love this quote I found today.

We need to teach our daughters to distinguish between a man that flatters her and a man that compliments her. A man that spends money on her and a man that invests in her. A man that views her as property and a man that views her properly. A man that lusts after her and a man that loves her. A man that believes he is God's gift to women and a man that remembers a woman was God's gift to man.. Author unknown.

remembering 9-11

I was 18, a couple weeks into my first semester at Utah State University. I woke up and was beginning my normal routine of getting ready for the day. I turned on the radio and heard the person on the radio say something about what was happening, I went into the living room of my apartment and turned on the Today show just in time to see the second plane hit the 2nd Tower. I was shocked, and called in my roommates. That day was spent on campus watching it all unfold. For the first time in my life I didn't feel safe and was uncertain as to what all this meant. I felt like crying, How could this happen? How could someone have so much hate with in them? I listened intently to President Bush in his speech that he gave a couple days later, feeling a sense of hope for the future, and a new level of patriotism. I still today sing the national anthem differently. This experience also confirmed to me Gods plan for us. I wish I could share the sense of Peace I felt with all those who lost a loved one, that I know God lives and that if we live righteously we will see our loved ones again. I hope to have the privilege one day of meeting, and shaking the hands of those brave first responders, and the brave service men and women that sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms. To say thank you is not enough. Your are my heroes. May God bless you.

my room

My final project of the summer was to put my room together. The last couple years my room has been black pink and white. It was time for a change.  Just about a year ago I picked up a black and white comforter from Ikea with the thoughts of changing the color scheme, but I hadn't decided exactly what to do. I had thought about doing yellow and gray and at one point had even bought yellow curtains, but the apartment I was living in at the time didn't allow curtains to be hung so I scratched that idea.
  I decided to do Gray, a Teal-ish color and a deep red-violet color thrown in here and there as an accent color. I'm really liking how its turned out.
 Earlier this summer I painted my dressers white as well as my mirror.  However I felt like it was too much white and since I can't paint the walls currently, the mirror got painted to add a splash of color
 I was able to reuse all my old pillow forms which saved me some money.  The big gray pillow took the longest but I like how it turned out. (I had seen a similar pillow at target and decided to try it out myself.)
 Here are some pics.
 
 

quote of the day

"Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back as soon as he misses your call, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the man who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world in jeans and a t-shirt, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you are just as pretty without makeup on. One who makes you want to be a better person. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have YOU... The one who turns to his friends and says, "that's her"...

Came across this quote today.. love it!!  Good thing to live by i think.

CaTCHiNG uP

  Hey all!  A lot has happened since last I caught everyone up to date (other than the post I did yesterday).  In June I made the decision to move back to Brigham City. It was a hard decision for me and continues to be. I've always been an independent person and I've enjoyed the last 2 years being away with just me and my kids.  But being away has brought on more stress, and less time with my kids. So, to be more present in my kids lives instead of just a couple hours a day, I took my parents up on their offer to live at home.  This way I only will work a couple days a week while my kids are in school.  I have felt like this was a giant step back when I've worked so hard to make it on my own.. But its what is best for my kids.. THis is what I keep telling myself. SMiles all around...
   So as I mentioned this summer was a busy one and I'm glad I was able to be apart of everything.  Moving back I've been able to reconnect with some friends from high school.  Every few weeks we would get together for a play date.  We would let our kids play and us girls would sit and talk and catch up. This was nice for me, to be able to have adult conversation, but it was also nice for my kids to have other kids to play with. Wish I would have taken some pictures... but we all know I'm not so great at that... I'll work on it.
   This summer in between all the craziness we did do some fun things with the kids. We went to the dinosaur park, and the zoo, swimming and to the movies.  The kids also got to spend some time at their dads.  They were excited to be a part of Joe (their dad) and Britany's wedding.
      School has started back up.  Camden is in first grade. Can you believe it cause I can't.  His teacher is Mrs. Ulsh.  He loves it.  He thinks he's big enough to walk to school himself. (such a long way.. across the street) So today I stood on the step as he walked without me. Not sure I'm ready for that.  BreLeigh is in kindergarten. She goes in the afternoon, which gives her plenty of time in the morning to change her outfits as often as she likes.. and she does... usually at least 4 times before she settles on one. I need to take pictures of each outfit just to document it.  I made her some headbands, since she thinks she should do her hair, they make it easier for her to accessorize. She's already lost one.  Camden is doing a lot better with his reading. I finally found some books that are short and not to hard for him and now he seems to enjoy it. Before it was a struggle.  The books I got are called BOB's books.  BreLeigh has is now starting to read them too.  Today she had to take one of the books and show her teacher she can read it.  So cute.
   Maybe now that I'm not working all the time I'll have time to update this more so its not every 6 months.  I must say that as much as I miss living on my own, I've loved being able to be home with my kids.. so it really has been a good decision..
Here are this summers pics..  enjoy.

Summer of Projects and Weddings.

This summer has been crazy! We literally had something going on every weekend. We started the summer with Stephanie and Josue's wedding.  And I must say, my family puts on a great wedding :)  Caramie was the designer, and it was beautiful!!! I did Steph's hair and makeup for the event.  Their photographer was amazing! She captured everything beautifully. (check her out at nicolespixiedust.blogspot.com) 
The week before the wedding I had to sand down and re-stain the deck. My parents bought some new stain at Home Depot that they thought didn't require sanding.  So Josue stained the deck for them using that new stain. Well in half the deck the stain was never completely absorbed and there was a sticky residue, so since I had just moved home (that's right folks.. I'm back in with my parents...) I got the "privilege" of sanding it down and doing it all over again.   It took me 3 days on my hands and knees with a hand sander to get it all off.  And because it was still so tacky, I went through a piece of the roughest sand paper every 2 minutes.  And when I was almost done my dad found some stripper.  Putting the stain on after that was easy and I did that in one afternoon.   The day before the wedding Stephanie and I waxed my dad's old Studebaker. So even though its old and rusty.. the color that was on it was shinny.  We had so many people comment on how pretty the day was and they loved that car.
Here are a few pics.. and by a few I mean 32... considering between engagements, Bridals, and that day there were well over 1000 pictures taken..

The following week was their open house in provo. We got to take part in some Mexican traditions, and it was a lot of fun. The next week Matt and Caramie and her mom and sister moved out of their house into a condo. Then Sadie received her endowments, the next weekend was Tyler and Sadie's wedding in Provo and that too, was Beautiful.
The following weekend was the open house here in Brigham that I got put in charge of since, I was the only one that didn't have anything else going on.  My Dad and I built a cute wall that doubled as a photo booth.  Matt and Caramie did the stenciling after I painted the wall pink. I made about 30 tissue paper flowers that we hung from Shepard hooks and the tree. I must have been crazy because not only did I do the Brides hair and makeup, I did the flower arrangements and made a cake... Thankfully, I did have help. Thank you Caramie and Linda
  Next we had a family reunion at the Brigham City Pool. Then the family trip to Bear Lake, a couple other wedding receptions to attend, Moved Matt and Caramie and their family out to Nebraska (that was a long drive! But I'm glad I was able to go out and help). Came home from that and registered Camden and BreLeigh for school.  I can't believe my kids are old enough to both be in school.   We ended the summer on a sad note with the passing of my moms sister. 
Bear Lake was a lot of fun. Nick and Steph weren't able to go because they were in Hawaii, but we did have Brennan, Braydon, and Emma.  Emma only wanted Grandma and Grandpa... mostly just Grandpa.  The kids would wake up early and they'd all come sit in bed with me.. I'd like to say it was because they just love me but it was really only because I was on the sofa sleeper in the living room, where the tv was. Haha I didn't mind.  
The first day we were there it was pretty rainy, but it did clear up later in the afternoon so we were able to spend a couple hours at the beach. Kurt and Kathy joined us at the condo. They got rained out at their campsite, but luckily were able to rent one of the condos next to us.  The rest of the time we had great weather and we spent the time finding sea shells, building sand castles, tubing, and playing games.
 After all of the events, just when my mom thought she was going to be able to relax,  we all had a project that needed to be done. Matt and Caramie had furniture that they painted and things to do to get ready for their move, Rylee brought her finds, and I had a few projects as well.  
About a year ago I got a head and foot-board  from the D.I. for Bre for $10! This summer I finally got it finished. I also repainted a couple dressers for Camden, a head and foot-boared I found for him on KSL for $15, a old night stand, and a dresser off of KSL for Bre ($50), a dresser that nick gave me, and a dresser set my cousins gave me (free) and a few picture frames.  I didn't take before pictures like I should have but I'll take some after photos when I get it all set up.
This summer we've gone through a few gallons of paint, emptied the DI's supply of picture frames, and went through probably close to 50 cans of spray paint. :)  GOOD times!  Pics coming soon.. promise

up date

So I say this every time I finally get around to updating my blog.. but I'm really not good at this. :o) Been thinking lately maybe I should just scrap it all together but where's the fun in that right?

But to catch you up...
In August I got a job at the Sherman Kendall Academy (a beauty school) as an instructor. I enjoy it for the most part, although I do miss being behind the chair doing hair.
Camden started kindergarten! And he's doing so well. I cried the first day I dropped him off. He's come a long way since the beginning of the year. His teacher says he's a big helper. But he definitely has his days where he's a stinker.
BreLeigh is the the Pre-Kindergarten class at daycare and is doing really well. She's taking a ballet Class and C&C ballet company and loves it. I'll post the video from there Christmas concert.
Camden and BreLeigh spent Halloween and Thanksgiving at their dads and had a great time there playing with their cousins.
Christmas was spent at my parents house in Brigham City. We went up the week of the 18th for a birthday party for those with birthday's in December. (Mom, Dad, BreLeigh and Hadlee) I ended up having some back issues and was laid up for the week so we ended up spending a whole 2 weeks there. Nick and Steph came down with the boys and Emma, Steph and her now fiance Josue, Tyler and his now Fiance Sadie, Matt and Caramie and their family were all there. And we all had tons of fun together.
And now its March and we're looking forward to a great spring and 2 weddings this summer. Congrats to Stephanie and Josue who will be getting married in June as well as Tyler and Sadie who will be getting married in July.

With some friends at Alaina's Wedding

Camden's Birthday. Playing heavy heavy hang over

Camden's Batman Birthday Cake

BreLeigh's Dance Class

Some Fun at Temple Square

Birthday Party at Grandmas

Christmas!!