Do you Ever...

just look at your kids and think they're the most brilliant, glorious creations ever? 

I do. A lot.

I love discovering what makes their minds tick - 

stumbling upon new passions. 

(Sorry The Beloved. I know your anti-passions :)

This is Colt's new obsession.

Everyday before school he decorates his lunch bag into its own little being.

He has so much fun planning and then piecing these imaginative paper bag inventions together.

He, along with my other kids, is a pretty cool cat.

She's Almost One.

In a couple days it will be this girls turn to feast upon a chocolate birthday cake and try and eat the paper off her presents.

I love this little sweetheart.

Here are a few photos as of late.

Breaking and entering... and then tasting.

Moo sang to her and soaked his feet one day while she was taking a bath. She thinks he's the best thing ever.

Every time I tried to take a picture he'd lean over like this. He's grounded. :)

Eating is her passion.

She was Poo Bear for her first Halloween.
Ahhh.Such a lovely human.

Sweet Victory and Football Romance

I'm not going to lie - 

I was a bit nervous for our BSU vs BYU hot date.

Not because football isn't romantic to me, it's kind of one of my favorite things ever, but because I was going to be surrounded by BYU fans galore -

including The Beloved. (He was raised this way.  But he did accidentally cheer for BSU once or twice! Pretty sexy.)

And my prideful heart didn't know if it could handle the joy of BYU fans, especially those near and dear, cheering deliciously, if they were found victorious.

But they weren't!

BSU played a really great game.

And my heart soared.

But, I was still kind - tried my best not to be boastful -

I'd like to say out of compassion but mostly because I know they'll meet again.

With a healthy BYU quarterback. One day.

And I'm sensitive when it comes to my Broncos.

So, I tried to be on my best, yet enthusiastic behavior.

Plus, I was able to hang out with The Beloved, who I really, really like.

Did you know he opens the car door for me still?

He's a keeper. Love that kid.

Go Broncos - final score

55-30

Whoot Whoot!

The Beloved wore a BSU shirt underneath his BYU sweatshirt because my Dad said a complete Cougar Fan couldn't occupy his seat.  ( We benefited from their season tickets whilst on their mission - Thanks Mom and Dad)

My cousin Nick and his wife Kim ended up sitting three rows behind us - such a fun surprise!
Can you see which team they supported?

The Beloved's brother Jordon and his wife Amy were also in attendance - Hurrah! We love them -
but they were also sad supporters of The Cougars. What the World? :)

Go Boise State!

Shopping online. Yes, I'm addicted. A bit.

And Ebates and I have become close.

Have you used Ebates? 

If no, and you buy stuff online occasionally, than you should.

I got a huge, fatty check back last year after all of my Christmas purchases were made, which is an extremely beautiful thing to receive in the mail after a spendy holiday.

If you know you're going to buy something online go to http://www.ebates.com/  first - they have hundreds of stores - find your shopping destination and then click on the link. 

For example, today, I knew The Children's Place was (is) having some mighty sales (like bought jeans for approximately $6 a piece with coupon code bigherosweep20 - you should go there too. : )

So I logged into Ebates first, clicked on The Children's Store link, and will now receive 2% back from the total amount spent. 2 % isn't great but it's better than nothing. Their awesome deals, 6% back and larger, are displayed on their home page.

Anyway, I thought I'd share the love.

Happy Shopping.

p.s. this sounds like someone paid me to advertise for them - they didn't -

but they should right? :)

Get Off My Back.

Who knew an act so kind could send me into a 5 minute depression last week?

As a fun, Fall surprise a friend brought my family over some delicious caramel apples.

Looking at them made my mouth water. 

I was so appreciative for the first 30 seconds and then I thought -

I suck.

I have never made caramel apples.

I haven't taken anyone over a Fall surprise....um, ever.

And then I started making up this huge list in my head why my friend was perfect and was I lacking E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.

Because I knew that if she could bust out caramel apples than she must be -

The perfect mom,

her house is spotless,

she's a scriptorian for sure.

If she can cook, she can craft,

and her brain must be huge and all powerful because she served a mission and graduated from college.

And I - am none of those things.

What the?

Where was all this garbage coming from?

How could such a lovely act of service send me into a wallowing hole of self pity?

Before this moment I really thought I was doing okay in life and now, all of a sudden, I suck?

Satan is so very cunning.

He used a moment of goodness to tempt me into being insecure and ashamed.

I had to slowly go through my thoughts and correct them one by one.

First off, I have never made caramel apples. Why - because I don't want to,

kind of sounds like death to me.

Second, my friend is awesome -

is her house spotless? I have no clue. I've only known her for about a month and I've never stepped foot into her house. 

Do I kind of want it to be messy?

Yes, once in awhile. :)

Does it matter if the glorious talents and accomplishments I've gifted to her in my head really exist?

Only if it makes her happy and brings her joy.

Do I suck?

About 5 days out of every month I may - PMS is a killer these days.

But, I'm good. 

I'm me.

I don't make caramel apples but I really appreciate my friends who do.

Some days I am such a great mother and then there are moments when "Mom's gonna lose it" protocol is enforced by my children. 

I can make some really outstanding meals.

Sometimes those meals are purchased at Burger King and Little Caesers.

 I am really great at buying crafting materials and having my sister Angie create them for me.

I am not a scriptorian but I love the scriptures.

I know my worth is great in the eyes of God.

P.S. My kids and I crafted little tithing cans together.

We had a really fun time.

Sometimes I rock.

Satan get off my back.