Sisterhood

Sisterhood:

Ok, I just watched this video (actually I watched it a few times) and I love it.  Like, really really love it.  I laughed and cried.  So many wonderful lessons to be learned from this.  

Mothers...we come in all different shapes and sizes, and backgrounds, and incomes.  We all have different hobbies and interests.  We each have our priority lists and to do lists.  We each have amazing strengths and horrid weaknesses (that we hate).  We all have really great days, and we all have our "I'm going crazy" days!

We love and we give and we hurt and we sacrifice for what we believe in.

No matter what kind of mama you are...we all have the same end goal, right?  We each want the VERY best for our children, and we are willing to go the extra mile to give our kids everything!  

This video shows ALL the different kinds of moms (and dads :), from breastfed, to bottle fed, to carried in a sling, to pushed in a stroller, etc.  And even though the beginning is pretty funny, it's also sadly so true.  We criticize each other and judge one another for the choices someone else made for their kid.  But that's just the thing...that child is not yours, that child is a different mama's, and just like you, she is doing what is best for HER kid(s).

To each their own, ya know?  

The best part of this video is at the very end, when a mistake had been made by a mother...but everyone ran to the rescue for this mama and child.  No one judged her, no one criticized her for making a mistake.  Just everyone coming together and pure acceptance.  I like to think it's because mistakes happen to all of us, no one is perfect, and that could have easily happened to anyone of them.  We need each other!  I need my mommy friends to cheer me on...and some times rescue me.    So give that benefit of the doubt to others.  We are each fighting our own battles and doing our very best.

We are not perfect.  I am so beyond not perfect and have way too many "I'm going crazy" days.  But when pray at night, I'm reminded by a loving Heavenly Father that I am perfect for MY kids and they were given to me for a reason.   

I hope hope hope that I can teach these life lessons to my girls (and Max of course).  I hope they are listening when I tell them how much I am truly grateful to be their mom.  I hope they have compassion for those around them and love those that need to be loved.  

Lazy Days

After the rush of getting the big kids out the door for school (which is always crazy!), these little ones and I sneak back to bed.  And the last couple of days, we've barley left eh warmth of the covers.  I love every lazy minute with these two.

Park City Weekend

A few tid-bits of our Park City weekend with our people, the Jensens.

We packed a lot in this weekend with skiing, tubing, swimming, eating, gaming, lounging, laughing, eating, painting, and resting.

We love our Jensen family!  So glad you guys could come!

Our Everyday...

...in iPhone pics

Ivy's sad face... :)

 I've been in major organizing mode.  I organized the kitchen pantry, and now the laundry room.

 Yes...I picked up Lia from school like this...

 Started our weekend off right, with painted pink toes and adorable white bows.

Lia's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

"This oatmeal looks like chicken food" ~Lia :)

Oatmeal Chocolate Chips Cookies:

2 large egg
1 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats (not instant or quick cook)
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 heaping cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or large mixing bowl and electric mixer) combine the egg, butter, sugars, vanilla, and beat on medium-high speed until creamed and well combined, about 4 minutes.
2. Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and beat on low speed until just combined, about 1 minute.
3. Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the chocolate chips, and beat on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
4. Using a large cookie scoop, 1/4-cup measure, or your hands, form approximately 12 equal-sized mounds of dough, roll into balls, and flatten slightly. Tip - Strategically place a few chocolate chips on top of each mound of dough by taking chips from the underside and adding them on top.
5. Preheat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Place dough mounds on baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart (I bake 12 cookies per sheet) and bake for about 1--11 minutes (I like my cookies a little undercooked), or until edges have set and tops are just set, even if slightly undercooked, pale, and glossy in the center; don't over-bake. Cookies firm up as they cool. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for about 10 minutes before serving. 
6. Cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Alternatively, unbaked cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months, so consider baking only as many cookies as desired and save the remaining dough to be baked in the future when desired.

I got this recipe from Pinterest HERE...but I changed a few things.