December 21st 2009

12-21-2009
Outside my window... It is so gloomy today. There is fog and just an overall sense of creepiness, or beauty, I guess. Sometimes I think that fog is so pretty the way it coats everything and just dulls the outside a little. I cannot see the mountain at all today, which for anyone that has seen my mountain out my window, knows this is a big deal and very thick fog. Maybe I will snap a photo.

I am thinking...I have been thinking I need to change this up a little and add some of my own questions and talk a little more about real things but I don’t know how quickly that will happen. This format seems easy enough that I don’t sweat doing it every week. (Although I did miss last week, and no I don’t have a great excuse.)

I am thankful for... 15 years of marriage. It was my anniversary yesterday. I can’t believe it has been 15 years. Life has been really good to me. My mother has always claimed that God really looks after me and has guided me to the people that I need to make me happy and a better person. Finding Brian and convincing him to marry me is my testimony of my Mothers words. She is right. I got so lucky! I had no idea at the time how lucky and still am blown away by it daily. He is a great man, father and friend and I love him very much!

From the kitchen... rolls in the oven, or at least I hope there are some in there fairly soon.

I am wearing... My robe, yes I need to get dressed!

I am creating.... I have been making hair clips with my girls for their friends for Christmas. It is going good but taking kind of longer than I had planned. They are really really cute though.

I am going... I have to go to Hobby Lobby today to get chains for some Christmas gifts for my sisters and oh about one hundred other places to try and get everything done. I doubt I will be successful.

I am reading... The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, I am starting to really like it but it took me a little bit.

I am hoping... For a great week. I am hoping my house will get clean and all the laundry will get done and I can relax at least on Christmas Eve and Christmas day and maybe even the day after.

I am hearing... My kids playing. So far we have had little fighting but it is only 8:40. There is still plenty of time.

Around the house... This is not the cleanest of homes at the moment but as I said up in the hope section, I am hoping that changes soon.

One of my favorite things... Birthday gifts to Jesus. Since I was young my family has done a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve and we all give him a gift. It is our form of a new years resolution. I have really been thinking about this, this year. I really want it to mean something and I really want to do it all year long. This year it will be about my relationships with my children. I have considered no more yelling in the home and punishment for myself when I do so. I think that the attitude of the home is directly related to the mother and I want the yelling to stop. I have found that I have gotten over the top in this area and that my relationship with my kids has suffered and their relationships with others suffers as well because that has become a very normal mode of conversation. I don’t like it. This is a very lofty goal. One that will be extremely hard and take a ton of work. I really think I can do it.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Anji’s birthday day tomorrow and then a lot of Christmas Merryment. It should be a great week

A picture to share... The fog outside my window.

December 9th, 2009

12-09-09

Outside my window... beautiful white snow and freezing temperatures I think it is 8 degrees outside right now. That is cold!

I am thinking... that I have a pretty productive few days and yet I am still in kind of a funk. I am hoping today will be better. I have errands to run and things to do that will help me feel on top of things, I hope.

I am thankful for... the closeness of the gym. It is nice to be able to get up and be at the gym within minutes. It helps me get out of bed.

From the kitchen... I had nine grain for breakfast while the kids ate fruit loops, frosted flakes, and oatmeal.

I am wearing... still wearing my workout gear from this morning but I am really planning on taking a shower and getting dressed today.

I am creating.... goodie bags for the ward party on Saturday.

I am going... target and Costco, oh and I am planning on making it to sonic’s happy hour for a diet cherry limeaid. I am pretty sure I need one of those today.

I am reading... Just finished Catching Fire. It was so great! I love this series. I can’t wait for the next book. I am still reading the Book of Mormon but have slacked a little because of the other book but plan to be back on track by the end of today.

I am hoping... my three monsters, oh I mean my three youngest children will at some point learn how to behave. I have not instilled the same sort of fear in them as the older three and they tend to be a little out of control.

I am hearing... Dora the Explorer Christmas Special. It is the new favorite and I have to admit it is not too bad.

Around the house... Chirstmas is up and my house is really quite clean today. Thanks to Catching Fire which I listened to all day yesterday I can boast that my kids bedrooms are clean and closets are cleaned out.

One of my favorite things... My green hoodie with the fur on the hood. I love it. I want to wear it everyday.

A few plans for the rest of the week... We have a ward party on Saturday as well as Jillian’s dance recital in the afternoon that same day. It should be a fun day.

A picture to share... My Family Christmas card this year. I have to comment that this is literally what Marcus looks like in all the pictures from that photo shoot. He will not stay with the kids while I am trying to take pictures and as you can see they think it is hilarious. This picture just seemed to capture the spirit of the season and I love it. I know it is unconventional but I really don’t care.

December 1st 2009

12-01-09


Outside my window... a beautiful mountain. It is always there but sometimes I overlook it. Today it is mostly brown with a little white from the snow last week. It is gorgeous and I am really lucky to have this view everyday!

I am thinking... right now I am thinking about the rest of my day. I have homework to do with the kids, piano to help them practice, laundry to finish, dinner to make… luckily I am not feeling overwhelmed just ready to get it done so I can watch Battlestar Galactica with my husband.

I am thankful for... so many things. My kids, my life, my family, my spouse, my home, my friends, my gifts…

From the kitchen... I smell turkey carcass sitting in the crockpot but that isn’t what’s for dinner. Dinner is teriyaki chicken over rice.

I am wearing... jeans and a long sleeve white t-shirt no shoes. My staple outfit.

I am creating.... a happy life, or at least trying. Some days are better than others. This one is pretty good!

I am going... no where for the rest of the day, hopefully!

I am reading... Same as last week with the addition of The Book of Mormon. I am reading 30 minutes a day and am hoping to have it done by the end of the month.

I am hoping... for a Merry Christmas. My big kids peeked at their presents so I am hoping that it is still a fun Christmas and that they aren’t all crying because they thought they were getting things that their brothers and sisters got instead. It should be interesting.

I am hearing... Piano practicing otherwise quiet, which is not always a good thing.

Around the house... the Christmas tree is up but not decorated, I have a beautiful wreath that smells so good hanging on my closet door. It is starting to feel a lot like Christmas around here.

One of my favorite things... diet coke. I have had too much of it today but somehow I am o.k. with it. I love it and I needed it today.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I have book club here on Thursday night, and dinner group on Wednesday. I have plans in the works for a birthday dinner for a great friend on Friday night. Hopefully that will come together.

A picture to share... My Christmas present… Hopefully!

November 22nd, 2009

11-22-09


Outside my window... snow, snow, snow… It is beautiful! It started last night and although I anticipated more we only got about 2 inches but right now it is clean and white and bright and it makes me smile.

I am thinking... about motivation. I have been really unmotivated lately and I think it has to do with my diet. For some reason unless I am motivated in my diet I am not motivated in anything. I started today. I am eating better. I know that is really stupid since it is Thanksgiving week and pie night is in two days but I don’t care. Dang IT! I just don’t care.

I am thankful for... I have been thinking about this lately as well. It is that time of year but also because we had a talk yesterday in church about it and the Woman who gave it is an amazing example to me. She has a husband in a wheel chair and other hard trials. She talked about how she tries to be thankful when her life is the hardest and that that is what gets her through those times. This was very profound for me. I don’t ever really think about the things I am grateful for when I am going through trials. I am going to try and do that more often.

From the kitchen... White Chicken Chili! Yum!

I am wearing... sweats… I needed comfy clothes today.

I am creating.... a clean house?

I am going... to Costco, Walmart, Dollartree, I think that is all. I have a ton to get done today at home but I need to get my grocery shopping done as well. Hopefully I can get it all done.

I am reading... City of Glass (The third book in the mortal instruments series) It is great so far, just like the rest. I just wish I liked the reader better. Oh well. You can’t have everything, right?

I am hoping... Diana, Ben and Natalie will get here safely. I am also hoping for a little more patience with my kids. Unfortunately, I always need a little more of that this time of year.

I am hearing... Riley practicing piano. I wish it sounded a little bit better.

Around the house... nothing new really but I am getting ready to put Christmas up. Can’t wait for the weekend. I have a new tree that I am longing to put up and see how it looks.

One of my favorite things... today one of my favorite things is My Frozen Meal Group that I do with some friends. It is so nice to pull dinner out of the freezer!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Crazy week! Pie Night, Thanksgiving at both homes, Temple, Shopping Trip, Black Friday shopping and so many more fun things with Diana and Elizabeth and the rest of my family!

A picture to share... Just because (Technical difficulties, I will try again later)

November 16th 2009

11-16-09

Outside my window... leftover snow from the weekend a deserted playset and a lone big wheel that somehow snuck out of the garage after we put all the yard toys away for the winter.

I am thinking... about my sisters and all that they do on a daily basis. Allison is so busy and yet still continues to press on and Elizabeth is so patient (I don’t know how she does it) Catherine always sees the silver lining and Diana is so busy learning new things about herself and loving her discoveries. What amazing women I am surrounded by! I love them.

I am thankful for... This exact minute I am thankful for my husband who got up in the night with the baby after I had already been up with the 4yr.old (who was acting like a 2 year old).

From the kitchen... 9- grain this morning for me and lucky charms for the three little people.

I am wearing... my blue robe. I haven’t gotten dressed yet today. It probably should happen soon but I can’t decide if I am going to the gym and that dictates what I put on, hence the robe.

I am creating.... not sure if I am creating anything these days.

I am going... well, to the gym, maybe, other than that…. not sure if I am going anywhere.

I am reading... Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and The Conference Edition of the Ensign (still reading both of these and loving them both!

I am hoping... to take some of what I am learning from the talks in the Ensign and put it to use. I have decided to write down some of the guidance I receive from the Lord and see how that goes. I think he is constantly guiding me and that I forget where he is steering me and tend to take my own path. I have a feeling his would be better.

I am hearing... Colton, Sadie and Marcus playing. I am pretty sure I also heard something about Marcus taking his diaper off but I am choosing to ignore that right now.

Around the house... nothing new there really. I did buy some giant jaw breakers to go in a jar in my kitchen but I don’t love the jar I put them in so I may have to go find another one. Maybe that is where I am going today.

One of my favorite things... my ipod shuffle. I love the playlist feature and the books that I listen to on it. I love books!

A few plans for the rest of the week... I need to call my brother since it was his birthday two days ago and I haven’t called him yet. (yes, I am aware of how lame I am) Other plans for the week include, the pinewood derby and book club. These things should both be very fun.

A picture to share... me yesterday, prompted by my little sister who lives in Virginia who told me a few weeks ago she didn’t even know what I look like anymore. So there you have it D. I look like this, only usually in color although I think I look better in black and white.

11-10-09

November 10th 2009

Outside my window... cool crisp air, cars heading to work, lots of the kids toys all over the yard. (I thought I would add some nice and happy things before stating the obvious.)

I am thinking... about my friend Tiffany’s birthday breakfast tomorrow morning at 8am. What on earth am I going to do with my little people while I go have a relaxing breakfast with friends?

I am thankful for... today I am thankful for a free day to get things done around the house.

From the kitchen... either frosted mini wheats or oatmeal. I can’t decide. OHHHHH maybe I will make 9-grain. That sounds yummy!

I am wearing... red sweatpants and white long sleeve t shirt. No shoes.

I am creating.... some necklace charms in my head. I haven’t actually made any yet but I am really thinking about it.

I am going... nowhere today hopefully. I might have to take Marcus for a follow up on an ear infection but other than that I think I am here for the duration of today.

I am reading... Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and The Conference Edition of the Ensign

I am hoping... for more of a desire to grow closer to the Lord. I am taking baby steps and I think it is working.

I am hearing... Marcus jabbering as usual but mostly quiet. Colton hasn’t turned his volume up yet this morning. It is only a matter of time, though.

Around the house... shake n go car race track in the front room. I probably need to move it since it doesn’t really belong there but that is where the kids really like to play it. Can’t quite decide whether I care.

One of my favorite things... facebook! I love that I can have conversations with my sisters and mother all day long everyday. They are such amazing people and it so nice to hear from them so often.

A few plans for the rest of the week... birthday breakfast for Tiff, cousin Michelle is coming to hang out on Thursday and I think I really am making charms on Wednesday. I hope so anyway. I have to get these things out of my head and made.

A picture to share... this is my family this year for Halloween. I love all the posing, seriously so funny how serious they take everything.

11-02-09

11-02-09


Outside my window... white trash yard! Is it that hard to pick up your bikes/pails/shovels/and the like?
I am thinking... about friends that I haven’t seen in forever! I feel like I have been such a hermit lately, which I have because everyone is sick here and I don’t want to spread it, but I miss my friends!
I am thankful for... Rotisserie chicken from Walmart. Yeah for not having to make dinner today!
From the kitchen... a cake I made for a YW in excellence banquet for a friend. It is pretty cool if I do say so myself. (Angie if you are reading this and getting mad that I didn’t have you help I am sorry! The only day I could do it was today and you were working today. I promise I will not do another cake without you if I can help it.)
I am wearing... black shirt, linen pants and black sketchers.
I am creating.... well I created a fantastic cake today but in my mind I am creating a really cool wool skirt with applique wool flowers on it. It is going to be awesome if I do say so myself. I just hope I actually do it.
I am going... nowhere tonight but hopefully out with friends tomorrow. I hope to see the Michael Jackson movie and have a yummy dinner with my girlfriends.
I am reading... Dexter in the Dark. I can’t get enough. This is not good!
I am hoping... for a healthy holiday season. So far we have not had much luck but maybe we got it all done so we can!

I am hearing... Marcus jabbering, Riley telling me she is done reading and Monster’s Inc in the background.
Around the house... toys and the like. Its not too bad considering I have been making a cake all day.
One of my favorite things... cake and buttercream frosting.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Michael Jackson movie, yummy food, Charlotte’s baptism, parent teacher conferences for four of the six kids.
A picture to share... today’s cake.

This week 10/27/09

10- 27-09

Outside my window... rain mixed with snow. The first snow of the winter is predicted for today. I have to admit I am a bit excited. I do love the first beautiful white blanket of snow. It’s all the others that come after that make me sad.
I am thinking...that I wish Marcus was not screaming in his crib because I really wanted him to sleep in today.
I am thankful for... a husband who is willing to get the kids up, make their lunches, and get them to piano on time on Tuesday mornings.
From the kitchen... sugar cookies on the counter from last nights Family Home Evening. Oh, I forgot, and pork chops in the crockpot for dinner.
I am wearing... my navy blue fuzzy robe.
I am creating.... tomorrow I am going to work on some charms for Christmas gifts. I am excited to try a bunch of different things, it should be really fun and very cathardic.
I am going... to the gym in about 40 min.
I am reading... Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Sor far I like it.
I am hoping... I can make myself work hard at the gym so that the sugar cookies I ate last night will not go straight to my booty.
I am hearing...Silence for a minute, maybe Marcus went back to sleep.
Around the house... not a ton of mess. I did get the kitchen cleaned yesterday and that always feels amazing.
One of my favorite things... sugar cookies with buttercream frosting.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Pack Meeting tomorrow night, The Halloween Parade at school on Thursday, a Halloween Party on Friday and Halloween festivities on Saturday.
A picture to share... because this always makes me laugh. This was Brians’ costume last year. So Funny!

10-19-2009 11:14 am
Outside my window... a deer and its fawn eating until my kids scared them off and now it is them (Colton and Marcus, Sadie is in her room) outside my window.

I am thinking...about the fact that my daughter just told me she hated me for putting her in her room and how sad that is because she is only 4 and I will have to hear that a lot more before she is grown.

I am thankful for... antibiotics, that mean this strep throat will go away eventually

From the kitchen... rolls in the oven

I am wearing... my wizard of oz t-shirt and yoga pants, no shoes

I am creating.... hopefully a habit, I would love to do this every Monday for a very long time

I am going... to the grocery store when Colton leaves for school, I need milk really bad.

I am reading... Just finished Darkly Dreaming Dexter and about to start Dearly Devoted Dexter

I am hoping... My throat will stop being sore

I am hearing... My daughter screaming out her window at her brothers.

Around the house... mess and chaos because I have been in bed for two days with strep

One of my favorite things... my sweet babies laugh

A few plans for the rest of the week... dentist appointments for Sadie and Colton so their teeth do not rot out of their heads and hopefully a date with my husband since the weekend was a bust.

A picture to share... because I have no idea where these two very weird and not so great pictures came from and I think they are a little bit funny

I'm a SLACKER!

I will try to do better! Unfortunately my computer with all my recent pictures and video is on the DL right now, that is of the nonworking because of a virus DL, just in case you were wondering. I hope my incredible sexy and savvy husband will fix it sometime soon. I have a million things today! The dentist is number one on the list. Not number one because I am so excited I can't wait because really I can wait. I hate the dentist. He is my Uncle so I don't really hate him but I really do dread seeing him. I didn't have any cavities until I had children so for years the dentist meant -go sit in a chair, get my teeth scraped and picked at, then cleaned, then flossed the go home. Then I had children and they apparently really like all the stuff that my body needs to make my teeth strong so the stole it and my teeth suffered and now I have a cavity or two for each child. So I saw the dentist last Monday and.... Marcus apparently really really loved the stuff that makes my teeth strong so I have three, count um three cavities. I hate having cavities filled. It hurts! It hurts, for days, and days, and days! At least I won't eat for a week. That could be beneficial to my hind quarters. I just wish there was a better way. I mean really, that syringe is so big! And the needle, its huge! Oh and did I mention it really hurts. Now that all two of you who read this lame blog are wishing you hadn't read this post because your mouth is starting to hurt and you are trying to remember when your next dentist appointment is and how you can get out of it, I will say adieu.