Things: that make me happy

To see what the heck I am talking about go here.

The five things that make me happy right now are...

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love studying, reading, learning. I am grateful for what it brings to my life and how it changes me.

2. My amazing family. Immediate and extended, but especially these guys.

3. Dancing. With my husband in the kitchen, with my kids while I clean, to wake myself up, or while I do the laundry. Doesn't matter. I love it.


4. Nap time - or rather when two naps sync up. This allows me some much needed R&R.

5. A good book. Nothing is better. Except maybe a book in a hot bath. Speaking of which...

Easter 2012

 So I don't have a lot of pictures from Easter. Barrett was teething and slept terribly the night before so the day was a little rough.

Jer went out and hid eggs earlier and then we met up with one of Addie's friends to hunt easter eggs. We only got video of the kids hunting.

I did take Addie out for Easter pictures.

I can't believe how big she is getting. sigh.

Sorry there wasn't more footage :( but I have many more updates coming.

Things: To my 16 year old self

Just as a side note: I moved when I was 16 years old. It was a hard period of life for me.

1. Things are going to be hard. You will learn invaluable lessons from these things and they will make you a better person. Hold on, keep your head up.
2.  Be nicer to your siblings. Build relationships with them and maintain them through out your life.
3.  The Lord is on your side.
4. Make goals for yourself. Lay out a plan of what you would like to accomplish in this life. If you aren't able to do everything you want, don't sweat it.
5. Those values you have, they are right. I know it is hard to see even 2 years down the road but every sacrifice you make, the blessings will be returned 10 fold.
6. Choose your friends wisely even if it means choosing no friends. It's okay, you will have some amazing friends later on.
7. Don't let someone's inability to help you stop your progress. There are other outlets.
8. Trust the Spirit. Trust your instincts.
9. Keep active in sports and exercise. Find a love for it. It is easy now, but if you work on this now future you will appreciate it.
10. That Prince Charming you are looking for. He exists.

Things: Parents

I started this post immediately after finishing the last one. One reason was so I could put the fears post behind me. But way more importantly, because I was rather excited about this topic.

Today we have describe your relationship with you parents. I have amazing parents. Never once have I doubted their love for me. Countlessly they have sacrifice for my sake and happiness and I wouldn't trade them for the world!

My mother. I think my mother is one of the strongest women I have ever known. She has endured a lot in her lifetime and still comes out with her head held high. She is amazingly compassionate and hard working. She is a little zany at times but they are things that we laugh about later. She believes in doing the right thing and standing for truth.

As a kid, my mother always tried her hardest to make sure we had fun. Should would take us on vacation, sometimes alone. She would do parties, scavenger hunts, sing songs in the car, mini dates, and play hide and seek all the time. I often saw her sacrifice things she wanted, sometimes needed, because her kids wanted or needed. There were times where we didn't always get along, though our relationship has never wavered. She stood beside me help me through any difficulty that was going on in my life, even though she might be far from where I was or having a hard time herself.

My father is also incredible. He works like no other person to provide for his family. He is loyal. He is thoughtful. He is the funny in the intense moments of life. He is way laid back (if anyone wants to know where I got this from, it is from this man.) I have seen him upset maybe twice in my life and I know I deserved it one time and some else deserved it the other time.


As a kid, I remember my dad as superman. He was so fun and I loved him so. As I grew older he had to work a lot more, but I never doubted his love for me, my siblings, or my mother. As a matter of fact I felt that it was proof of his love for us that he would sacrifice so much for us. He has always been a shining example of what a father should be.

Now I know I went into this whole explanation of who my parents are, but that was the best way I could think to describe who they are to me. They have been my teacher, my best friend, my rock, my light. They are my example. I hope that I am as good a parent to my kids as they were to me. I consider them one of the greatest blessings of my life.

I love them with my whole heart.

Things: Fears

Today we are doing Three legitimate fears and how they became fears. I had to think a while about this one. I don't really consider myself a fearful person.

One thing popped in my head immediately. My children. I know the plan of salvation and I know that they will be with me after this life is over. I am not even fearful of death per say, (1) I worry that they will go in some terrible way. I would imagine this is every mothers fear.

 (2) I get creeped out by bumps in the night. Especially when Jer isn't with me. The first time I noticed it was when I was a teenager babysitting at people's house. I have made Jeremy get up countless times to check things out. Jeremy knows to announce his presence if I think he isn't home because I tend to find something sharp if I am alone and hear something.

Okay, so I don't really have this fear anymore but I thought it was worth a mention (especially since I can't think of anything more). (3) I use to be deathly afraid of Wolves. I had this reoccurring dream where I got attacked by a pack and got munched on. Needless to say it freaked me out.

Things: Random facts

I find it hard to talk about myself. Does everyone have this trouble? Anyway, here are my 20 random Facts

1. I love my family.
2. My major in College was History. I was planning on becoming an archeologist or curator.
3. Nothing moves me quite like music.
4. I read a lot. Currently, not so much. Something seems to be taking my free time...
5. I love period films, especially based off books.
6. I can't fall asleep while watching a movie.
7. I secretly believe I am an amazing photographer ;)
8. Dancing is one of my all time favorite things to do.
9. I enjoy baking, but I find cooking meals annoying.
10. I love musicals. Something I am sure I inherited from my mother.
11. I check my email daily unless I don't have internet access. I habit that I got into when I got a blackberry several years ago.
12. I have an external sinus duct. In high school I told people it was a piercing. Many people believed me.
13. I hate beets. A lot.
14. I was in movies and tv shows when I was younger.
15. Hi, My name is Maria. It has been 12 hours since my last pin...
16.  I have always wanted to go to a mascaraed ball. With big pretty dresses, like from Phantom of the Opera.
17. I am discovering I am an organizing dork.
18. Currently taking on P90x. It's kicking my butt.
19. I feel socially awkward when I am not studying my scriptures. It is weird.
20. I have been working on my family history, and I love it.

Whew, it took a while but I did it! Day one. Check!

My 30 things :)

Ah, the wonderful world of Pinterest. I found an idea and now I want to do it.

I originally thought it was questions to ask your spouse but when I went to looked at the link I saw the lady had answered the question on her blog as a sort of memoir for her kids.

"Oh this would go along with your New Years resolutions" I thought to myself. So now I am going to attempt to do the same thing. I changed a few things but you can see the original list at Hope and Dreams.


My List:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. List 10 things you would tell your engaged/early married self.
11. Describe 5 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. Favorite animal/pets and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

 
I am really excited about this so tune in and I will be posting soon!

Keep you eye on...

We haven't dropped the ball. We are holding on tightly to it. We just happened to pass out from exhaustion. :)

I will be throwing up easter and our new apt soon. Just as soon as I find my camera chord and get a moment to breathe. Love you all!