Goals?

So my whole running a half-marathon is out the window for a while, it is something that I would love to do someday but it's not going to happen right now. I currently feel like I have good intentions and start lots of things but never accomplish anything... The goal for the year try to start something and finish it...

So I signed up for a gym membership (that lasted all of 3 days) but there is a reason I got out of my contract... They started an aerobics class in Nyssa... Can I say I'm jumping for joy. I do so much better and have a lot more motivation working out with someone else. The class isn't very expensive and I love it... I started on last Monday. I have been sore all week but that comes with a sense of accomplishment that I have gone every day. I like it when they say "see you tomorrow" and I say ok and I have to go because I said I would. It's awesome! I've worked out a deal with my Grandma to watch the kids 2 days a week and then I make her dinner on those days. It's a win/win situation. I walked in on Monday to my Grandparents watching Sesame Street. I told my Grandma I bet it's been a while since you've seen that. She said yeah since before David went to kindegarten. My mom watches the kids 2 days and then I take the kids on one day... Hopefully that goes better because when I took Cutler this week he stood at my feet and cried the entire hour, while Shalon had a ball playing a couple little girls.

I also want to get all the quilts done I need to for church. I have 3 baby blankets to finish and 3 humanitarian quilts... I'll take pictures as I get them done.

I have 2- 5 year plans planned out. We'll see what happens... No matter what happens I'm determined that this year will be better than last year. I'm concentrating on improving myself and becoming the person I want to be. I'm concentrating on being a better mom to Shalon and Cutler. I want to be the mom that other kids think is cool and say can I come to your house? Jana helped me make a pre-school board (like she does in her pre-school) so I'm going to start working with the kids and I ordered a book to start teaching Shalon to read. I need to make the most of my mommy time because who knows how long it will last and time passes way to quickly.

Christmas Jars



I would like to thank my annonymous gift giver. It means a lot to me that somebody took the time to think of me and my kids. I think that the amount that was in there had to have been saved for a long time (including gift cards it came to just over $650). It came with the book Christmas Jars. I have read that book before. For anyone who has never read it, it's a touching story of a newspaper writer who recieves a "Christmas Jar" and wants to find out who would give such a gift.

So thank you whoever you are. You didn't have to. Thanks for touching me and making me feel loved and cared for.

Running Anyone?

I am looking for any crazy person that would like to run a half-marathon. I need a goal but I feel that in order to get myself to stick with something I need someone to commit to it with me so I won't let them down. I want do the Salt Lake City marathon (only I want to do a half). It's April 16th, 2011 so you still have time to train. But if you commit now the fee is cheaper before Nov. 1st.

Trust

As I was talking on the phone to a friend yesterday she reminded me of a quote that she thought I needed to hear. "That which we persist in doing becomes easy to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that the power to do has increased." -Heber J. Grant

I can't say that life is easy right now. I have monumental decisions to make. But I know in whom I place my trust and I know that He has the power to help me.

I found the quote in a New Era article called You Go First. It reminded me of President Eyring's talk from conference on trusting God enough to let Him work a difference in our life.

Distractions

I've decided I need distractions and so do my kids. I don't know that we did things every day in Sheridan, but looking back it sure feels like we did, even if it was just the occasional trip to Wal-Mart. However I don't want to drive 30 minutes to Wal-Mart just to get out... What is there to do in Nyssa to get out of the house?!?

Lesley shared a bunch of her doubler coupons with me and I'd ordered some coupons our area didn't get off ebay. Yesterday and today I went couponing. There was an awesome sale at Albertson's on DelMonte vegetables. I got a liquid Tide, a big box of pampers diapers, febreeze air freshener, 12 yogurts, fresh express salad kit, and 5 cases of corn, green beans, and diced tomatoes (60 cans) for a total of $33.37. A savings of $128.57. Plus I still have $12 in catalinas to spend as cash. Yippee for good deals!

We went to the library this morning but just missed story time. Sounds like they do a decent one in Nyssa so I'm sure Shalon will look forward to that every week. Shalon asked about her friend Alexa today. I told her Alexa was in Sheridan so she said "well let's go get her and bring her to Oregon." She's also asked about Cora and Ruby. I just have to tell her maybe they can have a playdate when she goes to visit Wes.

My thought for the day is this... "Our responsibility is not trivial; it is not by chance that we are who we are; the keeping of our covenants in these days of destiny will be a badge of honor throughout all the eternities." -Elder Neil L. Andersen

Did you get something out of general conference? I've been reading 2 different picture Book of Mormon's with the kids but after Sis. Wixom's talk I decided we'd really read the Book of Mormon. I read one verse and Shalon repeats a verse. At this rate it's going to take a while but I'm excited to say that we are following the counsel of our church leaders. I hope that it will be a testimony builder to my kids and lay a good foundation of scripture study for us. Start out small and build upon it.

General Conference

I thought General Conference was very insightful. What a testimony that God knows me, he knew what I needed to hear. How wonderful it is to have inspired leaders. It is interesting to me that no subject is assigned for General Conference and how they all related to each other. The common themes of agency, love of God, following the prophet, missionary work, and families. I'm grateful that we can read conference talks in the Ensign for the next 6 months to embrace what was taught and apply it to our lives.

Shalon has started praying completely by herself. She wants to say the prayer at every meal and at family prayer every night. I'm so grateful for the example of my children. How pure and innocent they are, trying to do what I teach them. Cutler is more reverent during prayer. Tonight he said amen for the first time. I appreciated Sister Wixom's talk about how it took a family 3 1/2 years to read the Book of Mormon because they initially only read 3 verses per day. My thought was we can do that...

On a side note Cutler is indicating that maybe he'll potty train earlier than Shalon did. Lately he wants to sit on the toilet. He hasn't gone yet but he sits on it before they take showers every night. Shalon asks to take a shower every day.

Interview and Church

My job interview went well. Basically they are expanding the dietetic dept. at the hospital. They are creating another dietary aide position but as of my interview it was still in management. I have the job if I want it. I think it's going to be mostly weekends which I'm not so excited about that but I believe it could work into more. The dietitian really wants me to take classes online to become a registered dietitian. There are a few different schools that offer the degree online that she is a preceptor for. I believe the hospital would also reimburse me for going to school. The only thing is the program she really wants me to get into at Eastern Michigan University I have to have taken Organic Chemistry and Bio Chemistry prior to applying neither of which I have taken and the application deadline is January. ugh. There is another program at Iowa State but that one you have to physically go to campus once a semester and that just doesn't sound appealing to me. So we'll see. I still am really interested in the radiology route it would just be more intense and difficult to work at the same time and I'd have to pay for school....

I read a quote today by President Monson "Come to the temple and place your burdens before the Lord and you'll be filled with a new spirit and confidence in the future. Trust in the Lord, and if you do He'll hold you and cradle you and lead you step by step along the pathway that leads to the celestial kingdom of God." I think I need to make a greater effort to attend the temple often.

When I was a junior in college I made it a priority to attend the temple once a month. At the time Rexburg didn't have a temple so we'd drive to Idaho Falls and do baptisms at 5 am. Looking back I wish that I would have continued doing that. I firmly believe that it is the little things we do; the decisions we make when nobody is around; the small sacrifice's that will ensure our place in the celestial kingdom. It is adding oil to our lamps drop by drop. We can't gain spirituality in giant doses. It is the daily things, Sunday school answers, that ultimately help us live righteous lives.

I am excited for General Conference. I always feel like it is directed at me. What an opportunity to feel like the Apostles are speaking directly to you. There are so many great messages. Looking forward to this weekend...