Some BIG Changes

So onto brighter changes!

Pictures are just from the last few months and have nothing to do with the post.... hehehe

This is Spenc, Coop and my sis Jenise playing on Easter Sunday

WE MOVED!

BJ was accepted to University of Utah's Masters of Social Work program. It was a hefty decision but in the end BJ decided he was ready to get his masters. SO far he is loving it! He actually enjoys going to class!!!! and has TONS and TONS of reading... and a great practium at an alternitive high school

Spencer at his Preschool Graduation!

We BOUGHT a home!!

This was another big decision but we are so excited! I am still moving in and so once things get settled I will get some pictures up! But ITS BEAUTIFUL! I am in love with it!

Here we are in Zion after hiking the river walk! We were able to go up to Zion a handful of times before the move, it is the best way to spend time together!

I am starting my own business!!

Because BJ is so busy with school and his practicum we decided now would be a great time for me to finally start my own flower studio! I am getting it started out of the house to save on costs and be closer to the kids!

I am calling it Beautiful Blooms Floral Event Studio. (very official I know) I have a website up and running and am getting all the fun things going like business cards, signs and adds up! SO take a look at the website and become a follower!

Beautifulbloomsfloral.blogspot.com

The camera is in the repair shop so pics will be slim for a while! BUT I AM BACK!

The boys are getting so big and are having more and more fun playing together (about 2 minutes later those drum sticks turned into weapons :)

We spent lots of time in St George before the move with BJ's fam this was a trip we took where we found this great stream around some red rocks! We all loved cooling off and relaxing!

I am excited to get back to blogging! I really love having a place to express myself and share with friends!

All Rain NO Mud

I have been afraid of this... afraid of how to sum up the feelings and experiences I have been going through over the last few months! Afraid of how to express it on this blog I have grown to love!

BUT ENOUGH OF THAT, I DONT NEED TO BE AFRAID!
Because over the last few months I have been hurt, I have seen how I have hurt others I care about and I have CHOSEN to learn from the BOMB that has gone off in my life instead of lay down and go off with it!

I feel so much! I feel pain, an ache deep inside me some days I can be distracted but other days the aching it grows and swells and the memories and questions and anger fester and TRY to take over
BUT
the joy of what I have learned is that I dont have to fight off this hurt all by myself!

I have known for so long that Jesus Christ, my loving Brother, is there to help carry my burden! I have relied on his help before, but facing this catastrophe challenged me to either cling to his help or suffer alone!

During my sleepless nights and hours of consuming sadness HE showed me how to not only survive but flourish!

I have NEVER understood the people who would get up on fast sunday and and say they were THANKFUL for their trials! BUT I understand it now! HEavenly Father allows us to experience these life changing storms so that we can learn to be better, we can gain the strength to change ourselves and become the person HE knows we can be! We can, if we choose, grow closer to Him then we could if we had not experienced that deep sadness!

I have learned NO ONE and I mean NO ONE can make me happy! I have the power to effect my day, my attitude and to DO the things that make me happy! The choices others make dont decide my happiness! I dont have to REACT to the others around me I act in a way that will make me happy and that way it doesnt matter what the people around me choose to do!

I have simplified my life and everyday if I all I do is read a book or my scriptures, pray and listen to hymns when the waves of doubt and sadness come and play with my kids; I WILL BE HAPPY!

I have learned to be grateful and positive about the small things in my life I can influence! To look for the delightful in the everyday!

I have learned that it is FAMILY, even with all their flaws and crazy quirks, that is TRULEY there for you when the storm hits! THEY LOVE ME and truley have my happiness as thier priority!

Its because of these things that I can say I am grateful for this trial. I am grateful to be growing and changing and unbelievably grateful to have My Savior as a companion to walk this road with me!

PAAaaaarta Time!

Spencer recently turned 5! Its so hard to believe but my baby boy is NO LONGER a toddler he is a...... KID! a Big KID! I working on another post about my terrific BIG boy!
This post....
Is ALL about the PARTY to celebrate his 5th year as a part of our family!
So sit back , RELAX and ENJOY the show!

( My disclaimer is that I am 100% in love with Birthdays, and this year BJ made me promise to keep the party budget UNDER 50$ so here it is..... homemade and DINO-MITE!)

This year I made a fondant cake, my 1st one! Here is the play by play! It was surprisingly easy AND YUMMY!
Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5The Finished Dino! Kind of like a fat Barney but I the kids thought he was perfect so all the little imperfections didn't matter! We had snacks for all the kids and parents that were there....
Pudding cups with Dino fruit snacks hiding in the different layers!

Dinosaur Nests with different "eggs" There were veggie nests and fruit nests and a few sweet nests too! We also had some salty snacks- DINO CLAWS also known as Buggles!!I had such a fun time turning the house into a Dinosaur Jungle! I pick and choose through these pictures so you get to see them ALL! It was t
We played a bunch of Dino-Tastic games:

We dug for (homemade) fossils! They had a blast and got so excited when they found one buried in the sand! (we did this in the garage so don't mind the sick cludder everywhere:)
When they all came in we played a game called the Stego Stomp! Everyone a balloon around each ankle and they had to try to STOMP each others balloons! The boys got way into it and i was pleasantly surprised because no one was scared!!!

We also played "Pin the Tooth on the T-Rex" I was a little hesitant to play this game because I thought it was kind of lame but the kids laughed and laughed they thought it was so funny when they put a tooth on his eye or arm! IT WAS A HIT!
I got a little crafty and tried to make a volcano so we could have a science experiment unfortunately my volcano dough didn't think it was such a good idea! so it looks REALLY shabby! We had Roar contests to see who could help add the LAVA ingredients, so get ready for some loud ROARING in the video!

After our science project we had one last activity... THE PINATA! I tried to make it again! I figured anything would be better then last year! :) SO I tried a pull the string style and ..... well just watch....

I am hoping all the kids care about is whether or not candy comes out!!! Maybe next time I will finally make a pinata that works!!!!:)

It was time for cake and the big surprise came out smoking! I really love Spencer eyes in these 2 pictures! He looks so amazed, and THAT is what I was hoping for!
Look at that HANDSOME boy! I am so excited to see how he grows this year! Kindergarten starts in the fall and he will be with me less and less, my heart beats and my eyes water to think that he will need me less but I look forward to all the new ways I can be there to help him! HAPPY BIRTHDAY my big boy I LOVE you more then I know how to say!

Our NEW Fishy Friends

We decided to get the kids a pet! Unfortunately we cant have cats or dogs so we decided we would try out a few fish! Each of the boys picked out a fish and got really excited to get them home and "play" with them! We had to break the news that fish don't like to be touched and so they can watch them and feed them and help take care of them but picking them up and PLAYING with them wasn't really an option! When we got home they each named their fish...
Spencer's is the HULK
Cooper's is IRON MAN or BATMAN (depending on the day)
AND
Graham's WAS SUPERMAN .... but he died the first night!
:(

SO far its been a lot of fun! The kids love to feed them and they even had their first vacation! We took them down to St George this weekend when we went to work for the weekend!

More on Valentines day.... Spencer's 5th BDAY and Work at the flower shop!

My Loves

As Valentines Day gets closer and closer it helps me think about who I love and how lucky I am to have people who love me back!I love my family for the way that we are growing up together and for the way they believe in BJ and I!
I love BJ's family! It has been a fun ride getting to know and love another family and becoming part of their family has made me a better person!
Pictures from our bowling date night! We played the skittle game and the boys beat us and then the next match we walked away the WINNERS!!! ooooooo
I love the GREAT friends I have in my life! They help me laugh when I feel like breaking down, they help me appreciate my blessing and remember who sent them! I know they are part of my life for a reason!
I love my 3 little boys! They show me that love can be silly AND crazy AND cuddly! But most of all they show me that love is unconditional! They see me when I am trying my hardest and when I have dropped the ball and need to try again.... and they STILL LOVE ME!
Most of all I love my MAN! He has been beside me for almost 8 years! He inspires me to the best me I can! He laughs with me, supports me in whatever hobby I am immersed in, he ALWAYS puts me and our family first! I have never met someone more understanding and compassionate he sets such a good example for me! Not to mention he is a major STUD!I think its kinda special that a simple call from him in the middle of the day or smile when I have accomplished something can light me up and get my heart racing! It makes me feel all giddy and girly... like I did when we were dating!

This year we are making a special effort to keep the giddy feeling alive! I made us a special "Love is" mail box! Each week we are going to write each other a little love note about why we love each other that week! I am SO SO SO excited! I really think this is going to help us look for the best in each other and I know I am filled with anticipation to see what my love letter will say each week!

So to all of you out there who care about me... THANK YOU! I am thinking about you! HUGS and KISSES ! I SURE LOVE YOU!

No No Baby

Graham has officially declared his spot as the BABY in the family. This last week he has made it clear that we are NOT allowed to say "NO" to him! Last night at dinner he kept trying to drop his bowl on the floor so I told him "No no baby boy" and the shadow of despair just fell over him and
HE ......
......LET.....
......IT.......
OUT! I ran to grab the camera (just like any mother would as her child cries in anguish) because this had to be documented! As the baby boy he is above being told No and should always be catered to and given what he wants! ..... at least thats what he told me!!!!

Oh I wish life was that way my little one! It all starts with being told you cant throw food on the floor and then it jumps to you cant beat up your brothers and then it escalates to no ice cream for breakfast!

But DONT WORRY

Life has so many moments where the light does shine through the clouds and you can be free! I promise to say "YES" LOTS more then I say "NO" I promise to love you and laugh with you and life's little "uh oh no no"moments! Keep crawling and I am sure you will find something new and fun to get into!