MLK

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

“I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live.”

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Martin Luther King Jr.

happy new year - 2011

PACE

"we women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. we have

to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is

comfortable for us. we have to develop the maturity to stop trying

to prove something. we have to learn to be content with what we

are."

- marjorie pay hinckley

choosing 'pace' as my word for 2011 has been on my mind for a couple of months now, but when i read the above quote it was a done deal. it is dead on. it also didn't hurt that it contained two of the words that i have chosen as my 'word of the year' in the past. i was new to blogging and hadn't written about 'patience' in 2006, or 'simplify' in 2007, but in 2008 i wrote about my word 'gentle'. in 2009 i had chosen 'focus', and this past year my word has been 'contentment'. i've re-read these posts and had to laugh at how similar my feelings have been in choosing each of them. i guess i'm just finding different ways to learn the same lessons.

i wrote a bit in my 'gentle' post about how i tend to do everything at a hurried pace. i'm not sure why that is, but i'm starting to drive myself crazy. for instance a few months ago, when the weather was still really hot, i found myself in front of the fridge filling up water bottles to send with the kids to school. as i was forced to stand there waiting for the seeming trickle of water to fill up the contrastingly enormous bottles i was overcome with the feeling that i was not being efficient enough. i mean i was trapped holding this bottle under the dispenser and i couldn't even reach a washcloth to wipe the counter with my other hand while i waited. there wasn't anything on the stove for me to stir, and there was no way the child who needed her hair brushed was going to oblige. i'm embarrassed to say that it was torture. right when i thought i was going to go nuts with all my nervous energy, i realized i had a true problem. who in the world cannot stand still for 2 minutes without feeling lazy? me...that's who. i mean i was filling up the water bottles, but that was the only thing i was doing...and it wasn't enough. like i said...i have a problem. that is when i truly decided that i need to do something about it. i don't have to be doing 100 things at the same time to be effective. in fact, i'm pretty sure the opposite is true. i have failed to give my full attention to any one task or person for years. what a waste. i desire to live more fully in each moment and savor the everyday.

i recently came across another quote that really inspired me, and seems to relay a similar message. it is one from helen keller. it reads:

"i long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but my duty is to accomplish humble tasks as if they were noble and great." (and i would add at the end: ...because they are)

oh how i wish i could sear that into my soul. i have been enjoying my most favorite christmas present (because i didn't get what i really wanted which was kids who always spoke kindly, got along famously, and listened the first time...but where's the fun in that right?!) which is the complete set of little house on the prairie episodes. i loved that show with all my heart as a child, and probably even more so as an adult and mother. i have found myself longing to be just like ma ingalls. she embodies the above quote. yes yes i know it's a t.v. show and there isn't anyone quite that perfect, but i can strive to be like that no?! she is sweet, good, loving, selfless, and kind. i know if i can pace myself better then i can get that much closer to becoming like caroline ingalls.
so happy new year to all, and here's to slowing down our pace a little. take time to really see, hear, and enjoy all the things our beautiful lives have to offer. we are blessed, i am blessed, and i'm going to do my best to live like mother theresa said, 'do small things with great love'.

merry christmas to all

EVMCO

(click picture to enlarge)

if you live anywhere near here you should go to this concert. it is put on my the East Valley Mormon Choir and Orchestra. i know it would be blasphemy to say that it rivals the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but it kind of does. the fun part is that in addition to the adult choir, there is a youth choir, children's choir, and young singers choir.

my sweet ella is a part of the children's choir and i can't wait to be there. now...if your thinking that this is just a glorified school christmas concert, or a cheesy singing group you would be sorely mistaken. it is a high quality professional group. i guarantee you will leave wanting more and be blown away by the power, quality, and talent displayed.

you will want to take the whole family (except babies and toddlers) and make it a holiday tradition.

join me by clicking HERE!!

i won! i won!

what a happy surprise! i was browsing my reader while sitting on hold, (i hate that) and came upon one of my favorite blogs...
i had actually forgotten about the giveaway they were doing with:...but there it was...my name in lights!! i had been so sure i wouldn't win that i had actually ordered their sampler pack last week! it arrived yesterday and i must say that the twine is beautiful!

so, head on over to The Twinery, and to the Favorite Things blog. you won't be disappointed!

it's time

just got back from a fabulous trip with my mom and sisters. what amazing people i'm related to! i've decided i really do need to get back into blogging. even if it is just to get rid of that awful scorpion picture at the top of the blog. (should i mention that nora got stung by one last week?) anyway, i really need to learn how to 'mobile blog' because my facebook has seen much more attention due to it's ease with the iPhone. anyway, i'll put the pictures here that i had uploaded to my facebook while on the trip and then try my best to be a better blogger.

on the deck of the cruise ship...doing what i love best.

all you can eat ice cream 24 hours a day...dangerous.

walking the freedom trail in boston, ma

in front of the boston temple

the uss constitution

lighthouse in portland maine

one of the many towel animals they leave for you on the cruise

good ol' NYC and lady liberty

*disclaimer: all photos taken with my phone...enough said.

scorpion sting

note to self:

don't go out and run 7 miles right after being stung by one of these...not good.

lesson learned.

iGot

...iHappy!!

oops...he did it again!

you may remember our eventful memorial day last year, documented here by paul, and here by yours truly.  well...our little crazy man max did it again.  this time no head injury was involved...thankfully.  but he took a pretty good spill over the banister onto the hardwood floor.  we are estimating that he fell a good 10 feet.  once again...it could have been much worse.  this time he came away with a broken wrist.  it went through both bones and was badly misaligned...right along the growth plate.  of course.  so...they had to take him to the operating room to reset the bones.  

no swim team this summer...again.  it's so sad too because he was so excited...again.  he smacked his face pretty good and sprained his foot, but other than that he's okay.  i think next year we'll just have a movie marathon weekend...full of blankets and pillows.  

here he is post surgery.

poor kid.

ella is 10!

my oldest child is in the double digits!!! could it be true? this was a special birthday for ella, so we wanted to to something exciting for her. she never asks for anything, so we decided to update her bedroom to be more 'tween' friendly.

i'm sorry for the quality of these pictures, but they were taken at 10:30 pm the night before her birthday. we wanted to surprise her on her birthday, so we updated while she was sleeping. our kids love to have 'sleepovers' in each others rooms, so we convinced her to sleep in the boys room that night.

she had a wall of black chalkboard paint that we cleaned off and added some frames. we also decorated with some blank cd's. we really only added a new bedspread and throw pillow, but it all transformed the room in a really fun way. she LOVED it.

ella continues to be the best big sister in the world. seeing these two ride around on that scooter is about the cutest thing ever.

ella is very laid back and unassuming. she is so easy to be around and has a very calming influence.

a quick picture of ella with her sister, mother, and grandmother!

i had to include this picture because it just shows how friendly ella is. we went to get a pedicure for her birthday and there were a few other little girls there. it didn't take long for ella to befriend them all and start them in on some games. she loves people and they love her right back.

ella was in dance this spring and did such a great job. doesn't she look so sweet? the last picture is of ella with her bff/cousin romey. these two have such a great time when they are together. i'm so glad they have each other.

let me just finish by saying that the amount of good packed into this girl is unbelievable. i honestly don't know how i got so lucky to be her mother. happy birthday dear sweet ella. it's been the best 10 years of my life!

anyone in the market?

so...i'm losing my mind.  i made this necklace for my good friend to give to her niece for graduation.  i then promptly lost it on the way to the post office and had to make her a new one.  well...one month later look what made an appearance in the dark recesses of my mini van!  yes...it is a scary place.  anyway,  i think it's adorable and figured someone might want it.  if you do, it's $19 and 100% sterling silver...with a fresh water pearl.  the disc that says BYU is a nickle size, and the other one is a dime size.  first come first serve.  you can leave a comment or send me an email.  thanks!

jack's baptism

i honestly cannot believe how fast my kids are growing up. jack is such a special kid. his baptism day was wonderful. he was ready for this day and i'm pretty sure he felt loved by all of our guests.

some of the honored guests...cousin romey, ella, cousin lucy, and cousin adam.

grandpa colin, cousin andrew, grandpa stuart, uncle dave, dad, uncle ryan

mom (me with a mouth full), aunt jenny and cousin wyatt, grammy

cousin elle, sister ella, cousin ashley (left), beautiful aunts heather and christy

cousin jersey, aunt sue, uncle ryan

me with jack's grandma's

cousin crew, jack, cousin ryan

same cute boys!

me and my boy (left) jack and his dad (right)

jack with each set of grandparents

we are so so proud of the amazing kid he is!!

power of moms

i just wanted to quickly send you all HERE.  it is an awesome website for any and all kinds of mothers.  and while your there check out THIS.  they have a video contest going on right now, and one of my most dear friends in all the world, erika, is one of their two finalists!!!  her video is called 'i am a mother' and is amazing.  please check it out (90 seconds long...c'mon...you have 90 seconds), and then vote for it at the bottom.  you might even see a familiar face in a couple of the pictures.

erika is one of the most amazing people i know and i would love for her to win this contest so she can attend the power of moms retreat with me in june!!!  any of you are invited to attend as well, but you'll have to register and pay the regular way.  click HERE for details. 

mom's have power!  and I AM A MOTHER!!

happy mother's day.

jack is 8! what?! when?! seriously?!

it's a big year for jack.  he is now officially 8 years old and in our church that is a big deal.   i am amazed each day as i watch him.  he is so inquisitive, analyzing, and naturally good at everything.  when it comes to just about everything…jack gets it.  he's not perfect, but he's perfect for our family.  i know i've written before about how smitten i was with him from the first moment i met him, but i just can't say enough about how much i love this kid.  i'm so glad he's still a little needy at nighttime (wanting me to cuddle and scratch his back) because he is starting to pull away a little bit from the hugs and kisses.  it KILLS me.  i thought i had him good and brainwashed into always giving me hugs and kisses…we will see.

here are a few things i want to remember about my 7/8 year old jack.

    •    he is such a handsome boy and i get people telling me that all the time.

    •    he is the same size and weight as his little brother max (2 years younger), but it doesn't seem to bother him too much…yet.  he just smiles and goes on when someone asks me if they are twins.  it happens all the time.

    •    jack usually knows the answer…and he wants you to know that he knows.
    •    jack can get super silly and can have us all in stitches in an instant.

    •    jack's silliness often happens at inappropriate times.  were working on that one.
    •    he is still our super sensitive boy and i'm really trying to figure out how to best parent that.  i know i don't react well most of the time.
    •    jack loves basketball and can now be found most days in our backyard playing on our newly poured basketball court.  he has schooled me in 'p-i-g' and 'h-o-r-s-e' more times than i care to admit.
    •    he is taking piano lessons and can memorize a song in no time.  of course that means we hear the song over and over.  we are still hearing 'up on the housetop' regularly.
    •    jack is very responsible when it comes to getting things done.  (except perhaps keeping his closet clean)  i must admit that he is my 'go to guy' when it comes to little household tasks.   ("will you please take the garbage out, change the wash, unload the dishwasher, wipe off the counters, etc.")  he knows how to do it all and usually does it willingly.
    •    jack is very wary of people and situations he is not familiar with.  he has passed up play dates and even birthday parties if they involve homes and people that he does not know well. 
    •    jack thrives on routine.  he always wants to know what to expect and what is on the agenda.  it can get tough at times because he usually wants to know the exact amount of time something will take.  he gets frustrated when i cannot give him a definitive answer.  he definitely is not his father's son in that regard.  paul is still trying to get a handle on the concept of time.
    •    i never have to worry about jack's school work and homework.  it's done and done well without much of a word from me or his dad.

    •    jack has the most beautiful skin.  i would have never guessed that my red head would have gotten the nice skin from my father, but he sure did.  he has beautiful auburn hair, carmel skin, and clear blue eyes.  like i said…he's a looker.

    •    jack gets along with his sister ella famously.  i can't remember the last time i heard them argue.  i love that they are close and care about each other.  below is the cutest note that he wrote to ella just a couple of weeks ago...for no reason at all.

    •    jack is very creative and loves to spend time coming up with 'inventions'.  i love to see his little brain working.

• jack has insisted on wearing suit pants, a belt, white shirt and tie to church for well over a year.  he likes looking dressed up…just like his dad.  

    •    on that same note, he loves spending time with his dad.  if paul is ever going to work late i have to come up with some other fun activity to ease the pain.  there is no one he'd rather hang out with.

jack is one special kid and we are so blessed to have him in our family.  we can't wait to celebrate him even more in a couple of weeks at his baptism.  happy birthday little man jack.  love you more than all the numbers.