My little story in The New Era

About a year or so ago, I submitted a story to be published by The New Era. I found out that it was published in this month's edition...

So, if you are really bored one day and want to check it out, here is the link

I Want One Of These!

I am craving a newborn so bad I can hardly stand it! I know not everyone is a fan of the newborn stage, but I adore it! I love how tiny they are, I love their soft skin, I love having one in my arms, and I love how with newborns I feel closer to heaven because with them the veil is so thin. Looking at this picture makes me want to cry because I feel like that baby is gone forever and I want her back in my arms! Not that I would EVER trade having my almost four year old girl, but like I said, I adore the baby stage and with my kids it just doesn't seem to last long enough!

I know there is a cure to this baby craving of mine, but there is only one problem: These sweet little babies grow. They ransack my makeup and spread blush all over the bathroom tile. They talk back, and point out that I don't handle their talking back very well. They beg for cereal and "babas" before 6 am every morning. They start walking at 10 months at which point they instantly and inconveniently declare their freedom (sacrament meeting is the worst for this). There is potty training to consider, teething, late nights and last but not least...the dreaded 60 lbs I seem to gain with each pregnancy.

And yet...at the end of the day, I have stars in my eyes when I think about how much I love my children. They are undoubtedly two of the coolest people I have ever met and I love discovering who they are and the many intricacies of their personalities. I love, love being a mom!

But will I love being a mother of THREE? I'm not going to lie I'm kind of scared!

Man, That Felt Good!

Thanks again to Everyone who helped with the COOKIES FOR HAITI project. I thought I would just post the donation receipt so that you know I'm not off on a shopping spree this week-end :O) J/K

Receipt for your donation to Healing Hands for Haiti‏
From: service@paypal.com (service@paypal.com)
Sent: Wed 2/17/10 11:50 AM
To: Danielle (desertmonsons@hotmail.com)

Hello Danielle,

This email confirms that you have donated $400.00 USD to Healing Hands for Haiti (gmna@healinghandsforhaiti.org) using PayPal.
Donation Details

Confirmation number: 03A0897390490123L
Donation amount: $400.00 USD
Total: $400.00 USD
Purpose: Healing Hands for Haiti
Contributor: Danielle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recipient information

Donations coordinator: Healing Hands for Haiti
Contact email: gmna@healinghandsforhaiti.org
Contact Phone Number: 801-278-9779


Thanks,

PayPal

Our Haiti Project Was A Success!

In an effort to help Haiti, we decided to do a little project I called: Cookies For Haiti.


I was so touched by how many friends in our community and ward responded to help out with this. What we did was ask as many people who wanted to participate to bake a couple dozen cookies, so that they could be packaged and sold around our little neighborhood for $1- with 100% of the proceeds donated to Haiti. So many cute girls got to work baking and in the end we received over 30 dozen cookies!



Nicole, Nay, Jenn, Jamie and me getting all of the cookies packaged.



My friend Jamie's dad designed the little 'Cookies For Haiti' logo and it was the perfect touch to staple to our cookie packages! Thanks Jamie for heading that up!


The next day , after the cookies were all packaged, I dropped off cookies to the Matson's, the Prince's, and the Lafferty's so their adorable children could sell in other neighborhoods for us! Here is Thaisy's little shopping cart all loaded up so that Thais and her little friend Jaylee could sell together.



Our first sale was a breeze! The Bordens bought $5 worth...Thanks Morgan!



I loved Thaisy's Door approach, she would say, "May could you please buy some cookies for Haiti?" Who could resist two cute girls in pink???



While we were selling, we met up with the Matson kiddos who sold their basket of cookies in the first hour! We were more than happy to have them take some of ours and head out for round two! Thank you Matsons!!!



A little later Jenn and her boys came to help us finish the Job! We had so much fun letting the kids run around and get the last of our cookies sold!



Thais and Jay selling to one of our adorable customers! (Laura Hatch in the ward :O)



Autumn and her cute girl met up with us to bring us the proceeds from their sales! They made almost $60 alone!

In the end, with cookie sales and generous donations from some pretty awesome people..we made (drum roll please) **** $400 *****

We Love You Haiti!

A New Valentine Tradition

I found this on someones blog and thought it was such a great idea. The first Family Night in February we made our Valentines for each other and posted them in our kitchen so all month long we can read things that we love about each other!


This one was my absolute favorite! Thais drew Jordan and I holding hands!!


On a side note, I promise to take Etta James off of my blog after Valentine's Day. I thought it was a perfect song since Valentines is on Sunday this year! Plus, I'm not going to lie, I'm a huge Etta fan (I love the old school lounge music type stuff. I actually have this secret dream of being one..Like I'm talking sitting on the piano in a long red dress singing my little heart out-except that I can't sing, and lounges are gross, and I probably would die from second hand smoke... so that pretty much puts a damper on that dream!)

Help!

You wouldn't believe it looking at this sweet face...


but this little guy that I love is a bit of a hitter..and a tackler...and a hair puller outer! I am talking non stop slaps to the face and attacks on our hair. It's a little embarrassing when the YMCA day care wants my input on what they should do when he tackles and hits other children. They probably don't love my response which is, " I don't know, but if you stumble upon something brilliant PLEASE let me know!" I have no idea what to do! We try teaching him to be soft, I have tried hitting his hands, pulling his hair when he pulls ours, being stern, being soft, a time out in the crib...How the heck do you mold a 14 month old.


Any input would be great! In the meantime, the rest of the Monson family is currently walking around with little cuts on our faces and I'm pretty sure Thais has a few bald spots.

Oh Sky-Guy! I love you so, so, so stinkin' much and I will figure this one out kiddo!

Pictures of the Kiddo's

My Mom asked me to put the latest pictures of the kids up...So here they are: