The Ferrons. Brian, Whitney, & Colson.

Yum.

2012-02-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

I had once before shared a recipe on here, but I think I am going to start doing it more frequently. I know I am always looking for new things to cook, and I know a few of my friends are asking me for recipes a lot.

Today I will be sharing Mexican Chicken Soup. It cooks in a crock pot, which to me is always appealing. It is so so easy and really yummy too. :)

1 1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 teaspoons of canola oil
1/2 cup of water
1 envelope of taco seasoning
1 can (32 ounces) V8 juice
1 jar (16 ounces) salsa
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn, thawed
6 tablespoons of cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons of sour cream
2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro or parsley

In a large non stick skillet, saute chicken in oil until no longer pink. Add water and taco seasoning; simmer until chicken is well coated. Transfer to a crock pot. Add V8 juice, salsa, beans, and corn; mix well. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated all the way through. Serve with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro or parsley. (6 servings)

Little Things.

2012-02-08T14:02:00.003-07:00

Today was a great day. An exhausting day, but a great day.

Today was one of those days where you realize how lucky you are.
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Brian went to watch the Jazz game with our brother in law. I was beyond exhausted and Colson had a bit of a cold. But we had to run to Wal Mart.
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I put Colson in the car and off we went.
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The whole way there we talked back and forth.
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He had so much to say to me.
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We were about to pull into the parking lot and Colson said "I hold your hand?"
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I paused for a second. Heart melting.
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"You want to hold my hand?" I asked him.
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"Yeah." He said putting out his cute little hand.
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I took his hand.
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We got into Wal Mart and Colson asked to pick the milk.
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He always wants to pick which gallon we get.
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I let him of course.
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It's like his thing to do at the store.
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While checking out he asked for a "chocolate" which mean a Reese's.
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We got in the car and headed home.
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While I was getting him out of his car seat he said "Fun with you Mommy."
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(Heart melted again)
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Right then I was so thankful for that little time I had just Colson and I.
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I love little things like this.
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That saying "Little things are really the BIG things." couldn't have said it better.
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Brian turns 24

2012-02-01T22:13:00.006-07:00

Brian turned 24 on January 30th. This is the only picture I took. I'm awesome, I know.

We had a really busy day, but he said he had a great day.

Every year on his birthday I make him a home made cheesecake. It is his favorite thing ever.

Brian is into comic books lately. He loves collecting old ones.

I got him a complete series of comics and he loved them.

Happy Birthday Brian. Colson & I love you so much. We are beyond thankful for you and everything you do.

Losing It.

2012-02-01T10:19:00.001-07:00

I know so many people that are trying to lose weight, wanting to lose weight, or wishing they were losing weight. I also fall into this bunch of people. I did one post FOREVER ago about losing weight but I haven't done any since then.

With our vacation coming up in May and with us wanting another baby I am trying to get my body in shape and as healthy as possible. Dieting isn't something I am good at. I was always naturally thin without working out and with eating whatever I wanted. As much as I don't like certain things about my body now I find it pretty amazing that I still eat whatever I want and maintain the same weight. I try to get weight loss stories from everyone who has lost weight. From how much they lost, to how much they ate a day, to how much they worked out, to what they ate ect. I find that everyone does things so differently. I read articles on dieting, work out routines, and I research diet pills.

When I look through these things I find a few different things. I see a lot of "Fad Diets", I see a lot of diet pills, I see a lot of work out routines that have brought AMAZING results, I see things like HCG being used, good old fashioned eating right and working out, and a few other things. After I find a new diet or pill I like to find people that have done it. Usually I know someone or I can find a blog that tells about their experience.

I know I don't need to lose major weight. Right now I weight around 142. I know that isn't a HUGE number so I am not afraid to say what I weigh. I would love to weigh between 125 - 135. I am only 5'4 so I feel like that is a good range for me. I see all of these different ways of losing weight and I get kinda over whelmed.

From what I have seen and heard the BEST way to lose weight is good old diet and exercise. So, that is the route I am taking. I was doing great with both of these things until I got pregnant in August. Losing the baby kinda put me in a funk BUT I am ready to get back on track.

Pinterest is amazing I'm sure we can all agree. From recipes to crafts, they have such fun things. There are also amazing motivational tips to losing weight floating all around Pinterest boards. I read a lot of these and a lot of them give really good information.

A big problem for me is "emotional eating." When I found the chart below, I realized how often my "hunger" is just emotional.

I love the idea of this idea of a hunger scale! Every time I get hungry I think of this scale. It puts hunger into a good perspective.

I have been doing the 30 day shred for a few days now and I LOVE IT! I was a little bummed when I found out the work outs were only 20 minutes, but after the 20 minutes you can definitely feel the work out. I also do her Yoga Meltdown. It's a really good one too!

I am also going to be going to spin classes 3 - 4 times a week. If you haven't done a spin class, try it. You will love it. You can burn a ton of calories in just a 45 minute class. It's a little hard on the knees, but if you have bad knees or you are pregnant the instructor will show you how to accommodate to those needs.

I will probably update on how this is all going a few times here and there. :) It's about time I do this!!

Hair cut

2012-01-28T10:16:00.001-07:00

This is the best picture he would let me get so far but, Colson got his hair cut last night!

Usually I just trim his hair, but it was so long and out of control we decided to take him somewhere to have it done. He knows that I will stop if he starts getting restless so I thought it might be easier having someone else do it.

Not so much.

He looks so much older with his hair cut this way and it's so different to see him with short hair.

I like that he doesn't have the crazy hair, but I kinda miss the baby fuzz.

I NEVER thought I would say this

2012-01-26T11:41:00.002-07:00

but.....

I really want....

An iPhone. A white one.

Having an iPad has shown me how cool my phone could be.

One day.

I just can't get enough.

2012-01-26T11:34:00.002-07:00

I can't get enough of this little boy.

I can't believe how much I love him or how happy he makes us.

Possible Major Break through & 200th post!!

2012-01-25T09:39:00.005-07:00

We MIGHT have had a major break through with potty training last night! Colson FINALLY after months, pooped in the potty. And, I think I found out why he doesn't want to do it. After he did I was praising him, telling him I was so proud of him and he was such a good boy. All of a sudden, Colson looked like he was going to cry. Literally, tears are filling his eyes. I asked him "Buddy what's wrong."

His response " That disgusting."

I am thinking about buying this book.

I have heard from a lot of people and I have read online that this helped a lot of kids with this issue.

Have any of you used this book or do you know anyone that has?

I am HOPING that this is the start of the final chapter on potty training! Yesterday he had no accidents and didn't use any diapers, so I am feeling very hopeful.

This is also my 200th post, which I feel like is a lot but at the same time not really. I really need to be better at blogging. Sometimes our lives just get a little boring and I have nothing to share. But, I am definitely going to try to be better. I hope everyone enjoys reading our blog! And feel free to comment away, I love comments. :)

Mean Girls Humor.

2012-01-24T13:30:00.003-07:00

Another amazing find via Pinterst.

2012-01-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

I found this on Pinterest.

I want to do this in Colson's bathroom.

Only question is where do I find those buoys?

If you guys could keep your eye out for some & let me know if you find any that would be amazing.

Sometimes..

2012-01-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

I have things I want to write on my blog so badly. Certain feelings or stories. I will take all this time writing them all out and then I decide not to post them because I get worried about the reaction of other people, which I shouldn't do. This is my blog.

I want to use this as a journal for our family. I plan to have it printed off into a nice book. I will keep it forever for our family to look at as it grows. I want this blog to be about all different things, from our favorite recipes, to birthday parties, to holidays, to funny memories, to trials.

I never want this blog to be a poor me story. Ever. But the more open I am about certain things the better I feel to have it off of my chest, to vent out feelings. If you don't want to read these posts I completely understand. You can skip these ones and move on to the happy ones. :)

The past few weeks have been a struggle for me. Big time. Losing the baby in September was really hard for me. The sadness I felt was overwhelming. I began to feel like such a burden to everyone around me because I was so sad. It was consuming every second of every day. I decided it would be best for everyone if I just tried to get over it. I thought I was doing great getting over it. I thought wow, I'm doing a lot better than I thought.

The past few weeks this whole thing has been really hard for me. I realized I didn't heal from this completely. I rushed it without dealing with it. I know that some people don't have any kids, and I am beyond thankful for Colson. I love that little boy so much and I become more and more thankful for him every single day. I sometimes feel so bad that I am so sad because some people don't have any kids, but I was talking with a friend thee other day and she said "If it is one of your dreams and desires to have more kids, you should never feel bad about how you feel." It made me so happy she said that. I never want to come off as ungrateful. I read my friend Lacie's blog (laciebleak.blogspot.com) who is in the process of trying to adopt because she can't have babies and my heart just breaks. The sadness I feel often times feels unbearable, but I know that her's is even greater and I can't imagine that. I admire her strength so much and I am so thankful for her example.

I now know how badly I took being pregnant for granted. I complained WAY too much about certain things when now I would do anything to have them back. It is so hard for me to hear complaining on weight, or being sick, or tired. I would do anything to be awake all night because little feet are kicking my ribs. And NEVER again will I care about the gender of my babies. Healthy and Happy will be my hopes!!

I can't even describe how hard it is to see everyone around me getting something I want so badly. It's not something I can control. It's not something I can go get. I am so happy for my pregnant friends but so jealous at the same time. Jealousy is so ugly I know, but I can't help it. It is so hard for me to wonder why others deserve it so much more than I do?! What am I doing wrong?! I see others with babies having more babies and I just wonder "Why is it so hard for me and so many others and for them it is so easy?" It's hard when I know we are ready. We make enough money, we have a home, we have insurance, we love each other, we take care of Colson... We are doing what we are supposed to. I can't help but think I must be doing something wrong.

I know things could be much worse for me and that I am blessed with many things. So I don't want anybody thinking I don't see that, because I do. This trial has just been very hard for Brian & I. I remeber being little and my mom would cry because she wanted another baby so badly. It took her years and years to get pregnant with my littlest sister. I remember I felt sad my mom was sad, but I didn't know how she felt. I firmly believe that you can't understand how it feels to have a miscarriage or struggle with any sort of infertility until you have to deal with it yourself. Some people say "Well you have Colson." And we know we do, we are so very thankful for him. But, this usually comes from people who have babies under 2 years apart. We know we have Colson, and we are thankful for him. But nothing is worse than wanting something so bad, something you deserve, something that you can't buy, and not being able to have it.

I know this is such a sensitive subject for me and for all of the other women that are facing this. So, I really hope I shared my feelings in a way that will not offend anybody. I always try to be really careful when I talk about it, because I know how tough it is. I hope we can all always remember how thankful we should be for our babies and for being a mother. It is such a blessing that too many women don't get to experience at all.

This is something that is completely out of my hands. I can't control it. I have to have faith that this is part of the plan that is meant for Brian & I. I have to just believe that everything happens for a reason and it will be okay. I like to consider myself a very faithful person, but this sure has been a faith tester - and I am thankful for how it is helping me grow in certain areas.

I am so thankful for Colson. I can't stress that enough. I am so thankful for all of the time I get to spend with him. I am so thankful for his cute little smile and his sweet giggle. I am so thankful for Brian and his patience and understanding. I am so thankful for our marriage, for the up's and the down's.

I have always said that the quote "If you don't like something change it, if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." can help resolve any problem. Obviously, I don't like that I miscarried. I don't like that we are experiencing secondary infertility. And obviously, I can't change it. I try to hard to change how I think about it. I try so hard to always think everything happens for a reason and that this is the plan He has for my little family. I try so hard to remember to just be thankful for everything that I do have. All we can do is be thankful, keep our heads up, stay faithful, enjoy every single second with our sweet Colson, and listen to our Doctor. I know that I will be so incredibly thankful for a baby when we get one. So so thankful.

Cupcakes

2012-01-24T08:22:00.001-07:00

I know I have posted before that I love doing cupcakes for people, but here is a picture of some I did for my sister in law's baby shower! It was so much fun and I love how they turned out.

If any of you need cupcakes for anything, I would love to try to help you out! It is so much fun for me and I love the practice.

I have done a few others for people but I don't have pictures right now. Once I do I will add them to this post!

I think it's about time for a Colson post..

2012-01-23T23:30:00.002-07:00

I haven't done a "Colson" post in a while. I feel like after they stop going to the Dr. all of the time for well child checks, the updates kinda stop. (Well for me they have, unless it's a birthday or something)

Oh our little Colson... Where to start with this boy. He is 2 and 1/2 now, which is CRAZY to me. I can not believe I am looking at pre schools for my little boy. It amazes me how fast kids grow. This kid seriously gets cuter, funnier, and smarter everyday. I can't even count how many times a day he cracks me up. He is constantly doing the cutest things and I am so thankful for camera's and video cameras so I can capture all of them!

Colson is ALL BOY! He is constantly jumping off something or climbing something. He is still into super hero's big time. It has spread from just Spider man and Bat man to Iron man, Captain America, Green Lantern, Hulk, and Wolverine. He loves pretending he is one of those super hero's and is constantly wanting me to be one of the villains. (I usually choose The Green Goblin) Colson loves playing with his dinosaurs, his blocks, his train table, his Spider man four wheeler, and all of this many many other toys. He loves to sing songs, read books, and do any kind of art project. Painting is probably his favorite right now. Colson LOVES the water. That is actually an understatement. He has been enjoying warm swims in his Nana & Papa's "pool" (which is a hot tub) almost every week. He has actually started swimming, and I mean ACTUAL swimming, with no help from his floaty. It is amazing to see how well he does in the water.

Colson loves all super hero movies, Mickey Mouse, Rio, Dinosaur Train, Lion King, Finding Nemo, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. He loves practicing his colors, ABC's, and counting. He is so eager to learn. I can't wait to see him soak up new things when he starts pre school in the fall.

Colson is 30 pounds and I think 37 inches. He is still a picky PICKY eater, but he is getting better. He loves brushing his teeth and taking baths. He is ALMOST potty trained, but is not loving the idea of pooping in the potty. If anyone has an advice on this I would love to hear it. He will go pee in the potty no problem all day no accidents but will hold the other stuff until his tummy hurts and he is crying. : ( He will get it sooner or later but I would love to hear how others handled this.

I can't say how thankful we are for this little guy! He is so much fun and brings so much happiness to Brian and I. We love you Colsy and we are so thankful we get to be your parents! :)

Goal.

2012-01-23T23:13:00.005-07:00

What you see up there.

That is the goal I have for my hair.

Keep on growing!

SMH, ROTFL, LMHO, = WHAT?!

2012-01-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

Ok... I am only 23. But sometimes when I am on Facebook I feel like I'm 63. I have NO idea what people are talking about sometimes. There is SMH, LMHO, and so on and so on.

I have no idea why there are crazy abbreviations for every possible sentence and feeling are out there. I literally had to Google these to find the meaning of them. Not only does it make me feel old, I really don't like having to use Google to figure out English sentences.

In May..

2012-01-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

We will be going to these places...

And I can NOT wait.

Favorites.

2012-01-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorite pictures lately. I am biased, but I think Colson is pretty dang cute!

Spread the word :)

2012-01-09T21:38:00.006-07:00

This post is very special and very important to me. This amazing lady you see in the picture below is one of my very best friends, her name is Lacie. I met her at Paul Mitchell and we were instantly close friends. She has such a special place in my heart and so does her want for a child. Lacie and her husband Jeff have been trying for a baby for quite sometime and have now decided to turn to adoption to start their family.

These two are amazing. They will make fantastic parents! They are beyond prepared to start a family. I KNOW that the baby that ends up in their home will be extremely lucky! We need your help spreading the word of this amazing couple, to everyone you know! You can read her blog here with their story, her thoughts on dealing with the painful reality of infertility, and their journey through the adoption process.

I think we all take being a mother for granted at one point or another. Dealing with secondary infertility has made me realize how badly I took pregnancy for granted. I would give anything to be throwing up all day, have an achy back, being up all night because I'm uncomfortable and all of the other things I wasn't too fond of, just to have another baby. We all need to remember how lucky we are to have children and help spread the word for this amazing couple so they can start their family.

Christmas Cards.

2011-12-18T17:55:00.001-07:00

Here is our Christmas card this year! I figure Christmas is next week anyways and I'm guessing the only people that MAYBE save people's Christmas cards are parents and grandparents! So, I'm sharing it this way and on Facebook! :)

Yay for Christmas only being a week away! Now time to finish shopping!

17

2011-12-14T13:59:00.002-07:00

17. That's how many days there are left of this year! I can't believe how fast this year went by! Every year since I had Colson, it seems like time goes by faster and faster.

I can't believe Christmas is only 11 days away and that it's just about time for a New Year! With the new year right around the corner I started thinking about this years resolutions! When I make New Year's Resolutions, I like them to be things I WILL do. This past year I did okay with them but I am going to do even better this year! Here are my New Year's Resolutions for 2012!

Spend more time with family. Our parents, our sisters, our grandparents, aunts, cousins, and uncles - all of them!

Go to the gym 4 days a week.

Go to the temple at least twice a month.

Be a better mom.

Be a better wife.

Cook more & learn new recipes.

Don't be so hard on myself.

Learn a new skill.

Get my cosmetology license.

Teach Colson more sign language & Spanish. (while teaching myself more too)

No grudge holding.

Be better at saving money.

Potty train Colson by March.

For now this is all I have, but maybe more will come along!

A Family is Forever.

2011-12-11T00:24:00.007-07:00

Today was by far the most amazing day of my life. I can't find the words to describe the feelings of today! Amazing, spiritual, emotional, and beautiful are the best words I can think of.

I feel so much peace and happiness knowing our family is forever. The temple is an amazing, beautiful, and sacred place. I already have this overwhelming love and appreciation for it.

These are some of my favorites of the pictures from the temple that are finished already. I will be posting more when I get the rest but for now I wanted to share these ones!

Colson fell asleep after being sealed to us, it was precious. I absolutely adore the smile on Brian's face.

I just want to thank our family and friends again for all they did to help make this day what it was. Thank you for the food you brought, the gifts, the hugs, the support, the pictures, the love, and everything else you all did! I can't even begin to thank you enough. You are all loved and appreciated. We love you all so much!

ANYWAY

2011-12-09T14:30:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday.

2011-12-07T11:24:00.004-07:00

3 days :)

A reminder.

2011-12-06T12:36:00.001-07:00

What a great reminder of what Christmas is really about.

Dear Santa,

2011-12-06T11:44:00.007-07:00

I have been a REALLY good boy this year! I have had my moments, but I'm going through my terrible two's here!

I love waving to you at the mall but I'm not so sure about sitting on your lap at the mall or at every Christmas party my Mommy & Daddy take me to, so Mommy said we could write you a letter instead. (I think she is still going to make me sit on your lap for a picture - she is CRAZY about pictures, she never stops!)

This year I would like you to bring me a Juggernaut action figure. He is one of the only villains I don't have yet, and I REALLLLY want him.

This is what he looks like.

I like trains a lot too! I'm not very picky. I will play with any trains!

I really like The Bat Cave! I love Batman! Every time we go to the toy store I have to show Mommy & Daddy this toy!

My Daddy got my a Batman like this Spiderman and I love it so much! I would really like a Spiderman to play with my Batman.

I really like this movie! I love the funny monsters in it!

Santa, one last thing I REALLY like is this Iron Man. He talks, and I think it's so funny! Iron Man is one of my favorite super hero's.

Love, Colson.

Amazing.

2011-12-03T23:17:00.005-07:00

Amazing pretty much sums up today.

Brian & I received our endowments at The Provo Temple today.

It was a special, beautiful, amazing, spiritual day.

We were surrounded by family, friends, amazing temple workers, and a beautiful, strong spirit.

I love the temple! I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life!

I can't wait for our family to be sealed next week!

Picasso?

2011-11-29T12:03:00.002-07:00

I have quite the little artist on my hands. Colson is always painting, or coloring, or drawing. He loves it. He could do it all day! I love seeing the little things he paints and draws and I love listening to him tell me what they are! I save a lot of the things he paints and draws, I think they will be fun to have when he is older. He loves having the things he makes hung in his room!

Absence of thankful posts and The week of Thanksgiving.

2011-11-29T11:49:00.004-07:00

I know I didn't even come close to finishing my days of

thankful posts! Things have been super busy and blogging wasn't able to happen as much as I had hoped! I can't believe Thanksgiving is over and we are on our way to Christmas already! This year has flown by way too fast. I can't believe I will have a 3 year old PRE SCHOOLER next year and celebrate my 4th Wedding Anniversary! Time goes by way too fast.

Our Thanksgiving was full of family and way too much food. We go to m

y parents house and Brian's parents house so we have a whole lot of Thanksgiving going around! I am so thankful we are able to go to both houses. My family eats at 4 and his family eats at 7 so it works out perfectly! We didn't do any black friday shopping this year, I haven't started any Christmas at all! Yikes!

The day after Thanksgiving my sister and I took Colson to the grand entrance of Santa Claus at the University Mall. He arrives in a helicopter which is really fun! Colson was excited to see Santa but didn't love all of the wind the helicopter caused. I didn't get too many pictures because I was so excited watching Colson. But I did get a few.

Brian is such a cute dad! I am so thankful he was able to come from work to see Colson get so excited!

I love how bundled up Colson is. He was being so silly the entire time. He kept laughing!

Holidays are so much more fun when you have kids. Colson has a pretty good idea of the whole Santa concept which is so much fun! He knows what he is asking for and tells me all the time! He points out Santa every where we go! I can't wait for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Colson.

23.

2011-11-12T09:42:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I turned 23! Wow! I know that is no where near old, but it feels like it's getting up there to me. I had such a great birthday! Thank you everyone for the sweet phone calls, texts, and posts on facebook! I was brought breakfast, given great gifts, taken to a yummy dinner, and was bought a delicious cake from this amazing place, and watched one of my favorite movies (Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2) and the best part of the whole day, I got to spend it with all of my favorite people! :) It was a great day!

And to tie this in with my thankful posts, I am thankful for birthdays! :)

Health.

2011-11-09T10:27:00.001-07:00

I am beyond thankful for my family's good health. I am thankful Brian is healthy. I am thankful that Colson is healthy. I am thankful that I am healthy. I am thankful that our families are healthy.

Stay at Home Mom

2011-11-09T10:20:00.002-07:00

I am so thankful that I get to be a stay at home right now. I knew I was meant to be a mother, and I had really thought I was meant to be a stay at home mom. I'm not saying I'm the most amazing mom in the world, because I'm not. I just honestly always thought that was what I was supposed to do. I tried working and for my family it really didn't really go well. I am incredibly aware that circumstances change and that it is hard to have only one income in a lot of families. I know that if I have to get a job and help support my family I will do it with a smile. I often think about starting college to make sure I have something just in case. Right now though, I am so thankful that I am a stay at home mom. I am so thankful that Brian and I are willing to make the sacrifices it takes! (I know being a working mom takes a lot of them too!!)

Our Home.

2011-11-09T10:13:00.002-07:00

We don't have a house, but we have a home. Our 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment is our home and I am so thankful for it. We don't have a pretty yard, or a big pretty kitchen. We don't have a play room (but I really wish we did), we don't have a big garage, and I don't have thee oh so trendy craft room and Brian doesn't have a man cave. What we do have is an apartment full of laughter, and playing Spiderman. We have an apartment full of love, inside jokes, hugs on bad days, smiles on good days. We have everything we need. I LOVE hearing Colson say he wants go to home or when we are driving home and he sees our complex and gets so excited saying "There it is! Home!" I am so thankful we have made "home" what it's supposed to be, full of love, laughter, hugs, faith, learning, and a safe place. I am so thankful we have a warm place to sleep on cold nights and a cool place to play on hot days. I am so thankful we have a home. (:

My Faith.

2011-11-08T22:39:00.005-07:00

I am so thankful for my faith, my testimony, and for being apart of this amazing church.

If you want to learn more click here!

Friends.

2011-11-05T20:12:00.003-06:00

I am so thankful for the amazing friends I have. I don't see a lot of you as much as I wish I did, but I hope you all know how much you mean to me. I have learned that it doesn't matter how many friends you have but the kind of friends you have. I am so thankful for all you. I am thankful for the examples you are to me. I am thankful for the love and support you constantly show. Some of you I have been friends with for years and years and some of you I haven't known for that long, but I hope you all know how much I love you and how amazing I think all of you are. I am so proud of the women you all are. I am so proud of the changes a lot of you have made. I am so proud of the mothers that you are. I am so proud of the way you all handle extreme hardships and the examples you set during those times. I am so thankful for your advice, the way you listen, they way you care, and the way you understand. You all know who you are, well at least I hope you do. I love you all so much and I am beyond thankful for the friendships I have with all of you!

Our Family

2011-11-05T19:37:00.004-06:00

I am so thankful for the family that we have. I am thankful for my parents, for Brian's parents, for our sisters, for our brother in law, for our niece and nephew, for our grandparents, for our aunts & uncles, and for our cousins.

I don't even know where to start on how thankful I am for all of these people. We love all of you so much and are so thankful for all you do for us!

I can't even express the love and appreciation I have for our parents. I always know I can count on our parents for help and advice.

My parents are amazing! I am so thankful for all of the many many times they have helped Brian and I without hesitation. I am so thankful for all of the support, love, and help they give us. I am so thankful that I know they are always there. I am so thankful for the laughter in their house and the way it picks me up on bad days! I can only hope that one day I will be able to help them out as much as they help us. I am so thankful for the way they always make me feel like everything is going to be okay. I am so thankful for the examples that they are to me. I am so thankful for the way they love Colson and for the Nana & Papa they are. I am so thankful they watch Colson for us so we can do things. We love you guys so much and I am so thankful you are my parents! I admire both of you in so many ways and love you more than you know!

My sisters are my best friends. I am so thankful for both of them. I am so thankful for all of the things they do for me. I am so thankful that I can tell them everything and that I can always count on both of them for anything. I love that we always do random things together and that we spend the whole time we are together laughing. I am so thankful for the way both of them are so willing to help with Colson and anything else I need help with. I am so thankful for the aunts they are to Colson. I am so thankful for the example both of them are to me. I love you both so much and I am so thankful I have best friends like you two!

I am so thankful for my in laws! They are amazing. I am so thankful for all of their help, love, and support. They are always helping us without hesitation. I am so thankful for the way they raised their son. I am so thankful for the Grandma & Grandpa they are to Colson and the way they love him. I am so thankful for the way they are always willing to watch Colson. Again I can only hope that one day we can help them like they have helped us. I am so thankful for their examples and for everything they do for us. We love you guys so much and we are so thankful for you both and for everything you do.

I am so thankful for Brian's sisters and for Karl. I am so thankful that I have gotten closer with each one of them. I am so thankful for the funny things they say. I am so thankful for the way they are always willing to help with Colson and anything else we might need help with. I am so thankful for the relationships that they have with Brian and for the aunts and uncle they are to Colson. We love you all so much and we are so thankful for all of the help you give!

Family is truly the most amazing and most important thing any of us have. We have been blessed with such an amazing family. We have amazing grandparents who I will do a post about later. (I want pictures) Both of our families are full of amazing people and I am so thankful for all of them and everything all of them do for our family!

Colson

2011-11-02T11:29:00.007-06:00

Today's thankful post is on Colson. I am so incredibly thankful for Colson. I always knew I wanted to be a mother, and I always knew it would be an amazing thing, but Colson has shown me that motherhood was more amazing than I ever thought possible. I am sure that Colson has taught me more than I will ever teach him in his life in just these two short years. He has taught me a meaning a love that is so unbelievable it can only be explained to other mothers that feel the exact same way I do. He has taught me patience, selflessness, giving, compassion, and a million other things on a whole new level. He helps me see the best in things and is constantly making me want to be better, in every way. I can't believe how much I love that little boy. His personality is so funny. He is always making us laugh. I am so thankful

for his contagious smile and his little laugh. I am thankful for the silly side he brings out in Brian and I. I love that he is my best friend. I am thankful for every single day I have had and will have with Colson. I will never be able to express to Colson how much I love him or how thankful I am that he is ours. I am thankful that I get to be the mom of such an amazing little boy.

November

2011-11-01T21:15:00.005-06:00

I love when October, November, and December roll around. I love the holidays! I love Halloween and all the costumes and candy! I love my birthday, thanksgiving, and family! I love Christmas - everything Christmas, and this December we will also be sealed in the temple which is going to be amazing!

Last November I tried everyday to be thankful for something. I know that I have been blessed with so many things but I know that sometimes I don't really see or recognize all of the things I have to be thankful for!

I am going to do a post everyday in November about something I am thankful for! I love looking back on old blog posts and reading a post that is so positive and makes me appreciate all that I have been given. I have also noticed that on bad days if I just start writing out all of the things I am thankful for after not even a minute of writing I think "Wow! You have so much, stop complaining!"

I hope that all of you will take the time this November (and always) to remember how much you have to be thankful for and always show how thankful you are for everything that you have!

Today's post is going to be how thankful I am for my husband. I don't even know where to start here. I love Brian more than I can even explain. He is my best friend, he is my better half. He works so incredibly hard to take care of me and Colson. He is so loving, sweet, and patient. He is constantly making me want to be a better person, a better wife, and a better mom. He makes me so beautiful and never goes a day without complimenting me or telling me how much he loves me. I am so thankful for the past 3 and 1/2 years and all that we have learned and all that we have went through. I am so thankful for Brian's positive attitude and all of the countless hours of him comforting me in the hardest of times. I am so thankful for his contagious laugh and smile and for the hours we spend laughing everyday. He is the most amazing dad that I have ever seen. He is so involved with Colson. He is so patient and so loving to him. I am so thankful that Brian is the example Colson has of a good husband and dad. I am so thankful that I am Brian's wife!

FACTS

2011-10-31T11:31:00.003-06:00

Fact: Brian and I are just as excited (maybe even more excited) than Colson is for Halloween.

Fact: It's almost my birthday & I remind people that would never forget daily.

Fact: I LOVE Christmas, like I want my decorations up TOMORROW but this year I have something EVEN better in December, our sealing!

Fact: I sound and probably look like the biggest idiot when I cheer for Colson after he goes potty on the potty. But hey, we have to make it a BIG deal.

Fact: The months of October, November, and December are thee worst months for diets.

Fact: Nothing is cuter than little kids in costumes.

Fact: Colson and I have ate a total of 6 snack size kit kats today.

Fact: I am listening to Christmas music right now. (it may or may not be Justin Bieber.)

Fact: Justin Bieber is so cute, no matter how old you are.

Fact: Time goes by so much faster when you have kids!

Fact: Holidays are so much more fun when you have kids.

Fact: Hardly any costumes are modest or "mom" appropriate.

Fact: Sometimes I think I like the shows on Disney Jr. more than Colson does.

Fact: Monster Mash is in my top 5 favorite songs.

Fact: I have our Valentine's date planned already, The Vow looks amazing!

Fact: I wish I could sing like Sara Bareilles.

Fact: We go through way too much milk in this house.

Fact: This is Colson's third Halloween, and I can't believe it!

Fact: Brian just got a promotion at work and will be working days. I can't wait to sleep by him every night again!

Fact: I hate acne.

Fact: Colson unlocks doors with coins or whatever else he can find, it's not good or fun.

Halloween

2011-10-31T11:08:00.008-06:00

Holidays are so much more fun when you have kids! This is Colson's THIRD Halloween! Isn't that crazy??? His THIRD?! I'm dying, he is growing too fast. All of the Halloweens with Colson have been fun BUT this year he is older, says trick or treat, Happy Halloween, costume, and so on. He is so excited and so am I! I couldn't even sleep last night.

Colson is being Spiderman (surprising right?), I am being a cat, and Brian, who is the cutest Dad on the planet, made a shirt with the Venom symbol on it. Venom is one of Colson's favorite villans from the Spiderman series. Brian literally sewed the symbol on BY HAND and then did the legs with tape. After running out of tape we decided to do the legs out of felt as well. Brian's sister Nicole sewed them on real quick yesterday

and it looks great! Brian is so sweet to do that for Colson!

Our Halloween was so much fun! Colson and I watched movies and played while Brian was at work. When he got home we all got dressed up and went to PG city's trunk or treat and then went trick or treating around my parents neighborhood. It was so much fun to see Colson running up to doors with his cousins and getting so excited to show everyone his candy! He had so much fun!

This picture isn't the best quality but I love how good you can see Colson's face. That was him on him first Halloween!

I don't know that I will ever love a costume more then this one! Colson was the cutest Nemo ever! I am trying to find a picture

of his face in

it.

Here is my little Colson on his third Halloween.

This picture is just my favorite! He is so sweet!

I love this picture of Colson laying on Brian's shoulder.

Look at my little boy!! I can't believe I had a cute little trick or treater!

wordless wednesday

2011-10-26T09:34:00.003-06:00

Fake Smiles.

2011-10-23T22:14:00.003-06:00

I can NOT get Colson to smile in a picture for the life of me.

Every time I ask he gives me this fake kinda dorky smile, then asks to see the picture.

When he sees it he calls himself funny and while laughing at himself

he does his real smile!

Any tips of getting your kids to smile in pictures?!

Favorites.

2011-10-23T22:03:00.003-06:00

I had to share these two pictures.

Colson wanted to snuggle with Tiffy and ended up falling asleep by her. I think this is one of the sweetest pictures ever!

I walked in my room a few nights ago and found Colson like this. That blanket is the one he got from the hospital after his fall, and he LOVES it! This is one of my favorite pictures of him ever!

Time for an update (:

2011-10-23T21:13:00.009-06:00

This might be quite the post. I haven't done any updates on our family in a while so I figured I better get one done before I have a million things to write!

The first thing I want to update you all on it WE HAVE A DATE SET FOR OUR SEALING!! Brian, Colson, and I will be sealed on Saturday December 10th in The Oquirrh Mountain Temple! We are so excited! We have grown so much as individuals, as a couple, and as a family the past few months and I can't say how thankful I am. My testimony and my faith are the strongest they have ever been and the happiness I feel is amazing! I was able to get my patriarchal blessing last week which was an amazing experience for me. That day Brian and I also received a calling as ward missionaries! We are both so excited for this calling and are looking forward to sharing our testimonies with others. Brian was especially excited because he didn't serve a mission. I am so thankful for the gospel and the faith that I have. I just want all of our friends and family to know how thankful we are for your support! You guys are the best.

Colson is getting so big it's crazy! He sings songs, draws circles, knows colors and shapes, counts to 12, and is talking more and more everyday! I still can't believe he is ours. He is amazing! Brian is still working for parking enforcement in Provo and loves it!He has recently thought about going to school for something new, but we are still talking about it. Brian is still in the National Guard and will be going to Korea in March, just for the month of March - nothing too horrible. (who am I kidding, it's going to be the longest month ever!) I am once again not working. Colson did not like me working and neither did Brian and after talking it over again and again we decided right now it is best for me to be home. Being a stay at home takes a lot of sacrifices (so does being a working mom) but they are so worth it to us. Right now thisis the right thing for us.

Brian's sister Nicole and her husband Karl had their first baby on October 4th. Her name is Brynnlee and she is such a beautiful baby! Babies are such blessings and it is so fun having a new one in the family!

We have been enjoying the fall festivities with painting pumpkins, Corn Bellys, and scary movies! We go with my sister Tiffany to Corn Bellys every year. If you have never been you should check it out. They have a lot of stuff and if you like the spooky stuff they have some of that too!

Last Friday we decided to take a trip to Temple Square. That is one of my favorite places to go and I love showing Colson the temple. If you haven't been lately you need to go! In the South Visitor's Center they have a replica of the temple that is cut so you can see inside. You can also listen to what each room is for. It was really neat for us to see that as we prepare to go to the temple and I loved showing my little sister! We took Colson on Trax for the first time while we were up there! He loved it! This was his face when it started going! I think he was a bit nervous!

Brian has been asking me to write about this for awhile now and I now feel like it's a good time. We get asked all the time when we are having another baby.I had wrote about our struggle to get baby #2 and then took it down. This is a super sensitive subject for me and all of the other women out there who are facing this problem but I think it might help people understand our situation a little more if I am just forward. Back in July we saw my OBGYN to help us figure out what is going on with me and why I can't get pregnant. He gave me medications and we decided we would try it. After negative pregnancy tests and the fertility drug making me sick Brian and I decided to hold off on round 2 until after we were sealed because it was becoming a very negative thing in our lives. It was dragging me down non stop. Last month I was feeling weird and took a pregnancy test, it was positive. Brian and I were so happy! The Saturday before my first appointment I had a horrible feeling come over me. I had a feeling that it wasn't going to end how we hoped it would. I started spotting and it just got worse and worse. My Dr. put me on bed rest the day before my appointment to try to stop the spotting. The day of thee appointment I was a nervous wreck, I had a bad feeling but so bad wanted to be hopeful that the 2nd baby we so badly wanted would still be there. They started the ultrasound and all they could see was a yolk sac. They said maybe I was just too early. My Dr. put me on bed rest and ordered blood work. He told me to come in 4 days later for another ultrasound. They told me I was having a threatened miscarriage. I was devastated. I knew this wasn't going to be the pregnancy we had hoped so badly it would be. The day after my appointment things took a turn for the worst. I knew I was losing the baby. That was thee hardest week of my life. I was about 7 weeks. It has been over a month now and I still have hard days but every week it's getting better! I am so thankful for our family and our friends that were so kind and loving. I'm so thankful for Brian and Colson for keeping me smiling and reminding me of all the blessings I DO have! So, YES we do want more babies and YES we want them soon!

Finally, if any of you need pictures done my sister Robin does amazing photography! She is so creative, talented, and unique! If you want her number just let me know OR you can find her on Facebook under Photographs By Robin!

Here is some advice..

2011-10-14T19:38:00.002-06:00

Happiness.

2011-10-08T12:07:00.004-06:00

Happiness is falling in love with Brian everyday.

Happiness is hearing Colson talk.

Happiness is being a Mom and a Wife.

Happiness is not dwelling on what you wish you had but what you do have.

Happiness is my faith.

Happiness is snuggling with Brian and/or Colson.

Happiness is knowing that in a couple months I will be sealed to Brian & Colson for Eternity!

Happiness is Eclair cake, Colson, Brian, and Spooky Buddies.

Happiness is jumping on my bed with Colson listening to him giggle.

Happiness is being silly with Brian and Colson.

Happiness is getting roses because Brian can just tell by my voice I'm not having the best day.

Happiness is letting Colson help me cook.

Happiness is being with family.

Happiness is a warm bubble bath.

Happiness is looking at old pictures.

Happiness is watching Colson grow.

Happiness is watching Brian be a Dad.

Happiness is painting with Colson in the kitchen.

Happiness is Colson singing songs.

Happiness is helping others.

Happiness is laughing with my sisters.

Happiness is long talks with my Mom.

Happiness is the hilarious things my Dad says.

Happiness is family prayer.

Happiness is holiday traditions.

Happiness is Brian singing songs from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Colson and I joining in.

Happiness is being thankful for everything I have.

Miracle.

2011-10-05T11:49:00.003-06:00

As a lot of you might know we had a really scary accident here Sunday afternoon. I walked past Colson's room to go to my bathroom to get some towels to wash. I peeked in on him and he was playing with his toys on the floor. I went into my bathroom and all of a sudden I heard a child crying. It sounded really far away so I didn't think there was any way it could be Colson, I had just saw him playing on his floor. He was okay, I had just checked on him literally seconds ago. Then I heard Colson yelling "Brian!" I knew then the crying was Colson. I thought to myself as I walked to his room, he probably shut himself in his closet and can't get out so he is afraid. I walked in his room and opened the closet, Colson wasn't there. My heart started pounding as I turned around and saw the screen of his window pushed open at the bottom. All I could do was scream no! I ran to the window and looked out of it and I saw Colson and his pillow pet sitting on the ground. He was on his hands and knees crying yelling for me and Brian. My heart broke. I yelled to him that I was coming. I ran out of my apartment and it literally felt like I jumped down the entire flight of stairs. My friends mom had been outside and rushed over. She told me that nothing looked broken. I grabbed Colson and wrapped him tightly in my arms. All I could do was cry. How could I let that happen to my little boy, to our everything?? I kept apologizing to Colson, I thought I had shut his window. I called Brian and he came home and we rushed Colson to the Emergency Room. I was hysterical. I felt so guilty and so heart broken. A nurse walked into the room where we were checking in and said "This is a trauma we have a room ready!" They rushed us into a room full of Dr's and nurses. They said it looked good that he was fighting them but they still needed to do CT scans to check his organs and make sure there was no internal bleeding. When they said that my heart broke even more. I couldn't stop looking at the scratches on his perfect face, and his back and chest. I couldn't stop crying. My parents got there and I got a much needed hug from my Mom. Soon all of our family was there waiting. Everyone kept reassuring me that this wasn't my fault and it was just an accident, but it didn't make me feel any better. My whole world was laying on a bed in the ER crying in pain and it was all my fault. I will NEVER be able to express my appreciation for the nurse that held me as I cried until my mom got there, she was one of the kindest nurses I've ever met. As they tried to get and IV in Colson and weren't able to after a few times they finally strapped him down to a board. It was so hard to see him that way. I tried to stay by him and stay calm and sing him songs or promise him that we would go home and watch his favorite movies and cuddle. Colson kept asking for a blanket and they brought a soft cuddly camo blanket in for him. Brian had been at drill and was still in his uniform and the cute nurse got Colson that blanket to match Brian. After they got the IV in we headed in to have his CT scan done. We decided to have him sedated so he would hold still while they did it. Seeing his sedated was so hard for me. All of the Dr's and nurses were so kind. They took their time to explain everything to Brian and I as they did it. The Dr that worked on Colson kept telling me it was looking great. It seemed to take forever to finish. A respitory specialist had to be present to make sure that Colson's body handled being sedated well - which it did thank heavens. After they finished that they gave him a catheter to test some of his urine. When they finished that I got to lay in the bed and just hold Colson. The whole time I just kept praying to Heavenly Father that Colson would be okay, and that nothing inside him would be harmed. When the Dr. walked in to tell us the results my heart was pounding. He said "Well the scan looks great, everything looks amazing." I couldn't believe it. Soon after that they wanted to see Colson walk. He said ow when he tried so we decided to go ahead and do X Rays also, those also looked perfect.

After Colson fell he told me he hit the tree (which are really bushes) When we told the Dr. that he said there was a good chance that saved his life. If you look straight under Colson's window there are AC units right under the window. The part of the window that has screen is right above the AC units and to the right are the bushes, I do not know how he hit those bushes but I do know that Heavenly Father protected Colson that day. I know that Colson is a special person and is going to do amazing things and this just shows it. He walked away from that accident with scratches and bruises from an attempt at IV's.

We feel so incredibly lucky and blessed that Colson is okay. We know that this is truly a miracle. He was checked out again by his regular Dr. Monday who also said he is very lucky and they can't find anything wrong at all! Thank you all for kind comments and support and love! We love you all so much! (:

Here are some wise words..

2011-09-14T10:39:00.002-06:00

"The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired." - Gordon B. Hinckley.

What a perfect quote.

I am..

2011-09-07T22:14:00.004-06:00

Thankful (:

Sometimes I think we forget how much we really have to be thankful for!

Lesson Learned..

2011-08-24T09:17:00.002-06:00

You hear people say all the time to never judge someone because everyone is fighting their own battle. They say it in many different ways, and I hear it so often. I always try to remember this but I'm human and sometimes I don't.

Yesterday at work a lady came in and was looking at nail polishes. She seemed really out of it and honestly I kept thinking This lady doesn't have much personality at all. She didn't smile or seem like she had any emotion in her at all. I helped her for probably close to 30 minutes as she looked at every soft pink we carry. She finally picked the perfect one and grabbed a few other things. As she was grabbing some other things I got the computer ready to ring her up and I noticed her just standing there, looking around. She looked lost and really confused. She walked to the counter and said "I am so sorry I'm acting so odd. My father died Saturday and I honestly feel lost. I have been caring for him and my mother for 7 years and now that he is gone a part of me just feels gone. I can't remember why I have gone places or what I need. I don't put on make up because I just cry it off. I just don't feel right." The whole time she is telling me this my heart is just aching for her. I wanted to hug her. I sat there thinking this was her personality and this poor lady just lost her father. I felt horrible. I asked her if there was anything I could do for her and told her I was so sorry she was going through that. Then, she smiled and looked at wrist and said "I'm wearing his watch. I know it was a blessing for him to go, but I still don't know why I've lost my dignity." I wanted to cry for this poor lady.

After she left I kept thinking about how I had judged her personality without knowing what was going on. I will never do that again. We should all try to never judge anybody, we really don't know what they are going through or what they are facing. Everyone has some trial, something that makes their life a little harder than it should be.

Help..

2011-08-24T09:16:00.001-06:00

For some reason my blog won't let me comment on any of my posts. It keeps telling me my e mail doesn't have permission and has me re enter my e mail address but still doesn't allow me to comment. Has anyone had this problem and do you know how I can fix it?!

The Rat Pack...

2011-08-20T21:14:00.002-06:00

Here is a picture of Colson & his 2 little rats, Scabbers & Remi.

He loves them so much - and they seem to like him too!

Tan In a Can... Well Bottle

2011-08-18T18:02:00.003-06:00

I used to be a HUGE tanner. I went religiously, everyday - yikes I hate to admit this, but even sometimes TWO times a day! My mom ALWAYS pleaded with me to stop the tanning, telling me it was dangerous. Of course, being a teenager I didn't listen.

The summer before I got married I was a nanny and was at the pool a lot, like a lot A LOT, and with that and tanning once or twice a week I got a good tan. When I got pregnant of course I didn't go tanning and with that bye bye went any color I had BUT out came this beautiful moisturized, healthy skin. It was fair skin yes, but pretty skin.

After I had Colson it hit me. I wouldn't tan again. How silly would it be to get skin cancer, die, and leave my sweet baby boy without a Mama over a tan?!?! Now that I look back I wonder "Why did I ever do that?"

Everyone wants some color though, well most people do. And I have found that Jergens Natural Glow lotion is amazing! I have used it through out the years and let me say I have applying that lotion down to perfection. What I love about this lotion is it's a little bit of color at a time and it goes on so well. Just shave and exfoliate first, always wash your hands after wards, and wipe in between your fingers and knees GENTLY after applying. Also, I notice a lot of girls that look like they are wearing gloves after they use a self tanner because they wash their hands and all of it goes away - so wash your hands THEN mix a little of the self tanner with a little of your favorite lotion for your hands, then wipe in between fingers and finger nails! (:

I know tanning is relaxing and super warm in winter BUT it really is dangerous! I'm all for safe tanning! (: And I am aware I sound just like my mom!

this and that.

2011-08-13T19:43:00.005-06:00

I haven't been much of a blogger lately but I'm going to be better. First off, I just want to say THANK YOU for all of the sweet and encouraging e mails and texts about Brian and I being sealed to each other and Colson this November! We are so excited and it's so nice to have so much support and encouragement from everyone around us! (:

Not too much as been going on with us lately. I am once again working. :/ I decided that I could be working to pay off debt and build a savings account for us AND for Colson. It just felt right. I work 24- 32 hours a week! Going from not working to those hours was sorta tough, but we are so thankful that Brian can be with Colson most of the time while I am working. Brian is still working for U.P.E. he loves it! We are so thankful for that job and all of the people he works with!

Colson is talking more and more everyday! And acting more and more like a 2 year old everyday! He is so much fun but such a little handful. I still can't believe he is OUR little boy and that he is 2 already!

Like I mentioned already we are preparing to be sealed as a family in the temple and We can't wait. The feeling in our house is amazing. We are busy preparing the best we can for this experience! I will be sure to keep you all updated on exactly when and those kinds of things! (: Again, thank you for all of you that have been so kind and encouraging! Getting your emails on Facebook or your texts really mean so much to us!

It's hard to believe it is already the 2nd week of August!! Summer is coming to an end, and I'll be honest - I'm so glad! I am so ready for fall and winter clothes and the holidays! Summer flew by this year! It's crazy to think we are so close to Christmas again already!

Last night I helped my sister Robin photograph a wedding. At the reception I actually took some photos! It was so much fun and now I'm slightly wanting it to be a hobby. Maybe I will post some that I took for you all to see! Robin did an AMAZING job and if ANY of you need pictures done you should get in touch with my sister. She is so creative and unique, you'll love how your pictures will turn out!

We got 2 little additions to our family last week! Colson had some birthday money and asked - more like begged to take "rats home PLEASE?!" After talking to the pet store guy and being out voted by Brian and Colson I sorta caved. I wasn't the biggest fan of them for a few days but I have to admit - rats totally have a bad reputation for no reason at all. They are such sweet little guys. Their names are Scabbers and Remi. Colson loves them so much!

Well, I just wanted to do a quick update! I hope everything is well for all of you! I love reading all of your blogs so keep up the blogging! (:

Addiction is..

2011-08-11T08:00:00.002-06:00

Pintrest.

If you haven't been on Pintrest let me know and I will invite you. It is so much fun, and so addicting!

Follow me and I'll follow you.

I'm happy to tell you all that...

2011-08-11T07:02:00.004-06:00

We are preparing to be sealed to each other in the temple!

We are so excited! I'll keep you all updated!

Things.

2011-08-04T20:51:00.012-06:00

This has to be the cutest display of family pictures I've ever seen.

Cutest dress up case EVER!

This necklace is a NEED!

If I ever get a baby girl, her nursery will be like one of these 3!

How adorable is this hat?!
I love this outfit!

I REALLY want to make these!

I want one of these when I get a house!

And I think I might make one of these soon!

And some of these.

I am in LOVE with this bedroom!

I am putting one of these in my laundry room.

Sometimes I want to be a red head. I might try it this fall.

This costume makes me so happy!

I HAVE to make this!

3 Years & Counting.

2011-08-03T16:21:00.005-06:00

Brian & I celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary last week! I can't believe we have been married for 3 years!

I can honestly say the last 3 years have been the best years of my life. They have been filled with so much love, laughs, joy, happiness, trials, ups, downs, excitement, and everything in between!

I am so thankful that Brian is not only my husband but my best friend! I really think I fall in love with Brian over again multiple times each day!

I love you Brian!

It's that time of year again..

2011-08-03T16:14:00.002-06:00

And, I love it!

Anniversary Gift (:

2011-07-20T13:36:00.004-06:00

I love sentimental things. I love thoughtful gifts.

I'm a baby, when I see something or read somethings that reminds me of my marriage or motherhood, I love it.

I saw this Dogeared necklace at Nordstrom at loved it right away but when I read what it stood for, I loved it even more.

It is the Yesterday, Today, & Forever necklace.

The card inside the box says "Let this necklace be a reminder that yesterdays are filled with wonderful memories, and today is the beginning of a beautiful forever."

My cute husband bought me this necklace for our anniversary and I am in love with it! And I love even more what the hearts on this gorgeous thing mean!

They have a TON of different things! You can find them at Nordstrom or at dogeared.com!

I can't believe that it has been almost 3 years since Brian and I got married! It has been such an amazing 3 years and I feel luckier every day!

I love you babe!

Have a LAUGH

2011-07-20T13:24:00.002-06:00

If you are thinking "That has to be a joke!"

You are thinking the same thing I did.

Nope.

It's seriously his book cover.

Not only is his face portraying a "deer in the head lights" but his arms are too!

This made me laugh so hard.

I hope it made you laugh too!

Does anyone have this?!

2011-07-11T20:58:00.002-06:00

And is it as pretty as it looks in the bottle?!

I want it so bad!

You can't always get what you want..

2011-07-11T20:28:00.010-06:00

I KNOW that you can't always get what you want, but I really want a baby! And I know Brian wants a baby, and I'd like to think Colson would like a baby brother or sister.

I had a post on here about our struggle to have another baby but I took it off and deleted it. I am now wishing I wouldn't have because I get asked almost everyday when we are having another baby. So, we are in the process of trying to get one, but it just isn't coming easy.

But that's okay, most things worth having aren't easy to get. :)

All we can do is everything the Dr suggests and stay hopeful!

I just thought I would share so of thee adorable clothes Baby Gap has right now! Yes, I am this baby hungry. Leave me alone.

Colson would HAVE to get his baby brother a Spiderman onsie!

How cute are those dresses and those skinny jeans?! My sister in law is having a girl and she NEEDS some of those jeans - maybe even one of those dresses!

I don't think it gets cuter than Baby Gap!

All good things must come to an end.... I guess....

2011-07-11T19:57:00.002-06:00

Tiffy and I will be going to a double feature of Harry Potter on Thursday night!

I couldn't be more excited.

Or sad.

For me and all of thee other Harry Potter nerds this is bitter sweet.

I can't wait to see the final movie. But I'm so sad it's over.

All good things must come to an end.

I guess.

(I am still secretly hoping JK Rowling has more of the series up her sleeve)

I'm a Wannabe..

2011-07-06T17:45:00.002-06:00

Baker.

Badly.

I LOVE making cakes and cupcakes - but as of right now I'm having a lot of fun with cupcakes and I'm still learning the cake thing.

I'm super excited because I am doing them for my nephew's birthday party and my sister in law's baby shower coming up in the next few months!

I have done them for other things too, recently I did ones for Colson's party and they turned out so cute!

So, if anyone needs cupcakes done I would love to do them for you! It's so much fun for me and I just want to get better!

2 yEArs Old

2011-07-02T04:27:00.025-06:00

I can't believe it's been 2 years since I had this amazing little boy.

I know EVERY mom thinks their child is the most happy, cutest, sweetest, most amazing child ever - and I'm no exception.

Colson is 27 pounds (50th percentile) and a little over 35 inches (75th percentile)

Colson loves:

his Daddy

his Mommy

his grandparents

his aunts

his uncle

his pillow

Odie

Honey

his friends

swimming

Spiderman

Batman

Mickey Mouse

playing outside

bubbles

balloons

baths

his bike

Monsters Inc.

chicken nuggets

sprite

cupcakes

strawberries

parks

boating

being silly

helping with laundry

using his big boy potty

cuddling and watching movies

Whoppers

bubble gum

reading books

animals

dinosaurs

singing songs

playing with his toys

his bed

rain

playing in rain

milk

guacamole

helping put things in the cart at the store

chips and salsa

going to the store with Mommy

Coke - don't judge me

laughing

waffles

rice

having his hands and arms tickled

watching the snow fall

making a mess

counting

practicing colors

coloring

riding his bike

playing basketball

his shoes

doing puzzles

Colson does not love:

thunder

when his Daddy goes to work

when we are driving and don't turn up the street to go to his grandparents houses

wearing a diaper

eating meals

getting sun block put on

fireworks he can't see

sleeping with heavy blankets on him

swings

hamburgers

I could go one with these lists but I need so stop somewhere :)

We really are so lucky to have Colson! He is such an amazing little boy! He is so smart and full of life! The happiness and love he brings to our family is unreal! I can't believe how fast the last 2 years have went by! They have been so amazing!

Daddy and I will never be able to explain how much we love you Colson or how lucky we feel to have you! :) We love you and you really are the best!

Birthday Party Post.

2011-07-02T03:46:00.010-06:00

Here is a quick birthday party post! More will come later!

Last night we celebrated Colson's 2nd Birthday!! His party was a day early because The Stadium of Fire is on his real birthday and we had a lot of family/friends with tickets.

His party ended up turning out great!! Colson was so spoiled and had so many people there to celebrate his big day!

We really are blessed with some amazing, amazing family and friends!

THANK YOU to all of you that came out and helped make his party so great! THANK YOU to all of you that helped get things ready and get things cleaned up! You guys are the best!

Colson got a lot of great gifts! He got a lot of Spiderman stuff! Everything from a Spiderman

costume to pajamas to action figures to coloring books, he got a basketball hoop, a bike, a gum ball machine, clothes, trucks, trains, and everything in between! He is such a lucky little guy!

I unfortunately didn't take any pictures - I'm awesome I know - but my amazing photographer sister Robin DID! The ones on this post are the ones she has done so far and I love them all so much! And I promise I do my hair, while i was running around setting up, I just put it up!

Again, THANK YOU from me, Brian, and of course our 2 year old Colson!

Party Time

2011-07-01T14:34:00.004-06:00

Too excited to sleep.

Bruised palm from pushing on a knife to cut fruit.

Fingers hurt from tying balloons.

Back & neck hurt from leaning over to put together birthday banner.

Driving so careful and so slow because I'm terrified of any of the balloons in my car full popping.

Fridge full of cupcakes.

Bags of stuff ready by the door.

You get phone calls and texts all day asking what the birthday boy would like for his gift.

Months of planning almost over.

You hear "Birthday Party" from your adorable child every 5 seconds.

AND thee most excited almost 2 year old I've ever seen!

We are so excited and so ready for Colson's party tonight!

Attention people with relaxing decks/patios/porches whatever you wanna call them......

2011-06-27T20:23:00.008-06:00

I ENVY YOU! Slightly!

When we moved into this apartment I was SO excited about the good sized patio we would have! I was thinking I would have something like this...

simple but relaxing. I knew I wouldn't have my dream patio which would be

something like this

or this

or this..

Instead I have this..

It's a race track, a chalk board, a sand box, a splash pad, a super hero's city that he needs to protect, an airport, a basketball court, and many other things.

Brian begged and begged me to not let the Easter Bunny bring that sand and water table but I knew Colson would just love it!

I have to admit I LOVE watching him play out there and I love playing out there with him! I have so many fun memories and cute pictures playing out there.

So while I envy all of you with pretty patio furniture or hammocks I wouldn't trade all the things my patio is for even my dream patio!

150th post!!

2011-06-27T20:08:00.005-06:00

YAY! This is post 150 - go me! It doesn't feel like I've blogged that much... but I guess 150 really isn't THAT much.

I've been a blogging slacker kinda. I'm sorry! I guess we've just been busy and a little boring! We've been planning Colson's 2nd birthday party - which I'm hoping to see many of you at :] I am so glad it's finally almost here and I can be done planning and just see how it all looks together! His cake is being made by a pastry chef at Kneaders - and I can not wait to see have all of the decorations, the party favors, the plates, the cups, and all that - all I will need to do is get ice, decorate, get the balloons, and cake! Brian's sister Nicole and I made this banner to hang at Colson's party! I think it turned out so cute! It was exactly how I pictured it!

I can't believe my baby is going to be 2 this week! I will for sure do a post about his birthday party & birthday this weekend!

I have no idea why this picture is so giant but I wanted to share it because it's one of my favorites that I have taken of Colson lately. He's just too cute!

Well Happy 150th post!! I have ONE SIMPLE request... keep updating your blogs and start leaving some comments - and I will too! :]

Dear Brian,

2011-06-20T23:13:00.004-06:00

I think you are the sweetest, most amazing, most hard working, most loving, and the hottest Dad ever!

I love you.

Thanks for being you!

I Love and Admire my Dad because....Day 2

2011-06-19T10:30:00.006-06:00

I love and admire my Dad because he is so giving. He is so willing to help anybody out whenever where ever. He is always willing to help me and is always encouraging me! My Dad is the kind of man that wants good things for everyone. He works hard for what he has but is always willing to share the nice things he is. He is always looking for fun things for everyone to do together and wants everyone to be happy! All of my memories of my Dad are happy and fun! I couldn't have asked for a better Dad! I love the Papa he is to Colson! He is always playing with Colson. And I love seeing on his face how happy Colson makes him! Colson loves him so much! You should see how excited he gets watching for my dad to come home! He is the best Papa in the world! He has given me and my little family more then we could ever imagine! I am so thankful for all of the help, love and support he has given me. I truly have the most amazing dad ever! I love you so much Dad!

I Love & Admire My Dad Because....

2011-06-15T19:25:00.002-06:00

I did this for my mom in honor of Mother's Day and now that Father's Day is so close I'm going to the ones for my Dad! :]

I love and admire my dad for so so so many reasons! But today I am just going to say that I love and admire my dad because he is such a hard worker! My dad always took such good care of my mom, me, and my sisters. He always is working so hard to give us all the best things and everything we wanted and needed! He is the definition of selfless and hard worker. I am so lucky to have a dad like him! I love you so much Dad!

CRAZY!!

2011-06-12T11:07:00.004-06:00

In 3 weeks, Brian and I will have a 2 year old!

Looking for a movie to go see?!

2011-06-12T10:47:00.004-06:00

If you haven't seen this movie. You really need to.

Here are my top 5 reason you HAVE to go see Water for Elephants.

1. The cast is AMAZING! All of them, literally!

2. The costumes and the hair and make up are flawless!

3. It is so cool to see the old style circus shows and performers.

4. The story is great!

5. Rob Pattinson is, let's be honest, a hottie.

I could go on and on about this movie! It was so well done! It's a bit of a tear jerker - but so so good! I was so impressed!

PS. It is still playing at Provo Towne Center theater BUT it's playing at Water Gardens in Pleasant Grove for just $3.00.

Need.

2011-06-12T10:29:00.006-06:00

I need one of these. Or all of these. A.S.A.P.

Today

2011-06-11T15:17:00.003-06:00

I'm grumpy. Really grumpy.

I feel like my face has been like that puppy's all day. In a scowl.

Grumpy days are the worst days. Those days where once you get out of your "GRUMP FUNK" someone comes along and BAM is mean and your "GRUMP FUNK" is back. And you basically want to sit in the bathtub and be grumpy and cry by yourself so that your not mean to innocent by standers.

Ya it's been one of those days.

:]

2011-06-08T12:09:00.002-06:00

Most of you have probably seen this on FaceBook, but for those of you that haven't, this is Colson's birthday invitation! :]

I'm in love with it!

wordLESS wednesday :]

2011-06-08T12:04:00.001-06:00

Favorite..

2011-06-06T20:59:00.001-06:00

I love Lauren. I love this song. I love that she goes and sings to her mom.

Boating Makes Colson..

2011-06-04T13:57:00.001-06:00

tired.

Gross..

2011-06-04T13:53:00.003-06:00

I know this is gross.

But really I've never seen anything like this before. Not even while teaching pre schoolers.

Colson's allergies got the best of him last week.

MEh

2011-06-01T10:21:00.003-06:00

I've been a blogging slacker the past few days. I was doing so good! The past few days I just haven't had anything to write lately. Remember that saying "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all?" Ya, that's why I haven't been the best blogger. Instead of ranting, I'll just do a little quick share of all the things I "shouldn't say at all." But I'll keep them short, simple, some what sweet and to the point.

1. I saw a pregnant lady rubbing her pregnant belly the other day. Cute right? Ha, except for the cigarette she was smoking in the other hand. I'll stop there.

2. I saw a conversation on FB between mothers and one said to the other one "Before that baby comes you should probably get some knowledge on love and what that means for a baby and stop being so selfish." Keep in mind - that lady said that to another mom that had chose NOT to breast feed. Come on, that's just mean.

3. If I see another family smoking in the car with their kids in there AND the windows rolled up, I might scream!

4. I think it's strange when girls/women pose "sexy" in pictures for Face book. Especially when they are married?? Doesn't that hurt your husband's feelings? And if he doesn't know that's keeping secrets which is not good.

That's all for now :]

wordless wednesday

2011-06-01T10:10:00.001-06:00

Colsy and his Papa (mydad)

:]

2011-05-30T22:16:00.002-06:00

"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we've said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain. " Gordon B. Hinckley

I know I am on a quote over load. But this one was too good to keep to myself! I have a reason for all of these quotes especially this one. That post will be coming sooner or later! :]

Things I know right now..

2011-05-26T07:46:00.003-06:00

1. No matter how old you are - you still need your parents.

2. I am so excited to see Kim Kardashian as a bride I can't even stand it!

3. Being scared of things doesn't make them go away.

4. Worrying about things you can't fix today does nothing but ruin today.

5. It sucks getting paid and all of it has to go to bills.

6. Getting health insurance makes me feel SO grown up.

7. Being a stay at home mom is worth the sacrifices.

8. Being SUPER trendy is too expensive for me - I become more and more frugal everyday. (frugal sounds so much better than cheap)

9. Netflix overwhelms me with movie choices and causes me to stay up way too late.

10. My sister has perfect teeth.

11. My other sister is an amazing photographer.

12. Colson can get my mom to do ANYTHING.

13. I really want another baby :]

14. I'll never understand why some people get babies so easily and others don't. Never.

15. I love spin class.

16. Just when I think I can't love my husband and child more - I do.

17. I need to find a million cute ways to do my hair besides down so I don't chop it off.

wordleSS wedneSday

2011-05-25T09:42:00.004-06:00

Comments?

2011-05-25T09:41:00.002-06:00

Blogger friends,

Comments??

Where are they?

Danny & Annie:A Love Story :]

2011-05-24T19:47:00.000-06:00

Do me a little favor...

2011-05-24T14:25:00.002-06:00

If you have a Facebook PLEASE got to Robin Williamson Photography and 'LIKE' the page!

My sister is starting out in photography and is amazing at it! She is so talented and creative!

Her blog is in the works! :] I'll share that with you when it's done!

Thank you!

Spreading the word...

2011-05-24T12:35:00.003-06:00

I am spreading the word for this family!

Spread the word, add their button, support their yard sale, and follow their blog! :]

You can read their adoption bio here.

And always be thankful for being a mother! :]

I really wish I had...........

2011-05-23T09:26:00.005-06:00

a garden.

My parents gave me this

for Mother's Day and I LOVE it!

It's my "starter garden."

Mom?

2011-05-23T09:16:00.002-06:00

I am no longer Mama or Mommy.

Colson now most of the time calls me MOM.

Obviously I know that I am a MOM - but I'll be honest hearing a little voice yell "MOOOMM" when he wants and/or needs me, is something new.

He's getting too big. And I LOVE it!

It is so fun to see his personality developing more and more, and I love how much he is learning.

I don't love the terrible 2 tantrums though.

Meh - oh well, it's all part of the package deal. :]

I love you Colson! :]

Awesome?

2011-05-23T08:44:00.004-06:00

I love planning parties. I love looking on line and in stores for cute ideas and themes for parties. I like to think of myself as a creative person. I get really awesome ideas. And when I picture these parties in my head - they. look. awesome.

Then it begins, making the really awesome party that is in my head (and most likely on paper because I am a list maker) come to life.

I go to the stores and on line to see the costs of the things I need to make it as awesome as it is in my head. In my head I also have an awesome guesstimate of the price of this awesome party. And, in reality the price isn't so awesome.

So I start cutting out things that aren't really needed - they are just things I think are, well awesome.

If your thinking "Colson's birthday isn't until July why are you worrying about it now?" Please don't say that to me because 1. it was 6 weeks from Saturday and to me that is pretty close and 2. it only makes me more frustrated. Now if your thinking "Why worry about doing a party, he's only 2 he won't remember it?" Don't tell me that either. I KNOW he isn't going to remember it, BUT I will remember it and birthday's are kind of a big deal to me. It celebrates another year of Colson and all the many accomplishments he has achieved in this year, it celebrates the amazing day he was born, and it means Brian and I survived 1 more year as parents! :]

As many of you know I have chosen A Bubble and Balloons themed party. They are 2 of Colson's favorite things, so I really like it! Last year we did a BBQ at Colson's party - which was fun but I'll be honest it kinda overwhelmed me. This year I was thinking I'd just do desserts and snacks.

Another thing in the way is Colson's birthday is the day of The Stadium of Fire and with family and friends that have already bought tickets we are probably doing his party the night before and then Brian and I are just going to take Colson out on his birthday!

If you can't tell this entire party thing this year is - overwhelming me. What I'm getting around to is how can I simplify this party? My "creative" mind doesn't do simple but right now I really don't want and really shouldn't spend the money on "awesome." So I need a happy medium.

I have thought maybe just a water party? With a slip and slide and water balloons? Or can I fit those into the bubble theme?

I'm open to all suggestions! :] (except the ones telling me not to worry about it because it's far away and the ones telling me it doesn't matter he won't remember it anyways) :]

wOrdlEss wEdnEsdAy

2011-05-18T13:58:00.001-06:00

Potty Time

2011-05-18T11:29:00.006-06:00

About a week and a half ago we took Colson to pick some "Big boy underwear!"

He picked the Disney pack which was no surprise.

He stays dry through naps.

And gets so excited every time he goes on the potty and of course thinks he needs his picture taken.

(I know its blurry but he was so happy/excited that I love it anyways)

I can't believe I am POTTY TRAINING! I'll admit, I thought it would be a lot harder than it actually has been. Cols is really eager to learn - we don't force him to do this at all. We are totally going off him. Maybe that's what's making it easier? I just honestly can't believe it's time to do this. Maybe he'll do it fast? Maybe he won't? Either way I'm so proud of how good he is doing and how hard he tries!

These (almost) 2 years have flown by!

GLEEKS............

2011-05-17T19:10:00.002-06:00

Hey all of you Glee lovers out there?? Are you guys just DYING for Emma & Will to be together?!

I know I am!

A favorite.

2011-05-17T19:02:00.003-06:00

" I want to give my children roots and wings. Roots, so they know they always have a place to come back to. Wings, so they can fly." - Unknown

I love this quote. I wrote this in one of the letters I wrote to Colson. I don't remember where I heard it, but I think about it often. I love it.

In my spare time...

2011-05-17T18:46:00.002-06:00

I find myself looking up quotes from Gordon B. Hinckley. Almost everyday I find a new quote by him that I adore. Every time I find a new one I think about the cute things I could make with that quote on it for my apartment! Here are some of my favorites. :]

"Try a little harder, to be a little better."

"If life gets to hard to stand, kneel."

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one's companion."

"Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."

"Mediocrity will never do. You are capable of something better."

"Work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it."

"The course of our lives is not determined by great, awesome decisions. Our direction is set by little day-to-day choices which chart the track on which we run."

"There is room for improvement in every life. Regardless of our occupations, regardless of our circumstances, we can improve ourselves and while so doing have an effect on the lives of those about us."

"Teach your children when they are young and small, and never quit. As long as they are in your home, let them be your primary interest."

"Let your children be exposed to great minds, great ideas, everlasting truth, and those things which will build and motivate for good."

I think.....

2011-05-16T21:59:00.001-06:00

I might be obsessed with Adele....

Welcome to The Jungle

2011-05-16T20:42:00.001-06:00

Me and my sisters put these cool masks on while at the zoo this weekend.

We're animals.