6 Years and Forever to Go!

Happy Anniversary Brian! I'm so thankful that 6 years ago you took me to the temple to be married and sealed for time and eternity! You're my bestest lover and my forever friend. Thanks for sharing this world with me. I can't wait for the rest of our lives! I truly believe we were meant for each other. We were introduced to each other when we were young so we would recognize each other when we got older. (Heavenly Father helped by giving you a cute smile and big muscles!) And even "almost" getting married to two other people could not stop us from being together. God bless the broken road, that led me straight to you! I LOVE YOU!

Lessons I Learned from my Mom

Raising four daughters was probably not the easiest task in the world! Especially when my Dad was/is always the hero. My Daddy gets all the attention from his daughters, (proof in pics above)so I thought I'd give a little praise to my Mom tonight. I started thinking about her because I just baked some cookies, and of course, I had to put them in my tupperware--just like she did when I was growing up. I love so many things my Mom did growing up....I started listing them in my head, and then it kinda turned into the things I learned from her. So I'd like to share. You'll see why I'm perfect! Because I had the perfect teacher!!!!

Lesson #1: Bake cookies, and put them in a tupperware-this makes them taste better and helps children remember you are a wonderful mother.

Lesson #2: Make your bed. I HATE making my bed still because of my mom. BUT--she's right, it does make a room a lot less chaotic, and I LOVE a made bed!

Lesson #3: Cook dinner. I always remember having a home-cooked meal. I love those memories. Some nights-it was the only time I saw all my family together!

Lesson #4: When you have a tummy ache, pull your knees to your chest. (Sprite and saltines help too) This one came in handy the other night, when Aislee came into my room and had a tummy-ache for the first time in her life. What did I say???? Pull your knees to your chest. We all know these things just have to work themselves out. But a mother has to have an answer for EVERYTHING! Even if it is: CAUSE I SAID SO!

Lesson #5: Be nice. I'll never forget in elementary school I said something mean to or about Brandon Nelson and she made me call him on the phone and say sorry. First of all, how do moms find out these things. Second of all, I had a huge "crush" on him. That was so traumatic. BUT, do you think I've ever been mean to anyone ever again???? NOPE. I've never done or said a mean thing since!!!

Lesson #6: Sometimes you have to make the first move! When Brian and I were dating, we took things slowly. We both had just called off other engagements. But after a month, and still no first kiss---she told me it was time to make the first move. She's smart!!

Lesson #7: Don't judge others. This I learned by her example. It doesn't matter whether you go to church or not, if you're big or little, gay or straight, live in a big house, or have no money at all. A person cannot be defined by their "status". I'm in charge of my life, and mine only, and I will treat everyone else as my friend.

Lesson #8: Moms are the best. This I learned after having my own children. There is not a bad day that goes by that my mom can't make me feel better about it. She's ALWAYS there. When life is tough-she reminds me what's important. And when I'm about to go crazy-- she reminds me that my kids will grow up way too fast, so enjoy it.

Lesson #9: When life is too hard, turn it over to Heavenly Father. There have been a few times in my life where things are too hard. She has taught me that sometimes we can't control them, and it's better just to let Heavenly Father take care of them. I have found such comfort in that advice. He can help me lighten my load, and ease my burdens. Thanks for the reminder mom.

Lesson #10: Work hard. Maybe it's because I'm the most expensive child (seriously I am). But I had a job when I was 14 years old. I'm thankful for that. Cause being a mom is HARD WORK!

Lesson #11: Simple Abundance. Less is more. And keep life simple---still workin on reading the book mom. This should be a deep lesson, with a deep thought---but I'm just a beginner!

Lesson #12: Listening to Enya while taking a bubble bath is necessary in a woman's life. Seriously. This will make you feel like a whole new woman-and cure any stress!

Lesson #13: Get my own political opinion. I remember asking my mom--"who am I supposed to vote for?" And her telling me....find out for yourself. Rather than "telling" me what I should do, she helped me find out for myself what I thought should happen. She also taught me that it's okay and important to have my own opinion-even if it's different.

Mom, I've learned a lot of things from you. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up. (a couple scary ones--that's it) I hope my kids think of me the way I think of you. Thank you for rocking me when I was little, being "cool" when I was in school, guiding me when I had no idea where I was going, blow-drying my hair and going to work at 3am- just so you could take care of me after my heart surgery, and now comforting me and giving me hope when life gets too hard. You're the best--always have been, forever will be! I love you!

And for my Daddy.
These are the lessons you taught me:
Lesson #1: Life is easy. When you have a Daddy like mine.

Lesson #2: Money grows on trees. When you have a Daddy like mine.

Lesson #3: There is such thing as a "bed fairy". Many occasions, he rescued me and made my bed for me.

Lesson #4: A Daddy can still be a "hero" to his 28 year old daughter.

Lesson #5: Nothing is ever my fault. It's always my husbands! (J/K-kind of)

Lesson #6: There is nothing a Daddy can't fix.

I love you too Dad!

Childhood. Magical. Simple.

I've had these 3 thoughts in my head, and I wanted to write about it. Maybe it's because it's Christmas time, and I have so many wonderful memories, or maybe it's because I've been so humbled in the last couple weeks......that really life is ONLY about my husband and my kids.....or maybe it's because I've been reading Stephenie Rosemeyers last two months of blog posts--only because of blurry teary vision that I couldn't read further--that makes me appreciate my children and their lives, and want to spend every waking moment remembering this special day with them.
Last night I thought about life being magical. Easton was throwing up all night...and we got to sleep out by the Christmas tree. I turned on the tree lights--and I think thats what made him better. Sleeping with Christmas lights on is a magical thing for me. In fact-it's my "happy place" that I think of when life is scary and I need to escape.
Today, I wish life were more simple. I wish my childrens lives were more simple. Playing outside with no fences, no shoes and no worries. I wish we lived on a farm and worked all day together. I wish I didn't care if Aislee's hair was done or not, and we all just played all day long. I haven't even had a tea party yet with Aislee and her dolls. She's 5. I'm going to lose my opportunity if I don't take it.
Know you what it is to be a child?…
It is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief;
it is to be so little that the elves can reach to whisper in your ear,
it is to turn pumpkins into coaches,
and mice into horses,
lowness into loftiness,
and nothing into everything,
for each child has its fairy godmother in its soul.
– Francis Thompson
I hope my children grow up with memories of their childhood being simple and magical. And I hope they can find simpleness and magical moments when they're adults. I need to focus more on that in my life I think. Simple, magical moments. I know God gives them to me everyday. I just need to slow down and take them all in.

And I'm thankful for Sheye Rosemeyer. She doesn't know me. But I know her. I'm thankful for her beautiful words. I'm thankful for the motivation she gives me to be a good loving mother. I love how she captures the magic of childhood in her photography. Her pictures tell stories and bring lovely memories back to me-they make me want to relive my childhood all over again. I can't wait until she gets to see her little Ava again.
Until then-I will cherish every moment with my Aisers and Easty bud. I thank Heavenly Father for them and for the joy they bring me everyday. Tomorrow, we are going to have a magical, simple day and I can't wait!