I want to do only the easy things!

I was talking to my sister the other day and she told me about her daughter... She has been taking piano lessons for a while and the other day she told her mom she didn't want to do it any more. My sister initially said that's great, no one is going to make you do this. But out of curiousity she asked her daughter why... the response was that piano was hard and she only wanted to do the easy stuff. Well, guess who's still taking piano lessons?

I was thinking about it more and you know... I only want to do the easy stuff too. Sometimes it just seems like that would be the way to go. But where does this take us? My guess is that life would actually turn out to be a lot harder. It's funny how the things that seem so hard when we are doing them are the things that set us free. Life would be so dull and unrewarding if all we ever did was "the easy stuff."

Our Father in Heaven has given us families, jobs, church, friends, homes, and the list goes on and on... and it's all hard work. We have to work everyday to keep up those things. Is it easy? Sometimes yes... and sometimes it's so hard I want to dig myself a hole and hide for a year or two. But most of the time it's fun and it is always worth it!

So enjoy life... learn from it...

Speaking of learning...

We went to NYC last week. What an adventure! I feel like I learned alot about people, our country, myself, art and everything inbetween.

I'll just give you a day it a time...So here is a shot looking up. It looks alot bigger in pictures than when you are really there. Is it big? Yes. In NYC everything is big... including the rats! And yes this is our friend we made the first day... luckily he only stayed just long enough to get a picture.It's not as big as I thought it would be. Everything was kinda spread out. But over all I loved the trip! It was refreshing to spend some time without kids. And it was relaxing.

This is Times Square. Wow! This place was busy everytime we through it (and we walked through it alot! It seems like everyday at some point we would end up here...). So many people and the stores were always open... I have got to find out what their hours are. So that was day number one...

Sing your heart out!

I made some bread last week... It sang! It was the most amazing thing ever. And it was almost the perfect loaf... I didn't actually make the dough a friend did. And the recipe she uses doesn't have any sweetener... I like my bread with sugar or honey in it. So I made some of my own with sweetener (I used honey) and my bread didn't sing... the crust was almost as crunchy... but it sure tasted good anyway, and it still wasn't the perfect loaf. I guess I'll have to try it her way and see if I can get it right.
Bread makes me feel good. I love to bake bread. There is just something about having bread at some point in the making... it make my house smell good... and just looking at it can be comforting...
So bake some bread this week and just see how good it makes you feel!

What did your kids do today?

This is pretty much everything in Sadie's room. Spencer and Sadie shut themselves in her room this morning. They were being so nice to each other and I was busy with things around the house so I just let them be. When I went in to make sure they were okay I saw that they had had lots of fun piling EVERYTHING onto her bed! They were not so excited about having to put it all away. But then who can blame them? Most people I know don't like cleaning up either. I would cook and sew all day, everyday if I didn't have to clean up after myself (and if I didn't have kids:).

All the small things...

All the small things... grandpa helping to teach Mark...

The joy of Tommy swinging out in the warm sun....

Being a mom and even if it's only one day a year (thankfully it's more) of my kids saying thanks mom for being there for us, for loving us, for taking care of us, for giving us hugs and kisses, for making sure we get our homework done, for playing with us, for singing to us and reading to us, and for all the other things you do...

For naps... this little girl rarely takes one, but when she does she sleeps hard...

For preschool where Spencer gets to make cool things... and for brushing our teeth...

I am just thankful for all the small things which add up to our lives and that's a big deal!

April

What Dave has been up to or will be up to...
1. Roller Hockey... he's been wanting to do it for a while, and a friend asked him to join a team a couple of weeks ago and he was so excited he was like a little kid on Christmas morning!
2. Work... he still has a job and lots of work to do and we are just hoping and praying that the church gives them another job sometime soon.
3. Family... We are lucky to get some of his time as well.

What I have been up to...
1. Sewing... as always I love to sew. I ordered a metal purse frame. I am excited to get it and try it out.
2. Playing... With the kiddos off track we have been going to the park, to play with friends, the skating rink, the aquarium and all that fun stuff
3. YW (Young Women's Secretary is my church calling). Last night we made sushi. All I have to say about that is... YUCK!!!!
4. Family... we just can't get enough of each other!
What Mark has been up to...
1. The Science Fair... he WON! So he gets to go to District. Oh and he made a potato battery.
2. Soccer... It just started up this last saturday and he LOVES it.
3. Everything else... friends, video games, a new bike, putting his foot through the wall... etc
What Tommy has been up to...
1. BB hunting... for some reason there is a fascination with those little round balls. He has quite the collection. A friend of mine told him he could buy them at the store and he about died!
2. Friends... he has quite the little group of friends. They have a lot of fun playing video games, hunting for BBs and who knows what else.
3. Mighty Beans... They are funny little things that look like pills, but they have a marble inside so they roll and jump and you can play games with them and collect the different ones. Fun stuff!
What Spencer has been up to...
1. Learning how to ride a bike. He's getting better. He asked for training wheels and I told him he didn't need them. He hasn't asked again.
2. Moon boots... I'm not sure if he thinks it's still going to snow or what?
3. Reading... Yup that's right our little guy can read. I'm just wondering what they are going to teach him next year in kindergarten. He can read, count to more than 300 BY HIMSELF, he can do some simple addition, he writes his name exactly right (first and last name), infact his writting looks like that of a 1 grader... yeah we are in for trouble folks!
What Sadie has been up to...
1. Breakfast... for those who do not know my daughter, she does not eat breakfast. Well today she had a smoothie and cereal WITH milk in it! We'll see if it lasts...
2. Words... if I could only remember the things she says... never a days goes by that she doesn't make me laugh.
3. Height... I noticed the other day that she has grown. Her pants that were all way too long at the beginning of the winter, are all too short for her now.

And there you have it folks.
In other news... we went to the aquarium today to see the penguins. It was fun. We have a park with a zip line sort of by us and we went there today and it was fun. We went to the rink with the cousins the other day and that was fun. I got out our summer clothes yesterday and that was fun. So I guess we have been having lots of fun!

Nothing really to say...

Sadie thinks she can climb anything... and well most things she can climb. And she just happens to be small enough to fit into many things... such as this drawer. Who knows why kids do the things they do... all I can do is wonder what goes on in that little head. I'm sure she has some pretty amazing and wonderful thoughts.

And here is Mark following in her foot steps... apparently he thinks he can fit into impossibly small places as well... well as you can plainly see, he does not fit. But he sure is cute trying!

Spencer was playing outside the other day and wanted me to take a picture of him on the climbing domb... that's what he calls it. You know he is one amazing kid. He is learning to read this week. I'm not exactly sure what we are going to do with him... but one thing I am sure of is that he is going to be really bored in Kindergarten. Just look at that smile in his face! He's a cute one, that's for sure!

Tommy has been so silly lately. Just look at his goofy smile! He sure is cute! He just turned 7 last week. I am always amazed at how quickly they grow up! Some day I'll find a shrinking potion to keep them small.

And then there's the fam! Dave sporting his new contacts and me in my gorgeous new glasses. I don't have to wear them all the time, but it is really nice to be able to see... so I pretty much wear them all the time. Enjoy!

Gone!

Dave is gone. It always sounds so bad coming out of my mouth, like he's going to be gone forever or something... no he will be back tonight. But I tell you it doesn't make it any easier. But I just have to put this out there.... I love my husband! I love him for all that he is. A hard worker, loving, warm (just stand by him and you can feel the heat radiating off him), did I mention a hard worker? He loves what he does... all of it! Ok so maybe not changing diapers, but he loves his work, he loves his calling in church, he loves being a husband and he loves being a dad! And I love him for all of that and more!
Now to what he is doing being gone. He is working on the LDS Atlanta Temple remodel. What better thing to be working on.
I should post a picture of my house. When he leaves nothing works the same. The house is messier and I don't enjoy cooking as much and in general it is just a little (or alot) crazy around here. But on a high note I just had my girl scout cookies delivered. Now I'm really in trouble. Goodbye... I'm off to sample my new friends!

Surprise!

As promised here is the picture of our little surprise! Doesn't he look handsome? We sure do love Tommy! And we are excited for him to be able to see again! He says it's like magic!

My how time flies!

I guess it's been a while since my last post... Earlier this month Dave took a business trip to Atlanta. I always hate it when he has to go. The kids seem to be more wound up, I don't sleep and it's just not my favorite thing. So Dave thought it was funny that Sadie and I were blocking the door in an atempt to keep him from leaving. It didn't work by way, he still left. But I keep telling him that one time I'm gonna lock him in the bathroom and I just might actually do it!

For those of you that know Dave... he can sleep any time, any where... which usually is the floor on a Saturdy afternoon. Sadie decided to join him. I just thought it was cute. There was no actual sleeping involved here, much to Dave's dismay.

For those who don't already know... we have a surprise. If you already know don't give it away, but you probably don't know that you know so I guess it's okay. And no it's not what you think... I will give you one hint... it has nothing to do with me. So post a comment and see if you can guess what it is and I'll post here on Monday with a picture. Happy Guessing!

Rolled Flower necklace

Look what I made this week!!!! Apparently these types of things are all the rage right now... so being the crafty person that I am... I made my own.

Isn't it just the best? Okay so I know some of you (like my husband) are thinking "really... she would wear that?" And I tell you "YES!!! I would wear that!" And I will wear it proudly!

This picture is great... just don't look too closely at my very dry hand.

And again....And I promise this is the last picture. I just love the necklace and I was having fun taking pictures of my handy work. So I was thinking that the rolled flowers would be cute as little hair barrets for Sadie... no?

a wake-up call...

Okay so I feel right now like I need one of those wake-up calls. You know when life is rolling along great and everything seems to be going your way and you have everything you need and most of the things you want and your family is all healthy and your kids are doing great in school and everyone is happy (i know that was one really long sentence)... and then something happens and you "wake up." Well... I feel like I need one of those. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for disaster or some terrible thing to happen... I guess I just feel bad that I complain sometimes when some trivial little thing doesn't go my way. I have so much to be thankful for... and now I'm awake, I think...
On another note... I was thinking the other day about my little Oompas (my kids, Heidi would appreciate this one). I was thinking about what a scary world we have brought them into... and about how I just wish I could keep them little and under my wing forever... but alas they grow up and they seem to need us less and less in some ways and more and more in others. I am greatful I have such a wonderful family. I am thankful to have a husband who supports and cares for us and would really truely do just about anything for us. Okay I'm done now...

Walt Disney World... and burned potatoes

So today I decided I wanted to try making potato bread. I have been baking my own bread for over 5 years and in the last two years have developed my own recipe. It is tried and true and loved by all who have tried it. I decided this years I would like to try and branch out from my white and wheat recipes. So today I thought Potato. Why not? Well I successfully burned my first batch of potatoes. They smell awful... I am trying again. Hopefully I will have more success this time around. I'll keep you posted.
On a happier note... we returned home on Saturday from the Happiest Place on Earth! I love Disney. I love everything about it. I love the movies, I love the vacations. And aside from pretty much everyone gettign sick one of the days, we had a great time!

Spencer first Airplane flight.... the boys went to disneyworld 5.5 yr ago. Sadie flew to dallas when she was 2 months old.

You gotta love the hotels there!

This is one of the streets in Hollywood Studios. You should all see Disney decorated for Christmas! It was fabulous!!!

Ok so Sadie LOVE LOVE LOVES the Princesses!!!! So I took her to a breakfast. You can't really tell from the pictures (she refuesed to look and to smile)... but she had a great time!

Ariel is by far her favorite!!!! She got an Ariel Sweater, a purse and a stuffed doll of her. You might say she is obsessed

Our traditional picture just inside the gate of Magic Kingdom!!!! This was the sick day... yes we still went to the park that day. Two of the kids were throwing up all night so we let them sleep til they woke up, but we didn't want to miss a day. So here we are having fun!

The castle lit up at night was amazing!!! The castle in Florida is so much cooler than in California! If you haven't see it you should.

We love Toy Story. The ride is the best!

Another traditional picture

And the castle in the day is really cool too.

This is Sadie's favorite ride. She is still talking about it.

Here are all the wild animals. Amazing that we could get all the cousins in one picture and looking too!

And the last traditional picture. You just can't do Disney without a picture with Mickey and Minnie.