A Day in the Life...

I found these glass bowls at the dollar store and the plates at a thrift store- a pretty good find for $12 total, and they go together perfectly!  Little things make me happy. I'm having a contest with myself to make the best overnight oats.  I'm excited to try these tomorrow- oats, honey, homemade vanilla, pecans, and cinnamon.  And chocolate protein powder.  It's kinda silly to take pictures of my food, but I like to.  :) This morning I made German pancakes in our cast iron pan and they exploded in buttery-egg goodness.  :) Also, the girls asked for an early birthday present and I delivered!  Mini fridges for the win. Summer workbooks so they don't forget school; they don't really like it but they're good sports! Our friend Zoey has a ukulele like Copper so sometimes they practice.  And Dakota just like to be in pictures!  

 This is accurate. 

 Last Friday I was ushering the kids out into the van in the garage to take them to school. The dog was the first one out because he gets way more excited to go for rides than anybody else does. So he was just sitting in there and when I went to walk out I noticed our cat sprawled out on the top of the van. I snapped this funny photo of him:  Then I called out to the kids to come and look at our silly kitty.They climbed up and wiggled his tail, and then I immediately knew this was a dead kitty. Sad! Tim wrestled his belly and when nothing happened he picked him up, and he was already stiff as a board. We have no idea what happened. We're hoping he just crawled up there, sprawled out like usual, and passed away in his sleep. Two thirds of our children started bawling, which made me cry, but I ushered them quickly outside and we took off for school. On the way there I said: ' You guys, let's think of a way we could celebrate his life. Do you have any ideas?' Micah, who is...

Copper saved up and bought bright pink spray paint and new bike accessories, turning Taryn's old bike into something she really loves. She did such a good job! Kota and Copper have worked really hard in tumbling.  Kota's got down her backbend kickover and her roundoff- yay!  Copper passed off her front limber and she's been practicing that for awhile.  It makes for extra busyness in our lives, but they love it and so I do too. Yesterday was the annual dance festival for the end of the school year.   The girls did great!  I think this is one of those things I complain about because of the crowds, lack of parking, and waiting for all the other grades to dance before finding your own kiddo.... Buuuuttttt- I think I'll miss it when elementary school is all over.  So I love it while I can! We're in the process of buying this piece of recreational land in Duchesne County.  I hope it finalizes smoothly and we have a place all to ourselves for camping al...

 I guess I've never really considered it closely, but superficially I assumed that the mother of Christ was a pretty perfect mom.  Then I read and considered this from  this guy whose books, speeches, and podcasts are my favorite. He's funny, and the way he writes really speaks the language I hear best. He says: Just a reminder: Mary lost Jesus but was still a great mom. He was fine... it is safe to say across all nations, kindreds, and tongues that He turned out okay.   Maybe that's why He is so tender toward those that are lost. It's not our first story about her- Mary, the mother of Jesus. The first one was when she put her reborn little baby in a feeding trough. Just doing her very best.  It was the next one she left Him in the ancient equivalent of Times Square and didn't' seem to notice He was even gone for three days.  Still just doing her best.  She found Him. Just remember that Mary, the quintessential mother of mothers, lost Jesus and t...

 Today I took a nap and I love napping in the middle of the day.  Then we took a hike to Battle Creek Falls.  I prayed the whole time in gratitude of nature, my lungs and heart and legs, and that I didn't die.  Ha! I'd forgotten that Battle Creek is fairly steep the entire way up.    Fun times as a family and with our mutt who's a pain but loveable.  Happy Mother's Day to me.

 Today I am grateful to be a mom- and an aunt. With Copper, I have learned I can be content in any situation, and that feeling joy can be natural and found in everyday experiences. West Dakota I have learned to be loud and fun, to be a tease and to laugh. With Micah I have learned to never give up, and to expect the unexpected.  Taryn lets me boss her around like a mom and teaches me that people rise and shine from hard places. I haven't always loved Mother's Day. It seems a little silly to be showered with love on one day of the year. And it seems silly to celebrate ME, who is probably the most imperfect parent.  I'm trying to change my attitude though. I have been blessed with a great mom, a selfless mom, and one who loves my children like nobody else. It doesn't seem silly to celebrate her on this day, or to think of Tim's mom and everything she has done for him and our girls. It doesn't seem silly at all to think of them in gratitude. So I'm not sure why...