Spring break- PLANS CHANGE

We are headed to Seattle for spring break again this year! We are staying home for spring break this year! Woohoo! (Note the sarcasm) Actually I'm kind of glad to have some time at home without the hectic school schedule and Lars can get some honey-dos done. (Woohoo for real!) We will be watching my brother-in-laws kids for a few days while they take their son with down syndrome to get his companion dog from California. I am excited, we love thier kids and it will be a rockin' cousin party at our house. I did however book a timeshare in Seattle for next spring break so watch for that post in about a year. ;)
 I was hoping for Disneyland, but Seattle is a close second. I am hoping to see some things we missed last year and revisit places we fell in love with. Especially Whidbey Island! I am so in love with this place and would move there in a heartbeat if we had work to sustain us there. *Sigh* Oh well, I am happy to be able to visit.
I don't know what it is about Seattle that I love but I am completly in love with that place! It helps that I enjoy the rainy, dreary weather. All I know is my heart lies in Seattle (well Whidbey Island actually) and I hope to join it someday.

Can you tell I love to travel? It is a passion of mine, along with food. (See this post for more on my love of food) Part of it probably stems from the fact that growing up I didn't live in any one place longer than 4 years and went to 7 different elementary schools. I did love it! I loved seeing new places and meeting new people. So it would make sense that I love to travel. Unfortunatly Lars doesn't love to move, but he has warmed up to travel and is so sweet and wonderful to humor me always. I would love to extend our travel to other countries someday but for now I am content with the good ol' USofA.

I know...It's okay!

Sisters are so fun! Lilli and Emma have a fun relationship, especially given that Emma is 8 years older than Lilli.

The other day I was brushing Emma's hair, which was very tangled after a fun but windy day outside. Lilli came in and said some of her favorite words "I can help!" So she grabbed the brush and started "help" brush Emma's hair. The cutest part was that everytime Emma yelped or said ow Lilli would say "I know, I know, it's okay. We have to brush it out Emma." Obviously words I have used on the girls. ;) Emma and I were trying very hard not to laugh because Lilli was very serious in her work. I love moments like that with my girls.

Cute cupcakes pops and my sweet boy (young man really)

Recently Oscar, 12, came to me and asked if he could have a few friends over for a wii tournament. A few days later he asked if we could make cupcakes because one of the friends just had her birthday and didn't get a birthday party so they wanted to surprise her by turning the game day into a little party. Talk about melting my heart. So sweet! I'm glad he is a good kid and has good friends that want to do this kind of thing for each other.

I was also excited because I had been dying to try something I had seen on this wonderful blog. Bakerella comes up with the most adorable things. Be sure to check out her blog.

Well I think ours turned out pretty cute and they were delicious!

Aren't they adorable! I took the leftovers to a family party a few days later and everyone loved them so much that now my sister wants me to make some for her daughter's birthday. ;-)


I don't usually brag about things I make- though I love to bake- but later I will post the cute bowling ball cake and sugar cookie bowling pins I made for my friend for her children's bowling b-day party. Turned out cute.

Anyhow, give these cupcake pops a try sometime, they are pretty easy, extremely cute and very tasty! As for my sweet boy...I'm keeping him.

Dear kids...I'm sorry if I'm a little crazy

Dear kids,

I love you more than words can say. The English language has so many words and yet there are none that can adequately express my love for you. I had the desire to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I was the kid that loved to "watch" all little kids younger than me. When I first became a mom some people laughed at me because I loved to play so much with you guys. I'm sorry that I seem to do that less these days, the only excuse I can give is that the older you get the less time there seems to be in each day.




By the way, I'm sorry if I'm a little nutty. I know I can be silly, and I hate to say it but I hope to embarrass you at times throughout your life. I think you just can't count yourself as a good parent if you don't embarrass your kids at least a couple times. I don't mean just for the fun of it, I mean because I am doing something for your own good that you just aren't happy with.
Sometimes I probably don't make much sense. And there may be times when you are all older that you'll sit around a table reminiscing and you'll collectively laugh about some of my mannerisms, habits, and phrases I overuse. I know you will because we all do it. Not because you are trying to be unkind, it is a bonding moment for you and trust me, I know I'm not always with it. But I try :)


I want to be the best mom possible. I want to give you my undivided attention every time you ask for it, the very second you ask for it...but I'm not always able to. (And sometimes life seems to wear me down and if I do it right then the moment won't be as good as if I come to you refreshed from a good nights sleep!)
I'm sure sometimes it seems like I am being lazy or don't want to help when I tell you to figure something out for yourself. (Like talking to a teacher when you have a problem, forget homework etc.) Well, maybe I am lazy but that isn't why I do that. ;) I do it because I love you. I want you to be able to talk to people in positions of authority with confidence. I want you to learn how to do things for yourself while you are still home and have mom and dad to fall back on when something doesn't work out. I want you to have the happiest life possible.


Sadly, much of the things I say and do, such as saying I let you do hard things because I love you, you won't fully understand or appreciate until you are grown up. (Some of it you won't get until you have kids of your own.)
I do love you, each of you. I was so happy and excited when I was expecting each of you. And I love to watch you grow, learn, and experience life.


And most of all...I simply love you and I will always love you...no matter what.


With all my love,
Mom

There is Sunshine on my blog today!

My wonderful sister-in-law, Katie, has awarded me with the SUNSHINE blog award! So fun! Katie blogs about the adventures of living in Seattle, for which I'm very jealous, and about the fabulous Scentsy business of which we are both a part! Thank you Katie!

I'd like to spread the SUNSHINE onto these fabulous bloggers...

1.  Tori- for writing one of the funniest and real blogs I've seen and for doing it so faithfully. I don't know many people that blog as regularly as she does, including myself, and I love that!

2. Jamie Sue (whose website is private)- Because she's been through so much and simply deserves it. She blogs about her family and life and I admire her strength in the face of all the adversity she has faced.

3. Leigh- She is one of the most creative and talented people I know, as well as one of my good friends. She is always doing something creative and I always love to see what she is going to blog about next.

4. JJ, and her co-blogger, of Real Detectives Wear Heels. She is one of the most fashionable, well dressed people I know. Plus she blogs about one of my favorite t.v. shows, which she introduced us to, of all time...Castle.

5. Adrienne- She has one of the yummiest blogs ever! She is always cooking or baking something delicious and she is just one of the cutest people in the world.

6. Lesley- Though she doesn't always blog, I mean come on she is a Mom of 5, when she does it is always real and always fun to read. She has been through a lot this last year or so and has been amazing in my eyes! Love you Lesley! 

7. Bakerella- I don't know her but her blog is amazing and always inspires the baker side of me. Check it out-you won't be sorry you did!

8. Kristy- A long time friend who inspires me with her faith and all she does in her life- Plus she loves (understatment)  The Cure, how can you not just love her for that? :-)

9. Kim- Simply because her family seems to love all things Disney as much as my family, and she is one of the sweetest people I have ever met.

10. Melissa- One of my dearest friends of all time- A person with AMAZING faith, unwavering convictions, and orginizational skills I would die for.

11. Pipers girl's- A blog from one of my favorite shops ever. It inspires me, makes me want to create something, and just gives me joy to read.

12. Last but not least- Erin- for her seemingly endless energy that motivates us all to do a little more with our day.

To these fabulous bloggers- Enjoy the Sunshine that has been sent your way, may it warm your hearts and brighten your day!

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 As usual with these accolades recipients are asked to do the following.....

Copy the logo onto your blog or within your post.

Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

Link the nominees within your post.

Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.