Beauty and the Beast

I'm so glad that they are introducing more kid friendly Broadway shows. This year, Mikayla and I (along with my sister in law Bernice and her daughter Abby) went to see Beauty and the Beast at Gammage.


It was wonderful! The only downside was that it started too late and therefore ended too late. We left during intermission (@ 9:30-ish)...but I think we should have stayed. You see, right before intermission, the beast sings a really sad and lonely song which played heavily on my poor sweet little girls heartstrings. She sniffled all the way home asking why the Beast was so sad and asked if she could please go give him a hug. So sad.

November

This November we went to Disneyland for Mikayla's birthday! Of course, it was awesome. We got there on Saturday night. We were planning on going to the beach on Sunday and then go to our hotel that night (Grand California) so she could wake up, walk a few steps and we'd surprise her with Disneyland! No waiting, no fuss, just "Happy Birthday! We're in Disneyland!". Well, Joel and I had a little miscommunication when it came to packing. I packed everything, he loaded it...but well, unfortunately, one of the bags got left behind...the bag with all of the kids clothes in it...oops! So, we went shopping, then to the beach, then to the mall, and then to our hotel.

While we were at the beach they were having a memorial of sorts for a surfer who had passed away. It was called a paddle out. It was actually quite touching, I sort of felt as though I were intruding on something sacred.

Then, of course, we went to Wahoo's!

The morning of Mikayla's birthday I went and got some balloons, a cupcake and her presents from the car. It was so fun to see her face light up! Then we walked out to the park. This trip she was actually able to go on Splash Mountain (which she loved!) and Space mountain (which she did not love...at all), rocky mountain railroad, and of course we all went on Pirate's...a few times. She met Mickey, Pluto, Rose, Tinkerbell, and my favorite: Goofy!

Halloween

I'm So Excited To Get Married!

There's a new credit card commercial that ends up with the dad finding out that they're expecting triplets. Well, after seeing this, Mikayla turns to me, wide eyed, and asks "Why does she have three babies?!"
"Well, that's how many babies Heavenly Father gave her." I replied.
"I want three babies!" She said with the biggest smile.
"Well, when you're my age you can have babies...."
"Okay, mom"
"After highschool..."
"Okay, mom."
"and you have to get married first!"
Then she shrugged her shoulders in excitement and started doing a little dance. It looked almost as if she was running in place.
"I'm so excited to get married!!" she squeaked.
I couldn't help but laugh and then I told her to go tell that to her daddy!

On a completely unrelated note, today we went to the park. We didn't have time to eat breakfast, so I brought along the trusty granola bar. Well, when Hunter talks...if you can call it that because most of the time it's just a bunch of gibberish. BUT apparently he's been holding out on me because after I had opened the granola bar and tried to give it to him, he said as clear as day, "No. I don't want it." and shook his head.

Taco Festival

It's the little things that make life fun. Little things like Taco Festivals! Joel was working right down the street from where it was going to be, so he scored some free tickets. Then when we got there we tried tacos from 10 different places. Surprisingly, the fancy tacos were nasty. My favorite one was from Ticos. Alas, my all time favorite taco place Guedo's, was not there (so sad). They have the best chicken tacos...in my opinion.

Then we went right next door to the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Went shopping, walked around, and then went to the best little kids corner I've ever seen. It's small, but not very busy with a big pirate ship, house, castle, and tree house complete with it's own little bathroom and drinking fountain and it's fenced in! No escapees!

It was such a nice weekend with the family. Can't wait to do something like that again.

Zombie Prom

This year for my birthday, I decided to have a zombie Prom! We played some old school tunes (reminded me of going to Junior High dances and Stake dances-the only difference is that there were kids at this one!).

The kids did a pretty good job of staying in the nursery at first...until they figured out what was going on down the hall...then they came to party! It was cute to see the little guys break dancing and jumping around, and cuter still to see all the daddy's dancing with their daughters. So fun!!

(My sister was taking the pics...soooooo, that explains why she's in all of them!!)

When is a negative a positive?

Hunter has had a trying couple of weeks. He's been waking up at 1, then I when I finally get him back to sleep, he wakes up again. I repeat the process for about an hour.

Then in addition to this, both of my children seem to be taking lessons out of the "101 Ways to Whine" book and they are driving me crazy. Well, last night we went through his new routine (I'm wondering if it's night terrors?) so this morning I was t.i.r.e.d. but I had an offer I couldn't refuse- the chance to go to Ikea with a friend (so fun, even if I was dragging myself through the store, it was worth it), but after a little while Hunter started crying, pulling hair, he wouldn't eat anything, and he would whine about everything. This of course just added to my energy crisis. Then when we were leaving my friend's house, Mikayla had a meltdown. I got Hunter to bed, gave Mikayla a bath, and tried to lay down. Just opening my eyes at this point seemed to take more energy than I had. Of course it didn't last long and when Hunter got up he was back to whining and Mikayla was pretending she didn't know what it meant when mommy said "No"...I was so incredibly frustrated at this point (I may or may not have thrown a toy doll, making her head fall off). I try to be patient and not yell or spank too often, but they make it so hard sometimes! So, I decided to try something new: I put her in a "cold" shower (it's pretty much impossible to get a cold shower in AZ right now), she hated it-effective. Well, Hunter saw, started crying, so I put him in. He loved it. He was laughing and having so much fun.

I don't know if you've been around Hunter when he laughs, but it is soo contagious! Soon we were all giggling. I took him out, dried them off and grabbed my camera. We laughed and played and posed for the camera. It ended up being a really fun, silly experience. Instead of getting upset, we were able to turn their energy (and my lack of energy) into something fun and lasting.

{I love this picture, he's actually making puppy noises...that sound like kitty cat noises. Too cute}

Redecorating and A Baby Shower!

Some people have asked me where the heck I've gone...well...

First, I've been trying to redo my living room. We bought a new couch and I refinished this buffet table and picture that hangs above it (it's the declaration of Independence):


I can't find the right curtains (they've always been so hard for me to find!) I want something vintage and fun...and not too grandma-ish. Any tips on where to find some sweet curtains?

~*~

Then I hosted my friend's baby shower. She didn't want it to be too frilly so we decided to have a purple and green baby shower.

I love working with my friend Lucinda. If I have an idea she can really make it come to life! I asked her if she could make a banner and things to hang from the chandelier and voila! She went above and beyond- it looked spectacular!


And of course Hunter and I had a cold to top it all off...Needless to say, it's been a pretty busy week!

Mothering

Some people seem to have all of the answers when it comes to being a mother and parenting...they see what you are doing and think, or rather know, that they can do it better. We turn to books, to parents, to friends; we fear what others will think if we do something they don't approve of..as if the way we choose to raise our children effects them personally. Schooling, discipline, nutrition....it's all a personal choice. I often forget this, but when I went to a friend's blog she was sharing this video- such a nice reminder that although advice is good, nothing can replace a mother's love and intuition.

Mothering Authentically from Amelia Maness-Gilliland on Vimeo.

Preschool

Apprehensive. Yes, that would definitely be the word I'd use to describe how Mikayla was on her first day of preschool. She looked a little nervous and not exactly sure of what, exactly, it was that she would be doing here with all of these other kids. Joyschool? hmmm...not quite what she remembered. Primary? No...that's not it either..

But Miss Marni was so nice that she soon warmed up to the idea (after all, a lady this nice certainly couldn't have any devious plans in store for her....right?)

Then she felt totally at ease and more than happy when they started studying the ants crawling on the sidewalk...that's my girl!

Excited, she was more than happy to leave me behind for a new adventure. I love you baby girl!! You're growing up way too fast, but at least you're not too old for a huge hug when I came to pick you up (with a happy meal waiting on your seat, of course, with a little dolly as the toy!). I'm so sorry that I forgot to pack your show and tell item and that you had to share your backpack and that the other kids didn't like it, but miss Marni did...=(...next time we'll remember!!

Pride and Prejudice

Tonight as I sat watching my absolute favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice, I found myself becoming extremely jealous. Oh, not for the reason in which I'm sure you're thinking- I'm not jealous of Elizabeth Bennett in having Mr. Darcy, for I believe that I have my own (in his own right). Sure, mine might get tired, frustrated, and he might tease me a little too much- but he loves me and finds joy in my happiness. I can't ask for anything more. (I would like to see Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy after 10 years of marriage, infertility issues, and two children without all of his money!)

No, you see, I like to walk (this ties in, I promise). When I was little, my mom and I used to go on walks all throughout the desert. When I was angry or upset, my dad would put his arm around me and we would walk and talk. Then as I got older, if my parents weren't always available or if they themselves were the object of my frustrations, I found solace in roaming the desert by myself. I loved the freedom of the peace and quiet, of solitude. My thoughts always seemed to be clearer. However, if I could have my choice- the desert would not be my ideal location for taking thses walks (in case you haven't noticed, there are wicked things such as scorpions and snakes slithering around. And while beautiful in it's own way, it is hot and rocky. If you get caught up in your thoughts, you could just as easily get caught up in sticker bushes or if you tend to be clumsy, you could very easily fall...those of you who know me, know that I am exactly that: clumsy). However, I also hate pine trees. I would hate to walk in a forest alone where scary things could be lurking in the darkness of the shadows.

This said, as I watched Elizabeth walk through acres of beautiful lush green grass and rolling hills (it seemed as if she could and did walk for miles this way) I became incredibly jealous. If I could live anywhere-that would be where I would want to live. Give me a place that has that kind of beautiful scenery, where I could walk where ever I could and still be close enough to shopping and entertainment, and I would be the happiest girl. All of the petty things we worry about now- who has the nicest house, car, clothes- wouldn't be as much of an issue. I'd like to think that it would be somehow simpler in a place like that. I don't think that I felt this way when I was younger. However, now as I get older, I realize that while it's good to have dreams, you shouldn't put all of your energy into thinking about them. It's not just me I have to think about now. My husband has a job here. He has family here. We have a home here. It makes me a little sad to realize (and as I get older I do have to realize and accept reality) that I will never call such a place home. I will take what I'm blessed with and make the most of it. I do have a lot to be thankful for and I do love and appreciate all that my husband does for me.

It's also funny to note that I get a little sad whenever I watch Winnie the Pooh (or my Friend's Tigger and Pooh) for the same reason. Oh, how I wish I could live there!

Uprising

I don't know if it's really possible {or if it's something I should talk to my husband about first before I go posting it all over the internet}...but...I think I might have a huge crush.

It's bigger than any of my other previous crushes. Like the one I had on Chris Carrabba, or Jonathan Brandis, and yes, it's even more ridiculous than the insanely long crush I had on Josh Mcadams that lasted all the way from the 4th grade up until the time I got a boyfriend in high school.

So, you might be asking yourself who has captured my heart? When it comes to the who: well, that would be my husband. But that's not what this post is about. No, the question is what has captured my heart? Like I said, I'm not sure if it's actually possible, but I have a crush on a song. I am absolutely in love with Muse's song "Uprising". It makes me absolutely giddy whenever I hear it! Seriously. I love it.

{My kids also love it...it's so fun to go around town yelling out the words at the top of our lungs. Good times.}


Maybe it's because I'm a history nerd {and a slight romantic} but when I listen to it, even though he was inspired by the G20 protests which took place last year, I like to think of all the different countries and people who stood up for their freedom and what they believed in. Rising up, taking the power and putting it back where it belongs: with the people. I get goosebumps envisioning it. Inspiring. Plus, I love any song where you can actually hear the passion both in their voices and through their instruments.

(to clarify, I don't have a crush on any members of the band)

Look on the Brightside

Every now and then, things happen. Things that could very easily annoy you, make you upset, or send you into a spiraling rage (okay...hopefully not the last one..). You can either let it bother you and ruin a perfectly good day OR you can turn that frown upside down and smile your cares away (if you're seriously doing this...look at #5 a little more closely). Here are some events that have either actually happened in my life, or I've thought about; maybe you've come across similar scenarios?

1. Your daughter takes everything (and yes..I mean everything. "look mommy! I'm so pretty! Can I wear this to church?) out of all of your drawers and throws the contents through-out the room- Finally you can get organized! You really needed to go through all of your stuff and organize it anyway...she's just helping you get a jump on it!

2. Your son poops in the bathtub- Can you say Spring Cleaning! (in more ways than one) Now you'll have a nice sparkling clean bathtub (hopefully you would clean it out...this also applies your daughter accidentally "missing" the toilet and to fruit loops, apple juice, and various other foods and condiments being spread all over the kitchen floor).

3.Colicky baby- Au contraire, mon frère: Jazzercise! It's how I lost all of my baby weight! (and if you say "all?" Joel...I will smack you).

4. Eating out with toddlers- Now you don't have to wait until "tomorrow" to start your diet! After playing roughly a million rounds of "fetch mommy" and chasing them, you can't manage to take a bite. By the time things are somewhat settled (meaning you may or may not have one in a headlock while the other one is double knotted into his high chair-because you'll inevitably get the only high chair that happens to be missing it's little buckle do-hickey) and you manage to lift your fork to your mouth, your hubby's already finished AND frustrated (which means he wanted to leave 10 minutes ago). So, at this point you promptly get a to-go box...but let's be honest ladies...do you ever really eat the leftovers? Or do they stay in the fridge taunting you and leaving yet another mess to clean up?

5. Going crazy and needing to be institutionalized- Finally! Alone time!! You don't have to COOK! You don't have to CLEAN! And think of all the SLEEP! Can you say Heaven on Earth? (so this one hasn't actually happened...yet)

See what an optimist I am?

Update~ I read the last one...and I don't think the "alone time" would be considered looking on the bright side. Maybe for a little while it would be nice to be able to breathe with out someone right there all.the.time, but I think that ultimately that is the saddest thing I can think of. Being away from my kiddos would pretty much suck...I can't even think of a bright side to not having them with me-always. That's just the way I like it (as exhausting as it can be sometimes).

Edward who?

Mwahahaha....I couldn't help it! I was editing pictures..and...well...{needless to say, I got carried away}.

Tinkerbell?

I blame his sister...

Roadtrip

My mom came into town this weekend. She got in on Saturday morning, decided that she was going to go up to her land in Snowflake the following morning, and then go back home to Las Vegas from there. Well, every now and then I get the urge to be spontaneous, so when she told us her plan I thought "Hey...why don't we come too!". Let me just say that this was one very bad idea... We got ready in record time, loaded up the kids and set off on our impromptu roadtrip... it just went downhill from there. Now, in my defense, I was told that it was 2, maybe 2 and a half hours trip(just so you know- IT'S NOT!). We left at 11 and got to her property at 3:30. It wouldn't have been an issue except Joel has to work tomorrow, so we were able to go up there, take a short hike and then drive home. Somewhere amidst the winding roads from Showlow to Globe, my carsickness, kids screaming and crying and my wonderful husband pointing out the fact that this was all my fault...I decided never to be spontaneous ever again. Then we fed the kids (this includes Joel..and let's be honest, myself as well) in Globe. Then Joel said that if we timed it just right, we would be able to see the sunset as we came over the hill (He's so sweet sometimes!). Hunter was sitting in his carseat in the back laughing and playing (sticking a Taco Bell cup on his foot and dancing to the beat) while Mikayla played quietly with her leapfrog video game. Then the last few moments were spent singing and dancing to the Wiggles.

Sometimes I feel like it's my job, as the mom, to make sure we have those moments where each member of the family is stuck together. Where we start out wanting to tear our hair out and scream...but if in the end we come out singing, dancing, and laughing together...maybe it's worth it.

Make Over

There's a never ending battle with trying to look put together. I see a look I like, but I can't seem to play the part. Well, my sister in law introduced me to something called "Dressing Your Truth" (go ahead, roll your eyes at the incredibly lame name...I did). It's a personality/ makeover where they use your facial features to determine your true personality and then guide you in how you should be dressing to match your personality (feel free to now laugh...it sounds kind of hokey...I know).
There are 4 types:

Type 1- Creative, bubbly, buoyant, social, they light up a room when they walk in, random
Type 2- Soft, romantic, connected, laid back, steady, detail oriented
Type 3- Bossy, demanding, brash, strong, finds a way to get things done
Type 4- Regal, umm...I'll have to get back to you on this one!

Well...I thought I was a type 1 (I mean seriously, who wouldn't want to be a type 1?!) But they took my picture, and from my facial features they assessed that I am actually a type 3...really? Me? Are you sure you have the right picture? Hmmm...the lighting must have been off, or the angle in the picture was wrong. Maybe you should try again. Nope...still a type 3.

It took me a while to admit defeat and just try the colors, make-up, clothing, hair and jewelry. I'm still working on it, trying to dress according to my "true personality", but what do you think so far?

Before

{It was pretty hard to find a before picture...I like to take pictures, not be in them}

After

Motivation

I saw a young mother
With eyes full of laughter
And two little shadows
Came following after.
Wherever she moved,
They were always right there
Holding onto her skirts,
Hanging onto her chair.
Before her, behind her-
An adhesive pair.

"Don't you ever get weary
As, day after day,
Your two little tagalongs
Get in your way?
She smiled as she shook
Her pretty young head,
And I'll always remember
The words that she said

"It's good to have shadows
That run when you run,
That laugh when you're happy
And hum when you hum -
For you only have shadows
When your life's filled with sun."

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us.

We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are.

As you create a home, don’t get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don’t dwell on your failures, but think about your successes.
Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey."

-Marjorie P. Hinckley

I'm going to take this poem and this quote, blow them up really big and post them on every available space. And then....I'm going to hire a maid.

(A More Real) Love Story

This actually made me cry {a good cry, don't worry}! How sad is that??? It's supposed to be funny {and is!}. I don't know if my prince knows that this is all I really want from my Romeo.


** UPDATE~ He did it! Joel had to work Saturday, but he came home with flowers for me then whisked me away for a day date! {My sister watched the kiddos. Thanks Liz!}

You Will be Redirected...

(This picture was taken years ago!)

In case you don't know me, let me just tell you that I am not ushy-gushy (well, unless you're talking about a book...then I say the more mush, the better!).I'm pretty sure this is the reason for my lack of saccharine on this blog. Don't get me wrong, my heart is melted several times a day by the innocent musings of a one year old and a three year old. For example, I crack up every time Hunter attempts to balance himself on one foot as he slowly tries to guide his other tiny foot into my 4 inch heels, then proceeds to wobbly walk down the hall with both arms up, looking quite like a little monkey, his instability continually threatening his composure. Or when my beautiful daughter and I lay down on the couch together for quite time, she puts her forehead on mine, squeezes my cheeks together and then gives me a huge crooked smile; I've never seen a bigger smile than hers. Then she wraps her little arms around me, cuddling close as we continue to watch our movie. No, I'm not a gushy person or a mom that incessantly talks about the pride and joy of being a mother (I'd be talking all day if I did that!haha, j/k!). My kids don't necessarily put on huge displays full of lollipops and kittens, but they give me little tastes throughout the day making me wonder how on Earth I ever lived without these rays of sweet beauty in my life before.

This week I'm going to make it a goal to post about those little things instead of focusing on the "other" stuff. Sometimes I find that I need to redirect my focus.

Art that means something

I love interior design. Anything pretty just makes me smile! Well, I was watching HGTV awhile ago, and I noticed that all of the accessories they had, while pretty, were totally and completely useless. They had no symbolism, no importance, no special meaning...just bits and pieces of expensive, pretty eye candy. Well, I am a cheap woman...so when I buy something I want it to be something that not only is aesthetically pleasing, but also makes me happy because it represents something I hold dear. Well, they don't sell personalized artwork at the store (especially art that has my family in it), so I smooshed everything I love together and here's what I came up with! I've printed it out on canvas and I love it!



Let me know if you want me to make one for you!

Too Much Information

I find myself thinking about motherhood a lot lately. It is by far the hardest job I think that I could ever imagine. Not only because of the hours (although they are brutal), not only because of the lack of sick days and vacation time (which is zero. Most likely if you are sick, so are your children. So on "sick days" you have to actually work harder. The same goes for vacations...the extra work it takes to make everyone happy and to have everyone fall asleep and stay asleep in a hotel is a nightmare...and the drive...oh, the drive. I shudder just thinking about going on "vacation"). It's also the eternal perspective; it's my job to make sure these little ones grow to be good people. That they try to make righteous choices. I am the farthest thing from baby hungry one can be. I am TIRED all of the time. My "me" time consists of sitting in a dark room on a hard chair on my computer while itunes plays Mikayla her lullabies because she has to have mommy there. It wouldn't be so bad, except my bum starts to fall asleep after the first half hour. There is crying and whining....lots and lots of whining. Tantrums and games where dropping food and chucking sippy cups to see how many times mommy will fetch, fill my day. No, I am definitely not baby hungry. Then why...why when I see a necklace filled with numerous charms engraved with children's initials do I feel like someone's missing. Like I have charms on my necklace that are blank. No, I don't want more children, but I'm wondering if this feeling will go away...and if years down the road I will weep because I looked into the future and instead of trying to see what would be the best thing, I pushed through to see what I think I want: sleep, travel...things like that. No, I don't want more children, I have two happy healthy blessings. I couldn't risk having a child who isn't healthy. But in my mind's eye I see those blank charms, and my heart breaks just a little.