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!}