Extreme Makeover Me Edition

Here we go...It's been a few weeks since I have participated, and I've missed all the awesome support. So if you're looking to get healthy and fit, head on over to the adorable Amber's to link up!

This weeks question....

What's your favorite thing to drink while you're losing weight? We all know how important it is to get that water intake up, especially with summer almost here. What's your favorite way to spice it up?

To be honest I really just drink water...I really like crystal light, but seem to forget about it when I am grocery shopping. Right now though, water doesn't like me very much, and I have to separate my meals from my drinks with any hopes of keeping what I just ate down. That is really hard for me, because I drink a lot of water with my meals so it fills me better, and I eat slower. Not the case now. Anyway I just try to stay hydrated any way I can...unfortunately(because pop isn't very good for ya) something that seems to settle my stomach a little is sipping on watered down with crushed ice root beer. Weird huh!? Oh boy, and plain old vanilla ice cream seems to sooth my stomach too...not a very healthy choice.

How's my weight looking, well....despite the fact that I have thrown up 89 times in the last four weeks(yes, my kids are keeping track on the calendar, yes we are a strange family, but yes it is a little interesting..gross, but interesting)...I have gained a couple of pounds, so I guess the baby is getting some nourishment, or it could be the massive size of my larger than life boobs.

My house is dirty, my laundry will never be caught up again, I could sleep for the next four months, I rarely keep anything down, my family doesn't get fed very well(although my sweet neighbor brought over homemade chicken noodle soup and surprised me Sunday evening), I look like blah..., my face looks like a giant dot to dot, because of the massive outbreak of glorious zits, I get frustrated easily, I cry over everything...

....but, I wouldn't trade this blessing for the hottest body, clearest skin, the cleanest house, or even all the money in the world. This little one will be worth 1000 times of throwing up if that is what it takes. This sickness is worth it!! I just can't believe that I get to have another baby, and I am blessed beyond what I deserve.

I hope everyone is having a good week, and have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!!

" I never understood the love my Mother had for me....until I became a Mother!"

Just some of the things I love about my Mom...

1. She is a goof! She has said some of the most hilarious things I have ever heard.

(out camping there are no rules)

2. She is an amazing Grandma...the kind who gets down and plays with the kids.

3. She has dressed up in some of the most outrageous Halloween costumes you have ever seen, and won contests with them.

4. She is short(about 5'2"), I took after my Dad I am 5'8". I have been this tall since I was in junior high, and when I hug her she fits under my chin.

5. She comes across as very proper and classy, but we the family know the truth!haha

6. She is beautiful, (I would love her even if she weren't), but she is, and she's always taken care of herself.(she does her hair and make-up out camping..."you never know when you might see Robert Redford."

7. She is tough as "boiled owl"...so she says!

(she doesn't smoke, not really sure what she was doing in this pic...just being my mom!)

8. She has dealt with some extremely sad times in her life, and suffered through for the rest of the family, even with the most broken of hearts.

9. She has always been my biggest fan...even now when I am 32 years old.

10. She can outwork anyone I know....believe me, as a teenager I thought the yard, and house work would never be done!

11. She has a sweet and wonderful testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

12. She falls asleep in the best of movies, and then when you wake her she claims she was never really asleep, as she wipes a bit of drool from her mouth.

13. She isn't afraid to break out into some crazy dance, at any time.

14. She is very talented, and creative!!! Thanks for passing on a small portion of that to me!

15. She has been the most amazing example to me my entire life, and when my dad says, "you're just like your Mother"...that is the best compliment ever!!!

Happy Mother's Day Mom...I love you so very much, and wish we lived closer. Thanks for all the many things you do for my family and me. I appreciate it more than you could ever imagine! Give yourself a big hug from all of us here!!!...and have a great day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Wonderful moms out there!!!

Please forgive me for not visiting for a while, I have not been feeling well, and haven't been on the computer much. I look forward to catching up with all my awesome bloggy friends soon! Hope your weekend has been a good one!

Look what came in the mail!!!...and AWARDS!!!

A few weeks ago I got word from Mama King at 4 Crazy Kings, that I had won her custom made cards giveaway!! So excited!!!! Then a couple of days ago, I received these in the mail.....oh HAPPY DAY!!!! Love getting stuff in the mail...other than bills! How adorable are these? She is amazing...go check out her blog for some awesome kids projects!!! Thanks Mama King!!! I love them!!

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AWARDS!!!! WOW...I am overwhelmed!

Anissa at Our Chaotic Life gave me this" Awe-Summm" award. Thanks sooo much. I was very excited! I don't consider to be a queen of anything, or to be awesome, but I will take it....it's so glittery!!!!

Here's what you do!

List 7 things that make you Awe-Summ and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

Also link back to the Queen that tagged you.

Here I go...

What makes me Awe-summ???

well...

1. I love my kiddos more than I could ever express.

2. I love being a mom, more than being skinny(obviously)

3. I love crafting.

4. I try to be clean and tidy in my home.

5. I laugh easily.

6. My fingers are all double-jointed(cool huh)I'm a bit of a freak!

7. I have amazing, cool friends in bloggyland!!!!

I choose...

Vivienne at The V Spot

Shortmama

Sandra at In This Small House

Heidi at Blue-eyed Blessings

Shawn at Seriously

Kasey at All That is Good

Rhonda at Down Memory Lane

These ladies are AWE-SUMM!!! Love reading your blogs!!!

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Next Up...

Vivienne at The V Spot...

So stinkin' cute and funny gave me this award! I love it!!!

Passing it on to...

Krissy at Thinking of Blue

One Girlie Girl

Lanie at Creations by Lanie
Amanda at Serenity Now

Kimert at Diaries of a Coach's Wife

Jenny at Jenny-Jenny who can I turn to?

These ladies are super!!!! Love them all!

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I actually received this award from all three of these amazing ladies!!!(Krissy is just young, but absolutely amazing and beautiful!!!) Thank-you sooo much! Viveanne at The V Spot, Kasey at All That Is Good,
and Krissy at Thinking of Blue

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award
1.Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post
4.Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award
5.Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.
Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

I am going to pass this one on to everyone! Please take it....and we'll all try to be more grateful and show gratitude more often. I know I need to!:-)

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This award was given to me by...

Jodi at Jodibee Designs ...she is adorable, and very talented!

Here are the rules...

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to up to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

My choices...

Brynn at Moments of Majic& Mayhem
Carrie at Carrie's Little World
Amanda at Ups A Daisy
"Fine"Al Thoughts

These ladies as well are so wonderful!! I love to keep up with their blogs!!!

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So many amazing bloggers out there, it is very, very hard to pick some to pass the awards on!!! Thanks so much to the sweeties who gave me these awards!! I am truly grateful, and feel very flattered!!!

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Now a problem.....

Do You think.....

She is addicted too!?!?

Have a WONDERFUL Friday!!!

Friend Makin' Monday!!!

I love Mondays!!! Nothing like making some new friends and learning more about old ones, so head on over to Kasey's at All That is Good to find out the rules and link up! This weeks question was inspired by Kelli over at Outside My Kitchen Window...

Here we go...

“5 Senses Tag”

We are to list 4 things we love, and one thing we dislike, for each category.

SMELL

love...

1. lilacs

2. baby lotion

3. freshly mowed lawn

4. clean clothes fresh out of the dryer

dislike...

1. flatulence...hubby and son!!!

TOUCH

love...

1. Ashie's soft skin

2. when Hunter Dan holds my hand

3. hugs from the kiddos

4. like Kasey, fresh clean sheets...love that!!!

dislike...

1. pumpkin guts...I throw up every year!!!

SOUND

love...

1. birds early in the morning

2. rain falling

3. my kids laughter

4. water in a creek

dislike...

1. whining

TASTE

love...

1. pizza

2. my homemade salsa(mouth watering)

3. symphony bars

4. ice cold skim milk!

dislike...

1. Hamburger pie...sorry Mom, it is gross!!!!

SIGHT

love...

1. flowers of all kinds

2. a clean home

3. my family

4. the gorgeous mountains

dislike...

1. when my kids are hurting

This was lots of fun, thanks Kasey and Kelli!! I seem to take so many wonderful things for granted, my "love" list could have been sooo much longer! Thanks for making us think today! I love FMM!

Have a FANTASTIC Monday!

Spendin' the Day....

Just a quick post this morning, I am spending the day with my kiddos... ya know since I worked them to death(so they think) out in the yard, and cleaning the house this week. They are my world and the most amazing little people. It's hard to believe they are mine!(I never said they were perfect, or they don't drive me crazy sometimes, or make me want to pull my hair out)....they are after all still sleeping...so it's still quiet:-) Today will be a computer free day! A day for me and my little monsters. I will check back tonight after they are in bed, and try to get caught up with everyone!!! I love my bloggy friends, and am sooo very grateful for all the amazing women I have met through this outlet of mine, and for the wonderful comments that are left. Thanks to you all!!!!

A few pics and a pole....what is your favorite flower????

Have a Wonderful Friday!!!!

Craft Challenge and Totally Thankful Thursday!!

I am so excited to be joining in with Heidi at Blue Eyed Blessings for her monthly craft challenge. This month was button projects. I use buttons on my hair accessories all the time, but not very much on other things, so when I saw this idea and then made it my own, it seemed perfect for my decor, fun and easy!

This was just an old 8x10 frame I had picked up at a thrift store. I painted it black then distressed the edges. I used quilted muslin and glued the buttons on(I was going to sew them, but changed my mind when I realized how many buttons I was using!) I sewed the border strips of fabric on the muslin, then did a simple black stitch around the star with embroidery thread, and softened it all with a sheer ribbon.

My family room is decorated in Americana decor, so this was perfect for the room. I think it turned out pretty cute.

If you have any button projects you'd like to share, head on over to Heidi's party and link up. I can't wait to see everyones ideas!!!

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1. My beautiful girlies hair...may seem silly to everyone, but I LOVE doing their hair. They have the locks I always wished I had!

2. Grocery day...I put it off and put it off, but I am always thrilled when I get home and put everything away, and know I have food for my family. I feel very blessed.

3. Spring soccer...I love watching Bug play, he is good, and gives 110% on the field. Plus it means summer is getting closer... instead of winter, like in fall soccer!

4. Nightmares...not mine, but my kids's...not that I like them to be scared, but I love that I can comfort and snuggle them, and they know that I can make them feel better! Lexlee just had one, and I always feel like "supermom" when they are o.k. and go back to sleep.

5. Mornings...sometimes they are rushed, sometimes they are relaxed...no matter what they are always the start of a new day, a fresh start, with no mistakes.(I heart Anne of Green Gables!)

I have so much to be thankful for! Have a great Thursday everyone!

The Daffodil...

Last week...

Monday...

Today!!! Look what that wonderful snow has done. It is soooo gorgeous outside today. Sunny and bright, NOT very warm though, but fabulous!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

FRIEND MAKIN' MONDAY!!!

Wanna join in the fun??? Head over to Kasey's and link up! Today we are talking about being THANKFUL!!! We are suppose to list 10 things that we feel blessed and thankful for....

1. Hunter Dan...he's a gruff man with a sweet and tender(don't tell him I used that word) heart. He works so hard for our family, and when we got married Bug was 5, and Lexlee was 2...he loves them like they are his own, and for that I am very grateful.

2. Bug...He is such a good, smart, and funny guy! He makes me laugh, and poor kid, he puts up with all his sisters, and even takes good care of them.

3. Lexlee...she is such a sweetheart, so kind and such a good sister, she is always happy and thinking of others. 4. Jibbity...she is our comic relief, ya never know what might come out of her mouth next! But... at the same time she is super sweet, and caring.

5. Ashie...she is everyones little sweetie, she is wild, and busy which I am so grateful for!!!

6. Freedom...I love this country sooo much, and even though we don't all agree on everything that is going on here, we live in an amazing country!!! 7. Warm summer days...we can have picnics outside, and spend all day out in the fresh air...playing, jumping on the trampoline, swinging, swimming, on and on.
8. Being able to kiss... my handsome husband and beautiful children...oh how I love them soooo much!
9. The changes in the seasons...this pic is actually of my Maple tree right now...which yes I would love it to be covered in leaves, but it sure looks pretty.10. The beautiful Temple... where I was married to my hubby, and am blessed with the joys of en eternal family. My greatest blessing ever!!!

What a great way to start my Monday morning, remembering a few of the amazing things I have to be thankful for. Thanks Kasey, I love FMM!!!!

Have a great day everyone. I gotta take the kiddos to school, since it's a blizzard outside!!!!

WELCOME SPRING & I AM SpOiLeD!!!

WELCOME SPRING!!!!

(this was taken last year at Easter time. It was after church and they all just wanted to be out of their church clothes...especially Bug!)

THANKS...

Christine at Life...the Way I See It. Gave me this awesome Kreativ Award. Thanks sooooo much. I feel so spoiled...WOW! She has such a cute blog and an adorable new button, go check it out! The rules of this award are to tell seven things I love and pass it on to seven bloggers I love.

Here goes...

1. I ♥ dance recitals

2. I ♥ new babies

3. I ♥ salsa and chips

4. I ♥ blogging

5. I ♥ warm summer nights

6. I ♥ shoes

7. I ♥ primary songs

Now to pass it on...

1. Kimi at Meddling in the Affairs of Dragons

2. Sandy Toes

3. Brynn at Moments of Majic and Mayhem

4. Screamin' Mama

5. Krissy at Thinking of Blue

6. Sassytimes

7. Faithchick(Amanda)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

There are seriously sooo many of you out there that I love, it is hard for me to pick only seven.

Enjoy your first day of Spring everyone!!!!

One Year Ago...

One year ago today, we rushed our little Ashie to the Childrens Hospital E.R. She was only 20 days old, with a very high fever. She was struggling to breathe, and wouldn't eat. She had already dropped quite a bit from her birth weight and we were taking her into the doctor every other day for weight checks. I knew this was something serious. I had been up with her all night long and by five a.m. I woke my hubby and said "let's go". Because she was under a month, and had a high fever they had to run lots of tests. It was so heart breaking to see. I left the room for the Spinal Puncture.

She had RSV, and would need to be admitted, oh how I cried. You are so emotional after having a baby anyway, and the thought of her being in the Hospital was so devastating to me. I know there are sooo many more serious problems and illnesses, but I couldn't help but look down at this brand new member of our family and be so worried and scared! I was able to carry her to her floor and her room, she already had an IV hooked in her tiny arm, but as they got her settled in her little crib, and hooked her to the oxygen I felt a low like I had never felt before. I just wanted to be home with my new little Angel and her brother and sisters.

I cry as I write this... all the emotionals of those 9 days come flooding back. I of course stayed there night and day, and Hunter Dan would come up after work with Jibbity. Bug and Lexlee were at their Dad's and Step-Mom's house. The days were long, but it was the nights that really got to me. When Hunter Dan would leave at night to take Jibbity back home, and the bright lights of the hospital would dim, and it was very quiet... I had never felt more alone. My Mom came the three and a half hours from my home town in the middle of the night. I kept saying " we're o.k. she'll be out soon, no need to come". Finally she knew I needed her, she left late at night and arrived even later(or early I should say) and when she arrived I actually slept for a few hours.

Oh how glad we were to get that little lady back home where she belonged . As I reflect back on that time I am so grateful for family and friends who helped us out. My good friend Trish arranged for a place for Jibbity to go while Hunter Dan was working, after she'd get home from work she'd take care of her til' hubby got home. Karen took care of all three of the kids the early morning when we went to the E.R. She got the two older ones off to school. Xazmin, Karen, and Holly all took turns taking Jibbity. Mike and Kandice were amazing and took Bug and Lexlee to school every morning even though it was an hours drive to take them and to pick them back up. Mike even brought them up to the hospital to see Ashie and Me before school one morning... I sooo appreciated that. I am especially grateful to Hunter Dan and my Mom, and all the calls and prayers that were received from family and friends.

Now here it is one year later it's 1:56 a.m. and I am up monitoring little Ashie because she is sick again. We are watching her and trying to decide if another trip to the E.R. will be necessary. She is asleep finally and I decided to share a little of the emotions of this time... one year ago!

I love you to the moon baby doll!!!
Now one year later(when she's feeling good), she is soo wild, and a great climber. Infact Hunter Dan had his back to her for a few seconds and turned around to find her standing on the table! Sorry, my next post will be much happier... I promise! :-)