The McDonalds

We were walking past Hogle Zoo after cheering for Jon on his Marathon. (His 3rd!! I'm so proud of him!) Eli was walking in front of me.

Eli turns around to me and says "Do you smell poop??"
Me: Yeah, a little. That's just the animals at the Zoo.
Eli: No it's not. I tooted!
Me: WHAT?!?
Eli: (giggle) excuse me.


We were getting ready to brush teeth before bed.

Lindley: Mama, if you do this (shows me thumbs up) you get a cookie!
Me: If I do this (thumbs up) I get a cookie??
Lindley: (big grin) YEAH! You get a cookie!!
She then opens a invisible container and takes one cookie out for me and one for her... which we eat :)


We are packing up all of our stuff at Jim and Emilys house before we head back home. Lindley sees her favorite pink dress and wants to wear it.

Me: You can't wear it today because it is dirty. Once we get home we'll put it in the washer and then it will be clean and you can wear it!
Lindley takes her dress from me and walks off saying: Emiwee will wash it!! EMIWWEEE!!

And then she asks Emily to wash it. Which she does. Problem solved!

The other morning we were driving in the car to Nonni's house.

Eli: Mom, I want to do something fun but I cant think of anything.
Me: Well maybe you can think of something at Nonni's house.
Eli: I can't. My brain is turned off.
Lindley: My brain is not turned off! Mama! My brain is on!!



I was fixing dinner.

Eli: I want to eat some candy.
Me: No, we have to eat dinner first.
Eli: It's ok to have candy for dinner.
Me: What?? Says who?
Eli: I do.
Me: Who are you? the Mommy?
Eli: YES!!
Me: Who made you the mommy?
Eli: (giggle) Daddy did.

This has changed my life... well not my life but my skin! I've never been one for lots of makeup; no foundation or powder or cover up. And I've ALWAYS had some acne somewhere on my face... so annoying. Anyways I read this post and decided to try using Apple Cider Vinegar with water (3 parts water, 1 part ACV) In less than a week I can tell a difference (Jon can too) My skin looks SO much better!

Try it out!

I have always loved the story of Esther. She is a great example of courage and faith.

Click HERE

My favorite parts are:

"You don't really realize how strong you are, till being strong is all you have left"

"We don't know what the Lord is trying to teach us, but if i really trust Heavenly Father, then it really doesn't matter what I don't understand."

It was like seeing an dear old friend. They're so familiar that you slip right back into the groove of being friends. No awkwardness. That's Les Mis for me. It's a part of me. Part of my heart and soul. Does that sound over dramatic?? Maybe... but really, unless you were part of that amazing production as a moldable teen, no offense, but you just don't understand. I know every line, melody, note. It's so full of life. The good, the bad. Pain. Grief. Hate. Forgiveness. Love. Everything that makes up this human experience called life.

Yes, I cried. At the expected parts. Empty Chairs and Empty Tables. I Dreamed a Dream. But also at the end... I mean during the credits... I really couldn't bring myself to leave or move. I just had to sit and drink it all in as the tears rolled. The music. The emotion. My dear old friend. Oh how I love you!

I'm DYING for the sound track!

The Hobbit one too.

Lindley is quite the little person. Everyday more and more of her personality slips out. She LOVES babies. Or anything that she can cuddle. A little mommy in the making. Quite often as I am reading to her she will have to give the book characters a hug... multiple times throughout the story :) She is a very gentle hearted happy girlie.


But she also has some mischief in there too. Can you see it in her eye??

New house + Holidays = ZERO BLOGGING

First off, I LOVE MY HOUSE!! The space is great! The front room, kitchen, and hall make a loop... can you guess what Eli's favorite game is?? Being Lightning McQueen and racing? Being a bad guy and chasing me? Yes. Pretty much anything that involves running in circles :)

Eli talks like a little grown up. "It's actually Lili's" or "Oh, there it is." And he is the master of asking questions. I finally answered one of his questions "It's just to make you ask questions" That satisfied him for about a day and now he asks, "Why is it just to make you ask questions?" :)

We made cookies today. He helped.

*** warning-details included*** Deer Hunting in October

I went deer hunting this past Saturday with Dad, Nate, Emily, Jonny, Benny, and Jon. We saw lots and lots of does and fauns but maybe 3 bucks ALL DAY LONG. One my dad tagged. 500 yds with one shot. And it was the biggest buck they(Dad, Nate and Benny) have ever seen in the area. 4 point. Anyways that was the highlight of Saturday and we went home tired and weary from hiking up steep hills and back down, then up again and on and on :) It was a little discouraging for me. I really wanted to get a deer as this is the first year I've gotten a tag. But home we went.

I decided to go back out on Monday morning with Dad and Benny. By 10am I had killed, gutted a small buck, I'm proud to say ALL BY MYSELF:) It was pretty intense. Benny spotted the ONE buck in a group of about 10 does and because he is a great brother, he is gave me the shot :) The first shot I broke his leg.... but the second shot was clean and down he went.

Me and a 7mm Magnum

Benny also filled his tag that day. It was crazy! When he shot the whole hill side started moving.... we probably only saw half the deer that were really there :)

It was a good experience :) Some people might not understand the... thrill?.... but there is nothing quite like it. I feel empowered really. It's like giving birth naturally... kinda.... just in the sense that I proved to myself that I could do it.

Jon is AMAZING! Have I said that before?? It's a recurring sentiment :)

4 hours 3 mins.

It was a crazy morning. First my alarm never went off so I had 30 mins to get me and the kids ready and out the door. Then Nonni and I were forcefully reminded that we are out of shape... I almost puked walking/pushing the stroller the mile(?) up hill to the observation spot. (yes, yes, I am complaining about walking while talking about a marathon) But it was worth all the discomfort to see Jon running! :)

(no, he is not the guy with the hat on... he's to the left in blue...)


We made shirts.... of course :) Thanks G for the help!



We love you Jon!

My family warms my heart :)