belated valentines

I had every intention of hopping on and posting for St. Valentines Day. Why was I thinking I would have time for that? So here is my thoughts a week (or two) late.


Chad is my biggest fan, he thinks I am better than I really am, funnier, prettier, smarter, and more saintly than I really am as well. He knows my strengths better than I do, and he overlooks my weaknesses more than I do to. He helps me bring out my inner six year old at least once a day. And always know just the right thing to do or say to me at any given time. Don't get me wrong sometimes we have our little arguments too, but Chad is really good at apologies & working out problems.

I have had a very stressful two weeks and Chad has only consoled, comforted, and built me up. Not once did he tell me to relax or to stop stressing, he simply let me be in the moment with my thoughts and feelings and stayed by my side. I know that everyone thinks they got lucky when they married there partner, but I don't think I just got lucky. I think my Heavenly Father knew what kind of person would help me be the best me and sent me on the path to find Chad. I couldn't be the best me without him. The thing that I love best about Chad is that he lets me be what I want. Regardless.

plans

My BYU pride runs as deep as the south. Lately I have been feeling like something is missing, after taking a quick life assessment I realized that I have not been to a BYU basketball game since last year. So today Chad and I are off to the Marriott Center. Look for me I will be standing next to the guy that is holding a sign saying, "I got Jimmered!" I hope everyone has a great weekend.

a little p.s.

Bijou Market is opening up in Arizona, we are looking for the best handmade crafters out there to sell to our oh so loyal customers in the AZ. If you know of anyone, send them our way!

i {heart} Slab

I wanted to let you all in about a little joint called Slab. Home to the BEST pizza and I do consider myself to be somewhat of a pizza connoisseur. This is the thing if you love thin crust, out of the ordinary toppings and huge slices this place is for you. Try the Buffalo Wing pizza it is a favorite of mine. Head on over you won't be disappointed 669 East 800 North in Provo.

my mouth is watering just from writing this post, maybe I will see you there.

peanuts, popcorn, candy apples

Every once in a while Chad and I decide to go above and beyond our everyday realm of parenthood. I have always been fascinated by the Circus, so when we got word it was in town, Chad and I took the troop the the Circus.

I would like to say that I got lots of pictures but truthfully Chad and I were so enthralled with the Circus this is all we got.

The Circus was two hours of a borderline heart attack, I felt like I was sitting ready to witness an accident every time a new act came out. It was 9 on the fun scale. If you want to feel like a kid again make a night of the Circus.

one

Gus is one, some thoughts

-tear, tear, sigh, tear

- my body is not reflective of having a baby a year ago

- does that mean it is time to think about #4

- great 365 days left until the terrible 2's

-the fact that he knows how to fake laugh cracks me up

-turning one has entitled him to be the official boss of all creation

- everyone stop telling me he doesn't look like a baby anymore

-he doesn't walk he runs

- I remind myself to enjoy his cute tantrums now soon they won't be so cute

a spiritual ah-ha moment

Long story short...
I have been reading a rather intellectual book, and been torn because a lot of the content is questionable to my personal values. I have gone back and forth for two months now, I read 50 pages then stop, then read some more and stop. I feel torn between expanding my knowledge and keeping my values in place. Anyone else been there?

Fast forward to last night...
I attended Relief Society where the guest speaker was Julie Beck {General Relief Society President} and during a Q&A part of the night I received an answer. While responding to a question to what she was reading right now, she told us that the most important thing was to always maintain the ability to receive inspiration, and if we are reading or watching something that makes us loose that ability then we need to make a change.

What did I learn...
I know that as a S.A.H.M it is easy to think that I am not as smart or learned as others, so where I thought I was doing myself a service to read something on a higher level, I was really clouding my ability to receive the higher level education I really needed. I still have not finished the book, but I decided that there was absolutely nothing in that book that would be better for my life than being able to feel the Spirit.

sick

Having sick kids is the pits. What is worse than sick kids you ask? Having each one of my kids take a turn being sick for an entire week, and not just any week mind you, the one week out of the year that I have a burst of New Year resolution energy. I feel like the "go get em" attitude I had Sunday night has been replaced with a sense of exhaustion from drawn baths, trips to the kitchen for drinks and snacks, and symptom checks via the Internet just to name a few. Yesterday I got excited to bring in the Garbage cans from off the street just for the 5 min break outside it gave me! I am thankful for somethings though e.g. Snuggling with little ones who usually won't let me, reading lots of books, making what I want for dinner because my kids have to stick to the BRAT diet and most of all realizing how truly tender and precious my kids are. Leave it to a week of throw up, diarrhea and fevers to make me the most thankful for my little ones...and for children's Motrin!

FYI

William Rast has done a line exclusively for Target. To see it all click here, hurry it is only for a short time.

Also on the horizon Mulberry is doing a line as well. I will keep you posted.

resolutions

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. One person in our house has definitely taken the resolution bull by the horns. Milo now uses la toilette. I now owe him...

-a candy bar

- lunch with Cosmo

- trip to Chuck E. Cheese

- any toy he wants

- a million dollars

- admission to Cosmo Kids Club

- all the gum he wants

So this year, my New Years resolution is stop offering crazy rewards, because sooner or later my kids will achieve the impossible and I will be left to pay up. Lesson learned.

Have a wonderful New Year!

in other news

August was downstairs, I was in my office paying bills {yuck!} and out of nowhere I hear gus upstairs. I ask Milo "Where is August?" and he looks at me like I am an idiot and says,"upstairs." Then I say, "How did he get up there?" and Milo gives me another, your an idiot look, and says "Mom, he walks."

I guess it is offical. He walks.

portable north pole tv

If anyone wants to do a stellar surprise for their kids. Go to This Link and you can have a personalized e-mail message sent to your kids from Santa. It is free, easy and my kids have watched theirs a dozen times. They absolutely love it.

milo

I guess when you are tired it does not matter where you are and how big the donut you were eating is.

gus

I love it when the hair right behind Gus's ears flips out.

I don't love it when he won't hold still so we can get a good picture of it.

milo

Milo and his randomness just keeps going and going. A few examples...

Milo wants an iTouch for Christmas. Since when did 3 year old a) know anything about electronics and b) know enough that they want one for Christmas.

We went on a train ride two nights ago to see Santa and when the engineer asked Milo who we were going to see he said "Jesus" and was a little upset when I told him we would not be seeing baby Jesus just Santa. Go figure, at least his heart is in the right place.

August was playing by Milo on the floor yesterday and I guess was bugging him because Milo turned to him and said, Gus, you are irritating me.

When Milo get's home from anything, no matter what time of day, the first thing he does is get back into his pajama's. Most days the only way I can get him dressed is to tell him when we get home he can put his PJ's back on.

holiday faves

Does anyone know why the song "A Few of My Favorite Things" is classified as a Holiday song? I don't get it but I have heard it on the radio several times. Please someone explain! Whether it is Holiday or not I am going to give you a few of my favorite things right now.

~American Apparel Black Tricot leggings~

{obviously not a big fan of having my picture taken}

{August's duck boots from baby Gap}

These leggings are simply the best. They can dress anything up, and are slimming due to the faint shimmer they give right down your leg. These would be a great gift for the person that has everything, and the best part is they come in about 13 colors!

~ribbed socks~

{photo form j.crew}
Okay I know that this isn't for everyone, but I just love these with heels.

~Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson~

Give yourself a little early Christmas present and download this song. Trust me the best 99 cents you will spend this Christmas. If you don't love it I will pay for the download. And if you are feeling even more adventurous download the entire album; The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs.