So much TV, so little time

Thank Goodness for T-VO!

I've been super busy this week with my calling, girl's camp, baseball, and getting ready for my family to come. But the one thing that helps me to relax at the end of my busy days is my TVO line up. This has definitely been a good week for T.V. So good that all of my recordings were over lapping. It was getting a little crazy. I loved both Dancing With the Stars and American Idol this season. I thought the finalist on both shows deserved to be there. Even though Dave and I were both David Cook fans, I still would have loved to have seen a Mormon win American Idol. I'm not too worried about David Archuleta though. He's so frail and I think if he learns to come out of his shell and open up a little more in interviews he'll do just fine!

My "American Idol" and "Dancing With the Stars" favorites so far.....

Both David's, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry (still can't figure out why he got the boot), Emmitt Smith, Elio Costanuela, and Apollo.

Cara and Ryleigh's GIRLS

Cara and Ryleigh's playgroup has come to an end. They've had a wonderful time with "their girl's" this year and Mom's had a wonderful time getting 3 hour breaks every Monday :) You can definitely tell by this picture what they spent most of their time doing. I loved listening to these little girl's play dress-up and pretend. They're all such sweet, little things with lots of personality. Thanks Angela, Kristen, April, and Cheri for a fun year of playgroups.

Favorite Things

My blogging friend Jill did a "Favorite Things" swap with all of her blogging buddies and I decided to join in. This is what I received from Ashley. It was perfect and some of my favorite things also. I love M & M's and mixed with peanut butter makes them that much better. I have walked past the Burt's Bees products before but have never purchased them. I love this chap stick. It actually works too. Last but not least, what Mom doesn't love a good frame? It's perfect. It matches my house and I love the Shabby Chic look. Thank You Ashley. I enjoyed my package, and thanks to you Jill. I thought this was a great idea. Maybe I'll host one with my blogging buddies too.

Anyone interested??

My Mother's Day Hook Up...not that kind of Hook Up!

Holy Cow did I ever get "hooked up" this Mother's Day. I was surprisingly shocked to come home to all of this food storage from my Mom last Friday and then this beautiful Dinette Set from Dave. I totally was not expecting this. I'm so happy! I don't know that I deserve either, but I'll take it :) Now if there's some type of disaster I'll have a beautiful table to sit at with my family where we can enjoy wheat, rice, oats, and beans. YUM, YUM! Thanks for the wonderful gifts!

My guilty pleasure

I love Reality Television. Sometimes I'm embarrassed to admit I even watch some of the shows out there, but I can't help it. They all suck me in after one viewing. It's that time of year when all of my shows are coming to an end. I hate it. Then I have to deal with the BORING summer line up. So anyways~I have followed Survivor and The Bachelor since the beginning. I loved both of them this season. I really wanted Amanda to win the Bachelor but I ended up kind of liking Shayne in the end. We'll see if that one works out though. As far as Survivor goes, I was shocked. I thought for sure Amanda would win.....Bummer! Was that not the cutest thing Ozzy said to her at tribal council? So for all of my fellow Reality T.V. viewers-what were your thoughts?

Being a Mother.....

So let's be honest.....Motherhood is hands down the hardest, most underpaid, most unappreciated job in the world. But it's in those special, quiet, personal moments with your children where it becomes the most rewarding. There are times when I think to myself "I cannot get one more glass of juice, wipe down one more toilet, pick up one more toy, and hear one more child whine." It's through those trying times that I have learned, patience,love,commitment, how to be a good listener, and the list goes on. My children have taught me so much more than I could have learned without them. There have been times when I have felt guilty for not finishing school and maybe one day I will. But I do know that I have been educated in many ways through being a Mother. I hope my kids know I would do anything for each one of them. I'm a wife and mother before anything. That's my first calling in life. I am a mother because I love the Lord. I want to full fill the commitments I have made to him. If anything I hope I am teaching my children the truth so that they may one day teach theirs. That would be the best gift they could give to me as their Mother!

Happy Mother's Day

"Mother Dear, We love you so..."

Dave and I wanted to take a second and wish both of you a wonderful day. We know it must be hard to celebrate with most of your children gone, but know that even though we are miles away we are still thinking of you.

(Dave is speaking while Nicole is typing)...Mom, you're a great Mom. You did a wonderful job raising 5 boys. You are a good cook and make a mean casserole. You are caring and loving. You gave me the gift of HUMOR and have the talent of making others smile. You are a wonderful piano player. You are great with my kids, and most of all....drum roll... you do a damn good job at vacuuming!
Mom, I could be here for hours listing your qualities, but most of all I just wanted to say thank you for always listening to my phone calls. I know since I've moved away from home that I've probably ran up your cell phone minutes along with Natalie's and Alyson's too. I appreciate the fact that you let me talk while you listen.
Being a Mother can be very hard and trying at times but I want you to know you did a wonderful job at it and still are. Thanks for doing the best you could and giving motherhood 100%.