All The Pretty Horses

Occasionally in the summer time when ever we get together for family BBQ's on a holiday. Reed (Clint's Dad) let's the kids ride the horses. Everyone get's excited and stand in a line to have a turn riding. I love it for a number of reasons. It's a great childhood experience, I think it helps build confidence and allows you to get in touch with nature. Oh and it teaches you respect for animals. Because they are so big and powerful! I love this about our family, that we have the opportunity to have this sort of fun. Thanks Reed and Amy for taking care of these beautiful animals so we can occasionally enjoy them.

Trendspotting

The Denim Shirt 

Yes, I've been bitten by the denim shirt this season...doesn't matter how you wear it oversized, belted, fitted, or formal, denim shirts have been spotted both on the runway and on the backs of some of my favorite celebs. I picked mine up yesterday at the Sandy DI for $4 bucks! You really can't beat that. Matched it with my black Sass & Bide skinny's and fedora hat. There is just something about a 'new' put together outfit that makes me feel confident. Now, I feel ready to face the world when I step outside my front door. Puts a smirk on my face...Yes I love fashion.

Behind Every Good Man

Helping your husband take the spiritual lead at home...

I received this as a gift from my mother-in-law for mother's day. I have been thoroughly enjoying it. I really like John Bytheway's style of writing. He really puts things into perspective in a fun and quirky way. Its the type of book you can read over and over and still get something new out of it. I must admit I have personally have had a lot of Ah Huh moments. I found that having your scriptures handy, you gain a lot more pearls of wisdom. He quotes a lot of Prophets and techniques that Dr. John L. Lund uses (For All Eternity). There are some things that I need to work on and other things that I find I'm already doing and give myself a pat on the back. Overall, I don't think you would be disappointed. I would even suggest reading it with your hubby. Clint and I try to get into a habit of reading together. But sometimes its hard because 'life' can get in the way. Second time around I am definitely reading it with him. 

P.S Just started reading, the short second life of bree tanner, loving it! (SM is a darn good writier)

The Mormon Fashionist

 

www.themormonfashionist.blogspot.com

About a year ago I had a wonderful idea to create my own LDS fashion blog to capture the amazing style of all the beautiful people I see every week at Church and Church activities. A good friend of mine who lives in Melbourne also had the same idea. We call it "Spotting". We decided to join forces and become The Mormon Fashionists. 

Her name is Brianna and she is just the sweetest young lady. She will be leaving shortly to serve an LDS mission at Temple Square. She has done an excellent job at posting all the "Spotted" beautiful people at Church every week in Melbourne. So this is where I come in, I'll be posting my pics of the week. So if you get a tap on your shoulder and I'm standing there with a camera and a huge grin, please don't run away!

Please check it out and let me know what you think? Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

The Mormon Fashionist

100th Post

Wow I can't believe how fast the month of March flew by. My cousin Kimiya came to visit us last week, for 3 days. I hadn't seen her in almost 10 years so I was really excited to spend time with her. The last time I saw her she was a little 10 year old girl, back in Australia. She is my Aunt Tahirih's daughter remember the one that was here a few years back and passed away shortly after. She is from Milwaukee, WI. But studies abroad at a Bahai School in Prague. She was on spring break and decided to come to SLC to visit her favorite cousin, me! How lucky am I. It was a pleasure having her here, she has matured in to a young lady. Once she is done with school she is hoping to get into college in California, which is awesome for us cause we will get to see her more often. It felt like I had a little sister, which I have always wanted.

We had so much fun while she was here, we took her to all the usual spots, it was her first time in Utah and she is a well traveled young lady might I add. She loved it.  The kids loved having her stay with us. Let's see we went to Temple Square, Park City, Cafe Rio, Toucans and Gateway overall pretty good.

 

We already miss her!

 

Please come visit us again soon!

We love you!

I heart San Diego

I really wanted to post about my trip to San Diego back in 2007. I fell in love with this place. I have a cousin who lives there from my Mom's side. I stayed with them for about a week, I seriously didn't want to leave. I had just left the snow in Salt Lake City and I landed  at LAX  super excited because I was in California, I felt like a proper tourist wide eyed and over dressed. I was beaming with excitement. I had so much fun on this trip. I experienced down town San Diego, Old Town and La Jolla Cove.  I even made it across the border to  Tijuana, Mexico. Which was very interesting. Oh San Diego how I miss you. I can't wait to go back there someday....to live. 

{fingers crossed on that one, do you have any idea how expensive real estate is over there. don't worry I've already checked}

Old Town is amazing, full of culture and color

 I noticed the American flag is everywhere

 My cousin Mehran, best host ever.

My cousin Mehran & his wife Mojdeh, Downtown.

TO bad I didn't see any sailors.

I loved La Jolla Cove, just stunning.

There was no line to get into Mexico...

One of my best friends back in Oz, Dane. At a flea market in Tijuana.

A few of the locals wanted to be in this, crazy huh?
I seriously look like a local in this pic, minus the teeth, purse, skinny jeans

On the bridge overlooking the crazy traffic to get back into to the USA.

Feels Like Christmas Today

{Today is Friday} 

I woke up this morning to a winter wonderland in March. I'm not complaining at all, I love the snow, I can't get enough of it. The kids and I love sitting on Liam's bed and watching the snow fall. Hence why I think it feels like Christmas (I wish). However, yesterday the weather had a mild case of schizophrenia, which reminded me of Melbourne weather. Where you need to where are t-shirt but have your umbrella and sweater/jacket on hand just in case. I'm still not complaining, just saying that in-order to appreciate the good you need to experience the bad. Right? Yin and Yang that sort of thing. But I do wish summer would hurry along. I miss the warmth of the sun on my face. And having a healthy summer glow.

  View from our bedroom

  My healthy summer glow. (Liam 9 months)

{The Bachelor}

 Barf

 Jake made a decision thinking with his willy and not his head, well maybe a little heart but seriously? really? They both kind of bug me, even Alli. Vienna has no class and Jake let the whole physical connection get the better of him. I'm just glad its over and we get our Monday nights back. Now I'm not making any promises, but I may or may not tune into the Bachelor in the near future. Just saying that out loud is quite liberating. Everybody knows that Clint is the Bachelors biggest fan, so lets hope I have 'some' will power and become a little more productive. {Please pray for me}

P.S I think Tenley escaped. 

I Miss Australia

Yes that's right, finally after 2 & half years of living in Salt Lake City, Utah I miss Australia. I mostly miss the little things like the way the air smells, the hot burning sun on my face, the little alleys with lots of cafes, the beautiful architecture, the beaches, the Yarra river, the city, the old churches on every corner, the shopping and mostly the way people talk. All of these pictures are from Clint's trip to Melbourne when he came to claim me.

 Flinders Street Station in the heart of the city.

Melbourne has a very European setting.

A Church on Queen Street in the city center.

Melbourne's alley ways are famous for their cafes, this was the first place Clint and I ever ate.

Yarra River (Southbank)

It's the Little Things I'm Grateful For...

The other day I was feeling really sorry for myself, everybody has those days no matter what circumstance their in. I always feel like someone else has it better then me. The lady in front of me at Walmart, the family driving past, the new friend, the list goes on and on. But the reality is that someone out there is thinking the exact same thing about you. How ironic?

Why was I feeling sorry for myself you ask, well I've had 2 sick kids for a week, plus me being sick, who knows for how long that, I've lost count of the days add a excruciating ear infection (as a result of this cruddy cold) equals me down in the dumps. I was in the shower around midday trying to feel better and this thought occurred to me, how lucky am I to be able to have a hot shower and to have my husband come home for lunch nearly everyday so I can have this small luxury. This tiny but significant thought led to many others. I came up with a list:

• I'm blessed to have healthy children.
• I can have a hot shower whenever.
  
• I have food to eat everyday, for example if I feel like strawberries I can go anytime and get them.
• I have family and friends that love and care about me and my family.
• I have a home and a bed to sleep in every night.
• My husband has a job and comes home every night safely and unharmed.
• I'm healthy.
• I have the ability to make decisions for myself and family.
  
• I can drive whenever & wherever I want to.
• I have a million opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills whenever I like with no restrictions.
• I can practice my religion freely.
• I can drive to 5 Temples within 20 min.
  
• I can choose what I want to wear and how to have my hair.
  
• I can read/watch/listen to anything I like.

This list can go on for a mile. What I'm getting at is, how I can take the simplest thing for granted and not realize that someone out there doesn't have these privileges like I do. Here I am feeling sorry for myself when I should be celebrating. I put an end to that right there. I'm grateful that I have the ability to do this and that in itself, I think is a gift too.

We haven't really done anything this week, except for Tuesday, I had the energy to drive to my mother-in-laws house and lie on the floor for most of the day while she tended the kids. Here are a few pics of the kiddos and no you wont see one of me, are you kidding.



Liam loves to hug (suffocate) Noah.

Noah loves to use his baby talons on Liam.

Noah 'needs' to climb everything

I love his 'moan a lot' face

Very kissable faces.

Family Growth Benefit Concert

MARK YOUR CALENDARS JANUARY 30th 6.30pm at Salt Palace

Our very good friends Matt and Brooke Dennis are inviting everyone to come enjoy an evening of music, food and fun, while at the same time helping us to have the opportunity to grow our family.

Here is the full story from Matt and Brookes blog http://bandmatty.blogspot.com/

Last January, after several years of trying to have a baby, we were given the disappointing news that we can't have children naturally. For the past year we have been saving and planning, we applied for a family growth grant which was denied and finally realized that with the high costs of the procedures we need, we were years away from being able to start a family. That's when we decided to put this event together and create a way where we could provide a great night out for the people we love, and the proceeds from that event could help us overcome these seemingly insurmountable medical expenses.

This has been a humbling and amazing experience thus far. Already we've had so many people who have been willing to donate their time, food, talents, rooms for the event, prizes to give away and so much more. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family and beyond, even people we don't know have been so generous to help with printing media and have given freely of their own money. It's been an extraordinary peek into the good that's inside of people just waiting to be discovered. We don't want this to be a burden or for anyone to feel any obligation to this, we really just want people to come and have an enjoyable night out. Please feel free to invite anyone else you might know who would like to come.

Here's the info What: Family Growth Benefit Concert in Behalf of Matt and Brooke (Bevan) Dennis. Featuring music by Greg Simpson and Matthew Dennis, Food by Chick-Fil-A, plus chances for everyone to win tons of cool prizes.

When: Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 630pm - 900pm

Where: The Salt Palace, Ballroom, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City Utah 84101

How Much: $20 dollars admission for adults (all children can come enjoy the night for free) If you can't make the event and still feel like you'd like to help out you can do any of the following.

Donations may be made at any Zions Bank to: The Matthew G. Dennis Donation Account Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 540037 North Salt Lake 84054

If sending a check, please just make payable to either Matthew Dennis or Brooke Dennis so it can be deposited in our donation account.

We also accept smiles, hugs, friendly conversation, game nights, and Twinkies. We can't express how much your love and support mean to us. May you and your families be blessed with all that you need.

Love, Matt and Brooke

The U S of CANDY

I HATE CANDY

Candy or as we Aussies call them "Lollies" is seriously EVERYWHERE! I've been closely watching and observing the differences in our two Western cultures. USA vs Australia. The biggest shocker so far, is how much this country, that I truly love and admire is addicted to CANDY.

Nearly everything has candy in it, or on top of it, or inside it! I'm about to stereotype here, Americans LOVE CANDY.

I'm going to admit something that every Mother dreads saying but our 4 year old (Liam) is addicted to the empty calorie, teeth rotting, cheap CANDY. It infuriates me. If he doesn't get it, he has a tantrum and cries real tears for it. If he gets it, he eats it all and then acts like he is possessed by demons (sugar high) until he is cranky (sugar low). I honestly can say that I haven't bought hardly any CANDY since I moved here. Because I never need too, there is ALWAYS a plethora of CANDY everywhere we go. No joke. Drive through at the bank, after lunch or dinner at restaurants, church, pre-school, Doctors office, every HOLIDAY! Easter, Birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving you get the picture. Whenever Liam comes home with it, I throw most of it away, because I don't care for it one bit.

I was reading this and I laughed out loud a few times. But the cheap sugar tin CANDY is NASTY stuff. Your brain is unable to recognize the dangerous 'man made' sugar, so you keep stuffing your face and your never satisfied. On the other hand, your brain does recognize 'glucose' and tells you to stop eating. I feel like pulling my hair out whenever I see it! I try to avoid CANDY.

I almost did pull my hair out when I saw that Liam has a field trip next Tuesday to a CANDY store and guess what they are doing on Thursday having a flippin CANDY party!!! Aarrrggghhhhhhh!!! Will it ever end.... Any suggestions??

Product Alert!

Born Free

I have been using these bottles with Noah since he was 4 weeks we haven't had any projectile vomiting, excess gas, air bubbles or ear infections. The occasional spit up (once) but seriously no mess at all. I would really recommend Born Free, I have tried probably 5 different brands (Liam, my 1st guinea pig not me personally lol) and none of them even compare! Poor Liam he graduated from the school of hard knocks pretty early.

But I love these bottles, I would use them over and over again. The nipple is silicone and the bottle BPA free so it gets better. They are easy to clean and I have never had a problem with them. The only downside is the price ($15.99 - $18.99 for 2), but its worth it believe me I've been there and done that. I would highly recommend to any new Mum (or old MUms for that matter). If anything, they provide a little piece of mind.

I Ache for the Ocean

I really do miss the beach. Gone are the days when I felt the urge to see the ocean and all I had to do was drive 5 minutes down South Road or head downtown to Geelong and there it was. I use to do this often. I felt like it this morning when I woke up and had that feeling where I needed to be close to the sea air and smell the seaweed that had been washed up on the sand. I don't think I took it for granted. I was there nearly everyday. Liam loved it too. I will return someday, the best part is I'll have 3 amazing people to share it with.

Back then this was also my favorite quote, I don't know who its by, I found it in a magazine.

It is a beautiful world. And yet, there is only one thing of value: Being close to the ones I love. They are the shells that protect me, the air on which I fly and the straw on which I fall.

Half Moon Bay was my fav beach about a 5 min drive from my place

Half Moon Bay - Best sun baking spot I think, really clean and gorgeous views

Geelong Beach

Great Ocean Rd (15-20 mins away from Geelong)

Great Ocean Rd (20 mins away)

Geelong Beach



Liam (14 months)

He loved the beach


He would run straight in


Lorne (near Geelong)

Oh how I miss you.... seaweed