January 3rd 2010

01-03-2010

This post is going to be different than the last few. I have some new goals and hopes for the new year that I need to document so I won’t forget them or let them go by the way side.

My home is not a happy place. It hasn’t been for a while now. That is not to say that we don’t have a good time and that my kids are not happy well adjusted children, they are. But, the overall feel of my home is not happy. I have come to the conclusion that this starts with myself, first a for most. I set the tone of the home. Overall I am a happy person, most days are good, but I am overwhelmed and tired and sometimes I just don’t deal with all that all that great and I lose it. I lose it more often than I should. I have a temper, and I wish that my kids didn’t know it. They do. I am hoping to change that this year. My word for the year is... I really want my home to be peaceful. I want us to be able to disagree without screaming about it and I want my kids to stop fighting so much and for us to just get along better and be able to feel peaceful in our home. So I have set some goals for myself to accomplish this and I am hopeful that this feeling of peace will happen in our home throughout the year.

1. No yelling! Period! If I slip and yell I will spend 10 undivided minutes with whoever I yelled at. This is not a punishment for me but it is really hard to find that time but I think that it is important to mend what I just broke by yelling and this seems like a reasonable way to do it.

2. Lower the volume in our home. This one will be hard because I will have to find ways to get others in our home to lower their volume. As for the TV and Music that will be fairly easy I think but the other more difficult.

3. Use our basement more. I really think this will help with the volume in our home. We have three floors even though we tend to only use the two above ground. The basement will be a good place to send the louder people who refuse to lower their volume. This isn’t a punishment since everything fun in our home is down there it will just help with the volume control.

The rest of my goals are ones that don’t directly relate to my word of the year but will help with the overall feel of our home which will indirectly help our home feel more peaceful.

4. Clean all the bathrooms every week. We will start there. I hope to be able to clean the whole house every week and for the most part all of it does get clean every week with the kids doing their chores and things like that but the bathrooms tend to get neglected, especially the upstairs ones, so I am hoping to be able to stay on top of that.

5. Do an act of service every week outside of the home. Let’s face it I need the blessings and I need to think about others (beside my family) way more often.

6. Spend less. I know, I know, I say this every year and so does everyone else but I really mean it, OK!

7. Read my scriptures more and make sure I have read the Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society lessons every week. Since I won’t be going to those two classes because I am in the nursery at church hopefully I will be able to brush up on my knowledge of the Gospel by myself.

8. Buy one book shelf or menial piece of furniture every month. This one is fun! Some months I am sure I will not be able to afford something big but at least I can buy something that will help organize our home. We need so many things but buying them all at once is unrealistic.

That’s it. They seem lofty and quite overwhelming at the moment which I am sure is not good and will lead to failure but I am at least whole heartedly determined to make my home more peaceful. I know I can do this with the Lord’s help.
I will be continuing with my topic questions for the year but I think I will be adding and subtracting some. Stay tuned for next week to see what they will be. (I am sure you all waiting with baited breath)

December 31st 2009

12-31-09 (not really but we can pretend, right?)

Outside my window... darkness. It is night and I am trying to get this done before the day is through. It is late but I am going to focus this post on Christmas week and then do another one about my goals for the new year and new topic questions for the new year.

I am thinking...about how great Christmas was this year. We did three gifts for our kids and it was perfect. It was nice to not have a million.

I am thankful for... My Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. I finished the Book of Mormon yesterday and it was great to really be able to focus more on the Savior this year than the past few and remember all He did for me and all He asks of me. I need to do better.

From the kitchen... There is way too much junk in my kitchen. Tomorrow it is all going in the garbage, I promise!

I am wearing... My new pink sweat suit. It is so comfy and I love it because my sweet friends gave it to me and it was the perfect gift. I have great friends!

I am creating.... Good Memories! This really was the perfect Christmas.

I am going... to friends to play cards. I love that we have a standing date with the Davies to hang out and enjoy each others company. They are true good friends and I love that I can be myself with them.

I am reading... The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, yep still reading it. Its long and not really my normal kind of book. I am ready to be done with it but it keeps going and going and going.

I am hoping... For a peaceful home. More of that to come.

I am hearing... quiet…

Around the house... Christmas is down. It was great and I loved a new thing I started this year of hanging my Christmas cards on the railing. IT really was cute and was a fun reminder everyday of all the great people we know.

One of my favorite things... My kids joy on Christmas morning. They really were so joyful this year. There were no tears and they were so excited to give each other the gifts they had picked out for each other. It was pretty awesome. I think next year we will have them draw names and just give to one sibling. I think it will be fun to have them really think about what that person wants and maybe even contribute to the cost of the gift. That might help my bank account as well. I also hope next year to do my gifts a little different. I want them to really mean something so I think we will do a want, a need, and a spiritual gift of some sort. I really want to focus more on the meaning of Christmas and I think this will help. I also think we might need to read the nativity story in the morning before we do presents. We always do it the night before with my whole family but it might be nice to do it just with us and really talk about what we are celebrating.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Get my house in order.

A picture to share... Christmas morning.

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.