Today was a big day for her.

Little Princess got her hair cut today. They ended up cutting off about 5 inches. She is super happy about it and so am I! I think she looks adorable! Since she has cut her own hair 2 times and we never really got it fixed we figured that she needed a good cut. It will be good for summer too.

Her gymnastics class also started again today. She had been begging daddy and I for quite some time to get her a sparkly suit like the other girls. Since daddy has a soft spot for his little girl he wanted to find her one for her new classes. After she put it on she could not stop dancing! Everywhere she went she had an extra bounce in her step!

I love being seeing my kids THAT happy!

Lunch of Champions

I had just said to my hubby that little man needed lunch. He figured he would take care of it for himself.

I just didn't have the heart to take it away from him. I figured that since he had had his shots earlier this morning then he deserved a little treat.
He knew he got to keep it for a bit and he was pretty happy about it!
Peeps are good for you right? Well if not, this face will make you want to give them to every growing boy!

Socks?

This is what you get when you ask your daughter to put some socks on and she can't find any in her drawer. She puts on mittens instead.

My Poor Hubby!

Did anyone know that the banking business is very dangerous? I know the first thought is robberies right? Well did you know that you can brake your ankle working in the banking business? Yep! You can! Ask my Hubby, cuz he did it!

His branch is a brand new building. He was doing an inspection outside and rolled his ankle off a curb. It has been hurting him all weekend, but was still able to help my sister move some sheetrock, help our friend move my hubby's new green house (Thanks for the Green House Holly and Toby!) then we even walked around IKEA for awhile yesterday. When he woke up this morning he couldn't even move it, let alone walk on it. It was so bad that he ran to the Instacare before church. They did an x-ray and sure enough, it was broken.

He broke a bone that I guess doesn't happen very often. So he has to go see a specialist to see if there needs to be any surgery. I am REALLY hoping not! I feel bad for him though. He can't get around. I hope that he starts to feel better soon! Love you honey!

Happy Birthday Little Man!

You have gone from this.......

To this.......
WAY TOO FAST! Happy Birthday Little Man! I love you so much!


Today is a really busy day so I will post more birthday info and birthday pictures soon!

Grateful

The most interesting thing happened the other night. I got all grumpy about a few things and started to feel really bad about myself. I felt like everything I have ever done was not good enough. My photography most of all. I have put my heart and soul into it for the last few years, and while I will never admit to being the best, I have come a long way in the last few years. But sometimes things happen and I loose all my confidence. The other night was one of those times.

I was feeling a little emotional I guess too, because I just climbed into bed and just cried. My hubby being sweet, laid next to me and let me cry. Next thing I know he was clicking away on my laptop next to me. I had no idea what he was up to. I didn't care, I was determined to just wallow in my self pitty. (I am really good at that you know.)

To my surprise he had hijacked my blog. This caught me by surprise. This isn't something that he would normally do. His caring and his sweet words made me feel so much better. I love him so much, and to read that he cares about what my interests are meant the world to me. He somehow knew what was going to make me feel better! I am super lucky to have him as my best friend!

Then I started to get emails. WOW! You know I just don't know where to start when I say thank you! All of the comments that I received really meant a lot to me! I was ready to throw in the towel all together with photography. (Unfortunately I have been too close to that for months now) After reading those comments I felt that I could give it another summer. I need to grow in so many more ways to really feel like I have a belonging in the business and I hope this is my year to do it! We will see, but all of you have helped me past this little road block. THANK YOU!

So with that I thought that I will post a list of some reasons why I am grateful and blessed!

#1 I truly have the best husband in the world! He means so much to me! I am grateful that you have been able to witness a part of his personality here.

#2 I took the kids to their first dentist appointment today (I know, I should have done it sooner!) But no one had a cavity! They did great and I am really proud of them! What awesome kids I have!

#3 I am grateful that I have survived an entire year of being a mother of 3! Tomorrow is Little Man's 1st birthday! I can't believe that this time has come already!

#4 Even though I am super excited for Spring, the snow means something really special to me. Anyone that knows me well, knows this. I woke up to a few inches of snow this morning. It actually brought a smile to my face!

#5 I am grateful for wonderful friends that truly care about me. One that has a birthday today and took some time out of his life to talk with me last night when I was still feeling a little grumpy. Another that sent me an email today and really made me smile. One that whenever she needs something trusts me enough to ask me to help her (and I am always so happy to do because she is just so cool!) Not only that but has been there for me through all my highs and lows for so many years. She has taught me so much and I really look up to her. I feel honoured to be her friend. I have another friend that I have been friends with since I was a kid. She is one of the most caring people I know, and non judgemental. I love that when I hear from her I feel like she is my sister. I have so many more friends that have blessed my life, I thank my Heavenly Father for them often. Each one has blessed my life.

#5 I have the silliest kids ever. They think that EVERYTHING is a joke, and EVERYTHING has to be funny. I am starting to realize this isn't a bad thing. They love life, and they love to laugh. There is nothing wrong with that. At least they are looking at the good in things.

#6 My sisters and my brothers are some of the coolest people on the planet. I am lucky to have a close family that is drama free. They are ALWAYS there when I need them, and are always super supportive!

#7 My mom and dad! Where do I begin to write how my mom and dad have blessed my life? I just have to say that without them I would be lost, poor, alone, hungry, confused, and much much more. They do so much for me and my family! They are great examples of true love and how to be charitable!

I think that is a pretty good list! I feel great today! I am blessed! I am loved! I am talented! I am faithful! I am beautiful! I am a daughter of God!

The Bestest Wife Ever!!!!!!

Here is an unprecedented post by Trevor aka the Hubby. Everyone better enjoy it while they can because it is uncertain if it will ever happen again. I want to take a minute of every ones time and express my gratitude for my wife. She is the most caring, loving, creative and brilliant individual I know. I thank the Lord every day that I get to share my life with her. She has so many talents. In fact I doubt that she has any idea how much I depend on her.

Lately it seems that she has been a little hard on herself. We had a conversation tonight that made her feel like she is not good at many things and all of the things that she had done in her life had been, "half Ass". Sorry about that, but it is a quote so it is OK, Right? She feels that maybe her photography skills are not that great. I know that I am very biased but I LOVE her photos!

So I guess that this is where I need your help. Please let my wife know if you like the pictures that she has posted over the years. I know that it's usually the photos that bring me back to her blog each day. I enjoy looking through them and recognizing the creativity and the way that she can capture our kids personalities. She is feeling down and I know that your comments would help to bring her back to reality where we all love her pictures.

By the way as a side note don't ever go to a precinct caucus because you get nominated and then elected to do things you know that you don't have time to do. Like the state delegate for prescient 40 something errother!!!!!!

Easter Day

Our Easter was so much fun! The kids got up and were super happy with the few little things that the Easter Bunny brought them. I even got a little visit from the Easter Bunny! He brought me a new blow dryer. I wonder how he knew I needed one? The kids had a little Easter egg hunt around the living room and found TONS of candy. I even got ambitious and made a yummy breakfast.

I had to speak in Sacrament meeting so I spent the rest of the morning working on that. And the kids watched Enchanted. That is their new favorite! It really is a cute show. Since we were kind of in a hurry to get to church after we all got ready I didn't have a chance to take pictures of their new Easter clothes until after church. They weren't interested! They wanted to "just get to grandma's already"! These aren't the best pictures, but they work. They were giving me cheesy smiles or no smiles at all. Crazy kids!

Little Man was way to busy watching the other two kids play. This was a big day for him though! He took his first 2 steps at Grandma and Grandpa's house! I was super proud! He has been practicing!
Gotta love Little Dude's untucked shirt! Oh on the socks on Little Princess! Pretty funny!
She loves her new dress! When we went to try a few on she wanted to make sure they would all twirl right. This one was her favorite! It was mine too!

I know, I know, he needs a hair cut, but look how handsome he is! I can't believe how big he looks! He thought that it was pretty cool that his little brother had on the same shirt!

Boy's Bathroom and Girl's Bathroom

We had a little situation today with the bathrooms. No, it wasn't that kind of situation. Little Princess and Little Dude were going to go outside and jump on the trampoline. Princess said to Dude to wait because she needed to go to the bathroom first. So what does Dude do? Yup! He ran to the bathroom before her, closed and locked the door. Such a mean big brother! To his credit he had to go too, but still he could have been a little nicer! Princess sat in the hallway "holding it" and just screaming how MEAN that was of him. I went and tried to convince her to go use the other bathroom before she had an accident, but she chose to cry instead. When dude was done I tried to talk to him about being a little nicer next time. Then I reminded them both that we have two bathrooms for a reason and suggested that next time instead of fighting one of them just needs to go to the other room.

Little Dude thought he was being picked on. So he came up with a solution. A few minutes after this happened he came to me and asked if I would write girls on a piece of paper. I did it and I asked him what he was doing. He never really gave me an answer. Well, a few hours later I went to go use my bathroom and I see a sign on the door that says girls. I walked to the other bathroom and sure enough it had a sign too. He solved the problem I guess.

The story gets better though. We ran some errands tonight and when we got home I needed to use the bathroom. While I was in there I heard Princess crying outside the door and yelling to daddy that mommy needs to hurry up in the girl's bathroom because she needed to go. He told her to go use the other bathroom. SHE REFUSED! There was NO WAY she was going in the boy's bathroom! Poor girl can't win!

A little vacation

I just booked a FREE flight to Houston Texas!

Last year my hubby got a free round trip ticket voucher when he went to Chicago for work. A few weeks ago my sister in law called and announced that her and her hubby are going to be sealed in the Houston Temple on April 12th. My hubby and I decided that I could use that free ticket to go and be there with them at this super awesome time! I also wanted to go so I could take pictures!

Little man and I are going to be flying to Houston in a few weeks and be staying with my sister in law for a few days! I am SUPER excited! This will be so fun for me, but I can't wait to see their cute family be sealed together in the temple! What an awesome thing!

Easter- Through the mind of my kids.

I was thinking this morning about what my kids really understand about Easter. We have talked about Easter and the real meaning of it, but I wasn't sure if they really understand. So I thought I would put them to the test.

I came up with some questions to ask them to see what they remember. So here you have it. Their answers...not mine. They were only asked the questions and not prompted to an answer in any way. I wrote down EXACTLY what they said so sometimes it doesn't make sense.

Little Princess: Age 3 years 11 months.

What is Easter? All about fun.

When is Easter? In a couple of months.

Why did Jesus die for us? Because he loved me.

What is the Easter Bunny? He looks like Santa.

What do you do on Easter? Find eggs.

What does resurrection mean? I don't really know.

What does crucify mean? That you can be safe.

How did Jesus die? Because he was in trouble.

Who killed Jesus? The breath guy. Who is that? I don't know.

What did Jesus suffer for? So we could be safe.

Why do we color Easter Eggs? Because it's fun.

Does your mommy love you? Yes!



Little Dude: Age 5 years and 1 month

What is Easter? Easter is all about having fun, being nice and finding eggs...sometimes.

When is Easter? On Sunday

Why did Jesus die for us? To suffer our sins.

What is the Easter Bunny? A real bunny.

What do we do on Easter? Go find eggs.

What does resurrection mean? We get died on the cross.

What does crucify mean? Crucify means that you could be happy.

How did Jesus die? Because he got killed on the cross. He got a bloody head and bloody hands.

Who killed Jesus? The bad guys.

What did Jesus suffer for? Our sins.

Why do we color Easter eggs? Because it's really, really fun.

Does your mommy love you? Yes, really much even when I die.



And since Little Dude's friend Aaron was over here I thought I would ask him the questions too. So here are his answers.

Aaron: Age 6 years 7 months

What is Easter? Eggs.

When is Easter? Sunday.

Why did Jesus die for us? So we could be resurrected.

What is the Easter Bunny? Nothing.

What do we do on Easter? Find eggs.

What does resurrection mean? We could come back.

What does crucify mean? I don't know.

How did Jesus die? Nails.

Who killed Jesus? Some people.

What did Jesus suffer for? Sins. Who's sins? Everybody makes sins.

Why do we color Easter eggs? I have no idea.

Does your mommy love you? Yea. Are you sure? Yea. How are you sure? Because I am.
(Thanks Aaron for being a good sport.)

So I learned that I have a little work to do, but I think that they get the idea. It was fun to see how they answered the questions. I might have to pick other topics and do this more often. Everyone should try it with their kids. It will be fun to look back on it someday and see what they understand about life.

Deep Breaths

You know how it feels to be weighed down by stress? I know, who doesn't right? Well you know how hard it is to really take a deep breath? Well I don't want to get into any details, but a few things happened today that helped me to be able to take a really good deep breath. It was refreshing. It was needed, and I feel SO MUCH better!

I will share one of the things that happened today. Only because I NEED some feed back. I want to know if I am the only one in this boat. I was able to take the kids to the library again today. For the last 4 months or so I HAVE BEEN BANNED! Why you ask? Because I had a $53 fine that needed to be paid. I paid it today and we spent about an hour there! It was awesome! Don't ask why the fine was so much! Don't tease me. My hubby has been doing that enough lately. He says that he is quite certain that I hold the record for the highest fine paid at the library. So I need to know. Do I really? What is the highest fine you have paid there?

The Cycles of Life

Today is always an interesting day for me. It is St. Patrick's day, yes, but that isn't why.

As most of you know, I had a dear friend pass away a few years ago in a car crash. Today is Kirsten's birthday.(I found this link to an interview with her family after her death. What a great person she was. Check out the link and you will see!) While her death has taken the past few years to get over I look at the fact that today would have been her 30th birthday and I have to laugh. Let me explain. Right after we had our little girls (that are 3 months apart) we complained a ton about our bodies, loosing weight, and much much more. In her good spirits she would always tell me that she isn't going to worry too much about it because for her 30th birthday she is going to give herself a makeover. A makeover that included but not limited to lipo, augmentation, and a tummy tuck (if needed). I knew she was joking and it always made me laugh. Well, here it is, her big 3-0 and I am certain that she no longer worries about it. (It was a good idea though.)

I miss her so much, but I am grateful that her husband and daughter are happy. I am grateful that Ella has another mommy that is watching over her and taking care of her as her own. I am grateful that Chad and Janae are expecting a baby in October and that Ella will have a little brother or sister. I am grateful for their friendship and example. Kirsten you were one of my best friends. If I sit and listen I can still hear your laugh, and it reminds me that even though you have left this earth, you have not left me completely. I will see you again, and that is what I a most grateful for!

While reflecting on Kirsten and her death, today, I am reminded of the cycle of life. Death does happen, and it is a sad thing. It is hard to deal with, but we are blessed with so much more. The gift of life is an incredible thing. It brings such a special spirit when a baby is born. In the last few years I have thought of this day and was saddened at the loss of Kirsten. Last year and today some things have happened that will forever shed a new, and much needed light on this day. Last year, one of my best friends had her baby boy on March 17. It was so awesome to me because he is 11 days older than my Little Man. It has been fun to see them grow together in the last year. It has really brought our families together to have our boys born so close together. (Happy Birthday Ian!) Then today some other close friends of mine welcomed their second child (first daughter) into their family. Congratulations Rob and Julie! I am so excited to meet your sweet little girl soon!

This day will no longer bring sadness. There is too much joy in this world to dwell on the sad things. Happy Birthday Kirsten, Ian, and Madeleine. You are all special people that are a part of amazing families!

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sweet Dreams

When I was getting dressed and ready for the day I put Little Man in his walker that he loves so much. When I realized that he was being really quiet I turned around and looked at him. There he was SOUND asleep.


I had to go get my camera. While I was taking a picture I startled him and he moved his head. He didn't wake up though. This way he actually looks more comfortable.
I just think he looks so cute sound asleep in his walker. He did have a hard time sleeping last night, but he has never done anything like this before.
Roxy, the kitty, even came and licked his nose and he still didn't wake up. I was so happy to have caught a picture of that!
See, still as peaceful as you can get. It reminds me of how I might of looked when I was asleep every day in school, sitting at my desk. With my face in my arms and oblivious to the world.

I am wondering if Little Man is starting to get another tooth, or starting to grow again. This is all that he has wanted to do all day. I wish I could take a nap too, since I was up with him all night.

A super silly joke

My hubby told me this joke the other day. He heard it and can't stop laughing about it. So I thought that I would share it.

How do you catch a polar bear?


Now that I have given you all day to think about it, here is the ANSWER!

You dig a hole in the ice and put peas around it. When the bear comes to take a pee you kick him in the ice hole.

Fresh Air

It has been so nice the last couple of days! We spent an entire afternoon outside the other day. I just couldn't bring myself to step into the house to do the dishes, another load of laundry, sort through the kids winter clothes, clean the bathroom, or scrub the floors. Instead we played with chalk and bubbles, rode bikes, played on the swing set, jumped on the trampoline and just enjoyed the sun. I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

Little Dude loves to color. With the entire driveway and the sidewalk as his canvas I thought he would spend all day here. He surprised me though. He wanted to do something else. Something that I thought was really sweet.

He wanted to teach his brother how to color on the sidewalk. He put the chalk in his hand and showed him how to do it. As soon as Little Dude let go, the chalk went right into Little Man's mouth.

Little Princess did decide that she was going to color her masterpiece. She was really into it. Literally! She had it ALL over her. Can you see the yellow chalk on her nose?

Maybe you can see it better here. She has it all down the front of her too. I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was there. I love it when she is a mess sometimes. That just means that she is having a good time.

Since the chalk was of no interest to Little Man we thought we would try the bubbles. Guess where that ended up? Yup, his mouth!

Since all Little Man wanted to do was eat everything. Little Dude thought he could just play with him. He is such a good big brother. He really likes to help Little Man out and really likes to be around him. I hope that they grow up to be good friends.

He still likes to do his thing though. Like riding his skateboard down the street. He makes me laugh cuz he totally digs Tony Hawk! All he wanted for his birthday was a skate board. He will learn to ride it one day, but for now this way is safer.

He couldn't resist for long. He wanted to give his brother a ride. Little Man finally found something that he LOVED! And that he couldn't eat.

Every time I would turn around to see what the Princess was doing I got this look. All those that think she needs a hair cut raise your hand. Yea! Me too!

I hope everyone else is enjoying the sun! It has lifted my spirits and helped me out of my bubble that I have been living in all winter. Last night I did pray for rain just for today. My house needs to be cleaned really bad and I was afraid that if we had another nice day then my house would go another day messy. Looks like my prayer was answered and that I need to get to work.

Morbid? To some. Normal to my family.

I found out the other day that EVERYONE in my family reads the obituaries every day.

Except me.

I actually thought this was really strange. Then I remembered that it is probably because my Great Grandpa was a mortician and the family still runs the business. I guess that it is just in the genes.

Except mine.

There is a part of me that still thinks that it is a little strange.

I still love you guys though!

Does anyone else read the obituaries everyday?

Being Hunted - Another Mt. Biking Story

Right after Little Dude was born we thought that we would take a much needed break and go on a little weekend trip with my sister and her husband. We went up to some property that my brother in laws family owns in Fairview Canyon. We took our bikes and wanted to spent one day biking around. We hadn't been on the trail for long and he hear gun fire. It shot a couple of time then all of the sudden we hear the bullets zoom right past our heads. We all jumped off our bikes and some of us (ok maybe just me) ducked behind our bikes. Who ever it was shot a couple of more times with the bullets zooming around us before they stopped. My brother in law actually rode his bike close to where they were and yelled for them to stop. It was just some people target shooting and not being safe. They were shooting out into the open and it just so happened that we were there. I have never been so afraid in my life. Even thinking that someone is coming into my house in the middle of the night doesn't compare to being shot at. I remember not having any idea exactly where the bullets were coming from or how far away they were but they sounded close. I didn't know which way to duck or how to hide. (I am a bit of a baby!)

It ended up being a good day though. It was so beautiful up there. Here we are from left to right me, my hubby, my sister, and my brother in law. (Thanks Sis for the pictures! I am glad that you had some. Next time I will have to pack around my camera.)

Easy ride. Just what I needed after being shot at!

I knew Daddy was smart, but I didn't think that I was that dumb!

We were on our way to take Little Dude to school the other day and he says...

"Daddy almost knows everything huh?"

Me: "Yes, your daddy is really smart."

"Is daddy smarter than you?"

"Yes, daddy is smarter than me."

"How did daddy get so smart?"

"He has spent many years in school."

"If I go to school for a long time too will I be smart too?"

"Yup!"

"If I do I will be smarter than you too!"

I really think this little conversation was really funny! He was just being so innocent and I loved it! I love that I have a LONG list of things that he has said to me that I would punch any adult for saying to me. Remember the muffin top? Yea, like that comment. But this one didn't bother me too bad because my dream is that my kids will grow up to be smarter than me! I just hope they don't realize it until they are 25!

I am tough!

Spring is coming up fast! And boy am I grateful! Every spring I start to think about mountain biking. We used to go so much. I miss it a lot and hope that we will be able to go this year. When I start to think about mountain biking, two trips come to mind. One that was a totally awesome experience (you can read more about it here.) where we went on the Wasatch Crest Trail. It is a 26 mile long trail that started in Big Cottonwood canyon, went over into Park City, then across the peaks into Mill Creek Canyon and out. It was amazing! The second ride was just too funny and one that I wanted to share.

Mill Creek Canyon is a quick and easy ride that we used to do all the time. It was good for getting your mountain biking trip in on a busy Saturday morning. We would park one car at the bottom of the trail and shuttle up to the top. The trail is actually pretty flat even though you are riding down the canyon. That is until you get to the last part of the trail called Rattlesnake. It is called that because there is nothing but switch backs that wind down the mountain to the parking lot at the bottom. It drops something like 750 feet in 3/4 of a mile. It is a little bit intimidating for your first time, it seems pretty steep. Actually in most of the reviews I have read about it everyone agrees that it IS pretty steep.

Well, right after we were married (seriously it was like 2 months) we decided to take a trip up there one Saturday morning. This was one of the first times I had been on the trail. I had done the first part just fine, but when I got to Rattlesnake I wasn't doing so fine. At the switchbacks I had to get off my bike and walk around each turn. After that we came to a place that has tree root steps in the ground. One going down right after the other like a staircase. Before I knew that you have to clench your cheeks (ah hem) and sit as far back on your seat as you can when going down hill, I would get pretty scared. Since we were JUST married I wanted to impress my hubby and just go for it. I watched him go down. He stopped at the bottom and turned to watch me go down. I started to go. I don't really know how it all happened, but after the first step I lost control and went head over handle bars and went down the rest of the tree steps on my head and shoulders. When I stopped I was pretty entangled in my bike. I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of my hubby running to me. He didn't just run over and ask if I was ok. He ran over and drug me out from under my bike like my bike was on fire. He sat there and just held me and asked over and over if I was ok. I was REALLY banged up, but I was fine. I had scraped up my entire arm from my wrist to my elbow that was bleeding pretty good (I still have a scar) I had two scraped knees, bruises every where, 7 out of my 10 well manicured nails had been totally ripped off my finger tips, dirt from here to there, and my ego was totally shattered. What a moment.

My hubby's main concern was how was he going to get me down the rest of the trail (in no way were we done with the worst of it). I was more worried about how I was going to get my nails fixed for my very important job interview that next Monday. I got on my bike and conquered the rest of the trail. When we got back to the car my hubby said that it would be ok if we decided to never go down that again. I don't remember how I responded at the time, but it had become my favorite spot to go. I can't tell you how many times my hubby has told me that he is proud of me that I got on the bike and have conquered that tree staircase. Not just that once but MANY times since. And every time we talk about it I tease him that he drug me across the trail like my bike was on fire! What a great guy!

And in case you were wondering...cuz' I know you are...I went to my interview TOTALLY banged up and with my 3 remaining nails. I didn't get them fixed. I did get the job though.

Quotes from Marie Ricks

I did get a chance to look over my notes from my House of Order class that I took. Some nights I took better notes than others so there may be more quotes in some categories than others. I really enjoyed most of what she said.

Every night had a different topic, but occasionally we got a little off track so some things may over lap. I hope that this all makes sense. If not please feel free to email me and I will give you more input.


Topic: Clutter
~ If it is not being used it is burdening your life.
~ Part of being a woman is we will never be done, but we can be done for today.

Topic: Getting to Work/Getting others to Work
~ As long as you are nagging YOU are in charge of getting it done.
(Just a side note, she says that we should stop nagging and give the kids (or your spouse) the responsibility to get things done. Email if you need ideas on how to accomplish this.)
~ Never raise pitch or volume when mad. Use normal voice.
~ Always offer a child a choice, but never a "no" choice.
~ Do things in the Lord's Order or the Order of Firsts. (this is a topic that I need to blog on sometime. It is something that changed me.)
~ The less there is the less there will be.
~ Make things easier to put away than they are to get out.

Topic: Time Management
~ Slow down to get more done.
~ Learn to live in the center of the storm where it is always calm.
~ Life is the Lord's way to teach us and to help us serve.
~ What is the best use of my time RIGHT now?
~ Saying no to something you are saying yes to something else. Saying yes to something you are saying no to something else.
~ Distance helps you be wiser. (This is referring to when you are asked to do something. She says to tell them that you will have to think about it so you can make a wiser decision.)
~ If you say no do not explain. Enemy's won't believe your friends don't need to know why.
~ If the Lord calls accept.
~ Move things that are important to timely or away from urgent.
~ Give yourself permission to play every day.
~ Figure out the game of life.

Topic: Finances
D&C 104:78
~ The Lord will provide the blessing of getting out of debt.
~ Begin now to learn to live next month on what you made last month.
~ Don't live on credit on live on cash.
~ Gain control.
~ "I never again will borrow money."
~ Balance out your accounts every week. Have a financial review every month.

Topic: Cleaning or Chores
~ Don't put things down- put them away.
~ A house becomes a home when we work on making it so.
~ Get ready for the day (aka shower) before anything else.
~ Spend 1st hours of the day to make things neat.
~ Make it fun for the kids.
~ Have 3 hours a day of "focus" time. (the time that you focus on specific chores)

Topic: Organizing Kids
~ Kids believe they are an adult in too small of a body. Start treating them as an adult.
~ Give kids the chance to be obedient.
~ Always give them a choice.
~ Always have an adult to adult (when treating kids like adult) conversations. Never an adult to child conversation. It is demeaning to the child.
~ One way to move to motivation is isolation.
~ Go slower to get things done.
~ Decide to be in charge again.
~ Parenting is not a popularity contest.
~ We must suffer consequences sooner than later.
~ Kids must work every day.
~ It is every one's work not just ours.
~ Discipline = Consistency
~ Nagging is not mothering.
~ For every child under 20 imagination is more fun than anything else.
~ When WE help they learn to help others.
~ Children never do what you expect, only what you inspect.
~ Your children want to please you. Move them to the place that they can do that.
~ The more the person has past what they need, the harder it is to be attached.
~ Children have a hard time cleaning because they are not attached to what they have.
~ Make it more miserable to be messy than it is to be clean.
~ Your home MUST be a haven.
and lastly
~ Don't get discouraged when your kids fail you. Be consistent and creative. Don't give up. They are pushing against you to see how far they can push.

It's me again

This is starting to be a habit. Sorry, it's time to post again (it's been too long) and I just can't think of one thing to post. I can think of 5. In order to get myself caught up I need to do another post like this. I promise it will be the last for while.

#1 My hubby started his job and so far he really likes it. The branch that he will be the manager of is not actually open until next week (I think). I guess they are going to have a big party and have a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor of the city and stuff. It sounds like it would be fun. There are so many good things about this new job, but the one that I love the most is that he doesn't come home super stressed and unhappy. It is nice to see him not weighed down anymore.

#2 Little Princess had her gymnastics performance the other day. It was the cutest thing ever. She was super proud of herself. We got some video of it that I will have to figure out how to post on here. She seems like a natural. I was really proud of her.

#3 So our car broke down. We are not really sure what is wrong. We had to have it towed home the other day. I hate not having two working cars. Because it isn't working that means that my hubby took my jeep and I am stuck home. Little Princess can't even go to school today. I hope that we can figure it out soon.

#4 The snow is starting to melt and what a good thing it is too. I have always loved the snow, but this time of year I always get excited for the warm weather. The kids have been playing outside more, which means they have been happier kids. We are going to take a walk to the school today to hand in Kindergarten papers. I honestly can't wait to get out!

#5 I have completed my organizing class last week. (See House of Order or www.houseoforder.com) There are so many things that I learned from taking these classes. I really want to start all of the projects that I need to do to get my house in order. There are things that I want to start doing to just get my life in order too. I am grateful that I took these classes so I could learn to be a better homemaker, wife and mommy. Today I plan on sitting down and writing out my plan to tackle the things that I want to start on. There is no better time to organize your home than NOW! If I get a minute today I think that I am going to look over my notes from the class and post some of the quotes that I wrote down during the class. There are some pretty awesome ones that I just have to remember!