Syd's Baptism

Sydney chose to be baptized. She is such a special girl. She is so beautiful and sweet. There is nothing but good in her heart and she has truly stepped up to the plate in her responsibilities since turning 8. She is one of a kind.

I took her out to a pond near our home to take her pictures, and she looked absolutely stunning! I don't know how she grew up so darn fast, but she is transforming before my eyes. She was very excited to pose for the pictures. What a sweetie.

Syd with her dad right before the baptism!

Jess could not stop hugging Syd. She was so proud of her! We all were.

Syd and all of her cousins in town.

Syd's best friend Samantha, Annabelle, and Jess hanging on her still :)

There are so many more pictures of the family that was there, but too many pictures to post. What a beautiful day it was. Syd is so lovely.

Easter 2012

We spent Easter in St. George, our home away from home. Since the kidss were out of school for so long, we got to spend 5 days in paradise! My parents were there for a short time, but for the most part, it was just our family.

The girls played a lot with the next door neighbor, Lindsay (6) when we were at the house. When we were not at the house, we were:

Running around the beautiful city enjoying the beautiful scenery, warm weather and smells of spring! (I was). Visiting my grandma, aunt, uncle and cousin who live there on Easter was a real treat as well. They cooked us a delicious ham dinner! Thanks grandma! Love you!

At the Easter Egg Hunt

Free picture collage made with Smilebox

At the Art Festival visiting my long time best friend, Lindsey Madsen, and her kids

This picture collage generated with Smilebox

At the Temple taking pictures

At the Glitter Mine

It was great to spend so much time with my family, especially with Andy. I have the best husband in the whole world! He just melts my heart! Look how sweet his is with me...

I just love him!

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. This year I was focussed on the Resurrection of the Savior, but mostly on the suffering he did in behalf of my mistakes. I am grateful for forgiveness and for eternal families!

*I'm experimenting with tons of different slideshow/collage programs. Nothing does what I want it to...if anyone has good ideas on how to simply create a collage to post on here, please let me know.

Aruba - Just another day in paradise!

Andy and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Aruba! What a beautiful place that is. We stayed at a gorgeous hotel with wildlife all around.

We were either at the beach or at the pool most of the time. The water was beautiful and warm and calm. The sand was white. It was so beautiful!

We were able walk around town a bit and bought souvenirs for the kids. The views were gorgeous and the restaurants were divine. We ate. A lot. The food was delicious. We both gained 5 pounds, or so.

Andy and I went scuba diving! This was Andy's first real dive in the ocean. We went on 3 dives. The first day, it was just the two of us and the dive master, our own private dive! It was beautiful under the water. It's so calm and still down there, a whole new world!

The second day, were were on a boat full of about 20 divers. They split us up into two different groups. We got our gear all set up and went down on the first dive, saw some beautiful fish and coral and a ship wreck from WWII. It was very surreal.

After the first dive of the day, we made our way to the second site. Once being down in the water, divers must remain on the surface for an hour (called the surface interval) to neutralize the nitrogen in the blood. This is the part I was nervous about:

Sitting on a rocking boat.

In the middle of the ocean.

Smelling the salt water.

Headache from the first dive.

Uncomfortable wet suit.

Sticky from the salt.

VERY nauseous from the rocking boat.

Yes, I puked. Twice. All over Andy. It was so windy that even when I leaned over the edge of the boat, the wind blew it straight into Andy's face. GROSS.

My loving husband simply wiped it away and brought me cups of water to clean up as best I could. Now that is true love. Once we geared up again (everyone was in the water waiting for us at this point) we got back in the water for the second dive.

So embarrassing.

Here is a slideshow of some of the favorite pictures we took. It's just so hard to narrow it down!

BEST green smoothie EVER!

Seriously, it really is the best green smoothie recipe EVER!

I've never been big into drinking vegetables. Blech! I've never been able to choke down a glass of V8 or the carrot juice my mom used to make.

But...

I created my most favorite way to consume vegetables. After a little trial and error, I got it. The BEST tasting green smoothie I have ever had. So fresh and tasty!

2 Cups Kale

1/2 Cup fresh pineapple

1/2 Banana

2 frozen strawberries

1/2 Cup water

1/2 Cup ice

Blend this all together until smooth and devour! Not only are you drinking 2 servings of vegetables and fruits, there is the benefit of no added sugars and it really is delicious! I tried a few different green smoothie recipes with spinach, but this is SO much better! The kale has a milder flavor and it doesn't taste like I am drinking a salad.

Now, go make it! Drink your way healthy!

This could change my life

Could this be it? The delicious drink that changes my life? I was browsing around on Pinterest last night, (after a long break...I'm not addicted, I'm not addicted, I'm not addicted) and found this:

Source: nestofposies-blog.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I HAD to try it out, these drinks look delicious! And coconut flavored tonic water? Yum! I haven't ever been able to choke down tonic water on it's own, it tastes like Alkaseltzer, which is a nasty heartburn medicine.

I am starting Lifetime Wellness next Monday and have been looking for alternatives to the Dr. Pepper I am going to miss dearly. I love coconut, so I thought I would try this cute little drink out. Just the coconut water is nasty, but once I added fresh squeezed orange juice, chopped strawberries, a drop of lime essential oil, and (of course) a pinch of raw sugar, it is DELICIOUS!!!! Here is my creation:

And yes, you must drink it out of a mason jar. That makes it cooler.

Cousins

My kids with their cousins! Awe, so stinkin' cute! Brad's boy, Gabe, turns 2 at the end of the month, and Jaycie's baby boy, Cole, is almost 3 months old.

This is a personality picture for sure.

Syd is the oldest and has sure acted the part since she turned 8. Suddenly she is so responsible and helpful! She is holding Cole, who is the most adorable little baby ever! He is so handsome and so mellow. Then there's Kayman, always making a silly face or being goofy, he is our clown. Gabe is such a ham, he is always flashing that gorgeous smile of his and has every one of us at his beckon call. Then you've got Jess, smiling just long enough to get the picture over with so she can get back to whatever she was doing...yet refusing to look at the camera.

These kids are all so amazing in their own way. I love them so much! What a precious picture this is!

Just in time

Just when I think I'm going to lose it, when I've had it with the disrespect of the kids, I get something that makes me realize they really do care...deep down. We have had quite the issues lately with lack of respect for each other and for me. Today I did not put up with it, and it paid off. I got this sweet letter from Syd!

Syd turns 8!!!

My oldest child is 8 years old, that is so weird. It makes me feel slightly old, yet it also makes me look back on the past 8 years with a lot of love and pride (the good kind). I am so proud of my little girl. She has become such a pretty little gem. She is always so helpful and sweet. I love her so much!

I took her to get her ears pierced on her birthday. She was looking forward to this for nearly two years, so we did it right on her birthday. She was so brave. She didn't make a sound or even flinch!

We went to lunch afterwards and it was so fun to spend the morning together, just the two of us. Me and my big girl. When we got home, she helped me get ready for her party. She had an "ice cream" theme, so the plan was to make ice cream cone cupcakes! I made them, but they were a disaster. I filled the cones up just a little too much and they spilled out all over the place. Syd was so nice and lovingly just helped me make regular cupcakes instead. We frosted them in these bright colors that she just loved!

She invited a ton of friends from school, her cousin, and her long time best friend, Samantha.

They made ice cream sundae's and loved putting on their own toppings!

Syd with her best friend. These two have been very close since they were both babies.

The proud birthday girl!

Syd turned 8, and 8 is the age we decided to have the "big talk" with her. Andy, Syd, and I all got dressed up and went out to dinner at Tuscany. (The photo above is the chandelier at Tuscany.) We told her all about the beauty of how life is created, and it was fabulous! The idea behind telling her so young is this: If she hears the truth about everything before she starts to hear the wrong/distorted/worldly views on sex, she will have the confidence to ask us questions, know she can talk to us about it, and realize that she knows the truth. Because she knows how beautiful it is, she has the respect for it that it deserves.

Turning 8 is such a big age! In addition to all of this, Syd will be getting baptized later this month. She is very excited. We are proud of her for making this decision, as it begins her journey back to God. We have been teaching her what it means to be baptized. She is ready, and we are all so excited! Pics to come.

Day 29: something you're listening to

I spent part of my day laying out at the beach listening to the waves as they lapped up on the white sands of Aruba's Palm Beach. It was breath taking!

Today is the first full day of our vacation and we enjoyed every minute of it! We slept in, ate some yummy breakfast, hung out on the beach for a while, then headed out for Andy's first dive! We were the only ones who signed up, so we had a private dive. Fritz, our dive master, was great and showed us some amazing things. We look forward to our 2 dives tomorrow before the work festivities begin.

Here's to more listening to the ocean!

Day 28: money

Money. I'd love it I had a whole bunch to take a picture of, but here's what I've got...

I rarely carry cash. I use my credit card for EVERYTHING. Why? Because I get points for it. And then Costco sends me a check (this year the check was over $500!!) that I can spend at Costco. Oh, I love that. It's free money! And who doesn't want to spend $500 at Costco?

So I just use my Amex for everything I buy and pay it off each month. I'm sure it's screwing up my credit, since they want you to actually carry a balance, but oh well. It's working for me, for now. I will save my $1.35 for a DP when I get back to the states. Cause, yeah, I'm in Aruba...

Day 27: something you ate

Breakfast these days has consisted of cheesy scrambled eggs. Super yummy. One full egg, one egg white and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese with a dash of salt. It is delicious and full of protein. I wash it all down with some orange juice and I'm good for a few hours. What do you eat for breakfast?

Day 26: night

These are my crazy girls tonight as we leave my parents house. Jess refuses to wear a coat, insists on wearing heels, and loves to wear her daddy's t-shirts for pajamas. Lovely look! Syd just really wanted to be in the picture :) I love those girls!

Day 25: green

I love candy. Especially Sunkist Fruit Gems. They are divine! Especially the green ones, they are lime flavor and I LOVE lime!

Day 24: inside your bathroom closet

This is a scary one. My bathroom closet is packed with all sorts of crap. Every time I try to clean it out I realize that I use all this crap. Sheesh! I really do need to find a better way to store my jewelry. Hopefully I will be getting a storage box soon for all my doTERRA oils. I have more lotions than I should, but I always start a new kind before the old one is out. It's a bad habit.

And maybe some day I will care how I fold my towels. Obviously I don't right now. :) The real me, here ya go...

Day 23: your shoes

Shoes

What girl doesn't love shoes? And the best thing (possibly the only good thing) about winter is that I get to wear boots nearly every day. I love boots. A lot. I want more of them.

These are the boots I am wearing today.

Day 22: your work

I have been keeping the books for The Aquarium for nearly 9 years now. I love it. It's so nice to have something else to occupy my mind and my time other than macaroni and Mickey Mouse.
I work from home, which is awesome because I can work whenever it is convenient for me, but it also means that I still lack the adult interaction I feel I need. Luckily I have some awesome friends that like to go to lunch as much as I do!
The best thing about my job is that I work for my brother. He is the best boss in the world! I love my job!

Day 21: a fave photo of you

A Favorite Photo

drum sticks. barefoot. summer clothes. tanned skin. chunky jewelry.

contentment. satisfaction. hard work.

I love this photo because is captures me in the middle of doing something I really love. Something unique about me. Something I have always enjoyed doing, but rarely get the opportunity to do...play my drums with a live band!!!

The band was far too short-lived last time around. It only lasted about 4 months, and this was the one and only performance we had, but I enjoyed it so much. I have a deep rooted beat thriving within me all the time, and playing the drums is the perfect way to satiate the innate desire I have to bring the beat to life for all to enjoy.

Day 20: handwriting

Handwriting

I have never been a huge fan of my own handwriting, but I don't know many people who are. It's not beautiful or elegant, but it's mine. Anyone out there know how to analyze handwriting?!

I love this quote I heard from Elder Richard G. Scott a few weeks ago when he came to our Stake Conference. I wholeheartedly agree with it. It's a great thing to be able to smile. What does it take to be able to smile? To really smile?

You have to be happy.

What does it take to be happy? REALLY happy?

For me, it's my relationships. My relationship with my husband, my children, my family, my friends, and most importantly...my Savior. He is who brings true happiness to my life.

Day 19: something you hate to do

HATE

I really hate to clean up the kids' rooms, especially after I have just done it the day before. For the most part it is up to them to keep it clean and tidy, but sometimes I just can't take it anymore. I can't stand to walk past the room when it looks like this...and this is fairly clean compared to how it gets many days of the week. Notice all the toys are put away? This means it's "clean" in kid language. I get anxiety just looking at the picture.

Some days it gives me major anxiety, some days I see it as a money making opportunity. You see, the kids have to pay Andy and me for doing the jobs they are expected to do. It comes straight out of their weekly allowance. It's called "maid service".

Day 18: drink

Drink

I LOVE Dr. Pepper. I really love it. I drink it everywhere I go. I have just recently been able to stop throwing fits when I go somewhere that does not serve Dr. Pepper, but thinks that Mr. Pibb is a good substitute. Bleck! It's not a good substitute. There is no substitute. Nothing can compare to the real, sugar loaded, caffeinated Dr. Pepper. YUM! I've been hooked since 8th grade...it's a terrible habit, I know. But it's just so good!

I don't know what my life would be without you, DP. Thank you for making me complete.

Day 17: time

Time for me to get my hair done again, this is the clock at my salon. It's also telling me it's time for lunch. Time for the weekend. Time for some fun with my man.
Time slips through my fingers far too quickly theses days, it's time to begin savoring every moment for what it is.

Day 16: something new

I have spent this week painting Syd's room, and now that the painting is done I am staining her furniture black. She is so excited for her new room! She has been staying in Kayman's room this week (he is out of town with my parents) and she won't even peek in. She wants to be surprised when it's all done! I am getting closer, but I need a comforter an a bunch of cute room decor now...

Day 15: phone

Phone

This is my phone. My case is purple, cause I love purple. And I love my phone. :)

DIY candle stick holders

I have been getting everything all ready today for a beautiful Valentine's dinner. I was at Smiths getting the last minute finishing touches, including candle sticks, but they didn't have any holders. I headed to Walgreens thinking they should have something, but no such luck. I asked the cute lady that worked there if she had any creative ideas to display candles to save me from having to go to the dreaded Walmart.

She saved me! She said she'd heard of putting rice in mason jars and sticking the candle in there. I thought it was brilliant! Plus, it went along perfectly with the gift of gourmet candy in mason jars Andy left for me this morning! (see here)

I figured I could fancy them up a bit, I didn't want just plain white rice in there, so I dyed it pink and red. I have to say they turned out pretty darn cute for someone who really is not crafty to whip up last minute!

What do you think?

Day 14: heart

Heart

This is what I woke up to this morning:

He got up at 4:30 this morning to make his girls delicious heart cookies, and he got us some of our favorite candy EVER! By the way, waking up to the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies is divine.

So this is what Andy is coming home to:

Fancy dinner with the fine china and everything. You'll notice there are only 4 place settings...Kayman is in St. George with my parents and his cousin for the week. We'll miss him at our Valentine's dinner tonight!

Check out this post to see more about my DIY candle stick holders!

Day 13: blue

Blue

Blue. One of my favorite colors. It's right up there with purple and silver. Blue is a very calming and beautiful color. One of my favorite things in the whole world is the ocean. I took this photo in Maui, Hawaii a year ago today...

I love to sit on the beach and watch to the ocean.

I love to walk in the sand.

I love the calming sound of the waves hitting the beach.

I love the beautiful landscape that typically surrounds the ocean.

I love to swim in the water.

I love to surf.

I love to go deep into the water and watch the fish swim around in their own element. There is so much peace under the surface of the ocean. It truly is a whole different world down there. The vibrant colors of the fish and the coral, the way the creatures swim so gracefully through the beautiful blue water, how the life sways with the currents, it's all very peaceful and somewhat surreal. It's so quiet down there, yet so full of life.

I love the ocean.

I love the blue.

Day 12: in your closet

In Your Closet

There is no way I am showing you my closet right now. It's a disaster. It's a project that has been on the list for months now, and it's full of other projects. It's ridiculous. It's full of everything I don't know where else to put.

What I am willing to show you is the back of my closet door...

My collection of hats and bags. I do love hats. These all look very similar though, I think I'm in need of a new hat! Hmmm...

Day 11: makes you happy

Makes You Happy

There are so many things that make me happy. Choosing just one was very difficult, so I took the highlight of my day today. Today is my first born child's 8th birthday. That is a milestone. It means so many things that I won't go into now, but today it meant that she finally got to go get her ears pierced!!!

Here I am with her at Claire's. The girl who pierced her ears told us that it was the calmest piercing she has ever done. Syd didn't flinch, and she said it didn't even hurt. She is so brave and so tough. She is very proud to have her ears pierced...finally! This was happy moment for me today, because I got to share in one of her happiest moments. The two of us spend the morning together and went to lunch for her birthday just before the craziness of her party started! I love my Syd!

Day 10: self portrait

Self portraits are always just so lovely, aren't they?!

All I really have to say about this is that I am working every day to learn how to love myself. It's never been easy for me, but I'm on a journey. What better way to learn to love others than to show a little love for yourself! I can't serve my family happily if I am not happy. I can't be happy if I don't love who I am. So, here's to loving yourself in this month of LOVE!

Day 9: Front Door

Front Door

My front door is very boring this time of year. I don't have a cute Valentine crafty thingy to hang, it's gloomy outside, and the door is probably covered in dust from the field across the street. So...I chose a picture of my front door with my three favorite little things in front of it.

Aren't these kids just precious?! This was the first day of school for the girls, and Kayman just HAD to be in the picture with them. So cute. These three gems are what I live for. They are the reason I work so hard and strive to become my best. They deserve a wonderful mother who can take very good care of them, so I try to be that each day.

I dive into the piles of coupons and cut away so I can afford enough food for these kids.

I work my butt off at the gym so I can be healthy for them.

I slave over the stove daily so I can provide healthy, well balanced meals (most of the time) for them.

I wash and fold mounds of laundry each week so they have clean clothes to wear every day.

I dust and mop and vacuum so they can have a clean place to live.

I pay far more library fees than necessary so they can have books to read and movies to watch. (Somebody please text me when my movies are due...over due fines are a beast!)

I fill my car with gas multiple times a month so I can drive these monkeys to all their activities where they learn life skills.

I pick up all kinds of random toys/clothes/shoes, etc. as I try to teach them to clean up after themselves.

I do all these things, and many more, because I love my children. I am so blessed to have them with me every day of my life. I treasure this time because, before I know it, it will be gone.

So, yeah, my front door is there, but what's most important is also there. :)