Miss Smartypants

On Wednesday night Isabel was inducted to the National Junior Honor Society. She has worked very hard this year. She's kept up a high GPA as well as doing 25 required service hours. Isabel is so much better than I ever was. She makes me one proud mom! showing off her award

reciting the oath as her name was called

Celebrations

May is packed with celebrations, and I'm now just catching my breath from them all. I haven't had time to devote a blog for each event so I thought why not just celebrate them all at once. Better than never right?

ANNIVERSARY-May 1st was our 16th wedding anniversary. I feel like time has flown-we're almost to the point of being married as long as we were without each other. Trent is my one true love who I've created a life and family with that I wouldn't want it any other way. We escaped for the night (the first time in 16 years, let me say that it wasn't on purpose that we waited that long, and I won't wait that long again) Our friends Josh and Erika took the kids and made it possible(I will be forever indebted to them) Let me just say it was GLORIOUS!

2.Trent's birthday on May 4th is right on the heels of our anniversary. Trent turned the big 40- and I don't think he wants to claim his age, he says he definitely does not feel 40(what does 40 supposedly feel like?) Anyway-I wish Trent a magical year where all his hopes and desires come true. I love Trent for so many reasons but I will just list one practical reason, and one not so serious reason. 1. He is my rock, he's driven, ambitious, optimistic, confident, always believes in me, always has our families best interest, and a great father(okay I know that was more than one.) 2. He will get up and go get me a treat at any time of night, he actually asked me to show him how to fold laundry like I want it, he will go see any movie with me, he thinks I'm funny, he's adventurous and willing to try anything.

3. A WEDDING-We went home to Utah for the weekend to see my niece Gabbie get married to her sweetheart Matt on May 9th. She looked absolutely beautiful(it made me want to get married in 2009 instead of 1993,things are so much better now) I was grateful to be able to be there to celebrate with them.


4.Mother's Day,May 10th. I was able to spend the day with my own mother whom I adore. My mother is such a good example to me and I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father sent me to be her daughter. I've never seen such an optimist, such a cheerleader to her family, a testimony that can not be shaken, and a cook and a creator of a HOME like no other.

And I have 4 individual blessings in Isabel, Oliver, Miles and Phoebe. I love Isabel for her never ending smile, her sunny look on life, for being a helper whenever I need her, and her endless kindness. I love Oliver for his beautiful blue eyes, the sprinkle of freckles on his nose, his desire and drive to be the best, and for his competitiveness. I love Miles for his smiley eyes, his mismatched smile with baby teeth and big teeth, his tender heart, his humor, and his affection for Phoebe. I love Phoebe for her free spirit, her willingness to try new things. her laugh, and the beauty mark right up by her eyes. I think of Mother's day as really a day to reflect on how my heart has grown love for each of these children that only a mother knows and how lucky I am to be their mother.

I'm celebrated out not to mention I also came back from Utah and had my birthday on the 14th. As I celebrate another year of being older I'm grateful for so many things-my family, my wonderful friends (you know who you are) who make me feel like I have sisters who live right by me, and my Heavenly Father who is always watching over me.

I'm terribly sorry for such a long post but I couldn't leave any celebration unnoticed.

Playing Catch Up

So here I am again trying to play catch up....again. I don't know what to say except I don't really have much going on that I find blog worthy or worth staying up late over. So here is my very best attempt to catch up on a few things.

1.OLIVER was in his 4th grade grade play last week called DINOMOTION. He played a dinosaur and he was a very good dinosaur indeed! Also, I have no pictures of him playing lacrosse because I forget to bring the camera every time and when I did it rained(I'll have to blog some later). But anyway he is turning out to be a great lacrosse player(since I'm an expert, you know) His position is MIDDY, which in lacrosse for dummies terms he plays offense and defense and runs up and down the field the most. At his last game he made two goals! Can you tell I'm proud?

2. OH my Miles-this picture I put on just because he has the very best smile I know. He is busy with Karate trying to get some "MOVES" He takes his test on Thursday to see if he can get some stripes on his belt. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

3.This is the most recent picture of Isabel that I had. Isabel is keeping busy. She just finished up her volunteer work at the library and as Student Body President she is planning the 8th grade formal dance(it's not really a formal, but it is at night, and you do have to wear a dress). She's trying to make up her mind between "A Night in Paris" or "Black and White Formal" I showed her my pictures from my 9th grade formal and it made me feel old because she couldn't get over hair and dress styles.(all I can say is-can I really justify anything in 1988?) She just got her letter of acceptance from her High School for the Honors Diploma Program and is very excited for that. The school year is wrapping up quickly for her.

4.BRAVE, BRAVE, BRAVE- Phoebe decided on Saturday that she wanted her ears pierced.)My rule is that they can have it done when THEY ask for it. They were at Claire's buying a birthday present for someone else. I asked her if she was sure and she said yes. Anyway, she asked if she could sit in my lap. After that she didn't move a muscle, flinch, act nervous, cry, make a sound. SO BRAVE! (the back story there is that Isabel at 9 years old wanted them done but cried, and cried through it all). Phoebe loves her earrings and thinks she looks like a princess, since her ears have pink sparkly jewels in them.



So there you have the low down on the kids but before I leave you, I need to share a few things.


I need someone to watch the movie DOUBT. I need to talk about it with someone. It's one movie in a very long time that actually made me think long and hard about it. I need some opinions on whether you think "HE" did it or not-So either share your thoughts or get out there and watch the DVD so we can discuss.

And last but not least-I'm so excited. One of my favorite singers, PAOLO NUTINI has a new album coming out in JUNE!!!! (Does anyone even call it an album anymore or is that one more thing to feel old about?) His first album NEW SHOES is one of my favorites but I'm ready for something new. So I thought I would share his new video for his first single of the album called CANDY(from watching the video I'm thinking candy has a different meaning) the link is below his picture.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid17587596001?bclid=17534559001&bctid=20475207001

There you have all the excitement that I can offer. I do have to say there is a lot going on in May-so I promise I will have more to offer soon.

HAPPY EASTER

We woke up to a pretty dreary looking Easter morning. The sky was gray and rain was drizzling. I wish it could have been warm and sunny, oh well. It didn't rain on our parade of the kids dressed up for church though, so here is our Easter sampling:

So while I was at work last night Trent took on the task of dying Easter eggs with the kids-I thank him from the bottom of my heart. Anyway-the kids didn't want to bother with making pretty Easter eggs they just wanted to keep dipping them in the dye to see what color they would keep turning. That is why most of them look kind of prehistoric, I've been sitting buried in the ground kind of green. I guess as long as they had a good time who cares?

I hope wherever you all are on this Easter Day-I hope you had a very blessed and happy one!

Thank goodness for Friday

Finally, it snowed!

Phoebe said they were building a bridge for the trolls(go figure)

We haven't really had a winter this year which made me really sad. Here it is the end of March and we finally get some snow. I couldn't be happier. School was canceled Thursday and Friday-my kids thought it was great because this is also the start of track-off for the boys and spring break for Isabel(who doesn't like extra vacation days). The kids got up first thing this morning and got outside to play in the snow. It's too bad it will all be melted before I know it.

Phoebe is the only one willing to pose.

Just a few things to note:

I have to share with you my bargain find-since I don't find them as often as other people. I got these shoes(rather cute I think) for $7.00, can you believe it? They were normally $49.50-I love me a bargain!

This is a shout out to Grandma T. mostly-Isabel got her hair cut and my mom wanted me to show her the new do.

So a few of the things on my to do list:

1.Read all these glorious books from the library-looking at them makes me actually smile, I can't wait.

2.Make some chocolate banana muffins tomorrow-they are to die for and I've got some bananas begging to be used, if you know what I mean.

3.I read two books this week coincidentally about knitting(Knit Two and The Knitting circle) and it makes me actually want to learn how to knit(if any of you know how I feel about sewing might have their jaw on the floor) it just sounds so cozy and therapeutic. My boss at work is a knitter and said if I was serious she would teach me-we'll see if I actually try(it makes me break into a sweat thinking about it).

4.Go on a date with Isabel tomorrow to the Young Women's Broadcast-hopefully it will fill her bucket some and maybe me a little too.

5.Think of some things to do while the kids are on break-if any of you have any great ideas-please share-I'm going to have to get creative.

Anyway, I realize it's a pretty random post and a little bit of everything, but that's how it goes these days-hopefully I made a little sense-
Have a good weekend everybody!

This and That

So I know that I've been slacking in the blogging department-so I'm here to catch up. It seems like time is running away from me and it's becoming a rather busy time for the family. So here is the lowdown on what everyone's up to:

Isabel: IS A SAD, SAD GIRL. She received news this week that she did not get into her school of choice-that means starting high school not knowing anybody. I told her she can do it though-that she's a likable, friendly girl.-She's growing up faster and faster on me-the next thing I'll know is that she will be ready to date and drive-OH MY!

Oliver:GAME ON: He has started lacrosse and is so excited that he wants to wear all his gear around the house all the time. He will sit watching TV cradling the ball back and forth with his stick. His first game is this Saturday and he is READY! Also he wanted everyone to see the cake that he and his dad did for the Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts where the father and sons had to make and decorate a cake designed around the theme of the Blue and Gold Cub Scouts. I think they did a very impressive job.

Miles:ON THE GO: This past week I chaperoned a field trip with Miles' class to the Nature and Science Museum where we visited the exhibits on Dinosaurs and Natural Disaster and watched an IMAX film on the Grand Canyon. I am so glad for TEACHERS! I was absolutely exhausted after trying to keep my small group together all day and keep them behaved-Is that really possible? Somehow we all survived-We had a great time but I told Trent I've done my trip for the year it's his turn next time.

Phoebe: FISH OR MERMAID: This little girl wants to live in the water. She's been having swimming lessons and LOVES IT(understatement). I've asked her if she wants to take a break and try dancing or something and she just says NO, I WANT TO SWIM. Alright then. She's getting pretty good-I think she really just wants to be able to keep up with the big kids in the water. All I can say is she always brings a smile or laugh to my face-funny girl that she is.

So there you have it-the low down on the kids. Nothing really changes with Trent and I, except for just a couple of things that make me happy for the moment-

1.My new spring bluebird, who waits for me to walk by his bell jar and look in and think-Spring is right around the corner! Aren't I cute?

2.Bliss- my new found love that I try to eat in moderation(no, really I do) Dove with Almonds-All I can say is heavenly-it melts in my mouth with just the littlest flecks of almond that make you say YUMMY! You should all really try some. Any time of day works for me.

A Birthday Wish

I'm a little late but want to send out a birthday wish to my DAD whose birthday was yesterday. He's so far away and I wish I could wrap my arms around him and tell him Happy Birthday. I've come to realize that no matter how old I get I will always need my dad. I have so many things I associate with my dad-here's just a few of my favorite.

-he is the most fabulous whistler.

-he has a sweet tooth like no other-he always has a candy stash hidden some place.

-his pockets always had a pocket knife, a coin purse, and a smooth rock.

-he always called me Lipsy as a young girl, and I find it very endearing.

-he has been and always will be my moral compass on what's right and wrong.

-his opinion matters-I value my dad's opinion like no other-I always want to know what my dad thinks about things.

-he likes his naps-he takes it very seriously.

-he has a love for classical music-I remember every Saturday waking up to opera or classical music played very loud.

-he is the smartest person I know, it seems he knows about everything-we could never beat him at the country game(a game we used to play in the car on road trips where we would go around in a circle listing all the countries we knew of).

-he has seen the world and always wanted to see and learn something more.

-I've never heard him speak badly about someone else.

-if I sit and picture my dad anywhere, it would be sitting at his desk in his library or out in the garden working.

-he is the very best listener I know.

I think I'm a pretty lucky girl to have such a wonderful father- I cannot put into words how much I look up to him and love him so very much. He is pretty exceptional. This year I wish him all the happiness he deserves.

Happy Birthday Dad

Paying It Forward

Pay It Forward .....
So, here's how it works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and past like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Please submit in an e-mail or on the comment, your address, if I don't have it already (My email address is to the right). Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!

Friday Five

So I thought I would take a break from all the heavy thinking I've been blogging about and just be totally superficial, shallow and not about anything where thinking was involved. So here we go with my Friday Five-

1. First order of business: My lanterns are lonely and my creativity is low so I need some feedback on what to fill my lanterns with-would a candle be to basic and boring, or would it be classic? Should I aim for something whimsical and funky? Yes, this is something I stay up nights thinking about among other things? I know you all are creative so I'm begging for some help.

Doesn't it look lonely?

2.If I had a Million Dollars-do you ever play this game? Ok after all the obvious things-if money weren't an object and I could just buy without guilt these are some of the things I would be buying. It never hurts to look(that's free).

This would be Phoebe's Easter dress-it's based on a vintage 50's dress from a new catalog in the mail from MINI BODEN. So cute to imagine Phoebe twirling.

These are shorts that my boys would love also from MINI BODEN(I'm telling you,it is all cute stuff).

These are beautiful pillows that would look absolutely lovely in my living room from Ballard Designs. (I tell you catalogs are wickedly fun).

This little gem is from Sundance catalog where everything is dreamy to look at. Wouldn't this be cute for the month of February with all the little kiss marks?

Another beauty from Sundance that would love my finger .

Can you tell I love jewelry?

Okay-thank you for window shopping with me-that was fun.

3.I totally love winter except for winter hands and lips. My hands look like sad, sad hands. My cuticles are peeling and bleeding, my nails rip constantly and my hands are so dry they look like alligator hands(that's what I call dry skin to my kids). And my poor kids lips look like they have stolen my red lipstick because they are so chapped. I should invest in a chapstick company.

4.Some of my favorite shows have started back up again-It doesn't take much to make me happy. I need something to look forward to-The Closer, Life, and Life on Mars.

5.And last, but not least another thing to get you thinking and hopefully your feedback. I was telling some friends how on MSN I had read an article interviewing people about what BOOKS that have INFLUENCED them? A lot of books I've loved, but ones that have really influenced me are: Harriet the Spy(I thought she was the absolute Coolest), Nancy Drew Books(I still want to be her. These books started my love for mysteries), Julie (First book I remember being emotionally connected to and crying over) Anne of Green Gables(I bought these books when I was young to save them for the girls I would hopefully have someday that now sit on my daughters shelves-I remember thinking I couldn't wait for my daughters to read these books-I loved them so much. Who doesn't love the redheaded spitfire of a girl growing up on lovely Prince Edward Island?) Okay, so now that I've shared, now if you feel so inclined what books have inspired you, for whatever reason?

I told you it wasn't going to be deep, but it was nice just to sit for a minute and think about things that really don't matter. Sorry I didn't mean for it to be such a long post. Have a happy weekend.....

Magic of Ordinary Days

I really haven't been trying to ignore blogging but yet again the computer has been down again( the computer really is a love-hate thing). I've had a couple of days off this week and what I realized is I love the magic of the ordinary. I loved while the days were warm-to take the kids to the park and watch them run around in the sun. I love being home when Isabel walks in the door in the afternoon to tell me about her day. I love sitting on the couch and have Phoebe come snuggle right up to my side to lay her head in my lap while we watch TV. I love being there to watch Oliver receive his Bear in Cub Scouts. I love making dinner and being there to sit through all the craziness of kids talking over each other during dinner. I love getting up and having nothing to do but clean my house. I used to think I just liked the effects of a clean house but I actually really do like mopping my floors, vacuming, dusting, making beds. I do it mostly for myself but I also love doing it for my family. I like to be there at bedtime when I can go in and have a few minutes with each child and have hugs and kisses. I like all the little moments that make a day. I used to complain that I never had anything exciting going on and that all I did was stay home. I've decided that when I'm the happiest is when I'm doing the "ordinary" things. In D& C 64:33 it reads "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation for a great work. and out of small things proceedeth that which is great". That is my biggest hope..........

Phoebe At The Park

Miles Lovin' The Warmth In January

Oliver Shooting Around With His Friend

Isabel After A Long Day At School

Oliver Getting His Bear

Just a thought of gratitude this day- I've had my family (my siblings and parents) on my mind a lot this week. I'm so grateful for each one of them and I count my lucky stars to be part of such a wonderful family circle. Every single one of them holds a big piece of my heart-I love them all.