My son Tage, Happy 11th Birthday!

Here it is, another birthday. Another one of my children getting older. 11 years ago today this joy of a boy came into my life, and it has been better ever since. There has never been a more handsome boy, with the biggest eyes and the most contagious laugh and smile. I can't really put into words all that I feel in my heart on this day. I look at these pictures and my joy over my son is definitely bittersweet. So happy with the young man he is growing up to be, but missing my sweet, little bubby.  Sad that he grew up so fast. Wishing I could go back, even for a day. I am so blessed to have this wonderful son of mine!!!

Here he is, 11 years old. So handsome. What a lucky mom I am. Happy Birthday Tage! I call you one of my greatest blessings!!! I love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living (and even after!)  my baby you'll be. Mom.

Being a Young Woman....

 On saturday night me and celine had the opportunity along with all of our young woman to go up to the YW General Broadcast at the conference center. I had been in there once, for like a second, but have never been to an event there before. It was inspiring to see 21,000 young woman and their moms and leaders fill up this beautiful room. I felt so blessed to be a part of something so big and amazing!!! To know, that at that moment, all around the world, young woman were gathering to watch. It was beautiful. We heard from the General Young Woman president and both of her counselors, and then our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson spoke. When him and his counselors walked into the room to be seated, everyone stood up and was silent. The sprit in that room was overwhelming. To be in the same room with our beloved prophet, the feeling was amazing. And at the end, when all of us there sang the closing song together, that many voices together was awesome. The feelings of how blessed I was were so powerful and I was so grateful that I chose to attend, because of course there was a thousand other things I wanted to be doing on my saturday night and afternoon.  Thomas S. Monson had my favorite quotes: here is two of them,
1. Every cinderella has her midnight.
2. Life by the yard is hard, but a cinch by the inch.
He is so great!!!! I love his humor and his wisdom. I have such a strong testimony of the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. I know it is true. I know my Savior lives, I know Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet. My life is changed for the better because of this gospel.  I am so glad I got to be there with celine. She is a strong, amazing youth, just like so many other youth I know! We have an incredible generation of youth and I am so glad I get to work in the YW organization. No matter what other calling I have in the church, a part of my heart will always be in YW.

Tagged! by Jenessa

I haven't been tagged in forever!!! I used to love getting tagged! Thanks Jenessa!

First: post a pix of yourself.
This is me!! ;)

Second: post 11 random things about myself.
1. I hate, hate, hate touching raw meat.
2. I never trust my cooking when I have to cook for people besides my family.
3. I always look forward to my birthdays.
4. Most of the time I still feel like a 17 year old.
5. I only brush my teeth with hot water.
6. I read every day. Without fail.
7. Hamburger, fries and a diet dr pepper is probably my favorite meal.
8. I hate being breathed on.
9. My secret dream is to write a book someday.
10. I want to shave all my hair off and only use wigs.
11. I have my own blankie that I sleep with.

Third: answer questions that Jenessa posted for me.

1.How many kids did you want before marriage? How many do you want now?

I always wanted 4 kids as long as I could remember. But as soon as I got pregnant with my 3rd, I knew I was done, and I have never changed my mind since.

2. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, tage will be coming home from a mission hopefully, aliah will be getting ready to graduate high school hopefully, and celine will be married hopefully and I will be a grandma hopefully!!! I see me in this same house, maybe going back to school. I see me happy.

3. What is your dream day?

Wake up with the sun shining and close to a beach. Lay on a chair in the sun with kaleb and the kids playing in the water close by and me reading a good book with a diet dr pepper. Go to ruths chris for dinner with a group of friends, then me and kaleb end the night going to a jazz game that they win, preferably to the lakers. On the way home stop at The Melting Pot for some chocolate fondue. Fall asleep to kaleb scratching my back. 

4.Bacon or French Fries?

French Fries. No question.

5. Is 3D ever worth it?

no, I am not a fan of the 3D!

6.Gerard Butler or Channing Tatum?

While they are both quite attractive, ;) I would have to say Gerard. I like my men a little rough around the edges.

7. Greatest lesson you have learned til now.

Wow. this ones hard. there are so many.

But I would have to say, figure out the people that are  most important in your life, and then do all you can to always keep them in your life. They are the ones that will always be there. And these are the ones that you will never give up on, and will never give up on you.

8. What is your biggest fear?

Ironically, living forever.

9. If you would change your name, what would it be?

Metta World Peace. :) ( if you get that I applaud you!)

10. What is your favorite thing about you?

I love to have fun!

11. Why is Jenessa amazing?

:)  in so many ways! but to name a few: she is determined, she is brave, she is FUN!

Fail

If we were graded on living life, I think I would be getting a big F right about  now. I feel like I am failing life. I especially feel like I am failing at being a parent. Why is raising kids so hard? Why is getting them to do what is right so hard? Why is being a parent so hard? Money is hard. Cleaning my house is hard. Waking up in the morning is hard. :) I was so sure this was going to be a good year! And yet, it is a good year. When I stop to count all of my blessings, I am blessed beyond what I deserve. It is a fault of mine that I don't handle the downs of life too well. I need to toughen up!!! But will someone tell me how to raise this 8 year old daughter of mine who is getting more strong willed and stubborn by the day?? She is my 3rd child, you think I would have this down by now. But each one is so different.  

I need to live by THIS ^ quote every day. There is something beautiful in every moment if you can just look for it.  Hopefully soon I can promote myself to a higher grade, I can do this. I can do hard things!

Beauty is Pain

My latest adventure....lashes!!! My best friend val needed to take her test to get certified and I volunteered to be her model!!! It took about 3 hours, I have 86 lashes in one eye and 92 in the other. It was more uncomfortable then I thought it would be, and my eyes are super bruised and sensitive today, I couldn't even wear my contacts. But, I think I might love them! We will see if it is worth to keep them up, or if this is just a fun thing I got to try once! These photos were all taken on photo booth, and they are horrible, but at least you can see my lashes! :)

Life, as I know it

Here is hoping that spring is just around the corner, the sunshine was awesome today and made me feel happier than I have in a while. I love it. I survived my 8 and a half days without kaleb. I am so glad he is home! He had lots of fun and only a few minor injuries.

 Crash 1:  Broken wrist? Sprained? We are not sure, still trying to get him to get X-rays. 

 Crash 2: slid on the gravel, this bruise is about 3 times the size now and black. It is awful. You should see his pants, completely shredded!!!

 Much to celines dismay I attended bring your parents to school day, but I only had lunch with her and I only embarrassed her a little. :) I ate school lunch and everything, not too terrible. Its so interesting to go to the jr. high, and makes me so glad I am not there!!!

 Got to have a night out with my girls while kaleb was gone. We ate at texas roadhouse and then went and saw This means war. So fun!! I love the time I get to spend with them, they are the best!!!

I am glad february is over and march is here. Hopefully winter is over. I am looking forward to all the beautiful weather in the near future!!