unintentional accents...

via

(^it was the best of ideas it was the worst of ideas.... that my friends is a story for another day....ha)

Yesterday I had a friend over....I know, I know I am a good 2.5 years ahead of schedule in the ol' friend making department! When her sweet 5 year old tugged on my shirt and in the most darling country accent said

"pardon me, I have a secret to tell you." 

I bend down as she quietly whispers in my hear "I think you are really pretty!"

In that moment I just knew I would forever love that little girl! My initial reaction to a sweet compliment such as that was to hand her a bag of chocolate chips and promise her my eldest son.....;)

I couldn't help but hope that maybe my small children would grow up to have cute country accents....and a wave of panic wash over me.... I really hope the inevitable doesn't happen and me pick one up.....

I don't think I even have to explain why that wouldn't be cute....ha 

A few years ago I was in the fine state of Alabama for less then a week when "y'all" started rolling off of my tongue in conversation....what?

 I also seemed to think it was charming how so many of the ladies there refereed to you as "love."... I can't seem to break that one either.....I am now just trying to keep that endearing term to those under the age of 12....for obvious reason. The most obvious being that I grew up in Southern Oregon. 

Well' good night friends (said in the cute country accent we both know I will eventually have....so why even fight it? Right?)

Has anyone else found them self unintentionally picking up accents?  It is hard work not to.
And that is for dang sure ;)

And: Thank you Brendon VanWart for lending us all that fancy equipment! You are so COOL....I mean awesome ;)

sugar + spice

Miss Winnie was pure sugar now we are seeing some spice!!

She is truly everything nice!

How is that for rhyming? HA

We love her!

She loves for me to "hold me"

Being held is actually her favorite thing to do.
She doesn't discriminate on who gets this privilege. ;)

Here is the real question...why do I still have lunch lady arms/relief society/not very toned arms?!
I go to sleep sore every night! from Carrying all 20 pounds of her
around everyday.

Every box I unpack I am crossing my fingers my baby sling is in it...ha

a deliberate mother....pretty much life changing

"The kids that need the most love will often
ask for it in the most unloving of ways." Beautiful reminder

A few months ago in the craziness of packing I found my breaking point.
So I did the only logical thing I could  think of...I checked myself into a hotel
with a 1/2 gallon of ice cream and a power of mom podcast my older sister
sent me.

I don't think Kyler believed me when I put our sweet babies to bed and told him I was outta' here! Lets just say I am glad I married up ;)

My sister Kori had been telling me about the power of moms website for months... just like my older sister Ginny a few years before tried to introduce me to my now bff... pinterest. I brushed them both off only to later call them and ask them why oh why hadn't they told me sooner!?! ;) I mean c'mon. The real question is why do I ever think it is a good idea to resist some good sound advice, especially from an older sister!?

And this my friends is good advice! www.powerofmoms.com I find the site a bit hard to naviagate so often make a b line straight to the podcast...It makes cleaning my kitchen less daunting when I have April and Saren talking to me. ; )

Life changing! both of them....

I want to be a deliberate mother.

last night I was worn out.

Utterly Exhausted...

And a bit dramatic and said to no one.
 "This isn't my job!" and the voice came to my mind "ya it is."

And I smiled and went to bed....leaving a weeks worth of laundry and a pile of dishes behind...taking comfort they would still be there in the morning...and they are.

because they are mine and I am theirs and and I want to do better. I am so happy/relieved to have found some wonderful tools and resources to make my job simpler.

Actually can I get a heck ya for anything that makes life as a Mother simpler!!

After all they are all I have ever wanted. I want to thrive in this role!

Parenting a toddlers especially one that has lots of little extras is not the easiest
thing I have ever done......not at all.I am the first to admit I have know idea what I am doing!

I am so grateful to have be associated with those of you that do!

I especially loved this one on positive parenting.
and this one on bringing back your mojo...love
and the most important 9 minutes of the day... so simple!!


Life changing! Truly.

Operation hott lips!

Kylers mother has this quote hanging on her wall

"You are my love. I loved you then, I love you still.
I always have, I always will!"

My hearts smiles every time I read that. Soo a few years ago Kyler and I read about a study that said couples that kiss for a mere 15 seconds a day (15 minutes if you are still dating..ha ;) are overall healthier, happier and even live longer....I couldn't find the study again to share but I am thinking oh my heck that is right up there with one of the most fun experiment to try! Unlike mine and Kylers experiment we conducted last fall to find the most authentic and delicious pizza place in Utah...we wont get fat from this one!  Awesome! All in the name of science.

We will call this "operation hott lips." Who is in? If you don't have someone please don't worry my brother will be home from his church mission in September....just put your email address in the comments below ;)

I think that about sums it up...

I am not exactly sure where to start.

The only thing that I am sure of is that I would like to.

I have had a love affair with the state of Idaho for sometime. 

Then I fell in love with an Idaho boy. That was a dream of mine....

They just seem to grow them better around here :).....I can't help 

but think of what a gift I am giving some little girl now that my 

little jett will be an Idahoan....Pretty selfless of me...

I am making someone else's dream come true....right? ;)

The potato state somehow seemed like

 the perfect marriage between Utah and Oregon...

.It most definitely was not easy to get here but I am so glad {thrilled}

 we did. Leaving was so much harder then I anticipated.

 I left in Cate fashion...on a whim with out even saying goodbye to 

my favorite people and those dearest to me. 

I am irritated that I left that way...

I fled with the urgency knowing I couldn't wait any longer to be here. 

Where my heart has been whispering for months {looking back maybe

 even years} that this would be like coming home.... I can't help but 

wonder why. I no longer have the feeling that I am camping.  

The Johnsons  are putting down roots....and my children are

 having the rootbeer float+drive in theaters, barefoot kind of summers.....

I feel happy.

 We moved into a farm house in the country and Jett has

 made a new friend named Rodger....

we are talking fur-ever kind of love around  here folks.