30 Days

1- Take a Nap
2- Get a Facial
3- Go for a walk
4- Go To the Temple
5- Write in my Journal
6- Take A Long Hot Bath
7- Make a new burned CD
8- Have some “GaNO” Fun
9- Buy some new Mac lip-gloss
10- Read a great book (in the Bath)
11- Go To Portland to see “Best-Best”
12- Call a dear Friend (that’s you Les. Tol.)
13- Plant some beautiful flowers in our garden
14- Enjoy a massage at the Spa with my Mom
15- Go out to dinner with my Handsome Hubby
16- See a Movie, in the Theater, with Popcorn, and a Fountain Drink
17- Play “Bawbies” with the girls all afternoon, getting out ALL of the Barbie Gear
18- Hold Max while he sleeps, and watch a chick-flick in the middle of the afternoon

These are some of the ideas I have come up with (and copied from Phoebe when she did this in October, way to be a trailblazer Phoebs) to enjoy the Month of May; a milestone in my life. What better way to celebrate such a big step than to do something for me everyday for thirty days? It may be life changing! As you can see, I'm still in need of a few more ideas. So, what would you do for thirty days of celebration? Please share, and I will try and post what I have done each day! I have been looking forward to this time for months and hope it will be everything it's cracked up to be!

My Sister, My Friend

Yesterday my little sister Emily celebrated her 15th Birthday~

Here are 15 reasons to celebrate having a sister like Emily:

15- She has one year left before her life will change dramatically. Unlike other 15 year old's we know, she enjoys each stage of life and doesn't seem overly anxious to grow up.

14- She can "TEXT" with the "BEXT", she has taking texting to a whole new level, it's like her art!

13- Her head if filled with useless celebrity knowledge which I find fascinating.

12- Her favorite food is Spaghetti (just like her big Sister).

11- She is a smarty pants, who works hard in school maintaining her 4.0 (for 3 years straight).

10- She doesn't brag about the fact that she does so great in School.

9- She is a lover of Chicken Fingers, having tried them at every restaurant she has ever been too, she knows who's who in the deep fried chicken department.

8- She has read all of the Harry Potter series and beats anyone hands down in H.P. trivia.

7- She is a friend to all, she is kind to those who others are not. She has always been sensitive to others feelings.

6- Which is why she so easily won the election of 9th grade class President (at which she has done a fabulous job).

5- She is Funny & Witty- she continually makes us laugh and has been voted "funniest girl" two years straight.

4- She provided our family (and we still laugh at the memories) with a great amount of amusement as she was a "colorful", "determined", toddler and little girl (she threw some record breaking tantrums!).

3- She has self confidence and wisdom beyond her years; she is a good example.

2- She is the GREATEST AUNT EVER! She lets my kids call her "NeNe", has their pictures as her wallpaper on her cell phone, babysits happily, plays: barbies, princesses, princess wedding, princess ball and any other game that sounds fun at the time.

1- She is the Sister I waited 15 years for. Looking back however, I am glad she came when she did. We never fight over clothes, dolls or anything else for that matter. I simply enjoy being around her and have loved watching her grow-up. She is one of my closest friends and confidants. Happy Birthday Pebbles, Emmy, Lil' Em, Emily-AH, NeNe, Nener-weiner! I love you!

Would-A Should-A Could-A

You know all of those times where you think: "I SHOULD have said......, If I WOULD of said....., I COULD of said.....???" Well, I finally had one of those moments that I DID SAY IT! I was so proud of myself that I shared the tale (sparing no dirty detail) with a group of friends. One of those great friends was so proud of me that she certainly did post it on her blogg! I couldn't help but post it on mine. Thanks Steph for capturing the exact feelings in your writing! Enjoy, and by the way, I am coming out of the closet.....I AM BROOK.



“I don't believe; I know.”--Carl Jung



A good friend of mine had an interesting experience lately. I'll call her “Brooke” to protect her anonymity. Brooke took her three beautiful children to a car wash near the part of town she grew up. Behind her, she heard someone calling her; by her maiden name. The thought crossed her mind to pretend she didn't hear since she did not feel like seeing anyone from high school. She turned around anyway. There was Lindsey, an acquaintance from school. They engaged in polite conversation: how cute Brooke's kids were, how her husband finished med school and is now a doctor, etc. Brooke asked Lindsey, “So are you going to have children soon?” Lindsey replied that because of her career, she didn't want kids right now. She added,“Especially since I got my augmentation done, my career has really taken off.”“Oh! What exactly is your career?” inquired Brooke.“I'm not ashamed to say it—I'm an exotic dancer,” replied Lindsey.Brooke wondered briefly what to say to that, when Lindsey went on,“Yeah, having that new hospital next to the club has been great for business, too. Doctors come in all the time: during lunch, when they are off shift, and stuff. I have to say, they are really great tippers.”Trying to muster a response, Brooke said something like, “Wow.”Lindsey repeated, “we see doctors a lot, in fact, I bet I've danced for your husband!”“No, I don't think so.” Brooke emphatically replied.Lindsey snapped back, “That's what all the wives say.”Brooke looked her in the eye and answered, “Actually, Lindsey, I think most women know when their husbands are SCUM BAGS.”Hooray Brooke!

Monday Monday....

Monday Monday, so good to me,

Ok, the cats out of the bag! I love Mondays for one reason....it's good for me! As a rule, I try to never go anywhere on Mondays. I stay home. I read the paper. I try and be a FlyLady and "Bless my House". I nap my little ones...on time. I cook dinner. I try and prepare Family Night. I reflect on the week. And, I enjoy a nice long chat with my Phoebs.

Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be

And it was! Oh, I have been tempted to leave and go out! Good friends and family will call with invitations that are so tempting that I almost sucumb under the pressure. However, giving up my one stay home day is far more diffucult then it may seem, and I hear myself asking these beloved family and friends if we could go on Tuesday?, Wednesday?, Thursday?.

Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee

That Monday evening you would still be here with me.

Then, in the evening after the dishes are done, kids are asleep, bills paid and laundry folded, I take a long bath and smile at a job well done and a Mon-day enjoyed. Yes, I look forward to Tuesday when I can get out of the house and have fun with our kids and loved ones; but by the end of the week I am craving a good round of Monday again! So dear loved ones, don't take offense when you call and I don't answer or you invite and I decline, just know it's Monday!

Left Foot, Left Foot, Left Foot, Right!

Ms Williams (at Parent/Teacher Conference): "Lizzy, do you have any goals you would like to set in Kindergarten?"

Lizzy- "Ummmm....to read more at home, not just the baggie books you send home every night"

Ms. Williams: "That is a great goal Lizzy! Do you have other books to read besides the ones I send home with you each day?"

Lizzy- "Yep, lots! I can read the Foot Book all by myself, without any help!!!!!"

Ms. Williams: " WoW, that is awesome!"

Lizzy- "Sometimes I read it to Rosie!"

Ms. Williams: "Lizzy, would you be willing to read it for the whole class? Is that something you would feel comfortable enough to do because that would be a great example to the other students in our class."

Lizzy- "SURE I WOULD LOVE TO"

And so it went; little Lizzy's first public reading! We couldn't be prouder and more thankful for a wonderfully insightful kindergarten teacher.

Two Cool Peeps & One Very Sick Baby Bunny!

Easter was not as I had hoped this year. Our baby Max was and still is SO So sick. No Easter parties, not matching outfits, just cuddle time with a sick Max. True Confesstions: It actually was kind of nice staying home that evening, we had such a busy week the R&R was very appreciated by Mommy.

Lizzy being an experienced egg hunter felt it important to truly appreciate EVERY egg one at a time....

Rosie didn't want anything to do with that kind of time wasting! She had eggs to find,

Candy to eat...

And eat, and eat!

She loved Easter this year and thought it to be so thrilling.

Yes, the girls had a great time on Easter (and the three Egg Hunts before that). Lizzy gave an Easter talk in primary and read it all by herself!

Unfortunately there will be no Family Picture on this Easter since Max is so very sick! But, I am hoping for next week, so stay tuned! Now I need to run since I am suppose to be writing FHE lessons for our R.S. group....due tomorrow! Happy Easter!

My Bright Sides:

Sometimes in life you have to look on the bright side of things right? Here are some bright moments in the past few bleak winter weather weeks:

Max is now saying "MaMa" like he really cares! He will call my name and look for me. Yes, he has been making the "M" sound for awhile but, I never felt like he made that connection until now. It is one of my most favorite things: hearing our baby say our names (especially mine). We love this little guy and all of the funny, sweet, messy things he does in all of his 15 month glory.
Lizzy went on a Daddy daughter ski trip and was thrilled beyond belief. She did amazingly well under the direction of her very patient and loving Daddy. She loved it and can't wait to go with both Mommy and Daddy again soon. I wasn't at all surprised to hear her favorite part was the hot chocolate breaks.....that's my girl!

Having a husband who loves our kids and enjoys spending time with our family is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I realize more and more how lucky I was that he wanted to marry me. When Daddy comes home is the best time of the day. Am I right or what?

And last but certainly not least, little Rose LOVES SUNBEAMS! Rosie is a sunbeam in every sense of the word. She brings such warmth and light hearted fun to our family. Young Rosie didn't care for nursery a whole lot, she always wanted to go with her Sis to Primary. When her chance FINALLY came she rose to the challenge with much enthusiasm. She has already learned some new songs and stories to entertain and "teach" us, and she has been blessed with two of the greatest teachers ever.

So, there you have it! All is well with our family. Now if I could just get the office organized I would really be doing some high kicks!