Spring Break 2012

Day at City Museum with my Brother and Nephew Logan

                                      Dorian and Logan

    The girls were laughing and taking pictures cause Dorian was screaming and falling down while they were spinning it.

Cali's park attire..busy little bumble bee

 Shaving cream fight anyone?

Rachel wasn't to sure of this but just wait.....

 she loves it!!!!

 Pink Volcanoes

 Art day...bugs are the inspiration

    Night time came and we had glow in the dark party

 Spring Break.2012  The kids got to visit with their Uncle Steve, Aunt Soo and cousin Logan. They went to the zoo, City Museum and St. Patty's day Parade. The kids had a shaving cream fight with friends, painted, secret night time fun with friends, glow balloon party, park time and Ice cream every day.

A new Do

When there is a big change in my life such as a new job, break up or new relationship, weight loss or birthing of a child I have cut, color or changed my hair. I think this is a way of reinventing myself.   As a new change as has been made in my life I wonder what will my new do look like. Purple highlights, pink highlights or an erray of colors streaked through my hair. Definitely something bright and cheerful. for I am not going to mourn the loss of motherhood but embrace the opportunity I had and will always have to be a part in a childs life. I have two beautiful children, many nieces and nephews, tons of friends and their children and years of callings where I will be able to serve the Lord's children. When I was feeling down and had thoughts of dissappointment I was reminded of the Atonement and how my Savior understands every ounce of pain and loss I feel. He understands my emotion and suffered so I don't have to punish myself or place blame.  I know my Heavenly FAther is aware of my needs. I know he hears my prayers and does not forget me. I have felt so much of his love through the compassion and service of my family and friends these few weeks. I am reminded daily how much I am loved. My  Challenges and experiences have only strengthened my testimony, humbled my heart and made me so thankful for the gospel.If I  just stop and look around for a second I realize he has given me all that I  need to be happy. I don't need a million dollar home with empty rooms.I need a modest home filled with joy and laughter.  I don't need a hefty job title and income to define our success. I just need a weekly allowance to Target and a husband who will provide for his family with an honest heart and with  good work ethics. I don't need somebody else's image of a perfect body. I just need to be healthy and remind myself- I am  not as good as I once was but I was good once as I ever was.And that was pretty dang cute.  I don't need to be in a high calling. I just need to do my calling and give all that I am asked. I don't need to be a super mom but I want my kids to think I am super cool. I don't need a black amex card to flash around. I do need to have a valid temple recommend and be worthy to enter the Temple. I don't need to keep writing ..I am just going to go and live and enjoy everything i have. Love you family and friends.

Dorian in Cali

Dorian's window seat shot.dorians plane video

Dorian and his friends.

picture with his TT who was waiting for him at the gate

His Ry Ry

He loves his cousinsDorian getting his cousin to make sounds

& his Jordy

So Dorian went to Cali to visit his TT & her girls. He went last year for 2 weeks but this year he flew alone and stayed longer. He did great. Here are some videos he took with his new ITouch...they are hilarious. It sums up Dorian's personality mingled with technology.

Chicago

You know when you have an idea of what something should be like and then reality sets in...well it happens to me more than not. For Ex: our honeymoon. I picture Hawaii so different in my head and then I get there..it so happened to be right after a fire and everything was closed so early(Maui) but never the less it was memorable. Well I have always wanted to live in the City so Ry had to travel to Chicago and so we thought we would ride the train in to visit him and see the sites.
Dream: ride on the train quick and easy  Reality: delayed at the train station for 5 hours, trains are down so we have to ride a bus. But it was memorable

 Cali got the whole front seat to herself and I let her eat Cheetos. She talked all 5 hours.

After all the talking she crashes when Ry picks us up.

One thing that was so great was seeing Ry during daylight...'ry usually comes home when its dark at home but in Chicago he was off by 5-6 and we got to see him so we planned to go pottery painting together for FHE. 

Cali and Daddy painting her Cali girl cup.

Another day went went to the riverwalk in Naperville. They had a little story time performance which was pretty funny.

Cali getting into the fountain. Everyone was doing it so she wasn't white trash. 

Another day went to the beach. Funny cause all the building are right there..city..beach.

Cali loved riding the trains in Chicago. She says the green one was dirty...this lead to a not so good part of town..we missed the connecting train.Don't do the green line.

Cali on her way to see Pinkalicious..Which was so cute!!!

She was so excited to see her then freaked out once she met her.  After the play we ate at the Hancock building Signature Room. Then off to Sprinkles to eat her pink cupcake like Pinkalicious

My friend Abby and her daughter Haley came up to Chicago. We ate cupcakes at Sprinkles, went to Millineium Park and braved the 110 degree weather. We had some great Chicago style pizza and got to visit. I so want to go back except with no kids..it was alot of walking , lots of heat, and lots of people. Dream: live in the city  Reality: love my suburban life.  I was so happy that week. I got to spend so much time with Ry and Cali and see my friend. Can't wait for a girls weekend.

Honesty.

My friend and I were talking the other day. I sent her this link about job interviews and questions you might get asked. As we went through these questions we laughed and thought how great it would be to actually tell how you feel when asked these questions. The truth shall set you free. Now days the truth will get you fired, demoted, not hired, slapped, persecuted and denied.  At home kids lie in fear of disappointment. Those same kids grow up, go to college cheat on exams and group projects, then go to the  work field and lie again so their employer isn't disappointed in them. They are so afraid of failure that they avoid trying just to get some recognition.
 We had a lesson about this on Sunday. We talked about Honesty. We did tease if a woman ask: Do I look fat in this and a husband says no, is he being honest. Okay okay so you might want to be impolite but point out the positive. Win win.
So many women gave stories and examples of their belief in honesty. I went home and pondered this:  Honesty to me is living in truth in all you do and say. Not comprising your values for personal gain or others success.
This includes telling the whole story, completing your task, and being honest with yourself.
I find people justify the truth by not completing the whole task. They complete the part that will quickly benefit them and leave the rest for someone else to handle. They will omit information and supplement other false information for gain. Waiting to see if anyone noticed. ....When looking at the big -picture it can go undetected. But for those picking up the aftermath it becomes quite clear as to how this gets achieved. Here is the cross road. Do you go down that crooked road or do you stay on the straight and narrow. You may have to take a few steps back at times and your advancement is walked with baby steps but at least you know where the light at the end of the road is coming from.  Light of Christ can never be mistaken and I am thankful that my family and friends take that road. I am so impressed with their honest behavior in all they do. They don't compromise their values just to get ahead. If they try and stumble they dust themselves off and try again. Failure to me is never trying to do your best.
So if honesty gets you fired or persecuted and occasionally denied it will be okay. Cause when you fall just reach out your hand and he will be there helping you up and guiding you to another opportunity.