Outdoor Living with Walker Edison

We knew when we built our home the number one reason we picked this lot was for the view and the backyard! I grew up basically living outside, playing basketball and eating dirt.  But really though, my childhood was playing outside until it was dinner time.  Things aren't like they used to be (now I sound like my mom) but they aren't. I wish they were but I want to make it as much like my childhood for our girts that I can. 

We worked our tails off this summer, digging trenches, gluing sprinkler pipes and assembling our new patio furniture from Walker Edison!  It makes all the hard work worth it to sit down and enjoy our evenings here. 

 So needless to say we have basically been living outside for the past few months.  I can't wait to see all the memories that will be created in this backyard.  Be sure to check out Walker Edison for all your indoor and outdoor furniture needs. 

Bright Night - Pro Digital Photos

Well we did another Bright Night last month, and we spiced things up and did it in sunny Arizona!!  I will have more to share soon but first up we wanted to thank our friends at Pro Digital Photos for helping us set the stage for a beautiful day with their prints.

We have learned that it really is about the little details that make a big difference!  They helped us put together Name tags for our attendees, schedule, and speaker cards. They have an in house designer that was able to help match our theme perfectly.

Here is a peak at their products and make sure you visit them for your printing needs at Pro Digital Photos!

It's about the little things. Random Acts of service.

We truly believe that showing your kids by example is so incredibly important.  Yes they can learn on their own by making their own decisions but what a difference it can make if you offer suggestions, give hints, etc for things they could do and see how they run with it. 

 

We were asked to participate in a fun new show called RANDOM ACTS on KBYU TV.  I am absolutely in love with this concept.  I get a kick out of doing random spontaneous things and then you throw service in there and it's a win win for everyone!! Involve your kids and it's like we won the jackpot!  Showing Olivia a list of random acts she could choose from and then letting her do it was just as much fun as anything.  She choose to deliver flowers to a neighbor.  She chose the neighbor, and wrote the note. I tried not to hover as a mom and correct her. I give myself a B+ for effort on that.  I prepared the flowers that I actually had just bought from the cheapo section in Walmart.  And she ran them up to the door.  We talked about it the rest of the evening, wondering how something so simple and small for us, could have made their day!

 

 

You may not be aware of this but kids can become pretty self absorbed, I wonder where they get that from?  So to help turn some time and distraction from what she wanted or what she thought she was missing out on, it was the perfect moment for me to bring this opportunity up.  It turned her focus from herself to something better and simple yet impactful.  I loved watching it.    

To arrange these flowers and spruce them up a bit, I took a Trader Joes sack and cut it up.  Folded the corners in a little and wrapped the flowers around it.  It looked so fancy I tell you what!!

 

So check out Random Acts for a list of idea that they have and how you can do simple and fun things with your kids to make someone else's day, and I'm willing to be yours as well.

 

Olivia turns 8!

I know it's so cliché to say but I can't believe we have an 8 year old!!!! What in the world?  Liv you make me happier everyday with your spunk and sassy comments. I never know what you are going to say or do, a little nervous at times but usually end up laughing with your one liners!  

You were able to celebrate basically for a couple of weeks with your birthday and then your baptism a few weeks later.   For your party you wanted to have a pampering party. I tried to convince you that the "Positively Perfect Pink Party" I had for my 9th birthday was a smashing success but you wanted nothing to do with that.  Who's party do you think it is? 

You won, and I worked.  Not really though this party we threw together with some party hats, fake flowers, and treats from Sweet Tooth Fairy.  You and your friends wanted to make head flower crowns so that's what we did! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temple Sealing

 

 

Cleaning Schedule!! Work it.

I am far from the cleanest person on the street but I also am that mom that goes bananas when her house isn't put together.  You get me right?  So I thought I would try this weekly schedule for my chores and hopefully by the end of the week I have earned my allowance.  I know I will have to work out the kinks and may have to adjust some things. But for the most part knowing I have it written down and that I will get to it when I can give me some peace of mind.  So if you are interested here it is! 

Raising Strong and Confident Daughters

Being a mom is hard work.  Harder than I ever expected.  But like they say, the joy that comes with it can't be compared.  It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done and continue to do. I feel like my job as a mom has just begun, which is terrifying in a way! But as a mom I think often of ways I can help teach, guide, and show our girls how amazing, strong and what it truly means to be confident.  What a job right?

We all could contribute different ways, ideas, and experiences we have had to share about raising strong children. And I love that! Because I don't know it all, I don't have all the answers.  And that is ok.  I want my girls to know that life is about figuring it out as you go sometimes. Things that may come easy for one may be challenging for the other.  That they teach me daily how to grow and learn. 

Being strong for me could have a different meaning for you.  Just like Olivia will be strong in many ways and so will Millie. And my goal is not only to have them focus on how they are strong, and not to compare, but to also be proud of themselves at the same time cheer others on for their strength.  As we all know in life, during difficult times, it's usually those around us who have other areas of strength that lift us up, cheer us on, and have just the perfect thing to say to keep us going. 

We have this discussion a lot in our home. "You can do this". "Believe in yourself" "How do you feel and don't worry about what everyone else thinks". Some times with many tears, as someone has hurt our feelings, said something cruel, made a judgment etc.  And it won't be the last.  But I KNOW that each time our girls will become a little stronger from the things they experience.  Teaching them that to be confident means to hold their heads high, know the power they have as girls, women, and one day as moms.  They are daughters of God who loves them more than they can comprehend.  I hope  they get a glimpse into how much he loves them because I know that feeling and peace will help carry them during times of their life.  Our girls I hope know that being confident means to stand up for what's right, look for others who need love/kindness and not be afraid to show it and act on it. Be "the one" who isn't afraid to do what's right. Also I hope they truly know that they can accomplish anything they put theirs hearts into, believe they can, have passion for it, and work for it.  

I loved this message with these women and having the opportunity to share this with them and their daughters. It was such a good reminder of the good examples my daughters can have all around them in others girls and their moms!  The women behind Michele - A Mumsy Blog, Sandy - Sandyalamode, and Sarah - Our life is beautiful are such great examples of this. It was a pleasure working with them and seeing them in action doing the most important job as being moms. Also I would love for you to take a look at Luminosity Photos for these beautiful moments Rachel captured.  (heaven knows I only have a few pictures of my girls, wink wink). And these darling dresses all the girls wore from Hum Stitchery, and this rug that we all gasped over from Blue Salvage.

 Looking around that room that day, I left feeling so much love and empowerment.  Although this job to be a moms is at times challenging, it doesn't mean I can't do it.  I have a hard time giving myself compliments but one thing I am proud of and I will always be, is how hard we worked for these girls to come into our family.  If I can teach them anything in life is to never give up.  And that means being strong and confident when you feel like everything in the world around may be telling you different.  Never giving up on what they desire, want, believe, and trust...... and that is to me is what being strong and confident is.