Glist

Today I'm grateful...



for clear skies. I loved being able to see the valley again.

for time with my friend Amy and her advice that life isn't life without sugar. We should limit instead of eliminate. I accept.

to stumble upon kid doodles.

to get our snow blower fixed just as we usher in another winter storm.

for the mild weather. It's 30 degrees --downright balmy.

for finding time for my hope tos.

for a space heater that's keeping my studio nice and cozy.

for leftovers, which made an easy, yet satisfying lunch.

for my girls honesty.

for snowy evenings safe at home.

for a family movie night -- we watched born to be wild.

for a new blank journal.


What are you grateful for today??

today I'm...

Driving around in a Sequoia as my car is getting some needed love. It's so much bigger than I'm use to and feel I'm taking up more space than I should.

Feeling exhausted. Been up since 2am for no reason at all.

Listening to alesund by sun kil moon. Their music is intoxicating and provokes such emotion -- photos too.

Enjoying, still, the beautiful flowers I received from friends for my birthday. Making me ready for spring.

Eating left over Chinese food for lunch from Adams birthday celebration.

Making homemade marinara sauce to use with our dinner tonight. Recipe


Sharing a few of my recent instagrams

Working on the outline for Seeing the Everyday. Less than 12 weeks away! Looking so forward to not only teaching it, but connecting with all those who have signed up for my class.

Wondering why I have 14+ socks without it's identical partner. Where do they go??

Freezing. For some reason I cannot warm up.

Helping Megan clean her room.

Writing pros and cons for going back to school next year.

today i'm choosing

Today I'm letting go of fear and making room for possibility.
Today I'm letting go of misunderstandings and making room for love.
Today I'm letting go of have tos and making room for want tos.
Today I'm letting go of doubt and making room for hope.
Today I'm letting go of sadness and making room for laughter.
Today I'm letting go of "i'm not good enough" and making room for "...you are powerful beyond measure".

Today...

I could have done without the snow. Do not attempt to adjust your screen the white flakes you see are in fact snow. I cried a bit as I watched it fall this morning & collect on the road. We probably got a total of 3 inches all together. It did melt very quickly once it decided to stop, but I'm sad it killed my neighbors newly planted flowers.

I'm grateful for late night talks & time spent reconnecting.

I've been listening to Sarah by Ray LaMontagne. His entire album Gossip In the Grain is so mood altering I can't get enough. Another favorite is I Still Care For You.


I've been looking through the photos I took of Bella in her play Saturday. I thought she was funny and did a great job acting, much better than I could have ever done. I wonder if this is something she will want to continue with. In this scene she's a citizen of the emerald city so that's why all the green.

I've been attempting to watch the series finale of Lost while I fold clothes. Finally after 30 minutes of in & out I realize I just need to wait til tonight. I have a feeling I'm going to be let down and be ashamed I spent so much of my time on this show.

I feel understood.

We played blockus for FHE.


I'm wondering when my body will stop hurting? Adam took this picture Saturday unbeknownst to me while I was doing the kick boxing portion of p90x. Can't believe how sore you can be from hitting air.

Adam and I bought The National's new album High Violet. The jury is still out. A few songs stood out right away, but I'm not completely sold on the rest...not yet anyway.

today

* I'm writing this on a laptop because I'm experiencing computer woes. I fear I may be out my computer for a week or so. Other than the obvious, it has been seriously inconvenient since I had a project I had to finish yesterday. I kept hearing in my head, "make it work". What can I say, I'm such a fan of Tim Gunn.
* I made banana bread with the girls and I can smell it cooking in the oven. (edit...I'm pretty sure I over cooked the smaller ones)
* I took a 2 hour nap. I fear it may mess me up tonight.
* I got a new calling as the Primary Secretary in my ward for my church (it was a complete shock). A calling, for those of you who don't know, is volunteer service for various organizations in my church. The primary is the organization over the children 11 and under.



* I can see the mountains are beginning to change colors. I'm offically ready for autumn.
* I've been debating about either adding more to my etsy store or closing it down. I've been told it can't be found so I am adding a link to my sidebar in case anyone is interested.
* I've been watching Return of the Jedi with my four. I definitely like the other 2 better.
* I feel like I've got something I need to do that I'm not doing, but I can't imagine what it is. I keep looking at my calendar thinking something will be there.
* I have photos I want to upload and share from our attempt to camp last weekend.
* Have I told you lately that I am not a fan of computer problems.
* It's 8:30pm. I think I'll go back to bed and read a while and hopefully get a good 8 hours.

what a day

it all started like this...

2:37am I hear a bang crash and then moaning. I turn over to Adam, realize he's not in bed and go bolting for the bathroom. There he is face down. I'm not sure what has happened, but gather he must have fainted. After getting him to wake up and respond to me (the longest minute of my life) I realize he's sick.

2:45am-5:24am Laid awake, listening for Adam because the whole ordeal of finding him face down has left me a little panicked. Helped him when he needed it.

5:25am Since I wasn't sleeping and Adam seemed to be handling himself better than before I figured I should go to boot camp as planned.

5:40am Went down to the garage to get my stuff and heard some rustling. It was Tess looking for her shoes. She was fully dressed ready for school. When I asked her what she was doing she said, "I tried to sleep, but I just can't. My eyes just stay open." So I put her in front of the television and left.

6:00am-7:15am boot camp

7:16am Walked into a quiet house and wondered why the girls weren't up yet. I found Bella and Tess in Bella's bed giggling. Apparently they were waiting for her alarm to go off before they got up. I can completely remember my first days of school so vividly and how excited I was to finally get there after so much anticipation.

7:17am-8:20am It was a flurry of activity all the while feeling like crashing. Made the girls french toast and cut up cantaloupe. Helped walk them through what they needed to get done before we left, ie shoes, hair, lunch, snack, teeth. Apparently you can unlearn everything in 3 months. Left on time.

8:25am Watched my girls, who could not have been more excited, find their friends and anxiously await the beginning of their new day.


[Do you notice there new hair cuts? Finally Bella got the hair cut she's been trying to get for a year. Thanks Tami for telling me about your stylist. click here to enlarge]

8:30am Said my goodbyes and left. On the way out I ran into my friend I go to boot camp with. She offered to take Megan so I could go back to sleep. Precious gift. I didn't hesitate to put Megan, who was still in her pajamas and looking rough, in their car and left.

8:46am Got home, checked up on Adam, opened the windows, made a few phone calls and went to the couch to sleep.

9:14am-11:55am slept. delicious sleep.

11:56am Had the hardest time waking up. I realized I probably should so I didn't ruin my sleep tonight, but I didn't want to. It was so needed. Called my friend who said to come get Megan at 1:30pm. I closed my eyes again.

12:15pm Pulled myself off the couch and found Adam. He was doing so much better. Apparently the nausea was wearing off and was feeling hungry. He is convinced it was food poisoning, but I'm not so sure. He still had blood on his face from where he fell and found out he had a huge goose egg and a split lip. He took more of a fall then I realized. I'm so glad it wasn't more serious because I was too out of it to think of how he fell or that he could have had a concussion.

12:55pm Adam broke the news...our realtor had called and our buyers pulled out. Apparently they gave a bogus reason that our shed in back wasn't built on a foundation. Whatever. It's a 9x9 structure, a place to put bikes and lawn mowers, hardly something to let go of a house for. I guess they had changed their mind for whatever reason.

1pm I feel shocked and a bit overwhelmed. In a way I feel this relief of not moving, but then I feel let down that the IG won't happen. Adam is quite disappointed, but has put the final decision, to continue to sell for another 30 days or stop, in my hands. Doesn't he know how bad I am with decisions? You would think it would be crystal clear to me, but I am unsure of what to do or what is right for us. Lots to think about.

right now

I am enjoying a lazy Saturday morning.

I am listening to the delicious sound of thunder & rain.

I am ready to get back into normal life after a two week vacation with my sister.

I am deciding whether or not to accept an offer on my house.

I am thinking about what the near future holds for us.

I am grateful for Adam's patience.

I am feeling blessed.

I am laughing at Megan's comment that she is "precious".

I am going through my kids clothes and deciding what needs to be saved/past down or giving away.

I am searching for a piano teacher for Tess.

I am reading, still reading, Angle of Repose...I haven't accomplish much reading this summer.

I am looking forward to a night out with friends.

I am sad to see the summer light begin to fade.

I am trying to celebrate the everyday.

It's been one of those days.

You know one of those days when you wondered why you even bothered to get out of bed. I've been rushing, late, hurt, seen others hurt, spilled and broken things. SERENITY NOW!!

It was about half way through when I made a conscious decision to just let it roll off my back and look for the good that came from all the bad. It worked too, my day is ending much, much better than it started.

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I was rushing this morning (I hate to rush) getting everyone out the door and Megan ready for her dance performance.
Good news: I was wrong about the time. We were actually 15 minutes early.

I just realized my home phone hasn't been working for a week. People have been calling and leaving messages and I've had no idea.
Good news: the messages weren't time sensitive and I was able to get back with everyone today.

While on the phone with comcast trying to get my phones fixed I was disconnected 3 times. The last time I screamed out loud with the window opened leaving my neighbors to wonder what was going on.
Good news: I was finally able to make an appointment for tomorrow even if it did take four phone calls.

I was late taking Megan to school this afternoon because I forgot they were celebrating her unbirthday and she needed to bring treats to share. On the way out of the store an old man had fallen and was half underneath my car making us even later. I was really worried for him, he was bleeding, but luckily he was OK and not alone. We got him in his car and his sweet wife took over to bandage him up.
Good news: sometimes it's OK to be late.

I cut my finger, not once, but twice while I was making beef stew. Good news: the bone stopped the knife from going completely through.

Found out the beef stew I made for dinner had been sitting in a cold crock pot. I had forgotten to turn it on.
Good news: I found out about it, hopefully, before it was too late.

Got a $450 bill from the doctors office.
Good news: turns out it was a big mistake :)

I spilled a glass of milk all over the counter, garbage can, and floor.
Good news: my floor is now clean.

I broke our waffle iron while putting it away.
Good news: I was just thinking yesterday how I'd love to get a new one.

I didn't get lunch and had a gross granola bar for breakfast.
Good news: I had a stash of milk duds in my car to tide me over.

While picking up papers in our library I found a colored picture of a cat that read, "Dear mom, I'm sorry your allergic to cats. If you weren't allergic I would have been very happy."
Good news: she followed it up with "PS I love you to pieces and my children will too!"

rewind

It rained all night long and the sound of it actually brought me comfort. Adam's been out of town, he'll be home tomorrow, and the pitter patter outside made the house feel not so still and quiet.



I watched all morning as the weather gradually turned from rain to snow and decided early on that today was a stay at home day, pjs and all, so I hunkered in and got some house stuff done like organizing the pantry, cleaning bathrooms & laundry. I love days at home.

Megan's friend Hanna, Crystalyn's daughter, came over this afternoon so while they played tea party, dress up, and play-doh I was able to look through the photos from this past weekend. Even though it looks like Christmas outside the photos helped keep me in perspective. It is spring...right?

rewind to Easter weekend...





Saturday we had an inside Easter egg hunt (it was raining) with Adam's family. We had so many eggs we actually didn't hide them all because we didn't have enough hiding spots. We had a fabulous turkey dinner, it rivaled the best Thanksgiving feast, followed up by a singstar competition. With the most modest of intentions I share that I was the winner! Okay, I admit, I am thrilled about the win and it almost wasn't mine. I beat Robyn by a mere 10 points to get in the semi-finals.

Easter Sunday started out peaceful with a beautiful lesson/message of Christ's resurrection at church. I read again the beautiful words of Elder Jeffery R. Holland from conference two weeks ago. How grateful I feel for the knowledge of Christ's sacrifice and the hope and peace it brings to my life when so many things around me can feel out of control.





After church we spent the evening with my family. We had another Easter egg hunt, it was a beautiful spring day so we were able to do it outside. It's always interesting to see who stops to help out the little ones and who is so preoccupied with finding eggs they haven't a clue anyone else is around. Half way through, the three in the photo above, stopped and compared eggs only to go at it again when we told them there were still eggs to be found.

Last, but not least, it seems Easter weekend wouldn't be complete with out new dresses.



Fast forward to today...where we started.



I'm sitting waiting for dance to be over watching Meg and Tess dance for me in the waiting room. It's been a good day.

today...

my girls start their spring break and I have no idea what we are going to do this week.

I bought new running shoes. I didn't want to, but it had to be done.

I can't stop eating the dessert I made from yesterdays activity days.

I got a call from the general YW presidency secretary who set up a meeting with me and them for next week. Apparently they want my design skills. What? I can't imagine what use I could be. I once gave my neighbor (whose in the presidency) my opinion on the new YW poster they're soon to print and the one I liked, for various reasons, is not the one they picked. Let's just say I'm feeling very intimidated, I know I'm not the only one they've asked to come.

I'm reading the Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.


[summer 1997]

is my brother's birthday. I don't think I've ever seen him without a smile on his face. He's goofy, lovable, and positive. Happy Birthday Chris...love you.

I bought and have been listening to Jia Ho from the soundtrack Slumdog Millionaire.

I watched New Adventures of Old Christine (thanks Jill) while I organized my studio...again. Apparently I'm dragging my feet in the creative department.

We have dance lessons and my brother's birthday party all at the same time.

I'm just waiting for the rain to fall. It's quite the blustery day.

I came across this quote that made me pause,
"if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything." -unknown

today i...

- took Megan to the dentist to find out why her gums were swollen.
- forgot my sunglasses and was fighting the blaring sun the whole time.
- finished spending my itunes gift certificate from Christmas by buying Been a Long Day by Rosi Golan.
- took back a pair of boots I loved because the heel was too high. I towered over Adam and I just couldn't do it.
- got repeatedly hit in the head with a kitty balloon (can see in photo below) Megan got at the dentist.
- helped Megan sort through a box of clothes.
- was asked to do a photoshoot for a ballerina.
- left the house with frosted flakes crushed on the kitchen floor.
- spent a few minutes vacuuming up said flakes when I finally got home from all my errands.
- bumped into my friend Dani at Taipan, a home decor store I claim to never go in because it makes me so uncomfortable (I'm so bad at home decor). I was there looking for a cheep serving platter and yes, I was dying to leave.
- had lunch with Megan.
- hit myself in the head with the visor because I thought it was attached when I went to lift it up. It hurt.



- Megan declared, "I'm in paradise" while sitting on pillows in a target shopping cart.
- finished The Reader and this quote really stood out to me, "the truth in what one says lies in what on does." So so true.
- made a delicious pesto pasta for dinner.
- was asked by my friend to watch her three kids (ages 7,4,2) for 2 days at the end of the month. I'm really glad she asked because she doesn't get a lot of family help.
- heard Bella practicing her violin without any reminders from me.



- took this picture (above)
- had a big handful of chocolate covered pretzels and felt guilty about the 3rd and 4th handful.
- sat and held Tess while she had an emotional cry. Between her and Megan we are in big trouble when actual hormones hit.
- after the cry we read Judy Moody & Stink: The Holly Joliday by Megan McDonald together.



- finally finished this layout I started in November for the Design Your Life class. I'll have to share what I've done so far, but I stopped working on them at week 7 because I was working on Christmas gifts.
- read scriptures with my girls.
- saw a mouse in my backyard running on the snow. Yikes!
- watched Rules of Engagement Adam rented at Netflix.
- set my tivo to record 24 this coming Sunday.
- wrote in my journal
- got a babysitter for tomorrow night.