The Cool Red Button

I have two things that made me smile today(well actually MANY, but only 2 I am going to share at the moment).

#1 The vacuum was in the living room still plugged in from a run in there before naps and right after I changed David's diaper he thought it looked interesting. Everything else on the vacuum was grey or blue(BORING), but there was an interesting bright red button right where he could reach, so he did. Wow the look of alarm on his face as he pushed the unknown button was priceless. I had a hard time stopping my laughter. He and Jessica(who was also quite interested but knew better than to touch something she didn't know) both jumped and had a mad dash for me. It didn't actually turn on all the way, just started to. I was laughing and so with their relieved hearts they did too. Then it turned into a game. Who would have the courage to push the red button again? Jessica would get really close and then stand up and look at me saying, " I just can't, Mommy." Eventually, David did it again and the we had the exact same reaction(even with the knowledge of what would happen). I love moments like this one that make me belly laugh!

#2 I have a clean vacuumed carpet in the living room! :)

Blessing for the day: Children I can laugh and play with.

Spring Flowers!

I took all of these pictures of flowers I found in Dad's yard. Wow! I love the look of Spring in Texas. The trick with living here is keeping the children from picking them!

Blessing of the Day: The peace that comes from looking at beauty!

Sprinkler Fun!

It was a bit warmer the other day so we started a sprinkler in the back yard. The kids had a great time for a while, but the breeze got a bit too cold for all of them. It didn't last long, but it was great while it did. As you will be able to see, some of them liked it more than others. Good thing big sister Cailyn came to the rescue. What a bunch of cuties!

Baby Collin has arrived!

He is so kissable!

"What?! This thing is staying?"

Born: April 12, 2010 Around 4:00 pm

Weight: 8 pounds 6 ounces

inches: 21

"This is MY mommy!"

It is nice to live with a newborn and not be in-charge.

So I get a baby fix without actually having a baby.

He is such a cutie-pie. Emma does love him and is a great big sister.
Welcome Collin, we love you!

Morning fun

This morning I decided that chores(which usually takes me about 2 hours to get done) weren't as important as spending time with my kids. So just after breakfast we went to the park. This park is just down the road from where I grew up. I played many days at this park in my youth. We had so much fun racing in the field, running on the track, and playing at the playground.

I LOVE SPRING!

Sleepless

I am wide awake and don't know why. It is driving me crazy. I can count on one hand the number of times this has happened to me. I can understand better those that have this problem and I am SO SORRY.

As I was laying in bed staring at the ceiling or trying to force my eyes shut I was thinking, "What does one do when they can't sleep?" I thought of many things I needed to do before church tomorrow, but all of that makes noise and everyone else in the house is sleeping. I know nothing worth watching would be on TV, and so I sit here blogging. Watch out, it could be a little weird to be in Mindi's head this late at night.

Those of you who know my father know that he is very passionate about politics. Lately I have been really paying attention to all of that, mostly because I desire conversation material with my father, but also because it scares me. I don't feel like i know enough about all of it to carry on a debate with anyone, but the whole government take over mentality in Washington is pretty scary and it looms over me. I know that it is a very controversial subject and I don't want to offend anyone but I feel like I need to say just a couple of things about it.

Why do the politicians not seem to care what Americans' want or need? Are they really that selfish and power hungry? How did America let this happen to itself? How did WE let this happen?

I go from feeling hopeful to feeling defeated, back and forth each day. I hear the different things that the politicians are saying and doing and feel like they have full control and We, the People only have 1 weapon(votes). It doesn't seem to be a fair fight. But, as I read in the scriptures I realize that they are filled with examples of seemingly unfair fights. The faithful always conquer in the end. Why? Because they are fighting with the power of God.

It all boils down to one thing(in my mind and heart): We need to be FAITHFUL! We need to trust in our GOD. We need to pay attention to the prompting of the SPIRIT! I think that there are too many good people who seem to think that our faith and relationship with the Holy Ghost stops with church or making decisions about the commandments. It doesn't! We need to rely on the Spirit for ALL our decisions. This includes politics.

I don't know about all of you, but the current politicians leave my heart and mind uneasy. The Spirit is telling me that something is wrong and we need to do something to change it.

I pray daily that we, as Americans, as Children of God, will decide to make a positive change. That we will do what it takes to preserve this beautiful country that so many have died and suffered to give to us. I know that if we live close to the Spirit and heed His promptings, then we can!

God Bless America! (it needs it)

Who has the power

Yesterday someone from Dad's Ward came by to see Andrea's baby and Emma was holding a headless Heman. This is how the conversation went:

Sister: "Who is that"

Jessica: "That's Heman"

Sister: " Oh!"

Jessica: very matter-of-factly " He has the power"

I'm Sorry!!!

So lately I have been thinking and I have come to the realization that Jason is definitely the better half. I know that no one is perfect, but he comes a GREAT DEAL closer than I do. He is such a gentle person. He is patient and kind. He is such a good example of someone who thinks through his thoughts before he expresses them to anyone(a skill I have a ways to go to master). Sometimes it feels like it takes Jason an abnormally long to make decisions, but I am learning that this is a good thing. I would much rather wait a little longer for a good decision and avoid bad ones than just having everything in a short amount of time(does that make sense?). Some of the worst decisions we have made as a couple have been ones I made or ones I rushed him into.

We have received an offer on our house and are supposed to be closing soon(HOORAY!). However, that means that we are now in the process of looking for a house. I know this seems like a lot of fun(and sometimes it is), but with 3 small children in tow and an hour at least to drive to each house it becomes extremely taxing. We have looked at 4 houses this week; thrown 2 out of the running; fallen in love with one; and grown sad because we disagree about some things. I want to say that I LOVE the house we saw yesterday. It is everything I have ever wanted in a house and within our price range. I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I will probably never have that house and I am trying my hardest not to be too emotional over it, but I will need many prayers to accomplish that. You see, that PERFECT HOUSE has an offer already on it and that would rush us into making a decision(which Jason is uncomfortable with). It would also put us in a new Ward/Branch and we are not sure that is what we want to do. I guess I am just torn by many things and am trying to figure it out. Unfortunately I have let my emotions get the better of me and have been pretty mean to Jason. So I am publicly apologizing to him for not being more like him. I love you Jason and will try harder to slow my emotions and thoughts down to spiritually look at the situation. Thank you for everything you do including: working long hours, commuting about 1 1/2 hours a day, overlooking my downfalls, being my listening ear and eyes on the outside, being the best Dad my children could ever have, and basically putting up with me. I love you!

New pictures

Jason's sister's family came to Texas last week and I realized that I have been so out of the whole blogging thing long enough that I didn't even carry my camera with me to all of our outings. I am totally embarrassed that I hadn't taken any pictures that I decided to take tons of pictures. So, here are just a few of the shots I have taken lately. Among them are Easter shots and Texas Bluebonnet pictures. I absolutely LOVE Texas bluebonnets and they are in full bloom all over the place right now. Spring wildflowers in Texas are my favorite, so vibrant and fun. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Wow, Lynnae you are gonna have to scare the girls away from this handsome guy.

Becca has such a fun personality.

2 of some of my favorite people. This picture will ALWAYS bring a smile to my face.

These girls love each other, can you tell?

What a sweet little girl!

I LOVE these kids.

She is growing too fast.

Don't you want to squeeze him?

AWE!