one time I had 6 kids

I've been a little too absent from blog land this past week.... but I promise I have a good excuse! I was basically single mommin' it up to 6 kids. SIX! Mia inherited 5 brothers, ages 6-16, for a whole week! Eric was only able to come down for the weekend so it was just me and my mini!
This was actually the fifth year that I've watched these boys, but the first adding my own baby to the mix. I was a little nervous to see how the boys would react to Mia (I'm not sure why?) but maaaaaan! It went way better than I could have hoped! They were smitten with Mia, and she fell in love with them instantly!!
I was expecting lots of ridiculous things to be said but instead of gaining "funnies" to write about, my heart almost burst on the daily because of how loving the kids were! Our first morning there, the 6 year old had been playing with Mia for a half hour before he asked me, "is it a girl, or a he??" ha ha! And the next day he was playing outside with a friend when Mia got a little too close. He told me, "Hey! Get that little girl outta my way!" After that he remembered HER name with no problems ;)
These boys have so much going on in their lives between school, scouts, sports, friends, etc! But seriously? Sports is their life! I wouldn't be surprised if every. single. one of them turns out to be famous, professional ball players! They are so disciplined with their grueling schedules. And they are SO well behaved and good natured! It was easy-peasy taking care of them. But what surprised me the most was when they were home? They were all about Mia! And she was allllllll about them! They would disappear with Mia into the play room, outside, etc and I would hear constant shrieks of satisfaction and deep-belly laughs from my girl. It killed me!!
I was feeling a little heart broken for Mia when we came home. She loved having so many playmates and so much attention on her! It almost convinced me that it's time to give her a sibling... ALMOST! But when we arrived home and she saw her daddy? All was right in her world. I've never seen Mia so giddy and excited to be home with her mom and dad. So life as a family of 3 is still perfect for us right now :)

Mia's 12 month photos {pt 2}

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St. George, Utah (my hometown) is famous for its vibrant, red rock! I lived there for 22 years and never had a single picture taken on the red rock so I knew I wanted these pictures taken there! Another little fact... it rarely snows in St. George and when it does? It's usually melted by sundown so it was especially neat to get pictures with snow on the red rock!

I'm too in love with these pictures; so many cute ones! So I'll probably be showing more off in random posts, ha ha. See part 1 here.

just some randoms {13}

Mia loves to sit on our shoulders. And stick her fingers in our mouths, ha ha! I think she loves the feel of teeth.

 

I'm trying to take more pictures of Mia sleeping. I kind of love this one!

We have discovered that Mia loves playing in snow! Now I'm kind of antsy to have our next snow storm. This winter has been uncharacteristically dry and warm (but really, I'm not complaining)!

I think I don't take many sleeping pictures because we have a video monitor, so I rarely go in Mia's room and check on her. One day I noticed Mia kneeling in the corner of her crib, against the bumper/bars. I am pretty sure she fell asleep with her face in the bars (ha ha) but I took to long to go check on her. When I went to snap a picture she had made herself more comfortable. But I kind of love this stink bug position with her foot coming out of her slipper. (And hello PINK onesie!)

King size bed + daddy + Mia = no room for mommy!

27 before 27

1. Go on a vacation with Eric... without Mia.
2. Enjoy a spa day (ie: enjoy the moment and no stressing about getting home to Eric and Mia)
3. Hike Angels Landing in Zion.
4. Learn one word of Spanish a day. (Eric speaks Spanish fluently and I, well, don't. But I really want him to teach Mia so I had better learn as well! I think I can handle a word a day :).
5. Visit the Green Monster.
6. Run a 10k.
7. Print my blog into a book (or five, ha ha!)
8. Go to the Temple once a month with Eric, and once every 6 months by myself (so twice before my birthday)!
9. Put pink in my hair!
10. Go on a girl's over nighter (without Mia)!
11. Offer/host a huge giveaway on my blog or Instagram. (You all are always so amazing to me and I want to give back!)
12. #tmi #tmi #tmi Get laser hair removal.
13. Get strong enough to do 50 push ups.... in a row!
14. Finish reading the Book of Mormon.
15. De-junk my house and sell the junk on those ridiculous FB yard sale pages (ha ha)!
16. Try one new hairstyle on Mia a week. (I'm kind of burnt out from doing hair at work that my hair is put on the back burner. I don't want that to be the case with Mia!) I have styled her hair at least once a week, we will call that a success with the amount of hair and style I've had to work with!
17. Read all of the 2014 Conference talks (after listening to them during General Conference). 
18. Get dolled up and wear heels once a month (aside from church)!
19. Use my kindle more.
20. Take more selfies :) (there is a reason behind my madness.) I've taken a few sooooo, success!
21. Try one new cooking/baking recipe a week.
22. Go to Yellowstone.
23. Read a new {book} series.
24. Go camping.
25. Work everyday on being a more loving, patient, fun and supportive wife. still doing my best each day!
26. Try a barre workout. They don't offer this in my small town so I will probably have to travel for it.
27. Focus less on what I don't have, and more on what I do have! I feel like I've come a long way with this, but I won't ever stop working on this!

My golden year was by far one of my favorite years of my life!! But I have no doubt that each year can be better and better! Hopefully these goals will help shape 26 up to an even better year! I'm hoping I will be able to cross everything off my list :)

happy birthday to me

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In honor of the big 26 (ha ha) I'd like to offer 26% off any ad spot using the promo code: "birthdaygirl"! This offer is good today only! Check out my sponsor page for additional info :)

And keep a look out... I will have a belated birthday giveaway coming your way via this blog, or my Instagram ;)

I hope you all have the best day (it's one of the best days of the year, after all)!! I will be spending my birthday enjoying my husband and baby girl + 5 more boys (that are showing Mia the life of not being the only child)! Wish us luck!