Just Because...

I love positive quotes and inspirational messages, especially those that center around the gospel. They are motivational and encouraging. I have a few quotes around the girl's rooms but I would like to make more. And put them wherever the girls may see them or come in contact with it, even if it's just them passing it by in the hall or a sign up in the bathroom that they will see everyday .

My mom had a few quotes and things around the house when we were growing up and I always enjoyed reading them from time to time. It would help me to remember to make the right choice if I was faced with a temptation. The more we have in our home that is focused on gospel principles, and on Christ I think will help kids remember who they are, where they come from and help them to find joy in the journey as well as having a brighter and more positive attitude. At least that is the hope I have, as I believe it helped me tremendously in my life growing up, as I would have extremely hard days and felt useless, helpless, discourage, afraid, or thoughts that no one cared. But then I would walk by something like this and it made me pause and remember again who I was and what I had been taught and life didn't seem so bad. 

I thought I would share just a few (ok, more like 20) of my favorites,

 just because....

Once there was a Snowman...

We had a beautiful snow day in the middle of January and Emily wanted to play outside in it. She asked me in a really sweet voice, "Mommy will you play with me outside?" 

How could I refuse!?

So we bundled all up then we both realized we had to go potty, so we took it all off! Then we bundled up again! :)

The snow was perfect for building a snowman. It wasn't too wet or to flaky it wouldn't stick together. Emily rolled the head and I rolled the body. Putting the middle section on was actually really tough! It was SO heavy! Probably 80 pounds of water. But I finally got it up with lots of groaning and heaving. Emily and I found branches for arms, stones for a face and stones for buttons and of course a carrot nose, oh so cute!

She wanted him to have a hat so this was the only hat I could find...he's a Texan. 

Thanks Emily for a fun morning! 

My New Toy

I have always wanted a nice camera every since Madisen was born. But we always seemed to have other things come up that took priority over a camera. Well Ryan surprised me this year and bought me one! It is a Rebel T5i and I have loved using it! I have learned some things about it through videos and reading the book about it, but there is so much more to learn and practice with. So I have a fun hobby to look forward to... when I have time to concentrate on it. I only have Mondays, and Fridays now to myself.

(Back in October I picked a few cleaning jobs, then I got another cleaning job in December and this month through word of mouth I added 2 more cleaning jobs! So now I am working about 8-9 hours a week cleaning on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I clean 2 offices, and 3 homes. I like cleaning and the pay is great, so it's a win, win! :))

Anyway, I am excited about my camera. I have already started using for everything...curious husbands, happy children, drawings of our family, and of course, a few selfies! ;)

Thanks Ryan for the camera!!

New Year's Sleigh Day

On New Years Day a big group of us from the ward got together and went sledding. We had such a great time! We built a fire pit and roasted hot dogs and had hot chocolate. The families that came were the Adams, Finch's, Hunter's, Bairds', Rees's, and Kings.

Within the first 5 minutes we were there Avery was walking across the snow with her sled and someone was coming down the hill and slammed into her. Her feet went up in the air and she landed on her shoulder/head! It was so freaky and I panicked and ran for her. She was crying but luckily she was ok, just shaken up a bit. I think it knock the wind out of her. Poor thing! She was a little hesitant to sled after that I think. 

We were so surprised by Madisen! She would come barreling down the hill so fast I seriously thought she was going to crash and break something. But she didn't. She remained in control(how? I don't know!) of the sled the whole way down everytime she went. I'll admit I was scared for her life and I closed my eyes several times. She would just laugh and laugh. Everyone kept saying, for a quiet girl she sure has a daring side! I had no idea! Her friend, Hannah Baird came too. Madison is 2 years older, but Hannah's very tall for her age and has a good 2 inches on Madisen! :)

It's hard to tell in the pictures but the hill was steeper than it looks. I only went down one time. I really like sledding, but it doesn't like me...Having 4 kids is rough on the old bladder! ;) haha.