Born to be an ArTEEst!!

I love to hear about what my kids did and learned in school each day. Sometimes I am amazed at the things that they are taught and remember!! I also love it when they bring home projects they have completed, especially art. I have always been a big fan of art. As a child it was always my favorite thing to do in school, and that love has always stayed with me. I enjoy watching my kids produce art, and enjoy sharing my love with them. The other day Josh came home with this little work of art. Just looking at their work makes my heart smile. My kids sometimes think I am crazy because I seriously get so excited about their artwork. Anyway, Josh brought this painting he had done home, and of course, I gushed all about it. I really love it, and love how well he did! He made good use of colors, and you can tell what the picture is. He seems to be very talented (no, I'm not biased at ALL!!), and better yet, shares my love of art. Way to go Josh!! LOVE it!

the time has come, for... what?

With the kids being in school, I have a lot of extra time on my hands. I really don't know what I was so worried about... I worried that with them gone I would get bored, miss them too much, and just be plain miserable. That has so not been the case!! I have enjoyed and LOOK FORWARD to my time home with no kids. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids to pieces, and would prefer them to be home, but I haven't been miserable at all when they aren't. I have found time to keep the house clean, plan dinners, take a shower, put on makeup, read a book, and just enjoy being ME!!! This has been very good for me! I think also knowing that with a baby on the way, and that this time alone won't last too long also helps, and I am sure trying to bask in and enjoy every moment I can, because I know that this time 'alone' won't last very long. I think that moms and women in general need to take better care of themselves, and find time to do so. Find whatever it is that makes you feel like you, and then find the time to do it!! I promise that the rewards will be worth the sacrifice!! Good luck, and ENJOY!!!

Fall on its Way

I am so excited for fall. I have loved the nice weather, no more unbearable heat! It makes me nervous though to think that winter is right around the corner. I love fall, not so much winter. I was at the store the other day grocery shopping, and they already had a display out of pumpkins. It seems a little early to me, but I couldn't resist!! So now, I have this beautiful pumpkin out on the front porch in celebration of fall. I hope that this year fall lasts a little longer, and that winter is a little (or a lot) shorter. ;) I love the feeling of fall, it just gives me a warm, cozy, and peaceful feeling.

Beauty

It doesn't take a lot for me to catch my breathe these days, maybe it has something to do with being pregnant, I don't know. But I often find myself just STARING at the world around me in awe and amazement. It is so BEAUTIFUL!! I know that our Heavenly Father loves us because he sent us to this earth surrounded by things that are beyond words, and a person cannot help but feel good when looking at them. The other day I was outside with Josh, he was playing, and I was just enjoying the scenery and the perfect weather. I always have my camera on hand. I was looking up at the sky, and the clouds caught my eye, and kept them. I couldn't get over how utterly magical they are. I sometimes take for granted things like this, but that day I wanted to remember. I love to take pictures of the world around me, there is just something special about capturing nature in its simplicity!!

SUNFLOWER

Another beautiful thing that caught my eye in the last couple of days... a sunflower.
I love this flower. It is so pretty, bright, and happy.
It is like it is a way of God helping us say good-bye to summer,
by easing us into fall.
REMARKABLE.

ANOTHER Addition?

HAHA, OK, WHERE TO START??

When Ryan read that last post he could not stop LAUGHING!! I titled it 'new addition' so he totally thought I was going to make a DIFFERENT announcement, and was shocked when he read what I really wrote. So here it is, the big announcement!! We are expecting a NEW ADDITION to our family, in March. Not another dog, lol, but a baby!! I am almost 14 weeks a long, and the baby is due the end of March. We are ECSTATIC!! I know we waited a long time for the announcement, but we wanted to make sure everything was well with the baby beforehand. SO, in another couple of months we will be able to have an ultrasound and decipher the GENDER of this baby. We will definitely keep you updated!! :)

NEW ADDITION

We have a NEW ADDITION to our family!! She is OH SO CUTE!!!

The other day Ryan came home from work, and asked if I would like a DOG. We had never really considered having a pet before, they are a lot of work!! Someone Ryan works with is moving into a place where they can't have pets, and wanted to find their little girl a good home. The kids absolutely adore her. Her previous owner had named her Kandy, and so we decided just to stick with that. She is very good with the kids, and just as important HOUSE TRAINED! WAHOO!! We have loved having Kandy around, and I am sure there will be some great pics to post soon with the kids and her.

CHANGE

I have learned about myself that I have a hard time with CHANGE! It doesn't matter if it is a big change, or a little change, I need time to readjust. I got used to our summer schedule very quickly, and I don't remember a summer ever going by so fast. Now that school is again in session I must again readjust my schedule. Although I have been lucky that we haven't been late to school yet, it has been a struggle for me. Part of it is I think I just hate admitting to myself that I have a child OLD ENOUGH to be GOING to school! Where has the time gone? I am slowly learning that the kids (and myself) NEED now to go to bed earlier, so they can wake up on time in the morning. Fix lunches the night before, stay up on the laundry, all those good things that I became lazy at during the summer are now coming back and calling my name. Don't worry, I will be okay, I just need TIME. Rather than keep denying, I will instead bask! I will enjoy my kids each day, crazy schedule and all. Yes they are growing up, but we still have time before they move out!! So I will enjoy that time and these years I have with them, while also trying to STOP time in my own ways.

The time is?...

With the kids in school I have a lot more time on my hands. I expected myself to have a very hard time with having them gone... missing them way too much, being bored, and downright miserable. That is so not the case!! I have found time to clean the house, plan dinners, take a shower, put on makeup, read a book, and just enjoy being ME!!! Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my kids to pieces, and would prefer to have them home, but it sure hasn't killed me when they aren't. I think that this time has been rejuvenating for me, and exactly what I need. I think that with a baby on the way, and knowing that this time 'alone' is only temporary also helps. ;) So I really am trying to enjoy each and every moment of my alone time that I can, because I know it won't last forever!! I think it has made for a much happier mom and wife though. My goal is, even after the baby is born, to make more time for myself. I think that moms and women in general have a hard time doing this, and I am no exception!! I have learned though how important it is to take time for yourself. I would encourage and challenge all women and moms out there to find a moment to just relax, and breathe deep... do whatever it is that makes you feel like you!! The time has come to not only take care of yourself, but to pamper and spoil yourself.

BACK to school!!

Okay, so Amy started school today, she is now in the FIRST grade!! I can hardly believe it! I am glad to have Josh home with me for another year, although he will be attending preschool a couple of times a week, he doesn't start until next week. :) It will be different to have Amy at school, ALL day long! Last year she was in kindergarten, but only went a half day in the mornings. I thought that was an adjustment, and I would be okay when she entered first grade, but it has been hard!! Today is only her second day, I really need to hold it together!! She came home yesterday so happy and excited to tell me all about her teacher, and her class.

plum tired

This summer must have been a long busy one, or at least EXHAUSTING!! The reason I say that is because there has been a lot of sleeping going on around here! Pictures say more than words, so let me just show you...

My neice

My Love

Josh and his cousin Matt

Sneaker

Writing this and looking at all these sleepy photos has taken its toll on me... I am off to take a nap!

Bear Lake

We spent a wonderful day at Bear Lake. We could not have asked for more perfect weather. The kids LOVED playing in the water, in the sand, and especially playing with their cousins!! We spent the day with my hubbies wonderful family, they are so much fun!

Oh I just LOVE to take pictures... of just about anything, and everything!! Except, I like to try and get different angles, not so much the straight on cheesy smile-like pics. In fact, I don't take a lot of head shots. I love to take scenery pics, those are my fave, but then I like to mix it up. So what did I take a picture of, you ask? Yes, our feet!!! But not just any feet, these are happy at the beach feet. :)

This is a picture of my little nephew Jordan, and I thought it actually turned out way cute!!!

Looks like they are sharing a secret, doesn't it?

We are so glad that we were able to go, and can't wait to go again! Thanks ma and pops for inviting us..

Mary Had a Little Lamb...

Introducing the newest member of the family! On August 11 my sister Liz gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl!! We couldn't be more thrilled with her! Here is a scrapbook page I made...

CHRISTINE MARY7 lbs. 4 oz.
20 1/2 inches

Beauty

My sister volunteered to have the kids spend the night so that I could have some much needed alone time with my sweetie. It was amazing to say the least. We spent the day in the beauteous canyon, and were able to watch the sunset over the mountain side. Of course I had to capture it on film! I could not breathe, it was so absolutely beautiful! I loved especially that I was able to share this wonderful experience with my husband, who means the world to me. He has been extremely busy as of late, so I was thrilled to have this time with him.I am so very grateful for the beautiful world that we live. I often take for granted the many miracles provided me. As we were hiking in the canyon I could not stop thinking of how I never take the time to just look around me. I am sure that if I were to do so I would often be in awe at how beautiful everything is. In this state we are able to experience even more as the scenery changes with the seasons. Quite the miracle!

water fun

We love where we live, we have some fantastic neighbors. And what is the greatest is that there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood, so both Amy and Josh have plenty of friends! The other day I watched our neighbor girls Missy and Bella, and the girls had so much fun together!! They spent most of their time out side playing in the pool, and being crazy in the sprinklers.

freedom to celebrate, with fireworks!!

We weren't able to see fireworks on the 4th of July, so the kids were WAY excited to see them for the 24th. Good thing we live in Utah so we can celebrate Pioneer Day and have a second shot at a great fireworks show. And the local community fireworks did not disappoint! We oohed and ahhed at each one, and the finale was spectacular. The colors blasting in the sky, along with the loud cracking sounds is compared to no other!! I am so glad that I was born in this country, and that I can live my life as I choose. The freedoms that are ours are countless.

Bag

I am not the craftiest person around, but I do love crafts, and to try new things. I have learned a lot about my sewing machine in the past while by trial and error. Amy told me one day that she would like a new purse, so I decided to make one for her. It took me a lot longer than I had thought it would, but I am very pleased with the finished product. Amy has loved it as well, and has been toting all of her treasures in it.

the finished product

LOUD

Color

With the weather being so miserably hot these days, I have been trying to find some fun new indoor activities for the kids. It had been awhile since my kids had sat down together at the table with a box of crayons, and coloring pages. I was amazied that they enjoyed this activity so well, and how long it kept them entertained. I loved watching them as they concentrated on their pictures, and as they decided which color to use and where. They laughed and talked together, and I couldn't help but smile. Sometimes the most simple of things turn out to be the greatest treasures.

Camp trip

We went camping with some friends. They all brought their children with them, so Amy and Josh had a lot of kids to play with. Our site was near water, which provided them hours of fun. The scenery was beautiful, and the weather cooperated. It was cooler up the canyon, and it felt very refreshing. It was difficult convincing the kids that it was time to come home. We want to go again! I took a ton of pictures, here is a sample of a few. What a wonderful time for us to remember.

Family Fun Night!!

We have loved living in a small town, they provide a lot of fun things for families. With all the festivities going on in July they provide what they call "Family Fun Night!" And it lives up to the title, we all had a load of fun. This is a shot of Amy and a friend after they had their faces painted. What ferocious kitties! We were also able to enjoy some live music, pony rides, hot dogs, carnival games, bobbing for apples, water fun, blowup slides, and to top it all off? Fireworks!! To make this day even more "fun" is that most of the activities were absolutely free!

They had a drawing, and this is the prize that I won. Yay, more family fun!!

Let's give it a Try

Here we are, trying to keep up with the crazy world of technology. I am glad I do not get a grade for this, or I would get a big wopping F for sure. But here's for trying. There is not much to report at this time... but there will be more info later. I just wanted to get the word out that I am starting this blog!! So, until next time!

STAY TUNED....