Joyful Moment

A good friend of mine has a blog called Abiding Joy "to discuss ways to create greater joy in our lives." The past several weeks she has been posting a daily joyful moment and I want to follow her example for today.

This afternoon I tried to put Alyson down for nap. She was so tired and normally falls right asleep when I place her in her crib but, today she fought it. I started to feel frustrated because Cole was already napping (thank goodness) and I had so much to do as soon as she fell asleep. But then I suddenly remembered a dear sister in our ward who one night took the extra time to lay with her daughter and talk to her- to live in the moment and not rush through it. It was a great mother daughter moment. Whether she felt prompted to do so or not I don't know, but she will always be thankful - by that weekend her sweet daughter was gone forever.

I looked at my sweet baby girl who just wanted to be held by her mom and remembered that even though I can be with my family for eternity that doesn't always mean they will be with me forever on earth. So I forgot about the dishes and piles of laundry, my dirty room with an unmade bed and I held my daughter close and rocked her till she was almost asleep and then I gently placed her in her crib. I then snuck into my sons room, tucked him in and watched him sleep peacefully for a moment. This was my joyful moment for today - the blessing of living in a precious moment.

Tonight as I was at McDonalds, picking up a little extra thank you for my amazing husband, I started to people watch. I don't know if it is only at my McDonalds (that is attached to a Walmart) but each time I have gone I have noticed a mother with 2 or more kids and how these mom's treat their kids. They are mean, rude, sarcastic, and sometimes physical. It makes me so sad to see how these mothers treat their children, such special kids that were entrusted to them to care for - not abuse. I noticed that each time I left McDonald's after one of these encounters that for the next several days I was more loving to not only my kids, but nicer to everyone around me - even the people I had never met but just passed by. It is almost like I felt the need to make up for these "other" mothers. So I guess if you are ever feeling like you have no patience for you own kids or maybe others around you, go to your local McDonalds and just people watch - you most likely come out feeling a lot more grateful to be the mom and person you are.

Simplify

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are.

As you create a home, don’t get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don’t dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey."

~Marjorie P. Hinckley

Trip to Albuquerque

The first week in March I got the fun of flying with my two kids to Albuquerque to see my family and help throw my younger sister her first baby shower!The flight there was interesting. Cole did great if you consider the fact that it was the most turbulent flight I have ever been on! When we finally arrived the fun began. They baby shower was a huge success, we went to the zoo, my dad spoiled me by taking me to his gym with him every morning (loved it!), got to see my old friend Amanda and hang out with her for a bit, went on a walk with Denali (Jill's great Dane mix) everyday, which Cole just LOVED. We also ate at Luna Mansion one night - loved it just because it is haunted. Call me crazy but I love that kind of stuff. Everything was just sooo much fun. The only downer was the both my kids got sick while we were there and then I caught it the day we flew home. Oh well. It was still a very fun trip! Thanks everyone!
Cole tried to go after Keri's cat that was hiding in the toy and ended up getting his head stuck.
Cole glued himself to Jill. She couldn't go any where in the house or do anything without him right there. If she left the house without him he would cry for her to come back. It was quite cute.

Katy's Baby Shower

These are pictures from my lil sisters baby shower. It was a garden theme. This is the way the table turned out.

These are paper birds we hung in my mom's tree

We also put them in the windows and on other items in the houseThis is a diaper caterpillar that Keri made for Katy

Little tissue butterflies, grasshoppers, and caterpillar that we hung for part of decorations

Butterfly snack bags for some of the kids that attended

Beehive cupcakes with little bee buttons on wire

Oreo suckers that we put in flower pots to look like flowers

Ladybug crackers

Goodness, isn't he HANDSOME!!!!

The Girl I Used To Be

I saw this on a dear friends blog and had to steal it, if only for the purpose of reading it over and over myself to remind me of who I am today and not who I used to be. I hope that it helps all you other mothers out there who might struggle with the same things.

The Girl that I used to be

She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be.

And she gazed at me with her earnest eye, and questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?

The great career, the splendid fame, all the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height, with all of its gardens rare?

The silken robes that I dreamed for you, and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad, for I wanted her pleased with me.

This slender girl from the shadowy past, the girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay, innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;

That silken robe is my motherhood, of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls, for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.

And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl that I used to be.

Bret & The Arnold Expo

Here are some of the photos from Bret being at his first expo showing off his display that he designed and getting chance to mingle with other people in the sports supplement industry. And yes, some of those are women, disgusting right? Bret says if you go to www.sts-sports.com, click on the products button and choose your products and then when checking out type in the code FITEX10 you get 50% of your entire first order!!

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