Do you ever feel that you could be a better...

I have this neighbor that as lived near me since we moved to this house over 2 years ago. I am pretty sure that we didn't go to high school together and I really don't know much about her other that what I see from my yard. She does have 2 small children and she seems to be a stay at home mom like me. Why haven't I been a friendly neighbor? I don't know why, other than I hate doing things that make me uncomfortable. Would talking to her one day across the fence hurt or would taking her a apple pie make me uncomfortable? Probably not! So that is going to be my goal for this next week. Be a friendlier neighbor...



This last weekend was Emerson's b-day and my sister came down. We had been planning on doing a photo shoot with all of our kids. Ha, Ha. It was tough with 4 little ones. Here are a few that we got and that I edited...
Britania tell me what you think? Do you like B&W better or vintage or with or without textures?? I edited the pic to death. I have variations of everything.



On a somewhat different note, Does anyone watch Good Things Utah??
Last week there was a guest host on and she had a system on making a menu for 8 weeks, shopping every week, and had a little book to help with her organizing. I am going to try it. I am on a mission to be organized, because not only do you save money, you save time, and it makes your life easier (and what mom doesn't like all of that?) I am trying to work it out on paper and calendars. I'll let you all know how it turns out, only if you give me tips on how you plan and prepare for meals!! And maybe some recipies along the way.

Just some random stuff...

This post is going to be just about as random as it can get. Sorry for the rambling, but I have so many things jostling around in my head, I just need to get them out.

1st of all my baby is 2. It makes me want to cry. She, has in the last few days seemed so grown up. She is going on 4 days without a potty accident. HOORAY!! I took this picture yesterday, edited it a little and I love it. I love her. She is so sweet and always smiling and she loves her mommy right now more than anything. (I must admit that it makes me so happy inside that she only wants me all the time)


I saw this on someones site. "Take the princess quiz, see which princess you are" So I did and this is what it said. Kind of funny. I think that some of the things are true, some not so much =)

You Are Snow White!

Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.

Which Disney Princess Are You?



More randomness... I made a pie last night. My sweet husband was craving one on Sunday and I was 1/3 of a cup short on shortening. So I made one last night for after dinner.
He does so much for me, always encouraging me, and always trying to make my life easier, so if a pie is what he wants a pie is what he will get...
(I took pics because it was beautiful. I mastered the pie crust and it makes me very happy, so don't make fun, I am proud of myself!)


Some more randomness... I now have a blog page set up for my headbands, clips, and other girly things set up. To the right is a blog button for Suzi Belle Designs. Click on it and it will take you there. Check stuff out and check back because daily I will be adding new things. Contact me if you would like to buy something and tell all of your friends =)

Do you ever just feel like you are going to explode happiness all over. That is how I feel right now. Life can get you down so easily. There are so many negative things that this world holds, but I feel so content and so...HAPPY(for lack of a better word). My kids are healthy and beautiful, my love for my husband only grows daily, I am albe to do crafty things that makes me feel so complete, and I have the love of my family. What more is there? I am so lucky!!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Today my baby turns two. She has been such a joy. I have loved every minute that we have spent together. She is the smile that I wake up to every morning and the sweet kisses that I go to bed to each night. She amazes me and I am so gratful that she is mine. What did I do to deserve this sweet angel?

Here I am going with her birth story. The minute I found out that I was pregnant, I knew it was going to be a girl. I was excited because I have a sister and there isn't anything better than having a sister, who turns into your best friend. We had the ultrasound and they couldn't tell if she was a girl, but I knew, I had known from the start. A couple of ultrasounds later we knew for sure. Aniston was not excited at 1st. She wanted a brother. But after I told her that she would have someone to play babies and barbies with, she was okay with the idea of a sister. So fast forward to August 24th. My last day of work was going to be the 25th, but they found my replacment and she was ready to be on her own so I quit early. I went to the Dr. on the 24th with my grandma. The Dr. said that I wasn't even dialated. GEEZ..I was hoping... So my grandma and I went to Richfield, had lunch with my mom and then went to do a little shopping. The night before I had been having weird pains, but nothing too serious. During lunch the pains started again, but I again thought that they were just braxton hicks. We were in Walmart and they started getting worse. My sister called and I asked her what they felt like (it had been 4 years since my last labor pains) She described them and I knew that that was what it was. Grandma wanted to immediatley go home, but I wanted to finish shopping. (If I was having this baby, I knew I wouldn't get to shop for a few weeks). We finished and went home. I layed on the couch and my mom and grandma came to keep me company. I had all of our bags packed the 1st of the week (because I have to be prepared). I had arranged for Aniston to stay with my grandma and then with my mom. Everything was ready so we waited... I called Ryan at work and let him know. Thinking that he would be in a hurry to get home. He was a little late and my contractions were 5 mintues apart. He finally made it home and then I made him wait longer. He ate dinner and we watched Grey's Anatomy reruns. Finally at 9:30 I couldn't stand it any more. We were on our way to the hospital. There was a huge lightning storm happening and it started raining like crazy. We got to the hospital and the power was out. They took us to our room with a lantern. (scary, right, just what you picture of a hospital in Hicksville, Utah) We got all set up and then came the Dr. with the epidural. It took forever for it to start working. I was in labor all night with Aniston and I was hoping that it was going to be shorter. It was. YEAH! My sister got there just in time. The Dr. broke my water and it was all a blur. She was born at 2:30 in the morning. She had the cord wrapped around her little neck 3 times. The Dr. said that it was amazing that she got here without any complications. I held her and she was beautiful and I still hold her and think to myself that she is the most precious thing in this world. I am so lucky to have such healthy, beautiful girls.

And we have gone 3 days without a potty accident. She is getting it and this mommy is happy =)

1st day as a 1st grader

Today I have a 1st grader. Aniston was so excited about starting the 1st grade. I was a little nervous. She told me last friday that she didn't want me to walk her to the class. (break my heart, already, child) But after the weekend she changed her mind. She wanted her dad to come with us and he was able to and it made it easier for me!! She was so sweet and so cute this morning while we were getting ready. She layed her clothes out on her bed last night, right next to her little backpack.
Am I really old enough to have a 1st grader, a child who goes to school all day? Am I okay with dropping her off first thing in the morning and then not seeing her until 3:00? What if she doesn't eat all of her lunch and she gets hungry? What if someone is mean to her? What if she gets lost on her way to the bathroom? What if her mother goes crazy with all the "what if's"??
I am sad to see her go, but also so excited to see what she learns everyday. I love that she loves school. I love that she wants to go. I just LOVE her!!
So I picked her up after school and totally quized her down. She had the biggest smile on her face when I got there. The 1st thing that she said was that she loved it!! (yeah, none of my fears happened) She said that she couldn't wait to go back. She told me about the lunch room, lunch, who she sat by, and that she got to put all of her stuff in her desk, and that her teacher was so nice. Wheew...we survived our 1st day of 1st grade =)

What a Weekend...

We went camping/bow hunting for the weekend. All I have to say is that I really have the best kids ever. Friday night after we got on the mountain and had dinner, my girls got their jammies on and went right to bed without one word. They snuggle down together. It is so cute.

Ryan was getting up at 5:00 am to go hunting. Yes, I said 5 AM. He woke Aniston up, got her dressed in her camo, and they rode the 4-wheeler into where the elk were. At about 10 they radioed to us saying that he had got an elk. "Yeah" I was thinking, Aniston is going to be so excited to have been with him when he shot it. Steve, Ryans dad, said that she radioed to him saying "grandpa, grandpa, I watched my dad shoot an elk". (how cute is she??)

Then after hiking all day they showed up back to camp at about 5:00 that night. She is such a trooper. She spent the entire day with him, not complaining one time. I seriously love her so much and her dad is the proudest in the whole world. He has told everyone that she was with him the whole time. They are so cute!! I am so upset that I didn't get any pictures of her in her camo, they left so stinkin early. I didn't get any with the elk, because they had to quarter it up to pack it out. So no pictures of the whole eventful weekend.

While I was back at camp, Emerson and I played in the dirt all day. She is pretty funny. I would wash her face and about a second later it was dirty again. Oh well, that is what camping is all about.
So I come home to a mess and I am not looking forward to cleaning it up. The worse part about going is always coming home to clean it up.

We are Bow Hunters...

We are all but ready to head up on the mountain to go hunting for poor animals. Ryan and Aniston are so excited. This picture was taken 2 years ago on the Bow hunt. To keep Aniston quite while hiding in the trees, Ryan gave her his Camo "make-up". She did this all herself. Is she the cutest bow hunter ever? I say YES!! I imagine this is exactly what my little boys would look like (if we ever have one)

I just love the mountains. There is something so relaxing about being there. I am guessing that it is the fact that there is no phones, no dirty house, and no way to do laundry.
Anyone reading this who lives in this area. My mom is having a Shoe/ purse party on Monday, August 18th. It is in Richfield at 259 E. 200 N. starting at 6:30. They have the cutest shoes. Shoes for you and shoes for your kids and the squeaky shoes (although they are not my favorite). And the best part is that everything is under $25. Come and buy something. You can never have enough shoes, right??

Family in need

The family is one of nature's masterpieces.

George Santayana
1863-1952, American Philosopher, Poet
more famous quotes

Family is an amazing thing. Since I can remember, I have been surrounded by a family that has supported, and loved, and always taken care of each other. I feel so blessed to be part of such a tight knit group of amazing people. So when one of us is not healthy, we all feel unhealthy.

My uncle, my moms brother, was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in March of 2008. He is now in end stage liver failure and his only hope of living a normal life is a liver transplant. They recently met with the transplant team at the University of Utah. He is in desperate need of a liver and the only way that they will put him on the transplant list is if they have $50,000 in the bank.

In Salina, we are having a yard sale fundraiser. If you live around here and I haven't talked to you, PLEASE donate a box of items for our yard sale and then come and buy something =)

Donations can also be made at your nearest Wells Fargo or Zion’s Banks in the name of Curtis J. Johnson.

I have a donation account set up through pay pal. I am only hoping that if you feel that you can donate, even a dollar, then please do. Every dollar puts us closer to our goal. Every dollar donated will go directly to my uncle Curtis. To the right side is a donation button, press it and it will take you to pay pal and they will require your info.

THANK YOU to anyone who donates! It means so much to my family and I!!

Camping for one night

The bow hunt is opening this weekend, so we decided to take our trailer in the mountain so we could "get a good spot". We stayed the night and wanted to go on a 4-wheeler ride. We packed up and headed out Saturday morning. We haven't been up to Gooseberry for a few years and I had forgotten how pretty it was up there. The girls had a ball. The dirt is so black so there is no possible way to stay clean. Emerson loved the 4-wheeler (despite my worry about the helmet).
I am married to the true boy scout. He likes to set up camp and be totally prepared. He likes to have his fire wood chopped and in neat stacks. His brothers and dad make fun, but are always trying to steal his wood. He has to set up his cook station and likes to do things in his order. I think that it is so cute. He is a boy scout at heart.

Potty training woes...

My mom said that she had me and my sister potty trained before our 2nd birthdays. So with Emersons birthday weeks away I decided to try to start the task of potty training.

This is one of my least favorite things about being a mom. I have spend probably 3 hours every day in front of the toilet saying things like,
"go potty, you can do it." "Aniston does it". "mommy will give you ice cream if you potty in the potty".
I have been sitting right in front of her clapping and jumping up and down in my high pictched mommy voice. I feel like I have lost my mind, but it is such a great feeling to have them do it so we will keep trying!

I was watching T.V. this morning and this commercial came on. It made me laugh. I tried to download it from youtube, but it isn't on there so check it out here. All of you mommies out there know what I am talking about.
Click on the mothers day one.
http://www.juicyjuice.com/Products/Commercials.aspx

OHHH....MMMYYY.....

Okay, just call me a 16 year old crazy girl. I finished Eclipse last friday. I was just going to wait for my sister to finish the 4th book, Breaking Dawn, but after finishing it I knew that I couldn't wait. I was tempted to go to walmart at 6:00am on Saturday to get the new book. Ryan, of course, talked me out of it and I went at noon on Saturday, crossing my fingers that it wouldn't be sold out. YYYEEEAAHH!! It wasn't and I bought it and started reading. It is madness I say, pure madness. I am in love with it and I would read 24 hours straight if I could.
Read it everyone. I am going to get my grandma to start reading them. It is sooooooo GOOD!!

Weekend fun

This weekend we didn't have to do anything. It was kind of nice to just kick back and enjoy! Ryan was watching the food network about grilling a couple of weeks ago and he has become obsessed with figuring out the "perfect rib recipe". Our neighbor down the steet has a briquette grill. The way it smells when the briquettes are lit, is summer to a t! We went to Richfield and bought one, bought some ribs, and tried it out. It was so good. I don't know why anyone would want to be a vegitarian when there is such a thing as baby back ribs?? We also bought some brawtworst. I have never been a hot dog fan, but these are YUMMY!! The smell of the grill smoke and the brawts cooking is so good!! We bought artichokes to go with them. I wasn't sure that the girls would like them, but they loved them. I am so lucky, my girls are such good eaters and will try just about anything.

We were out in the garage cooking (because the wind was blowing) and Aniston was riding her bike. She still wouldn't ride her big new bike without training wheels. We talked her into trying it one time. We promised that we would be right next to her. Next thing I know she is out in the road riding all by her self. I was so excited and she loves it. Now we can't get her off of her bike. She rides it first thing in the morning until late at night!! That is what summer is all about!