Sometimes when you read something or listen to something it really sticks with you and in a round about way makes you think about an aspect of your life.
A talk given a weeks ago by one of my church leaders was one of those talks.

When I think about the women I am becoming I sometimes start to feel envious of the "things" or the "traits" I don't have. This is obviously NOT healthy but I know I am not alone.
Sometimes I really compare myself WAY to much to others and start to feel down about myself, my relationships, or where I am in my life right now. Isaiah is always telling my to stop comparing but that is easier said than done in my mind.

This talk changed all of that for me.
I am a great person.
I am loved and I love with all my heart.
Most of the time I am trying to do WAY to much and never slow down.
My mind just races all day long with thoughts, ideas, things I want to change, commitments I have made, things I feel guilty about, life changes coming up, fears I have of failure, and so on.
I never just STOP and really appreciate who I am.

I am so fortunate to have a partner in life who loves me and best of all LIKES me with all of my flaws. I am blessed to be able to stay home and raise my children and have a man who provides all of our needs and most of our wants without any complaints.
I may not have the best house, the best car, the best clothes, or the most money in the bank, but I have love not just from the people around me here on earth but from my Heavenly Father and I need to remember that on a daily basis.

**love**
she is growing up so fast

So I'm a few days late on getting these pictures up and I'm a bit disappointed because there is so much that happened this last week and weekend and I completely spaced on taking pictures!! bummer!

My parents and grandma were in town for the weekend, we had another ultra sound, and I had my baby shower. Did I snap one picture of documentation of any of these events......NOPE!
Oh well......... next time :)
Luckily my bestie was there to save the day at the baby shower and snapped some great pics.... of course those will be featured here when I get my hands on them :)

So since only part of our week is photographed I decided to have fun with some editting software and just collage what pictures we did take.
{thank goodness Isaiah's 34th bday was before I spaced on pictures or I wouldn't live it down}

for your viewing pleasure:

swim lessons with the Bipperts, sad at work while Kaylee is at the park with Lindsey and Cami, new floors at T Mobile, library books put away, cute poodle skirt day!

hiding in the stroller, candy gram birthday card, sleeping in with buggy, party time, lunch date with girlfriends, friends going shopping, picture taking before naptime
1 yr anniversary party for Stroller Strides, goofy golfing, clothes disaster after my dresser fell over on Kaylee {no injury thank goodness....just shaken up} baby shower hostess gifts!

and that's all folks!

WOW!!! September is almost over!! Eek....that means its only a few more months until BABY is here!! Summer is wrapping up so we did whatever we could to enjoy the last few days of warmish weather. We also had a Bippert week! Joe was out of town all week so Corinne and Jack hung out at our house most nights. I heart my bestie!

Here is our week:

I worked and had the cutest little visitor :)

Kaylee and I started our morning at a monthly baby check up. Then it was off to a lunch date with daddy! Isaiah was on kid duty that night with Kaylee and Jack while Corinne worked and I went to a parenting class.

Wild black berry picking at Pioneer Park after Stroller strides and then Jack came over for day two! Isaiah surprised me by painting our living room wall.

Kaylee wanted to be a cowgirl so we wore overalls for the second time this week. She asked specifically for pig tails. I am loving this age! I walked into the living room to find her finishing her princess puzzle all by herself. Crazy how fast they learn.
A trip down memory lane looking through Isaiahs year book and Bippert day numero tres. We ended the night with an intense scrabble game. So fun!

Stroller Strides! I love these ladies!
I quick 25 week preggo pic before workout and then berry picking for the second time with some friends.
I roasted my FIRST chicken!!! (and it was organic) It tasted AMAZING so I feel like a legit cook now :) Go me!
We documented Isaiah's injury from Sunday. He had a size 13 metal cleat land on his leg during flag football and this is how it looked at the end of the week.
And the wall is done! Well, it needs a little bit of a touch up (Isaiah is a painting rookie but he tried and I love him for it) but overall it looks fab!

My parents and grandma are headed into town this week and I am so excited!!
We are having another ultra sound, a baby shower, and a little fair food coming up in pics for sure while they are here :)

So I skipped a week because frankly I was sleeping almost the entire time. A bug went around our house and being that I am with a bun in the oven the only prescription for me was Tylenol, water, and sleep.

But we are all better now and have the pics to prove it.
Summer has decided to extend into Sept for us here in the northwest and we are taking advantage of the hotter weather.

Isaiah also started "Stache September" this month. He is sporting a mustache for the ENTIRE month to raise money for testicular cancer. They have already raised $700+ for the cause but let me just say....
I AM NOT A FAN OF THE CREEPY STACHE!!!

So here is our week:
Everyday Kaylee wakes up and wants to put on her "princess dresses."
Today she pretended she was a cowgirl princess!
I worked all day so it was a daddy daughter day taking advantage of all of the back to school sales for this growing girl.
Then, it was time to shave the stache....grrr

A little pow wow at the park after Aiden fell and cut open his hand. The kids sat with him until he felt better.
My pinterest project! Chocolate covered pretzel sticks. I feel so domesticated now. I have been pretty crafty lately.
We celebrated Marcus' 3rd birthday!

A little river time after Stroller Strides.
We went to visit Isaiah at work and Kaylee needed to update the white board
Crazy pic of Isaiah really workin the ridiculous wig Josh bought.
Dance party with Raia after nap time!
I think the bed is getting a bit small with all those bears.

A little library time! She has been asking every time we go if she can play games on the computer (bc she always sees the older kids doin it!) I figured we would try. About 2 min later she was done and it was on to playing with the blocks and reading books together.
Lunch date with daddy! She talked him into drawing princesses on the white board.
It was hot that afternoon so we went downtown to the fountains for some free entertainment. Raia (her bestie) came with us.

Stroller Strides here we come!
We went to the Portland Temple that night (kidless!!!) to witness our friends being sealed for all time and eternity. So beautiful :)
Congratulations Moore family!!

I was super excited to FINALLY get to make some amazing chocolate dipped pretzels. They were super easy to do but every time I went to the grocery store I would forget the shortening.

I made these for our friends 3rd bday party this week. I dipped them and Kaylee sprinkled. I snapped a quick pic before we left so its a bit blurry but you get the idea.
We are going to try making different colored ones today!

Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
• 1 tbsp shortening
• 2 dozen pretzel rods or large pretzel twists
• Assorted sprinkles or small candies (optional)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

Preparation:

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil.

2. Combine the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate and the shortening in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave until the chocolate is melted, stirring after every 20-30 seconds. When chocolate gets overheated it thickens and becomes unworkable, so watch your chocolate carefully! Take it out of the microwave when there are still unmelted chips remaining, and stir until the final chips melt.

3. If dipping pretzel rods, hold a rod by one end and dip in the chocolate, leaving an inch or two uncovered. If you are dipping pretzel twists, drop the whole pretzel in the chocolate and submerge it slightly. Use a fork to pull the pretzel out of the chocolate. Shake the chocolate-dipped pretzels several times to remove excess chocolate, and place it on the prepared baking sheet. If you are using sprinkles or small candies, sprinkle them on when the chocolate is still wet. Repeat with remaining chocolate and pretzels.

4. Place the pretzels in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set the chocolate.

Pinterest......oh how I love you.....

Once a week I am trying to DO something from all my pinning going on! If you have no idea what I am talking about then head on over to my pinterest page------------>

(over there on the right)
It is REALLY ADDICTING!!
I pin something everyday.

So this week was a good homemade bread.
I have NEVER baked bread before.
I wanted to try something that Kaylee would eat and get some more veggies in her diet.
I was REALLY surprise at how easy this was and how AMAZING it turned out!!

CARROT BREAD WITH APPLE GLAZE
{via}

INGREDIENTS:

CARROT BREAD

• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, shredded
• 1/4 cup dried currants or raisins
• 1/2 cup Sucanat or brown sugar
  
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp olive oil

APPLE GLAZE

• 2 tbsp unfiltered 100% apple juice
• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1/2 tsp real vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, carrots, currants, Sucanat, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt; mix well.
3. Make a well in the center and add whole egg, egg white, oil and 3/4 cup water. Stir until flour is completely incorporated and batter is moistened.
4. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a rack.
5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine juice, agave nectar and vanilla for the glaze. Pour over top of carrot bread and serve.
   

Here is how ours turned out:

**disclaimer.....not a good idea to make a really good loaf of bread and then find out your husband doesn't like raisins....oh well....more for me!**