My Happiness…

I haven been thinking a lot about home these last few weeks.

What does home mean to me?

I have been worried about our kids not having a “home” and roots.

…but what is a home really?

We have moved around so much I feel like the kids don’t have any roots.

The day we walked out of our home in Arkansas…. I was heart broken.

I loved that house, and I will miss the memories made there.

It has taken me over a month to come to terms with not having a home.

I felt like someone had fired me from my job the day we left that house. 

My whole life and who I am centers around the home.

I am a stay at home mom.

My home is my office.

After a month of soul searching… I have discovered that not having a home doesn’t mean I can’t be a great mom, and make great meals, and create beautiful things.

I am responsible to create the feelings of warmth and love no matter where we are.

That is my job.

I am back on the map; and ready to be awesome again.

I am feeling more like myself then I have in months. 

I began mourning the move from our home months before it happened.

I will NEVER do that to myself again.

Heavenly Father has taught me many great lessons.

My Happiness does not reside in a beautiful home; it resides in my heart.

After all this soul searching, and putting my happiness back where it belongs; I have realized what matters most.

This last week, I have been trying to make the most of my time with these cute little people.

We are having a great summer. 

I am enjoying the little moments with them, and when I do I realize that they really make me laugh.

I am also treasuring every phone call, and text from my best friend.  He can’t be with me right now.  Oh, how I miss him.

He is working so hard for our family right now. 

Only 1 1/2 weeks left in his four year residency.  I can hardly believe it. 

I am so proud of him and all his hard work the last 4 years.  He is awesome.

We love you Daddy!!

What I have learned?: Sometimes Satan clouds our view so much, we can’t see the great blessings that our right in front of us.

What do I say to that?: “Get out of my way Satan, Heavenly Father has great blessings and responsibilities in store for me.”

I stumbled upon this in my darkest hour.

Elder Busche’s little secrets helped pull me through the dark clouds.

I think everyone who is feeling dark and sad should listen to his words. 

It is six minutes of some of the best advice I have ever heard.

His words, along with Heavenly Father’s love helped put my happiness back in my heart.

I am thankful for the reminder that love is not in things; it is in people.

Speaking of home and things….

Jonathan found us a really fun home in Pennsylvania. 

We will only be there for a year; so it is a rental.

Boy, oh boy was that a process.

It was so hard to find something to fit our family, in the right location, and at the right price.

Once again, Heavenly Father blessed our path.

I have been enjoying looking  at pinterest and thinking of some fun new ideas for our new house.

Here are a few spaces that inspire me:

Can you tell that I am excited about our new playroom? We will have space for one in our new home.

Color makes me happy.

Even though I don’t have a home, I can find happiness in just looking at pretty things.

Speaking of pretty things, I have enjoyed going to the parade of homes with my mom and sisters.

The parade of homes is full of pretty things.

In the past, I would have been depressed that I don’ t have my own home.

Instead, I went with the intent to just enjoy the time with my mom and sisters.

We had so much fun, and laughed the whole time.

There was one moment that I thought, man I miss these girls and just hanging out with them.

We were all inspired by several of the houses.

There is one house in particular that I just fell in love with. 

I took a lot of pictures.

I even dreamt about that house one night while I was sleeping.

When I woke up, this thought came to my mind:

“I love pretty spaces, and I love pretty homes.  I am so blessed to have pretty people in my life; an awesome husband, fun family, and amazing children to spend my days with.  A pretty home to share with them is just icing on the cake, but not where my happiness lies.”

This is all a good reminder that happiness is in living life, and just enjoying it.

Happiness is not in what we own.

I know I will have a house again soon.

I also know that I enjoy being home with a routine.

I enjoy creating in my home, making meals in my home, and spending time with my family at home.

I enjoy making my home beautiful.

I am also grateful that I found where true happiness lies, before we move into a our new home.

That way I can be happy no matter my circumstance.

Snow Day 2011

This year seems to be a repeat of last January.  Last year, about this time, we were:

as the kids were subjected to a snow day, and so sadly did not have to go to school.  Yeah Right!! It is time to party.  We got two more snow days this year.  We have been the recipients of an Artic Blast.

Luckily the roads were bad enough that Jonathan got to stay home also.  It started snowing on Sunday afternoon.  We happened to be at the Bradford’s, and when we decided to leave there was not even an inch of snow on the roads.  When we got to our exit, the only main road that leads to our neighborhood was so backed up that we new we were not making it home.  We did not know when we would get home.  We went back to the Bradford’s, and let me tell you it was a little scary.  There are some crazy winter drivers here in the South.  We are experts you know, we grew up in Utah.   (wink wink)  

Luanne’s outdoor table starting to get covered.

Around 6:00 we decided to give it a go again.  The roads were worse, but there were less drivers, and we were finally able to get off the exit and up the street to our neighborhood.  Unfortunately, we live on the steepest hill in Arkansas and there was no way were were getting up it.  We are so grateful for our neighbor who bought a 4x4 truck this year.  He was able to come and pick us up, and the little blue van had to wait near the entrance to our neighborhood.  We were so grateful to be home.

Today is Tuesday, and here we still sit and enjoy one more snow day.  Do you want to see what we did?

WARNING:  Picture overload, but if you don’t like it then I might advise you not to read my blog; it is always picture overload here at J & A and Co.

Well first of all, we had to find enough snow gear for everyone.

Lets just say that made a little mess.

Once bundled, the kids mainly just had their mouths full of the soft fluffy snow.  The couldn’t get enough, and I didn’t have to feed the kids.

The kiddos enjoyed building a snow man with Jonathan, or as we like to call him “Blockhead”.  He used a rubber maid container to pack it down and build it with.  I really like his look, and have been thinking about making my own headband out of deer antlers.

 

 

I enjoyed taking pictures of the kids, and always love the way it looks with the crisp white background, reflection from the snow, and even a bit of sun.

After our finger felt like they would fall off there was only one thing left to do; give the kids pedi’s and make cookies.

It has been a two great days of  movies, popcorn, wrestling and laughter.  I decided if the kids get some days off then so do I.  I refrained from my normal Monday cleaning, and though I have stayed on top of the messes; I have really enjoyed being home with out many responsibilities.

Here’s to wishing tomorrow was a snow day also.  However, it is not; time to get back to the normal every day grind.

Peace and blessings of warmth your way.

and as promised my 2 scrapbook pages to go along with our Snow day.

Expressions

Our youngest 2 kids have the funniest expressions.  Since they were little they both have raised their eyebrows when you talk to them.

Now Isaac has a face for almost every mood.  Just now as I laid him down for bed, I watched his face.

This is Isaac at 8 months.

First there are the sly smiles.  These smiles happen while he is thinking about what it is he can do to get in to mischief, or how he can keep himself awake.

Then he gets the face that I call "scrunchy nose."  This is what he does when he is fighting it, and absolutely disgusted because he doesn't want to do it.

Then comes peaceful face and lip smacking.  This is when you know he has drifted off in to dream land. (I like this face best)

I love watching our kids every move.  Once you know them you can figure out what they are thinking just by their expression.

I already know what Tessa is going to do just by the face she pulls.  Isn't it amazing?

Tessa has recently moved into anxiety mode.  She loves her mommy and know one else.

If someone else takes her from me she immediately starts to pout.  I am talking full fledged pouty lip.

I can always see it coming.  I warn people before I hand her off, and then before you know it; out comes the lip.  Then come the tears.

Then I take her back, and the look of contentment once again finds her face.

Sorry Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, and Uncles, I hope she likes you when we come.

One more little Isaac funny. 

I am sure you have all heard the new rage from American Idol,

"Pants on the ground."

Well after one You Tube viewing, this is what we found Isaac doing.

 

He makes us laugh almost every day.

I am thankful for laughter, and the many expressions that each one of our children have.

It is what makes us unique.