Brings Me Joy

Just a quick note about how much joy I find in using our stroller! So many of our friends and ward members helped us to buy this stroller, and I send them thank-you-vibes every time I use it. It is easy to push, fits both boys or only one, makes navigating an airport with two kids a breeze, and even fits in our tiny trunk! I LOVE it! Just thought I would share.

More than Half Full

With J much more occupied with school (finals are approaching), I have had a lot more solo time with the boys. There have been lots of great things to do, but I noticed that about 30 minutes into each great activity, I would be thinking, "If only I weren't alone doing this...This would be so much easier with someone else helping...etc." At one such moment, I looked down to see the boys in the stroller, both smiling and just enjoying the beautiful day. I thought, "Okay, time to see the cup as half full! Make the best of the good that is around me. Enjoy what there is to enjoy, and let a beautiful day with my boys be 'enough'."

View of the boys in the stroller

Our days have been much better since then! The three of us have made it to the library, to the park, and even to the beach together. And when loading them in the car seems like too much, we have just walked to the courtyard or dipped into some watercolors! My cup is much more than 1/2 full! (Plus, my husband will back soon ;))

Just to See You Smile

Spring Cleaning!

Because we live on a college campus, many of our neighbors are in the process of moving. We have been blessed to be able to stay here over the summer, but I have found myself feeling envious of our neighbors' chance to sort/throw out, etc. while moving. So, I thought I would spring clean!

Although it has taken much longer than I would prefer, I am loving it! I have found about an hour a day that I can work on a closet or cabinet. Slow and steady wins the race! One of my favorite projects was giving our book shelf a face lift. With only two bedrooms in our place, our room serves a bed-room, baby nursery, office, library, 'cold storage', and much more. Needless to say, it is not oozing with style! I saw a design show where they sorted all of the books in a room by color, so I thought I would give it a try.

The result is one of my favorite face-lifts ever...and it was FREE! (Since I neglected to take a before picture, I am including a picture of our other book shelf which has not been overhauled:))

Faux Before

Fantastic After!

Even with all of my love for the new look, the best part came a few days after the project. The shelf at j* eye level includes a Bible and Book of Mormon. While he was checking out that shelf, he found both. He grabbed them, put them on the bed, and said, "Mom, read me the scwiptures, pwease!" How could I pass up that kind of request! We had a great time reading several favorite verses and talking about how much God loves us! Gotta love how organization and de-cluttering bring peace and clarity to our lives!

Fun With Cardboard

One of my best 'mom-spirations' ever!

J* is easily bored with his toy selection. As I wondered what I could do (short of getting new toys constantly), I thought of hiding and rotating toys. Since we are very short on storage space, I wasn't sure I could make it work. Then, the mom-spiration'! Cardboard to divide half of the shelf. Look closely, and you will see that there is white cardboard blocking off the back half of each cubby. Every few weeks, I hide the toys that have been out and switch them with toys that have been hiding! This simple idea has breathed new life into our play time! YIPEE!



I have heard people say that children often have more fun playing with the boxes their gifts come in than they have with the actual toys. I am not sure if that is always the case, but we have gotten a lot use out of several different boxes around our house. Here are a few of our cardboard creations! Enjoy.

Car seat box....I mean playhouse!
(complete with pipe cleaner door and window handles)

diaper box...oh, I mean deluxe cook top, stove, and sink combination
(complete with play food that is probably toxic plastic, photoshopped burners ala joey, basin from hospital for the sink, and an old towel bar as the stove handle)

Happiest Places on Earth

This past month has been full of happy places and faces!
We have all thrived with the chance to spend time with family!

Quigley Cousins

The happiest place on earth
(after one of the longest lines on earth)

We had a joint baby blessing in UT with my sister
All of the Moores were able to come into town

Snow! I talked him into one sled ride, but his preference was just to sit and eat it.
I checked to make sure that none of it was yellow!

Before my sister left with her prom date, we got this shot!
There's a lot of strength to be found in this group of women and Dad!

We are also glad to be back home (although I haven't taken any pictures)!
We walked on the beach together tonight, and I was reminded how blessed I am.
I still can't believe I am the mom of two kids, but it is a wonderful life!

P.S. If anyone is looking for a 'happy place' to visit, you are welcome to come visit.
It is gorgeous here!

Pay It Forward...

This idea was inspired by my friend, Jana, who has more 'share-able' talents than anyone else I know.

Here's how it works: I am offering my photographic skills to the first person to leave a comment on this post. I can either:
- take some pics of your family, children, favorite places, etc...or if you and I live too far away for the to be realistic...
-doctor up some of your favorite pics for a blog banner, announcement, holiday card (why not get started early?:)), etc.

The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you’re going to play.Remember that only the first comment will receive this from me, so be quick! Have fun!