Simple Treasures

Have you ever gone to an antique store and loved the look of the old table runners or doilies. You leave without them though cause you can't figure out what you would do with them. My mom found the perfect idea. Someone had taken them and made little pillows with them. They were charging 15 dollars a pillow, crazy! We decided to try our hand at it. In about an hour my mom and I made 3 of them. The cost to make them is about 3 dollars each. We felt like they turned out really cute. The only thing we felt like we would do different next time is to tea stain the background fabric, to make the whole pillow look old. But look at the absolutely adorable country pillows we made for just pocket change. We are hoping to open a booth at the local craft fair in July to see if other people might enjoy these little bed pillows!

Dustin Morgan

Dustin was a complete accident, that I wouldn't give up for all the money in the world. Dustin is my Halloween baby born October 21. Dustin is named after his two uncles (my brothers) Dustin is my older brothers name, and Morgan is my little brother Stuart's middle name. My brothers are wonderful men and I am proud to be their sister and to have a son named after them.
Dustin is still to little to know that much about his personality. I can tell you he is huge! He is my love and my life! I want to sit and squeeze every inch of his fat little self. He has wonderful eyes and eyebrows that he got from his daddy, so they speak to my heart. I can't imagine how empty this family would be without him! I am so thankful for my Heavenly Fathers plan for me, without it I would have never had Dustin!! I love you, Dustin!

Because there is not a lot that I can say about Dustin he gets an extra picture. And why not, he is super cute!

Emelia Mae

Emelia was born on a snowy April morning but only after I walked 17 miles in the hospital! I was told to help her move down I needed to walk. I had been given drugs to ripen my cervix so I could not leave the hospital but I wasn't changing. So I walked..... all day long I walked. Matthew did a measurement of the coarse I walked and was able to figure out the miles. That evening the nurses finally told me I needed to relax or when I went into labor I would have no energy. (a little late for that) When I finally gave up I went into labor, go figure. I think Emelia was just waiting for her other grandmother from Texas to get here.
Emelia is named after no one. It is just a name my mom said that I liked so she got it. Mae is after my great grandmother on my moms side. We debated between Mae and Rose after both great grandmas on my moms side and we wish we would have done both. We call Emelia by her first and middle name (or Emma) so it would be nice to have another middle name. I think it would have been pretty to have her name be Emelia Mae Rose. Oh well. She will just be like me. My mom always called me Laura Beth Gail though my name is just Laura Beth.
Emma loves to sing, dance and get her way! She has a very out going personality and doesn't show fear. I guess that's her little Aries fire. She is very independent and understands very well what you say and what she wants. She is very smart and a very happy little girl!
Emelia is a huge joy to this family and though she is not the baby anymore she still claims that position. She refuses to give up that spot and I guess that's okay, Dustin seems willing to share it for now. I love you, Emelia!
Emelia concluded the children I wanted since I could remember. I always said I wanted 2 boys and 2 girls and I got that. I not only got that but I got it in that order. I feel so blessed by my Heavenly Father. I feel like he must really love me to give me so much! Then came Dustin!

Eliza Lynnae

When I found out Eliza was a girl I couldn't believe it!! I was finally going to get the little girl I wanted. I went in to be induced on December 17 expecting to come home with a baby. After a day full of pain there was no change in my cervix so I was sent home. I should have known then what I was going to be in for. The next morning I went into labor and Eliza came when she wanted. And she still does things that way!
Eliza first name is a church name from a woman alive during the time of the restoration of the gospel, Eliza Snow. Her middle name Lynnae is after my Aunt Lori's middle name. I absolutely have always loved my aunt and I love her middle name.
Eliza is very smart and knows exactly what she wants. Although Eliza is only four when you talk to her you feel like you are talking to a ten year old with a sixteen year old attitude. This fall Eliza will be starting the pre-k program at the school here and can't wait!! Eliza enjoys singing and following her mom everywhere. She is my permanent shadow! If I am doing the dishes she is doing the dishes. If I am working on the computer she is working on her play computer or she likes to pretend she is going to school. Unless she can go to Ganny's house. If she can go spend the day with Ganny and be her shadow, I am left in the dust!
Everything about Eliza is tiny. Her waist is so small she can wear size 18 month shorts and they look cute. Eliza and Emelia wear the same size shoe and it isn't because Emelia has big feet. I don't know any little girl as small as Eliza. I guess it's a good thing since every night she still crawls into our bed and climbs all over her dad like she is a little monkey.
Eliza is a good sister. She is always willing to sing to Dustin if he is crying. She always includes Emelia in whatever she is doing and doesn't like to leave her behind. She does know how to upset her brothers and does it quite often. She wants their attention and that is how she gets it.
Eliza is my best friend and I hope that it always stays that way! I hope that as she gets older she will always want to be with me. I love the closeness my mother and I have and I hope for that with my two baby girls! (my sons too) I enjoy the light that Eliza is to this family and I am so thankful for the gift that she is! I love you, Eliza!

William Robert

Will was a planned baby, but I planned on him being a girl. Will was born on a snowy January day in Kerrville Texas. I wanted to name Will after his great grandfather on his dads side, Wilfred. Wilfred was the only example of a father my husband ever had and he passed away shortly after Matthew and I started dating. I thought that it would mean a lot to my husband. Though I wasn't crazy about the name I thought we would just call him Will. Matthew hated the name though so Will was named William. His middle name Robert is Matthew's middle name. In short, trying to take two names from wonderful men I ended up with a Billy Bob Jones. Thank goodness he likes being called Will or Wally from his daddy.
Will is our clown! He absolutely loves to make people laugh and have a good time. His favorite word to use to crack people up is chicken. I am not sure how Will does it but when we have company he has everyone in stitches. Will enjoys singing, dancing, playing baseball and really wants to learn to play the guitar. Will loves being outside working. He is a mans man! He wants to drive the mower and help in the garden. He is a huge help to his father. Will loves to do these things only if he can take a bath afterwords, he hates being dirty! You never have to remind Will to wash his hands after going potty. Or tell him to clean his face, he wants to be clean and cool all the time. Will already knows that when he is older he wants to be a dentist, he loves going there and thinks it would be a great job.
Will is always willing to share, especially if he thinks it will make you proud of him. He is a great big brother to his sisters and absolutely loves his baby brother. Will enjoys his older brothers company so much that he get very upset if Cole doesn't want to spend time with him.
Will is my strong and tough but soft all at the same time baby boy. He is his fathers shadow. I love him to peaces. I don't know if this family would know how to laugh without Wally around, he is a pure joy to this family! I love you, Will!!

Cole Elliot

Growing up all I ever wanted to be was a mommy. When I found out I was having Cole I was so scared. Matthew and I were young but I knew I loved him and I knew he loved me. Things were hard for our families to understand. When Cole came though, everything changed. People loved him so much it was wonderful, and how could you not love him.
Cole was born in a hot July in Kerrville Texas. His first name is the name of a little boy I used to watch when I was younger. I loved it so Cole was named after him. His middle name Elliot is my fathers middle name. I have always loved my Dad deeply and would have given a child his full name but it isn't only my choice.
Cole is a wonderful son! He is finishing the second grade this year with straight A's. He enjoys reading and is currently reading The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Cole is very much like his mom with his passion for books and dancing. Cole loves to dance and tries really hard to have control of his body and its movements. He is like his dad with his love of music and singing. He loves to draw and is very good at it.
Cole understands his role of being a leader very well. You will never hear Cole say a bad word and he is always willing to help out his mommy. Cole treats his sisters with extra love and understands that they are just little girls. When one gets hurt he is always there for a big brotherly hug. Cole's best friend is his little brother Will. They spend every moment together and really enjoy each others company. Don't get me wrong they fight but so do the best of friends sometimes.
Cole holds a special place in my heart, he is my cuddling caring wonderful blue eyed baby. I can remember when it was just the two of us. I held him all the time and kissed his little face all over. He is growing into such a smart beautiful boy. I can't even believe the blessing he is to this family. He is Awesome! I love you, Cole!!!

20 0f My Favorite Things

20 Of My Favorite Things
1. Color Pink always has been but it doesn't agree with my skin color so I like to wear red. My favorite color in the home though, is mustard.
2. Dessert chocolate anything chocolate
3. Smell Yankee Home Sweet Home candle or lavender
4. Flower Rose
5. Animal At this point in my life I don't have extra love to give an animal. My kids take everything I got, but when they are older I would love to have horses and dogs!
6. Month July I feel alive in July!
7. Beverage Sugar sweetened iced tea.
8. Pair of shoes Penny loafers, all though I don't have any right now I would love to find a good pair.
9. Snack Chocolate anything chocolate
10. Song Church hymn is A Child's Prayer other than that anything I can catch my husband singing.(I love his voice)
11. Book I like them all way to much to pick one!
12. Fruit Bananas

13. Hairstyle On me long, on my girls I like it short in the back and longer in the front. I think they look like little fairies or pixies. I love it.

14. Piece of clothing Blue jeans and a classic button down shirt
15. Store to clothes shop in I love Wal-mart.
16. Season Fall
17. Hobby Reading and painting old furniture and making a new treasure.
18. Thing to collect Books and buttons.
19. Movie Harry Potter
20. Restaurant My own kitchen when my husband is the chef!

I really enjoy The Simple Woman Day Book and I got this layout there if you want to do your 20 Favorite Things check it out!

Books

I love to read! Matthew and I took a trip to the bookstore on Saturday and decided to take the kids with us for the first time. They loved it! We spent an entire hour in the kids section. It was so hard to pick that some of us left unhappy. We all treated ourselves to a new book so it didn't take long for the "Be grateful" speech to ensue. By the time we got to the car we were all grateful and excited about our new books. I absolutely positively love to read!!!! I want my children to have that same passion. How can you go wrong? There are how to books, mysteries, romance and cooking. Books that make you laugh and books that make you cry. Books that scare you and books that teach you. Books that give you so much knowledge and books that when you read them you feel like it was time wasted and lost. (I even enjoy those kind)
Who doesn't enjoy curling up on the couch and the next thing you know you are running through the woods. Branches are whipping around so hard that you can feel your skin being split open and blood sliding down your cheek. The pain in your ribcage is almost crippling, you need air and you need it now. You look back over your shoulder to see how close the massive spider is, stumbling to the ground. You look up and you're Harry Potter. Sometimes after reading a book I can't remember if it was a book I read or a movie I saw. My imagination runs away with me. I love it! Who doesn't enjoy having the knowledge that the pain that you are feeling during pregnancy is nothing more than round ligament pain. Or being able to explain what 1,3,and 75% means when in the last stages of pregnancy. Every book my husband brings home to teach some way to better your business, I read. Every book in our home I have read.
Lets not forget the most important books. Books that teach us about our Heavenly Fathers plan. Sometimes his books might be harder to follow, but the importance of those words is so unbelievable. Take time everyday to hear the words written for you to know him. To know God is to know the spirit of God and to know the spirit of God, we must read. So curl up and enjoy!!

Broccoli Chicken Cassserole

Today is recipe day! Yummy! I love recipes that are easy on the mom and the checkbook. The other night I was low on everything so I made some adjustments to a recipe I found online. I actually changed so much I don't think my recipe was even close to theirs. The kids absolutely loved it, which is a total bonus. William is so hard to please and hates everything I make. It also gave them a full dose of vegetables without them even knowing it! It turned out so good I thought I would share it.

What you need:
3 boiled chicken breast
1 bag of frozen broccoli florets
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 box of stuffing mix
1/2 onion
3 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of butter
seasoning salt and pepper

In a large bowl mix together both cans of soup (undiluted) add the sour cream and one cup of cheese. Next measure out 1 cup of stuffing and set aside the rest add to your soup mixture. Using a food chopper, chop your chicken and broccoli really small, then add to your soup mixture. In a sauce pan saute your onion and garlic minced in the butter. When onion is soft add to the mixture. Add seasoning salt and pepper to taste. Spread out into a 9x13 pan, top with the rest of your cheese and stuffing. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Enjoy!!

My Husband

Last night while laying in my bed, my thoughts turned to my husband. How often I forget him. My life with our kids is so full all the time. I forget to tell Matthew thank you. I forget to show him how much I love him. I always know that he knows. The time that I do have to stop and think he is the first thing on my mind. I wondered how many of us busy mothers forget.
As I lay there listening to the rain pounding on our home and the gentle soft snore of Matthew, I thought of him. With every flash of lightning I could see his face laying there completely unaware of me starring. I wanted so bad to curl up next to him and sleep there under his chin. The two sleeping babies between us prevented me. (this is something I need to change) So I just lay there in thought. My husband, is the greatest man I know. Matthew and I married very young and have spent the years that have followed building my dream, a family. Not just any family but one with lots of kids close together so they will grow up to be friends. One with a stay at home mom to make sure they never feel the fear of coming home to an empty house, or that there isn't to much alone time to be bad in. One with the gospel of Jesus Christ. My young husband has done this all for me!! I think it must be so much more difficult to be a working man then a stay at home mom. Satan is not in my home unless I invite him in, but our husbands out there working are surrounded by him all the time. It must be so hard to always be so strong but Matthew is.
I know that Matthew is my soul mate, he is my other half. I feel so blessed to know him and be a part of his life. He is truly a wonderful man. I think it is important to make time to think of our husbands even when life is full. To maybe turn off the vacuum or tell the kids to go quietly play a game, walk in and wrap our arms around them and thank them for all they do. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, what more could I ask for?

What it means to be a Mother

Being a mom means I never get to take baths alone. Never seeing the bottom of the laundry baskets. Never sleeping alone in our bed without a child crawling between us in the middle of the night. It's constant testing, testing testing how far can I push mom. It's forcing a child to taste the apple before they say they don't like it. It's standing in a room alone having a silent temper-tantrum and wondering if you're the only mom in the world who questions if she'll be enough and is she doing this right and how much more can I take. It is standing by what you said even if it would be easier to just give them their way. It's trying to be fair and teach at the same time that life isn't always fair. It's all consuming, never ending.
Being a mom means endless kisses and hugs. Always being told you look pretty. Always being needed and wanted. Being trusted without question. Having the power to fix anything. It's knowing that they chose you. Before we ever came here we must have been such close friends, for them to want to be my children. It's looking in their eyes and knowing that they are the children of our Heavenly Father and that he believed in me, he had faith in me that I could teach his children and show them the way. I said I could! He has blessed me with five of the most precious children, what more could I ask for?