Miracles

I have a friend who postedabout miracles on her blog, and I thought it was a marvelous idea! Here are some examples of the miracles in my life:

1. Wonderful parents. Some people only have one, and some people don't have any, but I have TWO sets of parents! What a blessing. There is alwayssomeone to e-mail or call when I need help or reassurance. Did I mention that they are incredibly supportive? I feel love every time I touch base with any one of them, and I am truly grateful for receiving this gift in this life.

2. Not going crazy after high school. Some of you may wonder why I list this as a miracle: Well, basically, I was kind of a crazy teenager, and I could so easily have gone another way in life. After I moved out of the house, I decided to figure out if my religion was true before I went to BYU. I started reading the Book of Mormon everyday, as well as praying to try to figure out if I was living my life the right away. Of course, Mormonism is so strict - I knew if it wasn't true, there was no way I would live it's strict principles for the rest of my life! After several months, I received my answer that the Gospel is real. I haven't looked back since.

3. Marrying my husband. I met Billy my freshmen year in college. We dated for a few weeks, but I decided to kick him to the curb because he was too nice. Seriously, that was my reason. Several years later, I stalked Billy on Facebook, and he was kind enough to forgive me for being such a jerk. We started dating, and the rest is history! Well, not quite. We actually broke up a few more times - mostly because I was a mess from past experiences in relationships. Because he was so patient and so willing to forgive over and over again, we were eventually married June 21st, 2008. Best. Day. Of. My. Life.

4. Our little man. Wow, probably the biggest miracle we've received! He was definitely not planned. In fact, I had very strong feelings about getting pregnant right after getting married. Well, a month later, we were pregnant! Even though being a mother has been a long, hard road, full of struggling to be happy at home and post-partum depression (craziness), I have to say one of the things that gets me through some days is KNOWING that Ethan needed to come to Earth when he did. I know God has a plan for him, and it must be big enough to have him come a few years earlier than expected. The love I feel for my son is like nothing I've ever experienced. I am so so so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother when so many women don't have it. All the bad days are made worth it when, while we pray together, he kisses me and smiles, then puts his head on my shoulder. He is such an amazing example of love and perseverance in my life.

Will you take some time out of your day to share the miracles in your life?

Redwoods

There is something about the Redwoods. I have been so many times, but every time I go, I'm always in awe of how huge these trees are. They're larger than life. Completely majestic. They're so humbling. I'm grateful for things like this in nature that remind me how beautiful this Earth is!

ALMOST all the sibs together (we're missing James). And one super annoying kid in the red shirt. I tried to trick him into standing behind the tree, but I think he was onto me.

Ethan wanted so badly just to walk around!

Ethan found a toy..

Kade being a tortured artist.

Kade was Ethan's favorite on this trip. They were inseparable!

Party Time

In honor of my graduating, we decided to celebrate!!

LOVE ice cream cake. Mom's homemade cake is way better, but Baskin Robins will have to do :) Also, mom looks like a freak in this picture..

James is one of Ethan's favorite people. He's obsessed.

I'm so glad I have such a supportive husband. Seriously, you have been amazing, and so supportive of my finishing my schooling.

Graduation!!

Wahoo! I'm finally a college graduate! When I decided to walk for graduation this August, it wasn't that I was excited, but it was because I thought I'd regret it if I didn't. I'm SO glad I decided to walk! It was a great experience, and a milestone I won't soon forget.

I was worried I wouldn't know anyone at graduation, and I didn't, but it all worked out because I made some mini-friends along the way! The 3 girls I stood by in line were all mothers, one from Washington, one from St. Louis, and one from Hawaii. It was great to bond over being moms and students, and made me feel better about being a stay-at-home mom, which is such a struggle at times!

Me right after walking, on a high because I didn't trip and fall.

Can you see Ethan grabbing my hat? Such a fun toy..

My parents might have been more happy than I was!

Rock Canyon Park

While we were in Utah for graduation, we decided to go on a hike through Rock Canyon Park, which we used to do when we were little tikes. It would have been a lot more fun if Ethan would've been more into it, but it was a blast! Hiking is so amazing!

Someone wrote this on our way up the canyon, and it was a great way to start our hike.

Kenzi licking the ice cream cone. Mmm-mmm. Tastes so good!

Poor Billy was so tired!

We were SO THIRSTY!!!!

Awww.. Daddy-daughter time.

Ethan and his sweet, sweet glasses. You only wish you could be this cool.

Decorating Ideas

I can't remember if I've mentioned we moved into a 3 bedroom apartment ...but we did! They're the same exact price as the 2 bedroom we were in, so we decided to seize this opportunity! Moving is always super stressful, especially because we moved Billy's mom at the exact same time, but we've gotten through it, and now comes the fun part - I get to decorate a new place!

I stole this idea from a friend's blog, where she posts ideas she would like to implement in her own house. I love looking at her ideas, and I'm excited to explore new ones!

I. LOVE. WALLPAPER.

However, it's hard to decide where it's appropriate ... what a great idea to put it in the kitchen! I'm not sure I love this exact pattern, but I think this will be my next project. Does anyone know good quality wall paper that will come off easily when we move?