Finding Joy In The Journey

Current Mood: Happy & loved & special

A special day for us here. Our youngest has prepared himself and is getting baptized this evening. I am so very proud of this little guy. He seems so smart and old for his age. He knows exactly what he is doing and that this is what he wants to do. I am amazed at his understanding of gospel principles at his age. It was his dream to be baptized as close to The 4th of July as possible. I guess the day before is pretty close, right? He has been walking around the house counting down the hours. We bought him a new suit and new shoes but I haven’t given it to him yet. He is starting to get nervous about what he should wear. We were lucky enough to find someone to watch Payne at the house, last minute. As much as we really want him there and a part of this event we know that it just isn’t possible. He would not be able to sit and he would more than likely try to get into the font. (now wouldn’t that be a sight! A 17 year-old kid trying to jump into the font! LOL) I have so many things to be grateful for this day! But I will just stick with 5. LOL

1. my youngest son and his decisions and his sweet disposition and desire to do what is right!
2. good friends who selflessly pitch in and check to make sure we are good or have everything we need!
3. My Heavenly Father for sending me such amazing children and trusting me to raise them with correct principles and morals.
4. The Atonement….more than anything I am grateful for that on a daily basis!
5. forgiveness. How happy I feel and the peace I feel when I am able to let go, be free, and move on.

I am hoping to maybe blog about our experience later tonight, while it is still fresh in my mind. We will see. In the meantime…here is one of my son’s favorite songs.

Current Mood: Happy & loved

The days have been absolutely gorgeous out here this week! Like picture perfect! The kids have been swimming every day from afternoon late into the evening and now that all the yard work has been finished we finally have most of the pool stuff set up for the summer. Yay!

I can’t help but feel such joy and happiness when the sun is bright and there is so much around to enjoy!

I am so grateful for…
1. a husband that thinks of me at the most unexpected of times and tells me lovely things.
2. the power of prayer that I have seen in action this week!
3. reconnecting with old friends and enjoying the common interests in new friends.
4. the magic of Disney and how I have seen it change my son’s (and our) life.
5. Tiramisu…from Garozzo’s…the best E V E R!

Because I just can’t help it….I sang this all the time to Mallea, Jo and CW when they were very little. I overheard Jo humming it while she was doing her chores just the other day.

Current Mood: strong

It has been a very nice day. Sunny, beautiful, warm. I got this today which made me very happy and excited!

So a little gratitude is in order.
1. my cute kids who like to swim with me.
2. Brad Paisley songs that make me drink in summer with all my senses!
3. sun block that sprays on – very easy to apply to my back by myself. LOL
4. great ideas for ward parties and the good people I get to work with!
5. milk…and oreos.

This is not a new song but I LOVE it anyway.

Current Mood: Cool & loved & Playful

1. a quiet and calm pool after being splashed around in all afternoon.
2. tiny babies that curl up and sleep on you while you walk around disney or chat with moms.
3. hose nozzles that help wash down dirty patios.
4. 6 am workout sessions that wake me up and get me moving and motivated for the day!
5. yummy smelling fabric softner that make my clothes smell fresh

It’s been a busy day but a good day and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I can’t help it. This song IS summer!

Current Mood: goofy & swept away

Well, my youngest turned 8 today. He had his interview with the Bishop and will be “bathtised” (that is what he calls it) on Friday. He is so excited! And yet, he is so grown up about it. It is amazing to see his testimony come through at such a young age. I am so proud of him and his desire to do what is right. So a milestone in more than one way for us comes Friday.

He was so cute today! We had a party for him after church. Well, it was actually a little later. The kid’s grandparents came into town yesterday to spend the week and go to his baptism. He had mentioned to them that he wished he was going to have a surprise party. ? How do you do a surprise party on the spur of the moment? LOL So, Graigg and I decided to wrap everything in the bedroom and not tell him. He assumed we were going to have a party but we never mentioned it. We had his cake in the fridge downstairs and miraculously Payne did not find it and eat all the frosting off of it. HAHA! We were doing our normal Sunday routine. I sent him upstairs on some superfluous errand. We rushed everything to the basement and everyone else went downstairs to wait. When he came down I pretended to be upset about something he didn’t clean up in the basement. I told him he needed to get down there and clean up the mess because he needed to pitch in. He walked down the stairs and everyone shouted, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” and we had the cake with the candles lit on the table. His eyes were W I D E! It was SOOO cute!!! He was thrilled and we sang to him. He was so sweet and grateful for his gifts. My little boy is growing up and I am so proud of the little man he is becoming!

So today I am grateful for….
1. my children’s desire to do what is right and treat others kindly.
2. penguin cakes
3. mint chocolate chip ice cream.
4. the scriptures and the knowledge and guidance it gives me.
5. how willing my children are to share with one another.

Current Mood: Happy & Ohana & superfly!

Pictures of some of the things that I am grateful for.

Current Mood: Alarmed & less than thrilled & motivated

It is always interesting when you see people’s true colors come out. When the chips are down, that is when you really know where you stand…no matter what.

My gratitude this beautiful day….
1. my dear sweet husband, so supportive and wise…an amazing father to our children and an honest man, it doesn’t make him popular but he has integrity and I am proud of who he is.
2. my children’s adventurous spirit.
3. my generous sister and her amazing hospitality.
4. my tevas. lol
5. ipods.

We have been having such a fun time as a family! Payne has struggled quite a bit. This makes us realize just how little he truly is capable of doing. I am eternally grateful for those who truly get to know him enjoy being around him and take that time to know a child who is not able to interact as others. I have learned a lot about myself and those around me which is always a good thing.

Here’s to my son and my husband….

Current Mood: motivated & Playful & swept away

You know when you have a TON of things to do and instead of diving right in you kind of walk around in circles and not really do anything that is part of the necessary list? Yeah, that is how I am feeling right about now. Hopefully, I’ll kick into gear soon….Yipe! Pooh’s anxiety level has gone up about ten fold due to his anticipation of this trip. This is completely unknown…just hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

So a little gratitude to help organize my thoughts….
1. netting that keeps little beasts away from my tender plants.
2. friends who will help you move furniture…in and out!
3. being able to check in online.
4. children who let me take a cat nap on the couch.
5. pharmacists who go above and beyond to help out a family and a child in need.

In order to help me get motivated….

Current Mood: motivated & strong

No matter how life itself may be going, there are things that I am always grateful for. Today is a day where I need to remind myself of some of those things.

1. General Conference and the wonderful things I am taught over and over.
2. those in my ward family who truly treat me and my children like one of their own.
3. the humor that my son brings to us daily.
4. sub sandwich places that are two doors down from the salon.
5. the freedom that I have in my job and the ability I have to be able to work from just about anywhere.

We are gearing up for another fun family trip! So in honor….

Current Mood: Happy & special

So my sweet little CW was planning his baptism tonight. Except, I realized right off that he kept calling it his BATHtism. I just can’t correct him. It is too cute to hear him say it. He was so sweet calling his Grandpa and asking him to do something and his seriousness in what he was trying to plan. It is evident to me that he takes this very seriously. I’m so proud of that boy.

So a little gratitude inspired by my sweet son…
1. the gospel in my life – that it stretches me and helps me be better than what the world wants me to be.
2. my DVR – haha…sounds silly but i am.
3. the connections I have and the support I get.
4. the nap that my sweet husband let me have uninterrupted this afternoon – that man is amazing.
5. control-Z and the fact that it can undo just about anything! HAHA!