14 Days of LOVE!!!

So I am behind, but my cute friend Tracy is doing this and I love the idea...can that be number one? Just kidding. So here is my catch up...

Day 1:

I LOVE Pictures.

I am so glad that we have pictures to keep our memories. I absolutely adore going through old pictures. While I was in Utah I went through a box of what I thought were my high school pictures but when I had all the negatives put onto CD's I found old pictures of my whole family. I found over 100 pictures from my dad's mission. How cool is that...he was a stud, check it out.

So now it is my goal to go through all my parents boxes and get all our family pictures on smugmug. SO FUN!

DAY 2:

I LOVE Learning.

I miss the days of college when all your stresses were about learning new, cool stuff. I am trying to recreate this situation in my life. First, I think you can learn so much from books, whether it be fiction, historic, whatever it is your mind is learning. So I am trying to find more time to read...very fun. Also, I am taking classes on subjects I don't know much about, but would like to. Right now I am enrolled in a Photoshop class that I am loving, mostly because of my fasination with pictures. It is just fun to learn, I guess that is why my degree is in teaching.

DAY 3:

I LOVE Creating.

So my house the last few weeks has been craft central. This is much to Ty's dismay because my office is "under construction" and therefore my kitchen has adopted my sewing machine, glue gun, ribbon bin (which is massive) and all sorts of materials. I have found so much joy in coming up with new ideas. I get so excited. So maybe I will post my new creations when I finish.

DAY 4:

I LOVE Buttons.

So along with this creating kick I am on, I am using buttons on everything. My most fav of all are the make-it-yourself fabric covered buttons...lalalove them. Buttons are just cool.

DAY 5:

I LOVE Cuddles.

Tyler mentioned last night as we got into bed that he wanted to "regain his half of the bed." What can I say, I like to to cuddle. By my favorite cuddle at the moment comes from my sweet little boy. He loves his mama and wears that fact on his sleeve. When I get him out of bed he just lays his head on my shoulder. Then while I am holding him he opens his slobbery mouth and leans in for kisses, completely unsolicited...priceless.

Motto of the Month...

My friend mentioned this quote and I think about it all the time. So in a pursuit to make myself a better person, I am making a monthly motto that I can think about and work on. We'll see how it goes. It is always better to tell someone so that you have "pressure" to fulfill your goals. So here we go, you can all keep me in check.

From the book I Am a Mother

"If you can control your behavior when everything around you is out of control, you can model for your children a valuable lesson in patience and understanding...and snatch an opportunity to shape character." pg. 81

I love this and hope that I can show this example to my children, especially when my buttons are being pushed. Wish me luck!

Gladys Knight...McDowell and a wonderful Leader

Last night as I heard of the passing of the dear president of my church, Gordon B. Hinckley I had a few solemn moments. However, after a few minutes I couldn't help but smile thinking of what a great thing was going on at that moment. I volunteered as an usher for the Gladys Knight Saints Unified Voices Choir. Gladys has a calling in our church to direct this choir and go from place to place with them testifying of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was amazing, she brought SOUL to wonderful hymns. She and her husband, who joined the church after their marriage testified to all of their conversion to the "true church". It was powerful, touching many people of other faiths and informing them of the fullness of this gospel. If any of you have the opportunity to attend this performance, take it! You could see how happy the gospel has made these fantastic people and they wanted to shout it on the rooftops. Well, it was quite contagious. I thought, what a better tribute to our beloved prophet, who taught the gospel so publicly and in such a bold manner than to follow his example. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints makes me so happy. It puts meaning and purpose in my life. I see the blessings it gives to me everyday. Jesus Christ is at the head and has called a prophet for our guidance here on earth, just as he had the apostles after his death for it is His same gospel, restored. How lucky I am to have this knowledge.

"In all of life, have much fun and laughter; life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

There you have it...spread the word.

Is it that time...again?

Not that I am complaining, but I don't love my body. It is just not, nor will it ever be, the way it used to...thank you hilarious Ava and adorable Christian. :) I'm the first to admit it has gotten quite soft in recent years and gravity has definitely done what it does best...pulls down! So the thought of even wearing a swimsuit brings a slight cringe. But the thought of a sweet, sun-bathing vacation is the perfect recovery. So I have purchased many a swimsuit in my life, from an array of places, my favorite being a little surf shop in San Diego. I am once again in the market for such. Preferably a miracle worker that "Defies Gravity". Come on I know you all have a favorite place to purchase those suits...fill me in on the secret.

Friends...

...make life so much better! I am fortunate enough to have wonderful friends all over the place. I wandered home past 1:00am last night with a grand smile across my face after a fun-filled ladies night. Each month a few of my good friends get together and do nothing but indulge ourselves with tasty treats (such as the wonderful sweet potato waffles we had last night) and fantastic conversation. I absolutely love being able to spend a night with super women and chat about everything under the sun. I am always learning something new from each of them. There is never a worry in the world because each of us know that we are loved by the others for who we are. Thanks for another wonderful night ladies!

P.S. How lucky am I to live in one of the most beautiful places. A friend of mine took me out to Rancho San Antonio, which is like 5 minutes from me, and took the most adorable pictures of my Ava (coming soon). Thanks Alie!

...

I turned the last page of a series I loved last night at 1:15am. Tears fell as I watched Harry conquer all his fears, and once again show his heroic capabilities. Harry, it has been a fun trip and you made for a wonderful ending to an amazing series. Thanks...wipe tear!

Okay, okay so I am lame, but I am finally getting around to posting. Sorry, not dead, just LAME. I have about 250 pics from our trip to Utah so I will try to be concise.

Christmas Eve Nativity, Ava got to be Mary and played the part quite well (as you can see from the look on her face). Christian...a VERY tired sheperd.

Christmas morning...

I am not sure who slept less from the excitement, Tyler or Ava...I think Ty!

At the Kearl's...

Ava got her princess dresses and reacted perfectly, screams and all. Unfortunately, for Derek, Noah had the exact same reaction as she open them, so he tried them all on with her. He even borrowed some of her new slippers. We all had a real good laugh.



Our two opposite girls.
My niece, Elsa, who last time I saw her she was so new it was hard to tell what she would look like. But she is so stinkin cute!

Chloe and Juli
Jocelyn had us all over to her house for a day of sledding. Ava actually loved it this year (as opposed to last).

This is my favorite. Ty sent them down alone, the look of pure joy can't be hidden from their faces!

Grandma Nancy and Papa Dan, who put up with us all staying with them :)

Ava loves to wear Grandpa's reading glasses. And Christian obviously loved wearing uncle Jake's hat. I think he took a liking to uncle Jake in general.

Grandma made jammies for EVERYONE this year, instead of just the grandkids.
While we were in Utah my sister, Amber went through the temple. It was such a fun day. I am so glad that I was able to be there and share it with her.

Just in case you are need more pics, as always they are on our smugmug site under Holidays, 2007!