The Kite Dreamer.

We have had such a cold, long winter this past year in TX! The weather is starting to warm up and we couldn't be more ready. I am not complaining and my memory has not failed me. The many chilling ice box adventures I have endured throughout my life living in Utah and Michigan will forever be burnt there. All that being said, your blood changes when you move south.....35 degrees is cold to us! ;)

Last Thursday was such a gorgeous day! Despite my joy in the weather, I had been having a bit of a frustrating day and was tempted to dig into spring cleaning at home (which is usually how I vent out my frustrations) when my friend Janelle called. They were headed to the beach for spring break and they invited us to come along.

Warren has been wanting to fly a kite for months...but it has been so cold and not really windy enough. We kept telling him as soon as it warmed up we would take him to the beach because it is always windy there and it is also near some other good friends who live nearby.

Weston worked from home that day and we have been itching to get out in the sunshine. So, we hopped in the car and we were off for a little fun in the sun! We got stuck in bad traffic and after a 2.5 hour car trip and Warren asking us "are we getting closer?!" about 50 times we made it to Galveston.

Dad riggin up the chassy......

You must watch the video (bottom of this post) to fully experience and appreciate Warren's kite flying dream come true. He was just a... LITTLE excited.

Janelle showing the kiddos how it is done! See her cute little tum tum? Baby Jones is due Sept 2oth.

The kids had fun playing in the sand and collecting sea shells.

We had such a great time. Looking forward to more warm weather and future beach trips this year! It was just what I needed that day to lift my spirits and forget the things which are not important in life and focus on the things that are. Family & Friends. It was a great reminder to me, when life gives you wind... take your "wings", leave the "dirt" behind and fly with the angels He sends along the way. :)

You'll make someone's dreams come true.

Pony. Pone. Poni.

A few years ago life was crazy stressful and I was having a pretty hard time. One day I was talking with one of my friends on the phone who happened to be dealing with almost identical problems and worries. Our conversation turned spiritual and we were both trying to buoy one another up. Life had not taken the course that either of us thought it should have. Sound familiar? I don't mean to minimize this because the trials we were both experiencing were very significant and we were both completely exhausted. At times, it seemed there was no light to be seen. No hope. We were both striving to be faithful and remained close to the Lord. We talked often. Each time we spoke, we supported and laughed with each other and tried our best to press forward with faith but the trials remained.

In all that another constant remained, phone call after phone call. Both of us, although we wanted more than anything for these trials to be removed, could feel our Saviors love stronger than we ever had before in our lives. His tender mercies were abundant and we both felt a strong sense of peace and spiritual alignment with what God wanted for us. The bitter truly was made sweet. Not after the trial but in the midst of it.

Even though I could see the tender mercies and was full of gratitude overflowing for His love , from time to time, I still found myself questioning and even whining again for my will to be fulfilled. My faith would slip for a moment and therefore so did my perspective. I knew right when it happened because I didn't feel as close to the Savior and peace would vanish.

A few days later, I was in Hallmark looking for a fun pick me up for another friend when I spotted it. At first it caught my eye because it reminded me of a strikingly similar picture of myself when I was little. Cute little girl, brown hair and round sunglasses. A little less dramatic as my glasses were not quite as oversized and I definitely did not have a convertible with white leather seats to roll around town in (EVER in my life). I pulled the card out to read the caption and instantly started laughing. Yes. Out Loud. In the store.

I thought....so this is how Heavenly Father sends an "instant message" to me on earth! Just like my friend and I would laugh at ourselves.... I really felt like Heavenly Father gave me the humorous nudge I needed that day to remind me what I actually look like when I start to be less grateful for all that he has already given me.

Suprisingly, I have not mastered this concept yet (cue sarcasm) as the "heavenly messenger" has chimed once again.

bath junkie

Two weeks ago today I celebrated my 30th birthday. When it comes to my birthday I never really realize it is coming until a day or two before and for the most part they have always been free from what I now call "birthday anxiety". First of all, I don't think 30 is old. Lots of my friends are in their 30's (and older) and I have never given it a second thought. For me however, I have to admit that for some reason now I just feel different. I guess I just never really pictured myself 30 something. I keep thinking... I am 30 now and before you know it I will be 40...then 50...etc and for some reason there isn't a huge distinction in my mind. Well, I am determined to be optimistic. I mean look at all that I have experienced and accomplished in 30 years! Ok, maybe I shouldn't think about that. ;)

Well...we had a wonderful day. It started out with a suprise breakfast in bed... eggs and cinnamon rolls! I have always said that Weston is interesting and Warren is creative so there you have it! Then we headed up to the Woodlands, a city just north of here that has great shopping. I was sporting my 5 month pregnant belly, newly purchased white linen maternity capri's & tissue tees, 2 handsome devils by my side and just a teeny weeny bit of "birthday anxiety". The boys took me out for Mexican (my personal fav) and we did some shopping.

There is a great outdoor mall that I love in the Woodlands but often times I miss all my favorite shops because I have Warren with me. I would call myself an ambitious shopper but attempting to take a toddler into Sur La Table or Z Gallery just isn't the kind of challenge I wish to waste my energy on. Weston entertained Warren outside while I wandered around as long as I wanted. It was fabulous! I even discovered my new favorite store. I saw it from a distance and from the first glance it beaconed me. bath junkie. I think they must have named the store after me! (Hey now, it WAS my 30th and so I am allowed to be egocentric for one day!)

Well, I just fell in love with it. I describe it as a celestial bath laboratory. They have the greatest product line made from all natural ingredients and a fragrance bar to choose from. You pick out what you want, mineral scrub, bath salts, lotions ,whatever and you design your fragrance and pick a color and wah lah! Bath Heaven. I promise this is a real franchise, you cannot sell it out of your house and you won't start getting sales calls from me in a day or two.

After shopping I went and had a pedicure done at the Aveda Institute. I don't normally do sparkles but I was feeling like I needed a little shimmer somewhere below that belly so I picked out a hot pink base with orange sparkles slathered on top. I did leave with a little bounce in my step. Afterwards we headed for home because as great as the guys had been they were both worn out. After a gourmet homemade dinner ( a take and bake pizza) ....I disappeared. I shut the door and sunk into some bath salts and bubbles. It is the best and cheapest therapy that you can invest in...it did the trick for me. Thirty shmirty.