Week 7: Sisters

There are lots of things that come with a house full of sisters. Sharing closets full of clothes and shoes, fighting over the bathroom (unless your dad is a contractor and smart enough to build you all your own!) perfume-lotions & potions, creams & products, laughing and crying and then laughing again, the constant friend or boyfriend drama, fighting and pulling hair, and having built in best friends that love you- despite your quirks.

My girls LOVE each other. Kate and Meg share a room and when Meg gets scared she climbs in bed with Kate. They wake up (early) in the morning and just start playing. Annie recently got her own room, and both she and Kate cried the first night they slept in separate rooms. They all love to snuggle with each other and they are very supportive of each other.

And they currently have a bad case of the GIGGLES! It has lasted for weeks and be careful - its contagious!

Week 6: Super Mario Family

One of our very favorite family activities (esp. when mom is at work or sleeping) is playing Super Mario Kart. We love it so much that we decided to be Mario Kart characters last year for Halloween (while I was taking my blog-cation- so I never up loaded a picture).

They usually try and talk me into playing by letting me be Peach- as I prefer the bikes. The girls love it when Dan will play with them and they are actually pretty good at it.

I am not sure where this tradition of a family theme came from or how long it will last but it sure is fun. Check us out as the Wizard of Oz, and M&M's.

Week 5: Groundhog Day

Who knew I would ever wish that my life could be just life groundhog day!! I made a comment in church on Sunday about the difficulty being reverent in Church with little kids and many of the older ladies offered their encouragement in the form of "this too shall pass."

But I don't want it to. There are LOTS of parts of being the mom that are hard. But there are sweet tender moments in my daily life that I wish would never end.

swimming meets pottytraining sweet kisses

Meg got an american girl doll for Christmas. Her name is Kimberly. She goes everywhere with us . . . to dance, or errands, and has lunch with us. Meg is my baby- and I want her to stop growing. I could have an almost 4 year old forever. She tells me that she has to grow up so that she can be a mom- but she promises that "even when I am big mom- I will will still be your friend."

Kate is sweet little thing. I love bundling her up for her walk to school. As we are loading up her backpack and tying the scarf around her neck she asks me (almost daily) if I have thought about getting a dog yet. I kiss her on the nose and tell her- not yet Kate, not yet.

Annie got her own room for Christmas. With it comes her own space and independence. This is her corkboard. She has designed it all by herself. I know that it will morph and change to pictures of friends and boys and popular fashion- but right now she has a baby picture of herself, school pictures of her sisters, her scripture reading chart, ribbons from swim meets and a picture of Jesus. LOVE this girl. Wish that she could stay 9 (and almost perfect) forever.

As I have been reading back over old posts I found last years resolutions. It made me laugh because I was complaining about the "groundhog" feel to my life, but guess what? since then I have bought a camera and borrowed from the shoebox in my drawer for a gym membership, and signed up for my first 1/2. Thanks Ash- nothing could get me off the couch faster than a chance to run with you!

Week 4:Encouragement

I have been sick for over two weeks now: strep, a strange rash (drug reaction vs. scarlet fever?) and then a nasty head cold.



Current symptoms: runny rose, head congestion, muscle aches and DISCOURAGEMENT.



I will spare you the details and sum it up by saying I was having A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I just wanted to climb back into my bed and cry.



But here comes: Meg! Eating blueberries by the handfulls, smiling and laughing at me despite my grumpiness- not such a terrible day after all!

Week 3: Snowmen at Night

Do you ever wonder what snowmen do at night? We sure did after spending an afternoon participating in a fundraising event to set a new world record for most snowmen built in an hour.




We set a new record- but in a category that doesn't exist yet . . . hmmmmmm- not quite sure how that works.

They had to be four feet tall with two (oreo) eyes and a carrot nose. We helped build about 10 of the 1279 snowmen. Some were blue. why you ask? because they were cold (hahahaha) and some were celebrating a "40th" birthday.

who knew we could be so tired after playing in the snow for an hour!

P.S. we LOVE the book "Snowmen at Night" by Caralyn Buehner

Week 2: Baby Charlotte

My sister Courtney and her husband Scott welcomed Charlotte Louise on January 4th. She is beautiful and perfect.

I was lucky enough to be at work for most of Courtney's labor. I worked some charge nurse magic and ensured that she had only the best. As a Labor and Delivery nurse I am witness at many births and it is always a miracle. (Both Courtney's nurse and doctor said that it was one of their favorite deliveries they had ever been apart of because of the love and support they saw from Scott and my family. Their cute delivery nurse was emotional telling me about my dad putting out a hand to congratulate Scott and then pulling him into a hug) There is something powerful about family welcoming in a new baby- a new and forever part of our family. It is re-newing and makes life seem so simple and clear.

What a blessing! Congrats Courtney & Scott. Can't wait to see her running around in pigtails!

** another favorite L&D memory recently was when one of our resident's wives came in to deliver baby #3. They have two boys at home and didn't find out what they were having. The delivery was a little "intense" and when the room feel silent someone asked "is it a boy or a girl?" the dad choked out a quiet "it's a girl" and the entire room - erupted in cheers! It is a blessing, I treasure, to be apart of families sacred moments of welcoming new babies into the world!

Week 1: Families Helping Families

Dan & I spent the week between Christmas and New Years building a house for a deserving family in Mexico. We spent most of our time with the Carrillo family putting their roof on. (The house had been built this summer but not finished due to funding) Kallie and I were the roofing queens and had so much fun, hard tar and all.

And since this is more my journal than anything I also want to use this year to remember how blessed we are as a family.

Two amazing things happened this year with our trip. First off, was our campaign to raise money for the foundation. I was humbled almost daily for weeks as neighbors and friends dropped off checks, checks came in the mail with Christmas cards and total strangers donated money. It completely changed my approach to Christmas as I saw an outpouring of generosity and love. I was witness to so many tender mercies as I watched people give of themselves and their money. It made my entire Christmas- so THANK YOU again to all those who helped. It was AMAZING.

And second, at the end of a great week, Dan & I and another couple were driving home and we had made it as far as Kingman Az when we stopped for dinner. On our way into the restaurant our friend realized he didn't have his wallet. He and Dan spent 20 minutes with flashlights digging through the "car trip" packed truck in hopes of finding the wallet. Our New Years Eve dinner was spent in silence with our friend on the phone canceling his credit cards. Our Las Vegas New Years Eve plans had already lost their steam so we decided after dinner to drive back and see if it had fallen out of the car when we had taken a quick pit stop on the side of the road.

We said a prayer and texted our kids to pray as well - and we turned around to search for a black wallet on an unknown length of highway in the pitch dark . As we drove back we all remembered details about the stop that we had not previously recalled. We narrowed it down to 15 mile stretch of highway- two lanes, with no shoulder, a few bushes and a ledge. There were very few areas that fit every one's description so we decided to make a second pass at this 15 miles. This time we went a little bit further before turning around to retrace our steps. Now remember there are small wallet size black things all along the side of the road- tar, and pieces of tire. Dan and JD jumped out of the car multiple times and then we drove very slowly on the shoulder. JD saw the wallet before he was even out of the car. He jumped out and hooted and hollered and we celebrated like it was 1999! We were relieved to find the wallet (with cash inside) and know that our little prayer in the desert was answered.

A New Year:

Did you know most New Years resolution's are broken before they even begin. Yep. like my goal to take a picture every day and post about it. Like I don't already have 3 jobs . . . silly me - always getting ahead of myself.

But, I do want to take more pictures of my girls. I want to freeze life right now. 3, 6 & 9 and keep them here little with me forever. Meg has reasurred me that she will still be my friend even when she is big. So here is to a year of "little" moments to help me always treasure the days when my kids were little.

Thank you Ms. Stacey

Meg has loved her preschool aid Ms. Stacey. They share a very sweet bond! I always felt so comfortable leaving Meg (even in the midst of throwing a fit) because I knew how much Ms. Stacey loved Meg. We are praying that she will be back again next year.

Teddy Bear Picnic

To celebrate Kate's birthday we had a Teddy Bear Picnic!!

Sophie taught a hula-hooping clinic

before long Emma was showing her tricks


and Anna too.


Darling Teddy Bear cupcakes made by my sister in law Sarah!

Bubbles!!

Grandpa's Wagon

On the way to church- this cute little family walking with a wagon just melts my heart!

My grandpa made the wagon for our family.

We heart the wagon!!

Coach

This spring Kate and Annie played soccer and Dan was the coach for both of their teams. It never seemed to matter if they won or if the girls scored- Dan was always kind and encouraging!

Thanks Dad for another great year!

L- Lauren

A- Attached or Single: Attached
B- Best Friends: Sisters, & you know who you are
C- Cake or Pie : Pie warm with ice cream (unless it is key lime of course)
D- Day of Choice : Tuesdays (loved them since high school, but currently we have no piano, dance soccer or meetings on tues)
E- Essential item : hoodie sweatshirt
F- Favorite Color : Pink
G- gummy worms or gummy bears: gummy peach rings
H- Hometown- SLC baby
I- indulgences: new shoes. Lately I keep thinking of all sorts of reasons to reward myself with shoes.
J- January or July: July.
K- Kids: 3 although one has plans of moving out already. (hehe- Meg wants to live with my sister Ashley)
L- Life is incomplete without: Dan
M- Marriage Date: July 2
N- Number of siblings: cinco hermanas
O- oranges or apples: apples with peanut butter
P- Phobias: don't have any (although Kate is the spider killer at our house)
Q- Quotes: "Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon" Dalai Lama
R- Reason to Smile: A good episode of Chuck
S- Season: fall
T - tag 3 friends: not sure 3 people read my blog
U- unknown fact about me: I started running again today. hope to run a 1/2 marathon one day
V- very favorite store: Target
W- worst habit: I drink way more diet coke than I should
X- xray or ultrasound: Love ultrasounds and "peeking" at co-workers new little ones at work.
Y- your favorite food: (currently) turkey, havarti and avocado panini
Z- zodiac: Libra

Ice Cream Date

Meg loves . . . . cookie dough, orange juice, crystal light, cereal in a bag (that she carries all around the house with her- leaving a great evidence trail) curly noodles and

ICE CREAM

I do love my other children. promise. maybe i should take my camera to their soccer games today and document their lives!

i. am. happy.

content. blessed. loved.

Today life has been good to me. Many thanks to the wonderful friends and family who love me and support me in my dreams. I applied for a new job. And over the past few weeks as I processed the commitment, applied, interviewed and am now waiting to hear- there has been an outpouring of

love

support

cheering

notes

treats

phone calls

texts

encouragement

Thanks for believing in me!!

I will be honest, I am up against some very AMAZING competition. That I love and respect. But I am grateful for the friends that care so much (about me)- it has made this an amazing journey whether I keep my feet on the ground or get the opportunity to fly . . . .

Dear Spring

I am so excited about your arrival. I worked in the backyard tonight until the yard can was full. I am thrilled about the forsythia's blooming at the Whitmores (wish they would bloom in my yard too) but at least I have the sunshine on my face.

Dear Weatherman,

I think you are rude for telling me not to get too attached to one type of weather.

Dear Meg,

Glad you are feeling better. It has been a long couple of weeks with pink eye and an ear infection and being allergic to TWO antibiotics. It is fun to have my happy little buddy back.

Dear Mom,

Thanks for the delish Squaw bread. It has made my mornings so happy. And thanks for dusting off my vacuum while you were over. It doesn't get used much.

Dear Annie,

Thanks for the darling note you left on my pillow. I love you, but I need you to stop growing up. Please stay 8 1/2 and lovely forever.

Dear Chocolate Chip Cookies,

why do you tempt me so? Did I really eat 5 for dinner tonight?

Dear Lauren,

you are a breath of fresh air and I love you.

Dear Music guru's (aka my brother in laws)

I am in need of some new music. The roll down your windows- play it real loud and sing along kind of music.

Dear Spring Clean,

here i come. can't wait to try the new Windex all in one "magical" window cleaner. I'll let you know how it goes!!

LOVES!!

Happy Birthday Meg!

meg loves pluto

Ever since we went to Disneyland, Meg has become obsessed with Pluto.

She wanted a Pluto party for her birthday but the cake pan has been retired.

So Dan made darling Pluto's out of Chocolate.

jump over to Just a Hint of Salt for the how to!

Meet . . . . Meg-a-licious

also known as Meg & Meggie Moo Cow

she just turned 3!!

she delivers toilet paper to her sisters

she's a lover & a fighter

her favorite game is hide-and-go-seek

she drinks the milk from her cereal bowl

she sleeps in a big girl bed

her favorite color is yellow

she is (almost) always happy!!

LOVE YOU MEGGIE! Happy Birthday!

A day in the life . . . .

Today has been one of those days (again) where I have felt so many emotions and feelings and I have written 5 different blog posts in my head

like the one where all I really want is a new SLR camera, and how great would it be if someone wanted to "sponsor me" and a little parachute would float out of the sky and deliver my new camera to me. Then I could capture that darling face that climbs up on my bed in the morning and asks "you wake?"

or there was the one about the lady who has decided to have $5 dinners every night. No not per person but for the whole family. Seriously?? why?? I understand budgeting and all but I don't want to become a slave to it. And I want to buy the big tub of blue cheese and add it generously to everything- and I am sure that would not fit in the budget.

or the one about how "my cycle" and paying the bills always seems to coordinate. not a good thing. got to see about switching on of those up!

And then there was the answer to Matti's question about what we mom's all really do every day. Yep I played along and I kept track and I had one of the MOST productive days of my mom career. Actually if I was honest with myself (and you) I would say that my life feels a lot like "Groundhog Day." Everyday I get up and do a little cleaning, wash, blog/facebook stalking, mixed with driving carpool, cleaning, feeling overwhelmed about the budget (and my long list of "wants- which seem so out of place when I consider the recent disaster in Haiti), dinner, Ellen, working out (much less than I actually want to), cleaning up, family time and then looking around the house in defeat to find that the house is still a mess. (and if that was a huge and horrible run on sentence- so is my daily life!) So if I do it all PERFECT- do I not have to do it again tomorrow? or am I going to have to do it again tomorrow so you might as well let the dishes sit??

and then there was the one about Meg. and how she makes me laugh and cry almost every single day. With my "new SLR"-of my dreams- I could feature a day in the life of MEG.

and finally maybe i should just commit to a 1/2 marathon and buy the stinking membership with the cash in my shoebox- and run away some of these crazy emotions.

Blessed

i recently came across this necklace that reminded me- in the midst of feeling a whole host of emotions (almost to where I don't know how to feel) to focus first on my many blessings.



building homes in mexico is an amazing opportunity. to provide someone with a modest home who in turn wants to use it to bless the life of others - is humbling.



we recently had a leak in our radiant floors- it emptied the entire 50 gallon system right into a drain! how lucky is that? no water damage.



my computer had a virus- nasty thing- i am feeling very blessed that i didn't lose a single thing off my computer.



work for dan has been slow. i am feeling blessed that we have a rainy day account and that i have a very flexible job at the hospital.



and just tonight i am feeling very blessed about work for dan starting to pick back up again.



annie had a new years resolution to read the scriptures. we are blessed as we gather as a family to read together.



kate's classroom helper fell and broke her ankle. kate wanted to contribute "a couple bucks" to the group gift. she gave some money from her own piggy bank. love that kate!



i recently visited some homes where people live in less that ideal situations- i came home feeling so blessed.

i am surrounded by family & friends that inspire me! make me laugh! and bless my life!



p.s. i found this necklace at the Rusted Chain a portion of the proceed will go to support the relief efforts in Haiti.



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