change happens.

I knew before this year started it was going to be a doozy for change...and boy was I right.

We had Stake Conference a couple of weeks ago, and wards were changed {again}. I couldn't help but watch all the little kids in the hallway crying that first week. They were missing what they were use to...teachers, friends, schedules. They teach us at church that change is necessary, but it doesn't make it easy.

Change is hard.

Our family is changing. Some may only notice our newest addition, but we are noticing much more than that. It is hard to realize you will never have relationships you hoped for. Some of what makes this hard is knowing what you were hoping for was only a wish, or a dream, and probably would have never happened anyways. We are letting go of what we thought should be ours, and moving foward knowing there is something greater waiting for us.

My work is changing. I will go from getting paid to make decisions, and being responsible for projects...to...getting slobbery kisses for payment, and praying over the decisions I make for my little people. This is something I have hoped for since as long as I can remember. Now that it is going to happen, I am scared.

Change is scary.

We are hoping for a new business adventure in the Fall. It will be a lot of work, mostly for Paul. It doesn't make us not want the change though. We plan as if it will happen, and dream of the endless possibilities.

Change can be exciting.

As I think about how much things are changing, I also think of growth. Paul and I already have a new perspective on life. We are excited for what 2012 has in store, and are ready to tackle it together. We have been through a lot in the past decade +, and have always come out better and stronger people.  Our life may not be perfect, plans may not work out, we may just have our family...but in the end it will all be okay.

Because change is growth, change is exciting, change is hard, and change is necessary.

grown up play date.

Friday night {the 17th}.


The District movie theater.


Seeing The Vow.


Show time is 10:10 PM.


Lets prove we can still stay up late on a Friday night, and have fun.


Email me with questions.


sellpartyof {at} gmail


Everyone welcome...except creepers.

because we love him.

{photo credit: Jennifer Eliason Photography}

Yesterday after missing 10+ phone calls, and getting the lecture of why I even have a phone in the first place...I thought I might just drive Paul crazy enough to not come home last night. :)

When he came home he delivered me a bouquet of flowers and a package of chocolate dipped strawberries. I cried. After everything seemed to go wrong, he still managed to make everything right.

I woke up this morning to make a special Valentine breakfast for Savannah before school, and we started talking about her Daddy. I loved when she said this...

"Mommy, I mean I don't wanna hurt your feelings on Valentine's Day, but Daddy is much better at grocery shopping than you. He remembers everything, and even buys special things for my lunch."

That girls loves her Daddy, and will defend him to the end...

When I started thinking about Devin, and what he would say about why he loves his Daddy this came to mind.

Devin really hates going to nursery. He hates strangers. He doesn't give his love freely. When I say let him cry it out, and he will get use to it...Paul stays with him. When Paul goes past his classroom, and sees him sitting on a chair in the corner by himself...Paul goes back in and comforts him. I am sure Devin appreciates this.

And then there is baby Sabrina, and why she loves him. When we found out we were having her, Paul was the one that was excited. When we thought we lost her, Paul was the one that wanted to try to have another one.  When we found out we were still having a baby...he told the ultrasound tech "just tell me it's my girl!"

We are a lucky little group of people to have a guy like him around.

We love you Daddy!

a stroll down memory lane.

We didn't have much planned today, besides make a little money (this means we all go to work with Daddy). We slept in until almost 9 (!!!). We worked, and then looked at each other, and both thought what next!? 

I have been on this deli sandwich kick, at least it is better than the Taco Bell one. So, Paul and I started to brain storm places we could go for a really good sandwich.  Paul remembered a few years ago going to this house that had been converted into a deli. We didn't remember the name, we remembered the general location, and we remembered the house being blue...and we were off. We drove up and down streets trying to find that house, and while we drove we remembered all the little things about our newly wed days. We were so poor then, and didn't experience all the finer things of life. We lived a much simpler life.  One that included long walks to find change on the ground, and walking the mall to dream of things we couldn't afford.

(the kids learning how to properly slide down the stairs in pillow cases, sleeping bags, and whatever else they can come up with!)

We eventually found that old blue house we were looking for, and were disappointed to see that it has since gone out of business. Darn economy...that place was good.  So we ended up at Navajo Hogan, and answered the near million questions that Savannah had about before she was born. It was fun to talk about our first apartment, and how much we loved that neighborhood. How much we hated renting, and OMG we have been together a really long time!!

We stopped at Toys R Us on the way home from lunch, and let both kids pick a new toy out. We never can get out of a store without looking for Sabrina something too.  She ended up getting a car seat, and we probably shouldn't talk about how many outfits she ended up with. :)

We didn't do anything spectacular today, except that really long family nap...but it was the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

I am always reminded that it is the simple things that make the best kind of memories for me.  I will go to bed tonight knowing that these 3 little people, and one handsome man I am constantly surrounded by make my life pretty awesome without even trying.

a modge podge of thoughts.

Every day I pick Savannah up from school she is dying of hunger, even with an empty lunch box. I ask her if she eats all of her lunch, and she does. I never remember this as a child, but Paul does. Yet another thing she does that is like her Daddy. She eats an entire meal when she comes home, and still has room for dinner. Maybe I am only slightly jealous that my body doesn't let me eat near the amount of food she does, and be that tiny and cute. That husband of mine gave our kids some good genes.

***

Paul and I are completely obsessed with shopping for our new baby. On average we have been buying 3 or 4 new outfits a week (most of which include polka dots!). Well, then we remember that we have 2 other kids, and need to spoil them too.  Gosh, I could really get myself in trouble. One day we buy Devin shoes, a shirt, and balloons (his favorite)...and then the next day it is new shoes for Savannah. It never ends, and I am okay with it...excuses to spend money are always fun. Paul will most likely disagree.

***

I still haven't figured anything out for a play date for next week. Anyone up for a Saturday night movie, instead of a play date?  I mean, we could go to a late night show, after the kids are in bed. Get ourselves the biggest popcorn they sell, and drink way too much soda! I thought we could go to a kid movie, and bring them along during the day...but then it didn't sound nearly as fun as an hour plus of sitting in the quiet of a theater with a bunch of girlfriends.

***

Could not be more excited that we are one day closer to another weekend. Last weekend we spent the entire Saturday playing, shopping, and eating. Who knew our kids would like Cabela's so much, and it was something FREE. Paul had taken Savannah before, but we hadn't taken Devin. He spent most of the time fearful one of those stuffed creatures was going to come to life, but that fish tank was a slice of heaven for him. It is almost better than the zoo...less walking, no funny smells, and the animals are always visible. :)

***

I never thought that I would be in need a double stroller. Why does this seem so crazy!?  I asked on Twitter awhile back what everyone thought was the best, smallest double stroller was.  Someone suggested the Kinderwagon. I love the look, it is very small, but it hasn't been in stock since November. Oh, and do I want to spend $300 on something that looks like an umbrella stroller!? I don't want anything bulky...so that means I don't want a jogging type stroller.  I went to Babies R Us today, and looked at those Sit 'n' Stands...it was determined that was not the best fit for our active 2 year old.  On the stroll up and down the isle he got out at least 4 times. So give me your suggestions if you have any!!

Okay enough with all the ramblings.

Von...out.

sometimes I forget to be thankful.

(Devin preparing himself to be a big brother...spesh, huh!?)

Some days do you ever find yourself complaining about everything!? I do. Then I get a big ol' slap in the face from reality, and realize I should just shut up and be thankful. Yeah, that has been happening to me a lot lately.

Like one day I thought about complaining that Paul had been gone all. day. long. I was in need of a bathroom break that didn't include a certain toddler. My slap from reality came when I realized that most Mom's don't have a husband that works a few hours a day...and then comes home to help with picking up one child from school, changes that dirty diaper you can't stomach, and doesn't forget to stop for treats. {slap, slap, slap}


One day I was complaining about how Savannah's room was always freaking messy.  I am so done cleaning it, and as soon as I clean it...it goes right back to being messy. Then I had to remind myself, Savannah plays in her room for hours, and has a huge imagination. When I want to take a nap when Devin is, Savannah will play in her room the entire time. {slap, slap}

I was just reading a post that I didn't publish. It said something about I can't believe I have to throw up every day, and I don't even get a baby out of this. Blah, blah, blah.  Well, we all know I am getting a baby out of everything we have been through since October. {SLAP}

So, today instead of complaining I plan on going and telling Savannah's teacher I am thankful for her.  I plan on cleaning, and not complaining...because I know what I feels like to not feel well enough to clean my house.  I plan on mailing out the rest of those love notes I have in my purse...

and I plan to do a lot more thinking before complaining. Because who likes to be around a complainer anyway.

ramblings about my pet peeves.

Yesterday I was in rare form.  Good thing Paul wasn't home for most of it, I was a big hormonal mess. I was going to write a post, but then opted for the much needed nap instead. Can't blame me for that.

I had a huge list of pet peeves yesterday. Most of them seem ridiculous today, but yesterday oh man did they bug me. I was ready to stand up on my soap box, and tell everyone about them.  Good thing I didn't, because I am not sure anyone wanted to read them...or maybe you would have wanted to, because you would have gotten a really good laugh at my expense.

It is lovely to have a new day, a fresh start. I am thinking more clearly, maybe because my peed on carpets are getting cleaned as we speak. Potty training is not for the weak, and right now I am too weak to do it. I am okay with two babies in diapers...because guess what...I get to have two in diapers.  That is fun business right there yo! 

Last night when I crawled into bed I had a note and a picture waiting for me from Savannah. It made my heart melt. Even when I feel like I never should be a stay at home Mom, because my patience is lacking. Even when I think I am doing everything wrong as a Mom...she goes and tells me this...

"I love you Mommy. You are so nice. I love you so much like a billeyen time is how much. I love you on Saturday. It was so fun can we do that again. I can't stop saying how much I love you."

I am doing something right, and need to chillax on the being hard on myself part. We all have bad days, just so happened that Devin and I had a very bad day on the exact same day.