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I caved! We'll see how long I last. I seriously need a crash course for this...

I'm now on Twitter.

to the rescue!

Here's a fun, easy and super quick (and maybe the best part, cheap) project for all those superheros out there. I hated throwing away all those lotion and shampoo bottles we were using because they seemed to be the one thing Oak would actually play with in (or out of) the tub. Forget all the toys that we happily spent money on thinking he was going to love. That cheap little bottle would do just fine in his book.

So I thought of a way to cover that empty bottle up and make it more boyish and fun for him to carry around. Plus I filled it with small rocks to give it a little something extra when he shook it.

cost: less than $5, including the cost of the lotion.
time: 40-60 min

(The face is drawn on. I didn't care to get too fancy with it.)

where troubles melt like lemon drops

 (a beautiful summer evening from our front yard last year)

Ever since I heard Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, it instantly became my go-to song. I would put it on if I was sad and needed a little cheering up or if I just wanted some peaceful background music as I did my chores for the day. I liked it so much that I told my husband that it was the song I wanted to be played at my funeral. A little creepy, maybe? You have to be prepared for things like this.

Anyway, I searched for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in my Grooveshark account one Sunday (thinking I would get nothing. And then I remembered why I love Grooveshark so much. They have everything) and found their version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which I never knew existed. Shame on me. I can't stop listening to it. Everyday, at least 10 times. I know I'm already a pretty big boob, but it puts me in tears each time. So of course I had to tell my husband the news and update my future funeral song.

Am I the only one that does this?!

Enjoy!

baby boy pants - refashion

I've been eyeing a pair of cut-off shorts for the Oakster for a while now. 

Of course there was no way I was going to pay 20-30 dollars on shorts for my rapidly growing 1 year old. I figured I could salvage a decent pair of jeans from the D.I. that I could cut into shorts. 

As soon as I saw this little ($3) pair of pants I knew they would be the perfect little cut-offs.

It took me maybe an hour from start to finish.  Plus I made them slim fit.

Super easy and quick.

It was darn near impossible to get any straight on shots of this little guy. 

He is always moving, moving, moving now.

<< weekend

1. SLC, UT temple

2. Oak posing in front of the temple in the blinding sun

3. Giraffes! Hogle Zoo (pretty sure we spent a good 20 minutes at that stop)

4. Trying to give loves to the tigers at the Hogle Zoo

5. cute baby in jean diaper. And a prancing little puppy.

monkeys and turtles and birds, oh my!

We're pretty happy about this spring weather we've had. Sure it rains and floods a few days. But when the sun shines, it shines. It makes for a much happier, energetic day when we're outside soaking up those rays. Which is why we'll be spending many more days at the zoo this summer. Oaklen loves being outside and he loves animals.

Oaklen + zoo = happy baby = happy mama

out and about

Now that Oak can walk like a champ, it makes everything so much easier. 

Going on walks with him is a new adventure. 

He has already gotten to the stage where he sometimes refuses to hold my hand. 

Now I get why my mom always made me promise to hold her hand, no matter if I was 14, 25 or 42. My response was always a yes until I realized I was "cool" and couldn't be seen doing such a thing.

Oaklen, you are hereby sentenced eternally to hand holding with 

your mother whether you like it or not. 

Failure to do so will result in torture of embarrassment by 

kissing your mother in public until you're 18 years old.

blog-cation--Mother's Day

I took a little time off from blogging. Well, I took time off from my computer in general. 

It was nice to clear my head, spend time with my little guy and just relax. 

Now I feel like it's time to DO SOMETHING. 

I have projects I want to get done and places I want to go now that spring is finally here. 

Of course when I have some energy and time to do these things, we all get sick. That's my luck. 

Here's to us getting better. And to some more blogging and crafts.

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I know it's late (just like last year) but I think it's only fair that I wish my mom a
happy mother's day!

(my mother's day flowers)
I was a stubborn child, "independent" tween and total pain in the butt teenager.
There are times when I look back at my past and want to smack myself upside the head.
I had no idea what I was actually doing to my own mother until I became one.

With Oaklen, it's like my heart is now walking around outside my chest. I'm hoping with every step he takes that he won't trip and fall and get hurt. I'm praying that he never breaks a bone or gets stitches.
And heaven forbid he get his heart broken one day.
Just thinking about all the life lessons I need to teach him for the future gives me ulcers.
How on earth do I do this?!
How am I supposed to teach him everything he needs to know about being a gentlemen, husband, neighbor and friend?!

It's moments like these when I want to kiss the ground my mom walks on.
I think she did a pretty darn good job raising 3 girls.
To be honest, I don't like hearing the typical "my mom is perfect" speeches that others give.
My mom isn't perfect.
Yes, that's right. She is NOT perfect.
And that's what makes me love her so much! I feel comfortable with her.
She gets me. She understands. She works hard.
She is an amazing woman. And if she were so perfect all the time I don't think I would have learned and felt so much as I did and do now. I liked seeing her make a small mistake here and there. It's just another lesson to me that mistakes happen and it's no big deal.
Move on, be happy and forget all about them.

So mom, if you're reading this and are a little confused, I just want you to know that I love you.
I love that we made mistakes and learned from them, together.
Because you weren't a perfect mother, I now feel more confident in raising my own children.
They don't always need a perfectionist, cookie cutter mother who has life figured out.
But rather someone they can learn WITH and not feel intimidated by.

Thank you for just being you, mom.
You are a fantastic mother!

xoxox

 These are the only pictures I have on my computer (be thankful, mom!) but how cut is she?! 

My mom (on right) with her twin sister, Jan.

mom and (fresh off his mission) dad. hellooooo bell-bottom jumpsuit.

 

She's going to hate me for putting this picture up, but if that isn't the happiest/cutest face she's making.....

(leaving our wedding reception in style, baby)