Tuesday we spend the day running between dance rehearsal and the recital. The princesses sure looked cute all dressed up, and they did a great job too!
Tag: family
-
Remembering Grandma
Last Thursday my dad called to let me know my Grandma had passed away that morning. She laid down for a nap and was gone. Throughout my life, there were just a few years here and there when my Grandma wasn’t living with us. She’s always been there and been a part of my life. My Grandma just turned 94, two weeks ago. She was an amazing woman, who I had great respect for. I will miss her immensely, and am sad that I didn’t take more time to spend with her these last few months. I wish I had paid more attention to her quilting, and let her teach me the fine techniques that go into a hand quilted quilt. I tried last summer to learn crochet from her, but she was already declining, and it became too frustrating for both of us.
I will always treasure the quilt she helped me piece as a pre-teen, and driving around to yard sales to buy random little treasures. Grandma was a hard worker, and always very independent. I know she would have loved the Receiving Blanket Quilt I made for the girls.
Princess V helping Grandma piece a quilt.
Seeing Princess R for the first time
At Mark’s graduationI am so grateful for the time I had with my grandma. I will miss her terribly, but I know one day we will see each other again. I am very grateful for the knowledge I have of families being together forever. -
Tuesday tip – Making time for Family
One of the biggest things we can do to make sure our house feel like a home is to make time for family. Last week I decided I personally needed to take less time online and spend more time with my kids. I easily got distracted keeping up with online friends and family. I love my friends, and my family far away, but I needed to reprioritize this week, and spend more of it with the people right here.
Here’s some tips for cutting back your online time– Set a timer. Decide how much time you can spend online and set a timer. When it goes off, shut the computer down.
– Turn the computer off at night. In the morning, don’t turn it on. Get dressed, eat breakfast with your kids, do some household chores. By not having the computer on first thing in the morning, you’ll be less tempted to sit down “just for a minute to check on my friends”. We all know that minute turns into much longer.
– Plan! Find some events going on in your town, and get out of the house! Plan in advance, so you have a couple days of things to do. If nothing is happening, go for a walk, hit up the library, invite a friend over!
Since taking time off the worldwide web this weekend I’ve found myself happier, my kids enjoying more productive activities, and a better bond and communication between us. Here’s just some of the fun things we’ve done!
Had a family barbeque
Dressed up and played with Legos
Water Colered
And took a nap on Daddy.So this week, slow down. Re-evaluate your time and reconnect with your family. Have a great week everyone! I leave you with one of my favorite Mormon-Ad’s! -
Family Room – Before
I am determined to have our Family Room done before Baby Prince arrives. Ever since we started our Dining Room remodel, the family room became the staging zone. It’s located in the back of the house. There is no access to any other room besides the backyard from it. So we were able to stack tools and hardware in there while we remodeled. Well, we finished the Dining Room in february, and it isn’t looking any better. Here’s what I’ve got to work with this month
At first glance from our beautiful dining room, into the family room {Cringe}We still need to put a frame back on the doorway
When we did the dining room, we had to replace support beams. Which means we had to temporarily support the roof, this was the result. We’re still debating on just retexturing the ceiling, or creating a new ceiling with hard wood (kind of like this pallet ceiling)
I’ll probably put up different curtains once we get more of a theme for the room. We’ll be repainting all the walls.
This picture makes me laugh and smile. I probably should have taken the photos off the wall before the mess started, but they survived.
Well, this is just to show the horrible mess of everything, and to motivate me to get started. Eventually I want to open up the closets to open shelving and wood storage for the stove.Hopefully I’ll see you at the end of the month with a much different looking room! Perhaps different enough it won’t be recognizable as the same room….perhaps. -
Sentimental Sunday – My Sister in Law
This week I’ve been thinking about my sister in law, Marie. She is Mark’s only sister, and one of my best friends! Despite her beingmany,eh hem, just a few years older than, we hit it off right from the start. She is so friendly and outgoing, and will be anyones friend. This year has brought many changes for her life, that I’ve been so excited to be a part of. After a hard divorce, she met a man who really treats her right, and they’ve decided to marry. I can’t describe in words the changed happiness I see in my sister since she has met such a wonderful guy. I mean come on, he went to the midnight showing of Twilight Breaking Dawn with us! What a cool guy!
Ok he’s not in this picture, but he really was there with us! See how much fun we have?When we found out we were having a baby boy, after calling our parents, Marie was my very next call. I wanted to share the excitement with her, and I knew out of anyone she’d show the most outward excitement. It was one of those times you just need someone to jump up and down with you, and start making huge future plans (like a baby shower…eeeee!).Last night when someone came banging on our door, I was shocked to see Marie on the other side of it! She decided to spur of the moment drive up to see us! It helps her fiance lives on the same street as us (total coincidence!), but still she came to see us!! We got to talk to and be excited together about the changes coming in both our lives. A new marriage for her, and a boy for us. When her fiance stopped by a little later, he and Mark got to talking about home repairs and upgrades (fiance is an architect, oh yeah!!!). And guess what? They’re going to start on my floor to almost ceiling pantry over Christmas break. Besides getting an awesome pantry out of it, I get to spend more wonderful days with Marie! I can’t wait.I hope everyone has at least one person that truly feels what they feel, and can offer both joy and excitement, as well as a shoulder to cry on when it is needed. I know I am very grateful for Marie. I couldn’t have asked for a better sister in law. And for that matter, any better in laws than the ones I got. Too bad most of them live so far away (hey family…move back would you?) -
Advent Activities
Growing up we had this really fun advent calendar. It was an embroidered Christmas Tree Wall hanging. Days 1-25 were on the tree, with a place to tie a candy cane. Each day we took turns untieing a candy cane and counting down the days to Christmas.
The past few years, we have done something similar. We have a wooden calendar with doors that open, for each day from December 1st until the 25th. In the past we have put little candies, or toys inside for the Princesses to enjoy. This year, we decided to change it up. Instead of items, each day has an activity inside. We want to get back to the Spirit of Christmas, to remember why we celebrate, and to make some family memories. Already this year, I have seen a difference in everyone’s attitude’s. We are less concerned about when we can go shopping, and are smiling and laughing more as we spend time together.
I know it’s already December 3rd, so here’s a quick picture catchup of our first 2 activities.
December 1st – Put up the Christmas Tree, and decorate.
December 2nd – Ward Christmas Party (a ward is what we call each small area of our church, you can visit LDS.org to learn more about what we believe).
We don’t have every day set yet, but we do have many ideas of what we’d like to do. So here’s a little run down for anyone interested in some fun family activities this Christmas season.-Attend concerts. For us this is easy with Mark being the band director of two local bands. We’ll be enjoying some Christmas music from the community band on the 8th, and from the High School band on the 15th.– Bake. We plan on doing a lot of baking this month. But we will have one specific night set aside to bake things for our neighbors, and one night to make cookies for Santa. I also found these really cute “cookies” to make for Santa’s elfs – mini donuts out of cheerios!
– Sinterklaas. This is a tradition from my childhood. My dad served an LDS mission to The Netherlands, and incorporated this into one of our celebrations. It is the Dutch equivalent to Christmas. Sinterklaas comes on the night of December 4th, and leaves a gift in the children’s shoes. Instead of cookies, the kids put carrots or hay in their shoes and a bowl of water for Sinterklaas’ horse. This will be the first year our family will celebrate, and I am so excited for it!!– Look at lights. We’ll be heading down to Salt Lake City one night to walk around Temple Square and see the lights there. Another night we’ll be going up to Ogden’s Christmas Village.– Tonight we are having a pizza party and watching The Polar Express. We’ll probably do something similar a couple more nights, but with different Christmas movies.– Read Christmas stories. There are so many children’s books you can read with your kids that have a focus on Christmas. Check out your library, or bookstore to add some to your collection!– Christmas Caroling. We’ve been teaching the Princesses “We wish you a merry Christmas”, and they are very excited to go caroling to our neighbors.– Find a yule log. I’ve never done this before, but a friend of mine does! This is our first year with a fireplace, so I want to take the family out to the mountains one day and search for a yule log. It sounds like so much fun!These are just some of my ideas. I’d love to hear some of the things your family does to celebrate the Christmas Season. -
Sentimental Sunday – Naps
Naps have never meant much to me. I don’t remember taking them as a child. I do remember having sick days, where my mom would have us lay down, and try to nap, but I never could. Something about knowing the sun was up, my body would not let me take naps. Now that I’ve become a mom, I love naps! Although my kids all gave up naps at a young age, Princess R is still taking them, but they are getting shorter.
On Friday this week, during Princess R’s nap, I cuddled with the other two on the couch and read stories. After 3 short picture books I could not keep my eyes open much longer. See I’ve been trying to follow the advice in Proverbs 31, that a woman arise while it is still night to make meat for her household. I have been getting up at 4:30 all week. Sadly, I’m not as good at going to bed early, and by friday it was catching up. So I asked the Princesses if it was ok if I took a nap. They happily obliged, and colored while still cuddling with me, while I dozed in and out.
Today, Princess R woke from her nap much earlier than normal, and quite unhappy. I asked Mark if he’d like to get her, because I know sometimes just seeing him Princess R will get very happy. 30 minutes later, I had not heard anything from her room, nor seen the pair. So I went to check on them. I found this
ok not a great picture. I was trying not to use a flash so they would not wake up. But what you might make out in the above picture, is Princess R wrapped in her favorite blanket, sound asleep on Mark who was also sound asleep in the recliner. Awe, my heart melted!I love the memories made when we take time to slow down and spend time, even if it’s napping, with our loved ones. These are memories to cherish.
-
Sentimental Sunday – Personal Reflection
This past week I have been doing a lot of personal reflection.The main thing I have begun to notice is that I am a lot like my mom, and I couldn’t be happier. There are so many times I remember getting up to find my mom had already been awake for quite some time, and she had her scriptures out; reading and pondering them.It took me a long time, but I am now in the habit of getting up every morning (sometimes with the kids, sometimes before) and reading my scriptures. It has made an impact on my days. In my personal opinion there couldn’t be a better way to start each and every day.I also remember walking in on my mom praying a lot. For the past few years, I have not turned to the Lord as often as I know I should, but in the last little bit, this too has become a new priority in my life. I want my children to have those same memories of me, and that example that my mom gave me. To feel close to the Spirit and know that we are never alone, is a gift I treasure.The one thing I have not been as diligent as my mom, is journal writing. I do consider blogging to be a bit of my personal journal, but I also have a real hard cover with blank pages journal. I should take more time to write in it.Another item from my personal life I began pondering is my wall displays. I love having pictures on my walls. There has been one item though that since the day I got married has moved and been hung in every home we’ve lived in. It is The Family: A Proclamation To the World. It statesWe, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
Isn’t that amazing? This was also hung in my parents house for as long as I can remember along with a picture of Christ. I too have a beautiful painting titled “Oh Jerusalem” hanging in my home. It is one of my favorite pictures of Christ as he looks out over Jerusalem longing for them, but because they refused Him, He could not do anything.
I don’t often talk about my faith here, so I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into who I am, and what I believe. If you’d like to learn more about my faith please visit lds.org or mormon.org -
Sentimental Sunday – Nature
Sorry if you all missed me last week. I was out in the wilds of Yellowstone enjoying some camping, hiking, and no technology interruptions. We didn’t even get cell service, it was bliss! But I’m back, and excited to share some awesome photos of our trip with you!
This guy walked right past my open car window, inches from my face. I was a little too chicken to snap a picture with him so close, in case he decided to charge.
We took a hike down some metal staircase to this beautiful waterfall with a rainbow. I had a hard time with the height of the stairs and the fact I could see straight through them and to the cliffs below me. I will fully admit that I have an irrational fear of heights
Of course we had to stop by Old Faithful. It was pretty cool!
In the Norris Geyser Basin we saw some wolf tracks.
Roaring Mountain sounded cooler than it looked. It’s supposed to be a bunch of geysers up the mountain side, but when we stopped by only one was giving off any steam.
The elk were all over Mammoth Hot Springs. We were going to hike up to the Springs after lunch here, but wind and rain blew in, and I didn’t want to risk it with the Princesses.Pondering back on this amazing trip, I feel so blessed to have seen so much of God’s work untouched by human hands. It was quite the experience to drive by so close to the Bison and elk. We saw some deer from a distance, and of course those wolf tracks. Thankfully we didn’t come across any of the bears that live in Yellowstone. Unfortunately while we were there a man was mauled by a Grizzly when he and his wife were hiking. Unfortunately he didn’t make it, but his wife did. The park rangers were frequently coming by the campsite to remind us of the safety measures to stay safe.If you ever get the chance to visit Yellowstone, I would strongly encourage you to find some time to sit and ponder on the “beauty of the earth.“ -
Looking back
As I sit here this morning, I can’t help but reminisce about my life. I’ve lived a good 25 years thus far, and plan on living for many more years. In my lifetime, I’ve been blessed with many things. The most important to me though, is family.I was “born of goodly parents“
Aren’t I cute?My parents raised me well. They taught me the importance of love, compassion, service, and church. They taught me many lessons growing up, and I will always be grateful for that.I grew up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters, who I love dearly. We were a normal family, with sibling fights, but we still love each other and move past our disagreements. I had the great opportunity to run a 5K with my2 sisters yesterday for my birthday. I had so much fun just spending that time with my sisters
The family unit is so very important to me. My parents taught me this as we sat down to a family dinner every night, and breakfast most mornings. Thanks to the love of my family growing up, I was able to meet and marry a wonderful man, and create a family with him. I hope to instill in my family the same love my parents taught and showed me. I want my Princess’ to be able to “run a race” together when they are older and have gone different directions in their life.
This is the love of my life. Mark, I am so thankful you’re mine!
No matter what my children are doing – sleeping, playing, or making a mess, I will always love them. I only hope I can be as good a parent as mine were and still are to me and my siblings.I’m linking up to
