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!