I Survived!

Okay, so there wasn't some scary guy lurking in my closet waiting for me to fall asleep so he could shoot me dead(or worse). Nope no guy. But there was a big, ugly, cockroach waiting for me! How wrong is that? I finally decided to force myself to shut my eyes and at least try for a couple of hours of rest when that creepy bugger snuck into my bed, over my head and across my face. Good thing my mouth was shut. I guess I should thank him. I totally forgot about the guy! Or maybe in all the commotion, "the guy" realized he was no match for me and bowed out..for I survived, the cockroach did not!

Home Alone!

I'm trying to decide what exactly is safe to post...

Should I include that Jared is out of town so I'm all by myself? Should I mention that I came home from picking up the kids and working all day only to find my back door wide open? Oh, and should I mention we're dog-sitting, so the howling only encourages my wild imagination? Needless to say, sleep has escaped me.

Maybe when they find me, they'll read this post and have a lead.

Madame Sunshine

Blogging is sort of like couponing for me.

Before I ever heard of Grocery Smarts, I would simply go to the store and buy what I needed. I'd spend a little more than maybe I wanted but I would have more than enough produce and fresh food AND I would cook. Now I feel guilty if I buy anything that is less than 5 stars and I have a whole lot of crap that only sometimes goes together to create an actual meal..

How does this compare??

Before I ever had a blog, I journaled! Yep, I am one of those weird ones that actually kept a regular journal...Fast forward however long I've had a blog (basically the life of my youngest) and now because I said I'd write something on my blog, I have completely neglected my journal. Besides, I feel retarded posting what I really feel because I read other people's much more exciting and positive posts and I feel guilty that I'm not, well, anything that ever comes together.

Maybe it's just three kids and old age.

I will be entering my 30's next week.

Had I been doing Grocery Smarts more diligently and posting more regularly, I might have something to show for the time past and actually be able to afford to do something to celebrate. Who am I kidding?

I don't shop smart and I don't blog because I'm too darn lazy.

Now add old and fat and you have yourself the funnest girl around.

What a Day!

Today wasn't a holiday, but it will be one I remember and probably use as a benchmark for other days.

9am-Jared's cousin Skyler and his sweetheart Brittany were sealed for time and all eternity in the Las Vegas Temple

12pm-Jared's nephew Justin(I only say 'Jared's' to indicate which side we're talking) was ordained an Elder

3pm-Jared's nephew Trevor was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints

5pm-Jared officiated the ring ceremony of Skyler and Brittany in Alamo, NV

Maybe what I want to share is too special to share, so I'll edit somewhat. Today the heavens were open. Today I know that my Heavenly Father is real, that the gospel has been restored and that I have a purpose here and I understand it more through participation in sacred things. Today I am grateful to be married to a man who loves the Lord and who loves me. My heart is full.

bluebird photography: sweetheart giveaway... {henderson, nevada photographer}

'Moms and Muffins' was this morning at Grace's school. Last year we had a fun time but we decided (Tiff, Nat and I) that a better time might be had off-site. Our plan was to meet for breakfast with all our little students but true to form, we procrastinated. Grandma was unavailable, Tiff had a job, Bec hadn't been called...you get the picture. But also true to form, we improvised, and it turns out donuts at the park is a great substitute! (Donuts, anywhere, does it for me.)

It also turns out that our little party has served two purposes. Moms and Muffins--check. Proof I NEED this giveaway--check, check. I can't take a good picture to save my life..
bluebird photography: sweetheart giveaway... {henderson, nevada photographer}

My New Mantra

"Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life, today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year's resolutions I ask you to keep." Elder Jeffery R. Holland

I've heard a lot about how 2009 was an awful year, glad it's over, can't wait for 2010...and late into 2009, I was definitely feeling the same. But I think I've had a change of heart. I am so grateful for the lessons learned in 2009 (or maybe re-learned). It was rough at many times, but for heaven's sake! What do I expect? I'm here to learn more and be better. Last night I opened my Ensign and was truly encouraged. I'm so excited!

It's time to count some blessings!

When I was little, my mom would always try to distract my pitty parties with the loudest, most obnoxious versions of this humbling song.

When upon life's billows, you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.

JJ was saying his morning prayers, and I quote:
"Dear Heavenly Father, Please bless my mommy to find her mind. And please bless her not to lose it anymore!"

My knee-jerk reaction was something like, "hey! what the heck? I haven't yelled at you once today!" (mind you, it was 8am). Then visions of the night before and me running from Gibby while begging Grace and JJ to "please get along" and actually shutting the door to pee (how dare I) while saying to myself "I'm losing my mind" were clear and vivid. Maybe I have lost it because I really thought I was talking to myself!

My sweet mother in law saw the whole thing a little differently. She told me how grateful I should be that I have been teaching him how to talk to his Heavenly Father about things that matter to him.

I think I need to bump it to some church hymns..

It's a lot easier to update when I have pictures to remind me what I've been up to. But the pics don't exist, so I'll try this by memory..
Gibson in now in nursery, so church is much more enjoyable.
JJ has started preschool with his best cousin Nathan..and his best teacher, Miss Tara.
Grace is in first grade and already got Student of the Month. (so proud!)
We have fallen into a pretty great schedule since school started, but oh how I miss our summer days. With two wonderful sisters and their pools, our skin was sufficiently tan and our hair sufficiently green! We're beginning to resemble the albino family I knew back in May. Bummer.
Jared has been kept plenty busy..he's the busiest unemployed man I've ever seen! He's had a few hiccups along the way, but we are hopeful that this streak is coming to an end. Thank heavens!
I've wondered at the 'what I'm supposed to be learning' question a lot lately. I wish I had some deep, thought provoking answer.
***Screaming and fighting children, or my reaction to them, actually might be a part of that answer..if they are, I'm in serious trouble and my brain really has lost it's ability to learn.***
If you've got one, I'd be glad to hear it.

I'm still alive!

Okay, so a 1 year old can't KILL me..he can't even really hurt me (I take that back, my monkey bites). He can cause a HUGE scene, wander off, scream at the top of his lungs, bite anything looking tasty (unfortunately, he's a bit of a cannibal), repeat the same uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh..you get the picture, clog any drain he meets, devour anything colorful (don't know the name for that), pinch like a crab, empty any basket or shelf or drawer or 5 gallon water cooler, beat down children 6 times his age, AND...
most importantly MELT MY HEART!

So how was yesterday, you ask? ROUGH!

If you ask me, 9:00 church is definitely the best. And I've got it. But that's like playing the 'Would You Rather' game and having to choose between eating boogars and earwax...not likely to get off easily with either. So I will admit the mad rush to get to church having everyone fed AND their teeth brushed causes me to seriously consider YAZ. Thankfully this borderline breakdown is countered by the hope that just after lunch I WILL have my Sunday afternoon nap.. But somehow, that hope is all but forgotten, when, in my attempt to teach my little loves the importance of reverence, I have to decide...take the little terror out or endure?
To summarize, Gibson is KILLING me!