These are a few of my favorite things

Toria has MANY great loves in her life. They change daily, but the staples remain the same:

Unicorns

The color purple

Anything to do with weddings

Drawing

Barbie movies

Pinto(or Appaloosa) Horses

and Davin

Ten-O-see

We ventured off to the Great Smokey Mountains a few weeks ago and loved it. It's an amazing part of the country... trees as far as the eye can see. So, so beautiful.

But, also it's a completely different experience. There is a lot of poverty, difficult educational opportunities, housing everywhere that I couldn't believe humans actually reside in. I came home with a new and GREATER GRATITUDE for ALL that I have. Seriously, I can't believe how blessed we are.

It was a wonderful time and there was so much to do... our highlights...

Racing at the tracks. This is definitely NASCAR country and there are race cars everywhere!

Hiking in the amazing mountains

The aquarium. AMAZING!!! Best we have ever been to. This is in the penguin enclosure where they swim all around you.

Excuses, excuses

Pretty much anytime that Rome attempts to love on/squish the little guy, it's always the same response.

"But, but he's my brudher."

Count my blessings.

Life, it's hard sometimes. Lately I am tired. So very tired. I know you all do it to, but cooking, cleaning, kids, work, laundry, more work(can I state for the record that I am so over this one, but dang it those flight benefits) the list goes on and on.

BUT, just when I start to feel like I've got it so rough, I am reminded constantly that my life is amazingly blessed. That I have so very much and that my trials are mere compared to so many.

I have a dear friend, really a sister more than a friend. I love her so much and she is enduring the trial of her life. She is so brave, so strong, so much more than she knows. I can do nothing to make her trial go away. But, I can be there, call, hug, love, comfort, and listen. It's not much, nothing close to what I wish I could do. I am constantly reminded by her situation how really, REALY easy my life is.

To her... my heart is filled with love for you, my prayers are filled with pleading for you, and my thoughts are filled with hope for you.

Wisdom

I am constantly amazed at the things I learn from my children.

On Father's Day this year I thought we needed to start a new tradition. Since my Dad passed away 2 1/2 years ago and my step-dad just in the last month... I thought I would have the kids draw them pictures and would would send their "messages" off to them with balloons.

When I first presented this idea to the little ones here was the conversation...

t: why are we going to draw them pictures?

me: i just thought it would be nice to send their father's day pictures to them

t: will they get them?

me: do you think they will get them?

t: yeah...

me: i do too(as I tear up a bit.. because... well, because I am a crier)

t: mommy, don't be sad... they will be resurrected.

Lesson #1 the faith of a child is a beautiful thing

While the pictures were in progress, I asked Toria what she was drawing.

t: A path. Pappi Jim(my step-father) needs a path. He needs to find his way.

Jim was not a member of the church and maybe, just maybe she know exactly what he needs.

Lesson #2 i cannot begin to imagine how well a child's ears can hear the Spirit

I

The "mr."

He will not love me for this but here goes...

10 thing you may not know about my husband:

1) He has a great love for Charlize Theron(really? could you get any more opposite of me? leggy, thin, blonde.)

2) He will not share beverages with anyone. Not me, not our kids, no one. Do I really have any germs that you don't already have?

3) He will keep his nursery calling for the next 25 years, if they let him.

4) He has been in 2 major biking accidents. One time hit by a car and the other he was graciously taken to the ER by some kind hikers who came across an unconscious guy in the mountains(really, no embellishing here!). And I let him ride a motorcycle because...?

5) He was in a movie... treats for those who can figure it out.

6) He would go shirtless at all times if he could.

7) He would buy everything at Costco if he could, it is absolutely his favorite store.

8) And speaking of shopping... he actually likes to go shopping... for clothes.

9) When he gives a gift, it is the most thought out, perfect gift. He really, really goes out of his way to make them special.

10) He hates Oprah.

Zzzzzzz's

8:15 pm

The time I put Davin down to sleep last night

8:45 am

The time my angelic baby woke up this morning

Never had one like this before... home truly can be a heaven on earth