Candy, Candy, Candy.... *sigh*

Well, another Halloween come and gone. Too much candy, not enough sleep, and did I mention too much candy?

This year I made Kiera a tutu. That's it! It was great! I usually spend a week and a half dedicating all my waking hours sewing! And this year, I spent 30 minutes! Why did I make this decision to go from one extreme to the other you ask? Well, one reason is my sewing machine is in the depths of the storage room trying not to get too much dust on it from all the construction. One of these days the basement will be done, I'm sure! The other reason, and to be honest, the real reason, is that this year...I just don't care. There you go!

I think my kids costumes turned out all right for not caring too much. Whew! Because in 6 months I would have been very mad at myself, I'm sure of this.

Kiera was totally into Trick-or-Treating this year. She ran from one house to the next, yelling at the top of her lungs, "Trick-or-Treat" and then, "Dallin, come on faster!" She wore the boy right out!

Mom, Can I Help?

A couple of weeks ago, I lay on the couch wondering if I was actually going to be normal again. Dallin and Kiera being the troopers that they are played very well together with a few comments here and there from Dallin such as "Kiera, we have to play nice together because Mommy isn't feeling well." and "Kiera, let's be friends today so Mommy doesn't have to get mad at us, cuz she's sick." Each time he commented, I would chuckle to myself and be grateful for my kids!

Anyway, every hour or so, Dallin would come to me and ask me if I wanted a pillow or a drink of water, or crackers, etc. I would thank him and tell him I was such a lucky mom to have him looking after me. Kiera decided that she wanted in on some action. She came to me and asked me if I wanted any candy, where I quickly replied with a shutter, that no, I didn't need any candy. She came up to me again and asked me if I wanted medicine to make me feel better. I told her again that I was okay and didn't need anything right now. She looked at me and said, "I want to help too, Mom! I'm a nice lucky girl!" After a slight chuckle inside, I asked her if she would get me another cracker and told her thank you.

The day progressed about the same and before I knew it, it was night. Joe was still at school and wouldn't be home for another 2 hours and my kids had spent the whole day looking after themselves and had done a GREAT job! However, I was feeling like a complete and utter failure as a mother! Guilt struck and thought to myself I better get them to bed. Dallin comes up to me and puts his hand on my cheek and says, "Mom, I think Kiera is tired, do you want me to put her to bed?" Man, why stop there, he had done such a great job all day, I should let him finish the day out, right? Oh, boy, what is happing to me! In desperation, I let him. He was so excited to do it!

This is what I hear from the other room:
"Okay, Kiera, it's time to say your prayers. Ready? [Dallin prompting her] Dear...bless mommy to get better...bless daddy to get home fast...amen. Okay, now let's sing songs. I'll sing you 3 songs. Which one first? Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star... Rock-a-bye Baby, in the Treetops... I Am a Child of God... Alright, it's time to go to sleep, okay? I love you Kiera! I love you, Dallin! Good night! Good night!"

Dallin ran in the room, I was moderately existing in, and told me that he was going to go to sleep, gave me a kiss on the cheek and left. He said his prayers and went right to sleep.

I have no doubt that even though I was feeling depressed and didn't feel like facing the world through this last month that this was God's hand helping me to hold on and see the love and the light that each new day holds. I have been truly blessed.

Easter 2009

Easter has come and gone and I forgotten to post. I make it a tradition to make Kiera's dress every year. This year was so much fun and I'm so grateful to have been taught by the Smocking Wiz, Edna. Thank you for taking the time to teach me 3 long years ago! My first project was Kiera's blessing dress. Joe won't let me smock Dallin a shirt or outfit. I just don't know why. :-)

Kiera Turns 3!!

My baby is 3!
It seems like just overnight she turned from baby to independent, opinionated, sassy little princess who's favorite words are, "I can do it myself!" with a flip of her hair. Lil' Miss Pink knew she was turning 3 for a couple of months and everytime anyone mentioned anything of the sort, she would say, "Yes, I will be 3 and I'm going to have a Pink Princess Party!" After trying hard to sway her otherwise, I knew I had lost the battle and started preparing for a Pink Princess Party. The thing is that her favorite princess is Snow White, who is anything but PINK. But she didn't care, she wanted to dress like Snow White and have a Pink Princess Party. It made sense to her so we went with it.
I purchased some tiaras, wands, heart sunglasses, and lip gloss rings at Walmart after Valentine's Day for 75% off (making them $.50/package or 4 of each). Dang good deal! I finally was able to use all the scrapbooking paper to make her invitations with my Cricket machine (which I love). I talked my sister-in-law into dressing up as Snow White and helping me with the party(she was AWESOME)! I had most of the decorations from previous parties except for pink balloons. So, I only spent $25 and it was a fabulous party!

One of the Happiest Pictures of Me!

Giveawaytoday.blogspot.com is giving away a photography book that I desparately want! For three entries I have to find a picture of myself that shows me happy. So, after looking through all our pictures I realized that I either don't smile in pictures or I dodge having my picture taken too much! It's made me realize that my kids are going to feel 'gypt' when they don't have any pictures of me when they are older. It's taught me a valuable lesson and maybe I'll change my ways. But not today!
In this picture, Kiera was about 3 months old and my mom, grandmother and I had just spent the day together. We were all dressed similar and so my Uncle Matt took pictures of us. It will always remind me of that wonderful day with my wonderful Grandma! I love her so very much!

The Art of Reading Books

I'm speechless and can only say one thing...

At least she loves to read.

What the...!

The other day, I came downstairs to our unfinished basement to find this! Now many of you look at this picture and say, "Oh, what cute kids". Well, my first reaction was, what were you two thinking! But, I have to say, I'm sure glad I didn't look past their face and miss the joy and pride they had in their eyes! They were so excited to show me their 'fort' they had spent so much time making. My frustration quickly turned into a chuckle and I ran to go get the camera! After I took a few shots of the new addition to our basement. we had a "party" in our new fort with Ritz Crackers and Strawberries. I think about that day now and realize that I wouldn't have that great memory with my kids if I had looked past their faces to the mess that lay beyond! Thank heavens for far-sightedness!