My-New-Life

My-New-Life

This is such a beautiful movie and it reminded me that sometimes I take too much stock in the things of the world and what others think, instead of turning to the Lord. Stephanie is such a brave, spiritual woman and I'm grateful that she is sharing her story, however painful, with the world.

What's Goin On...

Okay, so all of the pictures are out of order...oops! I guess I'll go from top to bottom then:

The first picture is of my beautiful babies sleeping. Chloe has recently started sleeping without being swaddled and has adopted the hands up sleeping method. Next is Meg, Chloe and Little Alec at his house; we were up there for his little sister Mailey's blessing. After that is the strawberry lemon trifle I made for our community bbq last week! It was super fun getting to meet our neighbors (especially since we go to the college married ward) and bbq it up :) Next is Chloe sitting in a high chair for the first time while I was out to lunch with my Mommy. Then it's us greeting Sister Mangum at the airport! I was seriously SO excited to see her! We've been best friends our entire lives and I really missed her while she was on her mission in Florida. Then there is a picture of Ronnie's sweet garden-he planted tomatoes, onions, Chinese cabbage, corn, and peas. He takes care of it every day and it's already started sprouting! I'm so proud :)

Chloe started sitting up by herself this month, so this is a picture of her with her second cousin Josh. She LOVES being around other little kids and is so cute with them. Sister Judd also came home this month from her mission in Brazil and was so happy to meet Chloe for the first time (as was Kara). The last two pictures are from our trip to Aj's house for the baby blessing that somehow got stuck at the bottom; we were able to go to my second cousin's (whom I've never met) (did I use whom right?) wedding and my Mom was reunited with her cousins Layne and Lark. Lastly is Chloe the Lamanite with her Daddy :)

Whoo! Sorry that was a really dull explanation for a super packed month, but there ya have it! That's what's goin on!

Wishes Do Come True!!!

I have THE BEST HUSBAND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know he's probably gonna choke when I say this, but I mean it-he is SO thoughtful and sweet :) He went all out for my Birthday/Mother's Day combo this year! HE GOT ME THE BIKE OF MY DREAMS! Complete with a bell and a little gadget that tracks my miles and tells me my speed! As if that wasn't enough, he got me my FAVORITE book of all time, Ella Enchanted, in hard back (crazy I didn't have it until now) and two other books by the same author. AND THEN he got me a bouquet of flowers and balloons! AND THEN (I'm not supposed to tell this part, because we're pretty poor, but somehow he made it happen) he got me a new digital camera!!! And how did this amazing man do all of this for me??? He sold his blood to the plasma center! I am so in awe of his love and his sacrifice for me. If anyone has ever done it, then you know how uncomfortable and painful selling plasma can be. I am so grateful to have Ronnie for a husband and for the very obvious ways... and the not so obvious ways he shows his love for me. I could never doubt how much he cares for me. Thanks so much to my hunky man :) PS Did I mention what an amazing Father he is? Well, he is and he's getting his on Father's Day!
Thanks also to everyone else who made my birthday special, including both our families :)

Family Pictures

For Mother's Day this year we decided to take some "secret family pictures" to surprise our Mummys with; we called my sister Meg, gave her a few tips, and handed her our camera. With our powers combined- Meg's pictures + Ronnie's editing skills+ a few of my ideas= adorable pictures! Hooray! Best of all and to be expected, Moms loved them :) Thanks Schmeckie!

PS My favorite is the one where Chloe barfed on Ronnie's head :) Nothing says love like barf...especially in our family.

Ironman Fun

The Ironman race came to St.George! We were able to go to the finish line for little while and see the inspirational participants from around the world! Before we got there, I didn't fully appreciate the struggle these people have been through. I just kept thinking "These people are nuts! They should be in the loony bin!". That was before I witnessed their triumphant finishes. I was completely inspired while watching those strong, beautiful people reach their goals. I was almost in tears as I thought about all of the hours of hard work and training, the aches and pains, the money it took to get here (we heard people finishing from Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Mexico), and then being able to experience the sweetness of crossing the finish line and completing something seemingly so impossible. It was truly awesome thinking about the HARD work and dedication that it took for them to get here, and realizing that I can apply that to anything in my life.

Ronnie's New Hobby

Ronnie's latest "obsession" is flying! Not the big planes (yet), but model airplanes. He found a steal at a consignment shop and got this beauty for $25! He's invested a lot of time into his new hobby and it finally paid off last Friday when he flew and landed it beautifully! I was so proud of him, especially because he crashed it a week before and incredibly, rebuilt it. The first picture is of Ronnie with the rebuilt plane, the second is of him and Chloe flying the simulator with one of his flying buddies, Chris. The last picture is of the wreckage after the first flight. It was pretty horrible-he almost threw it away! The video is of the actual crash. It crashed because it was connected wrong on the controller (it's a little more complicated than that...). I would post the successful flight, but it's REALLY long! Maybe next time :)

Spring Fever

The warm, beautiful weather this time of year ALWAYS gives me spring fever! I want to do/fix/change a million things at once! This year, my first item of business was the drab decor in our home. I wish I'd taken some before pictures, so you could appreciate the difference the way I do. In the kitchen I had a plain green table runner and a bowl on the table and the big frame with the two on the right on either side on the wall. That remodel all started when I was moving the frames and one fell, breaking the glass. I had some leftover fabric from my pillows, so I covered the cardboard already in the frame to make a little picture board of sorts. I was very pleased with the little face-lift in that space.

Next, the pillows. On the couch in our family room we had two dark red pillows and a champagne colored one. It was dark and boring. Now, behold, the brightness and beauty (atleast I think so)! For the green pillows, I bought regular old pillow cases and folded them over, holding it together with vel-cro. For the bunches I used rubber bands. I got the fabric for the other two matching pillows at the $1 fabric section at Wal-Mart and used the same rubber band trick. I just made cases so they're very changeable for the next time I want to decorate. The orange pillow was one I already had. All in all, the cost for my little makeover was less than $10! Ya buddy :)