Memorial Day...and Happy Birthday Bennett!

I feel beyond fortunate to be living and raising my family in our free country...the beautiful USA. And my heart is filled with gratitude to the men and women who have served, and are currently serving, our our country selflessly (along with their families who sacrifice so much to support them). So many lives have been lost to ensure our freedoms...and it's because of them that we're able to enjoy a beautiful, relaxing Memorial Day every year.

God bless America and those who fight for our freedoms...

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Today is our sweet nephew Bennett's birthday :) He would have been 2 years old... So yesterday the Kjar fam joined the Wilkinsons to celebrate their sweet little sunshine boy!!

We all came wearing some yellow, enjoyed a beautiful brunch, then headed to the cemetery with yellow flowers and balloons. Bennett's headstone is such a beautiful tribute to his sweet little life. We wrote on balloons, released them into the sky, and did a "circle of love" where we each shared one thing we love about Bennett. He was a small boy with a huge heart that touched everyone that knew him!!

Happy Birthday Bennett! We love & miss you!

And before leaving Bennett's grave to go visit Grandpa Kjar's on the other side of the cemetery, sweet Ashton sang "Bennett's song"...the Wilkinsons' have a little song for each of their children.

Bennett's was to the tune of "The Farmer and the Dell":

"We love our Bennett boy!

He is our pride and joy!

We love our Bennett boy,

we love our Bennett boooooooy!" :)

the little things

Two posts in one day, I'm on a roll :)

Today in our Sunday school class (Marriage and Family Relations) the teacher led a discussion about teaching our children about faith in God and Jesus, the Spirit, forgiveness, prayer, loving one another, scripture study...the basics. They may seem like little things to some...but it's those things that make all the difference. They are the reason for my happiness.

And it reminded me of a sweet saying I found the other day:

{via}

That quote is referring to the little things in life...which are wonderful!

But I think it can also be connected to the blessing and knowledge of the Gospel. As a mother, I feel honored to be able to teach Brooks, and our future children, about the simple, precious truths of Christ and His gospel. Just thinking about when Brooks will say his first little prayer, or when I teach him to say "I'm sorry" and forgive others, or when he sings "I Feel My Savior's Love" for the first time...brings the happiest tears to my eyes.

It's the little things...

s'more please...

Do you want to make the most epic s'mores of your entire life??

Maybe at your Memorial Day barbecue...or just at home over your stove.

We chose the latter route last night.

Yesterday at the grocery store I picked up some s'more fixings...a couple different that "normal," but they were DELISH and hit the spot.

- Graham crackers

- Marshmallows (covered in toasted coconut...adds great texture)

- Hershey's bars

- Reeces cups

And of course we tried to follow Ham's directions as close as possible...Sandlot anyone??

First, we roasted the 'mallows...

Then, we put the chocolate on the graham...Adam microwaved his for about 8 seconds...

We stacked 'em up real nice...

And then we scarfed.

All gone????

You're killing me Smalls ;)

stickers, and glasses, and pizza oh my!

Last night we went to The Gateway.

Goodness I love our family date nights :)

We first went to Forever 21...a quick stop to check out some glasses (yes, I'm an impostor pretending to need spectacles...so sue me) that a cute neighbor of mine was wearing the other day. She's sweet like that and told me where she scored them. They're definitely different than my usual accessories, but they're so much fun...and when I put my hair up in a bun when we got home, Adam said I looked like a sexy school teacher. oh yes. ;)

Then we headed to pizza at CPK.

Our server, named Tawny, rocked. Our food was amazing (as always at that fine establishment). And Brooks only needed to get out of his high chair and run around once...almost making it into the chef's kitchen ;)

It was a good night indeed.

{ This Subaru was parked next to us, and the bumper sicker made me smile }

{ Adam watching his beloved Sports Center...we don't get that channel at home, so at the gym or at restaurants he takes full advantage. and I'm okay with that :) }

Oh how we love left overs.

i love these girls

Don't you love when you are blessed with friendships that you AND your children can enjoy!?

The Bradshaws are a prime example :) We watch each other's children a couple times each week (while she teaches and while I went to school, now it's so I can go to the gym and know Brooks is at his second home:)

Penny (the super mama) is like a sister to me, and her 2 little girls are like sisters to Brooks.

We love them to the moon and back.

Yesterday Brinklee was having fun in her "water hole"...such a cute little puddle jumper :)

Oh Bryndee...look at that smile :)

The photo above and the two below are older...but I couldn't resist :)

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Then there are my Young Women :)

I'm one of the leaders at our church's youth group, and I LOVE IT!

On Wednesday I went on a fantastic hike with the Beehives (12-13 year olds).

These girls are AWESOME. Beautiful inside and out.

Oh, and they're hilarious :)

Brooks loves them too :) He watched as they climbed a 2-story tree fort...

"Hi up there!"

I brought strawberries and gummi worms for the girls to snack on...both were a hit :)

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See what I mean? I'm so blessed to have such stellar girls in my life :)

Happy Friday!!

Awkward + Awesome + Smoothie

The beautiful Sydney at The Daybook is hi-larious (especially now that she has funny preggo stories) and I love when she shares her awkward and awesome moments from her week. Today I thought I'd jot mine down too :)

I try to look at the cup half full (emphasis on try) so these awkward-and-awesome's are paired together...

Awkard: Seeing I've reached the bottom of my glass that, just 2 seconds ago, was full of delicious smoothie...and sipping with all my might, yet nothing comes up the straw.

Awesome: Getting invited by Megan over at Second Floor Living to share the recipe of my favorite drink as of late! :) Which just so happens to be the smoothie previously mentioned (and the one in the picture). It's my Very Berry Tropical Smoothie. Go here to see how I make it!!! And while you're there check out her blog...she lives in South Africa (super awesome, right?) and she's got a stellar bucket list. Go. Now. :)

Awkward: On Wednesday I was asked by one of the 12 year-old girls in Young Women's (the youth group I serve with), "Ouch, what happened to your neck??" I answered, "Uuuuuh, oh! It was, um, a burn from my curling iron." Good thing she believed me, eh? ;)

Awesome: It was my 3 year anniversary the day before... ;)

Awkward: Still not having the kitchen finished! Oh the details...it's taking for-ev-er.

Awesome: The fact that it is happening!!! All good things to those who wait :)

Double-awesome: I still don't have a ton of dishes to wash. oh. yes.

Awkward: Getting a weird look from the cashier at Smith's (local grocery store) when I showed her an empty little pastry baggy and told her to add one donut to my purchase...I'm a hungry shopper, okay?

Awesome: That maple bar, that I devoured while grocery shopping, was delish. :)

Awkward: Watching Biggest Loser and wondering, "Where the heck is Rulon???"

Awesome: Watching Biggest Loser and seeing Olivia take it all! She looked AMAZING and so happy :)

Awkward: Not having dinner ready for Adam when he gets home... (the limited choices of sandwiches, salad, and easy mac get really old after a while)

Awesome: Being surprised by super-hubs-Adam when he brought home delicious Chinese take-out!

Awkward: Pulling on the starter-cable-thingy on the lawn mower at least 1,265,529 times before it actually starts.

Awesome: Soaking up a little sun and listening to some good tunes on my ipod while I mowed our front lawn yesterday. I love the sight and smell of a freshly mowed front yard :) and I also love getting a thank-you spank from the hubs.

Awkward: Feeling like I was about to pass out while working out yesterday. yowza.

Awesome: Getting told by the trainer that my form in kick boxing is great :) First time with actual gloves and a bag...loved it!

Awesome: There are just 3 more days 'til Sunday...favorite day of the week :)

3 years and counting!

The last three years of my life have been undeniably fantastic :)

Marrying Adam...me sweetheart, my best friend, my better half...in the Salt Lake City Temple, was the best decision I've ever made in my life.

Together our faith in our Savior and in each other has grown,

we've traveled,

we've eaten too many sushi rolls to count,

we've experienced gains and losses,

we've disagreed,

we've laughed 'til we cried,

(goodness can that boy make me laugh)

we've bought a home,

we're fixing up that home,

we're raising the most beautiful little boy,

we've grown more in love every single day,

and we look forward to forever with each other.

If I were to describe the last 3 years, I would say I've felt safe, and at peace. I trust Adam with all of my soul. My heart, my body, my spirit...they are his forever.

Together, life is sweeter.

Three years ago, yesterday, I married my best friend, and forever love Adam Stanley Kjar. Marriage isn't easy, we've worked hard to keep ours strong :) And with him it's better than I'd ever hoped for!! I'm one lucky girl, truly blessed to be able to grow more in love with him for the the rest of my life, and for the rest of our forever together.

Happy Anniversary babe!

And yes, knowing I will be with him forever makes me want to jump, and then fly :)