Heart Melter

It's entirely possible that I'm biased.

But I think that I did in fact, give birth to the sweetest baby ever!

Campaign For Real Beauty

I first came to love Dove years ago because of their moisturizing soap. Those who know me, know I love to feel soft and you won't find a shower in my house without a bar of the good stuff. But then Dove gave me another reason to love them. Their advertising. Dove is one of the few companies that I'm aware of that encourages women to love themselves and love their bodies. I spent way too many years of my younger days obsessing that I didn't measure up to some untouchable standard. It's something that I still struggle with. But I want something different for my daughters and I know it starts with me. So now I'm taking the Dove challenge and encouraging each woman who reads this to feel great about your own real beauty. Question beauty stereotypes, refuse to use negative language to describe your body, and tell your friends why they are beautiful. I believe when we feel better about ourselves, we are better to those around us! So pass it on!

Wishing for Maggie

Maryn has been asking Justin and I for a dog for quite some time now. She even knows exactly what she wants, a chocolate poodle named Maggie. There has been some discussion about what a responsibility dogs are and not to mention the cost. I Googled chocolate poodles and those little things can run about $800. I told Maryn that we may not ever be able to get a chocolate poodle just because they are so expensive. She said she would save her money so that she could help Mom and Dad buy her. I figured that bought us a couple years, since her income comes in quarters and dimes. But then the other night before bath, she came to me and said "Mom, I've got it all figured out! All I have to do is ask Santa to bring me Maggie and then it won't even cost ANY money!" I just wanted to squeeze her because I love her tenacity, but what the heck am I supposed to say to that?!

For Connor

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

It's the year of the ox! People born under this sign are said to be honest, reliable, hardworking, pragmatic, and tolerant, with sound financial judgement. So for you Laura, Baby Alley sounds like my kinda girl! You may be wondering why the heck I am even thinking about Chinese New Year. Well, it's because of our main man, Connor Ensign! Last year when Megan and Aaron got engaged, the Ensign's wanted to get together and meet the whole family. So they invited us over for a Chinese New Year feast. Apparently Connor at some point became a big fan of the holiday. He has even been to China and everything, so it's a big deal to him! Jonathan, who spent some time growing up in San Francisco and is in the know, made the most delicious dishes! I thought, hey I could get used to that! So, in your honor tonight Connor, Justin said that he is going to be making an edible Asian sensation for dinner! My stomach thanks you for this new tradition!

Wondering...

I'm not gonna lie, most of my brain's activity lately has been focused on the results of Justin's layoff. I'm a planner and I've been in a funk because the whole thing has left me feeling so vulnerable. It bothers me that you could just be plugging along, doing what your supposed to do and with no provocation your life gets shaken up and left with questions and uncertainty. I always told Justin that come what may, we'd always have each other, and that is very true. We will always have each other and that's the most important thing. But it's hard not to feel angry that your life can just be turned upside down without doing a single thing to deserve it. As we've applied for different jobs, they've been all over the country and I just hate not knowing. Not knowing where we'll end up, not knowing what Justin will be doing for work, not knowing if I am going to need to sell our house, not knowing whether or not to register Brynna for Preschool next year at her current school, not knowing if Maryn's going to be able to finish out the school year where we're at, not knowing if we'll have the luxury of being able to live near family. Everything is such a question mark and I hate it. I know I should quit complaining, that there are others that are far worse off. But I still am wishing and praying and hoping for some answers in my life.

.... I just went back and read this and feel better now. Heavenly Father is so good. In the words of my little buddy Thatcher Alley "Have a happy attitude!"

Maryn's sitting next to me playing with stuffed animals and she just said to her dog "If you're not feeling happy, then you're gonna have to change that. It's your choice!" Ahhh, it's so good to know some of the things I tell her are sinking in! During drama and moodiness that is apparently so prevalent at this age I constantly say, hey look YOU decide how you're gonna feel and act! Now even the stuffed animals are getting the lecture!

Thoroughly Pecked

Have you ever heard the saying that raising children is like being pecked to death by a duck? Well, as much as I love my little monkeys, consider me thoroughly pecked! Lauryn has been so cute with eating her toes lately and I had a minute, so I thought I'd grab a little video of it. It's never so simple. My Busy Bees hit the scene and cue Brynna's whining and bossiness and Maryn's incessant repeating and micro-managing. Sorry Lulu, this is what you get as the third one on the scene, moments crowded by noise! No wonder she seems a little concerned in the first video. But I can't help but love each of them, pecking little duckbills and all. Oh, and please excuse the baby talk. It just comes out when I'm with Lauryn, I can't help it!