We’ve had some long days lately, and despite my best efforts at naps and early bedtimes, I’ve got some tired little bodies around here.  When I saw this, my heart sighed a long sigh. Two thoughts hit me simultaneously.  “She’s so big!” and “She’s so little!” She had climbed in the basket and just went [...]

Recipe for a happy two year old girl: one face covered with blue frosting, one treat in hand, one pink party hat. Man, I love this girl! Hopeful Homemaker

I had a meeting last night, and came home with my head full of big ideas and bigger goals. When I ran to the basement for a can of food in the storage room, my little one did this: Welcome to Monday.  I guess we didn’t have enough messes in the house. Good thing she’s [...]

Someone fell out of bed last night… and scratched her nose. I can hardly stand how cute she is. Hopeful Homemaker

I need to write a quick re-cap of  my little one’s birthday, for the record and for my own heart’s sake. It’s funny how the day took little twists and turns that I didn’t expect, and yet seemed fitting in retrospect. I pictured the perfect day, one spent playing with her, and a naptime spent [...]

Ever had a campfire on your front porch? I went through my garage to take the trash out, and when I turned around I discovered one on mine. A few minutes later, they had added camping chairs, sticks and marshmallows. They learned that marshmallows don’t fit on yardsticks very well, and that some fires take [...]

My littlest one is one year old today. It is a bittersweet feeling.  I’ve never had one this age and not been looking forward to the next baby at the same time. I’ve been looking back at photos of her from the past year, marveling at how she’s grown. My heart is a bit sad [...]

At our house we eat a lot of oatmeal.  It’s good for you and inexpensive, too. Thanks to my husband’s example, we often add a spoonful of peanut butter to the oatmeal in addition to a spoonful of brown sugar. On this particular morning, I asked my two year old if she wanted both peanut [...]

We had a birthday at our house this week.  A beautiful little girl turned 6. At her request, the day started with breakfast in bed.  The family gathered to her room for our morning scripture study, pledge of allegiance, and family prayer. A party with her friends… complete with a decorate your own cupcake finish. [...]

There’s been a sharp increase in mischief around here. This guy is responsible for about 98% of it. When my husband came home from work the other day he asked our little guy, “How were you for your mom today?” “Um, a lot,” came the reply. Well said.  Well said. Hopeful Homemaker