Elle's First Dance Recital

Elle's first dance recital was a hit! I was so worried that she was going to get a bad case of stage freight once she was up on stage, but nope, not her. She did her stuff and loved it and so did I. I think quite possibly there could be a future on Dancing with the Stars for her!!

I love, love, love that show!!

The little girls that danced before her had the cutest white with big red polka dots little bo beep dresses on and Elle kept telling me, "I want that dress, I like it better than mine." So, after the recital Ms. Macie was selling a couple of extra costumes for cheap and of course one of them was the polka dot dress. So, needless to say, Elle has the little polka dot dress that she liked so much better and do you think I can get it off her now? Nope, and she was not happy with me when told that she could not wear it to school today.

Enjoy the journey

The things that made me smile and my heart overflow this weekend.
Watching Bradley score two goals.
Going to Lowe's and watching the kids choose the flowers they wanted to plant in our planters.
Finding little Beau asleep on the stairs, he was on his way down to sneak into my bed.
Elle telling me that she missed Jesus.
Watching Abby get ready for a Stake Dance...she is getting so old!
Bradley bringing me breakfast in bed, my favorites of course, Honey Bunches of Oats, cinnamon toast and a ice cold Diet Coke!
Tons of hugs and kisses from all my babies.
Abby jumping in and finishing Elle's hair for me because we were running late to church...again.
The kiddos sneaking into my scrapbook corner and making me tons of homemade cards for Mother's Day...stamps, glitter, bling, hearts, flowers, all the good stuff. My mantel is filled with them!
Being able to wish my mom and grandma a Happy Mother's Day.
A sweet email from Steve.
Making chocolate chip cookies with Bradley (our Sunday tradition).
Watcing my children sing to all the Mothers in Sacrament meeting.

Why am I going on like this? (Sorry, this journaling is more for me) Because recently I heard President Monson tell us something that has been on my mind a lot since then. He told us to enjoy the journey, and not to wait for a special occasion, make everyday the special occasion. ENJOY THE JOURNEY. That really has hit me. I cherish my role as a mother but I will admit there are many days I feel as though I am swimming up stream, days that I get caught up in the stress and craziness and the feelings of overwhelmness get the best of me, and days that feel as though I'm just trying to survive the day. So I am taking President Monson's words to heart. I need to focus more on the little things each day that bring me joy, cherishing each moment for one day I know I will miss these hectic days. I will miss the spilled milk, the tears, the constant fingerprints on every mirror and glass in the house, the piles of laundary, the 9 a.m. soccer games in the freezing cold wind & rain, the ring around the tub, the parent teacher conferences, the time outs, the chauffeuring, the noises that comes with a house full of kids, the homemade cards, the smell of a freshly bathed child, playing Zingo (elle's favorite game in the world) for the hundredth time, toys spread throughout the house...I know, you get it.

So lets all enjoy the journey together!

Friends

"I count myself in nothing else so happy,

as in a soul rememb'ring my good friends"

William Shakespeare

My blog is paying off. Recently a bunch of my friends from Colorado and I "found each other" through blogging and it has been a fun reunion!

It has been great to see how things have changed and how big all our babies are getting.

This is a snapshot of a wonderful friend from Colorado.

We lived around the corner from each other in the same house which sold the same week as ours by the same gorgeous realtor (my husband). Then they moved their family to Virginia as we moved our family up here to Idaho. It has been four years since we saw each other so while she was in the west visiting family her and her kiddos stopped in to say hello before moving to Venezuela for the next five years. She is much braver than I could be about that move. We wish you and your family the best down there. It was wonderful to see you Garity!

Then while in Utah this past weekend I bumped into another great friend from my old ward...Alice Wheeler. Wow, so fun!

So lately I have been reflecting on friends and how lucky I have been to have some of the most amazing friends in my life. I have always been surrounded by the most wonderful woman. Ones who teach me, support me, comfort me, help me, encourage me, and who's examples inspire me to try harder, to do better and to be better. I believe the Lord knows us and what tools will help us along the way and he knew I needed again, all these amazing, beautiful friends to keep me going, and a few hundred girl's night/weekend outs. So let's keep them coming girls!

So, to all my friends, old and new, thank you. I love you dearly and am so blessed to call each one of you my friend.