Passing it around

I wrote a while ago about how Emma had fifths disease, well it has gone the rounds. Bentley had it next, and then Ali got it as well. Add a big bruise on her chin and she looks pretty sad. She's recovering nicely however and hopefully will survive childhood. It seems like she is constantly falling down and bonking her head. Poor thing.

Happy Valentine's Day! aka Number 1 or should I say FOUR!!!

I love... my hubby!
I don't think I write enough of what a fabulous husband I have, and I can't think of a better day to write about him. Valentines Day has been a special day ever since we started dating. In fact our first date was 10 years ago... today! I cannot believe it was ten years ago; time really flies.
There was a Stake Valentine Dance that my home stake was putting on, so my friend, Melanie, and I decided to ask some guys to go, so I was the one to ask Tom out first:) After that dance we started 'hanging out,' and then he graduated that May. He went home to West Valley, and it wasn't quite so easy to continue our courtship. In the fall he went up to USU, so the long distance relationship continued which was not so fun. However, he didn't give up, and we got engaged a year later to the day from our first date. That's right, Valentine's Day again. Then, we were married August of 2000, and we've been blessed ever since. In fact... we have some exciting news!!! And what better day than Valentines to share with the world (OK the three people that read this blog) but whatever:-) If you're wondering what this exciting news may be, wait no more... We're expecting number four!

Number 2

I love... a clean house.
Today I didn't much like the process, but it feels good when its done.

Number 3

I love... Cafe Rio.






Mm-mm-mmm
I really do! And, no, love is not too strong a word in this case.

Give me a pork salad, and I'm a happy woman.
I could go off about the "best ever" salad I had today, but I won't ;)
I'll just say that... It Was Good!

Numbers 6, 5, and 4

I love... my children.

Here I am reverting back to the obvious, but you didn't think I'd make it through a week of valentine posts without mentioning the sunshine of my days.

I'll highlight each briefly:






Bentley is an adorable first grade boy, who has yet to grow back his two front teeth. He's had a bit of a rough week, as he is suffering from a cold (I think the same one I've got, poor thing). His school is doing a three week reading incentive which has Bentley, who I've mentioned before has a bit of a competitive spirit, excited to help his team win.















Here is Emma in a nutshell as of late, "There was a little girl and she had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead; when she was good she was very, very good, but when she was bad..." well, if you've heard this little nursery rhyme before, you get the idea. That's right, sometimes I ask myself where my perfect little princess has gone. No, she really is a sweet little thing, so I guess its good that she occationally lets her will be known.















The main thing that comes to mind is how much Ali has grown up the last little while. She has not only gotten big, but she's got her own thoughts and ideas, and she lets them be made known. She's started talking up a storm, and I'm amazed at all she observes, comes up with and shares. My favorite thing about her right now has got to be when spontaneously comes up to me, wraps her arms around me and says, "I love you, Mommy". It melts my heart every time, and I'm pretty sure she knows it.














I'm sure that everyone with children out there feels the same way, but I've just got to say that I don't know what I'd do with out the cute sleepy looks in the mornings, the hugs and kisses and endless questions throughout the day, the smiles, laughs and even the tears, the shared stories, songs, and all the other fun things we do together.
I love my babies!

Number 7

I love... Hymn #241
While having a little pity party for myself today, Tom, being the fabulous hubby that he is, decided to remind me of all the many blessings we've received in the eight and a half years since we were married. As we were driving as a family tonight he not only serenaded me with this fabulous hymn, but he did just what it said, "counted our blessings one by one." There are so many aspects of our lives that are nothing short of a miracle. Our families are amazingly supportive, we have three beautiful/healthy children, good educations, ... ... ... I could go on, but I'll try not to bore you too much, and I don't want to come across as boastful. I just know that the Lord guides our lives. While writing this, the poem about the Master Weaver came to mind. With the amazing power of the internet, I was able to find it in all of about five seconds, so I'll share it. Considering all things, I don't know how appropriate it is right now. Really, we've got it pretty good. Still, I think it is always good to remember who is really running the show.

The Plan Of The Master Weaver

Our lives are but fine weavings,
That God and we prepare,
Each life becomes a fabric planned
And fashioned in His care.
We may not always see just how
The weavings intertwine,
But we must trust the Master’s hand
And follow His design,
For He can view the pattern
From the upper side,
While we must look from underneath
And trust in Him to guide.

Sometimes a strand of sorrow
Is added to His plan,
And though it’s difficult for us,
We still must understand
That it’s He who fills the shuttle,
It’s He who knows what’s best,
So we must weave in patience
And leave to Him the rest…

Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why—
The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

--Anonymous

Number 8

I love... family time.
It is so nice sometimes to just be together as a family. Crowds are great and all, but sometimes I just ache for a quite evening with just our fam. We were able to enjoy one tonight, and it was heavenly. We made a yummy dinner of baked veges. and chicken, but while it was cooking we decided to make a couple of appetizers: homemade fries, sauteed mushrooms, apples... Needless to say no one ate their actual dinner very well. Oh well, we had fun, and it was a little bit of heaven on earth.

Number 9

I love... my Mom. I feel so lucky to have the best Mom in the entire world. For all of you who feel the same way... sorry, my Mom takes the cake. We were able to spend a couple of days with her this week, and she basically just spoiled us all rotten. We laugh that the kids go through "Grandma withdrawals" whenever we have to come home after a visit. A perfect example would be today while I was loading the dish washer. Ali came up and started putting her fingers in the soapy water and then putting them in her mouth, ick. I told her the dishes were dirty and the water was yucky and to stop etc. She turned and said, "I want Grandma (bama)" Then she said, "Grandma nice".
I couldn't argue. She is really nice.
Emma is often saying similar things... If I say no (usually to silly little things like we're not drinking from straws tonight), she'll say, "Grandma lets me" I have a hard time knowing whether to growl or smile.
Not only is she a great Grandma, but I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have her just a phone call away. She is the best listener. While growing up, without fail, if I ever went against the advice she gave I regretted it. I still highly respect her opinions and often seek them out before making big decisions.
Thanks Mom for all you do! Love you lots! :)

Count down to Heart Day... Number 10

Valentine's Day is coming quickly, so I've decided to do a countdown. Ten things I love. I thought about a top ten list, but I don't think it will be that. Just ten random things based on what I'm thinking about and feeling like each day.
10.
I love... exercise.
I don't think I need to say much more (refer to my other post today if you want more detain:)

Should I feel guilty?

Bases on behavior similar to that depicted in the last post as well as the fact that I haven't been working out consistently... I think I've increased in mass over the last few weeks. With that said (its my justification) I did something tonight that I haven't done for a long time. I pampered my self! How might you ask? Well, I'll tell you. I went to the gym! Thats right, I spent three hours working out tonight, and I am feeling so much better! On the way home I called my sis and we were talking about how we like to pamper ourselves every now and again. Me? I'm not a go the spa and get a massage type of girl. Let me work out hard and then end with an hour of yoga and I'm happy as a clam. Luckily I have a fabulous husband who took over the parenting responsibilities tonight, so that when I got home all kids had been fed, helped with homework, and put to bed! Pampering really doesn't get much better than that. Now, the only problem is, "How do I not feel guilty?" I need some pampering now and again, right?