Happy Memorial Day!

***** I need to amend this last post. Because I need to recognize a dear friend of mine who has literally saved me during this deployment. She is away from her husband too and has 2 little boys. She is living with mama and papa too. We text each other every day and its so nice to have somebody who knows what I am going through. She makes me laugh and smile which I need. I find myself sometimes wandering down the road of sadness and worry and a text from her will jolt me back to reality. I would never be able to make it through this deployment with out my dear FRIEND KRISTINA! Love ya girl thanks for being there for me!

So I got the sweetest text I think I have ever received (outside of texts from Troy) the other day from a dear friend. We have been friends since we were roomies back in 2004. She amazes me by her strength and ability to lead. I look up to her in so many ways and so I guess that is why this text I will cherish forever. She has texted me often through this deployment another one was on Thanksgiving Day. What a gem of a friend... Thank you LaNelle for being dear to my heart this deployment. In the midst of the many things you have going on in your life you have always remembered me! THANK YOU!

Anyway, I guess I should say I have received several other emails and such that have touched my heart too. It makes life bearable with my best friend gone. So thank you to ALL those who have left comments on my blog, who have sent me a note in the mail (JJ I LOVE YOU GIRL), an email, a message on facebook or a phone call. Those little things have truly helped me get through the rough patches.

Happy Memorial Day to you all. I am sure most of you have lost somebody near and dear to your heart. So take a few moments this weekend to remember them. I know I have a few on my list.

Counting my blessings

A story about a little 18month old baby girl drowning here in Rigby came out almost 2 weeks ago. This little girls story has literally changed my life. You can read about her here. I have also been touched by reading the story of Bronson which was a few months ago you can read his story here. You will have to go to older posts until you find his story. It has made me A LOT more cautious about leaving my babies near water even if it is for a moment. I guess none of us know what trials we will be given in this life or how we will deal with them. I pray for the family of Preslee. What a precious little gem to come to this earth and return Home so soon. The night of the viewing we drove by the funeral home because we were taking Hinckley to soccer. The line was down main street a good block. My heart rejoiced and ached at the same time for this family. I wanted to go but couldn't even imagine what I would say. Plus they have NO CLUE who I am. I know many who didn't know them or their little girl went and I am glad they went to show their love for this family. The story talks about this farmer who was in the canal at the right time, and I thought am I at the right place at the right time? What more can I do to be there for those who may need me.

As I followed the story and read how the little girl passed away I couldn't help but cry and hug my babies forever. Hinckley kept asking me why I wanted hugs and why I was crying. I couldn't help it. I felt grateful for my babies but so sad for this family. When you come upon stories like this I think its pretty natural for you to step back and realize the good things in life. Good things like family, friends and love. I hope all of you have love in your life. If its not a child, a spouse, not a spouse, a mother, a friend, a pet, something that you can love and brings you joy. And dont forget to count your blessings!

Saturdays are for cleaning and fun

This is Hinckleys new favorite thing to do in the morning! Its one of my "roses". I almost bought a little more expensive juicer but that would take the fun out of doing something together with my favorite 3 year old. So we bought the cheaper one and get to make orange juice every morning together! Please ignore the incredibly messy house in the background of this picture... I told you Saturdays were for cleaning! PS LOOK AT THOSE AMAZING FLOWERS! Oh man they are breath taking! THANKS HUBS!

Chandler has been a bit fussy today, which is SO ODD for this kid but we put him in the bouncer and he fell asleep. Can you spot the drool about to fall on the floor?! LOL!

more roses please

Today I let Hinckley paint these little sculptures and I really HATE painting messes but he had so much fun and it really wasn't that bad.


Hinks was taking a nap so Chandler and I slow danced around the house. HE CAN BE THE BEST LITTLE CUDDLER when he wants to be.

STSR bed time

Troy has been so busy with school and work and the National Guard. He usually leaves the house between 6-7am and doesn't get home until 7-8 and a couple of days it was 10:30! I AM SO EXCITED FOR SCHOOL TO BE OVER SOON! Anyway... Hinckley has been missing his daddy so last night I let him fall asleep in our bed and I went to bed with him. We were laying there and he said,
"Mom can we talk." Of course we can buddy! So we talked for the next 10 minutes or so until he fell asleep. It was just sweet to listen to him sing and talk about his favorite color, animal, etc. I think I needed more than Hinks did!

A surprise for Troy

Yesterday Troy called and was having a bad day. So we decided to write down things we love about daddy and we folded them up and put them in balloons. And then we stuffed his car full of them. We had so much fun!

This is before


This is the back


This is the front seat


This is the back view

STSR today

Today at church Hinckley was being so good and his daddy was joking around with him and said "Hinckley because you are being so good I am going to take you out and tickle you." Troy thought he would say NO, but it back fired and Hinks was like yes dad tickle me tickle me. So I told Troy to take him out and tickle him. Who is it going to hurt? It literally took 1 minute and it broke up the crazy people bearing testimonies. And Hinckley thought it was great!

Stopping to smell the roses (STSTR)

So with recent events in my life and others around me I have decided I am FAR to uptight about things. I need to let my hair down a bit, unwind, laugh, joke, smile more often. Because life for me really isn't bad. Not that I am sitting here depressed I LOVE MY LIFE! I just get too stressed out about dirty bathrooms, my house that is NEVER clean, the endless pile of dirty clothes that need to be cleaned or clean clothes that need to be put away.

I really like to have my kids on schedule. Don't get me wrong I am not this strict crazy lady but I do have certain routines we do everyday. (nap times, eating times, bath time, brushing teeth, chores, etc) I guess you could say I like to be in control of things.

BUT what is wrong with going outside the bounds a bit? What is wrong with reading a few more extra books at bed time or letting the kids play in the bath a bit longer? Or having Hinckley help me clean the house and instead of going over what he just did just being content with that it is "clean". Why not let Hinckley pick out his favorite cereals at the grocery store or his favorite fruit that he wants and will eat? Why not snuggle with Chandler a little longer fully knowing he will sleep better in his crib? Why not dance 1 extra song during our dance parties? Why not listen to the same song over and over and over and over again just because Hinckley thinks its the coolest song in the world and he likes to "jam out" or "rock out" to it? Why fret that my husband always puts his backpack at the table right before I am about to set the table for dinner? What is an extra 5 or 10 minutes going to kill?

So today I let Hinckley make cookies with me. Now usually we do it together but I am so STRICT about measuring everything out perfect. Well today my friends I let him do it. Well I did help him out a bit, only when he asked. I wish so bad I had a video going of him cracking eggs. OH I WILL FOREVER LAUGH in my head of a picture of him slamming the egg on the counter and saying "woops, I guess I need some help with the eggs". OH MAN! TOO FUNNY! Priceless really....


(Doesn't he look so happy and so cute in my apron?!)

So HERE is to a new beginning! Here is to making life a little more eventful and happy rather than stressful and frustrating! So if you come to my house and see a pile of clean clothes on the couch that need to be folded, my kitchen full of dishes, my toilets needing a scrubbing, and my floor unvacuumed just understand I am spending more time with my kids rather than obsessing over little things that in life will eventually get done...



Here is the egg mess... we probably have a few egg shells in the cookies but oh well! We will watch out for them.