Meeting New Friends

I had the opportunity to participate in the 

2012 New Year Blogging Party Gift Exchange and Link UP (that's quite a mouthful, right?:)

It is such a fun way to meet and get to know another blogger and do a fun little gift exchange :)
My partner was Julie over at Love Foster ! It has been so much fun getting to know Julie!  She is a young mama with a precious baby daughter, Abigail.  She is recently married and always has the latest updates on her favorites shows, so if you're a fan of Gossip Girl you MUST go follow Julie's blog rightnow!
I love this picture of her with Abigail, they both look so incredibly happy!  I know that Julie has a heart full of love for this little girl :) aren't they both adorable?!

I sent Julie a couple of headbands, and she sent me a gift from Victoria's Secret.  When I told my husband that his eyes got really wide and he looked a little surprised, haha (i may have stuck my butt out and slapped it, too *snort* tmi??)...but, it was lip gloss, lotion and eyeliner ;)  The lipgloss is the perfect glittery, shimmery pink and the lotion smells so yummy and i'm super excited about the eyeliner because Jeremy has a fetish for smoky eyes (haha, tmi again??)
Thank you, Julie! it's been so much fun!

and...in other news, Keri over at The Baker Family Blog gave me the (much coveted, i'm sure) Liebster Blog Award!  Thanks Keri! :)  And, as part of the rules, (these are OFFICIAL rules, people, not something to be messed with!;) I am linking up and presenting the Liebster Award to my top 5 blogs with under 200 followers...so here goes:

My Liebster Blog Award Picks: 

1) Julie @ Love Foster

2) Joan @ Expecting the Unknown

3) Lacey @ Humming Right Along

4) Moxie Mandie

5) Libby @ Libby's Life 

there are so many amazing blogs out there, it was hard to narrow it down to just 5, plus a lot of my faves have over 200 followers (you don't even want to know what happens if you break the Liebster Award rules, don't even want to chance it!)

Liebster in German means dearest, beloved, or favorite, and it is for bloggers with under 200 followers!

{The Rules}

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.

2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.

3. Copy & paste the blog award on your blog.

4. Reveal your 5 blog picks.

5. Let them know you chose them by leaving a comment on their blog.

So, if you have a minute, go check out some awesome bloggy goodness!

xo-Danielle

Music Monday- my 2nd vlog!

My kids love to sing. Perform? not so much.
I had to be pretty sneaky to get this video.
But, when I heard my 3 year old belting out Tonight Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae, I just had to grab my phone and take this video.  She must have had this song stuck in her head, on a loop, check it out:

and here's the original version:

which one do you like better? ;)

about Music Mondays

Each Monday I'd like to share with you a song/songs that I enjoy.

It's a way for me to share what music I'm listening to and, if you have a song or artist you're interested in you can share with me, too!

You can join in with me if you'd like, it's quite fun :)

There are two ways to join me:

1.  Add a Music post to your blog and link up.  Please include the Music Monday button (on the right side of the blog) Link up tools are at the bottom of this post

2. or, just leave a comment here letting me know what music you've been listening to lately, do you have a song stuck in your head?

Oh, and in case you missed it, you can catch my first vlog HERE :)
xo-Danielle

My first vlog!

Sometimes, your kids steal your phone and when they come back you have a bunch of photos of toys or miscellaneous furniture...sometimes the take a bunch of silly videos, this is one of those times...
A little background, they are playing Good Luck, Charlie.  Sofia is crying because she doesn't want to be the mom (I think she wanted to be Charlie, but Ingrid was using a doll to be Charlie) and Ingrid, of course, is Teddy. 

poor, Sofia, all she wanted to do was to play the little girl, which I think she could have done a pretty good job at, considering she is a little girl...but, trying to get Ingrid to change her mind??
Good Luck, Sofia...

xo-Danielle

yep, it's snowy

We've had a lot of mushy, slushy, wet snow here in Utah last week mixed with super sunny days...it's kinda been weird, considering we only got about 1" of snow the entire month of December.  I'm not usually a big fan of snow, but going the whole month of December with brown grass and dead leaves was not as beautiful as December could/should be. 
I guess Utahns were not prepared when the snow finally starting flying....This is an example of the snowy days we've had, and the difficulties some of had driving in it:



The days in between the overcast and snowy are so beautiful!  I absolutely love a sunny, snow-covered day.   When I take Swede to school, it's right when the sun is rising and it's so amazingly beautiful I often have to stop and take pictures.  These are from my cell phone, just imagine if I'd had our nice camera with me!

I absolutely LOVE when there's frost on the trees! It reminds me of my wedding day :)

 Oh, and the next day, I came upon this:

I felt like a dork snapping pictures while they were in this predicament, but I had to share!  Plus, they seemed like they were in pretty good spirits.

I have no idea how they did this, considering that above this is a parking lot, and the ice had melted by then.  I hope they have good insurance :/

Drive safe out there, people!  Oh, and enjoy the beauty that is winter while you're at it ;)
xo-Danielle

Music Monday Unrequited Love Songs

The Killers covered this song by Dire Straights called Romeo and Juliet.  The story of Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy but the song Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy in a different way.  Imagine, Romeo completely head over heels in love with Juliet, promised to love her forever and she forgets him, moves on...
First, I have The Killers version.  I think it's really great and I'm grateful that they covered it, or else I never would have heard the original version.



The intro for the Dire Straits version is 2 minutes and 30 seconds then, you can compare the two.  I love both versions of this song but, Mark Knopfler definitely has the more emotional performance.  Be sure to watch at the 5:40 mark, it seriously made me tear up when I saw it the first time.  I think because The Killers version is a lot faster Brandon Flowers didn't have much time to show emotion in his performance.  And, maybe the fact that he's happily married it's harder to sing a song about unrequited love?  But, like I said, I love both versions!  Also, my husband thought that Mark Knopfler looked drunk during his performance so, maybe he's just a sad drunk?  Either way, The Killers version is by far better to look at, hehe ;)

about Music Mondays

Each Monday I'd like to share with you a song/songs that I enjoy.

It's a way for me to share what music I'm listening to and, if you have a song or artist you're interested in you can share with me, too!

You can join in with me if you'd like, it's quite fun :)

There are two ways to join me:

1.  Add a Music post to your blog and link up.  Please include the Music Monday button (on the right side of the blog) Link up tools are at the bottom of this post

2. or, just leave a comment here letting me know what music you've been listening to lately, do you have any favorite songs of unrequited love??

xo-Danielle

instafriday- live a little

I don't ever get sick of this view!

Wellsville Mountains Cache Valley Utah

Jeremy and I took a little trip to Southern Utah to deliver a painting to a beautiful home.  This is the view out there window!  So beautiful, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't ever get sick of this view either!

Snow Canyon Ivins, Utah

I'm planning a post next week of the painting from start to finish that Jeremy custom made for these people's house, it's pretty amazing!


Last night, we took the girls out to dinner to our favorite pizza place.  Here, Sofia is pretending to sleep while taking a drink...and how funny she thought that was!

Ingrid wanted in on the picture taking action:

oooh, and I wanted in on the picture taking action:

and then we went home and jumped on the bed:

yes, I encourage jumping on the bed..you're only little once!

How was your week??
xo-Danielle

On Motherhood

There are a lot of things I don't know about motherhood.  But these things I know for sure.
Motherhood is a commitment.
Motherhood requires patience.
Motherhood requires love.
Motherhood is unselfish.
Motherhood requires sacrifice.
Sacrifices of time.
Sacrifices of money.
Sacrifices of energy.

I don't think there is such thing as a perfect mother.  I am easily frustrated and become impatient a lot quicker than I'd like a lot of times.  One time, in a moment of stress,  I even had a fleeting, selfish thought that I wished I wasn't a mom.  That I could just have some time for myself.  Of course, I cried the rest of that day and vowed to be a better mom.  I held my kids closer, and tried to treat them better because of that thought.

I know I'm not the only one that's had difficulties with being a mom.  But, through my difficulties, I am striving to become stronger, more patient, and kinder.  And, I think the fact that I'm trying to make myself a better mom through it all and not giving up says a lot.

There are some people who give up on motherhood.  Give up on trying.  Give in to selfishness.  Give up on trying to be patient.  And it's sad.  Mothers, your kids NEED you.  I know there are some circumstances that might keep you away from your kids, I think kids are understanding about stuff like that.  Work, divorce, girl's night out, date night, you can't be there ALL the time. 

But, when you CAN be there for your kids and choose NOT to...that's hurtful.

I took a little informal poll from a few little ones I know asking them what makes a good mommy.  They all said similar things.  "tucking me into bed" "making me dinner" "hanging out with us as a family" "packing a lunch for me to take to school"  These all may seem like simple acts of service but, I think for kids these are important because they can't vocalize the way these simple acts of service make them feel.  You tuck them in to bed and they feel all warm and fuzzy and loved.  You provide for them meals each day and you are providing them with feelings of stability and make them feel like you'll always be there for them.

But, what happens when the kids grow up a bit and are teenagers.  They might not want you to tuck them in at night anymore, but they still want to feel loved.  They still need to feel like you will always be there for them.  Mothers, your kids NEED you.

Source: Uploaded by user via Danielle on Pinterest

Being a mom can be hard.  Being unselfish is hard. But, if we emulate our Savior, and his example of serving others we will be blessed.

"The Lord has directed, Bring up your children in light and truth. To me, there is no more important human effort. Being a father or a mother is not only a great challenge; it is a divine calling.  Being parents is the greatest trust that has been given to human beings."
-James E. Faust

So, here's to doing our best at being mothers.  Committed, patient, loving, unselfish mothers.  Let's give it our best because ya know they're gonna grow up so effin fast!
xo-Danielle

Music Monday feel good songs

 These are some of the songs I've been listening to this week that make me wanna turn up the radio and belt out the lyrics as loud as I can.  My husband can vouch for that, as we spent over 14 hours in the car together this weekend!  It was a feel good, sing loud type of weekend :)
Flo Rida Good Feeling

Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz (videos a bit creeepy, but I like this song)

Florence + The Machine Shake it Out (she rocks, nuff said)

and to round it out, a little Colbie Callait Brighter Than the Sun

about Music Mondays

Each Monday I'd like to share with you a song/songs that I enjoy.

It's a way for me to share what music I'm listening to and, if you have a song or artist you're interested in you can share with me, too!

You can join in with me if you'd like, it's quite fun :)

There are two ways to join me:

1.  Add a Music post to your blog and link up.  Please include the Music Monday button (on the right side of the blog) Link up tools are at the bottom of this post

2. or, just leave a comment here letting me know what music you've been listening to lately, what song do you love to sing along with??

xo-Danielle

instafriday pass me the barbie pin

my three year old can't say her R's
when she talks about her cousin's puppy Harlee she it sounds more like "Howie"
train is twain
rabbit is wabbit...actually, she prefers the word bunny.
Yesterday, I was doing her hair and I said "here's your bobby pin."
she said, "that's not a Barbie pin, that's a mom and dad pin!"
yep, to her bobby and Barbie are the same word! haha!

 all ready for school!

 the girls had the opportunity to "help" grandpa stir a 5 gallon bucket of paint...they were shaking and jiggling more than the paint was.

hope your weekend will be fabulous...i'm heading out for a 14 hour drive to help my hubby deliver a painting to a client...bet you're jealous. not.
xo-Danielle

Missing Summer

OoOooh, lookey what I found!

Dad: "go throw it on your sister"

Dad: "here, I'll hold her down for you!"

Swede: "aaaaaaahh! get it off! get it off!!!"

okay, we'll get it off...

so proud!

My Go To Colors!!

I went thrift store shopping yesterday and found a dress sort of similar to this one. (except mine is covered with flowers, has short sleeves)  I'm envisioning fashioning my new treasure with pretty accessories like these.  I'll let you know how it turns out ;)

Versions of pinks, greens, greys and yellows are my favorites throughout the year.  More muted in the winter and more bright in spring and summer.  This combination of colors has always been one of my favorites.  What do you think?
I'm hoping my new thrifted dress will turn out cute, sort of a Zooey Deschanel look...but i'll probably look like an old lady wearing a muumuu.  We'll see!
xo-Danielle

Music Monday- hey hey what can I say??

I've had this stuck in my head all week...which is funny because this clip is 10 minutes long and says the same phrase over and over...which is exactly how it has played out in my head this whole week, haha!

yeah, that song is played a lot at the place where I workout and yeah, it's hard not to get it stuck in my head!
okay, now I need your help!
I'm getting a playlist together for my (possible) trip to Hawaii and this is what i've got so far:
1. Weezer- Island in the Sun
2. Jimmy Buffet- various songs such as Volcano and Cheeseburgers in Paradise (cause ya know I'm getting as many cheeseburgers as possible in HI...the diet goes out the window as soon as the vacay begins!)
3. Colbie Callait- Brighter Than the Sun 
ok....so, you can see i need your help! I'd like atleast an hour's worth of songs and right now i have about 10 mins!
so, i'm looking for songs that are  
-tolerable for adults and children 
(I'll probably add Hakuna Matata for my Lion King loving daughters but that's about all the disney classics I can handle) 
-fun to sing along with 
-possibly by someone cool?? ;)
-doesn't necessarily need to be island/sunshine related, mostly I'd like it to be FUN!

about Music Mondays

Each Monday I'd like to share with you a song/songs that I enjoy.

It's a way for me to share what music I'm listening to and, if you have a song or artist you're interested in you can share with me, too!

You can join in with me if you'd like, it's quite fun :)

There are two ways to join me:

1.  Add a Music post to your blog and link up.  Please include the Music Monday button (on the right side of the blog) Link up tools are at the bottom of my blog here

2. or, just leave a comment here letting me know what music you've been listening to lately, what is your favorite island/sunshine/happiness song??  I'd totally appreciate your contribution!!

xo-Danielle 

instafriday December, you feel like forever ago!

it's Friday! Hallelujah!
I've spent most of this week daydreaming about visiting Hawaii, learning how to pronounce Kealakukua and watching youtube videos.  A week well spent ;)
Since I was WAY too busy this week to take cell phone pics, I'm sharing with you the rest of the pics from December that I was just too busy last month to share. Enjoy!

the last 2 photos are the only decent pics from our anniversary date night.  we went out to dinner and they gave us free dessert to go :)  we spent the night at a local hotel because we got a free stay because we modeled for the hotel (you can see the pics here) (yep, that's us, weird, huh?!) (be sure to scroll down to the jumping on the bed ones, they're FAB!) Happy Friday!
xo-Danielle