Cute Mother's Day Gift

I'm a little behind... but you have to see this CUTE idea!

We made the cutest Mother's Day Gift with the Activity Day Girls earlier this month. We made bath salts and put them in these cute glasses to look like a yummy ice cream soda! Aren't these precious! And they smell SO good! We added sweet pea or rose thyme scent. It was lots of fun and so easy.



Now I have a confession to make... I totally forgot about Father's Day! What are we going to do??? We are only doing one activity this month and it is already planned! I'm going to have to really think about this one! We can't forget our Dad's!

Cutest Chicken EVER

This post is kinda late! A couple of months ago my sweet friend Theresa went to California. While there she went to the coolest of stores - Ti Pan. They have one in Utah and it is the funnest of Home Decor type stores! It is HUGE! And my favorite part is that the prices are the best!

So - in March Hillary discovered that they also have one in California! Can you say ROAD TRIP! I so want to go check it out! I'm going to do some serious thinking about that!

While Theresa was in California she decided to check it out! I was GREEN with envy! But being the most amazing friend that she is she brought something home to help ease the pain!



Is she not the most cutest of chickens! I just love her! Every time I look at her she reminds me of a friends love! How special is that?

WORKING

It seems like all I do is work lately... I'm not complaining. Well, maybe a little. But seriously, I want to do something fun. Like blog! Or clean my room! (yes that is fun to me.) Or not fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow because I'm so tired! Although, I will say I haven't slept so well in ages!

I have re-discovered muscles I forgot I had. They hurt! But in a weird way it kinda feels good.

When I walk out of a house I've cleaned there is a sense of pride. It looks good - and nobody better mess it up!!!

I still love my life. Mostly. I do wish some things were different. But I'm grateful for what I have.

I do wish I didn't tire so easily and that I felt like cleaning MY house when I get home. BUT - I am grateful for sweet daughters who actually cooked dinner almost every night this week. AND for a husband who rubbed my aching feet! Ahhhh - now if I could just convince Heidi to go into massage therapy school. She's just not buying it though! (something about me just wanting her to rub my feet all day. Whatever.)

I do get a few days off! I hope to re-energize and re-group! Maybe I'll read a book! I KNOW I'm going to watch some movies!

I hope I wasn't too whiny! I was just having a moment! Life is Good!

Anniversary Number 26

When did 26 years go by? It's hard to believe that 26 years ago yesterday I was marrying my sweetheart for time and all eternity! It's been a busy and fun 26 years! I would do it all again! And for the most part not change a thing! Just so there is NO question - it would only be myself that I would change!

I am so grateful for Vaughan. As everyone knows he is as near perfect as they come! That has been a struggle for me sometimes, 'cause I know I don't measure up. But I'm so glad he married me anyway! :)

I love my life! All I ever wanted was to be a wife and mother and Vaughan has made that dream come true.

I love our home. It may not be our DREAM house, but it's full of love and that is what is important.

Although our life has is struggles, both in the past and present, I'm happy. I have the most amazing husband and five daughters that I treasure. My cup is full.

Thank you Vaughan for making my dream come true and for keeping our love alive! I know you put me and our daughters first in your life and it shows in every day living. YOU are the best! I love you!

Happy Birthday to my Heather girl!

Yesterday was Heather's 20th birthday! What do you do for a daughter's 20th birthday? Well, I wanted to make it special... SO we had a Luau! Or at least a Luau themed party!

It was lots of fun and I hope Heather enjoyed it!


I asked Heather what she wanted for her birthday. All she wanted was to babysit Ava. WHAT? Yep, that is what she wanted. Well, in order to grant her wish the girls and I would have to babysit Ava during two times that Heather has other responsibilities. SO, we took on the task! After all, Heather isn't the only one who LOVES Ava! We had so much fun with her this weekend.


Heather, I want you to know how much I love you! I've been thinking a lot about you lately, probably 'cause I haven't hardly seen you. (but that's another story!) When you were very little you were the cause of great concern as you quit thriving - which just means you started losing weight and not growing. You have struggled these past years with some learning disabilities and your hearing disability. But I want you to know how proud I am of you. You have beat the odds. You have done things that I was told you would never do! You are an amazing person. I wish I had had a vision of things to come when you were little. I wouldn't have worried SO much! Maybe I would have been a better mom. I'm sure I would have been more patient! I should have trusted the Lord more when I would feel promptings that "everything would be all right".

I am so pleased with the choices you make. I have seen your testimony grow this year by leaps and bounds. I am so pleased with how you are taking care of Grandma's house. I know she is so glad that you are staying there and helping her and Grandpa while they are on their mission.

Thank you for being a choice daughter of God! For being such a good example to me. Thank you for your hugs and for spending time with me today for Mother's day. I loved it! I love our talks and sharing our thoughts on different things! I love to hear what you are doing and how you feel!

No matter what - never forget how much I love you! You are special in every way! Happy Birthday sweetheart! Every year with you has been precious!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday! She is currently in Martin's Cove, Wyoming serving a mission for our church. She and my Dad are amazing to me. This is the 3rd summer they have been at Martin's Cove serving. They work so hard and never seem to get tired! They are 20+ years older than me and they can work circles around me!

In honor of Mom's birthday and Mother's Day this weekend I want to share 10 things I love about my Mom. I could share more, but let's keep it reasonable!! Now let's see if I can do this without crying. . .

1. I LOVE how devoted my Mom is to her family and to her husband. There has never been any question that she loves us. She has always put us first in her life.

2. I LOVE that she taught me to "eat what we store, store what we eat". Because of her example our cupboards are full and our freezers have plenty. It has been such a blessing to not have to worry about how I am going to feed my family at times. Vaughan and I bought our first bag of wheat BEFORE we were married!

3. I LOVE being able to call her (even while on her mission!) and get advise, council and "how to" instructions for everything from gardening, canning, recipe's, what to do with my kids, job perspectives and a listening ear.

4. I LOVE her for worrying about all of us, even though I wish she didn't.

5. I LOVE her for setting such an amazing example of Christ like love. All my life I heard things like, "Well, maybe she didn't mean it that way." And loving words of advise about thinking the best of people and giving them the benefit of the doubt. This has served me well - even though I forget sometimes.

6. I LOVE the example BOTH of my parents have set in serving others. No matter what church calling they have had they put their whole heart into it and do it well. They have taught responsibility and dedication through serving others. Whether it is a church calling, a sick Uncle, a Grandmother or visiting teaching or home teaching families and of course each of their children.


7. I LOVE to watch my Mom with her Grandchildren. They LOVE her. I look forward to following her example in love with each of my Grandchildren someday.


8. I LOVE my Mom for trusting me. Through this trust I learned to be obedient. I never wanted to disappoint her or my Dad.

9. I LOVE my Mom for words of affirmation! My Mom has always built me up and encouraged me in anything I wanted to do. She is one of the most positive people I know. She is my personal cheerleader. I always know that whenever I need a "pick me up" that a call or afternoon with Mom will do the trick!


10. I LOVE my Mom for being my Mom! That may sound trite, but if you think about it she could have chosen not to be a Mom at all. She could have done so many things and been so many things, but she chose to be a wife and mother and later a grandmother. She has never shirked this responsibility in any way.

My patriarchal blessing says "you have been blessed to have been sent to a home to parents who love you, and have DONE THEIR BEST TO RAISE YOU IN RIGHTEOUSNESS." I always thought that to be Heavenly Father's "stamp of approval". I hope someday that I can achieve half as much as my Mother!

Thank you Mom for always being there for me and for doing your very best. I love you more than words can tell. Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day all in one!

Kudos to my Family

I have the most amazing family. I'm talking about my brothers and sister - and of course Mom and Dad. We don't always see eye to eye. We don't always get along. I'm often the odd man out. Most people can't believe I am even related to my siblings! I can't tell you how many times I've heard "Oh my gosh, you're (fill in the blank with Mike, Cindi, Brian, Marc or Randy)'s sister? You are NOTHING like them!" Yeah - I know.

I don't like sports - I tolerate it. Although, I was almost always there with one or more of my kids in tow, at Marc and Randy's football and wrestling events.

I have all girls - Most of my siblings have boys - which means boy stuff. I really don't get most of it. I mean - seriously, why would anyone willingly put their kids in all those sporting events on purpose????

You will find me at dance recitals or musical concerts (happily) and they do not occur or take half the time as sporting events!

I really don't care for the outdoors - at least not if it means I'm going to sweat! If you can drive there and take a chair out of the back of the car I'm all for it. It isn't because I'm lazy. I'm not. I just have never enjoyed hiking, biking, or anything that is dirty, hot or sweaty.

All my siblings LOVE animals. I do not. I like them. I am kind to them. But please don't ask me to pet them or care for them. We have a rabbit. We had fish. I have to say they have been my favorite pets. They are quiet. They are clean. And they have never required me to take care of them! (Yes, we had a dog... for 16 years. RIP)

But despite ALL these differences there is one thing we have in common. LOVE. When push comes to shove we put all these things aside and are there for each other.

My family has a unique grapevine that travels through the family. I have become aware that some of them are concerned about our family. Today I had a brother call to offer a side job to me - Laundry. He owns a Restoration company and needed some laundry done for a customer. It is hard work and I am tired. But it has reminded me of the love and concern that my family shows me. I have felt sad and worried this week. And today is the first day I have hope again. Maybe we will be able to meet some obligations that need to be met before Friday. I am grateful to be reminded that I am not alone. That FAMILY is so important. My brothers and parents have been there so much these past few months. Giving advise and providing us with work. I have sent many prayers of thanks heavenward!

And I can't forget the most AMAZING sister in laws! I love each one! I am so blessed. I truly think having them has kept me sane! Thanks for all the phone calls and words of advise! I love you so much. Both for marring my brothers :) and for putting up with me! I know if I need anything - all I have to do is call!

They may never see this - but I want them to know how much I am grateful for such an amazing family. That despite it all and when it is most important we do come together. There is so much comfort in this! Thank you really isn't enough!