Moooooommmmm.... I CAN'T find my shirt!

Lately Ethan has been losing his shirts! They are usually underneath a pillow or blanket in his room, or in another room entirely because he was walking around with it vs. putting it on, then sometimes in the bathroom or even outside- but I can ALWAYS find his shirts.

However, apparently there is a new place for Ethan's shirts to "hide". The other day he was crying he couldn't find his shirt, I started to help him look- and look, and LOOK, AND LOOK... and this little boy- pretty much HAS to match now- especially if the shorts he is wearing came with a specific shirt- to match the shorts! I can't find his shirt- we are running short on time- and I tell him to just put another one on and he will look fine.. I'm on my knees, reaching into his dresser and he starts WAILING-- I CAN'T WEAR ANOTHER SHIRT!! I have to find the one that goes with THESE shorts!! That is when miracle of ALL MIRACLES happened- I grunted and looked up towards the ceiling while saying, " Oh, Ethan, honey ............. OH MY GOSH!! Your shirt is ON the fan!"
Not on only one occasion....




but TWO different occasions and then I stopped taking pictures, because honestly- HOW many pictures can I take where Ethan just randomly throws his clothes around, when he is supposed to be putting them on.. and they land on the fan.

It was actually quite comical--- but now you all know, that you can't discount the fan when you are looking for something and you can't find it! Should I really be surprised about anything that happens when Ethan is involved?? :)

School pictures are the BEST!!

Dante and Erin got their school pictures back last week. Let's just say Dante takes after Chet and is quite the photogenic little boy!

And Erin, apparently is trying really hard to keep her eyes OPEN! Every time I turn the camera to her- her eyes automatically go SUPER WIDE! As I was thinking about how funny this was- and wondering why she does that...

it made me recall, my OWN pictures.... where I look like I'm squinting...
and I wonder if she is trying NOT to do that!

Either way- it will definitely make for some fun, embarrassing pictures as she gets older! Chet and I crack up EVERY time we see this picture of her! And I love her little "accessorizing" she had to do with her necklaces before hand! I just love it!:)

Seriously... I gave BIRTH to Spider Man!

(This is future Ethan above.)

Sometimes I don't know WHAT is going through Ethan's head. My other 2 were out of their climbing up on everything stage- by the time they were at least 4! Ethan- seems to only be getting more and more daring as he gets older- no matter what the consequences may be. He must get an instant thrill out of being up high. I'm pretty much used to it now, and know that he will pretty much climb up anything that can be climbed, and what you think can't be climbed- he somehow manages that too.

Today he seemed to be all over the place- but nothing unusual. He would climb up a ladder at this store and then scale up a row of shelves at the next store, and then onto a WHOLE new level of climbing- that I have seen before- but not in an OPEN parking lot! We were leaving the store and I was with my mom (who is such a good sport to go shopping with us), and Ethan just goes and sits on the hood of a random car. My mom tells him, not to do that because that is someone else's car... and we don't want to hurt it. We both turn around and start walking towards the car and I turn around to make sure Ethan is coming... and I find him Standing like a super hero ON TOP of another random car's roof! I mean- in TWO seconds!!! In a parking lot- I was about to die of humiliation... not necessarily because he had climbed up to the roof of a car, I had seen him do it to our own car before and Aunt Christie's truck.... but a RANDOM car, in which the owner can come running out of any one of the stores around, and telling me I need to control my child (to which- you can't control spider man! Believe me- I try my best- and it can't be done- he literally is out to save the world and he is just in practice right now... and I have tried everything) However- I do think he is done climbing up on top of cars for a long time!! Luckily no one came running out- but an onlooker pulling into the parking lot, just stopped and couldn't stop staring... to which my eyes NEVER met theirs- because I KNOW what would be in that person's eyes- "You are a crazy mother, ma'am!" but the funnest part was getting Ethan down- he can run like an Olympic sprinter- and so he would go from one end to the other end- and I would be trying to catch him- I mean- I CAN'T climb on top of the car and get him- so I look like this freak playing a game with some kid on top of a car for kicks! I just wish I had a video camera-- it would be funny to look back on! It was at least funny for my mom- she was in the car laughing the whole time!! Crazy- crazy boy! :)

Spiritual Sunday

Since I'm TERRIBLE at keeping a journal and just writing down my thoughts, I thought it would be easiest for me to start a "Spiritual Sunday" where I just write down some of my spiritual moments/thoughts to look back on when I'm in need of a spiritual uplifting! So, here goes:)


I recently finished reading this AMAZING book! I really recommend it to any woman out there. It is an easy and uplifting read. It really made me think, and it was really what I needed to hear.

Recently I have been struggling with "who I am". I have always wanted a big family- like 6-9 kids- and I would still LOVE to have a big family like that. It seemed as though I was headed in that direction when I couldn't stop popping out babies. After my third one in 3 1/2 years, I was ready for a break-- but now that my baby is 4 1/2, I'm ready for the break to be over. In the mean time, since I don't feel like I have anymore "babies" to tend- I feel like I'm kind of worthless. Like I should be doing more- then being just a mother. I have Ethan home 3 days a week- but next year he will be in kindergarten and I wonder, what will I do if I don't have another baby? Will that mean- I should go back to work? Should I be something more? I almost feel guilty for being "just a mom" when I have some free time on my hands. What should I do in the mean time, before having another baby? I know I need to be home with my kids, but I also feel like I should be doing something more. However, I know that there is a time and season for everything. I don't have to do it all at once. I don't have to do what the world expects of me- I can do what the Lord expects of me and what my children NEED from me. This book, opened up, a whole new level of... YEAH!! I AM A MOTHER!! and that is all I need to be right now! And PROUD that I am a mom. Yes- being a mom is certainly hard- and has me feel like pulling my hair out in chunks will be less painful then going through a day of raising children who are "having a day" so to speak. But, I can't see myself as anything but a mother, right now!

Some of my favorite quotes or thoughts from the book are:

"Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days... will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that they are seen as distinct and different- in happy ways- from the women of the world." - President Kimball

I love that quote- I only think of myself as an example to my family, I don't think that I'm an example to other mother's as being different or being happy because I love being a mom and I choose the right. The other day I got quite a compliment- and it made me think of this quote. I was at the gym and I was picking Ethan up from the gym kids center and the lady checking him out said that I was very blessed- that I embodied everything a mother should be- I'm happy and I make it look fun! I make it seem like it is the cool thing to do:) She then repeated that it was a gift I had... and I just thought WOW! That is because I have the gospel and I follow the commandments and I'm truly happy- yes I have my moments, but deep down, I'm truly full of joy and happiness and peace, because I know who I am and I know my purpose in life!

"So many times, the mundane tasks- or the "Surprise! You must now mop up an entire carton of milk off your newly washed floor" or the "I'm sorry, Mom, I had no idea it was 1:00 AM already" moments- provide extraordinary teaching opportunities. If you can control your behavior when everything around you is out of control, you can model for your children a valuable lesson in patience and understanding...and snatch an opportunity to shape character.
This is what the Lord would want us to do, to look beyond today to eternity, to truly look at our children and do our best to teach them well- even if we can't always control what they do."

This is definitely something I need to work on! It is hard for me to think that when something happens that it is a "teaching moment by example" instead I think of it as a "teaching moment" to teach them not to do that EVER again... or else! So, this is my new goal-- and I think it is something I will be working on for a really long time- but I know with practice- makes perfect. I need to make a sign and keep it on every wall in my house to remember not to lose my cool, when a mistake is made. I mean- I've DEFINITELY made my share.

"God is more concerned with the "big picture" in our lives, more concerned that we love our children and less concerned that we provide them with two or three music lessons; more concerned that we spend time with them and less concerned about how many hours we volunteer with the PTA; more concerned that we talk with our teenagers and less concerned that we finish the laundry.
Don't waste your time trying to do it all! If you do, you may miss the best parts. Motherhood is the ideal time to "live in the moment" because it is the perfect time to see life in action, to witness your child taking his first step, picking her first flower, walking out the door for his first day of school, or leaving with a fine young man on her first date. These things will never happen again."

I love that she says this- because then I don't feel guilty for not getting something done! So many times- I feel like I tell my kids- ok, just one minute and then one minute turns into an hour, and even in that hour- is ALL the work really done? Is the work EVER really done? No. But, I can give my kids the attention and the love that they need NOW, and then pick up the pieces where I need to.

"A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else has, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress, affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the attitudes, hopes and beliefs that will determine the kind of life he will live, and the contribution he will make to society." - President N. Eldon Tanner

WOW! How powerful of a statement is that? On the one hand- it is pretty terrifying to think that I, as a mother, and my influence will determine what kind of life my child will lead- just from the small things! But, on the other hand- it is amazing- because, I can give my children my best, and I can raise them in the gospel and let them know my love for the Lord and his gospel. I can give them the best chance to live the best life they can- I get to help prepare them to go out into the world and face anything that may come their way.

The stitches that build testimony and teach truth are also tiny, but they are often the very things that hold a soul together; family prayer, scripture study, family home evening, a shared testimony, a sympathetic hug, a smile. And it's the consistency of providing those things, day in and day out, that makes a difference and leaves a lasting impression.

So often I think that the small mundane things we do don't really make a difference- that it is the BIG things that we do- and that we have to keep doing the big things to make a difference-- but that isn't true. Consistency and the little things is what really counts and they really do add up! Makes the small things not so hard to do- knowing that, that is what truly makes the difference!


There are so many insightful quotes and words in this book. I could go on and on with all the quotes I have jotted down, but I am running out of time, as my little ones are nearing bed time- and I need to go read to them before they go down for the night. I highly recommend this book!

Motherhood is challenging, but I have never been more proud of any accomplishment in my life! I'm proud to say "I Am A Mother" even if all I have to show for it now, is a messy house, greasy hair, chocolate on my shirt (ok- maybe that is from my own doing) .. I know that it will be the most rewarding thing I have ever done in the end... and even on most days- I can find something rewarding about motherhood-- and why I love it! Even if it is "my kids are angels when they are sleeping, aren't they so cute!"

I'm so grateful that I have the knowledge of the gospel in my life, and to raise my children in the truth. I'm grateful that I'm not alone- that I have my amazing husband Chet as a priesthood holder in my home to help raise our children, and we have our Heavenly Father who I can go to ANYTIME and ask for help, or peace, and I know I will be comforted in one way or another.

So, for now, world,- I AM A MOTHER- not "just" a mother-- i AM a mother!! And for now- I'm going to live in the moment and just love it with all I've got- because my kids will be grown soon enough and then I'll be wishing they were back!

Who is with me!?

Ready.... Get Set.... RUNNNNNNNNNN!!!!

That is what our kids did under our command for about 3 hours last night trick-or- treating for some MUCH needed Halloween candy.

It all started that morning before school- with a scrumptious breakfast of "orange pumpkin" Belgian waffles, with chocolate chips to boot! I needed these kids to have LOTS of energy for the trick-or- treating marathon they were going to have to endure that night. However, what I thought would have been a "fun" Halloween breakfast, Ethan wanted an orange pumpkin pancake, and Erin didn't want chocolate chips or whip cream on her waffle-- but alas, I had already made them all, so I had to make 2 more for the picky little eaters- and Ethan just had to make due with a plain waffle.

Dante on the other hand told Ethan and Erin - he would eat theirs AND that they should just be greatful for what I gave them, because I got up super early to make this nice surprise Halloween breakfast for them and they should JUST eat it..... (and I'm thinking- is that really coming out of my son's mouth?) WOW! He is starting to mature... and I'm going to start crying:)

Then after school it was on like Donkey Kong and they got on their costumes and the rest IS history!


Here they are in their cute little costumes out of character! Take note: I told the kids to go get their Halloween buckets- and Ethan grabs his Easter basket because it is bigger and will hold more candy!

Here they are, once again IN character. Erin has a cute little poodle skirt on- and I'm sad you can't see the poodle because her bucket is in the way.
Here they are at some one's door, you can't really see them- but they looked so cute waiting. Chet was HARDCORE-- and they first trick-or-treated for a couple of hours around different neighborhoods- but the last hour, because lights were starting to go off, due to people running out of candy, Chet had the kids jump in the car- and we would drive to the next house and then yell- k - RUN!!! And they would all run out of the car as fast as they could- then run back into the car as fast as they could and we would go down to the next house with its light on. THREE hours of trick-or-treating got the kids LOTS of candy!
And tuckered Ethan OUT! Poor guy would run as fast as he could too the house- but once the candy was dropped into his bucket, he would slowly saunter back to the car, forget where he was, or stumble and fall like a drunk person-- it was SO funny! I wish I had, had a video camera.Here is some of the candy from last night- and the kids have been eating it ALL day! The rest is still in the car-- we forgot to get Dante's bucket/pillowcase out of the car. The kids had SO much fun- and after trick-or-treating we got back to the house around 10, picked up a pizza on our way home- and watched the Great Pumpkin Patch ALL together-- what a GREAT night!


Here are some other pictures from the previous week- and the kids decorating sugar cookies, that we meant to give away- but you know me-- I don't give anything away! I do have good intentions though, and it is the thought that counts:) Ethan also wants you to know that he is standing like a soldier, that is his pose in this pictured! He goes, Mom- when you blog about this, tell them I was standing like a soldier!
And just in case you were wondering- they were DELICIOUS!! Sorry we ate them for you!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween:) Don't you love my background- it is too cute- and I don't want to take it down yet, but I will as soon as I find an equally cute fall or Thanksgiving one!

Eeesss MY birthday (or was).... on the 28th!

Yes- it was my birthday- and I turned 28 ON the 28th!! I've heard that is your golden birthday-- and MAN- I have a pretty golden one! Thanks to many, many people.

First that morning I went visiting teaching, and then my VT companion- Shanna, was so nice and took me out to lunch to:

YUMMY!YUMMY!YUMMY! Thankyou Shanna!! It was so much fun to just sit and talk and eat and not have ANY kids running around or to clean up after!

After a wonderful meal- my good friend, Melynda dropped by to pick up Erin for dance, and brought me this LOVELY picture frame! I absolutely LOVE it, girl! You know me too well:) It is already on my bedside table- now I'm just looking for the perfect picture to put in it... do you think Chet or Joel would be offended if you and I took one together and I put it on my night stand? I could get you a copy too!:) Seriously though- I love it! Thanks so much!

That night, I went to my parents for a birthday dinner, cake, presents and ICE-CREAM! Seriously- you'll see some SERIOUS ice-cream below!!

My family is the best! Amy got me a really cute box, and then she filled it with Kit-Kats and Peanut M&M's, and this cute little guy............

Isn't he CUTE??!!

Then Ethan stole the show for a little bit.. because he always HAS to do that... and him and Mr. Kit Kat became good friends!I love this last one.... with some drool coming out of his mouth!

We then did cake and ice-cream. Usually I get a Baskin Robbins World Class Chocolate ice- cream cake- (ALL ice-cream, no cake) and it is usually decorated pumpkin style.. like This. (If you scroll down in the link, you'll see me with my cake from last year)

This year, however- my mom wanted to make it simple and just have a chocolate cake (which I was cool with). I love all of our expressions in this photo! SO ATTRACTIVE!;)

BUT THEN
They bring out this HUGE, GIMOUNGOUS, WHOPPIPNG THREE GALLONS of world class chocolate ice-cream... straight from Baskin Robbins! I mean, this is the thing that you see them scooping your ice-cream out of at Baskin Robbins!
(that is how much of an ice-cream freak I am)Oh, my DELICIOUS!!! I mean- DELICIOUS! And I will be 75 pounds heavier when I finish it in a few weeks- BUT a HAPPY 75 pounds happier at that! Seriously- I have a LOT leftover-- so if you are craving BR... then you are welcome to come have a bowl... with me:)


Chet took me shopping and arranged a night to ourselves- I mean ALL night. I got lots of cute new stuff- and these shoes....for 6 bucks!

Cute, pinstriped, red wedges for 6 bucks! Steal of a DEAL! Yes they are for summer- but they are CUTE and too cute to PASS up!

I will leave you with 28 things that I made Chet write about me- and why he loves me! Because I like to look back and read stuff like that... if I'm feeling blue. He did it- and added a 29th for good measure... he is SO sweet:)

1. Optimistic – always sees the positive side of things first
2. Beautiful – still don’t see how someone can be so pretty 9 years later, and continues to look prettier than she was when she was 19. How’s that work??
3. Sweet mom – I love that the kids don’t behave for her 100% because she’s sweet to them. That’s the way it should be… dad lays down the law, mom nurtures.
4. Beautiful hair – long, soft, lays down, easy to style, looks A- MA – ZING.
5. Sees things in a new light every time. Gets excited about newness like a kid still.
6. Ambitious. Hasn’t settled into a groove and just thinks status quo is ‘o-kay’.
7. Hard working.
8. Beautiful eyes – bright blazing blue tiger eyes
9. GREAT sense of humor – love that she pulls pranks on everyone. Tells crazy lies about randomness to everyone just to see their reaction. Hi-larious. Or pulling down Ethan’s pants until he starts yelling. BWAHAHAH.
10. Takes such good care of me – gets me anything I want, does anything I ask, never refuses me (or anyone) a favor and never expects anything in return.
11. Further to 10 – completely selfless and full of charity.
12. Loves to dress up and look good for me and I love that!
13. Still probably my favorite Bertie-ism. An unquenchable thirst and desire for pleasure and joy. Could eat out every night at a new restaurant and not feel guilty. Could go on vacation for a year straight and enjoy every day of it. Could eat 20 gallons of ice cream and still think the ice cream was the best she ever had at gallon 21. Guilt-free enjoyment of life = helping me to enjoy more of life’s little pleasures.
14. A health nut and natural at fitness.
15. Amazingly naturally beautiful and curvaceous figure. This woman was born to be a fitness or fantasy model.
16. Great communicator. People love to listen to Bertie, talk to Bertie, read Bertie’s take on life. She’s beloved and I dig that!
17. Passion for learning and reading.
18. Passion for travel and trying new things. Has never said ‘No honey, I don’t think that is something I want to do or see our family doing in the future’.
19. Accepting of people for who and what they are, as they are, except for negativity. Love that!
20. Doesn’t make excuses, doesn’t quit.
21. Great cook, especially desserts. Loves trying new recipes and making meal plans.
22. Athletic – whose wife after nine years is pushing the GUY to go play tennis, racquetball, ride bikes, get outdoors, etc.?
23. Great organizer and socializer – into becoming party central for those around her!
24. CREATIVE! She doesn’t think so, but for Pete’s sake, just look at her blogs and tell me she’s not creative?!?!
25. Loves to cuddle and be touched, isn’t self-conscious about her body.
26. Helps me be a better person without being pushy about it or condescending.
27. Spiritual – sees life for what it is, a journey in which we all need to come together and lift each other.
28. Sweetest and kindest and most selfless person I know, not a bad bone in her body!
29. The woman of my dreams, I couldn’t ask for anything more!

Awwww!! So sweet- who could have asked for a better "golden" birthday or husband!

Please- feel free to add why YOU dig me! You don't have to keep it a secret :)

I'll tell you why I dig me: I dig me- because somehow I'm awesome enough to have family and friends like ALL of you! Thanks for making life that much sweeter!

You know what is SOOO nice after a crazy, busy weekend?

The ability to fully appreciate what RELAAAAAAAAAAAAAXING really is. Yes- this is a post about LAST weekend- because I'm SO on TOP of things- it is almost crazy!:)

Let's start with Cougar Under the Stars! It was a beautiful night- and the kids had so much fun just running around and playing on the playground watching the giant screen all at the same time! It was pure craziness- I tell you:) Here are plenty o' pics of that night.

Here are Dante and Erin getting ready to hop on the big jumper slide (that they were taking down at this point) I love how Dante can always get a really good picture with his bum in the air like that- it is like on cue- EVERYTIME!

Dante made it up- and it seems as though Erin is still in the same exact spot.... hmmmmmm?? She's a fast one!

Ethan LOVES to ride on daddy's shoulders- anytime he gets the chance!

Erin too:) We are so happy when dad gets to come and do FUN stuff with us! He is gone too much:)

Take note of the t-shirts the 2 boys in the middle are wearing- they are the "official" Cougar Under the Stars t-shirts and since I'm the coolest mom on the block and didn't get my kids the t-shirts- I thought WOW! BYU COUGARS-- Same thing! So- we all wore our matching BYU COUGAR sweatshirts! COOL- COOL!

Like father like son- no matter what the picture- they play off each other so well! Chet just randomly started to choke Dante- and Dante's reaction was SPOT ON! It is like constant improv when you watch these two have a conversation! I'll have to tape it sometime- SO FUNNY!

Now, Erin on the other hand.... not so much! Erin was actually crying in this picture about something completely dumb... and so Chet thought it would be funny to take a picture of her crying over nothing- and as soon as I whipped out the camera- Erin's frown turned into a huge smile- so now the picture looks kind of funny- since only Daddy is "crying"

MOM- Can I go to bed yet??!

The movie went WAY past the kids bed time- and Dante and Ethan both had early morning soccer games- so we hurried home and tried to fall asleep as quickly as we could....

Ethan doesn't look like such a hardcore player and so far this season he has been an asset to the team- but not the STAR-- maybe here is why..........

He likes to pick his nose!

I mean REALLY pick his nose! (Can't you tell?)
Here I told him to smile- and he had to do it like this!
The game was SO intense that Chet decided to play a little one on one with Dante before his game started!Water Break!

Peace and LOVE, this is a GREAT GAME!
Ethan jumping for joy at the end of the game because somehow in between all that nose picking- he was able to score not 1- not TWO- BUT a grand total of SIX goals in the game!
Then he decided, that they need to change their uniforms to something MUCH more in style- I mean COME ON BOSS! I'M THE STAR OF THE TEAM NOW!
Here we tried to get a cute family picture- but Dante was no where to be found, Erin was crying because she got stuck at the game wearing her pajamas (long story.. ask Elise), and well- Ethan was high after scoring all those goals! But- BOY do Chet and I look GOOD!

(ps. Dante's team won too- but I forgot to take pics- sorry!)



And to top our weekend off... Sunday night we hightailed our way across town to Kingwood to have dinner with a friend of Chet's who was visiting from California. Her sister was so sweet to have us over for dinner and a round of games.Here is everyone playing not only Apple's to Apple's but BIBLE Apple's to Apple's!

Saaawweeet!

And here is the crew- Rachelle and Kari (sisters from Cali. from Chet's ward growing up) Our kids and little Austin (or Jason according to Ethan) and Chester- the grandmaster himself, who my kids literally have to be on top of all the time! He is a LOVED man!

And when we got home- Chet and I put the kids to bed and were able to actually SIT and relax for the first time in 2 days.....and it FELT good!!;)