Happy reunion!

The year, 1990.  The place, BYU.  Desert Towers, to be exact.  Freshman year started out with trying so many new things.  It was my first time in Utah.  My first time living away from family.  I didn't know a single soul.  But I quickly made friends with some amazing girls.  Three of us became fast friends and were inseparable from that point on.  So many memories!  But those are for another time. 

Fast forward to 2010, March.  When I got home, Larry told me I got a message from Jennifer!  I couldn't believe it!  Her family had moved to Washington about an hour away!  So we talked, for a long time.  We made a plan to meet for lunch.  And it was like no time had passed.  We had a great visit catching up on the past 20 years.  The last time I saw her she had babysat Payton while we went sledding back when we lived in Provo.  Payton was not even a year at the time.  Now Payton is almost 17 and a big sister to 4 others!  Jen and Scott have 6 kids!  It was so great to catch up, page through my old college photo album, laugh really hard and hear stories of how we got to be where we're at. 

After all these many years of exchanging baby announcements and Christmas cards, I look forward to getting our families together often.  How fun!  So more pics and posts to come from the great Jensen/Pulsipher reunion, part II!

Reflection on Motherhood

Yesterday was beautiful.  The sun was shining.  Breakfast was made to order.  I was able to go to all 3 of my church meetings because Larry took care of Porter at home.  I got to relax outside on my new lounge chair- thank you Larry and Sydney!  My closet clean-out has begun- thank you girls!  I enjoyed the gifts. I enjoyed the dinner at the in-laws cooked by the hubbies and cleaned up by the kiddies.  I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant Mother's day. 

I always knew I wanted to be a Mom.  It's nice to look back on my experiences in Motherhood each Mother's Day.  I need to be reminded why I'm here.  Why I chose to be a Mom above all else.  It's easy as I browse through pictures from long ago to revel in the blessings that surround me.  So bear with me.  These are just a few images that speak loudest to me today on what I think about when I think of Motherhood.

These guys are first to mind.  The most beautiful, rewarding, trying, amazing group of people I ever helped to create.

My own mother and my life as a little girl with my family.

Larry's mother and what I still learn about being a mom from her.  How grateful I am that she raised her son to be the husband and father that he is now. 

The motherly "duties" that give me a sense of accomplishment.

Basketball.  Lots and lots of basketball.

Again, these 5 people that get to call me Mom.

Motherhood in Disney World is like a double bonus in the happiness department.

My girls getting to know their Oma.

These future Moms and how they amaze me with their natural abilities to adore their brother!

Fun with my kids.  It seems to be rarer these days than it used to be.  Perhaps I've gotten old, but I need to carve out more times for the sillies.

Some of my favorite Moms around.  My sisters probably don't realize how much I rely on them for my own success.  Memories I hold dear give me a foothold while the future will always include lots of phone calls, emails and girls' weekends!

This guy right here.  He is the reason I can get up each day and do what I need to do.  He is my partner in this rollercoaster call parenthood.  He is my partner in life.  My better half, to say the least.  I love him.  I adore him.  I thank him for letting me be a Mom 5 times over.

I have chosen to surround myself (whether near or far, far away!) with Mothers at all stages.  I watch them.  I study them.  I commiserate with them.  I ask lots of questions.  I try to glean everything I can from their experiences, good and bad, so that I can discover what works for my family. 

Thanks to all of you- I hope you know who you are! 

Happy, happy Mother's day and hope these good feelings last a good, long time!

My Newest Endeavor.

Walls By Design

Interior Paint Professionals

My new business.

Suzy Bertch

My new business partner.

www.WallsbyDesign.viviti.com

Our new website.

After owning my own painting business for several years, I decided it was time to take it to the next level.  Porter is getting older now and next year he might possibly be in preschool.  I knew if I had a partner, I would be more inclined to push forward.  So Suzy and I have opened Walls By Design.  We are starting out small and are relying mostly on word of mouth advertising.  So I hope you take a second and let me know what you think of our website and services.  We'd love to have you find us on Facebook, too. 

Walls By Design on Facebook

This business is going to be a labor of love, a great learning experience, and (hopefully) a way to earn a few extra dollars for our families. 

I hope you feel like you can pass our name along to anyone you know who is interested in having any painting done.  (in the greater Bonney Lake area, that is!) We are excited to get to work!