Proof of life

So, I've come to realize you might think I'm dead. Well, I'm not. I'm good and alive. Yeah, things have been just going, continuing on, life has just been moving.

This summer has been chock full of all kinds of events. But right now, as I sit and think about what's happened, nothing comes to mind. We're not boring, we did stuff this summer, I promise!

Shark and I celebrated 6 years. Whoo hoo! We went to the SLC Temple and then to the Melting Pot.

We tried potty training for a bit. It went good at first, then slowly slid backwards. This momma just grew frustrated with a little boy who was trying. So we stopped. We stopped the anger and the yelling and the frustration. So, we're back in diapers. We'll try again when he's ready, maybe we'll try when he turns 3 - that's in 2 months! 2 MONTHS!

We went to lots of parks this summer. Shark's schedule is always the same, so the back half of the week is reserved for him to sleep. But me and the boys were hitting up parks every day there for a while.

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We went fishing, we helped out at a charity yard sale, we got dirty, we went flying, we went hiking, we ate food, we partied.

A carnival came to Clinton, and we went to that and had lots of fun. I asked Danger to pick a ride : Ferris wheel. Well, this momma is afraid of heights. Danger LOVED it. Later that week we went back and he got to ride a few rides. Also, me and Shark got to go on a ride together.

We went on the train a few times, and if you think I like the train, oh boy, Danger loves it more. There were a few occasions where we had nothing to do so we hopped on the train. It really is nice.

I watched my babies enjoy each other's company. I watched at The Colonel discovered his hands and feet. I watched him learn to pick up his toys, and search for his brother. He watches Danger all the time. He is so jealous of Danger being up and about.

I also found a bunch of videos from when Danger was a year old. How on earth was he ever that small? When did he grow up? When did he get big?

This summer has been full of all kinds of things. My best friend moved down south. My sister moved there too. My mom, brother and sister came to see me and to take my sister to school. I'm not alone out here anymore! Granted, she's down at school, doing school stuff but I can go see her!

So yeah, we're still alive. Shark is back in school this semester, and Danger started Joy School this year.

I love these boys. 

I promise to try and blog more. :)

Love who you are

So Facebook has been a poster board for quotes. Some good, some annoying, some funny. I've discovered I'm drawn more to the funny and sarcastic ones, something about my upbringing....



These make me laugh and sometimes make my day. But lately there have been some heartwarming quotes on Facebook that hit a note.


This one is from the book You Are Special by Max Lucado, it is such an amazing book.

I have lists in my brain. And lately, the lists I've been reading often are SHOULD DO and DOING, and I find my SHOULD DO list is longer than the DOING list. And the SHOULD DO list is filled with mostly unobtainable things, and the DOING list is filled with feeble, lackluster tasks.

I feel like I should be doing so much more than I am. That I'm lacking as a mom. And I know I'm not the only one. With the popularity of Pinterest we are given just a snap shot of the lives, homes, children, meals, budgets of others. It seriously is just a snapshot. I feel like we are being scrutinized, not only by others but by our selves. I think we hold ourselves (and others) to such a high standard that we are set up to fail.

I know I do it. I've been trying to work on it. Something else I've noticed about the SHOULD DO list in my brain, is there is a buttload of things that do not matter. I don't have to make playdough or chalk or cut Danger's lunches into faces to be a good mom. Sometimes, and more often than not, a bowl of dry cereal, a newspaper hat or a dollar store toy is all that kid needs to smile. It doesn't take a lot for children to feel loved or to be happy.

Motherhood has both given me confidence and taken away some of my confidence. I'm more confident in who I am as a person, as a Daughter of God. But I find myself second guessing myself as a mom and a wife, the choices I make. Is this the right thing, do they need this, should this happen, am I doing this right, should I be doing this? There are so many opinions and voices in our heads and in the media. And it seems the nay-sayers are louder than ever. There are so many roads that lead to the same destination. And no matter which one we choose, there will always be someone along that path telling us "You're doing it wrong." Always. In the end, how we live our lives is completely up to us. The choices we make are ours to make. And since I can't remember the last time I tried something completely new and it came out perfect, I guess I COULD be a little more forgiving, of myself and of others. ;)

Sometimes the days are hard, being a mom, being a parent, a caregiver, is hard. Sometimes it's days that are hard, sometimes it's hours, and sometimes it's moments. There are lots of uplifting quotes and scriptures that help me. But there are 2 thoughts that give me confidence.

1) My children are mine, they always will be and always have been. They have been specially prepared for me. No one else could be their mother. They were meant for me, to be a part of our eternal family.

2) Heavenly Father knows. He knows me, He knows my boys. He knows how it all turns out. He knows who and what my boys will become. He knows who and what I will become. He knows the choices and steps each of us will take, He knows the road we will travel. We see only the moment we are in RIGHT NOW, where He sees our entire journey. He sees the finish line.

I'm starting to LOVE who I am because I AM.

Hey good looking

Well, hello there. It has been a while, hasn't it?

Things have been good. Danger showed readiness, so I went ahead and started potty training him. He picked it up so well! I've heard horror stories, but he jumped right in and rocked it. The first few mornings he woke up with a dry diaper even. Yeah, it's still a bit hit or miss, sometimes he'll run upstairs and stand on the stool and pee, standing right there, with his undies still on. Silly boy. But we're working on it. He's been a rock star at going #2 on the potty, only had 1 accident there, and we hosed him off back so we're hoping he gets the idea. ;)

July, August and September are the months we register our cars, so it's been crazy getting them ready for all of that. We were kinda surprised when the little car passed everything so well. The mechanic took note to our surprise and said, "It passed great, it's just ugly." Shark and I both laughed. Yes, that car is ugly, but it has served us so well.

Shark has been enjoying his time with Danger and the Colonel. Danger has been his little shadow when he's home. It's so fun to watch them. Shark and has been working on the motorcycle and Danger just stands there and giggles as the engine revs.

Alright, I know what you all want. Here's some pictures.

























All the love!