Oh, why thank you.

I was talking to my friend about how sometimes homemakers just don't get enough compliments. I know that sometimes I don't feel like I'm really good at anything but changing diapers and they don't really thank me for my speed do they? So I was saying for me, it's cooking. I like to cook for other people because they actually compliment me. I will go all out for a potluck or a brunch or snacks or even items for a fund raiser. I admit it's really only because I like the oohs and aahs as I walk in with my masterpiece. The friend I was talking to about this, let's call her Christy, because that's her name, said she hates cooking. She was the type who would bring a bag of chips to a potluck. I couldn't believe it. She says her husband usually does the cooking in their family. Well anyway, for me, my self-esteem is boosted anytime I get to cook for other people.
So Christy said that for her it was being a gymnastics coach. She was great at it and she finally got some recognition for her talents. We thought it was funny because we are both pretty down to earth people but yet we thrive for these compliments. Then tonight I was talking to a sister of mine, oh, let's just call her "Baby Ruth" and she was saying she just got a little self-esteem boost because her blog ideas have been being copied as of late. She felt really cool that others thought she had a good enough idea to do the same on their own blogs. She was so proud of herself in fact that she found herself bragging a little to her husband. I found that so totally something I would do.
So, I think that as sister soldiers we need to make sure we're giving each other that boost. Sometimes nobody cares how fast you can fold laundry, or how much time you put in to study for a final, or even that you manage to make it to church on time, but if we notice something we should give the praise. And when someone gives you the praise, don't do the whole "this old thing" routine. Say thank you and give yourself a pat on the back. You're remarkable. You are uber-talented. You did a bang up job. Then pay it forward and give somebody else the two-thumbs-up or two-snaps-in-a-circle and share the love.

Picky Girl

I don't think I'm a picky person. I usually know what I would like and I don't mind waiting to get it. Sometimes I just don't know what I want so I'll wait until I figure it out instead of making a rash decision and being disappointed later. So the other day I was with my friend Christy. She wanted me to get a winter coat. I knew which one I wanted because I found it online. I didn't buy it when I found it because I wanted to think about it some more. I told her it was at Burlington Coat factory. One day while we were visiting she said, my girls are watching your kids and we're going to get you that coat. So we went to the store. They did not have my coat. So I did not want to get one. She said we were not leaving until I bought a coat. So I started looking at the ski type coats because the one I really want is a wool walking coat. It's a beautiful coat but not good for snow play with the kids. My friend said I could not get a ski coat because they are too hard to clean. She said I had to either get a leather coat or a wool coat. I didn't want to get a wool coat because I knew I would eventually get the one I wanted. I didn't want a leather one because I think I look weird in them. She would not drop it so I went to find a leather coat.
I hated all the leather coats plus they were like $50 and I didn't want to waste $50 on a coat that I knew I would only wear while I was visiting her. So I kept saying that I wanted a ski coat. So we walked and searched and dug through coats aimlessly. Finally she told me that I was too picky and I obviously didn't have 5 daughters. If I did then I would just say, "If it fits, get it". I couldn't believe it. I didn't think I was being picky. I thought I was trying not to waste money. So finally I found a white ski coat that I didn't hate. I didn't really love it, but I didn't hate it. So I decided to buy it, even though she was really against it. Before we got to check out her daughter called. Christy talked to her privately and then said that her daughter had a coat that I could have. Yippee! I put the coat back and didn't buy anything. I didn't really care what the coat looked like, because it was free.
So now I'm all concerned that I'm picky. I remembered when I went to buy paint. I was there for a long time trying to figure out what I wanted. Once I found what I thought I liked the sales person told me I didn't really want what I picked out. So she tried to get me to change my mind. I got frustrated and left. I went somewhere else and bought the paint. I don't really think I am picky. I think I just don't want to be wrong and waste money. I do know that before I buy anything I think about it for a long time. If I want to buy a pair of shoes I look at it for about one month before I purchase it. I think it's good that way because I only bought two pairs of shoes for myself in the last few years. It's because I ended up with what I really wanted. I once found a skirt I liked online and I went to the store to try it on. Then I thought about it. I finally bought it. Then I needed one of a different color. I went online and bought the exact same one in a different color because I knew I'd like it.
I consider myself a wise shopper. I don't want to spend money on something that I'm not 100% on. Is taking a long time to decide what you really want being picky? It's not like I only want the best or the most expensive. I just want something that's me that I won't hate every time I wear it. Do you think I'm a picky girl in denial???

My 2010 Expectations

I'm jumping on the bandwagon Ruthykins and I'm also not posting resolutions rather expectations.

1. I expect to have my van paid off in a couple of months.

2. I expect to give my kids each a nice birthday party this year.

3. I expect Koen to have a beautiful baptism this summer.

4. I expect to work on some goals such as organization, better parenting, and a healthier lifestyle.

5. I expect to try new things and go out of my comfort zone at least a couple of times this year.

6. I expect change to happen and I expect to let it gracefully.

7. I expect to have a lot of fun and make some new close friends.

8. I expect to keep in close contact with my family even if it is only through media.

9. I expect to be more honest with my feelings and more willing to share them.

10. I expect to write a lot of blogs this year.

Our Big Vacation

I spoiled the kids rotten this Christmas break. First we opened presents early. We did that on Tuesday. Christmas Eve we drove to Uncle Sam's house. We had a great few days there where the boys got to play video games, make gingerbread houses, and play with two very fun dogs. Then we went to the Barclay's where they got to play laser tag, went to a big play place full of balls, went to two arcades, went to the dollar movie, went to two parties, watched a ton of movies, played Rock Band and Dance Revolutions, and some other video games, and just had a blast being with the Barclays. Spoiled huh. They really are, and I was too because there were plenty of adults to help with the kids.

Can't keep up

We had Christmas Tuesday morning because it was Tony's day off. I hardly got any sleep the night before because I was wrapping presents and made a 2 am run to Walmart for stocking stuffers. I kept trying to clean up after the boys but I couldn't keep up with them. We had two friends stop by Tuesday who got to see all the aftermath. Tuesday evening Tony, the two youngest and I went out because the three oldest were spending the night at some friends' houses. So I still didn't get to clean up. Yesterday I had people stopping by to drop off kids and presents. One of them knocked and knocked but I was taking a nap with the youngest three while the oldest two were still gone. Koen just broke in to the basement window and then they came in and I woke up totally embarrassed. So it should be clean by now but it isn't. I am totally worn out. I have a huge headache that won't go away. It's probably from lack of sleep because I try to go to bed at a decent hour but then I just lay there totally exhausted but not able to sleep. Then I doze off only to have horrible nightmares that wake me up to where I stay up for a couple more hours. Then I wake up and take care of the boys. So why am I writing on my blog instead of cleaning? I don't know, but I guess I better get to it, huh? So here I go to clean up. Wish me luck.

Here We Come A-Caroling

Tonight I went caroling with the ward choir. This was not easy for me. I had to take all my kids with me and my brakes are going out so I couldn't drive all over the place. I thought about not going but I knew the choir needed me. I ended up being the only alto there. I was also assigned to bring cookies and the cocoa mix. So I drove there, switched all the car seats over to a nice gentleman in the ward's minivan and took them with me to the assisted living home and to the nursing home where we caroled. The boys were not too bad and Taygan only got a little fussy during the singing. Afterwards we went back to church for hot chocolate and cookies. I had to switch all the car seats back to my van and then get all the kids ready to go. The choir director thanked me for coming and said that he understood it was hard for me to drag all the kids along with me. That reminds me. The brother who drove us around tonight kept saying things like, "I remember lugging children around." and "I don't think we ever had car seats in this van before." He also told me the following story.
One day his sons got into some moth balls. The mom and dad rushed them to the hospital where they gave them the charcoal. When all seemed okay they left for home. On the way home they both began to projectile vomit and had explosive diarrhea. He said it just got absolutely everywhere. So I guess things could be worse than taking your children caroling, huh?
It really wasn't that bad. I think last year was worse because we went out in below zero weather and I had to leave the kids in the van every time we went to a different house. I was frozen and the kids were bored to death. I'm glad we didn't do that again.

My Holiday Meme

I think anyone who reads this has already read someone elses first so you know what I did

The last time I went caroling-is tonight with the ward choir

My favorite Drink in the winter is- boiled custard

My favorite holiday meal is- ham, cheesy potatoes, and pie

I think fruit cake- is nice to look at.

One tradition we had growing up- was singing that mistletoe song when we hung it in the doorway.

One tradition we have now- is making sugar cookies during the holiday season.

I get my Christmas tree from- the basement. We got it 3 years ago from a friend.

On Christmas Eve I/we usually- read Luke 2 to the kids.

On Christmas morning I/we wake up- early and open presents.

One special thing I make at Christmas time is- cinnamon glazed nuts.

My Favorite Christmas song is- What Child is This, but I also love Silver Bells

Every Christmas- we go to my in laws to open gifts with them.

I hang my stockings- along the bottom of the stairs.

Something I look forward to at Christmas time is- the movies.

My favorite thing about the holidays- is how people act a little nicer.

Something I want to start incorporating is- putting up a nativity scene.