For Kieran, Pillow and more Daffodils

I promised Kieran I would post a picture of what I wore today.
So here it is.  I hope you all enjoy
I love my orange pants.

I won a pillow on Emily's blog.  The first thing I have ever won on a blog.  And really on anything really.  It is super super pretty and I love love love the ruffles.  Sofia says that it is "Mine, pillow"  I keep reminding her that it is actually mommy's pillow.  I really do love it a lot, a lot.  Thanks again to a super cute and talented woman.  I do really love it Emily.

Here is a picture of the most daffodils that sprouted on Noah's plant.  It has been so so fun to grow something together.

Grateful Sunday - February 7, 2010

It has sure been way to long since I have done a Grateful Sunday on my blog.  I still feel grateful (most of the time) if I want to be honest. But I see my Heavenly Father blessing my family and me from so many angles that I would be truly ungrateful if I did not start this up again.

Girls Day Out-  I went to lunch and a movie "Dear John"  with my dear friend Kieran on Saturday.  I loved the movie even more than the book.  It ended so much happier so it was much more satisfying. Being with Kieran always lifts me and inspires me to be better.  It fills my cup to push forward.  And I HAVE to see Nicholas Sparks movies with her.  It is a tradition.  Ever since we saw the Notebook together as I sat there crying and lactating all over right after Noah was born.  It was wonderful.  I am so glad she is my friend

Kersten's School-  It seems like it will never end and I appreciate his diligence and perseverence.  He has struggled a bit in his class this semester and was worried about his last test.  Which he aced... way to go Kersten.  Another evidence that the Lord is blessing him and us.  He is in the top 10% of his class and I am so so proud of him

Pal and Monkey- My kids have both attached themselves to a favorite animal.  Noah has had his dog Pal for years now and he is a member of our family and in the last month "Monkey"  is just as important to Sofia.  I love watching my kids play and care for their "pets"  and watching them love something so unconditionally.

My Mom's Job-  Okay this one feels a bit selfish and materialistic.  Since my Mom started working it has been so so fun because I have been able to get some hot fun new clothes at more than killer deals.  And it is just fun to feel fun, spunky, stylish and a bit more like I feel inside instead of just like the usual.  Thanks Mom for looking out.

Projects-  I am now the leader for achievement days in our ward.  And it has inspired me to start doing things again in the realm of creativity.  I have not got my workspace organized and fashioned yet so that has been on the backburner and a part of me was starting to wilt.  It has been fun to have paint on my fingers again, glue on my clothes, pen in my fingernails and wood dust in my hair.  I am indebted to Al for cutting out the wood for me.  I would never have been ready for tommorrow without your help.

Treasures #4- Knitted Jumper

Kersten's Oma Christel knitted this cute blue jumper for Sofia.  She found some yarn and just wanted to make something for her.  The amazing thing is that Christel is legally blind and has not knitted in a very long time.  She asked  that I don't look to closely at the stitches.  It really is beautifully done and something I will treasure always.  It is made with love and patience in every single stitch.

This girl has become very opinionated about her clothes and I am glad she will wear this.  It really is so soft and we love it and am so grateful to Oma for loving Sofia enough to make her something so lovely.

Her Royal 2 year old Highness

One of my new favorite neighbors Sonja watched my Sofia while I went to an appt and while she was there took these "Oh, so amazing pictures of my Princess."  She dressed her up and just started snapping.  I feel like I have been extra blessed with talented people in my life and I feel extra blessed to have moved here and have them in my life now too.  Thank you Sonja again for these beautiful amazing pictures of my daughter.  Thank you for showing me friendship and for the great example of womanhood and motherhood that you are to me.

Nurture

Right before Christmas break Noah brought home a pot with some dirt in it.  They had planted a bulb in the dirt at school and sent it home to be cared for.  I read the instructions out loud to Noah and he has been diligent in checking the dirt to make sure it is still damp.  He opens the curtains to give it light.  When 3 shoots sprouted out of the dirt, he was so excited.  Sofia had started to check on his plant with him and for him.  She would over water it for him on several occasions.  About a week ago,  I woke up to discover the plant had grown a beautiful flower.  When Noah arrived upstairs, he was ecstatic.  He even kissed it.  And as he ate his breakfast exclaimed over and over again how pretty it was.  He asked what his flower was called and I pronounced it a "Daffodil".  And as clear as day, every syllable perfect, he said "Daff-O-Dil".

That night he had to take a picture with his Daffodil.  So proud and happy.  It is so satisfying to care for something and see it grow.  It makes is that much more special and beautiful.
Sadly, Daffodil has started to wilt.  Noah came to me a bit distraught about this and I had to explain the cycle of the life of a flower.  It makes him a bit sad but he is diligently still checking the dirt and opening the curtain for the plant to have the light that it needs to grow.

EnLIGHTen

I love the word Light.  It brings to mind so many different and beautiful things.

The morning light peeking through your curtains kissing your cheeks to wake them up.

Warm light on your cheeks on a bitter cold afternoon.

The glowing light of your lamp as you read a good book.

The twinkling lights from your Christmas tree warming your heart.

Opening up your curtains shedding the room with light.

Dining by candlelight with the one you choose to love.

The glow of the moon showing you the way.

I seek for, long for, grab for and want light.  I looked up the definition of enlighten in Webster and it stated: to furnish knowledge or to give spiritual insight to.  I think with the winter months, the crappy inversion and the loss of some of the sunlight and difficulties being outside my spirit becomes troubled.  Not that my spirit was not troubled before but it starts boiling with it.  I honestly feel a release of tension when I open my blinds, it is that literal.  I know that my husband has gotten a bit agitated with my light search.  He has always liked it a bit dark and loves to live in a cave.  We battle over open or closed blinds and curtains in the daytime.  It makes me laugh really. So now I am seeking the light not just literal light like my example but all thing light.  I want all things around me to be positive, bright, beautiful and enlightening.  This year if nothing else I am going to seek the light.  Most of all the light of the world, the light of our Savior and his love for me.  If something is hindering him from becoming closer to him, I will change it or drive it away.  We all deserve to be happy and have all the light we can.  And this is my quest.  That is what our Father in Heaven wants for us and we just have to choose it and grab it.

Dressed UP

This is how we find Sofia

Always in something fancy

I think she has got some good fashion sense.