{Friday Five|& Winners}

MY FRIDAY FIVE

{thanks 1825 for the idea:)

01| 

 I am SO EXCITED because I got asked by the salon in town if they could carry my earrings there so I'm super super happy about that...Also getting ready for the trade show at the end of June so I got lots of stock coming in and lots of crafting getting done here 

if anybody wants to come shopping;) come on over:)

 BUT

First up is the winners thanks all who entered:) 

It's so nice to know who's reading...and I love all the

fun traditions and ideas and recipes:) you shared

SO 

Winners are # 24 Jen 

{not sure who it is I think I do;) but shot me an email with your shipping 

and info well unless you live around here ha ha:)

and

# 31 Geneil O.

{She entered on face book}

Congrats guys You have till Monday to claim:)

02| I Love nature and my favorite shots I got this week... that make me appreciate where I live.....and love its wild unpredictable weather:)

I would for real be a storm chaser I love exciting weather different than the norm:)

03| I Love this short video.... isn't it SO true. So awesome.

{you have to pause the music at the bottom first sorry:(

04| For some reason I keep craving these the last few weeks. weird. 
 I don't eat sugar very often so double weird ...

 

05|  I love this app. I love pushing myself beating my time/pace/miles its kind of addicting:) I love setting a goal and surpassing it. Good feeling.

 

"Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. In reality, the strongest people are the one's who feel it, understand it and accept it."

So what are your FRIDAY FAVES?

Have a great weekend.

{10 FOR Tuesday..and a giveaway:))..}

1. I love a warm spring breeze, sun on my face,  my four kids, my relaxing husband, a picnic, walks in the coulee's, throwing rocks in the river, and then the so silent sound that it rings in your ears kind of sound,  I LOVE where I live...so much beauty and I love the memories with the kids we make.... 

A perfect Sunday drive and afternoon:) 

 

2. Add a little flower sniffing, cactus pulling, animal spotting picture taking opportunities........... life is even better;)

3.  I love this homemade recipe I found on PINTEREST its so easy and its  an amazing night time face moisturizer, an after sun take the burn away cream, keeps your tan from peeling, SO many uses I use it on my legs and arms as lotion every morning I ♥ it!!

Recipe

1 cup of coconut oil in solid form

1 tsp of pure Vit E oil 

Whip in the Bosch or kitchen aid for 7 minutes on high

put in a container and use:)

Its amazing and you will see a difference in your skin after a bit super creamy and soft:)

4. Kolt got his first job today interview and all {at dad's office doing the yard work} SO proud of him D said he did a great job talking with the controller in his interview #seriouslywhereisthetimegoing

For FHE we planted the garden, cleaned up the yard {and did kid control:)

5. Part of our ADOPTION openness agreement for all of the kids are till they are 5 or 8 once a year pictures and letters.... we don't have visitation or anything .....but sometimes we run into them here and there those that are around here and its fun to see where they are and give them huge hug... 

It's always a very humbling feeling writing letters and compiling pictures. I am just SO grateful to each one of our Children's birth families without each of them we wouldn't be the family we are.

 SO grateful for forever families and the blessings of adoption in our lives.... Most often then not writing these letters and going through pictures from the previous year, finds me wiping away the tears streaming down my face. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for each of these special spirits we get to raise and for each person that made each of these miracles part of our eternal family...

 6. We finally had M's birthday party he really really wanted to go back to the wave pool so we had him pick a few family friends that knew and trusted us to take there kids swimming:) They all had a blast there and afterwards at DQ......... We love our wild man M:)

 7. Not sure I can tell you how much I love this picture and the time K2 and I get together each day...he is such a smart, cute, fun boy, a complete joy..and its hard for me to think of him going off to preschool {can you guys believe that already didn't we just find out he was coming!!!} But he is SO ready he sometimes gets a little bored with me but I will most definitely cry when I drop him off for his first class. He is the sweetest kid and I can 't even begin to express how much he makes my day 

EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

{He fell asleep on my arm at the counter one day last week while I was doing books.....}

8. Have you read this article its awesome and something to think about.

Found here

"The important thing is … it’s not too late to stop yelling.

The important thing is … children forgive–especially if they see the person they love trying to change.

The important thing is … life is too short to get upset over spilled cereal and misplaced shoes.

The important thing is … no matter what happened yesterday, today is a new day.

Today we can choose a peaceful response.

And in doing so, we can teach our children that peace builds bridges—bridges that can carry us over in times of trouble."

9. I HAVE ANOTHER TRADE show I'm doing on JUNE 29th in town here from 9-1 at the seniors center.... SO I'VE GOT LOTS OF NEW EARRINGS in the works and new ACCESSORIES... and fun stuff coming up...... SO excited 

so TODAY a 

♥ Giveaway ♥

a SNEAK PEAK of fun things to come:)))

We are all going to be needing some RED, WHITE  

{& BLUE depending on where you live} SOON

SO Tell me in a comment your favorite 

JULY 1st or 4th recipe, idea or tradition:)))

{and of course the perfect accessories to pull the perfect outfit together;) 

*Winner can pick red or blue and along with a couple of my favorite things:)

HECK I'll pick TWO winners and you can still pick which color you want:)

and my favorite quote of the week:))

10."Behind every great kid, is a mom who's pretty sure she's screwing it up."  

Don't be so hard on yourself

Tomorrow's a new day

& Don't compare to others.

Do the best you can with what you have...

___________________________

HAVE A GREAT WEEK 

MAKE IT COUNT:)

Comment AWAY TWO winners so more chances:)

you have till Friday May 31st  

so I can get it shipped out:)

(Monday me thinks)

  

Life is short. Enjoy the little things. 

The small moments that become the memories 

we have after they grow up. 

Take the frustrations, the worry, the hurt, the future, and live now, teach now, correct now and pray hard that these little ones can be our strong ones in the future. 

We are being tested, tried and and tested and tried again. 

The only way to create a life we desire for ourselves and our families  is to stay strong as a couple and as a family unit. 

Teach them respect, hard work and get them away from technology more ....teach them real life  .....have dinner together.... talk....laugh and pray together.

There is NOTHING more important in this life ...no momentary pleasure, no lapse in judgment, no time to be selfish.....,nothing is worth forsaking our families and destroying what matters most. 

We as parents make or break these little ones we create the future problems or the future strength so needed in society ... 

There isn't time to waste. They grow up fast. So very fast....

 It was a long weekend this past weekend.... I found myself reflecting on the things my kids would remember growing up. I want them to have amazing childhood memories I want to make even more memories. I thought about the things they will remember, and the things I want to improve on. I thought about the things of my childhood the good things I could remember and I want that and so much more for my children..TIME.....Sometimes it would be nicer to lay in the tub with a good book because its been a long day ....but thinking of what you could be doing is huge not only to me but to my children.

This weekend I am so so thankful for each of my children....for the fact that I have children ....that they have a loving father, who teaches, guides, and directs and loves them. Who makes time for them and encourages them. Together we are trying and I hope one day they will look back and remember all the memories we are making, all the life lessons they are being taught and I hope they will know and feel and love what they remember. We have a big job we aren't perfect any of us...but we make a BIG difference in a childs life so much more than we have any idea of.

"YOUR CHILD WILL BECOME WHO YOU ARE...

SO BE WHO YOU WANT THEM TO BE."

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 "Take life one day at a time....its not how fast we move or how long we live...its how we cherish every moment...."

 "Find Joy in the Ordinary."

Have a great week. Make it count.

{ M's 7th and 10 on Tuesday:}

 I ♥early mornings like this one from this morning
I ♥birds
I♥warmth
I♥the month of MAY
I was married in may
New things are growing
I became a mother for the 3rd time on Mothers Day 7 years ago when this little man was born...and our lives changed forever....
with this ball of fire:)

 I ♥this boy 

Our baby M TURNED 7 TODAY!! SO Hard to believe he is 7..

Happy Birthday Mater:) I♥ that his nickname 

{from cars he loved it when he was little and its stuck with him ever since:)

seriously look at that toothless laugh how can you not ♥that

{thanks Grandma B for the nature book he ♥'s it! }
  I ♥ that we used matches as candles because we couldn't find any candles;) I ♥ this boys enthusiasm for life since the day he could start moving he hasn't stopped.... I ♥ that he loves people, the outdoors, being busy, He is crazy and in high gear from early morning hours to late night, I♥that he doesn't care what others think of him if its a dress up day or something that everyone is doing..he's okay doing his own thing....

I♥this boy and every year that he gets older I am constantly reminded of the court battle we won to have this little boy part of our ETERNAL family FOREVER..because we cannot imagine our lives without him....

He is always smiling, teasing, laughing or running from someone or getting into some kind of trouble {its a miracle I'm not totally crazy by now;) and that he's pretty much alive;) still♥♥

He keeps us aware, on our toes and constantly needs a good old pep talk short memory? not sure:)

He loves wearing his swimsuit all summer and is usually found barefoot

He loves water!

He's my best eater and he is a great hugger.....

{for .2 seconds that is} 

He hates to be restrained in anyway... shape or form:((

He loves friends and school but has found it hard to settle down he just loves helping others;) in class 

He is a fun boy!! and ALL BOY!! WE sure love HIM!!! 

Happy Birthday BIG M!!!

He only wanted Chima Lego for his birthday it was so cute how excited he was on a 20 dollar kit ....then we showed him his new bike not sure if I've ever seen him so surprised and happy SO CUTE!! forgot to get a picture of it though maybe tomorrow:)

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Sunday was mothers day and we had my parents over for some Cafe Rio SO good! Sweet pulled pork salad my favorite even better homemade!!

 I♥reading what my kids write in their simple writing and own words so sweet. K decided he was to cool to do one at school so he made me a lego Eiffel tower and the I♥U in lego:) Love these little ones!! I feel SO blessed to know each of our children's birth mothers who unselfishly placed their sweet babies into my arms and made me a mother... Forever blessings each one.

I♥the sunsets and sunrises of spring summer every season but especially when we get the opportunity to see both in the same day!!

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Random Tuesday Facts:

-My washer has been broken for two weeks the piles are so high its disturbing 

{remember we were gone for a week of that and my awesome sister and friends have helped out too:)

-I've learned if you have clean underwear you can go for awhile;)

**I get a new WASHER tomorrow**

YEAH!!!!

-I HAVEN'T had so many kids poop pee or puke in the last 3 weeks either try not having a washer for that!!! AHHHH

-I realized how much of my time is spent doing laundry during this time too ....wow.

-and why in the olden days they only had like 3 dresses who wants to wash all those clothes by hand....had my share of that this week....

-I shaved ten minutes of my 4-5K run since I have been indoors since it got cold around October ......SO exciting to me:)))

- I have the beginnings of a moody pre-teen ....  testing the waters

HEAVEN help me {please come back sweet boy} 

He will...... just trying to figure life out right now I remember the days......

-WE are DIAPER free for the first time in 12 years!!! Wow!!

-We've broken 3 pairs of glasses since September FOR ONE kid!!!

-K2 thought he got to go to preschool as soon as he was potty trained.... poor boy he keeps saying "now I a big boy I get to go to  preschool you take me and say bye"

 {apparently he's not going to miss me when he does go haha} 

He's so dang cute I can hardly stand it:)))

Life IS crazy right now but as crazy as it is I wouldn't trade it for anything!! I ♥ my crazy life!! My crazy kids!! My crazy D♥!!
Look around see the good help others prayer longer

♥And that about sums it up♥

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My favorite quotes this week that I ♥

"Forget all the reasons why it won't work and believe the one that will."

"Trials are mandatory, but misery is optional."

HAVE a great Week:)
 

{ Our Trip Recap....}

 Some of you have already seen my instagram updates so if you don't want a picture overload be warned it is:) my journal:) It was SO so fun to get away together!!! Almost didn't think I was gonna make it I woke up the night before I was to leave puking my guts out!!! I was SO sick!! Didn't sleep at all prayed my head off it would pass quick..when I woke up I wasn't feeling good still but kept on praying and felt enough better to go, my friend picked up drove me to airport {thanks SO much to all my friends and my sister for helping me and watching the kids} SO appreciated!!! I was on my way a little shaky and nervous I would be sick on my flights but I did okay!! I made it on my own and enjoyed every single day just me and D! Even if the rain did follow us:)! 

Happy 16th to us

 and remembering who we are together.. best thing ever:) 

Day 1

Day 2

Cold and Rainy:( what do ya do but laugh and go with it:)

Everywhere we went for the first 3 days poured rain..

  Day 3

 Savannah, Georgia

 {D's sister and her family live there so we went to visit they are with the US military so we stayed on our own and spent Saturday rain again touring Savannah and all her history it was awesome!

 Everything about the Thomas Owen house tour was right up my OCD alley he built everything symmetrical as you can see by this picture....Savannah is full of history slaves/wars/pirates crazy cool.....slightly creepy haha:)

It was WINDY and wet.....

 Tybee Island is beautiful even if its stormy:)

{Think the movie last song.....tybee is where it was filmed}

Day 4

Went to church and then spent time with the Allred fam on base then headed back to Florida to find the sun:))

 Day 5

Finally found the sun:)) 

 

 

 We even did a man tour of the Daytona International Speedway it was pretty awesome:) really if you go there do the tour well worth the price:) Might even watch it next time:)

 oh and then by night and a drive back up to Savannah I WAS fried:( Worth it ha ha to find what we came for some sun apparently I underestimated its strength....

ps Coconut OIL takes the sting and burn down its incredible actually.....}

Day 5 

We headed to South Carolina for about an hour ....to Hilton Head Island {Its almost a claustrophobic island so much think foliage,  and the most manicured island I've seen in my life..... crazy beautiful.... then we drove back to Savannah and flew home:) 

Good to be refreshed and to see the the kids again:)) 

SO SO fun!!

Worth every minute to see this guy relaxed and thinking of nothing else but fun and us:) Love him!!

a fun random shot:

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Awesome Break and now back to real life...soccer...basketball....track and field stuff....Kids Marathon fun...etc etc.....getting ready for end of school {can't even believe that}, M's birthday that he's been waiting "forever for:) , and lots of fun coming up and the sun is shining and hopefully that means winter and gloomy days are over!

Have an AWESOME week:)

What are you looking forward to??

Anybody out there???

Life is as grand as you make it.