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.

You want a hair WHAT?

Who ever knew you could have so much anxiety over someone else's haircut? Well, those of you who have seen Mikayla lately have probably noticed that her hair looks a teensy bit like a rats nest...she doesn't let me get within a 50 foot radius of her with a brush. So, this morning I told her that she could either let me do her hair or she could get a haircut ,"they're going to chop it all off!" I warned....she chose the haircut. So, I called up a salon/spa that donates hair to locks of love and set up an apt. for that night.

We had an awesome girls night out. First we went to go see the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" {she has a big dragon that she LOVES, so it was fun for her to actually see it in a movie!}. It was her first movie in a theater, so of course we loaded up on popcorn, blue icees, and chocolate! Then we headed over to Dolce's {the salon} and got to business. After I was done hyperventilating, we walked in and she was so well behaved as her lovely curly locks were hacked off. I may or may not have teared up...

{Just so you know...it won't look this cute on a daily basis. I can't do hair!}

Apoptygma Berzerk

{I wish I was that brave!!}

I had forgotten how much I missed standing in the front row, inches away from the lead singer and feet away from the rest of the band. I had forgotten how much I love rocking out and singing as loudly as I can with the band and the rest of the audience. I forgot how awesome a really good concert is and how it invigorates me. Unfortunately for the rest of my family, I've been listening to the music non stop because I don't want to let that feeling go.

Joel and I (along with his brother and his wife) went to an Apoptygma Berzerk concert on Tuesday night, er...actually Wednesday morning. We started by meeting the band at Hot Topic Tuesday evening, then we went to The Yardhouse, then we shopped around a little bit at the mall, and then off to The Sugarbowl. After that we headed to the concert. It was an insanely small location. The first band was supposed to go on at 9, but finally went on at 9:45...then we had to stand through 3 opening bands (I got up front on the last opening band to make sure I was up front for Apop. It was SOOO worth it!). They finally went on at 12:45 (I was soooo tired at this point, feeling every bit my age, but as soon as they came on I woke right up with energy to spare). The stage was only a foot off the ground and the lead singer was seriously right above me, inches away (if I didn't respect personal space, I totally could've been all up in his business). Everybody was dancing and singing, it was such a rush! It had been 4 years since my last concert...I hope it's not another 4.