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I decided 2 blogs wasn't enough to keep me busy, so I created 5 more. Now I can work on one each day of the week. Check out their links on my sidebar or read more about them here!

Life-lessons from Toy Story

Monday was Family Day, which meant the kids were home from school, but Len had to work (yeah, that makes sense for "family" day).

It was too cold for me to take them to do any outdoorsy activities. I also wasn't brave enough (or rich enough) to take them all to some fun indoorsy entertainment. So instead we popped some corn, decorated some Toy Story cupcakes, and settled in for a little movie-trilogy fun.

Now I don't believe there is a parent in the world that didn't cry while watching Toy Story 3. Just like I did in the theater last summer, I bawled my eyes out. My sweet Noe came over and put her arm around me to give me some comfort. She asked why I was crying and I told her it's because I don't want her or her brothers to grow up and leave me (selfish, I know.)

Later that night when we were putting the kids to bed, Noe snuck and climbed into our bed. When I found her, she had a big smile on her face, but then immediately burst into tears. When I asked her what was wrong she said she didn't want to grow up. I felt so bad and thought she was mirroring my emotions from earlier in the evening. I tried to console her by telling her that when I was little I didn't want to grow up either, but that I am so glad that I did because I got to marry daddy and have her and her brothers. I confessed that I really do want her to grow up too and lead a happy and fulfilling life, meet her Prince Charming and give me beautiful grandbabies.

I also told her the beauty of the gospel is that our family can be together forever. Even when she grows up and even when we're in heaven, she'll always be my baby. After telling her this, she started crying even harder. Again, I asked her what was wrong and she asked what if all of us don't make it to the Celestial Kingdom? (What? I have my own personal doubts, but my darling 8 year old daughter has them too?) She said she didn't feel worthy because she fights with Kaleb too much. I tried comforting again and told her that was normal- that all siblings fight, but that our family loves each other with all of our hearts and that we will all be together.

Leonard came in then and reaffirmed that of course we're all going to the Celestial Kingdom. He didn't say it arrogantly, but with the "believe it to achieve it" confirmation. I know I have many sins to give up and a long road to become perfect, but with all of my heart I want my family together forever and I want to have a positive attitude about that truly happening. Every day I want to tell myself, "Of course I'm going to the Celestial Kingdom, Jesus Christ made that possible." I want my daughter to mirror those emotions too, not those of self-doubt and unworthiness.

Kub Kar Rally

Success! Kaleb earned his driver's license and a trophy!!


Back home I knew it as the Pinewood Derby, but no matter what you call it it's been a Cub Scout tradition since the beginning of time. Each little boy is given a block of wood, 4 wheels and nails and told to turn it into a car, so they can all get together and race them. I think Kaleb did an amazing job designing and painting his and while I'm typing this he is at the rally and I sure hope he has a great time!


He painted waves on one side,


fire on the other,

then they met at a lightning bolt in the middle. Regardless of where his car places today, I am SO very proud of him!!

My Winter Boy

With all of the sickness we've had this winter it feels like our family has been hibernating. The little boys and I have missed our Jolly Phonics and play days for so long! We were so excited to have 3 darling brothers come and spend a couple of days with us this week.

The 3 big boys got all dressed up in their snow gear to play outside for a while (about 10 minutes- tee hee). They had some snowball fights and tried building a snowman. I bought a snowman "kit" this year, so we really need to build one!

I just want to give a little tribute to my Gavin boy. I sure love him! He is such a tender, gentle soul and likes to be a peacemaker. He'll come up to me and say, "Mommy, I want to scuddle (snuggle) you." I'll pull him up into my lap and he'll immediately start twirling his fingers in my hair, then he'll tell me, "I love you girl." Oh, my heart just melts! When I am upset he'll tell me, "Don't worry Mommy, be happy." He's never even heard the Bobby McFerrin song by that title, that's just what's inside him. I also must mention Jex, his imaginary friend. He talks about him a lot and tells me he wants to go and play at Jex's house. When I tell him I don't know where Jex lives, he'll say he lives in the blue house. Even though Jex is imaginary, he is not invisible. He'll see random pictures of little boys on a game box or a newspaper ad and he'll point at them and tell me that that is Jex. He is so funny! He is such a picky eater too, and it drives me crazy! But I love this boy so much and am so glad I get to spend my days with him!

Fill in the Blank

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing____________________________________.


A: Well

B: Poorly

I have always been taught that the correct answer is A. If I'm going to take time to do something, I want to do my best, otherwise why bother? However, this past Sunday in Relief Society my eyes were opened to answer B. If something is WORTH doing, it is worth me doing it even if it is done not all that great. Oft times my attitude of wanting to do things well inhibits me from trying new things that I think I won't be good at.

I'll give you an example. I LOVE food, however I do NOT love cooking. I do think planning and preparing healthy and tasty meals is something WORTH doing though. Instead of throwing in the towel and saying, "I'm just not good at that." I want to say," I am going to try even if I do it bad." And hopefully over time that weakness can become a strength.

I hope this can empower you as I hope it will empower me too. So here's to doing things poorly, but at least doing them!!

Big hearts, kissy lips, and paper mustaches

These cupcakes were about as exciting as our Valentine's Day got- tee hee. I put an Oreo cookie in the bottom of the liner, then topped with chocolate cake, vanilla frosting, and of course some nice big hearts I had on hand. The fam enjoyed them, but I would have much rather had some truffles or cheesecake- ha ha!


My visiting teachers stopped by in the morning and brought me these delish white and brown sugar shortbread cookies. Aren't they adorable?


I had grand ideas of helping the kids make really creative Valentine's cards for their class, but we ended up with the Wal-mart special and heart-shaped lollipops. I did put forth a little creativity with the lollipops for my little fam.

The kissy lips and mustaches were a hit! My sweet husband also wrote me a lovely poem.

We've added to our Charlie Brown collection, so of course we had to watch his Valentine's specials. Hope you all had a happy hearts day!

Fancy Dress Party

Kaleb and Noe's friend, Claire knows how to throw a party! Last year her theme was "Guiness Book of World Records." This year her theme was "Hollywood Red Carpet." The kids got all dressed up for a night of glamorous fun!

My BIG baby

I posted this on my Creative Pursuits blog last week, but since this blog gets more traffic I wanted to share it here too. It's not that I think it's the most amazing thing and want to brag or anything, it's just that I am so happy that I finally accomplished it and one day when I make this year's posts into a blurb book I want it as part of our family history. So here it is...


I finally painted by big ol' 3 foot by 4 foot canvas, and as I said before, the accomplishment of it has put a smile on my face all week. Yeehaw! It's done!


Before...


...and after. I don't think I'll watch TV again- ha ha!

Whistlin' Along

This song has been around for a while, but I can't get it out of my head lately. Listen HERE and maybe you'll join me in whistlin' along. Swedish meatballs are so good, who knew their PB&J was so good too!

Wascally Wabbits

No, not those rabbits.


Yep, these are the rabbits celebrating Chinese New Year in the last of our spiffy Chinese clothes (sigh). Actually, Teague is an ox; Gavin is a dog; Kaleb and Noe are horses; but Leonard and I are both rabbits, so this is our year! We're actually hoping to expand our family (yeah, I see the humor) and we still have a couple more months to maybe add more little bunnies to our clan.


Thursday we ordered take out from Lucky Fortune. Kaleb and Noe's classmate owns it (well her parents do). We had yummy egg noodles, fried rice, chicken balls with sweet and sour sauce, cashew chicken, and egg rolls.

And of course, we all got to crack open a lucky fortune cookie!

Nature, time and patience are the three great physicians.

You may attend a party where strange customs prevail.

You seek to shield those you love and like the role of provider.

Simplicity and clarity should be your theme in dress.

People find it difficult to resist your persuasive manner.

You have at your command the wisdom of the ages.

Can you tell he's sick?

The pictures of our family are from today when we got dressed up for church (I looked pathetic last Thursday). Gavin and Teague were still really sick so Len stayed home with them, while I took the 2 big kids. The fortune I wish is that we will all be feeling HEALTHY again soon!

Xin Nian Kuai Le! Tu Nian Da Ji!

Dizzy Blonde

Yep, that's what I am. Well, I need to get my hair weaved again soon since I'm really a brunette, but I'm worried this dizziness is here to stay (I really hope not!). Last Friday to Thursday was one of the worst weeks of my life. Every time I moved my head the whole room would spin out of control. However, this past Friday I started feeling much better. The dizziness is still here, but it's manageable. In fact, I'm taking 5 kinds of pills (multiple times a day) to help manage it all. Too bad I have to deal with side effect headaches, but I'd rather have a headache than be dizzy. First the doctor put me on Serc to help with the vertigo, and Gravol to help with the nausea. After my blood work came back he put me on Iron supplements (3 times a day- sheesh!), that I get to take with Vitamin C (it's like candy) for at least the next 3 months when I'll do blood work again. I'm also on Vitex to help regulate my cycles. Being a girl is so fun!

Bathtime buds

These 2 had so much fun splashing in the tub together!


I love this boy and his crazy hair!


I love this boy and his huge smile!

Afterwards they wanted to snuggle up in mommy & daddy's bed to get warm.