I have decided to discontinue Imma Momma. It’s only just over a year old and I have connected with many wonderful bloggers, but it is time to set it aside and replace this energy with more important things. Plus I’m part of/running 4 other blogs!
It’s been real. It’s been fun!
Feel free to follow my on my photoblog!
I know some of you may think it’s super cheesy and cliché but seriously this child has me wrapped around his finger. It’s pathetic. But I love it. So here’s me having a sappy mommy moment, and I want to show of my baby who turned 3 years old over night, (I swear)! The lighting in the room was fabulous. Couldn’t pass it up.
But that problem is finally fixed!
I have been feeling particularly blessed and I am so grateful for
What are you grateful for?
I’ve mentioned I’ve been trying to get out of the house, and yesterday was the day to do it! Monkey was already in his 2nd outfit of the day because he spilled his milk all over himself, my boys were dressed and ready to get out the door! I was figuring out details with a friend on the phone and turned the corner into the kitchen and found this:
I swear to you I was not on the phone for more than 15 minutes, of which maybe the last 3 my kids were much too quiet…
What would you have done? Freaked out? Yelled? Cried? Laughed? Get our your camera and document it?
It wasn’t all of my flour so there was no reason to cry. All plans put on hold, I let them play. I got down and my knees got dirty, but it was not worth using my energy to be angry. My little one was just having way too much fun…
Yes, we did eventually get out of the house… an hour later than planned. But I’m telling you, there are not many times when I know I have handled a situation in a way I know my Heavenly Father would proud of... but this was one of those times.
At first I saw a mess. But when I took a moment to “see”, I saw an opportunity. I believe that we see what we want to see. We have thought patterns that determine so much of what we do, say and how we react! But these are only thoughts, and thoughts can be changed.
I think we want to cherish the moments in our children’s childhood, but if we don’t look we wont see them.
I used a dry rag to gather up the flour, scooped what I could into a bowl and threw it out. Vacuumed up what was left with the attachment that looks like a brush. DONE.
That these two … 
Makes me wonder who is out there raising my future daughter-in-laws… (please do a good job!)
We’ve been doing a lot of this:
And too much of this:
With one car down, we got into our daily routine which rarely consisted of doing much outside of the house besides play in the snow for a few minutes.
The car was down for months.
Now it’s fixed and I’m having a hard time getting out of our home-bound routine. I want to get out, but honestly I’m just too lazy! That’s the honest truth of it. Between lunch and naptimes, the teens getting home from school, Cam getting home from work… you know, it’s a routine!
Have you ever experienced this? If you have, how did you get out and about again… other than errands? Or did you?
It’s not often enough that we go out and have fun as a family. I mean, we have lots of fun all the time… but you know those really fun days that you created some amazing memories? Those are the days we don’t have often enough. One of those days was sledding with my boys and enjoying the SNOW! They had fun climbing up the white, snow covered hill to hop on the sled and ride down the hill without a care in the world! It took a few turns to realize that there was so much snow it would indefinitely “splash” up the front into their (our) faces… which, err… wasn’t as fun. So the rest of the day they went down on their tummies facing the top of the hill… I can’t explain why, but that is SO MUCH FUN! The snow just kept coming down the whole day! We made snow angels and snowballs and kept busy and moving so the cold never sat in! I would love another day like that even if it meant snow!
This picture makes me literally laugh out loud! This is one of Monkey’s many silly faces. He’s getting to the phase where his behavior is easily encouraged by the reaction of his “audience”. He’s a ham. He used to refuse to let me take pictures of him, he wouldn’t even look at the camera! Now he’s the one that asks me to take pictures of him… but don’t expect too many “normal” shots of this kid. He’s a poser and lately silly faces have been his forte.
I can’t imagine where he gets it…
Yes, comedy and laughter run freely in our home…
So, I feel like I haven’t slept in three years… and I don’t have the figure I did before my first pregnancy… sometimes I can’t remember my own name and refer to myself as mommy… and I’ve poured ketchup into Monkey’s cup instead of milk… in all honesty, I feel like I’m losing my brain.
But it’s all worth it.
I am only a shred of the woman I used to be before I became a mom, but I am 10 times the woman I was. I am more patient (being a bossy first-born, this is a big deal for me), more kind, loving, and affectionate. I have little people who need me more than anyone else has ever needed me. It feels good to be needed. It feels even better to be loved unconditionally. It is the best feeling in the world knowing we will be a family even after we die.
Hug your babies. Tell them you love them. Forgive those who have hurt you. Fall back in love. Go on vacation. Play in the snow. Enjoy the sunshine. Laugh. Be happy.
What do guys do when they don’t want to buy a season’s pass, or climb a mountain? When they don’t want to waste daylight traveling to their destination? When they want a quick (and sometimes not so quick') snowboarding fix?
They build their own jump in the backyard.
True Story.
And who gets to freeze her fingers off taking pictures for them?
Yep. That would be me.
On the bright side, I’m getting to practice action photography… and night shots!
I’m not going to apologize for being a blogging slacker, because there is no obligation. If you missed me, I am flattered! However, I dare say I actually miss blogging! I may have to start up with daily topics/themes again to help my thinking process. It’s been a challenge coming up with something I want to write about more than the daily happenings of my little family… which I “journal” on another blog. But I miss you all. Yes, I miss the comments and the mentally stimulating conversations… the things I learn from you all that make my life a little easier and more enjoyable! So there! I said it.
Until I get back into a routine, I am going to draw writing inspiration from photos I have taken… saaavy!?
Anyone else’s house look like this? Multiple times a day?!
How am I supposed to be upset with that face!?!? I’m turning into a softy/push over. I have thrown my hands up and most of the day my house is cluttered with toys and books! I pick up first thing in the morning (or last thing at night), just before Cam gets home and if we have guests… *sigh*… on a good day. Eventually , they will grow out of this phase, right? RIGHT? (and onto other undesirable phases to be sure!) Yet, I love it because it means my children are alive and well! Something to be grateful for.
Koolaid Playdough
1 Cup white flour
1 Cup water
1/4 Cup salt
3 T. Vegetable oil
1 (heaping) T. cream of tartar (essential for good texture)
1 package Kool-aid (generic brand works great)
Mix all together in a medium sauce pan and whisk until smoothish. Cook and stir constantly over medium heat until dough starts to gather into a ball (takes 2-4 minutes). Remove from pan and knead (when cool enough) until it looks like playdough. It's ready!
You wont find a recipe for playdough that doesn’t require Cream of Tartar (I know, I looked. It’s not something I happened to have!) So, just go get some. It’s with the spices and it’s white. I’m not telling you this because I think you’re an idiot by any means… I’m telling you this because I had no idea what I was looking for what I went to buy some. Now I know. And if you didn’t, now you know too. :)
Happy Play Doughing!
For the first 2 years that Cameron and I were married he traveled every week, all over the country. Being the thoughtful husband he is, he would often come home bearing a gift. ;) After an event in Anaheim, California – he brought home for me, a light blue, Tinkerbell “santa” hat. I absolutely adore this hat. I wear it as often as possible between Thanksgiving and Christmas… and not only it is darling, it’s exceptionally cozy and warm! Something I have recently noticed about this hat is that little girls love it! I sometimes forget it’s on my noggin’ and just assume little girls are staring at me because I’m breathtakingly beautiful… hahaha… but before the thought really has a chance to take hold they shyly tell me, “I like your hat…” Oh! Right! My cute Tinkerbell hat! I like it too! :)
This picture was taken for Cam 3 years ago just before the Holidays while he was away… and obviously I was pregnant. This was with my first. (After our first son was born, Cam changed departments with that company so he wouldn’t have to travel anymore). My good ol’ hat. Have I mentioned that I love it!?
These were taken last week. Still rockin’ the Tinkerbell hat! That’s my niece giving it a try… :)
That’s the story of my hat! I suppose that can kind of be considered a type of tradition… so throw that in there!
6 More Days and Counting!!!!!
Really? Only one more week until Christmas Morning? This is one of the best parts of Christmas! The anticipation,Holiday get-togethers, last minute-shopping (admit it, you love it!), neighbor gifts and enjoying the lights while they are still up! The week before Christmas is my favorite!! I will try to remember to take pictures of a few of the things I’ve made and post them AFTER Christmas so I wont give anything away… :) Enjoy Your Weekend!!!
Now that we’re toasty warm (except for my nose… any suggestions for that?) and ready to be outside with the rest of the family… we need to be prepared for fun.
Here are some links to resources I have located for fun ideas of things to do in the snow (mostly kid-friendly).
My favorite idea is putting colored water in spray bottles and spraying the snow! That just sounds like so much fun and something I never would have thought up myself!
I also want to make a huge snow…. SOMETHING! How cool is that dinosaur? And that SNOWMAN!!!
So now that you have an idea of how to have FUN in the snow…
GO DO IT!
Then come back and tell me all about it! Plus, I can always use more ideas!
Winter is my least favorite season and if it weren’t for Christmas I would have absolutely no reason to even be open-minded about Winter. But HELLO I live in UTAH! It feels like winter for approximately HALF OF A YEAR! I can either moan and groan and be miserable…
Or I can find some ways to enjoy it. The snow, that is.
First rule of thumb came from a friend/neighbor who is originally from Upstate New York. Apparently, it’s even colder there. Whatever. Cold is cold. But she made a really great point in response to one of my anti-snow Facebook statuses a while ago. Paraphrasing, she told me, to learn to layer because “Nothing beats the spirit (of winter) like being cold”. Words of Wisdom! I think I’m going to get this quote in vinyl lettering to put on my door. Hahaha… not. Okay, maybe.
So rule #1, Get the right stuff to stay warm in the snow!
Alrighty. Once I actually had the right clothing to keep my warm I became open minded to exploring the possibilities of PLAYING outside in the snow… and maybe even enjoying myself. Yes, it’s a hassle to layer especially when it’s me + 2, but we’re working on the “system” and it is getting easier. oh yes, and you should probably make a bathroom run BEFORE you have 4 or 5 layers of clothing on…
To be continued…
“Don’t let your past dictate who you are, but let it be a part of who you become.” –Learning to Love the Journey
I have discovered so many wonderful, empowering sources that really have helped me to take control of my life and situations. Our lives are what we make them. What we think about is what we attract. There is only one thing that can limit you from reaching your dreams and full potential - YOU. The way you think can either lead you to happiness and success or depression and failure. Did you know it is possible to change your thought patterns and by doing so, change you life?! It’s true!
A few of the sources I have discovered that have helped me be a happier, more peaceful person are:
And developing friendships with positive people who are honest with themselves, are willing to forgive me and look past my imperfections, help me develop my talents and encourage me to be the best person I can be!
I don’t know about you – but sometimes things just suck. Both things within your control and things beyond your control… sometimes it’s a fight to get through the day! It’s usually not the children, sometimes it is the husband, usually its finances or dealing with other peoples’ choices. Sometimes it’s yourself. You know what you feel like doing about it, what other people expect you to do about it, and what the right thing to do about it is. Usually, those three things do not coincide. I love the quote in Harry Potter when Dumbledore tells Harry “You must make the choice between what is right and what is easy” (or something to that effect). I think there is much truth in this statement. Rarely, if ever, is the best path the easy path. And I’ll tell you right now,
You Can Do Hard Things!
Yes. You can. You can! You can! You can! Don’t you ever forget that! I think every family should have this up somewhere in their home. It is when we do hard things that we grow as individuals and really get a glimpse of our full potential. You. Are. Amazing!
