Have I told you what a great family I have?

I know that I don't do a lot of blogging. I guess I have never been very good at the whole journaling thing. But lately I have been feeling so appreciative for all that I have and who that I have to share it with.

When Elijah entered our lives so long ago, I had no idea what kind of a person he was going to grow into. He has such a fun, confident personality. Sure he talks ALL THE TIME but to be honest...I bet I was that way too when I was little. He may not look anything like me but he definitely has bits of me in his personality. I cannot believe how much he is growing. He is such a little musician. (WAHOO!) If he could play the piano every moment of the day--he would be the happiest kid on earth. He is good too. He learns the melody to songs very quickly (with the help of me and his ear.) To give him a little challenge, I taught him the left hand to Book of Mormon Stories and within 1 week Elijah could play it all the way through BOTH HANDS! I am such a proud mother. He is also very good at karate--taking after his dad. He follows directions in class very well and he is so coordinated. A yellow belt already and the desire to go even further.

He is also a very good big brother. Well..when he isn't picking on Ariana, that is. He takes care of her, helps around the house, and loves to play games with her. I know that he is the eldest in this family for a reason. Heavenly Father knew that Elijah would have all that it takes to endure the trial and error that goes along with being the first born. (Sorry Elijah!)

Ariana...what can I say about that little girl. When I put her in the car yesterday I found her singing, "Choose the Right!" (most of the correct words with some adaptations) and then later in the day, she was looking in the mirror having an all out conversation with the girl in the mirror. Facial expressions, hand gestures and all! She is so creative, and full of imagination! I love having a little girl. It is nice to know that we have each other and I cannot wait for the pedicures, lunches, heart ache, and love that will be shared between us. I love my mom so much and appreciate her and her experience as a woman. I hope Ariana and I will have a similar relationship in the many years to come.

The one that I have been feeling incredibly grateful for lately is Aaron. We generally don't do much "shout-outs" to each other--not because we don't care but because we know how we feel about each other. But he deserves a shout-out! Aaron is such a great provider. He works hard and puts his wants aside for the best interest of the family. He cares deeply about his children and creates memorable experiences with them. At this very moment, he has taken Elijah with him out into the cold for a fishing trip. I know Elijah loves this time they have together and I think Aaron like it too!  Aaron also looks out for others. He is quick to help and often tries to give to others that may be in need. I think one of the things I like most about Aaron is his relationship with his own family. He loves his parents and looks to them for guidance. He is respectful towards them and he is often looking after his brothers and offering a kick in the pants when they are not making the best choices.

Aaron and I have been married for 7 years but "together" for 12. We have a great relationship. I have never felt unloved or disrespected. We communicate well. While we may get if small tifts (sp?) with eachother, they are small and quickly dealt with. We work great together as a team and I appreciate that. He is encouraging when I need it and he motivates me to push myself to accomplish goals. (Even if I don't always want too!) Thank you Aaron for being a grown-up and making the tough decisions!

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for information on our upcoming addition!

You're my best mommy ever!

I have had a couple of things on my mind recently and maybe what I need to do it hash it out online to be able to get back to sleep. So for those of you who don't know, I am the mother of 2 beautiful children, Elijah and Ariana. I love them so much! Ever since I can remember I have been preparing, planning, and hoping to become a mother. I have known since I was a young girl that my main callings in life would be teacher AND a mother to a (hopefully) big family. Once pregnant with Elijah, I anticipated the transition into motherhood to be fairly natural. I have worked with children most of my life so the general caring of a child did not seem frightening/unknown to me. I figured that one way or another my child would be physically taken care of. Here is what I didn't anticipate:

1. Raising a child isn't so much about whether or not they are eating, drinking, sleeping, etc
2. Being a mother will test your abilities to stay calm and focused when you are exhausted, frustrated, and least patient.
3. Many times--you will make the wrong decision or act in a way that is childish, selfish and/or embarrassing. Not intentionally....but wrong nonetheless.
4. You are needed by EVERYONE ALL THE TIME! (This includes the husband, dog, cat, etc)
5. Children are beautiful and forgiving. 
6. At the end of the day, if you have made more good decisions then bad...you had a good day.
7. You will never stop thinking, planning and preparing for their future. Most events throughout the day cause you to wonder about "how this will turn out?" OR "Will this help them in the future?" OR "Have I ruined them for life?" OR "How can I do this better for them next time?"
8. It doesn't matter how much money is being put into the bank account. There is still more to pay for so as a mother I am always trying to think up ways to supplement the income, stretch the dollar, and put money away....all without making everyone feeling penniless or poor.
9. When I am at my best, I am a great teacher to my children. When I am at my worst...I am a horrible example!
10. I don't always have the answer. I don't always know what to do. I am not always proud of my actions. I am never done being a mom. 

This list could go on and on.

The reason this has been on my mind is the other day, I was hanging out with the kiddos in their bedroom and it became time for the cleaning of the room to happen. I very nicely asked my children to get cleaning. (We clean all the time so they knew what was coming and what I expected from them...right?) They put 1 or 2 toys away and then started to get distracted. So again I reminded that they should be cleaning up their toys. I offered some suggestions of what needed to be cleaned and told them to get moving. Again, 1-2 toys got put away and they got distracted. At this point I could feel my level of frustration rising. This was not my mess and I should not be expected to clean it all by myself. In a stronger tone I reminded my children that we should be cleaning their room and to do it NOW! I think you can see where this is going. Eventually I told my kids (in more of a yelling fashion) that if they would not do it when I asked them nicely that I would yell...and I did. I through a grown-up tantrum. I used a few (semi) mean words and threatened to throw the toys away, etc. until the room finally got cleaned.

Later that night, I had time to really reflect on my actions and I was reminded that while I did begin with the right intentions...it had gone sour because my expectations for my little kiddos was too high. Elijah is 4 and Ariana is 2. I should have been able to find a way to calmly get them to do what I asked. I should have offered more specific directions. I should have taken time to settle down before involving yelling because my kids don't deserve "mean mommy." I will cut myself a little slack because I didn't erupt right away and because "being a mother will test your abilities to stay calm and focused when you are exhausted, frustrated, and least patient." Aside from all of that...I should have reacted differently.

So while I was reflecting on this moment and feeling like i am just the worst mom ever. I was reminded of what Ariana said to me not even 30 minutes after this bedroom ordeal. We were eating lunch together and she leaned in to me and said, "you're my best mommy ever!" I had just yelled at her and yet she still thinks that I am her best mommy ever. That warms my heart.

"Children are beautiful and forgiving"

My secret plan to get new flooring...

Are you tired of looking at your old, dirty, floors? Do you wish that you could upgrade but just do not have the money to do so? I have the solution for you!

Here is how I did it:
1) Puncture the water main immediately under your house
2) Crack the concrete underneath your flooring (a small hairline fracture will do the job)
3) Wait as the water slowly gets absorbed by the plastic moisture barrier, padding underneath the laminate flooring and ultimately begins causing visible water damage to your (not so old) laminate flooring.

Once the leak has been detected you will have no option but to tear out the flooring, dig into the concrete, repair the pipe, pour new concrete and finally REPLACE YOUR OLD, DIRTY FLOORS! WAHOO!

True story! Trust me...it works! I am living it right now as we speak.

On the upside, at least I do not have to pay for all of the repairs. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!