Brain Clutter?

Ever feel like you’re inspired to do everything? That’s me, lately. I want to paint, craft, sew, garden, exercise, purge (closets, attic, etc.), get a new hairstyle, re-decorate, write, read, find a church, plan vacations, visit friends, take weekend roadtrips, and on, and on, and on and on, but I will spare you the anxiety.

Feels like there are a bazillion thoughts trapped in my little head. 

Need to, want to, must do STUFF.

My thoughts, ideas and to-do lists are cluttering the countertops in my brain. You know that feeling… like there’s crap everywhere, yet you can’t find the one thing you’re looking for. 
How do I clean up the brain clutter without throwing out my thoughts, ideas and to-do lists? I like that stuff, and someday, somehow I will get around to doing all of it. 

But in the meantime I need a filing system! 

NEED TO

WANT TO

MUST DO

I Have Been Blessed

Recently I heard a song and it reminded me that we are all truly blessed. It touched me and I wanted
to share with everyone.

Below are the lyrics as this video I found on youtube is just a little hard to hear, and the pictures, I assume are of the group that sings it, which is the Champion Baptist Bible college group.



Verse 1: 
When He moves among us all that He does 
all of His mercy and all of His love 
and the pen of the writer could write everyday 
even this world could never contain 
how I've been blessed 

Verse 2: 
The warmth in winter the flowers in spring 
the laughter in summer and the changing of leaves 
the food on my table a good place to sleep 
clothes on my back and shoes on my feet 
I have been blessed 

Chorus: 
I have been blessed God's so good to me 
precious are His thoughts of you and me 
no way I could count them there's not enough time 
so I'll just thank Him for being so kind 
God has been good so good 
I have been blessed 

Verse 3: 
Arms that will raise a voice that can talk 
hands that can touch and legs that can walk 
ears that can listen eyes that can see 
oh I've got to praise Him as long as I breathe 
I have been blessed 

Verse 4: 
A father and mother who nurtured and raised 
sisters and brothers memories made 
our pastor to lead us the altar to pray 
stripes that can heal the blood that can save 
I have been blessed 

Chorus: 
I have been blessed God's so good to me 
precious are His thoughts of you and me 
no way I could count them there's not enough time 
so I'll just thank Him for being so kind 
God has been good so good 
I have been blessed 

Verse 5: 
We live in a country the greatest on earth 
our flag stands for freedom and what it is worth 
she stands in the harbor Miss Liberty calls 
all have gave some but some have gave all 
for me to be blessed 

Verse 6: 
He's my shoulder to lean on when I am down 
the rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed 
the place where He hides me under His wings 
He's not just a song He's the reason I sing 
I have been blessed 

Chorus: 
I have been blessed God's so good to me 
precious are His thoughts of you and me 
no way I could count them there's not enough time 
so I'll just thank Him for being so kind 
God has been good so good 
I have been blessed

LAUGH

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 17:22 

Laugh (laf, läf)1.to make the explosive sounds of the voice, and the characteristic movements of the features and body, that express mirth, amusement, joy, happiness, etc.

What I am loving Wednesday!

Its Wednesday already....

Today, I'm loving a lot of things!  

Link up with Jamie and tell us what you're loving!

1. 

Still in LOVE with the Silhouette, Kelly's table and Ana White's furniture plans!

2. 

I am anxious to start remodeling the house. 

I have several colors already picked out for the livingroom, our front room, kitchen and bathroom.

 I have been very inspired lately by some design sites and can't wait to get started!

These colors are are exactly what I am doing; however, this image makes them look a little "darker" than they are. 

3. 

Living back in Ohio....

the weather is starting to get better, we get to see family more often and just the feeling of being HOME.  I do miss all of the wonderful friends we made during our adventures though. 

4. 

Easter is around the corner. Yes, Christmas is my favorite holiday, but Easter is a REALLY REALLY close second.  I love the flowers blooming, grass turning green, the pastels of Easter dresses. Easter to me just represents a new beginning of everything.

I am excited this year to get the boy's outfits. They may not have the same exact outfit but you guessed it...they will be "matching"! I love the outfits in the picture. Now that we are back in Ohio I am sure the boys will be in pants not shorts; however, since Easter is at the end of April this year they could be in shorts...who knows...it is OHIO. 

5. 

My hubby...my boys!

6. 

making cupcakes with the boys

 

(bad picture quality because cell phone :(  )

7. 

This apron

Notice a trend with this post...most things are GREEN! 

Word of God Speak....

"There is a temptation to see Lent as a time of self-improvement, during which my focus is on myself. ... Let our focus be not on ourselves, but on Jesus." (from The Magnificat Lenten Companion)

Recently, I have heard more and more about Lent; before, I never really thought about the 40 days only ever considering that this is the time that Catholic's celebrate and there are fish sales, fish-frys, etc

Andrew and I have been talking a lot lately about lent and questioning its purpose.  This morning as I read this quote I have more of sense of conviction to participate,  as its intended to be. Lent is not about me. Nor should it be. I think that I am not in the "minority" that think of lent in that way, the wrong way.  I was trying to think of things I should give up...and quite honestly, there are a LOT OF THINGS I should give up: sweets, sodas, complaining, faithlessness, greed, internet, the list goes on...

oh, there I go again, focusing on me! 

So, for this simple Lenten season in our lives, I'm going to rest. I'm going to rest in God's goodness. I'm going to trust that He is at work, though I see lots of work that needs to be done around here. I'm going to open my heart and my hands and ask God to fill them with Himself.

I have heard this song several times this week, finally I told God that I got the point, He must be playing it on repeat on Pandora just for me. I wasn't listening closely enough the first time. I have been a huge fan of Mercy Me for a while, and it's an older song, but the words hit me square between the eyes as I've been praying about a lot of things. 

Thank you, God, for speaking to me!

This is going to be my prayer over the next 40 days

Blessing

It is such a blessing to be back in Ohio. 

Last night we had the treat of Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Mike. 

  The boys ALWAYS enjoy their company...Andrew and I do as well...but the boys have a special place for them. Nevertheless, it was a great time to visit, eat some yummy pizza from Andrew's hometown,  talk about our summer vacation plans, put together a tractor and fix our potty (which in case I didn't say it before...Thanks Dad for that one)!  

Last night after they left Jacob came to us saying "Can we pray for Grandma and Poppaw?" We asked why and he said..."I just want to tell Jesus thank you for them."  

How sweet is that. 

It melted our hearts and made 

us realize what a great blessing it is for the boys to be around their grandparents. 

I'm sure that Grandma and Grandpa enjoy their time with them as well.  

The first thing this morning out of Mr....I am 2 years old and now talk alot (aka Owen) was "where's Mike?"  After I explained he was at home he said "Oh with Gumball"   translation..."oh with Grandma" 

Grandma and Grandpa....we just thank you for being the best. We love you!

Happy Birthday Janeth and Andres!

Happy Birthday Janeth and Andres. 

We hope that you have a wonderful day. 

We wish we could be there to celebrate with you all. 

Have you ever met someone and you just instantly click?

That would be the Wilson family for us!

I remember the day we met the Wilson's. 

It was a block party while living in Utah. 

Jacob met this little guy named Andres and they played and played together

going up and down the water slide on an inflatable pool and enjoyed squirting each

other with the attached hose; even though, neither cared to be squirted. 

One of the hardest things about moving from Utah was leaving behind the great friends we made. 

Jacob still talks about Andres.

We miss the Wilson's and hope to visit Utah soon to see them. 

I still don't know why God had our time be so short in Utah, but I do know that one of the purposes was

to meet this great family. 

Happy Birthday Janeth and Andres. 

Hope your day is as special as you both are to our family. 

What I am loving Wednesday!

A blog I love to read participates in a "What I am Lovin' Wednesday"...and I thought that I would join in. 

1. 

I really really really want this! 

The Silhouette is a digital cutting tool. It connects to your computer like a printer but instead of printing designs it cuts them with a tiny blade.

 I am excited about the possibilities of things I can create getting this vinyl plotter. 

2.

Another blog I read...posted about her kitchen table makeover. 

I AM LOVING it!  

I can't wait to re-do ours. 

You can check it out on her blog: http://steveandkellyhurt.blogspot.com/ 

Its EXACTLY what I want our finish product to look like! 

which brings me to 

3. 

Ana White web site

http://ana-white.com

This site has a bunch of plans for making furniture! I must admit I am slightly addicted and can't wait for better weather so I can begin some home remodeling. 

Shhh. don't tell the hubby...his HONEY DO list grows daily! 

Raising Boys Quote

‎”Do not train boys to learning by force and harshness, but lead them by what amuses them, so that they may better discover the bent of their minds.” ~ Plato

A few days ago I ran into this quote about raising boys perhaps it doesn't just pertain to boys but to all kids, but liked it and wanted to share. 

Owen says....

Today we were looking at some old photos, this particular photo Owen made me stop on as he "named" everyone in this picture. 

In Owen's words this is "Gum-ball Debbie, Mawaca, Banesa, Poppaw Zgeorges, Gum-ball Dora" 

aka 

Grandma Debbie, Aunt Monica, Aunt Vanessa, Grandpa George and Grandma Dorma. 

He has turned two and his talking and appetite has increased. 

You know you are from Utah....

So, I know that we only lived in Utah for a few short months, but next to Ohio its perhaps the greatest place we lived.  I am very thankful for the opportunity even in-spite of all the challenges on our way there.  


 I saw this a few days ago and thought it was pretty funny and if you are from Utah or  visited Utah you will laugh at some of these and know exactly what each one means. 



1. You can correctly pronounce Tooele.
2. You know the difference between a "steak house" and a "stake house"
3. You can find similarities between a ward basketball game and an L.A. riot.
4. You have used the words: fetch, fudge or flip.
5. You have apologized for using the language above.
6. You have more wheat storage than most third world countries.
7. You've gotten both heat and frost burns off your car's door handle in the same month.
8. You think Jack Daniels is a country western singer. 
9. Cars in the slow lane are traveling the fastest; cars in the fast lane are traveling the slowest; cars in the middle lanes are always trying to exit. 
10. You've never had a Mormon missionary knock on your door. 
11. Your neighbors complain about where they live, yet refuse to return to the state they moved from.
12. The U is not just a letter - Neither is the Y. 
13. You drink Diet Coke from a brown paper bag. 
14. You have broken down on the freeway and more than one car has stopped to help you.
15. You know how to make frysauce

Bob Ross or Poppaw?

Today during the boy's tv time they typically watch PBS, well Gov. Kasich was on EVERY channel...so while trying to find something else for them we come across Bob Ross painting.

Jacob says: "wait Mommy that's Poppaw painting."

Mommy: "No, Jacob that's not Poppaw"

Jacob: "Then why does he paint like my Poppaw? Is he just using Poppaw's pictures?"

Mommy: "No, they are not Poppaws,  its a style of painting"

Jacob: "Well Poppaw should be on TV then."

Little bakers

Jacob and Owen enjoy helping bake anything especially, if they get to lick the beaters if its yummy chocolate!

What can you say....

the boy LOVES Buzz Lightyear!

Sick boys love play-dough...

and so does a Mommy! 

Not too long ago I made a batch of home-made play dough for the boys. This past week with the fevers and pukes the boys enjoy some "calm times" of just being creative with the play dough.  Mommy loves it because all the germs can just be thrown away and I don't feel so guilty about wasting lots of money! 

A fevered Owen enjoyed playing with the playdough and Carter enjoyed trying to smash up his brothers' creations.  

Unloading the camera

Tonight I FINALLY took some time to unload the camera. 

A few weeks ago we sat-up camp in our living room.  

The boys enjoyed it very much and slept almost ALL night in the tent, even little Carter. 

This past week we had yet ANOTHER flu/cold virus bug invade our home.  After a week of fevers, stomach issues, snots and coughs I think I can say tonight that the boys are FINALLY feeling better. 

This week they played well together, which some days I can say is a rare thing around our house. 

I snapped some pictures of Carter wanting to 'Play" also with the art easel, crayons & markers; however, big brothers wouldn't allow the little guy to play...that is until Carter realized that he can now pull himself up on anything and everything. 

Poor little guy not feeling well, but still so stinkin' cute!

Owen's birthday party

Last weekend we had Owen's 2nd birthday party at Chick Fil A.   It was such a great time to celebrate our little guy's big day. We are so thankful for our great family and friends that came out on a rainy day to celebrate with us.  

Owen was very excited that his FAVORITE character Buzz Lightyear could come join in the celebration. 

Grandma Debbie does a wonderful job making cakes.  She enjoys making them for family and friends.  This was the first year that she was able to do one for Owen.  

Owen enjoyed his Buzz Lightyear cake. It was very YUMMY! 

Owen unwrapping presents!

Helpers aka Friends helping him open presents. 

A tuckered out birthday boy resting with Poppaw Mike after the party. 

Owen and Buzz posing!

Handsome 2 year old!

Owen was a little shy and started to cry by the attention while everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. 

A special thanks to Tom for assisting in making Owen's day a great day!