Happy Heart

Today the sky is blue and the sun is shining.  It finally feels like spring and its those days that I love to open all the windows in my house and let the fresh air come through.  Spring & Fall are my two favorite seasons and I love them both for some of the same reasons.  The cool temperatures + sunshine + getting your hands dirty either planting or harvesting = Happiness.  As I sit here typing on my computer with my window wide open I realize that this is the first day in a long time that I truly feel happy.  Now don't get me wrong I've always been happy with my husband and children but we've had one thing after another go wrong over the past few months.  I feel like we've finally come through the storm both literally and figuratively.  Maybe it's just the weather...I don't know.
It seems like the whole words is in turmoil right now with oil spills, earth quakes, tornadoes, floods, etc. it's no wonder that people are looking for a simpler way of life.  I used to be skeptical of the whole "green" movement but I think I understand it now.  It's just a way of getting back to a simpler life as excess, or striving to achieve that excess = stress.  Living outside your means to keep up with the Jones, or because we feel like we are entitled to it all just because we work hard is just crap.  It's unneeded "stuff" that clutters our lives.  So I'll admit I'm coming around to the green way of living, not for any other reason than simplicity.  To have the feeling of contentment sitting in the sun reading a good book while the wind blows across your face. To truly have a happy heart.

A Day for all kinds of Mother's

Happy Mother's Day!  I have been influenced by so many wonderful women in my life and I am the person I am because of the lessons I learned from them.  So indulge me for a minute while I pay tribute.
First and foremost my mother, Apryl.   She of course has been the most influential person in my life.  She taught me how to me strong in the face of adversity, she taught me how to work hard and be responsible, she taught me how to be independent and most of all she taught me to have faith. She always has had faith that something bigger than ourselves was always in charge and that if we do our part things will work out the way they are meant to.  I am very proud to be the daughter of such a strong women.
My grandma Geniel of whom I named my daughter after. She is another women that has taught me so very much.  She help me develop a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and that there is is strength in family.  She was a stay at home mom who from my point of view was always happy  with her life.  She raised 7 children in a little 4 bedroom, 1 bath home that I always felt was filled with love, warmth and fun.  I have only happy and loving memories of my time spent in her home.  I love her so very much and it breaks my heart to see the toll that time has taken on her.   I'm sad to realize that she will not be with us for much longer in this life but know she will be in the next.  She and my grandpa have been the example of how I want to be in so many aspects of my life.  I love them for that and will for eternity.
Then there are so many others that have been examples and influenced my life they're almost too many to name but I will try.  To all of my Mom's sisters - you have each shown me great love and acceptance.  You have treated me like a sister not a niece and I thank you for that.  Dori, you are one of the kindest people I know.  Cindy, you are the example of style and grace.  Pam, you know your mind and stand up for what you believe in.  Julie, you are a kindred spirit who works so hard and doesn't take enough time for herself.  And Cherri...my big sister who took me under your wing while we were little and who is the kind of mother I want to be.  Who takes that time to silly dance with your kids before bed, who loves to laugh and who tries to look for the best in others.  I love you all for the wonderful mothers, wives, sisters and friends that you are.
I have countless cousins who are beautiful, talented and kind.  I have even more cousins who married wonderful women who are just as awesome.  I also have a very kind and gentle sister-in-law Ashley who brings balance to my brother Ryan's life.  I have other sister-in-laws who unfortunately I don't know very well and others I have never met but hope to.
My Dad has 3 sisters, 2 of whom against all odds has kept in contact with me and shown me great love and kindness.  Florance, who has passed away so many years ago but I still remember and miss her birthday calls to me each year.  She would sing Happy Birthday at the top of her lungs, although she couldn't sing at all, but I still loved it.  Joan, who has such a big heart and love of animals.  She taught me a great lesson once in my rebellious teenage years to sick to the principles of my faith as I had made a commitment and needed to live up to.  I also have to thank my Dad's wife Melody, who has encouraged my father to keep me in his life.  I know without your encouragement and support I, or my children would have the privilege of knowing what an wonderful man my father is.   I hope you all know that I feel so blessed to have been born to such a wonderful family.
I have also been lucky enough to have married into just as wonderful of a family.  My mother-in-law Rhonda is kind and tolerant (you would have to be to put up with all the teasing she does).  Who has showed me that it's okay to have interests away from your husband and that you can take some time for yourself and still be a good mother.  I have 3 great sister-in-laws as well; Liz who is stronger than she thinks she is and is so fun loving, which you can tell by singing / dancing even though she knows she can't do either very well.  Katie, much like my Aunt Pam, knows her mind and stands up for what she thinks is right.  Annie is the little sister that seems to be the glue that keeps everyone together. Ryan also has wonderful aunts and countless cousins who are amazing women as well.  Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your family. 
Finally, my best friend in high school, Angie.  Although we have grown apart over the last 14 years she helped me to find myself under a mountain of baggage.  She showed me that I am in control of my life and that I was a victim only if I allowed myself to be.  That it was Okay to stand up to anyone, even those closest to me and say NO - I'm better than the way you are treating me.  She helped me turn the corner in my life, until I met my husband who helped me change the lane I was driving in.   There have also been too many friends over the years who have pulled me up when I was down (you know who you are).  Thank you for being my friend.
Thank you all for your examples and for your strength.  Happy Mothers Day!

Masculine Domain

Spring is here, at least that's what we've been told. You wouldn't know it by the weather we've been having of late, but in amongst the cold and rainy days there have been a few bright and sunny ones. Those are the days that Ryan likes to go out in the yard and be one with nature. He finds it therapeutic and takes great pride in his yard.  It has become HIS domain and I have been told not to bother with anything within that domain or face his wrath.  Needless to say I haven't pushed the matter too much, for the sake of his sanity or our marriage.
I'm finding that I like it when he is outside because all of the kids soon follow and I can have sometime to myself.  I especially love when Mason is outside, as he is such an active little boy who likes to get into everything, mostly to figure out how things work, or at least that's what I've told myself.  Mason loves to be outside and we've found as of late that he LOVES to help his Dad in the yard.  He has shown a natural attraction to dirt, plants and bugs.  Maybe it's the boy in him coming out but if it's one thing Mason is, it's a very masculine boy.  Most kids his age lose interest in things rather quickly, moving on from one thing to another but not Mason, at least when it comes to helping his Dad in the yard.  The yard work has quickly become their bonding time together. 
When Ryan gets out the lawn mower, Mason is quick to pull out is Little Tykes Mower (it was Ethan's once upon a time).  Mason loves to follow his Dad around the yard, mowing right along with him.
The only thing that seems to keep Mason at bay is the string trimmer.  I think it's only because it's so loud and seems to scare him just a bit.  Everything else he is all for, trying to learn the ropes of how to take care of the yard and he is only 2-1/2.  Mason and his Dad are bonding within "their domain" very quickly.  I guess every son has to have something that they can share with just their Dad, eh?

Have you Ever Wondered?

I, for one have always believed that things happen for a reason.  So I don't know about anyone else but sometimes a wonder what the heck am I supposed to get out of the things happening at this time in my life.  Now don't get me wrong we have been very blessed in so many ways, but lately we have just had one thing after another happen.  Not big things but a whole butt load of little things.  I'm starting to wonder what's next?  What am I supposed to learn and just not getting?

With all these things happening and just the general busyness of life, I have slacked in writing anything for about a month.  Today is Saturday, and I have lost my energy at this point of the day; Ryan has fallen asleep and the kids are watching "The Wonder Pets" in the other room, so now I have a few minutes to sit here at my computer and write. 

I am not going to start complaining about all those little things that have happened because we have been able to handle them and because I'm so grateful that they didn't turn out to be worse.  I'm just wondering what I'm missing.  I'm not one of those people that gets all upset that others have more than I do and becomes bitter because of it.  I'm one of the self-loathing types that takes it inward and wonders what I'm doing wrong.  I know I really need to get over it and that I would be better off looking on the "bright side of life" (add whistle here).  But somehow I managed to marry the same type of person, because he is the same as I am in that respect.  So here we are, wondering what we are not doing to have all these "lessons" in the form of little mini trials one right after the other.  The only thing I can think of is that we need to quit our Monty Python habit, maybe quit yelling at our kids so much or maybe be happy with our life no matter what.  Or, maybe it's because we are really trying to get our financial life in order and be responsible and all.  Maybe we are being tested to see if we really mean it.  If we can leave our credit cards locked up and live on less.  If we can start to take better care of ourselves and our family in this one area, then maybe we can take on another area in our life.  I really don't know but we are taking turns having nervous breakdowns while the other reminds us that "this too shall pass".  So we go on and on and on, on this cycle.  Trial, nervous breakout, regroup.

Wow - I have totally gotten off track of where I was hoping to take this, so let me go back and fill you in on a couple of things that have happened over the last month.  I will not bore you with all the things that have gone wrong but wish to cover the good. 
We had the great opportunity to go up to Idaho for my cousin Kandice's wedding.  She is my Mom's, sister Cindy's, daughter who lives in Canada.  She was married a great guy from Idaho so at first I thought they were going to get married in the Cardston Temple (she being Canadian), but was so happy that they decided to get married in the Idaho Falls Temple instead.  Which made it easier for us to be able to attend.  Most of my extended family was able to come down to Idaho with a few exceptions (they were missed) and the rest of the family already live in Idaho so it worked out great.  I was able to see/visit with them and we had such a great time.  Especially Holly as she was able to hang out with "the girls".  Thanks for letting her hang out with you guys, and thank you to Julie & Doug for letting us stay with them. 

Ryan's knows that I'm a happier person when I get to spend time with my family so he thought it was worth the trip.  Kandice was a beautiful bride and the spirit of love was so strong in the temple.  The picture was taken by my very talented cousin Heather, who just happens to be Kandice's big sister. We had so much fun visiting with everyone and the kids had great fun playing with all the kids.  It really made me want summer to hurry up and get here so we could go up to Canada and play some more.  I just pray that these little trails will stop soon so we can still make our planned trip.  Pray for me!
I have been taking a "Money Mastery" class through the Davis County Continuing Education.  I have learned a lot and now have the daunting task of going through all the paperwork in our office and getting things organized.  Being financially responsible is a lot of work!

As for Ryan he is getting ready to go to Disneyland with his Wells Fargo Associates for what they call an "off-sight", which is just a bunch of meetings they get to go to somewhere other than Salt Lake City and have some modivational fun along with it.  He is feeling guilty that all of us are not going along but I've assured him I wouldn't want to take Mason to Disneyland at his age.  He might take after his Mom and get lost while trying to follow Winnie the Pooh into his dressing room.
Ryan also finished the last book he had to read to Ethan's 1st grade class this past month and was sad for it to end.  Ryan even got his picture in the paper for his volunteering to read. Ethan's is doing so well with his reading, now reading at a 4th grade level.  He just has convinced himself that he is no good at Math, so we are working to break that train of thought.  He's such a smart kid.

Holly is finishing up her preschool experience and preparing for her "Spring Program".  She is dancing and singing around the house constantly.  She is such a girl!  No tomboy for this tomboy Mom.  :}

Mason has learned or rather figured out how to pull up YouTube on Ryan's I*touch to watch "Wow, Wow, Wubbsy", his favorite show.  It's scary how smart he is.  He is following in his brothers footsteps that way as well as getting into super hero's and runs around scaring the cats with a Batman mask on.  He is so fun!

That is about it for now.  I'm off to finish my Saturday chores and to wake up my husband.
Keep smiling!