In defense of being lovable

I once read in a book called, "The Feeling Good Handbook", that our imperfections make us human and therefore make us lovable.
This past fourth of July we went over to our friends house, the Calls of course. We have a tradition of dinner followed by things that go "boom!". Well, I wanted to contribute to the food end of it by making something special with a summer holiday flare. So, what is more American than cherry or apple pie? I opted for a cherry crisp and made some. We also had vanilla ice cream and watermelon and I made potato salad. Sounded perfect.
Well, I was humbled that evening as several mistakes became evident. First, I overcooked the potatoes, making mashed potato salad. Then, I forgot the potato salad at home! Poor Sean ended up making some. Then, as I pulled out the dessert, I realized I had grabbed the wrong ice cream! It was left over lemon flavored ice cream- not vanilla! At this point I did feel awful.
Then, I turned to my hubby and cried out, "Oh, I ruined the fourth of July!!!" He gave me a big hug and I stood in his arms whining. He laughed at me and said he still loved me.
And there it is, I am not a bad person, though I felt bad at the time. I can look at the fact that I am lovable because I am human. I imperfectly do almost everything I do, just like the rest of you! We can all love each other the more!

Heroins

I have to agree with my friend C. that posts on blogs are well thought out and productive when they reference those good things we should already be studying right now. That way, we are edifying one another and not taking away from these good things, such as scriptures, words of prophets, conference addresses, Ensign talks, and the like. It was a good point to be made.

Thus, Disney post or not, I have to move forward with this funny thing they call a blog. I really wanted to write my thoughts about a talk I heard this morning from Sheri Dew. Member of the church I belong to or not, you would LOVE this woman! She is a no nonsence fighter of the great good women pocess and this talk was a good reminder of reality.
http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/1998/dew_sheri.htm


My thoughts are that I am a lover of truth and light. For truth and light forsaketh that evil one.

Celebrate Today!

"When your heart is in your dreams,

no request is too extreme.

When you wish upon a star,

as dreamers do"

I grew to adore this song in Disneyworld,

to remember how important it is to be

BELIEVING.

Happy to be at the Magic Kingdom!

Mother's Day 2009 with Jess on a Safari!



Our two tinkerbell princesses are making wishes come true

This was another favorite saying of mine; Celebrate Today!

(written on a flourless chocolate cake- the best dessert in the world!)

It was all over the place and I loved it.

When the lady I made dinner reservations on the phone with asked,

"What will you be celebrating with us?"

I exuberantly responded, "MY FAMILY! :)"

And for some reason she wasn't as excited, (maybe a little ill?)

Surprise Mom!

Those crazy sisters of mine...

had an idea.

I fly to Utah, they plan and decorate for a BIG party,
and Lindsey made the CUTEST cakes!

So, SHHHH! I've been waiting for this moment all day

and all month long!

I walked into a restaurant full of my family, came

up behind her and said, "mom! You didn't answer your

phone and I wanted to tell you Happy Birthday!"

SHE REALLY WAS SURPRISED,
AND I REALLY WAS SO HAPPY!

We cried and it was awesome.
I was so excited to see my family after

two and half years. How do I even begin?

Here they are:

Anthony and his baby Boston (not Bronson who is Dawn's baby)

Gary, Lindsey, and Bradley




Troy and Britney (their kids, Nate and Taylor with her mom)




My brother Lance, his wife Sher, and children

Austin and baby Rowin who I just met for the first time





My sister Connie, hubby Ben, and Josh and Jenica

My mom and her kids


Me and Dad

Mom had a great time and told me several times

that night that it was the best birthday she had ever had.


The next morning I had a great time looking through mom's
old pictures and seeing what she looked like at my age (28 anyone wants to know)


I found a few adorable pictures! Here is one that made me laugh.

Its not me with Farra Faucet hair and Jacob on my lap,

its my mommy and my brother Troy. Look familiar kind of?

After the trip down memory lane and a story from my Dad

about when his truck rolled over on their honey moon,

we got to go to a garden at Thanksgiving Point and had lunch at the cafe.

Here is one of my favorite shot with my sisters...we haven't taken

a shot like this in a few years!

After a great lunch and free fudge samples, us girls were off

to get pedicures. Thanks mom!

Jenica got one too, but we took a picture that night of ours.

I was all set for Disneyworld.

I love how relaxed my mom looked! She needs one of these every week!

Then it was off to Aaron and Maegan's house for dinner.

I love this picture! I got to actually HOLD a new baby nephew! Me! I got to!!

Here is Nathan's bro and his wife, aren't they so cute?!? I adore them

and their adorable kidos!



kinko that comment for Nathan's sister Dawn and her hubby Alan
and their kidos too!

I'm telling you, I could have stayed there all week to catch up, but
only had one evening. It was a blessing, but difficult too. The whole trip felt that
way in fact. But it did feel so good to see everyone in real life
instead of only through a computer. I love Nathan's family and my own of course
and I wish I could take two or three weeks to just hang out with
them, AND my kids AND my Nathan. Who knows, wishes do come true.

The next morning I spent with my mom and our friend

Jimmy at this beautiful place; the Draper, UT temple. OHhhhhhhhhh...

What a view! How nice to be there with my mommy!

Okay, so I've skipped some things and wish I could have had the time

to post more pictures, but lets face it, I am BEHIND on this fun blog thing and

I miss it so much! Just want to say I love my family and I miss them, but

I am so grateful for the brief moment here in Utah! I love you so much mom!

The kids teach me and are a delight!

This morning Jacob asked me, "Mom, are you not mad?"
I said, "No, I'm not mad." (I wasn't at all, just trying to get some cereal for all of them.)
Then he said,"Smile, mom?"
And I did.
And he laughed and giggled in delight.

Lately Natalie likes to sing a song.....her "cha, cha, cha" song. She inserts some random phrase or word, then says "cha, cha, cha" in between. For example, yesterday at breakfast it was, "Oh my goodness, cha cha cha, oh my goodness, cha cha cha, oh my goodness," repeated.

Today at church I was by myself with the girls and Nathan home sick with Jacob. Natalie taught me once more that there is no bigger priority than to be Christ -like. Even, or especially if we are about to take the sacrament. I walk into the chapel and she keeps claiming she had to go potty. I knew she was just wanting to get out of the room, but I kind of had to listen to that demand. And, of course I could not hurry her, could not feel irritated, even though there was a very important pressing matter. At one point I wanted to cry, hoping if I were not able to renew this sacred covenant, somehow the Lord would understand and it would not be the end of the world. Thankfully, she did get out of the bathroom stall. She got the step from the drinking fountain, washed her hands, put the step back, got a drink, and then we were able to find my other daughter whom I had abandoned. We found Jessica sitting with our previous bishop (nicest man ever and loves my kids) and his wife. Somehow we were just in time for the sacrament. I thought of how it took two weeks in a row of NOT RUSHING my kids or my agenda, or my demands (good as they are or seem) before my children. Being like Christ comes before every other priority. We must be long suffering to have charity. There is no exception, no time it is somehow "okay" to not be like the Lord.

After Primary in the chapel, I was trying to find Jessica. I look to find her at the stand where she says simply, "Thank you" into the mic. Then, I see her walk away and think gratefully how that was all she was going to say. She then walks back and says, "very much." What was funny was how she said it. In a low, kind of quiet voice. Sometimes I have to be so much more serious than I want to be. I had to talk to her and get her to come to me. But inwardly, I was laughing. And I love being able to look back and laugh in a post. :)

I have to add something so fun! The other night I got to interview my children to be spotlighted in the primary news letter. We were all in the back yard playing, so I brought the papers out there and sat down on the lawn chair with each of them one at a time.
Here are the questions and answers: (Keep in mind, when I asked them these questions I was very curious as to what they would say, so I prompted them as little as possible.)

1- How old are you?

js-five
jk- four
n- I'm four (after I hold up two fingers, says "two")


2- What grade are you in at school?

js- kindergarten

3- what is your favorite subject in school?

js- McDonald's (Its an activity center where they pretend to work at McDonald's)

4- What is your favorite thing to do?

js- Play with Abby, go swimming
jk- Trains
n- eat marshmallows.... and chocolate

5- What is your favorite color?

js- pink
jk- yellow
n- didn't understand the favorite part

6- What is your favorite animal?

js- Elephant (I would have said horse. She dreams about riding them)
jk- tiger
n- tigers, kiddy cats

7- What is your favorite activity with family?

js- go to a movie
jk- go to a movie (they love to wrestle with dad and play board games too!)
n- didn't get it

8- What is your favorite food?

js- turkey (its actually peanut butter)
jk- cheese on tortillas
n- tomatoes, popcorn (tomatoes???)

9- Where is your favorite place to go?

js- the zoo (no doubt!)
jk- the park (especially when riding his tricycle around it!)
n- the park

10- What do you want to be when you grow up?

js- A Mommy
jk- A Daddy (I promise they said this without skipping a beat. How cute!)
n- said, "hop, hop, hop."

11- Who is your hero?

js- superman
jk- Dad (again, didn't even pause!)
n- "I love to jump"

12- If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

js- Disneyworld
jk-Disneyworld
n- "Go Mommy"

13- If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?

js- Mickey Mouse
jk- Lightning McQueen and Mater
n- Daddy (they all said that at first)

14- What is your favorite thing about primary?

js- I like Jesus!
jk- Caleb!
n- Eat fruit snacks! (finally a question she understood. :)

This was such a fun activity! I hope to do it once a month and to suggest to you a similar tradition!

Jacob's 4th Birthday Party!

OH my baby is FOUR! By request he received an all train birthday party. It was just almost as fun to plan as to have the party. A BIG Thanks to Chelsie bringing over many last minute items and being my party hostess. I owe you! And Shellee for being my photographer. I am sad I didn't actually get Shellee in my pictures, but I will get her later to be sure!

Lots of pictures, lots of happy kids, sugar, and a messy house equals good times had by all. Its all worth it and fun! I just wanted it to be memorable for my BIG JAKE. Happy Birthday my favorite little boy! I LOVE YOU! love, mom

The cake... my first cake like it

and decorated appropriately

with "hill billy" Billy. :)

How cute is little Jackson? This is Chelsie's baby

When the guests arrived there were balloons to play with
(Here is cute Josephine Ball jumping around)

There were some great coloring pages of

Thomas the Train that Anna just loved....

she is adorable!

The Birthday Boy loves balloons!

How it all began...

This may look like a bus, but the train

engine needed some cars, so....

Twinkies to the rescue!

All the kids had a total blast

decorating their own little car!

Check out Lucas LICKING his twinky...

AWESOME!

All us moms were ready to help...

And "TA DA!" here was the "Friendship Train"

The Dads had a great time chatting

Chelsie to the rescue! She headed up the first

game. Each child was blindfolded, then put

a "BEE STING" on Thomas the train

The next game was to toss the "COAL" (aka

chocolate captain crunch) into Thomas' mouth

Great job Charlotte!

The crowd cheers on!

They loved the games too!

Make a wish! What a cute shot of Jacob!

(By the way,the frosting was home made butter cream cheese and

it rocked! The chocolate cake was really great too!)

Jake's face was so fun to watch! He got sooooo

excited with every gift! Thank you all!

ABSOLUTELY KNOCKED OUT AS SOON AS

HE HIT THE BED!

Lindsey's visit and lots of Spring Pictures!

The Gardens....

Me Tarzan, you Jane...

I knew she always looked up to me.


Family shot, beautiful background


Lindsey with little Brad, so cute!

Isn't this Garden awesome!?!

So cute~ Daddy and Jakie

We had fun being silly gooses

The three of them,

the ones we adore

I'm trying to tell you,

this place is so pretty!

Mmmmm kay

Pinnacle Mountain

The end of a long hike. Jessica hated it. Said she

would rather we left her in school. Maybe we

should choose a shorter hike next time.

Look at them buff arms! What a handsome dad he

makes... even to other people's children. :)

I love this shot of Lindsey. Half the time I would be

trying to film her and she would pose in all me photage,

thinking I was about to take a picture. Funny.

The beginning of our 3.5 mile base trail hike.

Mmmm Hmmm, I know.

We carried Natalie and Brad just about

the whole way. Mmmmm Hmmmm,

I know. (Cute picture though!)

Lindsey and I ate at Cactus Jacks

it is Muey Bein Peggy Hill!

Spring photos at the Old Mill

Group shot. (Kids didn't like to look at the camera...

the whole time.)

My cutest son!

My sweet oldest daughter

My glowing angel baby girl