My favorite things

I am currently addicted to these silly things.

This thermometer has been a part of our family for a year and it still works perfectly. Best $35 spent. 

I bought this diaper bag about 3 months ago because my other one broke and I couldn't be happier.  It was less than $40 at Burlington Coat Factory. It has a ton of room and lots of pockets. It is plenty big enough for all 4 of my kids stuff. 

My cup runneth over

I am just so happy right now. My brother is over which happens every sunday. I just put the babies to bed, Richard is at work doing his part as the provider and the rest of us are hanging in the living room. Kirk (brother) is playing Legos with the kids. It has been a great day and I am just overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so blessed. 

I have a roof over my head, I have 4 amazing children, I have a wonderful husband that supports me in all my craziness. I have a testimony of my savior and know that through him I can do anything. I have a family that loves me no matter what. I am able to pay the bills and feed my children. I am able to take them outside and play. 

I am sitting back taking in all the love that fills this house. We all have our ups and downs but when it comes down to it we are all that matters and we know we all love each other. It is just an awesome feeling. 

Mommy moments

I am lucky to have a lot of mommy moments with my children. Today was no exception.

We were hanging at the neighborhood playground and my son Jackson climbs a tree for the first time!!!! He was so proud of himself that I couldn't help but tear up.

While out at that same playground my 3 year old figured out how to use her pedals on her tricycle. This is huge.

My 1 year old can climb stairs and come back down.

Later we were in the car and my 3 year old finally figured out how to buckle herself in her carseat. (This is especially great)

We went to The Olive Garden for dinner and my kids chose salad for their meal.

We spent the rest of the night at home where my kids can turn my house into a scene from Twister in 10 seconds but they are having so much fun because all 4 of them are playing together. The twins are on the move and learning new things every minute. My daughter is so amazing on her tablet. Jackson is such a kind heart. I say " we need to get ready for bed" and Jackson says "don't worry mom, I'll get jammies for the babies."

We made up stories, we sang songs and we laughed.

It was a day to go down in the books. I look forward to my mommy moments tomorrow.

Music

All my life I have LOVED music.

I started singing at church at a very young age and when I was able to join choir at school I did. I had opportunities to sing solos in school as well as church. While I was young, I always thought I was good and it made me so happy to sing for others. Then I grew up.

The music died. The excitement died. I lost that feeling of love and confidence. Slowly I lost my voice. Until now.

I got married. I now have 4 kids and I enjoy singing them to sleep more than anything. I mostly sing primary songs (religious songs from the LDS children's book) but occasionally I will throw a few random songs in there. Even after they are asleep I will continue to sing. I am not sure if it's because they won't judge me or because no one else can hear me, either way it is my haven.

Music is emotional for me. I will tear up, get excited, solemn, or even mad when I hear music. It such a heightened feeling that is almost overwhelming. I can't explain the feelings that occur when I hear music. It just takes me to another place almost outside of myself and I can't help but internalize what is being said in the lyrics or even feel the beat in my bones. I LOVE music is an understatement.

Lately I have been feeling I need to go back to school but for what? I mean I am almost 34, what would I major in? I have been searching and praying for ideas or guidance, then I took this silly quiz on BuzzFeed.com titled "What is your hidden talent?" and lo and behold mine was MUSIC. I know what you're thinking, I can't base my decision on a silly quiz. You're right. It was just a little push to explore that major. So I will.

All I know is music is good for the soul. Music makes me happy. Music can change a mood almost instantly. It can bring people together. It can make my kids dance crazily around my living room. It can get my twins to stop what they are doing and dance. It can speak to our souls. It can bring answers to questions.

Whether I pursue it or not, it will always be a part of my life. It will always take me to a wonderful place and mean so much to me.

Here's a song that I have recently found and can't stop listening.

On top of the world

Tablets

We finally got with the times and bought a tablet. Yay! We are android users so it only made sense to stick with that. We already have Samsung galaxy phones so of course we stuck with the family and got a Samsung tablet. We picked up the Samsung Note 10.1 in white 2014 edition and we LOVE it! It is perfect for what we needed.  Richard mainly uses it for school and after using it only 2 days he says he is already getting more out of class. He is able to follow along with his professors lessons and keep notes. I am loving it because it is easy to use and I can stick it in my diaper bag. Another one of our reasons to get it was we wanted something to occupy the kids if we needed to but...........

We found this tablet. It's also a Samsung. It's the kids Tab. It came with a protective case and it's already in kid mode. We have downloaded all educational apps and it allows you to set time limits. Another cool perk is you can change it to a "standard home screen" and it turns into a regular tablet. Needless to say the whole family loves it. 

If you are considering getting a tablet, do your research. Stick with what you know. It made sense for us to stick with Samsung because now all of our devices are synced. So easy and convenient.  

Spring is in the air!

It might not be in the air on the calender but dang it, it seems like it is outside. We have been having 40 degree temps with sunshine and rain. I can't help but be excited for winter to be over. I look forward to a new earth with beautiful flowers and all the creatures coming out from hibernating. I love spring. It a time to feel renewed. 

MY TOP 5 FOR SPRING

Sandals

(i prefer these over any other shoe)

Playing outside

(we get a little stir-crazy in the winter)

Flowers

Easter 

and the meaning it brings.

Spring Break

(we are taking a little vacation this year) 

No matter if spring is here or not it feels like it and I already am starting to feel the renewal of myself that is the healing process. Never is it too late to make a change. 

I am a bully.

I have been having this battle with myself for some time now and it took over my thought process and idea of time that I completely spaced enrolling my son for the 2013-2014 school year. So now here we are already through January and I have finally got my butt in gear and will be putting him in a school for the remainder of the year.

Let's rewind.

Last summer I knew that I needed to enroll my son in some sort of school program. He is a late baby so he wasn't going to Kindergarten this year. I kept telling myself we have a full year before he starts school, I can teach him myself. Um...no I can't. We signed up for some online sites, got books and supplies and I had every intention of sitting down with him every day and having our own preschool. WRONG! That did not happen.

I learned that I am not cut out to teach.

I can use every excuse like I have 4 kids, or I'm so busy, or I am so tired, or the babies require all my attention or my 3 year old wants to be a part of it too or blah, blah, blah. Truth is I am not a patient person and probably lazy.

I would get so angry when he would get the alphabet wrong when in fact he had it correct the previous day. I hated the fact that he didn't want to write his name, or practice coloring in the lines.  I get frustrated easily and it was tearing our relationship apart. I found myself saying things to him that I swore I would NEVER say to my children. I turned into something that I NEVER wanted to turn into. A BULLY! I was bullying my own child. I was a monster. I would make him feel bad for not "getting" it on his first try. I in turn, made it impossible for my child to want to learn. I ruined it and him.

I had my wake up call when I saw another mommy post a video on Instagram of her 4 year old (1 year younger than my son) reading. READING. What kind of mother am I that my 5 year old doesn't know how to read? I immediately picked up my phone, looked up some numbers and made some calls. I found HEADSTART, they are still taking students for another 2 weeks. Holy Crap, I just made it. They got me in almost immediately and he should be starting within the next week or two. I just cried. I didn't know what to say or do for the next 10 minutes. I was so thrilled for my son to get this opportunity. Not only is he going to gain some knowledge and love of learning, he gets to experience it without me and on his own. He gets to make friends. He gets to be social away from his Momma. I cannot be more excited for him.

This will be a break for me to spend some time with the other kids and what a joy it will be to pick him up every day and hear all the great stories he will have for me.

This bully will be no more.