Benihana for Daddy's B-day

Asher's front tooth is FIXED

So after MUCH drama, Asher's front tooth got half knocked out. The front actually looks good, he still had most his tooth, but from the back it was against his gums and the root/pulp was showing completely. So long story short, we got 2 opinions and both told us he would FOR SURE need a baby root canal (pulpotomy) and we have already had it done and he now has a fake little front tooth. No nerve left, but hopefully it will last till his adult tooth comes in. Thanks to those of you who gave me support, thoughts, & ideas already on my FB page, I really appreciated it.

our FANCY NANCY dinner

So MISS ELLA begged me (in pure desperation) to use of china to make a "Fancy Nancy" restaurant dinner for Daddy when he came home from work. So the VERY FANCY dinner I had already made (yes, said in sarcasm) was set out: chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, garlic bread, cottage cheese & fruit cups, and of course the kids favorite a heart cookie on a plate AND diet soda! They were SO excited.

I LOVED Asher's face drinking with his "Special cup" and getting soda. He loved it! Also the cookies were homemade from earlier in the day. And Ella told me "this is the most special and fun day ever. I wonder what "adventures" we will have tomorrow." It was really cute and sweet. Reminds me of the little things we do as mothers that REALLY makes their days! Love these guys!

PARENTING! The Hardest & Most rewarding

I just read this article about parenting and liked it. I know for myself parenting can often times be hard, but also SO SO rewarding and wonderful!

So here are a few reminders for all my blog followers who are parents:

1. Give yourself a break—you don't need to be so hard on yourself.
2. Just say no! What are your real priorities?
3. Take time to write it down. Journaling will bring clarity to your life.
4. Slow down and savor living in the moment.
5. Plug into your kids so you can really connect with them.
6. Don't forget about your husband—intimacy is life-affirming!
7. Reach out beyond your family. It will enrich everyone.
8. Make your physical and mental health a priority.
9. Is more always better? Simplify everything.
10. Be a little selfish—you deserve it, and it will make you a better mother.

Here is the FULL article:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/parents-who-hate-parenting-the-latest-trend-2466533/

Ella in Dance Exploration

Anyone who knows our Ella knows she LOVES to dance, perform, and POSE for pictures.

This is way belated but these are her Christmas Dance recital pictures. We put her in a dance Exploration class (they do a bit of ballet, tap, gymnastics, and just learn rhythms, etc.) NOT hard core dance. But she LOVED it and actually did GREAT on her performance.

Celebration of the Seasons of Life

I vividly remember going to my Grandma Krause's tiny little house in Roy, UT every summer as a child. These are some of the fondest memories I have had in my life. Nothing in particular that makes me remember or love these times in my life. But I remember playing with cousins almost daily, eating corn on the cob outside, watching summer thunder storms while lying on the grass. Great memories for that season in my life.

I was just asked to speak at a church activity this week on the different seasons of our life. I have been SO grateful for this opportunity as it has reminded me of WHO I am, WHAT I am doing here, and to LIVE and LOVE every moment in life I am in (even right now, let me rephrase that, ESPECIALLY right now) with my little ones who are by far the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life, but also by FAR the most rewarding thing that could ever happen to me upon this earth.

I found this poem and these pictures (BELOW) that I thought I would share to remind YOU:
If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.
Dieter Uchtdorf-- Of Things That Matter Most





Monica Millward Weeks, "Celebration of the Seasons of Life"

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“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

“A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; …

“A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; …

“… for there is a time … for every purpose and for every work” (Eccl. 3:1–2, 4, 17).

As we learn in Ecclesiastes, our lives are filled with contrasting seasons. Following are images and a story that reflect some of the seasons of our lives and our relationships with one another across the generations.

VOTE HERE!

OK my sister told me (after my Cafe Rio Post) that I need to have a vote.

Which do you like BETTER
Cafe Rio OR In N Out!?

You can only vote for one, just name your favorite...

Pretend City in Irvine

My friends Holly & Jill invited us to join them at Pretend City in Irvine...
(AND the video at the end is my kids acting CRAZY, like usual!!!!!!!!!!!)

Mi Madre

As long as I can remember I have called my mom Madre, and for those who know my mom she is "unique" I don't know how else to call it but she is different from most other moms (silly, adventurous, blond, fearless...I could go on and on).

So anyway without further ado, Madre is turning 52 years old this year. There are 52 weeks in 2011. Thus 52 new things this year... or 1 per week. So it should be interesting to stay tuned to see what happens this year (sans the last picture she posted of me...blah!) But we like to try new things and she is often the one planning it.

P.S. (I know one thing she is planning on doing this year that I COULD NOT DO! But you have to stay tuned to find out...ha ha ha... HINT: I doubt most of you have ever done this, but many of you would probably LOVE too...hmmmm). So head to her blog and be sure to follow the fun...
http://52andnew.blogspot.com/

P.S.S. If you don't follow my blog yet be sure to add it on the side link.

Am I Amelia Bedelia? Or just cursed...

So if you are my friend on FB then you have probably already heard of my drama in my life! And for some odd reason I just feel like Amelia Bedelia (remember her?) and I feel I cant get anything right as of late...

So I have been SO excited to be a stay at home mom and all the adventures that was to hold, BUT I sure wasn't ready for it to downpour like this. As soon as I finished working, my family & I were ALL SO sick. After a few WEEKS I was ready to get on the road. First day heading to Disneyland in our new MOM MOBILE (safe mini van) we got HIT by someone who slammed into the back our the swagger wagon. We were all safe, the kids were extremely upset about missing Disneyland and cried as the van was being towed away. We are just beginning with all this drama since it just happened 5 days ago. But the guy who hit us, has NO insurance so now we get to pay and have NO car in the meantime.

Then with my DADS CAR today I went to the park to have a picnic with my sister. While out of the car for 5 minutes (I left my purse in the car, yes ignoring promptings to NOT do that) and sure enough the car alarm started going off, I bolted to the car only to find my dad's car handle dangling and the purse GONE. Cell phone, wallet, checks, about $500 worth of gift cards (from Christmas and a previous collection), our Disneyland passes, and on and on and on....ALL GONE! Now we have to change our door locks, our car electronic keys (very costly) and all the other fun things along with this.

I have cried a few times this last week and it hasn't been fun. I am just trying to look at the many blessings I have and find out what my Heavenly Father is wanting me to learn from all this, and I am trying to figure it out FAST so I don't have to deal with #3 anytime soon.