Do you believe in magic...

Spring Break is here

Now what should we do?

I've been wanting to go to Universal Studios ever since the Harry Potter area opened

and our good friends invited us so I jumped at that. 

It was the best day ever because we got to spend it with amazing people and go to a theme park.

Ok I admit it that I love love love Disneyland and Universal Studios. 

Its my favorite and Im not exactly sure why when it is always crazy busy to where you are bumping into people constantly while trying to maneuver your way thru and stepping on toes and saying sorry (at least I do) 

I think its fun to jump into make believe for a little while

and seeing the joy on my kids faces is seriously so fun.

The rides are really great except for the new Harry Potter ride where you act like your flying following Harry.  My family loved this ride a lot but I got so nauseous that I had to breath thru it so I wouldn't you know what....

I felt better after a little bit and Belle wanted to go on it just one more time so I said ok lets go, Im sure I will be fine this time. 

Nope!

Defiantly nauseous!

pick a wand any wand

Our friends are seriously the BEST

I don't know how life would be without them

They bring so much joy to our lives and I am so grateful for their friendship.

I couldn't help but laugh on the mummy ride

Isabelle and Lowell wanted to go on it so away we go before they change their mind

But the picture was priceless and I had to buy it

 Mikey got to meet Marilyn Monroe so his day was made

 Almost everyone got to ride motorcycles

yummy food was eaten

so I think it was a really successful day of fun

We all need days of fun

I know its been long overdue for me and my family

Ive been working really hard on some big projects that it has overwhelmed me and so yesterday I left all that behind and enjoyed the time with friends and family

Blessings upon blessings

We've had a lot happen in the last week in the Zeman home. When I say a lot I mean a lot of fun, changes, and some scary stuff. Being a parent can be so stressful and hard but also filled with joy and love. I will take the joy and love over anything else any day.

Our sweet Isabelle was really sick again and this time it was really intense. I think I tell myself this every time she gets sick or passes out that "oh this time was the worst'" Isabelle has had to go to the hospital several times through her life to get IV antibiotics and so last week we were at the hospital again to help her get thru another infection. She is so strong and courageous  and she shows me how to do hard things. Mikey was already at work at 5:00 am so I asked Logan to please go with me on the almost 1 hour  ride to the hospital. She was dripping with sweat and I didn't want to waste any time. So I said a quick prayer with her in the house and  then in the car. I needed her to have comfort and I needed heavenly help to get there safely. I seriously felt angels with me.  I was so worried about Isabelle and why she was hit with being sick again so fast and so strong this time that I needed help on my way. I knew that my Heavenly Father knew in that moment how I felt, how Isabelle felt and what we all needed. I felt his help guide me and I am so eternally grateful for all of it. How can I express into words the depth of my love for the Savior Jesus Christ. How is that possible? When we are in need and in desperate times he is there to comfort us. When we think we can't take on one more thing, he is there for us. When we are hopeless, he is there for us.

When we got home the dogs went right to Isabelle and wouldn't leave her. They are very protective of her and I love that. A smiling Belle makes a happy momma.
To add to the busy week last week Logan was able to get his drivers license

Lowell had a appointment for braces

Lowell and I decided that Toppers Pizza would be our thing after every orthodontist appointment. Heck Ya!!!  I love different traditions my kids want to create.
Im grateful that Isabelle is feeling much better, Im grateful that I have another driver, Im grateful that my Heavenly Father is aware of my family and our needs. He strengthens us and helps us grow. 

Valentines

My favorite day of the year was on Wednesday

I love that I get to make a day totally dedicated to my family and be mushy

and tell them each how much they mean to me

Only if I had a flower garden to go pick and make a arrangement anytime

Yes, I love flowers

they smell good and look beautiful and they make me happy

I look forward to the kids walking in from school and watching them see all the love 

spread out on the table

Usually the first thing they go to is my valentine card I write to them

So sweet!

I always set out a lot of candy but  

whats funny is that we don't eat a lot of candy or chocolate so it always lasts us a long time

I guess its just a part of Valentines Day right

Even Champ got in the spirit

Happy Valentines day to all

My Belle

A day with my Isabelle

If you ask her what her name is she will tell you Belle

She only wants to be called Belle, but I like to still call her Isabelle

Today was a dreaded day for her

Doctor appointment...

Isabelle has been asking me to please take her to the local coffee shop for some hot chocolate so

I thought today would be the perfect day and hopefully make her happy.

 It worked, she was so happy!

Then I talked to her about the possibility of shots and that changed everything

I had to let her process and not just spring it on her, Ive figured that out through the years. 

So away we go and everything goes awesome!

Yes she had to get shots but she did it and she didn't pass out this time. I was so proud of her, YAY!!!!

It just shows she growing up

So I made the promise since we were close to go to a  toys r us and that we would go "look"

She hasn't been in a toys r us for several years and she was in awe

 so we walk in and immediately she sees toys she loves and wants and she tells me about each and every one

 how does she know so much about all these toys that she doesn't own

 one can't have to many littlest pet shop

then she sees some toy called fingerlings, what in the world are these things

I know she has been wanting one for awhile and I tell her OK you can get one today for doing such a awesome job at the Doctor. 

Then she sees a little area that sells things like the Claires store at the mall

so we defiantly need to spend some time there.

But then......

 she looks over and I see her make this face and inhale like she just saw something amazing

she was so excited!

 PHONE CASES!

 she was so excited to see all these cute phone cases

and she showed me each one she would just love so much 

 I know I had a happy girl now and all was forgotten just awhile ago

Of course on the way out there was just a few more things we had to look at 

 Until next time Toys R Us

Saturday

It was a high of 76 today in our town with a clear blue sky and a cool breeze.....so that means we can get some chores done outside. 

Yay for beautiful weather!

The sun does wonders for your well being and it surely made me happy

The kids dread the ol "hey kids get on your shoes and get outside, lets get to work."

I didn't realize when moving out here that it would require tons of work outside.

ok our pepper trees were seriously overgrown
I told the boys to get to work and trim them up
Logan did awesome and Lowell did for a little bit until he found out that the first tree made an
amazing fort. 

So Lowell got to work cutting some branches and added them to his "fort"
then I had to redirect him a few times
I said ok to the fort but only for a week.

We smelled like pepper tree all day
Then Logan filled in dirt where needed,
any excuse to drive the tractor right

Then Duke had to lay on the fresh cool dirt and keep a watchful eye the whole time

The tractor has been a huge help getting all the fast growing weeds on the property

 Belle helped me with raking tons of leaves and she even found a pumpkin from the fall season
I love getting chores done even though my sweet kids don't have the same attitude.

Champ also made sure we were  safe from passing cars and any wondering animals
they are very protective to their area and family
It seems to me that they bark at anything unfamiliar to them

Joy to me....

Joy to me is

my children

the love they show me is wonderful and something I will cherish forever

Joy to me is

making my kids smile when they are grumpy

Joy to me is

seeing my husband get on the floor with our kids

Joy to me is

getting to talk with my daughter on Christmas day and knowing she is happy

Joy to me is

when they still want to go outside to play

 Joy to me is

knowing their dad taught them many skills

and they love learning new things

Joy to me is

my kids helping me when they don't want to 

Joy to me is

being married to Mikey forever and knowing that he supports me and loves me in whatever I do. 

I have learned many things in my short life and knowing that I could've had this joy all along is a great learning lesson for me. All I had to do was let go and forgive. Find Joy in all things around you and recognize what brings you  joy and how to give joy to others.