I need to realize Less is More!

This morning I decided to fore go the Betty Crocker bagged blueberry mix that I usually make for breakfast and make homemade blueberry muffins instead. Yum! BIG MISTAKE! It took me about 10 times as long and the end result: children complaining that these don't taste like my usual blueberry muffins. Chase was not about to taste them. Brinton ate one, but gagged every time he came across an actual fresh blueberry. ("Yuck what are these gross things Mom? Please just go back to your usual muffins.) And McKenna only ate 1/2 of one. So I was left with a dozen blueberry muffins, my pride a little hurt, and the realization that less is more.

10 Years & Counting! February 12, 2009

Can you believe it? Graham & I celebrated our 10th year wedding anniversary last Thursday. I know what most of you are thinking. Sarah, you can not possibly be old enough to have been married 10 years. You look way too young for that. (Wasn't anyone thinking that??) Well alas, it is true we both are old enough to be celebrating this exciting milestone together. We had the most wonderful getaway to celebrate a decade together. Graham planned the entire thing himself (as a surprise) All I was responsible for was making plans for the kids while we were away. (A very special thank you to Marni & Lisa for being willing to help with my kids. I appreciate you both so much! The kids had a blast!)
So we stayed at the JW Marriot in Tucson from Thursday to Saturday. It was beautiful! The hotel was very nice, and the views were breathtaking. We had a nice leisurely morning on Friday. We even went on an awesome scenic hike. I was pretty surprised just how beautiful natural desert landscaping is when it is surrounded by so many beautiful mountains. After returning from our hike, Graham rushed me along to a fabulous spa experience. That's right! He had scheduled a massage & facial for me to enjoy all by myself. (for a mom who is constantly surrounded by 3 precious but loud & crazy children peaceful alone time is just what I needed. I even read a book and took advantage of the whirlpool in between treatments.) It was so nice. (Thanks for thinking of that Graham. You are amazing!) Then when I returned to my room Graham had laid out the most beautiful fancy dress ensemble for me to wear to dinner. It was beautiful!(Thanks to my awesome sister Alden for helping Graham out with this surprise.) We then enjoyed a quiet dinner together at a beautiful restaruant in the hotel. So those were the main highlights from our weekend getaway. I confess, it is true, I love my husband. It was so fun to celebrate our love in such a fun & relaxing way. Graham is very charming and quite good at surprises! I am grateful for this wonderful 10 years together, and feel so blessed to be on this journey through life with my best friend.

Happy 33rd Birthday Graham! February 10, 2009

In honor of Graham's birthday, I have to blog about how wonderful my husband is to me & for me. I am very grateful to have him in my life.

33 Things I love about my husband:

1.The way he loves me.
2.He is generous.
3.He takes me on a date every week.
4.He puts up with my craziness and acts like it is no big deal
5.He tells me I’m beautiful all the time. Really, all the time. It is so sweet.
6.He is a wonderful Dad. He enjoys playing with our kids.
7.He spoils me
8.He is a wonderful provider
9.He has always made sure we make Christmas with my family. We’ve been married 10 years, and have traveled to Texas 9 of them. This last one we all gathered for a family reunion in Colorado over Christmas break. It was so fun!
10.He listens to me when I want to talk. And I like to talk a lot!
11.He cleans the house, and cooks the majority of Sunday dinners.
12.He likes order. He is not a pack rat and I am grateful!
13.He takes me on getaways where it is just the two of us.
14.Honesty is very important to him.
15.He tries to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
16.He is sensitive to my needs.
17.He is savvy. He makes wonderful well-thought out decisions.
18.He lets me think I’m in charge.
19.He gave me my most treasured gifts: Brinton, Chase, & McKenna
20.He cuddles me a lot!
21.He encourages me to cry when he knows I need it, and listens until I get it all out…sometimes it takes a while.
22.He is so loyal!
23.He loves spending time as a family.
24.He sets a wonderful example for me and our children.
25.He leads our family righteously.
26.He is my best friend. We have so much fun being together.
27.He does not stress…or at least not much. Unfortunately, he can’t because if I knew he stressed I would come undone. I take care of the stressing in our family.
28.He compliments me on the way I mother often.
29.He has amazing self-discipline
30.He believes in doing what is right…Always
31.He loves my family. How could he not?, but I’m still grateful he does.
32.He accepts me for who I am.
33.He believes he is lucky to be married to me. I am glad he feels that way, because I genuinely feel lucky to be married to him as well!

He Gets that from Me!

This week, Brinton's teacher sent home a note for me. It read, "Mrs. Johnson--Today, when we were coming back into class to work on the sheep, Brinton sighed and said,"Oh Boy, this is going to be a long and stressful process!" I mean really what 6 year old says that? Apparently he is aware of stress from someone. Now who could that be??? He definitely gets that from me!

Putty in Her Hands!

I confess. This girl melts me. But can you blame me with a face like this one? I consider myself to not be an easily manipulated mom. However...when this girl looks at me with her precious smile and says, "Just two mo minutes Mom," I am nothing but putty in her hands. Trust me, she gets a lot of extra 2 minutes throughout the day. McKenna is such a joy to have in our family!

Too Much Thinking??

Sometimes I feel very sensitive and aware of the fact that our children are growing up. Graham & I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary next week. That got me thinking. These 10 years have flown by. (I am very grateful for my wonderful husband.) That started me thinking about how quickly 10 more years will pass, and we will have a 16,14,&12 year old. That made me emotional of course because I love having my little children. So I know some of you are thinking...Sarah stop thinking. You're only upsetting yourself. But really, I am not. I just wanted to take a moment and record that I love my children! They are amazing gifts in my life...and I am trying to treasure them. These days are passing all too quickly, and I am trying my darndest to enjoy them. I hope all of you are doing the same!!