SUNDAY

Sierra came running into the kitchen. I was in the middle of making Sunday dinner she said, "Bring your camera quick Mom, Madison is being so funny." I get excited when my kids want me to take pictures of the cute things they do. I grabbed my camera and this is what met my lens. She is pretty stinkin' cute if I do say so myself, and I do.

Church was good today. The kids in Primary were a little excited and a little noisy but I enjoyed my little singing time with them. I love listening to them sing and I love singing. We are learning the song "I will follow God's plan for me." I am grateful for a church that teachs me God had a plan when he sent me to earth and what that plan is. I am also grateful that my little primary children are learning this in a very simple way, through music.

I invited some people over for dinner. A family I knew, and a single man I didn't. The man, we found out is a world class climber and has written several dozen books on the subject. Nate and him got along well.

Sierra is sick. She has a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a cough. Sad. This year has been rough one for illnesses.

SHOOTIN'

Yesterday, Nate took us out to the edge of town, pulled out his 22 and shot at random stuff. I shot his gun a few times but when I realized there was no real target I got bored and started taking pictures. It was cold but not too cold. It was good to get outside breath in fresh air after a full day of cleaning the house and working on a quilt. The girls didn't really want to go unless ice cream was involved but once they got outside they forgot about the ice cream. Sierra got out of the car eventually and filled her Dad's clip while he shot. It was fun to be together as a family doing something different.

GRANDMA BUBBLE's BOOKS

Sierra started reading this year. It is really hard to find beginning reader books for little children. The level 1 books out there are a little more than a beginning reader can handle. When they struggle through every word they don't want to read. Also, it is hard to find books that a six month old will sit through. Funny, both of these types of books fall into the same catagory. Well, we came across these books and they are so much fun. Sierra absolutely loves them and they are still the only books she has volunterly gone to her room and picked up and read. This morning she came bounding into my room and layed them all out and started reading to Madison. She read every book in the series to Madison. Then she let Madison pick her favorite and read that one again. If you have an emerging reader then I would highly recommend ordering the set, they will love it. Click here.

BAGELS

I made bagels yesterday. It was fun. I used the Better Homes and Garden recipe. You have to broil, boil and bake bagels, and you have to do it fast, which makes it tricky but my big sister coached me through via the phone and they turned out really good. I learned a few things that I would do differently, but overall success. My kids have really enjoyed them. MJ said, "Delicious." Sierra said, "These are the yummiest bagels I ever had."

MY SWEET LITTLE GIRL I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF

This girl in the most enthusiastic voice she can muster exclaims daily,"I love you so much!" I love it. Yesterday, she was handing me clothes as I folded them, she would pick up one of her shirts and say. "Mom, you washed my shirt?" I said, "Yes." She said, "Oh, I love this shirt. Thank you so much mom. I love it." She loves everything so much. I love her so much. Sierra took these pictures. Good job, Sierra! I love my Sierra too. (She does tend to get jealous when I proclaim my love for MJ too often. Although, I sincerly love them both to pieces. Being a mom is the greatest job on earth!)

GO SARA's

Last night, I was working on getting a portfolio together. Darcy and I met with someone last night to see if they wanted us to photograph their wedding. It was fun. We are still laughing about it. They were a really cute couple and we would love to photograph them. We will see.

Sierra was taking a bath this morning before school. MJ pulled up a stool and sat down next to the tub. She applauded Sierra and said, "Go Sara's. Yes, wash your body. Good job." She encouraged her and cheered her on like she was training for a marathon.
Over the last few days, I have lost a daughter and gained a cat. She has been crawling around on all fours. Licking my face like crazy and meowing wildly. She calls this mask her cat hat. She is adorable.

PRESIDENT'S DAY

I have a hard time getting out of bed. I don't know if it is because of this cold or whether I have become really lazy lately. My kids force me out of bed every morning. I want to be the kind of mom that embraces the morning, rising and singing merriment's to my little ones, but obviously not bad enough. MJ squealed,"I need to get dressed," over and over again until I got up, not a good way to greet the day.

I drug my body out of bed and turned on conference, lately I have been doing that a lot. Don't you love Elder Holland's talk? I do. I made blender pancakes for the girls as I listened to his words and sang along with the Mormon Tabernacle choir, which improved my morning. Then we took a bike ride through our little town. We went over to the local cemetery and rode through it. Sierra asked me to tell her the names on each grave stone. It was interesting. She told me she never wanted to die. I assured her that she wouldn't die before she was ready to. We had a few good conversations.

Then we spent the reminder of the day working on food storage and talking about the importance of it. Funny, I ran into a stranger at Lowes hunting for 5 gallon bucket, she was on the same quest. I inquired what she was going to do with her buckets she said, "Oh, put a little rice, beans, and grains in them." I chuckled. The same small voice whisphering in my ears must be whisphering in hers too. As I checked out, the man at the counter said, "There have been several people in today purchasing 5 gallon buckets, what is going on?"

HOPE YOUR SUNDAY WAS AS GOOD AS OURS.

1...2...3... COUNT WITH ME.

Madison was sitting on the counter while I was cleaning the kitchen. She was saying, "1...2...3... Mommy, count with me," as she marched Dora down her little track of letters. Then she would say it's the crystal's turn, "Mom count with me." Then we would count and when we were done she would say, "Good job, Mom."

His little girls love their Daddy. Even though he hates it when I capture these moments, I sure do love them. Daddy has been fixing all the bikes and gearing up for spring today. We are all very excited. Sierra decided to celebrate by making a picnic on the grass.

GOT FIVE DOLLARS? CAUSE THERE IS A NEW ACT IN TOWN.

Today turned cold again and I think I may have over done it yesterday because I am under the weather again. (What is wrong with me this year. I think I have been sick more than I have been healthy.) Darcy invited us over so Sierra and Bailey could play. They decided to put on a play for us. They were writing their lines in the first picture. They said they would preform it, if we would pay five dollars a person. I think it might of been worth it, if I had of had any cash on me. These two are little entrepreneurs.

Madison is up to her clinging ways again. I wonder if she isn't feeling well. She has wanted me to hold her twenty-four seven lately. Ahhh! Anyone want to come and hold her for a few minute or days?

We went outside and let the kids run around while I took a few pictures of Darcy. Luckily, being outside makes us all happier. (See below for MJ's improved spirits.) She did a great job photographing me yesterday and I was suppose to do some of her and didn't do a good job. I needed to redeem myself. I think I got a few cute shots today that will hopefully work for her. Isn't she the cutest? I am grateful for her every day. She has been like a sister to me since I moved here.

DISPOSALS, LAUNDRY, and SELF PORTRAITS

I woke this morning without a foggy head and without a mouth of cotton and I felt like I was the grandpa on Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, who miraculously jumps out of bed and starts singing. I immediately went to work on the house. I had to tackle the dreaded garbage disposal. It hasn't been working for weeks. I have been running the water and plugging to get the food down it every night. I know ridiculous. I was afraid maintenance would charge me again and I am such a cheapo. I called my super hero father and he walked me through it, so with a little bit of muscle and a lot of prayers it is finally working again.

Madison, went through the house and collected the laundry for me. Yeah, for big helpers. Sierra even switched the laundry out for me a few times, so that beast is almost tackled. Darcy, my friend invited me out for a few self portraits. I was suppose to do some of her and she was suppose to do some of me. She is such a great photographer. Confessions, I did give myself a little botox and a slight tummy tuck photoshop style but don't tell anyone.

SICK MOMMY

The apples of my cheeks feel puffed to my eye sockets. Sneezes have been my constant companion. There is definitely congestion on my chest. My daily tasks have been grossly neglected. The floor is getting less visible, laundry is starting to climb the walls, and I need to balance my finances. However, I am too run down to care too much. I got the girls and I dressed today, which felt like a monumental task. Then I took them to the library.

I mostly sat in the corner and tried to keep from looking too down trodden, (When you live in Mayberry, you know you are going to run into someone you know when you step out your front door.) while the girls scampered about collecting treasures. Sierra first attacked the DVD's and then the books. (I sighed, wishing the books were more enticing and hope some day they will be.) Madison headed straight for a stack of Dora books, collected the ones she wanted and then clinged to them like the loosening of even one small muscle would forfeit them to another book seeker. Luckily, she loosened her grip at checkout. We are allowed to check out up to forty items a visit, we checked out thirty-seven.

We came home emptied our cache on the couch, I turned on a movie, and snuck off to bed for a quick nap. I must of slept some but like most mom's with small children it is hard to fall into a deep sleep because of all your seeded fears of your children killing themselves through various means when your gaze is distracted. After a short while in bed, I dragged my body to the couch and collapsed there where I spent most of the remainder of the day.

I did walk outside to retrieve the mail momentarily and found a few goodies, a valentine from a dear friend with a picture of her family, (thanks Shelly) and two valentines from grandma. Madison kept reading hers, "Once upon a time, there were bears, E-end."

THE END OF ANOTHER SCHOOL DAY

My girls love to play on the playground after school. Luckily, we have a friend that's children like it too. Sierra's best friend to be exact. She loves this little girl and spent a long time picking out the best Valentine for her. They live in the same direction as us, so on occasion we have been able to walk too and from school together. Today, was such a beautiful day. Sigh. I love the sun and the warmth.