Happy

I've been trying to think of a way to recap the last year and a half. As a family, we've been through a lot. There have been exciting times and boring times, stressful times and relaxing times, hard times and easy times ... I think you get it. :) I would like to make a list of all the things we've done (just for fun) and post it, but that takes too much brain power for a midnight post. So, I thought of a way to recap everything in a word... HAPPY! I am so proud to report that through it all, thick and thin, I've been so happy!! Life is so great! When I think of what's really important, it is very easy for me to be happy. The unfair, confusing, and mundane aspects of life seem to quickly fall by the wayside and I am uplifted by all of the wonderful things that I have. Even though life gets hectic and I lose my cool every once in a while, it's really easy to come back to happy when there are so many good things around me. Here are some pictures that I found that show me being happy. I rarely post pictures of myself, so this is a little out of my comfort zone... I'm 100% sure that I am the LEAST photogenic person that I have ever met

Easter '10

Disneyland Oct. '10 Who isn't happy at D-land on "It's a Small World"? My friend snapped this picture when she lovingly photographed our family at an impromptu 'Christmas Card' photoshoot. Todd's been making me laugh for the last 12 1/2 years... it's impossible not to be happy when you live with this guy! Here is a brief list of things that make me happy every day... 5 Kids that wake up happy every morning 5 kids that love to snuggle 1 husband that might be the hardest worker I know A Clean Kitchen (or entire house when possible) Studying the Scriptures and other Doctrine Teaching (institute, primary, or regular ol' mom-teaching :) Watching my children learn things Family Dinner Together every night Tucking my kids in bed

The list could go on and on... there are millions of things in my life that I have to be thankful for, but these are my favorites. These are the things that keep me going day in and day out.

If life is treating you unfairly and it's hard to be happy, make your own list. Start simple, write down things that make you happy that actually happen regularly. Leave out things like romantic walks on the beach, breakfast in bed, and shopping with no budget. Focus on the things that you do and have everyday that are wonderful. If we spend time thinking of all of the things that we wish we had, we lose sight of what's right in front of us. If we focus on the things that we "didn't get done" we forget about all of the wonderful things that the Lord blesses us with the strength to do everyday. There were times in my life when this list would've looked very different. That's ok... there's a time and a season for everything! There are always positive things to find even in the most crazy times!!!

I am thankful that I am able to find so much joy in motherhood. There is nothing else that I would rather do...

Life isn't perfect, but it sure is awesome!!

Is Anyone There?!

Wow! It's been too long... Life over the last year and a half has afforded me no time to blog. In a way I am sad about it because all of the things that have happened have been 'undocumented'. Blogging is my best method of 'journaling' and I haven't been doing it, so I tend to feel like a failiure. As soon as I start to feel that way though, I come back to reality... I realize that the things I have been doing are WAY more important... and then I'm ok with it. I'm over it!! I have pictures and memories (which I need to write down) and I don't have to feel bad anymore!! That being said... I LOVE to blog... I LOVE to write... I LOVE to share, so I want to blog. I am just going to pretend like I didn't skip a year and a half and start again. No hard feelings! :) So, if you're out there... reading this, let me know! It's interesting to find out if anybody is still paying attention to my stale blog. Also, if you are paying attention, I hope you are pleased with what you see from here on out...

More Old Posts...

I have got to change the way I am keeping my blog!! I'm having major issues...

1. I am still trying to catch up from all of the stuff I didn't post for the last year.
2. I am trying to post things in chronological order.
3. I am waiting to post current events until all the old stuff is done.

NONSENSE!!! I am wasting time... I am just going to post things in random order. I want to document all of our life's major/fun happenings and I don't care what order they're in anymore!! So, happy reading... I hope to be caught up soon and then stay that way... wish me luck!!!

Easter 2010

We had a wonderful Easter this year!!

It was awesome because we were able to spend a lot of time together as a family.

Easter this year was also special because it was on General Conference weekend. It made for a really special spiritual experience to go along with the festivities. I have fond memories of Easter being on the same Sunday as General Conference a few times when I was a kid and it was so cool!

We had an Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma Mac's after Conference on Sunday.

We also had another Easter celebration the next day with the Breinholts,

but I forgot the camera that day :/

Here we are coloring eggs to leave for the Easter Bunny to hide at our house!

And this is a picture of the kids (- Spencer?) at the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Golfland. We have gone there for the last couple years. I highly recommend it to anyone with little kids... For $1 the kids get to see the Easter Bunny and run around and play and find as many eggs as they want. They love it!!

Take a Hike!!

Todd has taken Chansey and Eathan hiking a few times in the past. I have never been able to go because of being pregnant or sick (LAME!)

So, even though it was a long time ago, I wanted to post about the time that we took our whole family to hike South Mountain. We went during Thanksgiving break of '09... like I said, it was a long time ago, but I just found the pictures!

This was a fun cave that we found that the kids loved climbing in... poor things with the sun in their eyes while I am trying to snap a picture!

We had so much fun!! We laughed and played, walked and ran, sat awhile and ate snacks, and just enjoyed each other's company. The weather was beautiful so that made it extra nice! Sophie was even there... what a trooper in her "Baby Bjorn" (Best invention ever!) No complaints out of any of the kids (or adults :)

The weather is starting to break from miserable now, so I hope we have many more outings like this in the near future. (And I hope I can write about them before 10 months later :)

Phoenix Zoo

When the weather is nice, our family LOVES going to the zoo.

We have even bought annual passes many years in a row.

My kids never get tired of seeing the animals. Me, on the other hand, I like seeing them, but

if I get very close, I get a weird chill up my spine complete with full-body goose bumps...

I don't love big animals.

Maybe my kids love seeing the animals because they are deprived since we refuse to have pets...?!

No matter the reason, they love getting up close and personal with the animals...

I found these pictures of the last time we went...

no fear here....

Up-close and personal

Four monkeys... (HAHA!)

My kids love the weird metal animal that looks real, they always want a picture on it...

so we obliged.
(p.s. I think it is call an oryx?)

Over the river and through the woods...

... to Grandmother's house we go!!

Ok, so we just drive on the freeway, no river, no woods.

But it is still so fun to go to Grandma's house.

I am so glad that my kids have fun memories of times they spend with their grandparents.

I only knew one of my grandmas... my other grandma and both grandpas passed away before I was born. And most of my memories with my grandma were when I was really little so they aren't too vivid. She was sick for a lot of my life. So, I rely on other peoples' stories and pictures to remember my grandparents.

My kids though... they have a different story. We usually see one or both of the grandparents every week. And they have a blast every time they go to see them...

here's the proof...

Some cousins and aunt Dee just chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all-cool at gma Mac's.

When it's just us a grandma Marilyn's, the kids get to do whatever they want... horses, trampoline, games, root beer floats,... you name it!!

So FUN!!!

UNFORGETTABLE!!!