I have had a fabulous week! I have been preparing for Seth's eighth birthday. In doing so it has sent me down a trail of many happy memories. I will share a few. I did not know that Seth was a a boy for sure but I always said that if he came out a girl I would name him Joy. His spirit was one of joy and sunshine from the very beginning. He is a happy boy, content, loves friends and family. He is messy ( even his teacher at school teases him about that) but hey "a boy can't be perfect in every way," I say to him. Nonetheless my good friend has shown me the fun fun process of DVD making and it has sent me down memory lane- I have cried, laughed, and wished for one week to just sit and hold that boy again. Actually I am doing it more-this morning when he came into my room I was being lazy and he snuggled in close it was a precious 'mom moment'. I love my children they are super kids! They have helped me grow! They have taught me many lessons and continue to-Thank you Seth for giving me sunshine regularly for eight years! Sunshine! Sunshine is every where, I can find it daily if I look, especially if I remember who the Son is.

Guilty!!!!
I am admitting to my friends and fam two things that I have done and probably will do again:(hoepfully not) first and foremost I open my eyes regularly in prayers, Chris used to tease me, but excepts my lack of eye closure. Where does this lead to- Sunday (Luke is a model child of irreverence.) my eyes peeked open during the closing prayer of sacrament meeting to find Luke doing a jig in front of Derek, arms full swing and the whole works; he was laughing because Dek had his eyes closed (takes after his father) and was not paying attention. Confession #1
Confession #2 "I am soo fat." I have said this to my poor husband too many times no more. I had a moment last night when I realized as women how silly this is-someone who is extremely thin had said this to her husband and I laughed because she is thin.
I must ask why? Men do not go around comparing legs, chests, hair, etc. So why do we, I know some is related to the media and the culture of women's beauty, all of us know where true beauty comes from-WITHIN. We know this, yet, it is like we do not want to believe it. A lady that used to clean Kathy's house was not anything one might find on Cover Girl, but how pretty she is, for example, she loved all the children and would care for them gently. She cleaned with love and thoughtfulness, she would hug me whenever I came in. She was simple and simply put beautifully kind. Beauty shown from her. I will start the trend today, go tell yourself your beautiful, smile be proud to be you-It is nice, it feels right, after all "God did not create junk" and I do not want my daughter to see through that strange mirror of beauty.- I am beautiful, my friends are beautiful, and my family is beautiful!!!!!

"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express." (unknown)

I have posted a picture of a butterfly because of the symbolism it carries with Easter. The idea of a fuzzy, even chubby caterpillar turning into something as pretty as a butterfly makes me smile as well. The crystallis opening-the transformation is simply delightful! This reminds me of the awakening the earth had almost 2,000 years ago with the glorious Resurrection. How glorious that day has been and will continue to be for all. As I see butterflies out and about during the spring and summer I feel the child in me come alive: I watch, I smile, I even follow it to some degree-where does it land? They are a simple reminder my love for nature, my personal growth, and choice blessings in my life- my family, friends, and the Savior.

Happy, Happy Birthday to my handsome husband!!!!

He is 35 this week. He doesn't seem like he's aged much, for example, he's always been a busy guy, he still plays sports, he can still dunk, and he still wears the same size in clothes as he did on his mission. A few differences from his younger years to now is he can't keep his eyes open past much past nine, he can't sleep much past six, he has five kids, worries about retirement, and he loves gardening. (According to his parents this was not something he did in his youth.)

One thing that has not changed is that I love him dearly. Happy Birthday Chris!!!

Wind again! I have goosebumps that are on my legs, they think they have found a permanment home. The 'chill' does exist it has found its home in Utah-this spring? So with that said I am cancelling scouts, I am snuggling up with a good book this afternoon and chilling too. I am sluffing my duties today- I take that back I will pick up the uniforms for my coaches, possibly exercise-naaa, but then it is warmth coming my way!

*The sunny days are a head-a positive affirmation!