two mama's I ♥ dearly

This past week I got to spend time with two mama's that I love so much:

My mom,

and Kambrie's birth-mom.

We really wanted to see Lindsay because we haven't seen her since Kam's birth, and I really wanted my mom to meet her...so I arranged it that when my mom came out to visit we would pick her up from the airport and then go visit Lindsay.

(since she lived close to the airport which is several hours from our house)

We made the plans and everything turned out great.

We had fun hanging out, exchanging gifts, and eating at Chevys where I almost got wasted...they gave me an alcoholic beverage! I specifically said VIRGIN pina colada but apparently the waitress didn't hear me. I thought the drink tasted funny...good thing we got it straightened out. I wasn't too eager to get drunk that evening. ☺ We've really missed Lindsay. People wonder why we wanted to see her...

let me try to explain.

I am soooooooo in love with my daughter. Lindsay gave me the greatest gift I could ask for, so how could I not LOVE her in return and want to get to know her better, spend time with her and have a relationship with the person that made my dreams a reality. The more we know about Lindsay, the more we can answer questions for and about Kambrie. My daughter is part of her and because of that I feel an undeniable connection to her, and Tanner's birthmom as well. I am genuinely concerned about them and view them kind of like a long lost sister. I want to know what's happening in their lives and watch their future unfold. I feel like I owe them the world!!

I would do anything for our birth-moms.

They repaired my broken heart and I have happiness every day in my life now. It's because of THEM I get to hug and kiss two beautiful angels who are in my life forever!! It's all I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed and longed for. I had such an ache for so long because children were a distant mirage and a HOPE I could only plead for...but now I pray in gratitude every day because of my beautiful birthmom's, for literally placing my dreams from their arms to mine.

If you chance to meet

a frown, do not let it stay...quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away.

Having a bad day? We all have them. No one likes a frowny face. Change it for a smile!

Even if you have to FORCE it on that sad face of yours...change it!! You'll feel better. ☺

more please

I wish every day was a watermelon day!!

TODAY

♥

What are you loving today?

**I am lo lo lo loving Kam's boogs, drool and goobers that she keeps wiping from her face to mine...because that means we are snuggling face to face and

giving LOTS of

kisses.

It also means I HAVE BABY.

Yes, some days I am still in shock that this little princess is in my arms and me, imperfect ME, gets to be her mom.

** I am loving my cold Dr Pepper and cookies from Subway.

They make it so you have to buy 3 because that's the better deal.

Double chocolate chip, gooey and perfect. DELISH.

And how bad is it if I eat all three in the same day!!??

actually, don't answer

**I always love Lady Antebellum, but especially today. I am crafting and I just keep listening to their acoustic songs on replay. They are SO AMAZING. Listen to that pure perfection in their voices.

I love that this weekend I get to have my mom come visit!!!!

i love my fabulous mama

I love that the next weekend we get to play in Philadelphia.

I love that the weekend after that I get to see Landon's family and play in Oklahoma.

I love having things to look forward to.

I love life.

Isn't it good to love!!!

♥♥♥

She-Ra. Princess of power!

My baby is a trooper. We went to Branson last weekend with Landon's leadership team from work.

It was a blast

and Kambrie is now aka She-ra!!

14 adults and my stinkin adorable baby...

who endured it so WELL!!!!

Man. I love her.

WE:

*hauled to Branson in a 15 passenger van.

*stayed over night at the Residence Inn.

*ate and ate and ate at delicious restaurants.

*attended some team-building meetings.

*saw the Branson show "SIX"..brothers with incredible voices.

*laughed and enjoyed a fun, relaxing weekend with fabulous friends!

Kam was soooo good. She was happy the whole trip. She even did good watching the show...which was really loud, but she was so tired she still managed to fall asleep through it.

It was such a fun weekend.

We are so grateful for Landon's wonderful job, awesome boss, and amazing friends.

Missouri aint so bad after all!

who knew

My lover boy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

My hubby had a birthday last month and I've been so spacey I didn't even do much for him. I feel so bad!!!! I never know what to get him or what fun things to plan. He was on a diet so we couldn't go to dinner, I couldn't make him a cake...it was pretty uneventful.

He is the most amazing man I have ever met.

His strengths far outweigh his weaknesses (which are few).

I'm soooooooo lucky to have a husband that cares so much for me, my kids, and our family.

I can't even express how much I love him. He makes me want to be better. He lifts me when I'm down. He can make me laugh when I just want to scream! He thanks me for the hum drum things that could seem so minimal to him, but are big to me. He's so patient and forgiving. He's so funny and happy. He has a light that radiates and touches everyone around him. He appreciates my sacrifices as a mother and does his best to help me in my duties and shows me appreciation. He lets me enjoy my hobbies. He lets me have girl time! He is always aware of my feelings and is genuinely concerned about my happiness. Our marriage is his priority.

He makes me feel like a QUEEN.

He is infectious!!!

I don't think I've ever met a person that doesn't like him.

I am so glad I persuaded him to marry me.

totally in love

♥ I am so utterly in love with these kids. ♥

They are my everything.

Every day is a celebration of MOTHER'S DAY for me!!!!

I owe all my happiness to the angels in my life that gave me this opportunity to be a mom.

It is an HONOR.

It's a PRIVILEGE.

It's a BLESSING that these beautiful kids call me their

MOM!

Thank you Randi and Lindsay.

I love you!!!!!!

I like cheese

Would anyone like some crackers with this cheese!!??

absolutely breathtaking

If you don't know Nie Nie's story, she's a light for good in this world and I hope one day I can thank her for sharing her story and testimony.

PLEASE:Take a few minutes to watch this.

The tears won't stop rolling down my face.

I echo her words. I share her faith and testimony. My heart aches for her pain and I know how suffering changes our lives...but as we deal with the hurt in our lives, there is something so beautiful because of it...and that is feeling the power of God comfort our souls and heal our hearts. It's a miraculous thing. There is beauty in EVERYTHING.

The video is cut off, so you can also watch it HERE on youtube.

Life is a journey we're here to ride. Let's make the most of it. ♥

Embrace today. Embrace your life.

SISTERS

I just got back from a fun 4.5 day weekend in Utah. It was our annual event my sisters and mom always do!! This year we decided to attend Women's Conference at BYU. Previous years we've done Memphis and the Elvis sites, St Louis and touring around town, SLC/Park City shopping and such, Wyoming hikes and jewelry making...

we always have fun regardless the location. ☺

Annual sisters weekend 2010

WOMENS CONFERENCE

We heard some wonderful speakers, attended some amazing classes,

I got to see some long lost friends...

Jeanelle, Rachel and Allison, Kara Jayne, Lichelle, two of my aunts (Kim and Teresa),

and several more fun people I was so glad to bump in to...

eat at some YUMMY salivating restaurants, shop at some

CUTE affordable stores,

and have endless fun as girlies.

Jeanelle

I ♥ Jeanelle...she's so amazing!

Rachel and Allison ♥ these girls. they are so freakin' awesome

Eating at Carrabba's Italian Grill.

TO. DIE. FOR.

Their fettucini alfredo is the best food on this planet.

We bought some matching pearl rings that are adorable, and are real pearls from far away! ha...I can't remember what island, but the women pick them from the oysters. I bought us all matching Billabong jackets that are reversible. Ahhhh. So cute!! Elder Oaks was the concluding speaker and gave some wonderful words of advice. Basically: STOP BEING SO SELFISH. There were sooooo many good talks I want to recap. Stay tuned.

Of course, more eating out...we definitely fed our tummies and our souls WELL this trip.

We attended a temple session in Bountiful too.

It was refreshing to sit in the peaceful temple and enjoy the beauty and solitude of the moment. What a blessing we have to be in the Lord's temple and remember the work we are set forth to do.

my cute mom and dad

Always time for a late night movie at the theatre!!

"The Back-up Plan"

THE GIRLS!

We were sad Shauna was only with us the last day since she was playing on an exotic island all week. It was good to have us all together for a brief time, and the weekend was just

WONDERFUL.

Thanks to all our fabulous hubbies for letting us have our girl time.

It is definitely a

MUST!!!!