Cutting out the Crap

Some of you may have noticed a couple weeks ago I posted on Facebook and Instagram that in order to meet some personal goals I would be spending much less time on social media.  Last summer I was called to serve as the Primary President in our ward.  I find this calling very rewarding but can be a bit stressful at times.  I was finding that I was having a hard time keeping up with my responsibilities and projects at home while fulfilling my calling.  I got to thinking about how I was spending my time.  I came to the conclusion that a lot of it was wasted on my IPad.  Checking Facebook which most of the time was just a bunch of political, social, religious, or just stupid stuff that I really don't need or want in my life!  Checking Instagram was most of the time just a "keeping up with the Jones' " mentality with people who I could not even carry a regular conversation with if we were to run into each other on the street.  Playing time wasting games and so on.  It seemed like every time I sat down it gave me the excuse to spend the hour on my IPad doing nothing of importance!  Frankly I was ashamed with how much time I was wasting.  I promised myself that no longer was I going to give my precious time away so easily.  I deleted Facebook and Instagram from my IPad along with a few other time sucking apps.  I usually will check Facebook once or twice a day on our PC and leave it at that.  I remind myself that I'm not really missing anything of importance and everyday when I do check Facebook I'm reminded of that fact.  I keep myself busy by actually doing all the things I never felt like I had time to do before.  A perfect example is I'm finishing up painting the ceilings white.  Tony and I started this project a year ago.  I have also been much more particular about the type of shows I watch.  I'm easily sucked into movies and shows and end up thinking about the characters and plot lines days after watching it.  This being said I can not just look past that one bad seen or that one bad word very easily.  So I stopped watching some of my "favorite" series.  When I watch a movie I'm very careful about the content.  Of course there are still times where I finish a show or movie wishing I hadn't watched it.  My time is precious and I don't want to waste it on anything that doesn't add to my life.  Something else I've been working on is the way I take care of my body.  I've been struggling with my weight for the past few years.  My weight has always sort of yo-yoed back and forth, but I really started packing on the pounds the last couple years Tony was in school.  I wasn't happy about my situation but I wasn't willing to make the changes I needed to get healthy again. I knew I had a problem with self control when it came to food, particularly baked goods like bread, cookies, brownies, cake, etc.  But again I wasn't willing to give those things up.  I liked them too much.  But I came to realize that often times when I was eating I really wasn't even enjoying my food.  I was just eating to eat.  Or I was eating because I was upset.  I can own up to the fact that I am a stress eater.  So I decided to make some small changes in this area of my life as well.  I knew that I couldn't do some fad diet that I'd end up giving up on when it got too hard.  So I decided to just start making better choices when it came to my food.  Firstly I was going to cut down on how much food I ate.  I am going to eat pancakes and waffles for breakfast with my kids.  But that doesn't mean I needed to eat...ahem...four of them.  I also decided that I would start tracking the food I eat so I can make better choices.  When we go out to each I'll still order a burger and fries.  But I'll get the smaller size with a water to drink instead of soda.  Another thing I decided I would do was to be more active.  I knew that I would not be able to start working out hard core for a hour everyday.  But I could do a simple cardio or yoga workout for 20-30 minutes everyday.  I've been doing these things for a little over a week now and have already lost 4 pounds!  I feel better and most of the time I'm not hungry.  Which is a huge win for me!  I don't want to say that it was my New Year's Resolution to cut the crap out of my life because I want these changes I'm making in my life to stick.  I don't want it to be a fad that only lasts a few weeks and then I decide it's just too hard to keep up with it all.  I want to be better inside and out.  When I say my prayers each night I thank my Heavenly Father for his help with maintaining these goals I've made and I ask for his continued help for the next day.  I feel so much better already and I've only just begun!      

Christmas 2016

We stayed home again for Christmas this year.  We've discovered that as our kids get older we'd rather stay put for the Holiday Festivities.  My parents did travel to spend Christmas with us which was wonderful!  They came a day earlier than planned but also left a day earlier than planned so they could beat the snow storms.  As per the norm I was busy "making Christmas" to there aren't a whole lot of pictures to document our activities.  Christmas Eve started with our traditional breakfast for dinner.  I made cinnamon rolls and Tony cooked made to order omelets.  Then we all opened our new pajamas.  Grandpa read the story of our saviors birth then Grandma played Christmas Carols while we all sang along.  We tried to forgo our usual movie of Polar Express for Muppet Christmas Carol but apparently everyone on VidAngel had the same idea.  So we watched a Christmas Show by Vocal Point and then watched a Disney Christmas Special.  After the kids were settled Tony and I got to work playing the part of Santa.  Lincoln got some "That's Not My..." books which he loves and we read multiple times a day.  He got a ride on toy that he also loves, a Thomas the Train toy, a pillow case and Legos.  He loved all of it!  Charlie got a set of Rescue Bots Transformers, Marvel Lego Video Game, Rock-um Sock-um Robots, a Chase stuffed Animal and pillow case.  He was so excited about all of it!  Alaina got a new scooter, a Monster High video game, my grandmother's sewing machine that she was ecstatic about.  I wasn't sure how she would take to getting a vintage sewing machine.  But she is just so thrilled to have her own machine and the fact that it was her great grandmothers was even cooler!  She also got a pillow case and some cloths for her dolls.  Carson is getting to that age where Christmas is a bit more tricky.  We had the discussion about Santa this year.  I think he's known for awhile but didn't want to lead on.  When his suspicions were confirmed his first question was "Can I help then?".  Umm that would be a no.  Funny kid!  Anyway Carson got some of his own camping gear for scouts, the Avengers Lego video game, a Mortal Combat video game, the Avengers Civil War movie, a transformer, and a pillow case.  He was very excited about the video games...typical 12 year old boy response.  Tony got me a pressure canner and I got him his own Ukulele, although he didn't get it until the week after Christmas because it was back ordered.  We also got some organization racks and The Doctrine & Covenants for Families!  After presents we went to Sacrament Meeting where Alaina got to wear her new dress and the boys wore their new ties.  I was planning to get a picture but everyone was changed before I could.  My mom and I got started on the big Turkey Dinner and it all turned out delicious!  The rest of the day was playing with toys, games and eating pie.  This year in addition to the usual pumpkin and chocolate cream pies I made a pecan pie that was delicious but whereas I was the only one to eat it I probably won't be making one again.  Maybe next year I'll try my hand at Strawberry Rhubarb.  I have to admit that by the end of the day I was utterly exhausted but it was a good day for my family so it was a good day for me.     

 This year the kids and I started a new tradition.  We did advent tree that focused on our Savior.  Each day in December we'd read a passage of scripture about Christ and make ornaments for the tree.  I have to admit that there were many times that we missed days and had to play catch up and some other days where my hear just wasn't in it.  But I'm glad we did it and my kids were able to be reminded about the true meaning of Christmas.

 Alaina was pretty protective of her candy!

 Tony with his new Ukulele 

 It's been a pretty crazy winter all around.  We've had 3 snow days since Christmas Break ended and a few late starts due to snow, freezing rain, snow drifts, and frigid temperatures.  Admittedly we've spend most of our time in doors staying warm, but we did take the kids sledding last week.  This was the day before our "big" storm so we have a lot more snow than what you see in this picture.  As you can tell by Tony's face, it was cold and we didn't stay out very long.  The kids were still thrilled to go.

I keep waiting for life to settle back into a routine, but with the wacky weather we really haven't yet.  But it's also nice to be forced to take it easy for awhile.  Love to all of our family and friends.  We pray that you all had a safe and enjoyable Holiday.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

We've had snow for a couple of weeks now, and it's looking more and more like we'll have a White Christmas.  The morning after our first snow the kids insisted on going out to play.  Lincoln was not to be left out and loved playing in the snow.  Each time we go outside he insists on walking through the snow.

 We got our tree the first weekend in December from the Boy Scout lot.  It's beautiful and one of the freshest trees we've ever had!  We've been pretty busy lately.  So Dad set up the tree Sunday night.  I put the lights up Monday while the kids were at school, and the kids decorated it that evening.  Lincoln even helped this year!

 Our kids with Santa Clause.  As you notice it's the first year Carson hasn't sat on Santa's lap.  Although I don't blame him.  He and I had the talk about Santa a few weeks ago.  He is 12 after all.  During our conversation I got the impression that he already knew the truth about Santa.  After our conversation the first thing he asked was if he could help with the presents then...um, no.  Alaina is getting close to being too old for Santa.  Charlie is at the magic age and Lincoln still doesn't understand what Christmas is all about.  But I'm sure that Christmas morning will just be wonderful!

Glasses for Charlie

The last couple of months each of us have been taking turns going to see the eye doctor.  It now turns out the Charlie and Tony need glasses.  The day Charlie had his exam and had his eyes dilated he was given these "super cool" sunglasses.  He wore them for the next 3 days!  He's such a silly kid!

Young Man

This handsome young man hit a pretty big milestone in our church in November.  With Carson now being 12 years old he was ordained as a deacon.  This gives him the opportunity to pass the sacrament each Sunday.  He also has graduated from primary and now attends Young Men's and Scouts on Wednesdays with his Dad.  A few weeks ago he also had the opportunity to go on his first temple trip with the youth of our ward.  He thought it was really neat and it was an awesome experience for him and his dad who got to go too.  I have to admit that a small part of my mother's heart has a hard time with him growing up, but the majority of my heart swells with pride at the wonderful young man he is growing into!

Lily's Wedding Cake

 My latest wedding cake was back in November.  It's the first I've done in the new style of textured frosting.  I have to admit it was nice not having to roll out a bunch of fondant!  This simple beauty was fun to do for my niece and I'm still getting used to the fact that she's married!

Halloween 2016

Halloween was a bit busy this year.  I was partly in charge of planning a tri-ward trunk or treat.  It turned out well and I am glad to be done with it for another year.  The day before Halloween the kids and I carved pumpkins.  It's nice that Carson and Alaina are old enough to do most of the carving themselves, so I only had to do 2 this year.  Tony and I stopped getting pumpkins for ourselves because we were carving the kids and ours.  

 Lincoln with his "Boo" pumpkin, Charlie with his "Spider" pumpkin, Alaina with "Bat and Moon", and Carson with a "Spooky Skull".

Iron Man, Cowboy, Ballerina, and Nerd.

Halloween is fun.  We enjoy the activities, the candy, and the costumes.  But as a parent I'm also glad when the festivities are done.