Gossip Hurts

 I've been thinking a lot lately on my ability to quickly and sometimes harshly judge those around me. It's something I've done since I was little and it's something I can do without little or no effort.

As a little girl, I had a hard time keeping friends. This was partly because of my own choices but it had to do with the hurtful things that others were saying behind my back. I had a hard time not doing the same to others since that's what others had done to me.

Then I grew up, had children, and I thought that would all be over. But gossip doesn't just all together come to a complete stop just because you magically become older.

When I was called to be in the Relief Society presidency at my church last year, I knew the gossip had to stop. I was responsible for loving every woman in our ward and I tried so hard. Even when I had a hard time loving certain people, I cut out the gossip from my life. If I needed to get something off my chest, I could always turn to my husband or my sister who lived in a different state.

A couple of months ago, I learned some information and realized just how badly gossip can hurt a person. It's hard to know you've been the brunt of the gossip when you don't even know what you did wrong. Honestly, it's made me feel more self concious around others. It's made me careful of who I'm around and what I say to people. It's changed my outlook on gossip altogether.

Gossip really hurts and most of the time, it isn't true information. I've tried so hard to be a better person since I know firsthand the effects that gossip can have on a family or individual.

The thing is, most of the time, we gossip because we are jealous. But it is possible to be happy with what you have, no matter how much you have.

 If you judge someone, try walking even ten feet in their shoes. You might find that the things you're judging them for are things you would not want to handle in your own life. We all have struggles and we have reasons for why we make certain decisions. It's better to assume that someone is making the best choice possible than to assume they are rude or inconsiderate or dumb or bad. You don't always know the whole story.

 Another form of judgement is comparison. I've had a hard time with this my whole life but more prominently since becoming a mother. I see children doing things my children aren't. I've had situations where others will point out things other children do that my children aren't. My kids walked at 13 and 14 months old. I no longer consider that "late" but it sure seemed late when other kids were walking before a year old. {It's funny how silly that seems now}I've been in situations where I'll watch other moms that are skinnier than me and all of a sudden, I'm thinking negative thoughts about myself. I sometimes see others my age with bigger houses, nicer cars, and other fancy things and I get sad that I don't have those things when in reality, things aren't the most important thing. Comparison really is the thief of joy.
It's silly, the comparisons we make to each other or to our children. God intended us all to be different. He intended us to make different choices, to look different ways, and to act differently.

That last quote seems a bit harsh but maybe harsh is what's needed amongst the gossip that seems to consume a lot of women. If you don't witness it, don't act like you know it's true. And even if you do witness it, you may not understand the reasoning behind it. You can never fully understand the circumstances someone is in because you aren't them.

My wish is that you'll try with me to stop judging others and to not talk behind their backs. I believe it will bring happiness to others but moreso, it will bring happiness to you.

The Joys of Middle-of-the-Night Motherhood

 Last night was hard. I was up multiple times with children and one of them ended up in our bed. On top of that, I was feeling achey and had a hard time getting comfortable most of the night. I woke up, turned the tv on for the kids, and layed down on the couch and I haven't moved much since then.

In the middle of the night when I was extremely uncomfortable and heard a cry coming from my girly's room, I let out a sigh and thought about trying to ignore it so she would go back to sleep. It only took a second for me to realize I needed to go comfort her and when I got to her room, I had an overwhelming rush of love for this child that was getting me up in the middle of the night.

It's amazing how a horrible night can help you realize how lucky you are to be a mom.

It's hard to get up when I want to sleep. It's hard to cook, clean, and try to be a patient and loving mother each day. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Even when I'm not feeling well and the kids are fighting over what show to watch, I have to remind myself how extremely lucky I am. They make me who I've always wanted to be.

Sweety Pie

 If it's even possible, this blog might be all 'Petey-ed' out after the birthday and dance posts but I never posted the cute pictures I took of my girl right before she turned 5.

I love this girl so much. She is a hard worker and my little helper.

 She stretches daily and wants to be super flexible.

 She has successfully learned a bridge between ages 4 and 5.

 I love when I capture real smiles like this one.

 I love how girly she is.

 I also love how much she loves The Avengers and Ben 10 on Netflix.

 I love when she scrunches her nose.

 I love when she remembers to point her toes.

 I love her sass because it shows that she is my daughter.

 I love her little girl voice.

 I love how much she looks like her daddy and her mommy combined.

 I love that she is caring and kind to her friends.

 {Again}, I love her scrunched up nose.

 I honestly cannot believe it's been 5 years since she made me a mother.

She is the most beautiful, talented, loving, and silly little girl that I have ever met.

Papa named her 'Petey Swy' because he switched up the letters in 'Sweety Pie'. She truly is a sweety pie and anyone who is lucky enough to meet her knows it.

Weekend of Birthdays, Dance Recitals, and More Birthdays

 On Friday, Boss turned another year older and wiser. Since he had to work and Petey's birthday was a busy day, I took her and a friend to see The Croods. All month she's been asking to go to the movie theater for her birthday.

She had a hard time picking since I told her she could only bring one friend. I wish we could've taken more but that would've been expensive.

 They were excited for popcorn, of course.

 The movie was super cute and the kids laughed a lot.

Boss got off early so when he got home, we had him open his presents.

 Petey insisted he would love this pack of mints, which he did. :)

 I got him a new shirt.

 Spidey picked out this awesome Captain America shirt for his daddy.

 And I also got Boss a spotlight for when he goes camping. We didn't much else the rest of the day but I did let Boss nap and not do much that day.

On Saturday, Petey had her end of the year dance recital. I was happy and sad and excited and more sad because this is probably her last dance class with Miss JaNae.

 Petey has adored JaNae since she started classes with her last July and as a mother, I've appreciated everything JaNae has done for my girl. She has so much patience and is such a fun teacher. It's going to be an adjustment to have a new dance teacher but Petey is so excited for dance team this year.

 I love this picture of my boys. They were such good sports to sit through a 2 hour dance concert.

 My parents and younger brother and sister were also able to come and support Petey. She did really well even though she was having attachment issues that day and didn't want me to leave her in the dressing room with someone else during the recital. Unfortunatly, we weren't allowed to videotape this performance and though I've ordered the dvd, it won't be online for any of our out of townn relatives to enjoy.

Sunday was the last of the birthday celebrations. Petey had asked for a 'queen cake' and my mom went above and beyond and made this adorable cake jut for Petey.

It is exactly what Petey had wanted and she was a happy birthday girl.

 After dinner massages...Petey looked zoned out while Boss massaged her face.

 Petey opened her last present from us after dinner, princess barbies. She LOVES them.

 Grandma and Grandpa got her this Tinkerbell backpack/lunch box that was filled with Hello Kitty stuff. Our girl was in Heaven!

 Boss got a drill from my parents and though his smile is cheesy, he's been so excited about it.

 Petey and Aunt Gigi, admiring her Ariel barbie.

We sang happy birthday one last time this week to the birthday boy/girl and they got to blow out candles.

I love these two people so much and am so glad they are MINE!

Her 5th Year

 Well, she went ahead and did it. I told Petey to stop growing up so fast but she turned 5 anyway. Yesterday was my girly's birthday and we had quite the day!

She woke up early enough to open presents before Boss went to work.

Her sunflower plants were killed by my brother in laws puppy so we got her some new seeds to plant.

 Spidey got her Wreck It Ralph which she was SUPER happy about. She loves that movie.

 We got her new dance clothes.

 Hello Kitty pajamas.

 And a new scooter!

 We also got her 3 new dresses.

 Spidey was a good helper and took care of the wrapping paper.

 Daddy decided to put her scooter together before he went to work because she was so excited.

 She loves it!

 Then, the kids and I headed to Liberty Market for breakfast. Here they are washing their hands in the bathroom when we were done. I forgot to take a picture in the actual restaraunt.

We went to Toys'R'Us to get her birthday crown, balloon, and let her pick out a toy with her gift card and then we headed over to the mall for kids club so she could get her free ice cream from Dairy Queen.

 I had a doctor appointment around lunchtime so my friend, Lacey, watched the kids. When I came back to get them, they were just about to decorate cupcakes.

 Lacey was so sweet and stuck a candle in Petey's cupcake so we could sing happy birthday to her.

 She tried to blow it out but she couldn't get it so her bestie helped her out.  :)

 Spidey had fun licking all the frosting off his cupcake.

 "Look, mom, I have a beard just like daddy!"

Then we headed to Joe's Farm Grill for a late lunch/early dinner.

 As you can see, Spidey wouldn't take the straw out of his mouth for the picture. That kid is addicted to soda and doesn't get it often so when he does, he practically breathes it in.

I had a meeting for Petey's new school that night but when I got home, John and Darylle had left a present for Petey to open so we let her open it before bed.

 She was SO excited to see Vidia from the Tinkberbell movies. She loves those fairies!

And Belle! It was so sweet. She has been playing with the two of them all morning and telling me over and over how beautiful they are.

I have to brag for a minute because I have the sweetest daughter. Spidey had a hard time with all of the attention Petey was getting yesterday and Petey was such a good big sister. She shared pretty much everything from her day with him, she wanted to buy him some presents so he wouldn't feel left out {which I kindly explained that we wouldn't be doing}, she shared her treats with him, she let her best friend pick the color of the frosting for the cupcakes they made, etc. The hardest thing for Spidey was seeing Petey ride her brand new scooter, He wanted one so badly. She was so selfless and let him ride it as much as he wanted yesterday. What a good big sister. I love my Petey girl and I'm so glad she's mine.

I also interviewed my sweet girl this morning as part of her birthday. I hope you enjoy it!

How old are you?
5
What is your favorite movie?
Wreck It Ralph
What is your favorite color?
Pink
Who is your best friend?
Evalyn, Mallerie, and Jolie
What’s your favorite animal?
All the huge animals; tortoise and elephants.
What do you love most about Andersen?
I love when he helps me clean my room.
What do you like to do with mommy?
Play games.
What do you like to do with daddy?
Play games!
What is your favorite thing to do?
Play games and eat all day.
What is your favorite food?
Cheese pizza.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A gymnastic teacher.