choose happy~

This week started out pretty crummy, to be perfectly honest. Sick kiddos, work drama, single-mom status, lonely. So many thoughts running through my scrambled brain, I can't even see straight. And I am in serious need of sleep~ never good;) I am feeling empty, yet full. Wanting, yet satisfied. Happy, yet sad. Guilty, yet justified. What is that all about? Maybe I should just chalk it up to January~ hmm?

I've decided that every one of us have our ups and downs. That's the way it is supposed to be, right? Opposition in all things. It is what makes us appreciate the good, even if it is in the midst of the bad.

I feel so blessed really, lots of goodness in my week as well. A beautiful/happy ending wedding reception, birthday luncheon with some gal pals, my baby boy's basketball game, book club~ awesome, lots of progress with a personal goal, started reading the Book of Mormon{not the pictured reader, the real deal} with our kiddos-huge!, and started in with my spring training{core baby! my abs are hating me right now}

It sure has been chilly around these parts. What is it about icicles, they are just so beautiful~ and tasty;)

love my Kade~man playin' tough!

butterfly kisses~

Fridays have somehow morphed into our 'play-date day.' It is early-out for the school kiddos, and somehow they all gravitate towards our home. We always have a pretty good crowd, and although things get a little rowdy~ I thoroughly enjoy it! Today was no different, it was gang-busters! I even had a couple of my favorite gals wander over, and chat the afternoon away over blueberry bread from Meg. Good therapy:) I had a sweet tooth, so we made sugar cookies. The kiddos are huge fans of cookie decorating~

I might need to share this recipe~

It's a good'n. Like really, you should make these asap!

Sugar Cookies

Cream 1 c. softened butter

Add 1 c. sugar

Beat until fluffy, then add 2 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond extract {i'm an addict}

Then add 3 c. flour, alternating with

1/2 c. sour cream

Chill overnight, or for several hours. Roll out about 1/4 in. thick, and cut into desired shapes. Place on greased cookie sheet, and bake 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees. Frost with buttercream frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

1 stick butter, softened {not melted}

Beat this until fluffy, then add half bag of powdered sugar. Thin with very minimal amounts of milk. Repeat this process with the powdered sugar, then milk, to desired consistency. Flavor with 1 tsp. vanilla{or vanilla bean paste, my fav}, and 1 tsp. almond, pinch of salt, and colorings of your choice. Frost away~ and enjoy!

And while Nic is away, the babiest one is sharing my bed. I pretty much love it with all my heart. We read the same two books each night. Toy Story 2 {surprise, surprise}, and George Shrinks{a family favorite}.

Too many good things going on to wallow in the bad.

Happiness is a choice.

And when given the choice, why not choose happy?

~xo

Birthday cake and turkey~

...sounds like a good combo, eh?

I have always loved having my birthday so close to Thanksgiving {not necessarily 'on'~kind of a drag} but near is so great. My heart is always full of gratitude, and there is never a shortage of good eats! My birthday was wonderful~ spent with my kiddos, in my jammies~ doesn't get much better in my book:)

Anyways, enough about me, let's talk turkey!

Found that printable here on Pinterest {where else!} and thought it was quite wonderful...

We do the every-other-year thing, and it was our year to be with my family. The day was extra special because it was my sweet nephew Krew's 1st birthday! Cute little stinker:) not sure where that year went~ whew!

One of my contributions this year~

Spinach Pomegranate Pear Salad

the recipe~

{tailor measurements to your taste, and size of salad}

spinach, pomegranate seeds, sliced pear, candied almonds, feta cheese

dressing~

1/4 c. purple onion, finely chopped

1 c. sugar

2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

blend together, then add 1 c. light olive oil

toss and serve!

We ate ourselves sick! and enjoyed the fabulous company~

as well as the weather! The kiddos scampered around the backyard having a great old time...

gathering leaves...

and climbing on rocks...

and posing up a storm for their aunt reece.

Sure love these kiddos~

and really love this fam of mine! even when they don't want to cooperate for a little photo op, really?

Christmas card worthy??

Almost. ha!

It was a wonderful holiday weekend. My blessings are many. I am especially thankful to know that my Heavenly Father is very much aware of me, and my needs. He has given me comfort and strength to get through some difficult times, and I know that he loves me. Don't know what more I could ask for. I am so thankful for this blog, and the opportunity it has given me to meet so many awesome new friends. I appreciate your sweet comments, and thank you for your examples. Much love to all who read this.

Now bring on the holidays!

~xo

My Loves

Okay, enough about me... let's get back to these three little loves of my life (besides their Daddy). Can I just tell you how much I love being their Mama. Sure they have their moments, but don't we all? They are the most precious people I know.

That angel in the middle turns 1 on Friday. I simply can't believe it. My heart is aching as I have been putting his 'baby' toys away. So now we are preparing for his special day. The big question I am posing right now is, how should I decorate his cake? I mean, he really isn't 'into' anything right now. He pretty much plays with anything and everything (especially those things he isn't supposed to be playing with i.e. sharp knives out of the dishwasher, outlets, toilet water, you get the idea). When we think of Parker one word, or phrase rather, comes to mind and that is 'pure joy.' Now how do I express that on a cake? I'm up for any suggestions.

I will post more on Easter later. I have about a million photos I need to go through, but it was such a wonderful weekend. Conference was amazing as always. My cup is full. I am working on doing better. I love the way conference makes you want to be a better person in every aspect of the word. I am feeling my life coming back into order bit by bit. It feels good to be in some sort of control. I feel very blessed.

Draper Temple and the Flu...

Holy Influenza!!!

That flu bug floating around is NO JOKE!! It owned me for like 5 days. 4 of which were seriously spent IN MY BED!! Not good for my training. I am SO glad to be back with the living and back to running, but I am weak. So annoying. Only 5 1/2 weeks left until the Salt Lake Half Marathon... I better kick it back into high gear.

On another note, we just got back from touring the new Draper Temple. It was beautiful as I had imagined. Not a corner went unnoticed. It was peaceful, serene, and most importantly, my children got to see the inside of it. They were so excited this morning when I told them we were going to see the new temple and they would be able to go inside. Kaden looked at me puzzled and said, "But Mom, I thought you couldn't go inside the temple unless you got married?" I explained to him that it hadn't yet been dedicated, and that's why we had this neat opportunity to see the inside before they did. On the bus ride back to our cars I asked them what their favorite part was. They both said, "The 'bathtize' part." Meaning the baptismal font. They also thoroughly enjoyed the refreshments at the end. We didn't venture to far from the beaten path while at the temple, so there were no great photo ops.

Back at the chapel sufficed. Of course our kids were not cooperating, but here ya go.

Afterwards we went and got some Chinese food. It was quite a treat. Thanks again Ben for the delicious dinner.

{Doesn't Rylie look so happy to be there? She really did not want her picture taken, but she got it anyways.}
What a great night. I am so thankful for temples, and how blessed we are to have so many readily available for our convenience. Anyone who still hasn't seen it, there are still a few more days. I highly recommend going down.

There's Nothing Better Than...

{It was a long day, and I was feeling unappreciated. I was beginning to give in to the idea that I was having a bad day, when I realized I wasn't having a bad day. I was actually having a great day-I just had a bad attitude. As I was putting Parker to bed tonight I was thinking about all of the little things that had made my day so special. So here's to looking at the bright side of my day.}

- Waking up to fresh Rosehill Dairy milk in our milk box.

- Missing my appointment with my visiting teachers while ironically driving back to work to get my "appointment" book to see what I had on the agenda today. Whoops!! Sorry Jenni and Becky. Thank you for loving me regardless of my shortcomings- you guys are the best!! - Teaching the kids how to blow bubbles with "gubble bum" as Ry-bug calls it, with the gum balls my VT's left in my milk box. Haven't blown bubbles like that in years. Good times!! Again, thanks Jenni.

- Being caught up on my laundry(never lasts longer than a few hours, but hey! I'll take it!).

- Discovering that there really is no price difference in having 'Your Valet' come pick up my dry-cleaning, and bring it back to me- than me driving it clear into Ogden all while towing 3 littles with me. You should have seen the smile on my face as I stuffed that huge green bag, and sent it on it's way. All while in the comfort of my own home, and Parker in the comfort of his own crib.

- Kicking a ball around the house with Rylie while Parker is perched upon my left hip (his favorite spot), and listening to all three of my kids laughing hysterically at the way it is bouncing off of walls, furniture, and faces. There were a couple of times I had to stop so Parker could catch his breath. So darling.

- Talking to my Mom on the phone numerous times today about everything, and nothing, all at the same time.

- Seeing that Smaller Scholar Registration form on my kitchen counter. Translation: Rylie gets to go to Miss Bonnie next year! We are ALL excited for her!!

- Listening to Kaden & Rylie play lego's, laugh, run, jump, and be silly together all day long.

- Watching Rylie out of the blue walk up to Kaden, grab him by the cheeks, give him a big old smooch on the lips, and say "Love you, Kade."

- Chatting with one of my best friends Erica about what she should wear on her date tomorrow night- as if I really have a clue what is in style.

- Having the opportunity to take a family in our neighborhood dinner & thinking of all the meals that have so graciously been brought to our family over the years. Yes, I remember them all.
- Waffles for dinner- complete with flax seed, berries, & fresh whipping cream, and Nic telling me, "You can't get waffles this good at a five star restaurant." Thanks honey. I sure love you.

- That last wipe-down of the kitchen counter, knowing the feeding frenzy can rest until breakfast the next morning. Love when the kitchen shuts down.
- Nursing Parker to sleep till he's comatose in my arms and then nuzzling into the crevice in his neck as I burp him. Oh... he smells so good.

- Watching the sense of accomplishment on your 5 year old's face as he sounds out letters, which make words, as he is learning to read. Wow, he is precious!

- Adult conversation with Nicholas, without interruption.

- A hot bubble bath, followed by cozy warm jammies and bed.

Enjoying the simple things, and doing so with a grateful heart.