Catching up

I’ve been a blogging slacker lately so I have a lot of catching up to do.  So, bear with me as I catch up with a few catch all posts for December.

Liam played in the snow for the first time and he only lasted about five minutes before he wanted to go inside.  It was cute while it lasted though. 

Em and Jason had a choir concert, but Jason was sick so it was just Em.  (Thankfully the rest of us only had a short version of his sickness)  They did a great job and I love that there are teachers at her school that love music enough to take the time to have a choir.  This is Em with her good friend Ashton. 

Emily also had a piano concert and did a great job at that too.  I can’t find the pictures of it though…I think I may have just recorded it instead of taking pictures. 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all the joy and love in our hearts to all of our friends and loved ones this Christmas.  We are so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Savior and Redeemer.  Merry Christmas!

Need more hours in the day

I've been wanting to blog, but it keeps getting pushed to the back burner.  With so many other things going on I just haven't had a chance! 

I'm still on my quest to find a couch--I've at least found some possibilities, but not THE one yet.  Jason reminded me the other day that our Christmas countdown is also a countdown to the deadline for me having to buy a couch or he's going to do it for me...that's not happening.  This whole couch thing has me wanting to re-do the whole front room.  Right now it's red/blue/green as in burgundy/navy/forest--totally out of date now huh? 

I'm in love with this fabric and I think I'm going to use it as inspiration for a new color scheme and make pillows (or maybe have pillows made) out of it to go on the new couch (once I buy it).  Hopefully it won't take me too long to make the transformation once I've gotten the couch situation resolved.  ;)  It's all just a bit too much with Christmas and all. 

I still have NOTHING for my mother in law and NO IDEAS either.  I feel a bit better knowing that as of a couple days ago no one else in the family had any ideas either.  I guess it'd be better if they did because then we could just steal them or split the cost of it with them.  So, if you have any great ideas for a mil gift please share!  Jason isn't much help in this dept.  I'm happy to say that I'm done with Christmas shopping besides that and what I'm doing for Jason.  Oh, and I have to get our neighbor stuff out.  It's bought, but not out yet. 

I have to confess I'm really missing the making of Christmas goodies this year.  I WANT to do it, but I'm trying to be supportive of my husband's desire for a  healthier lifestyle.  We are the type of family that can eat a whole pan of brownies in one day---we aren't those self-regulating people.  If it's around we'll eat it.  So, I'm being supportive, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas without our traditional goodies we make. 

What's keeping you busy this week?  Are you ready for Christmas?

Busy Busy

I've (obviously) been MIA for a little bit.  Things are just crazy and then when I have a minute to post I can't think of anything post-worthy.  ;)  We've been busy with all sorts of events plus trying to figure out what to get for presents for family (I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with it this year).  I was having issues figuring out what to get the kids for Christmas and now that I've decided I can't find it anywhere (figures).  This is when I wish I were more decisive and more organized because if I'd decided a couple weeks ago this wouldn't be a problem.  I swear some companies hold on to things they know people want so they can bump up the price closer to Christmas when we are all desperate.  :)  Okay, I'm done with the scrooge attitude.  If I don't find it we'll get something else, but it just won't be as good or as fun.  Anyway...really enough this time. 

In case your wardrobe is hurting as much as mine is there's a giveaway HERE for an outfit from Shade clothing if you are interested.  You can enter until Monday.  If you aren't interested all the better for me--better chance I'll win!  (I've never actually won any of these giveaways on blogs though) ;)

The snow here has been crazy!  Thank goodness for kind neighbors that use their cool snow removal machines to cut my shoveling time to a minimum.  :)  Thanks to those same neighbors that use their snow removal machines to clear our little neighborhood street since the city was too busy (not) keeping the main roads clear. 

I took Liam out with me to shovel so he could play in the snow.  He lasted about five minutes before he wanted to go inside.  That's with all his snow gear on too...it's going to be a long winter.  I'm off to take care of a sick boy now. 

Have a great day!

Great resource for Christmas

If you want some ideas and information about keeping Christ the center of your Christmas this year check out this site.  It has activities for your family, coloring pages, some Christmas music and some great articles from Apostles about Christmas.  You can also link to it from the widget on my sidebar.  Enjoy!

Let the Craziness begin!

Somehow no matter how hard we try to simplify our celebrations in December it ends up being a crazy month with lots going on.  Between church and school we have obligations all the time.  This week we have something every evening except for Monday.  Next week looks a bit better with only one evening obligation on the calendar so far.  Hopefully we are just getting everything out of the way this first week in the month.  I think all the craziness of the month is what makes January and February seem so depressing...nothing happens in those months (unless you are our family with all our birthdays in Feb). 

What are you doing to bring the true meaning of Christmas to the spotlight?

Thankfulness

Isn't this time of year great?  I love it.  I love being reminded of my blessings.  I love being reminded to thank God for those blessings.  We had a lesson on Thankfulness for FHE on Monday night.  We went around naming things we are thankful for.  There are really so many.  It's hard to know where to even begin.  This is my short list, but I have TONS more I could add. 

A husband who cares for and supports us both temporally and spiritually.

Great kids that are good helpers and learning to be responsible. 

Family.  Both sides.  I love my family, but I love my in-laws just as much.  They are awesome and I'm so lucky to have great in-laws.  I wish my parents lived closer, but I'm grateful we've seen a lot of them this year.  I think we are at four times now.  That's a record for us. 

Friends.  I have some of the greatest friends.  They are fun, supportive, and crazy and it's great to have them!

Home.  We are so lucky to have a home, and stability, and warmth, and love. 

The gospel.  I'm so lucky that I've had it in my life from the beginning.  I hope that I live up to what I know.  I try to. 

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving and that we can all take some time to think about our many blessings. 

Locks of Love

Emily decided she wanted to chop her hair off. She also decided she wanted to donate it. So, today we went to get her hair cut and now we have an envelope ready to send off so someone can have a wig that needs one! She's so much more brave than I was at her age--I've always been cautious when it comes to my hair. For a long time I felt like it was my one beautiful distinguishing characteristic. I've gotten over that for the most part. She didn't even think twice about chopping 10 inches off her hair. She just did it! I think it looks really cute too. I'm glad she wanted to do it.

Anything tried and true?

I just got the assignment to bring pasta salad to thanksgiving dinner...not something we make too often in our house.  I'm sure some of you have fabulous recipes though so I'm coming to you first to see if you have something for me.  The only one I know if is the standard spiral noodles with italian dressing kind and I'd rather bring something different.  Thanks for your help!

Don't Hate me

I was listening to the radio yesterday in the car and they were talking about the New Moon movie.  Then they played a recording of the theater when at some point in the movie Jacob takes off his shirt.  It was crazy with yelling and whooping.  I couldn't help but think that it was weird for a bunch of women to act that way towards a teenager.  I don't know...just seems kinda creepy--I mean if it were men that age doing the same thing to a teenage girl it would surely be seen as inappropriate.  I guess I'm just not into this whole Twilight thing...I did read the books--the first one was ok, but the rest of them left a lot to be desired for me.  I hated the first movie and have no desire to see the second.  My kids keep asking to read the books and I just can't see any good reason for them to. 

Really, the messages sent in the books are not the ones that I want my kids to follow.  I don't want Em to think that there is only one person in this world that she can love and if something happens to him she will lose her desire to live...it's just so much like the teenage drama I remember in HS and I don't see any reason to put ideas in their heads.  I'm sure there'll be plenty of drama without them getting outside ideas.  They are mad I won't let them read it (yes, Jason wants to read it too) because they are in the minority at school--EVERYONE has read it according to them.  I'm sure that isn't true, but even if it is I don't care.  I know, I'm mean. 

So, I know there are tons of you who LOVE Twilight so please don't stop reading my blog and hate me because I just don't care for it.  Have a great day!

Thanks!

Just wanted to thank everyone for all your comments.  I never know whether to reply to people in the comments because I never look back at comments I make on blogs so who knows if people answer me there.  Even though I don't reply I love reading your comments and everyone is so smart!  I can't wait to read some of the books you suggested!  I still don't know what book I'm going to choose, but I have a few more weeks to decide.  There are just way too many good books out there!

Thanks again!  You are all awesome!

Choosing a book

My turn to choose a book for our book club is coming up quickly.  I can't decide whether to choose one I've read and really liked or to go with one I haven't read, but have heard good things about.  Which would you do? I have tons of books on my to read shelf on goodreads but nothing is jumping out at me.  (If you are a reader you should check out goodreads--I love the book lists and it helps me remember books I hear about that sound good for when I'm stumped what to read. If you make an account add me as a friend so I can see what you are reading!)
Anyone have any great recommendations of books I should consider for our book club or that I should just read myself?  I'm always looking for ideas.  What are you reading right now?
Thanks for your help!

10 days to touch 10 million

A guy Jason went to grad school with is doing this project...check it out then share it!

Organization

I've read several posts on other blogs lately about getting rid of stuff and about organization.  Now it's on my mind.  I know I keep too much stuff "just in case".  I need to let more of it go.  I'm getting better, but stuff still seems to rule my life.  Thus the organization problem.  Some of my problem areas are:

1.  My kitchen counter by where you walk in the door--it collects papers, keys, notebooks, and other misc. junk.  I swear I clean it at least once a day and sometimes more, but it still is cluttered.  This post gives me hope that order can be restored...now to find the stuff and form the habits to make it happen.

2. My desk.  It is forever cluttered with books, papers, pencils, and other desk stuff. 

3. My laundry room.  I really need to do something in there.  I wish it was pretty like the ones you see in magazines, but it's just a utility room with some shelves, concrete walls even...

4. The top of my dresser.  Somehow the jewelry, lotions, chapstick, etc seem to overtake all too quickly. 

So, how do YOU organize your life?  How do you get rid of stuff?  I need some pointers!  Thanks!

Can it be done?

A couple weeks ago we had Ward conference in our ward and in Relief Society we had a discussion led by one of the counselors in our Stake Presidency.  There was one part of the discussion that I've been thinking about because I know it's something that I need to work on.  We were talking about how to teach your children to care more what Heavenly Father thinks than what other people think (you know, to combat peer pressure). 

This got me wondering if I can even do this.  How many times have I been getting ready to go to church and worried what I looked like?  How many times have I been working on a lesson and worried about what people will think of my lesson or whether they'll think I'm an awful boring teacher?  I rarely comment in church because I'm sure someone will think I'm dumb for whatever comment/question I voice.  I don't want to be this way.  I want to be confident and I want to be worried about what Heavenly Father will think, but more often than not it's other people I'm worried about.  I'm not sure how to change that.

Now, my title isn't really fair because I know this CAN be done because my husband does it all the time.  (I think this is easier for men for some reason)  He doesn't care what people think of him as long as he's doing what he feels is right.  He says things in talks that he's sure is probably going to offend SOMEONE, but if it's the message he's inspired to give he does it anyway.  I don't know how he does it.  He can't really explain it other than to say it just doesn't matter to him--not to helpful for me. 

So, my question for you is do you care what other people think of you?  If so, is it okay to care what other people think as long as you aren't compromising your standards?  What things have you done that have helped you to care more what God thinks and less what "people" think? 

My only thought on this is that I'm pretty sure we are all so worried about what others think of US that we don't spend too much time thinking about other people and how they do things--but for some reason that doesn't help me much.  I can't wait to hear some sage advice from my readers!

Woes of the non-talented

Do you ever look at other homes/women and wonder why they have all that talent and you are stuck with nothin?  I sure do.  It doesn't help that I read way to many blogs of amazingly talented women.  Some are talented decorators, some are good cooks, some are artistic, some are fabulous photographers, some are interesting writers.  None of those things apply to me.  I keep wondering what is my talent if it's not any of those things and I haven't quite figured it out yet.  (If you have please share!)  I guess I have some time to figure it out.  I WANT to have all of those talents and more, but the best I can do is copy a very small portion of the wonderful things I see.  (I'm not too great at copying either)  ;) 

What got me thinking of this anyway??  Well...my husband has given me an ultimatum.  I have to buy a new couch before Christmas for our front room or he's going to do it--the thought of him doing it is worrisome.  I have a feeling he'd choose a couch like he chooses shoes--the first pair that fits is the one he buys.   I've been supposed to get one for the past couple years, but I just can't find one I love.  I want our room to look fabulous and right now it just looks sad.  So, in my quest to find the perfect couch I've failed.  I have a picture I saved from a magazine of a couch/pillows I love, but the company is out of business now and I can't find anything like it.  You know how when you can't have something it makes you want it more?  That's how this couch is for me--I just can't let it go for some reason.  So, if you are good at designing/decorating I could use your help.  I need new inspiration besides this picture so I can find a couch before my husband finds one for me.  If you know of any great furniture stores please share!  RC willey just isn't cutting it for me right now.  I just don't know where else to go. 

Fall Leaves

Friday the kids didn't have school and being the mean mom that I am I made them go outside and do yard work. You never know when snow will come to stay here in UT so you have to be prepared. Raking leaves isn't complete without a jump into the pile. Liam was the only one who would stay in long enough for a picture though. It was fun and hopefully we'll get more pictures with the big kids when we rake the front after those leaves have fallen. The funny thing about leaves are that most of the ones we raked weren't even from our trees, but from the neighbors trees. The wind carries the leaves all over the place here so I imagine the leaves from our trees are in someone else's yard too.

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption month.  I'm continually amazed at the lack of information or the misinformation that continues to be believed about adoption.  It makes me sad.  I wish everyone could know how wonderful it is.  I wish everyone could understand how much of a connection you feel to the birth mom of your child.  How they seem like a new part of your family.  How you worry about them and hope that they are doing well and having success in their lives.  I love having an open adoption.  It was scary at first, but everything new is. 

I wish people could know that choosing adoption isn't the "easy way out" or a way to "not suffer consequences of bad choices".  I wish everyone could understand that adoption is an AMAZING thing when done correctly.  If you know a birth mom please don't ask her all the time how she could give up her baby.  Please don't be judgmental.  Every situation is different you don't know the heart of that person or all the circumstances.  These women need love and understanding, not judgement.  I'm so grateful that B chose us to be Liam's family.  She is a wonderful person and we love her so much.  We are so happy to have Liam in our family and we couldn't have him without her.  She is amazing.  She is an angel to us.  I can't wait until Liam is old enough to understand more about her and hopefully we'll all get to see her again. 

There are so many wonderful parents waiting to find their child.  If you know someone who is considering adoption please encourage and support them.  Who knows maybe you could help with their adoption miracle. 

Busy Halloween

  Halloween was a very busy day for us.  We had my parents here in the morning and Dad went and picked up Grandma too.  Jason went to a merit badge pow wow at BYU and then we headed to SLC to go to lunch for Aunt Lynn's birthday.  (I have no pictures, because I spent all my time trying to keep Liam out of trouble and still be able to eat my food).  After we ate we headed to Lynn's house where Grandma, Jim, and Jason played Wii, Mom and Dad napped, Lynn and I looked at some Family history stuff, and the kids ran wild.  An unusually calm moment for the little ones. Wii fun! I gave my Dad the camera and he loves close up candid shots so this is what we get.  Liam kept wanting to see this picture of he and Lynn over and over again.  I'm concentrating hard on trying to find something on the computer... I had the camera now and here's Dad's payback!  ;)

All too soon it was time to dress up and go to Trunk or Treat at Lynn's church.  It was great.  Liam wasn't cooperating at this point so I just got a picture of the big kids with their Aunt Lynn. 

After the kids had gone around a couple times at the Trunk or Treat we had to head back South.  The kids didn't want to miss their annual trick or treating with Grandpa since they are thinking this might be their last year for it.  We made it just in time to see Brooklyn and Kate before they left.  It was a great Halloween!  During all this excitement Daddy got home from a trip to Kentucky.  We were all VERY happy to have him home!

Visit with Great Grandma

On Wednesday we got to visit with my Grandma.  It's been awhile since we've seen her, but she is visiting Utah for a couple weeks so we got a chance to see her.  Liam jumped right up next to her on the couch and snuggled up with a book.  Grandma seemed to like it. 

After Emily played piano for her a little bit Grandma got up and started teaching her a song.  I remember her doing the same thing with me at Em's age and just loving it.  She actually started teaching Em one of the songs she taught to me as a kid.  It was fun to watch them playing together.  I wish we could have seen her for longer.  I'm hoping we can see her once more sometime this week before she heads back to CA.

Halloween costume parade

Liam wanted to dress up for the parade too.
The kids came up with their costumes this year and they were good at being clever/creative with what we had on hand. Jason was Chuck Norris as a kid, Emily was Pipi Longstocking. The bottom picture is of all the kids after the parade. Liam got a kick out of watching the parade and seeing all the neighborhood kids dressed up. Thankfully they did it inside so we didn't freeze.

Reflections

We've had a busy week! Lots happening. At the beginning of the week we had the assembly for our school's reflections program. Emily entered in two categories: Literature and Photography. She got second place in Literature for her story. She wrote in journal form about how we got Liam and some of her feelings when that happened. Here are a few pictures after the assembly.

Halloween cookie fun

Yesterday we had a couple of our cousins over for some cookie decorating fun. I think Alisha and I did more decorating than the kids did though. They were more interested in eating the candy than using it to make cute cookies. (As you can see from the picture of Liam's cookies) He ate the candy off his cookies as fast as I put it on. It was still fun and hopefully next year they'll be big enough to know not to just eat all the candy. Thanks for the fun Alisha!

Carnival

A few years ago the kids' school started having a fall carnival. It's the big fundraiser for the year for PTA so we don't have to go around begging people to buy overpriced gift wrap or cookie dough. I love it and we always go and spend our fair share of money. I never did any of the other fundraisers and I think a lot of people are like that. It was lots of fun! So, here are a few highlights.
Liam in the bounce house
 
Liam playing what they called fish pond even though its pick up a duck

Emily and her friend Ash
Jason and Carter being goofy

Sunday Quote

We had Ward conference in our ward today.  It's essentially the same as any other Sunday except that the Stake Leaders visit our ward and give some of the lessons/talks. 

In Sacrament meeting our Bishop spoke.  He used this quote and it really hit me...I'm going to have to do some serious reevaluating according to this quote.  Read it and tell me what you think.

"Our observance or nonobservance of the Sabbath is an unerring measure of our attitude toward the Lord personally and toward his suffering in Gethsemane, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead.  It is a sign of whether we are Christians in very deed, or whether our conversion is so shallow that commemoration of his atoning sacrifice means little or nothing to us."

—Mark E. Petersen, "The Sabbath Day," Ensign, May 1975, 47

New pictures

We finally got some new family pictures taken.  I'm pretty happy with them.  Here are a few of the ones we got.  Somehow we forgot to take a picture of all the kids together though...bummer...those are great for relatives so they don't have to have so many pictures, but that's okay.  Have a great day!