Events vs. Moments

I was stalking reading some of my favorite blogs today.  And one of my favorite bloggers made such a great point in her post today I thought I would share...

 i'll tell you a little secret about how blogging became fun for me.  i stopped blogging "events"...but decided i would rather blog "moments".

it's like scrap booking.  i couldn't move forward unless i scrapped about christmas {or insert whatever holiday/event that is holding you back from moving forward}.  but, i was never in the mood to scrap christmas, so i just kept getting farther and farther behind.

same thing with my blog.

finally i decided "who cares if i post about christmas".

i don't need to post oodles and oodles of pictures of my kids under the christmas tree.  now i just post moments.  so, maybe that one present that milo really wanted?  maybe i post about that.

whatever.

it just makes blogging much more simpler.

and i'm good with that.

Oh this is sooooo true!!  I've been thinking about this a lot lately!  I get so stuck on blogging the "events" that I end up not blogging at all!  Why is it that the dreaded Christmas post is such a roadblock for me??  And her comparison to scrapbooking is spot on!!  So anyways, I'm going to try to post more often...and not get stuck on the "events".  This blog is mostly for myself...so i need to start blogging the "real stuff"...the moments!  are you up for that? sweet...me too!

Well it's now March...here's a few things we've been up to the last few weeks of February... (i know, i know i just said i wasn't going to post the "events"...but these would've been "moments" had i posted them a few weeks ago)!!

*My super sweet hubby gave me roses and gourmet chocolate covered strawberries for V-Day!  They were yummy...and i'm pretty sure I ate all of them!

*We took the kids to the Justin Bieber movie...which they both loved!  Surprisingly it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Purple has become Clayton's favorite color again...and Aspen swoons every time you say the boy's name!  I bought her a CD...except that I've been listening to it in my car for the last 2 weeks and can't get his songs out of my head!  Seriously all day long i'm hearing, "Baby, baby, baby, oh!"  or "for you i'd write a symphony..." and I can't make it stop!!

*Jeremy had hopefully his last interview/review of his teaching...we're patiently waiting and hoping he gets hired on full time as a seminary teacher within the next couple months!  So...you can pray for him if you'd like!  And maybe pray that he won't have to teach early morning...cause i'd sorta like to hang out with my husband at night...you see he wakes up at 4 am and go's to bed around 8 pm...even on friday nights...like tonight!  And that doesn't work well with my schedule when i want to hang out with him! =)

*We took a trip to the Urgent care a couple weeks ago...Clayton was goofing off and dancing when he smacked his ear on the kitchen table and sliced it open...it was yucky and we didn't know if he needed stitches so we took him in.  Aspen hadn't been feeling well that day and had a fever so we decided to take them both.  As I'm filling out the paper work, Aspen says her tummy hurt.  Jeremy asked her if she was going to throw up and she said yes...and then she did...luckily Jeremy was there to catch it in his hand :)  On our way there he said to me, "i've been waiting for a night like this!"  Everyone always tells stories about nights like these...and he was just waiting for it to be his turn...welcome to parenthood babe!  So anyways, they ended up checking Aspen and she had strep throat and then they glued Clayton's ear together...and so far it's healed up pretty well!  They both are doing much better!

It doesn't look very bad in the picture...but it was disgusting!  

Me and poor little Aspen...

and ya what mom doesn't grab her camera when they're on their way to the Urgent care?  Jeremy thought I was crazy when the Dr. left the room and I started snapping pics of our sick children. 

This picture is so funny!  Clayton said he needed a puke bucket like Aspen...and right when I took the picture he yawned...but it looks like he's about to throw up!  

I would love to show you all some more pictures but for the life of me i can't find my memory card reader thing tonight...so maybe tomorrow?  We're going to the cannery tomorrow morning...and i'm sewing about 15 skirts tomorrow afternoon for young women's...so maybe Sunday??

All the love in the universe~

Love this!

Saw it here.

Random bits of info...

So February has been pretty uneventful so far...but i thought I'd share a few things we've been up to...

The Good Report

• Went to the temple with the young women in our ward last weekend and got to talk with the Matron of the Temple…which was kind of cool!

• Took the hubby with me to the fabric store…got some supplies…and made a couple of skirts…easy peasy! (another post to come)

• Watched these movies: Julie & Julia (loved this one!), The Last Song, HS Musical, RED, An Educator, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 5 Children & It…obviously we’re addicted to Netflix and Redbox and staying up late…well that last one is just me and Clayton! The kid hates to be sleeping if there’s someone awake!

• Went to an un-official Super Bowl party at the in-laws…ate lot’s of yummy food…and loved this commercial!! Hahaha…so funny! It makes me want to lick the kid’s fingers after they eat cheetos or something…but not really! Ew!

• I laughed so hard I cried when I read these the other night...Jimmer's older sister happens to be in our ward and in young women's and my visiting teaching partner...wonder what she thinks about all this??

• Spent a whole day with just Clayton:  We ate some food, went shopping, rode on some rides...it was lots of fun!  He enjoyed telling everyone he was on a date with Mom...wish he would stay little forever! 

(taken on my phone)

• Finally made the trip to the social security office and the DMV to change my name

• Did some shopping with the little guy…bought 2 pairs of F21 jeans…seriously cute jeans for $10.50…what’s not to love?

• Here's some random things i've been loving on lately:  Mindy Gledhill, Joy Williams, Creating Better Habits, The Daybook, StephModo, Pacing the Panic Room, VandCo.

The Not-So Good Report

• On my way home from the DMV I realized they misspelled my middle name...apparently after all the verification they ask for they decided my middle name should be Iane instead of Diane! Awesome! Hopefully the customer service lady got it changed and it comes in the mail correctly!

• We’ve all been hit by some sort of sickness this last week...hopefully we all get better soon! I’m breaking out the Lysol tonight!

• Also, how do you guys get your little ones to clean their rooms? We had a major fight with Aspen this past weekend. I have over the last few months tried and tried and tried to explain to her over and over again that it's a privilege to have as many toys as she has...and with that privilege comes responsibility to take care of them and keep them picked up...and if she chooses not to then they'll get taken away. So she'd get a few toys taken away here and there after nagging for hours to clean her room...but I finally got fed up with it...because she didn't seem to care...so I bagged up EVERY single toy in her room last weekend. So now all that's left is her bed, her clothes, and her desk. And now she has to earn her toys back one by one. Am I totally the meanest mom?? I feel like it...but honestly I don't think she misses the mess in her room or all of the toys...I know I don't! Maybe it's my own fault for spoiling her so much...and it was too much for her to handle?? The thing that gets me is that Clayton can do it...why can't she? I plan to do a major purge this weekend...and hopefully it will eliminate the problem of it being "too hard" for her to clean up. When did my sweet little girl turn into such a drama queen?!!

Well that's it for now...have a good rest of the week and I’ll catch up with you later!

All the love in the universe~

Being happy...

I 100% agree with this.

All the love~ 

January's Good Report:

So I had planned at the beginning of the year to do at least a weekly update on things we had done/accomplished during the week...  I also planned to call it "the good report".  Well it didn't happen at all this month.  I don't really know why...other than I forgot to do it every sunday...and when Monday rolled around I felt like it was too late.  So instead of just missing out on documenting the month of January...I thought I'd just do one big post today...and then I'll work really hard to remember to do them weekly from here on out!  So here's the good report of the interesting (or not so interesting to you) things we did this month: 

1. I had 2 days off for New Years...too bad i don't remember what we did on either day! 
2. We celebrated the births of my sisters Melissa (25) and Shalom (20) , and also my dad (51)! 
3. Went to a dinner for Jeremy's work with all the Seminary student teachers...had really yummy food (cafe rio) and had a really great lesson on "raising your sights".  I left feeling inspired to be a better teacher/leader and help the young women in my ward understand that temple marriages and missions are not really that far away.  I remember being that age and thinking that it was though...which is where the need to raise their sights comes in.  I love going to these classes...they mainly focus on teaching seminary...but I can always apply them to being a better parent and young women's leader
4. Woke up at 4 am so that we could go to the "pretty temple" early.  
5. Updated my photography blog
6. Went on a hot date and saw The Green Hornet...which I though was really funny!
7. Finally finished taking down my Christmas decor
8. Cleaned up the basement and sort of turned it into a play/tv room for the kids
9. Kiddo's had sleepovers at gma and gpa Marsh's and Aunti Mo-Mo and Uncle Poot's
10. Had another day off for Martin Luther King day...in which I spent the day taking pictures of these cute kids
11. Aspen lost her 2nd tooth...and looks really adorable!

Curlers + missing teeth = cutest little girl ever!! 
12. Spent a whole saturday making up, practicing, and putting on a roadshow (more pictures to come).  Despite how much i wasn't looking forward to it...it was actually really fun and a great time to spend with the youth in our ward.  
13. We spent an evening with a General Authority last friday night at the Tabernacle...it was for Jeremy's job teaching seminary...we were fortunate enough to hear from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  I have a thing for prophets and apostles...I just think they are sooo cute...especially when they talk about their wives!  If you have never listened to this talk...it's one of my favorites...and you should! 
14. I bought Valentine's stuff for the kids...and for them to take to their friends
15. I officially stopped drinking soda this month...which I thought would be harder to kick...but hasn't been too bad!
16. I worked on my PP and set goals to complete a few projects...I also have a really cool idea for one of my 10 hour projects that i'll share with you guys later...cause I'm gonna need some of your help!
17. Read this fantastic book called Mary, Martha, and Me...and was humbled to realize I need to be more like Mary and choose the better part. 

That's all I can think of now...hope you guys had a wonderful January...and here's hoping February will be just as great...and maybe warmer too!   

All the love in the universe~

Aspen moments...

So, yesterday I had one of those "mother of the year" moments.  You know those moments when you feel like the worst mom ever...and you should definitely be nominated for "mother of the year"!!  I still can't believe it...I forgot Aspen at school!  My little 1st grader!!  You see...normally Joey picks her up after school, but I forgot that he was still in Washington for his grandma's funeral, and I totally spaced arranging someone else to pick her up.  You can imagine how I felt when I saw the schools phone number pop up on my phone while I was at work!  I felt terrible!!  Luckily Jeremy was close and able to pick her up.  Did you ever get left somewhere when you were little?  I remember not getting picked up right away from dance class...and it was terrifying for me.  Aspen was a trooper though...she went back inside found a teacher and had them help her call me.  She called me as soon as she was with Jeremy and said, "Mom, you forgot me!!!"  I wanted to cry...but she told me of course she didn't hate me and that I was forgiven.  I still feel bad about it though.  

Anyways...I also wanted to share this story about Aspen from the other night...but I couldn't have put it better than the way Jeremy did....so here's the story in Jeremy's words...

Let me tell you a story about Aspen and how wonderful she is!

The kids wanted to watch a movie last night so we started watching America's funniest animals. The kids loved it but it wasn't helping to calm them down, instead they were wrestling with me and climbing on my neck and laughing hysterically all while I was trying to prepare a lesson. Leslie was exhausted from taking care of everything on Sunday, so she was lying down in our room.
So I decided to put on a more serious movie, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Part 1 for the non-geeks) in the hopes it would calm them down and put them to sleep. Well as the movie came on Aspen, who I forget can now read, saw that the movie was PG-13 and immediately asked, "Why are we watching a PG-13 movie?, PG-13 movies are bad!" I responded "PG-13 stands for 'Parental Guidance for children under 13', and since you and Clayton are under 13 and I am an adult we can watch this movie."
After some more convincing she relented; but left a couple of minutes into the movie. She came back and said to me "Jeremy we shouldn't be watching this, I don't feel good when I watch this movie." I quickly asked "Why don't you feel good?
And this is where Joseph Smith's quote about pure intelligence flowing in you comes to mind. She responded in her sweet loving voice that it almost makes me cry, "I don't feel the Holy Ghost when we watch this." I was floored! Aspen is a wonderful little 6 year old girl who has been difficult as of late. Yet she was able to teach me such a great lesson! I am amazed that a girl of 6 years can FEEL that something wasn't right, recognize it and finally say it with such conviction!

Just wanted to tell you all this story to boast about my wonderful little girl!
 
Isn't she just adorable?  And isn't it cute the way Jeremy just loves her like his own?  I'm super blessed to have such wonderful kids and a wonderful husband who both teach me so much! 
 

Here's some cute pics of my favorite little girl taken last summer...

I don't think I ever posted all of these...so maybe I'll do a separate post on them soon! They were taken by the talented Joanna Taylor. 

All the love in the universe~

Painting with the kids

So one of my resolutions/goals for this year is to play more with the kids...like actually play with them. I had a couple canvases laying around so i thought it would be fun to have the kids paint them however they want...

This is hard for me...which is why they've been sitting in my basement for about 2 years...I envisioned the kids painting perfect scribbles...a child masterpiece or something.  

Well, I decided to just let go of that and let them paint whatever and however they wanted!

 It was fun for all of us I think...the kids had fun painting and we had fun helping/watching/taking pictures.

Looking at them now it makes me happy that we did it. I look at them and think, "I wonder what they'll be when they grow up?" Will they love to play sports, or dance, or sing, or play the piano, or be an artist?  I think as a parent you sometimes want to live vicariously through your children...get them involved in everything you loved or wish you would've done.  But what i'm learning is that we need to just let them do what they want to do...not what we want them to do. 

The kids are growing up entirely too fast for me! It makes me sad...but then it makes me happy to see them grow and do things independently also.  What would we do without these little monsters that drive us crazy most days?! 

Here's Aspen's masterpiece...(it's a unicorn)

And Clayton's...well his is a blue and red = purple blob

Now I just need to find a place to hang them!

Is there something you wish or want your kids to grow up and do?  I'd love to hear what it is! 

Ramblings of a grateful wife...

Jeremy and I have been married for 4 months today!  It doesn't sound like a long time...but it feels like we've been together much longer than that.  I like to think we knew each other before we came to this earth...and though it took a while to find each other...it's finally the way it's supposed to be.  I honestly don't know how i've lived so long with out him.  He does so much for our family...I come home from work and dinner has been made, the house is picked up, and the kids are usually happy as can be.  And he does so much more than that.  He makes family a priority...he would rather hang out with me and the kids than do anything else.  And I love that about him!  He let's me cuddle him at night...even though he hates it.  He takes me to Cafe Rio...even though he hates it.  He rubs my back, he folds my clothes, he does the dishes, he fixes up the house. 

If I haven't said it enough already...I LOVE THIS MAN! 

He is the cheese to my macaroni...the butter to my bread!  Husband, thanks for doing the little things.  Thanks for listening to me.  Thanks for being such a strong Priesthood holder.   And thanks for waking up at 4 am on your day off to take me to the "pretty" temple.  And for letting me cuddle you at night even though it makes you sweat to death!  And thanks for being understanding of my girlish ways. 

Love you 4ever!

Adorn your habitations

Progress, and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations.

~Brigham Young

I love this quote!  And it's going to be my focus for all my resolutions/goals this year! 

Here's my list for 2011:

• Exercise more- at least 3 x per week
• Quit drinking soda
• Read more good books- at least 1 per month
• FHE 100%
• Spend more time playing with the kids
• Finish reading The Book of Mormon again 
• Work on Personal Progress- receive my Young Womenhood recognition award
• Simplify and organize every room in the house
• Remodel bathroom
• Food storage
• Start a garden
• Get out of debt
• Go on a vacation

 I tried to keep the list somewhat simple this year...trying to focus on the important things.  Beautifying my home, family and self.  I want to be able to look back at the time i've spent doing things and be happy with the results...not feeling guilty about it. 

2010 Re-Cap

Hello blogger, nice to see you again! It’s been a while!

Lately, whenever people ask me how I’ve been…my response is usually BUSY! Life has been busy! Busy at work, busy being a mom, busy being a wife, busy keeping up a house, busy fixing up and organizing that house, busy with church callings, busy editing pictures, busy with the holidays…and just about everything else! I like being busy…but I sometimes feel like I never have time to enjoy the moment…anyone else feel that way? The last half of 2010 seemed to go by soooo quickly! The holidays came and went by like none other! And now we are already half way into 2011! Craziness!

So I thought I’d do a small re-cap of 2010 for you and maybe eventually show you some pictures of us finishing out the year! So without further adieu…

Re-Cap of 2010: (not necessarily in order)

• Faced the challenges and reality of being a single parent

• Was hired for some photog gigs...first wedding, a couple funerals, some really awesome families with really cute kids, and also a few adorable babies.  See my website here: http://www.lesliemarshphotography.com/
• Went on my first blind date…which also happened to be my first date in like 9ish+ years!
• Ran my first 5k
• Got a d-i-v-o-r-c-e
• Vacationed in St. George

• Aspen turned 6 years old and started 1st grade!

• Clayton had surgery for his teeth

• I went to a Backstreet Boys Concert with friends!

• Celebrated 28 years of my life

• Got engaged!
• Planned a wedding/reception
• Became the 1st counselor in Young Women’s
• Received my endowments at the Mt. Timpanogas Temple
• Got married!
• Clayton turned 4 years old!

• Aspen lost her first tooth
• I got a promotion at work!
• Celebrated our first Christmas together as a new (but complicated) family!

So that’s just a few things we did last year! Pretty crazy year for us with lot’s of changes!! I have high hopes that 2011 will be a good year for our family…simple…not so crazy...pretty much fantastic!!


All the love in the universe~