Pinewood Derby

 Ethan's car didn't win the Pinewood derby, but he did have an awesome looking car. He got a certificate for the most Howlin' car. Travis and Ethan had a fun time making it together.

 

Flowers and Hair

Christy Dungan surprised me with these beautiful flowers today. I love them! Thanks for thinking of me Christy!!

My hair is longer than it has been in years. I would like it to be just a little bit longer, but I'm having a hard time fighting the desire to cut it off. Every time my hair starts getting long, I cut it and then get mad at myself for doing so. I have crazy hair! I have a hard time trying to tame it everyday. I'm going to try to keep it growing out, but I can't guarantee I'll last too long.

My 35Th Birthday

 I'm 35! I can't believe how close I am to 40. I'm so old!! My kids made me feel so loved yesterday. They gave me lots of extra hugs and kisses. In the morning after the kids wished me happy birthday, Bryson gave me a hug and told me he loved me so much. Then Bryson hugged me and said after staring at me with a strange look " You are getting old because you have lines on your neck."  It made me laugh. Kids are so honest, maybe a little too honest. I don't feel as old as I look! Lexie and Jacqueline walked to the Dollar Tree after school and got me some balloons and my two favorite treats(Lemon Heads and Red Hots). It made me feel so loved!

 I had my birthday dinner at Habanero's with my good friends the Kings. I want to thank the Kings for hanging out with me on my birthday and for the yummy meal!

 Look at all those candles!

 While I was out having dinner, the kids were waiting to surprise me at home with a room full of balloons and ice cream cake from DQ.  Travis and the kids put money in 40 balloons for me to pop. I didn't pop the balloons last night and when I woke up they were all on the ground, so they were easy to pop.

 Look at all that birthday cash!

Little Birthday Notes

 Allison got all the kids to sign this card she made for me.

 I hope you like it! Dear mom, I love you so so so much! Happy birthday!!!! -Madison

 Dear Kathlene
         You are the best second mom any person can ask for. You are a gorgeous woman that has an awesome attitude towards everyone. When you put me on your wall I felt awesome cause you made me part of your family. - Love all Jaqueline

Dear Mom,
Happy Birthday!
I love you so frickin much! I'm glad your my amazing mom & best friend!! You are alsoo very beautiful! You are always by my side & help me whem I'm down. You bright up my cloudy days with your smile. You smile. I smile! (haha-JB song) Anyways I love you Mom! I always will!!
Love you!!<3
-Lexie

Family Window

This is an old window from my old home on McAndrews. Carrie and I found a few these windows in the garage and thought it would be cute to use them as a picture frame. I have had pictures in this window for six years now. I usually have black and white pictures in my window, but today I switched them with color pictures. If you are wondering.. I put a picture of Lexie's friend Jacqueline Bybee in my window, because she is like a part of our family. I love how it looks!

Where's Waldo #3

Tonight we had a Where's Waldo activity. This was my third year dressing up for this activity, so I kinda had a hard time coming up with a disguise. I put a wig on and asked Bryson if I looked different. He told me that I needed a different face. I told him that I couldn't change my face. He then told me that I should walk around with my hands covering my face. "No I can't do that either." I said. Then Bryson got really excited and said "I know what you can do! You can wear my Anakin mask."  I thought that was really cute, that he thought I should wear his mask to the mall. This was my disguise for the activity. I know that I don't look too different, but I was the last person found by a few of the groups who where looking. I guess less is best.

Madison, Ethan, and Bryson wanted to take their own picture of me before I left to the mall.  This picture is my favorite! Ethan took it and didn't notice Bryson surfing on our fence post while wearing a wig. Funny Boy!

Don't You Quit!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,  
Rest if you must; but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow;
 You might succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;  
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit; 
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit. - Anonymous

Our Visit with Baby Everleigh

My good friend Anja had her baby yesterday and I had the opportunity to film the birth. I was there for her daughter Kardyn's birth and I was so happy to be invited back for Everliegh's birth. It was a very special day and I'm glad they shared it with me. Thanks Tim and Anja! I love you both!

 My kids were so excited to meet Everliegh

Kardyn is going to be a great big sister!

Favorite Scripture

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
Ether 12:27

Life isn't easy. There are many trials and hardships that we all have to overcome. Like it says in Ether 12:27 "I give unto men weakness that they may humble themselves before me." I know Heavenly Father loves me and if I humble myself and put my trust in God then my weaknesses will become strengths. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverb 3:5-6  I know that if I follow the teachings of Christ, my life will be blessed. 
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

I love My Little Charlie Brown

 Charlie is such a sweet little dog. We have had him for four days and five nights and so far he has been great. The first day started off a little rough and I almost gave him back to Tom, but I decided to work with him since my kids love him so much. I started taking him outside to use the bathroom on the 13 of April and he hasn't had a accident in my house since. He goes outside to use the bathroom and we award him with a little treat. Charlie loves to play fetch with his toys and always brings his toy right back for more. He is a very smart little dog. I read on the internet that chihuahua's are very smart, but can be hard to train. I really had a hard time training my last two chihuahua's so I was a little worried when we got Charlie, but he is doing great. I also read that it takes a few weeks of being consistent to fully house train a chihuahua. It will be 5 days today. I should have Charlie fully house trained  by my birthday. It will be so nice to have a dog that goes to the bathroom outside!

Charlie

This little homeless chihuahua was saved by Tom and Raquel. He was almost hit by several cars while wandering the streets looking for food. They put a missing dog ad on Craigslist and asked around and no one has claim him. They brought him to us because they already have a few dogs of their own. My kids fell in love with him right away and even named him Charlie. I think he's pretty cute but I'm not sure we can keep him.

 He looks a lot like Benji!

Madison's Crazy Hair!

 I was going through pictures and found these pictures of Madison on the trampoline. They were taken in 2008 in the back yard of our McAndrews home. It's funny that she got similar pictures taken of her a four years later.

I found these pictures on my camera and thought they were pretty funny. I'm not sure who took these pictures, I think it was Allison. My kids love our trampoline even though it takes up the majority of our yard.

Day At The Park