Monday, January 26, 2009
You never know
So, I haven't been doing so well with this blogging thing lately. I feel like a teenager when I would write in my journal and say, "I'm making a goal to write every day," and then the next entry says, "It's been six months now, but I'm making a new goal to write every day." LOL Ryan and I had a great experience this past weekend. I am a craigslist frequenter, and I saw this great juicer, something Ryan and I have been wanting ever since we burned out the cheapo walmart one. However the price they were asking was more than we felt like we could spend at this time. So I emailed this lady and told her that even though I was very interested we justed couldn't do it right now. To my surprise and delight I received a reply asking if my husband was handy because she had a couple of projects that she really needed done and would be willing to make an exchange. So Saturday morning, we showed up with our two children unsure of what to expect. Ryan laid some carpet for her (and did an awesome job, especially considering the fact that he'd never done this before) and then Ryan and I installed a storm door (and when the drill cord exploded we were grateful no one was hurt!). We spent the better part of the day getting to know this women, a single mom of 3 older children. We came home feeling satisfied with the exchange and knowing we also helped someone out. That night I received an email from this sweet woman sharing with us the death of her husband 13 years prior, who normally would have done these things for her. She said that she had been praying for a way to get these tasks finished and had no way of doing them herself. We were the answer to her prayers. Here we were thinking we were getting a great deal on a juicer, when truly we were Heavenly Father's hands at work. It reminded how God loves ALL his children whether they are members of the church or not, and will answer prayers that are righteous. I also feel so grateful to know that I have a ward family who can help me when I don't know where to turn.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Years Resolutions
Our vacation is almost over. Ryan goes back to school tomorrow which ends our vacation as well as officially starts the "New Year" for me. I look at the past year and the year to come, and realize that I have so many aspects in my life that need improvement. I find myself at times ashamed of all that I lack in. I have thought and pondered much about the things I need to change and improve. About my New Years resolutions. I've started lists many times, but never finish or simply lose them. When it comes to my thoughts and feelings I feel like a very private person. However, I have decided to write down and keep track of my New Years Resolutions in this blog. I fear to expose my weaknesses that others might pass judgment and see the true me. However, I am not perfect and I perhaps as others see my imperfections they will help lift me to where I need to be. That being said, here we go.
1- I just want a clean house! I put this at the top because I feel it plagues me daily. Don't get me wrong. I know how to clean. It's the maintaining part that is a problem. My house can go from perfectly spotless, everything in its place to total and complete CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome) overnight. And that is not an exaggeration! The worse it gets the less I want to clean it. Or I feel like I have to ignore my children to get something done. I want to learn how to maintain my home efficiently while still being able to enjoy being in it. Your best tip for maintaining a clean home is greatly appreciated.
2- It's time to lose weight. I know this is a typical new year's goal. But it's at the top of my list. It's time to quit blaming the baby, (he is 9 months you know) and take control of myself. No more eating after 7, no more cookies and goodies. I plan on exercising at 5am and doing a better job at portion control. I will drink water water water. I'm tired of going shopping and only buying shoes because it's the only thing I feel comfortable in. What's your best/favorite workout tip?
3- If I don't read my scriptures, why would I expect my children to? Scriptures reading has been the single hardest thing for me to do regularly. I don't know why this is a habit I haven't been able to make. I want that love for the scriptures and I want to instill it in my children. So after I exercise I will read my scriptures, I will read with my husband before helping the Bellows, and I will continue to read the Scripture readers with my children each night.
4- I will wash my face and brush my teeth before bed. Sometimes I'm just too tired/lazy to do it. All I want to do is crawl into bed and go to sleep. So, I will do this after scripture reading and before helping Sylvia.
5- Teach the children. I have all these wonderful activities and things to do with my children to help them learn and grow. However, it seems that I lose my enthusiasm when I focus too much on the perfect learning situation. I have a hard time playing it by ear. Therefore I spend more time focusing on how we will do it rather then just doing it. It is my children who pay the price for this.
6- Didn't I just give a talk on this subject. I will go to the temple every month!! Sometimes life gets away from us all, but all that is is an excuse. I truly admire those who go to the temple every month, no matter how many kids, how long it takes, they just do it, and are blessed because of it. I want to be one of those!
7- Just turn off the TV. Ok, I admit it. I like to watch tv. I like to stay up late and veg out working on my projects (or not) with some mindless tv show in the background. It's a disease, and one that needs balance. There are probably two shows that I really look forward to so I will limit myself to those. The only exceptions are if I am exercising, having a movie date with my husband, or on Friday's Family Movie and Pizza Night ( Brayden just loves this). And I will not buy myself an hour of freedom by allowing my son to watch tv. TV for him will be a privilege that must be earned by obeying the first time, and finishing his chores.
8- I will date my husband again. Either Friday or Saturday will be reserved for a date. Not necessarily going out, but just being together, playing game, watching a movie, something fun, one on one. We just enjoyed spending our 6 year anniversary together. What a wonderful day, start to finish. How I love this wonderful man I get to spend eternity with. How blessed I am!
9- What's for dinner? I will make a meal plan for each week in order to have dinner more smoothly on the table, and more importantly to ensure that the food is purchased to have the meal. I've been planning on doing this for years, and I just need to do it!
Well, there you have it take it for what its worth. I'm sure I will be adding more to this list as time goes on.
1- I just want a clean house! I put this at the top because I feel it plagues me daily. Don't get me wrong. I know how to clean. It's the maintaining part that is a problem. My house can go from perfectly spotless, everything in its place to total and complete CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome) overnight. And that is not an exaggeration! The worse it gets the less I want to clean it. Or I feel like I have to ignore my children to get something done. I want to learn how to maintain my home efficiently while still being able to enjoy being in it. Your best tip for maintaining a clean home is greatly appreciated.
2- It's time to lose weight. I know this is a typical new year's goal. But it's at the top of my list. It's time to quit blaming the baby, (he is 9 months you know) and take control of myself. No more eating after 7, no more cookies and goodies. I plan on exercising at 5am and doing a better job at portion control. I will drink water water water. I'm tired of going shopping and only buying shoes because it's the only thing I feel comfortable in. What's your best/favorite workout tip?
3- If I don't read my scriptures, why would I expect my children to? Scriptures reading has been the single hardest thing for me to do regularly. I don't know why this is a habit I haven't been able to make. I want that love for the scriptures and I want to instill it in my children. So after I exercise I will read my scriptures, I will read with my husband before helping the Bellows, and I will continue to read the Scripture readers with my children each night.
4- I will wash my face and brush my teeth before bed. Sometimes I'm just too tired/lazy to do it. All I want to do is crawl into bed and go to sleep. So, I will do this after scripture reading and before helping Sylvia.
5- Teach the children. I have all these wonderful activities and things to do with my children to help them learn and grow. However, it seems that I lose my enthusiasm when I focus too much on the perfect learning situation. I have a hard time playing it by ear. Therefore I spend more time focusing on how we will do it rather then just doing it. It is my children who pay the price for this.
6- Didn't I just give a talk on this subject. I will go to the temple every month!! Sometimes life gets away from us all, but all that is is an excuse. I truly admire those who go to the temple every month, no matter how many kids, how long it takes, they just do it, and are blessed because of it. I want to be one of those!
7- Just turn off the TV. Ok, I admit it. I like to watch tv. I like to stay up late and veg out working on my projects (or not) with some mindless tv show in the background. It's a disease, and one that needs balance. There are probably two shows that I really look forward to so I will limit myself to those. The only exceptions are if I am exercising, having a movie date with my husband, or on Friday's Family Movie and Pizza Night ( Brayden just loves this). And I will not buy myself an hour of freedom by allowing my son to watch tv. TV for him will be a privilege that must be earned by obeying the first time, and finishing his chores.
8- I will date my husband again. Either Friday or Saturday will be reserved for a date. Not necessarily going out, but just being together, playing game, watching a movie, something fun, one on one. We just enjoyed spending our 6 year anniversary together. What a wonderful day, start to finish. How I love this wonderful man I get to spend eternity with. How blessed I am!
9- What's for dinner? I will make a meal plan for each week in order to have dinner more smoothly on the table, and more importantly to ensure that the food is purchased to have the meal. I've been planning on doing this for years, and I just need to do it!
Well, there you have it take it for what its worth. I'm sure I will be adding more to this list as time goes on.
Christmas - A wonderful Day!!
We had a great Christmas. It started on Christmas Eve. I made cinnamon rolls while Brayden and Ryan decorated cookies and took them to all the neighbors. It was so freezing cold outside, but Brayden was determined he wanted to deliver the cookies with dad. They were at our neighbors house and Ryan was talking with Gladys. Brayden could no longer take the cold and said, "Gladys, we have more cookies to deliver," then he turned and headed back for the house. LOL We then had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We start out with a spread of meats and cheeses, for appetizers, along with cholate covered pretzels, homemade peanut butter cups, chex mix, and other various treats. This is our appetizer. Then for dinner we have fillet minot, twice baked potatoes, and a special raspberry drink.
This tradition is a mix of our two families (Ryan's family always had a spread of different items, and my family had a sit down candle light dinner). This evolved on our first Christmas together. Ryan had said he would prepare the meal on Christmas Eve. I was much disappointed to find nothing but snacks. I told him that all the food looked great, but what were we having for dinner? He pointed to the spread and said "THIS." I was distraught thinking that we wouldn't be having my candle meal. At the time we were house sitting for one of Ryan's professors. They told us we could eat anything we could find, so we headed to the freezer to see what we might fix. They had two fillet minons which we took and prepared. So ever since then, it has been our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We sure enjoy the mix of the two traditions. Although, this year we were reminiscing and thinking that, while it seemed a good idea at the time, we probably shouldn't have eaten their imported steaks. I will say though, that year has been the best tasting steaks we have ever had :)
After dinner the kids opened their new Christmas pajamas and we loaded in the car to go look at the Christmas lights. We found this amazing house that had the lights timed to music that you tuned in on your radio. It was amazing! Ryan and I really enjoyed it, the boys however were asleep before we made it to the first house. Our plan was to go home and read the Christmas story from the Bible and then leave cookies and milk for Santa. Then off to bed. Ryan was going to sneak outside and ring sleigh bells to excite Brayden. However, we ended up just putting them in their beds since we still had to put the Bellows to bed. Then we spent the night wrapping presents, I was resewing some parts of the tee pee, and Ryan made a trip for batteries at 12:30 am which I think cost more then the toy itself. We were tired by the time we made it to bed, but it sure was fun. Christmas morning both Brayden and Dylan had fun. I made a tee pee for Brayden (although I think Dylan likes it the best). It's amazing to me how observant this child of mine is. We were eating Christmas brunch and Sylvia asked Brayden what Santa brought. He told her a "pop gun' (nerf gun) but didn't include the tee pee which was supposed to be the big exciting gift right. So we said to Brayden. What about the tee pee didn't Santa bring you that? He says, "Santa didn't bring that mom did. She bought the cloth at the store and then bought poles." I couldn't believe it. I had bought the cloth a month or two ago! He also got candy land, several books from both sets of grandparents, pajamas, and a blanket. Dylan got an incredi block, pajamas, books, and stacking blocks. Ryan got the complete set of Planet Earth, and Blue Planet (the best nature documentaries ever seen), a money clip, a puffy vest, and a personal blender to make smoothies to take to school. Kelsey got all the Jane Austin DVDS, a bamboo tray for soaking in the bath tub that hold a book and drink, and the coolest spice rack that measures the spices directly from the container. As a family we got a new crock pot, a reverse osmosis water purifier (from the Browns), and a food storage startup kit along with some reference and church books (from the Yates). Thanks everyone for thinking of us!!
After opening presents we had our Christmas Brunch (which is a breakfast casserole so mom doesn't have to cook) and just enjoyed the day being with each other and playing games and watching movies. It really was a great day!! We love our traditions and have plans to start a couple of new ones next year. (Write down our gift to Christ for the year and put it where we can see it periodically. Also dress up for our Christmas Eve dinner).
What are your favorite families traditions for Christmas? Leave a comment so all can enjoy
This tradition is a mix of our two families (Ryan's family always had a spread of different items, and my family had a sit down candle light dinner). This evolved on our first Christmas together. Ryan had said he would prepare the meal on Christmas Eve. I was much disappointed to find nothing but snacks. I told him that all the food looked great, but what were we having for dinner? He pointed to the spread and said "THIS." I was distraught thinking that we wouldn't be having my candle meal. At the time we were house sitting for one of Ryan's professors. They told us we could eat anything we could find, so we headed to the freezer to see what we might fix. They had two fillet minons which we took and prepared. So ever since then, it has been our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We sure enjoy the mix of the two traditions. Although, this year we were reminiscing and thinking that, while it seemed a good idea at the time, we probably shouldn't have eaten their imported steaks. I will say though, that year has been the best tasting steaks we have ever had :)
After dinner the kids opened their new Christmas pajamas and we loaded in the car to go look at the Christmas lights. We found this amazing house that had the lights timed to music that you tuned in on your radio. It was amazing! Ryan and I really enjoyed it, the boys however were asleep before we made it to the first house. Our plan was to go home and read the Christmas story from the Bible and then leave cookies and milk for Santa. Then off to bed. Ryan was going to sneak outside and ring sleigh bells to excite Brayden. However, we ended up just putting them in their beds since we still had to put the Bellows to bed. Then we spent the night wrapping presents, I was resewing some parts of the tee pee, and Ryan made a trip for batteries at 12:30 am which I think cost more then the toy itself. We were tired by the time we made it to bed, but it sure was fun. Christmas morning both Brayden and Dylan had fun. I made a tee pee for Brayden (although I think Dylan likes it the best). It's amazing to me how observant this child of mine is. We were eating Christmas brunch and Sylvia asked Brayden what Santa brought. He told her a "pop gun' (nerf gun) but didn't include the tee pee which was supposed to be the big exciting gift right. So we said to Brayden. What about the tee pee didn't Santa bring you that? He says, "Santa didn't bring that mom did. She bought the cloth at the store and then bought poles." I couldn't believe it. I had bought the cloth a month or two ago! He also got candy land, several books from both sets of grandparents, pajamas, and a blanket. Dylan got an incredi block, pajamas, books, and stacking blocks. Ryan got the complete set of Planet Earth, and Blue Planet (the best nature documentaries ever seen), a money clip, a puffy vest, and a personal blender to make smoothies to take to school. Kelsey got all the Jane Austin DVDS, a bamboo tray for soaking in the bath tub that hold a book and drink, and the coolest spice rack that measures the spices directly from the container. As a family we got a new crock pot, a reverse osmosis water purifier (from the Browns), and a food storage startup kit along with some reference and church books (from the Yates). Thanks everyone for thinking of us!!
After opening presents we had our Christmas Brunch (which is a breakfast casserole so mom doesn't have to cook) and just enjoyed the day being with each other and playing games and watching movies. It really was a great day!! We love our traditions and have plans to start a couple of new ones next year. (Write down our gift to Christ for the year and put it where we can see it periodically. Also dress up for our Christmas Eve dinner).
What are your favorite families traditions for Christmas? Leave a comment so all can enjoy
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