starting anew

Good goal. right? Really though, isn't it awesome that we have a great excuse to change our lives. It's a new year, so we can set new resolutions. i always hesitate to do these...because i don't want to be a failure.

But they say a dream without a plan is only a mere wish.

(A wish is something that you have a strong feeling for, while a dream is something that is longed and hoped for with ambitions, and a real dream will stay with you because the desire won't go away.)

i want this in concrete somewhere and some accountability, otherwise i flush it down the toilet. i'm kinda lazy like that.

my goals for 2010 social: serve others. do at least one kind act once a week. mail a card, make someone dinner, write a loving personal email...act on my thoughts.

physical: eat better, exercise. duh. this is actually hard for me though.

spiritual: read my scriptures. another struggle I don't prioritize.

mommy: spend quality time with my kids. I'm with them aaaaaaaaalllllll day long, but what quality time do I actually give them? Have weekly date nights with the hubs. again, if it's not a priority, it doesn't happen, and this is my most important relationship!

personal: don't procrastinate. i. am. horrible.

intellectual: stimulation other than the computer. read a book, sew, make cards, develop a new talent.

Wish me luck. I wish you luck with yours too. if you did it.

I'm excited for 2010. Let's get ready to ruuuuuuuuumble!!!!!

My panda princess

Another day, another dollar cute outfit!

Last night we went to dinner and took the kids.

I am NOT kidding...waitresses from other tables and cooks from the back, all came out gawking at Kambrie.

Everyone thought she was SO CUTE. duh. It was funny to get so much attention. But heck yeah we were showing her off. ☺

I felt honored.

I'm so dang lucky to be her mom.

I LOVE HER SO MUCH!

I have the cutest kids in the world!!!!!

(I always say that, and now Tanner tells that to people too.

He's dang right though :)

10 years ago began our FOREVER!

Many many, many years ago Landon was born into this world. A few years after that I joined this mortal realm too :)

We began to grow, independent of one another.

We lived on opposites sides of the country.

As we each experienced this big bad world, we had different family life, schooling, and life experiences...but one common goal we both dreamed was to find our one true companion.

We finished our respective high school's and prepared for college and adventures beyond!

While Landon was in the mission field serving as a missionary for our church, I was in the nursing field obtaining my college degree.

Upon Landon's arrival home he moved to Provo, Utah (where I was already) and attended BYU. I was at UVSC (5 minutes from each other). One summer during our college years we worked as EFY counselors and our lives were never the same after.

We met and were smitten with each other, dating every single day for 3 months until we were engaged!!

After a 2.5 month engagement we were married!!!!

10 years ago today I walked out of this temple (SLC, Utah) hand in hand with the love of my life. I knew I loved him and would have a wonderful life, but Landon has exceeded every expectation I ever had.

(yes, that is a crane in our picture. there was construction at the time)

I am so lucky I get to experience this life with such a stellar person. He makes me better. He loves me unconditionally. He has lived up to his responsibilities as a respectful and loving spouse. He puts up with my weaknesses (which happen to be his pet peeves. sucks for him). He is patient and kind. He is so funny and his laugh is contagious. He is the best Daddy EVER. He is the best husband EVER. How lucky am I. Life is totally worth living because of him!!!

We've had our "growing pains" and trials that have tested our faith, our marriage and our courage. We've only become better and stronger because of it. Our life hasn't been perfect and rosy, but we've made the best of what we've been given.

I feel so blessed.

I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives has in store for us.

Here's to ETERNITY babe!!!!!

faux pregnancy

I love my sleepy wrap.

I love looking down and seeing THIS FACE.

It's convenient.

It's comfy for Kam.

I love having her close to me.

And for a few minutes while I wear it each day I hold her tiny body and rub her bum like pregnant girls rub their belly. I pretend she's actually IN MY belly. And while that fact really doesn't matter, it's still fun to imagine this might be kind of what it's like to be pregnant. And it's amazing.

Let's get physical (Olivia Newton John)

leg warmers. check.

laziness going on. check.

music ready. check.

Let's Jazzercise baby!!

Or not.

I like chubby lazy babies!!!

Have courage!

"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

(Joshua 1:9)

The above scripture is the new theme for the

young men and young women of my church.

I love having a theme and something to focus on all year long.

I think this is a fabulous scripture to highlight and encourage the youth with!

I am teaching a lesson on it this Sunday. I made the above bookmarks for my girls and purchased these CD's HERE that specifically go with the theme.

(it's a GREAT CD and I highly encourage anyone serving in YW to get it)

I think the youth of these days are amazing.

They ARE courageous

and with the values that we profess in our religion, sometimes they have to stand alone. As a teenager in a high school full of kids who are critical and judgemental,

sometimes that is

NOT

easy.

I'm so proud of the young women I get to serve. I'm grateful they are valiant and pray that they will continue to have COURAGE to stand a little taller, to be a little better, and to serve the Lord faithfully!

Another good supplemental talk is HERE by our prophet,

President Monson.

Now THIS is what I call snow!

Monday school was out due to this:

That was a pretty lame snowfall. But this morning, I woke up to THIS.

SNOW! real snow! It felt like home. But then came the decision to do something about it or not...so I thought I would make an effort to shovel and after 15 minutes I was wiped. Maybe I'll finish later. Or maybe not.

we like chubby cheeks round here

Totally cracking up. Kambrie's birthmom wanted us to watch this...it reminds her of Kambrie!! Too funny!!

LOVE those cheeks. Then Tanner and I started watching more kid clips and I am dying over this one. I can't believe this kid knows the words to this song...good thing he doesn't know what the heck he's really singing about!!! (Flo Rida)

HB sista

If ya know my sister, give her a shout out.

This is her last year in her 20's...ah! What a moment to relish.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTA!!

I hope you have a fabulous day.

LOVE YOU!!

seriously...just tu tu cute!

The princess's fortress

It's not complete yet. I have a little more organizing and decorating to do. But for now, it's sufficient!

In the future I'll really miss...

days when I find things like this!!!