Love Week-Day 4

I've been thinking about the things I love this week more than usual for this exact purpose. There are a lot of things I love-some obvious, some not so obvious. My family, my friends....my kids and Scott....of course they all make the list (and may make an appearance later in the week.)

But today, I'd like to say that:

I LOVE ENGLAND.

For any of you who may not know...I served a mission in the England Birmingham mission from Oct. 1996-May 1998. (yes, I am 33. I'll save you doing the math.)

I feel so fortunate to have served in such an amazing country. I loved it as a missionary-and have been fortunate enough to go back twice since returning home. The first time was in 2000-I went back by myself for a little over 3 weeks-and had an amazing time. (I wish I had digital pics from then....)
And then in September, 2007 Scott (who coincidentally also served a mission in England-Coventry/Birmingham mission in 89-91) and I were able to go back together for the wedding of a sister that he baptized while serving. They were married in the Preston temple.

It was so great to go back to visit together- Presley was just 6 weeks old, so she made the trek with us too. Imagine-a 6 week old baby with a passport. Yep, she's got one!

My English family-Nige, Jan, Becca, Chris and Jared Dann- live in Lincoln



where I served for 7+ months. We stayed with them and went to London together.


My affinity for England will never be diminished-I feel like it is truly a part of me. So, for today, I love England!

(And Scotland too, I guess. I haven't spent as much time there-but it is SO beautiful!)


You know what else comes from England that I LOVE?
Fish-n-Chips!

Love Week-Day 3

Today I love:

TEACHING!

I really do love being a teacher. I know it is my calling.
I missed it when I took a few years off. Having my preschool has been such a wonderful opportunity for me and my family. I have the best of both worlds. I still get to teach and I still get to be a stay at home mom. I have Fridays off so that I can go to the girl's school and volunteer there and I can go to most field trips and class parties too.

I love that Scott is so supportive as well. He is always helping me cut things out or put things together..he's a good sport.

So, here's to Smart Start Preschool. I feel very blessed! And I am LOVING it!

Some of my cute kids on Halloween , at the Pumpkin patch, and at our Valentine Celebration today. Too cute they are...most of the time!

Love Week-Day 2

This might go pretty much without saying,
but I heart:

And the reason I do is because it's been such a great way for me to keep in close touch with family and friends that otherwise I may not hear from very often.

Some say it's evil...and call out the dangers.
As for me, I use it purely as a social connection tool. And I love my friends and family that I get to be social with!

Love week-day 1

Thanks to my friend Lisha, I am going to try to do a post every day this week of things I love.

Today I love:


My Scentsy candle.

Favorite scents so far....
Black Raspberry Vanilla
Welcome Home
Spruceberry

OH, and I also LOVE that Scott made it home safely from his crazy baja weekend. I will be posting about that soon!

Lake Havasu welcomes Scott

Scott is leaving for the weekend.

This is what he's going to be doing.






Yes. He is going to be the co-pilot of one of these crazy trucks and going on a 200+mile race reaching speeds of 130+ all while being strapped into a 5 point harness, wearing some high tech neck brace and a helmet that is air conditioned and has it's own hydration system. But it's not dangerous. Trust me. He's told me that at least 4000 times since I agreed to let him go.

Honestly.

And the funny this is.....I know that he will honestly have the time of his life.
All I ask for is your prayers....cause I know I'm going to need them!!

Have fun Scott-and I can't wait to see your photos (and your face!) when you get back!

10 4 T- Date night with Landon

Tonight I took Landon out on a date.

1- We went and dropped books off at the public library. He loved to watch the books disappear into the book drop off place.

2- We went to Wal-Mart.

3- THIS is what we bought....







4- I do not have much confidence when it comes to potty training him.

5- But I know that it's time. He is 3. I'm ashamed he's not trained yet.

6- He's excited about the "Hunderwear" we bought. (Multi-pack of cars, wall-e, nemo, incredibles, buzz lightyear)

7- He has yet to use the little toilet...but will go on the big one.

8- I DESPISE potty training.

9- I've heard boys are harder than girls....my girls, especially Parker, were really hard to train. Hence, I've been putting it off. AND, not to use excuses, but he is babysat 4 days a week by friends while I teach preschool and I really don't want them to have to do it. (Lisha and Alaina...I'm really sorry this has started.)

10- Heaven help us. I need the strength to get this done.......
Any tips would be greatly appreciated. :)

Parker's Birthday Extravaganza!

Family Party!


I'm finally updating Parker's birthday-it's only a week or so behind.

Parker started her birthday with a birthday breakfast. I let her decide what she would like and it was....Swedish pancakes. (Or Crepes as most people know them!) She was a little bummed that she had to go to school on her big birthday! (And Pacie was bummed that she'll never go to school on her birthday. Summer birthday's are like that.)

We did treats for her class....Raspberry Zingers and then came home to start the festivities.
My kids always get to request their cake for each birthday. She knew she was having 2 parties this year-a friend party and a family party-and that entitled her to two cakes. For the family party she wanted a yellow and green star. So that's what we did! Scott said we could go to dinner-her choice-and she chose, Leo's place. Of course. It's fun for parents though because the kids go off and play and you can actually sit and talk in somewhat peace and quiet! Mamie and Gramps and Matt and Ashley were able to join us and boy did Parker get spoiled!




My favorite moment of the night was after the cake and fun-


Parker got a new journal from Scott and me. We wrote in the front that it was a place she could write her feelings and testimony and just a special place to write anything. A few minutes later, we looked over and there she was, writing away. When she showed it to us, it was her little testimony. So sweet and special.


Friend Party!
This marked the first year that Parker had ever requested a friend party. I think it's because we always have family around to celebrate and she's never missed having friends there. But we felt like it was important to let he do one this year-she's had a few trials at school with friends...so we did. She wanted a microphone cake to go along with her Camp Rock invites-so that's what we did! It was very low key...not at all lavish. But I think that the girls all had fun!

She had 10 friends there. We did face painting, played musical chairs and chased balloons around the basement, had cake and opened presents. Finished out the night with a little freeze dancing. Lots of screaming and giggles. And I thought to myself...this is just the beginning.





Oh, and Landon was at the party too. Not wanting to be left out in the face painting, we opted for the manly football stripes as opposed to the hearts/flowers/butterflies the girls were getting. We LOVE this kid!