{inner}

I know...another Presley post. She is heavy on my heart as of late. As a woman I find myself often swirling around and around in self doubt, even, although embarrassing to admit...self hate. I tend to keep those inner workings just that, inner. But after a long night of a heavy heart I awoke with the thought of my beautiful daughter. She walks tall now, she knows she is charming & always the first to gather attention from strangers & friends alike. She knows she can make us laugh, & is equally aware that she can help make my day brighter by laying her cheek in my lap, with her dark eyes wide, & a half smile hiding behind her chooch. She knows she is a treasure. Playing barbies with my friend Becky when I was five I always wanted to be the prettiest princess, the smartest teacher or doctor, the best ice cream scooper at barbie's ice cream parlor. I believed in myself, just as my Presley does now & will for years to come. But I know someday someone will plant a seed, a hateful word, some strong criticism. Maybe it will be the girl next to her in english class, or maybe it will be the advisory. As I know that the Lord lives, i also know that satan seeks to destroy by all means those who follow christ. I know how the advisory attempts to destroy me, and many woman today. Self loathing is his tool. We don't feel pretty, smart, important, we feel like we could be thinner, or contribute more, be more...always more. Do more housework, do more things with the children, read our scriptures more, help others more. & this is where I get swept away & often pulled under. I find myself sinking in the thoughts that I am not of great worth as the Scriptures testify that We all are. I want to protect Presley from these ugly feelings. I desire to make her know that a number on a scale or the murmurings of an unhappy person do not & never will determine who she is. I think its so easy for mothers to want their daughters & sons too to have confidence & strength, but we forget to seek after those things for ourselves. I want to be a strength so that when my dark eyed beauty looks to me she can see confidence & kindness & in turn feel she can be that too. I am confident we all wish to be this for our children.

{I miss having one of these....}

we seem to be a baby free zone these days...Presley is dancing & moving about, has a mouth of teeth & has likes & dislikes.

She likes frosted animal crackers--the pink ones with sprinkles.

She asks for hair flowers & bows.

She loves kisses, especially from Tre.

She twirls with her arms reached up.

she lines her babies up in her crib all in a neat row.

she won't touch her zippy cup unless it has apple juice in it.

She likes to walk & not be strapped in a stroller.

but even with these cute little toddler type behaviors coming from our youngest...I still can't help but see her like this.

{dessert}

I had just put our 3 smallest ones to bed when I heard a faint & familiar sound. I grabbed T & some money & we went to get him dessert!

not a bad ending to a 88 degree day in February!

{foundation}

After driving my mother to the airport to catch her flight back to Arizona, I put Madds & Presley down for naps, took off my heels & walked into the room where she slept for the past 4 nights. I always do this, almost looking for her to still be there. Instead was some money for Tre's strait As & a made bed. No mom. Im a weepy girl, always have been. Quick to cry. She is a wonderful mother. She spent 3 hours working on my sewing machine while visiting, she watched the children so Rod & I could go out on dates, She took us out, helped me with Presley's bedroom. She was busy, & all the while smiling. She never stops giving, but not only to me, to everyone! Everyone! My mother is a beautiful example to our family. The boys adore her & when Presley first saw her Omah again at the airport, she rubbed my mother's cheek & gabbed at her for about 5 minuets strait. She knows her Omah & loves her dearly! Maddox has a special bond with his Omah. He says "Omah is my favorite Mommy." I love that! I love that he feels that near to her. He cried the ride home from dropping her off, saying "Omah come back to my house!" Tre got special time with Omah & has a deep relationship with my Mother that starts from the year we lived with my parents in North Carolina. He loves to make my parents proud! Britton enjoys making his omah laugh & smile. He is the jokester & is no different when Omah is around! Each of the four have a unique & strong love for Omah. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful Mom to love my family. Might I add...My husband LOVES my mother too. They used to write while rod was on his mission. & He calls her now & again out of nowhere just to chat. They love each other! Family is my foundation & I am blessed with such a strong foundation! I know as long as we all have each other we will never fail. I love my Mother. & Now I cry....

{Fourteenth}

for family home evening (to learn more about Family Home Evening click HERE) this week we had a lesson on service & made a HUGE mess in the kitchen making two treats. We packed them into a bucket & brought them to our local fire station to thank them for their service & to wish them a happy valentines day! Bonus: they got to get in the fire trucks & see where the firemen hang out! The boys thought it was fantastic & I am pretty sure they walked away with a lesson learned from this weeks FHE.

(this is our FHE board. We rotate responsibilities. the kids love being able to run the show or pick the treat!)

Maddox was a nervous nelly when we were lead to the big trucks. With some quick thinking I decided to have T & Britt walk ahead of us. Maddox really looks up to his bothers. I thought if he sees them going in excited he may too. & ta-dah! It worked. tears were avoided & Maddox even climbed into the trucks. He is becoming such a big guy!

On the 14th I try to make a fun table setting for the children to wake to. Maddox had snuck out & spotted all the red & pink. He spent most of the night asking for his "surprises" I finally lugged him into my bed to snuggle up & help him sleep. Rod is working nights so there is an empty space to the right of me at night. Maddox was happy to fill the spot.

When morning finally did arrive the boys & Presley were greeted with fabric envelopes loaded with sweets & some coupons for the boys to pick a date night with either mom or dad. Heart shaped pancakes, berries, hearts shaped donuts were eaten in excess. oh the tummy aches. The boys went to school is red excited to fill their valentine boxes.

The boys were prepared with their own valentines to hand out.

T had mix CDs with 5 of his favorite danceable (& kid friendly) love songs.

Britt was ready with plastic bugs on outlined jars. Pretty cute. Both valentines were found HERE.

Tte made this fun valentine for Rod & I. It lives on our magnet board right now for all to see. & Rod gave his baby girl a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas. He is thoughtful like that! Lots of giving today to teachers, friends & each other. It was fun! We even got a little package from our sweet little buddies the Whitings!

After school we delivered flowers to our little gal pals. This has become a tradition & its a hit with the boys. They each pick a girlie who they want to give a bouquet to. Its darling to watch them walk up to a big door & knock holding pink flowers. We even send T to school with flowers to give each girl in his class one stem.

When flowers & other valentines were delivered we played outside & our fun neighbor Derrick hooked up his riding mower to the barrels & took the kids for a "train" ride. This street is so fun!

The children were kind-a grumpy after a full day of sugar & play. So after dinner & tubs we skipped homework & snuggled on the couch until story time. I really enjoy those quiet moments with the boys. Presley is in bed & I can give them my full attention.

Another successful 14th!

& to finish off this list of a post....My favorite big lippy girl...

{summer weekend}

The funny thing about living in a warm place is that friday after school...and every friday that is...its like the start of a mini summer vacation. The kids take off their back packs & shoes & sprint to the back yard in hopes to see little neighbors

playing in their yards too.

we are very happy here.

{100}

The boys had their 100th day of school yesterday. They came home sporting some pretty radical head ware & glasses! & then we went ahead & put up our valentines day tree complete with silhouettes of children giving valentines & glittery hearts. Having children just makes everything more magical & important.....like 100th days of school & valentines day. Don't you think?

needless to say Maddox was painfully jealous so Rod & I hurried & made some for him to sport too!

she loves a good orange Lolli!