a whole lotta pictures

Kloe and I have been experimenting quite a bit with the camera lately. Here's proof!






So I didn't get pictures of the kids on the actual blessing day and Mitch is growing SO FAST that I decided to take some snap shots before he grew out of his handsome outfit. They weren't the best pictures, but I would rather have some than none. Well yesterday my sister in law called and wanted to know if I still wanted her to take their pictures, so we have even more. Enjoy!

My favs

Lately I've been writing with one of these-a retractable fine point Sharpie. Not only do I love the smell, I love how it writes. You should try it; you might become addicted. (hopefully not because of the smell)
I began using this 20 Mule Team Borax when my towels started smelling like musty grossness. I add a half cup to each load and ta-da, it works like a charm.

Last, but not least...This shampoo and conditioner were recommended to me by a crazy (she proceeded to butch me while telling me about her lactating problems) hair stylist about a year ago. Usually I don't "buy" into their schemes because my hair seemed like a lost cause and they usually rip me off, but she told me I could bring back empty bottles if I didn't like it and get a full refund. I'm so glad I tried it. It makes my hair soft and at least feel healthy. I'm not sure what kinds of hair it's recommended for, but I bet it would do miracles on most. It's kind of expensive, but considering I used two big bottles in one year (one of each), it's probably not much more than the Pantene I used to use. I just buy mine at the salon in Wal-Mart, but I've seen it in other salons. You should DEFINITELY give this stuff a shot! (Redkin All Soft)
Maybe if I actually did something with my hair after washing it with this stuff, I could be a spokeswoman for Redkin! Nah. I'd rather be a stay at home mom.

Mitch's Blessing

Mitch was blessed by his dad on February 6, 2011 in Paul, Idaho.

In Love

This movie is going to be added to my movie collection soon. If you haven't seen it, you need to. Love, love, love it!

Twins

Does anyone else think they look extremely similar?

Happy days

A little piece of heaven.

Good Times

Sometimes I forget what life used to be like. This past weekend was a good reminder.
Isn't this what life's about?!
We missed everyone who couldn't make it, but enjoyed those who could. Thanks for coming!

We blessed Mitch on Sunday. Great day. I love my ward. Those who stood in the circle:
Jesse, Steve, Steve, Steven, Ryan, Dad, Nathan Firth, Aaron Firth, Doyle Brower
More pictures to come...

Sometimes I wonder...

...how I got this girl
Who:

scarfs down multiple bowls of salad daily
is entertained for hours with puzzles
says pants are for when we go to the mountains
dances shamelessly whenever and wherever she hears music
begs to be video taped
has golden wisps and bright blue eyes
kisses her cat
can't wait to help clean the bathroom
taught herself how to navigate Netflix
will not go to bed if she hasn't done her "homework" yet
begs to watch State Fair, Oklahoma and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
can't wait for Sunbeams and Family Home Evening each week
applies lip gloss constantly and perfectly
accuses me of "sabotaging" her with a chimichanga
says her waist hurts when she needs to go #2
gets on her knees to pray in the night when she's scared
refers to her brown boots as "mean and nasty"
carries on meaningful conversations with adults
would rather eat Special K than Fruit Loops
knows each and every step of the reloading process
points out anyone who isn't dressed modest
is offended if the wash cloths aren't left for her to fold and put away

And then I remember...Heavenly Father knows everything. I'm so lucky. I love this girl. She's my opposite. She's my best friend. She's the best example. She's good. She's pure. She is adventurous. She's my little helper. She's creative. She's smart. She's brave. She's compassionate. And best of all....she's MINE.

Fighters

I really shouldn't be blogging right now. I have a million things to do, but I can't get these two guys off my mind:

John Firth

Jay Spratling.

What do these guys have in common? Both of these men are my good friends, both were at my wedding, both are farmers, both are honorable Priesthood bearers, and both are fighting a horrible disease known as cancer.

Let me tell you about the two of them:

I met John through Jesse. He was Jesse's Priesthood leader when he moved to Idaho as a teenager. He would take Jesse to his family ranch and let him hike around and shoot ground squirrels and coyotes (heaven to Jesse). We have stayed in touch with them since our engagement and their family has invited us to do many things with them. We have spent Christmas Eve with them, gone to their cabin dozens of times, boating, snow mobiling, hiking and much more. He treats Kloe like the daughter/granddaughter he's never had, always making her his special soda and having a bag of chips for her whenever we would go to their house. Their family has always been so good to us. When we moved to Paul, we were lucky enough to find a house that happened to be in their ward (the same ward Jesse moved into when he was younger.) John made sure we had a washer and dryer, came over and fixed our hot water heater twice, and gave us a leather couch. He's one of the most dependable people I know. He loves to help others, is valiant in his home teaching and church callings, and works harder than anyone I know. I guess the word that describes John best, is dedicated. We are so thankful for his friendship, testimony and example.

I don't recall when I first met Jay, but I've known his family for quite some time. We were in the same stake all my growing up years. His wife went to Girls' Camp and his parents served as Stake Missionaries in our branch when I was in young womens. His nieces are some of my friends; his youngest son is my age. I wouldn't say I directly knew him until I was in my late teens. When I came home from my first semester of college, he was my Branch President in the singles branch. The thing I love about Jay the most, other than the fact that he comes from the best family in the world, is that he is always giving people a hard time. I can always appreciate someone with a good sense of humor. He's committed, hard working, and easy to talk to. He and his wife are some of my favorite people on earth.

I hope and pray that these guys will be healthy again. I don't know what Heavenly Father has in store for them, but I do know one thing- they're fighters and I'm routing for them.

New Look

Grandma Juanita made these for Kloe and Hannah. As my dad would say...Saweeeet!

Story #1 Earlier this week we moved the big bed out of Kloe's room and put her toddler bed back in hopes that she would start sleeping by herself in it. She has been doing alright most nights-the second and third night she lasted until 5:30 AM. Saturday night Jesse had told her that he would sleep next to her on the floor, and had even gotten his sleeping bag out and put it next to her bed. Well...he was on call and ended up getting called out and Kloe was bummed, so I told her she could sleep with me. (Good consistent parenting, I know.) But I felt bad for her. So she comes and lays next to me and says, "Mom, I feel guilty." :)

Story #2 Yesterday I made Kloe lunch and set it on the table in front of her. She looks up at me and says, "Mom, don't try to sabotage me."

Story #3 This morning I told Kloe, "I'm so proud of you for sleeping in your bed for so long last night!" Her reply, "I'm so glad you slept most of the night. You can put a sticker on my chart if you want!"

The darndest things

A while ago we were at my mom's and Kloe came in and sat on the livingroom floor and started sobbing so I asked her what was wrong. Her reply, "It's my heart." I asked, "What about your heart?!" Kloe: "It's just not affectionate and has no courage." !!!!!!!!!! :)

Christmas

At our ward party 12.22.10

Since I couldn't go too far for Christmas, my sister-in-law invited me to their family party on Christmas Eve. Most of her family is in my ward, so I felt comfortable going and it was just down the road at our church so I figured I was safe if I did go into labor. The theme for the party was The Grinch so everyone was supposed to dress up as who's. Unfortunately I had absolutely nothing that fit so I was exempt. We had a good dinner, followed by games, a talent show and finally the live nativity put on by the kids. Kloe made herself at home and joined her cousin as an angel in the nativity. We had a fun time!