My Birthday…

I already shared with you a little glimpse of my special baptism, and now I want to share a little about my birthday.

My mom made sure the house was all decorated.

What do you think?

See the banner in the window.  It says CTR, or Choose the Right.

That is my eight year old motto.

I started the morning off with breakfast in bed; yes! skinny pancakes.

My biggest birthday surprise came on an airplane a few days earlier;  my favorite cousin Devin came to be here for my baptism.

I had no idea he was coming.

He is 5 years older then me, I look up to him so much.

He even taught me how to style my hair like his.

I cried when he had to leave.

We made a quick trip to cold stone for lunch.  It is tradition.

It was fun to share this tradition with my Grandma & Grandpa Swenson, and Devin.  I think Grandpa thought it was pretty cool that we got to have ice cream for lunch.

We had to hurry along because my mom had to pick up my other set of grandparents from the airport.

It was neat to have them come on my birthday.

Instead of having a special dinner at home, we went to Larry’s pizza for dinner.

It is a favorite for everyone, and we just had to make sure everyone got to go while they were here.

Once we came back home, it was time for gifts.  I was lucky and got to open some birthday presents, and a few baptism gifts.

I got my first set of scriptures.  I am so excited and happy to be able to use them.

They even have my name on them.

I also got my own hymn book, and a case to put it all in.

My dad surprised me with my own pocket knife…. much to my mother’s dismay. (I think she’ll come around)

After all the paper was unwrapped, and every gift inspected by my two little hands, it was time for cake.

I wanted a pirate ship.  My mom made a fun little ship complete with Rolo gold, fruit roll-up flags, and whopper cannon balls.  The candles were coming out of the cannons on the side.  Just before we lit the candles, Isaac helped it sink a little.

It still tasted delicious; chocolate my favorite.

I had a great birthday.  It was really neat to have my family here, and to receive such special gifts.

It really is great to be eight.

Eight is Great!!

I turned eight on the 13th of August.

In my family we have lots of Birthday traditions.  This birthday was a little different.

Eight is a special birthday.

My family belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are taught that the age of eight is the age of accountability.  That means you are old enough to know right from wrong.  This is the age of baptism.

I was baptized on August 14, 2010.

My father baptized me.

I was baptized by immersion which means I was fully submersed in water.  I went down and come right back up.  It represents our sins being washed away.

I was baptized just like Jesus.  He was baptized in the Jordan River,  I was baptized in a baptismal font.

Both sets of  my Grandparents got to come to my baptism.

My Grandpa Mark spoke at my baptism.  He talked to me about baptism, and how special it was.  He told me that is was not the water that was making me clean.  It was the actual ordinance.  (that means the water represents that act of Heavenly Father taking care of my sins)  It felt good to be clean.

After I was baptized, my Grandpa Jerald spoke to me about The Holy Ghost.  This is a special gift that we receive after baptism.  It is a gift from our Heavenly Father.  He told me that The Holy Ghost  is like a friend.  He helps keep us safe.  He can warn us in times of trouble, and comfort us in times of need. 

Being Baptized was totally awesome.  I felt so good after, and felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost all day.  I knew it was him because I felt happy and at peace.

Now that I am baptized I am officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

My mom says that I am setting such a good example for my younger brother and sisters.

After my baptism we had these great big cookie cakes to share with my friends from church.  My mom decorated them special just for me.  I am grateful for friends and family.

CTR means: Choose the Right.

Our family had a nice dinner after to celebrate and honor my choice.

My parents told me that they are very proud of me.  I am proud to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

My baptism was a big part of my birthday this year; but we still celebrated my birthday with all the wonderful traditions.  Stay tuned to hear more about my birthday.

P.S.  My mom made this movie to share at my Baptism.  I thought some of my family who couldn’t come might enjoy watching it.

What I have learned… after a 3 week hiatus.

Sometimes, one must take a break.  A little time off helps refresh, and regain a little balance.

I didn’t purposely take a break… actually I have had anything but a break.

I have been organizing birthdays, planning a baptism, being a hostess to our family, preparing kids for school, and getting my house back together.

Along the way, I have been collecting little

“what I have learned thoughts”

to share with you.  I hope that what I have learned in the last 3 weeks just might inspire you to pay attention to whatever it may be that can teach you something.

What I have learned……

“Sometimes I think kids have a way of seeing what they want to see.”  Krysta Moes.

My very best friend has a way of making me feel better about all my mommy blunders.  This little thought came as I told her how I wish I would have felt a little less stressed before my son’s baptism.  That I hope he knows how proud of him I am.

Her little thought helped me reflect on that great thing kids do.  They see the good.  I could be better at that.

What I have learned…

Motherhood is a privilege.  If I remind myself of that, it helps me find joy in the little things.  I have been thinking about this for months.  Ever since I watched this little clip.

What I have learned…

Quote from the book, “Mitten Strings from God”, by Katrina Kennison.

“Consider:  We figure out a way to chauffeur the kids to their nine lessons a week, to organize a trip to Disney World, and to throw a birthday party for a dozen five year olds, complete with costumed mystery guest and party favors.  So way does a quiet story told by candlelight seem impossible to manage? 

In truth, the story-told from the heart and shared in flickering darkness-is more nourishing for our child’s soul, and for our own as well, than another soccer practice, and audience with Mickey, or a pile of birthday gifts.”

Thanks for the book Krysta.

This quote struck me as I have been planning all the birthdays this last month.  Jonathan and I have tried to put less focus on the gifts, friends and outrageous party themes.  We have focused on tradition and the actual person that we are celebrating.  It has made all the difference in the world.

It made me stop and think about what else I could let go of, and what more I could do nourish my children’s soul.

Speaking of birthdays… watch for more to come on all the birthdays going on around here.

What I have learned…

I like being 32.  It has been good to me.  I like life’s little lessons. I enjoy analyzing and thinking of ways to become a better me.(I have also learned that I do a little too much over-analyzing.)

Growing old really isn’t all that bad.

What I have learned…

Spending time with your spouse, working toward something makes for and oh so sweet marriage. (sigh)

I am still so in love.  I think I love him more today then I did yesterday.. maybe even more then this morning.

My love has grown so much as we have been working out together, and eating right.  We have one goal, one purpose.  It is nice to share something with him.  I love that we have shut the TV off, and we are doing something together.  Actually, we are really doing it for ourselves, but we are working on that with each other. 

I love having someone to share life with.

I encourage you to find time to work towards something with the person you love.  You will be amazed at how your love will grow.

On that note…

This wonderful man surprised me with the most wonderful birthday.  I just have to share, and then I promise I will end this post. (blah, blah, blah) I think I have just about got all the little ramblings out of my brain.

My special day…

I woke up with my sweet Tess,nursed her, and marveled at how amazing she is. My sweet husband hollered from the other room, “get your running shoes on, and go out before the house gets to crazy.”  I took him up on it.

There is something so magical about running along; Feet hitting the pavement, thinking to yourself, “thirty-two.”  “Thirty-two years old, and my body still allows me to get out and run.  Each step takes me a little closer to the end.  My mind keeps my feet moving, my body actually does what my mind tells it too.   God created such a miraculous body.”

After my deep-in-thought 3 mile stint around the neighborhood, I came home to a tidy house, and a protein shake.  Jonathan added a little surprise… cookie dough.  YUM!!-what?  The Birthday girl can splurge a little.

I jumped in the shower, and was surprised when I got out to hear the new Mindy CD playing.  YEAH!! My husband loves me.  He knows me so well.  I am so in love with her new CD; Listening to it right now.  Isn’t technology so wonderful-the power to buy the music online and download straight to your computer.  For her new CD Anchor go here.

My sweet little Stella, gave me a pedi, and I returned the favor.  We tried out glitter toes.

Recipe:

Clear polish, and glitter.

Cover the toenails with clear polish and then dump the glitter over the top.  Shake it off and repeat.  Shake again, and then cover it with clear polish.The extra glitter will wash off your skin when your toes are dry.  Makes for some very blinged-out toes.

Shopping by myself at Charming Charlies was next on the agenda.  I picked up this little diddy.

Did I mention that I love YELLOW?

When I got home my hubby made me a cake.  I love cookies so of course it was a cookie cake.  My favorite part is how he decorated it… he is so inventive.  I thought I would just have a small sliver… but the cookie won!!

Then much to my surprise, Jonathan handed me 3 envelopes.  I thought I was done with all the surprises, boy was I wrong.

1.  A coupon for a date night with the kids and some money for them to take me out.  The best part was that he really made coupons with clip art and everything.  They were very well thought out and had been made days in advance.

2.  Tickets to Carrie Underwood.

3.  A little note to tell me that a new weight bench had been ordered with some free weights.  Oh, and I can’t forget the coupon for the personal trainer.(butterflies)

After all that, a date night with my hubby.  LuAnn offered to babysit the kids.  We went to dinner and saw Iron Man 2.  Love that flick.

I had the best birthday ever.  I have never felt more special. 

Everybody deserves to feel special once a year.  I hope you take the time to show your loved ones that you are grateful for their birthday.  The birth of someone you love really should be celebrated.  The simple act of putting all your focus on one person for 24 hours says so much.

Stay tuned for more about “Birth” days in our home, and possibly more deep thoughts.

P.S.  I would love to hear from you.  Tell me about what you do to make your loved ones birthdays special, and/or what you have learned.  I like to call them “life lessons.”  If I like it, I will share it.  Email me @ cutiewithclippers@yahoo.com.

Reason to Celebrate…

I had a birthday on Friday.

I love birthdays.

Birthdays are full of traditions at our house.

We always get…

I had skinny pancakes, and a special egg from my dad. 

My dad makes the best eggs.

After breakfast, I got to put on my new dress.

My mom always makes me something neat to wear on my special day.

We take to time to snap a few photos.

My mom says she wants to remember me on this day.

I love to have my picture taken.

I woke up to all these decorations in the house.  It made me feel so special.

I am six now you know.  I will start kindergarten in just a few weeks.

My mom says that I am not allowed to go, and that I can’t grow up.

I just laugh.

After my photo shoot, we went to Cold Stone for lunch.

It is tradition to have ice cream for lunch.

My daddy even got to meet us there.

Elizabeth Grace my new bunny got to come along.

She is part of my present.

The day before my birthday, I went to:

Build a bear.

I love my rabbit so much, that I sleep with her, and take her everywhere I go; including out for ice cream.

When we got home from lunch; my mom made my cake and got the table all ready.

We always have a very special birthday dinner.

My mom made my favorite; homemade mac and cheese.

I helped her decorate my cake.

I wanted a pink butterfly this year.

After a very special dinner…

It was finally time for presents.

You will never guess what I got.

Yep, my very own camera.

I was so surprised.

I think I take after my mom, because I love taking pictures.

Then it was time to…

I had the best day.

Birthdays are the best at my house.

It is so important to my parents that I know why we celebrate.

We celebrate because I am special, and a very important part of my family.

…and that is reason to celebrate.

 

Low Calorie Pizza

Jonathan and I have been eating healthy for a little over a month.  We have been seeing tremendous results. 

I have been trying to come up with some great recipes that we can enjoy.

Here is one that I came up with.  It was so delicious.

Pesto Chicken Pizza

Pizza Crust:

2 1/4 C. Flour

1 1/2 T. quick rise yeast

1 T. salt

1/8 C. sugar

Mix Dry ingredients together.

Add:

1 1/2 T. soy lecithin(can be found at a health food store)

1 C. HOT water

Mix until it is sticky.  Add more water if you need to.  Mix or knead for 5 minutes.

Roll out your dough on your Pizza Stone.(a must for homemade pizza) I use a little pam spray to help roll it.

Sauce:

1/4 pkg. Fat Free Cream Cheese

1/4 C. Basil pesto

(this is the one I use, you can find it by the spaghetti sauce)

Mix it with the cream cheese, and then spread on the crust.

Add Toppings:

sliced  roma tomatoes

sliced mushrooms

cover with Tyson pre-cooked grilled chicken(found in the freezer section)

add some spinach

top with 1 Cup mozzarella cheese

Bake @450 for 15-17 minutes.

YUM!! It was so delicious.

If you cut it in to 8 slices, it is:

188 calories per slice

20 grams of protein

Pair it with a salad and you have a low calorie, filling meal; that tastes like you ate at a fancy pizza joint.

Don’t forget to check out Project 365.