An Honest Post {Motherhood}

Ive been feeling so guilty lately. I see all these mamas spending all this quality time with their kiddos and I feel inadequate. I know it's not healthy to compare ourselves to others, but it is something I struggle with. I feel like a failure when I try to juggle schoolwork, cooking, cleaning, laundry, babysitting, blogging, being a good wife, and being a stay at home mom and I am not able to do it as gracefully as others seem to be. There are times when I have to tell Abigail no when she wants to go to the park because I have tons of homework to finish or I leave her to play by herself in her playroom when I'm trying to get housework done and it hurts my heart to know that I can't do it all. I put my blog on the back burner and I don't get the crafts done I've been wanting to do. But its all a lie. It isn't what truly matters. So I take a day like today and I let the dishes sit, make the homework wait, let the laundry pile up and I just spend the day with my girl. I always think that she needs it, but it turns out that I need a day like today more than she does. I put all of my attention on her and we do things that we do not get to do every day. And somewhere in the fun of the day it happens. She reminds me that she loves me and that I will always be good enough for her. She runs up to me in the middle of playing at the park and grabs my cheeks and gives me a kiss, or on the ride home she asks to hold my hand and I remember what truly matters. It isn't that I be the best compared to everyone else, but its the fact that I love her with all my heart and nothing can get in the way of that. Not even housework or assignments due. I remember that Heavenly Father entrusted her to me and I was meant to be her mama. I realize that I am good enough and I have a divine calling because motherhood is one of the most sacred callings. I learn that children have more grace than we could ever imagine. And then I am thankful. I feel truly blessed and I stop worrying so much about how I am compared to others and I start being good enough for me. At the end of the day all that really matters is that we try to be our best self and that we love with all our hearts. Our children will love us and teach us every day and for that I am thankful.

Our April

I have been apologizing lately for not blogging as often, but I shouldn't be. Im really not sorry because I am choosing spending time with family and doing homework over blogging. I know I will get to it when I have a chance and thats what matters. This is only for me to keep track of what we have been up to and for my family as well, and I know they don't mind if the posts come late. We had a lot of fun in April and are continuing that into May. Here is what our April looked like:

Camping and Hiking

Kids Fair 

Traded in our Subaru for a more rugged Toyota FJ Cruiser 

Played at home

Daddy-Daughter Date

My husband has been working a lot of night shifts and I can tell that Abigail really misses him. She walks around saying daddy and looking at the front door. She loves some quality time with her daddy, so when I found out he had every night off this week I thought I would do something fun for them. On Tuesday nights I go to mutual for church since I teach the young women. I knew this would be a perfect night for them to have fun together. Nick was at work during the day so I spent the day setting up a date for him and Abbey. I made one of his favorite meals and dessert. I set up little stations of some of Abigail's favorite things to do with her daddy.

 I sent him this text to his phone:

He promptly responded with "Aww, of course!"

When he got home from work we met him at the door with an invitation Abbey had made for him. We blindfolded him and had him go to our room and change into the date shirt Abigail picked out herself. After that we led him into where everything was.

This is what he walked into:

I know that they both had so much fun. They both needed a night like this. I am so thankful that my husband is such an amazing daddy that our daughter looks up to him and loves being with him.  Daddy said she loved having 2 hours of his undivided attention doing all the things she loved. 

I love you two! You both deserve all the happiness in the world. I am so glad you have such a deep love for each other. It makes my heart melt. 

Easter 2014

We started the Easter festivities when my husband got off work on Saturday evening. We dyed eggs and enjoyed the time we got to spend together. Abigail wasn't a huge fan of dying the eggs, but she loved when I handed her a marker and horsey stickers and turned her loose.

On Sunday morning we got up early and got ready for church. We were ready about an hour early, so after we got ready we set out Abigail's Easter basket. My mother-in-law started a tradition with her boys when they were young and that was to put little bunny tracks leading up to their basket. So, of course we did the same for Abbey. It always turns out so cute! After she looked through her basket we went to church. After church we let Abbey take a nap. When she woke up we put the eggs in the yard and let her go. I could not believe how fast she took off. She bolted straight for the eggs and started throwing them in her basket all the while she was giggling and squealing. It was priceless. 

And I just want to take a second to reflect on the true meaning of Easter. It's the fact that our Savior suffered for every one of our pains, transgressions, and feelings of inadequacy. We never have to be alone because he knows exactly what we are going through.  He died for us and rose again so that we can one day be resurrected as well and return to live with him. I am so thankful for the ability I have to repent and become a better person and one day live with him again. I know that he lives and he loves each and every one of us. 

"He lives! All glory to his name! 

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!" 

March Madness

We had a fun filled March and now that my classes are over I can catch up on some blogging. I am so excited because I just made straight A's and found out after this semester I will graduate with my Associate's degree in Science. I have decided to go on and get my Bachelor's and Master's in Speech Therapy. I know it will be hard work, but I am very excited for it. Anyway, back to our March. I will catch you up on what we did in pictures! Enjoy :)


Played with sidewalk chalk, raced, and enjoyed the nice weather

Ready, Set, Go! 

Went on some mommy daughter dates to Orange Leaf and Jamba Juice

Played dress up and had a tea party 

Had a family finger painting session which turned into painting each other ;) 

Went on a little hike with my best friend Cierra 

Went on a rock climbing date with my hubby 

My Uncle Lee came to visit and Abigail absolutely adores him, which I love because I adored him growing up as well. 

Went to the park where Abigail decided to climb up and go down the slide all by herself

Wore purple for Epilepsy Awareness Day in honor of her amazing cousin Sophie 

Took Abigail to see the horses because she loves horses so much. She talks about them all the time 

Put up Abigail's growth ruler and got her shadowbox done 

Stay tuned for what we have been up to so far in April!