Here are some of our Christmas pics: We spent half the day at Jesse's parents and the other half at mine. We feel fortunate to have both families so near us.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Regis and Kelly Live Contest Entry

I finally entered my little bugga's to Regis and Kelly Live Beautiful Baby Contest to see if we can score him a wonderful scholarship?!?!?!

Cross your fingers and toes...

Mine are getting cramped in this cold weather!

Oops! I am so glad my friend Andrea made a comment about the date mix-up because I submitted Tyler to last years contest on accident! Now I linked to the current contest and the due date is Feb 13, 2009!!! Thanks Andrea. You are a lifesaver!

Thursday Three 01-08-09

Realizations I have come to lately:

1) I need to "detensify" my neck muscles every once in a while. My neck is so tight, I think if it gets any tighter I won't be able to function. I miss yoga! Speaking of...a site about yoga positions. The cow face pose is nice for the neck!(Thank you Bethany for the site.)

2) I need to laugh way more. Especially with the children. Poor kids. Some days recently I had my "angry eyes" on from morning to night. "Geesh girl loosen up a little?!" I say to myself. Here is something that made me chuckle recently:

3) I am nowhere near the person I want to be but am way better than the person I used to be. Does that make sense? It does to me! Here is something I read yesterday that doesn't make any sense:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/06/AR2009010603370.html

Wordless Wednesday 01-07-08

Anticipation.

Tree-hugging Tuesday 01-06-09

Something I struggle with at times:

Using canvas bags at the grocery store...

I use them whenever I can remember to grab them. Now, I put them close to where I keep my purse. That way, when I know I am going to to get groceries, I will have them right next to my purse to grab as I head into the store. I find myslef leaving them at home or in the car quite a bit. Kids in haul, I choose not to head out to the car to grab them...instead I then opt for plastic bags. The plastic bags are horrible for the environment no matter how convient they are. Another bonus to buying canvas: Kroger/Fred Meyer gives me 5 cents back every canvas bag that is put to use every time I grocery shop there!

Another complication: The produce. I am seeking to find a way not to use those flimsy bags they have to use in the produce section. I have thought of reusing the mesh bags I get with my fruit mix sometimes..but I think it would be too cumbersome for everyone involved. I think I will just set up a bag or two for the produce and put them in the canvas bags then go through the checkout and take the produce out..although somebody handling the naked produce bothers me as does the naked produce touching the belt and scanning scale. Hmmm.. any ideas out there?

Menu Planning Monday 01-05-09

Monday: Crockpot soup(broth, instant rice/noodles, vegetables, meat/beans, etc),bread,apples
Tuesday: Chicken & veggie skewers on our new stove top grill (:-))
Wednesday: Tasty Lentil Tacos, spanish rice, refried beans, apple juice
Thursday: Soup, potatoes with broccoli and cheese, chocolate milk
Friday: Cheesy chicken quesadillas, leftover spanish rice/beans, lemonade slushies
Saturday: Boboli pizza (one canadian bacon pineapple, one sausage and bell peppers), root beer
Sunday: Apple Butter Pork Loin, rice, veggie mix

Sunday Sampler 01-04-09

Goal making. Why do we make goals? To focus on a purpose. My main purpose in life is to become perfect. Perhaps I will never quite get there. Jesus makes up for what I cannot. As long as I try to do the right thing, educate myself and forgive myself for my shortcomings while keeping God in the center, I will turn out okay.

My main thought is in keeping the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life daily while observing Sabbath once a week. I have many pinpoint goals I make - not all of spiritual concern. I am following the advice and example of a friend and am listing my goals in a separate blog: Charmed Goals

I know following a guideline helps me to perfect my talents and interests. It gives me further purpose. A scripture was read in church today I fully appreciate. Jesus Christ was concerned with perfecting himself and the understanding to what His goals are is only stated once in the scriptures:

St Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Therefore, the four goals of the Saviour are:

An increase in physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social perfection.

I am so grateful for His example and for the gospel in my life. I am grateful for a purpose and ever more so for the knowledge of that purpose.

Family Friday 01-02-09 The face I grew up with...

I am not able to tell you who this is... but this is the face of someone with whom I am related. Let's just say this is what I would see if I did something bad...really bad like refused to do my chores... :-) (Notice: I am about to be scorned for life for showing this.) (Yes - of course, the face is distorted!)

Family Friday 01-02-09

Our New Year's Celebration...

Grapes, soda and a movie at midnight...

Lots of games and noise....

Watching crazy neighbors set off fireworks next to the neighborhood gas station and power lines....

A Happy New Year for all...including sleeping toddlers...shhhh!

Thursday Three 01-01-09

This is a New Year...fresh off the block..three goals I look forward to completion this year:

1. Lose at least 40 pounds. (My honey says once I meet my goal weight we are going on a cruise - yeehaw!)
2. Keep my paperwork organized. This entails lots of patience and fighting off the great urge I have to ignore all paperwork...along with lots of shredding now that I have ousted the old stuff. Anyone who doesn't visit me at my physical address can refer to this craziness: The black hole in my house.
3. Spend more time (at least an hour on non-hazerdous days) outside.

Funny - these are so close to my last goals I posted in 2007...hmmm I am seeing a trend here!

Somewhat boring to you I am sure, but oh so exciting to me!

Oh, yes, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!