Just like kids!

Last week we all worked together to vaccinate our horses. It took quite the crew since the horses are still young and not used to people. They had to be roped and harnessed (quite the circus!!! Chance tried to jump the fence!) to get them to hold still so Trent could stick the needle in. Thanks Trent for doing most of the work and saving us a vet bill-the vaccinations were pricey enough! Thanks also to Brad and Cameron for helping hold the horses.

I held a lead rope for the first time with my horse and did better than I thought. I started freaking out when they would start to run, but Jim talked me through it and I held on. They calmed down enough for us to pet them and brush them a little. It was so great, and I'm starting to get pretty attached to these little guys! Ashtyn absolutely loves them and was able to brush them a little also last week. Jim thinks they are like our children and wants to work with them every day to raise (train) them in the particular way he wants. He is very specific with what they need to learn and how they'll learn it. He thinks he is the new horse whisperer from all the videos, books, and magazines he uses to learn the "proper techniques." I'm glad he is getting to do what he loves-I just wish he didn't have to travel so much so he could see them everyday.

Getting the horses was probably a good thing for us to postpone having more kids. I'm starting to get baby hungry (I promise nothing will happen for another year or two!!) but Jim won't even think about babies right now because he has two already. He says the horses need our time right now and would get neglected if we had a baby. He wants to focus on them and get them all trained before we even think about a baby. Maybe this is God's way of giving us the sons we'll never have! I know-a long stretch but at least they are male!

Gotta Love Girls!!!

Ashtyn had a couple of friends over after school for a princess party! They couldn't have their tea party until they were dressed-up, made-up, accessorized, and perfumed. How adorable! Girls are so easily entertained and have been up there for hours playing together. I never mind Ashtyn having a friend over because it actually makes my job a little easier. I don't totally ignore them the whole time, but I do let them have their space without Mom while I get a few things done around the house. Like updating my blog-hasn't that become a new household chore?

Happy Birthday Jordyn!!!

Jordyn turned 3 today!!! I can't believe how fast the years have gone! We are so blessed and happy to have Jordy in our family. She is such a character and has the most infectious laugh. We always tell her to laugh because it is one of those genuine, make's everyone else laugh, adorable laugh each and every time. I just did a post on her a couple of weeks ago so I won't share a lot, just that we love her like crazy and think she is beautiful. We call her our little precious moments doll because she looks like one (this is a picture of her on her 2nd b-day). Her big loves right now are Dora, silly songs, riding her bike, and helping Mommy!

Is it a sign?

We've had our house for sale for a while now and have had a ton of hits, but no sales. Could it be because our sign keeps blowing down? We've gone through about 7 signs in the last couple of months because they keep blowing away. We've tried a couple different frames, signs, and even placement to try and prevent this from happening again. I keep telling Jim that if our sign blows down again, we are going to stay here and not sell. We always end up buying another one. So I have to ask, do you think it's a sign that our sign keeps blowing away. Are we meant to just stay in this house and in this neighborhood? It's getting so frusrating, not to mention expensive with all the signs we keep buying. AAAHHH!!!!!

Motivation!!!

Ok-so I think I just got the motivation I need to FINALLY get my butt in gear and FINALLY stick to a work-out/diet program. Our family went to see our horses tonight and I always get cold so I had about 5 layers on, including a bulky jacket. Then we had to run to the store so I was not looking my best (hay in my hair; ugly jacket on). I saw a girl from my ward there and she came up and said, "Ok- I have to be nosy. Are you pregnant cause your stomach is stickin' out." Awesome!!!! I looked down and did look quite pregnant cause my jacket's zipper made a natural, poke-out curve right on my stomach (not to mention the extra fat underneath-I swear having kids 12 months apart ruins your body forever. My stomach will never return to normal until after the tummy tuck that I'm totally planning on having after I'm done having kids).

I actually like to work-out but only will do it if I go to the gym. I'm not much of work-out-at-home girl; I always end up finding other things to do. The only problem with this is that Jim goes out of town a lot-he just got back from being gone for 6 days. I'll do really good for a couple of weeks, and then Jim goes out-of-town and I lose all motivation because I can't get to the gym. I know, Excuses, Excuses!!! I could take all my kids to the gym daycare, but when it breaks out with hand-foot-and-mouth disease every year, I don't even want to get near.

So anyway, whether Jim's home or not, I've got my clothes set out for tomorrow morning, my slim-in-6 dvd in the player (I love this workout!!!), and my resistance bands ready to go. The "pregnant" comment was just the kick in the butt that I needed. I'm probably the only person this has happened to since all the rest of you are so naturally tiny. Have I mentioned I hate you all!!!!

Christine's Cat Catastrophe

I am feeling quite awful today. Last night I ran over my friend's cat! It was around 9:30 and pretty dark so I barely saw it dash out in front of my tires. I wasn't even going that fast because I had just stopped at a stop sign and was starting to gain speed again. I tried to slam on my breaks but I hit it anyway. I was so shaken up and it took me about 10 minutes to muster up the courage to go knock on her door. The cat had ran off and collapsed on a driveway a couple houses down, and I wasn't sure if it was hers but thought I would start there. We walked down and sure enough, it was her's. I immediately started crying and think I cried worse than she did. She was so nice about it, but I feel completely awful-especially for her kids who were already in bed and would have to find out this morning. Of course Jim is out-of-town so I didn't have anyone to cry to all night, which I did! I see this friend all the time and feel so awful.

Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do? I tried to call her today to see how everyone took the news, and I also wanted to take her over something I got for the kids, but I don't know what else to do. I also offered to buy them a new cat but she just called and said they aren't going to get another cat until they move out of this subdivision. This is their 2nd cat in a year and a half to get ran over (that makes me feel so much better). I think her husband is mad at me because he thinks I was driving too fast, but I swear I wasn't going more than 15-18 mph. How am I going to look at this friend in the future and not think about killing her cat? Any suggestions.....

ABC's of ME

I've been tagged-thanks Amberlee!

A-Attached or Single? attached
B-Best Friend? Jim (does anybody dare not to put their husband?)
C-Cake or Pie? cake (yellow is my favorite!!)
D-Day of Choice? Saturday (usually means Jim will be home)
E-Essential Item? chapstick and baby wipes
F-Favorite Color? pink, blue, and chocolate brown
G-Gummy bears or worms? worms (I prefer the green and white ones)
H-Hometown? Idaho Falls
I-Favorite Indulgence? brownies, Milky Ways
J-January or July? July (does anyone like January?)
K-Kids? Ashtyn (5 1/2), Jordyn (almost 3), Avery (almost 2)
L-Life isn't complete without? family and gospel
M-Marriage date? December 16, 2000 (It was freezing!!!)
N-Number of brothers and sister? 2 brothers, 2 sisters
O-Oranges or apples? apples (only because I hate peeling oranges)
P-Phobia or fears? spiders, mountain lions, strangers breaking in my house while Jim is out of town (not that he could hear them when he's sleeping anyway)
Q-Quote? "It is never too late to become what you could have been"
R-Reason to smile? 3 beautiful girls
S-Season of choice? Summer-I am always cold!
T-Tag 3 people: Christine, Calli, Heidi
U-Unknown facts about me? I'm a little OCD in some areas (loading the dishwasher, silverware organization in the drawers, shoes in my closet, hangers all facing the same way and organized according to color and sleeve length-I know, I'm such a nerd-I even do it with Jim's shirts)
V-Vegetable? peas, green beans, cauliflower-I like most of them!
W-Worst habit? chewing my fingernails, and EATING!!! (you would think I'd be full from the fingernails! J/K-how gross!)
X-X-ray or ultrasound? ultrasound
Y-Your favorite food? pasta, sandwiches, candy (does that count as a food?)
Z-Zodiac sign? Scorpio

Ashtyn and Jordyn

I'm finally doing the tag of Ashtyn and Jordyn (sorry it's taken so long Amberlee!). What can I say? Ashtyn and Jordyn have been different from the very start. Ashtyn was a very calm, happy, non-crying baby. Jordyn was a crier from day one and wanted to be held all the time (maybe she knew she'd only have 12 short months before Avery kicked her out of the baby position).

Ashtyn has always loved an audience and even when she was small, used to do the silliest things just to make people laugh.

Jordyn has always been shy around people and is usually attached to Mommy's leg in a crowd. She is finally starting to come out of her shell and enjoy other people.

Ashtyn is my pickiest eater while Jordyn is my best. Ashtyn loves anything unhealthy (chips, candy, fries, junk) and has been a meat and potato girl since she got her first teeth. Jordyn likes anything healthy and loves vegetables. She doesn't eat a lot of meat and doesn't like chips or fries (can this child really be mine?) She is also my best at trying new things. Ashtyn won't touch anything that is mixed up, saucy, or isn't plain or bland. If it looks weird or has more than a couple of ingredients in it, she won't eat it (frustrating!!!).

Ashtyn and Jordyn have both been early learners. Ashtyn walked at 9 1/2 months and was potty-trained at 22 months. Her first word was Elmo at 7 months and she hasn't stopped talking. She knew her ABC's, colors, and letters really early and is now reading in Kindergarten ( I can't believe she's almost 6). One of my favorite memories is Ashtyn's early love for country music. Before she was even two, she had all the country guys memorized and had a crush on Keith Urban. If we sang a song or heard one on the radio, she knew who sang it. We would ask her, "who sings 'itty bitty' and she'd say 'Alan Jackson', or 'who sings 'Live like you were dying' and she'd say 'Tim McGraw'. " Her memory is amazing and we used to always make her peform that talent in front of people. She still remembers small details from years ago that I can't even remember.

Jordyn walked at 12 months and was potty-trained at 26 months. Her first word was deer (we were at Sportsman's Warehouse and Daddy was so proud). She has also turned into quite the gabber. She talks and sings all day long (especially in the car), and sometimes Mommy has to say be quiet just to get a moment of silence to think clearly. Jordyn also knows her numbers, ABC's, colors and loves songs. She is so excited to go to pre-school this fall and always talks about going to school with her Pooh Bear backpack. She loves to be included as a big girl and trys her hardest to do what the big kids are doing.

Ashtyn has always been pretty obedient and respectful (until the last few months when she's turned into a pre-teen. I swear the drama in our house has risen, and I hope this stage will pass soon). But she is still a great helper to Mom and loves anything to do with babies. She says every day that she wants to be a Mom and I know she's got that natural "nurturer" instinct in her. She is also very compassionate like her Mom and crys when someone else is hurting. She has that deep empathy where she can feel other's pain. Last week she wanted to watch the Testamants and cryed the whole time they were nailing Jesus to the cross. She is very tender-hearted and has started getting embarrassed more.

Jordyn is my most stubborn child and does not like to be disciplined or told what to do. I can just imagine some of our "power struggles" in the future. She hates picking up her toys but is also my most lovey child. She is a total Mama's girl and always wants to be where I am. Jorde loves to snuggle and help me cook, clean, and do the laundry. I can totally see her as a Mom who is always baking and doing projects around the house. She loves to paint and do crafts that have small details and require a lot of focus. I think she has her Daddy's smart mind that is always going and analyzing things.

Ashtyn and Jordyn play really well together (although they have their moments) and are good at entertaining themselves (especially on Sunday afternoons when Mommy and Daddy take naps!) Ashtyn loves to act like Jorde's mom and dress her up in fancy clothes and do her hair. It's so cute to watch them get ready together. They'll be playing together and Jordyn always asks, "Ashtyn, are you my Mommy?"

I couldn't imagine life without both of my sweet girls. I sometimes tease and say we should have stopped at one so we wouldn't mess up perfection (Ashtyn has pretty much been my angel child) but I wouldn't change either of them for anything. Jordyn's spunk and sense of humor makes me laugh everyday. Sometime when I'm having a grouchy day, I'll just listen to Jordyn and instantly feel happier. Like the other day when she was singing "Baa baa black sheep" and sang "one for the little girl who lives down the drain".

I am thankful for my beautiful girls and feel so blessed. Anytime things get a little crazy, hormonal, whiny, or have too much drama, I just have to remind myself that this is exactly what I've been wanting my whole life. To have all daughters and a house filled with the love and innocence of children.

Lovin' our babies!

I thought I'd post some pictures of the colts I've been talking about that we bought over Christmas. They are still in Rexburg because they were just weaned from their mamas. We try to go see them every other weekend until we bring them here, but it had been over a month since we had seen them. I can't believe how much bigger they are! They are so dang cute.

My horse is the lighter one on top, and Jim's is the buckskin on the bottom. Isn't he gorgeous? Jim has always wanted a buckskin and this is one of the prettiest shaped colts I've seen. Out of the ten colts we could choose from, Jim immediately saw him and wanted him. I've always wanted a Palamino and this was the lightest horse of the bunch. He's way friendly and loves to eat! Jordyn always tells me, "Mama, your horse is a pig" cause every time we go to see them, mine just keeps eating from our hands the whole time. I think that is why I was drawn to him-Gotta Love Our Food! I also like mine because he has blond highlights in his mane and white stockings on his feet!

Even though raising colts is going to be a lot of work, I'm so excited to start with them young. I've always loved horses but have been really afraid of them. I don't know if it's because they are so powerful and majestic, or because my friend in sixth grade was drug to death by one. I want to get over my fear and think being around them early will totally help. My girls absolutely love them and always beg to "go see the horses". Even little Jordyn and Avery aren't scared of them and feed the horses from their hands. I'm so happy that my girls can have this experience growing up and learn love and responsibility for the horses.

I'm finding myself getting caught up in the whole "horse" thing and wouldn't even mind having land so they could be right on our property outside the back door. I would love to be able to take the girls out each day and work with the horses. Heck, maybe I'll let Jim have his dream by getting a ranch someday. It would be a big adjustment, but I think I could get used to the lifestyle and love it. Except for the Wranglers part-my Wrangler BUTT would not drive anyone NUTTS!

I can't decide what to name mine. Horses are way harder to name than kids. Jim is thinking of Chance for his. Any suggestions?

Enchanted Easter!!

Easter was great this year! It was just our little family and very relaxing. The girls went to Grandma's Easter egg hunt on Saturday and had a fun time trying to find their eggs using the clues Grandma had drawn. Sunday started early since we have to be to church at 8:40, so the girls got to peek in their baskets and really dive in after we got home. They looked adorable in their pastel dresses! Mommy gave them the Enchanted movie and we all watched it together after church (even Jim laughed a few times and thought it was clever-I absolutely LOVE it!!)

We all took a nap, ate a yummy dinner, and then made Easter sugar cookies. I kind of feel bad that it was basically like any other Sunday, but it was just what we needed. We read a few Easter stories and talked about Jesus' resurrection so the girls understood what Easter is really about! I found this scene after I woke up on Sunday afternoon.

(Poor Jordyn took forever to fall asleep and tried to come in and tell me that her hands were messy, but I didn't want to open my eyes and told her to go find daddy. She had eaten her chocolate bunny while we were sleeping and since no one would get up to help her, she finally fell asleep with her hands in the air so she wouldn't get anything dirty. They were covered in chocolate! Aren't I a great mother?)

Happy Birthday Babe!

It was Jim's birthday on Wednesday and even though this is a couple of days late, I still wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. Last year on his 30th b-day, he was alone on business and didn't have anyone to celebrate it with. So this year was definitely better because he was home with us!

We bought a couple of colts around Christmas, and Jim wanted "horse stuff" for his birthday. So the girls and I went to Vickers (Western store) to pick something out. Yeah right! First of all, shopping with Avery is a nightmare (especially when she poops, hides in the clothes, runs off, and pulls all the horse shampoo bottles off the shelf). Second, I have no clue about taking care of horses and what they need. I don't know the right sizes of halters, bits, lead ropes, and anything else just to get them in the trailor. I couldn't even pick out a brush without help. Jim wants to get some cowboy boots and a hat to get back to his roots (I've been clearing out that part of his wardrobe since we got married!) but I didn't dare pick those out either. So sorry Babe! I tried and ended up leaving with a gift card and a poopy, sticky toddler (the sales clerk gave them suckers!!).

Jim is the greatest husband ever. I know he is the only man I could have married. He is such a great father and absolutely adores his little girls. He always thinks of his family first and sacrifices a lot of his time and hobbies to spend time with us. He is surrounded by females and I know there are times when he'd rather be fishing, but he stays with us and supports us through everything (even Ashtyn's ballet peformances twice a year where he has to watch men dance in tights). Jim knows when Mommy is about to go crazy and always tries to let me have some time away whether it is a girls weekend out of town, working out at the gym, or even a late night run to Walmart.

Jim has never been afraid to change a poopy diaper, give the girls a bath, wipe a snotty nose, watch a princess/barbie movie, or read countless books to show his love for his daughters. I am so appreciative that he helps out as much as he does. He definitely makes my job a lot easier (although for the life of him, he absolutely cannot do hair-not even a pony tail).

Jim is one of the hardest workers I know. He often puts in 50-60 hours of work every week. He is a very dedicated and reliable employee and does his job the best he can. I am so thankful I'm able to stay home with the kids knowing how hard Jim works to provide a nice living for his family. His greatest dream would be to wake up every day and get on the back of a horse at his ranch. But he has put that on hold while I get more "accustomed" to the idea.

I love you babe! Thanks for always making me feel loved and beautiful (even though I don't feel like it). Thanks for giving up countless hours of "guy fun" to spend time with your girls. Thanks for being your little girls' hero, prince, teacher, horsey, and dancing partner. We look forward every day for when you come home!

(I couldn't find a picture of just Jim, so the first is one with his Grandma from New Mexico last summer. It is one of my favorites 'cause I think he looks really cute!)

Sunshine and Snowboardin'

Jim and I went snowboarding together (finally!) on Saturday and had a blast. It was 40 degrees and totally sunny. We ended up taking off our hats, coats, and even gloves because we were so hot. Jim has the funniest sunburn on his face. He wore goggles cause it was so bright and totally looks like he still has them on. We are both still getting the hang of boarding but made a major improvement. I caught my back edge and biffed it hard twice. I mean head slamming the ground, hat and glasses flying off, me just laying there to get my bearings. I have been so sore the last couple of days, especially my neck. I think I got a good case of whiplash but it was still dang fun. Of course I forgot my camera, but I'll have to post a picture of our new boards when I take one-they are way sweet! By the way, new boards are especially slippery and fast! Be warned!

We had a fun weekend because the girls were at a sleepover at Grandma's (thanks Mom!). Jim and I went to a movie (10,000 B.C.-it was good) Friday night and spent Saturday together in Driggs (looking at a house we're interested in) and then boardin'. It's so good to spend time together without the kids every once in a while.

All About Avery!!!

Avery was tagged by her friend Elle Eaton! Elle's mommy was my girls' awesome baby-sitter while Mommy worked for about five months. Avery misses her like crazy and whenever the doorbell rings, she runs to the the door and yells, "Kara's here!".

We were so excited when Avery came out with lots of dark hair. She didn't keep it very long, but we thought she was a beautiful baby. Although she came as a suprise only 12 months after Jordyn, Mommy was so excited to be having another girl. She was our smallest baby at 6 pounds and was so delicate and sweet!
Avery has always been a very happy, smiley, playful baby! She didn't sleep very good for about the first 5 weeks, but then she turned into my best sleeper and still takes a 3-4 hour nap every day.

Avery has loved to eat since day one and will eat just about anything. The only time she was ever grouchy as a baby was because she was hungry. After some food, she was happy as can be again. She's also my messiest eater! She loves to rub yogurt in her hair and smash food between her fingers. Her favorite foods are bananas, grapes, spaghetti, ham, chicken, soup, and tootsie rolls!
Avery has an extreme passion for shoes. She tries on 3-4 different pair everyday. It doesn't matter if they are mine, her's, Jordyn's, Ashytn's, or Daddy's. She's not picky! She started trying them on when she was about 9 months old and hasn't given it up. She walks down the stairs in Ashtyn's dress-up shoes better than Mommy walks in heels. Since she's always so happy, if we ever heard Avery whining or getting upset as a baby, I immediately knew she was trying to get shoes on and was having a hard time. I was always right! Now she's a master at it, buckles and all, and was even trying to tie laces today when she put on a pair of Ashtyn's friend's shoes.
Avery is the busiest baby I have ever seen. The only time she lays or sits down is when she's sleeping, playing a certain game, or eating (which after about 5 minutes, she stands in her high chair). We always tease that we got a boy, and his name is Avery. She gets into every drawer, cupboard, and anything else she can pull out, dump, scatter, or make a mess. I never had to baby-proof my house because my other girls were never into this, but Avery doesn't stay still for a second. She is really good at entertaining herself, but Mommy gets tired trying to keep up with her and clean up her messes. Luckily, she likes to clean up now and sings, "clean up, everybody clean up" to herself.
Avery is very playful and mischevious! She loves to make people laugh and will put on quite the show if she has an audience. She loves being chased, playing hide & seek, peek-a-boo, and dancing. She is such a fun little girl and always keeps a happy mood in the house. Avery has been a very early talker and will say anything we say. Her vocabulary is amazing! She loves books and songs, and loves to sing. At only 22 months, she can count to 12, knows her ABC's, and sings tons of songs almost word-for-word. At her 18-month check-up, she sang "I am a Child of God" to the doctor, and he was blown away. Her current favorite song is "Learn of Me", a Young Women's song I started singing to her a couple of months ago. It has three long versus plus the melody, and she knows the whole thing. She also loves the "Sound of Music" and sings "Eidle Vise(?)" and "So do la fa me do re". She also love the "Enchanted" Soundtrack, Brooks & Dunn, and Taylor Swift. Whenever we get into the car, she always says, "I want that stupid 'ole pick-up truck". It is so dang cute to hear her sing, and we make her do it all the time!
Avery is one of the sweetest, happiest, most fun babies I know. I can't believe she is growing up so fast. Even though she can get a little sassy sometimes and bully her older sister Jordyn (hey-they're 12 months apart. They are either best friends or enemies!), she loves her sisters and they love playing together! While Ashtyn is at school and before Avery takes a nap, she and Jordyn usually play together every afternoon. Most of the time it is fun, innocent play, but sometimes they can be double troube. Like the time they climbed onto the table and ate all the cheetos, or the time they scooped all of the toilet water out of the potty and were swimming in it on the bathroom floor. They keep things rolling!!!!

We love you Avery, and even though you were an unexpected suprise, we know you were meant to be here at this time. You have brought so much love, happiness, and smiles to our lives. (And a ton of craziness, too! Could you maybe just want to snuggle all day with Mom tomorrow and not make any messes? I'm feeling a little tired!)

Avery tags Olivia Thomason and Max Loveless!

I want a job with perks!

Sometimes I wish I had my husband's job. Not the stressful, building of software, pressure of deadlines, management of people part, but the traveling and luxury part. Jim has been traveling quite a bit lately, and mostly to warm, sunny climates. He made me take this picture of him shoveling snow the day he left for Pheonix a few weeks ago. The other picture is him in Pheonix a few hours later. He put the pictures in his presenation to let the clients know how happy he was to be there. He's also been to California a couple of times, Chicago, Salt Lake, and soon to be in Dallas and Florida. Sometimes I wish our roles were reversed so I'd be the one on a plane to some warm destination, eating at nice restaurants, and sleeping at the Mariott. Jim says I'd get sick of traveling like he does and just want to be at home, but I think it would be quite a while before that happened!

Bodily Fluids Overload

Ok-so yesterday Avery woke up covered in throwup. Today she woke up covered in diarrhea: up to her neck; in her toes; all over her blankets! Poor little girl-I don't know if this is connected to the chicken pox or if she has some sort of stomach bug. So into the bath she goes with little floating poop pieces allover, and I get to wash bedding AGAIN. It's not just changing the sheets mind you; it's untying all the bumper pad strings, taking out the mattress, washing the sheets, the mattress pads, the blankets, and the stuffed animals that she sleeps with. And then I get to put it all together again before she goes for a nap in a couple of hours!

Sorry for blogging about bodily funtions, but as most of you know, this is just a day in the life of a mom! I'm so excited to get out of bed tomorrow to see what suprise I'll find in Avery's bed. The anticipation is killing me! I think I'll start a new blog series: "The Chronicles of Crap and Other Yummy Fluids." Do you think it will be a hit?

I took this picture a while ago, but it looks like she's in the perfect "crouch mode" for dropping a load so I had to put it on here.

Mommy needs a Vacation!!!

Just thought I'd add to the craziness of the last few weeks. As if we haven't had enough. Avery woke up at 5:30 a.m. covered in throw-up (I thought we were done with that last week). Avery finally fell back asleep (in my bed) about 7:00 but then Jordyn came down and got in my bed and woke up Avery. They've been playing ever since, and I haven't been sleeping. Since Jim is out-of-town, I did my usual stay up 'til 2:00 a.m. so I got 3 1/2 hours of sleep. Yeah!

But I did learn one thing from the throwing up a couple of weeks ago: Chunks do not dissolve in the washer! So I was scraping the sheets, blankets, jammies, and elmo stuffed doll this morning with a spoon to get the chunks off before washing everything. Let's just say I don't have much of an appetite this morning (which could be another good thing!).

Happy Wednesday!!!

My Paper Dolls

Do you ever find yourselves living vicariously through your kids? This has become my favorite thing to do. I love to shop-not for me because I'm way self-conscious and think I look too fat in everything, but for my girls. All the fashions and styles I wish I could wear I buy for my girls. Poor things-they are probably sweating in their thick sweaters and furry boots, but I can't resist. I put them through all kinds of torture: matching hats and hairbows; different shoes with each outfit; winter tights with snowflakes and sparkly stripes; poofy GAP coats with fur-trimmed hoods; flared jeans with rhinestone embellishments; mini-skirts and sundresses; little bikinis where their fat tummies stick out; the list goes on and on. Every time I see Ashtyn's little butt in cute jeans, I think "why can't my hiney look that good?"

Honestly, I find so many cute things in the baby section that I'd want to wear. Can they make that in my size? Umm....Except for the bikinis and mini-skirts. I don't think anybody wants to see my jiggly stomach and thighs hanging out.

It's been a while....

I apologize for my lengthy retreat. Between an entire sick family with influenza and a computer bogged down with viruses, I haven't been able to blog. Let me tell you it's been hell! I almost had to check myself into a medical facility for withdrawal symptoms. And not from being absent from my own blog, but from being away from all of yours. I felt like I was missing everyone else's reality.

Anyway, I promise to do better this week after I download the pictures from my camera. And if my cat leaves me alone. Every time I sit at the desk, she jumps up and plops right in front of the computer so I can't see. I have to scoot her over, and then she sits and watches me for the rest of the time. I swear, if one of my kids isn't hanging on me, it's the cat. AAAHHHH!!!

Oh yeah, did I mention that Avery has chicken pox? And I just found spots on Ashtyn and Jordyn. What a year!!!!

Wishing away Winter!

(My little family on a 4-wheeler ride last summer in the mountains. We stopped at a little spring to cool off, swig some gatorade, and snap a picture for posterity.)
Oh how I wish for sunny weather and snowless days. I wish my little family was in the mountains right now on a warm, summer day instead of curled up by the fireplace trying to stay warm. Don't get me wrong, I love living in a place where we get to witness the four seasons at their best, but this particular one has overstayed it's welcome at my house. We just received 6 inches of snow last night and are expected to receive 4-5 more tonight (on top of the tons of snow we already have-I think there is close to 4 feet in our backyard).

And of course Jim is out of town; thanks to my Dad and neighbor for plowing me out this morning. Can you imagine me and my three girls loaded up on the 4-wheeler in all of our fat snow clothes trying to figure out the blade to plow the driveway? I guess I could resort to the perfectly capable snow shovel, but who wants to get that much exercise in one afternoon. We have a very long driveway!

I'm thankful for all the snow we've received as our reservoirs will be full this spring and our farmers will have enough water for their crops. It is also so beautiful outside with the land blanketed in a glistening snow. I should hardly complain since the Lord is blessing us, but I am longing for the days when I can complain that it is too hot because my legs are sticking to the leather seats in my car. Will I ever be happy?

Book of Mormon Challenge

To honor President Hinckley, a challenge has been made to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. To be honest, I have never read the entire Book of Mormon. I have started it a thousand times but have never completed it. I have had such strong feelings these past few years that I need to read it, but I've let a million things (and excuses) get in the way.

I am excited and completely DETERMINED to achieve this goal and take on the challenge. I was so touched watching President Hinckley's funeral, and with tears rolling down my face, I felt in my heart that I need to do better to follow his great example and stand a little taller. I had an overwhelming feeling to go to the temple more, as it would have a direct effect on my becoming a better mother. I just felt so many different emotions during the funeral that I know need to be acted upon.

I am thankful for a loving prophet, who even in is death, has continued to inspire me and touch my life. Last month when I was writing my New Year's Resolutions, I decided this would be the year to have my testimony and spiritual growth my #1 priority. Yes, I need to lose weight. Yes, I need to stop biting my fingernails. Yes, I need to me a better mother, wife, and homemaker.......But in order to do all of this, I first need to recognize that I am a Child of God, and he loves me. I need to find a way to love myself so I can love and serve others the best I can-I think the key is in my own spiritual journey.

I hope all of you can strengthen your own testimonies in some way this year, also. I hope you will all rededicate your lives to living the example our great prophet has shown us. There has never been a better time than now. Jim and I recently heard a quote that we both loved: "It is never too late to become what you could have been."

I'm sure some of us will fall short at times; feel inadequate or think we can't possibly do anymore. I'm sure some of us will have small successes along the way; little moments of growth that will change us forever. But along the way, if we support eachother and remember we are not alone, I think it will be a really great year! If you want to take on this challenge with me, go to http://www.hinckleychallenge.com/ and let me know so we can do it together. Good Luck!