doubling up on celebrations

We were kind of, really stupid and got married on Anthony's birthday.
Which makes celebrating both occasions in one day a lot harder, especially because my honey loves his birthday.

He can't be too upset about his day being stolen though, because Landon decided to put me through 14 hours of back labor on my birthday and steal it, too.
Oh, and we can't forget how Harper stole Jeremiah's birthday.

I have to admit though, celebrations are so much more fun with the kids.

The best part of the day, for me, was seeing how excited Landon was about Daddy's birthday. As soon as Anthony came home, he ran up to him and said, "Daddy, it's your birthday! We made cake! Let's eat cake! Blow your candles!"

I can't believe he's going to be three on Sunday. And I'll be 23. That sounds really old.
And then I remember, that I've been married four years and have two kids and think, daaaaang, I got an early start. I start to think what would I be doing if I hadn't been married at 18? I would have finished school, started a career, gone on a mission... so many possibilities.

But then, I look at my family and know I would not have it any other way. I love them so much I get teary-eyed thinking about it, and my heart feels like it could burst. They give me a reason to celebrate every day.

Now if only I could justify eating cake everyday...

bubbles

I am so glad Landon is at the age where he has figured out how to blow bubbles without spilling them. Even better, he can blow bubbles for Harper and they are both entertained.
 But of course, Harper wants bubbles of his own to blow, and he is a frequent spiller.

During this bubble blowing session, he spilled out all of his bubbles.
He cried and cried, "Bubbuhl. Bubbuhl. bubbuuuuuuuuhl!"

Landon came to the rescue and poured half of his bubbles into Harper's bubble bottle.

I love seeing Landon give little acts of kindness to his brother and others, especially without being asked.
It makes me a proud momma.
I sure love these boys.

kali's cures for anxiety

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions and support. Glad I'm not alone in feeling anxious sometimes. I'm realizing that anxiety is just a part of life, especially with such great responsibility, and that's okay. I think a little bit of anxiety gives us the push we need to do things that need to be done or are a little bit out of our comfort zone.

The last couple of weeks, I have done a lot to reduce my stress level.

#1. I started exercising consistently. I tried Bikram (hot) yoga for a week and I absolutely fell in love with it. Unfortunately, they do not have a daycare, so I won't be able to go as much as I'd like. But, I got a gym membership instead and have been taking the kiddos to the daycare there. I get to exercise and a break, and they get to play and make friends. Win, win, win!

#2. I'm making it a priority to have some alone time with this guy. Dinners sans kids, candles, incense. You get the idea.

#3. Scheduling more play dates! The kids have a chance to interact, get their energy out (yay, nap time!) and I actually get to have an adult conversation.

 I love these babies.

#4. I'm making it a priority to wake up an hour before the kids do, to pray and study my scriptures, uninterrupted. By the time they're up, I've been reminded of my purpose, feel at peace, and prepared for the day.

#5. I basically just decided to simplify my life. Part of that was giving up the fashion blog for a while (maybe forever). Simplifying helps me to focus on the things that matter most. And for me, it's the little things. Getting down on the floor to play with my kids, letting them "help" me bake or do dishes. I've also had way more time to clean and organize, which reduces my stress level significantly.

I know that I'm going to look back on this time in my life and miss it. The moments are already ticking by so fast. I'm doing my best to cherish the everyday moments. Snuggle with my boys and kiss their pudgy cheeks, blow bubbles and let them make messes. I'm learning to live in the moment and to appreciate the beauty in my life. It humbles me to recognize so much of it.

Keepin' it Real-- Anxiety

*don't let their sweet looks fool you, these guys mean trouble ;]

I like to keep it real-- life can't be sunshine and rainbows all the time. I love being a wife and mommy more than anything, but with two very active little boys and a husband who has a very demanding schedule, a lot of times, I feel like a single parent and get overwhelmed.

I've always been able to handle a lot of stress without any problems, but lately I've had such bad anxiety. Just a knot in my stomach and that feeling of nervousness. I have standards for the order of my home that sometimes seem impossible to attain. My children throw tantrums and some days just do not listen (I just pulled Landon off the counter as he was throwing teddy grahams all over the floor... oh, here he goes again).

Anyway, it can be a real challenge doing it by myself 24/7. 

I've had a crazy busy schedule lately, teaching young women, doing photo shoots, editing photos, and just trying to keep our family afloat. It seems like I just go, go, go hardly stopping to eat or sleep. And as if sleep isn't hard enough to come by, I've been getting these horrible itchy hives at night for the last 2 days. With the bedbug epidemic I freaked out. I ripped off the sheets, checked the cracks and crevices of the mattress, and saw nothing. Harper still sleeps with us, and he and Anthony haven't had hives at all. 

After being kept awake for 22 hours straight, I did a little research (thank you, Google), and found out that anxiety and the epidermis are directly related. 

"Anxiety releases a myriad of chemical reactions in the body, including adrenaline and cortisol, which can cause eruptions on the skin's surface."

"Hives are typically caused by an allergic reaction to a substance, but also can be the result of high stress."

And the reason I'm getting these hives at night is because the body produces a natural antihistamine (anti itch) during the day, but at night it shuts off.

I'm so relieved just to find answers. 

Anthony has been super helpful today. He's off work this week (tender mercy), and let me go back to bed for a few hours this morning. When I woke up he was making lunch, and then went to get me benedryl, clariton, and benedryl lotion. They have helped so, so much! And my aunt gave me an herb called Valerian Root that helps you relax. And I needed to calm the heck the down, so I'm feeling much better. :)

So, friends (especially all you mommas out there)-- during stressful times, do you ever get anxiety, and how do you deal with it?

Kali's Cell- Unloaded

Here are my very dirty little munchkins after an eventful day at the park. 

Here are some geese that wander around the apartment complex leaving turds everywhere and

 squawking their annoying little heads off day and night.

Here's my knee after they lunged after me!

I tripped and fell up the stairs. 

With Harper in my arms, thankyouverymuch, geese.

Don't worry, he's just fine. :)

I protected him with my mom reflexes.

Here's my handmade necklace, handmade by your's truly.

Check it out on my fashion blog. 

Last but not least, I'm so excited because my cousin's getting married this Saturday,

and I get to do the bride's makeup!

I love this look, so I've been practicing on myself. :)

P.S. Did I mention, I'm photographing the wedding, too?

So excited!!!

Dear to My Heart

Last night, the babies and I went to Ross while waiting for Anthony to get a new phone nearby, which typically takes 57,438 hours. That's okay though, because I like Ross. We circled the aisles over and over, and Landon started to sing, "Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet, don't go a stray!" with much enthusiasm. As embarrassing as it was, I couldn't help but smile, and actually get a little teary eyed. I'm so happy for the gospel in our lives. I'm so, so grateful for all the tools it has given me to help lead my family to Christ.

Landon is a very strong-willed child. He is challenging, but so smart, sensitive, and loving. Lately, I've noticed just how sponge-like our little children are. Landon has been using a particular phrase lately that I'm not perfectly happy with. When I ask him to do something, his first response is, "Stuh minute."
"Pick up your toys, Landon."
"Stuh minute!"
"Come eat breakfast, Landon."
"Stuh minute!"

You get the idea.

After several days of this, I started to become quite frustrated having to wait on him for everything. And then, I realized that is what I sound like. I'm sure he's been frustrated with me! When Landon asks for something; help with a toy, a snack, a book, my time, I'm often preoccupied and respond with, "Just a minute." Despite all of the responsibilities mothers have, I'd really like to become more present for my children. If that means letting the house get a little bit messier than I'd like, so be it.

They really absorb all that we say and do, which can actually be a good thing. It's an opportune time to teach them the values we hold dear.

For the last few weeks, Landon and I have read the Book of Mormon together each night before bed. I wasn't sure how he would do because he's so used to our rhyming books with lots of colorful pictures, but he so looks forward to us reading the Book of Mormon. He'll point to the pictures in the front and tell me who Jesus Christ is, who Joseph Smith is, and then go on and on about Lehi and the liahona (or gold ball, as he likes to call it).

I've noticed a change in our home, since we've started reading together. There is more peace. More understanding. It helps remind me that they are not just my children, but children of God. And I realize what a blessing it is to have them entrusted in my care.

I truly believe that the spirits who have come to this earth in these latter days and those who are being born now, were saved for a special purpose. They are the most brilliant and the most valiant. They will have temptations and challenges that are greater than we've ever had to face. Never in the history of mankind has it been so vital to teach them who they are and what their purpose is.

I've decided to start teaching the boys the Articles of Faith. For Family Home Evening last night, we went over the first, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." I'm so excited about it, and I'm so grateful to be a mom. Again, I am so, so thankful for the church and all the tools it has given me to lead and guide my children. My family means everything to me.

I've noticed, I have a lot of new followers on my blog. Some I've met and some I have not, but I'm excited to get to know you. If you are not a Mormon, and have any questions about this post, please see mormon.org. Or feel free to leave me questions in the comment box, or email me at kalisarah88@yahoo.com. My faith is very dear to my heart and I'm more than happy to share it. :)

*Despite all of the crazy things you may have heard, we can drink coke. In fact, Harper loves it!

What's on Kali's Phone? (It's a good one)

It's Tuesday, so head over to the Hussy's blog, and link up! 

(she's super pretty, hilarious, has FIVE kids, and you'll love her, so go!)

Harper decided he didn't just want one piece, but he wanted the whole box.

Aren't those chubby legs the cutest?

And, I gave him a big boy haircut this week!

*tear*

It really does make him look so big.

I couldn't resist taking this sweet picture of husband taking the boys to nursery on Sunday.

As Sarah says, The Walk to Freedom for 2 Hours. 

haha...so true!

I went to a Filipino restaurant called Jolibee, and had to get a 

picture of my drink to send to Luisa.

Her husband told her the little black balls were jellyfish poopies.

They weren't poop balls, but they were gross.

Or were they?

The other night Harper kept me up until 12:30 teething, and woke up several times throughout the night.

So, when Landon woke up at 5, I was desperate for some sleep. 

I stayed up until 7 with him, made him breakfast, put on Toy Story 3, and went back to bed.

Not long after, I hear water running.

I run into the bathroom to find him like this:

He flooded the whole entire bathroom.

I quickly threw down about 12 towels, when I heard a knock at the door.

I literally just woke up, so I threw some clothes on, and yelled "Who is it?"

"Maintenance."

I crack open the door,

"Is there a leak somewhere in here? The lady downstairs says her bathroom is flooding."

Crap.

That's the first and last time, I'll ever fall asleep while one of my kids is up.

And, we should really have a downstairs apartment.