A few thoughts on the New Year!

Yeah, I am more than a year behind on this blog.  It makes me so sad to see that, but that is real life.  Last year was rough, crazy and soooooo busy for our little family! I thought once I finished with my certification things would calm down.  They didn't.  Surprised?  Probably not.  This year seems to be shaping up to be just as busy and hectic as last.  With that weighing on my mind I decided to reevaluate the way I approach this blog.

I decided that I'm a going to call last year a wash and update it when I can.  Sorry Russ!! Honestly who knows if that will even happen. I'm going to work this year on blogging more consistently.  I hope to settle into a nice pattern where each night I type out my blog and in then in the morning add the pictures.  We'll see how that goes since I am NOT a morning person. But I noticed in the past I enjoyed blogging most when I blogged everyday.  So I'm going to do my best at sticking to this.

Hopefully too many of you have not given up on me and still enjoy reading this blog! Hold me to my more consistent updates will you?!

Happy Birthday to Me!

 Russ and the girls totally spoiled me this year for my birthday!  It started last Friday when Russ got a babysitter to watch the three oldest.  Then him and Bree took me out on a date.  We went up to the big city where we ate at Chipolte.  I had been missing New York Burrito, and Russ claimed this was a good substitute for that.  It sure was!  Those burritos at Chipolte are huge and yummy!  He then took me clothes shopping.  I rarely buy clothes for myself and he knows it.  So this is an easy birthday gift for him to give me ;)

Today we went to La Casona for my birthday dinner.  The girls were amazingly well behaved which made the day all that more special!  We came home and I opened up the presents the girls had gotten.  Russ is always so thoughtful in taking them shopping so they can get me something too. Russ also hides my presents each year so I can't find them.  This year Santa held onto them for him.  Yeah they were in plain sight for a few days and I never even noticed them!

Lily drew me a picture and got me a beautiful silver heart necklace that said mom in the middle.

 Allie gave me a jingle bell necklace and some Christmas tree earrings.  She picked out the earrings because they looked like Legos.

 Charlotte got me a fancy necklace and earrings.

Russ got me a shot glass and a meat hammer.  Okay so he didn't ralize he was buying me a shot glass.  He knew that I hated measuring liquids (like vanilla) with my teaspoons because I'm shaky and have to be careful that I don't dump too much in.  So he saw this nice small glass measuring cup that was marked in teaspoons and tablespoons.  He bought and then was talking with his carpool people (who drink wine and liquor) and they explained to him that it was to measure out shots.  I got a good laugh out of the story but I know I will use this a ton!!! No more accidental spills from me!

After presents we went and had some BTS cake that I had requested.  I recently remembered how much I like this cake and asked for it.  

I had a great birthday!  It isn't everyday that you turn 30.  I'm glad I had my family to help me celebrate.

Happy Mail

Eeks!  Today I got happy mail.   I rarely am the one who gets mail, and it always excites me when I do.  I feel like a little kid!  I was so excited to receive my package from Laura at The LilyPad.  Inside was my Snap binder.  I'm hoping to use it for a December Daily album.  Laura was so sweet to even include a note to me!  I'm so glad that I'm able to be part of their Creative Team.

Salmonella

I've been sick since Bree was born.  So sick I went to the Emergency Room once.  I would get better then get sick again.  The Er told us that I might need to see a GI if things didn't clear up.  They didn't so I tried to make an appointment with a GI.  They wouldn't see me until I had gotten written clearance from my OBGYN that I wasn't having problems from Bree's birth.  So I went to the doctors last week.  She thought she knew what was going on and had me run some tests.  Sure enough today we got back the tests results which said I had....salmonella.  We have no idea how I got this other than when I was in the hospital I did point out a piece of chicken to Russ that wasn't quite cooked.  I didn't eat it, but apparently I still got it from it.  Were not sure.  I'm on an antibiotic for 10 days.  Hopefully that will clear this up because I have been miserable!

Gestational Diabetes

On the 7th I went in for my three hour glucose test.  Russ took work off and stayed home with the kids.  Char was sick {as usual} and I didn't feel comfortable sending her to someone's house sick.   Also it is summer.  Do you know how insane it is to ask someone to watch THREE more kids in addition to their 3+ kids?!

Anyway, I went in and took the test.  They found my one good vein right away so that wasn't a big deal like it can be.  After each blood draw I went and parked myself in front of the TV in the waiting room.  This time I noticed I felt different than the other times I've taken the blood test.  I wasn't sleepy or sluggish, nor were things fuzzy.  I thought it was strange, but passed it off.  As usual at the end of the appointment I was told they would call me with the results, probably on Monday.

I waited and waited, but the call didn't come.  Russ and my family got anxious and kept telling me to call.  I decided to wait.  Finally they called today.  I listened to nurse ramble on about who she was and why she was calling, and then she ended with "and your results came back normal".  I just sat there.  Clearly I had heard her wrong.  "Really?"  "Yes, you had one elevated number, but to have gestastional diabetes you have to have to numbers elevated"  "Really?"  "yes"

By this time I was totally shocked.  I think the nurse could tell, and quickly excused her off the phone.  I've thought about this all day.   Although I'm excited with the news that I won't be taking my blood, and I don't have to be quite as strict on my diet, I still feel like I need to be careful.  I keep thinking about how I wasn't termed gestational diabetes with Lily, but she went into sugar shock after she was born.  I don't want that to happen to this baby too.  So I'm going to watch my diet, but not deprive myself of sugar, just not indulge as much as I would like.  I also plan on making the hospital test the baby's sugar level after she is born. But again even though I'm still a little stressed about this, I'm happy to know that I don't have it this time around :)

Days like these

Mother's Day this year was a slice of Heaven I tell you what.  It started yesterday when Russ decided to give me a break from cooking dinner.  He decided to take me to La Casona{my favorite Mexican restaurant}  We got their and the girls were on their best behavior.  I have never seen them act this good at a restaurant before.  Even my picky restaurant eater Allie wolfed her dinner down without much coaxing.  Charlotte awed us by just how much rice and beans she could pack into her little body.  I finally declared her done, even though she wanted more.  

This morning Russ let me sleep in.  Granted it was only until 7:30, but we didn't have our normal conversation at 6:30 about who's turn it was to get Charlotte.  He woke me up with breakfast made; a yummy breakfast burrito.  Halfway through my breakfast Lily brought me her presents she had made at school.  She couldn't wait any longer.  Since Thursday she has been asking me to open them.  She made me a lovely card with a flower on it, and had decorated a mug for me.  She asked if I wanted hot chocolate{!} to which I replied water would be fine.  Russ proceeded to give me a UPS bag.  I anxiously opened it to reveal my new camera case that I told him to buy he ordered on his own : )

We all got ready for church, and despite the fact that Russ didn't have meetings this morning we were running late.  Which of course when you run late, things happen.  Like Lily getting upset we wouldn't let her take something to church that she wanted to, which led to a grumpy face in the picture I wanted of me and the girls.  Oh well, at least it is a true depiction of life as a mom right?!

Church was nice, we got our rose from the YM/YW of the ward.  Charlotte was enthralled with it and would not leave it alone until Russ hid it from her.  The Priesthood of the ward also gave all the women primary workers the day off.  They wanted to let us go to Sunday School and Relief Society.  It has been so long since I've set next to Russ in Sunday School, it was nice.  Relief Society was wonderful, I felt bad that I had to leave.  Allie was giving her first talk so I had to be there.  She did great!  We had talked a lot to her about talking loud and looking up when she talked.

After church I came home and napped.  It was very nice long nap!  Exactly what I needed.  We had yummy dinner that I helped Russ make.  A quiet evening with the girls pursued.  Honestly, who could ask for a better day!  I'm so grateful to be a mommy to my beautiful girls! 

Happy Birthday to me!

My birthday was today.  Unlike a lot of people I look forward to my birthday.  However, I'm not a huge fan of a lot of being knowing that it is my birthday.  Family and close friend is enough.  So imagine how mortified I have been for the last MONTH when Lily has been telling anyone within ear shot that is my birthday.  I think my ears are permanently pink from blushing so much.  But I can't be mad at her because I know she is just excited for me and wanted everybody to know so my birthday would be special.  In the end my birthday was quite special, but NOT because Lily told everyone about it.

It started with Miss Charlotte waking us all up early.  Apparently she wanted the festivities to begin.  Daddy was less than thrilled that he didn't get to sleep in.

 

Yesterday Russ had wrapped up my presents and decorated with the birthday banner.  He decided I didn't need any streamers or balloons.

The girls could hardly wait for me to open my presents.  Russ was having a heart attack as I was gently shaking each one before opening them.  Oh what did I get?

A toy camera of course!  Hahahaha, Russ so funny!

My real present turned out to be these fun Christmas earrings from the girls.  They are shaped like Christmas bulb ornaments.  The girls picked them out because they look like the ones on our tree.

Oh and yes I did get a real camera, just not in it's box.  For those wondering, it is a Cannon Rebel T2i with a 18 - 255 lens.  I've been saving for this thing for over a year now and can't even begin to explain how giddy I am to start using it.  Thanks so much for buying it for me sweetie!

Mom sent me this cookbook.  Apparently it has lots of good recipes in it.

After presents time I dug and made some more neighbor Christmas goodies.  Russ had originally suggested I not do this since it was my birthday and I should enjoy it instead of making things for other people.  I told him I didn't mind doing it since I enjoy baking.  We worked most the morning on those treats and then had lunch.  After lunch the girls and Russ sang happy birthday to me and we got eat my cake.  Can you see that it is decorated like a birthday cake?  Russ always comes up with fun ideas like this.

 

One candle wouldn't blow out so I had to keep puffing at it.  Took me FOUR tries, man I must be getting old!

This was Charlotte's first time having cake and we discovered that she loves it!

Later this evening as a family we went to my favorite restaurant La Casona!  The girls were on their best behavior and we had peaceful night out as a family.  It was the perfect end to a great day!

It arrived!

The doorbell rang this evening and I about killed myself on some of the girls toys as I ran to the door.  See I ordered my birthday present the day before Thanksgiving.  Russ was sitting right next to me so I could say that he bought for me.  I HATE buying my own B-day presents but he wanted to make sure that the right one got ordered so he felt it was best that I ordered it.  Since that day I had been tracking where it was en route to me.  I checked the tracker multiple times each day and squealed when I saw it had gotten closer to being in my hands.  But guess what this goober of a husband did?  He took my package and opened for me, to make sure all pieces were there and not broken.  Then he let me use it for FIVE minutes and then put away.  He gave me the manual and said it would have to tide me over till my birthday.  Oh what a goober! 

Changes for me

I've been dragging my feet with writing this post.  I just don't want to do it, but I know I need to.  I also think that I've taken some time to think about a lot of my feelings and allowed them to settle so that and I can write more objectively about these changes.

The day before I was to be induced to have Charlotte, I asked Russell to give me a blessing in hopes to calm my nervousness about her delivery.  Ironically, most of the blessing was about my life AFTER Charlotte was born.  One statement that stood out to me was about priorities, and finding out what they were in my life.  I struggled with this for months.  What did it mean?  Was I doing something wrong?  What needed changed?  I was a bit bewildered at what to do.


Then in July I was up late one night crazily trying to complete a large project for one of my scrapbook designers that I had spent many hours on.  Sometime around 11:00 my computer crashed taking with it my unsaved project.  I burst in to tears as I tried to start over knowing I would be up all night getting it done.  I was yelling at myself in my head for not saving wasting all this time.  The thought came to my mind, "I shouldn't be up late taking care of this, I should be in bed sleeping so I'll be prepared to take care of my family tomorrow."  The thought hit with such force that I stopped what I was doing and sat back.  The feelings I had been fighting for months rose to the surface again, and I knew what I needed to do.  I immediately quit 2 of the 3 scrapbook designers I was working for.

I went to bed that night with a sense of relief, but a hole in my heart as well.  It was hard to give up those two teams that I had worked so hard to get on.  The past two months I've slowly been getting a few things done that I never would have been able to do if I had not quit those teams.  It feels good to know that I'm becoming a better Mother through this choice.  I am sad to see my scrapbooking literally go out the window.  In two months I've created 2 layouts.  Typically I would have created closer to twelve.


The other major change for me...

About a month ago I was released from the Primary Presidency of our ward.  Interestingly enough I was released so that I could fulfill the position of a Primary teacher.  To say the least I was a bit shocked with this.  Quite a few people came to me that day and asked me why I was released.  All I could do was smile and say I wasn't sure, but I'm sure I would enjoy my calling.  It took me a couple weeks to ease into this calling.  I've always feared being a primary teacher because I feel like I know so little and these children need someone who can really teach them the gospel truths.  I'm feeling a little more confident each week that I teach and I'm finding how much I enjoy teaching my little class.  I must admit I fear this calling even more with the fact that come January I will most likely be teaching Lily and her classmates.  She has a VERY difficult class and I also find it particularly difficult to teach Lily because I tend to treat her as a mother and not as a teacher.  Maybe I will get lucky and they'll shuffle me around instead.

So two major changes that have literally upended my routine based life.  I'll probably finally get this new routine down, and then it will get upended again!  Such is life....

Down in the trenches

I found myself in the pick up lane at Lily's school with tears streaming down my face today.  I just couldn't stop the tears as hard as I tried.  Allie kept asking,"Momma you sad?" in her worried little voice.  Later on Lily would ask the same thing except for adding the why?  Charlotte even was concerned sticking out her little lip when she saw me crying. It was one of those days where nothing really bad happened, but nothing good happened either....or did it?

•  I played trains with Allie
• Charlotte held multiple conversations with me, which she hasn't done in awhile.
• Ballet was canceled allowing me to get a bit of a breather
• Russ finished work early and was able to come home early
• Lily was obedient before and after school, normally our two roughest times of the day.
• Charlotte smiled her gorgeous smile at me many times today
• Made dinner even when I didn't think I could

I wish when I'm in the thick of having a bad day I could see all the good things that happened too.  I mean I just made a list of seven wonderful things that happened today but I was blind to all of that. I hate days like this when I feel hopelessly lost when so many wonderful things are going on around me. I guess I can only hope for a better day tomorrow where I will more fully see my blessings. 

Food for thought...

 I read this quote on my sister in laws blog tonight and knew I needed to shard this.  Tomorrow I hope to start working towards being more content with who I am.

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

--Marjorie Pay Hinckley

The world around us

 Growing up with a mother who was an avid I grew to know quite a bit about the different kind of flowers and trees that surrounded me.  Upon moving to Texas I felt like I stepped into a whole new world.  The plants and trees here are totally differently.  I'm constantly asking people what things are so I can determine whether I can try them out in my yard or not.  When out on my walk with the girls today I decided to take my camera along with me.  I'm glad I did.  I found the most beautiful purple flower growing in someone's yard. It was the loveliest shade of lavender.

The next street over I saw this bush and for some reason it made me feel like I was somewhere exotic instead of good ol' Texas.

Taking in these beautiful surroundings with my girls really boosted my sagging spirits.  I 'm grateful our Heavenly Father loves enough us to have given all us such a beautiful earth to live on.

Blessing for me

Mom swears that she has told me to get a blessing every time I go into labor and that I have, but both Russ and I can't remember that happening.  She was a bit adamant that I get one done this time.  With all the anxiety I had been having throughout the day I agreed with her.  Dad and Russ both participated and Russ gave me a wonderful but unexpected blessing.  Very little was said about the actual birth, just that things would go well.  Most of the blessing was about life with our new child.  Something that struck me the most was that I was told I many need to give up a few things I enjoy in order to take care of our growing family.  I guess I may need to reevaluate some of my priorities soon.  I'm not sure what those will be, but I'm sure I will find out.  Overall I felt more peaceful when the blessing was done.  Now it is off to bed early so I'm ready to welcome our new family member tomorrow!

2011: One Little Word

Having a checklist has always been something I enjoy.  I get great satisfaction when I can cross off that item that has been causing me stress in my life.  Yes, a never ending to do list {aka mommy chores } cause me stress.  But having those few hours or minutes of relief that something isn’t on my list is pure bliss.

Last year I discovered a way to aid myself in crossing these things off my list, therefore having less stress in my life.  I chose one little word to live by for the year.  I chose composure.  I made goals for myself each month of ways to achieve that composure.  My had to do with my never ending “lists” LOL!  I blogged about it for awhile, but lost the time to do that.  But I was still working on composure behind the scenes of this little journal of mine.  By the end of the year I was in a much better place then I was at the beginning of the year.  I had made some great progress in feeling like I had my life in order {aka composure}.  I hadn’t made as much progress as I had hoped for but at least I moved in the right direction!

Around the beginning of December I began to think about my word for this year.  I questioned myself what would keep me going in the right direction that I had gone in last year?  What could I do to help me with my oh so important lists?  After much thought I came up with my word…..

COMMIT

Many times in my life I start things and they stay on those to do lists of mine for weeks….months…even years at a time.  I’m tired of starting things and not finishing them, or not doing them to my full capacity.  Basically this year I’m gonna finish what I start.

To do this I had to create a list to help me succeed. It isn’t complete because my brain just can’t think that far ahead but it is started which is most important to me.  Each month of the year I plan on focusing on a few things that I feel I have let slide in my life.  Things I want to commit to.  Each of those goals are broken down into smaller goals so that they are easily achievable.  I like to set myself up to succeed and this is the best way I see possible.  This is what I have so far….

January

Read Scriptures, Relief Society Manual, and the Ensign 

--28 verses a day {my age} in scriptures…this is a challenge we gave all the primary children in our ward and I really wanted to do it with them. 

-- RS manual on Sundays 

-- Ensign before bed

Blog Daily 

-- funny story 

-- recipe 

-- P365 picture {Totally going to be my lifesaver on this!}

P365

This one can’t be broken down anymore than it is so wish me luck on it!

Sleep 8 hours a night

-- Turn off computer by 9:30 or 10:00

Spend 1 hour a day playing with Lily, Allie, and Baby Girl#3

I have few ideas planned out on the next few months but this is getting to long as it is.  I will list them later….maybe when I need a something blog about to meet my “daily quota”!  I’m excited for this new year and all it has to bring into my life.  I hope that I can continue to commit to my goals.  I know that if I can I will grow in ways that Heavenly Father would want me to.  He expects us to challenge ourselves to grow and for me this is the best way I know how.

New callings

I honestly can't remember whether I have stated this or not before on the blog.  Instead of taking the time to find if I have I'm just going to reiterate it again :)  

Back in July I got a new calling.  I was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Primary.  I had already been working in the primary so it wasn't too big of an adjustment.  However, the 1st counselor was not back from having her baby.  So the President and I were teaching every other week.  A bit crazy those few months were.  Right when the 2nd counselor came back our President became ill.  We were left completely in the dark of how to carry the Primary forward, since the president was to ill to come to church or even help with primary affairs.  I was also back to teaching every other week with the 2nd counselor this time.  One month I think I even taught every week because the other counselor had sick children and couldn't make it to church.  Our President has finally made it to the point where she can come and conduct but still cannot teach.  The other counselor is out of town for awhile which leaves me to teach until the baby comes.  Who knows what will happen then, LOL!  

This calling has been wonderful and frustrating, as most callings can be.  I've really enjoyed teaching the children though.  As I've seen the children grasp onto some of the gospel truths I'm teaching I am reminded of why I chose teaching as a profession in the first place.  I love seeing the happiness radiate through them as the finally understand what is being taught them.  I've grown to love each of these little ones, and I pray they will continue to develop a testimony of the church as they grow.

Two or maybe three weeks ago Russ received a new calling as well.  It has a bit of a funny story to tell.  I was rushing around Nov 21 to finish up some things that needed done for the primary program that day, when Russ received a call.  The secretary of the Stake President asked us if we could be there to meet with Pres. Whipple by 10:30.  Well, no it was already 10:30.  How about 10:45....well we could try.  In 15 min Russ and I both managed to get dressed, find a babysitter for the girls, AND get to our church that is 10 min away.  Not sure how we did that but we did.  The ironic part is that we had missed a call the night before from the secretary setting up a 10:15 appointment.  Apparently when he called on Sunday he assumed we were already on our way instead of hearing about it for the first time then! LOL!

I was bit nervous going into this appointment because there were two MAJOR callings open in our ward at the time. Russ was extended a call and he accepted it, and I supported him in it.  A week later he was put in as Elders Quorum President.  I know Russ will do wonderfully with this new calling.  Callings like this make him nervous because he doesn't always feel like he is a leader.  However, I've seen that his personality has a way of putting people at ease, and that truly helps him be a leader. 

I admit I cried a bit when Russ received this calling, because of the fact that the baby is due soon, Russ is going to start traveling again soon, and the calling demands quite a bit of time from Russ.  But I bucked up and got over it.  Obviously there is a reason why Russ needs to do this calling now and I need to trust in Heavenly Father in that reasoning.  That thought alone gave me peace of mind that this calling is a blessing to us and our lives.  Okay and I was bit relieved that Russ didn't get called to the other MAJOR calling open in our ward....aka 2nd counselor in the Bishopric. LOL!

To be determined...

I used to be so good at blogging every day.  Not sure what happened, but it appears I'm lucky if I blog once a week let alone once a day.  That being said, thank you to all who have patiently waited for this "report"

We got a babysitter for Lily and Allie and excitedly drove the hour to the TWH.  They technicians got me in right away.   Russ had to be separated from me for a bit while they checked my cervix.  He was a little impatient about that.  Once he was allowed in the tech began checking me out and then the baby.  

While searching for my placenta she stopped on the baby's face for a minute.  Russ and I both laughed as we saw the baby chomping away at something.  We couldn't tell if the baby was sucking its thumb but it definitely was moving its mouth. 

After awhile the tech started showing us the heart, the spine, the leg bone, etc.  I kept watching that silly baby moving around.  I found it funny that the baby looked like a boxer.  Both hands were curled up by its face like it was getting ready to punch someone.  As the tech pushed really hard on me to get a picture of something the baby totally jumped.  On the screen it went from high to low to high again.  That even got the tech to crack a smile.

The tech finished taking measurements and told us that she needed to type up the report but to stay there.  After about five minutes she came back, handed me an envelope, and told us that we were all done and to give the envelope to the doctor.  Russ managed to sputter out, "well, aren't you going to check the gender"  The lady proceeded to tell us that she wouldn't be able to see anything because the baby was smaller than normal and I was early for a gender ultrasound anyways.  Russ prodded her to atleast check.  She sighed and said told us that unless the baby gave a "super clear" shot she wasn't going to say either way.  We agreed that was fine.

So after a few tense moments baby showed its stuff.  I turned to the tech and said, "That's a girl right?!"  She agreed and said she was fairly sure it was a girl but we should get it double checked and my next ultrasound.  So we have been telling family that it IS a girl because come on, if I could tell then it must have been a pretty clear shot.  Next month I do go in for another ultrasound which we'll double check the gender.

We did get to unfortunate bits of news from the ultrasound.  First because the baby is measuring small {16 weeks} the tech was unable to capture all the measurements she needed.  She couldn't even see the chambers of the heart because baby was so small.  The other news was that my placenta was close to my cervix.  We are hoping at the next ultrasound it will have migrated upwards so that I don't have to continue to have ultrasounds or ultimately have a c-section.  Wouldn't it be ironic to have a smaller baby but have it by c-section?!  I'm not stressed about either of these bits of news I'm just slightly annoyed that I have to make ANOTHER trip to TWC.  This will be my fourtth trip in four months.  I was only supposed to make four trips in my whole nine months.  Well, to stop dwelling on the bad I have two pics to show off sweet Baby Girls Jones  #3!

First up is BGJ's backbone

And then a lengthwise pic of BGJ where her head looks alienish!

And lastly I know I've said that I'm smaller this pregnancy and I was proved right when BGJ was measuring smaller but this belly shot really makes me look H.U.G.E...but I'm not I swear.  I got these fabulous pregnancy jeans on clearance for $6.  The only problem is that they don't fit me....yet.  If I jump around too much they actually fall off. LOL!  Since they are so big they poke out all over making me look much bigger than I am, including my belly.  Yeah, so don't think I'm a liar or anything....

New calling

Last night I was out shopping when I got a phone call from one of the counselors in the bishopric.  He asked me to come in tomorrow so that someone in the bishopric could talk with me.  Immediately I realized I was getting released.  A lot of changes have been going on in our ward when a couple moved out of the ward.  They were both presidents in an auxiliary.  Also the primary president I have been working under has been in her calling for over three years.  That is a pretty long time.

After realizing I was getting released I then realized I was getting a new calling.  Since our ward is fairly small there is rarely a time anyone goes without a calling.  I then started fretting what it could be.  I fretted until today when me and the girls met with Bro. Whipple.  He laid out my calling and I breathed a sigh of relief. 15 minutes later I was released as the Primary secretary and sustained as the Primary 2nd counselor.

I felt relieved that I hadn't been called to many other more time consuming calling.  At the same time I feel completely overwhelmed with this new calling  It has been awhile since I have taught children.  I feel rusty with my teaching skills.  Then there is the gospel aspect.  The last primary president really emphasized to us that children learn the foundation of the gospel and their testimonies in primary.  I worry that I won't be able to teach these eager children the principles that I need.

BUT......I'm so grateful that I received this calling.  I have always loved working with children, and I feel comfortable there.  I'm sure if I just do my very best the Lord will help with the rest.  I'm being thrown into my new position fairly quickly, as next week I get to teach sharing time!  Gratefully it is going to be a combined sharing time and singing time.  Our chorister is a wonderfully strong teacher and a good friend.  I'm sure teaming up with her will ease me into this new {and wonderful} calling.

2010 Word of the Year

The past year has been one of change.  I can't even count the number of things that changed in my life, and my families life this year.  2009 wasn't a bad year, it just wasn't the best year.  As I've been reflecting on how the year went, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to try something different this year.  This year I have a chosen a word to guide me through the year.  Weird I know, but let me explain.  This word is my way of having a resolution without having a resolution.  I've never really liked resolutions because they have a definite end, which I rarely reach.  Having this word to live by gives me a way of progressing without having to reach a certain point of progression.  Clear as mud?!  It is to me.....

The word I have chosen for this year is........

COMPOSURE

Composure can be defined as calmness, collectedness.

I chose composure because of all the change in my life this past year.  Three specifics aspects of composure that I would like to deal with are anxiety, organization, memory, and effectiveness.  I know those are quite ambiguous, but they have a very deep meaning to me.  Hopefully throughout the year, I will be able to provide updates as to how my composure is coming along.

To start of the year on the right fight and gain some composure, I've set up a small goal for myself.  By next Friday I plan to have my planner bought and updated.  Along with it I plan to have two things to accompany it:

1. A hand written journal.

2.  A notebook to write down other notes, and lists that don't fit into my planner.

I hope that in all aspects of my life(socially, intellectually, spiritually, mentally, artistically, etc.) I can find some composure.  What word would YOU like to live by this year?

(word of the year idea adapted from Ali Edwards)

A New Do

I've been feeling that I need to have make a change in my life.  For some reason when I get feeling this way, the first thing I do is go and chop off my hair.  I have been growing up my hair since May 2007.  Since then I've only gotten one teeny-tiny trim by Stacy.  My hair tends to grow straight and stay healthy so trims aren't usually necessary.  Anyway, today I decided that I needed to change, and change I did.  This is the longest I've had my hair since high school when I was able to {almost} sit on it.

When I get these haircuts, I've always donated my hair to Locks of Love.  Today felt a little different when I asked for the address to send my 10" of hair to.  It tugged at my heart more, to know that I was helping a cancer patient. 

Sadly, the haircut didn't turn out perfectly.  Obviously the girl was inexperienced.  Before she put the layers in my hair I asked her if she would like me to part my hair.  She said "No, by having it parted down the middle all your layers will be even."  Stupid me believed her, because I don't know a thing about hair.  I got home and styled my hair, and quickly found out that she was wrong and I had been right.  With my hair parted on the side my layers are longer on the left and slope upwards to the right.  I don't think you can really tell in the photo though.

Even though things didn't turn out right, I'm glad I got my haircut.  I'm loving it in fact!  I can't wait to grow it out a little so that I can go get it fixed by a "professional".  Oh and what does the front look like?  Well, I didn't have time to curl it, but this is what it "somewhat" looks like.  In reality it flips outward on the bottom, and the layers higher up curl around my face.  It normally doesn't look all straggly.

Blog Book: Feb 12 - June 30, 2008

I've been waiting forever to publish my first blog book.  So many things have kept me from getting it done:time, money, difficult software, moving, etc.  Blurb came out with an awesome sell recently that I knew I had to take advantage of or kick myself in the bum for a long time.  I kicked up he notch on my "editing" of my blog book, and I got it done in time to get the deal! 

Today I finally got my blog book!  I thought it would be delayed because of the snow, but UPS came through! The pictures I was able to take are horrible because we had no natural light coming into our apartment, but I couldn't wait to post this so here they are.

The cover

Double page full paragraph writing.

Double column writing

 Here I got creative.  I made my own layout for the left hand page.  I also loved doing full bleed pages.

More full bleed photo paired with text.

I learned how to do this layout by watching a tutorial on blurb.  It wasn't too difficult once I understood the concept.

And then one more full bleed page.  I really liked how I got these pictures to work out to be side by side.

Of course I love this book even with the flaws.  Yep there were flaws {my fault of course}, but it wouldn't be my book without them.  I always have a flaw on things I make.  Just to point out a few....the alphabet I used on the cover was of low quality and was fuzzy bits on the edges instead of crisp clean lines like it was supposed to have.  On the screen that wasn't visible, but when enlarged on the book it was all too evident.  Speaking of the cover, I wrote the wrong beginning date of the book.  For some reason Valentine's day was on my mind instead of Feb 12 when I wrote it.  There were a few typos through out the book that I didn't catch.  But that is it! 

I'm so excited about this and have already started the rest of 2008.  A few things I learned/regretted about my book....

1. I wish I had done a full year instead of half.  I had been worried in the beginning that my full year wouldn't fit in the 400 page limit that blurb puts on their books.  That would have been in vain because half a year was well under 200 pages.
2. Use more full bleeds, and picture only pages.  Again I was worried about size, so I tried to cram everything together without being too crowded.  Things worked out okay, but I would have preferred to see more white space in it.
3. Make more of my own layouts.  Blurb has a bunch of great templates that makes the editing process go so fast.  However, I found myself making quite a few of my own because I felt they were more eye pleasing than the ones blurb provided. This time around I'm checking out how to make pdf's and use them instead of using the blurb templates.
4. Make sure ALL pictures have been edited.  Don't trust your blog to have your perfect pictures that you want in your book.  Unfortunately I didn't realize that my pictures hadn't been edited until after I printed the book, so some of my pictures turned out a little dark.  That could have been fixed if I had been paying attention to what I had put on my blog.
5. Definitely splurge on the premium paper. I got the premium paper and you can totally tell that it is high quality paper.  It is thick and stiff.  Not flimsy at all.  Russ commented on how high quality it is.
6. Definitely get the picture wrapped hardbound book.  This made for such a nice professional looking book.

I know I had more things, but I can't remember them.  So if anyone is interested in making your own blog book head over to: http://www.blurb.com/ Also feel free to ask me if you have questions about making your own blog book.  I don't profess to be all-knowing about this, but I might be able to answer some questions.