Prayer Works!

I have been slowly working on my personal progress which is a program for the young women at church, ages 12-18. As Relief Society sisters (18+) we have been invited to participate as well. The first value is faith. With each value you need to complete 6 experiences and 1 project.  The first experience was to read some specific scriptures and prayer regularly in the morning and at night for 30 days then share your experience.

So I have been doing that.  I have surpassed the 30 days and immediately got a little lazy.  I noticed when I stopped talking with the Lord I got a little out of sync and more sensitive, emotional and depressed.  During this time I went to Martinez to get a copy of Lauren's birth certificate.  When I got there all BOTH of the free parking spaces were taken.  So I had to use a metered space.  I searched the car and came up with a nickel.  I had just purged the coinage the day before paying late library fees.  I knew a nickel gets you about no time on a parking meter.  So I prayed that it would work out.  In the grand scheme, it isn't that far of a drive and could be done another time.  I decided I could put in my nickel then run in and at least get it processed, drive around and hope I see some one pull away.  I got the two kids out of the car got them all strapped in the stroller, then was about to put my nickel in when the car in front of me pulled away.  He had about 11 minutes left on his meter.  So I left the kids on the sidewalk and pulled up the space and added my nickel to it.  Then I was pretty much going to follow the same plan.  I put in my paper work and figured I would wait for about 8 minutes, I got called right away and was back to the car with 1 minute left on the meter!  How is that for a blessing?

Fast forward to today, I have realized that one important thing about prayer is communication.  Heavenly Father wants us to talk to him and he wants us to want to talk to him.  Just like we want our children to come and talk to us, we want to know what is going on in their lives and we want them to want to talk to us.  Huge revelation that prayer is important!

This morning I was getting out of the shower and my ring caught on my towel.  I didn't think anything of it, until it caught on my shirt as I was getting dressed.  I looked at my ring to see if a prong was sticking up and my heart fell to the pit of my stomach.  My diamond was gone.  I had already been to exercise, in the car, put away dishes, brushed my teeth, thrown stuff in the garbage, not to mention shower with the big drain, you know how that works!  I was so sad, it isn't something we keep money for, but I also knew it was just a symbol, it was not life threatening, and it was replaceable.  I looked around the house and decided to head to the church like a friend had suggested (that is where we exercise in the morning).  I sent her a text and she said "I will be right there!"

On the way to the church I sent up a little prayer and said that if it is His will please help me find that diamond.  Then the doubt crept in and I really felt why would this happen for me?  Then I countered that thought with "remember the parking meter?  He cares about the small and simple things too."  We got to the church and my friend went on the stage to turn on the lights.  I walked in the gym and decided to start where I put my mat, which is in the same place everyday on a specific line of the basket ball court.  Sure enough, my diamond was right there.  We found it!  I could not believe it, not only did I feel so blessed but I felt so humble because I doubted when I made such a silly request to our Heavenly Father.

As I was sharing the little prayer I had plead on the way to the church, my friend said "It may seem little but He knows it is important to you!"  That is the key.  I can't tell you much I feel His hand in my life.  I can tell you though that I have no doubt prayer works, He is waiting for us to talk to him about the things that are important to us.

Just not good enough...

WARNING: This is a RANT post but the end there is a good message!

To say the month of February has been an emotional roller coaster is an understatement. If there is a message that has been sent to me over and over it is that I am not good enough. I am not a good enough mom, a good enough wife, friend, sister, church member, athlete, I am not skinny enough, pretty enough, dynamic enough... I just simply am not good enough. There have been highlights like Valentine's Day, my little twingles turning 6, I have had some successes like moderately good looking cookies, some decent craft projects etc. But I can tear each of those apart. The crafting is probably my saving grace, it is the thing that I feel I have value. Then in looking into my calling I came across a talk by Sister Julie B. Beck.  She talks about prioritizing.  She talks of the necessities like reading the scriptures, prayer, those things that are necessary for you to return to live with Heavenly Father.  Then she talks of the needs, like eating, sleeping and much to my dismay cleaning.  I would have scoffed at the last but she said something along the lines of your home is like your temple everyday, if it is dirty and chaotic, how can you feel the spirit?  Which hit home, I look around and there are piles everywhere, and it puts me in a terrible mood, I can't think and I don't want to deal with any of it!  Then she talked about my favorite, the portion where I spend about 95% of my time.  The "Fun-To-Do" part.  They are good things, but not when they take up your time, and replace the things that are on the other two lists.  It is the part that I hang on to the most because it is what I want to be, it is where life focuses on me!

So as I was laying in bed this morning, having a pity party for one, not wanting to get up for the day and cursing just about everybody and everything and repeating my February theme that I am not good enough, I was reminded I am not supposed to be!  I am not supposed to be good enough, I am supposed to be lacking and I am supposed to turn to our Savior to make up where I lack.  It is only through him that I can ever truly be good enough at anything.  In all honestly it is not comforting, but I know that it is OK to not be good enough as long as I am leaning on the Savior.  I have so much to work on when it comes to priorities. As weird as it sounds I also know that when I take are of the first two categories I will have plenty of time to do the things in the last category.

I was reminded of this verse found in Matthew Chapter 11

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Life is all about learning, growing and reshaping, it is not always perfect, but I do know it is worth it and that is what I tell myself on those days when I want to climb in a hole and never come out.  I am thankful for those around me that love me despite my imperfections or maybe because of them.  I am thankful for a Savior who is willing to put in the .99 cents when all I have is a penny to make that dollar.  What a perfect plan.

P.S. My theme song for February "I'm Trying to be like Jesus" was the practice hymn in Relief Society on Sunday, at a moment when I was in a particularly bad mood!

Happy Love Day!

Jeremy and I spent a fabulous night away last month in an early celebration of Valentine's Day. So yesterday we focused our love on the family. We had a great potluck at the church. There were over 30 kids on bikes, scooters and other various items with wheels, including two Plasma Cars

Had I got it together in time we would have had a Mom vs. Mom race, but I was too late in processing that idea.  I look forward to next time.

We came home and I started our dinner.  The two things that mean the most to Jeremy are a clean house and dinner ready on the table when he gets home at 6:00 (or 6:15...maybe 6:30).  The main reason is that if this is done he gets to actually spend time with the kids which doesn't involve him getting on the kids to clean, and if dinner is at 7:00 there is no family fun time, just dinner pajamas, scriptures and good night.

So that was my goal, of which I didn't REALLY achieve any but I was OH so close.  On our menu was heart shaped raviolis with homemade pink Alfredo sauce, broccoli and cheese casserole, home made dinner rolls and a cottage cheese and Jell-o salad.  For dessert I made caramel popcorn then covered it in chocolate.  It was pretty much DELICIOUS!

We used the fancy dishes, fancy goblets and even some fresh flowers from our neighbor's garden.  The kids really felt special using the "grown-up" dishes.  We ended the night with family night, scripture study and the meanest gift ever!  We gave the kids each a box of See's candy, then made them give it back unopened so they could go to bed.  Isn't being a parent delightful?

As we were sitting eating dinner I couldn't help but feel so blessed and loved.  I looked across the table and my heart was full of gratitude, without the man at the other end this would not be possible.  I love you Jeremy, not because the calendar tells me that I have to but because you have given me an awesome life everyday of the year!

To List Follow-up

Here are the results of my To-Do list:
1: Get off the computer:  (Please note, cleaning off the computer desk was NOT on my to do list!)

 2, 4, 6, 10: Do dishes, I did not take a picture every time, but trust me when I say I did a TON of dishes yesterday...and I didn't even cook dinner!)

 3: I did bake over 12 dozen sugar cookies that I will frost tonight after the kids go to bed.

 Unfortunately I got a little sidetracked with one batch and they got a little too crispy, I guess "that's the way the cookie crumbles!" name that movie!

 4:  This is Miranda scooping the 3rd batch of cookies.  She did make all the dough, and I cleaned up all the dishes.  The cookies and write-up is complete.  I will carry over the poster board completion for today's to-do list!

 7:  The dessert for Logan was using Vanilla wafers and some dark chocolate and mint chocolate chips.  We melted the chocolate chips and dipped the wafers in them.  They were like home made grasshoppers or Girl Scout Thin Mints.  Delicious.  This showed resourcefulness "because we melted chocolate and dipped the vanilla wafers" according to Logan.

8:  As for the centerpiece showing resourcefulness, we were told to use something that they made.  Well Logan loves putting together Legos so we brought one of his Lego Ships.  It was from a kit, but he has made some pretty fabulous things from his own imagination.  Logan is also a pretty fabulous artist remember this he was 4 when he drew it!

9:  I sewed on one patch and Logan earned another, so I guess it washes and will continue to be on my to-do list!

12:  Jeremy was able to find Logan's scout book, as it turned out we had done it all already and I just needed to sign it off.  Logan now knows the scout motto, theme, sign, what WeBeLOS means, and a few additional things pertaining to scouts.  So here is Logan with his Bobcat patch!  Way to go Logan.  He did his "good turn" before leaving by helping clean up while other kids were playing.  He turned his patch right side up!

16:  The kids did eat lunch and it was actually soup, rolls, fruit, and I think candy.

It was a busy day, I had to count to ten several times to not blow my top, which I did, right before Jeremy walked in the door.  He came home from work an hour early just to help me.  That was an AWESOME surprise!  Then I had to apologize to Logan for loosing patience with him.  I am so grateful he loves me.

All in all it was a good day, and this day is looking good too!

Today's To Do List

1. Get off the computer!
2. Do dishes from last night's birthday party.
3. Make a mess in the kitchen by baking 11 dozen valentine cookies to frost tomorrow (Who ever thought six kids was a good idea followed by the need to make something homemade for each child to pass out in their classroom?)
4. Do dishes!
5. Help Miranda make 4 batches of cookies for her science fair project.
6. Do Dishes!
7. Help Logan make a dessert that shows resourcefulness for tonight's Blue and Gold for scouting.
8. Make a center piece...I mena Logan Make a center piece for above mentioned activity.
9. Sew Logan's patches on scout shirt for the above mentioned activity.
10. Do Dishes!
11. Help Miranda with her Science fair display board (due Wednesday for display on Thursday!)
12. Find Logan's scout book so I can work with  Logan on the Bobcat path.
13. Learn what it actually means to finish the Bobcat path.
14. Make a Huge list for tomorrow as I plan for the school carnival meeting on Thursday.
15. Make lists for grocery shopping.
16. Feed some kids...chocolate chips and marshmallows?
17. Sleep..nah!  Maybe I will put that on tomorrow's list!

I'm Trying

I have said the canned phrase I am not perfect on this blog so many times but I know that and don't pretend to think perfection is an attribute I possess.  With that being said I have been struggling with a particular person.  I truly believe it is personality clashing.  This person is not bad just I do not respond well to this person.  So anyways a situation happened brought tears to Tuesday and plain spiteful anger to Wednesday. Then the following event occurred Wednesday night:

I am not sure why but Jackson loves me to sing him to sleep. OK I know it isn't that he loves me to sing, he just loves that I fall for it and he gets to stay up later.  That is the bonus of being the baby of the family, I want to treat him like a baby far longer than I should.  Tonight as I was standing next to our piano that usually sits very lonely against our wall, I was flipping through Our Children's Song book that we use at church.  I was trying to broaden my song selection.  I came across the song "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (click that link to hear the music)

Here are the Lyrics:
I'm trying to be like Jesus, 
I'm following in his ways
I'm trying to love like he did
In all that I do and say
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice
But I try to listen to the still small voice whisper
Chorus
Love one another as Jesus loves you
Try to show kindness in all that you do
Be gentle and caring in deed and in thought
for these are the things Jesus taught
Verse
I'm trying to love my neighbor
I'm learning to serve my friends
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus returns again
I try to remember the lessons he taught
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts saying

Chorus

It was one of those moments that kind of take the wind out of your sails.  I have known this song for a long time but it isn't one we sing all the time, but man was it perfect.  I love the children's songs.  They are simple and straight forward, right to the point.  And usually if you are an adult they hit you on the head like a hammer.

With all my frustrations and straight venomous anger, I forgot my purpose.  I was definitely not being gentle and caring in THOUGHT and in deed.  It felt awful, and honestly if I would have come across that song Tues, I probably wouldn't have paid attention.

In any situation, it really can turn out as good or bad as you allow your self to think it is.  Life is not perfect and can be down right painful at times, but choosing to make the most of it can keep your head afloat.  So my renewed commitment is to keep this song in my head and heart.  Even the most irritating people have something great to offer if you just allow your self to focus on those good attributes instead of the...well...not as good attributes.

This particular person is a great example in so many ways and I honestly do admire many qualities.  So we will see if I can control my emotions and have that great growing experience Heavenly Father has in store for me.  Hang on life is an awesome ride!

Blessings abound!

It was not more than a couple hours ago that I posted about having out pictures erased that I got an instant message from my mom saying she emailed me some pictures of her visit.  This was the first one I opened.

 

Please don 't think I am a baby when I tell you I cried when I saw these pictures!  In this picture Jeremy is explaining how they will hold hands so Logan can cover his nose when he is baptized by immersion.

 This was like the only photos I took.  I am beyond grateful that my mom was snapping photos.  Not only did she get these but she took others that included the loved ones that were there to support Logan.


As for the baptism, Logan asked Miranda to give the talk on baptism.  She did an excellent job.  Then she and her good friend did a duet of the song Baptism.  At this point I have an image I want burned into my memory forever.  While Miranda was singing, Logan turned and looked at Jeremy with the biggest grin on his face, Jeremy looked down and smiled.  So precious.  It was definitely a day that he felt very special.  Then I followed with a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  He was then baptized by Jeremy and later confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It was a great occasion and we were so pleased with the many family members and friends that were there.

Oh and for the record we are two for two with the water being freezing.  Jeremy showed up early to fill the font, then locked it all up with the water running and came home to change.  When he got back less than 20 minutes later some one had emptied the font and with it went all the hot water.  It takes about an hour to fill up the font and we had to settle for about 40 minutes.  It was enough.

After it was done, Jeremy and Logan were changing back into their church clothes and Jeremy asked Logan how he felt.  Logan responded "I feel very proud of myself."  Logan we are proud of you too!

It is a clean slate

What I choose to do with it, that is the real question.  A friend asked me today if I had any New Years resolutions.  I said "Of Course" in a monotone voice "the usual, loose some weight, get more organized, you know what I resolve to do every year." 

While those are true, I set those goals at least every Sunday.  One thing we are going to work on as a family is to read the Book of Mormon.  The theme in Primary is "I know the scriptures are true."  What better way to supplement what they are learning at church then studying it at home.  In my useless web surfing I found this great book mark incentive idea.  For each book that you complete as a family they have goals that you can tie to the book completed.  So much fun.  We will be editing the prizes to fit our family, but will totally be enjoying this.

Also this year, Jeremy and I have been asked to help at Girl's camp this summer.  It is for girl's ages 12-18.  It will be a first for both of us.  This ties to my goal to complete the Young Women's Personal Progress Program.  I get to go as the Personal Progress Person which I am barely familiar with, so I figured I would start now and see how much I can get done.  It will help while I am there, but also strengthen my testimony of a fabulous program that will turn nice young ladies into well rounded and well prepared young women.  This is probably my favorite and most exciting goal.

With this goal I am debating if I should use this blog as my Personal Progress journal or if I should keep it more private...decisions, decisions.

Other things that I am planning on doing this year is beating my time from last year's See Jane Tri event.  I am already registered (for FREE, thanks!) and looking forward to lighter mornings when I can train with my good friend Teri...and any other lady that is interested.

In other 2011 news, Jeremy has completed his Bachelor's Degree through the BYU General Studies Program.  While this is actually 2010 news, we are going to take a family trip so me and the kids can watch him walk and accept his degree.  We are truly proud of him and think it is a very neat experience for the children to know that it really is a big deal and it is really important to Jeremy.


What are your 2011 hopes, dreams, goals?  And how do you plan on accomplishing them?  With out a plan how do you get started?

Knock, Knock...

...nobody's been home!  Well that is not true.  We have been home and very busy.  During the second week of December I finished sewing up some skirts for the girls first ballet recital, I started my first lap quilt, my mom came to visit, Logan was baptized.  Of course we got pictures of all these super cool events...then a glitch happened, Christmas Eve we knew we need to empty the memory card to make room for the festivities of Christmas day, food, gifts, family oh-my!  Oh, my it was when we put the card into the computer and all our pictures were gone.  Yes we have no pictures of Haylie and Hannah in their cute little ballet recital, including some short video clips.  We only took two pictures of of Logan and Jeremy all dressed in baptismal clothes.  GONE!  Jeremy and I took a twin and helped them in the classroom to build gingerbread houses, POOF!  My mom bought the kids some drawing stuff and was teaching them how to use it, cute pictures..NO MORE!  We had my mom take a family picture, you know the one we take every year at home with a timer...this year we went high class and got a good one, I think all eight of us looked good...now there is no proof!  It makes me sad, but fortunately not heart broken, well the baptism pictures I am pretty sad about, since it is irreplaceable.  Oh and the ones with my mom since we don't get to see her too often, it had been a year and a half. The rest I can get pictures that are pretty similar.

I did finish a quilt and I am impressed with my self.  As with any learning experience, I shoulda, coulda, woulda.  But none the less I am extremely pleased.  As soon as I get another opportunity I will take a picture.

For those of you who think my stories are something equal to "blah, blah, blah..."  Here is a cute photo to make up for my rambling.

This picture is adorable in color, but when I used it for the quilt I didn't download it from the camera, I just saved the edited version.  Still cute, but Color would have shown you a little more.  These kids are growing so much, personality wise, physically and mentally.  They all make me laugh at least once a day, sometimes make me cry, once a week.  And 100% of the time they make me feel like a super hero.  I am so fortunate, and don't take it for granted that I am this lucky!

BTW take a look at Lauren's angelic pose.  I'm just sayin'.

Happy New year and I hope to be catching up real soon!

Funny or not?

Every Monday we get a stack of the kids schoolwork that they had completed in class.  It is always fun to see how much they are learning.  My favorite is when they get to start writing.  I can't think of any off the top of my head but one recently by Logan was about his pet dragon Harry Potter, which just happens to be the books he is reading, as well as playing the game Lego Harry Potter on Wii. So it isn't really a surprise that is all his brain can think about right now.

I loved when I read this piece of class work:

It is a head line for the New York Times detailing the tragic event of the Titanic.  The headline reads "The Titanic's Big Hit."   Now realizing that a fourth grade brain isn't probably wired for puns, I think it is hilarious that she choose those words considering the Titanic hit a BIG iceberg!  Miranda informed me that she hadn't thought of it that was and was by no means intending it to be funny, OOPS!

Thanksgiving Tradition?

One of my goals this year was to run a 5K.  My goal was to be able to run non-stop and do it in under 30 minutes.  Turns out that is a lofty goal but I am getting closer.  My first run was back in June.  It was a super flat course and I didn't "train" for it at all.  I was still majorly suffering from shin splints.  I did it in 39:34.  I walked about 1/3 of it.  Well I am not there but I am improving.  For the Tri-Sprint in September I did the 5k in 37:26.  This course was more hilly, and I had just swam and biked!  Then we found out about a Nitro Turkey Thanksgiving 5K/10K.  It is perfect for Jeremy and I.  As a bonus they have a little fun run for the kids of 100 yards.  Turns out 100yards is a little too short for Logan!

The group before the race.  Yes tradition says we need a goofy picture!

Jeremy joked about carrying Chris over the finish line!

As retribution we challenged Chris to carry Jeremy...I am sure that is why his knee was hurting during the race ;)

The kids met NitroTurkey, who Logan says they should call "Un-Nitro Turkey because he is slow!"

 

Freezing our hinnies off waiting for the race to begin!

The kids did great running

The boys were thrilled with their medals.

Finishing the race, (I did the 5K and Jer did the 10K) It's only fair he run twice as far since his legs are twice as long!

refueling---I neglected to photograph the its-its he ate!

You do the math.

What do you get when you add an expert, an apprentice and a Jar of peanut butter?  Maybe you are a visual learner so I will use pictures.  The equation I will be working with is (A+B)*C=D where:
A=

B=

C=

and the answer to the above mentioned equation is the following.

Skippy how we love you!

Oh and before you judge too harshly, I was trying to learn to play the piano, this equation added up in about 15 minutes.  Fast and sneaky is a dreadful combination.

Conversations...

I posted this on Facebook so please forgive the redundancy.  I was walking home from picking Haylie and Hannah at school.  My friend turned to me and said "Are you expecting number seven?"  I was a little confused and had no idea why she would ask.  So I responded "No I have just been working on my abs so it makes my stomach stick out more."  The next thought was "I really did eat too many carbs and not work out enough to earn them!"  I guess Miranda had said something about number seven.

As I was sitting here checking up on all my fabulous blogs that I stalk the following conversation happened behind me:

Logan: "Moooommmm, Lauren just said shut U-P"

Lauren: "No I didn't.  I said SHUT UP!"

It is so Lauren to tell you exactly how it is.

And just as a reward for reading this, Lauren has a freakishly long tongue.  I think she gets it from me but there is not photographic proof of that.  Lucky for me Lauren will still sometimes do what I ask and not question my reasoning, especially when it involves sticking out her tongue.

Trunk or Treat

We had our Trunk or Treat last week and I have yet to post pictures.  I love getting requests for this here blog so you have any please speak up...or if you read this at all you can speak up.  Lucky for you I really don't mind blogging to myself, hee-hee!  But Christina this is for you!

Miranda was a Candy Corn Witch, Haylie was a Butterfly Fairy Witch, Hannah was a Ladybug Witch and Lauren was...Tinkerbell?

 As you can see I had the dress idea in my mind and we went and bought fabric.  They chose their colors and after I was all done sewing they told me what they wanted to be.  I think Lauren said Mini Mouse.  So close?  Anyways the girls all loved their dresses and I had a blast making them.  While I didn't use a pattern I did use dresses that fit them to make a usable pattern.  All this for less than $30!

 Jackson was the most adorable Yoda.  Ideally he would have been strapped to Luke's (Logan) back but I ran out of time to create such a device.

 So we made do, here is Logan as Luke Skywalker from Degobah.  A stuffed Yoda is in his backpack.

 Please ignore me stuffing my face in the background.  If it makes it any better is was just a green salad and a roll.

And the full Candy corn witch, it was my favorite dress of the four...shockingly it was my last, so each dress improved.  And making a special guest appearance was Hunter my nephew...I mean Buzz Lightyear.  It was a fun night!