As November comes to an end...its time to check in with myself and my goals for the end of this year. Here goes....
Health and Wellness Goals
Goal 1: Plan and execute menus every week: So far...I've not been doing great. I will plan them but then at the end of the night if it doesn't sound good....I make something else. At least I have the stuff on hand to make healthy alternates.
Goal 2: Track all food every day on my calorie count app: Success! Done and done...even on the horrid days where I went WAY over my cals.
Goal 3: Run 3 times a week and do weights the other 3 (1 rest day): Once again....slacking. I dunno why I can't get motivated. So I've made this a mini-week goal. So far I did some WiiFit stuff on Monday (I will count that as my weights day......) and yesterday I ran 2 miles (approx 40 min with warm up and cool down included)
School Goals
Goal 4: Read out of one of my textbooks every night (this has been especially hard with my accounting book): Yeah....next topic.
Goal 5: Study (having issues figuring out how I study best): Ummm doing slightly better but not much. Still needs improvement.
Goal 6: Attend class every day unless there is sickness or death in the family: I missed one class due to needing to turn in a paper for a different class....but otherwise I'd say success!
Family Goals
Goal 7: Do homework as a family every night: Meh. Moving on.
Goal 8: Eat dinner at the table as a family: This is a hit or miss, however we have been eating together every night. Just depends on if its at the table or on the couch...
Goal 9: Work on sticking to bedtime routine: We are doing better....its hit or miss but so far doing pretty good.
Religious Goals
Goal 10: Have FHE every Monday night: I am loving that we are now officially in the habit of doing this. Nate is still iffy on whether or not he likes to participate...but eventually he climbs on board and we all have a fun time. We've been making our own treats as well which is the favorite part of the whole night for them. Success!
Goal 11: Read the Book of Mormon every night (long term goal is to have it read before the end of the year): Again...just depends on the night. I would say our average is like 4 out of 7 nights.
Goal 12: Have family prayer every day: We do pretty good...some days we miss but mostly we can get this done.
Financial Goals
Goal 13: No using the overdraft account: Still doing better, but not quite good enough to call it a success.
Goal 14: Put money aside in savings: Haha thats a joke....although once my financial situation stabilizes I have a big plan. I'll share that when the time comes.
Goal 15: Get Christmas bought ahead of time while I still have money: Kids are done...check. Jack is done...check. Parents are done...check. Ok Alaska crew......I need a christmas list....
Time for some Happy Moments!
*People are finally starting to say I look like I'm trimming down again. Yay!
*Nate got his Wolf Scout last night....and also got 1 golden arrow and 6 silver arrow. I am soo very proud of him!
*Tonight is the Relief Society Christmas party. I am singing....pray for me not to mess up!
*There are only 2 weeks left of school then I'm on Christmas break with my kiddos. Soo very excited!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thankful Heart
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*I am grateful that I have my little apartment that I love. I feel more at home here than I have in a very long time. Granted, its on the brim of the Ghetto area and I really am not impressed with how they are managed now....and also think they need to get a new maintainance guy. However, for some reason I really do feel at home there and it helps me know I made a good decision in moving.
*A new ward that is fantastic. I had my doubts at first, but as I've tried to be more sociable and outgoing I have been rewarded. I feel a part of things there and also feel like it is where I need to be right now. Yet another proof to me that I made a good decision in moving.
*Coming to the realization that I need to live each day in the present. By doing this, I have been able to focus on my losing chub goal as I have been tracking daily on My Fitness Pal. Thus far, I have lost 19 lbs (about 10 of it was WW help...the other 9 was what I had gained back after quitting WW). The key for me is not focusing so much on "dieting" as just simply eating healthier and getting in my exercise. I have my goals set up on there to lose 1.5 lbs a week and it gives me the tools to do such. And best of all...it's EASY! I am blessed to have a phone app for MFP that helps immensely.
*Soo very grateful for my friend Erin who has decided to be my weight loss buddy. We check in with each other every Sunday and it definitely helps to have someone to be accountable to. And if anyone is looking to lose a little and want to report in on Sunday morning weigh ins...let me know! We check in via Facebook.
*I am grateful as well for the future. It looks soo very promising for me if I can keep my nose clean and stay on the slow and steady path. Truly...I think I have great things in store for my little family. I cannot wait for this new year to come....I'm ready for 2011 to be done.
As a side note....I hope the end of the world is not on December 21, 2011 or on January 1, 2012. I still have a ways to go before I'm ready to meet my maker. And there are a lot of things I would like to experience for that time comes. Which also makes me realize that this life is short and I need to live each day like it's my last. Which I'm sure I'll forget in an hour, however I'm going to try really hard to keep to that...and I encourage you all to do that too. :)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Niko's Song (San Diego State University 2011)
This video was posted by a friend who has a friend (who has a friend of a friend haha! Thats alot of friendly stuff) that is deployed...and his wife wrote this song. It's soo very heartfelt, made me cry. She's been entered in a contest and it would be fantastic if ya'll could go "like" the video on Youtube. That would be great! Thank you! Another post coming soon.....
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Funny funny kids
As Bill Cosby would say...."Kids say the darndest things!" and my kids are no exception.
Nate has had a recent dramatic flair going on and Grandma had to talk about him not being so dramatic when people hit him in the "junk". So last night on the car ride home we were discussing how bringing attention to private areas of our body can draw in people in who want to hurt us and that no one should touch private areas except for yourself and doctors if it is medically necessary. That led to a rousing conversation between the boys about not aiming their "junk" while peeing and how it would fly everywhere and it would just be the funniest thing ever. There were hand gestures and sound effects and everything. They were laughing soo hard it was hard not to smile, but it makes me wonder how on earth I got blessed with 3 boys as that is not something I would discuss on a regular basis. Got to love them :)
Since it is the day before Thanksgiving, I just want to express my gratitude for a minute. I am soo very grateful for my family. They are supportive, helpful and push me to succeed. They keep me on track and make sure my boys know they are loved. I'm also grateful for my boys of course. We have many moments of laughing and many moments of being in trouble, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I am grateful to my wonderful friends who have been there for me. They love and support me in all things and I absolutely love each and every one of them. I am grateful for the knowledge I have in my Heavenly Father and knowing that if I do my part, I can return to him someday. Knowing he loves and cares for me is about the only thing that gets me through some days and I am eternally grateful for the fact that I was raised in a home that was filled with the spirit.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Nate has had a recent dramatic flair going on and Grandma had to talk about him not being so dramatic when people hit him in the "junk". So last night on the car ride home we were discussing how bringing attention to private areas of our body can draw in people in who want to hurt us and that no one should touch private areas except for yourself and doctors if it is medically necessary. That led to a rousing conversation between the boys about not aiming their "junk" while peeing and how it would fly everywhere and it would just be the funniest thing ever. There were hand gestures and sound effects and everything. They were laughing soo hard it was hard not to smile, but it makes me wonder how on earth I got blessed with 3 boys as that is not something I would discuss on a regular basis. Got to love them :)
Since it is the day before Thanksgiving, I just want to express my gratitude for a minute. I am soo very grateful for my family. They are supportive, helpful and push me to succeed. They keep me on track and make sure my boys know they are loved. I'm also grateful for my boys of course. We have many moments of laughing and many moments of being in trouble, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I am grateful to my wonderful friends who have been there for me. They love and support me in all things and I absolutely love each and every one of them. I am grateful for the knowledge I have in my Heavenly Father and knowing that if I do my part, I can return to him someday. Knowing he loves and cares for me is about the only thing that gets me through some days and I am eternally grateful for the fact that I was raised in a home that was filled with the spirit.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Hmmmmm
This has been a thought provoking weekend. Saturday we went for the free swim put on by South Elementary for their healthy living week. I got a massive leg workout (they are still sore today) from "racing" the boys around the lazy river with Ryder latched on my back or riding up front. After 45 minutes of that...I think I can honestly say I burnt off the calories I had for dinner. It really was soo much fun. Nate is quite the popular kid, as is Tyler. I didn't see either of them much as they were off playing with friends. It was kind of fun to see them interact with their classmates.
Sunday was a really good day as well. Our stake presidency taught in Sunday School and it helped me to know that we aren't perfect and we aren't going to be perfect. We can just do the best we can and rely on the big guy upstairs for the rest, as he is our key to our salvation. Keeping close to him will help us stay headed in the right direction. On Sunday we also got in some great family time and yummy supper...but also got the sad but fantastic news that my brother and sis in law are moving. I truly think this is going to be a wonderful move for them. It help them grow as individuals and as a family, but I can't help being a little selfish in saying that I'm going to miss the beejeezies out of them. I truly wish them the best and plan on visiting as often as we can. And quite honestly, I didn't think I would be effected as much as I am by their moving. I didn't realize how close I feel I've grown to them. I really am going to miss them like crazy but I am soo happy that they are moving upward and onward with their lives and couldn't be more supportive. So I love you guys like crazy and I really wasn't planning on dedicating almost an entire post to you, but just know you guys have made a footprint in my life.
Anywho...this week has some good things in it. Thanksgiving of course, but also some possible new opportunities that I hope and pray are meant to be. Its going to be a good week. I hope ya'll have a good week as well.
Sunday was a really good day as well. Our stake presidency taught in Sunday School and it helped me to know that we aren't perfect and we aren't going to be perfect. We can just do the best we can and rely on the big guy upstairs for the rest, as he is our key to our salvation. Keeping close to him will help us stay headed in the right direction. On Sunday we also got in some great family time and yummy supper...but also got the sad but fantastic news that my brother and sis in law are moving. I truly think this is going to be a wonderful move for them. It help them grow as individuals and as a family, but I can't help being a little selfish in saying that I'm going to miss the beejeezies out of them. I truly wish them the best and plan on visiting as often as we can. And quite honestly, I didn't think I would be effected as much as I am by their moving. I didn't realize how close I feel I've grown to them. I really am going to miss them like crazy but I am soo happy that they are moving upward and onward with their lives and couldn't be more supportive. So I love you guys like crazy and I really wasn't planning on dedicating almost an entire post to you, but just know you guys have made a footprint in my life.
Anywho...this week has some good things in it. Thanksgiving of course, but also some possible new opportunities that I hope and pray are meant to be. Its going to be a good week. I hope ya'll have a good week as well.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Some funnies
With life kind of being on the downward slope at the moment I think its a good day to focus on the funny moments we've had. One in particular has to do with Nate. A month or so ago while I was in Salt Lake, Mom had mentioned something to the boys about the draft and how at 18 the boys had to sign a form saying they would go to war if needed or something like that. Well when I got back and we were eating dinner, he kept worrying about having to go to war. He did not want to have to go to war. The military life was not one he was wanting to go into right now. It was kind of humorous because he was really worried about this and couldn't stop talking about it. Well I talked him down enough that I was pretty sure he realized that he didn't HAVE to join the military, signing a draft just meant that if we went to war and there weren't enough soldiers, he would be called up but that the chances of that happening weren't very high.
Well he will mention stuff now and then about the military and how he thinks maybe he'd like to be a mechanic in the military or maybe a barber. I didn't think anything more about it until this morning when he told me that as soon as he is 13 he will be going to Evans Hairstyling School to become a barber and he sure hoped he wasn't the only boy. I told him that he couldn't go to college, even Evans, until he was at least in high school or finished high school depending on what classes he took. I wish I could've taken a picture of his face....it was priceless. He was all sorts of forelorn and just said "Well shoot, that means I'm only going to get one good year of college in before I have to go to war....." I couldn't help but smile for a couple reasons. Based on his logic, he assumed it would take roughly 5 years to complete cosmotology school, and also that he was still thinking about the draft thing. I know, I know....I'm not very nice for thinking it's funny because he was dead serious but still. I explained that unless he was planning on enlisting in the military he wasn't going to be going to war any time soon, and even if he did enlist that they encouraged going to school at the same time. His whole body relaxed and he seemed okay after I told him it was okay to go to school still. So he decided that joining the military might not be soo bad and he might like it. I still don't think he comprehends that its his choice whether or not he enlists. Who knew that this subject would be so thought provoking in an 8 year old! I'm hoping that I eased some of the stress, but its going to be interesting to see what future plans of his are kiboshed by that pesky draft haha!
Well he will mention stuff now and then about the military and how he thinks maybe he'd like to be a mechanic in the military or maybe a barber. I didn't think anything more about it until this morning when he told me that as soon as he is 13 he will be going to Evans Hairstyling School to become a barber and he sure hoped he wasn't the only boy. I told him that he couldn't go to college, even Evans, until he was at least in high school or finished high school depending on what classes he took. I wish I could've taken a picture of his face....it was priceless. He was all sorts of forelorn and just said "Well shoot, that means I'm only going to get one good year of college in before I have to go to war....." I couldn't help but smile for a couple reasons. Based on his logic, he assumed it would take roughly 5 years to complete cosmotology school, and also that he was still thinking about the draft thing. I know, I know....I'm not very nice for thinking it's funny because he was dead serious but still. I explained that unless he was planning on enlisting in the military he wasn't going to be going to war any time soon, and even if he did enlist that they encouraged going to school at the same time. His whole body relaxed and he seemed okay after I told him it was okay to go to school still. So he decided that joining the military might not be soo bad and he might like it. I still don't think he comprehends that its his choice whether or not he enlists. Who knew that this subject would be so thought provoking in an 8 year old! I'm hoping that I eased some of the stress, but its going to be interesting to see what future plans of his are kiboshed by that pesky draft haha!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Random highlights
This weekend was a relatively calm one. Friday I didn't have work (a BIG woohoo for that one....) so I spent the day doing homework and completely finished my online class. I also made an appointment to see my advisor to talk about switching majors. I will see her tomorrow. It seriously was a fantastic day. Saturday the boys REALLY wanted to put up the Christmas tree so I told them we had to move furniture around so it would fit. After we got that all done, the Wii mysteriously started working. I think it was a bad surge protector myself...but the Wii was enough to distract the boys from Christmas trees for one more week. They played TMNT until dinner time. Speaking of dinner time, preface this by saying there are a few foods in this world I love. Those include potatoes of any variety and cheese. I made my all time favorite soup, Mom's cheese soup. A big pot of cheesy deliciousness with veggies, lots of cheese and potatoes (yes I know they are a veggie but they need a seperate category). And the boys wouldn't touch it. I had to threaten early bedtime for them to even take one bite. This said....I think they are not of my DNA. I know I carried them in my tummy, I know they came from me, but I really think they have some alien DNA or something. How can my boys not like 2 of my most favorite foods of all time? Its a mystery to me.
Anywho...back to the weekend. Sunday we slept in past conference (I know....) so we had a family day of just hanging out together and watching movies and such. It was a good day. The only reason I'm including the next little bit is because Mom and Dad thought it was hilarous. I got back from a meeting I was at and it was already 5, so I needed to start grilling the chicken. The VT were there so I didn't feel like I wanted to interupt dad to start the grill. So Ry and I headed out with some matches in hand to turn on the grill. We turned the gas to high (mistake number one), lit the match and threw it in the grill. It didn't start up so I leaned in (mistake number 2) to see why, as if leaning in would provide the answers to all of life's mysteries or something, and then POOF! Seriously...the grill looked a little something like this...
but insert a picture of my head right in the middle of it. Seriously...not my brightest moment. We didn't get hurt, I didn't even get singed eyebrows or anything it just scared the bejeezies out of me. And Ry...oh so funny. He jumped about 20 ft in the air and wasn't quite sure what to think of it. It was kinda funny....
Yesterday brought me awesome news of doing FANTASTIC on my Microeconomics test and having it bring my grade up from an F to a C. I attribute it to Moms little notebooks. The night before I went and wrote down the billions of equations and how to solve them step by step in this little notebook she gave me. That is the only thing I did differently from the last test that I completely bombed...so I say that made the difference this time. Then when I got off work, we decided to go to Brad's Food Hut for dinner which was absolutely delish and we had great company to dine with too. For FHE we ended up forgoing a lesson and such since we didn't get home until around 7, so we went straight to making cookie pops. They actually turned out pretty good.
I had many more pictures, but for some reason they didn't email over and I already deleted them from my phone. Dangit. Oh well. Well thats all folks...hope ya'll have a great day!
Anywho...back to the weekend. Sunday we slept in past conference (I know....) so we had a family day of just hanging out together and watching movies and such. It was a good day. The only reason I'm including the next little bit is because Mom and Dad thought it was hilarous. I got back from a meeting I was at and it was already 5, so I needed to start grilling the chicken. The VT were there so I didn't feel like I wanted to interupt dad to start the grill. So Ry and I headed out with some matches in hand to turn on the grill. We turned the gas to high (mistake number one), lit the match and threw it in the grill. It didn't start up so I leaned in (mistake number 2) to see why, as if leaning in would provide the answers to all of life's mysteries or something, and then POOF! Seriously...the grill looked a little something like this...
but insert a picture of my head right in the middle of it. Seriously...not my brightest moment. We didn't get hurt, I didn't even get singed eyebrows or anything it just scared the bejeezies out of me. And Ry...oh so funny. He jumped about 20 ft in the air and wasn't quite sure what to think of it. It was kinda funny....
Yesterday brought me awesome news of doing FANTASTIC on my Microeconomics test and having it bring my grade up from an F to a C. I attribute it to Moms little notebooks. The night before I went and wrote down the billions of equations and how to solve them step by step in this little notebook she gave me. That is the only thing I did differently from the last test that I completely bombed...so I say that made the difference this time. Then when I got off work, we decided to go to Brad's Food Hut for dinner which was absolutely delish and we had great company to dine with too. For FHE we ended up forgoing a lesson and such since we didn't get home until around 7, so we went straight to making cookie pops. They actually turned out pretty good.
I had many more pictures, but for some reason they didn't email over and I already deleted them from my phone. Dangit. Oh well. Well thats all folks...hope ya'll have a great day!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Veterans Day
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Time to Check In
Today is a check in for me. The goals I listed in October I'm still working on, so lets see how its going.
Health and Wellness Goals
Goal 1: Plan and execute menus every week: With the exception of one week that was extremely crazy, I have successfully completed this goal every week since posting.
Goal 2: Track all food every day on my calorie count app: In the last 30 days, I have missed 5 days. Still a work in progress but pretty dang good. My goal is to HONESTLY log every single day in November.
Goal 3: Run 3 times a week and do weights the other 3 (1 rest day): I have honestly been slacking at this one. But this is a new week. On Monday I did 40 minutes of weights from my 6 week body makeover plan and yesterday I started over with the C25K. And the best part....I shaved a full minute off of my mile. The quickest I've been able to walk/job a mile has been 20 minutes. Last night I did it in 19 minutes. I was seriously doing a happy dance while trying not to fall off the treadmill! Soo happy. Small things like that make me realize that I am making progess, even if I can't see it yet.
School Goals
Goal 4: Read out of one of my textbooks every night (this has been especially hard with my accounting book): Honestly, I haven't been doing great at this. It needs serious improvement.
Goal 5: Study (having issues figuring out how I study best): Again, struggling. However I figured out yesterday that after jogging I retain more information for some reason. I have a test today and I feel pretty prepared for it after studying last night.
Goal 6: Attend class every day unless there is sickness or death in the family: I have done well with this. I missed one day on Monday due to some serious stress...so I think thats great overall. Its crazy to think there are only 4 weeks until Finals. I luckily won't have any major finals (I think) but its crazy how fast this semester has gone by.
Family Goals
Goal 7: Do homework as a family every night: We have been doing good at this. Nate does his homework at school, but Ty does his and reads to me just about every night. We aren't doing perfectly, but its getting there.
Goal 8: Eat dinner at the table as a family: Depending on the day, we do okay. Some are better than others...but this is still a work in progress.
Goal 9: Work on sticking to bedtime routine: So far so good, for the most part. There were a couple late nights that we had to skip story time but all in all doing good.
Religious Goals
Goal 10: Have FHE every Monday night: We have been doing great with this...check!
Goal 11: Read the Book of Mormon every night (long term goal is to have it read before the end of the year): I found a section in my gospel library app that has the kids stories for all of the scriptures, so we are currently working on the Book of Mormon and are to Chapter 8.
Goal 12: Have family prayer every day: This area for the most part is going well, we've had some days that we've skipped but its definitely an improvement from before.
Financial Goals
Goal 13: No using the overdraft account: Doing better but still not great yet....work in progress.
Goal 14: Put money aside in savings: Haha thats a joke....
Goal 15: Get Christmas bought ahead of time while I still have money: This is actually going great. The kids are pretty much done so whats left is family and friends.
On looking back, its nice to know that improvements are being made in most areas. Obviously there are some areas I need to work on more than others, but its comforting to know that things are improving somewhat.
Have a great day!
Health and Wellness Goals
Goal 1: Plan and execute menus every week: With the exception of one week that was extremely crazy, I have successfully completed this goal every week since posting.
Goal 2: Track all food every day on my calorie count app: In the last 30 days, I have missed 5 days. Still a work in progress but pretty dang good. My goal is to HONESTLY log every single day in November.
Goal 3: Run 3 times a week and do weights the other 3 (1 rest day): I have honestly been slacking at this one. But this is a new week. On Monday I did 40 minutes of weights from my 6 week body makeover plan and yesterday I started over with the C25K. And the best part....I shaved a full minute off of my mile. The quickest I've been able to walk/job a mile has been 20 minutes. Last night I did it in 19 minutes. I was seriously doing a happy dance while trying not to fall off the treadmill! Soo happy. Small things like that make me realize that I am making progess, even if I can't see it yet.
School Goals
Goal 4: Read out of one of my textbooks every night (this has been especially hard with my accounting book): Honestly, I haven't been doing great at this. It needs serious improvement.
Goal 5: Study (having issues figuring out how I study best): Again, struggling. However I figured out yesterday that after jogging I retain more information for some reason. I have a test today and I feel pretty prepared for it after studying last night.
Goal 6: Attend class every day unless there is sickness or death in the family: I have done well with this. I missed one day on Monday due to some serious stress...so I think thats great overall. Its crazy to think there are only 4 weeks until Finals. I luckily won't have any major finals (I think) but its crazy how fast this semester has gone by.
Family Goals
Goal 7: Do homework as a family every night: We have been doing good at this. Nate does his homework at school, but Ty does his and reads to me just about every night. We aren't doing perfectly, but its getting there.
Goal 8: Eat dinner at the table as a family: Depending on the day, we do okay. Some are better than others...but this is still a work in progress.
Goal 9: Work on sticking to bedtime routine: So far so good, for the most part. There were a couple late nights that we had to skip story time but all in all doing good.
Religious Goals
Goal 10: Have FHE every Monday night: We have been doing great with this...check!
Goal 11: Read the Book of Mormon every night (long term goal is to have it read before the end of the year): I found a section in my gospel library app that has the kids stories for all of the scriptures, so we are currently working on the Book of Mormon and are to Chapter 8.
Goal 12: Have family prayer every day: This area for the most part is going well, we've had some days that we've skipped but its definitely an improvement from before.
Financial Goals
Goal 13: No using the overdraft account: Doing better but still not great yet....work in progress.
Goal 14: Put money aside in savings: Haha thats a joke....
Goal 15: Get Christmas bought ahead of time while I still have money: This is actually going great. The kids are pretty much done so whats left is family and friends.
On looking back, its nice to know that improvements are being made in most areas. Obviously there are some areas I need to work on more than others, but its comforting to know that things are improving somewhat.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Really Hard Days
Its been a minute...I'm sorry. The weekend was good, we just chilled out and I totally needed the relaxing. It snowed and I absolutely loved it. I've been ready for snow and for the winter season to start. On Sunday we had a good time at church and I ended up having to play the piano in Relief Society. One song I knew and the other I didn't, so I asked the director if she could play the last song and it ended up going well. This is leading somewhere I promise. That will come later.
Yesterday was an extremely hard day for me. I really wanted to just go home and throw in the towel. But ironically, in my probation class we had presenter come in from CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) to discuss the signs of stress and unbalance in our lives. It was rather ironic because everything he was discussing was relevant to my life. It made me realize that maybe I'm not as in balance as I thought....and alot of my disconnect could be tied to some stress/emotional/depression related issues. I'm planning on heading into their office this week to see if I can get this figured out. I keep trying to talk myself out of it by justifying why I don't need the help, but deep down I know I do. I think I'll be much happier when I can get in balance.
After all was said and done it was sure nice to be home. Grandma had taken the boys to get new shoes and haircuts. Tyler is soo funny, he is so very proud of his new boots. They are "grown up" boots he says so he feels much more grown up with them on. As I was making dinner I got a call from one of the Relief Society counselors (the girl who was directing music Sunday) and she was calling to see if I would sing for the Christmas Party coming up. She had been listening to me sing on Sunday and thought I had pretty voice, and they were looking for someone to sing during a slideshow of Christ's life. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I'm really happy to be able to serve. I think thats just what I needed.
We also had a good FHE last night. Ryder surprised me by answering questions with "we go into the water and we get baptized." It made my heart melt and just made me all around happy. Afterwards, we made some homemade moon pies. The kids enjoyed them and loved helping me make them.
I'm really hoping that today and the rest of the week is better. Friday I will have a free day to get some things done and I am looking forward to it like crazy. I have my appointment for career counseling that day and also plan on sucking it up and going into CAPS. It will be a good day for me to get ahead on my homework too.
Heres to hoping that you all and myself have a fantastic rest of the week!
Yesterday was an extremely hard day for me. I really wanted to just go home and throw in the towel. But ironically, in my probation class we had presenter come in from CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) to discuss the signs of stress and unbalance in our lives. It was rather ironic because everything he was discussing was relevant to my life. It made me realize that maybe I'm not as in balance as I thought....and alot of my disconnect could be tied to some stress/emotional/depression related issues. I'm planning on heading into their office this week to see if I can get this figured out. I keep trying to talk myself out of it by justifying why I don't need the help, but deep down I know I do. I think I'll be much happier when I can get in balance.
After all was said and done it was sure nice to be home. Grandma had taken the boys to get new shoes and haircuts. Tyler is soo funny, he is so very proud of his new boots. They are "grown up" boots he says so he feels much more grown up with them on. As I was making dinner I got a call from one of the Relief Society counselors (the girl who was directing music Sunday) and she was calling to see if I would sing for the Christmas Party coming up. She had been listening to me sing on Sunday and thought I had pretty voice, and they were looking for someone to sing during a slideshow of Christ's life. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I'm really happy to be able to serve. I think thats just what I needed.
We also had a good FHE last night. Ryder surprised me by answering questions with "we go into the water and we get baptized." It made my heart melt and just made me all around happy. Afterwards, we made some homemade moon pies. The kids enjoyed them and loved helping me make them.
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| Our moon pies |
Heres to hoping that you all and myself have a fantastic rest of the week!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Slacker!
Yes...I have been kind of a slacker at this blog thing lately. I may post something little, but nothing monumental for the most part. I think I'm in a blogging slump. So heres to some random stuff and gratitude to kick off the weekend.
*I successfully completed Day 1 of my C25K program yesterday and came in under my calorie goal as well (tracking with MyFitnessPal.com. Awesome site). I feel amazing when I eat right and exercise...I always wonder how I get off track. I have found a nice little group of friends on the MyFitnessPal community, and they are super supportive. Anytime anyone has a landmark, no matter how big or small...there are high fives (so to speak) all around. Its really great to know that there are people that are like you who are working towards the same goal...and that it can be done!
*I have a silly confession....I enter the PCH drawing every day in hopes I will become an instant millionare and get $5k a week for the rest of my life. Chances are like, 1 in 70 billion that I will win, but its still a guilty pleasure. And if I were to ever win, I have it all planned out. I would pay off my debts, buy a house and buy a new car. Then I would give my parents and siblings (and their families of course) whatever money they needed to pay off any debts they had. I would then take the family on a vacation somewhere fun. After that, I would donate to my church, my school and a couple other foundations. I would set some aside to finish school of course, and possibly open my own business when that was complete. I would set aside enough to live on while I went through school and the rest I would stock away in interest bearing accounts and invest.
I know....I have way too much time on my hands. But it mostly happens at night when everything else is done and I can't sleep...in my defense.
*I have been getting increasingly more irritable to be around when the boys are around. I feel bad for this but have realized its because they are really slow at doing EVERYTHING I ask them do to and for once I'd really enjoy having them just do what I ask without playing around. Working on ways to get that to happen short of capital punishment. Any ideas anyone? Seriously....if you got anything please share. I'd like to be back to enjoying my kiddos every minute or at least most the time.
*I'm still in Limbo about school/work....but we shall see what happens. Got some feelers out there. If you work somewhere thats hiring and makes a decent wage (something more than minimum wage) and has a flexible schedule...hit me up.
*I successfully completed Day 1 of my C25K program yesterday and came in under my calorie goal as well (tracking with MyFitnessPal.com. Awesome site). I feel amazing when I eat right and exercise...I always wonder how I get off track. I have found a nice little group of friends on the MyFitnessPal community, and they are super supportive. Anytime anyone has a landmark, no matter how big or small...there are high fives (so to speak) all around. Its really great to know that there are people that are like you who are working towards the same goal...and that it can be done!
*I have a silly confession....I enter the PCH drawing every day in hopes I will become an instant millionare and get $5k a week for the rest of my life. Chances are like, 1 in 70 billion that I will win, but its still a guilty pleasure. And if I were to ever win, I have it all planned out. I would pay off my debts, buy a house and buy a new car. Then I would give my parents and siblings (and their families of course) whatever money they needed to pay off any debts they had. I would then take the family on a vacation somewhere fun. After that, I would donate to my church, my school and a couple other foundations. I would set some aside to finish school of course, and possibly open my own business when that was complete. I would set aside enough to live on while I went through school and the rest I would stock away in interest bearing accounts and invest.
I know....I have way too much time on my hands. But it mostly happens at night when everything else is done and I can't sleep...in my defense.
*I have been getting increasingly more irritable to be around when the boys are around. I feel bad for this but have realized its because they are really slow at doing EVERYTHING I ask them do to and for once I'd really enjoy having them just do what I ask without playing around. Working on ways to get that to happen short of capital punishment. Any ideas anyone? Seriously....if you got anything please share. I'd like to be back to enjoying my kiddos every minute or at least most the time.
*I'm still in Limbo about school/work....but we shall see what happens. Got some feelers out there. If you work somewhere thats hiring and makes a decent wage (something more than minimum wage) and has a flexible schedule...hit me up.
*And finally...I am eternally grateful for the women in my life. I love them all dearly. I know they got my back and I hope they know I got theirs too. {Sorry Betsy, I had to steal the picture. It did turn out good. :)}
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| The girls except for a sister....who we miss terribly. Just FYI. |
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Gratitude and Sadness all mushed together
So there are a couple things I have been thinking about lately. I'm not so good at organizing my thoughts as anyone who's read this probably already knows, so expect some scattered thoughts. Last night as we were eating...I realized how grateful I am to have such a great and loving family. Without them, I know I would be struggling immensely. I know I have a safe haven there and it has given me alot of reassurance.
Between two qoutes, celeb gossip and recently obtaining my patriarchical (sp?) blessing (PB) after not having it for nearly 10 years...I have a different outlook on marriage. On one side, I truly ache for when I have someone to love. I see happy families all around and at times I do wonder who on earth would be crazy enough to be able to put up with me and my crazy boys. But then I see the two qoutes....
Both of these pretty much sum up what I want in a man...and make me realize that I deserve nothing less than that. And I am willing to wait to have those blessings come to me. How does celeb gossip come into to play? I'm sure anyone who keeps up with the news knows the big marriage of Kim K lasted a whole 72 days. It took longer to plan the wedding than the actual marriage actually lasted. This isn't new...there are several celebs out there who have marriages that end as quickly as that one, and sometimes even more quickly. The sacred institute of marriage has been completely bashed apart and destroyed by society. People pretty much assume that they will have 2 or 3 marriages and hopefully it all works out eventually. What happened to sticking it out in hard times and in good times? What happened to working out problems together instead of just getting divorced? It didn't hit me until all of the buzz about that divorce has been flying around. Its sad. Seriously.
The PB made me tells me that in time a boy will take me to the temple. When I am looking, I need to look for someone who has a strong testimony, a love of the church and wants the same end result as me (eternal family). If I am faithful, this will happen. But I need to be prepared for him as well....and thats the part I need to work on. I don't think I'm quite prepared yet. And...I'm willing to wait until I find that person. No matter how envious I get when I see happy couples....I will be remembering that I have a wonderful man waiting for me, I just need to get prepared so that when the time is right, I'll be ready.
Enough of marriage and love. The housing industry is killing me right now. More than ever I see politicans coming out with things that are completely ridiculous, just to boost their ratings. For instance, I posted yesterday about the foreclosure reviews. Fantastic idea and I encourage people to look into it. However after listening to a conference call on the subject...they said the benefit was "having someone take a second look." No compensation has been determined, they aren't prepared for the overload of people who will most likely want to have their accounts looked at, and they are expecting to pay third party sources for the review but want the housing agencies who are starting to shut down for lack of funding take time out to find these people, help with the paperwork, and follow through....yet they won't give us any compensation. At all. So to me, this is just another political program that will not work but is put out so that someone in DC can look good. I really hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. This is a program that has good intentions but is being rolled out before its ready. The OCC figured we'd have their backs and be all excited...which we are to a point...but not when it means additional work for us and no outcome or extra pay. That not only makes their program ridiculous, but it makes us seem uneducated. Bad news on all fronts.
My last thought is about the school/work dynamic. I feel like I'm in limbo and I don't like it. I want to know whats going on so that I can plan. Its coming time to register for classes, and if I have to find a full time job and leave school, I don't want to register. However if I delay much longer then I will miss the classes I need if I do end up staying. I feel strongly I need to stay, so thats the route I'm taking for now. But I can't survive on my good looks....so somethings got to give. Maybe I'll win the lotto. Or the PCH. I have been entering daily in hopes. :)
Between two qoutes, celeb gossip and recently obtaining my patriarchical (sp?) blessing (PB) after not having it for nearly 10 years...I have a different outlook on marriage. On one side, I truly ache for when I have someone to love. I see happy families all around and at times I do wonder who on earth would be crazy enough to be able to put up with me and my crazy boys. But then I see the two qoutes....
Both of these pretty much sum up what I want in a man...and make me realize that I deserve nothing less than that. And I am willing to wait to have those blessings come to me. How does celeb gossip come into to play? I'm sure anyone who keeps up with the news knows the big marriage of Kim K lasted a whole 72 days. It took longer to plan the wedding than the actual marriage actually lasted. This isn't new...there are several celebs out there who have marriages that end as quickly as that one, and sometimes even more quickly. The sacred institute of marriage has been completely bashed apart and destroyed by society. People pretty much assume that they will have 2 or 3 marriages and hopefully it all works out eventually. What happened to sticking it out in hard times and in good times? What happened to working out problems together instead of just getting divorced? It didn't hit me until all of the buzz about that divorce has been flying around. Its sad. Seriously.
The PB made me tells me that in time a boy will take me to the temple. When I am looking, I need to look for someone who has a strong testimony, a love of the church and wants the same end result as me (eternal family). If I am faithful, this will happen. But I need to be prepared for him as well....and thats the part I need to work on. I don't think I'm quite prepared yet. And...I'm willing to wait until I find that person. No matter how envious I get when I see happy couples....I will be remembering that I have a wonderful man waiting for me, I just need to get prepared so that when the time is right, I'll be ready.
Enough of marriage and love. The housing industry is killing me right now. More than ever I see politicans coming out with things that are completely ridiculous, just to boost their ratings. For instance, I posted yesterday about the foreclosure reviews. Fantastic idea and I encourage people to look into it. However after listening to a conference call on the subject...they said the benefit was "having someone take a second look." No compensation has been determined, they aren't prepared for the overload of people who will most likely want to have their accounts looked at, and they are expecting to pay third party sources for the review but want the housing agencies who are starting to shut down for lack of funding take time out to find these people, help with the paperwork, and follow through....yet they won't give us any compensation. At all. So to me, this is just another political program that will not work but is put out so that someone in DC can look good. I really hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. This is a program that has good intentions but is being rolled out before its ready. The OCC figured we'd have their backs and be all excited...which we are to a point...but not when it means additional work for us and no outcome or extra pay. That not only makes their program ridiculous, but it makes us seem uneducated. Bad news on all fronts.
My last thought is about the school/work dynamic. I feel like I'm in limbo and I don't like it. I want to know whats going on so that I can plan. Its coming time to register for classes, and if I have to find a full time job and leave school, I don't want to register. However if I delay much longer then I will miss the classes I need if I do end up staying. I feel strongly I need to stay, so thats the route I'm taking for now. But I can't survive on my good looks....so somethings got to give. Maybe I'll win the lotto. Or the PCH. I have been entering daily in hopes. :)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Work related...
Today is a short but sweet post in relation to foreclosure.
If anyone is/has been in the foreclosure process or KNOWS anyone who is/has been in the foreclosure process and "who may have been financially injured due to errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in their foreclosure process between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010"....please check out Independent Foreclosure Review. Here you will give the specifications of how to submit the application, who qualifies, and what Lenders are participating. Things are still rather vague....however its worth looking into. Please please pass this information along so people who were wronged can get a second look into their case.
Thank you!
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