some good thoughts that i don't want to forget

these past few days i've come across some really good advice that i hope i don't forget. so in an effort to remind myself, i'm posting it here and i've written it in a couple of other places as well.
first: this was from grandpa Cope's funeral which was wednesday. it was a wonderful funeral, one that i was glad i attended. it was so uplifting to hear tribute to such a good man, to think back on how he has blessed my own life in 9 short years of knowing him and see the fruits of living a righteous life and loving your family. the tidbit that i want to remember most is "EVERYBODY DESERVES TO BE LOVED". he truly loved everyone and lived by this, i want to do the same.

second: i went visiting teaching thursday morning. it was my turn to share the message and it was a great message that i got quite a bit from, but the greatest part was the advice that the sister we were visiting shared after the lesson. simply put she said "SHOW YOUR CHILDREN THAT YOUR HAPPY TO BE A MOTHER". i am so happy to be a mother and i want my children to know that but i'm sure that i'm often making the mistake of assuming that they just know that without being told. so i am committing to telling them that i am happy being their mother at least once a day.

third: as i was reading the first presidency message this morning one sentence really stood out "HAVE YOU TRIED PRAYER?". definitely take the time to read this article (March Ensign First Presidency message) it will uplift you. and this simple statement made me realize how important and powerful prayer truly is.

Shades of Mediocrity tag

my very creative sister-in-law came up with this tag and I felt that it was a good one. this is the link to her post http://benjodiandkids.blogspot.com/2009/03/shades-of-mediocrity.html
basically she asked us to post something from our 'ordinary' day, because it's more to the truth than posting only our wonderful achievements. It reminded me of a quote from one of the past latter-day prophets who said something about the greatest work comes from doing the small and mediocre things each day that finally add up to the wonderful work we're here to do. so even those days that seem to amount to nothing getting done as planned and cereal is still ground into the carpet or there are still gross dishes in the sink or a mountain of clothing waiting to be folded and put away it's okay and you've accomplished more that you think just by trying to do your best.
well here are my pics of everyday life here. it is a story of unfinished projects and a dirty kitchen. hope this helps you realize were not 'wonder women' every moment of the day, we have ordinary moments, too. and we can enjoy them as well.




these are pieces of an afghan I've never finished since I ran out of blue yarn and it has been sitting in the closet for over 3 years


this painting I started over a year ago and got frustrated with it so I put it in the corner. maybe one day you'll see the vision of it that still remains in my thoughts


this drawer hides three pairs of jeans that need to be hemmed (one is brand new, never been worn)


this unfinished shirt was supposed to be for Wesley last Easter and I'm trying desperately to motivate myself to finish it before it just ends up being a hand-me-down to my nephew because both of my sons are too big for it.


this last one is fortunately downstairs in my craftroom where no one but me ventures. i meant to do this motif all the way around and i only got these pathetic few flowers that aren't even centered over the door (which would have made it possible to lie and say that I meant to leave it like this)

more pics from the zoo

We found these crazy creatures at the zoo and were lucky enough to get a picture of them before they disappeared.

my 33rd birthday

yes, 33. it is a big full number and I love telling everyone. my mom never would tell us her age and i never understood why. so i decided to never hide my age from my children, instead i'll awe them by the large greatness of the number ;).
for my birthday the weather was absolutely marvelous and we headed up to the hogle zoo. i've always loved the zoo, one day i may even work there. we ate pb&j sandwiches for lunch and didn't come home until we were all completely exhausted and very happy. On the way home we stopped at Bajio grill to pick up dinner. Bajio is my new favorite restaurant. Everything from there is delicious! After dinner Austin & I put the children to bed, left them with a sitter and spent the evening in a hot tub. It's been a long time since I've been able to do that with just my sweetheart and no children splashing us. It was a truly fantastic day. One I will think about fondly for many, many years. It was also made even more wonderful by all the good people who have blessed my life and thought of me on my birthday. Leaving messages on the machine and my facebook to wish happy birthday, and cookies, and offers to watch the kids. I felt very loved and that was the best present of all. Thank you!! And especially thanks to my wonderful husband and best friend Austin. He really made this day possible and did all he could to pamper me. Love you forever, sweets.

karate, living on the ceiling, another headband & 4 months have just flown by!

Yeah, that's quit a bit to cover in just one post, but i'm short on time.
first, karate. we registered the boys in a little 6 week karate class to see how they'd like it. they just finished this past week and did a great job. at their little graduation, they both recieved a gold medal for accomplishing all their homework (they were the first to do it in their class) which consisted of doing chores and things at home without being asked. it was a great way to make a habit of dressing, putting clothes away, making beds, setting and clearing the table. they also had a lot of fun learning kicks and punches. i had a great time watching them, it was very entertaining. wesley was usually more interested in picking the duct tape off the floor than the teacher and ian was always showing off for the girls in the class.






Second, living on the ceiling?
I've decided that i like the pictures of me upside down the best. it's like an instant face lift and i've always loved the way they turn out. i need to get me a pair of techno trousers (see wallace & grommit if you aren't savvy to the techno trouser thing) and some braces and just live it up.





thirD, another headband (actually three) these are the headbands i've been working on, they are so fun and they've turned out so cute. i love mine!!





finally, our little lydia is now 4 months old!! she is such a beautiful little person. she's very patient with her sister the 'smother mother' as a friend of mine calls appropriately calls it. she is quick to smile and love to play with her toys. i love to watch her concentrate on reaching those toys in sight. it is so funny and endearing.


i know this is blurry, but look at those beautiful eyes!

French Eclectic
Parlez-vous français? Even if the answer is no, you can confidently say your home does! French Eclectic somehow manages to be both formal and casual, classy and unassuming at the same time. You like your spaces to feel inviting from the moment you (or your guest) opens the front door and this feeling should continue even after you've entered your most formal room.
Even though there are French antiques here and gold details there, the rustic country elements provide a balance and warmth that seems to say, "come in, relax and stay a while." Your love of antiques leads you to flea markets, garage sales and hours of eBay hunting.

Rustic Revival
You can take kid out of the country but you can't take the country out of the kid... or is your theme "you can take the kid out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the kid?".
Either way you play it, you are one of the unique individuals who loves a mix of modern and country. The clean lines of the modern softened by rustic/vintage elements is the perfect mix in your mind. And can we blame you? You've taken the best aspects of two popular designs and mixed them in a manner that appeals to young and old alike. A subtle background of white or light colors provides a nice canvas for all the wonderful flea market, eBay, or garage sale finds as well as the classic modern pieces that you love.

Your personal style is a mix of 2 specific styles:
60% Rustic Revival
40% French Eclectic
this was a fun and interesting quiz. try it out, it got me right. I absolutely love the round door on the second pic, isn't that the coolest?
http://www.sproost.com/