Want to Be

My new FAVORITE quote

LOOOVE this. Too true.

Macey wants to be a mom and a chef and dressed up as a chef on career day

 Hilarious, slightly grusome, pic Macey drew at Christmas time as something she wanted

 Kids goals:

:)

Visuals

I seem to be a visual learner. So, I love this site: http://www.mormonvis.com/
Check it out and let me know what you think!

Resolved

I made some resolutions. Did you?

The 30-20-30 resolution.

First off, I wanted one I could definitely do and see an end in sight. So I decided to do 20 pushups and 30 sit ups every day for 30 days. I could commit to 3 minutes. Running helped me get healthy again, but strength training was not in the cards time-wise (I thought). But why do I have to devote an hour to lifting weights? SOMETHING is better than nothing! This has been really good for me and my mommy belly. I see muscles appearing that have been gone for years:)

I'll be honest, I probably did it 20 days of this last 30. But I'm going to keep doing it!

Another resolution came about with the help of a friend.

She kindly pointed out that my children have interrupting problems. One in particular more than the others. 

So this week we're doing an interrupting boot camp. I explained carefully and kindly what this meant to them and what the consequences would be for speaking out of turn. If they need me and I'm talking to someone they have to say "Pardon" and wait. It was even hard to explain with all the interruptions. 

Macey proudly told me the other day: "I know why we say pardon." 

Expecting a parroted version of what I told her earlier, I thankfully said "Why?"

Her proud response: "To tell you that we will be bugging you."

I could not help but smile. At least she's thinking about it!

...We have some work to do.

Mothering seems so natural to some people. Totally not for me in the dumbest ways.

Sometimes I get so caught up in accomplishing, having fun and chaos that I forget that one of the most important jobs I have is to teach my kids. About anything.

How to put on a coat.

How to crack an egg.

How to count.

How to have good manners.

How the spirit makes them feel.

The difference between a leopard and a cheetah.

Their purpose on earth.

When I think of it like that, I could have a little more patience when they do something that drives me crazy. It's my job to teach them the right way.
One step at a time.

(I found this the other day: "Seek heavenly guidance one day at a time.  Life by the yard is hard. By the inch is a cinch." - Thomas S. Monson)

My 100 goals for 2013 is almost complete.

I wanted to be able to cross things off this list! Some of them are mundane things I need to do and some are going to take all year.

A friend of mine used her blog as a checklist and crossed off her goals as she accomplished them. What a great way to keep track. I'm hopping on board.

Seriously, though, don't read them all. 

Or do, but get a snack; it will take awhile.

RESOLVED,

1. 20 push ups and 30 sit ups each day for 30 days and the rest of the year

2. Floss once a week. No judging.
2a. Use mouthwash every day.

3. Give kids vitamins

4. Write the story down of how Ben and I met

5. Read Jesus the Christ

6. Finish Christmas Tree Skirt

7. Grow some herbs

8. Make Butter

9. Cook with an essential oil

10. Read the Christmas story by candlelight on Christmas Eve

11. Take Cody out for fun

12. Take Macey out for fun

13. Do something fun with just Mackayla

14. Make valentine's wreath

15. Finish Deliberate Motherhood

16. Read JS Sermons Book

17. Visit science museum in Oregon

18. Fix wood floor

19. change furnace filter

20. Try tinted moisturizer

21. Do a puzzle at christmas

22. Take pics with a blurry background

23. Take a picture of scenery that I love

24. Get wheat for storage in next house

25. Fast each fast sunday

26. Read Strong willed child book

27. See Les Mis movie with Ben

28. Make fun cake for Cody's birthday

29. Find fun games for Cody's birthday party

30. Nerf gun for his birthday

31. Get Cody's cavity filled (we brush every day twice a day thank you he has my teeth)

32. Finish my vitamins in bottle

33. Get cute curtains (or make them) for the next place we live

34. Get a haircut

35. Be kind to someone who doesn't deserve it. Learn about grace.

36. Study and learn from PB

37. Talk to Marilou

38. Clean wedding ring

39. Pray for nursery kids and calling

40. Find another chair for our table

41. Print picture of the temple for wall

42. Make/design wall arrangement for next house

43. Find Big letter "C"

44. Choose a 'color' for family room in next house

45. Go to Portland Temple

46. Run a race

47. Get ball off of our roof

48. Find a sand dollar at the beach

49. Try an almond milk shake

50. Help Ben with job search

51. Read Happier at Home

52. Learn more about the 2nd coming

53. Learn more about effective scripture study. online course...?

54. Work on prep of 72 hour kit and disaster preparedness

55. Read and study D&C 88:119

56. Read D&C 89 WoW

57. Wake up earlier

58. Find JOY in motherhood (in general, more below)...ongoing

59. Sign Cody up for soccer

60. Find a sub for Feb. 18

61. Redo kitchen chairs

62. Talk openly to someone about my faith

63. NOYB

64. Go to Lisa's Tea Room

65. Go to Many Hands Trading store

66. Get Macey a new winter coat (that will fit next year too?)

67. Scan pictures

69. Teach Macey to put on a coat

70. Teach kids not to interrupt

71. Decide my children's love languages

72. Becky A. Bailey "Love rituals" pick one

73. Teach Cody to count to 100

74. Flash card letter sounds with Cody-know them all?

75. snack in afternoon for kids

76. Find a way to have "me" time during the week

77. Print story

78. Create computer folder for Cody's art/schoolwork
79. Create computer folder for Macey's art/schoolwork
80. Teach my kids the Articles of Faith
81. Go on a date with Ben, by getting a paid Babysitter. ooooh. Maybe she could even put them to bed.
82. Use a 'marking copy' set of scriptures and mark them up!
83. Finish online study course for Genesis

******

JOY in motherhood is an elusive thing. It's obviously more about deciding to be happy than having life perfect. But I figured if I could at least pinpoint some of the things that frustrate me most I would eliminate some of the stressors. Every morning I get frustrated in the morning rush that Macey is begging me to put on her shoes and coat, etc. when I think she should do them herself. But I finally realized I hadn't ever taught her to put on her coat, so it was my fault. We had a lesson once or twice and she's totally got the hang of it. I also get really annoyed when my kids start asking for food all the time. So I've decided to get them a planned healthy snack in between lunch and dinner. A simple common sense solution:) The biggest stress is the constant interrupting. It's almost become impossible to talk to anyone anymore. My friend suggested a "fake phone call, " such a good idea! Once that's on it's way I'll feel better.

New Year, New Adventures, New Resolutions

Ben and I have been taking pictures together on New Years. We don't get many of each other together, so at least we get one a year!

I kept wanting to take another picture because I looked nerdy or something, but then I finally just said I think this is what I look like and I should accept it!! ha ha. Older+nerdier=perfect.

Sitting below us!:

Taking turns holding Mackayla. When Macey's done, she's done - get her away:)

Just a couple of resolutions this year:

1. TELL the scriptures to my kids. I have been reading them a verse or two each night, exhausted from the day. They barely listen and I don't have the energy to force them. But they Love me to tell them stories. One's about a dog I made up named Harold and dinosaurs. So I started telling them the scriptures. I have started at the beginning of the Book of Mormon and will try to go through it chronologically and read a quick phrase or scripture each night. Plus it will help me because I have to read ahead to tell the story right and plan ahead. So far it's working! 

2. Not yell when I get frustrated at my going crazy/naughty children. Don't judge. 

She loves this stuff:

I love watching those first few bites when their little tongue is always in the way!

Ben and a residency: He has gotten some really positive responses from a couple places. We'll just have to wait and see...the anticipation is killing me! Either way in five short months we'll be moving out of felony flats. Holla!