I want GUM too!!!

While coming home from the park today I had a revealing conversation with my kids.
Little Man: Mom, can I have some gum?
Me: No, I don't have any.
LM: Mom's friend, can I have some gum?
Mom's Friend: Sorry I don't have any either.
LM: Little Miss has some, why can't I have some? That isn't fair.
Me-looking at Little Miss, I didn't give her gum. I don't have any at all. But she is chewing something.. hmmm.. is it old gum from a bench.. oh nasty. Then I look at her flip flop. She took a bite of it.. and was chewing on the bright green piece of flip flop.
Me: Little Man that isn't gum, it is her flip flop. Please kids, if you are hungry ask me, don't eat your flip flop, that is just gross.

Have I mentioned I love being a Mom. Because I do. Who else gets to laugh at all of the gross stuff kids do.. and then come blog it.. so I will always remember it. Seriously.. it was pretty funny after the gross factor wore off.

Woman to Woman: Celebrating Me!

We (women) tend to focus so much on our weaknesses and often blow them out of proportion. But our strengths, the things we are good at, go unnoticed, especially by ourselves. I know there are times when I have feared that my confidence may come across as arrogance. It's taboo to assert your successes as a parent! And even in general, I think women are very careful about how much credit or attention they give to themselves. But we all certainly deserve praise and recognition. And so, right on the heels of Mother's Day, this "Woman to Woman" is an opportunity for us all to admit that we are amazing, and to share our strengths with one another.

Okay isn't this fitting the same week as my birthday! Hey it is my blog.. isn't always all about me! Why shouldn't I celebrate me?

This is hard for me though. I can tell you all of the weird things I do.. or the things I don't always like that I do. But to tell you the great things about me.. it is just hard. But I am going to do a List.. like Sunny did. It works for me.

1. I am quick to forgive and move on. I don't hold grudges, and I am not easily offended. I know everyone has good. And we are all trying our best in this life.. some days are just really hard.
2. I love my husband.. why am I celebrating this? He is the best thing that ever happened to me. I love him more than I could ever have imagined. He makes me feel whole, I am complete when I am with him. I am better because of him.
3. I laugh. I laugh at times when I want to cry. I laugh at times when I shouldn't, but it is me, and I like it. I laugh when I want to yell at my kids. It is better to laugh, a melted crayon in the dryer is much funnier if you laugh.
4. I have taught my children to pray. And to have true faith that their prayers WILL be answered. I know that our Heavenly Father hears us. And my children know that too.
5. I am comfortable in my skin finally. I am not afraid to goof around and be silly with my kids, Randy, or my friends. It is better to laugh than to be that serious. Who cares if I act like I am 5. I am happy.
6. I am optimistic. Life is good. I keep a positive attitude in my life. It comes naturally, but I really like that about me!
7. I am a good mother. Contrary to what I might feel or say at times, I am. I am not screwing my kids up that much. I enjoy every minute with them. My kids are fun. They are growing quickly and I enjoy all of the time I get with them. I don't do everything perfect, but I try. And they adore me.
8. I have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is not to celebrate about that! I know He lives. I know the Gospel is true.
9. I make friends every where I go. I run into people every where that I know. If I know you, I consider you my friend. I have lots of friends!
10. I am honest, sometimes to a fault. I work on making my filter work. But you never wonder what I am thinking. ha!

That is my list. All of the randomness that it is. It is me!

Join in on Woman to Woman! Go visit Lei and Morning Glory and leave you name and a comment!

They Say It's My Birthday!

Happy Birthday.. to ME!

A whopping 27. *phew* I am getting old. Okay.. not really that old.. but now I am late 20's, no longer mid-twenties as I have been informed. But whatever. I still rock. Humble, I know.

In case I haven't thoroughly posted about the wonderful qualities of my husband or informed you about how awesome he is, or if you have forgotten you will be reminded today. I did get to sleep in this morning, we have Church, REALLY EARLY. Before 9:00 AM early. Can you feel my pain? So sleeping in on Sunday means 7:01. The kids were up shortly after.. and then I patiently waited for presents. Wait, I lied. I didn't wait patiently at all. I couldn't wait to see what I got! I was excited.. super excited. I was surprised with some great gifts from my kids, an exercise ball, which I have been wanting. And then a picture of my shoes that are on their way.

I can't wait for them to get here! I am so excited for them. I got some stuff for my photography which is always fabulous. And then I got a bag. One of those bags that make you stop breathing for a second. When you see the blue bag.. knowing there is a blue box inside of it. I opened up the bag, took out the box, untied the bow and pulled out a beautiful bracelet. Seriously what could make a girl happier? I love my pretty shiny new bracelet. I was thoroughly shocked, I was not expecting jewelry, much less from Tiffany's. I think he has won Husband of the Year for the next 20 years!

And then I was spoiled by my parents, In-Laws, and my great friend's with clothes (Gotta love my clothes!!), gift cards, and lotions. I am feeling very spoiled, and very loved.

(If you look closely, you can see my new bracelet.)

We had a yummy ice cream cake that I found a recipe for this week. We enjoyed the company of our loved ones and the chance to relax and enjoy the night.

To everyone who made my birthday great thanks! I enjoyed my dinner last night, the shopping, the bowling. And even more I just enjoyed the company of good people, feeling loved and just knowing I have people I can truly count on. You rock!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Mother's Day. A day to honor our Mom's. The women who have nurtured us. Cared for us. Stayed up with us in the middle of the night. Who listen to us when we have problems.

I have the best Mom in the world, hands down. Last weekend we had our girls weekend, and I got to spend part of that time with my Mom. And lest you think my Mom is short, she is 5'8.. I just have my Dad's height. I love my Mom. I don't think there is a kinder Mother out there. She has sacrificed her wants many times to give her children the wants they want. She is an example to me of how to be a wonderful Mom, full of charity and compassion. She has empathy for those around her. She is truly an example of the type of Mom I want to be.

I love to do stuff with my Mom.. she will giggle with me at the silly things in life. She knows me all my quirks and things I do, she loves me unconditionally. I had no idea how much my Mom loved me until I had kids of my own. I hope you know Mom, you are the best in the entire Universe. I am blessed that you are my Mom, and my friend! I am so proud that I am your daughter. You have taught me so much. I love you Mom!

Tagged!!

I have been tagged by Mimo for a meme. Here are the rules as passed on - Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven people to tag and list their names.Don't forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

Seven people.. do seven people read my blog? I don't know!

1. I have my full year's supply of food. I am feeling thoroughly Mormon, and I like it!

2. I love to fly.. anywhere. Even if for just a scenic trip, it is thrilling for me.

3. My son is going to go to ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN! (do you think I am excited?)

4. I have taken over 7000 pictures with my new camera since the end of January. Really, I am not surprised.

5. When I was a kid and learned about your "middle finger" I believed as long as I held both middle fingers up together it was okay. I showed my brothers this often. Eventually I wised up.

6. I thought Schucks was a bad word. I cringed EVERY TIME my Dad would say we were going there. It was the "Bad Word Store".'

7. If Dora is not on, Little Miss will shriek, horrifically and become completely irrational. Perhaps we watch too much TV.

I am tagging
Randy the better half of me!
Bloxham Bunch
Misty
Teacher Mom Mad Woman
Lei
Les
And Andrea!

A Girls Weekend!

I had the privilege of going to Time Out For Women with my Mom, my wonderful Sister-in-Law and terrific Friend Allison! We had a fantabulous girls weekend. We shopped at the outlet malls.. and oh were they fun. We drove through crazy traffic and they were blessed with the opportunity of hearing me call every driver stupid. Yes I know where my kids get the word from. And then, we were Spiritually fed, uplifted, and we have been able to feel like we can go on. We are doing our best. A good girl's weekend rejuvenates your soul. It makes you feel like you can do it! Like you aren't alone. All of these women who are fighting the same battle. There is strength in numbers. I will give a run-down in the next few days. Right now I am exhausted. I don't sleep much in hotels. I have no idea why.. but I don't. I do however come up with GENIUS ideas at 2AM. And sometimes I even remember them. This was a wonderful weekend and I look forward to another Girl's weekend. Sometime I need to take one just to shop.

Whoa.. May!?!

I have been a serious blog slacker. April was a busy, busy month. How is it May already?

April in re-cap.

We had Randy's birthday, thankfully I blogged about that!

The kids and I went the circus one day.. Randy was at Hunter's Safety Class. They loved it. It was great entertainment and seriously fun.

Then there have been the T-Ball games, and all of the practices. Both kids are playing. 4 and 5 year old kids playing T-Ball, similar to trying to herd cats. Ever done that? Neither have I. But this is similar, I know it!

We also found out that Little Man will be learning Spanish next year in school, we are quite thrilled about that.

We had the Talent Show, which was just wonderful to watch!

And then we had my sister for a week, we went to her Special Olympics swim meet. It was wonderful. And I mean truly wonderful. There is such an amazing feeling there. It is indescribable, but I plan to go to all of them that I can. If you ever have the opportunity to attend I strongly suggest you go. You will not regret it. I wish I could explain the feeling. These kids are so excited for each other. They work so hard and do such a great job. I was seriously so proud of my sister and all of the other athletes that day. My own kids did quite well watching and want to know when they can be in Special Olympics and win medals. My sis won a silver, 2 bronze, and 1 5th place ribbon!

Maybe May will be a better blogging month.. we'll see! Catch ya later!