Yeah! I finished the mirror. I painted it red and hung a wreath on it I already had. I hung it where just wreath was before. Too much??? James has always said our house looks like "the Quilted Bear threw up in it!" Can you guess my favorite item in this picture?

It's the green pitcher. It was my Great Grandmas. Cool hu?

Trash to Treasure

So I sold my totes at a boutique in Eagle Mountain earlier this summer where I met the most creative gal, Christine. Visit her at www.thisandthatcreations.blogspot.com She has a knack for finding treasures. So I am following suit. I always said I was a great idea stealer! So I ventured into D.I. the other day where I found these beauties for only $2.00 each. Score!!!! And this is what I turned them into.

I painted the little shelf this fun green color.

And the cork bulletin board I painted purple (when do we ever get to decorate with purple) and tucked in some fabric I already had. Then screwed in these little hooky things and hung all my sewing stuff on them.

Here it is above my sewing machine. Right within reach.

I made this shelf out of just 2 pieces of 6ft by 5 inch wood. I've had the fun pink drawer knobs for a while now just waiting to be used.

I still have the mirror to do.

Now that my sewing room is all nice and neat I'd better get back to sewing.

I BLINKED

Ya know how everyone says your kids grow up in the "Blink" of an eye?

Well it's true!

We had the missionaries over for dinner yesterday, something we haven't done in a couple years. Well, I was getting everything ready and in walk the two Elders. They could have been Hayden's friends. I mean seriously! I've always had the impression of the Elders as Young men. But my heck, they were just two young teenagers. It was a weird realization for me. My sweet little "teenage" Hayden will be out there within the next year. As mothers we always want our babies to grow up, go to college, serve a mission, etc. But now that it's here for me I just want to keep him home safe with me. I love my boys. They're so funny and a joy to hang out with. I know a mission is where he needs to be but I'm tellin' ya, it's gonna be hard on me.

And it's all about me right??

Graduation Time

This has been a momentous week. Porter graduated from Pre-school and Hayden graduated from High School.

I have never been a crier. I didn't cry when my boys started Kindergarten like other moms did or when Hayden went to his first prom or got his license, but oh boy has that changed.... We were sitting at the Dee Events center today waiting for his graduation to start, feeling good about everything and then I saw him in his cap and gown with the music starting to play and out of nowhere came the water works!

For some reason this sweet picture kept running through my mind. And I could not stop crying.

(We were still in the hospital. He had an IV in his little wrist)

It hit me all at once! Time with our children is so precious. We get so caught up in daily lives and before we know it BAM! They're all grown up.

The sweet baby boy I used to hold in my arms now towers above me. He is such a perfect son. He tries so very hard to do what's right and I know how hard this can be at times. I'm so glad he is the oldest because he is a wonderful example for his younger brothers.

He and 4 friends are driving to St. George and then on to California next week. I offered him my van, his remarks, with a big grin, "we can't pick up girls in a mini-van!"

Needless to say I will be doubling up on my prayers for him this week!

Congrats Hayden. We love you sooooooooooooooooo much!

Happy Mother's Day to Our Favorite and Most Wonderful Mother

This song was written and performed by Jordan Ballou. He is the dutiful and loving son that naturally results from the kind of love and guidance provided by someone like April. I told my sons today that they can see that their mother is incredibly special and unique. They will be lucky to marry half as well as I did. Happy Mother's Day April.

LOVE,

Hayden, Jordan, Conner and Porter

And even though you aren't my mother you have been a wonderful mother to my sons. Thank you.

Love,
James

Vacation GO GO GO

CALIFORNIA 2009

OK, brace yourself! There are a ton of pictures on this post.

My sweet brother and sister-in-law just moved to Anaheim Hills, CA. So the gang came down to visit them. We have been here for 9 days. And haven't stopped the whole time. We have been going, going, going. But what fun!

Here is their beautiful home.

Porter acquired,count em, 6 swords on this trip!

Conner thinks he's Tarzan

Here the girls are ready to go into A Bugs Life

And these are homes are on the Beach on Balboa Island.

They start at a cool 5 million.

Want one?????

Conner and Abbie in the Ice Caves in Sea WorldSome of my beautiful nieces. I have 11!!!Conner got a new hoodie in Disney Land.

"It's super de duper pwnsome!" He says.Here's the "O" in California. Hangin' out on Balboa Beach


Yummy Shaved Ice

At the beach. Porter loved everything but when the sand would stick on him.

Hmmmm, hard to not let that happen.

Huge, loud, waves
OK, funniest thing ever. When we arrived the rental car only had one of our reservations, so we ended up renting a 15 passenger van. You should have seen my 19 year old niece's face when we told her to get in to the "Polyg-Rig" And then the jokes that followed us the whole trip.

Priceless!
My brothers AWESOME pool

We missed all of you that couldn't come this time. Let's go again really soon!!!!!!!

And I want to thank my sweet adorable husband. Hayden and Jordan stayed home this time. And while we were gone Hayden got super sick and ended up in the hospital. James cut the trip short and flew home to take care of him.. Everyone is doing well now. Thanks honey for allowing the rest of us to have a super time.

THE END

New addition

I know you're all going to love this new tote. Just in time for spring. My favorite part about making these totes is picking out all of the fun different fabrics.

Don't forget to go to www.giveawaytoday.blogspot.com to enter to win a tote. It goes through Sunday.

Here is another one. Sorry they turned out blurry.