Better out than in

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of Paige's bedroom wall. She had cut up a magazine to make the giant wall art... Here's a little more back story. I've been a bit funky lately.. And not in the " won't you take me to" way. Stressed. Trying to find a career. Trying to go back to school. Daniel's car is about to blow, not sure how we'll get Christmas for the kids, Connors graduation coming up, I just turned old type stressed. So here I was sitting in my dining room, stressing, having my little pitty party, when I noticed cut up bits of magazine everywhere. So now I'm stressed and annoyed. I'm in the midst of having a deep conversation with God about how I think all my life's woes could be fixed, ( i.e. Lottery, giant box of money, randomly finding some giant gold bars... Or something equally plausible ) if only he would just get on board with my plan. That's when I went into my sweet girls room, and saw this... ... Message received. ...

Tis the season of gratitude! Everyday I see all flavors of thankfulness popping up on my social media. Ranging from the deeply sentimental "thankful for Bob who saved my life back in 84'.." To the thankfulness space fillers " yay for fuzzy socks!" Now don't get me wrong I love the sentiment, but I also challenge all you thankful posters not to lose sight of gratitude for the next 365. So in the spirit I've been contemplating just what I'm thankful for, and more importantly being truly grateful for what I have in my life. So here are a few thoughts of mine... I am thankful for: 4 kids who are independent thinkers. Who are ok breaking the mold, who really don't fit in any one category. For a wonderful husband who still loves me no matter how many times I completely mess up. If I had wound up with any one else I'd probably be buried in a desolate area somewhere. Not sure another human exists that could put up with me. For my faith, for knowing ...

Ya know how when you drive the same way to work or school everyday that eventually it just kinda drives itself. You get on the freeway and then bam you're home. You don't really recall driving past some of the things you know you passed, but you know you passed them because here you are at home. Autopilot I feel like my life is on autopilot. I've been on this freeway, and arrived here at my current life, but I don't really know how I got here. the good the bad the ugly, it all just happened. And here I am, bam.. mourning the loss of my kids youth as well as my own. I'm not young anymore, that's actually a lot easier to come to terms with than the fact that my kids aren't either. For so many years my identity has been this busy mom with 4 little kids who needed me to do everything for them, and now I'm not. I'm trying to figure out who I am now, and trying hard not to lose sight of the fact that I have a 10 year old, who still has a lot of growing u...

I love randomness, so I stole this from my friend, but I'm not at all playing by the actual rules, I'm just doing my own thing. List 11 Random facts 1 - I've attributed my weight to the way I socialize. I'm a very social person, but when I get together with friends, it usually involves food. So who wants to hang out doing something that doesn't involve eating? 2 - My Danny Wood obsession may have hit an all time high. 3 - I love people too much, sometimes to the point of being blind. 4 - I'm completely convinced that someday I'll be a millionaire. 5 - I accidentally lie about my age. I am 38, but I usually say 36, not sure why... It's my default point. 6 - I used to walk everywhere, I need to start doing that again. 7 - Last night I applied for a job I am not qualified for, but am really hoping I get it. 8 - I need new recipes. Now accepting suggestions. 9 - I'm still waiting for the growth spurt everyone told me was coming when I was younger. 10 -...

Not to sound conceited, but if you ask my friends, they would probably tell you I'm a fairly intelligent level headed chic. I'm generally pretty sane, except when it comes to anything that has to do with NKOTB, in particular Danny Wood, then I lose my shit and become a 13 year old babbling idiot. It's no secret that I'm a tiny bit of a New Kids on the block fan. ( or I have a ridiculously unhealthy obsession with... Either or) So lets go back 25 years shall we? I was 13, he was 19.. It was love at first sight ... Well on my end it was.. It started with one poster, and then two, then three, then pretty soon my room was wallpapered with Danny Wood. I spent countless hours listening to every tape ( yes kids tapes) that they ever made. As I got older you would think my obsession would fade, but oh no it grew and grew. Many many concerts later... It finally happened.... Last Sunday my best friend and I went to see NKOTB in concert (again) She got us amazing seats near the s...

You read that right Show Low peeps, I almost didn't go. Lets roll the dial back 20 years. I was awkward, scrawny, and not the most popular chic in our booming metropolis of Show Low. I know, I know, hard to believe but true. I also know its been 20 years, Lord knows I've changed, and it was a safe bet everyone else had too. Still there was trepidation and a whole lot of "what ifs". I tried to keep in mind that in the past year I really got to know one of the guys who quite honestly I thought was kindof a douche, and he and his amazing girlfriend have become as close as family to us. Now I did highly doubt that anyone was going to call me "Amy LouFart" or pull my chair out from under me... But still... Some negative memories flooded back, and for a moment I was that sad kid who just wanted to fit in. As it turns out the day before we left I got horrible sick, my van started to act weird, I was freaking out about leaving 2 of my boys behind, I told my husband...

Forty one years ago you became a mother. You looked upon that baby so cute and fat and thought.. "Hey I can do better than that" And that you did, just a few years later Had a girl, so sweet and so kind, She gave joy and rest to your troubled mind. That "other" kid.. oh what a pill! He kinda gives you a headache still! But No worries from her you ever had And after having to deal with that first one, boy were you glad Calm, polite, drama-free She was a pillar of the community No headaches here , no sleepless nights Always happy, no fuss, no fights So on this very special Mother's Day, From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to say... You're Welcome I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!