Day 31 ~December Thirty First~ New word and Last day

Wow!

I am not going to lie, this has been a very long month. And, a very stressful one too!

Posting on my blog everyday has been a challenge.

But I did it!

All but one day that is.

And that is because I got home after midnight on Christmas Eve and did not make the post before the stoke of 12.

It feels good to be done with it.

And it feels good to have accomplished what I did.

But now I am in the habit of posting everyday, so I just might be posting more than I did before I started all of this.

My goal for this, really was to show things that I have created, but life got in the way and I didn't do one creation all month.

So what got posted was.....my life.

At least the better parts of it.

I don't know why but every time I move and get settled in...my anxiety flares up and I end up trying to deal with that, which I will, it just takes me a while to acclimate. 8)

That, along with other things in my life have taken over my month of December.

But we have a new year coming...thank heavens!!

Every New Year, I ponder my goals and try to find a word to help me work on and accomplish them.

This year, I chose the word

FOCUS!!

I feel like more than anything,

I need to focus on the positive things in my life, I mean REALLY focus.

I have a list of goals a mile long but some of the most important ones are:

*patience

*spending more QUALITY time with my kids

*strengthening my relationship with my husband

*doing the things that I am supposed to as a member of the church

*eating right for life

*exercising habitually

*service, service and more service

*accepting myself for who I am

*laughing a LOT!!

Pick your word for the year and share it with us.

Happy New Year!!

2009 will be a great year!

Day 30 ~December thirtieth~ Playing outside

Santa brought Bikes this year!

The kids have been riding them in the house because it has been too dang cold and wet to go outside.

That is until yesterday.

So we went out for about an hour.

Then it sarted to get too chilli!

Ahhh!

Hours of fun to have outside when the weather is good!
Carter got new roller blades but he wasn't out there with us.

Day 29 ~December Twenty Ninth~ My Mom!

Today is my Mom's Birthday!

I wish I could take her out to dinner.

I owe you one Mom!

We live 300 miles away from each other.

But at least we are in the same state now. ;)

My Mom is the greatest.

She loves her family so much!

I loved how she would wait up for us to get home from wherever we were.

Then she would be genuinely curious about listening to how our day went.

She was always doing service for other people.

In fact we always had to ask if we could eat things out of the fridge because we never knew if the food was for us or a less fortunate family that she was taking care of.

My favorite memories with my Mom are when I was a young teenager.

We would have so much fun together.

My sisters and I would start water fights and my Mom would get right in the middle of it.

And when we wanted to go toilet papering....she would ask if she could go with us!

She never told us to go away and be quiet.

She would let us ramble on and on about nonsense and she wouldn't mind.

She is a great Mom!!

I hope you have a very Happy Birthday Mom.
I love you with all my heart.

HUGS and KISSES!!

Day 28 ~December twenty eighth~ Deacon

Carter got the priesthood today. He is a Deacon.
Funny thing is....the power was out at the church so they only had sacrament meeting with a few lights powered by a generator.
So we went back with Russell's parents at 1:00 and met in the lightest room in the building where Carter was ordained. It was a fun day. I still cant believe I have a 12 year old. How many times have I said that?

Day 27 ~December twenty seventh~ Winter White Stuff

Day 26 ~December twenty sixth~ ScraP PageS

So, it has taken me forever to post these. I just forgot about them.

These are a few pages that I had in my album that I sent in for Scrapbooker of the Year, 2008.

I will post more later, I couldn't get them to post the right direction.

This page is a combination of mod podge, cardstock, rub-ons and the LIFE is cut out of the patterned paper with an exacto knife. I really had a lot of fun creating this one.

The letters on this page are actually pictures that I took of illuminated signs at night. Then I cut them out. But when I put them on the page, they didn't look like photos, so I guess it was more work than it was worth.
The funny thing is, I let my subscription to CK magazine expire. I feel like I can see everything that I need to online, however, I do miss looking at them while lounging around or sitting on the throne!

Day 25 ~December twenty fifth~ Merry Christmas

Well, I made it 23 days without missing a day blogging.

Yesterday we were in Ogden all day at my In-Laws, and we didn't get home until 12:00 a.m. just in time to miss my post.

We drove home in a snow storm in the canyon so we had to drive slow. Oh well, I am not giving up.

"Fall down and get back up and wipe off the dust and keep chugging along." That is going to be my new motto for 2009!

The kids slept in until 8:30 this morning but that is because they didn't go to bed until after midnight.

Russ and I didn't go to bed until after 2:30 am.

So after we unwrapped the presents at 10:30, I was so exhausted.

You know...the build up of it all and then the crash!

I took a 4 hour nap.

And I had to force myself to get up, I could have definitely slept a lot longer.

So needless to say, my Christmas is going to be a lazy one.

But after the month I have had and with everything going on, I could sleep 24 hours straight.

I planned on making a very nice Ham and potatoes Christmas dinner, but I think I will do that tomorrow.

I hope you all get to have a lazy Christmas and stay in your P.J's like me.

Be thinking of your new years goals.

I have a ton!

But one very specific one.....Can you guess what it is?

Did you guess 30 pounds weight loss?

I know it is a pretty common one.

But you are right.

I WILL take it off!!

Moving here to Utah has been a 10 pound gain.

But I will make it!

I am actually really excited about it.

So if anyone wants to join me in my efforts to feel good and Change your look, we can be a support group!

I have this little wrist band that says...."Choose to win your race."

I wore it until it broke.

But I love that saying.

This is my life and I will choose to win my race.

Merry Christmas!

Day 23 ~December twenty third~ Carter's Birthday

Happy Birthday to the most amazing 12 year old!!

Twelve years ago today, I was introduced to my first born child.

I was so excited to be a MOM!

We were such proud parents of that little baby and have been ever since.

Carter truly is an awesome kid!

He is so smart and very responsible.

He is almost as tall as me now and his feet and hands are already bigger than mine.

He is growing so fast.

I can't believe He is 12 already.

Carter was the only child for 6 years so we have a very special bond.

I love you so much Carter and appreciate all the work you do for your family and I am so proud of how hard you work in school!

Happy Happy Birthday!

Day 22~December twenty second~ Party at Bentley's

Allie enjoying Vera's yummy cupcakes


This little turkey is a monkey. He loves to show off his climbing skills!

Some hair cuts.

Some Rock Band.

I Love this picture. Real life.

My brother dressed up as Santa and we had the best time. He had presents for every single person! Ben and Jan are great party throwers. This is what we have been missing for 6 Christmases. I am so glad we are back to enjoy our family this Christmas. Thanks for a great time guys. Love ya.

Day 21 ~December twenty first ~ 4 days left

I can't believe it is almost Christmas Day. This month has flown by!!

Russ and I all dressed up and ready for the ball.

I think dressing up in formal wear is overrated!

Russell sure looked handsome but I think us women look like we tried to hard and end up looking a little trashy. Just my opinion. But I think I would have felt better in a pretty church dress. But I thank my friend Danielle for lending me a long dress!

Russ elevating his swollen foot from the basketball fiasco.


All ready to go shop the day away, but first....lets make a list!

Day 20 ~December twentieth~ Not much.

Oh my heck I am very sleepy.
Quick update.
Nice night in the Hotel together.
Shopped a lot today.
Realized that I forgot a few things.
Picked up the kids.
Ran into an old friend at Big 5.
She still looks the same.
But somehow her little boy is all grown up and is almost 20 years old.
Aren't people supposed to stay as you last saw them?
Had a very fun time at my Brother's house with Santa and the whole bit. (I have pictures!!)
Got home very late. 10:45 p.m.
Oh ya, Huge snow storm yesterday. We drove a lot of miles in it. (I have pictures of that too!!)
Found out that our van does really well in the snow!
How would we ever find that out in Florida huh?
Goodnight, My eyes are bloodshot and I could sleep on the keyboard!

Day 19 ~December ninteenth~ the weekend

So today, we plan to drop our kids off at my sisters houses and check into the Hilton.

The Dugway Ball is tonight.

We have never been to a Ball together.

In fact we have never been to a dance together.

It should be fun...or interesting to say the least.

Russ was playing Church Ball last night and a very large man fell right on his ankle.

He came hobbling in through the door.

The very last thing I said to him as I was sending him out the door before the game was

"Don''t get hurt!"

He carpooled with 3 other guys and on the way home they were all complaining of different ailments.

Russ said,

"Were just a bunch of old men out there on the court."

The game was in Tooele so they had to drive an hour each way.

Anyway, I Hope you all have a great weekend!

Day 18 ~December eighteenth~ Our Thursday

I walked into my bedroom and saw my little guy in my socks and boots.

He loves to put on people's shoes.

Carter had his DARE graduation today!

(mom is a little chuba lub....after the holidays, 30 pounds OFF!!!)

Hugs from my little Allie. She loves to cheese it up!

11:30 at night...putting some blond and red highlights in.

I just finished the Dugway Chaplin's wife's hair.

She looked HOT!!

I thought I would use up the rest of her color on me.

Tomorrow we have a big day... I will fill you in manana.

Day 17 ~December seventeenth~ Activity for who?

A week ago last Sunday I had the bishopric announce Father~Daughter activity days in Sacrament Meeting.

Well, the family sitting behind us said...

"Oh that sounds like fun, we should do that."

And I turned to Russ and said,

"oh no, they misunderstood,"

because the daughter is like 17 and Activity Days is for 8 to 11 year old girls only.

So last Sunday, I specifically asked the counselor doing the announcements to clarify that it was for the specific age group.

Well, he must of been nervous because within the 5 minutes after me talking to him and he writing it down, he delivered it in a not so correct way.

So tonight at the activity sure enough there was a Father and Daughter that showed up that was not supposed to be there.

But,

I was too embarrassed to say anything and luckily I had a few extra gingerbread houses so I just let them stay.

I really don't think they ever caught on!

Oh well, they had fun together which is all that matters right?

I got pictures, but only of the Dads and Daughters so I thought I had better not put them on my blog without their permission.

So I will post a picture of Emma's and Russ' gingerbread house when they get it done!

Day 16 ~December sixteenth~ Town

I bought 14 gingerbread houses.

Tomorrow, I have Activity days.

In case you are unfamiliar...it is for the 8 to 11 year olds at our church.

Last year in Florida I did this activity and the girls just loved it. We did it as a Mother/Daughter activity.

This year here in Utah we are doing it as a Father/Daughter activity.

I am pretty sure we will have a great turn out! I will post the results tomorrow.

I love how things get easier as the years go by. Last year I had to make all of the icing. This year these kits come with pre-made icing!

So while I was in town, I had my nails done. It is red and gold sparkles. I have to have my nails done all the time because if I don't have acrylic nails on, my fingers split and bleed right by my nails. I waited too long to get them on this time and I have 4 fingers that are split which made for a very painful time getting my nails done. She was not very careful. Yeeouch!

I hadn't had my nails done with the sparkles before. I thought they painted on the sparkles but they are actually mixed in the acrylic powder. I thought it was pretty cool. But maybe it is only cool to me 'cause I do nails! I don't know.

News Flash! I bought my first coat!!

Well, at least my first coat in 6 years!

It is feakin freezing here! Ooooo! It was 26 degrees when I drove home at 5:30 tonight.

I am upset that I didn't get a picture of our latest disaster tonight.

Jarom was in my room laying on my bed and Russ walked in there and yelled for me to come and I walked in and saw my bedspread, the headboard, all of my pillows and my nightstand covered in lotion. He emptied a new bottle! I screamed so loud that it startled him and made him cry!

I never think to take a picture until it is all cleaned up!