Photography Class.

Jake has been taking an intro to photography class for a fine art credit this semester and its been so fun. Its nice to just get out and take pictures for fun! It's weird to me how much knowledge I have gathered on the subject and fun to teach him what I have learned over the years. It is hard to explain sometimes. The kids are always happy to help out and want a million pictures taken of them. It's definitely a family class. Here are a few in and out takes for the class. enjoy!

what.

I know right. It's been a long time.
life is crazy. I feel like I am most of the time. I even thought it was a good idea to have another baby. Its another boy. I am having second thoughts.
to late now.
but really I am excited to snuggle a newborn again. Their soft skin. the new baby smell. I really can't wait until may. and I want this baby out of my body already so I really can't wait.
Life has been good to us. Jake is in school and working everyday. I am working and the kids get to play with my sister Jessica 4 days a week and go to daycare 1 day a week. They are happy and growing like weeds. Literally like weeds. I can't buy pants fast enough for Reeds long legs. Its getting expensive. I hope he slows down a little he is already really tall for his age.
I just love all my sweet boys. They are crazy and run my life. They also stink. but I love them all the same.
We live in the city of Provo right now. Just down from seven peaks. The boys love it during the summer. We don't love all the people that park in front of the house. But the free season passes make up for it a little.
We actually think we will stay here for another year. that has to be some sort of record for us.
its late.
until next time.
hopefully its not another year

Halloween, Halloween....Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween! It was such a warm beautiful day, which never happens in Heber!  My kids are so fun right now. Reed knows exactly what it is and Nash was finally getting the hang of it at the end. We got to spend it with most of the family! (missed you Becca, Eric, Steven, and DJ) I love living with my parents just for that reason!

bloom where you are planted.

That is the one thing that I live by! We move around so much that seriously changed how I felt about it. It doesn't matter where you are, it is your attitude that will determine how you react to the situation. So that is what we are doing. We have been so positive and the move and everything has gone so smoothly! Always a few minor bumps and craziness, but that is always expected :D but we made it safe and sound and that is all that really matters to me.

We painted the rooms my parents are letting us stay in while we are here and they turned out so amazing. They are both gray but kids is a little lighter but ours is a darker rich one, and we love it! and I forgot how much space is in these rooms. It is making it so much easier to transition. We are happy so far! Now Jake will be home in a few weeks and will begin a job hunt again, so if anyone has any leads please let us know. Thank you in advance! We really are settling in and my family has made that really easy for us. The only thing that is driving me crazy is my DOG he keeps going and visiting all the neighbors and won't stay home! He has always had a fence so he is really happy to roam free! NOT my favorite thing....... and probably not the neighbors... That will be remedied this week with an electric fence. Little stinker.

We also got to go up to Idaho for a few days for a Reed reunion. We finally got to spend time with Jake's grandparents and it was great seeing everyone!
and we snapped a few photos.

 Nash would not let me take his picture, but I did get one of Reed.
Isn't he the cutest!

the rumors..

Well I know we have had a few rumors flying around and I am here to clarify.. We are moving yet again... We just can't seem to stay put, but I think this time it is for the best. Jake has decided to go back to school and the best place for him to start doing that is in Provo. We are sad to leave this area. We have really enjoyed being here, but it will be best in the long run. 

Jake has decided to go to Pharmacy school. He only needs about 2 years to be able to apply and hopefully things will move along fast and smoothly. It will be a bumpy ride for a while, but we have great supportive families! and we will be staying with my parents for a while until we feel stable enough to move out. Jake will continue to work for elite for the summers, and he actually left today to go to Seattle for the next 5 weeks. He comes home just for a few weeks to help us move back up to Utah and then will return for the remainder of the summer. Its gonna be crazy but a good crazy. Hopefully things will fall into place and we feel really good about this decision. First one that I am not stressing about too much! ask me in 2 weeks when the kids are driving me bonkers. 

We feel really blessed to have such great families and offering us everything at this hard time. We love you guys so much and can't wait to be done with the school life and we haven't even started. So 6 years here we come, to living and loving as poor as they come! :D

I am really loving this quote lately probably because it is what I need to hear..

"Bloom where you are planted" 

and I will be doing just that

Love you all!

(Any mommies in the Heber area I am going to need some play-dates starting July!)

Why do we always think we are failing.

I am sure most of you by now have read this article. Don't get me wrong. It was a great article. Ever since I read it though I can't stop thinking about what she said. She talks about at the first all the reasons why we feel like we are failing as mothers and we aren't good enough. Why is it when we see what people have done or what people are doing that WE aren't doing, we feel bad for ourselves.. It just makes me so sad that as a whole, women feel this way. I wish I could change this feeling in every women. Help them understand that they are enough!

Why can't we just see the amazing things we are doing for our family! I always felt like my kids were sent to me for a reason and I have what they need to succeed in life. So I better give them everything I got. They need me not anyone else.
Another Mom doesn't have the same traits as me.
I am the only one (and my husband) that knows what these little guys need.
I am not saying that we don't need help from time to time, but I think that we are built for this.
And we should never second guess that.
I love that she said she was trying. I couldn't agree with her more.
Trying is the best way to put it. If you are trying to be a good Mom to your family that is all they would ever ask for.
I am not saying that I have never felt inadequate. I always want to be better and once and a while I get down, but my Mom did a good job at teaching me that everyone is different and everyone has different talents and to focus on the ones that you have. Those are the ones that make you special.
Coming from a family of OVERLY talented people. It was hard. I always wanted to be like them and be-able to do things like them, and maybe that's where I learned that so early. I had to get over the fact that I was great for who I was.


"you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation."
I love this Talk by Pres. Uchtdorf he has such powerful words.
I hope all of my friends know this.. I hope all of you know I think everyone one of you are amazing women with so many talents.
and I feel so blessed to know all of you.

{Brain won't stop}

My brain will not stop...
it is just a mush of letters and pictures swirling around............................................
don't even know if I can write it down, but it needs to get out.
I was so excited for a new year but if I knew how hard it was going to be I would have stopped it.
It has been the old white roller coaster from lagoon. (you all know what I am talking about) You look at it and think.. not that scary, but once you are on it.. you are scared to death it just might all fall apart.
first thing. a few days after Christmas my uncle took his own life. He wasn't even 5 minutes from my parents home. We didn't even know he was up visiting until we got that call that he had died. The phone rang in the middle of the night, and you know it can never be good. It was a sad and hard and emotional time. So many unanswered questions, so much regret of not knowing he was in pain. Being a Mom. I was mad at him for leaving his little kids. They need him. I love him and I know he is not in pain anymore. I miss him.
Next week strep for Reed.
Misery
Next strep and ear infection for Nash
Misery
Next week Strep for Me. (awesome)
no insurance = expensive.
Few days later...
Jake leaves for Dallas for two weeks.
misery.
2weeks later.
So excited to Jake.. missed him like crazy!
Get a call that morning.
Mummi (My Mahoney Grandma) Had a stroke. Probably not going to make it....
Next day... Mummi passes away..
2 days later..
Jake has to stay home for work, Becca and Eric pack me and the kids up to go to Heber, Utah. So glad they are here with us.
We don't get off to a great start... missed a turn, left REALLY late. good thing Vegas had hotel rooms for $12 (and it wasn't a crusty, gross one either.)
I get a sinus infection as soon as we get there. 
Friday. Mummi's funeral was beautiful. Wished I would have known her better. She was an amazing women. She sacrificed more than I ever could have. I love and cherish her for that.
Saturday. Eric flys home to go to work, Nash gets the flu
Sunday. Becca and I drive home.
Hour 1-4 Blizzard, Rain, Sleet, Hail (the kind you can't hear each other talk) Nash has diarrhea
Hour 5-12 Sunshine and clear skies for the most part. Reed gets the flu.. throws up at McDonalds. Then throws up the car. Sleeps for most of the time (thankfully)
Make it home.
A few days later. Get a call that My uncle had a heart attack, but drove himself the hospital and is waiting to hear back. He just thought it was a hernia. (tough guy)
Looks like he is going to be okay. Thank goodness.
3 life changing things in 60 days should suffice 2012. Now that we got that out of the way. I expect greatness until the end of the year.
Amen.

and a little pick me up.
 “When the burdens of life become heavy, when trials test one’s faith, when pain, sorrow, and despair cause the light of hope to flicker and burn low, communication with our Heavenly Father provides peace.”
—President Thomas S. Monson