Moving on!

Just these past few weeks High School Seniors everywhere are on their way to bigger and better things.  I have had the great opportunity to photography several of them.  In spite of my excitement and love for each one of these young people.  I can't help but notice something in them.  There is a sense of vuneralbility. They are leaving a life that they have done exceptionally well at.  They have had so many accomplishments that up to this point seems like and incredible feet.  I am mostly writing because I fear for them.  Each one differently.  Some seem ready to attack this new adventure, leaving their greatness behind, only to become a little greater in a few years.  Some however, the ones I am most afraid for, seem unready.  The road they will follow seems set and ready for them.  They will leave however without a sense of who they are.  Their standards tested and their support system gone.  The one thing they had that kept them from harm will be gone.  They are to do it alone.  I remember how ready I was and thinking of nothing more than being on my own and getting to be responsible.  I was tested in my faith and my standards.  Thank Heavens for incredible friends who kept me on the straight and narrow.

So to all of you new adults, who are out there to start a new adventure.  Stop and think of who you want to become and become that person.  Stay strong, as you are now.  Hold fast to your faith and standards.  Don't change them to fit in.  And lastly invest in amazing friends.  Good luck and I am praying for you...

I love you BABY!

So the other night I was lucky to be a part of one fasinateing conversation.  It began with, "Do any of you remember"

This awesome person "Sally"  is one of my roomates.  I would in a way call her the "Mother" of our little group.  She is one special person and doesn't know it, but has been an inspiration of kindness and dedication.  She is exceptionally faithful to her religion and I adore her for her great testimony.  She a year or so ago sent me a letter.  Not an email, or a text, but and actual LETTER.  It came in the mail like old special pieces of paper do.  I read this note and it was thanking me for something I was unaware of.  She is just really great like that.

The reply to the question was by another inspirational woman, "Lindsay Jane."  She is still to this day one of my greatest friends.  She has been a teacher to me, an employer and an all around enlightenment.  I have been lucky to have been able to spend so much time with her.  We met at work, taking pictures, and it is a wonder to me that we became such fast friends.  I owe a many thanks to her.  And did I mention she takes an amazing photograph?..

My next friend "Jenny" as I knew her, jumped in to reply with a witty and smart answer.  Thank heavens for facebook, or I may never have heard from her again.  She was always so pretty...  You know one of those girls all girls hoped to look like one day.  Well guess what she is still as lovely looking as ever, and finally happily married...

Next one of the quieter of the group, unless she had something good to say, "Abrial" pops in to say her hellos.  She was always so bright and happy.  There when no one else was.  Now she has the cutest little fella around and expecting her second.

Finally a late comer to this conversation, besides me, is the most amazing "Emily".  I remember her singing all of the time and her wild way of looking at life.  She always had a creative way of looking at things and more than once made me change my perspective.  It was no surprise to me when I saw her photos on facebook that her hair was still awesome and short.  Something I still don't dare do.

Among all of these women I was reminded of a time when I didn't have to run every which direction.  When life was less demanding and I didn't feel like exploding from the constant noise.  That I do love by the way, but sometimes remembering makes the times when you are sick of it all bearable.

I was the first to tick myself off to marriage, and have babies, but relish in the times we had together.  They made every moment fun and silly.  It was easy to be around them.  From the moment we all met we where friends and I am glad to say I am still in touch with all of them.  (Finally)

So ladies here's to crazier, free times.  "I love you babies!!!"

I give up!

Have you ever had one of those days? 

This evening has been one of them.  It was normal and crazy around here, as usual, but for a few moments it got away from me.  Dinner was nearly done and I was pulling the chicken off of the grill.  In the mean time I entered my house to find my dog.  Now we haven't quite hit the love stage of this animal yet and today may have made it harder to get there.  She had found a very wet diaper and drug it down my hall and under the kitchen table.  Well during the drag time that stuff... You know the nasty mushy silicony stuff that you can't wipe up, sweep up, vacuum up, or really in any way shape or form clean up.  It had formed a trail that started at end of my hall and landed under my table.  I do my best to clean it up until my sweet neighbor knocks on my door.  Thank Heaven she is the non judge mental type that has seen my home at its very worst state.  She visits for a moment and I manage to clean it up and turn to find the paper towels unrolled completely and my two year old singing doda's through the tube.  

At this point I give up!  Thinking I have been beat.  But of course what is a victory without a little gloating.  As I pick up the unrolled towels, I hear the sweetest giggle ever.  I look to see my two year old throwing rice and chicken at my baby who is in a full belly roll at this point.  

So here you go I am now waiting for the rice to dry a little before a major sweep up.  

I guess my point is this.  How many of us are stuck on keeping it all together.  We look at others posted life's on line and start comparing ourselves to what we think they do.  And how perfect we think their lives really are.  We put ourselves down and start to feel crummy about who we are and what we do.  That we just don't measure up.  STOP IT RIGHT NOW!  

The bad guys that are working against us are loving to tear you down.  To make you think that your best isn't good enough.  I attended a stake relief society conference a couple months ago and this was the very thing that was talked about.  God wants us to do our best everyday.  He will fill in the rest.  He is what makes our best great.  When we feel we can do no more and have done all we can we must rely on him to help us through.  All we need to do is ask.  Prayers are the only things will get us through these days we want to just give up.  

Today may have been crazy and overwhelming, but I got to hear the best sound in the world, a babies giggle.  I was able to feed my children a good solid meal, and clean up a floor in home that may not be clean all of the time, But it is full of children that are happy.  They are what make me smile and realize that I can choose to look at the part that makes me crazy,  or be grateful for the things I have been blessed with.  

Choose to be happy or choose to be frustrated.. I take the first choice....    

My Valentine!

This is my Valentine. 

 He is one incredible guy.  

He gets up every morning and goes to work and continues to come home to all of us crazies.  Upon his arrival every small person is racing for the first hug.  It never ceases to make me smile.  He lives for us and is an incredible father to all five of his kids.  He is way more fun than I am. He also coaches and I am continually impressed with his willingness to get these kids to reach their highest potential. 

This man also takes time to kiss me goodbye and hello without fail.  He gives the best hugs in the world and I know there is safety in his arms.  Besides all of this wonderful stuff he does I love him with everything in me.  He puts up with plenty of emotion from neck of the woods, and the best part of it all it he loves me back.  I would be lost without this man.  He is my love for forever.  And that is a good thing, because forever is a long time.

I love you Mr. Jones!

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th

Baseball of course!  My family has a slight obsession with it...




                                                                          Hot Chocolate!  I drink all too often.  It has a calming effect on me.  Before bed, really anytime even in the summer....

My personal favorite add in is canned milk. It is heaven! 

I LOVE motivational/inspirational quotes!

and clearly President Hinckley said most of them! 

Dancing!!!  

I miss it soooo much! 

But sometimes I get to go 

Crazy like around the kitchen with the music as loud as it will go.

Dancing!!!

And finally with no picture attached 

COUNTRY MUSIC

I will always love it.  Give me a little Chris Ledoux or George Straight and I will sing out loud to almost every song.  The old stuff is the good stuff! 

Fourth, Fifth, Six and Seventh and Eighth

 Holding sleeping babies

 The color green is my most favorite color in the whole world!

 Braids, they save my hair daily

 Red hair!  Particularly this one.  It just glows so brilliantly in the sun! 

Little green books!  I have a small collection.

Food!

What can I say I am an avid food fan..  I love to cook.  Will taste almost anything, except sushi we are not friends...  So in light of a famous food day, The Super Bowl, we must talk about food. 

Menu

Chili Verde

Guacamole

Queso

Cheese cake

Sweet pulled Pork

Fresh Salsa

All home made and by me and my mother.  What can I say she taught me well.

Search Ponder and Pray

 This next thing I love is dear to me.  It has kept my head on straight through many a tough times.  Between reading my scriptures and prayer, as a mother I would fail miserably.  I need help!  I know I must do my best everyday, and the Lord will pick up the rest if I just ask.  He is my strength in hard times.  My confident and companion on a daily basis.  He is always with me.  It prepares me for the day and makes is go smoother.  With Gods help I can accomplish anything if it be his will.  I am grateful everyday for him and the words I get to read.  My scriptures are my guiding light back to him, instruction on how to return home to his loving arms one day.  The Lord loves each of us so much. He left us with prophets to lead and guide us.  Scripture to teach us and help us draw closer to him.  My testimony is what keeps me steady on rough days.  I am a Mormon!    I Know it!  I live it! and I love it! 

The things I LOVE!

A few days ago I wrote a list of a few of the things I love.  I am not good at sticking with projects that are long and time consuming.  So I thought I might be able to do this one since it is the shortest month of the year,  I am aching to take pictures, and well being positive is really what I was going for.  January sucked the life out of me so focusing on the things that I love I thought might make me smile a little.  So to start things off I am listing one of the many things I LOVE....

EXERCISE,

at least it was one my favorite things up until yesterday.  I decided that I was tiered of feeling crummy after have baby number 5.  The bod just doesn't want to bounce back as fast as it used to.  So I pulled out a p90x video.  Today my back hurts and my arms hurt and I felt pretty lame when I just couldn't bend that way and tipped over during warm ups.  But today the sun was shining and who doesn't want a little vitamin D...  So I started to run pushing my 2 year old in a stroller and came to find it is hard work.  I was a little slower than normal and sweat came a little faster.  But I am determined to not look 4 months pregnant for the rest of my life.  So today I LOVE exercise...

Still in LOVE

The other day me and my sister where talking with my Mom.  I had found some old pictures of my father from when he was a lot younger.  We where talking and teasing about how my Mom and Dad fell in love.  She was got a little funny all of the sudden and said, "You know I didn't fall in love with your father for his looks, I fell in love with the man he was."  You know when your voice cracks and you have that holding back tears feeling.  She was doing just that.   They really have kind of a sweet story about how they fell in love.  And I thought how sweet it was to see her still a little swoony over him. What great examples I have for marriage in my parents.  They have always loved each other so much and apparently still do.

I have been married for 10 years, have 5 children that make feeling butterflies a little difficult.  I was lucky enough to get to feel that a few days ago.  I was teasing him in the halls at church (of all places) and kissed him, I may have blushed a little.  I do still kind of like him.

It truly made me think about how much I love him and why I fell in love with him.  Think about it ladies it may make you blush..

(sorry momma!  I know it isn't your best but it is the only one I had.  love you both so much)