ME.... at 31.

I am now 31.

Turning 30 wasn't at all what I expected. Growing up I would listen to other women who would complain about turning 30. I thought I was going to feel different. I don't, in fact I think I learned more about myself in this last year than I ever have.

So bring on 31! I will wear that number proudly. I am excited for this year and what it holds.

And now that I know that 30 isn't so bad... 40 is looking great!

Looking back during my 20's I was still trying to figure life out. Now I'm not saying that I understand things any better, but I do know myself better, and I'm ready to grab the bull by the horns. Here is a list of things that I will work on before I turn 40..... I want my 30's to be productive....and I figure I have 9 years to work on these things.


40 things to do before I turn 40.
{I'll be returning each year to cross things off until I finish}

1- Watch the sun rise on the beach
2- Be on the path to get my Bachelor's degree
3- Read my way through Jane Austin
4- Make a meal made entirely from my garden/farm
5- Make a Crem Brule
6- Learn to cut the boys' hair
7- Run a triathlon
8- Sew pajama pants for the family
9- Learn to play the piano
10 -Get the girls put back where they use to be, and maybe filled a little.
11- Go to Spain during the Tomato Festival
12- Have a white picket fence
13- Read the Book of Mormon in 3 months
14- Enter a photo in a contest and win
15- Learn how to use cheese wax
16- Have more children
17- Hike Mount Timpanogas
18- Attend a session in the Las Vegas Temple
19- Do at least 20 push-ups in one minute
20- Go to Europe
21- Go to Michigan to see my grandparents grave
22- Learn how to use a grill
23- Understand how the Stock Market works
24- Eat a hotdog from a street stand in New York
25- Have chickens
26- Grow Tulips
27- Go on a zip line
28- Be able to point out 7 constellations
29- Be able to teach Algebra to the boys
30- Sew a quilt
31- See Mount Rushmore
32- Learn a foreign language
32-Plant a tree for each of my children
33-Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity
34- Go to a Karaoke Bar and sing
35- Learn interior design
36- Be in a beauty pageant
37- Sky Dive
38- Go to the Rachael Ray show
39- Do a mud run
40-Go to Africa and go on a safari

My 30's are going to be great!!

Interview with Tommy

I interviewed Tommy the other day.It was quite entertaining.

Full Name: Tommy Grammer
Do you have a middle name: Tom Grammer, I think
How old are you: Ah-6
What is your favorite color: Green
What is your favorite food: CAKE!!!
What is your favorite book: Bernstein Bears Christmas
Where do you live: Florida
Do you like it: No way, I love it where is snows
Where do you want to move too: Utah
What do you want to be when you grow up: a Recycling man

Do you have any hobbies: Building Legos
How can we have world peace: Everybody would need to stop screaming at each other. {I agree Tommy!!}
How can we lower gas prices: By getting lots of money
If you were an animal in the zoo what animal would you be: a polar bear
Do you want to be President: Yes, Way!
What would you do as Presidents do: Build Legos all day!
What are the minions doing: They are still working on my lab.

Tommy you are growing up to being a great kid and I'm so proud of you and the things that you are accomplishing. I love you so much!!! {keep those minions working!}

Tommy is 6!!

Tommy turned 6!! Man time flies! At first he wanted a Backuguan birthday. Yeah.... I thought the same thing. So with a little suggesting he settled on a Star Wars. I'm so glad that he did, be cause we had so much fun.

 Steve was able to borrow a costume of an Imperial TIE Fighter. This is him trying on the costume.

Tommy wanted strawberry/chocolate cupcakes. So that's what he got.

There was purple.... black frosting... {I should have started with chocolate because it ended up having a purple tint to it.} I found the coolest black, and silver sprinkles to go on top.

After being 'registered' they headed over to make their lightsabers {pool noodles and silver duct tape}

 There was a sack race to test their agility before learning some Jedi moves...

Here we are practicing on each other to get ready for any Imperial attacks.

It was a lot of fun!!

 I'm sure we all looked pretty funny to any on lookers but the kids had a great time.

Our training was coming along just fine then what should happen ATTACK!!!

The young Jedi's fought hard against the bad guy. {Tommy had learned the Jedi way so well that he could hold his lightsaber by the other end}

The young Padawan's fought well!!

 They ran off the Imperial forces.

After the hard work of keeping our planet safe it was time for cake!

 It was a great time had by all, Tommy is happy to be 6 now!

The Jedi start young in these parts.

Happy List!!

Here is my Happy List this week.

#1 We are done with school for Spring Break!! We made it. I am so prod of the boys! We do an 11 week quarter {that's what the husband does too} so by the end we are all just fried and ready to be done.  So here is to 2 weeks of sleeping in, and late night movies, beach time, and brunch.

#2 My number 1 is why I like homeschooling.... We have the flexibility to take time off when the husband does, and that makes me happy.

#3 Today is Tommy's birthday party. We are doing a Jedi training, and I even have an Imperial TIE fighter coming to see if the younglings have really mastered the Jedi way. Fun we will all have! {I'm really excited for this!!}

#4 I got a new blender. Oooooo I like it. I can actually blend things. {it's a Ninja... if anyone wants to know}

#5 I also got a new waffle maker. I can actually make waffles for my family. 4 at a time I like that I get to eat with my family rather than making one at a time.

#6 Why did I get these new kitchen appliances??? Well because my birthday is MONDAY!!! Yes people I am aging again.{all are welcome to send presents, money and/or flowers... I'm just sayin'}

Happy Happy Happy!!

What did I do today?

 

{These pictures were taken a couple years ago}    

     Today I left some dishes dirty,

The beds got made around 3:30.

The diapers soaked a little longer,

The oder grew a little stroner.

The crumbs I spilled the day before,

Are staring at me from the floor.

The finger prints there one the wall,

Will still be there until next fall.

The dirty streaks on those windowpanes,

Will still be there next time it rains.

Shame on you, you sit and say,

Just what did you do today?

I held a baby while he slept,

I held a toddler while he wept.

I played a game of hide and seek,

I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,

Taught a child right from wrong.

What did I do this whole day through?

Not much that shows, I guess that's true.

Unless you think that what I've done,

Might be important to someone.

With crystal blue eyes, and soft brown hair,

If that is true, I've done my share.

-Author Unknown

Because I homeschool I am able to surround myself with people who do the same thing as I do. But every now and then I get that look from some that seem to say "oh, you stay home... what is it that you do?" At first I felt that I had to explain myself and what I do. But now I just have to look at my kids and know that what I am doing is important. Maybe not to the big corporations, or to aide in economic relief, but to see those eyes look up at me I know that I have the most important job. I am a Mom. It is my responsibility to help my boys grow into men. Good men, men that will serve others, and men that will serve the Lord. 

That is what I did today.

This is what Cute looks like.

This is what cute looks like.....

Right before gravity takes over....

When playing becomes too exhausting...

At 11:00 when he should be in bed...

Truly Edified

 

I feel so blessed to have been at Stake conference this weekend, and to have been edified by an Apostle of the Lord. Elder David A. Bednar came and spoke to us. It was amazing! {Elder Bednar is an Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints}

He spoke about having true faith, being willing to say "Thy will" and mean it. He spoke about true prayer. Praying with real intent, and being willing to act. If I pray to have a missionary experience I better be ready to open my mouth and testify of Him. If I am going to pray for opportunity to serve I can't just wait form someone to call me to have me do something, I need to be looking for opportunities to serve. I learned more about my Savior, and about the Plan of Salvation.

I felt the spirit testify to me that this man is a man of God. I watched as my children were quietly listening to this man speak. I am so thankful that I was able to attend Stake Conference today.

7 months already!!

Can you believe it?? 7 months already!

It really has gone by so fast. I swear just yesterday he was a new born that I was bringing home and now he is up and moving around.

I thought this picture is so funny, the way that he is looking at his monkey. He is thinking about something.... I wonder what it is?

He has perfected the Army Crawl and scoots around. He pulls himself up on the furniture.... unfortunately he has learned the hard way about gravity.  He has a strong personality... probably stronger than any of the other boys.

This beautiful baby is so demanding. He sees the world through wonderful eyes and wants all to see it the way that he does.

He is still very close to the spirit. He sits very quiet during prayers and when we read the scriptures he just listens

I feel very lucky to have this boy in my life!! He is such a joy to our family.

The Beach in March

I'm not a huge fan of Florida but I really can't complain when it's a wonderful 82 degrees and a light breeze. We did what many other Floridians did and we went to the beach.

The waves were on the larger side so the boys stayed in a bit closer to shore

The husband came with us and even though the water was a little chilly James still wanted to boogy board they went out to catch some waves.

I love this picture of Tim, he is ready to take off! I love this picture, Tim really will fly one day, you watch.

This was Benjamin's  first day out on the beach, and it was so fun watching him play with the sand.

There was a crab out on the beach and James was fascinated by it.

You know what I love best about kids.... they see everyone as the same. When a hole needs to be dug the more hands the better, and it doesn't matter what they look like.

It was a good day at the beach, and it really was a perfect day to be there. There are good things about Florida and the pretty days are one of them.

Swap, Swap, Swap.

I love swaps!!! I love getting something in the mail that I didn't buy, and I have no idea what it is. Honestly.... I think it's better than Christmas.

Mamarazzi is great to do swaps with. She is so organized and and on top of everything. I'm so excited for the swap, and maybe, just maybe my partner may find my favorite things up in brown paper packages with string.

Hooray for swaps!!

James' little plant

James planted this cucumber plant with such care. I loved watching how gently he planted it.