Hope these little girls can make you smile today.
I took some photos while we were at a park.
They are both my sugar, and my spice… and my everything nice.
I just have to remember to focus on the sugar.
Carmen, 33 months
Nora, 15 months
Parent Rap
I watched this with Michael and we thought a few of the lines were hilarious.
Then I showed my daughter and she kept saying, “again!”
Enjoy…
Silence
Silence is a rare occurrence around here. We are usually dancing, screaming, laughing or any number of things.
Right now, both girls are sleeping like little angels.
Oh..silence!
It turns out, I need to be more informed. I need some good news sources, so feel free to leave a comment and tell me where you get your daily dose of news.
Anyway, I came across a story today that really grabbed my attention. Like, the kind of attention while I became completely obsessed for hours…annnnddd I should be writing my health care blogs for work during this rare period of double naps, but I had to share this the world.
I’m a communications major. I love it, and I was a teacher’s assistant for a couple years in the ethics/law class. Needless to say, there’s lots about the media and communication that can stir up a good discussion.
Back to the story…
Apparently a man named Dr. Kermit Gosnell has been on trial for the horrific crimes and illegal abortions.
I can’t even summarize the extent of this man’s nasty charges…it just kept getting worse the more I read.
In fact, because of my obsession with communications coverage, I actually read most of the grand jury report that had the majority of details and much more than I wanted to know.
If you want a quick summary, click here for the USA today’s op-ed piece.
Photo Credit: http://endtimenewswithprophecy.com/liberal-media-ignoring-abortion-doctor-kermit-gosnell-murder-trial/
Basically, people are upset because this trial isn’t getting front-page coverage. I can’t believe it either.
It makes me so sad to not only see this happening to small babies, but to have women treated so poorly, to have workers lied to and unable to stand for truth, to have law enforcement and government regulators stand by because of bureaucracy, and to contrast that with a loving, safe environment.
My father-in-law delivers babies as an OB/GYN, and my brother-in-law’s family just had their fourth child. It’s a miracle. A sacred place, and a time where the veil is thin with heaven.
I know God wants His babies to come to safe families and homes. It makes me so sad to think the media is SILENT on this, because of political agendas. This is not just a human right’s issue, but one of standing for truth.
Awhile back, I remember Michael talking about our family. He was talking about our girls and our possible future kids someday and said, “You know what, God wants us to have kids. Why wouldn’t He? We try to do what’s right. We have a loving family. We keep the commandments. We love them and want to help them succeed. Why wouldn’t He want to send His spirit children to us?”
Wow. One of the most powerful moments to me as a mother.
Made me want to have another baby, like tomorrow…or a few hundred babies.
But then the diarrhea explosions reach a record of 10 in one day, and I think twice about my hundred unborn babies…
I won’t be silent.
These infants taken by abortion were special, because now they are not brought to suffer the evils of this world.
So sad for those affected by this tragedy, but even more by the direction our media is turning.
We need people who will stand for truth, and not be silent.
And we need moms who will hold their babies a little tighter.
PS: This story is just ew, so I’m sorry if I didn’t give enough details. You can read about the fetus feet in a jar on your own.. 
Or, read why Dr. Kermit Gosnell’s Trial Should be a Front-Page Story
Zoobie
So the other night, Michael and I were reflecting on our college days, and discussing
ZOOBIES.
You know, it’s a real title. It’s on urban dictionary:
“A zoobie is a derogatory term for a certain genre of people who attend BYU. The term evolved from the word zoo, which was a common nickname for the university in the 80′s. Possible explanations for this nickname may include the chaotic, often carnival-like atmosphere of raging hormones and desperate hunting for mates.
A zoobie is the quintessential BYU student. A zoobie is just a member of the flock of sheep. Zoobies don’t think for themselves, they are the oblivious morons who roam BYU campus in droves.“
I thought this was so funny, as we revisited our ZOOBIE roots during our recent trip to Utah.
We spent one afternoon driving around to all of our old apartments, and the places we went when we dated.
It was so fun to look around and revisit all of the fun memories we had there.
But now, we’re old. We’ve grown and most of that life feels like a dream…
I mean, staying up until 1:30am hasn’t happened in awhile, unless you’re counting getting up for newborn feedings!
Anyway, it made me realize how precious that time is…to get involved, meet new people, create experiences and live it up (obviously within reason).
But most of all, I realized how cool it is that we’re moving on to another chapter.
Michael and I used to have separate memories… where he worked, lived, friends, etc.
I had my life and he had his.
We came together February 8, now 5 years ago…and now something cool is happening.
We are making memories TOGETHER. We have a foundation of our lives together and are creating a new life of us.
It’s so fun to be together and to be a family.
As great as college-life was, it was more meaningful to revisit, knowing NOW what we know.
Looking back at our first apartment where we brought Carmen home from the hospital has a lot more meaning to us. To our family. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion.
I thought a lot about these “new memories” we are creating together, because my brother is engaged and getting married in a couple months.
I thought how neat it is to build memories with this new sister that I’ll have for a lifetime!
We threw her a bridal shower, and it was lovely!
I’m so happy for her and my brother!
Love the mountains in the background, borderline ZOOBIE!
Ps: check out their awesome website I made for them: darinandjillian.com, which tells their story and shows the slideshow I helped Darin make to propose.
Yeah, no big deal…just being super nerdy tech.
Anyway, I enjoyed being back together with my fam, and creating new memories and building more fun times…
I put that quote on a book for my mom…she likes the symbol of a family tree… It reminds me that we are all really different, but come from the same roots. Which for that, I’m grateful.
Then…just when you thought the FUN couldn’t end, we made a trip to CA to visit my friends.
We drove 10 hours and the girls did GREAT!
We even blasted our traditional “California” song that the OC made famous as we crossed the border into this blessed state…
It was beyond fun visiting the home I grew up in, and my friends I’ve had for years.
I love these girls…
Oh, and we had lots of babies and got a pic of ALL of them!
Miracle.
Here’s a few more pics to document the trip and to show you JUST how much fun we had!
First California Smile
Doll house
Nora Jane in her swimsuit
Apples!
Smiles
Carmen at the Dentist
Nora loves the Dentist
First checkup
Nice!
Ride in the chair
My parent’s pretty house
The Braveheart cat
Temple!
With my Dad
Riding a horse
Nora was all smiles
Pony!
Uncle JJ
Pretty day
Nora’s turn
Warming up
Perfect Pony
Kisses for Papa
and Hugs!
Cheese!
Merry go Round
Fun day
Shootin hoops for dad!
so fun
Friends!
An Apron I used to wear
My mom’s special blue chair where she rocked her babies!
Just chillin
I love Kara
She thought this was so funny
Dinner at Mimi’s!
Angels at the airport
They slept!
So happy to see Dad again
Perfect homecoming
And, if THAT wasn’t enough action, or ZOOBIE-living to the fullest, my new little niece was born and is moving by us!!
Presley Anne Taylor, pure joy!.
So, although much of the ZOOBIE-ness of BYU has passed, the crazy memories and events and fun times live on, long after the college days…
iPhone
Some days, I agree..Let’s put the phone down.
Some of you may have seen this article:
Dear Mom on the iPhone, let me tell you what you don’t see….
“But Momma, let me tell you what you don’t see right now …
Your little girl is spinning round and round, making her dress twirl. She is such a little beauty queen already, the sun shining behind her long hair. She keeps glancing your way to see if you are watching her.
You aren’t.”
Some days I feel like this…
I need to do more, be more involved. Pretty sure this was written by one of the super-moms in Utah Valley.
Other days I feel like this:
“…If she’s on Facebook and Twitter or Instagram? Well let me tell you something else about stay at home mom on her iPhone. She doesn’t have co-workers that she can complain about her boss with or laugh at the ironic typo in the memo that was just sent out to the whole office. She doesn’t have a peer in the cubicle beside her to have an adult conversation or relatable moment with.
So if, while her child(ren) are playing joyfully at the park, she checks her networks for a sigh of relief that there are other mom’s out there she knows whose child just pooped in the bath or who have only had 2 hours of sleep and find themselves putting the milk in the pantry and the cereal in the fridge, I say good for her. Because you know what? She needs that.
Give a sister a break.”
I think Carmen has whined or cried every 10 minutes today. Guess why? She didn’t go to bed until after 12:30am, and go figure, when you’re tired, you get cranky. That’s lesson #1 as a mom, and #2 is if they’re hungry, then they’re cranky too.
Unfortunately, I tried for over 2 hours to put her down for a nap. Stories, and every stall tactic, and still no nap.
So guess what, that was the end of that.
She’s now on my lap, looking at pictures on my iPhone while I blog to you lovely people.
Some Days the Dragon Wins
I learned as a teenager, “Some days the dragon wins.”
As romantic as fairy tales are, some days the knight loses, and the dragon just wins. It’s ok. It doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person, just move on and keep going.
It’s an ongoing struggle as a mom…take time for yourself, be there when they need you, stay happy, care for everyone…
Choose Joy
I just prepared a list of 50 questions about happiness for an activity for the women for our church this Thursday night. We’re having a speed-discussion (like speed dating) to ask each other questions about how to CHOOSE JOY.
As I wrote these 50 questions about happiness, and pondered what makes the difference, I know it all comes from the inside…
I’ve heard “happiness is a choice” for a long time, but don’t some days just feel that the odds are against you? That’s the time when 5000 things are going wrong, that we have to be strong enough to say, “I can do it.”
Sometimes I can’t. It’s a little hard. It’s ok to acknowledge that. To be transparent and tell the iPhone world, that hey…it’s not all smiles and roses around here all the time.
I told Michael how I feel bad when my girl has a runny nose or lost the bow in her hair, but some of those pictures are perfect to me. They may not be on instagram, but they are some of the ones I hold most dear.
Joy from the iPhone
I think…more than anything, my iPhone has helped me capture true moments of Joy.
My girls and I will watch videos back together, and laugh. When I look at my phone, I’m constantly reminded of the times they made me smile.
And with Nora growing up so fast, looking back at her 1-year-old bday…I’m seeing how quickly it slips away. Although I may not answer every time they yell, “Mom, look at me!”
I’m trying….
That’s sometimes the best we can do.
These are some of the recent pictures that make me smile.
Birthday kisses
Teddy Bear Cake
1 year old
Nora’s crew
Chocolate lover
Cute
By this smile, you’d think she got this car as a gift..but no
Ball
Cute
Snuggles
Presents
New princess mobile
Cute card, Baby Einstein shoutout
The fam
Love this
Candy land
Cheese
No dress code at our table
Both swinging
Gross wigs and PJs
Fun
Daddy daughter dance
First rose
They sent me this from the restaurant
Putting on lipgloss before ballet
Love this
Drinking green milk from the leprechaun
Playing at the park
First position
Present for our new baby girl cousin PRESLEY
Feeling big in the passenger seat for a minute
Ready for her date
Ninja headbands and matchies
Thanks Nana for sprucing up our front door
Horse ride at the Zoo
Nora lovin the open spaces
Too many books
Sliding down together
Selfless
Happy Valentine’s Day! On this special day of love, I wanted to share a few of my thoughts.
I’ve always liked Valentine’s Day. I know that some people don’t like it…made up holiday, single’s awareness day, etc.
But like a lot of holidays, it’s a chance to show love.
It’s a time to be selfless and think of others.
Like these little cuties…
Being a mom certainly teaches you how to be selfless.
We went to a fancy dinner a few days ago, and at our table was a couple who did not have any children.
They both joked about it a little, “freedom!” they said.
Then of course, it came up that we’ve been married 3 years and have 2.
The couple next to us was also married 3 years, no kids yet.
The one across…married 10 years, and have a 3-year-old girl.
All of these people were delightful… and it opened my eyes to the blessings all around me.
I thought, “What would I DOOOO without kids??!?!?!” I just couldn’t believe how different my life would be.
I know that having children is difficult, but it’s been such a great chance for me to show love and sacrifice.
But, Valentine’s Day is also about that someone special.
The one that in elementary school you’d write, “Love, Jill” instead of “From, Jill” because you liked them a little bit more…. 
The one that is #1.
I feel like a lot of women have a hard time putting their husband before their kids. I can see how this happens, and I’m trying to make an effort so it doesn’t.
Last night Michael and I got to talk to the youth in our church about Dating.
We talked about the who, what, when, where, why and how… and it was a really neat experience. There were about 50 kids there, and it was fun to remember that fun stage of being carefree and slightly awkward.
Most of all, I loved preparing with Michael. We enjoyed remembering high school and talking about what we should say.
We told the youth that it’s a big deal…dating…and you never stop learning.
Michael and I have really valued our time that is planned, paid for, and paired off. Our family outings are not dates, and we’re making more of an effort to go on more dates.
Special thanks and shout out to all the babysitters….
A whole new woman emerges when I can wear a white shirt, heels, or something I don’t have to tailor to kids.
I’m grateful Michael was brave and asked me on a blind date…and it worked out. I love him and I love this quote.
It was on our wedding favor CD, and it took me hours to get it just right using InDesign…so I had lots of time to think about it….
Then we went to the library today.
I saw our sweet librarian, who is single. She’s always there to greet my girls with a big smile. She knows their names, and talks to them about the things that interest them.
She has a bubbly personality, and truly excels in her work.
I thought about her on Valentine’s Day. Does she have plans? As we got talking, my eyes opened…
What I saw and appreciated more than her Valentine’s Day plans was when she told me about a little 4th grade girl who comes to the library every day after school.
She lives with her grandparents in the area, but she just walks there by herself and will stay for hours.
Instead of complaining about this girl hanging around, our librarian said she has tried to befriend her. She’s made her a little volunteer and lets her help.
This small girl has a rough life, and it opened my eyes to what I need to do more of.
I need to be an angel for others. Be there to love, reach out and be selfless.
Would I watch a girl for 3 hours every day???
Valentine’s can be about romance, or it can be about thinking of others.
Both my mom’s are awesome at this. They sent HUGE Valentine’s packages that made us all feel special. We now have plenty of chocolate and candy, so come on over! 
Anyway, what I’ve realized is it’s easy to feel lonely, depressed or feeling sorry for yourself.
There’s lots of reasons to be sad, but if you look up and out, it’s much brighter.
I try to remember that people are praying for health, a family, a child…the joy I take for granted way too often.
Let’s all be a little more grateful and selfless this Valentine’s Day.
It’s all about love anyway.
That means when my girls wake up from their nap, I’ll squeeze them and play with them and LOVE them just a little extra.
Food
Holy cow. I never in a million years imagined how many minutes of my day are consumed with food.
Fixing food, preparing food, craving food… it’s probably over half of my lifetime.
I know that mealtimes are important.
We are trying to establish that habit, but sometimes it’s less than ideal.
I still strap Carmen into a booster seat. I know she’s way too old for it, but it keeps her 100% contained.
When I found out I was having both my girls close together, one lady told me, I believed in the power of restraint. So true.
Not ruthless, just practical.
Anyway, so they sit in their boosters, while Nora goes to town.
She’s only 20 lbs, but eats more than all of us. No joke.
I give her both Carmen AND my leftovers.
She eats and eats…until we either run out of food or run out of time.
So I’m not a big cook. I like to eat healthy.
We eat a lot of chicken, veggies and rice around here. I can mix up the chicken fairly well.
I sometimes use the crock pot, other times it tastes like a big pot of mush.
It’s my fault. I’m bad on recipes and elaborate planning. I usually throw stuff together and hope for the best.
That’s how the expert cooks do it, but I have ZERO knowledge of that stuff, so it’s less than desirable.
Michael thinks I’m a fabulous cook. Honestly. You can ask him.
He’d eat the same thing every night without complaint, but I need a little more SPICE in my life.
So, hence…my big project.
PLANNING FOOD….ATTEMPTING THE IMPOSSIBLE
For a long time I wanted to make a photo album of our favorite meals.
Let’s be honest, cookbooks are great, but half of the ingredients I’ve NEVER heard of. That means I don’t know where to find it in the store, and I give up.
So my cool idea was to take a picture, (as gross as it may look) after I make something, and then print them out after I’ve made all of them.
Then to be even more adventurous, I wanted to type up my favorite “recipes” or more like dinners I usually make (none are all that fabulous that need a huge recipe) but I just forget what I make.
Anyway, so there would be a picture and then the recipe. Bam. in my book. I could flip through and decide what I want to make…
But then the planner side came out, and the I DON’T LIKE TO GO TO THE STORE side.
I usually buy ALL my groceries for the MONTH. Serious. I know it’s crazy, but I do.
We eat fresh produce for the first half, and then frozen for the second. No one’s fat or complaining around here.
So, after I started typing and compiling my list of dinner/recipe ideas, I got an idea.
Split them up into two parts, A and B, and have a month for each.
I would make a master list and take it to the store. I could also review this list and see what I already have, so I don’t have to purchase it again.
But then…. I don’t have to keep making a grocery list for dinners!! Hurray!
So, I had to break this massive project up into a few days. I’m kinda OCD so I wanted to get it all done in the same Saturday I thought of it, but Michael and the girls were in desperate need of me. We escaped to the park and I had a meltdown that this mom stuff is hard.
But now I come to you with success.
I have finished the food ideas/recipe/grocery list portion of my FOOD PROJECT!
I have to brag to the cyber world….
(I will totally email you the PDF or PPT just send me your email in the comments… I’m not that savvy to pin it or make it public, because frankly it’s not entirely accurate, give or take a few chicken breasts!)
Ok, so that’s that. I spared you the 14 pages of recipes/ideas, but you get the drift!
I’m 100% happy and ready to try it out at the grocery store this weekend.
Wish me luck!
February will be a Dinner A month with 27 planned and coordinated meals…and March will be 20! (I ran out of steam, plus we’ll have random repeat food I assume…enough to clear out and start again!)
So, what do you guys think?? Anyone else have a system?
I figured I have to do something that WORKS for me, if I’m going to spend 20+ years of my life doing this thing and trying to save money!
My mom says she thinks of NURTURING as helping the little birdies with their mouths open…
Gotta love it.
Now I just need a cute meal calendar like this.
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keeping track of my babies…
and of course...
