phone picture dump

mirror!

morning!

Trying on daddy’s paintball masks!

Checking out gluten free stuff for Don

Brody Legend Hatch!

Just pushing a mop bucket around lol.

Computer time!

Eats everything in site!

for the strength of youth

The For The Strength of Youth just received the following updates:

• Additional emphasis on following the guidance of the Spirit, keeping covenants, and being worthy to attend the temple
• A new standard entitled “Work and Self-Reliance” offering counsel on smart money management, frugality, industry, and becoming a contributor.
• The addition of emotional health to the section previously titled “Physical Health”—now called “Physical and Emotional Health”—encouraging youth to seek healthy solutions to problems.
• Increased clarity and emphasis on doctrine in each section
• The inclusion of questions to invite further pondering and discussion

“The standards have not changed, but times have changed,” said Young Women general president Elaine S. Dalton, explaining the update.

I fully agree!

Brought to you by http://www.lds.org/church/news/for-the-strength-of-youth-updated-and-refreshed?lang=eng#2014628152.

I love this gospel and church!

control with food

Why, of all things, is food so hard to control for me? I could go on for HOURS about this, but much of it is too personal, emotional, and embarassing.
Somedays I do great, and others not so much.
Is there a theory behind it all? I'm sure lots of you have great insight on it!
Weight takes up the majority of my thoughts, yet I have such a hard time with it. Argh!
I guess we all have different trials...

a good laugh for SAHMs

1. When you walked into work this morning and pleasantly greeted your co-worker Jim, was his first reaction to scream “NO! WANT JASON!" followed by an office supply being thrown at you?

2. Has a colleague ever climbed up on your lap while you were using your computer and slammed the keyboard with both fists until the up arrow no longer worked?

3. Do you have to lock yourself in the supply closet or bathroom on a regular basis in order to make phone calls?

4. Did you finish a complete thought at any time during the day?

5. When you went out to lunch with your fellow workers, did you have to pack a diaper/juice/extra outfit for them? Did you have to wipe their faces? Smile an apology and leave an extra tip for the waiter on their behalf?

6. When a co-worker needed you for something, did she sit at her desk with her head tilted back toward the ceiling and repeatedly scream “SEAN! SEEEEANNNN! SEAAAAAAN!” until you came to find him?

7. When you needed a specific colleague, did you search all over for him, only to finally find him giggling in the cabinet under the sink? Did you also find six pairs of your church shoes under there with him?

8. Have you had to come to an associate’s aid because she fell off her desk after trying to climb on top of it using a rolling chair?

9. When you reached for the report a co-worker was handing you, did he snatch them away at the last second and scream “MINE!” while shoving you backwards?

10. Does your colleague lift up her shirt and pick things out of her belly button every time she comes over to ask a question?

11. While you are using the restroom, do various co-workers come in the stall and ask you to settle a disagreement or open a packet of fruit snacks?

12. During a board meeting when everyone is present, do you notice a smell and then have to check all your colleagues’ pants to locate it? In fact, at ANY point in your day do you have to deal with another person's feces?

Brought to you by http://www.babble.com/toddler/toddler-development/questions-for-parents-from-SAHM/.

a book and a movie

A few months ago, I read the book Sarah's Key and loved it! It was confusing at first, because it kept switching back and forth between two stories. But most books always take me a little bit to catch on. Just my brain.

I’ve read a few books about WWII, but this one was new to me. I highly recommend reading it.

I watched the movie last night. So good! But I will admit, 99 times out of 100, the book is always better! Just so much more detail. Even if you haven’t read this book, watch the movie!

a mom’s salary

Thanks to this post.

time

“Now is the time to get things done…wade in the water, sit in the sun, squish my toes in the mud by the door, explore the world of a girl just four.

Now is the time to study books, flowers, snails, how a cloud looks; to ponder “up,” where God sleeps nights, why mosquitoes take such big bites.

Later there’ll be time to sew and clean, paint the hall that soft new green, to make new drapes, refinish the floor – Later on…when she’s not just four.”

- Irene Foster

frugal and toys

Since I’m frugal, in some aspects (toys being one those aspects), I loved this list found on this post.

1. Kids learn to be more creative.
2. Kids develop longer attention spans.
3. Kids establish better social skills.
4. Kids learn to take greater care of things.
5. Kids develop a greater love for reading, writing, and art.
6. Kids become more resourceful.
7. Kids argue with each other less.
8. Kids learn perseverance.
9. Kids become less selfish. 
10. Kids experience more of nature.
11. Kids learn to find satisfaction outside of the toy store.
12. Kids live in a cleaner, tidier home.

I don’t remember having many toys as a child, but I do remember playing outside ALL the time!

I love #5 on this list. I want my kids, hubby, and I to do this much more often! I wish reading would have been my hobby as a child.

I also love #12. Makes me happy when my house is tidy. I’m more of a tidier than a cleaner, although I still clean…sometimes lol.

Really, I LOVE all of the items on the list! And now that it is nice weather, we can enjoy more of #10!

I love when people give us toys, but I rarely buy them. And now I’ll continue to stick to that! Although, we are going to buy Brody a Big Wheel for Christmas. Shhhhh, don’t tell him!

ways to uncomplicate your life

This post showed up on my StumbleUpon account and I loved reading it! Here are a few of the things that I agree with.

3. Get 8 hours of sleep per night, so that you think more clearly

4. Stick to your budget

6. Balance your checkbook

7. Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.

10. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others

15. Fill up your gas tank when it’s half full

17. Pay your bills on time

18. Get an annual physical examination (don and I just did this for the first time. yay us!)

19. Say “I love you” to your significant other and to your children. Studies show that more marriages last, and fewer kids use drugs, when these words are spoken every day.

24. Know what your priorities are in life, and act as if they are your priorities

31. Don’t eat when you aren’t hungry (argh!)

44. Spend your time with nice people

57. Don’t envy others

58. Have your oil changed

64. You don’t need to be best friends with work colleagues, but build respectful partnerships

77. Have your tires rotated

79. Have your eyes checked

89. Wear your hair in a classic, easy to care for style

99. Stretch every day (I need to do this!)

100. If a relationship is over, let it go

 

Which ones did you like?

LDS reading on the Kindle

For all those with a smartphone {download the Kindle app} or a Kindle, my friend converts the Ensign, New Era, and Friend to the Kindle format and emails it out to a bunch of people, including me! If you want me to forward that onto you, let me know!

It's SO much better than the Gospel Library app, even though I love that app, because the Kindle remembers where you left off reading.

nap

Yesterday I sent this picture to don and said, “What kind of nap is this?!?

Days when I didn’t know how to have a baby take a nice swaddled nap

Don’s response: “The kind that I like to take.”  HAHA

ain’t this the truth?!

Thanks to http://crappypictures.typepad.com/crappy-pictures/2011/08/grocery-stores-before-after-kidsillustrated-with-crappy-pictures.html

edible arrangement

The other day my cute neighbor, that I’m just starting to become friends with, brought me this. Totally cute and YUMMY! I think her and I should be lifelong friends

Brody didn’t even let me have one of the strawberries

for those that have grass…

I read this in a book recently and I think it is EXCELLENT advice:

“There are three simple rules for cutting grass, but many homeowners don't follow them. They are to set your mower deck at its highest setting, don't cut more than a third of the grass height, and leave grass clippings on the lawn. Not only will these tips help make your lawn look lush, they will save money by allowing you to use less fertilizer and weed killer. Grass clippings provide essential nutrients for the soil, and longer grass can choke out weeds before they grow. Contrary to popular belief, leaving clippings on the lawn does not cause a buildup of thatch. Thatch is caused by overfertilizing, so save money by not adding extra fertilizer. Overfertilizing also causes more hassle because the grass grows faster, and you'll have to cut it more often.”

creepy craigslist guy

I have a few things listed on Craigslist for sale. Some guy texted me about a subwoofer (my neighbors) I have listed. It is listed for $80 and he offered $35. LOL. After much texting back and forth, we settled on $50. Then he says, “Can you deliver it to me?”  Ummmmm, NO! He lives like a half hour away from me. Not worth my time.

Then the next morning he asks me to send him a picture of myself. Ummmm, NO! I was like…I’m married…bye! He says, “I know how to keep secrets.” AHHHHHH, freak! I said, “bye!”

He hasn’t responded since, thank heavens! Why are people such FREAKS?! The world is a sick place.

This makes me want to be just a tad more cautious when people come to my house to look at things we have for sale.

$25

If you were at a shoe store and the shoes you wanted were $75, but someone came up to you and told you the same shoes were $50 just 5 blocks away, would you walk the 5 blocks to save $25?

If you were looking at a bedroom set for $2500, and someone came up to you and told you the same set was $2475 just 5 blocks away, would you walk the 5 blocks to save $25?

Statics show that we would for the shoes, but not for the bedroom set.

I read this scenario in a book the other day. When I read it, I thought, he is totally right! He was making a point that smart people make dumb decisions. It’s the SAME $25.

What would you have done?

I’m going to try to not make so many dumb decisions like that. I’d rather pay off our house sooner than later! And save for college, missions, retirement, cruises, vacations, etc. And every $25 really matters if we are going to do that!

bulk trash

Last week was bulk trash in our neighborhood. We were driving along and I yelled to Don, "STOP!" And I jumped out of the van!

I saw this cute kids bench! I've wanted one forever, but I didn't want to spend $40 on one. I assumed something would be wrong with it, but nothing is!

Score, huh?!

Once a month during bulk trash week, I drive around the neighboorhood to see what we can score.

A few months ago, we scored our kitchen table! We had to have a guy in our ward make legs for it. It's one of those cute, taller tables.

facebook: meet or keep friends?

The other day I was at the checkout counter at Bashas, the grocery store, and a lady in her 50s was my cashier. After she rang me up, I handed her a measly three coupons. She said, “I don’t have time to coupon. Any spare time I have, I spend on Facebook.” And then I said, “There are amazing websites out there that make it easy to coupon.” And then she goes on and on about how she has MET amazing friends on Facebook and it’s the most important thing to her. And I thought I was on Facebook too much. LOL.

Besides that she spends every spare minute on Facebook, I thought it was odd that she was going on and on about she MEETS the most amazing people on Facebook. Personally, I haven’t MET anyone on Facebook. I only stay in contact with people I already know personally.

No wonder Facebook can be creepy; people are adding/accepting friends on Facebook of people they don’t even know!

H.A.T.C.H.

I want to make a board like the one below, but using our last name of course

If you could quickly comment with at least one idea for a letter, I would LOVE it! Gracias!

a mother’s lunch

After taking Brody to free lunch at the school yesterday, we came home, I put Capri in her seat, and Brody was just playing in the family room. I made myself some lunch and then sat at the table to eat it. As I was eating, Brody went under the table (it’s a taller one that he can stand under), since that’s where he recently likes to hide and poop lol. As he was pooping, Capri joins in. She let out 3 or 4 good ones.

I’d take that kind of lunch any day over going out to eat with co-workers!  Well, most days