Stuff

It's been a while since I've really blogged about what's been going on in our life. I kinda feel like we're boring right now. And maybe it's because I'm a little down, and I hate telling people that I'm down, or feeling bad. There are some people that I really just can't keep up with. I've become lazy.

I'm kind of in a funk. I have gained so much weight. Everyday I tell myself that this is the day I'm going to do something about it, and then I wake up the next day, and it's the same! I've been doing this for months now. No matter how serious I think I am, I just can't make myself do anything.

My house is a mess. I still have boxes I haven't opened since we moved here 10 months ago. And a lot of clutter that I wish was gone!!!

Chris and I have decided to get rid of our baby stuff. I guess we're giving up the dream of having another baby. We've been paying insurance premiums for a year and a half now....waisted money. I am torn about this decision! I would love to have another child in our family. Or do I just love the idea? Pregnancy is NOT nice to me. And truthfully, I've feel that I've been given many signs that we're done. But then why can't I accept that answer. I know I need to, but I don't want to. And it seems like I have so many friends that are pregnant right now, and that stinks for me. My girls will only have 1 sibling. I have 4 and Chris has 9. Our family picture is small. But seriously here..... I know that HF knows me better than I know myself, and maybe 2 is all that I can handle :) I just wish Chris and I had come up with that number ourselves, and then I wouldn't feel like there was just one, that we're leaving behind. It's tough! Who knows...maybe there isn't anyone we're leaving behind. I just wish I knew that for sure. Now just watch......maybe in a year or 2 after all of the baby stuff is gone, things will change and we'll have to start all over. But don't hold your breath! I'm definitely not.

Anyway, lets get on with the happier things in life shall we :) Yesterday Bree got to take Grandma to school for Grandparents and Goodies day. I was totally going to take a picture, but we ended up being about 5 minutes late, and well, I totally forgot. Bummer!! But Bree had the best day ever! She was so hyper, and excited all day. She had been counting down the days since she found out about it. She LOVES school, and she LOVES grandma!!

We bought the movie Tangled, the day it came out. We saw it in the theatre, and couldn't wait to get it. And we've already watched it 4 times in 2 days! Crazy. But it's so cute, that I get sucked in every time too!

Then we spent most of the week and weekend last week painting Elle's room. We put down the crib, and now she's in the toddler bed. We put up cute curtains, and hung a picture. I really love how it turned out. I do want to paint the dresser, but it hasn't been warm enough to take it outside to paint it. So I'm waiting on that. But Elle loves her new room. And so do I! It's amazing how new a fresh coat of paint can make everything look.

We've put up a new shelf in the kitchen. It has hooks, so the girls can come in and hang their backpacks and coats. And I just can't wait until it's warm enough to work in the yard. There are a few projects we'd like to tackle out there! So, I'm excited for Spring and Summer, if they'd ever get here already!!

I sure hope I can get my act together!! And that's all I'm going to say about that! :)

Here are a few pics I've taken recently... My cute Elle, playing in her new room. And then some pics of her room.

I think life is good, and hard, all at the same time :)

Kindergarten Class

We got Bree's class pictures on Friday! Isn't it cute :) I can't believe that her first year in Elementary School is just about over. It went by so very fast!

A new room

I'm creating another cute bedroom. We bought the paint today. It's Elle's turn. I know I'm kinda behind, but we're putting down the crib. She's moving to a toddler bed. I haven't done it sooner, because I value my sleep :) he..he.. But I'm so excited to move forward and give her a sweet place for her own.

I thought I'd show you some of my inspirations.

This pillow matches her new bed set.

This picture is where I got all of my color inspiration! Well, most of it. We're painting her walls a light green, kind of like the side table in this picture. And I'm painting her big dresser the color of this bed!
I scanned this picture of her new bed set, but the colors are NOT realistic. It wouldn't scan properly. So just think about the colors above, with this set, and curtains to match. The yellow is much softer, and there will be dashes of purple. Her curtain rod has cute purple balls on the ends. I've got a wall hanging, and I'm using her current clock and shelf. They already go with this plan so great. I'm so excited to get started! And I'll definitely have to post some pics, when we're done.

Spring has Sprung (at our house)

The snow is gone. All gone. The grass is a wonderful sight to see. And yes, I know that it just might snow again, but at least the temperatures have warmed up enough now, that it doesn't stick for long. I can say without a doubt, that while I love Winter, I think I'm over it for this year. Spring is my new focus!

We were sitting out in the backyard last night. The girls were running around, playing, swinging, etc... Chris said that he can't wait for those days when we will spend most of our time out in the yard. We've been making lots of plans. Landscaping, a new shed, etc.. Looking forward to those summer camping trips. And a whole lot of them :)

Oh, life isn't perfect. I have my challenges. I haven't exercised in over a year. Since I thought I was pregnant last, and before we moved. I've gained a lot of weight. There are things I would like to change, so we'll see if this new Spring Season can get me going again.

Bree's favorite holiday just happens to be Easter. It always has been. I'm not sure if it's because of all the pretty pastel colors, or Spring, or the wonderful Easter dresses that we find each year, or the Easter Bunny, but she loves it. We always decorate our eggs, but I've never had any cute decorations for the house. Well, I've been finding some amazing stuff. They look a little bland in these pictures, but they really have livened up the house, and made it look Springy around here. And they are way more cute in person. Pastels, flowers, bunnies, etc.. I even have some really fun ribbon on one of our trees.

So here's to Spring! And accomplishing goals.

Woman and a Fork

I snagged this story from my sisters blog. I thought it was worth sharing!

Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly..

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favourite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like that many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Friends are a very rare jewel , indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

And just remember...keep your fork!

The BEST is yet to come!

Moab Area Spring Camping

Wow, what a weekend! We escaped from old man Winter and headed to Moab. We went with some of Chris' family. 7 trailers went down. And the girls are actually old enough this year, that we can go on some lengthy 4 wheeler rides, and have a great time.

The trails were amazing. Climbing huge slabs of Sandstone. Finding a new Arch that we'd never seen before. Re-visiting Tusher Tunnel. Driving to Dead Horse Point, etc... We did end up on some of the jeeping and mountain biking trails, but I don't think I'd want to be in a Jeep! We went on Two major half day rides, to Klondike Bluffs, and Monitor & Merrimak two huge Sandstone Butes.

All in all, an amazing weekend! I don't think anyone wanted to head for home. But it's good to be back just the same :)

Us, and then the group, on top of Klondike Bluffs!

Dead Horse Point!
Our newly discovered, Uranium Arch.

Amazingly enough, not in Arches NP. I wonder how many other awesome arches are out there, that aren't in Arches, or Canyon Lands NP's....


Out in the Area of Monitor & Merrimak!
This is either Monitor, or Merrimak.

The trail goes right between the two. When you hit the Sandstone, they just mark the trail with white lines just like the roads. These are the trails, the mountain bikes and jeeps follow also.

The group at Tusher Tunnel!

You walk through this tunnel from one side of the mountain to the other. And it opens up into some really cool scenery.

I think I got way too much sun, and wind on my face, because I'm getting a huge fever blister. One of the perks of going on vacation I guess huh? :)