"Disgustortillas"

Theres a new restaurant at the Ames house.

*warning* the chefs are three smelly 8 year olds (grubby nails and all). 

Its called "Disgustortillas". mmmmm...

All it took was some random ingredients in a cupcake pan and a few stale tortillas.

 I mistakenly thought this would keep them busy for a while today after school...

they were done in less than 5 minutes. for real. FIVE.

boys. (sigh)

at least they helped clean up :)

Perspective

I've gained a lot. My sweet friend Julie lost everything in an hour. While she read a book. Her sweet husband and baby boy were gone for now, but not forever. 

This life we are in can at times just take my breath away with its sadness. I love my children and husband so much and I can't even begin to fathom the loss she feels. But I take them for granted every day and I let a million things keep me from reaching my potential as a woman, a mother and a wife. I have been brought to my knees as I have pleaded for understanding and faith. What I have gained is a new perspective on my life. A new appreciation for the gospel I am so blessed to be a part of. A new faith in the plan I have been taught. A new love for my everyday blessings. A new spirit of faith and a love for my Savior and His atonement. It is the reason to go on, and the strength to do it. 

We only truly believe what we live each day. So everyday I will live more fully what I believe. Love and appreciation for each moment, each kiss, each cuddle, each laugh and and everything that comes in between it all.

I am not afraid

Easton was baptized this month...which got me all sorts of sentimental about my little boy growing up and how fast things change and he had just been so sweet and loving lately. I want to freeze time and keep him just how he is…

A couple weeks ago I  had a short chat with a friend about raising children. Her children are grown, and as we were wrapping up our conversation she said how scared she was for our kids- to which I instantly replied (without much contemplation)"Oh don’t be! They are going to be fine. We are teaching them how to live and most importantly how to repent so I don’t worry… the Lord has promised me that they will be strong enough to withstand the temptations as wicked and evil as they may be so I am not afraid." 

After which I thought to myself...Am I?

Then later that week as I browsed on Pinterest I found this quote and was insprired by the words spoken by another woman raising  children along side me. I realize done again how much we can inspire and uplift each other when we send out experiences and faith to other woman. At times we lift each other, and at times we lean upon each other…

Ironically, shortly after I read this, I was watching a show with Easton and Derek on the Discovery chanal about a Lioness who had been kicked out of her pride and was living on the plains of Africa with only herself to protect her cubs. I saw her take on a fully grown water buffalo and try to chase away predators that came lurking everytime she tried to leave her cubs to search for food for them. Each time she left them, vulnerable and alone… along would come the predators and she would have to turn back to rescue them.

I think we feel a bit like this… running to give our children all they need… and at the same time trying desperately guard the gate, to rescue and keep them from what seeks to destroy.

If I am watching each day I am reminded through tender mercies that I do not need to be a afraid.

 I just need to be a Lioness. 

Looking at these makes me feel like there is no way on earth I could fail.

that is NOT sour cream...

Oh my blue eyed freckled faced boy. Today at the dinner table you did something that made me laugh so hard I got a side ache.  I couldn't talk through my laughter and I am so glad you laughed to... because I want you to see the humor in life and know that laughing is sometimes the only way to deal with things...

Things like when I ask you how in the world you managed to get sour cream (from your gourmet dinner of bean and cheese burritos) all the way onto your shoulder...

and you (like a perfectly perfect gross little boy with little by the way of of manners even though I nag you constantly about it) proceed to LICK IT OFF YOUR SHOULDER.

and it only takes a moment to realize that it was not sour cream.

Oh, no.

It was bird poop.

From your long day of bike riding.

And I am positive we will never think of sour cream the same- and we will always remember the day you ate bird poop burritos. Hopefully you learned that it is not polite to lick your shoulder at the dinner table.

It is, however, polite to laugh your guts out if someone eats poop ate the table. 

It is also polite to remove your soiled shirt for the rest of the meal and show off the guns.

I just make up manners as I go. go with it ok?

Two long months have come and gone, I have made no time to blog.

But there were things I did each day, too important to push away,

Like teaching baby Saige to walk, and what birds are and how to talk.

And Easton should be sprouting fins because of how much that kid swims!

And every day we read and play,

And try to sing and laugh and pray.

Easton starts pillow fights, and baby keeps us up at night. (seriously)

Each day is full and by the end,

I just want to hang with my best friend. (that’s D)

Here are some cliffsnotes of life:

Baby Saige turned one... and she really enjoyed her cake...

she also got her first mani-pedi thanks to mom and grandma!

 Hair in curlers too.. It was an extreme baby makeover.

We bought a pontoon boat! Just kidding- I wish. We have had a lot of fun fishing though and enjoying the outdoors since Derek is off weekends it has really given us a lot of family time together, which totally rocks!

Parade watching was not one of Saiges favorite pastimes...

And what the crap is happening to my son?!?!? He looks so grown up in this picture.

He is in little boy summer heaven and there are only 33 days left of summer vacation.

...not that I'm counting:)

***notice the lack of pictures??? I am in a phunk.

that is a photography funk. I just want to enjoy and not be worried about always taking pitures.

live in the moments instead of trying to capture them. And it is great -except I miss all the pictures. ha! ha!