Joy's Fun Ladies Brunch! THANKS JOY!!

Heidi moved away last year and she just can't stay away(we are all so lovable)! We love when she comes to visit and I'm so excited that she is having another baby. Heidi is such an amazing mom and friend. Love ya sistah!
Alicia with Joy, Shannon and Heidi..... I can't believe the time has come for them to move away ..... Best of luck to all three of them as they move on to new adventures there hubbies getting JOBS & they get to decorate new HOMES! I'm so excited for them.
Joy is the hot momma sitting beside me (white shirt) that throw the ladies brunch last week. She put together a really neat album for all of us to have that included all of our families so we would have pics to remember each other by. It was funny trying to get the camera's to take pictures all at the same time.... AMBER WHERE ARE YOU?!??!?! Only 4 of these ladies are staying in Gainesville! It will be so strange on that one Sunday when ALL the families are gone. I'm excited to spend time with the ladies that are staying... they are pretty cool.... girls nights anyone!?
WOW... It is something real special and neat to be surrounded by so many awesome and amazing ladies! I feel so blessed to be part of a Strong group of woman and I just have to say I have the most gorgeous friends! Hot Momma Hotties!!! ALicia and Lauren... we are staying put in G'ville! We will have to stick together girl! Lauren will be my partner in crime!

Hunter went Poo poo in the POTTY!!!! Wooo Hooo!

Some of you know Hunter is potty training... he has been doing really great for about 2 weeks with the peeing, still working on the pooping on the potty thou. Then this morning I put him on the potty and bribed him with GUM (he is always asking for it when I chew it )maybe he would go poo poo then if would give him some gum. That did that trick! HUNTER WENT POO POO IN THE POTTY!!! I was so happy, excited, proud... all of the wonderful mommy feelings.. I just smiled and got even more excited when I thought about it 30 min later. I think I was more excited then Hunter. O.k. I know what a silly mom I'm. Anyways I just wanted to share our fun breakthrough...

Fun Filled Days with Friends and Family

Alicia's silly tan line from the last visit... wow what a WHITE girl!

Ceder Key seems to be the fun place to be right now.... it is close eneough for the kids to enjoy the ride and great for the kids to enjoy as well as moms. Last week Hunter and Alicia went with Emily, Jocelyn, Joy and her kids Tian and Noelle. We had a blast spending the day together. Soaking up the rays and sharing girl time while the kids played.

Emily came in town for 4 days and there are some fun pics of the kids on the trampoline, 4-wheeler and special time with Papa Tom. Emily and Alicia's dad came over and hung out with us. Jocelyn and Hunter love there papa and enjoy when he swings them and plays with them.

Directions to Cedar Key Florida ..

SW ARCHER RD(SR-24 W)
Continue to follow SR-24 W - go 39.5 mi
Arrive at the center of CEDAR KEY, FL

http://www.cedarkey.org/

Mommy Fun Day at Cedar Key

Lacy, Kira and Alicia loaded up all 4 kids in the SUV and headed to Cedar Key Friday morning,It was the most beautiful day. The kids did great in the car there and then on the way home I think all the kids needed naps (Hunter was teasing Joseph and driving him crazy.. sorry Lacy). Cedar key is only about 40 min away so it was not a bad drive at all. We got to swing, run, have a picnic, play in the water and even see some wierd looking shrimp thingy... I couldn't tell you WHAT it was. We really had an enjoyable day. It was fun chatting as mom's and watching the kids interact and enjoy the day.

It's Official!! Steve opened a CAR LOT!

Our family has great news! Steve has opened a car lot in Gainesville, It is called "Gainesville Motor Company". It is located downtown (on Main Street). There name will be known for ALL cars under 10,000... it will be perfect for a college town. Yet they won't be cheesy gold chain around your neck with your chest hair hanging out salesmen. LOL They are still working on small details like pictures on the walls some furnature and the official sign. For now they just have a banner sign till the official one comes in. Steve is so excited he has worked hard to get to this point in his career and he has great partner's to work with. His partner is Luis and his wife Amanda. They all have there own special roles that keep this buisness flowing. We could not be more happier for this new great chapter in our lives. Congrats Steve your hard work and dedication is paying off.!!!!!

Books, books, books.....

I have started 3 books and I'm having the darnest time finishing them. I'm a terrable book reader and so I start a couple and never finish them. I have enjoyed the book by Robin MCGraw "inside my heart" she shares about the fact that you make your life the way you want it to be and be confident in yourself and your decisions. I love her passion for life... "The five people you meet in heaven" keeps me thinking about have I touched someone's life that they will remember me, who would be my 5 special people after I die that will come up to me and tell me that I made a difference in there life.... It is a cool book to read almost done with that one. Then there is "I was a good mom before I had kids" that is a pretty funny book. It seems like it is my every day thoughts sometimes. As I read it, it is nice to know i'm going thru the same adventure as other moms all over AMERICA! I tend to be hard on myself as a mom and this book is great to know that feelings that moms have are normal... it really is a fun book... written by 3 ladies. And FINALLY..... my mother in law suggested reading the new one by Suze Orman! Has anyone read that... fill me in, did you enjoy it? I plan on buying it once I finish my other THREE!!! So any suggestions... I'm determined to finish ALL the books in the next month or two. I wish I had more of a desire to jump into books. Wish me luck!

Emily my sister sent this link to me it is a great website about Visiting teaching... fun ideas!

Visiting Teaching - Acting as the lords hands!
http://mormonchic.com/gospel/visiting_teaching_04.asp

Hunter and mommy went to North Carolina to visit Granny and Papa McFaddin and also Hunter's cousins Anya, Adria and Logan. Alicia got to spend some fun time with her sister Bethany and Brother in law Neil.

We had fun going to the park, mall (with 4 kids) oh yeah that was a crazy trip!, most of all they played played played. We miss them living so far..and love them dearly!

GOD BLESS THE AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE!!!

This picture is Alicia and her sister Bethany and all the kids.... We went for a week, the weather was beautiful. Our days consist of constant running. As we sat down one night it amazed us as mom's all that we did. Wake up, get everyone dressed, feed them breakfast, all the kids say is ~"mommie" we play, "mommie" we read, "he hit me" we color,"she is taking my toy" we watch a movie,"i'm hungry" LUNCH TIME!.. cook, (convince the kids to eat what you made) wash hands, clean kitchen part way till kids want attention..."mommie", "she hit me" "hey that is mine", o.k. kids NAP TIME! (then the next 1hr is spent trying to get all 3 kids to sleep), Give up and just let the kids play! Snack time..."no mommie I want fruit snacks not a bannana", clean up living room for the 2nd time. Outside time... "hey that is my bike", "mommie, mommie" dinner time... shoot who has time to cook... GO GET PIZZA! All the kids love pizza! Bath time... SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH! Wash kids, dry kids, PJ time. Clean up living room for the 3rd time, crayons, bathroom and now time to read books. Prayer time... thank the lord we ALL survived a fun filled active no nap day! Ahhhhh kids are in bed "mommie I have to go potty", finally quiet time... but wait my days isn't over. Finish cleaning the kitchen folding the laundry and oh now I can take a shower. "God bless the american house wife" hats off to all of you amazing woman and mothers!!

Hangin with the girls at the bonfire!

Elder's Quorum Bonfire at the White's House

HOT HOT HOT that is all I can say about the major Bonfire that Steve built. It was a fun night roasting hot dogs and making smores. The fire was so hot that people had to use chairs to shield themselves. As I looked around the yard... I saw lots of people chatting it up, kids running around and jumping on the trampoline. It seemed that everyone that came had a great time. The Guys did a GREAT job putting it all together, setting up and cleaning up. It was nice having a party at my house and not having to do ANYTHING. Now that is my kind of get together. :)

Hunter's Happy Hour

Mommy and Daddy's little dare devil.... these are the kind of things Hunter loves to do.. he jumps off of ANYTHING no matter the hidth. Hunter has also been busy POTTY TRAINING again. I think this time might be it. He is all excited to put stickers on his potty chart and of course get his skittles candy treat. Hunter is becoming such a big boy! He is talking so much now and saying things that shock mommy and daddy. We are so pleased with Hunter and are so excited for him to grow even more when he starts school in August. Hunter has really blossomed in his personality. He loves to color and wants to show it off ever time, enjoys counting and singing his ABC's. He also loves to be outside on his 4-wheeler, he does circles around the house. As parents we could not be more proud of our little guy. What a blessing!

Jammin Journel Alicia's Craving.....

As I walked thru the kitchen I felt like a tiger about to attack the rice crispy treats that Steve made and I looked around at what other sweet thing I could have then made my way straight to the treat... opened the lid and about had to spank my own hand. I was impressed with myself... I said to myself... dangit NO you don't want that. (can you see me yelling at myself...... I think i'm going crazy) So I went and made celery and peanut butter. Humm doesn't that sound like a good trade. NO.....Healthier maybe not better tasting. As I ate the celery I at least felt better about myself.

My last week I have struggled with trying to eat the right and healthier things. I play a mind game with myself and say " oh I can eat just this it won't be that bad" and THEN i'm frustrated with myself for the rest of the day, or when I get on the scale and I haven't lost anymore weight. And it is constantly in the back of my mind that if the cancer is still there in 4 months then it is because I didn't stick to such a strick diet... the constant rollercoaster. Wow how do people do so good with eating so well ALL THE TIME. I have done better than I thought and even my husband... has compimented me on doing good. I have been at this for going on 4 weeks and it has been rewarding and tough. I guess looking at the BIG picture my body will be healthier and i'm happy for the change in my body that I can see. I'm just going to pat myself on the back and keep going and when I do struggle hopefully it won't be a HUGE BIG CUPCAKE.... :) Sincerly Celery Girl!

Shoutout to my sister Emily!

Emily is such an amazing mom and so creative. She loves her family and adores her daughter Jocelyn. Emily is always doing for others and loves life to the fullest. She has an amazing testimony of the Gospel and shows her love to the lord by her service to others. I'm grateful and blessed to have her as my sister. I love our talks we can laugh, cry and talk for hours about our lives as moms, wives, sisters and friends. I love ya sistah!
This is just ONE of Emily's many creative treats. She made these rice crispy treats for an activity. I was just amazed.. they are so dang cute. What a fun treat for the kids.

Alicia's Simply Satisfactions

So last night I got the itch to organize..... I put together a storage cabinet and bought some baskets to keep Hunter's toys in. Our living room was starting to look like Hunter's toy room.... Which leads me to wake up this morning and clean Hunter's room and organize his toys, closet, shoes... you name it. I took out the changing table (which was just becoming Hunter's ladder to the top of the closet - he is such a monkey) therefore making room for the dresser. It was very satisfying to see all the toys in a certain place. Lacy gave me the idea by her organizing Joseph's play room..... thanks Lacy! I love to organize things and see the finished project....(realistically I know that Hunter's room with not stay this organized - all you mom's out there were laughing and thinking that right !?!?! :) at least I got a picture of it done. LOL :)

Hunter is ready to play at his "car station" and "puzzle table .


Beds made nice and clean! Notice NO curtains anymore... Hunter ripped them down... superman! What a wild little boy!

















Hunter's is all set in the clothes department!
How many balls in the ball bag? WAY TO MANY!!!




Alicia put together the shelf for Hunter's toys... nice and organized :)

Hi There!!

Hunter and Mommy went to Busch Gardens on Thursday. We wanted to check out the Gorilla's. Hunter walked right up to the Gorilla statue put both hands on the gorilla's cheeks and said " HI, HOW ARE YOU TODAY"? Oh it was priceless. I just smiled for the rest of the day thinking about.

Alicia's Wish List

I saw this in a magazine and I just LOVED it.... I taped it up on my desk in the office so I can look at it everyday and think about how great it would look in my bedroom.. Can you visualize this set with a cherry wood sleigh bed and our room is already painted green. I'm thinking I see my name ALL OVER IT.... I will just add it to my wish list, never know I have a birthday (o.k. so it is June but hey this is my WISH list - LOL) and mothers day coming up ... hint hint Steve :)~

I hope you all dance this week... make it the best week ever!

My Sunday went great I taught my lesson in Gospel Doctrine and I was very pleased with the outcome... I have decided to make this a great week, my last week was NOT GOOD AT ALL.... I have come to realize that I'm the only one that can make myself have a good week taking it a DAY at a time. Last week I wanted a vacation from my life so this week I would like to start out positive and fill my week with laughter from my sweet son, giving thanks to my husband for all his hard work, and finding satisfaction in myself knowing i'm doing the best I can. Trying not to be negitive, giving gratitude to my heavenly Father and just dancing, letting my inner spirit enjoy life and not be so stressed, just relax and enjoy what I have. wow I have so much to be grateful for. I could make a list 2 pages long.. so dangit.. i'm gonna enjoy my awesome life and dance like i'm the only one in the room! ( i hope no one peeks thru the window it could be a pretty funny site.. me dancing - LOL) I hope you all dance this week also and take time to remember the sweet and special moments. Look around and see your kids in a different light.. you husbands for the great men that they are and give your self a hug and pat on the back you are ALL amazing! ( I would love to hear about your week next Sunday or even during the week let me know how you are doing) I love this song. I hope you dance by LeAnn Womack.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

Hangin with Hunter's Cousin Jackson!

Jackson and Auntie Alicia at the basketball game.



Crusin Cousins, Jackson loved driving the 4-wheeler and did circles around the house with Hunter having a great time holding on, watch out nascar!

We had Hunter's cousin Jackson over for a couple of days and they got to go to the Harlem Globetrotters, and played, played played... they had a fun slumber party in Hunter's room. Made pancakes in the morning which was a hit for the boys. This is a picture of them with the globetrotters star!

Prettiest Cookies EVER and VERY YUMMY!

My sweet friend Marie showed up on Friday with this plate full of amazing cookies! I thought it was the sweetest and most thoughtful surprise. Marie is so dang talented & creative with cooking, decorating, making cards, you name it if she sets her mind to it she can do it. Martha Stewart watch out! My family enjoyed the cookies! Thanks!
P.S. Marie you will notice one is missing... I just HAD to try one.. at least it was a small one... it was well worth me cheating on my daily diet :). My Hubby loved them...and Hunter wanted more cookie mommy!