Just Keeping It Real

I do not like snow. There is no sense in sugar coating it. In fact I loathe snow. I actually loved snow...until I had to live in it. I have been trying to convince myself ever since we moved up here that I like it. I don't think it is going to happen. I am ready for Winter to be over and it hasn't even technically started yet. I will tolerate a sledding trip or two for my kids and I may even have fun. But that doesn't change the fact that I would much rather be basking in the sunlight on a beach somewhere else. My list of things that I love about Utah is a long one but you will not find snow on it. If we had just three seasons a year life would be grand. One thing I refuse to do however, is try to convince my children to feel the same way. I want them to be kids and frolick in the cold white stuff as much as they want, even if it urks me to help them on with their clothes and off again...on, off, on, off, on, off! All Winter long I dream of my home town...

but this is my reality...
It's going to be a long next few months!

8 Tickles For Eva

Our little D'Eva-D turned eight on Thursday!

One trait of Eva's that stands out above the rest is that she radiates goodness. She has such a pure heart and is such a good example to me. I truly feel honored to be her mother.

On her birthday we all went and got ice cream and did some birthday shopping. There will be more celebrating later on in the week.

The next day, Lee took Eva on a very special daddy-daughter date to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Special. To quote Lee, it was "Spectacular"! One very cool thing was that they didn't know that President Monson would be there. All of a sudden everyone stood and there he was, The Prophet. I am so glad that Eva got to have such a great experience that she will remember forever.

Eva and Lee walked around Temple Square to see all the beautiful Christmas lights.

The next day, Saturday, Eva was baptized by her daddy and confirmed a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so proud of her and love her immensely. What a wonderful weekend this has been for Eva. My heart is full.

Can You See A Resemblance?

My girls asked me if I could crimp their hair today for school. Of course I jumped at the idea. It is not everyday that they will let me do something with their hair. They looked so cute! As I was doing Ella's hair I got a major case of deja vu. I thought I had gone back in time and was looking at a three year old Emma. I remembered a picture I had taken of Emma at three with her hair crimped and decided to get it out. I also found the same outfit she had worn and put in on Ella. You tell me...Do you see a resemblance?

Emma at 3 yrs and Ella at 3 yrs

So Envious

I must confess that for the longest time I have been so incredibly envious of a certain type of person. Ever since I was little I have longed to be like them. I have tried, oh how I have tried to be this type of person but to no avail. I think it is time for me to realize I will never become one of them. This type of person is...the Silent Sneezer.

I was sitting next to someone (who shall remain nameless) at church on Sunday. As I was talking to her she paused, bowed her head, touched her nose and then twitched. That was it. That was her sneeze. It was the most quiet sneeze I have ever heard! How come I can't be that way?! My sneezes are so loud and powerful, I swear the Earth shakes. But not only are they loud and powerful, I feel like I need a shower afterwards. Actually, I feel like I just got a shower and gave everyone who happened to be sitting by me a shower.

Like I have said, I have tried my whole life to become a Silent Sneezer. I just can't do it. I think that either you've got it or you don't. Unfortunately I don't but for those of you who do, you don't know how lucky you are!!

Slacker

I have been a total slacker lately. But not anymore. I can't afford it. This Thanksgiving was sort of the last straw for me. I have got to start eating better and exercising more. I have updated my Round To Rad blog. You can check it out if you dare. I have to warn you though, it's ugly. It is a private blog documenting my ups and downs with weight loss. If you are not invited and would like to see my progress (and failures) let me know and I will invite you. I could really use all the support I could get. And if I knew more people were checking in, it may help me work harder. Also, it may help you feel a little better about yourself. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving...

...from the Pilgrim and the Indians!!

Singing In the Shower

Last night I heard Ben singing in the shower. This is what I heard...


"Last Christmas I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away."


Ben makes me smile. I LOVE him!

To Fold Or Not To Fold

I try to do one load of laundry and fold one load of laundry everyday so I don't get behind. But lately that has not been happening...

I know doing laundry is kind of weird to blog about but this pile of clean clothes was so impressive I just had to document it.

I have one word for this "after" picture...BLISS!!

Who knows, I may even get crazy and fold the socks!

Loco For Cocoa

We are loving the chill in the air and the cocoa yummies that warm our tummies.

Emma had a cute comment yesterday as we were driving in the van listening to Christmas music. She said,

"I just love Christmas time and not because of the presents. It makes me so happy and you can smell it coming in the air."

I agree with Emma. It is beginning to "smell" a lot like Christmas. And this family couldn't be happier about it!

Tag, You're It

I have been tagged by my good friend Lauren who is so creative and interesting. I am a simple gal and have a hard time thinking of interesting things about myself. But since I am a team player I will endure this once again. I was tagged last year. If you would like to read those things about me click here.

7 Random Facts About Lara:

1....

After a lengthy courtship of 1 week Lee told me he was going to marry me. I said, "OK".

2....

I would much rather eat brownie mix than brownies fresh out of the oven.

3....

This may make some of you jealous. For that I apologize, but I was the school tetherball champion in third grade. Napoleon, eat your heart out.



4....

I love love love snuggling with my babies.

5....

I have never had a broken bone or stitches. This can only mean one of two things: either I have a body made of steel or I am not exactly living life on the wild side. Hmmm, which one could it be?

6....

I am my biggest fan. Don't take this the wrong way. This just means that I work at loving my weaknesses as well as my strengths. I am proud of who I am and how far I have come even if I do fall short in certain areas. I want to teach my children to have love and respect for themselves so it has to start with me.

7....

My Dirty Little Secret: There is a rumor going around that I am a clean freak. Well, my friends, it's all a front. I am not as clean as some people may think. The picture above shows a laundry basket filled with clean socks. And that is exactly where they stay. I do not match up socks and roll them up cute for everyone in the house like a good mother does. It is something I despise doing. My kids and yes, even my husband just know that when they need socks they go in the laundry room and dig for them themselves. I think the last time I have matched up socks was close to a year ago. Can you believe that? And because I am feeling generous I will show you one more...

This is my junk cupboard because my junk drawer was too small. Nowhere else can you find walkie talkies, children's medicine, and unread magazines coexisting.

That actually was very theraputic. I highly recommend sharing a dirty little secret. It was quite liberating.

Well, there's my 7 random facts about Lara. Now I tag Kristine, Laura, Julie B., Mechelle, and Melissa O. to tell 7 random facts about themselves. Good luck. I have no doubt you girls will not disappoint. I cannot wait to read them!