One Special Kid:

This is my neighbor, Riley! Join my team in supporting the Rally for Riley team and come walk with the Discovery Days Team on Saturday, May 3 at 9:30 at Cottonwood High School! It's going to be great- raising awareness for families who deal with Autism daily, and for RESEARCH! Chances are, you already know someone with Autism or will know someone later on, and it's so important! Check out the official website!

Top Ten This Week:

So this week was full of adventure: Here goes..
10. Delivering flyers with three kids, two bikes, one stroller. Next weekend is big- I'll keep you posted.
9. Creative Visiting Teaching: keeps it interesting! Meeting at the church, at my house, kinda fun!
8: Snow.. wait, rain..., nope, snow...
7. Girls stamp night- I called out for reinforcements and we had a good time!
6. My Scentsy party Friday night was a big success in Springville.. fun.
5. Playdates: My kids are happiest with their friends, and I love to watch!
4. One on one with Bobby: he is delightful late at night! Funny kid.
3. Haircuts at Cookie Cutters- the only place where Jordan doesn't CRY!!
2. Date night with Ry- he made the call for the sitter and took me out!
1. Olive Garden and Ballet West: We saw Nine Sinatra Songs which was excellent!

Given the slip...

So I thought I would share my latest embarrassing moment- happened at church yesterday! I was walking down the hallway, holding Julia's hand and diaper bag on the other shoulder, holding a folder when suddenly, and without warning, my lovely white slip fell to my ankles, making it impossible for me to take another step! I quickly evaluated the situation and came up with two conclusions: a) try to put it back on; or b) step out of the slip and pick it up, FAST! So I did the latter- just as Ryan was walking toward me in the hallway and he says. "What are you DOING?!" I couldn't stop laughing during the opening song in Relief Society.. apparently, wearing the slip during pregnancy has shot the elastic in it.. and that's how I was given the slip...

Top Ten

10- Field trip to the Landfill- everyone should do this! Recycle!!
9- Sunshine on a Monday, Freezing on Tuesday.. welcome spring!
8- Friends for dinner on Tuesday.. so much fun!
7- American Idol- I predict that it will come down to the two David's..
6- Julia dances: her moves include head bopping, foot stomping, and swaying!
5- I went to Enrichment Night: Ruth Todd spoke and was fantastic.
4- I framed new pictures in my room that make me smile.
3- Lunch with my mom- she came and helped me on the day of the field trip.
2- Garage Sale! I decluttered a whole ROOM in my basement! Yahoo! Money goes into a Disneyland fund- double the fun!
1- Date night with Ryan! We went to Riley's benefit dinner- it was the best!

Spring Thing

Full Circle

So lately I have realized that my kids are merely a reflection of who I am! There are unmistakable traits that have been passed through DNA from Ryan and I- directly into our kids! So first, Ryan. Ryan was a skinny kid who loved to sit on the heating vents in his house to warm himself up in the morning. He also has some funny things he continues to do even now, like wearing one sock only, and drinking hot chocolate daily (even in summertime). So who wears one sock? Bobby. Who sits on the heating vents and drinks hot cocoa daily? Jordan. Then me. I am pretty clumsy- a self-proclaimed clutz. Yesterday, we visited the Garden Lodge here in Riverton- which is a fun store. Well, Jordan was excited to tell Grandma Day something, and mistakenly thought he was going through the door when he ran smack into the glass panel NEXT to the door and literally bounced off of the glass onto the floor! Poor kid! I couldn't help but laugh after I checked him over for any broken bones, (nose), and finding that he only bit his lip, laughed some more! He is ME!! How funny, I will be watching for more examples to share.

Top Ten this week:

10: Scentsy open house- so much fun! Long Lost friends came and it was a blast!
9: Julia signs "book" now!
8: Jordan writes "J" "o" and a cute "R" for his name!
7: Bobby goes #2 on the potty all by himself- I'm waiting for him to potty train at his own pace! That's my strategy...bear with me, I'm a mom.
6: Ryan helped me with sick kids during preschool- I taught downstairs while he managed ours upstairs- I love my husband who supports me!
5: Preschool goes on a letter hunt and finds every one- they are so smart!
4: Bobby giggled on the swings- made my heart melt.
3: I exercised TWICE this week- not as good as last week, but still good for me!
2: Movie night Friday night- License To Wed- pretty good..
1. Julia and I went for a walk and looked at the moon! She's my buddy.

Ruthy Pigface Draper

I can't stop laughing! I watched "Dan in real life" a whole week ago as Ryan and I got out for a date at Cheesecake Factory (YUM) and then came home to sleeping kids and a movie night! It was perfect- (the date)- and the movie is great!! So I can't stop laughing out loud when I think of the song that the brothers sing- Ruthie... Pigface...Draper... I love the family in this movie. I tried to search for the song to add to my playlist but couldn't find it! Anyhoo- I just wonder what feature my song would be about- Amanda....clumsy....idiot..you get what I mean. Many friends may or may not know this, but I am extremely clumsy. Being tall does not help. So in college, I was waiting for friends after class to walk to a study help session. I was standing on ONE step. Just one, and not a very big one. Cute group of guys at 11:00. I decide to place one foot with my heal over the one tiny step and my balance gives over to the cement- backpack flying.. what a DORK! So here's my song: She's standing over there... she's acting non-chalant... she falls to the ground... white salt from the sidewalk on her knees, Yeah... Amanda.... Clumsy..... Watch the movie- I know you'll love it- especially the last line of the movie! Life is anything but dull- Plan to be surprised! Watch it here.

Weekly Top Ten

So, I thought since life is interesting with kids, I would do a top ten of the week- starting now!
10 Best:
10: Swinging outside in the freezing cold.. where is spring? Oh well, still fun. three swings; three kids.
9: Watching design shows on HGTV! Love it! We just upgraded cable..
8: Kisses and hugs from Julia- her big blue eyes so close is just fun! She gives spontaneous hugs and kisses when you've given her JUST what she wants!
7: Alone time. I went to BYU to present a class- something I tag along to do with some Friends of mine- I sang Celine Dion loudly on the freeway.. scary!
6: Jordan drew a picture of pirate ships with X marks the spot for me- I loved it.
5: Being lazy with friends on a Thursday afternoon- you know who you are.
4: Preschool: watching kids grow is fun- Nursery Rhymes are too much fun.
3: I exercised THREE times this week- a new trend that might continue!
2: Julia signs "cheese" and smiles when you give her some! So great!
1: Pancakes and General Conference. A great combination.

5 Worst:
5: Bobby got mowed over on the swings during preschool Tuesday.. as I was standing RIGHT next to him- he was pushing Julia (sweet brother) and got sidetracked and in the way.
4: Julia falls OUT of the swings during preschool. (I looked away for a second as I was getting her out) :( Still Tuesday.. sad day for swinging.
3: I bit my nails off again- trying NOT to bite my nails anymore.. not happening.
2: My boys are coughing again.. this sick and winter thing is really getting old.
1: It's still too cold! I need 70 degrees or better.. quick!

Hope is the thing with feathers...

Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings a happy tune-without the words,
And never stops at all
-Emily Dickinson

This lovely quote was in the book I read today called "Feathers" by Jacqueline Woodson- a short, sweet story that I enjoyed. My favorite quote from the book is this: "each day holds its own memory-its own moments that we can write about later." "we should always look for the moments and some of them might be perfect, filled with light and hope and laughter. Moments that stay with us forever and ever."
I think it's funny that this is exactly what I have been thinking; but was more eloquently put in this book. There is always, always, always something to be grateful for!

Julia's Stats

We went to see Dr. Lei at South Summit Pediatrics yesterday for Julia's 15 MONTH appointment! Time flies! So our little Julia is doing great- weighing in at 22 pounds, 31 inches tall, and a head that measures 18 inches around! We just think she's great!

Feelin' Scentsy..

This might be a shameless plug, but I began another venture before Christmas this past year- a business called Scentsy- which is wickless, highly scented candles. I am happy to report that I LOVE to have scentsy in my home! It smells SO good and lasts a long time-and the way it makes my home feel is a whole other story.. it's so fun to clean my house and then put a new scentsy bar in to make it smell fantastic! So come to my next open house! Tuesday, April 8th from 7-9 p.m. here at my house! We'll be partying wickless...