I've committed!!! (Yikes!)

I did it ladies and gentleman, not that any gentleman read this, but I officially registered for my first triathalon! Woo-hoo! It's April 3rd in Saint George, Utah. It's going to be a ladies night out. My sweet and most favorite visiting teacher is doing it with me and is such a great motivator as well as one of my Joy School moms. I just wanted to open it up to anyone else that wants to go with us. It's going to be awesome and thrilling and scary and exhausting, but I just can't wait to cross that finish line and know that I did it. So come and enjoy the excitement with us!

OH the distances are a 400 yrd. swim (16 lengths in a 25 yrd pool), 10 mile bike, and a 5K. I've done the first two distances at the gym, but the 5K is kicking my rear.

But I've got another two months to get it under my belt.

I'm thankful for my village!

I just wanted to send out a great big thank you to all who are within my village. If you see me fairly often than that means you. They say it takes a village to raise a child, well I believe it a hundred percent.

So thank you to those of you who watch my children so I don't have to break my promise of never taking them grocery shopping again.

Thank you for keeping me company when my husband is gone or working late.

Thank you for cleaning up my child's vomit while I take my other child to the doctor.

Thank you for just watching them when I need a mental vacation for a little bit.

Thank you for sharing your food with us and when my kids tell you they need a snack or they're thirsty.

Thanks for listening to they're high pitched crying and girly screams.

Thanks for changing those poopy diapers when I'm not there to do it.

Thanks for watching them so me and my husband can actually talk to each other.

Thanks for teaching them good principles and being a good example to them.

Thanks for everything, you guys. I'm pretty sure you know which one's are for you. If you have more than three thank yous on that list, then concider yourself my best friend. I need you guys and am so thankful for all the help you give me in raising these little girls. I love you and couldn't do it without you.

The Artist at Work.

Gabriela drew this today at Joy School. I thought it was pretty darn good and the thought was sweet. They were supposed to draw a picture of a way they could share themselves with their Mom or family. This was Gabriela's response. I told her it was freezing outside and she said, "no Mommy, can't you see, it's summertime, " as she points to the sunshine and blue sky. She also pointed out that she gave me a flower. You might have to click on the picture to see it. I love how it looks like Sophia is carrying Julianne. So cute and fun to see. I told you I love her art!

Out of the mouth of a Dwarf.

I've already made reference to our service lesson in Joy School, but I forgot to tell this funny little snipet.

We were playing a riddle game where I describe someone who does some sort of service and they tell you who it is. Simple right. The first one was an obvious one, or so I thought.

It said: Someone who cooks your meals, washes your clothes, and keeps your house clean.

Who is it?

Gabriela threw her hand up so fast, and with all the confindence in the world, says "SNOW WHITE!!!"

She had me there. I couldn't say no, because she was right. Snow White does do all of those things. I guess I know what's on her mind. I've got to stop with all the fairytales before this gets out of hand. Pretty soon she'll be waiting for her prince to come riding up and give her "true love's kiss."

I guess I'd rather be Snow White than Cinderella. At least Snow White volunteered to help and wasn't forced.

Things I Love About Being A Mom.

I've been thinking lately about the things I really enjoy about motherhood. Maybe because there are so many things I'm not particularly fond of, like potty training, buckling seat belts, and so forth. So here's a brief list that makes me smile when I do it.

I love it when Sophia comes and snuggles in bed with me in the morning. She's the best little thing to cozy up with and she's so little she just molds right to ya. It's one of those small moments we share together before the craziness starts.

I love when Julianne comes up behind me and drapes her arms over my shoulders like I'm going to give her a piggy back ride. It's her unique little way of showing affection.

I love when Gabriela looks at me with those big brown eyes and tells me she "loves me up to heaven." I soak those moments up, because it's nice to know after all the no's I give and the yelling and running around I do, they still like me.

One of my favorite things is when I get to see my kis succeed. It could be my potty training child sits through a meal at a restaurant without peeing in her panties or when they get up and give a talk in primary without any assistance and they are only four.

I love after a bath that my girls like to wrapped up in their towels and be held like a baby.

I like when Julianne backs up and plops herself in my lap with a "boop" (book). I love to read to those kids.

I love to watch Gabriela draw. I can see her development by the pictures she draws. A stick man, to a monster, to a house, to a waterfall. It's awesome.

Miguel and I both melt when Julianne will lay her head on your shoulder when you hold her. Oh we just soak it up for everything it's worth. Those moments are priceless, since she's such a handfull the rest of the time.

I love my kids like there's no tomorow. Those crazy people who make my life crazy but worth it in the end. They are the refiners fire in my life. They will make me great some day. I know I'm far better today than I was before they came into my life. So here's to my babies. They will always be my babies.

A Day in the Life.

Making cookies and doing a service for our Moms at Joy School.

(Because what Mom doesn't love a sweet snack?)

They love spaghetti. I hate cleaning spaghetti.

Although I was shocked at how neat they were today, yesterday was a different story.

Sophia Turned 3 today!!!

My sweet Sophia turned 3 today. That sweet baby is growing up on me and I love her so much more today than I did three years ago. I love her quirky personality and the love that she shows to me. She has a good heart and tender feelings. 2007

2008
2009

Today!

We had a little birthday party this morning with her friends from nursery and dance class. We had ten little girls here and they had a good time.

She wanted a My Little Pony themed party.

Her and the girlies!

We had them eat donuts off a string. Julianne just ripped hers off and enjoyed it while looking at the others like they were crazy.

Time for cake and ice cream

Today was one of the first days I actually saw Julianne as a big girl. She loved all the games and mingled in with the girls like it was nothing. She was really cute about everything.

She has such nice friends to bring her gifts. She got ponies, a Barbie, a tea cup set, puzzle, markers, and musical instruments. We are very thankful.

We then busted a pinata in the kitchen. Bless their little hearts, none of them had the strength to break that darn thing. They got to take out their frustrations on it though. I think they thoroughly enjoyed beating something with a stick and not getting in trouble for it. Miguel came to the rescue and busted it for us.

She had a good time and hopefully she felt special today.

We love our Miss Sophia!

Mission accomplished!

I have been looking for My Little Ponies for a while. They seem to be everywhere we go. Friends houses, the gym, you name they've gottem. Well Sophia's our resident horse lover, so we are throwing her a pony birthday party and I wanted to get her some. Problem...the new ones are goofy looking. They've got great big eyes and a big head and are all out of proportion. She probably could care less, but since I played with these things when I was little, I'm a little partial. I want the traditional looking ponies. That's where my problem came in. I couldn't find them for the life of me. No store carries them. I've been to the Provo D.I. a couple of times, Kid to Kid, Craigslist, KSL. Everywhere. No ponies. It became a challenge. I couldn't let it go, so today after dance class, we set out for the American Fork D.I. Sophia was with me, but I didn't care about giving them to her as a present anymore, I just had to have some. I told the girls we were going on a hunt for My Little Ponies. They were so into it and all about it. Can you believe it! We found eleven of those suckers in there. The satisfaction in my little heart was awesome. I left one happy mom and my kids haven't stopped playing with them. Mission accomplished.

A Snapshot of Our Lives.

I was inspired by someone else's blog to post a snapshot of our lives to look back on. What is going on right now in our lives. The details that I will too soon forget, so here we go:

-Miguel is usually up and out of the house by 7:15 each morning and Sophia is usually the first one up and in bed with Mom every morning. She is definately our little rooster.

-The girls (when they are all three together) are like three cats in a cage. Take Julianne out of the mix and the other two do just fine. Three is a crowd I guess.

-Julianne cannot, and I repeat CANNOT, get along with other people. The word that comes out of her mouth the most each day is "NO!" She cannot be forced or persuaded to do anything.

-The girls love to be cheetahs and kitties.

-We try to have dinner together each night.

-Sophia and Julianne are in the same dance class right now. One hour a week. It's so nice. Julianne and I have to sit and entertain ourselves while we wait. I love watching them.

-I still don't have a dishwasher and I usually can't see the bottom of the sink. It frustrates me. I will be so glad when we are eventually out of the sippy cup stage.

-I get up and make my bed immediately. Horray for me!

-I've been getting back on an exercise routine and going to the gym twice a week while the girls go into the daycare.

-Tuesday nights I have primary meetings. Wednesdays Miguel goes on Elders Quorm visits.

-I run a book group once a month. I love reading now. It really has been fun to run and pick up a book during the girls naptime.

-We do a co-op preschool with a good friend twice a week. The girls love that and it's something I hope to do with all my kids before they start Kindergarten.

-I have to buckle in all three of my kids in the car. Ahhhhh!!!! Ever since our roadtrip to GA last year, we've left out one of the captain chairs to make it easier.

-Speaking of the car, it is Always a mess. During the winter especially, because I'm not going to freeze my rear end off trying to do it. I could clean it and in a few days, you would never know.

-We still have to welcome each princess into the kitchen and invite them to sit and have dinner with us.

-You are not allowed to enter the home after returning from an outting without first knocking on the door. The girls (namely Gabriela) has to let you in and then she proceeds to tell you she has no family and asks us if we will be her family. We always say yes.

-We hold our family home evenings in the living room and the conducting of the music is done on top of the coffee table. It is usually absolute chaos and everone seems to have ants in their pants and can't sit down for more than three seconds.

-We love tacos in our home. Tacos and cereal. The only vegetable the kids really like is raw carrots, cut up into sticks.

-Julianne has a meltdown each time I take my phone away from her. She always seems to find it and knows which buttons to push to call someone.

-Sophia and Julianne still take naps. Gabriela will, but sometimes I let it slide and she can play quietly or we do something together.

-Gabriela can now read beginner books. That is super exciting to me. She gets frustrated easily, but with the right encouragement, she finishes them and is happy as pie.

-I still love to read to the kids, but lately we've fallen off the horse. I don't really know why. Maybe I should look into that one.

-I'm still changing Sophia's nasty butt. She's still not ready for underwear, but I guess changing a diaper is a lot less frustrating than cleaning pee out of carpet. I'll hang on for another couple of weeks and give it another try.

Well that's all I can think of at the moment, but if I do think of something else, I'll update it.
That's us as of today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

See Any Resemblance?

We got Happy Meals from McDonalds the other day and when I looked at the box, I saw an image of the Chipettes. Right off the bat, I saw my three girls. There's Gabriela...the showboat. Sophia...the skinny sidekick. And of course Julianne....the short one with chubby cheeks. I won't be seeing this one in the theater, but can't wait to see on Redbox.

El Dia de los Reyes

It's the Day of the Kings. Or at least it was yesterday. It is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men at the birth of our Savior. It is on this day that the children recieve their presents in Mexico. We put a spin on it and on this day our kids recieve new books. They leave out thier shoe and in the morning they find books. We say "the wise men make them wise."

You also eat what is called a "rosca de reyes" or "crown of a king". It's a Mexican pastry that is in the shape of a crown. Hidden inside are little plastic babies. The tradition is, if you find the baby in your piece, you have to do something. We decided that whoever found it would have to wash the toilet. It made it a lot more exciting let me tell ya. Each person got to tell Papi where to cut and guess who ended up with the baby?

Happy scrubbing honey!

Raising Girls

As I watch my girls run around in their princess costumes and talk of prince charming and beautiful ballerinas, my heart just warms. I'm truly blessed to have these three beautiful little souls in home. I love having girls and I think they are just a lot of fun. As I was cleaning their room the other day, I found Sophia and Julianne in the bunk bed fixing hair. It was so cute, because they are usually at each other's throats. It then led into a full blown ballet in there. We had Mozart playing and the girls wanted me to sit and watch their performance. I gave them a big round of applause and a few "bravo"s. They loved it. Then I had to be someone at dinner, who sees a ballerina, and I have to ask for her autograph and for her to take a picture with me. Gabriela has this thing about telling you what to say and how to act. It kind of makes me crazy.

I'm going to climb my Everest this year!

All my life I have struggled physically. When I was little I suffered from asthma. I about collapsed on the track during high school from trying to do the mile run. I've always hated running. I've never done anything physically challenging before because I've always been afraid and mentally I just can't believe that I could do something like running a race or anything like it.

However, this is going to be the year of change for me. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do a TRIATHALON! I still don't like running and would never want to put myself through a marathon, but with a triathalon I can cross train. This is such a stretch and like the title of this post states, my Everest. If I can finish the race, I will be so stinkin' proud of myself, that I think I would believe I could do anything. I've already been on the treadmill for the past two days. The first steps are always the hardest, right? I'm starting from square one. I don't really know how to swim distance. I'm more of a tread water and don't drown kind of a swimmer, so I've got a long way to go in that direction. Biking...nope, no experience there and running, well let's just say that's my best of the three and that's not saying much at all. As of this morning, I can go about 2 miles in 30 minutes.

So what I need is a cheerleading squad. Please, please, please support me in this. The best would be if you would do it with me! I need some gals who want to hit the roads with me on bikes, and who want to go swimming at the gym (although you might be embarassed by me, because I swim with a snorkel :). If you're in, sweet, if not, just ask me how I'm doing. It's going to be awesome and I can melt off these love handels of mine. I'm going to try and do the Provo Tri in June and then maybe an all women's one in northern Utah in Sept. Wish me luck!!!

An Apostle of the Lord

Last night, while we were at Costco, we saw Elder Holland doing his shopping by himself. It was an interesting sight to see. Some would just pass by, unaware of who was in close proximitiy to them. Others noticed immediately and would stop to say hello or shake his hand. How I wanted to, oh how I wanted to, but that is just not something I do. I like to leave people alone. I could tell he was having a hard time getting any real shopping done. So I opted for the next best thing. I followed him around for a few minutes. He would go down a particular aisle and I would just happen to go down that same aisle and listen to his conversations with people. The Spirit that that man radiates can only come from God. I could feel the swelling in my chest and for some reason it was as if tears wanted to come to my eyes. I can't explain it other than the Spirit. I didn't speak to him or shake his hand, but I could feel it. I know he is an apostle of the Lord.

That brings me to another point. For the last month or so I've been reading a book entitled Fishers of Men from the Kindgom and the Crown series by Gerald Lund. It is about the life and times of Jesus Christ. In the book, the author describes these masses of people who would follow the Savior around each day. I'm talking hundreds who would be waiting for him outside while he went in to have lunch with someone or to speak to someone privately. I thought it was so strange and bothersome. I know I get bothered when my three kids follow me around all day. However, after last night's experience, I can now better understand. I think our souls long to feel the Spirit and they gravitate towards it. I now know, that I would be one of those followers of Jesus Christ. I think we long to feel anything that reminds us of our heavenly home. It warms us and fills us. As one of my goals this year, I would like to find many more ways to feel of the Spirit in my life. I hope and pray that we all can, and do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.