Political Junkies

Corey and I like politics and Mitt is our man. We're both excited he's doing well so far! For anyone out there who is not excited about his possible nomination, you can put a sign like this in your yard:

Hee hee!

(Go Romney!!!!)

Cuties Are For Kids

First she stabbed it with a butter knife to get it started... then carefully worked off the peel


I enjoyed seeing the concentration on her face

Good job Lily! You did it!

Enjoying the fruit of her labors~

Abi's "Jobs"

I was taking care of the Sophia when Abi came looking for me, holding a spiral notebook and said proudly...


"Mom! Look how many jobs I did!!"


Way cute! I see "MEMABIIEMBI" and an occasional "P" and smiley face and lots of hearts and dash patterns, very good Abers!


And then kept at her homework on the bed with me and the baby where I showed her the rest of the alphabet.

You can tell she was proud when she got finished with all the letters - the big finale with the letter Z!

New Years Resolutions - It's about YOU

One week is over and so far so good! Going to tune things a little for next week and write more things down, but not too shabby.

- Homemaking -

Trying to follow more of Flylady's ideas this year. I like the "zones" idea but have never done it. I'm lacing up my shoes first thing in the morning and shining my sink, going to try and follow better a daily cleaning list, plus a day of the week and day of the month task to do.

- Spirit -

I've been reading one General Conference talk each day and writing down thoughts/notes. Great stuff. Glad to have the printed talks to study, cause I miss a lot of it during the live broadcast. Doing October 2011 right now, after that I'll probably do April 2011.

- Diet -

Trying to eat more nuts, fruits, and protein, less breads and carbs and seeing how my body reacts. For too much information, see chapter 17.

- Exercise -

My plan for this year is to exercise everyday. I already pretty much have this habit established. However, as I'm shedding the baby pounds for the next 3 months (trying to reach my goal weight by my birthday in April) I'm gonna take that goal and raise it to two workouts a day - one in the a.m. (seriously just let myself fall out of bed and start holding planks, or go into the kids room and say for 12 minutes "get up... Wes, get up... hey you guys, time to wake up... come on, get up!" which is what I have to do anyway, but this way I can get my exercise done at the same time!) and then do a Bodyrock or version of it in the evenings. This week went like this:

Monday/Wed/Friday AM - 12 minutes of Planks (1 minute center plank, 1 minute hold left side plank on elbow, 1 minute hold right side plank on elbow, 1 minute yoga table (or reverse plank if I hold my legs straight)) <-- I repeat that 3 times

Tuesday/Thursday AM - Body for Life workout, Tuesday Upper body (page 1 - chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps) and Thursday Lower body (page 2 -calves, hamstrings, quads)

Monday-Friday PM - Do a Bodyrock workout - Mon: did the Fit Test, Tuesday: Bridge challenge and headstand (I did a handstand against wall - held each for 1 minute), Wed: 60 High Knee Get Ups, and Thursday: Crazy Home Bootcamp (burpees KILL me!!!), Friday: my own exercise challenge of 400 walking lunges. I have a composition book where I've written down almost all of the Bodyrock workouts in my own short hand/lingo, so it's good, I just open the book and find one that sounds good.

Saturday - just going to do one big workout (meaning 40 minutes to an hour) - either a 4 or 5 mile run or one of Bodyrock's Killer workouts, like the Killer 550 or Killer 600

Aside from the snow that fell during the night and made me miss my planned morning run, my exercise plan was executed without a hitch. Still got to do a killer workout today - will probably get to it at midnight (future resolution: go to bed by 11).

I've read a few things about how to make resolutions and live a better life, President Monson's ABCs was my favorite, and I also re-read this article that I'll post here below for you. I first read this at the beginning of 2010 and it totally helped me get on my game. I always come back to it when I feel like I'm loosing my focus:

Forget Time, Let's Talk About Self-Management

“There’s never enough time in the day to get everything done that I need to get done.” “If only I had 2, 3…or 20 more hours in the day I would be able to get everything checked off my list.” “How can I be expected to complete my work, take care of my family, clean the house, take care of the yard, help my neighbor, walk the dog, take out the trash, care for myself, and get to the gym? It’s just not possible.” Sound familiar? First, the disclaimer, hundreds if not thousands of books have been written on the topic of time management, which means there are literally millions of published words teaching individuals how to manage their time. Ultimately it all boils down to three basic principles. First, deciding who or what you want to be, second, creating the goals that will allow you to become that person, and finally mapping out your strategy on a weekly and daily basis to achieve your goals. Before we start, let’s make sure that we’re clear on at least one thing, and please don’t get discouraged with this statement. Time management is impossible! No matter what you do, no matter what techniques you use or strategies that you implement you will never be able to control time. Time simply is. It never stops; it doesn’t give more to some and less to others. It is the same for everyone and it is always moving. The real challenge is to learn to manage you within the boundaries of time. And that takes us to the first point… What do you want to be? The answer to that question will probably free up more time than anything else that you do. As soon as you can say who or what you want to be, you can immediately eliminate everything else from your schedule that doesn’t allow you to be or become that person. Take a few minutes to answer the question. Then compare your past weeks activities to the answer of who you want to be. You’ll quickly see that there are a whole host of activities that could have been eliminated, because even though they were worthwhile and good, they did not help you accomplish your ultimate objective. There is nothing wrong with saying no to something that is good, when there is something that is better or more important that can be done in its place. We can go on-and-on about goals, but at the end of the day, we really just need to make them and then achieve them. Regardless of the strategy that you use, make sure that your goals align with your purpose and with each accomplishment you are closer to becoming who you want to be. Finally, some advice on scheduling, it doesn’t matter if you use paper, your computer, a PDA (do those still exist?), your phone, or a combination of all of them. Use what works for you. What is necessary is that you use a method that allows you to accomplish everything that is important, those things that will help you become the person that you want to be, and ignore or avoid the things that won’t. A great idea is to take time at the beginning of each week, and determine the most important things that you need to do, or the things that will have the greatest impact in your life. Next, schedule each of those events or activities directly on your calendar. Don’t put them on a task list, put them on the calendar and be as committed to those activities as you are to a meeting with your boss. Once that is done, take time every night to list out the things that must be accomplished the following day. Again, focus on those things that will let you become the person that you want to be. Now put those items directly on the calendar. Give them a time and commit to completing them at the assigned time. Remember one of the biggest time hogs, is assigning more time than is necessary to actually complete the task. Ultimately it is not about time, it is about you. What are you going to do to manage you? A rule of thumb is to remember who, what and how. Who do you want to be? What are you going to do to become that person? How are you going to accomplish those goals each day?

Calico Critters

Melodie got some Calico Critters for her birthday last month. I've looked at these before, and they were stinkin' cute, but I resisted for a while since they cost a pretty penny too much. But Mel and I had talked about what she wanted and these were on the list, so my mom and I coordinated to get her a few good sets she could use together. Mel loves it, just look at all the cute little tiny pieces! A little toaster with little slices of toast!! Little head of lettuce and little tomato ready to be sliced on a little cutting board with a little knife!! (So many little pieces that I will probably not see and accidentally vacuum up!!!)

Mother cooking while the Calico dog family's baby is currently the rabbit family's pet.
I also feel bad for horses, cause they almost always stay in that role of beast of burden, no horse family, but there is a cow family. And the cows can ride the horse. Poor horses, they're stuck.

The family sitting down for dinner

So now we've begun our Calico Critters collection of toys - fun fun!


Her friend Aria had some too, so they immediately started working on creating this new little world of imagination, including making homework papers for little boy bunny, who was in a bad mood and didn't want to do his homework, so he scribbled on it.

Little girls playing making the little boys the naughty ones. The girl bunny, of course, dutifully competed her assignments perfectly and does all her chores without complaining, she even gave the baby a bath, wow!
The girls also requested for me take pictures of each rabbit family member in front of their lego Christmas tree (which was a b-day present from her other Grandma - don't ya just love legos?) I'll just post one of those individual portraits, but the girls are hoping I can somehow print up those mini pictures so they can frame them and put them on the rabbit's house's walls, although they don't have walls right now since their house is a coffee table.


Great cross play with legos into all areas of childhood. Merry Christmas to the Rabbit family!
And a happy new year!

Love My Dad

I love my dad. I especially love it when I have a newborn, cause he can't seem to get enough of these little ones, and I can't explain the feeling really but it just warms my heart and give me joy to see him squeeze these little angels. He'll ask with eager eyes "Can I hold her?"


then snuggles her most of the evening.


Even doing some one handed cleaning up during the party as long as he gets to keep the baby. :) Love you dad

B is for Believe

Two words that describe what "Believe" means to me are Faith and Trust.

Just listened to this talk by on kbyutv, thought this was a great poem that she shared.

A Tandem Ride With God

I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.

But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn't know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared", He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus.

And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and says... "Pedal."

(Author unknown)

Sophia Doll

Mel was playing with Sophia, and we were talking about how she has a mohawk cause she's rubbed off all her hair on the back of her head and the sides. So then we decided to give her a mohawk


Playing with our baby doll, la la la ~


Next, trying a Little Rascals Alfalfa up-do


Then she was hungry and done playing, so I nursed her and put her to bed - her ear got sweaty and sticky during the process and turned her into an elf...

I always laugh when her ear sticks, I went and got the camera and the kids so they could see and it was still holding tight until I sneezed, that made her jump and popped it open. It's so fun to have a baby ~

Boys Dressing Up

Wesley all ready for Christmas at Grandma's - wearing his cowboy outfit, cause he got a horse head for Christmas. He asked for a real horse, but we told him we're not ready for that yet, so here's a horse on a stick. Wes is good at imagining though, looks like this one is real enough. Tenderly feeding his horse above, and below...


Riding the Rodeo! Hold on Wes! Don't get bucked off!!! Love his expression, he's so funny

And we teased Uncle Jeremy a little bit about dressing up for church in his kilt. Wes is just a 6 year old, so he gets a free pass... For a grown adult to dress up? I guess it's okay, we'll give you a pass too. :)

Woody Doll

Lily playing with her dolly...


What a pretty dolly, Lily!!!


Woody makes a lovely Southern bell! Lily with yogurt on her face and wearing her little sister's winter hat that is a little small but I guess kinda still fits.

A is for Attitude

I am currently reading a book that is helping reinforce why Attitude is so important. I bought the book "The boy who came back from heaven" yesterday - Wanted to stay up reading, but at midnight told myself I should go to bed. I've been reading it most of the morning, and I'm loving it -

Brief sum up of the story setting: in 2004 the dad Kevin and his son Alex are in a terrible accident. Alex is 6 years old and breaks his spine and is in a coma for 2 months lingering between life and death, one evening it's the mom's turn to stay with Alex at the hospital - Kevin's turn to stay at home with the other 3 kids. That night there is an ice storm and the power goes out. In the dark, the dad tries to pack up a bag and they go spend the night with a family member. When he comes home the next day, there is a fallen tree blocking the driveway. With what he and his family have been through, a fallen tree is no biggie - he gets out of the car and walks around it. Sees lots of other trees fallen over. Calls his dad to say "I'm going to need your help to clear off all these fallen trees. Atleast none of them fell on the house..." and as he said that, the house comes in view and there is a tree on it and the roof has fallen in! "Um, let me call you back..."

From page 75 - I quote Kevin's father:

When Kevin called back and told me about the tree on the house, my first response was to laugh - not a laugh of calllousness, but a laugh of joy at the goodness of God. I truly mean that. For me, the question isn't, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" but "Why does anything good happen at all?" We certainly don't deserve it.

I told Kevin, "First, consider that the power went out. What a great blessing. Had it not gone out, you would have been in the house with the kids when the tree struck the roof. Second, you badly needed to replace your roof anyway, now you'll get a brand-new one, and your insurance is going to pay for it! And third, I have one question, Kevin: Which trees were taken down in this storm? All the weak ones! The strong trees are still standing. You've received a natural pruning, making your property safer and healthier, leaving the strong trees for your family to enjoy. By next July, you won't be able to tell a single tree was taken down."

The hand of God was everywhere to be seen in this situation, but, as I pointed out to Kevin, we have to be willing to see it - to receive it as God's good in our lives.

I thought that was great. Also, when Kevin's dad first came to the hospital where his grandson was laying in critical condition, he put his arm around Kevin and said "Son, many people in the world would love for this to be their worst problem." December of that year was the tsunami in Thailand, and Kevin thought "I still have Alex, I still have my home... 'many people in the world would love for this to be their worst day.'"

One last quote from Kevin's father: "Does our daily focus on the ordinary events of life dampen our awareness of the providential and miraculous evens occurring in and around us all the time?"

Isn't that great? In 2012, I'm going to continue to have a good attitude. When trials come, and they will, know that God loves you and wants to bless you, and that your trial is in fact actually a blessing. Our challenge sometimes is to see how it is a blessing.

1 Nephi 11:17 - like the prophet Nephi, I know God loves his children.

I'm going to go read some more. :)

ABCs for 2012

Here is some wonderful counsel I read recently that I'm going to focus on this year - The ABCs to help us all live an "Abundant Life"

A - Attitude - B - Believe - C - Courage

A - Attitude

"Attitude, to me, is more important than... the past, ...than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day." - Charles Swindoll

We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, choose a positive attitude.


B - Believe
Believe in yourself, in those around you, and in true principles. Don't limit yourself and don't let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

C - Courage
Courage becomes a meaningful virtue when it's though of not so much as a willingness to die bravely but as a determination to live decently.

Ralf Waldo Emerson: "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them. "

Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward ones coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve. Have the determination to make the effort, to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that come but also to make a second effort, should such be required.

So, REMEMBER:
Cultivate a positive attitude
Believe that we can achieve our goals and resolutions
With courage face whatever challenges may come our way

...then the Abundant Life will be ours!