So...I'm Into

Lately I am into...

 

Cards.  Lots of cards.

There's something about a small package of pretty cards that makes me so happy. 

I find myself in the card aisle of every store I walk into that has one and almost always

walk out with a stack.  Or two :)

 

Here are some of my favorites. 

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

 Cheap Sunglasses

Old Navy $5                      Charming Charlie $12

Charming Charlie $12                  Forever 21 $5                     Urbanwear $7

 

Yes I have more.  Yes I have a thing for American Flags.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Gold Jewelry

Not pictured, but ever present in my closet.  Lots of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and now a watch (haven't worn a watch in y-e-a-r-s).  But I am a huge fan.  And yes, of course, like my sunglasses all the jewelry is pretty cheap :)  I like buying stuff too much

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Running!  Lots of running! 

           

Once again it is training time for the American Fork Half Marathon - my favorite. 

This time around we have a group of six that run every M/W/F/Sa mornings.

I absolutely love running.  Running is my favorite.

And I can't wait for it to warm up and lighten up around, say, 6am every day.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Summer Mix 2014

Love it.  Listening to it right now.

And Imagine Dragons - really into them, or should I say, him :)

 

I just love music.  Love love love.

But believe it or not, I do not love listening to music while I run.

Hate hate hate.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

 Flat Shoes

Lots and lots of flat shoes.

More American Flags.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Aztec Print

Shoes.  Bag.  Shirt.  Pillow.  Cards.  Rug.

Love it.

Kind of obsessed

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Family History!

By far the coolest thing I have done in a long time is find family names that need temple work done - like hundreds of names! - and go to the temple to do the work.  So very cool. 

And now I'm kind of obsessed. 

 

I love searching familysearch.org for family members and am so excited to get all of their work done.  I am set for the next few years!  And have plans to get my family members to work as well ;)

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Date Night

I love date night.

I love that we have date night.

I love that it is a priority.

I love having it to look forward to every week.

I love how it makes our marriage better.  And stronger.

I just love my husband, and I love spending time with him.

He's my favorite.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

My Family

These guys are my world.

I've never loved being a wife and a mom as much as I do now.

Seriously - I'm not just saying that.

 

There is so much joy that comes from raising a family and committing myself to these people.

I wouldn't trade this life for any other.  I feel so very blessed.

 

I am a strong believer in families.

Families are central to God's plan, and yes, He has a plan for us.

I believe that.  And I believe we are meant to have joy.

And my family brings me joy.
So much joy.

 

 

 

So...you may also like::

::So...A Record

::So...This Time

::So...16 Favorites

 

Thanks for stopping by!

So...The Mother Mixes

So...obviously I never finished my Christmas memories.
Oops.

Blogging doesn't seem to be my strength these days.
So I thought I would stick with something I am good at - making mixes :)

I've been cleaning out the nooks and crannies of my house and basically have been trying to generally declutter every aspect of my life for the past two years.  In the process I have come across many many mix CDs.  Most are badly scratched and some aren't even playable.  But I do not want to lose these mixes - they are each a part of my past and hold precious memories.

So...I'm documenting them here on my blog and share them with you because really, it's great music.

These Mother Mixes are the mothers of all mixes.  These are college to me!  Back in the day of Napster and illegal music downloading and burning CDs was awesome.  I would find and download (for free!) every song by my favorite artists, which back then were mostly Guster, Dispatch, OAR, Dashboard Confessional, and Dave Matthews.  I also loved finding acoustic versions and covers of my favorite tunes.  My computer had a playlist of over 500 songs (probably more actually) that would play of shuffle all day long.  Each one of these songs are on the soundtrack of my college life. 

Feels like studying for the next mid-term, writing a paper, eating vending machine food, and waiting for my boyfriend to call while lounging in high school soccer sweats on my bed up on cement blocks in my poster-walled dorm room.
Seems like a lifetime ago, but when I put on this music I feel like I'm right there again.

If you're looking for some chill music - check these out.

Mother Mix 1
Mouth (acoustic)::John Mayer
Two Coins::Dispatch
So Long::Guster
Another Lonely Day::Ben Harper
Don't Know Why::Norah Jones
It's All Understood::Jack Johnson
Day By Day::Five For Fighting
Typical Situation::Dave Matthews Band
Evaporated::Ben Folds Five
I Feel Home::OAR
Brilliant Dance::Dashboard Confessional
Sleep::Phish
Angry Anymore::Ani Defranco
Alright::Five For Fighting
Waiting on an Angel::Ben Harper
Lullabye::Ben Folds Five


Mother Mix 2
Crazy Game of Poker::OAR
Bang Bang::Dispatch
Drink the Water::Jack Johnson
Both Hands::Ani Defranco
Burn One Down::Ben Harper
Drowning::Dashboard Confessional
Angel::Dave Matthews Band
How::Lisa Loeb
Air::Ben Folds Five
Creep (acoustic)::Radiohead
Perfect::Guster
Hangover::OAR
No Such Thing::John Mayer
Drive::Dispatch
Not A Pretty Girl::Ani Defranco
My Beloved One::Ben Harper


I hope you enjoy!



So...you may also like::
::Monday Memories 051::Boyfriend Mix
::So...Classic Mixes
::So...Best Mix Ever

Thanks for stopping by!

So...Summer 2014 Mix

It's about time.
This mix has been in the works for over a year now and it is finally done.

With a super long road trip coming up, I've been compiling playlists to burn onto discs for our listening pleasure and memory making.  This one I'm pretty excited about.

Summer 2014
Ants Marching::Dave Matthews Band
The Distance::Cake
It's Time::Imagine Dragons
The Walker::Fitz & the Tantrums
My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)::Fall Out Boy
Love Don't Die::The Fray
1983::Neon Trees
Radioactive::Imagine Dragons
Love Me Again::John Newman
Happy::Pharrell Williams
Come With Me Now::Kongos
Satellite::Dave Matthews Band
Wake Me Up::Avicii
Too Close::Alex Clare
Beggin'::Madcon  (my current favorite)
I Will Wait::Mumford & Sons
Mirrors::Justin Timberlake
Come a Little Closer::Cage the Elephant
Pompeii::Bastille
Believer::American Authors
Demons::Imagine Dragons

So there it is.
Our summer 2014 soundtrack.
There's another Girl Mix coming up that will also be playing frequently this summer and will be posted soon.  The Daughters have been anticipating this one for a while and this time they've helped me pick some pretty sweet tunes.

I love that they love music and I love that music is so much a part of our family life.



So...you may also like::
::So...Girl Mix 2013.2
::So...Girl Mix 2013
::So...Best Mix EVER

Thanks for stopping by!

So...Mama Lion

Lately I have gotten the most satisfaction from just lying on the ground and letting my kids climb and crawl all over me.  Whether on the floor in the playroom, on my bed, or on the grass under a tree, this is my most favorite form of quality time with the kids. 

It doesn't require getting in the car, putting on shoes, a stroller, a diaper bag, or getting somewhere on time. We are not rushing through activities, moving from one thing to the next, making sure kids are acting a certain way, not touching things they aren't supposed to, not climbing on things, not running away, or not bothering other people.  There is no agenda, no expectations, and no limit to this time we spend together.  It is time literally doing nothing, but sometimes nothing really means everything.

This time is full of hugs and kisses, laughing and giggling, tickling, singing, funny faces and funny noises.  It is time when they are everything and there are no distractions.  I feel like a mother lion with her cubs climbing all over her and I absolutely love it.  There is something that feels so good, so natural, and so right about doing nothing but just being together.  It is important time.

These are the moments we can all soak in - time slowed down, spent just being together. 
It is my favorite.

I know it won't last forever, so I'm trying to get as much of this time in as I can.
Everything else can wait, cause I don't want to miss this time with my babies.



So...you may also like::
::So...A Day in my 2005 Life
::So...A Clean House
::So...Sunday Thought

Thanks for stopping by!

So...A Record

I am so thankful for this little blog 'o mine and the record that it has become.

My feelings about blogging are mixed.  I see the pros and cons of blogging and my feelings about whether or not I should continue blogging kinda ebbs and flows between the benefits and the harms of social media (blah blah blah). 

But I am always glad, when I go back and read past posts, that I have continued to blog regardless of how I felt at the time.  I am always glad I didn't stop for whatever fleeting moment may have led me to quit.  I am so glad for the record I have. 

And so I keep blogging.  I keep pushing through :)

I've been reading some old posts and wanted to share some of my favorites and some that are meaningful to me.  Regardless of what this blog is to anyone else, I am so glad for what it has been for me.  And if you are new to this blog (let's be honest though...you're all either related to me or might as well be :) ) these should get you caught up.

This blog is coming up on it's five year anniversary.
Here are some of the goodies from the last five years::
(there are a lot and they are in no particular order.)

200 Buttons

Just Breathe

Miracles

Remedies

Full Hands

Bandaids

I'm Thankful

I Am SO Thankful

I Love

Mental Health Day

Perspective

I Can Hardly Stand It

If I Could Change One Thing About My Life...

Seeing the Joy

Wimbledon Here I Come

A Selfish Debate

I Have to Admit

Amazing

Complete

Word of the Day

A Morning

A Summer Day

A Quiet Afternoon

It's Crazy Cold

We Made It

One Month

Photo Diary of the Past Decade

Ten Years

A Little Jiggle Never Hurt Anyone...Unless You're Watching :)

It's About Them

Scriptures

13.1...Done

Look At Me Go

An Honest Note to Self

Today Was A Great Day

Never Listen

TGIF

Large With Child

A Secret

A Clean House

This Time

Sweet Dream

I Really Love Life

I Want To Be

Acceptance

An Emotional Bathroom Break

Growing a Baby is Not Nothing

Things I'm Learning Through Motherhood::01

Things I'm Learning Through Motherhood::02

Things I'm Learning Through Motherhood::03

Things I'm Learning Through Motherhood::04

Things I'm Learning Through Motherhood::05

Things I'm Learning Through Motherhood::06

Things I'm Learning Through Motherhood::07

Being a Mom's the Best

And some of the posts I'm most thankful to have are::

Monday Memories

I'm pretty proud of this record I have accumulated here on So Buttons and look forward to adding to it.  This blog has really been a blessing to me and I'm thankful for the support I feel here.

Thanks for sticking around for the past five years.
Thanks for not being too bored with my life and what I have to say...or at least pretending not to be.
That really is so thoughtful of you. :)



So...you may also like::
::So...Happy Two To You (Or Me) blog birthday.
::So...2010 As Told On Facebook before i ran as far as i could.
::So...Let's Talk About the "F" Word social media is not my friend - but blogging isn't so bad.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

01::beautiful fall at the park.
02::a good book.
03::goals.
04::prayer.
05::good friends.
06::work.
07::getting my hair done.
08::running.
09::sodalicious.
10::one-on-one time with the girls.
11::miracles + blessings.
12::my husband.
13::my family.
14::change.
15::gratitude.
16::Thanksgiving (it is my favorite holiday after all).



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites
::So...16 Favorites
::So...16 Favorites

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

 

01::my boys.
02::family in town.
03::planning costumes.
04::baby smiles.
05::chatting with a friend.
06::snuggling with a baby.
07::late night chats with First Daughter.
08::a 30th birthday.
09::miracles.
10::candy corns + peanuts.
11::Son learning new words every day.
12::conference.
13::sisters getting along.
14::cozy blankets.
15::my family.
16::ten years.



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites august 2013.
::So...16 Favorites july 2013.
::So...16 Favorites june 2013.
Thanks for stopping  by!

So...16 Favorites

01::a new baby boy!
02::sweet siblings.
03::a complete family.
04::not being pregnant :)
05::newborn baby breath.
06::lots of family in town.
07::an upcoming wedding.
08::cousin sleepovers.
09::getting to know baby.
10::back to school anticipation.
11::my husband.
12::sleep - a rare commodity these days.
13::Son playing fetch with Dog.
14::watching the kiddos ride bikes.
15::sitting on the front porch.
16::family.



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites july 2013.
::So...16 Favorites june 2013.
::So...16 Favorites may 2013.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

some of our favorite people in the world - so happy to get to see them

01::documenting our summer fun.
02::life long friends.
03::a college graduation.
04::independence day celebration with family.
05::freedom.
06::homemade ice cream.
07::watermelon.
08::family time.
09::hiccups in my belly.
10::fireworks.
11::awesome people.
12::awesome kiddos.
13::diet dr. pepper.
14::nesting.
15::family date night at the movies.
16::counting down days until baby is born.



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites june 2013.
::So...16 Favorites may 2013.
::So...16 Favorites april 2013.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

 

01::the new splash pad.
02::family in town to celebrate with us.
03::First Daughter requesting a blog just for me and her to write notes to each other.
04::summer camps and swim lessons.
05::late night hot tubbing.
06::summer days and summer nights.
07::crossing things off our summer bucket list.
08::sleeping in.
09::scera outdoor theater.
10::SYTYCD
11::connecting with extended family.
12::quiet afternoons.
13::reading.
14::watching kids play outside until dark.
15::husband telling me i look pretty.  still gets me all twitterpated.
16::my marriage.


P.S. I watched Husband install a garage door this weekend for the first time in five years.  Installing garage doors was what he did for many years before we had babies.  I was reminded yesterday morning that watching him install a door is one of my favorite things ever.  That man was made to build things with his hands.  And there is something pretty awesome (and so very attractive) about watching someone in their element.


So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites may 2013.
::So...16 Favorites april 2013.
::So...16 Favorites march 2013.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point

01::family pass to Thanksgiving Point.
02::longer, warmer evenings.
03::open windows at night.
04::Son's opened mouth kisses.
05::taking a day to appreciate our mothers.
06::the opportunity to be a mother.
07::baby #5 growing and kicking away.
08::third trimester - the countdown begins.
09::sunday dinners with Brother & Sister-Inlaw-To-Be.
10::summer right around the corner.
11::a new blog banner.
12::maxi skirts.
13::game night with friends.
14::a dreamy backyard space to play in.
15::my husband.  he's my favorite.
16::an eight year old girl.



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites april 2013
::So...16 Favorites march 2013
::So...16 Favorites february 2013

Thanks for stopping by!

So...Camera Shy

 

One of my favorite things is having updated pictures of my kids.
It makes me so happy.
I try to get their pictures taken at least once a year - more during their first year - and it was time to get all the kiddos' birthday pictures.

I must tell you about Camera Shy.
They are my new favorite find.

These shots our from a photo shoot they took of our kiddos a week ago.
The session was 45 minutes long.  I could pick and choose between backgrounds, group shots, individuals, outfit changes - anything I wanted - in the 45 minute time slot.

After the shoot, we waited 1 hour while they edited the shots.  (We grabbed some lunch while we waited).  When we came back they had a slide show ready for us to view the shots (which all turned out adorable) and I felt zero pressure to buy prints or packages, add embellishments, or anything else that cost extra money.  And to be honest, that made me want to buy prints even more! 
If I wanted to buy prints, they were only $4 per sheet.

The whole experience was only $89 total and that included a CD with 45-50 edited shots that I could take home with me and print whenever I wanted. 
Amazing, right???  I definitely thought so.

There was no sitting fee per child.
There was no extra cost for the copyrights to the photos.
There was no scheme to get me to purchase extra sheets (we're just going to throw out these pictures of your kids we already printed...unless you want to buy them).
There was no wasting of my time looking through montages, borders, special effects, and what-not that I wasn't interested in.
And the sheets that I got printed were ready instantly.  Like in 5 minutes.
It was the most amazing photo shoot experience of my life.

PLUS - they have adorable backgrounds (real backgrounds, not backdrops), cute furniture and props, and bright fun colors to add to your shots.

I really really loved our experience at Camera Shy and feel the need to tell everyone about it!
No, they did not ask me to spread the word, and no I am not getting compensated for posting about this (this isn't that kind of blog anyway :) ).
I just wanted to let you know about this amazing find.
If you live in the area, or are coming in town any time soon, call and schedule an appointment.
You won't be disappointed!



So...you may also like::
::So...Granola Bars seriously the best.
::So...8x10s keepsake.
::So...24::Where we got engaged.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

01::spring walks on the river trail.
02::buds on the trees.
03::Easter dresses.
04::filling my spiritual cup with words from General Conference.
05::correspondence via mail.
06::spring soccer.
07::babies in footie pajammies
08::double jogging strollers.
09::baby kicks in my tummy.
10::spring break.
11::outdoor BBQ's.
12::reconnecting with an old friend.
13::temple date night.
14::family.
15::a new backyard.
16::Son sliding down the stairs on his tummy :)



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites april 2012.
::So...16 Favorites january 2013.
::So...16 Favorites march 2013.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

01::homework/laundry time together at the kitchen table.
02::fleece lined leggings.  so cozy.
03::dreaming about home projects.
04::fresh paint.
05::inspiring acts of service and love.
06::quiet nights before bedtime.
07::two birthday girls in one week.
08::sunshine.
09::husband complimenting my outfit.
10::our living room decor finally coming together.
11::Son walking with a smile on his face.
12::laughing with my kids.
13::effortless friendships.
14::date nights.  (will always be a favorite)
15::an anticipated visit from leprachuans.
16::we're having a BOY!

Yes, Baby #5 it's on its way.
We are beyond thrilled :)

Happy St. Paddy's Day tomorrow!



So...you may also like::
::So...It's Me Lucky Day i'm a lucky mama.
::So...What We Did on St. Patty's Day kids make holidays so much fun!
::So...2011 Buttons 2011 in a nutshell.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...This Time

I love this time. 
My time in bed before sleep.

We've said prayers and tucked the kiddos snuggly in their beds.
I can still hear them in the next room humming and fidgetting, trying to settle down to sleep.
The three girlies still do pretty well in the same room and that makes me happy.
I love to hear their conversations (even when their being naughty and getting out of bed) and know that they are developing their own relationships with each other.  It is so awesome.

The house is still and quiet downstairs.
Husband and I are winding down. 
He on his computer, me on mine.
Our time apart before some time together.
Our way of unwinding after the whirlwind of our night time routine.

Our bedroom window has officially opened for the Spring.
It's a bit earlier than most, but I love it. 
I love to hear the faint hum of the freeway and the smell of cold night air seeping through our window. 
It is so refreshing and so wonderful. 
I love cool nights, warm jammies, socks, and cozy blankets.

We have a full week ahead of us.
School, work, music lessons, church callings, a special visit, date night, and a family dinner.
So many good things.

I'm thankful for weekends and down time to balance out the busy.
I'm thankful for quiet moments each night before bed to reflect on the good and gear up for the next day.
I'm thankful for break through moments with the kiddos.
I'm thankful for subtle confirmations that life sure is good and though we're not perfect, we're doing a pretty good job.

Keep on keepin' on everybody.
Life is good and you're doing great.



So...you may also like::
::So...Morning on the Trail i can't wait for that again.
::So...Today i'm thankful for sunshine.
::So...25 Random Things About Me i love the smell of the city.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

01::our one year old devouring his birthday cake.
02::morning and afternoon smoothies.
03::Second Daughter sounding out words to write.
04::the sound of my house with the television off.
05::a freshly vacuumed floor.
06::Son's kissy face.
07::super awesome amazing incredible friends who shared their Blendtec discount :)
08::rice krispy treats.  holy yum.
09::warm homemade soup on a cold winter night.
10::long phone conversations with my sister.  or a friend.
11::thoughtful meaningful thank you notes.
12::dinner dates with friends
13::a new unexpected church assignment.
14::meeting new people.
15::a weekend of celebrating.
16::my sweet sweet Valentine.

 

So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites february 2011.
::So...16 Favorites january 2011.
::So...16 Favorites december 2012.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

my favorite kiddos in their Christmas jammies

01::a new year.
02::hope.
03::unconditional love.
04::early mornings with Husband.
05::goals.
06::forgiveness.
07::tolerance.
08::gratitude.
09::smiling kiddos.
10::paying off a debt.
11::blogging in bed.
12::Son trying to sing.
13::wicked good slippers.  seriously, they are amazing.
14::date to Cheesecake Factory.
15::crazy cool icicles on our house.
16::a homemade cazookie.  delicious.



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites january 2011.
::So...16 Favorites november 2012.
::So...16 Favorites may 2011.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

San Jose Christmas tree 2011

01::First Daughter smiling off the school bus.
02::hot chocolate in the mornings.
03::quiet afternoons.
04::kissing squishy cheeks.
05::fire burning in the fireplace.
06::magical snow falls.
07::volunteering at school.
08::stocking hung with care.
09::Christmas tree.
10::Christmas lists for those I love.
11::Christmas mixes.
12::Christmas lights.
13::Christmas movies.
14::Christmas carols.
15::Christmas story.
16::all things Christmas.

What are your favorite things this time of year?



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites november 2012.
::So...16 Favorites april 2011.
::So...16 Favorites march 2011.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

01::dance parties in the kitchen.
02::hooded sweatshirts.
03::nights starting earlier.
04::thanksgiving dinner (i can't wait!)
05::my baby's smile.
06::midnight showing of Twilight!
07::tradition.
08::friendship.
09::gratitude.
10::saturday swim lessons.
11::midday texts from Husband.
12::flirting.
13::being married to my best friend.
14::going to bed early.
15::cuddling in bed with a journal or a book.
16::date night!

Happy Friday everyone!



So...you may also like::
::So...16 Favorites may 2011.
::So...16 Favorites january 2011.
::So...16 Favorites february 2011.

Thanks for stopping by!

So...16 Favorites

01::finding musical scribbles in First Daughter's notebook.
02::dreaming about home projects.
03::swimming pool sized bath tub.
04::a co-write.
05::Grandma & Grandpa here for First Daughter's birthday.
06::late-overs. {genius subsitute for sleepovers}
07::the river trail. tree swing and all.
08::sun.
09::personal training sessions. i'm a believer.
10::supportive friends.
11::music.
12::poetry.
13::Husband.
14::my family.
15::chocolate covered pomegranates.
16::much needed roadtrip.



So...you may also like:
::So...16 Favorites april.
::So...16 Favorites march.
::So...16 Favorites february.

Thanks for stopping by!