Jamen at the MTC!!!!

It's been a few weeks since then, but i'm the emotional big sister, so it took a while before i could look at these and not tear up!! This is one of the sadest days i have experienced!!! On the way back home i finally stopped crying and out of no where, Konner says, "no more J.J.", and i started crying again!! We love Jamen, and we will miss him, but at the same time we are all proud of him, and the good choices he is making!!! It's funny cuz about 7 years ago, when he liked to tease alot, i didn't think this day would ever come, and now it seems like it will be forever before we see him in person again!!!

This post is mainly for myself!! :)

I know we all have days where we are feeling a little overwhelmed and down! I know at times when i feel this way, i'm just having a pitty party! So bring on the ice cream, and party hats!! I look around and i have so much to be grateful for, so for my own good, i'm making a list of things I am blessed with! I will just name some as they come to mind!

1- I have a wonderful family, who loves and looks out for each other
2- I have a good, loving husband (who still to this day tries to make me laugh everyday)
3- I have a handsome, healthy, full of energy little guy who i ADORE!!!
4- We have a nice, warm home!
5- I have been raised in the gospel, and how grateful i am for that!!
6- I have wonderful parents and in laws, and extended family!
7- We have reliable (most of the time) vehicles!
8- To have, good, clean running water!! (don't realize how great that is til you don't have it)
9- I am grateful for spring time, everything is so beautiful and flowers start to pop up!
10- Grateful to have the temple so close to us!
11- Grateful for medical technology, and to have the hospital so close by!!!
12- To have most of our family close by!
13- That keith has a good job, with pretty good insurance!
14- For LITTLE messes (maybe not all of them), that way i know Konner is developing as he should ;)
15- The priesthood!! It has been a huge blessing for us!
16- Wonderful friends who are always there, no matter what!!
17- For Weekends, time to have a little break, and to have some fun!
18- The Prophet and other good leaders, who try to keep us on the straight and narrow!
19- For Laughter, sometimes it feels really good to laugh so hard til your stomach hurts!
20- Little kids, they say some really funny things!!

I came across this article by Sandra Herseys Ministries, and it is AWESOME!! So, i wanted to post it!!!

Benefits of Being Grateful

Being Grateful is very under-rated. Most of us focus on the things we want to achieve in life. We look at what others have and wish we could have or achieve that as well. We know it is important to have dreams and goals, however ladies it is vitally important to your happiness to take time to appreciate the things you already have and focus on what you have already accomplished.

The are many, many benefits of being grateful and thankful

Being grateful refocuses your priorities. As you list or keep your mind on today what you are grateful for, you will see a shift in your priorities.

Focusing on what you are grateful for also reminds you of your priorities and of what is important to you. Often we get caught up worrying or focusing on little things that really are not all that important to us.

Being grateful allows you enjoy the good in your life. Let’s face it ladies most of the time we feel that only achieving the big goals – getting the big promotion, winning the lottery, having the best party – are what will make us happy. But focusing on being grateful allows you to focus on the many small good things that occur in your day that you are grateful for – such as being on time for the bus, getting your favorite drink in the vending machine, seeing a beautiful sky, sharing a laugh with your friend, seeing your kids healthy and happy and playing.

Baby Animal Days & Coupon Savings!!

So this was our last trip to the store with our AWESOME COUPONS!! We have been doing it about a month or so, and we are starting to get the hang of it, but we are still definitely learning the tricks. This would have normally cost us $96.96 but after our coupons it came to $42.33. The best part is that i saved more than i paid for it!! It is very time consuming, but i think it's worth it!















Paige and me















This was at 7:00 in the A.M. so we may still look pretty tired. And yes, we did have the camera sitting on an elmo book!
















BABY ANIMAL DAYS!!!! This my first year going, and i think Konner was most excited about being outside!















I'm sure Konner is thinking... "Seriously mom?"















So Konner was attempting to take the ducklings head home with him! Poor little duck!















Paige's girls and Konner checking out the little goat! (not sure what a baby goat is called)















Mom and Konner















Brinkley, Angie, and Konner! Yea, Brinkley LOVES me! ha ha

A typical day doing house chores!!!

This is my little dishwasher helper!! He's pretty dang cute isn't he!
















Trying to crawl under it!































He unloads it as i load it!




















Sometimes we don't actually get as much done as we intent to! It's all about the intention to do it though......right??





















I usually end up pushing him around in the basket, as he giggles! We have a lot of fun though!
















Konner doesn't have as much fun when mom loads pictures on the computer!
















Bathtime fun!!!

Konner's 1st Haircut!!

This poor little guy probably looks like an orphan with the hair due!!! Someone should have told his mom to give him a haircut a while ago!!! We had quite the weekend with my birthday, which we celebrated practically 3 days, then on Monday i decided it was time to bring out the buzzer!!!




















So I took a little off the top....




















Some off the sides.....



And.......


























TADA!!!!!!!




















He's got a handsome new look!!!

~BiRtHdAy FuN~

What does a good birthday consist of.......
1-Family















2- Party Hats















3-More family & lots and lots of candles!















4-Yummy Cake!















5- Ham & Cheese salad from Fredricos!















6- Close Friends!















7-Matching plates!















8- Funny Faces















1 through 8 = Good Times and an awesome Birthday!!

My little nephew, Isaac, came up to me on my birthday and said, "Happy Birthday Angie, I love you" and then added,,,, "For your birthday cake we need to get lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of candles!" It made me laugh, apparently he knows how old i'm actually getting ;)