Heavenly Father's buttons

Today, was a warm, windy, cloudy day.  Perfect for some playtime at the park and to go fly a kite.  So after running a couple of errands, we stopped at the park that will be near our house.  The boys played for a little while and then I got out Owen's kite so he could fly it.  It didn't take long to get it up in the air.  He had fun flying it and running it around.  Except he kept getting near the trees and the wind was kind of crazy which made the kite dive.  I was afraid it was going to get caught and I couldn't get it out.  So I kept telling him to go out further in the grass away from the trees, but in a few minutes he was back near the playground, pavilion and trees.   After telling him for like the fifth time to get away from the trees, I got upset with him.  (I was actually upset about something else and I ended up taking some of it out on Owen.)  Then he accidentally let go of the kite and it started flying away.  He ran as hard as he could to get it back, but wasn't catching up to it.  Luckily, it got caught on top of the restroom shed.  I was still upset at him and shouldn't have been and now it was caught.  He was sad as I tried to get the kite free and I felt bad for getting mad at him.  Then just as I was about to give up and say it was stuck, the wind picked the kite up and I was able to get it free.  At that moment I knew that this was a lesson for me and Heavenly Father helped us.  So later I told Owen that Heavenly Father sent the wind to help us get the kite free and he said, "Oh" like everything came together and he understood.  

When Jared got home, we were telling him about our day.  I asked Owen how we were able to get the kite free and he said, "Heavenly Father pushed the wind button and that's how we got our kite unhooked."

I am surprised every day, these days, the things that Owen understands and learns.  I am learning that this is prime-time teaching and that I had better step up to the plate.  It was really cute and I was impressed with his concept of how things work up there.  Who knows, heaven could have all kinds of buttons that Heavenly Father pushes to help us every day :)

All girl!

OK, I haven't done much this week or haven't found anything profound to say.  Plus I like the comments that I'm getting for my pages:)  So here is another one.  I don't do very many girlie pages, and I've had these pictures for years.  So without having to go to the scrapbook store and the photo lab, I had to scrap these pictures.  Jann this is for you!

More Digital...

This is starting to become fun.  There are so many things that I can do!  Thanks for your comments on the last layout.  This one is all from ShabbyPrincess.com.  Thanks for your adorable FREE downloads!  I have a link on the left side, down a ways, for anyone interested.

Happy Green Day!

Dabbling in Digital

It's super late and I should have been in bed like two hours ago, but I've been busy creating my FIRST digital scrapbook page!  I think it turned out good (you tell me).  I have a lot to learn and relearn.  Even Jared had to help me remember Photoshop.  At the Expo, I got a CD full of papers, embellishments and alphas to try out.  I also downloaded a lot tonight from the internet.  But here is my very first page that I created.

It was fun to go to the Expo and I enjoyed looking at everything they had and all the GREAT deals!  I mostly got things for storage in my new scrapbook room.  It might still be a bit eclectic, like I seem to be, but I like the colors.  I hope they work.  It was also nice to scrapbook.  I started on our Disneyland trip.  There were lots of people, but next time it will be lots more fun with someone to go with.  I did have fun visiting with my mom and my sister, Camille, who were in town for the day.

Anyways, here is my creation.  I will post more this week! 

Birthday and Run

Well first off, yesterday was Jared's birthday.  He's now the big 35!  He thinks he's old, but he's not really.  His work surprised him yesterday with lunch and a party.   They overheard him talking to Owen on the phone, the day before, about his birthday being tomorrow.  Then they stole his phone, got my phone number to call me and confirm.  He didn't think anyone knew, but then started to suspect when surprise meetings popped up and everyone in the office vacated right before noon.  He's too observant.  We showed up for the party afterwards for a little while.  Aidan was going nuts with the Olympus water dispenser, cups were everywhere and he kept pulling the water knobs.  Owen was happy typing away on his computer--"working".  They liked riding the bus to dad's work and back.  Pretty exciting for a 2 and 4 year old.  Then later we had a party with his sister, Tailona, and my sister, Tiffany.  Owen absolutely refused to eat cake until we opened presents.  For his presents, Jared got a two new race cars (one on the cake) and some levi's.  He's old ones have to go!  He had a good day he said.  We love him and are grateful for all he does for our family.  He's a fantastic dad and husband.

The other thing is... I was going to run a 5 k on Tuesday night for A-week.  But the weather turned awful--rain, snow and wind.  SO instead, that night at my fit club, I ran "Michelle's 5k-fun run".  I finished in about 42 minutes and I realized that it's not so fun.  I did good for about 2 miles, but that last mile was pretty tough.  And I am feeling it.  But I was proud of myself for doing it.  I debated because I didn't think I was ready, but I knew if I didn't do it now, then I'd regret it.  I am glad I did.  It's the most I have EVER run in my entire life at one time (as far as I know).  So here I am, 33 and being able to run 3.2 miles.  Not bad, I'd say!  At least for me.  Now the hard part will be keeping it up.  I did realize that running a 5k and a marathon or a half sounds fun, but it's not really my thing.  I'd rather stick to volleyball, aerobics, kickboxing and that kind of thing.  I like that.  Now if I could find somewhere to learn how to ballroom dance...

Have a good weekend!  I'm off to scrap!

Happy, Happy Spring!!

Today it is snowing, AGAIN!  I know it is spring and this is what it does AND I live in Northern Utah now, but yesterday was so nice!!  You could actually feel the sun on your skin.  It's just one of those years...  when I want it to be nice and I just have to wait.  I remember having a year like this my 2nd year in college.  I was so excited to lay out and do fun, spring things and it kept snowing all the way into May.  But it will be nice soon and I'll stop complaining!!

I am excited to go to the Scrapbook USA Expo Friday and Saturday.  I am going by myself, so if anyone is going to be there or wants to be there and wants someone to hang with, then let me know.  All I really want to do is scrapbook and get great deals on stuff.  So I hope that I can do both!!  It will be a nice break.

For those of you interested, one of my roommates from BYU has created a blog on getting organized.  I know I need this in my life.  I mostly lack the know how.  I really need you, Denise, to come and organize my house, mostly my scrapbook stuff.  So if anyone needs some tips or encouragement, I have included a link on my blog under Favorite Links (right side).  I will also make a link right here:  An Organized Hand

Happy Spring!!

A Warm, Baby Animal Day

Yesterday was FINALLY a beautiful day!!!  So we spent most of it outside.  Our "soon-to-be" neighbors, Tarasha and Taya Haslem,  invited us to go to Baby Animal Days at the American Heritage Center.  Tiffany and Matt (boyfriend) came and hung out with us.  Owen really liked seeing the animals and petting them.  Aidan didn't mind looking, but it took a lot of coaxing to convince him to touch the animals, then he'd touch them for a second.  He liked climbing up on the wood fences and then he'd point at all the different animals and say, "Puppy, ooh (moo)"  I kept telling him the different animals and sounds that we saw, but each new animal was a puppy.  It was cute.  I think he enjoyed most the ride in the wagon, pulled by the tractor.  Every time he saw the tractor, he'd point and say,"tacter, whoa".

They also had some baby turtles that fit right in the palm of their hands.  That's the only thing Aidan held in his hand.  Owen's favorite was the pony ride.  It definitely wasn't long enough, but he loved it.  There were too many people and two tired babies to stand in line again.  We'll have to find a way to get more pony rides in the future.   It was so nice to be outdoors for a few hours.  The kids were so glad to be outside.  They came home with red cheeks and tired eyes.  Even today, Sunday, was very nice.  You could actually feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.  I hope that this is the beginning of many more beautiful, warm days.

I was wrong...

I had my hopes up to go to the expo this weekend, but it's next.  I was a bit disappointed at that moment, but it's fine, I still get to go!  I just get more time to prepare.

I hope everyone was able to do something fun yesterday.  We went swimming together as a family for FHE and had ice cream afterwards.  The kids loved it.  It was Owen's FHE and he did a great job! ;)

Quiet weekend

This weekend, Owen took a ride with my sister to my mom's house (Vernal).  It was quiet, just what I needed.  Jared didn't even make me cook and we even got to sleep in a little.  Owen had a blast at grandma's playing with them and helping Christopher and Emily build their house.  He loves to help and work.  They gave him a little tool belt.  Pretty nifty!  I told him that it was my scrapbook belt, but he said, "No".

I listened to a little bit of Conference.  I have the hardest time sitting and listening.  Saturday morning I ended up cleaning the bathroom after a little accident.  I caught bits and pieces of the other sessions.  I did sit down and listen to Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk to young mothers.  Something that I sorely needed to hear to fill my bucket and that it did.  I am so grateful to get the Ensign, so I can read and reread it.  I think I need to be more like Mary (from the New Testament) and just sit and listen.

Aidan watched Toy Story and Cars several times this weekend, while we did what we wanted.   I did some scrapbooking...finally!  I had a lot of fun.  I only got 4 pages done, but I take forever to do a page!  It takes me a little while to figure a layout, whether scraplifted or not.  But most of my time is taken on trying to figure out which accents to use and where they need to go.  It just kind of comes after lots of looking and refiguring.  But I'm proud of the pages.  I think they turned out good.  I tried to do some new things on a couple of pages--like have some shape and not just always square and using my own handwriting for title and journaling!  I decided to put them on my blog for you all to see.  This will be the first time I'm published! ! ;)

I  am excited that I get to go to the Scrapbook USA Expo this weekend.  I hope to see lots of stuff and have fun scrapping.  If any of you are going to show up, let me know!  I'd love to see you.  I'll probably be there Friday and Saturday.  Jared took Friday off so I could go.  What a great husband!!  Love you, babe!  Here is the link if anyone is interested:  Scrapbook USA Expo

We should have some more updates on our house.  It got sheet rocked on Friday and Saturday and the brick is waiting to be put up and the siding should be finished.  So look for updates on our house blog:  house blog.

I hope that everyone has a great day today!  Do something fun!

This one's for you, Russ!

If you don't already know, my husband is a big Nascar fan.  He loves to watch the race every Sunday and sometimes Saturday.  He likes Tony Stewart (Home Depot car), Dale Jarrett (UPS car), Dale Jr. (now that he's not driving the Budweiser car), and Kevin Harvick (Shell car).  I like to watch it with him sometimes.  It usually lulls me into a nice nap on Sunday afternoon.  I still haven't decided on which car and driver I like the best.  I told Jared they really need a Wal-Mart car because that's where most of our money goes!  During the last race, Owen found the McDonald's car and cheers now for it along with the M&M's car.  Aidan loves to play with the race cars and Nascar haulers that Jared bought.  I guess it has turned into a family affair.

So today when I drove by Lowes and saw that the #17 Dewalt (Matt Kenseth) car was there, I had to call and tell him.  Of course, he had to take a lunch break to go see it.  So we picked him up from work and took the boys to see it and take a picture or 10.  They liked it and it was cool to see what the car looks like on the inside.

Jared misses talking Nascar during Sunday School with his Cotton Mill buddies--Russ and Jason.  So after I took this picture, Jared said, "This one's for you, Russ!"

What more could a 2 year old want?!

Aidan had a good birthday.  I only got Happy Birthday Aidan! up because I was trying to download a video, but it was taking way too long.   So I don't know if just takes a really long time or there is something wrong.  We had lunch with my brother, my sister and her boyfriend.  Aidan loved his presents--Henry train, Annie and Clarabel trains, Cars shirt, Thomas and Cars books, train balloon, and a Thomas bike.  He can't quite reach the pedals on his bike, but he likes to sit on it and can push himself.  He even tries to carry his trains while on his bike.  We sang Happy Birthday to him and he tried to blow out his candles, but couldn't get enough wind.  Owen helped him out.  Then the fun part was licking the frosting off the candles and then sticking them back in for more frosting.  Hope no one gets sick :D  He was so excited about his trains that he took one bite of his birthday cake and he was done and I don't think he ever got another piece of his cake.  It was a fun day.  He loved his presents and had fun with his family.  What more could a 2 year old want?!