Watch out world...

My handsome Connor turned 15 today. This is a turning point. This means Connor could potentially be behind a wheel soon. He's super thrilled and in likeness with my other teen drivers...I'm super scared. I also happen to be super proud of Connor. He's getting all A's and B's in high school. He works his heart out at it. 

We love you, Connor.

Handsome husband, handsome dad...

Obviously Grace has mastered the art of drawing her dad. If this doesn't tell you that I married a handsome guy, I don't know what would...

Piggy putty...

Proof that there is more than one way to put wall putty to work...

47...

Happy birthday to this hot guy...

An anniversary dinner to remember...

20 years ago today I married this man. What do you do when you've been married 20 years? Fly to Fiji? Book a cruise? Sure, that would be nice. But on the other hand, I can do absolutely nothing with Chris and that's ok. In all honesty we sought out a nice restaurant to celebrate. The first place we went had no seating. On a Tuesday? I'm in the twilight zone. The second one we went to had courses costing $34 dollars. Um....I'm too much of a thrifty girl for that price tag so after being seated I pretended to get a phone call and chris says to the waitress "she's on call, we have to leave." We laughed for a while over that one. The third attempt had zero parking and we could have parked far off and walked but when I suggested "how about Dairy Queen instead?" Chris said "why not." So there you have it. You CAN eat at Dairy Queen for your 20 year wedding anniversary and be happy and in love regardless of where you go or what you eat. Here's to another beautiful 20.

Long term investment...

Sometimes it's a sacrifice (ok most of the time it's a sacrifice) but spending time with the kiddos is never a waste of time. It's an investment.

More than just lipstick...

I love this picture. If you look closely you'll see Grace's one eyeball looking at her sister as she prepares for engagement pictures. This picture represents more than just a picture of Halee applying lipstick. It represents her sister (her siblings) looking up to her. Watching what she does and the choices she makes. It represents Halee's example by choosing to marry someone who can take her to the temple. Grace will see that...just like she sees Halee applying lipstick. She'll absorb it into her mind and hopefully want the same blessings that a forever family brings. I'm grateful to Halee for setting this example for all of her siblings. She may not even realize how much her choices affect those around her. I know without a doubt that they do. 

Buds...

You know you've had a long hard winter when your girls run inside with your cell phone to proclaim that "flowers are blooming!" Yes indeed...we are on the downhill slope.

Lightbulb...

I got jealous of Grace tonight when I saw her huddled under the covers reading. It reminded me of the movie never ending story, when the kid is huddled in the school attic enveloped in the book. 

I used to read just about every night until so many useless distractions like Facebook, snapchat and Instagram took over my curious mind. What are people up to.....what am I missing...all those silly questions that keep me coming back for more of nothing. I'm taking a break from it. Time to read, read, read. Thank you, Grace for inspiring me. 

Change...

I've got lots and lots on my mind (hence this cheese  ball photo) gotta try and set the mood for this post. 

My life has changed so much. I've been preparing for our Halee's wedding and stumbled upon her baby book today. I opened it to a photo of me at a baby shower that was given for me when I was 8 months pregnant with her. Then she did something super mean and played a song for her dad and I called "I loved her first." If you haven't heard it, you need to. Chris and I set at the dining room table and sobbed quietly. In our own thoughts different but exactly the same. Remembering our baby, our toddler, our kindergartener, our 8 year old, our middle schooler, our teenager with braces, our sweet 16 year old. If you're reading this and you have a child under 18, I hate to tell you this...but the monsters are coming for your child next. No one is safe. Wish I had better news for ya.

Other things on my mind? As soon as I put this shirt on in the photo (which I purchased in Hawaii) I wanted to go back to Hawaii and I can't right now, gosh darn it. 

On a good note, it's my day off and there is a good chance my tushy won't leave this chair for several more hours.

If I could do it again...

I loved this...

The temple...

The boys went on a youth temple trip Saturday while I was in rexburg. That evening while I was with Halee we were driving back to her apartment after seeing a movie. I looked up and BAM there was the rexburg temple nestled on the hill. I passed the turn to Halee's place and kept going. I just wanted to get to that beautiful building. The closer I got the happier I felt. I felt a peace that solidified what I know about Heavenly Father and his plan for me. Halee laughed at my dramatic reaction to its beauty but I couldn't hold it in because it truly is esthetically perfect. But more than that it's what holds my family, my most beloved possessions, close to me. 

Trendy...

Connor. He's my trend setter. He began wearing a bow tie a few months back and at first the boys at church scoffed. A few weeks later and 3 or 4 more boys started wearing them. 2 months later and their Church leader has purchased the whole class bow ties and teaching them all how to tie them. I wish I could be as cool as Connor.

Beautiful...

There isn't a day that goes by that Chris doesn't tell me I'm beautiful...

College...

I'm visiting my beautiful girl at BYUI this weekend. I felt like a true college kid for like 5 minutes when I had to borrow a shirt to sleep in and it said BYU coupled with the fact that I'm sleeping in an apartment with 6 college girls. My husband on the other hand apparently thinks it's interesting.

Space project...

My little babies learned all about space. Chris helped the girls build Neptune and Mars and they loved every minute.