Don't give up on me, I have just been busy!

I know it has been a long time since my last post, but I have been very busy and my blog had to be put on the back burner. We have settled into Draper, Utah quite nicely! Thomas and Lucy are in school and enjoying it (as much as kids enjoy school). I have also started taking classes and that has drained all the extra time I can find. I am taking a 5 credit math course and as of now it’s not hard, just time consuming. (I have actually been dreaming in numbers and equations, YIKES!) James just came back from Houston last week from running his second marathon. He improved his time by 18 minutes and getting ready to sign up for another one. Thomas has also taken up running like his dad. Thomas and I go out in the morning and go for a 30 minute run (4 times a week) and he wants to run in the next 5k. 


 We are living in an apartment complex right now and can’t wait to start house hunting in a few months. We are hoping to move into our own home in September. Let’s hope we can!!!! So right now we feel a little temporary, but James’ job has been fantastic. All in all life is going great. We still have our drawbacks but what is life with a little trials? Anyway, I better get to my homework. (Those math problems aren’t going to solve themselves.)

Getting Through Hard Times.

Have you ever had to go through something so difficult that that you didn't even want to talk about it? Well that is how I have been feeling this last year. I have tried to keep a stiff upper lip and put on a good face but a person can only handle so much. James lost his job earlier this spring (he was given a one year contract to find another job). It has been a rough road to travel down. We already weren't very happy with Texas but this really put it over the edge. James has been looking for a new job for almost 2 years now. I guess what I am trying to say is that life has been hard. James' ego has been severally bruised and we have been very unsure about our future. We have had to trust that the Lord is aware of us and something will work out. I keep thinking that in a week or two we would have some good news. But then months have gone by and nothing.
So with all this going on our car broke two different times, we have had sick kids, James went through surgery, an ER visit, and busy (very busy) church callings. I have been feeling like it is all I can handle. I have been trying to tell myself that trials and adversity help me to grow and progress as a person. Well, I have felt growth. James and I have been closer than ever. There are times that I wish James would just say everything is going to be fine, but he's going through this just like me.
We felt like we were supposed to move to Texas. We have strengthened our family and feel like we are more grown-up than ever. I want to apologize to all of my friends and family that I have talked to these last few months and not shared about our problem. This has been such a painful process that talking about it hurt too much.
But I am not telling you all this to make you depressed and down. This story ends happy. James was just offered a job in Utah!!!!! (In South Jordon at Roseman University)We are super excited and don't have all the details but the one thing I know is the job starts October 1st, so, soon. Now life is going to go from busy to hectic. But it is a good hectic! We will keep everyone posted on details. Thanks and the Lord does bless you when you try to do what is right.

Happy, Happy Birthday Dylan dear!

Today is my sweet baby's 2nd birthday. Really he doesn't even know what is going on today. We went to the doctor and had his well baby check up. He is now 30 pounds and going strong. Dylan got one shot  and a blood draw and he didn't cry once, amazing! He was more fascinated with the needle then scared of it. Really he is just the strong silent type.


Anyway, Because of his shot today he has been kind of on the grumpy side. We debated if we should even celebrate his birthday today. We already decided to have the cake and stuff in a week when James' brother will be here (it's also closer to my Birthday). So we thought we would give him one gift and save the rest for later. Which is exactly what we did.


There is this Pixar movie, Cars (maybe you have heard of it?). Well, it is Dylan's absolute favorite movie. Not only is it his favorite, he loves all things cars. He loves any food, t-shirt, or picture of the Car's characters. [Side Story: Every time I go grocery shopping he loves to look for anything with Lightning McQueen on it. He's the main character in Cars. And since Cars 2 is coming to theaters on June 24th (yeah, we are excited!) he is in just about every isle, go ahead, check. Because of that we have gotten Cheez-its, Cars Mac and Cheese, and Cars soup. I am a sucker!]


For the last few weeks I have been on the hunt for the perfect "Cars" gift. I wanted to get him a Cars toddler bed set but I really didn't like any of the sets out there. So I made my own. I had to be a bit sneaky and make it without him seeing, but he loved it! After getting the blanket we put it on his bed and he has been sitting in his bed for the last 45 minutes. The funniest part is that after being in his bed for about 2 minutes he took his "blankie," (the blankie that has been with him through thick and thin) and tossed it on the floor. If you look in the picture it is right there on the floor, tossed aside like a pair of dirty socks. It's sad how quick these kids grow up. (I am sure he will accept his blankie into his inner circle again, someday.)

So Happy Birthday to my little baby!! I sure do love you "Buby"! 





By the way, can you guess what other gifts he might be getting for his birthday? 

Mother's Day!

There is a quote that I really like that says: "You think it is an overnight success, but if you look closely, most over night successes take a long time." –Steve Jobs

Lucy in her pre-k room
5 years old

That is Motherhood.  Being a mother is a lot of hard work, tears, patience and love. I am so blessed to have the sacred role of motherhood, to be a “co-partner with the Creator himself.”  I am grateful that I have been taught by my mother and I am grateful that I can teach my children with the help from my husband. I feel honored to have this responsibility and I don’t take it lightly. I love my children so very much. My prayers, hopes, and dreams are filled with them.

Dylan in Fort Worth
18 months

Speaking to a room full of women Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said:  “Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. 

Thomas at the Houston Aquarium
6 years old

 “You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you, and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and weep over their responsibility as mothers, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.’ And it will make your children whole as well.”

This picture was taken the summer before we
were married.

The next time someone inquires what I do or asks me to describe myself, I will say with confidence and with joy, “I am a Mother!”

To all you Mothers out there... Happy Mother's Day!

The Tooth Fairy

Thomas lost his two front teeth. One he lost during dinner and the second was so loose I tried to convince him to pull it. Finally about 5 minutes before bedtime I yanked it out. (Does that make me a bad Mom?) His grown-up teeth are already poking through. But the best part of all of this was that Thomas wrote a letter to the Tooth Fairy. This is his second letter to the TF. In the first one he asked her what she did with the baby teeth. She wrote back that she took the teeth because baby teeth are the main ingredient in fairy dust. She then sells the dust to other magical creatures. (I have turned this house upside down looking for the letter.) Thomas LOVED it. This time he asked the tooth fairy if she would give him some fairy dust. And this is what she wrote back:

Dear Thomas,

Thank you for your baby teeth. The two front teeth are very important. These two teeth will make some excellent fairy dust for my business. I would love to bring you some fairy dust. I do not have any with me tonight that I can give you, but the next time I come I should be able to bring you some. I only pack enough fairy dust each night to collect the teeth that I need. Keep brushing your teeth, they look very healthy! You are a very good boy. I hope you can buy something fun with the money I gave you. I hope you have a very good day!

Love,

The Tooth Fairy

Thomas can't wait until he looses another tooth. 

By the way, for some reason the the Tooth Fairy's signature looks an awful lot like gold embossing. Also, the gold sparkles on the letter and envelope seemed to resemble my gold eye shadow. I wonder how that happened?  

Hippity Hoppity

I know I should have blogged about this about two weeks ago, but I was still in the "testing" mode. This little project really turned out to be really cute and the kiddos LOVED it. I tried it once in college, but this is the first time with the "Easter Bunny."
I grew wheat grass in an Easter basket. It is really simple to do, you just need to think ahead. I got a large, cheap basket, lined it with a garbage bag, and put a layer of vermiculite in it (you can get vermiculite at normal gardening stores, but not in the garden section of Target or Wal-Mart). Be careful with the vermiculite, you don't want to inhale it, it is very light and easily becomes airborne. Many places say to use potting soil, but you run the risk of it getting a "fertilizer" stank(basically it smells like poo, do you really want your house to smell like poo Easter morning?) Moisten the vermiculite until it is wet but there is not standing water. Then put a layer of wheat or grass seed on the vermiculite. Trim back the plastic bag below the edge of the basket. Set the basket near a sunny window. I would spray the grass with a spray bottle daily, depending on how warm it is. I tried to put the basket in a room where the kids wouldn't see it, but they found it about two days before Easter. Anyway, I loved it so much because I didn't have to fuss with that horrible fake grass and this was so much better for the environment. We don't do much for Easter but we always get a little bit of candy to share. Sorry I didn't post it earlier, but at least this will give you a good idea on what to do for next year.

Great-Grandma's Favorite Bundt Cake

This cake is our family's favorite, and I thought that this year I would share it with our friends and co-workers. The thought of making 20+ cakes seemed crazy but I figured out a way to package them perfectly. In a jar. I made the cake normally and then filled each jar about half full. Baked them in the oven and they turned out fantastically! Then I put the sealing lids on them and waited for the "pings" (they took a while to come but it was so great to hear them.)

The cake is normally in a Bundt pan, but this did the trick. Here is the normal recipe for the cake. If you feel adventurous you can try the jars. Happy Baking!

(If you are reading this and thinking, "Where is my cake in a jar?," then you are probably not very good friends with me or live too far for me to hand deliver it. Most likely the latter.)

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (the more chocolate the better)

1 pkg instant chocolate pudding

1/2 C. white sugar

1 C. sour cream

3/4 C. vegetable oil

3/4 C. water

4 eggs

1-2 C. chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 bottle caramel ice cream topping

1 C. chopped pecans or toffee chips (depends on your preference)

1-2 C. Chocolate chips

1/4 C. cream

Combine the first 8 ingredients until well mixed and moistened. Pour into your favorite Bundt pan and bake in oven 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and pour can of milk and caramel sauce over cake. Allow to completely cool. Remove from pan onto serving plate/platter. Melt the last cup of chocolate chips with the cream. Drizzle generously over cake and then sprinkle pecans or toffee chips over cake.
Very moist, delicious cake. Enjoy!

Yield: 12 to 16 servings (depending on how many chocolate lovers are there)

Leave a comment if you made it or or will make it. Thanks!

New Christmas Tradition!

I did not think of this on my own, but I love the idea. I wrapped up 25 Christmas books (most of which James got from his library) and every night the kids unwrap one and we read it as a family. I have really loved doing this and the kids love it too! It's a bit of work in the beginning but well worth the effort. Here is where I got the idea. Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thinking about my blog I didn't want my last post, which is so negative, to be up there anymore. Things have been getting better. I joined the gym here and I have been going 5-6 times a week. I love taking the "me" time.

Also, at this time of year it makes me reflect on all the things I have to be grateful for, most importantly, my Family! I am lucky to a part of my children's lives.

I love them so much and try so hard to be a good mother for them. I am grateful for James and the love we have for each other. Life really is perfect when he is around (or at least the hard stuff is bearable when he's around).

I am also grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ, the direction it gives me and the knowledge that my family can be together forever. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and for His atoning sacrifice for me. I have so much to be grateful for at this time. Now as Christmas is coming and people get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of gifts I hope that I can remember to be grateful for life's greatest gifts.

There is so much to be grateful for, go out and give thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Life can be hard!

This last month has been hard for me. Things have just been really unsettling right now. James has been interviewing for new jobs, I am doing the Halloween party, and I have been trying to go running. I guess when I write it out it doesn't seem that bad but it sure has felt stressful. I have decided to only worry about the things I can control. I guess in life that is all one can do. I have upped my running schedule and James and I going back on the diet. The diet worked and we felt better on it. So as far a goals here goes:

1. Run for 30 minutes 5 times a week

2. Eat 600 calories or less every meal (that does not include fresh fruits or plain veggies)

3. No cake, donuts, CANDY (yes Halloween candy too), or any other types of sweets

4. Nothing fried

Really everything seems pretty reasonable except number 3. Today is my 8 year anniversary and what do I do with all my chocolate?

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

Apron Giveaway!

My friend Martha guided me to this blog and I am intrigued! There are recipes galore and I am in heaven! I have been spending the morning scrolling through all the fun posts. I thought I would share this giveaway with everyone. I hope you enjoy and best of luck!

Yoga, Run, Abs, Yoga, Run, Abs

I know that my last post suggests otherwise, but I took the week off from running. James was gone for half the week and I had a sick baby all week. But that doesn't mean I can't run and work out this next week. Now that James is home, and its cooling down, I think it will be a bit easier. So it is the same as last week.

1. Do yoga 4 times this week.

2. Go running at least 3 times this week.

3. Do the abs/buns workout 4 times this week.

On a side note, after the last few movies I have watched and books I have read I am grateful that I live in this day and age. History has shown us that being born a woman stinks. This isn't a new revelation to me, I am just glad I am alive now and not then. And that I am not in the American wild west in 1850, England circa 1150 a.d. or even the middle class suburbs of 1950's. All times are romanticized by authors but I know the truth-it wasn't fun for women!

I have to do this again.

I am really irritated with myself. This last summer I worked really hard to run, do yoga and get fit and now I have lost all motivation. I am now running once, maybe twice, a week. All the work I have done will go to waste if I don't do something about it. The only thing I can think about is to be accountable to my blog, it worked in the past. I am going to put my goals on the website and then check in at the end of the week to see how I did. Let's hope this works!

1. Do yoga 4 times this week.

2. Go running at least 3 times this week.

3. Do the abs/buns workout 4 times this week.

There is a bright light, a little hope. Lucy, 4 years-old, has decided to be a runner for Halloween. If that is not encouraging I don't know what is.

Yeah!! He's walking!

Okay, so not walking completely but at least he is trying. That's a step, right? (excuse the pun)

By the way, I love it how Dylan claps for himself. He is so proud, as are we.

Dilly Dance

This video is too cute. This is Dylan's version of dancing. I Love it!

Tender Mercies

Life has been a bit crazy. Yesterday, James and I thought we would take a quick trip to the mall for some shopping. We got a flat tire on the way down there. We changed the tire and then the spare blew out. Finally, after an hour, the car was towed and a brand new tire was put on. We are so glad that we have a cell phone. It made life a little easier.

The amazing part was that my friend Jaime pulled up as we were getting the car on the jack. I couldn't believe that she was inspired enough to go shopping. Yes, shopping can be inspiring. She asked if she could take the kids (I ended up going with her too) which was great! Had the kids stayed with the car we all would have been stuck on the side of the freeway in hundred degree weather for about 40 minutes. Instead, the kids and I went to Sam's Club and Bath and Body Works. Poor James stayed with the car and suffered the heat and waited and waited.

All in all everything is fine and there weren't any major issues. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father was looking out for our little family and sent some mercy. We are so blessed.

So as far as my workout goals, I was not very successful last week. I got my running in but not the yoga. This week is going to play out a little differently. We have a family reunion in 6 weeks, therefore I am doing a crash diet and extra workouts to look good for the reunion. Once at the reunion I will calm things down a bit. So goals this week are as follows:

1. Abs of steel, 15 minutes 6 days this week

2. Running, 30 minutes 5 days this week

3. Yoga, 30 minutes 6 days this week

4. 1600 calorie diet

Wish me luck, with school ending this week I really hope I can do this.

Running

I didn't complete my goal. I ran only three times last week and did yoga three times. In my defense it was my birthday this week and I did a lot of baby-sitting for some friends that are now gone. -boo hoo :( I hope that I can do my goals this week. My goals this week are the same as last. Wish me luck.

1. Run 4 times this week, 30 minutes each time

2. Yoga 4 times this week, 30 minutes each time

On the road again.

I have taken the last few weeks off from running. I am not really sure why but I have felt the affects from not exercising and I am ready to get back in the saddle. With my monumental birthday coming up it made me think that I want to be a person of movement. Plus, I feel a hundred times better when I workout. My goal this week is to run four times and do yoga. Let's see if I can do it. I hope I am not setting myself up for failure. Wish me luck.

1. Run four times for 30 minutes each time

2. Yoga four times for 30 minutes each time

Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do!

I Love Lost! James and I are in disagreement about what happened to the characters in the last episode. Will we be seeing more of Sayid? How about Lapidus? Please comment and let me know what you think.