons of life seem to be passing us by....Stretching our souls in service helps us to rise above our cares, concerns, and challenges. As we focus our energies on lifting the burdens of others, something miraculous happens.  

Our own burdens diminish. We become happier. 

There is more substance to our lives." 

Are we good Samaritans or self indulger's?

LOVE this what kind of life are we living what makes us happy??
What makes you happy??

Have a great rest of the week:)

{10 on Tuesday..}

 This past week has been crazy! All my doing its soccer week prepping before things kickoff. I'm the secretary on the mini soccer board in town..basically 2 weeks out of the year where I do a lot of typing, emailing, calling, labeling and putting packets together for coaches and governors..pretty exciting eh;)  Just takes a lot of time getting it right:)
So you get a 10 for today...

1. Had an awesome weekend went with a bunch of friends  to Time out for women it was so fun and uplifting I really enjoyed it! Sadly we didn't even get a picture together.... but I did get one from my favorite author Dean Hughes!! Love his books..here

Some of the other presenters were Jenny Oaks Baker {did ya'll know she is Dallin H. Oaks' Daughter?? Learned something new:) some of my favorites were Chris Williams he is amazing .....see his story here ,and Richie Norton, Jon Hilton III ...were awesome too it was nice to get out!

2. This boy is one special kid he has the kindest heart I've ever seen he is so thoughtful, insightful and aware of others feelings, he is funny, adorable and gives the best hugs and smiles:)

We had a great laugh this day he went to sit under the cart part there and the middle bar was missing and he fell right through then laughed like it was the funniest thing ever...he is SUCH a joy!!

3. It has snowed more in the last three days then all of winter put together.

4. Which makes this all the more inviting!! Can't wait!!

5. The Boston bombings makes me sick to my stomach but so does all the stories the media doesn't share..... like the huge abortion killer story or that the US bombed Afghanistan on April 6 and killed 17 people including many children but you won't hear that in the news just makes me sad all of it!! But love this quote by Gandi Because with each tragedy people grow closer together hold each other tighter and reach out more--

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

6. Found some new snacks at Costco that are super yummy and natural! Since this gluten free/allergy ridden girl has a lack of options sometimes its nice to have new things to eat :) Here's a few new finds:

Except we get the cucumber dill ones not these;)

and yum:)

7. Tried a new recipe kids loved them...from here

 

8.My two big boys are in a football camp right now, K is on a basketball league and improving each practice  and L is becoming a big help and enjoying all the fun things she is doing right now:)  K2 is loving playing with friends and being outside when its nice:)) Growing up is what they are all doing.  Its weird lately feels like they just keep getting bigger and bigger and time is flying by.....

9. A short me thinks:) I posted this on face book {today 4/17.. I get so frustrated with the media and how naive people are these days they believe anything. How often do we do a little research to find out if what we are saying is even true before we are passing things on??

Why aren't we more careful with what we see and hear and pass along..... the story of the little girl going around on face book saying she was 8 and running in the marathon in memory of sandy hook children who died isn't true....it was a little boy who died....WHY isn't there any mention on the news of the horrific abortion trial going on the man killed perfect little moving, perfect, crying human beings in inhumane ways he cut them up and pickled them like rats its grotesque ....WHAT about the huge earthquake in Pakistan and Iran today leveled a whole city and killed so many....Yet as sad as Boston is so much of the world suffers through that everyday!! At the hand of Americans in the name of war. Media portrays what it wants, distracts from the real and creates false security and fear.....it sways and twists any story or situation they want you to see it as...Time to wake up.

10.  Love this

"You can never get enough of what you don't need because what you don't need won't satisfy you."

 ~Dallin H. Oaks~ ♥it so true

Have a great week....see the good..
{Okay people who's reading?? Say hi and tell me what your favorite healthy go to snack is:) }

{Spring Break and Conference Weekend...}

We had an at home easter break a few nice days a few cold ones... the kids played with the other kids that were home and got some sun and new freckles...nothing better then just being outside they loved it:)  

Friday aft Dad took the 2 older boys camping at the ranch they got to release pheasants and have a campfire and shot some gophers so they were in boy heaven and had SO much fun....while they did that L and I {well and K2} went to dinner, watched a movie and tried a new recipe mini German pancakes  with blueberry sauce {we called them Swedish pancakes growing up but whatever you call them the kids love them}

 FOUND HERE

 Right now L is loving to learn to cook and help out in the kitchen so I bought her a cute little apron and oven mitt to start out our girls night together and she loved it....happy girl:) 

We ventured out to Costco and tried a new frozen yogurt place which the kids loved

 notice M's obvious delight haha

The kids got creative and jumped off the deck onto the trampoline crazies

kind of goes like this

"Look mom watch me jump off the deck and break my neck ....did you see me" 

#simplejoys #andIletthemcauseimawesome;)

 Next came conference sat/sunday Loved it all!! So amazing refreshing and rejuvenating 

TO SEE WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT GO HERE

{so excited for another uplifting weekend coming up at TOFW} 

This year I bought candy and used key words to look for in talks and if they were quiet and got the words they got a treat it worked way better then anything else in the past. {Even for a big boy ;) D} They all watched the 2nd session too instead of naps!! The most touching or just awesome to see was K taking notes touched my heart for real!!  I have good kids.

and as per tradition twice a year on conf we make cinnamon buns which the kids and big kid LOVE:) I use the pioneer womens recipe they turn out every time and are seriously to die for  

{now I just gotta figure out a gluten free sugar free version;) so I can eat them haha}

Seriously best picture of conf I found out there LOVE IT!!

Elder Bednar and Elder Perry:)

Some of my favorite quotes of Conference:

"We are free to choose our actions, but not the consequences that follow"

- I ♥ Boyd K packer...

 "How we raise our children is more important than where we raise our children." 

- Elder Stanley G. Ellis 

 "You can never get enough of what you don't need because what you don't need won't satisfy you." 

~Dallin H. Oaks~ ♥it so true

Love this one: They need us all of us...

 

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ME Thinks

 MY thoughts..My Journey

This was an essay of sorts that I wrote for a contest last week 

thought I'd share it here ...

They say life is a journey,  to enjoy it as we go along but it doesn't always go the way we plan or dream it will. My journey in life has taken a different path then I imagined 16 years ago when I got married. I always wanted children, a righteous desire right, to be a mother just as one wants to find their eternal companion and get married and have a family and sometimes are denied those blessings. 

There are so many aches and pains in life, each one different from another, some the same. Ours was a yearning for children we wanted a bigger family, together, one big happy family. But as the months and years passed and nothing happened we took that other fork in the road  the one not well traveled, and not the one we thought we wanted. But the answer to the prayers we desperately sought for. Not in the way we thought was best for us.

Through much physical, emotional and spiritual pain,  failed treatments,  tears and heartache we made the journey to adoption through all the ups and downs and roller coaster of emotions. We grew so much through each of our adoptions. We achieved the eternal goal to have a family.  But it wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination, and truthfully, it's still hurts sometimes watching others get so easily over and over again what you've prayed so hard for what you still hope and dream for.

BUT when I look into the eyes of my four beautiful children, my children have a chance at a different life one not chosen by them, but by each of their amazing birth mothers and fathers. I get to be a part of that. 

I get to be a Mom. I get to have the ups the downs that each day brings being a mom. Tired, wore out, frustrated, and impatient at times like every other mother, but the immense joy and love that overrides each of those emotions makes me fully aware of the greatest desire of my life ....that is to be a mother. 

I may have not physically brought them into this world but I have loved, prayed, and lived each day to be what I am today. A wife, mother, sister, and friend. Like each of us here,  each for a purpose, a path, a mission. When I think of that it makes me want to live higher, achieve more and work harder.  To Be the example my children and family need especially in these times. To reach higher, feel deeper and to be here every day for each of them, their soft place to fall.

The mountains we have climbed together on our journey have made us who we are. Looking back at the path we've been on and each roadblock along the way has made us who we are.  Stronger together as a couple,  it's made us a family, strengthened our testimonies, our faith and brought us to our knees more times than we can count. 

They say life is a journey and that's what it is each and every day, together forever, one step in front of the other.

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Have an awesome week...

{{{ps anybody out there still?}}}
Thanks to Rhonda for my new header:)  
Also let me know if the instagram and pinterest buttons work k :)

{Easter Weekend..+++}

Easter 2013

impromptu easter decorating and egg rolling/throwing right after ....our first time 

Grandma B's easter hunt for all the kids {missing 6}but they had so much fun Thanks Grandma we♥you

paparazzi that got the shots:) yes it was obviously a little cold ;)

D's grandma's 90th birthday celebration on Saturday a reunion pretty much... 7 of the 9 brothers and sisters of D's were here so it was so fun....THIS picture was part of the program Grandma has kept her dresses over 90 of them we had a fashion show in her dresses from over the years it was pretty awesome I loved this yellow dress {see all that color we missed out on in all the old black and white pictures!! } Great Day celebrating grandma 90years and going strong she is incredible and we love her!!!

and a shot with our immediate family missing 11 -somehow K2 ran away back to the church and we didn't notice in all the people that he was missing makes me sad:(

My easter babes

my matchy matchy obession  love:) Love these kids....

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ME THINKS
 

/He thinks ---
thoughts by Dr. John L. Lund

I enjoyed reading some of these cause they make you think and some take a couple times to read I found them from somewhere out there awhile back so here ya go....

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“Chances are you either married your biggest challenge in life or you gave birth to it!”

- Dr. John L. Lund.  
{ I just thought this one was funny}

Stop saying to people: you need/you should/you ought. Instead say, "it would mean a lot to me if....."

Give a rational for your request.

Rather than define what your child has to do, define what you are going to do about their choices.

TAKE YOUR FRUSTRATIONS TO THE LORD AND YOUR LOVE TO YOUR FAMILY.
Transfer responsibility to your children as they demonstrate the ability to handle it.
Ask the children how they would like to hear things of a critical nature discussed.

You can't be FAIR to each child.

Let go of expectations that you will have their love and appreciation.

Parents are held hostage by fear of 'missed opportunities.'
A toxic child will give you what you want when you give them what they want.

Don't accept responsibility for stewardships beyond that which God has given you.

You can't share and teach beyond the level of their willingness to accept.
God can't take us faster than we're prepared to go.

"If you're not happy you're not grateful".We fought a war to be in control of our own happiness.
People have to learn things by the things which they suffer.
Hel. 13:38 You have sought all the days of your life for that which you can not obtain.
We can't control being loved, only loving others.

“You can be smart and happy or stupid and miserable. . . it's your choice” -GBH

Its up to you 

We can't let how others treat us or what happens to us determine our day, life or year...

We often times feel left out, forgotten, unappreciated, and looked over in life but we have to do what we can to be happy within and let all those feelings go or we will never be fully happy...but it is hard to do especially when its close to home or within families....

I think remembering those and loving those that live under our roofs and those closest in our lives is the very most important influence for good we can have to better ourselves and our families to be happy, fulfilled and loved to our fullest. ♥
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WE DO the best we can do and the rest will follow.

 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! 

Its Easter Break here ....not going anywhere this year just enjoying the sun that finally decided to show up here feels SO good to get out in it!!!

 MAKE IT COUNT!!

Question what are you looking forward to??

Me: Summer can't wait and time out for women in a couple of weeks

 and a trip to Florida with D anyone want some extra kids for a week;)