Tender mercies

This video is, without question, one of my favorite messages the Church has ever produced.  

I believe we are tied, Mr. President

As of this second, President Obama and I have the same number of points earned on our NCAA tournament bracket.

You know what would have been interesting? If the success of the health care bill had depended on the success of President Obama's March Madness bracket. Now I call that entertaining politics.

Counting the seconds until tomorrow

This has been the best March Madness in years.

Oh please, let it continue being so much fun to watch.

The Lord's Prayer

My word, this is powerful and beautiful. I hope you love it as much as I did.

He's back

A day late and quite exhausted at all a certain airline put him through, but we'll take it.
Seven days seemed really long to me, but made me incredibly grateful I get him on
all of the other days he is not in Brazil--or some other place that is not home.

*Deep sigh*

Life feels right again.

Mission accomplished

I planned a surprise party for our cute friend, Lorri, tonight. It was mighty fantastic,
if I do say so myself. The party wasn't necessarily fancy or amazing, but the surprise
was the best I've pulled off in a long time. And someday, when Lorri forgives me,
she might agree. Until then, I'll just be happy for myself. Bravo me, I say.

Should I be worried?

This is what Ben does if you ask him to be a rock star. I don't have a clue in the world
where he learned it. He kept making these crazy faces and hand gestures and I told
him he looked like a rock star. Apparently he is a fan. You should see the
other 37 'rock star' photos he wanted me to take of him.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ours has already been a fun one. Leprechauns apparently visited our home in the
very early hours. They made quite a mess as they checked our house for anything
green, even collecting piles here and there throughout the house.

They also must have thought it was okay to use my camera to take a photo or two.
Looks like one of them didn't quite get out of the way. Crazy leprechauns!

But these rainbow cupcakes and the note they left is definitely worth cleaning up their mess.

And almost worth the 47 times I started shutting cupboards last night before
I remembered they were supposed to be that way.

Well, if it had been me, which obviously it was not because do I have footprints the
size of my fist or write in very small script? No, no I do not.

Have a fabulous day of greenness and sugar everyone! (If that is your thing, of course.)

A little light reading

While I was putting my makeup on this morning, I saw Ben walk by me and
into Cam's bedroom. A few seconds later, he yelled out,

"Mama, read Arry Potter?"

Well, okay son. I guess if you are done playing with your blocks and
don't have anything else pressing to do. Go on ahead.

Rain, much?

As requested by a friend

The Day of the Dead (second anniversary)

Does anyone remember this post from one year ago today?

Well, Happy El Día de los Muertos everyone!

I've done the day proud--exhausted beyond words.

But what is that I see? A reward at the end of the exhaustion tunnel?

And it looks a whole lot like an orange ball...and a hoop...and some madness.

Seven days. One hour. Fifty-eight minutes.

Be still my heart, I can hardly wait.

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Matt is so darling and so fun to be around and makes us all happy.
We are so grateful that six years ago he joined our family and that he is ours.

Happy Birthday darling Matt!

Tomorrow's cake

Does it look a little like a giant root beer float? Well, pretend if you could. This here is a
root beer cake with a fancy float frosting, my friends. (Thanks Kathy for saving the day with
your root beer extract!) The small practice cake from yesterday was deemed to be delicious.
We'll see if today's cake is just as good. I have a feeling it is going to be even better.

Because our birthday boy completely deserves it!

Buying me some happines for ten dollars

There are a lot of things that don't matter to me that probably should. When I find a purse I like, I just use it, and only it, for years and years and years. When I have a cell phone that works, I sort of forget that every couple of years you can upgrade to a new one without any cost (could have had a new one last July, but I keep forgetting to get on the website and choose one). If a car works and fits our family, I really could care less how old it is or what company makes it. (I just wish I were this way about everything, but alas, I am not).

A month or two back, I realized my purse was bordering on pathetic. It was about five or six years old and the wallet inside was approximately the same age and the same patheticness. They were looking pretty junky. So I went on a search for another purse I would like as much. I am quite particular about the kind of purse I use, so it took me a few weeks, but I finally found one that I loved. And it was on clearance. I like.

Since that time, I have been using the old wallet because I could not find a new one that both matched the purse and worked well for me. But yesterday at Target, I found the wallet I have been looking for all my life. Or since February. Either way.

It is kind of vintage and different than anything I have owned, but I love it. It wasn't on clearance, but coincidentally cost the same amount as the purse. I figured it must be a sign.

I am now the proud owner of a new purse and a beautiful wallet to put inside it. Who knew that so little money could buy such happiness? Watch out though, next thing you know I will be posting about my new cell phone. But that would mean I would have to remember to get on the website and look at cell phones. And apparently this is low on my priority list.

Oh well, I'll just be content with my pretty wallet for now. Because seriously...I like.

There aren't even words...

...for how much I adore my little brother and how hard he makes me laugh.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Thirty-three years ago today, the man I married was born. And I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude for that event.

We met for the first time when we were thirteen. Why is that so funny to me? For twenty years I have known Jacob Allen. Correction, for twenty years on this earth, I have known Jacob Allen. We hung out with the same group of friends, attended a dance or two together in high school and I wrote him faithfully while he was on mission—okay, maybe not, but that one letter I sent must have been pretty amazing.

But it wasn’t until he stepped off the plane from his mission/staying with his parents on their mission, that my soul completely recognized him. Looking back, I knew what was coming. And from the deepest part of my heart, I knew it was what should happen—what both of us knew should happen.

Because almost twelve years ago, a handsome, wonderful, funny, gentle, happy 21-year old boy stepped off a plane and completely stole my heart. Although, it really was his to begin with.

And today is his birthday. I’m so grateful to be the one celebrating it with him.

You are everything to me, Jacob Ethan.

You are my best friend. You are the first one I need to talk to when something makes me happy or sad or frustrated or confused. You are the one I laugh with and cry with and want with all of my heart to please. You make me laugh harder than anyone I know and you make me feel like I can do anything. For some reason, you never seem to doubt me and never act surprised when I do something I didn’t think I could. You are logical when I want to act with only my emotions, you are calm when crazy is not a wild enough word to describe me, you are completely trusting and faithful when I am overwhelmed and past understanding.

Happy Birthday, Love.

You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.

Not quite what I had in mind...

...when darling Jacob offered to tend the kids while I finished cleaning up the house.

In his defense, there was a Frisbee thrown on the roof. And the kids were so excited
it was almost worth the heart attack I suffered after being called out onto the deck.

Dads are much more exciting then moms. And about eighteen times as dangerous.

These kids are so blessed to have their incredible dad.
Even if the adventures he chooses about do me in.

Well hello March!

Oh happy day, I love this month. There are so many things about March to love. Sure I'll name a few, thanks for asking.

Jacob's birthday. Can't wait. And not just because he will finally be the same age as me, after a long four weeks, but because I love torturing showering him with crazy birthdayness.

Matt's birthday. Now that was the fastest six years of my life. He is so excited, I am so excited, we just can't wait. Every detail is being discussed several times a day. And Matt brings it up every once in a while too.

Lorri's birthday. This is our darling friend who lives with us. Now she is going to be thrilled that I mentioned this on the blog, but I couldn't help it. She lives with the crazy birthday lady, so she is out of luck.

Spring. Oh spring, spring, how I've missed you. Please come soon.

March Madness. I am doing everything I can to keep from writing in all caps and with a plethora of exclamation marks. Oh my word, do I ever LOVE MARCH MADNESS! I couldn't help it. Sorry.

Welcome March. You've always been good to me. Please don't let me down now. 

Things I love ~ Life

Things I love ~ Benjamin

I absolutely love this little boy. Ben is just completely two. He is funny and happy and independent and full of energy. He is talking like you wouldn't believe and putting together many words to make sentences. Although four years younger than his next sibling, he really can keep up with all of them. He idolizes both of his brothers, and especially his sister, and makes all of them laugh and laugh. He is just one sweet and funny boy.

There isn't a day that goes by that I am not so deeply grateful for our Ben. I feel that way about all of our kids, but Benjamin was our little miracle that we didn't know if we were going to get. But we did. And I am thankful beyond words to have him in our family and to be his mom. I cannot imagine life without him.

I am so grateful for you my sweet Benjamin boy.

Things I love ~ MormonMessages

I love these messages that the Church produces.
This one was especially powerful to me and while longer than usual,
is definitely worth the time it takes to watch it. It makes me cry,
and makes me so very grateful, every time I watch it.

Things I love ~ Matthew

Matt just makes me happy. He is funny and joyful and always thinking of new things to do and how to make everything exciting. From the time he was little, Matt has always been extremely laid back. I sometimes call him our "surfer dude" because he just kind of goes with the flow and doesn't get too uptight or stressed about things. He laughs constantly and when he gets laughing hard, the rest of us can't help but laugh with him. He often has a mischievous look on his face and has done something silly to tease his brothers or sister. He absolutely loves Kindergarten and feels very secure in going and in his friends and his teacher. He reads incredibly well and has one of the smartest math minds I have ever come across.

I am so grateful for my Matt—he makes life happy and fun for everyone around him. I get a little pit in my stomach when I think of him going to first grade next year, because I honestly love having him around in the mornings. But he will do great. He always does. Matt was made for greatness.

Matt is not our oldest or our youngest, he is not the only girl, nor is he the middle child. He is just Matt—happy and funny and smart and kind and good. I wouldn't change him one bit. It is an absolute privilege to be his mom.

Your mom thinks you are incredible Matthew man.

Things I love ~ Spring weather

Especially in February.

Things I love ~ Our library

It is small and simple, yet cozy and perfect. Without question, my favorite room in the house.

Things I love ~ The temple

This is the temple where Jacob and I were sealed. This is the place our little family began.
We are now six instead of two, but my love for the temple is just as strong--stronger actually.
The temple we currently attend is many miles away from Switzerland, but it still means
absolutely everything to me. I am so incredibly grateful for the temple.

Things I love ~ Annie

Goodness, I adore this child. Annie is honestly one of the sweetest, funniest, most darling girls I have ever been around. Here she is in a photo with her best friend, who is also absolutely darling. I'm so grateful they have become such good buddies. And as much as she loves her best friend, and she does, Annie is just a sweetheart to everyone.

She is pretty easy going and takes life as it comes. She spends hours (and I mean hours) drawing and creating and being artistic. She is Ben's little protector and will play with him as long as he wants her to. She makes Cam and Matt laugh harder than anyone else I know. She has amazing timing with her jokes and comments and often has Jacob and me cracking up. She is honestly just plain awesome. And if you hadn't noticed above, she is one beautiful girl--inside and out.

I'm so grateful to be her mom. I'm so grateful she came to our family. I'm so grateful that she and I are "the girls." I'm so grateful for her good heart and her desire to do what is right. I'm just so grateful for her.

Your mom adores you Annie girl.

Things I love ~ The Harry Potter series

Oh boy do I! I didn't read these when the rest of the human race did, but because of that,
I have the advantage of hearing from everyone how great they are. And it is true. And that is
why I am stalling, because I don't want them to be over. I started the fourth book months ago,
but kept putting it aside because I didn't want to read it quickly and have it over.
Well, I finally got into it and of course, read it quickly (750 pages felt like 100),
and now it is over and I am sad. But excited for the next one.

Man, I love these books!

Things I love ~ Heart attacks

Things I love ~ Our yarn ball tradition

Still doing the yarn ball tradition. Still loving it. Still makes the kids smile. Still need to get Ben a haircut.

Happy Valentine's Day!

For those dying of curiosity, they were watches. Simple, inexpensive, fun watches.
With some candy along the way.

Happy day {of love}.

Things I love ~ Cute, creative kids

The kids took charge of dinner on Thursday night and decided a restaurant would
be a fantastic idea. They went through the dress up box and found some aprons
(Annie's was around her waist) and then took out every leftover in the fridge
they could hunt down. After writing up a menu, they invited Jacob, Ben and
me in to be served. It was not only fabulous service, but cute beyond words.
You'd better believe this will be a new tradition at our house. Man, I love these kids!

Things I love ~ The Olympics

Vancouver. Tonight. Winter Olympics.

I cannot wait.

Things I love ~ Valentine's preparations

I loved working with each of the kids on their Valentine's Day cards.
Have I mentioned how much I love being a mom?

Things I love ~ My treadmill

There are a lot of reasons this photo makes me laugh. And I'm positive
you are dying to hear them. No problem, I'm super nice that way.

1. Our treadmill is very old. We got it for $200 on Craigslist when we moved here. And although it kind of bends in the middle, I love it. I can walk and run on it, so really, how much does age matter? Not one bit, says the old lady who just had a birthday.

2. When I was on the treadmill taking this picture, the numbers kept flashing on and off, you know like they do as they change. So it totally looks like I ran/walked 10.9 laps in the time of zero. Hello, I'm awesome.

3. I don't actually drink vitamin water. I just like their containers because they have a wide opening, so I use them as my water bottles. Why did I mention that? I have no idea. Why do I mention anything?

4. It apparently takes a lot of apparatuses (is that even a word?) for me to exercise. Gloves for warmth in our freezing basement (two pairs you see because I had to cut the tips off one pair so I can work my iPod and...nevermind), a DVD player, DVDs to be played, my iPod for general conference and music...seriously, did you know some people just exercise? Weirdos.

Okay, I'll stop now, even if I could keep going. Because when you spend more time posting about your treadmill then you have spent on it today, you know you are bordering on insanity.

What's that?

Rude.