Small Talker

Change is Good

Laurie6 Comments

Boy, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do on my blog. Summer has been so busy it’s cutting into my blogging time. Geez!

Sunday, I received a new calling (assignment) at church. It’s bitter/sweet for me. Bitter because I was really looking forward to the challenge and creativity of being on the Enrichment board. However, I wasn’t utilized as much as I would have liked and therefore ready for a change.

Sweet for me, because I’m back in my element of teaching the kiddos in Primary. I’m teaching the 3 and 4 year olds and am really looking foward to snacks, bubbles, and lots of games each Sunday.

Since the 3 year olds have the same lesson plans as the 2 year olds, I’m set! I went completely OTT when I was in charge of the 2 year olds (nursery leader) and filed all my lesson plans, hand outs, and games in these two file folders.

Sunday the lesson was on Taste and Feel. I brought some sour skittles along with some other goodies for the lesson. We had our lesson, took a walk, made masks, colored, read tasting and seeing books, and played with fake food.

That’s my kind of Sunday!

Business Owner

Executive Homemaker is Up!

Laurie2 Comments

I want to thank you guys for your patience while Executive Homemaker was down. It was hacked with a virus along with 30,000 other websites. The virus corrupted the data and then my server backed up the corrupted data. It was a mess!

I feel terrible for those of you who were planning birthday parties and needed summer schedules and they weren’t available. It looks like Executive Homemaker is fully up and running now so you should be able to print out everything you need, free of course.

I did loose a little bit of data and I’ll do my best to re-post those few items over the next couple weeks. It was awful for me to see something I’ve worked so hard on the past 2 years corrupted in one afternoon. I’m over the shock and am grateful there wasn’t more damage.

So register, upload your blog posts, pictures, and files for the world to use. You get credit for everything you upload. I’m now accepting new Mom-prenuers for the online store. Shoot me over an e-mail if you’d like more information.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support!

Genuine

Keeping It Real

Laurie10 Comments


Me with dirty hair and no make up.

Since my Blogging 101 – What Not To Do post featuring “blenvy“, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the topic. I wrote that post because those are the things I’ve personally learned from blogging and my personal dealings with blenvy. I wrote it to help me deal with my own insecurities and as a tribute to my 1 year of blogging.

Because life isn’t always filled with joy and happy times, I’ve added a new label to my blog posts called “Keeping It Real“. I briefly went back through the archives and updated some posts with this label. These are the posts where I vent a little, cry a little, and open myself up a little more to your judgement. These are my trials and my heart aches.

We all have them and we all post about them. Sometimes they get lost amongst the day-to-day activities we do as Mother’s and Women, but we all experience these down days. I was surprised at how many “Keeping It Real” posts I have shared with you this past year.

I’m making a real effort to make this blog reflect me and who I am as a whole. Obviously that’s not going to be entirely possible but it’s a goal of mine. I’ve often commented to my friends that I should add a crying child sound track to my blog – that would make my blog more realistic. {{not kidding}}

So from here on out, read my post imagining one of my 3 boys crying in the background. Hint: That’s why I get out often. {{giggle}}

Mother of Boys

School’s Out for the Summer!

Laurie3 Comments

Summer is officially here. Wendy, Laurie M., Megan, and I packed up the kids and spent the last day of school (early dismissal) at the lake. When I took this picture, I felt overwhelmed with the impression that I just took a snapshot they’ll remember their entire life. Like one they’ll look back on to commemorate their childhood and remember their good friends.

The kids worked so well together, not building a castle, but a city with a river through it. Drake and Emily had a blast swimming in it and using the first “city” as their own little jacuzzi.

It was a fun way to start out the summer and I’m so glad Laurie M. planned it. Cheers to good friends and blue skies!

Mother of Boys

Davis’ Award

Laurie9 Comments

Davis has officially passed 3rd grade. It was a doosy! Thank goodness for his amazing teacher and ALL that she did for not only Davis but also for Dylan. We wouldn’t have made it without her.

Drake was a stinker during the awards ceremony and felt like he needed to run around and entertain all the kids.

Davis’ teacher really made the class feel like a special group of kids and they became a tight knit group. For their awards ceremony, all the kids voted each other fun awards. Since Davis “stems” by humming and singing, they gave him the American Idol Award.

This meant so much to me because Davis’ teacher turned something that could be very embarrassing and annoying into something fun and unique to Davis. He was so excited to get the award. I joked around with him and told him it was his “white ticket to Hollywood”. He loved it.

Thank you to all the special teachers out there who make a difference in our kiddos lives. Bless you and I hope you have an amazing summer. You deserve it!

Blogger

New Look!

Laurie15 Comments

Out with the old…

In with the new…

Thanks to …

I can not brag enough about Shannon. She’s quick, creative, and so easy to work with. Shannon has a knack for getting to know her clients likes and dislikes and is able to design accordingly. I had no idea what I wanted in the design and look what she came up with!

I think it’s so beautiful, unique, and reflects my personality. This new design is my reward for 1 year of blogging. I’ve wanted a new look for a while now, and I knew that if I waited any longer, Shannon would be in demand and I’d have to get in line. Thank goodness she’s quick – this design took only one day!

Thank you Shannon, you are truly a delight to work with and seriously so talented!

Blogger

Welcome New Bloggers

Laurie9 Comments


Farewell Party ’05 – Many new bloggers in pic

It’s time to update my Blog Roll. Many of my friends in real life have joined our little hobby of blogging. {{a.k.a. obsession}} I rarely update my sidebar anymore because I use Bloglines to keep updated on all my favorite blogs. It’s way overdue for new entries.

So please welcome all these fabulous ladies properly by leaving a welcome comment on their newly designed blogs:

Cecilia – my sister-in-law
Heather – we grew up together
Melissa – amazing longtime friend (has twins)
Colette – my BFF growing up’s sister (has twins)
Jeanette – my BFF growing up’s sister
Lynette – my BFF growing up’s sister
Tami – amazing friend (2 sets of twins)
Emily – card swap friend
Nicole – married a childhood friend
Tatiana – threw me a surprise baby shower w/ Drake
Kristi – is my local vinyl source and friend
Carrie – friend from church
Mimi – friend from church
Amber – friend from BYU

**Update: JaNae – friend from BYU who drops off the face of the earth and pops up at random times. Currently living in Italy.

If I’ve forgotten you, it wasn’t intentional. Shoot me over an e-mail and I’ll welcome you properly.

Blogger · Genuine

Blogging 101 – What Not To Do

Laurie40 Comments

Since I just did a post to welcome a bunch of new bloggers, I thought I’d give our newbies some good tried and true: Blogging 101 -What NOT to do!

Yes, this is unsolicited advice from yours truly, but I think it’s about time someone addresses the issues.

#1. Don’t get green with envy, Blenvy it’s coined, while reading other’s blogs. According to CJane, “It usually comes from reading a blog that emphasizes my insecurities.” Well said blogger guru. I couldn’t agree with you more.

Please remember that each post is just a moment of that person’s day/week. Instead, just be happy that something amazing happened to your fellow blogger. Be inspired by them! If you really feel the need, use that insecurity to make a change in your own life and do something similar.

#2. If people don’t update their blog roll by adding your name under ‘Friends & Family’ don’t get your feelings hurt. It’s simply a nice gesture, forgotten. Seasoned bloggers rarely even look at their sidebar anymore – let alone update it frequently.

#3. Never ask yourself, “Is insert blogger’s name mad at me? She doesn’t comment on my blog.”

I realize that there is probably an expectation of family and friends to read your blog. However, don’t expect anyone to read your blog and don’t fall into this negative thinking.

You’ve got to understand that every blogger is on a different commitment level. You have your newbies who are completely addicted and spend every possible moment blog-jogging. To the end of the spectrum of your more seasoned bloggers who have developed their routine and only take the time to read their top 10 favorites. It’s hard to imagine, but some people get completely burned out and need to take breaks from reading others blogs now and then.

#4. Don’t feel left out. Now that you have a more intimate look at your friends lives (in real life), they might post outings that you weren’t invited to attend. Please do not let it eat at you, make you feel left out, or that you’re not an important friend in that person’s life.

Life is crazy, busy, and things happen spare of the moment. You don’t know the whole story as to how the event got organized and why certain people where invited and you weren’t. You are special and you are important to your friend! Just let it go, or better yet, plan a fun get together and be sure to invite her. You’ll feel much better!

#5. Guilt is overrated. You will come across some AMAZING moms. Honestly, I’ve been blown away by so many of you and your creativity and dedication to your family. Again, don’t feel guilty or envious of these genetically gifted women. Instead, be inspired to make some changes in your own family. Use their techniques and strategies to empower yourself.

#6. Keep it real. While posting on your own blog be sure to allow yourself to open up and not only share your glamorous side, but also your self portraits, your struggles, and your hopes and dreams. You will find that bloggers are some of the most unjudgemental, forgiving, and loving people you’ll have in your life. Use this positive energy to help you get through the tough times as well as celebrate the good ones.

So, when do I suffer from blenvy you ask? Well… it’s not when I read about Kelly’s travels, it’s not when I read Denae’s super cool themed posts, it’s not the projects and gifts Kristi comes up with, it’s not how creative Heather is and how close her extended family is… although I know you wouldn’t blame me and would completely understand.

It’s on simple posts, like when one of you are gushing about a conversation you had with your child, when you’re expressing the love and gratitude you have for your daughter, or a dance recital post.

Oh what I would give for my boys not to have their developmental trials. Oh what I would give to have reciprocal conversations with my boys. Oh what I would give for a daughter. Those are the times when I let myself feel a little self-pity – just for a moment. Then I’m able to enjoy that post and the joy it brought to that lucky mommy.

When do you suffer from blenvy?

Girly Girl

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Laurie8 Comments

Today is my sister Lisa’s birthday and how better to wish her a happy birthday than to go down memory lane and celebrate all that is my amazing sister.

I got my first camera (Polaroid) for Christmas one year and look who was in my first picture! I’m quite sure this is the only time Lisa has ever played with dolls. I’m glad I got it on film. teehee

Right before we moved from California to Texas, my parents took us to Disney World. It was huge deal and so we got all dressed up. My mom made Lisa wear bows in her hair only for church and special occasions. Take a look at her shoes – I’m sure she didn’t tie the laces just to spite my mom. {{rebel}}

On rare occasions I could bribe Lisa to let me do her hair. She looks so cute!

These next priceless beauties are from a photo session where I dressed Lisa up like a girl and made her do girlly poses. At this point in her life, she wanted to be a boy so she dressed like a tomboy.

This is the Lisa we know and love – full of fire! I wonder what the occasion was, since she has another bow in her hair.

Here’s Lisa in the teal participating in a school program.

My dad made us a “Self Esteem Journal” when James and I became teenagers. For family home evenings or family feuds we would get out our journals and everyone in the family would have to write something nice in it.

This is what Lisa wrote in my journal. “Laurie you are a good sister to me most of the time. Cool oooo yeah.” See Lisa you didn’t hate me as much as you remember. {{wink}}

Lisa was one of my brides maids when I got married. I’m sure she did it reluctantly, but now I’m even more pleased I made sure to include her. Especially considering now she’s my best friend.

Lisa has always loved my boys! Even when they were at their most difficult.

I died Lisa’s hair maroon in 2002. {{oops}} Although I think it really suited her. She looks great as a blondie or brunette.

Since we have a 6 year age gap we were never into the same things at the same time. By the time she realized she wasn’t ever going to be a boy, I was married. However, when Lisa came to live with me for a while in 2002 that’s when we became really close.

Lisa is the favorite Aunt of all the grandchildren. She’s also all of the siblings favorite sibling. Lisa has claimed for years to be both our parents favorite child and she’s probably right.

She’s funny, giving, forgiving, gives of her time and talents to each of her siblings, and is a confidant to all. She gives more than anyone I know and I’m honored to be her big sister.

To let you all know, I have stopped venting to Lisa about my kids, so she’ll start having some. She’s going to make an incredible mother one day. She’s already mastered: wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

Love you Sis!

Mother of Boys

Where it’s Great to be a Kid!

Laurie11 Comments

Well we did it! Davis got his Math TAKS test results and he only missed 2. Whew! Honestly, I’m just relieved he passed. So on to 4th grade we go. For Davis’ reward he choose to go to Chuck E. Cheese. Bring on the playtime.

Last time we went, the boys spent their tokens in 20 minutes flat! So this time I made sure I had coupons in hand to maximize on our evening. I didn’t see them for 40 minutes and had to track them down for dinner. {{evil laugh}}

Drake remembered the last time we went and knew exactly what to do. Thus the outstretched hand for more tokens every time the ride stopped moving.

Whoever came up with that Toddler spot was brilliant. Drake usually spends the entire evening in there. It’s the only time he’ll stay in one place.

These next pictures, I call “getting out their aggressions”.

Don’t forget the party favor.

It’s a place that I quite enjoy playing with my kids. It’s contained, air conditioned, and makes my kids very happy. Throw in a pretty good salad bar and I’m good to go!