More happy thoughts...

On the days when I am the most tired, least patient, and completely overwhelmed with everything on my to-do list...
I just have to sit back and think about all of the beauty that surrounds me.
Those happy little moments throughout the day that put things in perspective:

Tave's pats on my back when I pick him up.
Weston's laugh when I say something funny.
Weston saying something funny.
Seeing Tave SO proud of himself because he climbed ALL of the stairs.
The gorgeous weather we've been having.
How the second shopping trip of the day was surprisingly smooth considering the time of day (dinner time) and I found a very cute shirt for tomorrow's photo shoot.
A visit from a friend.
Hanging out with my sister and niece while the guys worked on the shop.
Feeling the baby in Shar's tummy turn just a little.
Jamba Juice and pretzel bites.
and, of course, that sweet kiss from my hubby at the end of the day.

I'd say it was a pretty good day, afterall.

Good thing...

We were up at least 5 times last night with our stuffy nosed sweety of a 2 year old.
He hates stuffy/runny noses. One minute it's running all over the place and the next you go to blow and nothing will come out. Quite annoying. I can understand why he was so miserable and frustrated.
As I lay back on my pillow for what felt like the millionth time last night, I thought to myself: "Self, it's a pretty darn good thing you went to bed as early as you did or you would be ever more tired than you are right now."

So it pays to go to bed early.

Also, Jeff and I read along as we watched this talk by Elder Holland again. It's incredible. We try to read it every couple of months as a reminder. (Here are some of my previous thoughts on it)
And wow. I have so much to work on.
But it helped. It helped me be more patient and kind in my speaking today. It helped me keep my mouth closed when I wanted to say something I shouldn't. It helped me turn a possibly-could-have-been-not-so-nice way of saying things into a postive-uplifting-was-very-nice comment instead.

So it's a good thing I read that too.

It's amazing how some very small choices made a huge difference in my day.

Sleepy-head

We are going to bed before 10 o'clock tonight.
And I am so thrilled. The idea of so much sleep is making me all cozy and happy.
Because I don't think we've gone to bed that early since before we had children.
Not because of our children, welllll.... maybe in a way it is because of them...
Our kiddos are in bed by 730, 8 tops.
That means we have the rest of our evening to ourselves. And I sure like to jam pack my evening full of conversations, crafting, emailing, blogging, cleaning and everything that I might try to do during the day but only happens half-way, or a quarter-way, or no way.
Which usually means I am up until midnight. Pretty much every night. And if I get some reading in after all of this, well it's even later than that.

So even though I have lots of new items to post in my shop
and a great book calling my name
and a quilt that wants to be made
and lots and lots of blogs to catch up on
and a house that's begging to be cleaned...

I am going to sleep.

Good night!

Snail Mail

We live in the days of computers, iphones, emails, and pretty much instantaneous access to whomever or whatever we would like.
No wonder our children are not developing patience.
(but that is another day's post)
Getting actual mail from the mailbox may take a little longer, but it sure is a treat and something special!
So how surprised was I when today I received not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 different items of mail that made my day. (and NONE of them were bills!)

Mail #1:
A 1 year old birthday announcement for my cousins darling little girl, Abby. Abbers, we sure love and miss you. We cannot wait to meet you very very soon!
Mail #2: A lovely invitation to Jeff's cousin's bridal shower. Erin, Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I so wish I could be there. We are thrilled for you and Luke and can't wait to see and hear about all of the details of your perfect day!!
Mail #3: A package of earrings that I got for a steal of a deal on etsy. Oh how I love etsy. Thanks, Emily. They are gorgeous and I can't wait to wear them!
Mail #4: My sweet mom surprised me with a package full of some vintage buttons. Mom, your sweet, fun little package made my day. Thank you! I am already imagining the possibilities. I'm thinking some really cool necklaces are about to be made...

What a happy-making day!

Have you gotten anything exciting via snail mail lately?

Summer means...

Campouts and bonfires-
Holding hands with my hubby as we stroll down the gravel path to our campsite.
Good company and scrumptious smores around the campfire before bed.
Birds chirping ever so loudly while I am trying to get a little extra snoozing in the morning.
Rock-climbing and hiking and enjoying all the beauty of nature.
Bright, sun-shiny days.

Backyard barbeques-
Yummy, delicious hamburgers with all the fixins.
Barefeet in the grass.
The sound of my children playing and squealing with their friends.
Laughter and light-hearted conversation with our own dear friends.

Summer is officially here and I am in heaven!!

A camping we will go...

We are headed off to a fabulous evening of bbq-ing, smores, camfires, and tents.
It has been WAY too long since
A. we went camping and
B. Jeff and I got a night alone.
This will take care of both of those!!
I am so excited!!

Conversation

I am a talker. Anyone who knows me well knows this.
(Well, I am a person to person talker. Talking in front of people, not so much.)
I think I've passed this lovely trait on to Weston. This boy loves to talk. And boy oh boy does he have a lot to say.
It's so fun having a little friend to talk to all day long. It makes the fact that he's growing up not quite so hard. Mostly. ;)

Here's a conversation with West from last night:
Background - Weston fell off the playground at the park. From pretty high. He hit his head, landed on his arm/shoulder, and scraped his shin really bad. Yeah, not my proudest mommy-moment. I feel absolutely horrible.

So here's what Weston told Jeff about it:

J- What did you do today?
W - I go to the park. I falled down from really really high.
J - Oh no! Did it hurt?
W - Yes.
J - Are you okay?
W - Yes. I okay. I falled and hurt my guns. But my guns okay, they are strong.
See my strong guns. GRRRRRRR!!! (while flexing his arms and shaking them)

Oh I love hearing what this kiddo comes up with...and that he's okay after all!

Dear Self,

I just thought I would let you know that you are doing a pretty good job. Sometimes, okay, a lot times, you don't think so. And a lot of the time you worry unnecessarily and stress yourself out. But I am here to tell you that things usually turn out for the best. Life is really good and yours is pretty darn great. You just need to remember that every so often.
Play with your boys. Give your hubby a kiss. Call someone you love. Read your scriptures. Find someone to serve.

Love,
Me