Boys of Summer (for one last summer)

I know I've said this before, but I'll say it a million times more... I love summer. I love the sunshine, the popsicles and snow cones, the water fights, the carefree days, the gardens, the beach music, the buzzed heads, the sun tans, the bike rides, the morning jogs and the list could go on and on. This summer definitely belongs to the boys this year. They make the calls and that means we are outside all day... every day. Housework can wait until a rainy day, right?? Here are a few things we have been up to so far this summer:

This handsome young fella graduated preschool and that's when our summer began!

Jer got an awesome new job that is close enough to home that he gets to come home for lunch some days. Tiny Man tends to follow his daddy around like a little shadow whenever he is home.

We took a trip to grandma and grandpa's house and met one of their adorable new chickens, Cookie.

We also did lots of swimming and playing with cousins. We sure love it there. 

Tiny loves the hose and is entertained by it day after day.

It wouldn't be summer without hours of bike rides and a good dose of baseball.

We are discovering new and fun places to play where we live, like this fun sandy beach at a pond. 
We really love where we live!

I signed Little Guy up for the city's summer musical along with some neighbor friends. He is LOVING it. Unfortunately, he inherited his mother's complete lack of coordination. I couldn't help but giggle at his cuteness during practice yesterday!

This is the last summer that goes to boys though. Next summer they will be sharing it with our baby GIRL! We found out a few weeks ago that we are having a healthy baby girl. Healthy being the main word in that sentence. We are still getting used to the idea of a pink little bundle joining our family of boys, but seriously can't wait. I'd better get shopping as I have a lot of stocking up to do!

Twenty-seven.

My poor mom thought she was getting a sweet, beautiful baby girl when she had me.
She didn't realize she would instead soon have a life size troll doll on her hands. ;)

Well it's official. Today I am one year older than I was a year ago. The big TWO SEVEN. I have learned a lot in my short time here on this Earth (like how to down a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough in no time flat), but one thing I have yet to even begin to grasp is the concept of time. How is it that during different experiences it seems to craaaawl and others it goes by way too fast? Why is it that it seems like just yesterday I graduated from high school and yet when I was in school it seemed as though that day would never come? Same goes for my oldest child starting kindergarten this fall when it seemed as though he would never grow out of the colicky phase as a newborn.

I may not ever learn how time works, but one thing I have learned (this past year especially) is that life and it's experiences are precious. Every. Single. One. The good, the bad, the happy, the tragic, the beautiful and the ugly. They all stick and mesh together to create each of our individual lives. The combination of all the experiences we have ever been through create a life that is so unique and different from anyone else's and makes us who we are. I have had some crappy things (and a few tragic things) happen to me in my lifetime. Things that when I was going through them I would have gladly given up for something better or easier. We all have. But as I look back on those experiences now, there isn't one thing I would change if given the opportunity. Those experiences (and how I reacted to them and grew from them) made me who I am today. For the better or for the worse. Hopefully for the better. :)

I can't help but recognize my Heavenly Father's hand in all things. I know he has a plan for me and for each one of us. That knowledge has allowed me to get through some pretty tough times in my life and allowed me to appreciate the good times even more. Hind sight is always 20/20 and that has proven to be true for me. I can't help but look back and think "DUH! That's why that had to happen!" on so many different occasions. My hope is to remember that when going through a tough time. To know that whatever trial or experience I am going through at that particular time will only continue to mold me and help me become the woman I am supposed to be.

So here's to twenty seven years and the knowledge that comes along with it. I feel like I have only reached the tip of the ice burg and can't wait for the many life experiences I have ahead. I can't describe just how happy I am and how much I love my life. Life at 27 is good.

p.s. I know you are thinking you wish you knew what to do for my birthday. Have no fear, I have just the thing! ;) Feel free to donate to our 5k we are running in honor of Michael tomorrow. Today is your last chance to contribute!

p.p.s. my sweet friend Marta posted a favorite recipe of mine in honor of my birthday on her blog today. I love just love her!

Spring in My Step

Little Guy, me and Tiny Man out for a jog.

There is something about this time of year that I just love. I think it may have a lot to do with being able to finally say goodbye to those looooong winter months. Our days are filled with trips to the park, sunscreen, bike riding and sidewalk chalk. Our evenings are full of digging in the dirt and prepping our garden for this years crop. We were able to enjoy blossoms from our bushes and trees that we planted last spring which was such a fun surprise. There is something about seeing a tiny little bush grow and flourish where you planted it with your own two hands.

This time of year also brings with it the Running With Angels 5k at Thanksgiving Point here in Utah. It was this time last year when my love/hate relationship with running really started. I knew I had to run in this race for Michael, but I also knew that I couldn't run a mile without getting winded. Heck, I couldn't even run down my driveway to catch my child who was trying to escape without getting winded! Thus the training began. I started running every day and planned my long runs every Saturday. I worked hard and accomplished my goal of finishing under thirty minutes (which was a miracle) the day of the race. It was the most incredible experience, you can read all about it here. 

I am excited about the race this year because I will be four months pregnant. It is sure to add a new element to the whole experience. I have been doing my best to train these past few weeks (having taken a few months break due to morning sickness) but boy am I SLOW! My pregnant body just doesn't move as fast as my non-pregnant one. I wouldn't miss this race for the world though, even if it means I have to walk it!

This particular 5k raises money for a program called Angel Watch which helps provide information, support and comfort to parents whose babies have life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. We have started a team again this year to help raise money for this wonderful program. Our team is called "Michael's Big Heart" in honor of our son. I'm not one to ask for people's money as I know in my life every cent is valuable! However, if you feel so inclined to donate in honor of Michael as well as so many other angel babies we would love it. I know the Angel Watch program will put your money to good use helping so many parents who find themselves in a similar situation we found ourselves in over 3 years ago.

Here's to spring and blossoms and running with a big ol' round belly. Bring on the sun baby!

General Conference Weekend

(image source)

Whoa, hey! I am still alive! Just wanted to pop in and let you know what have been and will continue to be up to all weekend. It is our church's general conference and it has been AMAZING as usual. I encourage you to check it out, even if it's just for a talk or two, especially if you never have before. The messages that are given are for everyone and are guaranteed to enhance and enrich your life. The thing I love most about conference is that there is always that one talk or two that I feel was written specifically for me and the struggles I am going through at that moment. I am able to find peace and comfort and feel renewed and strengthened by the words and counsel that are given.

If you have any questions at all after watching, please don't hesitate to shoot me a comment or an email!

You can watch conference for free by going HERE.

Enjoy! :)

p.s. conference is best enjoyed with your favorite treat in hand. our treat of choice today were donuts from our favorite local bakery. I may just have to give Marta's conference trail mix a try for tomorrow's sessions!

On raising boys.

Had someone told me when I was a little girl that I would have two boys when I was all grown up and a mommy, I probably would have cried. Everyone knows baby dolls are girls (except for the crazy looking cabbage patch boy dolls that no one ever wanted to play with) and therefore baby girls were all I knew! I knew how to match their dress with their shoes and their shirts with their bows. Every play house accessory we owned was either purple with some sort of floral design or pink with hearts. It was evident to my little 4 year old self that mommies had girls and that was that.

I love looking back at such innocent and naive days and can't help but chuckle a little. Now with two little blue eyed boys of my own I have learned just how much satisfaction and enjoyment can come from having them in my life.

Things I have learned about little boys:

:: they LOVE to be active. it starts out with a love of the park when they are younger and grows into bike riding, karate chopping and super hero fighting.

:: they are prone to be super addicted to technology. this is probably true with all kids, but we have had a constant battle with iPad use, video games and just plain ol' tv watching!

:: they are your little buddies. they love their mommies and have a tendency to be mamma's boys. they have such a capacity to love and show that love.

:: cars, trucks, trains, helicopters, dinosaurs, super heroes, Legos, robots, electronics, volcanoes, Star Wars, Batman, sports and bugs are all really cool.

:: they love to get dirty and find opportunities to do so every chance they get. they also like to "look sharp" (as my 5 year old says) every now and then.

:: wrestling matches with daddy make any bad day turn good.

:: wrestling matches with brothers will always end with someone in tears.

:: they are creative and imaginative and can turn any ordinary situation into an adventure in space or the jungle.

:: they love to be recognized for things they have done and gobble up any attention given to them.

:: they think potty words are hilarious.

:: they can be every bit as emotional as girls!

:: they don't have the same "friend drama" as girls. I've noticed this with some of Little Guys "girl" friends. they start young with the excluding folks. boys are more concerned about who gets to play with the light saber first.

:: they are observant (not to be confused with focused..) and mechanically minded. from a very young age they love to watch things and figure out how they work. i.e. tractors and garbage trucks

:: they are hilarious. there hasn't been a day that has gone by when my two boys haven't made me laugh.

Last of all I've learned that little boys are ready and eager to learn. I'm planning on being that main source for learning (along with the hubs of course) in hopes that these boys of mine learn to be good, hard-working, virtuous and respectful boys. It will be a difficult feat in this world today that teaches immorality as the norm, laziness and entitlement as a way of life and disrespect at every corner. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No!

Boys are the best and if I were to say anything to that 4 year old "mommy" I would tell her "Mommies do have girls but they also have boys and they are every bit as wonderful (if not even more so ;) )."

Reese's Chocolate Cookie Dough Truffles

Happy Valentine's Day! It's the day of love and I love making treats. (If you couldn't tell already by the nature of all the recipes on this blog. I'm pretty sure almost each one of them is some type of baked good or dessert!) I wanted to make something fun and somewhat special for Valentine's day and went scouring through my cook books. I found the winner in my favorite goodie book "The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook" that I got from my dear friend Marta. (She knows me all too well!) I love this book and find myself looking at it quite often because of the yummy treats and gorgeous pictures it contains. This time I landed on an "Inside Out Cookie Dough Truffle" and knew I had to make it. 

As I searched my pantry for all the ingredients, my heart sunk as I realized I didn't have them all. I didn't want to have to pack both of my boys up and drive to the store just to get those specific items. So, I made due with what I had and altered the recipe a bit. They surprisingly turned out REALLY good and pretty darn cute. Below is the recipe I altered and highly recommend you making them some time soon. I plan on making the original recipe once I have everything on hand. :)

Reese's Chocolate Cookie Dough Truffles

adapted from The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook 

Ingredients:

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped Reeses baking chips
8 oz almond bark (vanilla candy coating)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Mix in milk and vanilla. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and salt and mix on low speed until incorporated. Stir in Reese's baking chips. Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes or until firm enough to handle.

Form dough into 1-inch balls and arrange on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place sheet in freezer and chill for at least 15 minutes. Melt candy coating in a double boiler or microwave according to package directions, being careful not to overheat it. Using a fork or dipping tool (I used my fondu fork), dip truffles one at a time in candy coating to cover. Tap fork on side of the bowl to remove excess coating, and return truffles to baking sheets until set. With the left over coating, add food coloring of your choice (optional) and transfer into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (or a plastic bag with a tiny hole cut in one of the corners) and pipe decorative lines over top of truffles.

Refidgerate in an airtight container, truffles will keep for up to 1 week.

p.s. Finding it funny that I posted a super unhealthy treat in the same week that I talked about being heart healthy and running? Me too. But that's just how I roll. ;)

A Heart Healthy Running Mix

Here's a little tid bit for ya'll: February is National Heart Month! Fitting isn't it? Seeing how it is also the month that holds Valentine's day.

Both sides of my family (mom's mom and dad's dad) have had heart health issues and as a result I have always been somewhat paranoid about the health of my own heart. The desire to finally do something and be proactive with my heart health started when I lost my baby due to a very serious heart defect called Ebstein's Anomaly. During that time, amid all of the doctor's visits and echocardiograms, I learned more about the heart than I ever did in all my years of biology classes at school (no duh). It opened my eyes to what a miracle life is and made me never want to take my heart for granted again. It wasn't until last year that I really started to do something about it by signing up for my first 5k, knowing it would get me moving.

Since that 5k last May I have been running every other day and sometimes every day (minus a several week break I took this winter when I was just in a complete funk). It's hard for me, I won't lie. I'm a terrible runner. I have one leg that is slightly shorter than the other, which creates a very comical and somewhat uncomfortable looking run. It also is cause for a very sore back after each run. My heating pad is my best friend at night. Aside from the physical hurdles, my main problem deals with the fact that I'm not good with the mind game that comes along with running. It's hard for my brain to tell me, "You can do it!" when my body is screaming at me "You're going to kill over if you take one more step!".

One thing that helps me out is music. I realize every runner has their own opinion about this. I have a friend who runs to nothing but classical music, and another who runs to books on tape. My husband doesn't like to listen to anything but his feet on the pavement and the birds in the sky. It's all personal preference, but if you are like me and need that one song to keep you moving this mix is for you. There have been many times when I feel like giving up but then one of my favorite songs comes on and I tell myself that I can run until the end of that song. I've compiled a few of my favorites that I love to run to. They are all clean of any swear words (since that's just my style) so get your heart pumping and enjoy!


Heart Healthy Running Mix
1. On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons
2. Bulletproof by Family Force 5
3. Dancing On My Own by Robyn
4. Too Close by Alex Clare
5. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson
6. Carried Away by Passion Pit
7. Tip Toes by Jayme Dee
8. Feel Again by One Republic
9. My Body by Young the Giant
10. Let it Roll by Flo Rida
11. 22 by Taylor Swift
12. Brokenhearted by Karmin
13. Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars
14. Lonely Boy by The Black Keys
15. Sail by AWOLNATION
16. Big and Chunky by will.i.am