Rosies Mexican Cantina

Just in case you didn't know.... this is my FAVORITE place to eat. I could eat here every single day. Many times a day. The food is fresh and simple; it's always clean, the service is amazing, and the ambiance is cozy and quirky. Oh... and our family of four can eat for under $20, so basically I'm in love. If you go, smother every thing you eat with queso blanco, but be careful, you may just fall in love too. :)

I'm an Old Lady

This officially makes me an old woman.

Food Fireworks and Rockets

We had the opportunity to go to the Davidson Center to sample some food under the Saturn V rocket, spend time with family, look at some of the space and rocket center's exhibits, and watch fireworks. I thought the fireworks might be a little too loud for Maddi, but she just snuggled up to me and pointed at the sky saying "oh, pretty!" after each firework. I enjoyed wandering around with Drew and looking at all of the rockets and space suits and reading the quirky little facts that no one ever notices on the exhibit signs. With beautiful weather, family, and a beautiful backdrop it was a perfect night!

Family Love

I have been one happy girl this week! We've had tons of family in town, and I've enjoyed every single second I've been able to spend with them.

Grandma and Grandpa always bring little surprises, and this visit Grandpa also brought a special gift from his brother Gary. I am feeling SO loved!






While my brothers were here, we were able to meet Mikey and my sisters at the park. The kids always love spending time together, and seeing them all together makes my heart happy.

More Safari

We had such a fun time on this trip. I was so surprised to find this little gem so close to home. I have a million more pictures that I could post, but I guess I'll just settle with these.

Harmony Park Safari

Drew's baptism

Drew was baptized this Sunday. As he stood in the waters of baptism, gratitude swept over me. Gratitude that he'd chosen to follow the example of our Savior. Gratitude that I have been blessed with such a sweet, kind, and compassionate young man. Gratitude that I am a mother... that I get to know love in its purest form. It was a perfect day.

My Testimony

I know God loves me.
I go to church to learn about Jesus.
I’m thankful for my family.
I want to be baptized just like Jesus.
I try to be good just like Jesus.

Andrew Glouner
Age 8

A Text

I had a night so horrible it yielded this text to my husband...

Don't be alarmed when you come home. I know it looks like an animal was slaughtered on our carpet, but everyone it still alive.

I left Maddi alone for 3 minutes to finish writing an e-mail and then grab a diaper for her, and she managed to get strawberries and squish them beyond recognition. Then she danced on their remnants making quite the work of art on our carpets. oh, but she wasn't done yet. She still had one whole minute of destruction to go before I returned, so she took advantage of the opportunity and grabbed a few goldfish crackers to add a little texture to the mix and then topped it off with a little poop. Yes. poop. My poor carpet. Needless to say, this strawberry fiasco wasn't on my to-do list, and the rest of my night was total chaos. Oh, the joys of motherhood.

A Slumber Party in the Trunk

A birthday party. A friend.

I've loved this little man since he was a just thought, a daydream, my friend's sacred wish. Now he's a ONE YEAR OLD, always busy, and ready to taste the world. Thank you for letting us celebrate this special day with you.

You Can Call Me Martha Stewart.

I made this with my very own hands... literally... my sewing machine broke half way through.

The story started like this...



Drew is starting cub scouts (YAY!), so we went to purchase the necessities at the local Boy Scouts of America store. I walked in and told the lady what I needed because I quickly became lost in a sea of khaki, badges, and pocket knives.
We finished gathering all of the items when the sales lady looked judgingly at me and said, "All we have left to pick out are the badges. You can't sew can you sweetie?"
What?!? I bit my tongue, smiled, and said, "Of course I can." She ever so quickly rebutted, "well sure you do dear, but we have the iron on ones if you need them." What?!? Do I just not look like the nurturing, motherly, sewing type? "I'll take the sewer-oner ones" I hastily replied like a crafty genius.
Well, that night, I sewed alright. I sewed those badges on THREE times and they were crooked every single time. So, I gave up on the badges and cracked out the pretty fabric.
Now, as the situation clearly unfolds, you can see that when the sewing machine broke ten minutes into my project there was no turning back. A dress HAD to be made. And now, sadly, the badges will have to be ironed on. Now if I can just remember how to iron..... just kidding ;)

The Aftermath

Sometimes I feel like I'm living in the aftermath of an earthquake... an event that is so traumatic it now defines our time. We tell stories prefaced with 'when grandpa was still alive' or 'after grandma and grandpa died' as if all time ended and then began again on that day.
I wish grief was a single experience. Something I could endure and then put away. Instead it comes in burning waves. A place, a smell, a sound and my heart tremors in the aftershock. Sometimes I simply forget they're gone. Maddi does something new and I go to call them. I see someone in the distance and my heart leaps for joy... until I realize it isn't them. Each new joy is dampened by loss.
I wonder what they would think. Would they like our new home? would they be in love with their granddaughter? I almost feel guilty for continuing to live and grow and change.
Today, I'm remembering John. Yearning for one more day... one more second. Happy Birthday. We miss you.

Spirited Art Class Minus the Spirits

I (prepare to be shocked) went out last night... by MYSELF, no kids, no hubby, just my gal pals (gasp!), and I had SOOOOOOO much fun!
A few weeks ago Stephanie called to invite me to a Spirited Art Class. At first I thought we were going to be painting pictures of Jesus which I was totally up for, but then she told me it was the other kind of spirited (oops.) I can be kind of niave some times, but I showed up any way with my bottled water ready to party sober-paintbrush style.
It was so nice to escape into the world of colors and creativity. For three whole hours I didn't have a single responsibility. I just had to sit and breathe and create. Bliss.

Cathedral Caverns