Heaps of Cuteness

Perhaps if the laundry was this cute, I'd do it more often.


But it isn't.

So I'll continue to despise it - but keep lovin' this little guy.

And his heaps of cuteness.

Mother of the Year!

I awarded myself Mother of the Year when we brought this beauty home for Clay.

A Gary Fisher bike found at Goodwill for $60!
(I actually forgot I had seen it until later that evening.
Thankfully, when I remembered, Ryan and I raced back to the store and it was still there!)

Ryan replaced one of the brake cables and an inner tube and Clay was good to go.
Well, after I first took if for a spin.
To be sure it was safe and to show him some tricks.
Okay, no tricks.

This came in well under Clay's budget so he got to pay for the
replacement parts, too, with still some change to spare.

A good day.

I'm Sure You've Heard the News, But Just In Case . . .

My sister's getting married!!

Meet Travis Beckett - aren't they cute?!
So so happy!

What Would You Say?

(I'm getting behind in my posts, but that's what a month of sickness will do. Boo.)

We could hear the storm blowing in, the winds were crazy last night.
We were warned that we'd get about .5" of snow..
I'm pretty sure this isn't half an inch, but what would you say? ;)


I try not to give our trusty Colorado meteorologists a hard time.
My meteorologist professor said that weather is hard to predict in mountainous regions.
This storm sure packed a punch this time.

But we're used to being punched.
It certainly isn't like the last storm where it swirled over us dumping 18 inches.
And, maybe we'll get some play time again.

Miss Olivia.
It reminds me of this picture from back in the day. :)

Room for Improvement

I *almost* wish I had a before picture of this room. Filled to overflowing with two sets of bunk beds, a dresser, toys and clothes. Oh yeah, and kids. Cra-zy.

This room has evolved a few times - even in the time deciding how to decorate it. There are still a few things I'd like to do in here, but for now, I am quite content.

Olivia and Henry's Room
also the Guest Room

remember that fabric I fell in love with?

I refinished this dresser to match the headboard, spray painted
some knobs and put them on.

remember this sweet little chair? I'm thinking the red doesn't go anymore..but I
found the cute little pillow at Target for $5. Speaking of $5, I refinished this little
night stand found at Goodwill for $5.
(ignore the hoop it moves around the room like the others, daily..hence the wrinkles and oreo smears.)

Need a Chuckle?

Thoughts on a Thursday

It's Thursday, right?

It's been a bit of a longer week this week.
Ryan's back was slowing giving out until last Friday when it
became almost completely uncooperative.
Then Monday came infecting Ryan and Clay with Strep.
Poor guys.
Ryan went back to work today, feeling less than tip top.
Much less.
Clay is still home from school today, but is joined by Lucy who has a stomach ache...

Clay missed an ortho appointment this morning.
He's been on meds for a few days and we thought he'd be better by now.
Obviously not.
I need to remember to re-schedule.

There's a Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Denver area now thru Saturday morning.
6-12 inches expected by morning in the metro area.
I knew I should have gone to Costco yesterday.
(Does anyone else love getting their coupon books in the mail??)
Today is the first day of the coupons.
Have you ever been to a crazy Costco on the first day of coupons?
Or when a BIG storm is headed your way?
Or both?
Gross.
It's giving me anxiety just thinking about it.

But, we go and do, right?
I better get going.
And doing.

Have a great Thursday!

As Sweet As It Gets

I found this poem by Clay.
A treasure.

Better Late Than Never?

We’re now just getting our neighbour gifts out….

Ah well.

When My Heart Takes a Picture

I came home late last night from a Relief Society Activity. The kids were all in bed so I quickly changed into my pajamas and jumped on the couch to snuggle with Ryan - and Burn Notice. Popcorn and hot chocolate soon joined us.

It wasn't long after when Ryan was called away to assist someone with a blessing. I stayed on the couch and finished the episode. About 40 minutes later, I decided to go back to bed. Shortly after lying down, I could feel my body twitching. With or without Ryan, sleep was coming.

As if right on cue, right before I completely fell asleep, I could hear Olivia crying. Olivia's crying turned into Henry waking up and rolling around. I laid down by them for a few moments. I could hear someone else in the bathroom.

Olivia had fallen back to sleep, but Henry was still tossing a bit. I snuck back to my room and Lucy followed complaining about her stomach. I rubbed some oils on and sent her back down stairs, just in time for Henry to come waltzing into our room - ready for a new day.

I texted Ryan - kids fussing/crying. Please come home.

I brought Henry to bed with me, but laying down was clearly not what he wanted to do. Thankfully, I heard the door.

Ryan came in quickly, changed and took Henry. From my sleepy eyes, I watched the silhouette of my husband and son leaving our room.

My heart took a picture.

Just like it did when we became parents for the first time. Rylee was just days old and in the middle of the night, Ryan so exhausted grabbed a burp cloth, swaddled our babe, and gently carried her back to our bed to snuggle her on his chest.

Yesterday morning, as I was visiting teaching, my friend was talking about the difficulty that Sundays brought when her children were young and how she would bring her Ensign to the mother's lounge so she could get something out of being a church. I thought about that and then thought about my dear husband. I rarely felt like that at church. My husband handled our children so much better at church than I did/do. More often than not, he had our young ones with him in his classes. He still does.

I've told him several times that if I could make as much money as he does, that he would be so much better staying at home than I am. He has that nurturing bone that I wonder some days if I have at all. (I remember coming home from a Women's Conference and our house was bursting at the seams with children. Not only where their children everywhere, but Ryan thought it would be fun to have them decorate cupcakes! The kids loved it and I stood there in awe at the amazing-ness of my husband.)

He is amazing. And, there's nothing like when my heart takes a picture that I thank my lucky stars to have him.