Easter Photos

I was so happy to get a few cute photos of my especially handsome boys this Easter. Thanks Mimi for the awesome Easter outfits! Love this group more than I ever imagined I could.

My most exciting career moment!

I don't really have a career, but I do blog, and I love it. It is a great way to keep up my writing and share my ideas and thoughts with the world. My blog continues to grow and I have a steady group of readers, averaging about 8,000 views per month. I never expect anything to be really BIG, so I was blown away when I published my recent article "No Leprechauns, No Valentine's Boxes, No Elves, and why that is Okay" and it went viral on social media. Within a few days I had had over 70,000 views on the article. It has been shared over and over again and because of it, my blog audience on a regular basis had doubled with 14,000-20,000 views each month (102,000 in the month of March!). It is incredibly exciting and I am so grateful. 

I was receiving emails from all over the world and comments on the blog post about how my article had resonated with them and how much they loved it. It was such an honor. I wanted to share two of the emails I received:

"My daughter was invited to THIS party on Friday:

http://younkersmfeo.blogspot.com/2014/03/olivias-5th-birthday-party.html She's the one in the yellow dress, hair unkempt, bright fushia sleeves underneath the dress. You know--the only one who doesn't look perfectly put together in every way. (In my defense--I had to be out of town on the day of the party and my husband got her ready.) A month ago, I would have seen pictures of this party and rolled my eyes at all the extravagance and time and energy "wasted".  Today, I see them and I am filled with joy that my little girl gets to experience that kind of magic, while still living a life filled with the different kind of magic that is found in our family."

"I am probably breaking some blogging etiquette rule by emailing you

rather than using the comment function on your blog.  However - I justwanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your recent post about women andmothering. I live in Doha and am friends with Lindsey Wintch throughchurch - I happened to see you commented on an instagram post of hers,and for some very strange reason, I clicked on your name, then sawyour blog, and went to it.  I have no idea why I did that - well,maybe I do - I really needed to read what you had to say.
I am a mother with an outside the home career. I've always felt likethat was the right thing for me, but have often been challenged byguilt about not being the stay-at-home mom. I have read tons of blogsand articles about motherhood and working mothers, etc. - particularlyit seems in recent months after the whole Sheryl Sandberg book cameout.  I always felt worse after reading those.
Yours is the first I've read that ever made me feel good!.  I lovedyour definition of feminism and I loved your story about realizing youare the mother your kids need. I love the idea that accepting thathelps you to be a more confident mother and that your kids see that.
Thank you - from the bottom of my heart!"

The comments on my blog were equally kind and supportive, and I felt like my heart might burst. I was so grateful for the inspiration and courage I had to write the post. I almost didn't publish it, worried that others might think it was silly or not agree. I certainly didn't expect such a wide response. I think what was most shocking is that I did not have one negative comment on the post or about the post...really amazing in the cyberworld where everyone wants to be a critic. It was one of the sweetest, most exciting experiences I have ever had to know something I had written made a difference to so many.

In addition to the fun internet excitement, Brooke Walker of Studio 5 in Utah got a hold of the article and wanted to interview me on TV. It was so awesome! I was incredibly nervous and rehearsed the night before, but it went really well. There were things I would have liked to change, but I am choosing to focus on the fact that I was able to get an important idea out into the world! March was a very exciting month for me!

Me with Brooke Walker. I was so grateful my mom came to keep me company (I can't find that picture!). I was more nervous than I thought I would be and she was there to reassure me. Here is a link to the video: http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=71&sid=29204791

We filmed the spot on Monday and it aired Tuesday. My new friends were so awesome to throw a "Viewing Party," for me. about 10 ladies were there to support me and cheer me on. I moved into such a great area where the women and families are so excited for each other. I feel blessed everyday.

Let's Celebrate Parker. He's 9!

We absolutely adored celebrating this sweet, sweet boy. He had balloons and signs right when he woke up, breakfast with dad at Sil's, got Subway, chips, and Gatorade at lunch with mom, grandma came up early to play and get him new rollerblades, which he loves. We ate a family dinner of tomato basil soup and homemade bread for dinner, then headed out to Get Air with cousins and a few friends to jump all night. Finally at 9:45pm we took the party to Dillon's for a Kit Kat carmel shake and ended the night with a blue ray player for his present so he could FINALLY watch Harry Potter 5. What a day for one special kid.

Spotlight on Parker at 9!

My favorite food is:  homemade pizza

My favorite sport is: soccer

The best show on TV is: Ben 10

The coolest person in the world is: mom

My best subject in school is: reading and art

I'm really awesome at: soccer

If I could change my name, it would be: I like my name

My favorite color is: blue and white

When I grow up I want to be: a doctor and an artist

My parents are too strict about: too much screen time

My favorite song is: Hall of Fame

My favorite book is:  Fablehaven, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter

When we stop for a treat, I get this: Shakes

4 words that describe me are: athletic, kind, peacemaker, smart

When I was little, I used to: ask my mom to hold me all day long

My favorite scripture story is: Adam and Eve

My favorite primary/church song is: A Child's Prayer

My favorite season is: spring

The best snack ever is: s'mores

My favorite superhero is: Ben 10

The food that makes me want to barf is: stir-fry

The car I would love to drive when I turn 16 is: Ferrari

My best friends are: Levyn, Peirson, Cannon, Aiden

The cutest girl I know is: Annie Haycock

The most memorable day this year was: my baptism and getting elected Mayor

If I had one wish it would be: That everyone got along and no one was poor

The best thing that has happened to me this year is: getting on a new travel soccer team

One thing I want to learn to do this year is:  get better at art

One thing I need to work on is: being kind when others are not

The most important lesson I've learned this year is: when you practice really hard at the piano, you get a lot better

Our little Parkie! We love you so much. You have always been such a kind and compassionate boy, and we are so proud of the little man you are growing into. You are so responsible and you always put your best effort into everything you do. We find that absolutely remarkable. You have had such an easy time with this move. You made friends so quickly and everyone immediately liked you and your friends in Michigan missed you. I think your new friends saw your kind heart right away. You have so many friends now and are surprisingly social. You LOVE to be out and about hanging out with your buddies. I also love that you are sensitive to others around you. You are always kind to everyone and look out for the kids who struggle or don't have friends. Your school work has been fantastic this year too. You are reading at a ridiculously high level and absolutely love it. You read all the time and we often find you in your room, finishing up a great book. You do really well in math and writing and are overall a fantastic student. Your teacher says she wishes she could clone you! You have also done so well on the piano this year and have found a real love for it. You enjoy practicing, working hard, and perfecting your pieces. We love hearing what you can do. Your soccer skills have really increased this year too. You learn quickly and are a smart player; you push yourself to be better every day and it is fun to watch. You are also great at all the other sports you play and you work so hard. You are interested in EVERYTHING. We don't have enough money or time to put you into all the things you want to try. You are a fantastic brother! You've learned to play a little more rough and stand up for yourself, so we have seen a few more conflicts this year, but you are overall so sweet to every one. Piercey especially loves you and I always know that if you are in charge of him, he will be safe and protected. You are so good to both me and dad. You listen, you obey and you want to do what is right. You have been reading your scriptures this year and you are working hard on your testimony. It has been so fun watching you bear it a couple of times because you have felt the spirit. I know you believe because you live your life like a follower of Jesus Christ. It is truly a joy to be your mom...you make it so easy and I am so grateful for that. I love you more than you will ever know. Love, Mom