How I did....

In 2011, I resolved:

*To stop saying 'two-thousand and eleven' when I tell someone the year.

I think I can safely say that 20-11 is entrenched in my vocabulary.  No more of this 'two thousand' stuff.  So I can check that one as done.

*To take more pictures and videos of my family.
With our Epic Road Trip this past summer, I took hundreds of pictures of the family.  The rest of the year is up for debate.  I'm still probably not taking as many pictures as I should.  Gotta continue to work on that one.

*In that same token, I will also let my children pick out and coordinate their own clothes for their spring pictures.
Sort of.  Anner picked out the clothes as it was just she and I shopping that day.  I guided her choices a bit.  So again, gonna work on that for next year.

*To smile more and look happy.
I think I accomplished this.  But I don't walk around holding up a mirror to my face to make sure I don't look angry all the time.  I do try and look friendly when I'm on campus and that counts as something, right?

*To write more in my journal and to blog when I can.

Yeah.  That one will always need more work.  I did blog when time permitted but my poor journal was ignored a bit.  Put that in the 'Needs Work' column.

*To read the Book of Mormon at least once on my own and with my children.

I did finish the Book of Mormon on my own this year and Noodle and I have made it about 2/3 through.  As a family, though, we are pathetically stuck in early Alma.  We're going to need another year to finish it.

*To chillax and not sweat the small stuff.
I don't think I budged much on that one.  This is one goal that will perpetually be a Work in Progress.

*To find ways to make my Sweetie's life a little easier.
I am continually on the search for that.  I think I am pretty good at supporting him in his job and tutoring, but when it comes to the helmet/facemask thing....I'm not too patient.  So I'll keep working on that one, as well.

*I've not yet read the book "The Seventeen Second Miracle" by Jason Wright (he writes such great stuff!), but the premise of this book is intriguing to me and I would like to try and implement the concept a little more in my life.
First of all, that book was soooo good!  I know that small acts of kindness really do make a big difference.  I've been the recipient of several seventeen second miracles and I know it can change my whole day.  I've tried to do more of those for others and while I can't attest that I've made a difference to them, I know that it's made me feel good to perform service for others.


That's my accounting for this past year.  Tomorrow I will proclaim my goals for 2012!

Top Five Girly Products of 2011

O.k.  Here is the fluff and non-nutrient-rich portion of my Top Fives.  These are products I've discovered, re-discovered, or never gave up in the first place.  I'm no beauty expert, and I try not to be a junkie about products, but sometimes, a Girl just can't help herself.  Here goes....

Philosophy's Grace Line
I've always loved Philosophy's Amazing Grace scent and the Pure Grace shower gel is one of my all-time favs.  Both Baby Grace and Inner Grace are nice, as well.  But after using Lush products for more than a year, I'd forgotten how much I'd truly missed my Graces!  This year, I re-discovered them (don't get Pure Grace as a perfume, however, it smells ICKY), and found that the new Eternal Grace is close to Amazing Grace for me, a new favorite.  The perfume doesn't last that long, but the shower gel is just lovely.  Highly recommend!

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner
As I have gotten older, I've found my eyelashes to be fading a bit close to my eyelids.  I learned how to use the technique of tightlining to make my lashes darker at the base and this is the best product I've found that wears really well.  I combine it with Make Up For Ever's Eye Seal and it is awesome.  A bit spendy, but very worth the price and it lasts a long time.  I bought mine about eight months ago and have yet to put a sizeable dent in it.  Using a small, compact brush like this one from Sonia Kashuk does the trick.

Body Shop Shea Butter Body Butter
I never used the Body Shop's body products until this year and decided to give them a try.  I love the shea butter and olive soaps, but I really have found the shea body butter to be quite moisturizing without being overly greasy.  I use it during the week when I exfoliate...about every other day.  It smells nice and doesn't have a lingering scent that overpowers my perfume of the day.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils
Another makeup technique I learned this year was a smoky eye for daytime.  I use these on my lids, close to the lashline and in the outer corner of the bottom of my eyes.  I smudge it like crazy to blend out the harsh lines and then lightly use a pencil eyeliner to go back along the lashline again and top it with a gel eyeliner to seal it all in.  It's easy and I love the way it draws the focus to my eyes (which I've always thought were my best feature.)  My favorite color is Wasteland....a dark taupey brown color.  These wear beautifully!

beautyblender Sponges
For years, I've used Bare Minerals foundation.  But for some reason, this year, my skin decided that this wasn't the foundation for me anymore.  It didn't wear well, despite my using primer, and so I've been on the hunt for that Perfect Foundation.  I don't think I've found it, but I have found the perfect sponge to apply foundation.  When using this sponge, you get it completely wet, then squeeze all the water out and then use a stippling motion to apply the foundation (I smear a small amount of foundation on my cheeks close to my nose, my chin and my forehead).  Just bounce, bounce, bounce and it evens out the foundation and makes it look so natural.  These aren't cheap, but they do last and you can wash and reuse them over and over.  I've had two for about eight months and they are still going strong.

Top five songs of 2011

I grew up in a musical home.  I was exposed to classical music at an early age and have a great appreciation for the Masters.  But I was also introduced to other types of music...I can remember my mom listening to The Association and Barry Manilow (on records, thank you very much), and my dad was/is a huge Chuck Mangione and Mannheim Steamroller fan.  My taste in music is quite diverse (according to me) and I love a good country song, but I also dabble in alternative, rock, a capella....just about anything EXCEPT rap.  That genre is just nasty to me.

Now to my list of Top Five Songs of 2011.  These are NOT Billboard's choices.  These are just the songs I took a fancy to over and over and over this past year.  If you want to check them out for yourself, head on over to the iTunes store.

1.  The Script: "Science and Faith"
This song is so catchy and the lyrics speak of believing in something more than one can see or touch.  An absolute favorite that I've listened to so much over the past six months.

2.  Steven Sharp Nelson: "The Cello Song"
I will unabashedly admit that I am a very big giant huge fan of his music.  He is a masterful musician (he plays more than just cello!) and writes the most intriguing arrangements of songs.  This is the one song that really seemed to bring him to the forefront for me.  If you haven't seen the YouTube version, stop right now and go watch it.  It is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while!

3.  Foster the People: "Helena Beat"

Whilte Foster the People may have come into the mainstream with their hit "Pumped Up Kicks", this song got my attention after I downloaded as a free song of the week from iTune.  I got it waaaay before "Pumped Up Kicks" came out, and I was hooked.  They're alternative with a pippy poppy beat and for reasons I just can't explain, I'm totally digging their sound.  Love it.

4.  BYU Vocal Point: "Black Balloon"
This song is an older one of VP.  It's an acapella rendition of the Goo Goo Dolls hit and while I loved the original, this one is rich with harmonies and a beat that I always end up singing along to.  Absolutely one of VP's best.  Check it out and I double dog dare you to NOT sing with them.  Can't be done.

5.  OneRepublic: "Made for You"
OneRepublic hit it big-time this year with "Good Life" (cuss word notwithstanding), but this older song from them is in my workout playlist and it's got such a groove that you can't help but tap your toe and bop your head to the beat.  I love both of their albums and I eagerly await the drop of their next offering soon!

Top Five iPhone Apps of 2011

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again.  I.  Love.  My.  iPhone.  It is somehow always on my person.  Always.  I use it to go grocery shopping, I use it for my school work, I use it for my workouts, and it has even replaced my alarm clock.  So here, for your perusal, are my top five apps of 2011.  (You can get these apps in the iTunes store.  Most of them were free.)

Couch to 5K

I became a runner this year.  I didn't mean to.  I'm still not sure how I feel about it.  I've never liked running, and I think I still don't.  But I wanted to up my fitness level and have something to strive for in my workouts, so I decided to train for a 5k.  There were a few workouts that were really tough (like the one that has you run for 20 minutes straight), but once I pushed through those, it wasn't too bad and I felt good.  I have yet to run in a true 5k race, and I'm hoping to do one or two of those next year.  But for now, I can run for 30 minutes, which is about 3 miles.  It's not a blazing fast pace by any means, but it's more than I've ever been able to do.  A marathon is definitely NOT in my future.  Probably.

iStudiezPro

This app helped me find my balance in schoolwork.  It lets me schedule in what assignments are due when, when I have tests, and it keeps track of my grades as I complete homework, and take tests and quizzes.  It was so helpful to know that I didn't need to swallow everything all at once....just bite size pieces every day.  It's a little time consuming to enter everything in the beginning, but so worth it!

Grocery IQ

I've been through several grocery list apps and have found this one to be quite good.  It allows me to set up an account that both Scott and I can use to add items to our shopping list using our iPhones.  It scans barcodes and lets me set up a favorites list to quickly and easily add frequently purchased items to the weekly shopping list.  It is a bit slow at startup as it reconciles in the beginning, but other than that, it's awesome!

Cozi

This is not only an app, but an online family organizer.  I love using this because all members of my family can access this and add their individual events.  When I open this app, it updates and I can see who is doing what (and more importantly, where and when I have to drive them there).  It also has a to-do list, a family journal...it's really quite the all-in-one app.  I use it only for family calendaring.  Simply great.

Sleep Cycle

I get up early.  Really early.  Waaaaay too early.  Like dark-thirty in the morning.  It's always hard for me to get up and get going when I'm jarred out of my sleep by some annoying alarm.  This app works differently and begins waking me up when I'm in a lighter stage of sleep.  I know, sounds hokey.  But it works.  I plug it in and set it face down on my mattress when I go to bed at night and it senses my movement to determine when I'm in deep sleep or light sleep.  It then goes off when I'm in light sleep, so as to let me have a more natural wake up, and letting me feel more refreshed.  It doesn't help me sleep longer, but I sleep smarter because I wake up when my body is more awake.  It's still hard to get up, but that's because my bed is comfy, and not because I've been audibly slapped awake.

Five Random Facebook Statuseses (Stati?) of 2011

I'm a Facebook-er.  An avid Facebook-er.  I use it for many reasons: for fun, for my calling, for keeping in touch with long ago friends.  I find it so useful and I'm not sure I could do without it.  Actually I probably could.  I just don't think I want to.  Here now are five random statuseses from this past year....

*Time to say goodbye to Valentine's day...hello Spring/Easter!

*Just sang a Primary song to a lab tech at my doctors office.  I honestly don't know what came over me.

*Hmmm...maybe we'll stay two nights with my sister in Bozeman.

*This project reminds me of why I'm not a sewer...GAH!

*A stay of execution....so to speak.  Jury duty will be reassigned to another date.  Whew!  For now.

Please note:  I'm not a gamer on Facebook, so please don't send me invitations to play in your farm, city or quiz.  While I love Facebook, I don't have time for those things.  Danke!

Top Five News Stories of 2011

As the year is now coming to a close, I'm going to be posting a series of my top fives of the year.  To kick things off, I present my top five news stories of 2011.  These are what I think were pivotal this past year, and by no means is this the Ultimate List.  They are just what I thought were most important.

The Death of Osama bin Laden

For nearly ten years, this man evaded capture and made the news regularly.  This man changed everyone's lives forever with the events of September 11, 2001.  I will always remember where I was and how I heard that the Twin Towers had been hit and ultimately fell.  But I will now always remember where I was when I heard that the brave men of SEAL Team Six found Osama bin Laden and made him pay the price of his actions.  I had just finished performing with the orchestra and checked my phone for messages and saw it on Twitter.  I didn't feel joy or satisfaction, but relief that the families whose loved ones perished finally have closure and hopefully a measure of peace.  Now the Lord can deal with him as He sees fit. I will leave it at that.

Earthquake in Japan

To see the earth in such commotion this past year was quite disconcerting.  As our family prayed for those affected by such a devastating quake, it caused us to review our own emergency preparedness and to keep ourselves a little more ready if something like that were to happen here.  I was amazed and humbled at the stoic attitude of the Japanese people as they faced their new reality and tried to piece their lives together the best they could and move forward.

Protesters Unite

From various Middle Eastern government uprisings to the United States own Occupy Wall Street movment, protesters came together and made their voices heard to evoke change.  It was a little frightening for me to see how the balance of power in countries so far away could shift things into dangerous territory for our country, but I also know that we all have the right to choose for ourselves, collectively as well as individually.  These countries needed to be able to stand up for themselves and determine how they wanted to be governed.  While we may not always agree about what type of government is best, we always have the right to choose.  We also have the right in our country to be heard when we feel that injustices are being done.  Occupy Wall Street has sent that message quite loud and clear.  There are those that may condemn the protesters and criticize their methods, but once people have had enough, it's time to stand up and say something.  I admire them for having the courage to follow their convictions.

Steve Jobs passing

I never knew Steve Jobs personally.  But I have benefitted from his genius, and you can't deny the fact that he changed how we communicate, and how we view and recieve media.  From the first iPod to the iPhone and now iPad, we are now an instant society....an in-demand society.  Even if you've never owned a Mac product, his inventions have been copied and duplicated by other companies just trying to keep up with Jobs.  His untimely death left me wondering where Apple will go from here, and if they will ever be able to be as innovative as Steve Jobs was.  He absolutely was the Thomas Edison of our time.  And for the record, our family owns two Mac desktops, four iPods, and three iPhones.  When my laptop for school eventually dies, you can bet I will be purchasing a MacBook Air.  They are just THAT GOOD.

Green Bay Packers win the Superbowl

As the wife of a Wisconsin native, and after having taken a family vacation to the Hallowed Ground of Lambeau Field, how could I NOT included this in my top five?  Sweetie has never EVER wavered in his devotion to the Pack, through the tough losing seasons, the winning years with Brett Favre, the drama that followed Brett Favre's multiple resignations from football (and just so you know, Sweetie is not a fan of any one player.  He is a Packers fan.  The end.), to the current rise of Aaron Rodgers and the exciting season the Pack is currently experiencing.  To have the Pack back in the Bowl this past February, and to have won one with another one realistically on the horizon has made football a lot of fun in the Peterson household.  All I have to say is Go Pack!

What We Learned in 2011

(1) Mutton chops are always a bad idea.  Always.

Scott had the chance to play Teen Angel in his school's production of "Grease".  This meant that he needed to grow out his facial hair to accommodate the look of that time period.  The growing it into a beard part was fine.  He then trimmed it into the mutton chops (we also called them lamb chops or pork chops) a few days before the performance.  I've always thought my husband is quite dashing, but I can honestly say that when I saw him with Those Things, he looked horrible.  Quasimodo-like.  I couldn't stand to look at him.  Thank heavens the part lasted just a few days.  I will never understand how Those Things became popular.

(2)  Devvin is capable of eating an entire box of Goldfish crackers in one sitting.  On his own.

As we traveled half the country this past summer (see here if you want to know more about That Adventure), the kids got to choose their favorite snacks at various grocery stops along the way.  Devvin chose Goldfish every time.  He opened up a box and started munching as we settled in for a day of driving (and watching movies to pass the time).  When we reached our destination later that day, I discovered that Devvin had devoured the ENTIRE BOX of crackers.  Needless to say, he wasn't too hungry for dinner that night and had a bit of a tummyache.

(3)  A change of scenery can be a good thing.  It's a fresh start.

Brianna changed high schools this year and is now a sophmore at our zoned school  She has turned into quite the performing-artsy person.  She is participating in drama club and has been cast in two plays so far.  She is also singing alto in the Clark County Childrens Choir.  She wouldn't have either of those opportunities at Clark because she was in band (which is all she had time for).  Legacy High School does not have a band program and the choir program is subpar, so being in the choir has expanded her musical horizons and theater has shown she is quite the actress.

(4)  We have a sharpshooter in the family!  And we are not NRA, gun-toting people.  Go figure.

Zacharry had the chance to go to Scout camp this past summer (with Scott) and earn quite a few merit badges.  One of them was Rifle and Shotgun Shooting.  He started off a bit rocky, but once he listened to the counselor, took his time and figured it out, he turned into quite the marksman.  He was the only boy in our troop that was able to earn this merit badge.  It was one of his proudest moments of the year.  More importantly, it taught him that patience and persistence pay off.

(5)  The Eiffel Tower is absolutely beautiful at night.  But I wouldn't know.  I've only seen pictures.

Scott went on a class trip this past spring to Barcelona, Paris, and London.  I stayed behind because (1) I was in the thick of classes, and (2) someone has to stay home and take care of the children.  As Scott was traveling from place to place, he would text me occasionally to tell me what he was doing or eating.  The meanest thing he did came while I was in church during Sunday School.  It was a picture of where he was at that moment.  It happened to be the Eiffel Tower.  At night.  I made sure to show everyone who asked how Scott was that picture, just to show how heartless he is.  Tell me where you are, but don't rub it in my face like that.  Hmph.

Those are just some of the important things we learned in 2011.  I know there are some fun adventures in store for us in 2012, and we can't wait to see how it all turns out.

To My Angel Daughter...

Dear Kallie:

Today is your 18th birthday.  Has it really been that long?  Somedays it doesn't seem like that far away, and on other days, it was eternity ago.

Eighteen years ago this morning, my water broke.  It was too early.  Way too early.  I was only five months pregnant.  Your dad and I had just found out you were a girl less than a week earlier.  I was so happy to be having a girl. 

Then it all came crashing down.

We went to the doctor.  The umblicial cord had prolapsed and was kinked off.  We had an ultrasound.  You were still alive.  But your heart was slowing.  I prayed I wouldn't see it stop as I watched the screen through my tears.  Your dad hoped that it would.  That you would go quickly.

I'll still never understand that.

The doctor sent us to the hospital.  It was inevitable, irreversible, and devastating.  I would be induced and you would be born.  You would most likely leave this life before you even drew a breath of our earthly air.  I remember being numb as we drove from the office to the hospital.  This was a reality that I couldn't comprehend.

I didn't want to.

We called your grandparents and they made the short 45-minute drive to be with me and your dad.  I am forever grateful they were there.  Grandpa took your dad to dinner.  To get him away from the situation.  To help him take his mind off the pain we were about to go through.  Grandma was a trooper and stayed with me as the labor pains intensified...and were made worse knowing that I was giving birth to a silent child.

I didn't have to push too long before you were born.  You were so tiny.  9 inches.  12 ounces.  But perfect little fingers.  You were blue due to a lack of oxygen.  My beautiful baby girl.

Gone back to Heavenly Father.

Do you remember the blessing your father and grandfather gave you after you were born?  Were you there?

I think you were.

As the years have passed, I've felt you at various times.  I miss you so.  I know you are waiting for us.  Cheering us on, so we can be a whole family again one day.  Your little sister has filled in for you wonderfully and I know she wishes you were here, too.

It's kinda lonely being the only girl.

You do know she's connected to you in a very unique way, right?  Her birthday is the opposite of yours.  Yours is 11-04.  Hers is 04-11.

But I digress.  Happy birthday, sweet Kallie.  You are our family's goal.  While it's been forever since you've been gone, when we meet again, those long years will melt away and seem like a short moment.

Families are forever.  You are ours forever.

All my love,
Mom

Give It To Me Straight

I was channel surfing this morning and briefly came across a news piece that ran sound bites of the Republican presidential candidates wives.  One of the clips came from John Huntsman's wife, Mary Kaye.  She was asked what it's like campaigning with their seven children.  She gracefully smiled and said that it was "joy".

I just about threw up.

The Huntsman's children range in age from 26 to 5, so I'm sure that not ALL of them are on the campaign trail with them all of the time.  I'm also sure that for the most part, the family is having a good time and finding ways to bond together and become closer as a family.  But "joy"?

Please.

As a woman, I have a hard enough time trying to keep my own life (family, church and school) in balance.  I don't have time to put on airs, to pretend that my life is perfect, and I certainly don't need anyone blowing smoke at me.

Mary Kaye Huntsman is a good woman, to be sure.  She supports her husband in his political pursuits, no matter where they may take him; and anyone who adopts a child is truly a savior to that child, as the Huntsman's are to their youngest.  So don't misunderstand my rant to be bashing on her in particular.  Mary Kaye also may have gone on to say other things and I only heard her in just that particular clip.  But that phrase really irritated me.

Tell me like it is.

Tell me that there are fun times, but there are also times when you want to just turn on the TV for the kids and head for the hills.  Or the mall.  Or just the bathroom.  And never come back.

Tell me that there are moments that bring you to your knees, pleading with God to just stick with you for one hour more, because if He doesn't, one of your children may meet Him sooner than later.

Tell me that sometimes the sweetest times come after the worst times, when the proverbial sun comes out from the rain and a rainbow appears.

Tell me that it's o.k. to fall into a heap of tears when the pressures of motherhood, wifedom, and womanhood come crashing down on you all at the same time.

Tell me your children have flaws that grate on your nerves, that your husband forgets to do the small things, and that you feel lonely in a crowd of people at times.

Tell me that you often are exhausted, that you feel on the brink of an emotional collapse, and that if your cell phone rings again or you get one more text, you're going to chuck it into the nearest body of water.

Please tell me you feel these things.

Because I often do.  And I don't hide it or try to make it seem as though everything is hunky-dory.

And if someone asks, I tell them the truth.

So please tell me that yes, it's hard.  I know there are moments of happiness and times of joy.  But there are also days of struggle and hours of heartache.

I just lean on the Lord through the heartache to get to the joy.

Then I revel in it.

Because I know the next hill on this rollercoaster ride is just around the corner.

Declaring War

This is happening far more frequently than I like.  I'm seeing signs of aging.  And it's irritating.

Like my hair.  It's going gray.  My Combat Weapon?
Thank you Clairol.

Like my arms.  Namely, my triceps.  They're getting flappy.  My Combat Weapon?
Thank you backwards push ups.

Like my facial skin.  It's getting blotchy.  And liney.  My Combat Weapon?
Thank you Sephora.

Like my joints.  My right thumb joint.  It hurts all the time.  My Combat Weapon?
Thank you martyr attitude.

Like my ability to heal.  A simple cut takes a lot longer now.  My Combat Weapon?
Thank you Band Aid.

Like my ability to eat lots of candy and junk on Saturdays.  My tummy can't take it anymore.  My Combat Weapon?
Thank you fun-size candy bars.

While I stay in denial as much as I can (which I call Denialand), my children and husband are doing a good job of keeping me in reality (which I call Just Mean).  I feel young, but my body is telling me otherwise.


I refuse to go down without a fight.  (Re: Combat Weapons)  I will not try and be a teenager anymore, however I will not, WILL NOT be a gray old lady sooner than I need to.  If ever.  However, if I continue to focus not on what I can't do anymore or what is achy, broken, or not what it used to be; but rather who I can become for eternity, that will help my mental state.  Besides, after I die, I'll be the best me I was in this life.  And I won't have to worry about aging anymore.

Betcha Didn't Know......

We're still discovering each other.

I've been married to Sweetie for nearly 19 years.  I think that's kind of a long time. 

(That might have come out wrong.....)

And yet, after all those years, there are still things that I'm learning about my cute husband.

For example, he loves cream cheese frosting on cinnamon rolls.

I just found that out about three weeks ago.

I've made cinnamon rolls once a month for about six years now.  Usually with my typical butter-vanilla-powdered sugar-milk frosting.  On occasion, I would whip up a cream cheese frosting instead.  Sweetie just told me his preference after all this time.

Huh.  Never saw that one.

I guess he wants to keep me on my toes.

So, with that in mind, I thought I'd share with my friends and family five things you probably didn't know about me.

My favorite treat beverage

(1)  I don't like to drink soda out of a can.  It's too fizzy.  I prefer it in a glass with a little bit of ice.

Rascal Flatts makes harmonizing easy!

(2)  I love to sing along to the music in my car.  Or my house.  Wherever.  But I sing harmony whenever I can.  I've never felt like my voice was a solo/melody voice.  I'm an alto.  Alto to me equals backup singer.

(3)  I don't keep dirty dishes in my sink.  I hardly ever put dishes in my sink.  I also NEVER leave dishes in my sink overnight, or clutter on my kitchen counters.  I hate coming downstairs to a messy kitchen first thing in the morning.  It makes me feel like I'm already behind in my chores for the day.  So where do I put the dishes as they are dirtied?  Straight in the dishwasher.

Ick.

(4)  I am always willing to try new foods and for the most part, I like everything I try.  Except okra.  I got some okra last year and made it into a gumbo.  All I can say is ick.  Ick.  ICK.  The texture was slimy (which I can deal with), and the taste was terrible (which I can't deal with).  I've never eaten again.  Probably never will.  Ick.

The app I'm using to run farther.

(5)  I'm training to run a 5K.  I hate running.  I hate being out of breath which means I hate running.  But I know it's good for me, it helps my workout go faster, and I feel like my current run needs to be expanded.  I need to push myself.  I've been doing this for six weeks now and it's getting harder.  And sweatier.  I'm going to need to find a good dry shampoo on my running days because I don't have time to wash my hair every day.  (Alicia....recommendations?)  I don't know what 5K I will participate in or how I'll keep that distance going after I'm done training, but I do know I kind of like bragging to Sweetie how far I run.

So, that's some of me.  I'm sure there's more, but I'm still figuring me out, too.  It's fun to come to new realizations of myself...things I've done all along and just now recognize.  My thirties (uh....I mean my twenties.....) have been filled with lots of self-discoveries.  I hope the best is yet to come.

My So-Charmed Life

I've had the chance to be off from school responsibilities for about seven weeks now.

It's been glorious. Amazing. Indulgent.

In that time, I've discovered a few new blogs that I'm now addicted to, as well as a website that I can browse and 'pin' all types of things, from hair styles to food (mostly desserts), home decor ideas to clothing.

After reading the blogs, and scrolling the web, I've come to this conclusion:

I live a charmed life.

The one I dreamed I would have when I was a kid.

Yes, I complain about my workload, my children, lack of money, and my bad hair days.

But when I sit down, be still, BREATHE, and ponder on how my life has been so far....I realize just how blessed I am.

I have a handsome husband who works hard to provide for our family and is my biggest cheerleader. He loves me and reminds me that I'm pretty.

I have three beautiful children that my Heavenly Father has trusted me with that are good people. And they get along most of the time.

I have a house that I love that is filled with things that make me happy. Most of those things are my family, or are associated with my family.

I am humbled to be able to serve my Heavenly Father and He has found ways to teach me new talents that I never knew I could possess. In all of my callings, I have felt His love and care for ME.

I get to continue my education and pursue the person I feel I need to be. It's the coolest and hardest thing I've done in a long time and I am so lucky to be able to do this!

So, tell me....how is YOUR life charmed? If you don't want to comment, that's fine.

Just sit down with yourself, have a quiet moment, BREATHE, and ponder.

And then be grateful.

I dreamed a dream....

I've debated today whether or not I should share this.

I feel that I should.

Here goes.

My dream last night had my family and I in a new home, but the home was already furnished with the previous owner's belongings. It wasn't a big deal to me and life was great.  Some people had come over to chat(it seemed as though they were home teachers or something like that), and the layout of the home and furniture made it so I sat in one room on a couch and the home teachers were on the far end of the other room on another couch. The two rooms were pretty much connected, but it was quite a distance and we practically had to yell to hear one another. It occurred to me that I needed to rearrange the furniture so that we could communicate more clearly. I needed to do that SOON.

After I woke this morning, I realized what this was all about.

This summer, my life has been out of sync. I had a really difficult class that took up nearly my entire life, but I still managed to read my scriptures and make my calling a priority. Then our family went on vacation for nearly a month and my scripture reading was more miss than hit and my desire to return back and fulfill my Relief Society responsibilities has been nonexistent. But I still need to hear what the Lord has to say, but am unable to feel the promptings. I am in one room, and the Lord and His voice are in another. I need to rearrange my life and my priorities again so that I can be in tune with Him and be what He needs. I'm sure that He has been yelling and I've not been able to hear him. I know I've been yelling (figuratively), and am frustrated that He can't hear me, either.

 

 

It's time to get things moving.

Now.

O V E R!



Three of my four rescuing angels over the past five weeks.....

O:  Oh happy day!  I'm done with my Let's Cram A Full Semester Of Information Into Five Weeks statistics class.  I always work hard in my classes, but this one required many MANY hours of studying every day.  So much so that my poor family had to take over my responsibilities in the house.  Thank heavens it's summer and they have the time to do fill in.  But it's done, finished and I'm so glad to have time to myself again!

V:  Vacation time!  Our family is leaving on an epic road trip in just a few days.  We're heading east and will be gone nearly a month.  We're all tired and need this break together.  There are so many fun places we will go and things we will do.  It's going to be amazing.  It will also be a great test to how much we can get along!

E:  Expectations met.  I always go into every class fully believing that if I work and study hard, the Lord will bless my efforts and I will get the grade I work for (which to me is an 'A').  This class was no different.  I know He helped me and I could feel His hand guiding me as I completed the cumulative final.  I have no doubt in His power and love for me.

R:  Really thankful.  I'm so grateful for such a supporting family and for the opportunity I have to go back to school.  I'm blessed to have a husband who rescued me, to have children who insist that they clean the kitchen so I can study.  The next few weeks are going to be great.  I get to be just a mom again and hang out with my best friend and my kids.  I think we're all going to be a changed family after this.  That's a good thing.

Probably.  Maybe.  It's a toss up.

The Ta-Done List

Sooooo, I've been on a pre-summer break from school.  I finally ended my year of anatomy and physiology and have had nearly four weeks off from school.  It's been great to be a mom, wife, and crafty person.  But I've discovered that I don't as much patience as I used to when it comes to creating things for my home.

(I need to remember that for future breaks from school.)

But I would like to brag a little about what I accomplished.  If'n you don't like it, just keep your opinions to yourself.

Thank ye kindly.

Project #1
Apothecary jars in playroom

The finished project

This is how they look on the top of the entertainment center in the playroom

Project #2
Matching picture frames in stairwell.

.  I spray painted them black and acrylic painted gold over that.

Project #3

Distressing table in the study/decluttering in general.

Distressed table...doesn't it look worried!?!?!?

It just feels so much better now!

Project #4

Creating art for the boys room re-do

I used paint chip sample cards....and also did one in yellows/oranges

\Project #5

Boys room re-done

Mundo's new bed with great IKEA bedding.  It fits the room perfectly!

 Noodle's new bed, but with the same bedding.  It's the quilt I made for his baptism.

 The other paint chip art I created.  The lighting isn't so great, but it looks great over Noodle's bed.

 I love this the most.  This is absolutely what I want to emphasize with my boys as they grow up through their teenage years.  Real men love and serve the Lord.

 

 Wait a minute....this is my sheet cake that had frosting melting from it like lava from a volcano....how'd this get in here?  The recipe was a winner, but the presentation was a fail!

I also did lots of other domestic things like bake bread, make jam, and just enjoy being a wife and mother.  But I tried to cram too many crafty projects into my break and felt like they were more 'assignment' than fun and creative.  (Gotta remember that lesson.)

I think I already said that paragraph in a slightly different form. 

I need a nap. 

Is it too early in the term to be tired?

No matter.  It's back to work and reality.  See you on the flip side in about four weeks!