{discovering} life

I've been tagged!

Thanks to the darling Amy Howe . So, now I need to think of 5 random things about me...hmmmmmm....

1. I have a lot of anxiety! I'll check in our closet before I go to bed to see if someone is hiding behind the door. Freak! I've gotten better, but it gets to me sometimes! Don't tell anyone!

2. I have naturally curly hair but straighten it every day. My hairdresser recently taught me how to do those awesome Jennifer Aniston curly, soft locks and I love doing it now. Embracing my curls (sometimes)!

3. I hate the heat! Before I was married, I would lie in the sun ALL summer long to be that dark, rich tan. Loved it! Now that I'm married, just don't care for it. And living in St. George hasn't helped! I've basically been a hermit this whole summer. If I'm in a swimsuit, that's fine, but walking around in clothes in 110 degree weather - no thanks - I'll pass. And laying out - just won't happen! Fun how things change.

4. We couldn't get pregnant for over 2 1/2 years with Madisyn. Had to take some drastic measures to get her here. She is our little miracle child. And then with Hudson, he was a total surprise baby! I cried for days when I found out I was pregnant (don't tell him!). Little did I know that God was working in mysterious ways. Shortly after he was born, we found out Madi had Autism and I don't think I would of wanted to try to have another kid for a long time. He is a true blessing! I'm so glad they are both here - love them!

5. I always have to have my toenails painted. Whether it's a color or a nice pedicure, I can't stand to not have color on them! But, I can't paint my fingernails - no way! Just a clear gloss for me thanks!

So - there you go. And, I'm going to tag my friend Maggie. Your it girl!

What an incredible weekend!

Wow! I've been so blessed! I have had the most amazing experiences throughout my life! Traveling the world, meeting incredible people, learning at the feet of my parents and so much more that has truly made me who I am today. And this weekend, was one of those incredible, life-altering moments.

Friday night, Ryan's mom said that she could take the kids that night and we could drive to Las Vegas and spend the night there so we were ready for our flight the next morning. We were just planning on leaving Sat. morning, so that was so nice! We went to a wonderful italian dinner at Caesar's and then went over to the New York, New York hotel (of course - where else! LOL!) and spent the night there. They upgraded our room too - it was so nice! Ryan and I met in NY and had our honeymoon there so we have such a special place in our hearts for New York! We just love it. It was fun to be there without kids too!

Saturday we flew to Santa Ana, CA and got our car and drove over to Balboa beach, the Peninsula. It was so much fun! We walked on the pier, took lots of photos, walked up and down these awesome streets, had the best pizza ever and had such a great time together! We needed this time together so badly! It was so wonderful! We then went to the hotel, got ready, and went to the 'Pond Arena', where the Mighty Ducks play. We were escorted to a private suite and enjoyed the member meeting. My dad conducted, mom spoke, dad spoke, President Faust and then President Hinckley. It was so incredible! Then, we went and had dinner with their families...got to say hello to them, so special! Then we went in for the Youth Celebration that was just amazing! They had been working on that production for 2 years - and all that youth - it just took your breath away! The importance of the youth! Wow!

Sunday I woke up sick! Yuck! So, we missed the cornerstone dedication at the temple. But, as soon as we got there they let us go up - last people - me and my sisters/hubbies and we got to put mortar on the cornerstone, take photos. It was really cool! Took photos at the temple...such a beautiful temple! It's amazing to me how every temple has such amazing stories about the stone and how it came to be! It was so beautiful! We then went in to see the second session of the dedication of the temple. I got to see my mom and dad before cause I went to the bathroom - still not feeling well! (; The session was incredible! Wow! To sit right there, 4 feet in front of President Hinckley is just amazing! Elder Faust spoke, my dad and President Hinckley! Just amazing! Overcome with emotion - it felt good to be there! I wouldn't of wanted to be anywhere else at that moment!

Went in my parents room afterwards and talked and then we left as they had another session. Wow! What a weekend! Ryan and I then went and walked around Balboa Island where he went as a little kid - he grew up in Huntington Beach so they went down there a lot so that was neat for him and neat for me to share it with him.

We got on the earlier flight home. Yeah! Kids were asleep - they did great. I was so happy! What a successful, special weekend! One our family will never forget! I have so much journal writing I need to do - I don't want to forget all the special and touching thoughts and things that happened! It'll take me weeks! LOL!

So, I'm back. Back to the grind of life. What a great break - although it was short - it was just perfect. Madi has school today and I need to do laundry and clean up a bit. Not sure if I'll get into my scrap room - well, of course I will - I do every day on the hour! LOL! I've got some new things coming in the mail and new stuff always inspires me - love that!

I had a bunch of cool, random thoughts that I'll share later. Need to get going for the day but I wanted to post about our incredible weekend at Newport Beach! What awesome people there! I'll never forget it! Here's some photos:

Crazy Mom!

I am running around at 90 miles a minute I feel like! I have soo much to do to get the kids ready for this weekend. We are leaving really early Saturday morning to drive to Las Vegas, fly to Newport Beach and go to the Temple Dedication Weekend with my Dad and family. My mom and dad are speaking at all the meetings with President Hinckley so it is going to be really special. I'm excited that they are allowing my dad to bring all of our family - how neat! And my sister from New York is even flying out. I'm so excited to spend some 'alone' time with Ryan too. We are going to go out Saturday day and night when we aren't with my fam. It should be so nice!

Anyway - the kids are going to my in-laws about 20 minutes away in Hurricane. So, I've got to get everything packed up for them too - what a pain! LOL! Plus, getting me packed and ready. Yucky! It's such a short trip too! And I worry like crazy about the kids - we haven't both left them for eons! I hope they'll be ok - I know they will - but I still over worry about them. They both are just so particular right now.

Today, I took Madi to school then ran to Target. Got a new shelf thing for their bathroom, got a nightlight for Hudson's room, got them both a toy for the weekend, got two cute vintage t-shirts for me...absolutley nothing that we really needed. How pathetic am I? I could drop so much money at Tarjay - love it there! No Heidi Swapp there though - totally bummin'. She said it's only in Super Targets - not even a Super Target in Vegas - trust me, I checked! LOL! I called my mom to see if she'd go shopping for me next week! (:

Anyway, off to finish watching 'Days' and to start organizing things.

She's back to school!

Yippee! Preschool started today - she is scheduled to go five days a week from noon to 2:30 p.m. That's nothing compared to what she was doing at the Autism school in SLC - she went Mon-Thursday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. What a change! She was sooo excited to go to school and I was so happy! What a blessing that she wasn't scared! Her teachers said that she did really good! I'm glad she's back into something. It's been so hard trying to keep her entertained at home. Hopefully she'll get learning some things again! LOL!

I'm not sure if this 12-2:30 pm time slot is going to work great. I may switch her to the morning. It's during Hudson's nap time right now, so I have to hurry home to get him to bed. No errand running for me. So, we'll see. I really need to get going to the gym too and the daycare there is only open in the morning. So, I can't take him with me while she is at school - just trying to figure it all out.

Hudson is crying so better run. Write again soon.

My cuties!

I just wanted to post some cute photos of my kids from this past week. I've been going through my cards today getting photos onto my computer - so many cute ones! Now I need to print and scrapbook! (:

"Biggest Hero"

So, on my crappy day the other day, I was in my studio, wrapping up a layout and cleaning up. Madi comes in and touches my arm and says to me,

"Mom, your my biggest hero!"

Ohhhhhh....so so sweet! Of course I cried and just hugged her. So sweet! That is exactly what I needed! She made me feel so much better!

I have been cleaning and organizing like crazy. Finishing up another layout this morning and trying to get my studio totally clean before I start anything else. It's getting there and it feels good. So refreshing. So motivating.

I've been so inspired lately - love that. So, I need to get that room clean so I can get doing some more stuff!

I hope that I can get some time to go out this weekend by myself. Ryan has been so busy at work, and although it's been good, I also need to get out. He went golfing this morning with his dad and then went into work, so hopefully I can steal some time tonight or tomorrow. Not that there is much to go and see and do here in St. George! LOL! A local fabric store, the cutest one, is going out of business and everything is 40% off. So, I want to run there and see if I can find some cute little things - not that I need anything though.

I've been trying to finalize my flight plans to go to Phoenix, AZ for the CK Convention in September. Making Memories has asked me to go and teach. We have four classes each day so Margie Romney-Aslett is coming and we are going to be spliting up the classes - so two each, each day. My hubby was going to come down with me, but things just aren't going to work out for that. So, I'll have a blast hitting all the shops! I've always wanted to go there.

My Dad had a really neat thing happen the other day and has since invited all of us to go to the Newport Beach Temple Dedication with him and my mom next weekend. So, we are going! We leave Saturday morning early and come home Sunday night - it's always so hard with our kids to leave when we are both gone. It will be a nice getaway for us - short - but at least Ryan and I will be alone together - we need to reconnect and need a little break, together - so badly. So, that will be nice. Kinda why Ryan isn't coming to AZ with me - just too much.

So, off to clean, spend time with the kiddos (it's Madi's last day at home too). She starts preschool back up on Monday, five days a week, for 2 1/2 hours each day. Hope it will get her back into a schedule a bit more. It will be good - for all of us. May try to go over to my sisters for a bit today so the kids can all play. We'll see. (:

Over and out for today. Hugs!

BLAHHH!

What a crappy, no good, crappy, crappy day!! (What a positive post hey? LOL) I just can't believe what has happened today. I won't go into details but I'm just really down and frustrated! I could use any good news today! Please!!

Just took a nice hot long shower - hubby is sweet, he's in making dinner. Gonna veg - try to get my mind of things. Watch Rock Star - sit in my studio and clean up. Finish up a layout.

Tomorrow, starting Weight Watchers back up. I started it 3 months ago and then had surgery on my knee two weeks later - kinda put a dent in those plans. Well, time to get back on. I need to do this for me. I hate the way I look and I need to get back to feeling good about myself physically. Need to do this!! Need to! If anyone has an WW tips or food things - please share. I know lots of my friends are on it - let's share!

Well, off for today. Sorry such a drab note. It's crazy to me how quick life has it's up and downs. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some sunshine.

Hugs!

Memories

What is your earliest memory? 5 or 6 years old? I can't quite remember mine. I do remember one thing...when I was three years old, I was ran over by our car and almost died. My earliest memory is probably of me sitting in the life flight helicopter and I saw this bright light over me and my dad brought me my blankie. That's all I remember from that tragic accident.

Luckily and thankfully, I survived. First, they thought I wouldn't live. Then, they thought I'd never walk again. Then, they were amazed and called me the 'Miracle Child.' I am still grateful, everyday, for that accident. For the realization that I am here for a reason.

Tonight, Madi threw something and Ryan reacted and spanked her and put her in time out. We probably should of given her a warning, but after a long day, he was tired and reacted. I felt so bad for her. So bad! And he did too.

It got me to thinking about memories, our earliest memories. Do you remember your parents spanking you at a young age - or other things like that? I don't. But, I also can't help but think that those things also helped shape us, have developed who we are today. People say, 'Let your baby cry though the night, he won't remember it later.' And that breaks my heart - although it may be true - he's remembering and fearing at that moment that his mom isn't coming in for him - isn't there. And that terrifies me. Call me a softy - I don't care. I worry too much about them. I probably baby them to much. And I'm sure doing what I'm doing and spanking them both have their consequences...so how do you win? Do we win in the end?

I guess we just do our best and that's all that we can do. I hope she won't remember tonight - I hope that she won't grow up to be rash and impulsive - I hope that she'll grow up to be patient and kind and sweet. Kids are so fragile, so precious. It just scares me sometimes our impact on them. I hope it will be good! Just my ramblings for tonight...

IT came IT came!!!

Last night, at 8:30 p.m., (hello Mr. UPS man - isn't that past your bedtime??) I got a delivery from Mrs. Heidi Swapp. Yippeee! I ran into my room and opened it! All packaged with pink tissue paper and a HS sticker - I opened it up! Goodies!! Yeahh! And, her new book with CK, Love your Handwriting, and her new little mini iron - both of which haven't been released yet. I was so excited! That little iron is way to sexy! Love it! And her book is awesome! I really sat down last night and devoured it - love the layouts and more! Looking forward to reading it in more depth. I love using my own handwriting - despite the 950+ fonts I have and love to collect - it's my handwriting that I use. I'm so with Heidi on all of that - it's so fun using it in your scrapbooks - if you don't already -get her book when it comes out! You'll be inspired too!

It was neat winning that contest and I'm thankful to Heidi, Liz and crew for everything! Thanks for the goodie box - so lovin' it! Thank you, thank you!

What a mess!

Seriously - I have way to much scrapbooking stuff! It is a mess! When we moved here, I brought in all the 'stuff' I use or think I'll use and I felt all good about my room. Well, yesterday, I noticed how many boxes are still sitting in the garage that say 'scrapbook room'. Oopps! I have a serious buying/hoarding addiction here. I feel like I've been doing better - buying things that fit my style better, only what I really think I'll use - although I've still definetly been buying! LOL! So, now I am  more motivated than ever to get rid of stuff. I want to go through all my patterned paper and get rid of all the 'old' stuff I know I'll never use. I have sooo much! I think I may have a big garage sale this fall - we need to get rid of kids clothes and more too - so that may be a good time to sell some stuff off. It's just overwhelming!

So, I did another page last night and I love it! So love it! I love it when that happens - it just fell together again! So happy! I just started another using the Heidi Swapp masks and it's pretty simple - kinda inspired from her class this past weekend. Nothing to submit - just playing around. Love it!

I so badly want to clean up my laundry room too. I was so excited when we got this house cause the laundry room has a ton of cabinets and I really wanted to take advantage of that space. Well, it's full of boxes and piles everywhere - it's really quite embarrassing! So, if I can stop scrapbooking - I want to get in there and start organizing. A love hate thing - it always creates more messes everywhere else - piles and piles until you can put it all away. So, not sure about that side of it but I know it's got to be done. I really need to get to that!

Kids are good - Madi is doing awesome with the potty thing - sooo good. I am so proud of her being such a big girl. And Huddy - he is happy carrying around his Buzz Lightyear and Woody toy all day - he is so stinkin' cute! Speaking of Huddy - he just woke so I better run. Off to finish this page quick and see whatelse I can dig into.