Quiet Reflection

This weekend I had the opportunity to go down to Seattle. We went for the shopping at the outlet stores but also to go to the temple in Seattle as the Vancouver Temple was closed. I haven't been down to the Seattle Temple in over 2 years because we have one in Vancouver now. I was quite happy to drive the extra hour to have that experience.
I really enjoyed my whole 2 days away because it's always good for a Mom to recharge but besides the company I had the best part for me was the few minutes of quiet reflection I had sitting in the temple.
I have been having some inner turmoil as of late and have found myself quite at a loss of what to do but I got a quiet answer as I sat praying and pondering on how my life is. I received some clarity and now feel much more at peace. It's amazing that days and weeks of frustration can all melt away with just a few quiet minutes of personal reflection and prayer. I need to prioritise my life differently especially with another little one on the way. My life will change in May once again but I feel more peaceful now after having some quiet time for myself.
I find it amazing how we can lose ourselves in the daily tasks we preform and the responsibilities we have. It is so easy to lose sight of what is most important. The most important thing I will ever do here on this earth is raise my family and that is what I am focusing on now. Not that I wasn't before but I was letting myself get distracted by things that are really insignificant in the big picture of life.
I am so grateful for the roles I play as mother and wife at home and I am going to try to magnify those callings more so then I have before. I am also grateful to a husband who supported me in leaving for 2 days and he stayed home with the kids quite happily. Of course we all missed each other but it was nice to have a break and take a few minutes for myself.

Dinner Success

I asked Steve on Sunday what kinds of dinners he would like this week and after thinking about it he said anything with meat (very helpful). He then specifically requested pulled pork sandwiches. I've never made them before but that wasnt' a big deal. He's had them a couple times lately from Smokin' Georges Restaurant for lunch and wanted to duplicate them at home. I honestly wasn't really into them cause I am pregnant and am hard to please food wise but I said sure we'd make them. Then I remembered that I had an Epicure Pulled Pork packet in th cupboard that would make it even easier. So I threw 2 pork tenderloins in the crock pot for 5 hrs on high and let them cook.
Steve even stopped on his way home from work to get the buns he wanted and the coleslaw that goes with it (I may sound quite lazy at this point but it made my day way easier with 3 kids at home.).
Needless to say, Steve was incredibly happy with his pulled pork sandwich. He even made "mmmmm" noises as he ate which is rare and hit the table with satisfaction when he was done. He expressed his appreciation for my fine cooking which I thought was hilarious considering all I did was put the pork in the crock pot with the mix.
So thank you to Epicure for coming out with the Pulled Pork Packet to make me look like the worlds best chef and for making my husband's tummy so happy!

My Funny Valentines

Yesterday we had fun celebrating a day of love and friendship. Everyday is Valentines Day in my world (yeah right) but it was fun doing extra things with my kids and with Steve. We got to go out for a nice dinner together with another couple, which was super fun! It was so nice to go out and laugh with friends.
It was also nice to eat sugar cookies all day long (really not helping my "don't gain too much weight during this pregnancy" thing I have going on, but they were sooooo good!).
I am so grateful for my little family, somedays are hard but the good days are good!

my 3 funny valentines, they are too cute!

Renae snitched a sucker and was quite pleased with herself

Nicole helping me make sugar cookies

picture compliments of Nicole

Nicole took one to show I was cutting them out good

sampling the cookies

Valentine cookies for Daddy (and Mommy, I ate like 5 before Steve came home)

my funny girl, she LOVES putting on the glasses and crowns

the kids valentine dinner, heart shaped grilled cheese and strawberries

ready for our date out at the Keg

New and Exciting Products!

I have kind of avoided this store in the past because I don't do SMELLS. I don't have allergies or anything but I just don't like too many different smells, they just bug me.
Walking by the Lush store in the mall, I NEVER go in because of the smells wafting out and because I most often have my children with me and avoid stores that they can make trouble in (shocking I know that my children would ever cause trouble!).
Still though, I've heard so much about the products from others and I had the opportunity to try stuff out and I have to say that so far......I love them!!! I got this amazing face cream which feels so nice on my very dry skin, a toner that is alcohol free and feels so fresh on my face and a few other little treats. I love how they are natural, organic and fresh! And the smells didn't bother me at all when I was in the store. I had such a fun time smelling, testing and enjoying the new products (much easier to do when you don't have children!) and I am so excited to bring them into my home to experience. I am even sampling a "Toothy Tablet" which is like a toothpaste but all natural (I'll report back to let you know how it works).
It's always exciting to try new products and then really like them so I am glad I took a chance and went in to the the store (also all the sales people were very knowledgable and super friendly!). So Thanks to LUSH!!!!!!

Tired Mommy!

I have spent basically my whole pregnancy being pretty tired. I credit that to many things, mostly the fact that I have 3 crazy busy girls who keep me going or that I generally go to bed too late. I found out at my last Midwife appointment that my iron is actually dangerously low and I need to get it up or I may have delivery/recovery problems (no worries, I am on the job!). But that would explain a lot of the tiredness that I've been experiencing. I am always low on iron, even when I'm not pregnant but the baby sucks up whatever I do have so I have to supplement!

Also, my chiropractor recommended some "off my feet time" everyday and I try to do that.I don't get to everyday though but I try to lie down when I can because my back and feet tend to ache in the afternoon/evenings. (I am only 6 months, I have 3 more to go) Hopefully it doesn't get worse! I also had a problem with my sciatica starting around 6 months last time, which I am starting to feel lately (I'm not happy about that).

While I was laying down on the couch yesterday, Renae thought it was a good game to come and jump on me (it was VERY fun!) but then she ended up just laying on me and watching the movie. It was nice to have a little snuggle with her. She is generally pretty cuddly and I love it when she does. I know that our lives will change in just a couple months but I am enjoying my baby still and having as much lay down/cuddle time as I can!

SUNSHINE

It is sooooo beautiful out! I love the sunshine, the warmth it brings and the hope that Spring is on the way!!!
I opened some windows and the fresh air feels wonderful. It is so nice after many rainy days I must say! I just wanted to put it out there that I LOVE SUNSHINE and BRING ON SPRING!!!!!!