Sister Belle

H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-A B-E-L-L-E!

30 years old and still the life of the party.

I love your stinkin' guts!

I think you are smart and you don't stink!

I am so Grateful you're my sister.

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Determination

There is a pond in Grandma's backyard.

Russell loves to throw things into it.

I have told him over and over "Do not throw anything in the pond. Please leave the pond alone."

A small gate was put around the pond. It provides ONLY an attempted visual barrier(a place not to cross), but he can get over it.

He did get over it. Twice. And twice was reprimanded and dealt proper punishment(Timeout:)

Did this stop him? Nope.

Even when, while climbing over the fence AGAIN he got his shorts caught and couldn't move. He was determined. I spotted him as he slithered out of those shorts and started throwing things in that pond again. No pants and all.

Like Peter Rabbit he lost his shorts while being naughty.

Such determination ought to be praised. Mostly, it's just trouble.

I am so grateful for my pant-less pond sneak, he keeps me on my toes.

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Cousins

Sam was so excited to see his cousin Audrey. He'd been talking about it for weeks, ever since I told him we were going to go visit family. Well, today was finally the day.

He was so excited he could barely undo his seat belt.
He got out of the car and they ran and gave each other a big hug.
Then they promptly disappeared. There was playing to do, and laughing and acting silly and getting into a whole lot of trouble.

Cousins are so fun.

I am grateful for the excitement I got to watch today, as they greeted each other. It's so fun to watch the kids grow and interact with each other. Plus my sister's kids are so dang cute!

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I am grateful for...

fresh produce from the garden. I've been eating tomatoes and peaches and squash and apples and peppers and...

ya I'll stop.

It is so tasty and I love it. I am so grateful I get to enjoy the fruits of my mother(and Mother 'n Law's) labor!:) Some day I hope to have a yard and a garden of my own.

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Remember

I remember sitting in church playing the 'dead hand game'. That's what I used to call it. It's the one where you hold the other persons wrist tightly and squeeze their hand so much the blood stops flowing evenly and it turns white. Then, you let it go and it feels so weird and looks rad while the blood rushes back in.

I sat and watched Ryan introduce this game to Samuel today. I felt somewhat nostalgic while I watched his eyes get bigger in fascination at the sensation. I don't know why but it made me smile and feel so grateful for the simple memory.

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Luv, luv luv

I love being able to shower during the day.

Ha, I bet that sounds odd. Don't I shower everyday? Well, yes, yes I do. But I do not shower when all of the kids are awake. (Inject obvious reasoning here)

I luv, luv, luv visiting family. (Inject more obvious reasoning here too) but there are some real advantages to visiting family. Like today, I'm grateful for a morning shower. Oooo, I'll take it one step further, an uninterrupted morning shower. Ahh, the simple pleasures a Mom quickly forgets but thoroughly enjoys! Thank you Grandma~!!!

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Books on CD

How novel! You make long car trips almost bearable.

Grateful.

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I am so grateful...

I live in a house, and not...a car.

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Today...

I spent the day being grateful I have two hands. They are useful, handy even.

These are Sam's cute prints he brought home from school.

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Oh today

Today was a very, very long day. Nobody seemed to be happy. I had a moment where I considered hiding in the bathtub behind 2 closed doors. But I would have been able to hear the whining still, so I didn't linger on the thought for too long.

It's days like today that shake my gratitude snow globe up a bit, creating a blurry white storm where its hard to see the blessings that abound.

For me, it's always when I'm feeling bad for myself that I really lose focus. Is it possible to be fully aware of how truly blessed you are and still feel self pity? Maybe. I mean, that does sound horrid doesn't it? How very contradicting, and yet that's how I felt for a while today. I must have been wavering between the two feelings so often that I began to think I was feeling them both at once, though now that I think about it I'm quite certain it's not possible to mix the two.

I am grateful today for something Samuel said to me.

He asked "Mom, would you do something so nice for me right now? It would make me so happy and I would be nice to everyone and you if you did it. Plus, I would give you lots of hugs and a kiss. It would make me so happy K?"

I thought to myself -Gee, I must be pretty ornery today if he feels like he has to preface his requests like that. Attitude adjustment needed.

Interested in what he wanted...

Juice, in a cup.

Oh how I love this kid. (even on hard days:)

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realizations

I realized today that I miss my friends terribly.

Does it sound silly to all of the sudden just MISS your friends?

It's true. Today it just hit me, a sting in the heart...

I miss you.


I am grateful for good friends. Even if they are far away.

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Nursery anxiety

Russell hated nursery with a passion when he first started going(when he turned 18 months). It took weeks of crying(the entire time) while we sat and worked through it with him. Just leaving him does not work(we tried) and the poor nursery leaders had other children to take care of. He finally just got used to being there and knowing the teachers. He was doing great. Then we moved.

Well, today I am grateful for a cry-free nursery drop-off. It's taken weeks and weeks but Russell is now willing and seems to enjoy going to nursery. I am so happy for him.(and for the nursery leaders. Saints I tell ya, Saints!)

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Chocolate, Chocolate Chip

Cookies.

Some days I just need a cookie.

I am grateful I had chocolate chips in the house so I could make these.

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Gratitude

Today I am grateful for a little visual inspiration via RUE!
I am so excited this magazine is finally up for viewing! Yahoo.

I love all things design. Once time permits I'll have my own design refuge(online) up and running...just a place to catalog and dream:)

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Today I am grateful...

...that my children slept in.

Marvelous are the days that don't start until 9 am :) I'm a morning person but sometimes that extra bit of sleep is just what I need. Especially because it's such a rare treasure when you have children!

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Air Conditioning

Today, as I was driving home from somewhere I was feeling a bit warm. I went to adjust the temperature in my car and realized that all the dials were turned to off.

I paused...

When was the last time I had my air conditioner on? Heater? Hu? I don't know.

The luxury of temperate days is spoiling me. Oh how I love median temperatures.

I am grateful for the beautiful weather we have been enjoying.

I await winter with some apprehension but it's pleasant knowing the temperature won't be changing much, only that it will be accompanied by wetter weather.

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Today...

I am grateful for quiet days at home.

Days where I don't have to be anywhere, or get anything done. Simple days are the best days. I love being able to sit down and just BE with my kids.

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1st day of pre-school

Well Sam, today was your first official day of Pre-school.

You were so excited.

Since it was your special day I made you Waffles with vanilla syrup for breakfast, your favorite!

You had no trouble leaving me to go play.

Russell didn't cry but kept repeating your name for a while, wondering why I had left you at school.

After I picked you up you told me your favorite part was "The playground! and I made a friend." It made me so happy to know you had fun.

Then I told you that you could have anything you wanted for lunch, and after some contemplation you said excitedly, "Nachos! Taco Bell!"

You are such a funny kid. You are so much fun to have fun with because ANYTHING is fun to you. Your enthusiasm is almost as catching as your smile and although I miss you when you are at school, I also know you love meeting others and doing your own thing. You are such a good boy and a great older brother. I am so grateful I get to be your Mom. I love you so.

-Mom

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"I love hotels! -Sam Bailey

We went on a small trip to Portland this weekend. Just overnight Friday/Saturday. Ryan had a CE Course he was taking at Oregon Health Sciences Dental School and we went along for the fun of it.


We had a great time.

Sam loved swimming in the pool. Russell thought it was too cold.

I was able to go to the temple.

While Ryan was at his class, the kids and I went to the zoo. It was nice, reasonably priced and fun.
Russell was into the real animals. Sam was more interested in the statues of animals.

Sam thought the dinosaurs were cool. Russell did not(he's in the bottom right corner, not getting any closer:)

Sam's favorite part was the tractor you could pretend to drive. Russell...was wary.(maybe it was Sam's driving)P.S. I did not force Russell onto the tractor for a picture. He wanted to be there, though it looks otherwise:)

Both enjoyed making a lot of noise in the Africa exhibits.

The trip was fun, although somewhat exhausting for me. A trip with 3 small children is certainly not a vacation. For someone who's job is a stay-at-home mom, it's was more like a business trip.

I am Grateful we got to go have fun together.

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ME against GPS

I am grateful I have a pretty good sense of direction. Our GPS and I did not get along today. I think the relationship has made a turn for the worse. I'm interested in seeing others...

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Grateful

For portable DVD players.

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We could be the heros!

So, it's not everyday one finds oneself laughing and enjoying your kid's video more than your kid.

I am neither new to Veggie Tales, or the witty written tales and songs. So I'm not sure how this little gem has managed to evade my attention, but I am pretty sure it's my new favorite. Edging itself in right above the pirates who don't do anything:)

Today I am grateful for the smiles this little diddy brings. I've been singing it all day-

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You're Back!

Oh how I've missed you! Goodbye old self, Hello skinny jeans!

It's been a few weeks now, but I am proud to say-I am officially my normal self again! My weight and mind seem to be back to their old selves. It took almost 5 months this time around but it's worth every mile I had to run and every dessert I didn't eat. I'm tired of not eating much and having nothing to wear. I look forward to maintaining instead of trying to lose. It's good to have a closet full of selections again. It's just so rewarding to be back!



These photos are my makeshift attempt at a before/after example. It's hard to show 55 lbs of weight loss(not including actual baby weight:) in one photo without someone else taking it. Besides I'm not tiny when I'm thin anyway, just average. But I'm happy feeling averagely thin. My energy is back, I can keep up with the kids and I feel great.


Today I am grateful I can put my favorite jeans on. I'm grateful they go past my knees and they fit WITHOUT-sucking in, feeling uncomfortable or me eventually crying as I take them off again. Success!

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solid food is good

My baby girl is getting so big. She has started solid food and is loving it! So far-rice cereal, carrots, and pears.

My feelings are so mixed- I am excited for her but I can't help but feel resistant to the change. I am just savoring this baby time, I love it so much and I am grateful for every minute of it.

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Jam

I made jam today, using the blackberries I pick last Friday. It was fun and will probably be something I try to do every year.

I love that it's wild blackberry jam.

*Wild: Occurring, growing, or living in a natural state; not domesticated, cultivated, or tamed.

I don't know why but I think it makes it taste better.

*definition from- answer.com

Today I am grateful someone invented PECTIN. It made preserving my berries so very simple.

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Today I am grateful for...

little hugs and kisses.

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I am grateful for...

chocolate.

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Today was a day...

...full of many things to be grateful for.

Ryan did not have to work.

I had help getting my grocery shopping done(again:)

All of the kids took a nap at the same time.

Ryan made the most amazing chocolate covered cherry/almond chocolates(from scratch)

We picked enough wild blackberries to make lots of yummy jam.

We had dinner with some new friends who helped us pick all those wild blackberries, and then we roasted marshmallows over a fire and watched the kids run around exploring.

I just can't choose today...I'm just GRATEFUL for today.

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Today

Today I am grateful for cool sand between my toes on a warm summer day.

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Eagle Ears

Growing up my mother was known for her "eagle ears". She could hear everything. You might be downstairs 3-4 flights in the basement having a sleep-over and she would know exactly when you fell asleep during the night. She would say the next morning, "You were up giggling till 3 in the morning!" And she would be right.

I have inherited her super powers.

I can hear the softest sounds and I am really good at deciphering where a sound is coming from or what is making the noise. It's one of those Mom powers that I think many women possess.

I am really grateful for the ability to hear. Right now I am listening to Sam and Russell giggle in their room before they go to sleep. The little stinkers have been sharing a room for a little over a month and the novelty has still NOT worn off. They play, and giggle and who knows what else, instead of sleep. It is both frustrating and sweet because I really want them to sleep and they have been so tired lately but they sure love sharing a room. The happy noises make me smile and I love it.

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