He gave me my eyes that I might see...

I have been preparing a YW lesson for Sunday 'The Importance of Life' and it has really got me thinking...
I live my live my life day to day... get up do breakfast with Kelson, cleaning, dishes, laundry, blog/fb, sew, cook dinner, spend some time with Trevor, and do it all again the next day.  I never take time to notice the small things.  As I was preparing my lesson I came accross this primary song...

1. Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav’nly Father created for me.


2. He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him rev’rently
For all his creations, of which I’m a part.
Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.
     Words and music: Clara W. McMaster


I love love love the second verse.  Cause it isn't until i'm really thinking about it that I realize how grateful I really am for all my senses.  If I could never hear Kelson laugh, if I couldn't read, or see a beatiful sunset... I would be missing out on so much!!  But then I realize that I am missing out on all these things anyway because I just use all my senses out of habit... I never relish in the smell of dinner cooking or fresh clean laundry, I never admire the beatiful colors of flowers in the yard.
So today... I'm going to truly use all my senses...  I'm going to admire and find joy in everything!!

Also while preparing my lesson I came accross this video...



Sorry it's only showing half the screen. You can find it on YouTube website.

The WEBSITE & the CORNFEST

Rags by Heidi
Burp Rags and Rag Quilts
Well, I said a long time ago I wanted to sell some of my sewn items online.  I got my website all set up... and decided to sell some of my stuff at the cornfest this year.  So... again my website is pretty much put on hold.  I have one item listed for sale on the website, but pretty much everything else I make til the end of August will go to the cornfest.  Anything that doesn't sell at the cornfest will be posted early September on my website.
Around the beginning to mid September I should have my website going with more than 1 item listed. So, check it out and tell your friends about it :)
I did create a button for my website (notice button to the right) if you click on it, it will take you to my online shop.

guess who's one?!?!

I still can't even believe it's been over a year since Kelson was born!  He turned one on July 8th.  It's crazy how much a baby can change everything in your life.  This past year has been amazing!  There have definitely been the ups and the downs, but I wouldn't change any of it!  I love Kelson so much!  He is really starting to get quite the little personality.  He started throwing fits about 2 or so weeks before his first birthday... he kicks his legs and just screams!  He is pretty dramatic!  He isn't a very good eater because he would rather play than eat.  He is also picky.  He doesn't really like vegetables... unless they are covered in salt or gravy. 

I feel so blessed to have Kelson in my life! 

Happy Birthday Kelson!

Kelson's 1 year stats:

    weighs 20 lbs 1/2 oz (12%)

    29.5 inches (36%)

    Almost walking (he takes more and more steps each day)

    Sleeps SO good still average per night around 9-11 hours

    Usually takes at least one 2 hour nap a day

    Big time mommas boy

    can say: momma, dada, Brett, and no

    has 4 teeth (but has 3 coming in)

    LOVES: being outside, swimming, playing with animals (dogs and horses)

For his birthday we had a little family get together.  We ate dinner and watched Kelson open presents and ate some cake. He is a spoiled and loved little boy!  About 2 (or more) months before his birthday, I had envisioned the perfect cake I was going to make for him... I think it turned out pretty well.

Tractor, fenced garden, hay field

back view

gift from Uncles Chase, Brant, Clint and aunt Jamie

Opening gifts

The Great Hunt Reunion

Every year in June, my Grandma Barlow's family has a reunion... "The Great HUNT Reunion"  This year Andrea, mom, Kelson, and I decided to make the journey.  Grandma and her 3 living sisters and 1 of her 2 living brothers were there.  It was fun to see them all.  It's always fun to see family that you only see every so often.  We had a pretty good time.
Aunt Shirley told me a story about how (her mom) Great Grandma Hunt would always send her to the store to buy some chocolate bars with nuts in them.  She would eat one little piece and put the rest up in a cupboard.  She would then eat 1 piece everyday until they were gone... then she would do it again :)  She said we all got her "sweet-tooth"  she loves to eat sweets!
Grandma sure is like her mom... she ate about 5-10 bites of her lunch, but she gladly ate her entire piece of cake :)

aunts JaNae, Shirley, Claudia, and Grandma

me and Kelson

Grandma and Andrea after lunch

Grandpa and uncertain Kelson

Cutest Grandparents EVER!!!

"Camp-a-lot" Girls Camp

e had “Camp-a-lot” girls camp in Alton on June 7-9. The girls did a warrior challenge (obstacle course) that was related to modern trials. We played games, had a fashion show, went on a little lawn-mower powered train ride, went on a dragon quest (hiking), went through a cave, had a soap covered water slide, ate lots, and had an incredible testimony meeting and every person there bore testimony.

Pictures are worth more than words... 

Memorial Weekend

Pretty much every year we go camping over Memorial weekend.  Trevor headed out on Friday and we were going to head out Friday evening, but Jeff didn't get home til pretty late so we decided to go on Saturday.  We left around 6:00am for Boulder mountain.  When we got up there Trevor had camp all set up.  Trevor, Jeff, and Chase did some Bear hunting, but didn't find one this trip.  We went on four wheeler rides and short hikes.  It was actually very nice weather we were lucky.  Kelson was a little unsure about the dirt and crawling around in it, but the walker made the weekend possible.  Here are some pictures of the trip.

Brett and Kelson on the Fourwheeler

Kelson enjoying many snacks.

Gold fish cracker in right hand, licorice in left hand, and cookie in mouth.

Kelson getting his bath.

Playing in the walker

Hangin out with grandpa in the tent

Mothers Day and The Cruise

1st of all this is my last post before going private, so if you want to continue reading post your email (if you haven't already).

2nd of all  SEVERE picture overload!!!

MOTHERS DAY

This year was my first year celebrating mothers day as a mom.  Of course Trevor forgot it was mothers day until it was too late to get anything... oh well he's a man.  But it was still an awesome day.

My awesome mother in law took Kelson to get pictures taken while I was on my cruise and then she gave me some prints and the disc for mothers day... such a great gift.

I love being a mom.  It is the greatest blessing and challenge of my life.  I love Kelson so much and I'm so grateful that God trusts me to raise children.  I just hope I can do a good job.

Being a mom has made me realize just how much my mom did for me.  I am eternally grateful for my mom for everything she has done.  She truly is one of my very best friends.  I am also grateful for my mother-in-law she is amazing.  Thank you to all mom's out there and happy LATE mothers day.

The CRUISE

I was lucky enough to have a husband and mother in law willing to tend Kelson for a week, while I went on an all girls trip...  We had a way fun time.

Day 1:  We took a red-eye flight to Florida, and played there for a day.

Day 2:  We got on board the Carnival Legend.  We had a rainy first day at sea, but still a good time.  We had our first "formal night" We all got "dolled" up got pictures, ate dinner, and went to the show!

Day 3:  Got off at Grand Cayman.  We all kinda did different things that day.  Me and my mom went to the rum factory, turtle farm, Hell (the town), and StingRay city. It was really a good time.

Me and mom in "Hell" (sorry the picture is so small)

Me and mom holding a sting ray.

Sting Ray City the water is crazy clear... Beautiful.

Holding a 4 month old turtle (again sorry about the size of the pic)

Day 4:  Cozumel Mexico.  Well, I had originally planned on just shopping around, but at almost last minute decided to go with most of the crew to swim with dophins.  I am SO glad I did.  It was amazing!  The trainer let us hug, kiss, get kissed, swim, and just watch "Atlantus" (the dolphin) WAY FUN!

Me holding/hugging Atlantus

Atlantus giving me a kiss

Me riding/swiming with Atlantus.

Day 5:  We got off in Roatan.  It is BEAUTIFUL there.  We had a tour of most of the island, rode the zip-line, played with Monkey's, and some of us went snorkling on a private beach.  About half of the island is so poor it made me feel guilt for having so much.  However, the other half of the island is not so poor... no guilt on that side. (Not letting me upload these pics sorry)

Day 6:  Belize adventures...  We took a bus for about an hour to we (me Andrea, and Mandi) went on a fun four wheeler ride through the jungle.  Mandi was covered in mud, me and Andrea... not so much.  From there we went to the next adventure... Cave tubing.  Way cool.  Sort of like a lazy river but it goes through a huge cave.  There were these little fish that have the heart of a paronah, but not the bite thankfully.  Apparently they like to bite at bright colors... I got bit on the bottom quite a few times.  Didn't hurt just startling.

Day 7:  Day at sea... the day we all got sunburned!!!  Sad evening at dinner.  We had the most amazing waiter Dennis or Big D and assistant waiter Sugi. They sang their farwell song while we ate and ate.

Last night at Dinner with waiters

Day 8:  Disembarkation, sitting in the airport, flying to Vegas, and the drive home.
All in all it was a good time, but I'm not going to lie.  I missed Trevor and Kelson lots and lots.  I was glad to get home to my baby.