December Daily--December 10, 2008

I feel that sometimes we get a little hung up on the Norman Rockwell portrait of what December is supposed to look like. Everything is beautiful. Everyone is beautiful. There is peace and happiness and there is a constant angelic glow surrounding everyone and everything.

This is my life.--- Sometimes it is messy. It is always loud. Today brought new satelitte dishes(Mr. Sweetness' business not mine) , making pumpkin rolls for a party, picking up old couches from my sister-just in case another sibling needs them. Dropping boys off to scouts, picking up girls from dance, taking more girls to dance. Making mounds of salt dough clay for preschool , bath time, homework checking, reading, etc.

My life doesn't look like a Norman Rockwell painting---it looks more like the Griswald Family Christmas!

December Daily---December 9, 2008

December Daily-December 9, 2008

Occasionally in a hectic life something comes up that causes one to halt. Since Little Man's accident last night today was our halt day. Preschool was cancelled, Cub scouts as well. There was no shopping, no going. Only staying in.

Staying in can be such a welcome relief! The Little Man and I just stayed in today! He was actually much better than I thought he would be. I was worried about how he would feel today. Well, he did great! He had to go and show Grandma and Poppa his cast(soft cast until Monday) and the pictures of his fixed bones(I really wanted one of them before they set it). He stayed and had "ronnies" for lunch.

My laundry needed me to stay home today. I have MANY MANY loads that have been washed, folded and put away. There are still many to do. The task that I dislike more than most?---sorting socks. I also really dislike digging in the sock basket to find socks. One would think that this dislike would prompt me to sort socks more often. Sadly, this is not the case!

This is what my pile of socks looked like as I started watching The Biggest Loser. Not a pretty site. I worked on that pile for TWO HOURS. I made great progress, however, there is still 1/2 a basket of unmatched-no mate socks. Where do the socks go?

The funniest random pictures show up on my camera!

December Daily---December 8, 2008

December daily --December 8, 2008

Today's focus changed suddenly--Little Man was horsing around while we were preparing for the single ward to come to our home for a special Christmas family home evening. He was climbing on the couch and came off of the back. The cry was different, then the whimper was as well. I looked over and knew that his arm was broken. Such timing! Ten minutes before 40 people are going to be arriving, rolls in the oven, chocolate to warm for the fountain, bananas and pumpkin roll to cut.

I head to the emergency room with the Little Man's arm on his Thomas pillow with Mr. Man and MissE there ---why were they there again? Luckily for us they take him right in. The ex-rays show both bones broken completely through, bent at about a 45 degree angle. They knock him out with what they call a conscious sedation. He wasn't thrilled about the i.v. and he jerked when the needle poked him so they had to do it again.

He has a temporary soft splint until the swelling goes down and then he will have a hard cast for about six weeks.

I guess that the party went well. There wasn't much food left. There were two slices of pumpkin roll-my first attempt ever! They turned out really good and were not hard at all!

December Daily-- December 7, 2008

December Daily-December 7, 2008

I just want to stay home and bake things! Now if you know me at all this is not normal behavior. I am the one that enjoys everyone else's baked goods. I don't make my own. Well, something has changed.

On Black Friday I was shopping with my cousin as is tradition. I asked her how she liked her Kitchen Aid Mixer she got last Christmas. She loves it. She asked me if I had gotten one yet. I told her no. She then says to Mr. Sweetness "Why haven't you gotten her a mixer yet?" Mr. Sweetness replies, "she's never said that she wanted one." Sydni says, "We have been shopping on Black Friday for years and we look at them EVERY YEAR, I think that she is trying to tell you something!"

So, Mr. Sweetness bought me a heavy duty, will pulverize boulders Kitchen Aid mixer. I am so excited! I have been looking at recipes, talking about bread with friends, learning about vital wheat gluten and purchasing large quantities of cream cheese.

Who knew that a bright shiny mixer would make me want to bake things! I want to master cinnamon rolls, wheat bread, rolls, pumpkin rolls, cookies and anything else that can be mixed in my beautiful new mixer.

I was even excited to show Mr. Man how to use it to make cookies today! He asked if he could make cookies and I said " SURE--use the mixer!!!"


I think that I am going to name her Ruby.

I am a Lucky Girl!

I am really a pretty lucky girl. I have Mr. Sweetness. He takes pretty good care of me. Today, for example we were preparing for our neighborhood party. However, I had some Christmas shopping that I needed to do before a gift certificate and coupon expired. Usually I shop alone(or with #4). Mr. Sweetness doesn't enjoy shopping. He thinks that most things that we purchase are a colossal waste of time and money.

Today he went with me! I know, a miracle! We went to the big bad Kohl's store. As we entered we found that there was a special early bird sale going on, therefore there was a horrendous line. We found the things that we needed and went to stand in line. Being the lucky girl that I am, Mr. Sweetness stood in the line while I finished shopping. HE STOOD IN THE LINE!

After we finally made our way out of Kohl's we headed for Costco. On the way there he pulls into a specialty sporting goods store. "Why are we here?" I ask. "To buy you some shoes" He says. He knew that I needed a really good pair of water/sand type shoes(my bad feet) to take on our upcoming cruise. He also knew that I would look at the catalog and never get myself to the store to try them on. So, he took me there himself!

I told you that I was lucky.

December Daily-December 6, 2008

Daily December--December 6, 2008

Our Annual Neighborhood Christmas Party! We started this tradition thirteen years ago. We invite all the neighbors(adults) to a potluck Christmas party. We all stand around, eat and visit. It has been one of our favorite traditions for these past thirteen years. We started this tradition when #1 girl was only two years old. We were living in Mr. Sweetness' parent's home. We had the party at their house even during the four years we moved away. When we built this home seven years ago we started hosting it in our home. We have had neighbors that thank us for giving them the chance to visit. We all live within a block of each other. Most of us attend the same church. However, sometimes we just don't take the time to really visit with each other. We are rushing to the next class at church, getting gas at the store, waving as we drive by. Having this party gives us an opportunity to slow down for a few hours and just be the friends that we truly are.

December Daily-December 5, 2008

December Daily-December 5, 2008

A few years ago my daughter's started dancing. Ten years ago actually. They are cloggers. They are really good. Well, tonight was the annual performance at the Festival of Trees. Both girls danced a few of their routines. This is the first performance of a new season. The fun Christmas music gets the holiday mood off to a good start.

Festival of Trees is a charity to raise money for Primary Children's Hospital, where no child will be turned away because of inability to pay.

During the time that my daughter's have been dancing, my sweet cousin Ronette had a little baby, Tanner. He was born with a heart condition and required a lot of care. He was given that care at Primary Children's Hospital. When Tanner was two months old he was rushed again to Primary Children's Hospital, this time he didn't get to come home with Ronette.

Since Baby Tanner's death Ronette and her family have donated a wreath to the Festival of Tree's in honor of Baby Tanner. Every year when my girls are getting ready to dance we go and find Baby Tanner's wreath. As we walk around looking at all the donated wreaths, Christmas trees and gingerbread houses we notice the pictures. Pictures of people that I don't know. Pictures of people that have most often not survived their illness. Pictures of babies, grandma's, grandpa's, aunts, uncles, sons and daughters, moms and dads. Pictures of real people. Pictures of people that other people love, pictures of people that they miss everyday in their lives. As we walk around I can feel the spirits of these people. For me, the Festival of Trees is rather difficult. I try to look at the beautiful trees and wreaths. However, I keep looking at the pictures. Pictures of real people that have struggled with illness. Many of whom have passed on. It makes me sad. Then I look again at the beautiful creations that are donated by these families--In Honor of their loved ones. They do this because they want to celebrate their loved ones lives. So as I walk away from Baby Tanner's wreath I hope that the person that hangs it on their door will know that he was loved and he is still loved today and his parent's, siblings and family celebrate his short little life by donating to a hospital that tried desperately to keep him with his family.

December Daily-December 4, 2008

December Daily- December 4, 2008

Christmas movies! I LOVE Christmas movies! My Mom is once again responsible for this. During the holiday season she would look in the t.v. guide and write down when all the holiday specials would be on. We would watch them all. I remember watching Charlie Brown's Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas and more Hallmark Hall of Fame specials than I can remember. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is coming to Town, The Little Drummer Boy--these are all imbeded in my mind.

Times have changed a bit. I don't ever read the newspaper to find out what is on t.v. We have DVD's now so we can watch movies whenever we want. There are also a few new movies that have become all time favorites. The Santa Claus movies, Small One and our very favorite-- The Polar Express. Tonight was the night that we watched this wonderful movie.

Do you BELIEVE?

Decmember Daily- December 3, 2008

December Daily --December 3, 2008

My Mr. Sweetness and I went to a Holiday Concert by Jim Brickman---it was wonderful! It definitely made me want to pull out the Christmas music and wait for the snow! It was fun to spend time with my Sweetie and my best friend Tina and her husband. If you have never listened to Jim Brickman hurry--his music just makes me all warm and cozy and glad that I have Mr. Sweetness in my life!

December Daily -December 2, 2008

December Daily-December 2, 2008

Today was the day of the tree! Decorating that is! As soon as the preschool kiddies left I started hefting the boxes. MissE and the Little Man were so excited. Me-not so much. I got to do light duty. Now I have been working on trees for many years(remember what birthday I just celebrated?) I know that you always check the lights BEFORE you put them on the tree. I did that, with every single strand. Then I proceeded to wrap the tree. What I didn't realize was that when I would get to the end I would have nothing to plug in, one of the plugs had both on one end so it messed my system up. So, off the tree the lights came. I re wrapped the lights and then went to plug them in. NOTHING! Not one of them worked. I took the strands off one by one, plugged them into two different outlets-nothing. They all died in the process of me putting them on the tree. By this point, I am a bit cranky. I find two more strands, check them, have Mr. Man check them. They work. We wrap them on the tree, then when I go to hook the two together, they won't hook! One is an inside light and the other is outside. At this point I am about beside myself. I decide that we will just have to plug BOTH of them into the outlet.

I remember on occasion my Dad helping with the tree. It was a painful experience. We always got the biggest trees-10 feet tall ones. They had to be put in a huge tin tub and then tied to the staircase. After that he was pretty much done. I do remember a few rare times that he put on the lights. He always had my kind of luck. Now I know why people buy pre-lit fake trees!

Once the lights were on, then came the beads. The beads are my Mother's fault. Our trees have always had beads, never, ever garland. So, on with the beads. This year I decided to put ribbon on. All of this has to be done before any ornaments can be hung. MissE and Little Man were ever so patient. Three hours later I left the decorating for awhile to MissE.

This was her year! She was totally enamoured by every single ornament. She took great pride in how they were hung. She asked about the ornaments, where they came from, who's they were.

She worked on and off for the next two hours while I watched The Biggest Loser(I know, I am weird). When I told her it was time for bed she was so sad. "Can't I please just finish the ornaments?"

Our little tree lot tree turned out rather beautiful. Now to tackle the mess that was created to get the tree that way!

Fired!

Our Tooth Fairy needs to be fired! The last two times that MissE has lost a tooth the Tooth Fairy has been late. Then we have to search and search hoping that she just hid the treasured coins in a not so easy to find place.

If your Tooth Fairy is for hire please contact us.

December Daily-December 1- Getting the tree!

December 1, 2008

For the past six years we have cut down our Christmas tree. We have gone to a little tree farm in our county. It has been owned by an elderly man. We have so enjoyed this tradition. Tonight was our tree night. We planned to leave as soon as the kiddies all got home. We loaded up the suburban with the family, hooked on the trailer and headed out on our way. Today was different than most years. There is no snow. It wasn't even very cold. As we drove up the dirt lane to the tree farm we were greeted by---a closed gate. What? We love to go and traipse the mountain to find the right tree and then watch the big boy cut it and drag it out. The nice elderly man then measures the tree and we give him a little extra and tell him we are so glad that he is still there. Today we were met by a locked gate! We were so dissapointed. We hope that our elderly friend is still alright, maybe just too tired to man the tree farm. Now what to do? It is difficult to change tradition. But we needed a tree-a fresh tree!

We decide to head to our little town where a new Mom and Pop shop has opened. They have a little tree lot. We go out to the tiny lot and almost instantly Mr. Man finds(#2) the perfect tree. It wasn't quite the same as traipsing the mountain but the result was the same. We found our perfect real tree!

When we arrived home we were greeted with "Can we decorate the tree?" " Can we get the boxes out?" If you understand me at all you will know that the chaos that ensues makes me a little nuts. So, I wasn't about to let the kids add to my own personal chaos. We have this strange hall/closet that we use for Christmas storage. It is in our furnace/laundry room. It is a very awkward space. I am really the only one that can get the boxes out and have them remain in any semblance of order. Normally, I would have already had the boxes out and ready--at least the boxes with the lights. However, I have been a bit under the weather. So, the tree will have to be naked until tomorrow. How will we survive? As Mr. Sweetness set the tree up he found a surprise-a bird's nest!

Another tradition that we have is a fun box from my Mom. We were lucky to get to bring it home with us after Thanksgiving. I decided to let the kids open this box. It has become such a tradition that we almost always know what is going to be in the box. Angels for the girls and Santa ornaments for the boys. White fudge covered oreos--with one box for Dad only! For many years Grandma included mugs for each child plus hot chocolate and money for a movie. This year Grandma shook it up a bit! She included trail mix for Dad, a Christmas book(always a favorite of mine), chocolate kisses and some darling Christmas towels. Grandma's box has become a favorite tradition for our children. When they are grown and look at their collection of angels and santas they will have a special warm feeling remembering all the years that their Grandma sent them their special Christmas box!

Often the most simple things become tradition. The way that the lights are hung. The tree topper, getting a tree, the apron that my Mom gave me.

Tradition. I am grateful for it.

Where is she?

I have been sick since black Friday shopping. I am hoping that the cleaning fairy will realize that I am ill and also realize that she hasn't been to my house recently.

Hopefully, later today I will be able to start documenting our December. I want to document with pictures and words the goings on of this holiday. Wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope to find lots and lots of things to be thankful for---besides that I don't have to do the cooking for a few days!

Messy Messy

There are a few things that I fall short on. I know shocker--only a few!

Having my children keep their rooms clean is one of them. They just don't care and I haven't mastered staying on top of them daily.

Last Saturday was either a really good day or a really bad day. I decided to clean #1's pigpen!

Here is a picture.

I spent three hours going through all the clothing mess in her room. I finally got her to go through all her clothes and we got rid of three huge garbage sacks.

Will this disease ever go away?

Family Fun Night

Last night was Family Fun Night! It is a fund raiser for the PTSO at our middle school. We have not attended before but #3 was supposed to dance so we went.

I use the term "Family Fun night" loosely. For me it was a school full of a million people running around with lots of complete chaos!

#3 and #4 had a ball. They had punch cards that they got to do cake walks, cotton candy, fish ponds and many others. The highlight of their evening was the hair painting. It was rather disgusting. Little man(#4) came to climb into my bed sometime in the night---I told him--Not with that hair! He slept on his pillow on the floor.

This is what he looked like before we washed his face to go to the gym.

This is a picture of the tub AFTER he got out! Eewh!

Memories

On a regular basis I sit next to two of my children while they practice the piano. It isn't always my idea of fun--or theirs for that matter. However, I found with my oldest daughter that I had to sit with them. I didn't do it enough with her and I lost her to the joys of the piano.



Well, tonight after both #2 and #3 had done their practicing I decided to play a few songs. I played for more than an hour. Let me explain my piano background. I was like my #1 daughter. Very stubborn. I remember many many times my mother telling me that I would thank her someday. I remember thinking in my mind( as bratty teenagers will do) "even if I am glad I will never tell her." Well, I have repented of that. I told my Mom thank you many many times since my brain finally got over the teenager haze. I was not a gifted musician. It was not something that came easily to me. I have never been able to accompany someone while they sing or play really really difficult pieces. However, since that haze lifted I have been so grateful that I do have this ability.



While I was playing tonight I wanted to play something different than the same four songs that I usually play. So I looked at our pile of books. A lavender book caught my eye. It was the Young Women hymnbook from when I was a teenager. I pulled that book out and started leafing through it.



My best friend Laurel was/is a very gifted musician. She was able to play like an angel. We would sit at my Mom's piano and Laurel would play and we would both sing. Truth be told, Laurel was a much better singer also, however, we sang and sang. We sang these beautiful songs that taught us about our worth and about the Savior's love for us. As I picked through this hymn book I remembered these songs like we sang them yesterday. A few I was able to play, others I only could pick out the top hand. However, I was flooded with memories of sitting there together with my dearest friend.



Years after I graduated from high school I sat down to play my Mom's piano. She came into the dining room and sat at the table. She told me "one of the things I miss most is you girls playing the piano."


Thanks again Mom.

Beautiful Morning

"Momma, hurry-look at the clouds, they are beautiful!" says Little Man as he sleepily climbs out of bed.

"Hurry and take a picture."

So I did.

Fogless!

Have you ever had a day that just felt right? A day that feels like a fog has been lifted from across your brain, a fog that you didn't even know existed?

Today was like that for me!

I walked in my house from the gym and physical therapy(sore back from July) and decided that today I was going to make banana bread.

The best part is that I actually followed through and made it. I even doubled the recipe.

I hope that the fog stays away, I like this clear feeling.

Just a few pictures from our Halloween festivities. I realized that I didn't take any pictures actually on Halloween! I have to search for other cameras and find some!

We had a carving party at Mr. Sweetness' ward so our little guy had a ball with Big Tim. He had all sorts of power tools.

I am glad that most of my children are actually able to handle carving the pumpkins by themselves. It isn't really something that I love to do!

Our Big Boy was there also--where are his pictures? I will have to add that to my to-do list-Find more pictures!

My sweet friend and neighbor had some gals over for lunch a while back. Another neighbor made these darling owl cookies. I just had to take a picture. I am not sure that I will ever attempt to make them but they were adorable!

Almost Friday!

Thursdays have now become like Friday---I am done teaching for the week!

I have been teaching these little preschoolers now for almost 3 months and I still am not sure if I love it enough to do it again. I had such wonderful dreams of teaching my own little man. Well, after this long those dreams have ended. He is a little monster boy! He is in trouble daily. I realize that he is just trying to make it known that I am HIS MOM, this is His house, his toys etc. However, it makes me NUTS! He has always been such a sweet, yummy little boy. He is now a little bugger! I can't decide if teaching him preschool is such a great idea! Is it helping him learn or just learn to defend his turf?

Truthfully, I believe that most children don't need preschool. I do believe that it helps them, but these things that I am teaching should be things that they pick up at home. It just reaffirms to me that the best place for small children is at home with their mothers in a loving home environment. Reading, playing, cuddling, cutting, glueing, singing and all the other things that Moms do.

I guess that I better get back to being Mom. Dishes are calling!

Sometimes it seems like too much!

I have needed to download pictures from my camera for a few weeks. I have also needed to burn a cd for my beautiful niece of her wedding photos. I also need to exercise, lose weight, color my hair, clean my scrapbook studio, do laundry, wash windows, mop the kitchen, call the carpet cleaner for a bid, call for a Dr.s appointment, Christmas shopping, cards, put away Halloween decor, put up Thanksgiving decor, plan preschool,do my visiting teaching, plan cub scouts, learn how to knit, call my Mom, have liposuction, tummy tuck, boob job and figure out world peace!



Maybe I will just go take a shower!~

Here we go again!

Here it is Monday again! It is hard to believe that I found nothing to write about for an entire week. The truth is that I really tried to stay off the computer.

I don't think that I have anything terribly profound to write about today. Just little tidbits.

* attended a Jazz basketball with Mr. Sweetness
* went to the Temple with Mr. Sweetness
* attended a dance competition on Saturday for both girls
* ate at California Pizza Kitchen--very good
* went to church-the Primary did their annual presentation---it was very nice, I had to help little man do his part.
* took a Sunday nap! We have switched times of our meetings so this is such a wonderful thing!
* made dinner
* loaded dishwasher
* visited with Mr. Sweetness' parents
* went to bed
* went to the gym at 5:00am
* made breakfast for a few
* unloaded dishwasher
* felt woozy brained -- took a little nap
* made Little man some lunch

Now to really get something done on this rainy dark Monday!

Monday

Monday!

After a sugar laden weekend it is a good thing that Monday has come around! I am in clean up mode. I hope that by the time the kiddies get here and my Mr. Sweetness arrives it will once again look like a home instead of a riot zone!

We had our power out from 12 noon until 7:30 am this morning. It was quite the event. We are blessed because we have a generator so we were able to bring it in and plug in the electric frying pan. We forgot about our big standup lights-the kind you use with construction. When Mr. Sweetness got home he brought those in.

It was actually very, very nice to just sit in our living room and talk. The kids couldn't leave. Mom and Dad had nowhere to go. I was thinking that perhaps we need to have "no power" night once a month or so---just so that we can connect a bit as a family.

Reality

Remember how I was so blessed the other day? Well, today is one of the other days!~ I am looking around my house after our sugar induced coma not able to find any semblance of order. I have in taken more sugar than I have for six weeks. I am definitely not "feeling the joy"!

I seem to be the only one that can actually see the messes in this house.

Off to another pile!

Sometimes

Sometimes I get a glimpse of heaven. I am usually too busy with laundry and such to pay attention.

My sweet little man is in the kitchen just talking away--to himself. Mr. Man(#2) is sleeping soundly in the chair behind me. I can hear the bus coming up the hill to drop of MissE. Besides these noises it is quiet.

I am a blessed Momma.

Alignment

Sometimes the moon and the stars just align and all is well with the world!~

This morning I had decided that I wasn't going to get up early, I could wait and go to the gym at 9:00 am. Well, I didn't turn off my cell phone alarm. It went off at 5:00am. I turned it off and rolled over. I actually rolled across Little Man who had climbed in sometime in the night. I then moved him to his little bed on the floor after he started kicking Mr. Sweetness in the back! Then I laid in my bed--awake. I was AWAKE. At 5:00 am! That is miracle material. I had a second miracle when I actually mentally realized that this was a miracle. So-I got up and out of my bed at 5:10 am and got ready to go to the gym.

Perhaps my body is going to kick in now. Perhaps the scale will move from it's permanently frozen number. Perhaps my pants will start to fit better and then get too big for me!~

Perhaps the moon and stars will stay aligned for a while longer!~

I did it!

I ran 2 miles tonight~! I ran 1 mile before I had to stop and walk. I then only walked for a bit and then ran the entire way home! I was very slow(as always) but I felt stronger, like my body is finally adapting to harder and more regular exercise. This is a good thing! I am hoping that my foot will not be angry with me tomorrow. It has been about the same--whether I exercise or not, it hurts some.

I actually managed to get my sorry carcass out of bed this morning and at the gym by 5:45 am! I did a cycle(spin) class. I don't know if it was just dark and early but I didn't really love spin at 6:00 am. I usually really like to do the bike. Perhaps it was just a hormonal me?

Anyone ever watch NBC's Biggest Loser? We have been. I just want to lose at least 2 pounds a week. Is that too much to ask? What is up with my body? Do I have to exercise 3 hours every day to get over this plateau?

It makes me crazy!!!

Good Week

Last week ended on a rather rough note. Read---Mom was crabby!

So, this is going to be a much better week! No cheesecake, only healthy food and LOTS of exercise!

Who is with me?

Tired--really-really tired!

I have been tired. Really, really tired. The kind of tired that only happens as the light changes in the fall. My 5:00 am workouts have been non existent(I did make Monday). I have barely had enough umph to go later. Then it gets DARK at 5:30 p.m.

I have struggled with Seasonal Affective Disorder for years. It took me a few years to really understand what was happening. I just thought that I was turning into Cruella DeVille and everyone else was getting really stupid!~

Now I understand that SAD(as it is shortened) is a real condition and many people suffer with it to varying degrees. Some people just get tired and lethargic. Others get mildly depressed. Still others get severely depressed. Some people have called it the "winter blues". It all has to do with light---or more accurately--LACK of light. Sunlight goes into our eyes and then creates serotonin in our brains. Serotonin is like a "happy" drug. It helps with mood. In the fall the light changes as the earth rotates differently. Therefore, there is less sunlight going into our eyes. With less light the body make more melatonin, which is the "sleepy" drug in our bodies. They are both necessary but in the winter months-with less sunlight the melatonin goes into overdrive for many people, making us want to hibernate. Since we are not cave men that need to store excess and sleep during the winter we have to help our bodies overcome the need to hibernate!~

Think about it--you wake up in the dark, go to work or school and then come home in the dark. It is COLD. It is difficult to get enough sunlight!~ We have to force ourselves to go outside, even in the cold to get some sunlight in the middle of the day. Sit by a bright window, take off the sunglasses for a few minutes. There are also light boxes that can be purchased with special lights. People sit by these lights in the morning for 15-45 minutes(depending on severity). This is a real treatment. I didn't make it up! The light helps create the serotonin, therefore helping with the irritability, depressive moods, sleepiness etc.

Why am I writing all this down? Because I am tired. I went to bed at 8:30 last night and didn't get out of my bed until 8:30 am this morning.

That is a lot of sleep!

I am looking into a dawn simulator. It is basically a timer that you hook to your nightstand lamp(some have their own lights) . You set it to the time you need to be awake and it will start to slowly turn your light on. The theory is that our brains circadian rhythms are affected by light. We see light through our eyelids. This slow introduction of light signals the brain to stop the sleep cycle it is in thus making our bodies wake up--instead of being jolted out of the sleep cycle by a blaring alarm clock. It is suppose to make you feel less groggy throughout the day as well.

Let's hope that it works because I don't think that I get to have 12 hours of sleep very often with my life!

All in All

Thursday-late--

Ever wonder where the week goes? I start the week with such high hopes. So many possibilities. Then it is Friday and my laundry is still a wreck!

Oh, well.

I read 32 books, kissed 23 boo boos, made oatmeal 5 times, lunch 4 times, gave good night hugs 15 times(we need extra of those), cooked dinner 3 times, listened to silliness 48 times, said "I love you--Never enough times!~, got some polka dot kisses, carried sleepy boy to bed, said prayers, read scriptures and looked at the beautiful sky.

All in all it has been a good week.

Today I did something hard

I ran today!~



It felt good.



I was slow but I did it!



I am going to try it again tomorrow!

Monday Morning

Ever just KNOW that you are having a hormone induced bad day? I did--yesterday. I was planning to attend Sacrament Meeting at Mr. Sweetness' ward. However, after going to 3 hours of my own meetings I just didn't have it in me. I came home and climbed in my bed. Lucky for me my children were incredibly well behaved and I got to stay in my bed-without any screaming.

By later evening I was doing much better. I even made cookies. Shocking, I know. I even ate a couple. They weren't that good but Mr. Sweetness loved them. Snickerdoodles are his favorite.

After having such a day I knew that I had to get back on the merry go round. So, I got my sorry butt up and made it to the gym this morning--albeit 15 minutes late. I did get there though and that is 2/3 of the battle for me.

What do you do when you are in a bit of a funk? I have to find ways to keep me out of them. I don't like myself when I am in one.

So---it is Monday. I am trying to stay home. I have cleaned my big tub, vacuumed up hundreds of dead bugs(sick little creatures--I have sprayed twice-I hope that they are all dead soon!).
I am going to vacuum my bedroom, try and pick it up some more(big project) and work on every other mess in my house. I am trying to stay motivated and get "caught up" enough that I can work on a little sewing project.

*clean kitchen
*vacuum carpet
*clean bathrooms
*laundry
*laundry
*laundry
*straighten up basement
*prepare for preschool
*50 other things that need done but never make it to the list!

Creativity-Talents-Happiness

I just loved this talk recently. Our church's General Conference was a couple of weeks ago. It was food for a hungry soul.

This part of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk just spoke to me. We are often so hard on ourselves. I have often been heard saying that I was out in the hall talking the day that the talents were being passed out. Well, hopefully, I can remember this!

"You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.What you create doesn't have to be perfect. Don't let fear of failure discourage you. Don't let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.
As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.
I believe that as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love. Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment."

Time out

Step away from the computer! Step away!

Heavenly Fire

"There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity." -Washington Irving


Ever wonder if you have that heavenly fire? I often berate myself for all the things that I am not doing "good enough." I have dirty baseboards, dirty carpet, dusty shelves, goobers on the wall, laundry that is overtaking the house, I haven't seen the top of my dresser for more than a year. I am not very patient, I don't read my scriptures enough, our family home evenings are not very well planned, my food storage is quite minimal, I yell too much, I eat too much, don't exercise enough, don't write thank you notes. And on and on and on----

Yet--if one of my children is hurting the Momma Bear in me comes out. I have always known this--Now I have a new term --

Heavenly Fire

I like the sound of it.

Happy 4th Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We have been celebrating Little Man's 4th birthday! We had a BIG DAY on Friday. Grandma took us to Salt Lake City on the Front Liner commuter train! It is newly opened and had not been on it yet. After we rode the train we rode the light rail Trax and then went to Build a Bear to make a birthday animal! My little one has been so excited about going. He has known that he got to go when he turned 4 for almost a year!

What an excited little boy! He was a joy.

This little boy has been such a blessing to our family. He was our 2nd bonus baby! We had accepted that no more babies were coming to our family. We were used to the number 3. When he decided to join our family it was a shocker!

We are so grateful to have him in our family. He has been full of energy, love, kisses and joy. All of his older siblings just love him.

Happy Birthday-birthday boy!

The nice green H on my wall is birthday boy's art work. He thought that it looked pretty!

Growing

"Time flies!"

I remember when I would just shake my head when "older" people would talk about how fast time goes. I remember just wanting it to go faster so I would be 12, 16, graduate, go to college, etc.

Now I understand.

My son is now 12. This is a very important age in our church(LDS). At 12 most boys are interviewed and if found worthy they are given the Priesthood. Which is a very rich blessing! They begin as Deacons and have certain responsibilities that they take care of.

Today my son left to gather Fast offerings. These are donations from members that are used to help people in need. They are called fast offerings because as members we are encouraged to fast for two meals once a month. The money that we would have spent on those two meals can be donated to help those that are in need. In our church services today he will help prepare and pass the Sacrament to the congregation.

Time flies---Now I understand.