Tender Merceys

This weekend was the semi annual General Conference for the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I tried to prepare myself and my family with things to do while listening. I am not the type to sit in front of the TV for 8 hours (I have been known to fall asleep). I like to listen while doing other things.  I don't expect my girls to listen to every speaker but I want them to feel the Spirit and at least be reverent.  A simple task, right?  Well my 2 year old loves to talk like it's her job and often screams when upset.  At one point I had had it.  I broke into tears and pleaded for them to just go play upstairs.  Ok, let me just say that looking back I think my girls probably thought I was crazy because I was in tears and just wanted them to be quiet.  I know it sounds nuts but I really try hard to get what I need to learn from our church leaders.  As conference came to an end, my E was quietly playing with her Barbies and M was taking a nap (hallelujah) and President Monson was waving to the camera.  I looked over and E was waving back to the TV and said, "Mom he's waving to me!" 

 My heart was overwhelmed that she felt that he was waving to her.  I turned to mush because she WAS listening, and noticed the Prophet waving to HER!  To her, it meant something.  Despite all the craziness that day, she was able to feel something and I realized that it truly is the simple things that matter most.

Lazy Days

Oh how I wish we would have found our trailer a few months ago!

We have now spent a few nights in it away from our home,

(haha), and are loving it.

I found the greatest hammock...it is called

Green Armadillo

It comes in two sizes, single (for one person) or double (for 2 or more - up to 350 lbs)

I ordered the double and LOVE IT.  I find myself spending a little too much time in it!

Hey isn't that what camping is all about?

It is so easy to put up (about 3 min total time) and a few more to put it away.

It fits in a small bag so it takes a little more time to shove it in the bag.

After our last outing I found out that the hammock can be washed.  It looks brand new.

Green Armadillo

Look What We Finally FOUND!

A Trailer!!!

We are so excited!  We can't wait go somewhere.  More pics to come.  We are still trying to get organized.  We hope to have it always ready so if we want to go on a whim all we have to do is pack some food and head out! 

Last weekend we decided we would sleep in it (out in front of our house).  Our girls were so excited.  I think E told every person she saw that we were sleeping in our trailer.  Well it started out great.  They shared (or we thought they would love to share) the bunk.  M wanted no part in it.  She was all over the place.  So we put her in bed with us.  She couldn't get comfortable.  Then to the couch bed.  Finally about midnight we headed in were we slept the remainder of the night.  Crazy.  Next time we are going to bring her playpen and try that.  Hopefully that will help!!! We'll see. 

Until tomorrow, HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!

Back to School

Happy Back to School!

I have such mixed emotions about this.  My little girl is now in the 1st grade.

Nooooo.  She is growing up way to fast.

I really love this age but I am going to miss her while she is at school. 

Do you like E's backpack and lunch box?

We found them at Downeast.

If you haven't heard of Downeast then check this out.

Potterybarn backpack $8 PB lunch box $2.50.  Can't beat that.

Perfect condition just monogrammed with someone else's name!

 So...I covered them up using a sew on cotton applique.

{I actually glued it on with liquid stitch}

Don't use the iron-on kind because the iron will melt your backpack!

All done.

So cute and so easy. 

In The Good Old Summer Time

Look what we found at our family get together: a kid friendly tubing river.  My girls had a blast.  It was fun to get together and also to let them float down something safe.  What fun things are you doing to beat the heat?  Some of our favorites include running through our sprinkler, ice cream, Popsicles, bike rides, sleeping in, wearing hats, snow cones, and eating dinner outside.  I am so sad that we have less than four weeks until we are back in school.  Bummer.  Ok, maybe then I will be able to finish a few of my projects!!!

Also...

I found this and think it would be fun.

run like a girl retreat.com

August 11-13, 2011 women's only running retreat will be hosted by the Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah. Nestled in the mountains, it provides a sweet escape from the bustle of everyday life with ideal routes for runners. Participants will learn to train smarter at the feet of local running elite. You'll walk (or run) away with a personal regimen designed to help you take your fitness to the next level. Then you can put your learning to the test by running the race on Saturday! Whether you have just started running, or you have been running for years, this event is for ALL skill levels! Choose between a whole weekend or just coming to run the race.

Retreat includes:

* Access to all day event Thursday thru Saturday

* Chance to learn from the best on how to increase performance
 * Learn how to run faster and more efficiently
 * Participate in group runs during the day Friday
 * Entry to 5k or 10k race (plus race t-shirt)
 * Free entry into the yoga, plilates, and Zumba classes
 * Retreat T-shirt

(totally stylish! You'll have a hard time NOT wearing this around!)
 * Also includes snacks & one meal during the event
 * Includes KILLER swag bag. We'd tell ya, but then there'd be no surprises. What's the fun in that?
 * Most Importantly...A GIRLS WEEKEND OUT WITH YOUR FAVORITE LADIES DOING WHAT YOU LOVE!

Upcycled Flip Flops

Remember this?

Well, look what I found around E's neck!  So creative.

She made a necklace all on her own from the original flip flop straps!

We Made It!

We have officially made it through the 3 crazy weeks of of post-tonsillectomy.  E had a rough time for the first 2 weeks and just barely started feeling better.  It was miserable for her.  I felt so bad.  She didn't want to take her medication until the pain got to be more than she could handle.  She finally learned that it really worked.  Thank goodness for good medication.  She was a different girl because of it.  So E is officially back to feeling like her same ol' self. 

Sorry for the gross pic but I love what this book has taught me!!!

Hello, Anyboby There?

So sorry for the lack of posts this week.  It has been crazy.

One week ago the Mr. and I ran the Ragnar Relay (post to come), then I worked Monday and Wednesday (normally I work just Mondays but I am taking time off to be with E) and then E had an adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy yesterday.  E was pretty excited for her surgery.  She knew that it was going to be painful and that she would have to relax a lot but she was most excited about eating A LOT of popsicles.

 

 Dr. Barlow - He is WONDERFUL

This was so awful.  After about an hour of questions and prodding, E was very nervous.  The Mr. and I were not holding up too well.   E just held on tight and didn't want to go.  It was horrible.  But after LOTS of hugs and kisses she was off and we sat for what seemed to be the longest 30 minutes of our life.

We knew that she was in good hands but this was our

first time having a child go into surgery.

We hope that we never have to do it again! 

Finally done, now time to snuggle (I was in heaven)...until I started to feel a little woozy.  I could smell a weird (don't know how to explain it) smell every time E would breath out (it was her anesthesia).  I said to the Mr., "I don't feel well, will you take her?."  Then he said that my eyes rolled back and I was out.  The nurses came over and gave me oxygen, and cold packs.  It was the craziest thing, I could hear what was going on, but I couldn't open my eyes, or move my arms or legs.  I was sweating so bad.  I literally passed out.  I was so embarrassed, and I felt horrible that I couldn't hold E.  After a little bit I was back to myself and E was doing great so we headed home.  Crazy day. 

Let the Popsicles begin.

E is doing great.  It is kind of hard to keep her down!  

 We are so grateful that all went well, and for all of our visitors.  

We feel so blessed to live in a place with so many

family and friends close by to visit.

We love you all and THANKS for the gifts and Popsicles!

Disneyland 2011

I finally found the best pics from our vacation.  We took over 600 pics.

That is why it has taken me so long to post about our trip.

So grab some hot cocoa (if you live in Utah) and enjoy. 

As you already know, we stayed  two days in Las Vegas and then

we finally made it to DISNEYLAND!!!

We like to start Disneyland out by eating at Goofy's Kitchen.  It's a little pricey but worth every penny!  The food is wonderful, and the characters come right to your table.  It is a blast.  We have found that it is nice if you go when you don't have anything else to do that night.  We like to stay and enjoy the meal and the characters.  Our kids like to see all of them.

This is a pic (not a great pic) of their pizzas: cheese, mac and cheese, and PB&J!

One on one with Mulan and Minnie - sooo sweet!

Happy early birthday, E!

Watch out for little sister who steals your sprinkles when you turn your back!

Our duct tape stroller held up the whole time!!!

We like to find little treats throughout the day.
This one (a giant rice krispie treat topped with chocolate) can be found between
Splash Mountain (which was closed until May 27th - so sad) and
Pooh's Adventure.

When you get off Pirates, turn left and you will pass a few shops.  You will find an area that opens up to a courtyard with a staircase.  It's said that Walt himself used to live there.  It is so nice and peaceful.

Perfect for a photo shoot.

NEMO!

World of Color is AMAZING!   We loved it.  Did you know that you have to have a Fast Pass to see it?  Well you do and you have to go right when California Adventure opens.  We found that they actually let you in the park 30 min before it opens to obtain a Fast Pass.  Also, you'll want to get in line to get your spot 30 minutes before the time on your Fast Pass tells you to.  It is crazy but worth it.  We found that the bridge

overlooking the water is a perfect spot.

E's and my FAVORITE ride!!!  Love her.  We giggle during the whole ride.

I have taught her well!

Ooohhhh, don't these look yummy?

We found that this little treat is to die for!  It is a Dole whip.

It can be found next to the Enchanted Tiki Room!

While we were there, the world premiere for Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides was held.

I would not suggest going when it says that the park will be closed early due to an event.

It was crazy.

This was as close to Johnny that I will probably ever get!

M keeps telling everyone, "Minnie kiss me head cheek."

Then she makes the cutest kissing sound just like Minnie!

This is pretty funny - hope you like it!

Don't mind M with her binkie (we are getting rid of it soon).

She had no nap and it was either her B or her being whinny.  We chose the B!

Whew you made it through all of that!
Thanks so much for reading.
Check back next week to hear about a few other things we found along our trip!
Have a great weekend!

Tiny Treats!

I can't believe that my baby is now 6 years old.
It seems like yesterday that we got the phone call saying that E had arrived.
We adopted her when she was just 3 days old.

Some of our favorite things about E are:

Her giggle.  It is the BEST (so contagious)!

She loves friends.  It is so fun for me to drop her off at school

and watch her get so excited to see her friends.

She is kind.  She has her moments but for the most part

she has a big heart and really wants to do what is right.

She is a snuggle bug.

The Mr. and I are so grateful to have E in our family.

We can't imagine life without her.

We are SO GRATEFUL to her awesome birth mother

who has blessed our lives forever.

For E's birthday she wanted an American Girl Doll,

so we made a day of it while we were in California.

 I think I had just as much fun as she did!

It was so hard for her to pick the one she wanted.

 What a darling store!

 I found the cutest book at the AG store, after which we based her party.
It turned out so fun - she loved it. She helped me prepare everything!

Little chocolate covered spoons, chocolate covered rice crispy treats
(just like Disneyland has), little cupcakes, chocolate covered popcorn, taffy,

 little donuts, little smores, and little cakes, all found in this book.

And, of course, little cups of ice cream and sherbet.

 I finally used my little cake stand!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, SIS!