Inspiration

The beginning of a new season always inspires me to look at different areas of my life that need improvement. This Summer is no exception. I have spent some time being swept up in this blog http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/ She is amazing! As most of you know I am a bit of a health nut. I believe in eating real food in it's purest form. I eat vegetables at almost every meal, I juice a couple times a week and I think eating fast food (or feeding it to your children) is a little like smoking a cigarette. (It's addictive and can cause diseases that will kill you.) But, man this blog makes me seem mild! I mean I do eat regular cheese and I buy my produce from Wal-Mart (gasp!) Even though I'm not as dedicated as she is, I find her ideas to be fascinating and her blog to be very educational and inspiring. I also have a friend who is beginning her own journey to a healthy lifestyle. She has created a new blog that I am excited about http://sixtoawesome.blogspot.com/. The thing I love about Heather is she's real, genuine and honest. I find that to be inspiring. For myself and my family I am trying to be more committed to eating healthy. I have also loved rereading the talks from General Conference. This is one of my favorites. I want to focus more on what really matters and having children helps me to do that.

One of the great discoveries of parenthood is that we learn far more about what really matters from our children than we ever did from our parents. We come to recognize the truth in Isaiah’s prophecy that 
“a little child shall lead them.”

I am so grateful for my family and all the amazing people in my life who inspire me to be the best that I can be. I'm looking forward to a fun and productive summer.

 Even if all I do is play with my kids!

Family Pictures 2012

We were long overdue for some family pictures. I hired my wonderful friend, Heather, to do a photo shoot for us. She's amazing! Here are some of my favorites.

End of the School Year

Jaxson had a wonderful time in Kindergarten this year. He loves learning. He is above grade level in math and reading. He received high marks on his report card in everything except "demonstrates self control". He still gets upset when things don't go his way. He has made new friends and loves recess and being able to check out library books. He doesn't like to color. Numbers and counting are still his favorite. Next up... 1st grade! 

Beginning of the school year

End of the school year

Ehlana finished her first year of preschool. She loves to color and paint. She has made new friends and loves to play pretend animals during free time. She has learned a lot this year and she can almost recognize all her letters and write her name. I've been a little concerned about her academically. My mom (her teacher) tells me she is right on target for her age group. I try not to compare her to Jaxson who knew all his letters and sounds before he had even started preschool. Ehlana has her own social and artistic strengths. She still claims she doesn't want to go to school but she's happy when she gets there. She is excited for summer and she keeps asking to go swimming. She will be in preschool one more year in the 4/5 year old class.

It's Coming...

Summer!! It's the last week of school. We all know what that means. Here's the perfect song to describe what my house will be like all day long because in the summer my kids don't sleep. I'm a little scared.

How Big is Jakob? So Big!

Jakob is 14 months old and talking up a storm. He tries to repeat almost everything we say and he has his own adorable toddler vocabulary.
Hi
Mama
Dada
tat= cat
Sis sis= Ehlana
Uh oh
Moor= more
No!
Up
taytuu= Thank-you
Jaakaa= Jakob
Kkkkk= yucky
Nana= Banana
Yaaay (as he claps for himself)

Today he was playing in the family room and I hear him saying, "Si Si Si Si." He was sitting on a toy bin and trying to say sit sit sit sit. He is into everything. The other day Steve found him standing on the open dishwasher door (which he now knows how to unlock) and I said, "He didn't unload anything from the dishwasher?" Steve said, "No, I don't think so." Later that day Ehlana had a handful of dirty silverware and said, "I found this in the kitty food bag." He had unloaded the silverware and put it in the cat food bag. He can now crawl backward down the stairs (finally!) but he still stands at the top and yells, "Mama! Mama!" He tries to sing with me at bedtime, he loves to wrestle, and he can run pretty fast! He is at such a fun stage. I love him. A lot.