The Woman in the Mirror

The Woman in the mirror...

I apologize for how silly that photo must seem.... hopefully by reading this post you will understand it!  Also - sorry there is a blow dryer stand in it... it is how us one handies do our hair:)

A little background.. I am someone who tends to avoid mirrors.  I have never thought I was very pretty and I use them to get ready and that is about it.  Even when I use the restroom I will glance up to make sure I don't have something all over my face - and that is about it...
Last night the family was all watching a movie and I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke I went into my room to use the restroom and go to bed.  I stopped on my way to wash my hands and looked up and saw ME.  I don't think I have ever seen myself this way before.  I saw a strong, beautiful, capable woman!  I saw a woman who endures, who loves deeply, who tries her very best, who is honest.  I saw a woman who is loved by her family, by her friends, and by her Father in Heaven and Savior.  I felt it.  I knew it. I went to bed last night feeling like a different person.  A person ready to face fears and overcome.  A person ready to triumph over all that life can throw at her.
The past 2 years have been some of the hardest I have ever been though.  I have had to dig really deep into the depths of my soul for strength. I have worked hard to develop a closer relationship with my Father in Heaven so that I could do all that was required... I wrestled with Him often over growing pains I experienced becoming who He would have me be vs the woman I was comfortable remaining.  But last night, that look in the mirror... that really showed me who I have become.  And I like it.  I am so grateful that I went through the growing, stretching, breaking at times pain to be where I am now.
That woman in the mirror can do anything with the help of her Savior and Father in Heaven.  I knew it before... but not the way  I KNOW it now!  And I am so thankful.

Annie

Emma was Annie in the school play this year (I thimk they combined two 4th grade classes - or 3? not sure) She did a truly amazing job...

Here is a picture/video overload!  The last video is the entire play!

Random STUFF...

We moved around seats in the car for the new baby car seat.... Elise was THRILLED to finally see how the car is driven!  :)  

 We had a fun girls night (plus Jared) with our awesome Hansen friends during the Father and Sons campout!  Jared liked showing us who was in charge taking all the popcorn!

 Girls having a dance party after the movie!

 38 weeks?

 Relaxing with the baby and a muu muu:)

Broken Russell

Russell with the super nice Dr at Urgent care!  Russell was playing Bike tag with Elise and he lost.... ;) I thought that he had broken his nose - he had sooo much blood, but it was his wrist - a buckle or greenstick fracture.

 The next morning at Dr Flints...

We are so glad he is ok, he hasn't complained much about the pain or anything.... he is doing great!

 Hi!

 This is a super cute little baby outfit my friend Jenny made for our little lady!  Soooooo darling!

 And this one... to die for!

 And I love this little onsie she made too!

 She also made this and another skirt for me which I have worn at least 2x a week!  LOOOOOVE them!

 For my birthday Derek and Bethi made us dinner and a DELICIOUS GF cake and brownies!  So sweet!

 Elise got really really sick, I have never had a kid that sick!  She was throwing up every 15-20 minutes for days!  It was so awful!  She was so dehydrated and it broke my heart!

 Emma has had an amazing volleyball season!  She has improved so much this season and we are so proud of her!  (I was always so into the game that I forgot to take pictures....oops!)

 Emma at her Spring recital!

 Momma braided Hannah's hair, it takes a lot of time and patience and she sat through it!

 I think this was at 36 or 37 weeks...  Getting close!

Grass sledding?

I don't know why, but this totally cracked me up!  Hannah and her friend Natalie were taking turns pulling each other on the sled when I picked Hannah up from preschool one day!

Backside of Old Caves

For FHE this week (yes, really this week - I am so close to being caught up with my blogging!  Hooray!!!)  we went on a hike!  It was so great, we are thrilled it is getting warm again and we can enjoy one of our VERY favorite things to do as a family!  We are truly blessed to live so close to many wonderful hiking spots!  We are SO excited to get out and enjoy the outdoors this summer!  We got our Temporary c of o on the addition, which means while we still will be plugging away - it is not nearly so urgent, and we can take time as a family again!!! (More on that later!)

 Ok, Mom did not make it very far this hike!  Jonathan thought it was pretty funny... it was the shortest I have EVER been able to do.  It may have something to do with the fact I haven't done much exercise this pregnancy!  I wasn't able to in the beginning (of course),  then not allowed to in the middle, and it is a little hard to start at the end - though I am trying!

 I am sorry, but this view on the way back KILLED me... and I had to document it!  This little one is CONSTANTLY needing to pull up her pants, it is so cute!

Science Projects 2013

The kids are so lucky to have a Dad that will help them with science projects, since Mom really doesn't have a scientific bone in her body!  

Russell's project was how far into certain foods a pellet would go.  (I love that this project was decided on because of a birthday present!)  

 Emma's project was the force it takes to nail a nail into different types of wood.

 She and Jonathan made this whole contraption so that the force was always the same.  It was actually really cool!

I will get pictures of the science boards on here ASAP.  I was really proud of the kids, they came up with the ideas and did the majority of the work.  They are truly amazing to me!