Lauren Loves {Groundhogs Day Edition}

Yesterday was not the best. I started writing a post about it and decided not to publish it.. oh man I was just whining and whining.. it felt good to get it off my chest but no body needs to hear/read it. Basically kids were sick and my 20 week ultrasound was delayed and I was sad.

The day ended well though. Dustin took the day off for the ultrasound and it ended up being good that he was home to help me with the kids. He bought groceries and made dinner. It was wonderful and I love him.

Today, yesterday was still weighing on my mind and I didn't like that. Today is also Groundhogs Day. Not a special or amazing day on any terms. Just a fun day. A day where, when you are in kindergarten you get to make silly hats and when you are an adult you get to watch Bill Murray kill himself over and over again until he realizes what life is really about.

And that's when it hit me. Its Groundhogs Day! Sure the year has started off a little rough, kinda crappy... but today things can be different. I can make them different. Even if I feel fat and ugly and the kids are sick, again. I've got it really, reeeeeaaaaalllly good and I need to remember that. So I've decided to just be happy and forget about the things that don't matter. Life IS good. It really is.

Instead of repeating the day over and over again.. because I don't live in a movie.. I made a list of things that I love right now, things that make me happy. Don't feel like you have to read them all. Some are funny, all are true, but they are for me.

Lauren loves....

That Luke carries three binkies around with him. One in each hand and one in his mouth, switching them up every once and a while.

Reading up on my Chadburn relatives from St. Thomas, in preparation for this.

This article about the Nelson family's performace and Mark's reaction to being called called a "little cowboy" --- "I'm not a very little cowboy, I'm a big cowboy!!"

Watching the kids and Dustin play Mario Brothers.

When Mark talks about his primary teach, Sister Boren and calls her "Sister Boring" -- although I would die if she knew that.

Allie's list of things for us to do on our next girls day -- eting, noo clos, crafs, nal pallish. Go to Mscet, Sajorj and Losfagis. (Eating, new clothes, crafts, nail polish. Go to Mesquite, St. George and Las Vegas)

Pinterest.

That five minute window you get in the mornings to snuggle with your busy toddler before they are really awake and into everything.

Listening to Allie play the violin.

Having Family Home Evening.

Freshly waxed eyebrows and girl talk with my cousin.

The beadboard Dustin just installed in my kitchen (squueee!) and the bench he is making for our entry way.

When Estefan and Mark create amazing things out of legos and line them all up in a big lego parade.

Croutons.

Feeling the baby move.

When Luke runs to me with his arms out.

and I even love that we're having six more weeks of winter because...

When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney the Nelson home and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.

BING!

Lauren Loves **cell phone pix edition**

1. A love note left on my dirty truck

2. Lunch at the Scoop

3. My kids

4. Breakfast on the back porch

5. When the militia comes to town

6. The new paint in Allie's room (more pictures to come!)

7. My new (old) sewing table

Hope you have a lovely Tuesday!

Lauren Loves {April Fools Edition}

Happy April Fool's Day!

I love April Fool's Day. It makes me happy. Not because I play tricks on people. Actually I really suck at that.

I love it because its the anniversary of these two fools' first kiss.

Its funny, because then next day Dustin wasn't sure if I was just playing a trick on him or not! So every year on April 1st I give Dustin a kiss and reassure him that I'm still not joking!

So what else do I love about today?

1. Estefan

A week ago today, Estefan got his tonsils out. I'm not happy about that -- I'm happy with the abundance of ice cream and popsicles that are now in the house! Estefan is doing really well and healing up nicely, and I'm happy about that too!!

2. Allie

Allie cracks me up! She has watched the Princess and the Frog so many times that she is starting to talk with a southern accent! My favorite is "ya'll" and she is always saying, "Thanya evnin staw" Too cute!

3. Mark

Heather bought herself a duck for Easter. She brought it over to the house to let the kids see. Mark loved it. I thought he was going to cry when she left with it. But, last night she got a call from my sister Ashley, "Hey guys, that duck you bought was next to the ducks that had chicken mites. They don't think your duck has chicken mites but it could, so I wanted to tell you. But I don't think it does, but it might."

Gee, thanks! Just what we wanted for Easter -- chicken mites. However, I am happy to report that the ducks don't have mites and we are all ok! We might have to get Mark his own mite-free duck for his birthday!

4. The Fair

I am so happy and excited for the fair to come! Remember my list from last year? I fully intend to do everything on it this year too!!

5. Eclipse

If you aren't aware by now, let me tell you a secret.. I am a Twi-freak. I am and its ok. I am happy with that fact. I am also happy to announce that today there is less than 90 days til the premiere of Eclipse!!!

6. Daffodils and Tulips

I planted some Easter-y flowers the other day! I love them they make me happy when I look at them. Also I love that Allie says that Thumbelina lives inside the Tulips. :)

7. General Conference

I am happy about Conference this weekend. I love to hear from our Church leaders. President Monson and President Utctdorf are two of my favorites!

8. Easter

I'm also happy that conference is on Easter Sunday. How appropriate that we get to listen to our Church leaders council on the day we celebrate Christs' atonement.

9. Easter Eggs

I'm happy we get to dye Easter eggs this weekend too. :)

10. LOLCATZ

These crazy cats make me happy. Don't let anyone getz u today!

Happy Fool's Day!!

What Does Lauren Love?

Well hellooooooo my friends.

I am happy.
I have a fire in my fireplace, I just ate a cookie and the laundry is all folded.
My husband will be home from work soon and my kids are playing happily in the next room.

What could be better?

Not much!

I'm super happy about some other things too!!
Want to know what they are? Here goes...

in list form of course. Its just how I roll.

1. My Funky New Christmas-y Blog Look
I wasn't ever super happy with my last design. I'm not sure I'm totally in love with this one either.. but we'll try it on for size. Its colorful and fun. Just like me.. "I'm not crazy, I'm colorful!" If you can name the movie that came from I'll give you 10 cool points!

2. This Book

I am dumbstruck by the awesome-ness of this book. I literally could not put it down for a week. I cooked with it, I slept with it, I ate with it... and so on.
Its all about the missionaries who were called to the Hole in the Rock settlement. It follows about a twenty year span.. from the main character David living in England, working in the coal mines at age 6 to him coming to American, falling love and gaining a testimony of the Church.
Read it, you'll love it.

3. This Book

Do you have little boys? Do they always wake up with cowlick hair?
Well I do and yes.
In this book we find out how little boys get cowlicks at night.. well from a cow of course!
I think I'm going to get it for Mark for Christmas.

4. I sewed!!
Don't mention how crazy I look in this picture.. I know.. it was late at night.
See the cute little black ruffle at the bottom of this super cute dress? I added it!!
The dress was too short, so I fixed it right up! Modest is hottest, you know!

5. The Temple

Ok, you caught me... the dress is my sisters. I want it really bad though. I made it modest for her, so she could wear it to the temple! Ashley went through the temple for the first time last Friday and she's getting married tomorrow!

6. My Hair
I got my hair done the other day. And I loooooove it. I'm so blond. I joked and said I look like Lucius Malfoy, but after looking at this picture, I've decided I'm way cuter than Mr. Mean ol' Malfoy.. I'm just similarly as blond.


7. Iron Man
Yes, I think I'm the last person on Earth to watch this movie. But I thought it was really good. It was just the right amount of cheesy-ness and action mixed in. Plus when we were watching it Dustin looked over at me and said,
"What's that guys name?"
"Robert Downey Jr."
"Really? I like his Christmas music."
"BAAHAAAHAHAAA HAA! You're thinking of Harry Connick Jr!"
"Oh. Shut up."
(not the Iron Man)

8. This Movie

Speaking of Rob Downey Jr... I want to see this movie. Anybody else?

9. An Award

My super cool, hot mama blogging friend Connie gave me this fun award! Thanks girl!!!

10. This Picture

OK... so this picture doesn't make me happy but it does make me laugh!

I hope the holiday season is making you happy and not stressing you out!

The End.

we haven't been up to much...

I love capturing silly moments. Mark does this a lot. I'm surprised I don't have more pictures of him digging for gold!

Anyway, I haven't posted anything for a while. I thought it was because I've just been busy.. but then I thought, no.. we just haven't been up to much!

Here's a few things we've been up to this week...

1. Playing

2. Saying Good-Bye
Saturday afternoon we had a big family party for Jack and Gaye. {Of course I forgot my camera :P}
On Sunday we enjoyed their wonderful talks, said good bye and they left for the MTC.
They reported Monday morning and are doing great. In just a few days they'll be headed to Texas. We miss them already!

3. Partying
My sister, Ashley, is getting married in about a month and we threw her a bridal shower last week!
Heather ~ Me ~ Ashley

It was super fun. I just realized where the saying "Blushing Bride" comes from!!
Is she blushing? I think sooo....

4. Waiting
Now I'm just waiting patiently for November 20th to roll around.
Since I'm a Twi-freako, I'm working on a t-shirt design for me and my freako friends.
I'm thinking something like this...

The End :)

{Lauren Loves} Autumn Excitment

I bought the kids these Halloween pajamas back in September and ever since then they asked everyday,

"When is it Halloween Mom?" or "Is it Halloween today?"

Soooooo I made this Halloween countdown!

I was inspired by this super cute blog!

I got the magnet board from Roberts craft store and I made the pieces using Megan Turnidge's kit, Cooky Spooky.

Hurry and go buy it!! You only get the Cooky Spooky Treats add on FREE til 10/09!!

Now the kids now exactly how many days til Halloween!!

Maybe another reason they are excited for Halloween is because we picked our pumpkins!
Don't you just love our cute little pumpkin family?!
I can't wait to carve crazy faces in them!

I hope the pumpkins last long enough to carve though...
this little devil keeps pushing them off the porch.
Don't let his smile fool you! He's a little mischief maker!

I always get excited for Halloween when the pomegranates start ripening. That's one of the sure signs I know its fall. We'll be making lots jam and salads with these babies!!

This year we have another reason to be excited for fall...
getting ready for Ashley and Jayson wedding!

Dustin and I went up to Cedar Mountain yesterday and took their engagement pictures. It was lots of fun but it was freezing!! This is the first one I've edited but I'm sure we'll post more on Dustin's photography blog soon!

What are you excited for this fall?

from my phone

I love that cell phones have cameras.
My camera phone allows me to capture everyday moments that I probably wouldn't otherwise.

Like these...

1. My Twins
Don't you think Mark is Dus' little mini-me?!

2. Gettin' Stuck
We went out in the Rhino the other night and... well you can see.

3. Sleepy Boy
Mark was more tired than I thought!

4. Crazy Boy
Estefan's either showing me his silver teeth or he's really excited about something.. not sure which..

5. Captain Jack
Bud playing pirates

6. Mud or Chocolate?
Mud

7. Stylish
Mark sportin' Allie's Fancy Nancy glasses

8. Even More Stylish
Should I be worried that Mark likes to wear my shoes? I'm not. He's too cute!

9. Surprise
I was doing the laundry the other day and I found this while I was cleaning out pockets!

10. Grilled
Some people keep butterfly collections. I do too. On the grill of my truck.

11. Flower for You
Allie picked this tiny yellow flower for me.

12. Uh...
Yeah, I'm married to this crazy man!

13. Bat Girl
Allie is so cool

14. Mom's Glasses
Allie likes to be a "Hot Mama!"

15. My Everything
I love my kids!


The End :)