Thank you!!!

Thank you for all of you that have responded to my Happiness Tag. It made me so elated to know what makes you tick. As I was checking up on everyone to see whether or not you responded (yes, it was that important to me) I was really surprised by what I found.

The things that make people smiley and giddy are the simple things that life has to offer. Not one person responded that a fancy car, designer jeans, or Minolo Blahnik Shoes are at the top of your happy lists. True joy really does exist in the small, often hidden, treasures in life. Simple things like music, nature, self accomplishment, mail and hedgehogs are what make people tick.

This started as a simple tag to get myself to smile and it ended up doing so much more. I loved being able to see what you to me. The interests that we share and the new things that I want to explore (and yes, that does include the Panamanian Rain Forest Jungle Princess!!!) Thank you for sharing and making my day a bit brighter. I needed it this week!

P.S. If you still haven't responded...PLEASE DO!! There is still time. Doing it will make your day, and someone else's too.

What Makes You Happy?

After reading the blog (he does sometimes read it) he was concerned that I was sounding down and depressed. I have had a couple of really bad weeks lately and have been down in the dumps. I didn't expect it to spill over into my blogging. So, I am starting a tag. Yippee!!! If you get tagged, you have to list 10 things that make you happy. What are the things that tickle your fancy, make you smile or still give you that butterfly sensation. What things do you seek out and truly enjoy. The only rule is that you can't say your kids or your spouse...it's too easy.

1. Finding a great deal on something. Love to bargain, vintage, thrift shop. I often times don't find anything but, when I score... I really love it.

2. Taking a really great picture. I love photography but I am still learning. I have a professional photographer for a father. Everytime he comments on liking one of my photos it makes me feel like I am five again and he has just told me how much he loves my tuna sandwich.

3. Finishing a project. I love to sew and do crafts. I LOVE IT. I tend to get things started and life gets going and my project gets put to the side. When I finally finish the project, it is awesome and I can't stop telling people about it.

4. Traveling. I love to travel. With little kids, we don't do it as much as we would like but, I love getting out. I get the biggest kick out of planning, carrying out and enjoying a vacation. Whether it is 1 night or 10, I love it.

5. Writing. I love to journal write. Now, that is kind of deceiving. I don't actually keep a journal like I should but I do have moments of inspiration. There are certain moments in life that grab ahold of my heart and don't let go. I don't want to just remember the moment but I want to be able to relive the moment. By turning experiences into mini stories, I can capture them for me to enjoy for years to come.

6. A clean home. I don't think that there is another thing in this world that is as relaxing as a nice clean, organized home. When my home is clean and organized, I feel like I can sit back, relax and enjoy the peace and joy of a quiet moment. I love those moments where I can guiltlessly read a book or magazine. I can even watch tv or a movie without thinking of the next task at hand.

7. Boutique, craft, or handiwork window shopping. I really enjoy browsing unique shopping environments. I like to take time to wander Gardner Village, Thanksgiving Point, Quilted Bear, The Arts Festival etc. I love to take time and admire the handicrafts of others. Don't get me wrong. I also go to get ideas of something that I can do on my own. I like to take my time and wander at my own pace. I think that I like this so well because I don't often get the opportunity to do it. With three kiddos, we do make it out on occasion. We just don't stay long.

8. Exercising. I don' t do it nearly as much as I should. Again, it is hard to get it in with three kiddos with varying schedules. However, I really enjoy pushing myself. If possible, I like to be outside to walk, jog or bike. If not, I like pilates, turbo jam or even just my treadmill. I need to do it more.

9. Home improvement or decor. I really enjoy working on my house. Some of my friends give me a hard time because we are constantly working on huge projects. I really enjoy making the most of my house. I love to paint and repaint. I love color and decor. You wouldn't know it by looking at my house right now but I really enjoy making it unique. Along with the comment. I do need some help with getting some wall decor. Anyone free to go to Tai Pan or Pier One later this week? Seriously. I need opinions.

10. Flowers. I know that it is a simple one but a great one. I love flowers. I don't get them often. I hardly ever buy them. I think that they are generally terribly over priced but they are great. My absolute favorites are orchids. My grandpa used to grow them before he passed and would always send a start home with me after I visited him. I can still "smell" them in my mind. Sometimes I will splurge and buy the dollar bouquets from Macey's just to brighten up a room.

That was fun. It has already cheered me up quite a bit. Now, I am tagging a bunch of you! In fact...I am tagging all of you!! Please respond. I want to see what makes YOU happy.

Tag!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the blogging world. Through it I have found so many friends from my past. I have enjoyed reconnecting and seeing what people are up to now days. On that note, I was tagged by a friend from High School. It has been great to talk to her and she makes me smile with all of her cute blogs. I am putting this tag out there just for the fun of it. Check at the end to see if YOU got tagged.

1. Did you date anyone from your high school? This question is a bit odd. I did date people from my high school but not seriously and not during high school. After high school I dated Scott Wihongi from high school. We were great friends and wrote throughout my whole mission.

2. What kind of car did you drive? Goodness. I drove a sky blue Dodge Aries. It had the front bench seat that was covered in sky blue fake fur. There was only an A.M. radio that my brother shorted out when he tried to install an 8 track!!!! My parents bought it as a "kids car" from my grandmother for $100.

3. Were you a party animal? No. Not at all. I only went to a handful of parties during high school. I hosted one that turned out to be rather lame.

4. Were you considered a flirt? I don't think that I was considered a flirt. I can remember once or twice that I really liked someone and flirted some but, nothing big.

5. Were you in band, orchestra or choir? I was in band and orchestra. I played the flute. I wasn't bad either. I played with the Granite Youth Symphony and got a scholarship in music. I really enjoyed it and I am still glad that I did it.

6. Were you a nerd? You know I don't know. Our high school was very "groupy." There were so many cliques. I was never part of the popular groups. I think that I was kind of a wannabe and therefore looking back I think that I was a nerd. However, I think that I was just insecure where I stood. Deep answer for a shallow question.

7. Were you on any varsity teams? I was so terribly uncoordinated. I tried out for EVERYTHING but track and never made it. I wanted very badly to be on a dance or pep squad but never quite had it in me to make it. All is good though.

8. Did you ever get suspended or expelled? No! I am still living aren't I. My parents would have killed me if that had happened.

9. Can you still sing the fight song? I don't think that I ever could.

10. Who were your favorite teachers? Mr. Chatelain: Orchestra, Mr. Talbot: AP Biology

11. Where did you sit for lunch? In the hall or out in the courtyard. Sometimes over at Shivers.

12. What was your school's full name? Skyline High School.

13. What was your mascot? Skyline Eagles.

14. If you could go back and do it again, would you? NO! I like who I am now and what I have accomplished.

15. What do you remember most about graduation? I spent the evening at the school sponsored all night out with my friend Anastasia. We went out to lunch at Red Robbins and had a great time.

16. Where did you go on Senior Skip Day? I don't remember even having one.

17. Were you in any clubs? No.

18. Have you gained weight since then? Nope. I actually have lost weight.

19. Who was your prom date? I didn't go to prom my senior year.

20. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? I went and loved it. It was fun to catch up with people and realize that the "groups" that existed then all melted away and that everyone just had fun.

As for tagging....YOU ALL GET IT! Iwon't list you but if you read this... you are it. I am very curious about your your high school experience.

The End of an Era

The day that I had been dreading all summer long, finally came. It was the day that Kyra started first grade. Kyra and I have been very close from the day that she was born. She is my only daughter and my only tie to girly things in this testosterone filled home.

Until now, she has only gone to school part time with only being gone partial days and weeks. On her off times, we have so much fun. We do crafts, paint our nails, go on adventures and shop. I have loved having that little munchkin by my side and having a partner. She has kept balance in the home.

I would get the countdown to school starting from friends and neighbors. They couldn't wait to get their little ones off to school. I was so much more solemn and somber and was lamenting the time that I had to hand her over for 7 hours a day. I couldn't even fathom her being gone that long.

I was heart sick at the thought that my little girl was going to spend the majority of her time with someone else instead of with me. I would get those few hours after school but it would never be the same. Have I prepared her enough? Is she strong enough to stand up for herself and be who she knows that she is? Is she ready for what the world has to offer and can she be strong against what is out there.

I know that it is a natural part of life and that we have ALL gone through this. I just never realized how hard this part of parenting was. They never tell you when you take that little bundle of fun home from the hospital that someday you are going to have to share them with the world. I certainly wasn't ready to do it.

She was so excited to start. She had her bag packed, her lunch in tow and was donned in her very favorite outfit. We drove her to the school and watched her line up. I tried to steal every hug and kiss that she would allow. She then very deliberately headed into school without looking back. As she turned to walk into the school, it hit me. I put on the sunglasses and let the tears fall. They fell for the majority of the morning.

I am so proud of who she is becoming and that she has retained that genuinely sweet spirit that she graced this earth with. I am grateful that she is still a princess at heart and has a soul that is unmatchably precious. I am so glad that she has chosen me to be her mom. I only pray that I can be the mom that she deserves.

Kaeson The Magnificent

Time out is a glorious time. It is meant to be a time for thinking over what has transpired and for what reasons you have been sent to sit by yourself.

For me growing up, time out was in the bathroom sitting on the potty. We had to sit there for the determined amount of time and think about what we had done. That usually lasted for about 30 seconds. At the end of those few seconds, the sting of being in trouble had worn off and the new thought of entertaining myself while in the bathroom became the new focus. I remember making up finger plays and toilet paper rings. Such great times.

Well, I saw a little of myself in Kaeson today. This afternoon, Kaeson was put on a chair in the dining room (our general time out spot) for throwing a magnet across the room. This is a situation that we have been trying to remedy and so far I am not having much luck.

Kaeson has an attention span of about 10 seconds but generally stays on or near his chair during time out. I ran to grab some clothes from the dryer and returned to see that he had been overcome with the urge to touch and made a masterpiece out of my crystal goblets. Having no guile, he simply looked at me and said' "tah dah... mommy, I'm magic."

He must be magic because he was able to magically put a big smile on my face and get himself off the time out chair.

Super School Saturday

The summer break is drawing to a close and school is now upon us. We spent the week doing little things to get ready for school: buying backpacks and lunchboxes, coordinating school outfits and shoes, buying all the amazing Crayola specials that they had a Wal-Mart.

The start of school brings on our fun family tradition of Super School Saturday. The Saturday before school starts, we spend a good deal of the day cleaning the house and getting it in tip top shape. This year the whole family minus Kelty got in on the action and really enjoyed it.

Super School Saturday continued on to Costco to buy food for lunches. We are trying something new. We are going to make lunches the night before and pack up all of the lunch boxes. So, the next day, everyone (including Harvey and Kaeson) will be on their way with lunch in tow.

During the summer, the kiddos save all of the money that they earn and all of the money that they find and keep it in their piggy banks. They think all summer about what they want to buy with their Summer money. Saturday, we headed off to Wal Mart for the kids to spend their hard earned Summer Money. Kyra chose a fairy garden that grows real plants and Kaeson bought some binoculars.

We have enjoyed doing this each year. The kids really look forward to spending their hard earned money. They take care of their money all summer long and are very careful not to lose any. I have to admit, it is amazing how well they take care of the toys that they have to buy themselves with their own hard earned money. Lastly, when they buy their toys, they hand over their piggy banks to pay for the toys but we really take their money and put into a savings account. We figure that we can't go wrong.

100 Things About Me

I am going to follow in the steps of many of you and to commemorate my 100th blog with 100 things about me. I am not interesting at all but I thought that it would be fun. Of course, this comes right at the same time as more important things for me to be blogging so, make sure you read the other things too.

1. I am the oldest of 8 children. However, I am the only one with kiddos.
2. I love everything vintage. It is a new addiction but I seek it out now. Furniture, jewelry, pictures, clothing, etc. You name it, I crave it.
3. I don't mind housework but I hate folding laundry and doing the dishes. I would rather do anything but that.
4. In college I drove a red Fiero and I LOVED it.
5. I have a associates degree in music, a B.A. in education and a M.Ed. in administration, but I want to do something else in my next life.
6. I changed my degree one day before graduation and got away with it.
7. I love shoes but never buy expensive one.
8. I have very little sense of style and I am constantly behind the times fashion wise.
9. I am terrible uncoordinated but I can Latin Dance really well.
10. I can't stand to chew gum. I used to love it.
11. I went on a mission to the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo West Mission.
12. I tried out for every cheerleader, drill team, pep club, dance club in high school and never made it. Maybe it had to do with #9.
13. I love to do home improvements. I don't know if we will ever be "finished" with our house.
14. I am really hard to offend but I am often worried that I have offended others.
15. I love to read but rarely find time to do it.
16. I love to exercise but don't do it nearly as much as I should.
17. I absolutely love to sew and have built a business around it.
18. I truly love being around my children and have a hard time leaving them with sitters.
19. I often think (and a lotof you have to agree) that my life could be made into a soap opera mellow drama.
20. I have only broken one bone in my life. I broke my hand hitting my brother in 11th grade.
21. I love to sing but only to my kids.
22. I often feel that I have a lot of untapped potential.
23. I sometimes have a hard time getting motivated.
24. I am speak Spanish fluently and I am amazed at how much I get the chance to use it.
25. I have my Spanish translator license and I used to translate at Primary Children's Hospital.
26. One of my favorite treats is bread with Brummel and Brown Yogurt Butter.
27. I love carbs and could NEVER go carb free. I need my bread.
28. I appreciate my parents more and more every day.
29. I obsess over my weight too much.
30. I taught school for four years before Kyra was born. Now I am a stay at home mom and I love it.
31. I spend way too much money on Ebay.
32. I love going on trips. It doesn't even matter where we go, I just love getting out with my family.
33. I can't watch scary movies or I have extremely graphic dreams. This started after I had kids.
34. I often feel guilty that I don't spend more time playing with my kids.
35. My greatest fear in life is being the absolute best mother that I can be.
36. I get very grumpy and short with people if I haven't slept well in a while.
37. I have only had a real pedicure twice in my life. I love them but I would rather spend my money on something else.
38. I am TERRIBLE at writing thank you notes. If I owe you one, I am sorry. I need to change that.
39. I really enjoy teaching. I think that I am fairly good at it.
40. I have great desire to do more with my creativity, I just lack the time to get it done.
41. I am a water snob. I am very picky about the flavor of the water that I drink. I often opt to mix in Crystal Light to mask the icky taste that a lot of tap water has to it.
42. I have a really hard time saying no. It often times makes me resentful.
43. I ablsolutely love spending time with my brothers.
44. I worry about my children and wish that I could guard them from all that is out there in the world.
45. I am trying to find the balance between doing it all and taking time to enjoy life.
46. I feel extremely blessed to have the friends that I do.
47. I love pictures but I hate to scrapbook. The only photo album I have is one my mom made for me on my mission. I think that that is why I try to put more into my blogging.
48. I am constantly misplacing things, especially my car keys.
49. In high school I was not popular at all but I am very happy with who I am now. It bothers me that I put so much stock into what people thought of me back then.
50. My hair is naturally blonde and I didn't start coloring it until I got married.
51. My hair is now much darker, much curlier and much shorter since I had children. Why does it work that way?
52. Growing up I wanted 5 children. Now, I am very grateful yet very overwhelmed to have 3.
53. All of my brothers and sisters and I are named with D's ( Darci, Derek, Devan, Dustin, Downi, Dalton, Daynon, Danza) and I swore that I would never do that. Well, I did...Kyra, Kaeson and Kelton.
54. I love to play the flute and piano but I don't practice nearly as much as I should.
55. I used to have people comment on how sharp I was. Now, I have turned into a puddle of goo and I have become quite flakey. This really bothers me.
56. I am terrible at returning phone calls.
57. I love hugging, kissing, holding and cuddling my kids and I do it all the time.
58. I love jewelry but I don't wear a lot of it.
59. I feel very at peace that my family is complete. That is an amazing feeling.
60. I really enjoy shopping boutique types shops. I like to go with my daughter and dread taking my sons.
61. I often get discouraged when I don't think that I am measuring up to what I think the "ideal" is.
62. I get very frustrated when my home, life or finances are out of order.
63. I can be pushy and often think that my way is the only best way.
64. I think that I am low maintainence but I think that my husband would beg to differ.
65. I love to travel but flying makes me nervous.
66. I really enjoy refinishing and painting furniture. I seek out pieces to make new.
67. I often feel lonely.
68. I am not big into sports but I like to watch basketball and football games if my brothers are around.
69. It drives me crazy to have discord or contention in my life. I can't stand to have someone upset at me.
70. I have very busy hands. I always have to be doing something while I watch TV or ride in the car. I think that is why I picked up crochet.
71. I didn't put forth a full effort in high school or the first year of college but I finished college and graduate school with a 4.0.
72. Growing up, my room was very straight forward and plain. I have tried hard to make fantasy type bedrooms for my kids. They are a constant work in progress.
73. I have had two speeding tickets in the last 16 years and they were both in the exact same spot.
74. My favorite shows are Project Runway, The People's Court, Frasier and Ghost Hunters. I know, random.
75. Someday I want to live outside of Utah. Someday I want to live outside of the country.
76. I love the water and would love to own waterfront property someday.
77. I love to browse the magazines at the grocery stores. Not the tabloid ones but ones on home improvement, crafts, family, crafts and fitness.
78. I really enjoy playing scrabble. I play it all the time on facebook, with Harvey and I even have it downloaded on my cell phone.
79. I can tell you when are where we got nearly every item in our home. I can also tell you who gave it to us if it was a gift or how much it cost if I bought it myself.
80. I hate burning candles since I always forget to blow them out. I opt for scented oils and oil burners. I am a frequent buyer at The Body Shop.
81. I love the scents of lavender, lilac and gardenia.
82. My favorite season is Autumn. I could have that weather all year long. We could have a couple of days of snow and a few really warm days but I could go for a constant 78 degrees.
83. I am a bargain hunting junkie. I love to find a deal and frequent thrift shops all the time searching for "gems."
84. I am really good at finding deals on the internet. My family always call me if they need a flight, a hotel or rental car. They also use me as their contact point to get the lowest price on something. I nearly always find amazing deals.
85. I would rather live in a small quaint home with lots of detail, character and charm than a large modern McMansion, as we call them.
86. I crave close friend relationships. I envy friends with sisters and would give anything to have that sort of relationship with someone.
87. I stress out that I would not be prepared if there was a disaster. I don't have our 72 hour kits put together and our food storage is leaving much to be desired.
88. I would rather have a clean, organized home than more money.
89. I am completely devestated that my 6 year old is starting 1st grade in 2 days. I am not ready for that at all. My heart is already aching with how much I am going to miss her.
90. As much as I hate going through trials, I would never trade my trials for anyone else's. I look at what people go through and I have no idea how they cope.
91. I know that I have the potential of being a truly great person (even if it only to my children) and I am in a daily struggle to to try to reach that potential.
92. Most days I fall very very very very short of that goal.
93. I think that there is a very fine line between cute and cheesy. It drives me nuts when I cross that line.
94. I ablsolutely love surprises. I love them but I can't help being a snoop and trying to figure out the surprise before it happens.
95. I am very spur of the moment and don't plan nearly as much as I should. That gets me into trouble sometimes.
96. I was on the news a lot growing up. Sounds intruiguing until you find out that my dad was a manager at KSL. He once put my soccer team on the news and we had made one goal the entire season and tied one game 0 to 0. Such perks.
97. Harvey and I dated for two and a half years, were engaged twice and had a nine month engagement before we were married.
98. I am a complete romance junky. I love everything romantic: books, movies, TV shows, you name it. I love to identify myself with the situation. I love getting the shivers over the romantic parts.
99. I ablsolutely love color, and color combinations. However, I am terrible at coordinating fabrics without help.
100. Although I am far from perfect and sometimes it seems like I have more bad days than good days, I am happy with who I am and what I have accomplished in life. I may be far from the ideal but I am working on it and making progress little by little.

Kelty Goes To Primary

It has been a day that we have been waiting for since January. Kelty finally made it to Primary. no, he wasn't singing Popcorn Popping. He was getting a better chance to hear it instead.

When Kelton got his first ear infection in January, I knew that we were in for it. Both Kyra and Kaeson have needed to have tubes put into their ears due to ear infections. Kyra had her second set placed in December. I am to the point that to join a petition to have them placed into kiddos ears at birth. It would save my family a lot of sleepless, painful nights.

Kelty Baby was a champ. He didn't sleep at all the night before, making my night a day a bit more stressful. I was exhausted but thrilled that our surgery day had finally arrived after 10 ear infections this year.

The surgery went great. No problems. He didn't do very well coming out of the anesthetic, but none of my kiddos do so, it was to be expected. He fell asleep on the way home and stayed that way until the next morning. Thank heavens it is done and he can move on with his antics.

5 Going on 35

Kyra is going to be celebrating her 6th birthday on Thursday. We were in the car today talking about what she wanted to do for her birthday day. She is content that we went to Chuck E Cheese with Grandma and Grandpa Franco so, she has come up with other ideas for her acutal birthdday.

She wants to have breakfast at a restaurant. Then have lunch at a different restaurant. For dinner she want to have dinner at either the castle restaurant (Olive Garden...I know....go figure) or Red Lobster. Either way she is going to order shrimp because it is her favorite. When she is not eating out, she would like to go to Walmart to go shopping. High Class. Doesn't she have high expectations for a little girl that goes out to eat at McDonald's maybe once a week.

We are having Grandma and Grandpa Griner and the uncles over for dinner on Sunday. I usually make their favorite dinner for everyone and a birthday cake. I asked her what she wanted for dinner when the family came over. She replied "Mahi Mahi with soy ginger sauce, broccoli and rice." I nearly hit the floor. What happened to Macaroni and Cheese or Hot Dogs. We had the Mahi Mahi the other night and apparently it was a hit.

What a Great Day

With this being the last week before Kyra heads off to 1st grade, I wanted to make it a fun one. On a whim, we decided to take off to the Gateway by way of Trax. It has been several years since we have attempted Trax with the kids but I knew that it was something that they have wanted to do.

After swimming lessons, we gobbled down a meager lunch and headed to the train station. The ride went amazingly well. The kids were thrilled to be there and awed every single moment of the ride. Kelty, bless his heart, sat like and angel in his stroller the entire time.

I let Harvey know of our ambitions and he surprised us at the Gateway. Imagine their surprise as we turned the corner at Temple Square to see Harvey waving to us from the sidewalk. The other people on the train were touched to see how excited the kiddos were to see daddy waiting for them.

I thought that it would be a grand idea to let them splash around in the fountains. Well mom, think ahead next time. I didn't even think to bring swimsuits or towels. Kyra wouldn't go anywhere near the fountains for fear that she would mess up her hair or outfit. Kaeson was very hesitant at first but then, jumped in with both feet and loved every single second.

The train ride home was not as peaceful or calming as the previous one but, we managed... After a forced nap, we headed off to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Kyra's birthday with Grandma and Grandpa Franco. They aren't able to to be with us on her real birthday but our prayers are with them. Let me tell you, by 8:30, we were all exhausted and ready to go home. We were grateful to spend the time with Grandma and Grandpa and I am excited that they added to Kyra's school wardrobe for her birthday.

It was one of those days that couldn't have gone better had we planned it for weeks. I love those days.

Metro Man

While at the Gateway today, we found a perfect place for Harvey to chill and work out at the same time. He will feel right at home while getting buff at the same time. Whaddaya think?

Bulls Eye!!!

Several weeks ago, I was in a department store with Kaeson and it was getting later in the evening. I had to take him to the potty before heading home to avoid catrophe. He had a hard time that evening hitting the spot. I asked him if he was tired. He replied "No, I am fine." After asking him what the matter was then, his answer was short and simple. "I am a sprinkler."

I came home that night amused but concerned and brought the subject up to Harvey. Being the man in the house, I am leaving certain subjects up to him to deal with. He started to laugh and went on to explain the reason behind the curious behavior.

The weekend earlier, we had gone on our first camping trip as a family. We had gone to the High Uintas and there were no bathrooms to be found. Our kiddos had to make do with trees and bushes. Amazingly, Kyra didn't mind at all and Kaeson was very hesitant. So, to make it into a game for him, Harvey showed him that he could be a sprinker.

Thank you honey for obliterating all of the hard work that I have put in to keeping our potties as pee pee free as possible.

Metro Mint

A week ago, I put up a poll to see who was interested in knowing the nitty gritty innerworkings of our cute familiy. Harvey was given a couple of meaningful gag gifts for his birthday and it looks like the public wants to know the results. Ok, so the public might be 5 random people that read our blog on occasion but I had to put an embarrasing shout out to my darling hubby Harvey.

Harvey is a great guy with quite the eye for detail. When company comes to visit, he is the one that turns on the accent lighting in every room. The scented oils and votives (I am an enemy of the highly scented candles) are usually lit by him. The accent rugs that keep showing up in our house because they were an "amazing deal," have nothing to do with me. They are all Harvey.

When I met Harvey, he was all about appearances. He only owned very expensive, high end, designer clothing. He had no idea how much his shoes cost because he would buy them without even looking at the price. What a life.

Then there is his talent. He is an AMAZING dancer. He has more rythm than anyone that I have ever seen. He is the reason that our kids have a shot at having any coordination.

Although, he no longer shops the super high end shops anymore, he still maintains his own fashion of dockers and polo shirts. He has however not lost track of the finer things in life. For that reason, a group of us have very lovingly dubbed him Metro.

New Blog Site

Hi everyone. I have designed a new blogsite that I think everyone will enjoy. We all love doing crafts and finding new things and fun things to do. This blog is designed to share craft ideas with others. Please visit it often. Please contribute your own cute ideas so that we can all get our creative juices going.

http://craftymomideaexchange.blogspot.com/

Far From Super Mom

This post is for all of you supermoms out there. Don't stop reading....anyone who reads this blog in my opinion is a supermom. I have read your blogs and I am so impressed by all that you do. You have such cute ideas for your kids. You are always on the go taking your kids places. From your pictures, your homes look clean an tidy and things seem to be in order.

HOW DO YOU DO IT???? Now, I know that nobody is perfect and I know that you all have trials. You are so strong and are able to make your way through them. I know that everyone has bad days. I also know that I am extremely grateful for my trials. I would never want to trade trials with any one of you, as I am sure that none of you would want to trade trials with anyone else in this world.

Having said that, I am posting this question out into the void. How do you balance life? Lately I feel like I am caught between the eternal pull of motherhood. I feel that I am only able to do a mediocre job at everything and nothing is ever completely pulled together.

*My house is never as clean or tidy as it should be (and I KNOW that a lot of people are able to accomplish this)

*I am not able to spend all of the quality time with my children. I know that they are only young for a small period of time and I feel that I am jipping them out of time with me when I stop to clean the house or make a craft.

*I am not able to get any time for me (I know that this is very selfish, but I am just laying it on the line.) I have a huge room downstairs filled with amazing sewing and crafting supplies. I have a ton of ideas and desire to get it done. What I do, sells well on Etsy and Ebay (it is nice to have the extra spending money for the kiddos,) I just don't ever seem to find the time to do it.

*There is a simple answer ofcourse is to wake up early or stay up late. Lately though, I can't. Kelton is FINALLY sleeping through the night and I my body has just kind of given up and is saying "LET ME SLEEP." I am in bed by 10 and my kids are up at 7.

I need to find balance. I need to find a way to get it all done. I don't have to be perfect. I just want to get myself to the point where I am not constantly stressed and torn. I would love to hear any advice that anyone has to give me on the subject. How do you do it?

What Would You Say!

Found this picture on a friend of a friend's blog and thought that I would post it. Now, this is only amusing to the LDS crowd but, I had to post it. What would you say in a situation like this.

29 again???? Loving Those 30's

Looking back on life, there are certain moments we replay in our minds over and over. There are times that capture our hearts and we revisit them often to bring us joy and happiness. This past weekends has carved out another little nook in my happy thoughts.

We headed up to Bear Lake on Saturday and were thrilled that my family decided to come with us. Dad rented a boat and we spent a good portion of the day cruising around and trying to see who could get up on waterskis. However, the fun part was the invention of Boogie Skiing. Hanging on to the boogie board while being pulled by the boat was a blast for those that tried it. I think that my sister drank half the water in the lake.

Poor Dustin wasn't able to get into the water. He had knee surgery last week and can't get his knee wet. He sat seriously considering whether or not he could water ski and if it would seriously damage his knee. What was he thinking. Bless his heart, he sat and held Toad the whole time and kept him in smiles.

Derek was awesome with the other two kiddos. He helped coach Kaeson into the water and showed him how to dive. What an awesome uncle. Dayn was asleep for the majority of the time. Dalton tried to ski and hurt his foot. All in all though, it was a blast.

Mom wasn't able to make it. She had a last mintue school meeting that she had to attend. We missed her. You have to be there next time mom. Dad was king of the boat. He left his suit at home and was remiss that he couldn't get into the water with the kiddos.

When I was a teen, my family had a boat. We spent nearly every weekend up on one lake or another. It brought back so many fun memories of boating with the family and the fun times that we used to have. Family vacations were spent lounging at Lake Powell on a houseboat and having lunch at Lost Eden. Those were incredible time. The boat was sold while I was on my mission. My parents had three missionaries out at one time and corners had to be cut. I still fell bad at the sacrifices that my parents made but I know that they would do it again for me in a heartbeat.

Being on this trip made me really appreciate my family and how much they mean to me. It was a time where nothing else mattered. It was just me and my family and enjoying simple moments. Isn't that what life is all about.

Birthday Eve

As most people make New Year's Resolutions. I find that they don't work for me. I usually go one or two days and then everything goes Kaput. Instead I do reviews of my year around the time of my birthday and see what I can improve on during the coming year. I like to look back and see all that I have managed to accomplish. Seeing as I turn the big 33 tomorrow, the family is at Lagoon and I am sitting here rocking my very sick little baby, now seems like the perfect time.

1. Had a Baby

2. Managed to send Kyra off to Kindergarten with only minimal tearage.

3. Got Kaeson started off into preschool.

4. Learned to paint furniture and have to date painted a diningroom set and all of the toy room furniture.

5. Made it through a couple episodes at Primary Children's.

6. Transformed the guest room into Kyra's Fairy Fantasy.

7. Got my business started.

8. Lost all of my pre-baby weight. Now I am just working on getting to my pre-Kyra weight.

9. Wrote my 5th Primary Program....just days before I was released.

10. Started blogging

11. Started Facebook

12 Got Kaeson completely potty trained Woo Hoo.

13. Managed to pull of an amazing surprise party for Harvey.

14. Made the crossover to Mini-Van mom.

15. Got Kyra reading.

Goals for the big 33:

1. Simplify My Life

2. Spend more time with my kids.

3. Read more.

4. Get crafty and get Staying Little to soar.

5. Get Fit.

6. Get the house put together.

7. Enjoy every minute of it.