Happy Birthday to a Wonderful Woman.

The most amazing woman had a birthday today....my Mom. I was so excited to be here in Colorado to help celebrate it with her. She has been such an example to me of how I want to be a mom. She knows everything. If I ever need advice, I just have to call up my mom and she has some profound wisdom. I am so glad that I was a part of her family. I am so happy that I get to carry on her legacy. She is an amazing woman...Happy Birthday Mom!!

The Birthday girl bright and early! She got a whole bunch of cool presents including a new LEGO set! She was thrilled.

We had a birthday lunch for her where she didn't have to cook a single thing or clean a single dish. We made yummy Costa Vida chicken and it was a success.

This is my sister Kari, her daughter Isabella, my mom and Me and Sims. We had a wonderful trip and loved to spoil my mom on her birthday!

Did I mention the snow? It has been snowing like crazy on this trip. We have had two days of intense snow. Lets just hope I will be able to make it home tomorrow!

At the Farm

Here are a few pictures from the Farm. Like I said before, Lily LOVED the farm. She was able to use all her words: cow, sheep and neigh neigh (horse). She loved it. Sims wasn't too excited, but as we found out later that day (because he threw up) that he wasn't feeling very well. It was a lovely day. We went to the park after and played for a little bit and took the kids home and they both napped.


This is Charlie, he was the new baby cow born on the farm. He was darling. Sims loved that he was named Charlie because of that video on youtube about Charlie biting his brother...


Lily loved to look at Charlie. She just sat there and yelled "Cow" "Moo" the whole time. It was darling.


We went on a nice little hay ride down to the Payette River. The kids thought it was fun to ride behind a tractor on some hay. It was really a nice ride.

We Made It!!

We made it to Colorado, the sick storms subsided for the afternoon so that we could get on the plane and get back to my parents house.

Then I started throwing up.

Then the next day Sims started throwing up.

But I am glad to say that today we are well and happy. My kids are eating again. My mom has taken on a special mission of getting Lily to gain a few pounds while we are here (Lily only weighs 20 pounds). We have been having fun. My kids are sleeping well and a ton, so I have been able to rest a ton too.

We went to the farm yesterday and saw chickens, cows and sheep. Lily was in heaven. She loves the farm animals.

Pictures to come!!

So Terrible it's Almost Funny

Yesterday morning I woke to the smell of vomit.

The first thought that came to my head was "Oh, I can smell again!" (after battling a rather nasty sinus infection for 2 and 1/2 weeks this is a good thing.)

The second thought to my head was "vomit??? Who threw up?".

I know slow thinker, but it was early in the morning. Sims was up at this point and so together we went on a search. I kept saying to him, "Did you throw up buddy?" and he would reply "I don't think so?". So the search started. I went to his room thinking that my smeller was finally working so I could smell the yuck that had happened the night before, but nope that was not it. I went to the guest room, where the smell was significantly worse, but no one was in there and nothing was found. Then I opened dear, sweet Lily's door and found the vomit.

Some time in the night, she threw up everywhere and proceeded to go back to sleep and sleep in it. I know bad mom. I thought it too, but I had NO IDEA, beside the smell, that anything had happened. I woke her up covered from head to toe in vomit. Immediately ran her to the bathroom to get her cleaned up. Put her in the tub and let her play for a bit. She was happy as a clam. No, hey I just threw up everywhere, sad attitude for her, she was smiling and happy.

As she was playing, Sims and I were sitting in the bathroom keeping her company. I was distracted by something Sims had said, looked away and when I looked back Lily had POOPED in the tub. I was not too freaked out because It was a normal poop. I lifted her out of the tub, had her sit on the toilet while I let the water out to clean the tub before I could clean her. She was not a big fan of the toilet, so I wiped her bum and let her go while I set to work on the tub.

Minutes later I hear Sims cry out "Lily just pooped in the hallway." WHAT? I ran out to find a nice mound of diarrhea in the hallway. SERIOUSLY? At this point I had to call in reinforcements, here was my vomit laden baby, standing over a mound of poop in the hallway. I was about to crack. Sims ran to get Daddy. "Daddy, Daddy, Lily threw up all over her crib and just pooped in the hallway." Now I know that would be a fun way to wake up.

Daddy came to the rescue and helped me get Lily back in the tub and cleaned up the sheets from the bed. Just when you think you can handle things yourself in a nice calm way, everything blows up. Daddy was the hero.

Needless to say, Lily is FINE. She felt great the rest of the day. She was her same singy, laughy, silly self. We just got attacked by the random sickies and the mad poo bomber. (She has been on antibiotics that cause some major diarrhea).

I on the other hand, now have pink eye. Thanks Karen. I survive a month without getting it from my kids and get it from lovely Karen. Here's to the month of March, where we have been sick the entire time, we love you!

News from the sick front:

We are battling some nasty sickies over here, so please...stay away if you know what is good for you!!

Lily is on the mend! I am so happy to say that she is doing much better and I have even caught her singing a song or two. She had a nasty sinus infection in the sinus between her eyes, so her cute little face was all swollen to the point that she could hardly open her left eye. The swelling has gone down and she is on the mend. Thanks to a wonderful pediatrician and some really strong antibiotics.

Sims, I am sad to report, is now sick. He has gotten pink eye AGAIN. We are just throwing that around here all the time. I have started disinfecting the whole house. All the toys have been wiped clean, Lily's room has been completely cleaned inside and out and Sims room is next. Poor boy started running a fever yesterday. He got up to 103 last night and he threw up. So it looks like we have that lovely flu virus that is going around too.

So we are hunkering down and staying home for the rest of the week with plenty of rest. So if you need me, I will be here with my disinfectant wipes cleaning and taking care of my cute kiddos to get them better so we can get to Colorado next week!

This Girl

This girl makes me laugh.
She makes me cry.
She loves Me Mu (the Wiggles)
She loves to dance.
She loves to sing.
She is a great sleeper at night (when she is not sick)

I have been so sad as of late because my sweet girl has been sick. Her little body is fighting a nasty infection so unfortunately she is none of the above right now. So keep this girl in your prayers that she will have a speedy recovery and that we will go back to laughing, dancing and singing.

Fieldtrip to Petland

Have I mentioned yet how much I LOVE our preschool. The teachers are fantastic, fun and so energetic. The ideas and teaching are amazing. I just love it. And I love the fact that I live right next door!! This field trip we got to go to Petland, the local pet store. The kids loved it. It was so fun to see all the animals. They got to pet bunnies, hamsters, rats and even puppies. It was so fun.

Sims had a great time and now every day he asks when he can get a fish. He was really intrigued by the fish. I think it has mostly to do with his favorite story about feeding a fish too much food, but I think I know what I am going to get him for his birthday this year...his very own fish tank. I remember having one growing up and I loved it.

So thank you so much Ms. Kristin and Ms. Julie. This was a such a successful field trip. We love you guys so much!!

Lily-the brown nosed Baby

We were having a craft day on Sunday with our cousins. The kids are really into sewing right now, so Spence and Hannah were sewing on the big machine and Sienna and Sims were sewing on my hand held mini sewing machine. Everyone was hunky dory, but then I thought in my head..."why is Lily being so quiet?" Here is what Lily was up to while everyone was busy sewing. She got great joy out of coloring on herself. I got a great laugh out of it all. She brings so much joy to my life!!

In his shoes.

Lily loves to put on shoes. They are always Sims, mine or Matt's shoes. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. She is getting to be such a big girl!!

Some Awesome Stuff

I have been reading the October 2009 Ensign. In there they talk about the power the Internet has to spread the gospel. They specifically talk about blogging and how we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can spread our testimonies through our blogs to our friends and families. What a great idea!! I have been rather obsessed about posting cute pictures of my kids and my goings on in my life that I have forgotten a HUGE part of who I am...my testimony.

So my friends out there that read this blog, I am going to try to share the insight to my testimony with some spiritual messages and thoughts. I hope you enjoy.

Tonight I went back to read my FAVORITE chapter in the Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi chapter 2. LOVE this chapter. It just speaks to me and shares so many truths of what we believe. Mainly this chapter talks about agency. I love this concept because I have a very strong belief in our right to choose. I love Jesus Christ because he fought and died for that right. Like I said the whole chapter jumps out at me, the whole thing is highlighted, but I will share my favorite parts:

When I read this chapter tonight the first thing that struck me was when Lehi was talking to his son in the beginning telling him that he knows that his life is very difficult...then he says these powerful words: "Nevertheless, Jacob, my first born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."

I almost wept with these words. My life has been continuously filled with trials...the loss of Courtney, bankruptcy, miscarriage, etc. But here is the truth, I KNOW the greatness of God. I know that he knows me and knows of my pains. How healing it is to hear these words, that these afflictions that I have been suffering will be for my GAIN.

And that is why I love this gospel. Because of those simple words and the knowledge that I have that they are true. I have a strong testimony that the Lord does know me and he will continue to give me the faith, courage and love that I need to carry on through any affliction that may be necessary for me to endure. I am so grateful for these truths.

Read this chapter. It is awesome. I may come back to it later. But for now, these are my thoughts and my testimony. Love you all!

Pictures with Santa

I just found these pictures that Matt took at our ward Christmas party. They are classic. Of course Sims is as cute as a button, but Lily was a little scared....

A Love Fest to Remember

{Remember how I opened my house to all these amazing women...well they came.
{We had a fantastic afternoon of delicious food, great friends and well behaved children.
{I enjoyed myself quite a bit.

I think at one point we counted 22 women in my house with their wonderful children. We sent the kids upstairs to play trains, or watch a movie (that we had projected on the wall in Lily's room). It worked out wonderfully. There was enough Mac-n-cheese to feed them all.

I am so grateful for those that came. I am looking forward to another fest for those who weren't able to make it. We missed you.

Here are a few pictures from this day...enjoy.

The Miracle of Being a Mom

I have been thinking a lot today about how amazing it is that as a mom, I hardly get sick. I have been in the throws of pink eye over here and have had my hands in my little boys face trying to clear a way goop so he can see, but alas, I am still not infected. I know, I wash my hands it is all about "science" and stuff, but I think it goes beyond that. I know that Heavenly Father has a special blessings on mom's that we will be spared from some of these horrible things so that we can continue to nurture our families. I am grateful for that blessing.

Mom-I am the doll...

So I must admit, my daughter is the cutest thing on this planet. She just brings so much joy to my heart. We have this mini cradle (made by Grandpa Paul) that Lily loves to put her dollies in. Super cute.

One day while I was working in the kitchen, Lily decided that she was going to be the doll and climbed in the cradle too. Being the cute, petite thing that she is, she fit. Love it. Here are some classic pictures of her being the dolly. Please note her super cute dolly in the crib with her. She loves this baby and walks around the house yelling "beee beee" all day long. They are inseparable. Our wonderful Aunt Debbie hand made beee beee and it was well worth the time! Thanks!

Embracing the Doctrine of Love

Ok.

Since I have moved here I have been overwhelmed with how many wonderful people that I am surrounded by. All I have to say is:

WOW.

So I have been pondering in my little heart about what I can do this Valentines season to show all these truly amazing woman that I love them and am so excited that they are in my life...This is what I came up with.

Come to my: "Embracing the Doctrine of Love"
Valentine Open house

This Friday Feb. 5th starting at 11:30 and going till Matt kicks everyone out.

Come and lets enjoy each other and our awesomeness.

Please bring your kids...the more the merrier.

We are going to have yummy treats to eat and I am going to have a huge vat of Mac and Cheese for the kids to enjoy.

If I don't know you, I want to know you, so please come...this if for you. I can't wait to see you there...pass the word along.

I want you to feel the doctrine of love!

Completed

I wanted to show you the finished craft room! I finished my last project to make it complete. I had these lovely blank canvases that I brought from the studio that I have always planned on covering with fabric. I finally got to do that project to help complete this room. I used some yummy textured fabric. The green is corduroy and the middle patterned fabric is actually an outdoor canvas fabric. I sewed on the decals that I cut out of a basic brown fabric and then I made "ribbon" out of the same brown fabric and tried to sew it in an oval...need to work on my ovals apparently. It looks really great and I now feel my creative juices are starting to flow again!

Face Lift

Remember how my dear wonderful husband got me the dresser I wanted so badly for my birthday...Here it is:

This bad boy was found in someones trash pile. I saw it when we moved in the house 4 months ago and have been wanting it ever since. I know, I am crazy...but look what came from it:

I have given my whole craft room a face lift and I love it!! I was feeling some bad karma coming from that room. I told Karen that I couldn't craft until it was solved. She gave me some good advice on how to arrange things and now my groove is back. I love it. I have another project I am working on to finish it off. I will post the completed photos when I am finished. I am so excited. You can't tell in the photos, but I have been getting into distressing...I distressed the hutch...looks so much better and then I distressed the new dresser and inked it with some chocolate ink to give it a nice look.

I'm a Big Girl Now

One of Lily's recent accomplishments is getting out of the highchair!! Yea. She strives to be a big girl just like her brother. One morning as I was getting breakfast ready, she climbed up on the stool and asked for her food. She is so precious and cute. Of course as a paranoid mom, I don't let her eat on the stools, but she has graduated from the highchair to these kitchen steps that puts her at a height where if she stands, she is right at the counter It is super cute. She loves it, she loves to be able to eat with the family now and refuses to go back in the high chair.

New Years Eve

This year we decided to have a nice quiet evening at home for New Years. It was fun. We made homemade chicken hot wings and chili cheese dip with chips. The kids thought it was the best to be able to eat these yummy treats. As you can tell, they loved it.

The little ones went to bed by 7:30 and Matt and I settled down to watch a 30 Rock marathon till the new year...lets just say...I fell asleep on the couch at 8:30pm. I didn't quite make it to midnight, but I still had a wonderful new years eve.

I love spending time with my family who mean the most to me. They make me laugh and smile and they help me to remember what joy is all about.

Happy new year.

30's not so bad...

So I had an absolutely delightful day.

I am blessed with so many great people in my life who give me love so freely. Thank you.

I was surprised with gifts, babysitting and even Matt stayed home to spoil me today.

I got a manicure and pedicure (thanks Tiff and Karen)

I got an awesome new dresser to remake into a really cool creation (thanks Matt)

I got a salad shooter (no one should live with out one of these...thanks mom and dad)

I got a great set of new sewing scissors and the most colorful, beautiful thread (thanks Linda)

I got overwhelmed with love and affection from my friends and family. I am amazed.

Thanks to you all for making this truly a wonderful and happy Birthday!