Self-Image

Growing up I felt like my self-image was always on my mind.

Especially as a teenage girl.

I was sometimes worried about wanting to be the skinny one and pretty one. 

I cheered all through high school and it didn't help that I was always around girls that were smaller than me. 

The one thing that helped me a lot was having a knowledge of my Heavenly Father and his love for me. 

I knew(and still do know) He loves me, I am a daughter of God, and I was created in his image. 

Those three things right there helped me through my high school years. 

There have been many times in my life where I have felt His love for me. 

A lot of times it was the times I struggled the most that I could feel his love for me while praying.

It was and still is very comforting knowing that I was created in his image.

Just like I have inherited things from my earthly parents, I have also inherited certain traits from my 

Heavenly parents.
Because I was created in his image, I feel there is an extra special need to love and respect my body.
The adversary wants me to hate myself and the way I look.
I can't give in to him.
I need to take great care and love the body my Heavenly Father has given me. 

I am so grateful I was raised with a knowledge of the Gospel.

I grew up with parents who were always teaching me.

Now I am able to learn new things with my husband.

I love being able to teach Matix about Jesus.

We have a large picture of Jesus hanging in our living room.

If I ask Matix where Jesus is he will point to him right away and wave.

It warms my heart to know he already recognizes him.

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Head on over to this lovely lady's blog and read her thoughts on being created in "His image".

(it's a few posts back)

I love her blog and it's one I frequently read and am inspired by.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

These three words describe Matix right now.

He is obsessed. 

This would be our two drawers full of cars and everything else you push around on the ground.

I've started doing some Christmas shopping for Matix and everything I've gotten so far has to do with cars.

I also want to get one of these from Ikea...

I think this would be the perfect addition to his room. I'm pretty sure he would never leave.

Every time we go to outside to walk to the car he was to stop and touch all the cars in the parking lot and the bikes on the bike rack.

If he hears a plane or helicopter in the sky(we live close to the hospital, so we hear them frequently), we have to stop what we are doing and watch it go by.

Today I took him to Barnes and Noble to look at books and play.

It was the first time we discovered a  train table. 

Matix was in heaven to say the least.

He played for a good 20 min before we had to leave.

When it was time to leave it was kicking and loud loud screaming right in my ear.

Not sure if I want to take him back.

Matix is sure ALL boy and I love every bit of it.

No Sugar Update

I've slipped up twice so far.

(I'm only human and I was bound to mess up)

I'm still trying my hardest to resist the temptation.

Last night at our family dinner, Mari made her amazing brownies with chocolate chips on them.

It was so hard to say no to them.

She also brought some chocolate from Hawaii..mmmm.

I'm happy to say I didn't eat any of it.

This is a lot harder than I thought.

I've also given up any sweetened drinks, they just have way too much sugar in them. 

I'm just stinking to water. 

Project Life

Project Life is my way of scrapbooking.

This is my second year doing it.

Becky Higgins has made it so easy to do.

All I do is print out pictures for the month, slip them in the sleeves, and write on the journal cards. 

Can you say easy?

Even though it is easy, I'm still a month behind

I've even started Matix's baby book with Project Life. 

I've REALLY behind on his.

That is my project to do for the rest of the summer before school starts.

Now I'm off to finish June before Matix wakes up from his nap.

Anti-Sugar

I've decided to cut out sugar from my diet. 

Am I crazy?

Maybe.

Today is my third day and it's hard I'm not going to lie.

When I crave a cookie or something like that, 

I grab an apple or a spoonful peanut butter.

My awesome MIL did this and she told me once you get past the first week or so, 

you don't crave sweets anymore. 

Let's hope that is the case.

To make matters worse, Doug and I got Sees Candy for our anniversary a few weeks ago and we had a few pieces left(my favorite ones of course).

Well Doug said not to worry, he would get rid of them for me.

He ate them right in front of me.

I'll keep you updated on how this goes. 

Fourth Recap

The morning started off with going to the "Grand Parade" as part of the Provo Freedom Festival. 

It was my first time going to the parade and it didn't disappoint. 

Matix loved people watching and seeing all the animals. 

the "pre parade"

We spotted Jay and Tammi, Doug's Cousin

Of course Matix wanted to sit on Makayla's lap

I got to snuggle Anderson during the parade, I was in heaven

Benjamin wanted to sit on Papa's lap and hold Jacob... so sweet.

Smiley Anderson

Matix also really enjoyed sitting on Uncle Matt's lap

The whole gang(with Mari taking the picture)

Thanks for saving spots for us Julie and Jared!

After the parade we all headed up to Bre and Mark's house to hang out 

and let the kids play with water toys.

We went home and got to rest for a while before we headed out to see fire works. 

In that time Matix thought it would be fun to play in Papa's shoes.

We went to go see fire works up by the Provo temple.

It was the perfect viewing spot.

Matt and Mari met us there with their dogs, 

this made it even more fun.

Once the fire works actually started Matix was SO tired.

he watched a few and then layed down for the rest.

Even though we had a nice spot to see all the fire works we would never go there again,

it took us over and HOUR to get home. 

We only live like 3 or so miles from where we were at.

There was so much traffic from Stadium of Fire and everyone watching fire works.

Copy Cat

Matix has been copying everything we do lately.

It is really cute.

The other day he was playing in the kitchen and came out looking like this...

(yes, he still has a pacifier...don't judge)

Maggot

Most little kids can't pronounce Matix.

They end up calling him Maggot.

This is the case with Ivy.

Ivy goes to church with us and she LOVES Matix.

Her mom tells me that at home Ivy talks about Maggot and Ashley Bell all the time.

We watched Ivy for a few hours one day.

Matix and Ivy had so much fun together. 

Playing Ring Around the Roses

Matix was laughing the whole time

Reading time