Well folks, you are looking at the new Cub Scouts Den Mother for the Bears. Yes that is right, my new calling is scouts. Isn't that a man's job? I don't even know how to tie a knot. I'm in charge of the colorguard this month for Pack Meeting. Never done it in my life. And I get to go to cub country. While I would like to believe I was meant for this calling, I think really I was the only one that would say yes. Apparently this is a hard calling to fill in our ward. I don't have the faintest idea why :) I'm sure Porter will be in heaven! Oh, and since most of you have never or probably won't ever have the wonderful chance of getting this calling, yes I do indeed get to wear the yellow cubscout shirt. I know you are all so jealous of me right now!
Oh, and on those resolutions? So far, I have crafted, played and exercised. As for the sleeping, not so much. If any mother out there has any suggestions, I'm open. Over the past couple of months I've tried the 'Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child', the "progressive waiting" according to the Ferber method, the cry-it-out method, not allowing him to take longer than half hour naps during the day (this one isn't hard because he rarely sleeps longer than that most days), early bed-times, late bed-times, a very strict bedtime routine, and even co-sleeping on the really hard nights. I am at a loss and so far so is my doctor. The only thing I think is that it is TEMPER, but something has got to give. Any suggestions are welcome, PLEASE!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
My New Calling
Thursday, January 6, 2011
2011
Although most people aren't for resolutions because they are usually broken, I look at it more as a way to re-focus. Even if I'm not perfect, I would like to work on being the person I want to be. With that said, here are my 2011 goals:
SLEEP- I know to most of you this may seem odd, but at our house we average about 4-5 hours on a good night. Jack has a HORRIBLE temper and wakes up screaming. I've taken him to the doctor to be sure nothing is wrong and we can't figure it out. He screams for hours, I've even recorded it for the doctor to ask him advice. Combine that with Porter's bowl movement problem which usually creeps up at around 1am and it makes for a great night!
PLAY WITH MY BOYS- Sometimes I take being a mom for granted. Porter has a wonderful imagination and entertaining him can be exhausting. Today alone I have been a nurse, a patient, a princess trapped in a castle, a pirate, and a house cleaner dancing around singing "almost there!" Although I got virtually nothing else accomplished, I feel fulfilled and wouldn't have rather spent my day any other way.
ATTEND THE TEMPLE ONCE A MONTH: This gets tricky with a baby that even his grandma's get weary of after a few hours and a husband that goes to school at night, but we all know how important this is.
EXERCISE AND EAT BETTER: Believe it or not, I have slacked off on the healthy lifestyle. When I was pregnant with Jack I developed some bad eating habits of pretzel m&m's, hamburgers, and diet coke (before then I had steered clear of these vices basically since junior high) and although they are fine in moderation, I've been consuming too many of them. I need to get back to my P90x but finding time is the challenge. It might have to be during afternoon naps.
Well, there you have it. Basic goals that I hope I can work on. Oh, and also to track and budget my grocery bill. I won't tell you my goal, but I think with my rite aid savings I might just be able to do it!
Friday, December 31, 2010
DECEMBER AND CHRISTMAS IN PICTURES
December was a wonderfully busy month for us and we enjoyed every minute of it! Let's start with the annual cutting of the Christmas tree.
Christmas is by far now my favorite time of year because nothing can top the magic of Christmas to children! We started with Tangled. Darling show, made me cry. Tom just looked over at me and shook his head. Next, we had a few hours of down time until we headed to my Uncle Scott's house for Christmas. A very interesting Christmas indeed. As long as I can remember we have had London Broil, baked potatoes, salad, rolls and Flaming Christmas Pudding. Well, this year we mixed it up with Scott's wife Maralyn bringing in her tradition of Chinese Food mixed with some of our food. It looked a little Chinese Gourmet-ish but was actually pretty good.
We acted out the traditional nativity but this year we were a little short on kids so we had to recruit some adults to join. Porter was a Wise Man and insisted that we bring Jesus every present we could find. And although he was a little large, Jack was Baby Jesus. Asleep the whole time!
And finally, we went to check to see if the Elves came. And sure enough, they visited and brought Porter Woody jammies and Jack Buzz Lighyear jammies. And then sent the boys to bed while we did some wrapping. It was put on hold when Porter had a wonderful accident in his bed and I had to run up and change the sheets, wash his underwear and handwash and dry the woody jammies because he still insisted on wearing them.
Christmas morning was perfect. Porter got everything he possibly wanted and more! Luckily he was polite and said thanks after every gift. Last year we weren't in our house so we spent Christmas Eve at my parents house. Well, my family couldn't bear to think of us enjoying Porter and Jack Christmas morning without them so they came to our house at 7 am to watch the show. After we showered, we headed to my mom's for one more present from Santa and a ton of gifts from my family. So spoiled when you have the only grandchildren! And finally, we headed to the LeBaron's for food and cousin time.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Thoughts
Christmas has been wonderful and I am sad to see it end. We have had such a wonderful and magical Christmas which will most certainly need to be documented on my blog with photos, but for now, I just want to write my feelings about this Christmas down. Picture documentary later.
We have done so many fun things this Christmas, but most of all I have loved teaching Porter the True Meaning of Christmas and the story of Jesus' birth. He certainly was spoiled (that being the understatement of the world) but I am so happy that he is starting to understand at this young age why we celebrate Christmas and the joy one feels in giving gifts. One of my favorite moments this Christmas was during our Nativity Reenactment. Porter chose to be a Wiseman this year because he wanted to be the one to bring the gifts to the Baby Jesus. We gave him "gold" to bring and he walked in an put the present down and then walked around the room insisting that we needed to find more presents for Jesus. I love my sweet little boy!
For my mom, this Christmas has been quite an emotional one. My favorite gift I received this year was a clock and the explanation and testimony she gave with it. I wanted to be sure to keep this so I am going to write down parts of the letter to be sure I always remember the message. Take from it what you will, but for me it means so much. If it isn't obvious, clearly I have been having doubts on my abilities as a parent and knowing the best ways to raise my boys. As well as balancing work, church, family, a husband that is always gone, etc. I am grateful to my mom for always knowing exactly what I need to hear. Here is most of the letter for memory's sake.
"This idea was a product of my continual reflection from October Conference in a talk by Elder Christofferson entitled "Reflections on a Consecrated Life". In it he states, 'Life offers us two precious gifts--one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will...Everyday, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for.' This thought has kept ringing in my ears. Often the choices we make in this life aren't between good and bad but between better and best..
Elder Christofferson goes on to state that one of the elements of a consecrated life is work. 'All work is sacred,' he states. 'God designed this life to require almost constant work. How we manage that in our lives is the key. Work is required and when we are working we should give our very best. If it is important to do, it is important to do well and the time we work should reflect our integrity. But you also have the work in your family. Control your time; make the best use of it.' Don't be jealous of what others have, even in ease and comfort.
I believe we often learn the gospel with music and two lines from two different songs keep coming to my mind. 'I Walk by Faith'. I know that as we lean on our Heavenly Father, He will direct us in making choices about our lives and the time we spend. The other song is from the Forgotten Carols. 'All I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed of. . .couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given. I've been given what I need.' You are the parents to two wonderful little boys. They have been given to you for a reason. You are the parents that are right for them. Be grateful for the opportunity to raise them and lean on Heavenly Father for guidance. He has given you what you need.
Use your time to make the best choices. Elder Chirstofferson says, 'men are that they might have joy-a joy that includes a fullness of life, a life dedicated to service, to love and harmony in the home, and the fruits of' honest toil.' I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is the only place to find the answers we need."
Merry Christmas. I hope all of you had as wonderful a Christmas as we had!
'
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Catch Up Now, Pictures Later
And...sigh. I was released today from no longer in existence calling of Activities Coordinator after the crazy Christmas Party last night. Props to all you out there who've served in this calling longer than 6 months :) Most of the time is is a great calling because you don't have much to do, but when the party approaches, you go into full swing. And the stress case that I am doesn't handle it so well and it is hard to have kids when you are in charge so my mom was lucky enough to take them from 2-9:30 on Saturday. Gotta love close family. (Ironic, however, that I didn't have my family there at the Ward Family Christmas Party) For the most part, it went off without a hitch, although there was a disagreement on how many salads to put out at a time in which I lost and we almost ran out of salad before the last people were served. (well, and the fact that like 3 people that were suppose to bring salad didn't show, nice)
I cannot believe Christmas is already in full swing! Crazy how time gets away from you! I have so much catching up to do with pictures that will have to happen later this week but I know if I don't post now I will have no motivation to do it. Cutting Down Christmas Trees, Porter's Birthday, Sitting on Santa's Lap, Gingerbread Cookies, Decorating and More Decorating and if Porter had his way we would decorate everyday.
Christmas is so fun this year with all the anticipation. It feels nice to have had all my shopping for my boys done before Thanksgiving but there is a part of me that is sad that I'm done just because it is so fun. I think we have played with and probably lost pieces to about 8 different nativity sets, but Porter is obsessed with the Christmas Story. He will go to Sunbeams in January, but the older nursery has been going into Sharing Time just to get them ready. He came home singing "shepherds quietly" over and over and as of now I'm still not quite sure what Primary song that could have come from but he won't stop singing. I love having a child at this age and their anticipation and excitement of the season. Porter is insisting we make Jesus a cake for his Birthday because everyone should have a birthday cake. He would also like to get him a toy. Anyone do a tradition celebrating Jesus' birthday that they might want to offer up?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Happy Birthday My Blue Eyed Boy!
Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! Porter turned 3! How does that happen? How do I have a 3 year old I ask you? But for Porter's and my sake I thought I would document this little piece of history.
Porter, you are the sweetest little boy and have brought so much joy to my life! Your curiosity and inquisitiveness bring a new adventure everyday. You have such a zest for life that is contagious and you make motherhood a joy. I love playing with you, and hearing you sing, and watching and listening to your wild imagination. I love your snuggles and kisses and hugs. Currently these are your favorites:
-Iron Man (and all Marvel Comic Characters thanks to your uncle Justin, and you do in fact know every identity of every super hero and the name of their girlfriends also thanks to your uncle Justin),
-Pirates and your new Pirate Ship,
-Preschool with Brayden and Bo,
-Nursery (which I've already broken your heart by informing you that starting January you will now be a Sunbeam),
-campouts with Papa Carl,
-having story time with Daddy,
-Peanut Butter Sandwiches (two every morning at 10 am for what we call second breakfast)
-McDonald's hamburger and "two-fries",
-helping me cook and clean while singing "Almost There!",
-anything and everything Disney but for now mostly Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs, -doing legos with Justin,
- and most of all, CHRISTMAS with all the decorations and the nativities and the story of Jesus' Birth when he receives gold, frankenstein and more!
We love you little boy and are so happy to have you in our lives.
Monday, November 29, 2010
My Blog
Ok, so I started a deal blog to answer the requests of many of my friends asking me how I find my deals, how I save money and how I shop at Rite Aid. I started posting a few ideas and deals I found. (I subscribe to a lot of stores and deal site email blasts) It was just a little experiment into giving a few ideas but I didn't think really much of it. (google analytics tells me differently) I have been SHOCKED at the amount of emails I have received and visitors I have had. So at this point, I guess I'll keep going. If you didn't know, the blog is:
www.dealsyouwant.blogspot.com
Check it out and email me if you are looking for a deal on something in particular.
Pictures coming shortly of cutting down our christmas tree and in case you didn't know, my little boy turns 3 on Sunday!
