Daughters...

Soph had her first trip to the hair salon...

she's hooked!

She loved the big red chairs.

The animal cape.

Gazed in the glorious mirrors admiring her cuteness.

Sat perfectly still; not so much as a peep,

other than whispering endless reminders

of a 'green' lollipop.

*****

The other night I was busy cooking dinner.

I turned around and Little Miss Soph

had taken it upon herself to fold 

a basket of dish towels.

Her folding puts the boys to shame.

The girls got skillz!

Daughters...

every mother needs one.

thinking out loud...kinda, sorta

i'm learning...

to worry less and breathe more.

i find...

blogging therapeutic.

i discovered...

my fifth grader held hands with a girl. 

i'm ok...

because it's shakespeare.

i'd worry...

if he liked it, & since he does (i practice breathing).

i've surrenedered...

to my battle with Soph.

i don't care...

if she wants to sleep in the hall.

i preferred...

to sleep in the hall as a child (funny huh)?

i'm finished...

with beth's book.

i'm saying...

so long insecurity.

i'm loving...

my new roxy flip flops.

i'm clinging...

to my comfy hoodies.

i have...

mixed feelings about the weather changing.

i'm annoyed...

with the olympics.

i'd rather...

we spend billions feeding the hungry.

i no longer...

feel guilty sneaking out for a run.

i don't just...

want 'me time' i need it.



Hop on over to Blessed Moon for a fun way to meet other bloggers.

spring cleaning...dave ramsey style

Disclaimer: As always I'm speaking to myself here...a pep talk if you will.

i conquered the garage

the 'junk drawers'

a kitchen cabinet

made a few trips to goodwill

caught up on the laundry

devoured books from my 'current read' shelf

saw dear john with a friend

i'll likely see it again-and again-and again  

played in the rain

paid bills

now for the budget!

Let us not forget our finances in the process of purging, simplifying...spring cleaning. Our goals are always lofty, we claim to be Dave Ramsey's biggest fan and yet in time, we digress. This economy bites (I'll just say it). I'm frustrated that our debts seem to be at a stand still or even climbing at times, but that's all the more reason we need to 'clean house'. 

Keeping track of everything that comes in and everything that goes out, not turning a blind eye to what we may not want to see. We can't fix what we don't acknowledge, so even though it can be painful when we finally decide to 'check in' and be proactive with our money, just remember...by making a few changes, we lighten our load and sleep more sound.

If you've been hiding under the covers for the past few years, and this all sounds too scary...

Click here for Dave's 7 Baby Steps.

It all comes down to

{Discipline and Purpose}

 the two words I chose last month to describe

my 2010 resolutions.

spring cleaning...

it's that time of year again.

a-a-aaachooo!

excuse me.

yesterday my allergies showed unexpected.

they've crippled all my big plans.

plans of 'cleaning house'...

the garage.

the closets.

the cupboards.

the windows (ok i'd planned to hire that out).

i already needed more hours in the day.

a set back like this just plain bites.

i'm hanging onto hopes my claritin will kick in soon.

PRIORITIES: Speaking of 'cleaning house' (this time metaphorically), I've done some re-evaluating, straightening up my personal life a bit. First of all, I've taken a break (possibly permanent) from Facebook, devoted more time to personal reading, prayer and journaling.

RELATIONSHIPS: I've also done some 'cleaning house' in my relationships over the past few years and even more so recently. I've said "bye bye" to those who gossip, radiate drama and just plain bring me down. I have to tell you, it feels great, I don't miss them a bit! This may sound a little harsh but it's important to be selective about who we give our energy and time to. Life's too short, and our family deserves our best self.

We need to ask ourselves if the people we allow into our lives are helpful, positive and uplifting or are they burdensome, destructive and unsupportive? If they've proven to show a pattern of drama, distrust, and ill feelings toward you...see ya! They're toxic and will only clutter your brain and cause you undo stress.

Sure it's important to forgive them and not hold onto feelings of anger and hurt, but that doesn't mean you have to keep allowing them into your life, draining your energy and self worth.

So while you're doing your spring cleaning this year, don't just evaluate whether that old sweater has gotta go, or if it's finally time to donate those pre-baby jeans, ask yourself:

"Am I In Good Company?"

So Much More Than A Paycheck... (Repost)

This is a repost from last February, (originally on my old homeschool blog). I decided since my allergies are kicking my butt this week, it would be a good idea to repost this for those of you who are new.

I'm on to another Dr. Laura book, this one is The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage. I also read The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands which I also recommend, oh and don't forget the movie Fireproof, that's great too.

In my opinion, this is another book that should be highlighted, and within reach at all times. It's like going to church, we keep learning the same stuff because we need that bonk on the head, that reminder to get us back on track.

I truly believe that men are simple creatures and they only need a few things to be happy. In fact at dinner the other night, Kimball said almost that exact thing to me and yet I so often forget and start with the whining, complaining, and acting pouty or I start taking him for granted and not giving him the praise he deserves.

I look back to a time when Kimball was getting our business going, working like a DOG in the 110 degree Arizona sun, six days a week, 12-15 hour days and yet I did more criticizing and complaining than you can imagine. Sure I was working equally as hard with the kids, house and book keeping, it was an extremely stressful time...but I wasn't showing him how much I appreciated all he was doing. That's the number one thing I believe men need is to be shown appreciation for their hard work, to know that they are your hero so when they walk out that front door every morning, they feel loved, supported, and needed. Of course on top of that they also need affection, a warm meal, and to know their kids are being well taken care of. It's pretty simple really.

Kimball and I have had our share of ups and downs (oh my have we), but I am SO grateful we continue to work out our differences and try to make the other one happy. I know when I'm doing the above mentioned things, Kimball is one happy man and in return he'll treat me like a QUEEN.

Here's the 3 main tips she gives:

1. Treat your spouse as if you loved them with your last breath-no matter how contrary to that you might feel at any one moment.

2. Think hard every day about how you can make their life worth living.

3. Be the kind of person you would want to love, hug, come home to, and sacrifice for.

They are all great points, but #3 stands out to me because I think it's so important to try and have the house picked up, look presentable, and hopefully have dinner on the table or close to it. I don't always succeed and I'm working on serving my man more meat (since we all know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach). I'm also noticing my actions more when he walks in the door. Do I instantly bombard him with whining or complaints? Or do I just glance over from my lap top and say "hey"?

I'm also working on not being a drama queen when it comes to problems or mistakes. This isn't always easy for me because I'm the worrying type, but if our spouses can't come to us without us acting like an over powering parent, then how will they ever feel safe to share? We should be the one person they can come to with anything.

BTW, I'm speaking to myself because I have a lot of room for improvement in this area. OK so I'm off to do more reading, get more advice and hopefully build a stronger marriage. Hope you'll read these books if you haven't already.

Sometimes the hardest things and the right things are the same...

Have you ever known a person who has a wild imagination,
 a PhD in meddling, and can't be trusted?

The type that just when you think you've distanced yourself enough, you realize
 you haven't.

One word...MERCY!

Obviously I'm venting and seriously need to pray for mercy.

Pray that somehow, someday I will have genuine, kind and caring, feelings for this person, (that last for more than just a week or a month.)

Pray they'll practice some mercy toward me, stop interjecting false and misconstrued ideas and take up Solitaire or something.

We all know this type of person is toxic to our lives and relationships, and we don't have to just sit there and take it, but we must remember our own need for mercy, and therefore must pray for merciful feelings toward those who dislike us, even in our hurt and anger.

How do we start?

By acknowledging our own imperfections, false judgments, and hurtful words.

By asking God to forgive us of our ill feelings and short fuses.

By praying for more compassion,

thicker skin and,

more mercy-giving people in our life.

We all need a support team, people who are there for us no matter what. I had decided that I'd pray this week for more mercy-giving people in my life, and just a few hours later, I received several kind emails, texts and phone calls...totally out of the blue.

{I know that it wasn't just a coincidence.}

I've accepted that I can't please everyone, and not everyone is going to like me, but that's OK, I only have control over my words and actions.

When typing this post a few scriptures came to mind...

Lamentations 3:23-33 

23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

God's love and mercy for us is new every morning.

Matthew 5:43-48

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Forgiveness isn't an option...it's a necessity.

Lastly, I'm praying for self control with these Thin Mints...darn Girl Scouts!


For Tuesday's Truce click here

The Taste Of A Mothers Love

 Butterscotch Chocolate Cake

Last night we went to dinner at my friends house. I decided to try a recipe from my new The Taste Of Home Cookbook. It was a big hit. Kade's exact words were "It's the taste of a mothers love!"

Here's how it's done...

1.Make the chocolate cake mix according to directions.

2. Let cool on wire rack for 30 minutes.

3. Take the end of a wooden spoon and poke 12 holes in cake.

4. Fill holes w/ butterscotch icecream topping and then cover top of cake as well.

5. Spread Cool Whip over top.

6. Crush 3 regular size Butterfingers & sprinkle over top.

7. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

SO EASY!

Now for a Valentine's Day confession...

I LOVE editing, enhancing, making collages and adding text to pictures using picnik.com. If you haven't used it, you should. I'm sure Photoshop is better and has more to offer, but it's also more complicated and costly. Until I have the money to purchase some software of my own, I'll keep using picnik. I have the premium membership which only cost me $23 per year...pretty cheap considering how much I use it.  Thursday night I was pooped and realized Jaxon needed a V-Day box for his school party and valentine's for his class. No problem, I jumped on picnik and quickly made several collages to decorate his box with. Then I made some Valentine tags and tied them to suckers. No sweat and very cheap! Just a tip for those of you living under a rock who didn't know.

UN{CONDITIONAL} LOVE

Unconditional love: To love someone regardless of one's actions or beliefs.

Unconditional love is something we all want desperately, yet how freely do we grant it?

In Marriage: I have thought a lot about this expression over the past year. Many people don't know this but Kimball and I were both married before...to each other! That's right; we were married for about a year and a half then divorced, and remarried nine months later. We were young, selfish and immature. Unconditional love isn't something that comes natural to me, though I have come a LONG way. I've learned that marriage is sacred and should be treated with the utmost care. We shouldn't consider divorce as 'Plan B' when we come to realize that marriage takes endless effort, patience, sacrifice, forgiveness and above all undonditional love. When you find someone who's willing to look past your weaknesses, shortcomings and baggage and still loves you fiercley...hang onto him!

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis compares divorce to surgery. Like cutting off both legs, something that should only be done "as a desperate remedy in extreme cases." Having experienced that kind of agaony firsthand, I fully agree. When I read this my heart ached all over again. I wouldn't wish divorce on my worst enemy; it should be avoided at all costs.

In Parenting: Marriage isn't the only area we need to exercise unconditional love. How many times do we show {conditional} love by the way we sigh, yell, spank and give disapproving looks to our kids? We constantly show that our love is conditional by the way we react to their mistakes, misjudgments and choices we don't necessarily agree with. Again, this is a hard one for me. I'm often quick to react (or overreact) and am constantly praying for more patience and a softer tone.

Love Thy Neighbor: "Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him." We literally have to ask ourselves, "If I loved this person, what would I do? How would I act toward them?" I have found this to be true on many occasions. I can't say I'm great at retaining that affection the next time they offend or hurt me, but I'm working on it. My stubborn, prideful self gets in my way all too often!

The Ultimate Love: Christ's ability to love unconditionally is much safer. "Though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him."

Christ grants us his unconditional love...freely. 

All quotes taken from Mere Christianity

Love Diaries & True Love Tortilla Soup - Repost

It's been a busy week for me. I'm also not feeling so hot, so I decided to repost this delish recipe...hope you try it. My mouth's watering just thinking about it!

Are you ready for the most amazing tortilla soup recipe ever? I came up with this all on my own for the Love Day celebration we're having tonight. To quote Kimball "I'd pay good money for this".

True Love Tortilla Soup
2 large grilled and seasoned chicken breasts (cubed)
1/2 chopped onion (browned)
1 can white beans (undrained)
1 can corn (drained)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans chicken broth
1 can Ro Tel tomatoes (I used mild)
1 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. black pepper
few dashes salt
Bring all to a boil stirring often, simmer for at least 10 minutes (the longer the better).

Garnish with chopped cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheese, tortilla chips/strips and sour cream. Makes approx. 6 large servings.

Warning: this is pretty spicy

Kade being sweet to his little sister by reading her a cute love book. For the last 4 years, Jaxon has been kind enough to read to Kade a full hour each night. Kade has LOVED their reading time and has always rejected my offers. Now that he's a great reader and is more confident with his skills, he gets to pay it forward.


Yesterday I did some window painting as a little P.D.A for Kimball...let's just say between this and the soup he's like a love sick puppy!

Have a great week and to all you east coaster's...hope you survive the storms!

Putting On My Big Girl Pants

Do you ever wish you could escape to a remote island

and rest for days on a hammock,

without a care in the world?

The houses in our neighborhood are about 10 feet apart...

{I kid you not}.

Lately it feels like 10 inches.

For a girl with personal space issues,

this is no bueno.

People pry, push, insist and judge

 it's human nature...

but this makes becoming a 'shut in' so very tempting. 

However,
with each passing year
 I feel the need to stretch, to grow,

and 'put on my big girl pants'.

It's much easier to just follow along quietly,

questioning nothing, avoiding conflict.

No one wants to disappoint and

we all crave approval.

To me,

faith is such a personal thing.

It's something between us and God.

Only He truely knows our hearts desire.

I'm so grateful for the atonement.

I find comfort in knowing

there's only one critic

that matters.

So even though I'm pasty white feeling claustrophobic

and would prefer to just relax in the sun

on a far away island...

I will remain faithful,

exert myself,

 and reach out for His arms.

Here's my new favorite song,

(To hear audio, scroll down to my music and hit play.)

How He Loves

Lyrics by John Mark McMillan

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh

Oh how He loves us,

How He loves us all

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,

Oh how He loves us,

How He loves us all

He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,

If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way…

That He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves.

P.S. I'm linking to Emily's Tuesday's Unwrapped, check it out.

Meet My New Love

Meet my new love. I woke up yesterday morning and as usual read Nie Nie's blog. She mentioned Sweet Cakes again. This cute little deli/bakery on Main St. in Mesa and since we hadn't been in a while AND it was 'Fun Friday' we decided after our trip to the library we'd make a detour and try their highly recommended homemade Oreo cookies. Let's just say, they didn't disappoint. OK, I'll admit, Kade and I were hoping to see Stephanie there since she also mentioned she'd be stopping by...no such luck.

It's been a fabulous week! We are having beautiful weather here in Arizona. Low 70's, sunny skies...perfect for a hoodie w/ flip flops (my personal fave).

Soph's birthday was totally fun & memorable. My friend from Utah made her this tutu, she loved it and so did everyone at the zoo. We couldn't have asked for better weather and the Phoenix Zoo wasn't crowded at all.

Wednesday night we had Joey over again. You can read more about him here. Things are always interesting when Joey's around. He wears us out, but we enjoy seeing him. He's always obsessed with using our Internet. Well, the monitor on our office computer was throwing tantrums and since the recent costly repair on my laptop, I decided to hide it upstairs. You can imagine how frustrated Joey was getting. Pacing the floors and asking every 2 minutes if Kimball had fixed it yet. Yes he got his pizza, cupcakes and Pepsi, but he wasn't going to be satisfied until he got to use the computer. Needless to say, Kimball being the big, giant, lovable, push-over that his is, took Joey to Best Buy and bought a new monitor. An hour later Joey was surfing the web and couldn't have been happier.

Thursday night we went to dinner with some clients. I was SO excited for a date night in the middle of the week, I even pulled out my 'good jeans'. They have a beautiful home in a ritzy part of Scottsdale. Before dinner we met there so I could see our masonry work. I have to say it blew me away!!!! There's a pool, water features, fireplace, fire pit, sunken bar area, planters, island, BBQ/breakfast bar, huge indoor fireplace, columns, stone patios etc. I'm sure I've missed something. Kimball does a lot of 'high end' jobs but this was the motherload! Seriously? I can't believe that A.) Anyone has that kind of money to spend on {one of } their homes, and B.) How far Kimball has come in his knowledge of masonry...self taught mind you. Just another reason I love this guy. I'll have to admit, coming back to our house was a tiny bit of a disappointment...but that's exactly why I'm not wealthy. God knows I couldn't handle it. I'm sure I'd get even more prideful and materialistic. It's so hard not to covet other peoples things, especially when you know you could do some serious entertaining (and laying out) with a backyard like that. I have to wonder if heaven is that divine.

Now brace yourself, I have some great news...Soph's using the toilet. WOO HOO! The day after her birthday she woke up and decided she was a big girl. It's now Saturday and she's only had 2 accidents (#2's) so we'll have to work on that, but she's hasn't even wet the bed. In the business world this is equivelant to a major promotion or a corner office on the top floor with an incredible view. You stay at home moms know what I'm talking about.

Now if you're like me and bummed that you didn't go to Blissdom this year...link up at my friend Patty's blog and we can all whine together!

Happy 3rd Birthday Sophia

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...
Ephesians 3:20

Three years ago our prayers were answered.
We were led to our 'bundle of joy'...
our precious daughter
Sophia Isabella.

Adoption is truly a miracle.

Click on the collage to enlarge.

Words can't describe how much we love this little lady...

Happy 3rd Birthday Sophia!

To read our adoption story click here.

If you have one of your own leave a comment w/ your blog/link, I'd love to hear it.