I'm leaving...

...on a jet plane.

today, for THREE weeks...to Europe!

and i have to ask myself,

am i packed? yes

excited? yes

nervous? yes

sick? yes

already? well...i might miss my bed, cold drinks, warm showers, clean clothes, the comfort of my home, and maybe i'll even miss the dog...

but i am definitely going to miss...

a little...i mean a LOT of this




and a LOT of that



it seriously makes me feel sick to leave my (sleeping) children.

they are my life.

they are what i do day in and day out, and most of the time with a smile on my face!

and you're right...i do need a small, little, tiny break.

but, i LOVE them! and my heart already aches from missing them!

and i know they will be fine, they are in good hands.

i just can't wait...to leave, and then come HOME!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

WoW! It's wonderful to think that six years ago today I married the man of my dreams! That's right...six years of wedded bliss to my best friend! I will never forget that day...it was a beautiful day and our wedding was scheduled for later in the afternoon, we had a small dinner afterward at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with very good friends and our families! I even remember calling Derek that morning to see what he was doing to get ready and he was at our "older new house" laying tile! He has always been a hard working provider for our family!




I will always love a man in uniform...He truly is my HERO!




Today he is out of town! :( ...but of course he still managed to be romantic and mail me these!

I love you Derek! Thanks for EVERYTHING!

Must Have Monday!

My must have for this week, since I am a little late...is Memorial Day! We had such a great day with the Baird Family! Every year my wonderful parents put on the show and do a great job! We always remember some ancestors, by sharing stories and memories of them. We also give updates on accomplishments that have happened over the year in the extended family...like who is serving a mission and who graduated, and even three men in the family are serving our country!

It is so nice to get together, eat good food and remember the wonderful family we have!
What a wonderful day!! (thanks to my sister for two of the pictures!)



This is a picture of my sister Stephanie, me and my sister Leslie. We make homemade icecream every year for the festivities (even when it's cold outside!) This is us serving the goods! We had vanilla, cookies 'n cream and strawberry! YUMMY! We called it our homemade "NaPoLeAn" because they were all...DYNAMITE!! (or if you want to be technical we know it's really called Neapolitan!) :)


This is Dane and one of his cute little cousins Leo! They grabbed some balls at Grandma's and played with them in the halls at the church we had the party at. The cousins had so much fun being together!

After cleaning up, some of the extened cousins hitched a "ride"on the folded tables! Dane is on the far left and Ava is in the front on the right with the pink bow, both of their heads are turned...of course!

Dane's BIG week!

So...last Saturday Derek took off Dane's training wheels...he is now a two-wheeler pro!


Well, until Tuesday when this little guy took a major fall.
His friends came to me saying Dane fell and his face is bleeding, so I went running and found that only his cold-sore had split open, and his knee and foot had some road burn! I think he cried from embarassment mostly than from actually being hurt, and I think he likes the battle wounds!



















Today Dane graduated from PRESCHOOL!! We are so proud of him! He has liked his teacher and has learned a lot, it has been a great year and now we are ready for summer! Congratulations Dane! WE LOVE YOU!

Dane: the Graduate!


Dane smiling at his FAN club! (us)


Dane performing with Chet and Roah...the three of them sang Humpdy Dumpdy!


"The friends": Roah, Dane, Cassia and Chet


Best Buddies: Chet and Dane...
CoNgRaTs GrAdS!

HaPPy MoThEr'S DaY!

A few photos that remind me how much I love being a mom and wife...Thanks for the great day! I love you, Derek, Dane and Ava!

Must Have Monday!

Today I will call it...Must Have MOM-day! My must have for today is Mothers! Yay! Happy Mother's Day! Well, actually I will say Happy Women's Day!

I know I'm about a week early but, every women deserves to have one day to have breakfast in bed, cards that say "I love you" and well, anything her heart desires!

When I was growing up, my mom for Mother's Day would actually take all the girls in my family out to celebrate! She instilled in me that every Mother's Day was a day for all women! We still like to celebrate this special day for all women, it's just fun to now talk about our husbands and kids! I even remember asking my mom if there was a Mother's Day and a Father's Day, then when was Kid's Day? Her answer was always "everyday is Kid's Day!"

How selfish was I?

For a child, every single day should be a Mother's Day! The meaning of Mother's Day is in the fact that we should try and make this day every year a memorable one for your mother. She should cherish the special feeling of this day and the intensity of that feeling should last her the lifetime.

We all have a mother!

I love you mom!

I love my sisters and friends and all the women in my life .... but most of all I love being a mom! I love my children!...and I wouldn't be the woman and mom I am today if it wasn't for the fabulous women that have taught me all that I know! This week I will think of my mom and all that she does, and I will try to be a better mom to my children who deserve it!

So, Happy Women's Day! LIVE IT UP for goodness sake!

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

Sure God created man before woman. But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece. ~Author Unknown

Pay it Forward!

SURPRISE!!

This is what I made each pay it forward winner... because everyone deserves to get "PAID" right?!

They are the winners last initials and I put this quote on the back with a tag hanging that says Just B!

"Be true to who you are and the family name you bear"
- Gordon B. Hinckley

I just thought that they turned out so cute, I couldn't resist sharing!

It's like a home-made CHIA PET!

Dane is in preschool.

I love it!

Those few hours every other day are precious to me.

Not only do I think I get more done when he's gone, I also know he enjoys going. He learns something new every time and he even gets to be with his friends that go there too. And the bonus is that the teacher is great! Dane adores her and I do to for the things she teaches my son. It's not just ABC's and 123's, she teaches good rules, good manners and good morals.

Well, today after preschool Dane had a friend over and I had a treat to give the kids. So I began to ration out different sizes to him, his friend and Ava. Well of course, Ava started to complain that she wasn't getting the same amount as the boys. So, Dane decided to share what he had learned in preschool and said "you get what you get and don't throw a fit!"

...and it actually worked! They were just happy to get the treat!

I also had to take a picture of this project Dane had brought home from preschool a few weeks ago. We thought it finally turned out so cute! It's grass seeds in a nylon and then tied randomly to make sections.



We placed it in a dish and on the kitchen window sill for sun and watered it about every other day. For a few days there we thought that nothing was happening and then all of the sudden we had a fully grown CATERPILLAR! The toe part of the nylon makes it look like a mouth (that might be frowning?)
. . . and Dane told me to attach some eyes. I was proud that Dane wanted to help me take care of his "pet" (his home-made CHIA PET!)





I love preschool!

I just can't wait for Ava to start in the fall...what will I do with myself?

Must Have Monday...part 2!

This is a little selfish, but I love these! I ordered them awhile ago and finally got the fabulous package....TODAY!
This is a special, one-time only, add-on to Must Have Monday because I love getting packages, and it made my already great, WARM day a little, tiny bit better . . . I just had to share!

click HERE to check them out!

Must Have Monday!

My must have for today is WARM weather!

I seriously must have it... all the time!

We had the greatest day today because of the beautiful, sunny weather...we wore capris, flip-flops, and even did a lot of yard clean-up! (Thanks to Derek for using his day off to "get things done"!)


We even ate lunch outside! and it's not like we've never done it before, but they loved it! and they ate really good because they knew if they didn't they would have to come inside and then they couldn't ride these...


their new bikes! . . . FINALLY! Dane was getting too big for his other one and Ava really has never had one...so we got these and broke them in today! (YAY! they are must haves too!)

So,
Please WARM weather...come again another day!

I woke up on the right side!

It's true!

I know what you are thinking now too!

What's the big deal?

Well, if you know me....you know that I don't look at the glass half full or half empty, I just look at it for what it is - both! It's just a glass with liquid in it! It's the spilled milk that I'm worried about!




But today, I noticed that I looked on the brighter side of things! Even amongst my flower bed of only greenery...I finally noticed ONE red, short little tulip! I've complained about the abnormal growth before because of deer getting to them and the crazy weather, but today I just had to take a picture of the brighter side I noticed!



It must be all the good friendship rubbing off on me lately: reconnecting with fun, cute college friends, talking often with my beautiful sisters about everything, and FINALLY having a girls night out last night with wonderful, thoughtful friends who just listen!

So, I even thought that I should apologize to my wonderful, handsome and always optimistic husband! I didn't mean to call him out on our blog (a couple posts back), he really doesn't care about Must Have Mondays at all. It's that he really doesn't care about blogging in general! :( This will not be a big deal however, because I will do it all and just leave him out of it. That way we are both happy! :)
So, YES! this means that Must Have Mondays are back, baby! Join in on the fun if you want....you know you do!

Some good advice from a good friend: Don't forget who you are doing it for. Somethings you need to do just for yourself!

I think this just might be my new fave quote!
Thanks everyone for being so great and teaching me how to look on the brighter side!
Oh, and CHEERS to having water in the glass at all!

Enjoy the goods, baby!

I'm participating in a Pay It Forward Exchange. Want to play? I will send a small handmade gift to the first three people who leave a comment on my blog. You will receive your gift within a month from leaving your comment, hopefully! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. Apparently this has been going on for over a year. I hope you comment so you can enjoy the fun too!!

Must Have Monday!

Honestly, there will be no more Must Have Mondays.
and I'm sure everyone is so sad about it... ;)

but I am just not getting the support I want from my other half.
(he thinks it's pointless...)seriously!

anyone have any other ideas for a fun weekly post?

and now after posting this I'm sure that he would say: "Karen...
(just pause the post theme music first)


woe is me...
So long, must have mondays, farewell!

I get to be a Princess!

You Are Belle!

Intelligent and kind. Your beauty goes much further than your apperance. Also, you make judgements of people based on their personality and not their looks. Attaining all the knowledge that you can is one of your major goals in life, but you are also a person who can make things happen.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Must Have Monday...Late!

Today we are sick... yesterday we were sick...
it was nice weather outside yesterday, but we spent the day indoors. :(
So, we read. :)
I am so glad that my children like books! My must have(for this week...since I'm late) are our favorite books!

Dane loves this one... it pictures every truck and even gives tons of info on each one, so now when we are driving around he notices every single truck, and it's details!



This is Ava's favorite... she really loves pink and would really eat cupcakes all day if I let her! especially if they were pink!



This is my favorite... some days this is really what I think, and sometimes I think that I would love to move to Australia! But, the book is right... I would never really get away from it all!

MY ABC's...tag

A: attached or single? attached to my hubby, Derek!

B: best friends? Derek, and just many great friends

C: cake or pie? any cream pie

D: day of choice? Friday

E: essential item? water and lipgloss

F: favorite color? always yellow, but lately I'm loving orange

G: greatest accomplishment? finding Derek, then having my kids

H: hometown? Salt Lake City

I: indulgences? gossip magazines and eating out

J: January or July? July

K: kids? Dane who's 4 and Ava who's 2

L: life is incomplete without? life experiences, and the gospel

M: marriage date? May 29, 2002

N: number of siblings? five

O: oranges or apples? an apple a day...

P: phobias or fears? spiders and I'm claustrophobic

Q: quote? Dane pulled this one on me today..."Oh, I heard you mom, I just didn't want to listen."

R: reason to smile? watching my children wake up and smile to the brand new day

S: season? I enjoy experiencing all of them, I think that I would get sick of living in one climate all through the year.

T: tag three friends? no one ever does it when I ask, but I'll try: Robyn H., Aimee and Emily (except Joanna, who tagged me this time. :) )

U: unknown fact about me? I was in a serious car accident in which I cracked the windshield open with my forehead, now I have some serious scars that I HATE!

V: very favorite store? I can't choose just one, it depends on what I'm buying.

W: worst habit? hitting the snooze button

X: x-ray or ultrasound? ultrasound

Y: your favorite food? homemade rolls with honey butter

Z: zodiac? pisces

Must Have Monday!

Today my must have is my hairstyling flat iron. This bad boy does wonders! I don't have curly hair but I don't have straight hair either....so, I use this everyday! No matter how bad the blowdry look may be, the ceramic plates eliminate frizz, and leave your hair looking a little more sleek and smooth. Derek does not like it, because I sometimes leave it plugged in all day just in case I need it later. I even use it on Ava when I want her hair straight, because she does have some natural curl. You may think it's a little extreme and high maintenance, but it is really one of few things I use to get ready everyday. I just love it! What will I do in Europe? Any suggestions? What is your must have?

A Wonderful Weekend!

For me it started on Friday night with the Young Women Fundraiser. Every year we have a Spaghetti Dinner and Auction. It's so nice to have people donate items for the main auction, bring desserts for the silent auction, and just come to support the Young Women. We thought that this year we would let everyone know where we are going, when, and what our Camp theme is, so we dressed up like pirates and said our "chant". Derek even volunteered to be the auctioneer for his donation (as long as I am President he said) and he did a great job! The night was a success! Honestly, I was glad that it was over, only because I knew I would enjoy General Conference that much more. And I did...I enjoyed every minute...the sustaining of new leaders, every talk and all the beautiful music! It makes me happy to be able to watch it in the comfort of my home with my family by my side. Sometimes I wonder how much my kids really do learn, but earlier tonight I knew when we said our family prayer. It was my children who said thank you for President Thomas S. Monson. I am so grateful for their sweet thoughts and good examples.

What a wonderful weekend!

Must Have Monday!

I thought that I would start this Must Have Monday for many reasons:

I go about my day doing the same things and I noticed that I can't do those things without my many must-haves! right? I am grateful for my must-haves and want to give credit where credit is due.

My number one must have for today is: My corrective lenses!

When I woke up today I immediately put these on. Right before I go to sleep I take these off and place them on my nightstand. They are always there, rain or shine.

Yes, I wear contacts more often than my glasses but both are neccessities. This is the only thing that I can put on and it will actually correct something on my body. I just love them. Maybe one day I will get Lasik, but until then they both are definite must-haves!

I love to wake up and see! What would I do without my eyes and the glasses they need to see. Today I will try to remember everything I see and be so grateful for my sight.

A Little Easter Tradition!

For Sunday in Young Women's my wonderful 1st Counselor gave an amazing lesson! (Thanks, Jess!) It definitely brought us all to tears! We should all be so thankful for the gift of the Atonement and Resurrection! She mentioned that we (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) celebrate the Living Christ on Easter. And as a tradition, standing for three years, I make these:



A little nest to represent Life, Newness, and Spring! Happy Easter!!

The Young Women love them! (Thanks Mom for the cute idea!)

What a Glorious Day . . . Easter!

Out with the Old... Love the New!

So, many of you may remember that last year at this time, Ava had stitches, which she loved! The attention and the bandaids were too fun for her, but this year I was happy because no stitches, not even a runny nose! It was colder this year but we had some good times at the family Easter Egg Hunt on saturday! Here are some last years pics and this years...the kids look like they've grown some, ya?





Happy Easter!

"Am I Good?" or is it "Am I Cute?"

So, tonight the children were playing upstairs and when I called them down to get ready for bed I noticed Ava's face. When I asked her what it was, she immediately answered "lipstick, am I cute?"
Of course we couldn't help but bust a gut! but, I really was wondering what is was and so I looked closer....it was an orange crayon! She had bit off chunks and licked it to help smear the color on. I had to capture the moment and she was shy at first. If you look close you can see bits of crayon in her teeth! That is some serious wax clog in her insides right now I'm sure...good thing crayons are non-toxic, they are aren't they?

Anyway, after cleaning it up and putting the kids to bed, Derek mentioned it reminded him of this video...Did I Get It?