bLoOm wHerE yOu ArE pLanTeD

We had our RS Birthday dinner and the theme we chose this year was, Bloom where you are Planted. Its a theme that I have heard before but, as a comity, we thought that it was just what our sisters needed right now. I really enjoyed the night and hope that the other sisters in the ward did too. But I am sure, as usual, its always the ones who are preparing that seem to get the most out of something. Still, I hope the themes stuck in their hearts and they were able to analyze their lives and see where they need to BloOm and bring some life to.
For dinner we did salads, YUM, and for dessert we had the sisters bring birthday cakes, YUM again!
For decorations we tried to bring a little of sPrInG indoors with fresh flowers and bright colors.
And for the classes we decided to divide into 3 mini classes that all the sisters would attend each one! They were all wonderful and seemed to touch my heart in different ways-
1) "Weed" out the obstacles- This one was the one that really grabbed ahold of me. We all have trials or "weeds" in our lives. Whether they be poor health, addictions, disability, depression, fertility, lack of spirit, economic issues and the list goes on and on. Some of our weeds are there because of our poor choices and lack of taking care of our lives, some are blown in by the wind and are therefore ours to deal with even though we may not have "asked for this", and others are just stubborn and hard to get rid of. None the less it is important for us not just to cut the weeds down but to yank it out by the roots and rid ourselves of it. How do we do that... Prayer, scripture study, reasonable goals, apply the Atonement, listen to the prophets council etc... Start to focus on the beauty and the end result instead of the weeds that are in front of you and stop making excuses.
2) Look to the "Son" for Strength- We all know as flowers begin to bloom they turn their little heads to the sun and look for warmth and brilliance and nurturing from it. We need to do the same... We need to do the best we can do on that day and then turn our heads toward the "Son" and let our brilliance shine back at HIm. Allowing him to feed us and and help us grow.
3) "Nourish" yourself- There are three ways we need to do this, and in doing this bAlanCe is the key. Physical, Mental and Spiritual. As with flowers they all need nutrients equally otherwise missing one will still cause the flower to die; be it from not enough sun, too much fertilizer, or not enough or too much water. Our lives need to be in balance. Physical- Live the word of wisdom, treat our bodies like the temples they are, exercise, and continue to learn. Spiritual- Create a home where the spirit can enter, watch for extra media things that can enter that will disrupt the spirit you want to be in your home. Study and pray, ask the Lord for help and to teach you. Mental- Rely on those around you... be a good friend and rely on those friends who love you. Ask for help when needed. lAuGh, find ways to release a good belly laugh, especially with your kids... they need to see that you are happy. Find hobbies that bring joy and stimulate your mind.
I am so grateful to have this calling... it came at a time when I was "spiritually asleep" and needed a change and of course the Lord knew where to put me to help me to bLOoM.

Sundays

You gotta love Sundays... A typical day for us is usually after the church craziness (I mean spiritualness:) of keeping kids happy during their nap time aka... Claire, as well as listening to great lessons (which they really were today), we can usually come home for some lunch, naps and movies (or watch whatever game is on) and then either we go to one of our parents house for dinner or we stay home and I cook something yummy (tonights menu: lasagna, corn bread and green beans with Ryan trying a rice pudding recipe for dessert!) In the meantime the kids are playing baseball with Ryan in the backyard, in the spring sunshine. After dinner is usually AFV (Americas Funny Home Videos) and lots of laughs! Really, the perfect life.
I was just watching my family a bit ago and wondering if I really do appreciate this Sabbath day enough and if I really do appreciate the time that we have today to be a family and relax and worship the Lord. What a blessing it is to have this day set aside to go to church and think, pray and play with loved ones. I am so blessed to have my little family and to have the gospel in my life. Today I am especially grateful for the Sabbath day and all that it brings; for the calmness and perspective I get from days like today! Love being with my family!!

Quote of the week: Mason made his baseball team this week, the Lehi Tigers!!!!! We are so excited for him. Its been a struggle this season finding a team (a whole other blog entry) but at his practice this last Saturday coach told Mason to go play short stop (his favorite position and one that he hasn't been playing as much as he would like to) and he ran out to short jumping up and down saying, "he finally understands me!!!" What an All Star!!! Go get 'em Mas!!!

sTriKe!!

Mason has been doing really great in school lately. He has been getting all excellents in is behavior for the past couple of weeks!! wOot WoOt! So when Friday morning rolls around and he asks, "when can we go do something fun as a family" and I say, "like what" and he says, "bowling".... I say great! Lets go! So we headed to FatCats for bowling and Pizza Factory (he loves their bread twists). This was our first family bowling outing and I am guessing there will be many more to come! We all had a good time, kids loved it!!! So thanks to Mason for 1) Being so great in school and 2) getting us out together as a family and making some fun memories together! He is so gReaT!!!
PS... I won the first game:) and Mason was winning the 2nd when it was time to go! I am looking forward to the re-match!

First snow pictures of the sEasOn

Yes it's March and only a week or two ago I took the first snow pictures of the year. We had a good spring storm which left the backyard primed for some snowballs and building snowmen. Just can't believe it took me until March to take pictures!

100

Is this really my 100th post? I have seen a lot of you do cute things for your 100...this probably won't live up to it and yes it will probably be too long to read:) But here are 100 things about me and what I love and what make me happy!... (in no particular order)
1. My fabulous husband, Ryan
2. Mason and his freckles on his nose
3. Isabella and her bright eyes
4. Claire's pitter patter down the hallway when she is running
5. Hot chocolate... anytime of year
6. Snuggly blankets
7. A good firework show
8. Love watching a baseball game outside on a blanket with treats for the kids and listening to the sounds of the crack of the bat and ball being caught in the glove.
9. Baking and trying a new dessert recipe
10. The smell of freshly cut grass
11. Diet coke (it saves me throughout the day)
12. GNO- live for them and all the good laughs they bring
13. A really good facial
14. Going to movies; especially something with a little love story involved:) and eating Milkduds
15. Easter candy
16. Doing projects around the house with Ry
17. Love that Ryan is so handy... he can build, make and figure out just about anything
18. Love being able to push Mason athletically and that he'll take it and excel
19. Yard work
17. Watching Ella at dance class
18. Peanutbutter M&M's
19. Crawling in fresh clean sheets under a perfectly made bed at night
20. Sugar cookies with LotS of FroStiNg
21. Fires in the fire place
22. How hard Ryan works; so amazing!
23. Ryan's "magic hands" and his kind eyes
24. Seeing my brothers at Sunday dinner
25. Talking to my mom just about everyday
26. Sunny brook (my cabin) my feel good place
27. Roasting marshmallow's...and making smores
28. Date nights with Ryan
29. Skiing with my dad and brother
30. Mexican food
31. Scrapbooking/ blogging/ journalling
32. My basement
33. Wish I was more organized
34. Newly shaved legs
35. Scarves & hats
36. Watching movies as a family
37. IcEcReaM
38. Days of our Lives (kind of a junky)
39. The Notebook (my fav movie)
40. I hate Laundry!!
41. Love how much personality my kids have
42. Love how friendly my kids are... they make friends so easily anywhere they are
43. Oakley Rodeo every year with Ryan's family
44. The Gospel... everything about it I believe and trust whole heartedly
45. The sound of leaves in the wind, imparticular quakies
46. Any spicy smell (cinnamon, pumpkin spice, apple cider, etc..)
47. Long eyelashes
48. Scared of grasshoppers
49. Being a mom... greatest blessing and challenge
50. Love being a "stay at home mom"
51. Wish I would've finished college...maybe one day
52. Would love to own or run a children's book store and a flower shop one day
53. Mason's room (my favorite in the house)
54. The Jazz...would love season tickets
55. Redsox, Angels, Yankees (much to Ryan's dismay)
56. Vikings, Cowboys, Packers
57. HGTV(love watching home decorating shows) & Food Network (want to be a better cook)
58. St. George trips with the family or friends
59. I used to be a better goal setter... need to get back to that and push myself
60. Want to be a runner... would love to run a half marathon
61. Being in my jammies; if I'm home I am comfortable
62. Cute shoes and boots
63. Totally afraid of being in deep water... oceans, lakes etc...
64. Hate scary movies
65. Watching my "shows" at night after my kids are in bed in the quietness of the house.
66. My doggy.. Sammy. The best family dog ever!
67. Red and Orange
68. The Cheesecake Factory... YUM!!!
69. Jeans and Sweaters
70. Fall leaves
71. White Christmas lights and snowmen
72. Traditions... can never have too many
73. I really live on the best street... great neighbors, lots of friends for my kids
74. I am loyal, trustworthy and trusting
75. Leftovers for lunch
76. When I laugh hard at first nothing comes out and then all that can come out is a loud snort...so embarrassing!
77. Hanging out in the backyard with my little family and playing
78. Lunch dates with Ryan or friends
79. Me and Ryan's story
80. Cuddles, squishes, and kisses from my kids
81. Tinkerbell...totally believe in fairies!
82. I love the sunlight when the sun first wakes up in the morning
83. Sleeping with an eye pillow
84. I hate knowing when a surprise is coming
85. I am a bit of a control freak
86. The mountains and nature
87. Being able to take a nap unexpectedly
88. I have gReAt friends... old and new.. so lucky!
89. Love that Ryan takes our kids on daddy dates
90. Hate waking up in the morning to a sink full of dishes
91. So grateful for the Atonement
92. So grateful for my mission... changed my life
93. I am a good friend
94. My babies... they bring the biggest spirits with them
95. DoGs... big doGs to pet and love
96. Loved growing up in sports and athletics
97. I usually judge a good restaurant by the desserts
98. Lying in the hammock on a summer night
99. HATE talking about politics
100. cHoColaTe

Can I get an AMEN!!! There you have it! A little bit about me!

Jeff's birthday

So last weekend we had a great date with some good friends... It was Jeff's (Ryan's best friend... aka his boyfriend:) birthday and McCall planned for us all to go see the comedian Brian Reagan! Really Fun! It felt so good to just laugh and play. I wasn't familiar with any of his bits but Ryan and Jeff have liked him for a long time. Really clean and just clever and totally hilarious! Ryan was that guy that you hate to sit in front of because he is totally laughing so hard at everything. I thought is was great. Laugh therapy... nothing better! So after we went to Luganos...favorite Italian restaurant. It was kind of a romantic setting... dumping snow, small quaint restaurant. lOveD it! I got their Ravioli... (my mouth is watering just thinking about it) and creme brule' (best I have had). Great night with great friends. Love those memories!

Mom and Dad

I can't help but post these: Probably get in trouble for doing so but they make me laugh when I look at them. What was going on in their heads the night this came about? My dad sent these to me as a "surprise" when I was asking for some ski pictures that he had... Gotta love mom and dad!!!