Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Goals and Resolutions: Family Version

(Not wanting to be one of those 1st-3-weeks-of-the-year gym goers, I have been pondering resolutions for a few weeks. I want our goals to be attainable, but things that also require me and my family to stretch to "complete" them. Our goals are subject to change at any time. I hope as we go throughout the year that we will reevaluate what we need and adjust as needed.) 

Happy New Year, everyone!


The Family List:

Family Goals 2013
1. Finish The Book of Mormon
2. Memorize The Living Christ
3. Be more active together
4. Make one another laugh more. Daily when possible.

The Explanation: 

1. This year I wanted to set some spiritual goals as a family. For the last few years we have had scripture time, but haven't made it through The Book Of Mormon. Last year, I started with a more concentrated effort to read through the it. Sometimes kids make things take longer than planned. (But that's okay.) I have been reading scriptures to the kids with them reading verses here and there, and we are currently mid-Alma. I would love for us to finish before Corban is baptized. His birthday is in March. We will shoot for that, but if it takes a little longer that is fine. Quality not quantity, right? 

2. I want to show my children that we can set goals together and achieve them. Last week I had us attempt to start memorizing "The Living Christ." When you look at the whole document, it can be overwhelming. I found this website, and so far so good. We are coming to the end of our first week and here are the results for the first paragraph. 
Seeing them be able to recite this gives me hope that we can do this. I'm so excited. :) 

I would also like to have us recite daily or memorize other scriptures (or quotes) when we finish The Living Christ. Thing like Gordon B. Hinckley's B's.
"Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Involved, Be Clean, Be True, Be Positive, Be Humble, Be Still, and Be Prayerful."
Or the scriptures for the ward and stake emphasis for the year. Learn more (lesser known) church and primary songs. Have family time were we are learning

3. I want us to get out of the house more. Get to the park, interact with family, friends, and neighbors more, plan adventures, be spontaneous. Maybe we will have to set a day, make a schedule, or have a rough plan. This one is a work in progress. 

4. Maybe the goal will be a daily challenge. "Try to get a smile or laugh out of each family member." With all the sibling arguments and all the parents getting irritated with naughty children it is time to prioritize the positive


I will be sharing my personal list of resolutions soon. What are some of your goals? What ideas can you share for our family to have success with our current goals? What are some goals you have set with your family? I would love some feedback. 

Good luck with the coming year! We love you!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Since I didn't get tickets this year...

I didn't win tickets in the random drawing for this year's Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.
Only over 1 million people entered. (That's a lot.)

Maybe I can win a CD, DVD, and children's book of last year's MoTab Christmas Concert.

http://bookgiveaways.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-package-review-and-giveaway.html


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Eat, Play, Live

Are you ready for a change? 
Image Source
I am. Tomorrow I am starting a healthy habits challenge. I am hoping to change a few things (permanently) about how I eat and how active I am. You are welcome to join me/us. Want more information? Click here.
You can sign up with me, or do it on your own terms. It is going to be interesting to see what comes easy and what doesn't. Here goes nothing!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Currently feeling. . .

Good. Tired. Calm. Nervous. Excited. Stiff, because I can't move as well with this growing creature in my body. I love feeling him move around, and seeing my stomach change shape as he changes position. He was head down last week at my appointment. I feel sore in random places at times- currently my tailbone. I wake up more frequently during the night, but last night it was a cat fight and 8,000 dogs barking that helped rouse me after 3am. I am slightly anemic this time around. I have been taking supplements and cooking in my cast iron skillet to help with that. Also, my heart has been having issues- palpitations and accelerated beating. The doctor had a name for it, but I didn't write it down and can't remember it. I have to do things like keep stress low, drink Gatorade to help keep my electrolyte levels up, etc. The heart acts up when I am resting. It is so annoying. But, I feel well overall, and have been able to do so much this pregnancy, like go to a few days of Girls Camp, attend Youth Conference (camping), a family trip to Moab (off-roading), watching kids, mowing the lawn, etc. I am so blessed/lucky. I have a loyal and hard-working husband who makes it possible for me to be home with our kids.

Just over 7 weeks remain until #3's due date, which means this little surprise could be here in as few as 5 weeks or as many as 9 weeks. (Isn't there a few weeks on either side of the due date that the baby could arrive?) I am excited to meet my little boy, but nervous to transition to 3 children. I watch a friend's son 4 days a week so I am used to 3 kids. He goes on errands with us, and we are just used to having him around for the last year. Only, I get to give him back and I don't have to wake up every few hours at night to feed him. So I think I am only partially understanding how much work it is going to be. I am afraid I will have forgotten everything about having a tiny baby. I don't want to be a lazy mom. I am excited for the new adventure. I am hopeful for my plans of a drug-free labor and delivery, but I have decided that is is not a big deal and I am not a failure if I choose to use the drugs after all. I have a pretty good plan and well, we will see. I will do my best and that is enough.

I put the crib together yesterday... which makes all of this more real for some reason. I've cleaned the car seat. I have clothes pulled from storage and ready to wash. My list of needed items is reasonable. . . but somethings may have to wait. You really don't need a ton of stuff for a new baby. I do wish I would have stockpiled diapers and wipes or bought cloth diapers. I wish he was here already, and yet I don't feel ready for him to come. Does this make any sense? I am excited for new adventures, and hope I can handle it as well as I imagine I can handle it.

I can handle anything, because I am deciding that I can handle anything. Attitude is everything, right?

My oldest son starts 1st grade in a few weeks. That is crazy. I keep trying to mentally prepare him to listen to his teacher, pay attention, and eat all of his lunch without me there to nag him. Daughter will be going to preschool. At least I will have a few hours a day on my own... maybe. We shall see. Dave won't be able to take time off when we have "John the Baptist" so I am praying that I go into labor while he is at work before one of his "short" weeks or 3 day weekends. These are some my random thoughts and feelings. I was definitely rambling.

Did you ever feel any of these ways? What prepared you most for an additional child? Was the transition to first grade (full day at school) easy for you/your child? Any other suggestions?

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Women's Conference



I have never been to Women's Conference at BYU, but I am grateful to have found that you can watch it online. If you have an hour (maybe while folding laundry or something) you should really watch Julie B. Beck's address. It is wonderful.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

My kids can't get enough of these. . .

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook. The kids enjoyed this one so much we then watched them all. They were giggling and requesting repeat viewings. It was wonderful all around. Plus, I remember laughing at real cats with tape on their paws. . . does that make me a terrible person?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

A new love


If you've known me even for a little while you probably know of my appreciation (some might call it an obsession) with BBC Drama. While I would never (ever) want to live during the time periods of the past I love to hear the stories. I like modern stories too, but there is something about the manners and restraint of the characters in these shows that I am just drawn to. And there aren't many things on T.V. that you can watch with with your family and not be worried about violence, language, and sex. 

My sister, Lindsay suggested this series to me. I am really enjoying it. I had to wait a few weeks before my turn came up at the library. I am now watching season 2 and will be waiting 20 more people for season 3. At least my library has a waiting list I can add my name to. I am still waiting on the book . 

So, if you enjoy a good BBC drama once in a while you may want to check it out. 
"But don't take my word for it.... ba dum bum."

And if you like this than you may want to take a gander at this.

What are your favorites?