Flawless is...

A High Tea Baby Shower

2012-02-14T21:01:00.000-08:00

So this post is super late, but I needed to post about this adorable baby shower for my friend Allie B. Her generous mother in law, Jan, hosted a few of Allie's close friends at the beautiful and lavish Grand America Hotel.

Jan asked me to help her host so I was in charge of invites, decor an helping with the theme. A few weeks before all of us girls got together to craft our royal tea hats. Allie's heritage is from Austrailia where high tea is still very popular and tea hats are always worn at formal events (remember Kate's wedding!) We were inspired by all the beautiful and sculpted hats.

We all had such unique hats, bucket, wide brim, traditional tea hats and fascinators.

I don't have a picture of the front of the invite because my old Mac died (yes I am on my brand new macbook pro and I LOVE it!) but I'm sad I can't get all my photos off yet so these are the ones I had from FB.

But it took on a little bit of a whimsical tea party theme.

They served a five course tea service complete with scones and traditional tea cakes.

We did a photoshoot in the amazing gardens and spent the afternoon chatting-opening gifts and playing tea party like little girls...but with better accessories ;)

Erica

Mom to Be, Allie

Mom to be, Cristi

Michelle

Sara, a la Audrey Hepburn

2.4.12

2012-02-04T22:55:00.000-08:00

I know if I don't write down my feelings and memories tonight I will regret it.

Every once in a while I find myself in awe of the complexities and intricacies of an individual. I swear I feel like most of the time I am trapped in my own head. Looking out at reality as it pertains to me. My perceptions, my paradigm. I forget that in every single person I see there is an individual, attempting to interpret their own reality. I am not quite sure what this means in correlation with the experiences I had today sitting at the bedside of my grandmother (Mummi) as she drifted in her coma. She suffered a massive stroke this morning which left her brain full of pools of blood that are causing severe pressure in her brain. She is breathing and her oxygen levels descend and rise but the doctors say that we could loose her as soon as tonight and as late as three days from now. For the first time in my life I feel I have touched her. Held her hand. Stroked her hair. Sat beside her and told her how I wish her a peaceful and beautiful passage. Listened as family asks her to say hello to our loved ones who have passed on. The rest of the day was spent reminiscing about her. Her life. Stories from her girlhood in Finland. I look at this person I feel I have never physically touched and I also feel that I really never knew her. She was just like me. She felt the same feelings I have felt. She was a wife and a mother. A missionary twice over. She was a proud woman, proud of her country, her people and her posterity. She was a private person. Not the kind of woman who confided in many or even often. Hearing the moments of her life poured out, first like two dimensional words on a page, then winding and drifting into shallow pools of scenery until an image is formed, so graceful and fragile. Like an image on tracing paper. A copy of life lived. Her history comes to light. She grew up during the Winter War between Russia and Finland and her father was a military captain and she lost her mother at a young age. At one point her family had to leave their home during a siege from the Red Army and all that they could take with them was a floor radio, a sewing machine and a bed. She learned to live a life full of simplicity and hard work. Which is traditional in Finnish society. She had a strong conviction and was very independent which later gave her the strength to join a church that was just a "fad", as her father said. When she was in her early twenties she told her father she was going to join the LDS church and be baptized. He told her if she decided to join that "Yankee" church then he would have a daughter named, Lea no more and she would no longer be welcome at home. When she packed her things and left her father was shocked and surprised. After it was made clear that she was not going to turn her back on her church her father agreed that she would be welcome if she wished to come home. Her father was a strong man and the only time which she and her sister saw her father cry was when Lea left for America. She had just completed a mission in Finland and was determined to go to Utah to attend BYU. I never realized before that my grandmother was a pioneer. Her entire life she has stood faithfully beside a testimony that she gleaned from missionaries in the 1940's that Jesus is the Christ and this is the true church. Many of you probably don't know that my grandmother received much revelation about the calling her and my grandfather would receive later in life to become mission presidents of Finland. They helped organize the first stakes there and my grandfather recalls the love the Finnish people had for her. She won their hearts with her effortless public speaking skills and her love of writing and poetry. She was they key in getting the others to trust and respect the church in Finland. She was able to nourish those early members in the church and help bring about a great work that has led Finland to be home now to the Helsinki temple.

Throughout her years after returning home from their mission she continued to work as a translator. She would translate general conference and ensign articles into Finnish. She was thoroughly engaged in the cause of brining her people the gospel. She was a crucial spoke in the wheel of the work that was necessary for the gospel in Finland. She was so proud of her heritage and her country. I have grown up my whole life celebrating Christmas surrounded by Finnish culture. Singing Finlandia-their national anthem and learning about Lapland and reindeer. It is a magical place this land full of lakes and beautiful Scandinavian architecture. The home of the sauna, Nokia and Ittala glass.

She loves her country and her people so very much. She still to this day gets homesick for Finland. I hope now she will be able to enjoy her beautiful homeland.

My grandfather talked much about her love for her children and the pride she took in raising them in the gospel, in having children that served faithful missions and who have raised their own children in the gospel. MY grandfather talked of her great desire to have children after trying for two years. How happy and surreal it was when she had her twin boys followed by her three daughters. She rejoiced in having a family. The most tender moment was listening to my grandfather express his love for her and how incredibly sad he was at losing her but his knowledge of them being together again. He talked of the amazing circumstances that brought them together. I can't help but think that there must be the most incredible love stories out there in the world, even more powerful and poignant than what entertainment gives us. Regardless of how simple or how elaborate it is, a TRUE love story is always the most beautiful . I don't think anyone can deny the power of love on this earth regardless of your beliefs.

In my heart I have yearned for the knowledge of an afterlife and and proof of existence after death. While I still have to rely on faith I am so grateful for these experiences leading up to her passing that have strengthened me. I don't have all the answers but I know the feeling that radiates around a loved one who is close to the end, whether making peace with her past or her future, while in her coma I have never felt such a feeling before. The only way to describe it is like a magnet. There is a force with properties that draw you forward. With a calm and peace over my heart and core it is as if there is no pressure, no pain, no ache as long as I am near her. I have never known death or been close to it before. I have never felt a dying person's countenance but I now know that whatever she is experiencing is something that the fibers of my interior long for. I have only felt that peace one other time and the experience is rather sacred to me so I won't share it here but I am learning to fear less and have trust more. Something I greatly have prayed for and need. For now my heart is not broken, she is going the way she wanted to, comfortably, quickly and before my Pappa. I am just so grateful for the time we have had to know her and to come together as a family to give honor and remembrance to her life and he good works and service she has been able to accomplish.

Time Out for Women 2011

2011-12-19T14:44:00.000-08:00

The conference was amazing. I just wanted to share a few things that some of the speakers talked about that really left an impression on me. They gave us all these cute journals and mine had this quote on the front...

"Everything you are learning now is preparing

you for something else."

-Marjorie Hinckley

I dont' know why but I really needed those words. You can get through anything in life when it has more meaning.

Stephanie Nielsen

Check out this amazing music video by Hilary Weeks for a little background info on Stephanie and her life's journey.

*Tears warning*

I was so enthralled with Stephanie I didn't take many notes- I remember this beautiful, tangible feeling in the room as she spoke about the moments after her crashed plane had hit the ground.

She didn't share with us some of the most sacred moments she had when she knew that Heavenly Father wanted her to live and that she couldn't give up. She needed to uncover her face and get her seat belt off and climb out of that burning plane.

But she did say that she can testify that there is a loving heavenly father that knows each one of us and a savior, Jesus Christ, that it's true, it's all true.

In a room of 5000 women all of us yearning for that confirmation of the truth for ourselves were granted the comfort of her words and her testimony. Like a melting sunset over my heart I heard her words and I believe with even more conviction than before. She is a blessing in the lives of others, to have these trials which are so physically tedious and painful, yet she shares her knowledge of our Savior.

She said she knew she was still her-she couldn't recognize anything else about her face or body except her eyes. She looked into her own eyes after six months of not seeing herself after the wreck and she knew- I'm still me. She counseled us to look at our own eyes and instead of finding flaws to look at ourselves in the eyes and love ourselves. She said to look into other peoples eyes-and see them-the real them-and love them.

Emily Watts

"Emily Watts is a lover of words. A graduate of the University of Utah, she has been an editor for Deseret Book Company for more than thirty years, much of that time working from home part-time so she could devote most of her attention to her husband and their five children. She is now a senior editor at Deseret Book. She loves serving in the Church and has spent most of her adult life teaching in the various auxiliaries, but her favorite calling is as a grandmother. Emily and her husband, Larry, live with their family in Taylorsville, Utah. She is the author of four inspirational books: Being the Mom; Take Two Chocolates and Call Me in the Morning; Confessions of an Unbalanced Woman; and I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer." - Deseret Book

I didn't know who Emily was at this conference until after and I looked her up online.

I really want to read some of her books because the most endearing part about Emily is that she is funny. She gets you. She gets what being a mom and a woman is about and she wants you to know-you're not alone in your way of thinking about things. She gave some super helpful and funny tips about Habit of Happiness- I just wanted to share a few of my favorites with you.

Habits of Happiness:

1. Cultivate a few well-chose traditions in your individual homes.

I loved this! So many times we hear that cookie cutter answer on how to make our lives and our homes a happier place. Pray more. Read your scriptures more, and so on. For some people this may be that extra boost to happiness they need but for some reason I don't equate happiness with things that seem more like a chore (sorry its a true confession) I equate happiness with joy, fun, laughter, creativity, magic. What better way than to bring personal family traditions into your home. She explained traditions as being a mile marker stating, " Happiness ahead!" "Good times here!" "It's a party!" Traditions help us as families remember and mark the beautiful times in our lives regardless of what is going on around us at the time. She stated that traditions don't have to be expensive or ornate. They can be simple. Traditions should not put people into debt. Be competitive or stressful. A simple tradition her children always recall and remember growing up was the newspaper barricade that prevented the children from sneaking into see their presents before Christmas morning. Her husband would tape together newspaper and make a newspaper wall over the opening to the family room from the main hallway. Then on Christmas morning the kids would break through it like a football team at a championship game. One year when the kids were a bit older they taped the newspaper over a large portion of the wall and watched as the kids 'attempted' to run through!!! It was hilarious she said because from then on they would throw the poor dog through first to make sure there wasn't a wall behind the barricade! That is just one example of simple traditions that make lasting impressions on families. It really got me thinking and discussing with Cody some traditions our family wants to have in the future. It was a fun discussion and it was a good way to make traditions that are unique to our little McArthur family as a blend of some of our extended family traditions.

2. Think of yourself and treat yourself as an actual person!

Emily shared a few short stories about the ways you find yourself, especially as a mother, giving yourself the short end of the stick. Eating last, eating the leftover bread crusts that you cut off the kids sandwhiches. Never having time for a shower or a meal to yourself. To read a book you enjoy, go out with your girlfriends, be involved in a sport or a hobby. Find time to exercise! She wanted to let mothers know, especially mothers in the church, that you NEED to treat yourself like a person. You need to show your children that you value yourself enough to give yourself respect. She said you should treat yourself as well as you would treat a guest in your home. You're that important too. Not only will you benefit from it, your children will benefit from the good example you set of how to be treated by their husbands and family as well as how to treat their own wives. Being a mother is hard and it is such a huge amount of sacrifice but you need to take the time for yourself once and while to remember you are still a person-not just a mom.

These are just a few of the points she spoke on but ones that I loved hearing. There are so many more great thoughts and speakers but I swear I am getting carpal tunnel so thats all for now! Hope you enjoyed and that you can learn even a little something from what I was able to learn at that conference!

November 2011

2011-12-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

November was another BUSY month!

It started off with the annual backend party for Pinnacle. Of course there are pictures of the groups of guys but I mainly only care about some of my great girlfriends I made over the summer-even when its hard you have great ladies to support you!

Sweet Jami on the right above took care of me the beginning of the summer. I remember one horrible stressful day with the baby I was really struggling. I called Cody and told him how things were going and before I knew it Jami was texting me to ask me what I wanted from Panda Express. She brought me lunch and a BIG diet coke and it was so nice to have her reach out to me that day, she reminded me to go above and beyond (buzz lightyear reference) when you know someone is having a hard time.

My beautiful friend Cinzia and I spent a lot of time together over the summer, whether it was at the pool or sweating our butts off in spin class at the Y. She was always the first one to ask me if I needed a sitter for an hour or two with Baby Gage and she was always enthusiastic about setting up girl dates. We had such a fun time at the animal ranch ( a few posts back) being scared to death of the emu's and we shared a lot of laughs and even some tears just talking about family and work and life! I miss ya Cinz!

Lauren & Meg

Two beautiful and outgoing girls who always know how to have fun and were always so nice to me and my family!

Here is a picture of my hubby and I.

BTW: skirt is from DownEast and necklace is from NY&Company.

Here we are a few days before Micah's wedding (my youngest sister in law) at the rental house in Traverse mountain with most of the Marler family! It was such a blast being able to hang out with the Marler aunts and get to know them better. To see all the cousins and how much everyone has grown and is moving forward and upward in their lives-and of course to see the babies!

Here is a picture of Luke, Levi and Gage!

The next night in McArthur family tradition we had a bridal shower/bachelorette party the night before the wedding!

It was so fun watching Micah open her gifts. Practical or sexy-she got some great stuff ;)

Our sweet "Mary Poppins"

Hank's mother (groom's mom) made this beautiful quilt for Micah. The picture doesn't do it justice. I couldn't stop admiring the work- there is soo much detail you can't see and beauitful multicolored thread that swirls through the whole thing-what a special and breathtaking gift. Micah is marrying into a great family!

All of us girl-can believe we are all married off!? Three of us have kids?!? Where does the time go!?

Here is Great-Grandma Donna holding Baby Gage the next day after the sealing at Mt. Timpanogas Temple.

I love my little man and we love our Grandma Donna, it's amazing how I truly feel a part of their family- I've been adopted!

Gagey Baby with his Aunt Linda- what can we say, we LOVE her! She loves babies and her and Gage had an instant connection, he thought she was hilarious and of course just wanted to snuggle her that whole afternoon.

The bride and her maids.

She looked beautiful. Duh-she always does, but seriously in her dress and standing next to her sweetheart she lookekd so happy and excited for the next chapter of life. It's hard not to feel excited and giddy for them and in remembrance of your own big day. Weddings are beautiful and they always make me remember that love you feel husband and wife on your special day.

The colors were forrest green, grey black and a pop of rusty orange. Perfect for a fall wedding.

Micah and Hank decided to have their luncheon and Los Hermanos in their banquet room- the same location Cody and I opted for on our wedding day! It was awesome to reminisce and to actually be able to eat my food because I wasn't so nervous and stressed about the reception stuff later that night.

(Almost 3 years ago!)

Their reception was held at Highland Gardens and it was stunning. There was almost a beachy feel to it with the centerpieces a collection of different glass vases and jars filled with river rocks, sands and candles, tiger lillies were placed throughout. It was airy and clean. I must say though the food was the best part for me! There was kahlua pork sandwhiches and terriyaki chicken skewers, fresh fruit and even sushi-and thats not even including the dessert!

After one beautiful and (might I add) stress free day, Micah and Hank are off!

Congrats Mr. And Mrs. Taylor!

Earlier that week one of my besties had her sweet bundle!

Handsome and BIG Carter Robert Bryant.

9lbs. 12oz.

Precious little man.

He and his mom are doing great and Alli is jumping so quickly back into normal life, she is a great mom and I know that they have many wonderful memories to come together as a family.

I attended Time Out For Women with my mom and sisters. At first I thought...this sounds LAME.

BUT I LOVED IT!

Totally refreshing and inspiring and insightful

I left feeling more motivated and more excited about setting some great personal goals for 2012 than I could have possibly imagined.

There simply is too much to talk about right now for that so more to come on some of the topics, but I will tease you a little by letting you know we heard from Stephanie Nielsen of Nie-Nie, Laurel Christansen, Michael and Brad Wilcox, Hillary Weeks and many many more!

WOW- I didn't even cover, Thanksgiving, Gage's milestones (not walking yet;) Cody's new job. My NEW DREAM job. School. Study Abroad.

More to come soon!

xoxo

The Best Month of the Year

2011-11-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

...is definately October.

This year we were especially busy and it was wonderful! If I had it my way we would have parties/dinners/social events every weekend. This was the first time I truly felt like I needed a BIG break after the holidays-hopefully Christmas season won't be hectic but just as fun and exciting as October was. Here is a little recap of what we did this month.

First off: I sold the last of my mom's little sweeties! These adorable little half bengals each went to loving homes and thanks to my KSL skills we made a little money as well too!

Early in October we went to Lake Powell with my dad, uncle and his sons and my dad's cousin Larry. We had a blast. The weather was cold and we didn't spend much time in the water but we spent our time driving the boat, playing card games, reading books and watching movies on our outdoor theater screen. It was a great time to just BE together.

On October 10th, Cory and Katie McArthur welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Levi Jamison McArthur. We love them and their family so much. Cory and Cody are twins and now they both have little boys just nine months apart! I can't wait for them to play, they already love eachother. Little Levi was born with a gorgeous head of hair-its sooo soft-can't wait to see what color it ends up! It is looking more and more blonde.

Thursday, October 13th one of my favorite Cali girls got married! Erica and Guz are so cute together-I just realized I don't even have a picture of the groom! Her wedding was so elegant and chic. Her colors were royal purple and pewter. I mean seriously-look at that cake!!! So happy for her and Guz!

This is my all time favorite picture of Gage and I right now! I just love it! My HUGE baby!

Later that weekend my other darling Cali girl had her UT reception up in Draper. They got married earlier that week in CA. Adrian is so effortless and beautiful- we met our senior year in high school @ LonePeak, she is a loving person and so outgoing, it was no wonder they had so many friends at their 2nd reception! Congratulations Adrian and Ryan!

On October 15th the Higbees hosted their 2nd annual Halloween PArty/Birthday Party for Mav and Jovi. This year was a dias de los muertos theme. It was super fun-we had traditional mexican empanadas and corn tamales, guacamole and salsa-everything was delicious as usual. The turnout was great and the weather was remarkable. That day was in teh 70's and all the kiddos enjoyed the warm weather hitting the pinata! We went as a "super" family! Don't you love Baby Gage?

Karen and Steve as Sally and Jack, Baby Levi as a mini-hot rod, and the amazing death mask cake!

That evening I changed costume AGAIN and headed out to the second annual Witches Night Out with my favorite ladies-minus a few-

I tried to do a SJP witch look from Hocus Pocus and I loved my dark lips.

Ofcourse there were so many fabulous witches there-the costuming and thee people who come dressed up are amazing. If you haven't gone you must-its such a carefree environment and you will never feel TOO dressed up-the more authentic, outgoing, and elaborate the better.

That next weekend we had a Werewolve's Night Out over at our amazing friends, Trey and Jami's house. It was a mini reuinion with a bunch of people we worked with over the summer and it was a blast. We played this game a lot over the summer and it was hilarious to see everyone's tactics and debate go to work again :)

For Haley's "birthday party" she wanted to go to Frightmares at Lagoon for the second year. She loved it last year because it is full of the original rides but they also have haunted houses, entertainment, chainsaw people walking around and great food. There were four really good haunted houses one of them was super cool-called Deception. It was a great time and we were extra lucky because Grandma McArthur offered to babysit and keep Gage over for the WHOLE night! Cody picked him up the next morning and he had a great time having a cousins slumber party with Maverik and Jovi!

Our next Halloween party was actually on Halloween weekend and was the 2nd annual Halloween Bryant Bash. I went as this sexy leopard. I was inspired by a makeup tutorial I found on youtube and I was so excited by how it turned out, you can't see exactly but I have leopard spot with gold glitter on my lids. The rest of the costume was from Forever21 and was super cheap-ooooh ya go SNOOKIFIED!

All the sexy ladies and all the sexy men! We had an awesome fashion show before picture time and it was super funny to see everyone's costumes and how they presented them. In this pic you can see Sue Sylvester from Glee, the guy who asks for sugar water from MIB and hmmmm...what's that right there in the middle??!? hahaha

My lady friends are the BEST. I seriously love each one of them so much. I have never met girls this fun and NO-DRAMA before in my life. We really just try to bring each other up and help each other out. I can't wait for Allie's baby boy which comes ANY DAY now and Cristi's little girl that comes end of February!

We did manage to go to our local pumpkin patch and choose one large pumpkin to carve- Cody is always so excited for his pumpkin to carve we grew a bunch in our garden so I just carved one of those. Mine was lame and we didn't even take pics but Cody carved an awesome owl!

We finished with another party on Halloween night over at McArthur's hosted by Cory, Katie and their 3 week old son. It was a Mario Kart themed party and we battled it out on the 64. Everyone dressed up like a character from Mario- I obviously went as Princess Peach and Cody went as Mario. Unfortunately my camera was dead and I am still waiting on some pics- to come soon!

All in all it was an amazing October. We have so much to be thankful and grateful for. It is the most rewarding thing in life to be surrounded by friends and family that love us and want to make fun memories together. So glad I am a part of my Mahoney and McArthur family and looking forward to sharing many fun Octobers with them in the future!

There should be a name for the smell of fresh-cut-summer grass

2011-09-29T22:39:00.000-07:00

At what point do you start wishing life would slow down? I never thought I would want things to either stay the same or go in reverse. I just always remember wanting, yearning to be older. Waiting for the next big phase. It just seemed like it was, "always when...". I am looking forward to so much in life and I am still waiting for the next few steps, but for the first time ever I want to be here...completely encompassed in my present... How sneaky is the past, like waves upon a seashore, bringing with them memories of salty sweet.

Cody and I are back in what you would consider our 'home town'. We drive by almost daily, places and monuments that represent many of our 'firsts'. First kisses. First dates. First time we said, "I love you". First break up. We are around the places, the smells and so many of the people who were there during those years in high school when nothing mattered but what was going on that weekend. We talk most of the time while we are driving. It's one of the few times we actually get to just sit and be, think and talk. We both remember, can literally visualize the realness of how small our world was back then. How the things that affected us could all be connected, seen or touched within a fifteen mile radius. If there ever was a memory, its the smell of your high school hallways. The corner gas station where you would buy hot chocolate at when you were 'sluffing' second period. The smell of a worn in Carhart your boyfriend used to wear. The sound of stomping out, "Let's go Knights!"on the bleachers The taste of the gum you would chew whlie making out.

It's a pretty surreal feeling, looking back on what your reality was then compared to what it is now. How much your view of the world, literally the world, geographically, changes. I love remembering the different people and places I've been and the way those things made me understand how sacred and enchanting my former memories are. As soon as you realize how big the world is, truly comprehend it, it suddenly is also so small.

Wouldn't it be fun to take all the knowledge, insight and understanding you have now and relive 'back then' even for a day? A few hours? The horrible irony of it all is that you never know what you have until its gone-or at least passed. Hindsight. It will get ya everytime.

How can I figure out how to enjoy each one of my moments now, with the wisdom that comes from having already experienced it and developed a keen insight? Why is it that everything has such a strict and real timeline. Why can't we valule anything if its not rare, if it isn't going to dissappear, or slip away or pass by. There must be some divine concept in the process of maturing. I know if things didn't change or didn't move forward, people wouldn't treat those memories with such respect. Did you know the memory of something itself is more important than the actual event that took place? What really happened doesn't matter. I mean I guess it does in a court of law, but well in your mind and your heart, it really doesn't. It matters how you choose to categorize it in your brain. How you choose to remember. What synapses and pathways your nuerons follow when sprinting down the countless corridors lined with tiny filing cabinets (as I like to imagine) that house your memories.

Maybe thats why this sentiment is so prevelant now. This longing for the past is just causing me to 'remember' all of the positive associations with it. I tend to forget the negative that happens. Sometimes I literally find that a memorey has 'dissappeared'. Did that really happen? Oh my goodness that horrific, embarrassing, shameful, disheartening, heartbreaking moment did that really occur? I mean I guess it did. Thanks for reminding me ;) Don't you love those people who when you meet up from your past, the only thing they can remember about you is some horridly embarrassing memory? Annoying right? Oh goll, I guess that time you ran into the produce scale in the grocery store with your head actually made an impact on them? Weird. Oh well, nobody's perfect. Or at least that's how that one Miley Cyrus song goes right? I really try to be gracious with myself with my memories so I tend to smooth out those rough spots until before you know it, I don't know if there were spots actually there to begin with? Is that bad? I guess if I feel this unrealistic appreciation for a past that isn't 100% accurate it could have negative side effects, but what if it just has positive side effects. For now what I do know, is it feels good to be swallowed up in the silky smooth crevisces of good memories. Those good places, like the cool spots of sheets reminding you everything was okay, and everything is okay, and everything will be okay.

The Power of Font

2011-09-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

I know I am not the only one who understand so much more clearly a concept when it is depicted in a powerful type. There really is a science between what we see visually and what is being described in words. Even the most beautiful and potent words sometimes need a little extra boost of visual interest and they go from words on a page to a piece of art. The explosion of KEEP CALM and Subway art are great examples of this, transcending online and graphic design and making its way into interior design and fashion design as well.

(this one is adorable for halloween)

Here is a great site for cute Halloween and Autumn Subway art printables

Click HERE

If you use pinterest then you completely undersand this whole new genre of art. Typography has become so trendy and so relevant to the online addict and the modern designer. There are thousands of boards dedicated just to text interpreted visually. Here are a few of my FAVORITE text boxes...

So true.

I love my lil pup.

hopefully you know me more through this blog so you have less to say... or something like that ;)

I love this. I am so sick of the saying 'Be Real' because it is always taken out of context. It should be more like, "Be Authentic."

The struggle and strength. The ultimate life lesson. This definately is pertaining to my life right now. sometimes I feel like I am the only one. I know its not rational, but still emotions make things cloudy sometimes. All I want is to be strong. For myself, for my husband, for my sweet little man. Send prayers my way I really need more strength right now.

Hope you found some inspiration and some fun craft ideas or art ideas- find me on pinterest @SaraMcArthur because I totally MISS YOU! :)

DIY Feather Wreath

2011-09-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Remember this totally glam feather wreath I did last year for Christmas?

Well I am finally getting around to doing the tutorial!

I think these would love awesome in Halloween colors, black with orange ribbon, orange with black ribbon blah blah blah-you get the idea :)

So the three things you will need are:

1. A few feather boas- on my white wreath I used three.

2. A vine wreath form. Whichever size you would like- I used the mediumish large size ;)

3. Ribbon

THATS IT!

I bought my boas for a few dollars a piece from Roberts and my wreath form for a few dollars a piece and I already had the ribbon. I think this whole project cost me like six bucks!

don't you dare go buy one on etsy-make one!

Instructions:

1.Take your vine wreath form

(shown below)

2. Take your feather craft boa

(You can find a HUGE selection HERE)

and tuck one end into your vine wreath frame so its snug and tight in there. Don't worry at one point you will go over that end with more feathers and there is no way it is coming off. Then proceed to wrap your feather boa around the form. I tried to evenly space each wrap about two inches apart, so that you can go back in and fill in the two inch holes with your next boa. Does that make sense? Once you finish with that boa tuck the end and start over again wrapping with the next one. You will be able to fill in the holes with the second boa and it will start looking nice and full. Then tuck the end. The final boa should be used to fill in any gaps you see in the wreath, if you do have one random looking bald spot thats ok because you can plan to hang your ribbon from that spot or if you want to put a bow there.

3. Add your ribbon. I hung mine as you can see just by a ribbon loop but there is an example of a black wreath with a big bow.

And tada you are done! Add embellishments or nothing at all and you end up with an expensive looking chic feather wreath, that you can change colors on for ALL the holidays!

xoxo

Easy Fall Candle Decor and More

2011-09-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

So many beautiful things floating around Pinterest lately! Not only am I obsessed but it really is simplifying my life. No more searching through blog archives and saved google images in random desktop folders, now all of my design and craft inspiration is conveniently located in one place.

This first idea is something that can be used for weddings as well as incorporated into your own home decor. Just setting up a little vignette of apple tealights is going to bring the feel of harvest into your home. What I love about this idea is that you can bring in apples in so many different colors and varieties. If you want a more traditional fall or harvest look try a different apple!

I am so going to use this if I have a dinner or party in the next month or so.

The next thing I wanted to show you was these hurricane jars that have been all over the internet. The 'real' tutorial is linked below so that you can see how to make these hurricane jars from inexpensive dollar store glass pieces.

split peas

click

HERE

There are millions of different ways to use these in your design scheme this year.

nuts

This would be especially beautiful for wintertime as well, plus you can eat them!

You could use:

pinecones

acorns

twigs

cinnamon sticks

corn kernels

lentils

pasta

cranberries

leaves

small pumpkins

These tea lights have coffee beans in them. Beautiful as well as delicious smelling!

Kids will love the candy corn jars for Halloween.

I guess just make sure the candles aren't lit in them either.

Although you don't need candles in any of these!

Hope you enjoyed these chic and easy decorating ideas!

Tulle Wreath Tutorial

2011-09-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

I have been getting a lot of questions about how to do the tulle wreath tutorial. I have made one myself but didn't take pictures or document it, so I just referenced the tutorial I got the idea from originally. I used a thicker wreath base but it really doesn't matter what size or thickness you use, because it all depends on how big you want your wreath to be.

Check out the link for the tutorial HERE

So excited for the holidays, I am sure we will see lots of black tulle wreaths but if you want to do a cute one for fall you could also do an orange, burnt orange, red, sage green etc. and add a patterned bright ribbon with fall colors in it! If you make a wreath be sure to link up so we can see your creation!

I am

2011-08-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

I am a fabric. Woven and pieced together. Some times I am crisp. Pressed. Clean. And my fabric looks luxe, soft, constructed, and durable. Sometimes I look shiny and there is glitter, sequins, Swarovski. Other times I am crumpled, wrinkled, stained. Sometimes this fabric looks unrecognizable. Like someone blew their nose in me. Sometimes I look wilted. Torn. Stringy. But I still am fabric and sometimes I smell like fresh linens. Clean summertime. Coconut and sunscreen. I am fabric and I smell like firewood. Like burning weeds. Like must. Even sweat. My fabric can be thin like paper, tissue, chiffon. I have been worn thin. And I hang weakily on a wire hanger. My fabric has been quilted, tufted, and adorned with feathers. I have been plush, warm and fleecy. Christmas flannel and faux fur. I am fabric, but I am not a quilt. For some reason I am not too fond of quilts. I guess I could be a sheet. Sheets are always nice, as long as they are clean.

I loved writing this. It felt good weirdly. I guess one might call it a poem. I am not 100% sure but that is A-ok!

No I am NOT on ambien ;)

xoxo

It's Late Where I'm At

2011-08-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

2:22- to be exact-how curious? I took my ambien a while ago so this may come out in crazy pieces but I just have to say that I am so ecstatically looking forward to the next few months. I can't really express it or describe it well now but, there will be lots of babies born. Baby Showers. Bridal Showers. A wedding or two YAY! My favorite season. Fall. My favorite fashion. My favorite TV shows. Cody and I both starting school. My favorite Holiday, Halloween.COSTUMES. PARTIES. End of the summer lake trips, smores, camping, Moab trips with the quads. bonfires. apple cider. holiday crafts!!!!

Blog get ready!

For

fall

Check it out!

2011-08-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

My friend Sydney is an amazing crafter and seamstress and she is doing this adorable giveaway for this custom little wallet! Take the time to head to her blog and of course enter the giveaway!

oh so cute

Enter the giveaway HERE

Please Reassure Me

2011-08-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

That this is normal. So I earned my SILVER boobies award! WAHOO! My goal was that I HAD to at least make it 6 months breastfeeding and I DID it! If you are a part of BabyCenter when you earn this award you get to add this cute symbol to your signature- silver (.Y.) award- so that's exciting right? OK not that exciting but I am really proud because bf'ing for me was kind of a struggle. By the last two months I was almost exclusively pumping milk and it was sooo time consuming and required much more time spent cleaning pump parts at the sink (and we all know how much I like to do dishes-not-) So the time came when it was exactly six months and time for me to quit pumping. I wasn't sure what to do because well, how do you just stop? So I read a bunch of info online and figured it would be a process since I was producing so much and I FINALLY two weeks later am down to pumping once every 36 hours or so! The joys oh yes! Anyways what I need reassurance on is that since I have quit breastfeeding I have been a CRAZY person! Is this normal? I almost immediately got a crampy, crazy period and then my mood has been a'swinging like a crazy jacked up monkey! Sorry but there is no better way to explain it! I feel like my body is trying to figure out how to have normal hormones again, I mean I have gone like sixteen and a half months without a period....Did anyone else experience this? Please reassure me this will end!

On a brighter note, I am not as exhausted! I noticed my energy picking up around day 4 of attempting to quit and it has just gotten better every day! Pretty excited about that! Anyways kind of a random post and I am beat cause baby just went to bed 30 min. ago and he was a crankysaurus today! TTYS! xoxo

oh yes and if you haven't seen my little tiger recently-check this video out

In LOVE

2011-07-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

with Melanie Moore from this seasons SYTYCD!

Yes she is my girl crush.

Seriously if you haven't watched her.

DO.

So athletic. So technical. So flexible. AMAZING.

Falling in love with contemporary thanks to her.

Chills much?

Color Splash Miami?

2011-07-25T21:39:00.000-07:00

Anyone been watching ColorSplash Miami the last few seasons? Shouldn't this show be tacky!?! I LIKE IT! In my spare time (during naps) I have been catching up on Season 7 and 8- at least the one's on HGTV and I love what David Bromstad has been doing. A few years ago I would watch his stuff and only feel inspired about 1/3 of the time. I think he has grown so much as a designer and I find something innovative and unexpected but beautiful in each one of his makeovers. I love so much in the newer seasons on HGTV that they are showing the realistic approach to the home makeovers and they are showing the design assistants input, as well as the rest of the team that really makes the room tv perfect. I really love his two design assistants in Miami and his personal assistant too, they are all so cute! Here are a few rooms I LOVED!

BTW Kim if you are reading this, you and David share a very similar aesthetic. You would love his stuff!

These rooms are beautiful and OH SO MIAMI! They're hotttt

David has gotten so much better at layering textures and patterns on patterns. Kudos looks like someone has been learning from the master Ms. Candice Olsen herself ;)

Show me your bed!

2011-07-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to start a little tag and have my bloggy friends post a picture of their bed and what inspired it! I am really excited for this one because I have seen a lot of your bedrooms and they are soooo totally chic and fun!

Here is mine.

As of most recent and I apologize its a lame iphone pic.

my poor husband :( he has to put up with all of my girlyness, but in all fairness I redesigned this bedroom last September when he was out of town for a few weeks working. I told him since I was having a boy and not a girl and we couldn't do a girly nursery that I wanted to have a really girly bedroom, so there you have it.

When my husband walked in and saw our bedroom, which had gone from almost all black and white-to this- he said, "It looks like Alice in Wonderland lives here!" hahahaha he didn't like it!

I change my bedroom almost once a year and I have a winter bedspread as well, so it tends to be different a lot, in the future I will probably invest in a less trendy/more expensive bedspread that will last a few years but for the most part I always buy my bedding and my pillows from Ross or TJ Maxx and they have great deals on chic stuff if you get there on a lucky day! I bought this bedding, grey micro-cotton comforter that came with a dust ruffle-which I don't need- and two big pillow shams for $29.99! And I spent another six dollars on hot pink pillow cases and another ten dollars on cabernet sheets and two pillowcases and then another twentyfour dolllars on throw pillows, a few of which I 'made' myself. (I added the big gray flower and individual petals to the far right pink pillow)

I was inspired by these beds

And this throw and throw pillow from ZGallerie

Yum...Candice olsen much?

OK I showed you mine, now show me yours! If I don't tag you, feel free to do it anyway and link up so we can all see!

TAG:

Kim Warburton

Tianna Watson

Shannon Durr

Alli Bryant

Cristi Benedict

Tara McArthur

Katie McArthur

B from Not A Sparrow Falls

Shannon Tippetts

Linh Earl

Jami Warner

Mrs. Voigts Sauce

Ashley Davis

Liz Thompson

Rachel Squire

Jalynn Briggs

Last Year

2011-07-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about what bra I needed to buy in order to weather the changes of pregnancy. On a more serious note I was also thinking about this....

Becoming a Mother

It's amazing how time moves so slowly but at the same time so fast. I feel like just last year I was struggling through my first trimester, feeling like it was never going to end. I was never going to make it through. Then I was waiting for this little baby to make his debut. Waiting while he was another day and then another day late. I was so anxious. Maybe a little nervous, scared, about what becoming a parent would mean to Cody and I. How would I do it? I really have always like children, but am more fond of toddlers and older kids. I never felt a special affinity towards babies and it scared me that I was going to be completely responsible for my very own. I was nervous that my anxiety would get the best of me. I remember being really anxious about my little sister Haley, when she was born, ten years after me and my mom always commented how I watched her so closely. Every time she would cough while she was eating I thought she was choking, and one time while in my mom's lap, she was choking on some potpourri! Like a seasoned caregiver my mom always stayed calm, even when one of us was bleeding or falling off something. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to do that for my baby. It's true that at times, even now, I still feel "too young" and "too inexperienced" to be living mommyhood. You do sacrifice a lot to be a parent. Both moms and dads do. It doesn't make me a bad parent to say this out loud. A year ago I didn't know if I could do this. Nurse every few hours regardless of if I was delirious from lack of sleep. Suction a mucus-filled nose, through tears, both mine and his. Cradle him lovingly while he sleeps on our connecting flight for two and a half hours, while my arms and legs are completely numb from his dead weight-barely moving so that he doesn't wake. Changing diaper after diaper after glorious diaper ;) Wiping away drool, spit up and whatever else. And yes, thanks for asking, he has thrown up, down my shirt straight down my pants and into my crotch hahaha but seroiusly!

I now know-HELL YA I CAN DO THIS!

And I can do it well.

Not because I am super mom.

But because I love him.

And every day I pray for strength.

Everyday I am always granted strength.

And along the way as I watch him grow, so fast, so strong, so big, I can not remember my life very well, last year. He is mine. Part of me. And each day something new and magical happens.

Some people question if they will like being a mother. The answer is no.

Nursery Decor

2011-07-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

iphone pic :(

I have totally spaced about doing a tour of my sweet sons nursery! Since I am not in UT until August here is a cute little pic so you get the general feel for the place. Our goal was to do a theme by not having a theme. I basically just wanted to layer pattern on top of pattern. You can't see the window box valance or the other wall but we just used a varying textures and patterns to create a classic and chic look. Stripes, polka dots, greek key and argyle. We used a color palette of blue, orange, brown and green.

I was inspired by these cute nursurys/rooms

In love with that chair and that crib is pretty similar to ours!

Pattern much? LOVE THIS!

Clean and simple. We wanted to stay in this feel for the room, although we didn't want such a nautical take.

I will show you more soon!

Vent Session 2

2011-07-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

One thing I have noticed about movies and stories is that most of the time there is a supreme conflict and then it gets resolved. Then there are happy endings abounding gloriously forevermore...sometimes don't you just feel like life gives you lemons and then you make lemonade and then life gives you lemons again so you make more lemonade, and pretty soon you are just doing your thing, having lemonade with every meal, lemonade in your cereal, lemonade with pizza- and your just thinking to yourself....dang...I wish life would send me a diet coke every once in a while! ;) Well I have been feeling a little like that lately. Unrealistically I think, once I overcome a trial or move forward, that it is no longer necessary for me to have any more trials/lemons/lemonade, it's time for the good stuff right? It's just not going to happen that way though isn't it. Reflecting a lot lately over here about accepting that no matter how hard I want it, I WILL not be perfect in this life, and probably never even close to it...and you know what else...neither will ANYONE else. My family will not be perfect, my body will not be perfect, my hair, my husband, my baby, (well ok just a little ;) but seriously- I know in my heart that life is all about growth and progression and that each one of us grows and progresses on a time frame that is different and unique to each individual. It's not that I want anyone else to grow leaps and bounds. I know that's not realistic, but sometimes I forget that it is unrealistic to hold myself to that standard. When I make change for the better sometimes it is just an itsy- teensy- bitsy -bit at a time. And that's ok. Right now I am working on something each and every day. To some people it may seem like something small. It may come easy for other people. Most advice I hear is that over time things become easier, well what if it doesn't get easier, do I just give up? I don't want too. I am accepting that it may ALWAYS be difficult but if I take it one day at a time then it's manageable. AHHHH-becoming self aware is not pleasant...its painful most of the time...but I think that's just part of growing up...

and growing up definitely has it perks too

The All American Weekend

2011-07-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

Our Fourth of July Weekend started off here...

at this "resort" also known as Kim's house in Hercules, CA...um ya, do you see the ocean out there? It's incredible!

Then we went and did this...

sailing sailing out on the ocean blue......da da da da da la la la la la, (however else the song goes)

on our boat Relativity

hanging out on the port side...we learned all about things like sheets and winches and stuff but really we weren't that big of a help because we pretty much just rode around on the boat and cruised along leisurely....it was soo relaxing and beautiful. A great day weather wise and a wonderful experience. I love that for every hobby or sport, there is a culture that goes a long with it, and when you become introduced to the sport, suddenly a whole new world opens to what is available for you to like or become interested in. I was amazed at our captain and the company and their passion for sailing and everything sailing related, it really was inspiring to me to find something you love and to whole-heartedly go for it!

The we bbq-ed and celebrated my mom's 50th! (The reason for this little trip)

Jake my brother in law is seriously an amazing cook

I am not just saying that to get brownie points...seriously he is awesome and he gets all of his recipes from the Cooking Light magazine which is incredible and I want to use more and post some more about later

My mom and her best friend Jan who she has known for probably 35 years!

Taking her birthday cake with its creepy musical candles haha down to the spa

Jan had a great idea to do a 50 wrapped gifts for 50 years! So we each were in charge of 10 gifts and we bought one nice one and then had all sorts of random and fun gifts. We laughed all night long as she opened all sorts of stuff for "old" people and we teared up when she opened thoughtful and meaningful gifts. She really did end up with some great stuff! I bought her an infared body wrap treatment from Seasons Day Spa as her big gift...you can find them on CityDeals and she is sooo excited to have it done...loose up to 3 inches in one treatment!

If you are wondering about this little guy, his tooth came the day before we left to SF but he really was great on the trip. We did so much and were out in the sun and gone almost all day a few days and he just loved every minute, as long as he got his naps, thank goodness for play pens!

We swam a few days during the afternoon at Kim at Jake's resort of a house, the live in the casita off the main house, but 'casita' is an understatement. I am so blessed to have family that lets me come stay and play with them! We had a wonderful time enjoying their pool and spa!

Of course this wouldn't be an All-American weekend without a beach trip on the 4th of July!

We wound down the mountain to Stinson Beach, the warmest of the No Cal beaches and we lucked out with another beautiful day. The water was too cold for me but the sun was warm and there was a light breeze. Gage enjoyed his first day at the beach as well as his second taste/fistful of sand!

our huge beach site, don't worry we DID take the stroller out there hahaha!

Grandma and Gage! She LOVES this little guy!

(don't mind my huuuugggeee boobs, I am still breastfeeding ok?)

my little sand crab!

After he had his "fill" of sand we cleaned him off with water from water bottles and he was confined to the some-what clean play pen, no more sand for this little guy.

After the beach we attempted to de-sand ourselves but the bathroom lines were way to long, so we just got dressed and went to Kim and Jake's favorite pizza place in SF, Milano's. The pizza was delish but our server was a beast girl so that wasn't great haha!

Then we headed to Ghiradelli Square on Fisherman's Wharf to stake out our spots for fireworks. We were right near the band and they did covers of everything from ACDC to Katy Perry.

Then we watched a beautiful fire works show, I sang along to all the songs that were choreographed to the fireworks, loud and probably dumb sounding, I just don't care, proud to be American right here!

Of course to finish up our weekend celebrating God's greatest nation we went to LDS night at AT&T Park, where the Giants played the Padres...and should have won except for one unfortunate inning...

The game was for sure one of the highlites of the trip, I love baseball games even though I don't root for a specific team. I just really enjoy all the sights, sounds and tastes of them. I love the music they play for the individual players when they are up to bat and I love when you stand and stretch and everyone sings, Take me out to the ball game, good old fashioned fun! Gage loved this game, mainly he loved watching the people, I swear there must have been hundred of LDS families there and he just stared at the kids sitting behind us, he couldn't get enough of these 3 and 4 year old boys, it was soooo cute!

All in all we had a wonderful trip and one of the best weekends I have ever had, so many fun memories. I am bummed I couldn't share all the fun experiences with Cody but I will never forget this girls trip (except for Jake) we really bonded and have some great memories that will last forever!

Brow Power

2011-06-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

This is how much I love you Tianna, I finally got the motivation to put together a brow tutorial! I have been asked for years, not to brag or anything, about how I do my brows and what I use on them. Until now I have hesitated to try to explain to people because I have felt I just got the hang of doing it myself and I didn't want to lead anyone astray into over penciled, over plucked brow hell...but I figure with these handy pictures it would be hard to go wrong. Fair warning though, I am one of the lucky people (not) with hardly any brows to begin with, so that being said I have a lot of open canvas to work with, if you find that you want to create a more refined or structured Hollywood brow like the one I create on my face haha- you will have to loose some hair. Just keep in mind that the same steps I give for penciling in the shape of your brow apply to where to pluck the hair of your brow as well. Oh and if you already look like a model and you do that whole naturally beautiful Brooke Shields type stuff, this tutorial isn't for you, but thanks for stopping by none-the-less ;) Ok here we go!

These are the products I use on a daily basis when I do my brows

1. Maybelline Expert twin brow and eye: in blonde $3.00 WalMart etc.

This is the pencil I use and have been using forever. It is awesome. It is somewhat waterproof, meaning I can go to spin and sweat my buns off and I still have most of my brows left ;) this little pencil has been being used by women since the 1920's! Awesome I feel so vintage haha! Find the right shade for you and don't worry if you need to buy a blonde and a light brown and a dark brown and kind of mix your colors up a bit- that is totally fine!

2. Ardell brow defining powder: in taupe $4.00 Walgreens/drugstores etc.

This brow powder I use because I like the taupe shade and its ashy undertones, which go well with my naturally ashy roots ;) Other than that I use it because of the price, no special powers in this one guys...if you already have a taupe eyeshadow feel free to use that, you hardly use any, so it lasts a long time.

3. Plastic spoolie: Any brand: Most of the time I get mine for free from the makeup counter, but if you want you can always pick these up for a couple bucks most anywhere.

Now that you have your tools handy you are ready to start...O yes and I use just a standard eyeshadow brush to put on my taupe shadow, but if you want to use a little angled brush that works better I think, most of the time I just loose mine though because they are so tiny!

Ok now, no one laugh! This is me without eye makeup, granted I do have some foundation on, but thats it. I just wanted to show what it looks like free and clear and this is the order I put on my makeup anyway, foundation first, brows, then everything else.

Doing brows is easy if you just remember this little saying

"Inner, Upper, Outer"

I learned this trick a long time ago online and I use it every day.

I am holding my little black spoolie and I obviously use the straight end to guide my brow points

INNER: Hold a straight edge straight up from the INNER corner of your eye. This is where your brow should start. Take your eyebrow pencil and make a little dot right in the middle of your eyebrow. If you have eyebrow hairs there and they don't go all the way to your inner corner then just make your dot on your skin, one of my eyebrows starts further than the other so don't worry if yours are whack like mine.

UPPER: Now we are going to use a little math! just kidding...I know you guys were super excited about that though ;) Take your straight edge and from the INNER corner of your eye extend it at about a 45 degree angle. This dot should be almost directly UP above your pupil! This dot is where the point of your arch should be, you can see in my unpenciled brows that my arch starts before the point that it should, I use that dot to help fill in where I have overplucked my brows making sure that I get the point of my arch in the correct place.

OUTER: The final dot on your brow will be the end of your brow. The brow should stop at a perfect diagonal from the INNER corner of your eye, passing directly through the center of your pupil. Does that make sense. Go ahead and make a dot there. My brows stop prematurely so I always have to extend a line further than my actual brow.

Next you are just going to connect the dots.

Starting from the OUTER dot work your way towards the UPPER dot than towards the INNER dot. I always pull my brow skin taut while I pencil in. ***MAKE SURE YOUR BROW PENCIL IS SUPER SHARP*** You want your line to be too thin rather than too thick, it is easier to go back over it a few times than to try to thin out a huge line.

As you connect your dots feather in the shape you want underneath the line you have drawn to connect the dots. I try to square up my brows so under my arch I fill it in towards the Inner corner.

I use the tip of my pinky to determine how thick I want my brows to be. This is a medium thickness and some people may prefer something smaller or larger. I just like that the size of my pinky doesn't change and it's always 'on hand' so I can make sure both brows are the same thickness!

We are almost done! Yay! Don't worry if doing this takes you literally 10 min each brow the first few times. It gets so much easier with practice and if you already have more brows than I do and you pluck in this shape you will hardly have any work to do!

Next I take the brow powder and I brush it over my brows just with a flat eyeshadow brush. More for anything I do this to set the pencil. You will love this pencil because it has a wax built in so the brow powder really clings to it and gives it a more dimensional feel.

Lastly I brush through my brows with spoolie, working the hairs up and over as if I was following the same inner outer and upper rules like we did with the pencil.

I set everything when my makeup is completely done by dusting a loose sheer powder over everything just to make sure that those brows aren't going anywhere :)

LOVELY right?

For fun I finished off my makeup to show you what I do for my day to day stuff

I have reviewed almost everything I am wearing on my eyes before but here is a list of what I am wearing

On my lids:

Victorias Secret Secluded Lagoon compact the copper shadow

Brow bone and inner corners:

All- over radiance by Bare Minerals

Liner on upper and lower:

Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in black ebony

Mascara just on upper:

Covergirl Lash Blast volume waterproof in very black

Hope you enjoyed! Let me know if you have any questions!

I would happy to do other tutorials if anyone is interested!

Did Someone Say Sephora?

2011-06-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to Chicago to visit my dad. He works out of Schaumberg and they have the second largest mall in the nation called Woodfield. We did tons of dining and went and saw Pirates 4 but one of the best things we did while we were at the mall was shop for makeup at Sephora! I walked in, took in my surroundings, breathed deeply all of the perfumed goodness and then my pulse started rushing. Seriously...its a drug. I am not even making this up, like a kid in a candy store, every one of my senses in there just gets overwhelmed and I realize there is so much to see, touch, smell, even to taste? I feel like I am pulled in different directions my head spins because I want to see everything at once. I feel the same way when I go to Disneyland ;) My dad was SO great he just pushed baby Gage around in the stroller outside, while I, like the addict I am, shot up some Sephora.

o and by the way, I know it sounds TOTALLY cliche because WHO DOESN'T LIKE SEPHORA? I am convinced all humans, actually, even animals, would like that store, but it doesn't make it any less exciting for me ok!?!

Happy? um...yes... ;)

Here are my most recent purchases and for one of the first times ever I disagree with reviewers top beauty product pick... are you intrigued?

One of my most favorite glosses of all time, has to be DuWop LipVenom. I have been using it since I was sixteen and when I splurge on a tube of this stuff I feel sexier every time I wear it. It is a lip plumper and it's the kind of plumper that burns....yes it feels like poison or like you got stung by a bee on your mouth, who doesn't like that? Come on now! Ok it's not quite that bad, but if you don't like the spicy tingle: skip this stuff. As far as the plumping effect, its about a B- on a grade scale. I have used other products that are much more effective but this one gives you a great bite and lots of blood flow for the first two hours or so that you wear it. I usually just put it on right before I start doing my makeup if I am going out on the town that night, that way by the time I am ready to apply my gloss my lips are nice and fat :) I brought this to a game night a few weeks ago and passed it around to all the ladies there, my cute friend Sydney put some on and her bottom lip just got so full- she looked amazing-I probably embarrassed her because I was like, "OMG Sydney I just want to bite off your lip!"haha

anyways you can buy it at Sephora, Nordstrom, or online. It is $16.50 a tube but I use this every other day for a few months, a little goes a long way, its definately not a put over every lipstick type of gloss, more like a primer for your regular stuff.

Ok so here is a product I have heard SO many great things about...it wins all sorts of awards and blah blah blah but for me, seriously I don't like it :( sad

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeglide liner in Bourbon*

* a sparkly copper brown bronze

My experience with this liner was that it was too soft, too flaky and not high enough pigmentation.

It claimed to be waterproof, smudgeproof etc. but totally smeared. Plus it was so soft I couldn't really sharpen it, and I like my eyeliner to be super sharp when I put it on, because lets face it I am not that great at drawing lines!

The worst part for me was that I have really sensitive eyes, I have to be careful with eye makeup because I really can't wear certain things. My eyes get super watery and I just leak out the outer corners...well this made the supposed waterproof eyeliner just disintegrate, I guess it might be waterproof but it was not tear proof. So I won't be wasting my money on this little gem again and at $18.50 a pop I wish I would have just stuck with my drugstore liners :(

Bare Minerals

Hello Sunshine Kit

Sephora $15.00

This was an impulse purchase as I was making my way through the checkout...geez I am a sucker every time right grrrr....

It looked so appealing because it had these three sunny shades and I loved the price tag. Normally you can spend quite a pretty penny on bareMinerals but this little kit comes with three great summer skin products.

The pot on the far left is the tinted mineral veil, for those who haven't used veil before, it is just a super fine powder you buff on after all your makeup is on that kind of "sets" everything. The normal mineral veil is an opaque white color and it just clears up any shine and oiliness. The tinted veil does the same thing but with a sunny tinge to it, which I love, since I put sunless tanner on my face in the summer. It really brings out that summer bronze. The middle pot is called all-over radiance. It is another superfine shimmer but there isn't any gold in it, more of a white, silver and little flecks of champagne. It is so pretty to use as a highliter on cheek bones, brow bones, center of the eyelid, inner corners of your eyes, ridge of your nose and the cupids bow of your lips. It is a very soft glowy highlight that has hardly any sheen and really is a beautiful product. The far right pot is called all-over glow and is a bronzer with little gold flecks. I liked this one ok, but I honestly find it works better as a contour rather than a bronzer, the color is a little strong for using on cheeks, nose and forehead but it has great pigmentation if you need a little contrast. I must say for the whole set $15.00 is a steal, these should last all summer if you only use them every few days.

I must say Too Faced makeup is probably my favorite makeup even over MAC, I love their stuff. The quality is there, the pricing is always great for their kits and the packaging is adorable.

I got one of their new glamour glosses

in Tickle Me

It's a pinky coral with flecks of gold and champagne

$19.00

here I am wearing it

I love the color of the gloss and I like the pigmentation, it gives a great nudey-ish lip and lasts for a few hours, but I must say that I don't like the cold tingle factor this gloss has or the taste. If you have ever tried Bare Escentuals Buxom gloss it is the same taste, smell and tingle as that stuff. Kind of makes your lips feel cold numb, where as I like the hot numbing stuff. It does have plumper in it but not enough where I have noticed any difference. So I would say that this gloss is good for the color and thats about it. I love Too Faced products but this is one I probably won't buy again but it's fun to have for the time being :)

So there are a few things from my latest Sephora trip, there are still more products but I am tired and don't want to keep posting so til next time, you stay classy internet haha!

Fathers Day

2011-06-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

For Fathers Day Cody just wanted to relax so we slept in, meaning we woke up with Gage at 7:30 then when he went back down at 9:00 for his morning nap we went back to bed too! Then we went to Jack in the Box for breakfast-drive thru haha, super classy I know, I gave Cody this cool shirt with a vintage motorcycle graphic on it and he said he liked it, so I hope he really did haha ;) We then took Peanut and Gage to this amazing park called William Davies, in Charlotte and we took Peanut to the wooded dog area, there was only one other little dog there, so they played for a little bit and then we went to the "people" park. They have an amazing children's park with so much awesome playground equipment. That afternoon we went to the pool and met up with some of our friends from the office. We just played with Baby and ordered our favorite Charlotte pizza for dinner, Luigi's! It was a great day, relaxing and playful and we got to spend time with each other which is our favorite thing to do!

action is everything, intention is foolishness

2011-06-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

This blog post is in response to a thought/inkling I had about another blog I just read. (We will get to that later) How many times have I walked away from a situation feeling like, "I wish I had said that, or I wish I would have done this!" It used to happen a lot more then it does now thankfully. Sometimes I just get that feeling because I wished that I would have stood up for myself, like the other day, when walking to my car after leaving the YMCA, a speedy driver threw his hands up in desperation at the time I was taking to cross the street with my seriously distraught baby. I was frustrated that he seemed so obviously upset and was intent on me knowing that I was causing him the discomfort. In my head I was shocked at first and then upset and this mans lack of concern for my situation. I rationalized that he had no idea what I was going through or that I was nearly on the verge of tears myself when he treated me so thoughtlessly. He was JUST trying to get to the gym, what could he be in such a serious rush for anyway. I instantly judged him, his looks, his car, his attitude and concluded he was a very arrogant, self-absorbed, SINGLE man who had no idea what it feels like to be a parent to a screaming, teething baby, while struggling through the hot parking lot with a diaper bag and car seat carrier in one hand and a HUGE baby in the other. GRRRR it really made my blood boil. I called Cody immediately after getting in the car and let off my steam about this mans arrogance. The weird thing was that my feelings of regret on not stopping in the middle of the road and taunting back with a "what's your problem?" gesture lingered for literally days. I illustrate this point hoping that you in turn have felt the sting of frustration by an unwillingness to act or a lack of knowing how to react in a timely manner to a variety of situations. While my illustration is one where I wanted to react negatively, I have found that at times, I ALSO feel the sting of regret when I have an unwillingness to act or a lack of knowing how to react in a timely manner to a situation that would require me to react POSITIVELY. Does that make sense? The willingness to act or say or do-anything- for that matter when I have the inkling or feeling or inspiration, whichever you may call it to say or DO something for someone who might need it.

Like I said earlier in this post I had an experience a few years ago that helped me understand the importance of listening to my thoughts and turning them into actions. Several years ago my good friend Alyssa from High School's mother, Edi was diagnosed with cancer, I can't remember now exactly which type it was but I think it was lymphatic. Edi was always so bright and fun. She was bubbly and we liked hanging out with her as much as just being with our own girlfriends. Although I hadn't seen or talked to Edi in a few years because both Alyssa and I moved away from home after highschool, when I found out about her situation I had an inkling that I should stop by and see her. At first I thought it would be kind of weird for me to stop by and see my friends mom who I hadn't seen in years just randomly and I thought that it might be kind of stupid, but I just ignored those thoughts and stuck with my original inkling to just go see her. So I went to Dipidee and bought an adorable little cupcake and I drove to her house and knocked on the door. There I was, middle of the afternoon with a cupcake in my hand just hoping she would be home but also a little anxious about if she thought it would be weird for me to just show up. Her teenage son answered the door and yelled back towards her room, "Hey mom, Sara's here, Alyssa's friend Sara Mahoney!" I was still standing in the entry way and noticed a huge bottle of hand sanitizer on the side table and decided I should sanitize my hands since it was there for a reason. As Edi came out of her bedroom and down the wide hallway she was walking slowly and I could tell she was in some pain but she was smiling ear to ear and she gave me a big hug. We chatted casually as she motioned for me to come towards her bedroom and then she pat the bed motioning where she wanted me to sit. Then she climbed into her bed on the other side and laid back up against the pillows and we talked and talked. Her eyes were pricked with tears even though we were just talking about how I was doing, how my schooling was going, who I was dating? How Alyssa was doing? How Alyssa was liking living in Idaho...playing speedy catch up on life. Then she talked about how her cancer was going how her treatment was going, that she had just finished up another chemo treatment and getting ready for another radiation treatment etc. etc. She was bright and happy and cheerful and it was a great time talking with someone who I admire. As I was about to leave she took my hand and said, "I have always liked you Sara, I have always known what sort of person you are, you are a go and doer. You aren't afraid to push the envelope a little wondering if it will make someone uncomfortable or feel out of place, you put your charitable thoughts into action. " I was so surprised when she said that about me, because honestly I was NOT that sort of person, but had just listened to my inspiration to go visit her because well, I just felt like I should. Looking back on it now, the irony is I wanted to be charitable to a person in need, someone who was battling a disease but she in turn was charitable to me it meant so much the words she used to describe who "I" am to her. I wanted to learn to become the person she had described. A go and do-er, putting charitable thoughts into action.

So fast forward four more years to present day and I am still trying to refine myself into that sort of person, by all means I am far from perfect but I sincerely enjoy finding opportunities to serve others and I treasure the inklings to serve others I stumble upon while praying, contemplating my day or thinking about others tribulations. I have been following...all these things shall be for thy good and be for thy experience a blog that sweet Clara's family has been updating almost daily since her diagnosis. I read the post from July 11th and felt inspired by these words:

"in the eyes of those who suffer and in the eyes of the Lord, action is everything, intention is foolishness."

- Brian Woodward

I love the way this is so poignant, I had an AHA moment there when I remembered and felt the same renewal of strength that Edi had energized in me to never let a good intention linger, it should ALWAYS become the good action it was meant to be. Aren't we told that it is through us that God wants his will to be done? Then we aught to be listening, and listening very carefully for those inklings and intentions; and when we do receive them act on them, without hesitation,with the faith that the spirit will guide us through. We may not know what to do or to say, but we can strengthen a willingness to listen. To listen to the spirit, our heart, our intuition, our inkling etc. in order to ease the burdens of those who are suffering. And aren't we are suffering? At least in some degree?

Alma 37:6
Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

now readers: go and be doers, you know that little itch thats been sitting on your brain, that little inkling you can shake, whatever it may be, some thought that just keeps coming up over and over again. Just Go and DO IT! This world needs you! I love you all and good luck with your charitable deed!

If you would like to read Clara's updates click HERE
If you would like to Donate to Clara and her Cause click HERE

Please wear seersucker this summer

2011-06-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

So... a few weeks ago I saw these adorable flat espadrilles

by Soludos being worn by Kate Bosworth and Jennifer Garner in Glamour magazine

and I just thought they were so adorable... I am obsessed with seersucker lately. It adds the perfect amount of nautical prep to any outfit and Cody had some extra cash on a Zappos gift card and I found these little darlings...

can you believe these are Etnies! They are the most comfortable shoe I own currently....like I want to work out in these haha :)

I also bought this adorable four piece suit with seersucker vest and trousers for Baby Gage a few weeks ago and he wore it to church and I totally forgot to take a picture, don't worry I will this week but it is SO cute....he got so many compliments!

pics to come soon

btw I want this necklace...

sweet sweet summer

2011-05-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

I need to update on my life out here in Charlotte, I can't believe we have been here for just short of a month now! It really has gone by so fast...which is a welcome change from last summer. There have been so many things that have made this summer transition so much easier, but even better than easy is FUN! and I must say we have been having fun! There are a lot of fun girls for me to hang out with out this way, Sydney and Brittany Bischoff who are married to Scott and Preston, a pair of brothers out here selling have been so great keeping me updated on relief society activities and coming to girls lunches on Fridays. Sydney is the office manager and she is really busy so its great to see her on weekends, and Brittany is becoming the resident babysitter! She is so great with babies and it doesn't hurt she is in her last year of nursing school! Haley Packard is Trey's little sis and her husband Casey is a sales guy too. She always does Costco trips with Jami and I and girls lunches and it's great talking to her about working out and health stuff she knows a ton! I am loving hanging out with Jami and Cinzia almost everyday! It's so weird that we all have kids and all three of us have babies that are within a month of each other, so needless to say we have a lot in common ;) Cinzia (pronounced Chin-see-yah) is married to Nate, who is our lead tech out here. She has two adorable girls, Eva and Adalena, and we love hanging out with them. Cinzia and I go workout together at the Y a couple times a week and it is so great having such a fun friend to keep me motivated on our weight loss goals after babies! She is adorable and loving and sweet and the first time I met her, I told her she has the CUTEST voice ever! Her daugter Eva is in love with Gage and she calls him, Baby Gage, just like Jovi back home- it's so cute! Jami is married to Trey who is the sales manager in our office, her and I were sicky prego's last year together and now we have babies two weeks apart together! We try to hang out at least every other day even if we just take the babies on walks before bedtime. She is hilarious with biting humor and she is such a good friend and she brings me lunch when baby Gage is being a pill -always a plus haha! So these fabulous ladies have been keeping me upbeat and sane so far this summer. We recently went to a relief society activity that was all about "Things to do in the Carolina's" HOW CONVENIENT right? So I made a list of stuff I wanted to do this summer and Cody and I made this fluorescent calendar and we just move little sticky notes around on the weekends depending on our mood and the weather to make sure we do all the things we want to do this summer. So last week.... here are a few of the things we did!

Cinz and I took all our adorable kiddo's to the Lazy 5 Ranch

This amazing drive thru safari and petting zoo..the funniest and saddest part was when we first got into the park and we rolled down our windows excited to feed the animals....and a swarm of emu's ran up to us...both Gage and Eva were on our laps in the front seat and we got scared, so the kids got scared and it turned into a scary screamfest for about five minutes. I have never heard Gage scream like that...he was terrified, it was so sad, we were just laughing and laughing and rolling up the windows it was so Jurassic Park-like.

This weekend Cody and I took the baby to Lake Wylie, which is about five minutes from our house but we drove to the beach area where you can swim at Ebeneezer Park. The beach wasn't fantastic but it was so great to enjoy the heat and humidity and lay out on our towels or rest under our shade then jump back into the lake when it got too hot. Gage was so cute, he loved the mini waves and he ate his first fistful of sand. He was being so quiet right at the shoreline and I looked down and there he was munching away at that red-brown sand. It was so cute!

I am so proud of myself, working really hard to get my body back in bikini shape...only another 10 lbs to go!

We had a great fun week and I have so much more to share, so far summer is going great!

Today is one of those days

2011-05-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

where I have so much to get done around the house, but I am exhausted from the last three nights of hardly any sleep because of a teething/constipated baby, and I wish my mom was here to help me :*( I just need a break from mommyhood today for just a few hours, not having family close by or knowing an awesome babysitter makes it hard, sometimes you just need a break...and unfortunately the child care center where at the Y where I work out, is closed today for Memorial Day, which means no break for mommy even for an hour...plus I wouldn't really call sweating bullets for fifty minutes to a spin interval class a break, but hey I will take what I can get...I normally don't get stressed about the small stuff like dishes, laundry, garbage needing to be taken out, bathrooms needing to be cleaned, sweeping to be done, clothes to be hung up, folded and put away, a shower to take, exercise to be had, photos to be edited, blog to be updated, phone calls to make, prescriptions to transfer, baby to be taken care of but today I AM LOSING IT!

ok vented. first things first, right after this, I am taking a NAP.

Love for Clara

2011-05-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog Followers,

A few days ago I heard about this little girl through my friend Jami. This is her niece. I feel compelled to ask my friends back home and my supportive blog followers if you have a spare moment to please read her story. It's one of those times when you see the power for good that our modern world allows us, connecting thousands of people through a network of interaction that allows us to help change lives simply by the click of a mouse.

"This is Clara. She is 2 years old. She is my brother's youngest child. Two days ago she was diagnosed with high risk Neuroblastoma cancer.

She is currently in the hospital undergoing many tests to really find out what she is up against and it seems that each test result brings more bad news. About 3 weeks ago, Clara started getting sick and the doctors thought she had strep. After the antibiotics failed to work, they questioned whether it really was strep. Clara was in a lot of pain and was having a hard time even walking, along with trouble breathing. They finally decided to take her to a hospital in Spokane, where they discovered the cancer, first around her kidneys, then in her leg, now on deep eye sockets, sinuses, and behind her eyes. Today she is having another bone scan done and then a biopsy on the tumor around her kidney. I'm receiving most of my updates through Facebook, thanks to my brother's sister-in-laws, but comments like these are just breaking my heart:

"Clara is in a lot of pain. They are having to give her morphine sooner than she is scheduled for it. As soon as she saw all of the presents and goodies from her friends, her face lit up and she wanted to hold the toys and dolls."

"Clara is sleeping and Brian is holding her hand. She opened her eyes for a moment and said, "Thank you Daddy." My mom said she has been saying similar things to the nurses and doctors."

From my brother, Brian: "You'd think we'd be better at this after what happened with Carson, but this seems so much harder."

That's the next thing. This sweet family has been through this before with their second son. When Carson was about 6 months old, they found a brain tumor and operated on it a little while later. I remember his head was so swollen after that surgery, but luckily they got it all and he is the most angelic boy you will ever meet now.

Less than two months ago, Clara and her family came to stay with us in Utah. They live in Washington so I don't get to see them much. Before this trip, I really didn't know Clara too well, but she made a huge impression on me in a short amount of time. Within ten minutes of being in my house, she ran up to Walter, only to realize that he was an actual living dog, so she turned and ran away screaming. Every time I put Indie in her swing, Clara was right there to help push it, usually much too hard :) When her cousin Cash was being whiney, Clara took it upon herself to discipline him by shaking her pointer finger at him. When we went to Kangaroo Zoo, which is a children's play place with tons of bouncy toys, Clara really loved the biggest slide. She would come up to me and back up into me so I would pick her up and take her down it. This happened time after time.

A fundraiser has been set up on Clara's behalf, as she has a long road ahead of chemotherapy, radiation and many other things a small child should never have to go through. Many have already donated that don't even know her, which means so much to my family. I'm adding a link to the fundraiser so that if you are able, you can donate as well. Thank you in advance." - Jami Warner

There is an amazing fundraiser going on to help Clara and her family. Be part of this family's journey. It is so simple and it doesn't require much. You can donate as little as 5 dollars or as much as you would like. It requires only a debit or credit card or a paypal account and the donation takes seriously as little as two minutes to complete the transaction. Let's help provide some comfort and support for this sweet little girl and her family!

Click Here to Help Clara

you can quote me on this...

2011-05-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

came across this quote and i just needed it today...

True love doesn't have a happy ending:
True love doesn't have an ending.

sigh.
warm welcome sigh.
those words just warm my heart.

what are some of your favorite quotes?

Time flies

2011-05-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

When you don't have any time to think because you have a 4 month old baby!
WAHOO! Love this little chunk!

Surviving Pregnancy Part 1

2011-05-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

So excited to finally start my surviving pregnancy series! Now that the uncomfortable and unlikeable memories of pregnancy are eerily faded I can happily write my little survival guide. Amazing how the mind works huh?

Anyways first things first, a lot of my friends, family members and random other people who read my blog are preggers, trying to get preggers or know someone who is preggers so this should be fun for us all :)

First things first, right when I found out I was pregnant, at 9 weeks I immediately started doing research on how to maintain balanced and good emotional health. Something I don't talk about a lot or blog about for that matter (we will get to that later) is that my family has a STRONG history of postpartum depression. For those Tom Cruise-folk out there who don't believe in the hog-wash sorry to tell you...but you're wrong....haha but seriously

So I wanted to know what I could do during my pregnancy that would help me feel good in my head during and after. I came across study after study about these great little fatty acids some of you may have heard of called Omega 3's. They are those little miracles that are what makes fish and other good fats good for your heart, your waistline and your BRAIN!

"Preliminary research suggests that eating a diet rich in flax could slash your risk of ever feeling “down in the dumps”. Follow up studies show that just 2-3 tablespoons of flax daily can help up to 2/3rds of severely depressed women bounce back within eight weeks. Flax, says Udo Erasmus, PhD, has a mood boosting ingredient: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is essential for the proper function of brain cells, yet up to 85% of women aren’t getting enough of it. Early research conducted by Dr. Martha Clare Morris of Chicago’s Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center notes that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is believed to be important for brain development. She stated that some participants in the study saw a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s from eating a diet high in Omege-3 fatty acids(Flax is the richest source of Omega 3’s in the plant kingdom)." flaxhealth.com

WOW right? Well, I know most of us have heard the push for fish oil but the great thing about flax seed is that it doesn't smell DISGUSTING like fish oil capsules and you don't get the gross fish oil burps :) So as if that isn't reason enough to add ONE MORE vitamin to your pregnancy regimen but... FLAX SEED is proven to keep your skin supple and elastic! Which means LESS CHANCE for stretch marks!!! YAY! Hallelujah, sometimes good health just isn't enough of a motivator for me, but threaten my vanity and BAM I will DO IT! :) If you want to get the most out of your flax you can buy the whole seed at a health food store and sprinkle them on salads or bake them into bread or muffins. You can also buy the oil not in capsules and mix it into breakfast shakes or take it straight.

I can happily say I didn't suffer from postpartum just a little baby blues, and I didn't get stretch marks, if you want to chalk it up to good genes go for it, but I think a little pill each day is worth a try too!

This was my best friend during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes it was all I could manage to keep down, lucky for me its diet!

Chocolate covered strawberries were my mid pregnancy cravings. Luckily strawberries were in season then, and they are now, so lucky you too! Just buy the dip either in the can in the produce section and zap it in the microwave, or get more ambitious and make it with ground bakers chocolate and oil. Don't forget you will NEED wax paper!

Therapeutic heat wrap for your neck: DE STRESS YOURSELF

in whichever way helps you.

I used heatwraps for my neck and my lower back ALL the time in my last trimester. Sometimes it was the ONLY way to get to sleep. The wonderful thing about this wrap ($16.00 on Amazon.com or Wal-Mart) is that it has herbal properties like, chamomile and lavender to help calm you down using aromatherapy.

Finding the time to unwind and de-stress is not selfish, it's part of maintaining a healthy pregnancy. If you don't believe me, just read this, and do your own research of course:

"When you are stressed your body responds by getting ready to protect itself against a potential threat. All your major organs increase their activity and you produce more of the hormone cortisol.

Last year new research suggested that increased levels of cortisol during pregnancy crossed the placenta and entered the baby's developing brain, especially the area that controls stress.

Psychologist Dr Thomas O'Connor led the research and says, "We found that anxiety in late pregnancy was associated with higher levels of cortisol in children many years later. Elevated levels of cortisol are associated with psychological risk or psychological disturbance, notably depression and anxiety." -babyworld.com

My sleeping companion.

since I pretty much took over the bed and didn't want anything to do with my hubby during my volatile morning/night sickness this amazing body pillow became my cuddle buddy. The Leachco Snoogie Body Pillow helped me create a comfortable nest while pregnant. I remember specifically when my belly started getting so big that it was uncomfortable to sleep, and because the Dr. recommends you sleep on your left side to help blood circulation to your uterus this pillow helps you maintain that body positioning throughout the night.

Worth the money, and if you don't want to buy it for yourself, just go ahead and put it on your registry!

$45.00 Target/Amazon.com

So that sums up Part 1 of my Surviving Pregnancy guide. There is a poll on the left side of my blog that I would love for you all to vote on. So far pregnancy, new moms and baby gage has received the most votes for now and I thought, "might as well indulge my sweet and beautiful readers!" haha no it's just that I love talking about PREGNANCY maybe in another life I will become a baby dr. or something :)

ENJOY and don't forget to vote! Don't worry it's annonymous ;)

Chelle Belle

2011-05-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Michelle,

You're a great friend. We always have SO much fun together. I seriously can tell you everything...and I do haha! I love when it gets late and your loud laugh comes out. You're sweet and caring and I love your gentle soul. People feel comfortable around you and you are easy to get along with. You have made my life so much better since we have been friends. I haven't done a gal pal spotlight on you, so I want to celebrate you with this blog post and remember the fun times we have had together.

We have had some good times, late nights at my house, shopping, lunch dates at Pizza Factory and Zupas. Mostly I just like when we listen to B Spears together or we just talk! I love hanging out with you and our girl friends, it's like PB&J- meant to be haha! This may seem super cheesy but oh well, I know you will love it!

You are beautiful and smart and you know what you deserve in life. You don't take crap from anyone and you're super nice but not afraid to share your opinion. You're a true friend and I can count on you. I love that you're always down to hang out no matter what, even if it's not that exciting! Can't wait to hang out with you when I visit over the summer, me and Baby Gage miss you!

Love,

Sara

This or That?

2011-05-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Aren't we all trying to find high quality beauty products at a price that doesn't make us barf up all those pb&j sandwiches we had to eat for months to save up for them?! So I compiled a short list of products I am currently using in replace of my higher priced lovelies...

so next time you are needing to add to your beauty regimen don't be afraid to try THIS INSTEAD OF THAT

In place of Moroccan Oil

$33.25

Try Agadir Argan Oil

$13.00

Sally's

This oil is great for over processed/dried/bleached/colored hair. If you have extensions this is a must-have. It keeps hair hydrated and you can use it like a serum.

In place of Studio Fix MAC pressed powder

$23.00 Nordstrom

Try Physicians Formula Magic Mosaic Face Powder

$9.00 at Drugstores

Creamy, customizable and the best part it has lasting full coverage. For those of you who use the MAC brand you will be pleasantly delighted by the coverage payoff and shine control, the only downside is that the color selection is more limited than MAC but it is a great contender for the price and has great reviews online.

In place of MAC Snob lipstick

$14.50

Try Wet n' Wild Think Pink Lipstick

$3.00

Drugstore

While the texture is not as creamy as MAC the color payoff is awesome, I love bubblegum pink lip color but have a hard time finding one that has the pigment intensity that I want. You can always tone it down or wear it underneath a sheer gloss or something with a light sparkle which is what I do with this one. I have to say though, I own both and prefer this one to the MAC brand.

Instead of Crest 3D Whitestrips

$39.70

Wal-Mart

Try Teeth Whitening Pen with Accelerator Light

35% carbamide-peroxide gel

$15.00

Amazon.com

Overstock.com

I have used this bleaching kit four times now, it also comes with a plastic tray that you put over your gel. I only use it for no more that 8-10 min. at a time and about once a week or my teeth get a little sensitive but it has made them really white!

Instead of

MAC 4-customizable eyeshadow palette

$49.00

Nordstrom

MAC.com

Try

Victoria's Secret

Baked mineral shadow quad

I own the one on the bottom right, called Secluded Lagoon

$15

Victoria's Secret

The color payoff is incredible on these and they are rich and creamy, my favorite is the copper color, it makes blue eyes POP! I like the eyeshadow quality almost more than my MAC shadows. This is a big compact and there is a lot of shadow in them, it's a great deal!

Hope you enjoyed my most recent This or That post, I will continue to do these in the future as I contrast and compare brands and quality! Hope you ladies out there are being beauty smart and money savvy!

xoxo

Water for Elephants

2011-05-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the recent movie which I really liked, I would give it a solid B plus, I went with a circus theme for the blog, for more info about what inspires me and how I go about getting ideas, backgrounds, fonts and themes for the blog, leave a comment and I will do a blog design inspired post!

Summer In the South

2011-05-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

Pray we don't see any tornadoes! Baby Gage and I made it safe and sound to our summer destination of Charlotte, NC. Our apartments are just minutes from the SC border and we LOVE the area we are in. Flying in through a crazy thunderstorm last night was an adventure, baby slept through it like a champ though. He was such an angel on both of our flights, which is a miracle since the last three days he has been teething like crazy, seriously I am not sure what else to do, we have had him on baby orajel, children's Tylenol and chamomile for teething and irritability. The Hyland's teething tablets that everyone has been suggesting for us to use has been recalled from whole foods stores and wal-mart for the time being and so we are just making due with what we have available. The chamomile, is made by the same Hyland brand and it does help calm him down and soothe him but I don't think it really takes away the pain, anyway he has already had two tiny white spots poke through his gums and I am sure there are more on the way! So we flew in past these crazy horizontal lightnings and it was pretty cool to watch from up in the sky next to them. Oh and the Dallas Fort Worth airport is amazing. Clean, new, modern ,and we loved the monorail! Anyways we made it to Charlotte in one piece and started getting settled in today, there is so much to do! I am for sure sick of packing and unpacking and living out of a suitcase. I decided to find a renter for our place this summer which has been bittersweet. I am loving that we have a passive income while we are gone this summer, but I was really sad to leave the house, pack up my things, lock the doors and know that I won't be walking back through those doors and seeing my beautiful home until the end of August. We were so blessed and found an ideal tenant and we are just so comfortable and happy with the arrangement. I was excited about the process of finding renters and was able to have four different people submit applications. I ended up having two potential renters get into a "bidding war" and we made a sweet deal! I was thrilled with being able to be choosy about who would stay in our house with all of our things. It got me thinking about learning more about real estate, something I have always been interested in, but I became more interested in the prospects of becoming an agent, although ideally I would love to just own several properties with Cody and play landlord on my own investments It's stressful, requires you to be direct, set your terms and conditions and comfortable breaking unfortunate news to people and I like the challenge. So far NC is beautiful, warm, lush and not too humid. I am so looking forward to getting to know the city and exploring. I am also really excited about going to the ward out here and getting involved with some of the members in our ward, I think it will help me form more of a bond with my home away from home for the summer and I am excited to make new friends. So stay tuned for our adventures to come, we love and miss all of our friends and family at home already SO much! I come home June 6th for a visit so I am quietly counting down the days...O ya, guess I should update some of you that Cody's first day of knocking was today, he went out for an hour and was the first sales rep to get a sale. Then he came home to help me get stuff organized, grocery shop and set up the play pen and Gage's stuff. He is really going to do big things this summer. We are so proud of him and his commitment to provide for our family. He took a huge risk switching from one of the top positions as a lead technician but he felt prompted to go in a new direction. It really has been a faith promoting experience but he has been successful all along the way, mainly due to his desire to work hard and not give up, but we know we are blessed because of the personal goals our family has made to give more and be more faithful in paying our tithes. I am not saying that to brag or come off all holier than thou, we just have felt such a strong impression, especially from the recent general conference about the importance of giving our 10% back. President Eyring quoted in his recent conference talk, "President Marion G. Romney said of welfare work,

“You cannot give yourself poor in this work.” And then he quoted his mission president, Melvin J. Ballard, this way: “A person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return.”³

I have found that to be true in my life. When I am generous to Heavenly Father’s children in need, He is generous to me."

I want to echo President Eyring's statements with my own testimony of the that. For someone who is not religious this same concept can be represented by, "What goes around comes around..." So I would challenge those of you who stand in any financial need, which I mean c'mon who in this economy isn't, to just put to the test of the words of a modern day prophet, " a person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return." and donate, give, pay a tithe of just even the smallest amount, put your faith to the test and give away more than you have, apply the story of the widow's mite to yourselves and see what blessings will come! Don't be surprised if a loaf of bread just falls from the sky and into your lap :) Love you all, miss you all! Have a great rest of the week! I need to post soon about Chellbelle's birthday and my going away dinner, oh ya and weight loss and pregnancy and post pregnancy miracle beauty must haves!

xoxo

Happy Easter

2011-04-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter, we celebrated with both of our McArthur and Mahoney family. Friday I was fortunate enough to meet one of my new visiting teachers, Debbie, and I was so grateful that I was able to meet her before I left for NC. While we are in very different phases of our lives, I felt a sincere connection and love from her. She shared with me a quick and simple message about her love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Just a few short minutes about what this Easter weekend means to her and it really got me thinking about the beauty of His sacrifice.
We had a great family dinner with the McArthur family Saturday night, and I spent an hour or two dying and decorating eggs with Maverick and Jovi. Then we finished the night playing card games. Cody shared with us a beautiful short video Easter Sunday at my moms house and she made an amazing gourmet dinner. A Little America recipe, Italian Sausage Stuffed Chicken with tangy and sweet salsa, ham, mashed potatoes, asparagus, spinach salad, broccolli salad and more! SO good!

I just wanted to share with you two beautiful videos with beautiful messages. If you have some time this week to watch them DO! I love how we have holidays to help us remember and show our love and appreciation of Christ. I think I can do better of being a disciple of Christ by remembering to share his message all year round, in all times, and in all things and in all places... Hope everyone else's Easter's were EGGTASTIC!

How do you leave your past in your past?

2011-04-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Been having a lot of thoughts of inadequacy lately and have been trying to process these thoughts, so what better way then to type them out haha you know me so well! This post has a lot more to do with just this one example but I need to start somewhere....

Anyways as some of you know, I have been an Achievement Days leader now for a few months. I taught a lesson this Tuesday on the Proclamation to the Family which you can read Here.

My inadequate thoughts haven't had much to do with that particular topic, just the whole idea of me teaching others how to prepare themselves for marriage and maintain spirituality through the rough teenage years ahead is causing some hurdles. Inside my head I hear, "How can you possibly do this? What do you know about maintaining spirituality and preparing young people for marriage and successful family life?" In the last three years I have accomplished a lot and turned corners and crossed bridges I guess I never thought I would cross, or at least for a long time.

I made mistakes as a teenager, questioned the church, had boyfriends that weren't the best influences, dressed immodestly, showed disrespect, lost the spirit and found myself in situations that I wouldn't want my children to be in. So why when it seems everyone else has forgiven me for my past, do I still hear those voices telling me that I am not good enough to be an example of righteousness.

I still cling to the opinions from others that have subtly mentioned that my lack of commitment to the gospel in my teen years makes me a less worthy example now. I recount at times the judgement I felt from those who believed I wasn't a "good girl" so how could I possibly be a "good" person. This hurts because I have always felt regardless of the choices I made I didn't sacrifice my character. I have a good heart and have always wanted to use my influence to help others. I have been told that my charisma, realm of influence and even my looks were a form of self-centered manipulation, and I have a hard time believing that using my "power" and "influence" for good within the church is deemed worthy. I guess I have fallen into the trap of if you weren't perfect all the time, than you aren't as good as those who were. In my head I rationalize, "No one is perfect, right?" But walking around acting like all of us made the same choices and decisions is unrealistic and impedes our growth regardless. Everyone judges, for good or bad, it is part of the way we have evolved as a society to help us be successful. I am not asking for a sympathy card or fishing for praise and feelings of self worth, because I know that I have to grow those feelings for myself, INSIDE, in my own time frame. I am open and honest and PUBLIC about these feelings because I feel prompted to share them. That's the truth. I wouldn't take the time to attempt to express myself to my keyboard if it wasn't. I want others to be able to understand and relate to the fact that regardless of what your life appears to be like, everyone has a past, has insecurities and feels inadequate at times. This is what I am going through right now. I need advice and help and understanding for how to release myself of the opinions and stereotypes that may or may not have been applied to me. I need my Heavenly Father to know that regardless of the way I feel inside I still do as he asks because I know that his plan is perfect and that it is always greater and more intricate than mine. I want to know how any of you out there have overcome feelings of incompetence and inadequacy spiritually. If any of you are carrying the burden of guilt that storms up like vomit and chokes you when you are trying your hardest to do your best. I just want you to know you are not alone. I am working to overcome my own weaknesses, and I know right now, some of my deepest weaknesses come from inside myself. I won't give up though, I know that the times I grow the most is when my resistance is the strongest. Just like building muscles if it doesn't make you strain then you aren't getting stronger. So, tell me about ways you have left your past in the past, or ways you are attempting too, I am so grateful for all the wonderful people who are willing to share their vulnerabilities in order to help heal others as well as themselves along the way.

A few things I've noticed about myself

2011-04-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is kind of interesting, if you go through and look at your FB status updates, you start to realize a lot about yourself. What you think about, what you think is interesting, what you think is worth telling everyone you are thinking about haha! So I was just being bored while my LO (that means little one btw, and btw, means by the way hahah i crack myself up) was napping so I was just reading through some of my fb status updates and there definitely is a theme!

Let's see if you have noticed what I like to update about:

FOOD:

Chili's never gets old!
Home made cafe rio night was a success thanks to all my gal pals!
is addicted to Skittles Blenders! SO GOOD!
ewww eating a rotten pistachio has to be one of the worst tastes in the world!
had Tsunami last night, the Executive Suite is a new favorite! Spicy with a hint of lime. And if you go there you have to get the Coconut Glory dessert so good, warm fried bananas with coconut ice cream drizzled with carmel and chocolate! It tastes like MEXICO! yUm

Baby:

LONG DAY! My 10 wk old, 14.8 lb. butterball is TEETHING! No wonder he has been fussycrankydroolingmunching his hands all day! Stocked up on some children's tylenol, baby orajel and cold teething rings. So far the only thing that makes a noticeable difference is the orajel, at least he can eat then :( poor little guy.
It's the sweetest thing when we put the baby to bed and both Cody and I kind of want to wake him up so we can still be with him :)
We are in week two of Baby Bootcamp with Gage and already he is sleeping 10 hours straight each night! It's hard work but the results so far are amazing!
I survived! Four days with no hubby, just me and the Gagester!
Today was a beautiful and special day, we blessed our baby Gage and had our wonderful friends and family surrounding us! Thanks everyone for being such a great support system :)
My 5 week old can NOT sleep without being swaddled at night, is this something he eventually will grow out of?

Complaints (mostly about the weather)

totally burnt :( trying to get my tan on and fried my poor self

these rainy bipolar days are killing me :( I just want to be outside, it makes me feel so lazy and depressed like whats the point of getting ready or leaving the house? someone please tell me I am not the only one...smothering myself with guilt over here....
doesn't like that Cody has school on Saturdays
I caught the bug that has been going around, stuffy nose, sore inflamed throat and fever YUCK! I hope my little guy doesn't get it!

Interesting right? It also funny that these are the things people like to post comments on my status's the most too! Go through and see what you like to update about!

A tale of two babies

2011-04-07T20:03:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to blog a little about Gage since I don't think even a few months from now I will remember all the funny little things we have experienced with him. I can't believe he is just shy of 12 weeks old. In the last two weeks a few things have changed. He has developed a split personality. Cody and I were so in awe of our calm happy newborn that didn't cry or fuss or anything for the first six or seven weeks. That however has changed haha. Depending on the time of day our little baby becomes Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. He is a lot like his mama!

randomly passes out

grumpy face when we are trying to take pictures

Sweet and happy and giggly when he is well fed and well slept, but the about thirty minutes before its time to eat or when he starts getting sleepy and overtired that little guy can be a thunder storm. We call his crazy, loud yell, his indian war cry. He was sick two weeks ago with the nasty congestion, and then he got his immunizations and ran a fever for two days after. Then he was constipated for two days which was a little scary, although I know its totally normal. It's so funny that when you become a mom you totally aren't grossed out by poop and stuff, you are actually happy every time they have a bowel movement, because that means things are working right!

(finally done being constipated)

We think he has been super fussy though because he has had some colic, or just some digestive issues. He is super gassy some days and we just sit and pump his legs and he farts and farts. I have used the infant gas drops and tried monitoring what I have been eating best I can, but I not coming up with any solid solutions. Any ideas? I think he may have a little bit of a lactose intolerance, the next few days I am going to steer clear of all things dairy and see how he reacts. He doesn't have any skin irritants or anything that I have seen so far so I am hoping if he does have lactose intolerance it's not super serious.

On another note, he has been so intriguing to watch as he develops week by week. A few things he has started doing are, really reaching with his hands to grasp at things above his head. He likes his little baby keys and his car seat dangly things. He really likes it when he actually touches them, its like he is surprised each time. He has also been rolling from his stomach to his back for about three weeks now, he doesn't do it all the time, but when he is sick of being on his tummy he starts to push himself up and over with his fist and his foot. We think he's pretty smart! Another thing he does lately is really observe. He just looks everywhere, his eyes kind of dart around and he isn't talking as much as he did last week. He really is just taking it all in. He has started splashing his hands a little in the tub. He loves the song the itsy bitsy spider and the hokey pokey. He really loves this one super simple book, called Read to Your Bunny. It is just these cute pictures of hand drawn bunnies in clothes and the book has really big board pages, every time we turn to the page with the moon on it and the beach he just smiles SUPER big. He loves to suck on daddy's fingers.

He doesn't really like Peanut, or at least doesn't even really notice him. He is just really interested in looking into peoples faces and making his mouth move in little O's and Ah's. He suddenly grew a fuzzy duck fluff of light ashy hair on the top of his head! Literally within a week his U-shaped baldness suddenly is now covered with this mossy new fluff that is nothing like the texture of his other hair, we will see what comes of this.

Cody let him lick a lime today at dinner and he just kept licking it, he didn't even make a face. UH-Oh I wonder if this means he likes sour stuff, or if his taste buds just haven't really developed yet :) He broke himself of his swaddle habit four days ago. We have been debating what to do about this because he just keeps pushing so hard against it that when we check on him at night he is all loose and the covers are like over his head. Of course this freaked me out so one night we just toughed it out and had to listen to his little cries every twenty minutes or so for a few hours because he kept waking himself up with his hands. Now he likes it though and he is absolutely in love with sucking his hands.

Sometimes he manages to get a thumb in there but for the most part, it is an entire fist or his thumb and pointer. Still I think its darling! He has been doing mini crunchs when he is sitting up in his swing, against mommy, or propped up on pillows and he actually lifts his stomach up so that he kind of hovers away from the support at like a 45 degree angle. We think he will be sitting up in the next two weeks. My mom isn't surprised, I was sitting up at four months. We are just amazed at how strong and capable his little body is. It feels so good hearing Dr. Glade be so impressed and amazed at his abilities at such a young age. He really commended me on the good work I have been doing breastfeeding and it feels good knowing all that hard work and sacrifice is helping him grow big and strong! Good job for all my fellow breast feeding moms out there, it is HARD work! Some of my favorite times with baby Gage are when I give him baths, when he falls asleep at night and I sneak him back out of his crib to cuddle at like eleven pm.

(late night cuddle sesh)

I love that I can sneak him in and out without waking him up. I think our favorite moment with Gage though is when we go get him up out of his crib every morning. You will never see a more beautiful bright smile than that. It is like every morning it's a wonderful surprise to see mommy or daddy! He has such a signature twinkle in his eyes, they are shaped like mine but when he smiles he gets these adorable crescent moons like Cody and Grandma McArthur. They just sparkle!

The feature most people comment on about baby Gage, other than his weight ;)

has to be his dimple.

A perfect little pin prick on his left cheek just past the point of his smile, everyone who sees it just loves to touch it! Sorry to fawn on and on about my sweet baby but if I don't write it down then I won't remember and I want my little boy to know all the funny things he did. So Gagey-bear when you read this later in your life, I want you to know with all of your heart that your mommy and daddy LALALOVED you. You are our little joy and the best surprise we have ever had!

A McArthur Family Weekend

2011-03-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Micah's birthday in style this week, Friday night Cody, Gage and I took Micah to Chili's for birthday dinner! Ah Chili's you never get old! We have been there a ton lately and I am going there tomorrow for my neighborhood girls night dinner! Anyways, on Saturday night my sister in law Tara wanted to plan a girls night out to take Micah to a club for her 21st birthday! She had never been so we wanted her to at least have the experience. It was fun to dance with each other but since all of us were sober sally's and three of us are married we concluded that the club scene just isn't our scene! We went to The Hotel up in Salt Lake and spent most of our time in the opium lounge listening to super loud hip hop (which I loved)

On Sunday we celebrated Steve and Karen's birthday! Isn't it wild that my in-laws have the SAME birthday! My sister-in-laws were telling us that when they were little, they thought that you had to have the same birthday as your husband or wife in order to get married! Super Funny!

Anyway, Tara and Wyatt hosted an awesome Japanese dinner party at their house for the family. There were musical tributes to Steve and Karen at the beginning and then we ate our delicious food and had some of Wyatt's home-made "Over the Hill" cake which featured a motorcycle rider headed downhill toward the inevitable Finish Line and subsequent grave! It was HILARIOUS! You just have to know Steve I guess ;)

The birthday G parents!

Baby Gage already loves his cousins- and his cousins love him! Especially little Jovi :) She wants to hold him, put his binky in his mouth, put his blanket on him, kiss him and pretty much anything else! She just loves babies and she always calls him, "Baby Gage!"

The musical numbers were awesome, I need a copy of the lyrics!

A four generation photo of McArthur boys!

I am absolutely in love with this picture of Gage and I. I love how cute Gage looks here! This photo is a special memory and I am so glad I have this one of us!

It was a really fun weekend with the McArthur bunch- March is always a good month!

Impromptu Photoshoot

2011-03-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

While getting LO ready for bath time tonight I realized how perfectly content and happy he was once we took all his clothes and diaper off. He was cooing and smiling and trying to perfect his funny little laugh he has started doing, "no time like the present" I thought for whipping out my little coolpix and catching a few shots of him in the nude! All parents have to have nude pics of their kiddos so they can embarrass them in front of their dates in the future haha! While I highly doubt Cody or I will ever do that it is so fun to look at all the 212 pictures we have of our little guy so far in the first 9.5 weeks of life. Everyone says it and everyone tells you, that they change so fast...they grow so fast...but of course as parents you have to see it to believe it. Boy do we see it! Our little ham sandwich is growing, growing, growing! I love that he is getting bigger and chunkier. Today we played Superman around the house, he loved it, not to mention I loved the crazy arm workout it gave me :) So here is my little hippo ( can you tell I have nicknames for him around here! ) What sort of parent calls their baby a gangster and a tug boat haha I love it, he doesn't care what I call him, lately any time he hasn't seen me in a few minutes and I come back into his range of sight he gives me these huge gorgeous smiles -talk about heart melt :)

...and yes he did pee all over the quilt Great Grandma McArthur made him, good thing its washable!

All Joy and No Fun

2011-03-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

"Martin Seligman, the positive-psychology pioneer who is, famously, not a natural optimist, has always taken the view that happiness is best defined in the ancient Greek sense: leading a productive, purposeful life. And the way we take stock of that life, in the end, isn’t by how much fun we had, but what we did with it. " - Jennifer Senior

I ran across an article yesterday entitled Why Parents Hate Parenting. I was intrigued as to what this article would bring to light about the modern question many couples face, to have children or not? Or at least when to have children? The article is long, but it is a quick read and full of probing questions. I want to highlight some of the sections I found interesting. For the full article click here.

The basis of the article starts off with this data given-

From the perspective of the species, it’s perfectly unmysterious why people have children. From the perspective of the individual, however, it’s more of a mystery than one might think. Most people assume that having children will make them happier. Yet a wide variety of academic research shows that parents are not happier than their childless peers, and in many cases are less so. This finding is surprisingly consistent, showing up across a range of disciplines. Perhaps the most oft-cited datum comes from a 2004 study by Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize–winning behavioral economist, who surveyed 909 working Texas women and found that child care ranked sixteenth in pleasurability out of nineteen activities. (Among the endeavors they preferred: preparing food, watching TV, exercising, talking on the phone, napping, shopping, housework.) This result also shows up regularly in relationship research, with children invariably reducing marital satisfaction. The economist Andrew Oswald, who’s compared tens of thousands of Britons with children to those without, is at least inclined to view his data in a more positive light: “The broad message is not that children make you less happy; it’s just that children don’t make you morehappy.” That is, he tells me, unless you have more than one. “Then the studies show a more negative impact.” As a rule, most studies show that mothers are less happy than fathers, that single parents are less happy still, that babies and toddlers are the hardest, and that each successive child produces diminishing returns. But some of the studies are grimmer than others. Robin Simon, a sociologist at Wake Forest University, says parents are more depressed than nonparents no matter what their circumstances—whether they’re single or married, whether they have one child or four.

The concept that having children reduces happiness, disintegrates marriages and causes stressful financial burden causes one to definitely think first before jumping into the parenthood role. However, all the negative findings simply leave the majority of America, those of us who are parents, rooting for some study, somewhere, to show the benefits of being a parent. Or as this article is trying to figure, are we as parents just deluded into believing there is a benefit?

Before urbanization, children were viewed as economic assets to their parents. If you had a farm, they toiled alongside you to maintain its upkeep; if you had a family business, the kids helped mind the store. But all of this dramatically changed with the moral and technological revolutions of modernity. As we gained in prosperity, childhood came increasingly to be viewed as a protected, privileged time, and once college degrees became essential to getting ahead, children became not only a great expense but subjects to be sculpted, stimulated, instructed, groomed. (The Princeton sociologist Viviana Zelizer describes this transformation of a child’s value in five ruthless words: “Economically worthless but emotionally priceless.”) Kids, in short, went from being our staffs to being our bosses.
“Did you see Babies?” asks Lois Nachamie, a couples counselor who for years has run parenting workshops and support groups on the Upper West Side. She’s referring to the recent documentary that compares the lives of four newborns—one in Japan, one in Namibia, one in Mongolia, and one in the United States (San Francisco). “I don’t mean to idealize the lives of the Namibian women,” she says. “But it was hard not to notice how calm they were. They were beading their children’s ankles and decorating them with sienna, clearly enjoying just sitting and playing with them, and we’re here often thinking of all of this stuff as labor.”
This is especially true in middle- and upper-income families, which are far more apt than their working-class counterparts to see their children as projects to be perfected. (Children of women with bachelor degrees spend almost five hours on “organized activities” per week, as opposed to children of high-school dropouts, who spend two.) Annette Lareau, the sociologist who coined the term “concerted cultivation” to describe the aggressive nurturing of economically advantaged children, puts it this way: “Middle-class parents spend much more time talking to children, answering questions with questions, and treating each child’s thought as a special contribution. And this is very tiring work.” Yet it’s work few parents feel that they can in good conscience neglect, says Lareau, “lest they put their children at risk by not giving them every advantage.”

This is especially interesting as a recent study showed that the leading cause of depression and anxiety in mothers is the drive to be perfect. Perfectionism, in every aspect is limiting us as individuals, mothers and families from spending little if ANY time, ENJOYING THE MOMENT.

I already find myself guilty of this. Scheduled reading time, with books that are at the correct maturation level of my two month old. Scheduled singing time, because singing helps develop language in a different portion of the brain than reading. Scheduled tummy time, because baby needs to condition and exercise his muscles appropriately. It's not wonder that most days, between feedings, naps and activities I find myself almost entirely spent and exhausted. But even more disturbing is some of those days I TRULY feel like I haven't spent any TIME with my baby.

Afew generations ago, people weren’t stopping to contemplate whether having a child would make them happy. Having children was simply what you did. And we are lucky, today, to have choices about these matters. But the abundance of choices—whether to have kids, when, how many—may be one of the reasons parents are less happy.

It wouldn’t be a particularly bold inference to say that the longer we put off having kids, the greater our expectations. “There’s all this buildup—as soon as I get this done, I’m going to have a baby, and it’s going to be a great reward!” says Ada Calhoun, the author of Instinctive Parenting and founding editor-in-chief of Babble, the online parenting site. “And then you’re like, ‘Wait, this is my reward? This nineteen-year grind?’ ”

When people wait to have children, they’re also bringing different sensibilities to the enterprise. They’ve spent their adult lives as professionals, believing there’s a right way and a wrong way of doing things; now they’re applying the same logic to the family-expansion business, and they’re surrounded by a marketplace that only affirms and reinforces this idea. “And what’s confusing about that,” says Alex Barzvi, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU medical school, “is that there are a lot of things that parents can do to nurture social and cognitive development. There are right and wrong ways to discipline a child. But you can’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others and constantly concluding you’re doing the wrong thing.”

This is also a difficult trap to steer from. The article concludes it is much harder in the earlier years, when parenting is new and daunting. The overwhelming sense of inadequacy and lack of knowledge has left me turning right and left gleaning information from every source possible, determined to avoid any mistakes. But isn't that a little unrealistic. And even more frustration can be found by the millions of choices available for who/what/where/why/how for your children. How do you decide? How do I know what is right? They say each child is an individual but thats not what all these charts and graphs and stats represent. It's a lot of pressure to do the RIGHT thing all the time.

Hate to get politics involved, but some of the blame for this "stressed out, perfectionism culture" must come from our society right?

One hates to invoke Scandinavia in stories about child-rearing, but it can’t be an accident that the one superbly designed study that said, unambiguously, that having kids makes you happier was done with Danish subjects. The researcher, Hans-Peter Kohler, a sociology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, says he originally studied this question because he was intrigued by the declining fertility rates in Europe. One of the things he noticed is that countries with stronger welfare systems produce more children—and happier parents.
Of course, this should not be a surprise. If you are no longer fretting about spending too little time with your children after they’re born (because you have a year of paid maternity leave), if you’re no longer anxious about finding affordable child care once you go back to work (because the state subsidizes it), if you’re no longer wondering how to pay for your children’s education and health care (because they’re free)—well, it stands to reason that your own mental health would improve. When Kahneman and his colleagues did another version of his survey of working women, this time comparing those in Columbus, Ohio, to those in Rennes, France, the French sample enjoyed child care a good deal more than its American counterpart. “We’ve put all this energy into being perfect parents,” says Judith Warner, author of Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety, “instead of political change that would make family life better.”

“I’m not watching it,” insists the boy. We’re back to the videotape now, and that den in Los Angeles. Mother and son are still arguing—tensely, angrily—and she’s still pulling on his arm. The boy reaches for the keyboard. “I’m putting it on pause!”
“I want you to do your homework,” his mother repeats. “You are not— ”
“I know,” the son whines. “I’m going to pause it!”
His mother’s not buying it. What she sees is him stalling. She pulls him off the chair.
“No, you’re not,” says his mother. “You’re still not listening!”
“Yes I am!”
“No, you’re not!”
Children may provide unrivaled moments of joy. But they also provide unrivaled moments of frustration, tedium, anxiety, heartbreak. This scene, which isn’t even all that awful or uncommon, makes it perfectly clear why parenting may be regarded as less fun than having dinner with friends or baking a cake. Loving one’s children and loving the act of parenting are not the same thing.
Yet that’s where things get tricky. Obviously, this clip shows how difficult and unpleasant parenting can be. What it doesn’t show is the love this mother feels for her son, which we can pretty much bet has no equal. Nor does it convey that this unpleasant task she’s undertaking is part of a larger project, one that pays off in subtler dividends than simply having fun. Kremer-Sadlik says that she and her fellow researchers were highly conscious of these missing pieces when they gathered each week to discuss their data collection. “We’d all remember the negative things,” she says. “Whereas everything else was between the lines. So it became our moral dilemma: How can we talk about the good moments?” She pauses, and then asks the question that, to a parent (she herself has two children), is probably most relevant of all: “And why were the good moments so elusive?”
The answer to that may hinge on how we define “good.” Or more to the point, “happy.” Is happiness something you experience? Or is it something you think?

Still unsure myself how to answer this question. Perhaps it is because I am only 24 and honestly don't have enough experience or wisdom to asses happiness rightly yet. Or is it that happiness for most of us is a continually evolving, changing process. I do believe that what you think about your situation determines a large portion of any of our emotion, happy or sad, but I know I have also experienced unparalleled moments of happiness that were not directly connected to my thoughts. They were much more physiological.

The article goes on the contemplate the ways in which each of the studies, talked about previously were performed. Were the results effected by the difficult task of assessing one's happiness. Each studied that was performed also used different methods for assessment. Unfortunately there isn't a conversion chart for units of happiness.

When Kahneman surveyed those Texas women, he was measuring moment-to-moment happiness. It was a feeling, a mood, a state. The technique he pioneered for measuring it—the Daily Reconstruction Method—was designed to make people reexperience their feelings over the course of a day. Oswald, when looking at British households, was looking at a condensed version of the General Health Questionnaire, which is best described as a basic gauge of mood: Have you recently felt you could not overcome your difficulties? Felt constantly under strain?Lost much sleep over worry? (What parent hasn’t answered, yes, yes, and God yes to these questions?) As a matter of mood, there does seem to be little question that kids make our lives more stressful.
But when studies take into consideration how rewarding parenting is, the outcomes tend to be different. Last year, Mathew P. White and Paul Dolan, professors at the University of Plymouth and Imperial College, London, respectively, designed a study that tried to untangle these two different ideas. They asked participants to rate their daily activities both in terms of pleasure and in terms of reward, then plotted the results on a four-quadrant graph. What emerged was a much more commonsense map of our feelings. In the quadrant of things people found both pleasurable andrewarding, people chose volunteering first, prayer second, and time with children third (though time with children barely made it into the “pleasurable” category). Work was the most rewarding not-so-pleasurable activity. Everyone thought commuting was both unrewarding and unfun. And watching television was considered one of the most pleasurable unrewarding activities, as was eating, though the least rewarding of all was plain old “relaxing.” (Which probably says something about the abiding power of the Protestant work ethic.)

So when a different group of researchers chose to attempt to decipher the different "types" of happiness people experience the results they experienced were different then the original and highly touted studies done on happiness vs. parenting.

Seven years ago, the sociologists Kei Nomaguchi and Melissa A. Milkie did a study in which they followed couples for five to seven years, some of whom had children and some of whom did not. And what they found was that, yes, those couples who became parents did more housework and felt less in control and quarreled more (actually, only the women thought they quarreled more, but anyway). On the other hand, the married women were less depressed after they’d had kids than their childless peers. And perhaps this is because the study sought to understand not just the moment-to-moment moods of its participants, but more existential matters, like how connected they felt, and how motivated, and how much despair they were in (as opposed to how much stress they were under): Do you not feel like eating? Do you feel like you can’t shake the blues? Do you feel lonely? Like you can’t get going? Parents, who live in a clamorous, perpetual-forward-motion machine almost all of the time, seemed to have different answers than their childless cohorts.

The authors also found that the most depressed people were single fathers, and Milkie speculates that perhaps it’s because they wanted to be involved in their children’s lives but weren’t. Robin Simon finds something similar: The least depressed parents are those whose underage children are in the house, and the most are those whose aren’t.

"This finding seems significant. Technically, if parenting makes you unhappy, you should feel better if you’re spared the task of doing it.

But if happiness is measured by our own sense of agency and meaning, then noncustodial parents lose. They’re robbed of something that gives purpose and reward."

“When you pause to think what children mean to you, of course they make you feel good, the problem is, 95 percent of the time, you’re not thinking about what they mean to you. You’re thinking that you have to take them to piano lessons. So you have to think about which kind of happiness you’ll be consuming most often. Do you want to maximize the one you experience almost all the time”—moment-to-moment happiness—“or the one you experience rarely?” - Daniel Gilbert

Which is fair enough. But for many of us, purpose is happiness—particularly those of us who find moment-to-moment happiness a bit elusive to begin with.

“I think this boils down to a philosophical question, rather than a psychological one,” says Gilovich. “Should you value moment-to-moment happiness more than retrospective evaluations of your life?” He says he has no answer for this, but the example he offers suggests a bias. He recalls watching TV with his children at three in the morning when they were sick. “I wouldn’t have said it was too fun at the time,” he says. “But now I look back on it and say, ‘Ah, remember the time we used to wake up and watch cartoons?’ ” The very things that in the moment dampen our moods can later be sources of intense gratification, nostalgia, delight.

It’s a lovely magic trick of the memory, this gilding of hard times. Perhaps it’s just the necessary alchemy we need to keep the species going. But for parents, this sleight of the mind and spell on the heart is the very definition of enchantment."

For many of us parenthood is something we look forward too. For me, it has been very challenging being a new mother. I have already been told by people I talk to that they are surprised by my honesty. I try not to sugarcoat the cons of parenthood, because it makes me feel relieved to be able to openly share the inadequacies I encounter and help me get the best kind of advice from friends and family I trust and love. Parenthood does bring a sense of reward and happiness to me, but like with anything that you pour your heart and soul into it is an incredible amount of work and sacrifice. Learning to balance yourself, your needs, the needs of your husband, the needs of your marriage, duties of your house, finances, extended family, it takes time and practice. I am not ashamed to admit that I am not perfect at it, and the expectation to be perfect right from the beginning is unfair and unrealistic to mothers. I am going to make mistakes as a parent. The sooner I can accept that, the happier I will be, the less time I spend stressing out, being anxious and worried about if I am doing the right thing for my little one. While I don't plan on giving up his scheduled time, I do need to give myself some leniency. Give into my heart once and while and stop beating myself up for the days and times when we don't get things done. The more time I can spend enjoying those little, special moments with my little man, being calm and content the happier mother I will be and a better mother I will be able to be because of that.

So now that you have read the highlights and my thoughts I AM DYING TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!

Celebrating Our Second Anniversary

2011-03-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

For our anniversary this year Cody was in charge of planning it because I planned our lava hot springs vacation last year. So we knew we couldn't leave to go somewhere for more than a night because I am just not ready to leave the little guy for that long. His two month birthday also happened to be on our exact anniversary date 3.14. So Cody surprised me with an afternoon at the Skin Institute. We both got herbal body wraps that tighten and detoxify your body. They took about an hour to complete pretty much you are naked with little towels over you and then they scrub your body with this hard brush type thing to open your skin, then they apply this really awesome tingly lotion. After that they start applying hot towels soaked in some type of herbal treatment to the different parts of your whole body. When they are done wrapping you in hot towels then they wrap you with this plastic wrap that kind of suctions to the hot towels and seals the heat in. Then they wrap two light blankets around the whole thing so you are just like one huge burrito. They do this cool type of massage through the blankets and then they let you sit and "bake"for another twenty minutes. After the first thing I noticed about my skin was how soft and smooth it was. I didn't notice until I was butt naked in front of a mirror that my skin looked SO much tighter and firmer, I mean I would know, I just had a baby and the skin on my stomach literally looked like it had snapped back in just a few hours, I want to go get another one!

After that I got a pedicure for another hour and they did such an amazing job on my foot massage, I got so pampered, I love going to the spa! This is the polish I chose, I am so in love with bronzey metallics right now!

After that we checked into our Anniversary Inn. We got upgraded to the Grand Bridal Suite, it was really beautiful, but it was kind of funny because I kept thinking that brides and grooms come here fresh from the SL temple! It was cool to be there as a couple who has been married for two years!

After that we went to one of our new fave restaurants in SLC. Cannella's. It is authentic Italian like I have never tasted before, they have some of your traditional pasta dishes but the menu has so much more to offer and they use such fresh veggies and herbs. Everything has beautiful vegetables in it, just look at this Capresse salad.

Happy wifey getting ready to eat!

Two years baby and going strong!

My delicious chicken marsala above with a cream wine sauce and button mushrooms, it is so good!

Cody got a shrimp dish, I can't remember the name but he loved it too, just look at those fresh basil

leaves!

Cody surprised me with a beautiful white gold, diamond wedding band. I wanted one last year but we decided to wait on it. We were having trouble finding the band that I wanted because I wanted one that sat below my engagement ring not one that was flush to it. Cody found, bought and surprised me with the perfect one.

A super thin delicate band with the same scalloped edges as my engagement ring. I love that it is so fine and dainty, I am happy that I now have something to wear to the gym or while doing housework that won't get knocked on other things, look how beautiful it looks all together.

It was a wonderful anniversary we spent so much time relaxing and sleeping! Thanks Grandma Mac for taking Gage for us for the day and night, it was hard to leave him but it was a nice break to be with just us two!

rebirth

2011-03-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

After Gage's birth and my recovery i feel as though, i have been rebirthed! feeling like my old self again but in a new way, as a mommy discovering the new and wonderful about life with a baby. i am grateful that i was able to experience new levels of incapacity during my pregnancy and recovery so that i no longer take for granted the abilities, freedoms and independence my body has. i feel so grateful. grateful for the simple things. like running a mile. lifting the laundry baskets. eating pizza and not getting raging heartburn. it's awesome. i love my son and i def. want more children but i just do NOT like pregnancy and you know what, i don't have too!

cody and i have been having a fun time celebrating birthdays and getting out more with our friends and family. we are finding a balance of those times when we take gage with us, leave him with family to be babysat or host things at our house so we can put him to bed and still have our friends and family over to enjoy some much needed social time with adults! here are some pictures of stuff we have been up too!

cody and chris's birthday dinner at ruby river

birthday dinner for Cody at Chili's with our McArthur family

(aunt katie and uncle cory with gage)

mommy and gage

finally able to fit into some of my pre-pregnancy jeans! YES!

home-made cafe rio night and games at our house

we have had a great time with our friends and family!

Cody and I just celebrate our 2nd anniversary, more to come on that next post!

Help Emergency Relief in Japan

2011-03-11T10:07:00.000-08:00

For those who are interested in donating to emergency relief in

Japan, you can do so through the LDS philanthropies website.

You need to create an account and then specify what you want your donations to go towards, for example, if you want them to go to Japan you can select Emergency Relief. There is a donate online option. The LDS church helped victims of natural disasters in 58 countries last year alone! Help spread the word and donate even a little if you can!

There Are Many Ways to Give

Nothing but pictures...

2011-03-09T21:19:00.000-08:00

I swear things have been going on in our life. In fact the last two weeks we have been surprisingly busy. Unfortunately though we haven't been super good about taking pictures of our outings and important events, we have been super good at taking pictures of our adorable 7 week old on our iphones. Most of you are my FB friends so I don't want to wear you out with so much Gage. Anyway I do need to write about the fun weekend we had with friends and family blessing our sweet angel baby. My family came in from out of town and it was the first time my sister and dad got to meet little Gageybear. It was precious, we had a great time, but it does seem to fly by. I wish Kim and Jake could just live closer, like really close, like in our basement or something ;)

Well I will update you on the happenings shortly, I hope you all don't mind blogs with no pictures, something I don't mind but maybe you are a little bit more like Alice.

Alice: I'm sorry, but how can one possibly pay attention to a BLOG with no pictures in it?

Sister: My dear child, there are a great many good BLOGS in this world without pictures.

Alice: In this world perhaps. But in my world, the BLOGS would be nothing but pictures.

Sister: Your world? Huh, what nonsense. Now...

Smile for me!

2011-02-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

Officially the best housewife ever!

2011-02-24T21:58:00.000-08:00

NOT!

Today was officially awesome

Sorry to be a drag but I don't know how some moms do it! Cody and I have been working really hard on sticking to a routine and a getting on a schedule for baby, part of that schedule includes me keeping baby active and awake while trying to make dinner. We try to keep baby awake so that he will be nice and tired when we bathe him, feed him and put him to bed. Well, today I attempted to make some spicy meatballs and spaghetti and garlic toast. I was handling it all, juggling baby and mixing my ingredients, feeling all Martha Stewart-ish when I open the oven to see my homemade garlic toast burnt black and rolls of smoke come tumbling out of the oven. Oh SH** ! I grab a potholder and run the pan of smokey toast out the back door, just in time to hear the fire alarms start blaring! AWESOME! Now baby is startled, crying, screaming and I am attempted to juggle the rest of the spaghetti noodles, marinara, the brocolli I am microwaving is bubbling over. By the time dinner is ready to eat, the noodles are cold, Cody has tried scraping the blackness off the garlic toast in order to salvage some, so I don't cry, but then we cut into our delicious spicy meatballs to see delicious pink uncooked ground beef :( uggghhh all Cody can do is laugh and laugh and say he hasn't seen me this frazzled in a long time. Then I say, I don't want to be good at cooking anyway, so there, take that! I am so not a perfect housewife, not even close... I don't know how other people do it. Maybe practice? I don't know but right now, I don't even WANT to practice, for the next little while, we are getting take out!

Why so obsessed?

2011-02-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

My cousin Clayton had this posted on his FB wall a few days ago. I couldn't help but share this with the bloggy world. It's super interesting, why the obsession with all the Mormon Mommy Blogs? Salon.com writer, Emily Matchar, discusses the worlds obsession with Mormon housewives blogs with a positive and practical spin.

Check it out HERE

Flawless is...

A High Tea Baby Shower

2.4.12

Time Out for Women 2011

November 2011

The Best Month of the Year

There should be a name for the smell of fresh-cut-summer grass

The Power of Font

DIY Feather Wreath

Easy Fall Candle Decor and More

Tulle Wreath Tutorial

I am

It's Late Where I'm At

Check it out!

Please Reassure Me

In LOVE

Color Splash Miami?

Show me your bed!

Last Year

Nursery Decor

Vent Session 2

The All American Weekend

Brow Power

Did Someone Say Sephora?

Fathers Day

action is everything, intention is foolishness

Alma 37:6

Please wear seersucker this summer

sweet sweet summer

Today is one of those days

Love for Clara

you can quote me on this...

came across this quote and i just needed it today...True love doesn't have a happy ending:True love doesn't have an ending.sigh. warm welcome sigh.those words just warm my heart. what are some of your favorite quotes?

Time flies

When you don't have any time to think because you have a 4 month old baby!WAHOO! Love this little chunk!

Surviving Pregnancy Part 1

Chelle Belle

This or That?

This oil is great for over processed/dried/bleached/colored hair. If you have extensions this is a must-have. It keeps hair hydrated and you can use it like a serum.

I have used this bleaching kit four times now, it also comes with a plastic tray that you put over your gel. I only use it for no more that 8-10 min. at a time and about once a week or my teeth get a little sensitive but it has made them really white!

The color payoff is incredible on these and they are rich and creamy, my favorite is the copper color, it makes blue eyes POP! I like the eyeshadow quality almost more than my MAC shadows. This is a big compact and there is a lot of shadow in them, it's a great deal!

Hope you enjoyed my most recent This or That post, I will continue to do these in the future as I contrast and compare brands and quality! Hope you ladies out there are being beauty smart and money savvy!

Water for Elephants

Inspired by the recent movie which I really liked, I would give it a solid B plus, I went with a circus theme for the blog, for more info about what inspires me and how I go about getting ideas, backgrounds, fonts and themes for the blog, leave a comment and I will do a blog design inspired post!

Summer In the South

Happy Easter

How do you leave your past in your past?

Been having a lot of thoughts of inadequacy lately and have been trying to process these thoughts, so what better way then to type them out haha you know me so well! This post has a lot more to do with just this one example but I need to start somewhere....

Anyways as some of you know, I have been an Achievement Days leader now for a few months. I taught a lesson this Tuesday on the Proclamation to the Family which you can read Here.

A few things I've noticed about myself

totally burnt :( trying to get my tan on and fried my poor self

A tale of two babies

A McArthur Family Weekend

On Sunday we celebrated Steve and Karen's birthday! Isn't it wild that my in-laws have the SAME birthday! My sister-in-laws were telling us that when they were little, they thought that you had to have the same birthday as your husband or wife in order to get married! Super Funny!

It was a really fun weekend with the McArthur bunch- March is always a good month!

Impromptu Photoshoot

...and yes he did pee all over the quilt Great Grandma McArthur made him, good thing its washable!

All Joy and No Fun

Celebrating Our Second Anniversary

rebirth

Help Emergency Relief in Japan

Nothing but pictures...

Smile for me!

Officially the best housewife ever!

Why so obsessed?

came across this quote and i just needed it today...

True love doesn't have a happy ending:
True love doesn't have an ending.

sigh.
warm welcome sigh.
those words just warm my heart.

what are some of your favorite quotes?

When you don't have any time to think because you have a 4 month old baby!
WAHOO! Love this little chunk!