Making Life Simple...

Making life more simple is a good goal to have right? Well, that is exactly what we are trying to do.

It started with getting a cereal holder. This way Hunter doesn't have to CLIMB on the counters and he can still be independent and get his own breakfast. He loves this new gadget.

Next, we are doing chores, trying to get Hunter boy to learn EVERYTHING IS NOT FREE! Mommy and daddy can't buy you everything and if you want it you have to EARN the money.

Honestly I was starting to feel like a maid. I was picking up after these boys ALL DAY! By the time I had one end of the house clean, the boys destroyed the other end. Chores!! Oh heck yeah, Hunter is doing chores. He actually likes it. Now he is my big helper.

Finally, if you where in our house for the past couple of months it was a nightmare trying to get Hunter UP and OUT the door for school.

So after talking to my friend Lauren she suggested a plan that they did. And let me tell you .... It has been a huge night and day difference.

When Hunter wakes up he has to make his bed, get dressed, brush his teeth, and be at the table eating his breakfast by 7am. If he is there all ready to go with backpack and shoes on he gets $1.00.

This has been huge in our home... no tears, no mommy and daddy feeling like bad parents, no yelling "lets go we are going to be LATE"! It is just a good morning.

I love it, and he is earning money to buy the things he wants. No more mommy and daddy just giving him everything.

These have been positive changes in our home. It is a new meaning to HAPPY new year!

We each have divine potential to create masterpieces within our lives here on earth.

That woman...

I was introduced to an older man at a wedding on Sunday as "oh you remember that woman". She is the one you called in the hospital.

The older man responded with a smile Oh yes! You are Haley's mom!

I loved how his sweet face filled up with the biggest smile when he said Haley's mom. It was like he had known me for all his life and knew my daughter as his own granddaughter.

It was all I could do to hold back the tears in my eyes when he said "Haley's Mom". That totally caught me off guard. I'm not use to being known to others as Haley's mom, Hunter and Henry yes, hummm that was a strange feeling. The brides mom saw me and immediately embraced me with love. It amazes me that such wonderful friendships have come from little infants that passed on to heaven.

What a beautiful and special connection to have... when they look at me they see and remember our dear Haley girl. Our families will forever be friends because we shared each others burdens and have grown from our little angels in Heaven.

Sometimes I'm reminded in the oddest ways that yes, I do have a daughter, I'm Haley's mom. I'm so use to being a mommy of boys, those stinky, stubborn, adventurous adorable boys that I love so dearly.

When I thought about it some more on the way home, I thought about the impact little Haley has had on so many people. My sister Audrey is on a mission and she shared Haley story with a member, who I have never met in Utah. It has amazed me that through one little girl in heaven, our family has connected with 3 new friends and her story has been shared to help others that have also lost infants.

We met Gina 7 years ago. She had twin boys, Daniel and Dylan, they died from complications. They all share a place with Haley on Our Heavenly Father's knee.
Through her I then met Amy, and a sweet lady named Tiffany. Who is a teacher at Hunter's School. What are the odds of that. Tiffany helped me out with Hunter and gave me peace of mind with school teachers in the future.

I firmly believe that people or should I call them earthly angels are placed in our lives for a purpose. They teach us, we love each other. We truly are "sisters" sharing each others burdens the good and bad life experiences.

I'm use to being a mommy of boys and having them watch me, but when I really thought about it. I have a little girl that is watching me, watching over me, helping me, loving me beyond my understanding. It makes me want to be "that woman" the woman with the strong testimony, is a daughter of God, an example of humility, Charity in my heart, compassion, patience, and unconditional love. I want her to be proud of me. I want to be a reflection of our savior. I know I won't be perfect , but I sure can try. I know I can do my best and the lord will cover the rest.

I'm Haley's Mom, the mother of a daughter so perfect that she was needed back in heaven. Wow, now that is pretty cool to think about. So when I think back now at the moment when I was introduced as "That Woman" I give a big smile and say yes that's me!!!

Just not gonna...

This new year I decided I'm not dieting, not stressing about what I look like, not feeling bad about myself or the love handles around my hips and belly.

I was starting to obsess over what I ate, getting on the scale ALL the time. When is enough, enough!?

Instead, I'm going to enjoy life, exercise when I can, make good choices of food for my body and my family.

I'm going to relax...find other area's of my life to put my energy, positive energy. Have fun with exercising, Steve and me are even going to try to do P90X, now that sounds comical doesn't it? Ha ha

This is me, this is my size, if I loose those my last 10 pds then I do. And I will have fun with it. But i'm NOT going to stress about it.

Awwww that really feels good.

Happy New Year!!!!

Christmas 2010 So blessed

Awwwww Christmas morning... fun times.
The guys just hanging out.
I love my Ashlea!!
Alisha is armed and dangerous.....

Sisters...Watch out!!! Hunter is geared up for dart wars.
Henry loves his new activity table.
Chicken for dinner?!?
Wii Wii Wii Wii ..................
Santa came!
Granny reading Christmas books.
Making cookies for Santa.
Books from Granny McFaddin.
Visiting with the Blackwelder Cousins.

Our Christmas was spent with the "White" side this year. We headed to Orlando and spent the night with Aunts, Uncles, Granny White and had a blast with the cousins.

We truly had a blessed Christmas. This year Christmas had such a different meaning with us have more of a Christ Centered Christmas. We really tried to focus on Christ rather than presents.

Of course Hunter and Henry totally scored with great fun items. Awwww the joy of Christmas morning when those little guys get to open presents and see what Santa brought them. So Special!