Our Life

Hello Family and Friends,

     I thought I would give a lovely little update on our Hurst Family Life.

Ray-O-Sunshine has entered the 4th grade and is loving it despite  her initial fears. She does say that her class is the most misbehaved 4th grade class out of all of them and that she is disgusted by them. But I am sure that is subject to her perception of things...LOL. Raya got braces put on the 2nd to last week of 3rd grade and she absolutely loves them! She enjoys picking out the new colors of ruberbands at her appointments. Raya loves horseback riding and art as well as piano. During the summer Raya was involved in a Summer Fitness Camp that made it possible for her to go on field trips and swimming and playing sports as well as yoga and zumba. She also participated in Swim Team and dive lessons during summer break.

Landina (which is what he is called by his loving mother...hehehe) has entered 3rd grade and is liking it so far. He is currently reading Diary of a Whimpy Kid . He is on book 4 and thinks they are hilarious! He is getting baptized in October and we are excited to celebrate with him :-) Landon want's to start archery very soon and plans on playing baseball again in the Spring, he also started playing piano during the summer and was involved in swim team and dive lessons!

KyBugs is beginning 1st grade and is thinking that maybe Kindergarten is better. She has yet to be won over by 1st grade. But I know her teacher very well and think that she will probably be  more intrigued very soon. Kylie is begging to play the piano like her older siblings and she also wants to dance ballet. Hopefully we will be starting those adventures soon.

Aubs is still at home and enjoys doing preschool with her mommy. She loves to sing and make up new songs. Aubry is always pushing to learn more and do new things! She would love to do gymnastics and ballet.  Aubry is spunky and cute and has a real excitement for life and she is making sure to take me on her adventures with her :-D

Nix...oh what to say...?  Nixon is 19 months old and into EVERYTHING! He enjoys standing on the table and counter tops, getting off his bed at nap time and coloring on himself with any marker he can find, because he's not picky. He also loves to get into the shower anytime anyone is in the shower, whether he has been invited or not. SO needless to say he is a squeaky clean little boy.  He enjoys giving fist bumps and high fives, jumping off the couches, running as fast as he can, throwing and catching balls and he blows kisses when you tell him to say "thank you" ;-)

We are a crazy family and we love each other dearly! We hope that all of you are doing well and enjoying your adventures in life.

May Peace Be With You,

Leila

This is my something special :-)

There are certain things in life that make me giggle. One of those things is a hot chocolate from starbucks. But it has to have extra whipping cream with an extra shot of chocolate and vanilla.  Now I know what your thinking, hot chocolate in the summer time in ARIZONA?!  But, if you know me well, then you know that hot chocolate is something so special to me. I L-O-V-E it :-)  It doesn't matter what the weather is like or what I have had to eat, it always makes me feel happy inside. And sometimes you just need to have those thingsthat make you giggle and grin from ear to ear, because that's the best. So find something to smile about it'll be a game changer.

LOVE,
Leila

This Morning

How did your morning go? ... Good? Oh, that's great. How did my morning go? Well...
Let's recap how this morning went... My alarm went off at 5:30 so that I could go pick up Utah peaches and raspberries. I quickly turned off my alarm and went back to sleep. I finally got out of bed at 5:50, brushed my teeth, got dressed, grabbed my sleeping baby out of his bed and strapped him in and off I went. Right now your wondering why I took my 8 month old sleeping baby out of his bed instead of letting him sleep while I just went...Well, the odds are that he would of woken up while Phil was getting the 3 kids ready for school and himself ready for work and I wanted to help him as much as I could by taking that obstacle out of his morning. So I drove the 25 minutes to get my delicious fruit (which is still in the car) and held my baby in his infant carrier while I stood in a very long line waiting for my turn to pay. My baby isn't one of those petite little things, He ways about 20 lbs. So you can imagine how ripped my arms are now. So I finally got my fruit and was driving home when I noticed that I missed a call from home. So I call home and Raya answers the phone. She proceeds to tell me that she has made Kylie's lunch. My first initial thought was, That is so sweet. My second thought was, where is Phil... So then as it always goes when I call my house, every child needs to talk to me. Once that is finished, I hang up the phone. Then in a about a minute, my phone rings again, its Landon, asking if he can have a capri sun. I might sound stingy, but I said "No, those are for Kylie's lunch." He gets mad and hangs up on me. So I call back and Raya proceeds to tell me that Landon has thrown her backpack over the back fence... WHAT?! Hold on a second...Who is running the show over there, and where on earth is PHIL! I told Raya to get Dad on the phone NOW! By this time it's 7:19am. She tells me he's in the shower. Now I'm thinking to myself, this is SO not good. When I do finally talk to him on the phone he sounds like he can tell what I'm thinking...yeah he knows that Momma is not happy. By the time I get home, Raya has already gone around the to the street behind us, and knocked on our neighbor's door (at 7:20am) and asked for her backpack back. Landon is finishing getting dressed and Kylie is getting her shoes on. 
Now maybe I am unrealistic, but I didn't plan on things going quite like that. In my head, I planned on my hubs getting ready and getting the kids up @ 6:30 and getting them ready. I figured that by the time I walked in the door they would be finishing eating breakfast and we could have a peaceful family prayer and even possibly read scriptures. I did not imagine a cranky 3 year old, and fighting children with a pile of nesquick powder on the floor. 
So, How did my morning go? It went. Now on to the rest of my day (with my fingers crossed).

Life Lessons

D&C 10:4  Do not run ^afaster or labor more than you have ^bstrength and means provided


     I am the person that doesn't question why something needs to be. When I feel prompted to do something, I do it. It doesn't matter how it will effect me, my husband or my children. I have always looked at it as blind faith and obedience and have always been proud of myself for that. 
Now 10 years into marriage with 5 wonderful kids, I have been blessed to understand a little more of my Heavenly Father's desires for my life and my feelings. 
     The verse up top speaks volumes. I am starting to learn that life is not just about go and do, no matter the consequence.  My Father in Heaven wants me to be happy. He wants me to explore what makes me, ME.  He wants me to embrace my husband and our family with happiness and excitement for what is and what comes next, instead of girding up my loins and muscling through what needs to get done.  I am suppose to find what I am passionate about and invest in that.  Not just as a fleeting thing, but as something that lasts, that will bring accomplishment, fulfillment and will be an avenue of growth. 


     SO, now for the SCARY part...well for me anyway. How do I have fun? I am usually to scared to start a project because it takes so much time to go through the trial and error and the ins and outs. Even though I know that brings the pride and satisfaction in a job well done.  It's still scary and gives me anxiety. But I really truly want to dive in and do it! So how and where do I begin...?  

I wish I may, I wish I might, Have this wish I wish...RIGHT NOW!

I was just talking to my sister Millie, who happens to be a great photographer, and I was telling her how badly I want a new camera. She suggested a Canon. But sadly I will be dreaming for quite some time! or...maybe I can tell my hubby I want one for our 10 Year Anniversary gift :) 
Blogging is fun and rewarding, but when I don't have good pictures to work with, it's kinda frustrating!  Some day over the rainbow I will have myself a nice Canon camera...someday...hmm..Anybody need their pants hemmed or curtains sewn? Maybe that's how I'll earn money for a new camera!


Cross your fingers & Wish me LUCK!


Leila 

I Love/ Want This

So from time to time I just have to share what my cousin Shelley is up to over at House of Smiths. Now is one of those times! I LOVE/WANT This! Shelley has put together such an amazing Gallery wall. The way that Shelley decorates her house, that I love, is everything looks clean and fresh. It makes for a happy start to every day. I have just started to take the steps into making this type of transformation in my own home. Now with 5 kids this is going to be a serious stretch. But a clean and beautiful home is a place where my family can be happy together and play and create together and grow together with peace and love.

I am going to share some other photos in the transformation process as soon as I have a few things taken care of. But just remember that everyone grows at their own pace and that each persons life, situation, mentality and abilities to cope are completely and totally different. So love me and I will love you and we can all be friends. Okay?!...Okay.

'via Blog this'

Life is good when your kids can read the scriptures to you :- D!!!

So this morning, my two little ones might be classified as driving me crazy : ) The have almost literally been on top of me all morning long & if they haven't been on top of me, they have busted open the yogurt container on to the kitchen floor or getting the block of cheese out of the fridge skewering it with a shishkabob(sp?) stick & taking bites out of it. But just a second ago, Aubry went to the bathroom & washed her hands & then came up to me with a questioning look on her face. I asked what she needed & she said..."Can I dry my hands on your pants?"
Even just typing that makes me laugh out loud! Ahh, those hilarious moments as a mother! They make each day laughable & fun, regardless of my childrens distructive hands.
Leila

I think I might actually be ready for the Christmas Season to start soon. My friend Ashley & I went boutique hopping last weekend just for the fun of it. I actually mean, just for the fun of it. I didn't even take any money with me. When I was done, I felt so excited for the holidays. I went home & baked cinnamon rolls...lol So needless to say, I have felt "inspired", for lack of a better word, to start a project. I was looking at a fabulous home decor store's website & saw a picture of some amazingly CUTE Snow Man Hats. So I went to the store & looked @ the price tag & almost stopped breathing. They wanted $79.00 for ONE of them! Well, rich or poor, there is no way I am paying $79.00 for one christmas decor. Unless it's a tree! So I went home & made 3 of them :)
Leila

This is my fabulous cousin Shelley :) She has the most amazing vinyl business and home decor blogs. Check it out houseofsmiths.blogspot.com She really is amazing!!!
Leila

I LOVE sisters! There is nothing sweeter then when two sisters are best friends. Aubry was giving Kylie a kiss all beter so Kylie could be happy.

This is Kylie hiding from her doom...SHOTS!
Leila

We are at the Dr's office getting ready to get shots. Oh what fun this will be...NOT! Aubry is completely restless & touching everything. While Kylie is hiding under the counter. All in all, the Dr says they are doing great. Aubry is above 97% for height & weight & Kylie is 95% for height & 50-75% for her weight.
Leila

We are on our way to Colorado for Phil's sister's wedding. Right now we are in northern New Mexico & it is so beautiful! It is all green prairies. We have been driving for a while & we decided to stop & take the kids potty. So I decided that I would give him a lesson on how to efficiently take girls potty outdoors. First was Aubry & that went without a hitch. Next came Kylie...& apparently she had to go potty REALLY bad. Before I had time to pick up her legs completely, she started to pee. She got pee all over her clothes, legs & my hands! So of course I took her bottoms off & rinsed her off with water. But I don't have a towel or paper towels & I didn't want to use toilet paper & have it fall apart all over her legs. So I had her run around in circles. I have to admit it was a very funny & cute sight.

I am at Sam's Club with my Mom. I have to say, it makes me think about when I was a little girl and would go to the grocery store & look at all the produce and ask..."Mom, what's that?"

I always forget to rotate the pic.

I am the smartest woman

I am the smartest woman in the world...I have figured out how to post to my blog from my phone. YAY!!

Oh Today Will be a Day...

Today is my sweet darling Kylie's birthday party. Oh what fun it will be! I am excited for her to celebrate with her friends. She is the middle child of our family & even though I always swore that I would never allow her to experience the side effects of it, she has. She rarely gets new things of her own, which I have to admit that it breaks my heart. I am the middle child of  7 & it was the same way for me & I did not like it at all. So that is why we are having a birthday party for her regardless of me being pregnant & contracting on & off @ only 11 weeks. Things have been very crazy around here with this pregnancy & I have definitely had some high stress levels because of it. But I am hoping that things are beginning to calm down & life can start having a little bit of a more normal rhythm to it. So on we go with this birthday party with all it's slip & slide glory & blow up pool fun!

Later today I will take my kids to get their hair cut, except Landon because his head is buzzed, by my sister Genessa, She is in hair school right now & I have to admit that she is AMAZING & she isn't even out of school yet. 

Then tonight I am celebrating my sister Amelia's birthday with my sisters & cousin with dinner & creme brulle, made by yours truly. If I don't have any contractions today it will be a miracle.

Hello

Hello World, I thought I should write and let you know that I haven't forgotten about you.
  I had surgery February 22 on some icky girl stuff. So, I have been trying to heal & keep up with life. I have spent most of my time laying in bed or slumped on the couch. Hence the no blogging action.
  But now I am going to be sewing & making some fabulous things for a boutique that I am going to host. So I will be very, very busy with that. This is me asking for forgiveness in advance for not posting more. But I am going to try and document my journey in getting ready for this boutique & all the sewing. Maybe that way I will know if I want to get myself into this again. 
But one last thing...I started potty training Aubry today! Yep, March 2, 2010, I took her little pullup off & had her sit on the toilet to go potty. She is doing really well for not being 2 yet. Mind you that she will turn 2 in 5 weeks. If any of you have any ideas or tricks, let me know. This might be my 4th kid, but it's always worth trying something new when it comes to potty training; well, for me any how. Enjoy your week & I will be back sooner then later. Loves!
P.S.- If you feel so inclined as to give me a little boost of confidence & a show of love, please click on the option to become a follower of my blog. It is on the top right of my blog. I love the ones I have & hope for more :)

Aubry's "Broken Arm"

So yesterday I went to my doctors office, because my tonsils are the size of golf balls. While I was in the room waiting for the results of my strep test, Kylie and Aubry were playing with the stool with wheels that spins. You know, the one that the Doctor always says " Oh, don't play on that sweet heart, we don't want you to get hurt." We'll I usually watch pretty closely when the kids want to play with it. But it all happened so fast, Aubry was on the stool, then Kylie spins the stool, next Aubry falls off onto her arms.
Well, the next thing I know, I am calling her pediatrician, taking her in to be seen, then going to an urgent care to get x-rays and a splint. Next they check her ears and they are infected...oh and she seems to have just started a cough, so they check her lungs and she is wheezing!!!! So not only was her arm jacked up, her ears were killing her and she was having a hard time breathing. So they also gave her a shot of antibiotic and a breathing treatment. Oh wow. oh WOW.
So we came home and I was exhausted, because lets remember that this all started because I am sick. My neighbor, Jen brought us delicious pizza for dinner and my dad called and asked if he could borrow my truck to move some furniture. Most of you know this, but some may not, my Dad is a Chiropractic Neurologist . So I told him what happened and I took her splint off so that he could feel her arm. I know, I know, I sound crazy right? My daughter has  a broken arm and I am going to let him wack it? Well, when the doctor looked at the x-ray, she couldn't find anything definitive. So, I figured, what the heck, it's worth a try. So, my Dad checked her out & told me that her radius bone in her forearm was out one way & the other bone in her forearm was out the opposite direction. He did 2 very quick adjustments (one of which had a very loud POP) and then iced it. Within 30 minutes she was showing signs off improvement. When I had her at her doctors office and urgent care, both doctors looked at her elbow and tried to see if it was dislocated and tested to see if they could put it back in place. But nothing would happen. I showed my dad what the doctors did, and he told me that that adjustment was actually pushing the bones farther out of place.
So now, she still doesn't use the arm much, but the theory is that her elbow is sprained pretty badly. I figure if she doesn't show signs of using her arm by tomorrow, I will take her to the hospital for further x-rays and evaluation. But thank goodness the bones are back in place. Now all we have to deal with are the breathing treatments and both of our antibiotics.
Oh and I failed to mention that Phil is out of town, in Spokane, Washington and the kids had a half day, so they got our of school early. So a big shout out say THANK YOU to Shalice for taking care of my kids for 3 hours.
So that was my Wednesday, how was yours?

The "Things" List

No matter how hard any of us try, those never ending things find a way to rear their ugly heads & demand attention. So yes, today is going to be a day of cleaning for me. I want to be cautious & not go hog wild crazy. But I still would like to accomplish some things. So here is what I am going to do. I am making a list of everything that needs to get done & then I will proceed to evaluate and see what is most important. Because if I try to do to much, it will cause contention between me & my kids. They come first.

So on with the list... But one last thing. This is really putting myself out there, so please don't judge.  

1. Dishes 1

2. Desk 7

3. Master Bedroom 2

4. Girls Room 8-I really want to do this, but my girls should, not me.

5. Laundry 3

6. Vacuum 9

7. Dust 15

8. Master Bathroom 4

9. Hall Bathroom 5

10. Craft Room 6

11. Mop 11

12. Papers 10
13. Patching Clothes 14
14. Embroidery 13
15. Hem Pants 12
Now I am going to go back & number them in order of importance.

Now that I have prioritized my list I am going to try really, REALLY hard to focus on 1 thing at a time. 

Now it's time to walk the kids to school & then come home, read my scriptures & get started on my "things" list.

Wish me luck!