To my future Priesthood holders

But instead it became...

thank you 

                                 hilary

A Few Recent Phone Photos

I see something this cute and I have to snap a photo with whatever I have on hand,

and hope that I don't miss it...



{I love the feet}

{I love that Big Brother love his Little Brother}

{He managed this all by himself}

Recently,

+  It seems we are finally free (for now) of the "boogs" (boogers), coughing, fever, and wheezing that had us down for two weeks.  Hoping the flu shot will keep the flu away. . .

+  We celebrated Big Brother's 3rd birthday with Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes for breakfast, a matinee of The Lorax, birthday gifts throughout the day, and a yummy dinner {homemade chicken nuggets + sweet potato fries + steamed carrots + the chocolatiest chocolate cake ever}

+  In addition his 'birthday' being any and every day since his actual birthday, Big Brother didn't quite follow how it could be anyone else's birthday, and Uncle J's surprise birthday-bowling party must also be HIS party ;). 

+  Hubby and I cleared all of the insulation and drywall debris from the living room.  Thank you for making the 'dump run' Honey.  The dust continues to settle, but it's so nice to see an empty room. 

+  We enjoyed a yummy dinner with my family this weekend, celebrating two birthdays with a small dessert buffet!   

+  I am so proud of Big Brother for being so cheerful going into his immunization appointment.  He knew why he was there and he was so brave.  Both of my little men are sporting a bandage on each leg.  Our nurse was quick, and Daddy/Hubby met us there for support.  Big Brother was rewarded with hugs and ice cream.

+  With Big Brother still in "footie-pajamas," we rushed out of the house and drove to the ABC4 studio hoping to get there in time to receive 4 free passes to Disney on Ice.  We did, just in time!  Thank you Good Things Utah for the fun giveaway, and special thanks to my boys for responding so well to me scooping them up and rushing them out of the house at a moment's notice.  I'm looking forward to this special night with my boys! 

Happy Groundhog Day

{TIME News Feed}

"...Feb. 2, 2012 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. 

"The groundhog saw his shadow on the 126th annual Groundhog Day, signaling 

six more weeks of winter."

Happy February

Fill This Month With Love, For Free

As January comes to an end, the approaching tax season + a very small end-of-the-month paycheck has challenged me to find inexpensive ways to celebrate the month of love.  I am actually grateful for the challenge.  "Seasonal" aisles turned from  

red & green

to

red & pink weeks ago,

and my mind automatically went to, "What am I going to do?  How am I going to decorate?  What am I going to give?  What about a Valentine's party?"  I imagined going through a checkout with all of the items I'd need, and realized that I could easily spend all of my money on this holiday.  It felt like Christmas, in February.  As much as I would like to support local businesses this month, with no budget I was forced to shift my thinking away from what I'd buy and toward how I could celebrate the month for free.  

I declare that it is possible to fill this month with love and lasting memories, for free, with  

Love Notes.

Hide them, or leave them out in the open.

materials:

anything to write with

+

anything to write on

mirrors
{look what katie found}

acorns
{blue purple and scarlett}

toilet paper (OR paper towels, coffee sleeves...)
{jumbo coffee morning}

napkins (OR tissue...)
{see this incredible post at just something I made}

rocks
{blue purple and scarlett}

Hidden Hearts.

Don't point them out.  Just let your loved ones find them.

materials:

an eye for everything heart-shaped

Heart Origami

Try folding a grocery ad into a heart.

I wonder if I could fold one of my husband's shirts into a heart...

In books
{vintage french hen}

In toys
{lego}

On the way to the car, OR near the front door
{the paper butterfly}

{this would be sweet on someone's pillow}

When It Comes To Food

Any food made from batter---pancakes---can be shaped like a heart.

You can cut your food into the shape of a heart---cheese, bread...

OR

You can arrange the food in the shape of a heart---spaghetti noodles, vegetables on a plate... 

Random Acts of Kindness.

All you need is a recipient.  You can do something kind for someone as you go about your own day.
print yourself a reminder:

{courtesy of twiddler house}

{courtesy of photography by amber}

an idea list can be simple:

{spread kindness}

Find or Share Ideas

HERE , courtesy of SpreadKindness.org

+

HERE, courtesy of RandomActsOfKindness.org

More ideas to come!

A.