family, pain, Struggles

Injuries and pain

2017 has been a banner year for my family with injuries, broken bones, and visits to the urgent care. Just this year we have had- A broken collar bone and subsequent surgery (16 year old, skiing through obstacles… didn’t work out as planned) Second degree burns on two legs (15 year old, riding a motorcycle,… Read More Injuries and pain

education, reading

I don’t read books

I enjoy reading… or at least I think I do. I can’t really remember the last time I had uninterrupted time to read. …Wait, I do remember, it was nine years ago, after the birth of my sixth child. My sister told me about this great book series, called “Twilight.” I am not ashamed to… Read More I don’t read books

blogging, education, family, school

Accidental blogger

I accidentally got a job. I know normally, getting a job is not something that happens accidentally, but my life is not very normal. It all started when my husband and I went to dinner with some new friends. As we got to know each other, my friend (Jennie Sue), encouraged me to start a… Read More Accidental blogger

family, Struggles

Almost a perfect house

My husband and I love designing and building homes. We built our first home shortly after we moved to Idaho. We didn’t have a lot of money or very many kids (at the time), but we knew what kind of house we wanted to build. We picked a small town outside of Boise (mostly because… Read More Almost a perfect house

friends, love, running, Struggles

Friends?

I have always wanted to be everyone’s friend. I have worked hard to make friends and to build meaningful friendships. For twelve years, I lived in a small town. I thought that I had made great friendships. I cared about them and I thought they cared about me. Then, a girlfriend asked me to help her… Read More Friends?

family

Good Hair Days

I love fixing my girl’s hair. Sometimes they tell me what they want. Sometimes I just figure it out as I go. I always use a squirt bottle to soften the tangles and to help it lay smoother. I have also found that medium sized elastics work best on my kids hair.

family, home

Sand castles on the beach

  I like having a clean house. It makes me happy. It makes me feel like my life is wonderful and orderly. When my house is clean, I feel like I can conquer the world. The problem is, I have kids. Kids are terribly messy. No matter what I do, keeping the house clean is… Read More Sand castles on the beach

faith, family, love, Struggles

Leaving the church sucks

I wish that I could say that leaving the church has brought me increased happiness. I wish that I could say that my life has deeper meaning and purpose. I with that I could say that I have found a new set of beliefs to teach my children. For a long time, I even wished that… Read More Leaving the church sucks

family, food, home

Secrets of Good Homemade Bread

I have had lots of people ask me why my bread tastes so good… here are my secrets. … Read More Secrets of Good Homemade Bread

family, love, motherhood

A new stage of motherhood

I love being a mom. I have loved all of the phases of motherhood. I haven’t always been a good mom (sometimes I’ve been pretty awful), but I have always loved my kids. Motherhood- phase 1 Babies I loved my babies. I loved smelling them and feeling their soft skin. I loved nursing them and… Read More A new stage of motherhood

faith, love, Missionary work

Missionary Work

I loved to sing this song when I was in primary (Sunday school for kids under the age of 12),   I want to be a missionary now “I want to be a missionary now. I don’t want to wait until I’m grown. I want to share the gospel while I’m young, For I have… Read More Missionary Work

faith, food, Struggles

Is Drinking Bad?

I did not drink any alcohol for the first 39 years of my life. I didn’t try it in high school. I didn’t go out to a bar when I turned 21. I believed all alcohol was bad for me- physically, emotionally and spiritually. Most of my friends and family didn’t drink alcohol, so it… Read More Is Drinking Bad?

family, friends, running

Running away from it all

I love to run. I know I am crazy. Backstory:  It’s not my fault. I grew up with a crazy father who loved to run incredibly long races (like 100 freaking miles long).  I started running at age twelve, so I could be just like him (crazy). He helped me train and run my first… Read More Running away from it all

modesty

Heaven and a Bikini

I grew up in California, so naturally I love swimming, laying out by the pool, going to the beach and water skiing. Being in the sun was (and still is) my favorite. I was taught that modesty was very important, so I always wore a one piece swim suit. At church I learned that dressing… Read More Heaven and a Bikini

love

99 First dates

Growing up Mormon, my biggest goal in life was to get married to the perfect guy (and then have the perfect family). I was (and still am) a very organized and logical girl, so I made a plan; Date 100 different guys This didn’t mean that I was serious with any of them. In fact,… Read More 99 First dates