This will  be a post loaded with pics.  Sorry, but it will give a quick update on what we've been up to.

 

Our New Home:

 

 

 

 

This is the after picture.  Over fall break we cut down the horrible tree/bush/vine that hid our house.  I love it now!  The pine tree next to the house is next on the chopping block.

 

Cary finished his first full harvest!  It was a long two months, but it got done.  I love going to the farm!  The wheat fields are gorgeous at harvest time.

 

We got a new cat shortly after moving in.  She still isn't sure what to think of the bunnies.  Speaking of bunnies...we have three now.

DJ sure loves the sand box!  All of the kids love having a big backyard again with plenty of space to play and things to do.

 

S took swim lessons for the first time.  She's not very fond of putting her head under the water, but she did better than I expected.  (We have a big fear of water in our family.)

 

In the middle of harvest I took the kids to the Ogden Temple open house.  It was gorgeous, as expected.  It was a very warm day, but we still enjoyed being there with M and her boys.

 

First day of school:

DJ is in 5th grade and S is in 1st.

 

How did I get old enough to have a high schooler?

M is in 10th grade.

 

DH is now at the middle school in 8th grade.

 

I'll update y'all on October and my goals soon.  Have a great day!



 

 

 

 

Tomorrow is July 14.  15 years.  That's how long it has been since my dad passed away.  Cancer.  I hate that word more now than I did then.  Has it really been that long?  So much has happened.  So much has changed.  So much has been learned.

Certain dates, like July 14, bring about many emotions and thoughts.  Wonderful memories.  The nurse was right.  The memories of Dad's last days have faded somewhat compared to all the other memories we have with him.  That of course is a good thing.  Memories of my mother-in-laws struggle are still quite raw.  I'm glad I don't often think of my dad's struggles any more.  Instead, I remember trips to the dump which sometimes ended with lunch at McDonald's or occasionally a stop at a convenience store for corn-nuts.  I remember how he totally freaked me out by catching a tarantula in a match box once when we were driving through the canyon.  He put the matchbox in the trunk, and I just knew that it was going to crawl out and somehow get through the seats and crawl on me.  Needless to say, I was not sad to see the thing drown after an overnight rain storm a few days later.

What might we have learned from him had he lived to watch us raise his grandchildren?  My sister, K, posed this question when we got together for my birthday dinner last month.  I know we could have learned so much more from him, but it was not to be.  The Lord had other plans for him.

Life is all about change, sometimes easy, sometimes hard.  Challenges.  That's a word I try not to hate.  Challenges are part of the Lord's plan for us on this earth.  A way for us to learn and grow.  We can't just stay in one place forever, in more than one way.  This leads me to my next subject:  moving.  We are waiting, with baited breath, to close on our first home!  We have never had the opportunity to buy our own home before, since a house has been provided with C's last two jobs.  I hope that July 14, 2014 brings us a good memory.  A memory of signing our closing papers on our new home.  We shall see what tomorrow brings.

Goal update:  I have indexed 1100 names and have 1900 left to do before Dec 31, 2014.
       Sadly, I have not done so well with our family scrapbooks.  I have finished one, but have not published it yet.  I did publish a family recipe book for C's niece that got married last month. But, it doesn't count towards my goal.

Wow!  Where has the time gone?  Is it really mid-June already?  Life has been so wonderfully busy lately!  The school year ended with all of the normal end of the year activities.  M and DH have started their summer jobs, hoeing onions for some friends of ours.  M finished driver's ed and got her learner's permit.  And the neighborhood kids are still coming out to play!

C is learning to more fully enjoy his job, which is a huge blessing.  We still need to find a winter hobby for him, but for now he is content.  The biggest news:  we are buying our first house!  We have been married for almost 17 years and have never owned our own home.  My in-laws purchased a home for us and C's younger brother to live in while C finished college.  Then we moved to a job where a house was provided for us.  Although we changed jobs, a house was provided for us with the next job as well.  We have been renting since last October, and have a one  year lease.  We're a little worried about what will happen with that, but trust that the Lord will watch over that aspect of our lives too. 

It is truly amazing how we got this house.  Our realtor had been out of town for a week, so last Monday I called him to let him know we wanted to go take a second look at a home.  He told me that there was a couple coming in that afternoon to put their house on the market, and continued to tell me about this house. It sounded perfect!  Well, he set it up and we went and saw the house that same day.  Within an hour later we had signed the papers to make an offer.  No one else saw the home, so we didn't have to worry about competing bids.  The family that owns this house had an offer in on another home and were waiting to know if their bid had been accepted, before fully agreeing to our bid.  It took a day longer than we had hoped, but their bid was accepted and so we were set to buy the house!  On Friday we signed all of the paperwork for the loan and that afternoon the appraiser got his part done.  If things continue along this course, we will close in just 3 1/2 weeks!  It is so exciting!!!

We came home that night after seeing the home and the kids asked if we liked it.  We looked at each other and grinned as we told them that we did and we were buying it.  They were shocked!  After waiting for one full week, we took the kids to see the house tonight.  They loved it.  But, I think they loved the yard even more!  There is a sandbox, trampoline (which we are buying from them), swing set, lots of space and lawn, a great climbing tree, a possible future garden space, a basketball hoop and a nice patio.  I think the best thing of all about this house is that we don't have to do any work on it!  It is move-in ready!

I have been keeping a gratitude journal for just over a month now.  Not every day, but at least a few times a week. This week I have been extra grateful for my mom.  She was able to take a ten day break from her mission and had some great times while she was here.  K-1's high school graduation, K-3's 6th grade graduation, S, DH & M's soccer games, DJ's piano recital and S's grandparents day.  It was so great for us to have her here for these events. Yesterday we were all able to get together at her house and have a great bbq dinner and then visit Dad's grave at the cemetery. This morning mom hopped on a plane and headed back to Fresno to finish out her mission.  Only 3 1/2 months left!  It wasn't too hard to say goodbye yesterday, since we know September will be here before we know it!

 

 

Think about it.

The video in the above link should make you think.  Think about your own screen time as well as your children's.  Are you guilty of watching the screen instead of focusing on what your child is trying to tell you?  I am.  Are you guilty of checking your phone immediately when it beeps even if you're in the middle of a conversation with someone face to face?  I am.  Are you guilty of letting your children watch TV, play video games, or play other electronic games for hours on end?  I sometimes am.  Are you guilty of giving in and getting your child a phone or letting them have a Facebook account, simply because: "All my friends have one!"  I am happy to say that I am not!

I'm not asking these questions to instill guilt.  Rather, to instill understanding.  Understanding of what our society has become.  Like most of you, I spent my after school hours running around with the neighborhood kids and my summers soaking up the sun with the same neighbors.  Why would I want to stay inside when I could be running, jumping, biking, etc. When we moved into the city 7 months ago we were astounded that we rarely saw children playing outside.  Granted, we don't have a lot of children on our street, but they don't play outside nearly as much as our children do.  If we leave this neighborhood with nothing other than getting the kids outside to play more, I will feel that we left it better!  The past week or two we have been enjoying beautiful weather.  The result:  two of the neighbor boys have actually come and asked if DJ could come out and play with them!  They have a great time together and I love listening to them through our open windows as they decide which Super Hero they each are and where to take the bad guys after they capture them.



I am so glad that my husband and I have decided that our children will not have their own phones until they can pay for one by themselves.  We do have one 'extra' cell phone that they can take when they are going somewhere for a late night or activity.  This phone is not a smart phone, but does have texting and a camera. They know that the privilege of using this phone as needed is just that:  a privilege.  Even though we have two teenagers, neither of them have a Facebook account.  They do have email, which I have access to and check on occasion.  Our oldest, M, has asked for an FB account, but because she goes to school every day with all of her friends and can email or call her cousins any time she wants, we haven't let her have one yet.  I am not worried about her use of it, it's everyone else out there that scares me!  Our teens know how to navigate the web better than their Father (no offense Hon!) and we have filters set up to take care of everything we possibly can.

We feel that as parents we should teach our children to be good citizens of their community.  Leave things better than you found them.  And although it is important to have good friends, we feel that our family is the most important area of our lives to focus on.  This is what has brought us to use "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" for our Family Home Evening lessons for the next 5 or 6 weeks.  I am so excited to study this with my family.  I have found some great ideas for helping the kids understand some of the concepts and hope that it turns out as well as I want it too.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Meanwhile, I hope you will take time to enjoy your family now.  They grow up way too fast!

I love this quote!  These are things which we have made a part of our daily family life.  I have always felt that they were things which would strengthen our family.  It is not always easy to get these things done!

Between kids poking, scowling, copying, back-talking, etc. and the nights when at least one of us is just not in a good mood...it can be down right painful.  Still, we push forward and do our best.  As a teen I liked to have my bedroom clean and organized.  I continued this with my home until my depression started.  Since then things have just gone down hill in the cleaning department.  It's not that I don't want or like a clean house.  I have fallen into very lazy ways.  I do want to change these ways, but I loved hearing these words from Sis. Reeves.  I know that the three things she listed are more important than any amount of cleaning.

We will continue in our struggles to hold daily family prayers and scripture study as well as weekly family home evening.  Meanwhile, I am heading off to clean my bathroom.  Wish me luck!

What a difference a week can make!  Last week I was laying around, sad, anxious and scared.  Today I tutored at the elementary, returned a couple of items I had borrowed, went to the store, planted pansies in the front flower bed and made dinner.  Wow!  The difference?  The atonement of Jesus Christ!

Two of the three sacrament meeting speakers yesterday talked about adversity.  The first was a youth speaker, and he did a good job, but the second spoke straight to me.  It was wonderful!  Then we sang 'Count Your Many Blessings' as the closing song.  I sung the chorus a couple of times, but could not get through any of the verses.  The tears were streaming down my face.  The Spirit stayed with me the rest of the day.  It was the best Sabbath I have had for quite a while.

I can't express my appreciation to the Lord for His help and guidance through the past two weeks.  They have been the hardest two weeks of my life.  I pray that I never have to feel like that again.  If any of you find yourself so depressed that Satan seems to be taking over your thoughts, I promise you that the Lord can and will see you through it.  Just as he did for me.

I have said more prayers in the last week than I have in a very long time.  My depression and anxiety is a bit out of control right now.  I have really been struggling.  I am trying hard to enjoy each day and push forward, but it is hard.  My mom has been a big help to me.  Yesterday morning I called her in tears (again) and she offered a prayer in my behalf while we were on the phone.  The Spirit was very strong.  I know I will get through this, but it is so very difficult to feel so helpless.  I am continuing in prayer and as I do so the Spirit continues to warm my heart and soul.  I only wish it could be a constant.

I am working on getting my medications adjusted, I had my first appointment with a therapist today and I am relying a lot on my family to help me through this difficult time.  My husband is my rock and I am so very grateful for him in my life.  Our children bring so much joy to our lives and I am grateful for each one of them.  I am grateful for my wonderful mother, although she is a couple of states away, she is always there for me when I need her. I am trying to focus on the important things...prayer, studying the scriptures and Conference talks...and not doing unnecessary things that take away from the Spirit that I am trying to keep with me.

Former Young Women general president Margaret D. Nadauld taught: “The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”  <sup>https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/the-moral-force-of-women?lang=eng


Last night  I read Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk from General Conference, Oct 2013, entitled "The Moral Force of Women".  What a wonderful talk.  There were several points that I could have quoted, but I have heard this one from Sis.. Nadault before and I really like it.  Here's a comparison for you:

tough               tender
coarse              kind
rude                 refined
fame                faith
greed               goodness
vanity              virtue
popularity       purity

I don't know about you, but I would much rather people see me as tender, kind, refined, faithful, good, virtuous and pure.  I believe we can be all of these things and still stand strong against the evils of our day.  By so doing we will teach not only our own children, but many people the value of a virtuous woman.</sup>

I am sitting here watching the clock grow ever closer to midnight, waiting for DH to get to sleep, thinking about all the things I have to accomplish tomorrow, balancing the checkbook, looking at facebook for the 4th or 5th time today.  As I was looking I saw a link entitled: When Satan steals your motherhood

So many moms need to read this article, including myself.  I let so many worries, old fashioned laziness and very unimportant time wasting things (like facebook and pinterest) get in the way of being the kind of mother that I know I can be.  The kind of the mother my kids deserve and the kind of mother the Lord can help me become.  Why?  Why do I let these things get in the way?  I'm not sure yet, I'm still thinking about that.  It's not a new thing, I've been doing it for years.  I want to stop.  I just get sucked back into my old habits so easily, before I can even blink.  The only way to get past this is through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I've prayed for help before, but only half heartedly.

Here's a thought that I just had:  maybe I need to put my laptop out of sight.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Isn't that how the old saying goes?  I could do that.  That would make it more difficult to just sit down and turn it on.  Currently my laptop sits at the end of the chase on our sectional couch.  (Yes, I am very lazy.)  I like this idea.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I've been telling myself something similar to the quote above for a few weeks now.  Most days the committee listens, but some days they are having a party!  It's a struggle, but I try to focus on the good things in my life:  my kids, my husband, my faith, my friends, etc.  This helps greatly!  What doesn't help:  the waiting for things to work out (see my last post).  It seems like there's a tiny light at the end of the tunnel, but it's still far away and hard to see.  Until the light is fully in view I will keep following the advice above.

“It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love.”
—President Thomas S. Monson, “We Never Walk Alone”

 

 

I couldn't resist posting a beautiful 'springy' picture!  I saw a handful of robins on our front lawn this morning and then when I went into the kitchen there was a flock of birds on our back lawn.  What better thing to send me into 'spring fever'?

There are several reasons why I am ready for spring.  The robins are part of one of those reasons.  Without snow, the earth believes it is spring time!  Flower bulbs are blooming, birds are singing and people (including myself) are running around outside without even a jacket.  Another reason:  I am ready to open up the windows and air this place out!  Get all the germy, stuffy air out of our house.

I also have spring fever because I can't wait to watch my kids play soccer again.  M is playing, as she has for the past 6 years.  M and some friends also talked DH into playing for the first time in 6 years.  S, however, has decided not to play again.  After watching M and DH play a church basketball game (and getting to play with them for a few minutes) S decided she would rather play basketball.  Too bad the season is half over already.  But if she changes her mind we can still get her signed up for soccer.

I'm also hoping that spring brings some answers for us.  We are kind of in limbo right now, waiting for some things to work themselves out.  It is so hard to wait.  However, we know that the Lord will allow everything to work itself out as He wants it too.  Just being patient for those things to happen is hard.

"Lift up your soul in prayer and explain to your Heavenly Father what you are feeling. Acknowledge your shortcomings. Pour out your heart and express your gratitude. Let Him know of the trials you are facing. Plead with Him in Christ’s name for strength and support. Ask that your ears may be opened, that you may hear His voice. Ask that your eyes may be opened, that you may see His light.
To all who feel they walk in darkness, I invite you to rely on this certain promise spoken by the Savior of mankind: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Thank you to my wonderful mom for posting this quote today.  She knew it's what I needed.  After attending the temple last night with my hubby my heavy heart was lightened.  I am so very grateful for these holy, sacred temples.  I can't say I learned anything from the actual session, but I got what I needed and was there searching for:  peace. 

 

I've been struggling to find the 'something' in each day.  It's hard to do when you're children are struggling.  M is sick...again.  Nothing new.  M's asthma weakens the immune system, so every little virus latches on!  M just gets caught up from the last school days missed, and then misses more school.  It is a never ending cycle.  When I called to excuse her from seminary yesterday, Bro. D asked if there was an end in sight.  It almost made me cry.  The only thing that might help is to move somewhere where the air is cleaner.  Not exactly an easy solution.

 

The joy that I did find today came as I went to DJ and S's parent/teacher conferences.  They are both doing very well in school and have met their goals from the last parent/teacher conferences.  There was only one goal that DJ didn't quite meet...that of getting in trouble for talking too much. The last conferences were right after we moved here.  At the end  of the first day at the new school DJ's teacher had to ask if DJ spoke English.  Really!?  That should give you a clue as to how shy our kids are.  DJ is the most shy though.  That is why Mrs. H set that goal for DJ.  This time it is for DJ to ask her how she's doing a couple of times a week ,because it makes her day when DJ talks to her.  Seems like an odd goal, but DJ is doing great in every other aspect of school.  S is doing good too.  The goal was a bit opposite...Mrs. B asked S to listen better and not talk to friends when they are supposed to be listening. 

 

I am learning that each of our kids will grieve in their own time.  M had one of those moments a couple of weeks ago.  DJ had one today.  S had one at bedtime after I had to tell the kids that we had to postpone our trip to visit my mom.  S was afraid that we wouldn't get to see her again.  I quickly understood that S was worried about that because of their other grandmother's death a few months ago.  I was able to calm the fears and explain that we will see my mom again soon, and that grandpa B and grandma S are watching over us each and every day. 

 

This post has gone all over the map a bit.  Sorry for that.  I hope you, with me, can find that something each day to bring gratitude and joy.

Good news!  It snowed today!  So, this afternoon I went outside with my two younger kids and built a snowman doing a head stand.  Here are the results:

The kids were a little confused at first.  Then, after I explained, they were excited.  It wasn't the best packing snow, because it was too wet.  But, we did it!  When I came in our older kids were thinking we put the boots on the head and they were very confused!  I had to show them the picture, then they thought it was darling.

Unfortunately, I'm a little behind on the scrapbooks.  I have not been able to find all of my pictures from 2010.  I am missing the end of November and all of December's pictures.  I am still trying to find them.  I was missing a lot more, but found the rest of them.  Hopefully I won't have this problem any more, as I think I have a better system for saving my pics now.  I am still planning on having 5 done before school starts again in the fall.

"Difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were." —President Thomas S. Monson

 

Some major rebuilding is happening in our family right now.  Between moving, losing their grandmother and the daily stresses of life, some of our children are struggling right now.  One in particular.  As a mother, I feel so helpless when my children are struggling in ways that I don't know how to help them.  Yesterday was a very long and extremely emotional day.  By the end of the day we were doing better, but it is going to be a process to get where we want to be.  (I am not including details so that my child won't get upset over it.)  I am so grateful for healthcare providers.  I realized today after an appointment that it seems that most mental health providers might possibly have mental health problems themselves, which is what led them to that profession. 

 

I have a good friend who just graduated with her BS in social work and is preparing to start on her masters and become a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).  This friend (G), came to the hospital yesterday and sat with us for over an hour.  I am extremely grateful for her friendship and knowledge. 

 

When we met, it was one of those 'small world' moments.  We grew up in the same stake, went to the same Jr. High and High School and never met each other.  She was one year older than I and I knew several of her cousins, but it wasn't until we both moved into the same ward as adults that we became friends.  G has had her share of difficulties and rebuilding that I can't imagine going through.  Isn't that the way it usually works?  Our trials are awful, but when we hear about someone else's trials, we wouldn't want to trade them places!

 

I know that we will all come out of this better people and stronger in our faith, it's just a matter of hanging on until we get through it.

 

 

No new snow yet!  But, we are going sledding tomorrow.  You're probably wondering how there can be enough snow to go sledding if there isn't enough snow to build a snowman.  Well, we are going out to the farm that my husband (C) manages.  It is full of hills and has more snow than we have here in the city.  C's sister and her husband and daughter are coming as well as my sister (M) and her three boys.  The kids are so excited.  A great way to spend a day off of school!

I have another goal!  I participate in  Family Search Indexing.  And I love it!  I have a lot of family history information, that is very unorganized (that's a goal for when my kids are older).  I also have a desire to participate in family history in some way.  Family Search Indexing is how I've been able to fulfill that desire.  Millions upon millions of records are out there waiting to be found.  Birth certificates, marriage license, obituaries, etc.  You can choose from a list of projects, each project is different.  They even have a system to help insure accuracy.  Two separate people index the records, then a third person compares the two and decides what is right if the first two don't agree.  You simply take the names, dates, etc. on the image and type them into the appropriate fields.  If you are interested in helping others, and maybe even yourself, find their ancestors, I highly recommend you try indexing.

Well, I'm sorry to report that we did not get to make an upside down snowman. :(   On Friday the weather warmed up and much of our snow melted.  On top of that it rained a little that night, so there was not enough snow to make a snowman.  We'll have to wait for another good storm.  Unfortunately the weather men are saying that it's gonna be a while before we get another storm.

I got a phone call this morning from a friend/acquaintance.  We have both participated in our local Relay for Life for several years.  She called to ask if I would be on the committee again this year.  I couldn't turn her down.  She is such a sweet lady, and really just wants to get our Relay back to the basics and back to fun!  She asked if I would be in charge of Survivorship or Team Captain Recruitment.  I hate making phone calls, especially to ask people to do things, so I told her I would do Survivorship.  I am excited to participate again.

The American Cancer Society's (ACS) Relay for Life (RFL) is an event that is dear to me.  I got involved at least 8 years ago (I don't remember exactly when).  My kids love to participate and got upset with me the one year I didn't.  I believe that there will be a cure for cancer.  Not a 'one size fits all' kind of cure, but advances are being made that are making the difference for certain types of cancers.  RFL gives us a chance to remember my dad, grandparents, aunt and now my mother-in-law, who have all passed away from cancer or the effects of cancer treatments.  The money raised stays here locally to fight back and continue research.  We start each Relay with a dinner and program to celebrate  all of our local cancer survivors. (A person is considered a survivor from the moment they are diagnosed!)  This is what I will be over seeing this year.  For more information, go to this link: 
ACS Relay for Life

 

In the last couple of years I have decided that I love snow!  I've lived in the same state my whole life, and have always enjoyed all four seasons.  I have heard so many people say that they hate the snow and just want winter to be over.  Not me.  Not yet at least.  On facebook today I saw a contest entry where you were asked to comment on your favorite snow memory.  It was easy for me to think of my favorite snow memory. 

I was probably about 12.  My Dad helped me build a huge snow turtle!  It was awesome!  We even colored water green with food coloring and spray 'painted' the turtle.  I would guess that it was probably about 3 feet high in the middle, about 4 feet wide and 5 feet long.  I remember carving the lines into the shell with my fingers and finding two good size rocks for eyes.  I knew without a doubt that day, that my Dad loved me, because he took the time to not only play in the snow with me, but it was his idea to build the snow turtle.

We got snow yesterday, are getting more today and it's supposed to keep snowing for the next 2-3 days.  I've seen the picture below before, but just saw it again and decided that on Saturday, I'm going to make one like this with my kids!  Hopefully they know without a doubt that I love them!

“It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.” –Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I've noticed when my kids are getting along worse than usual, it usually means that I need to take some time to do things with them or 'slow down a little'.  If I'm struggling, I need to study the scriptures more and 'focus on the essentials'.  Adverse conditions come at us all, I hope I can 'steady the course'.

Today is one of those days that I have tried to focus on the essentials.  It's my babies birthday.  Even though technically the term baby is not valid anymore, as all mom's can attest, the term will always be used for the youngest child.  I always try to make a special cake for each of my kids birthdays.  So, I went to work this morning, and I must say, it turned out great!  I am not a professional cake decorator, by any means, but I do enjoy making fun cakes for my kids.  One more birthday tradition: I never let the birthday child see the cake until that night when we light the candles and sing happy birthday before serving it up.

But, I think my favorite birthday tradition is the birthday sign.  My Dad started this when I was a kid.  He was also a better artist than I am, but I do my best.  We have a dry erase board, about 2.5 by 3.5 feet.  The night before their birthday, after the kids are all in bed, I get it out and make a birthday sign just for them.  It of course says 'happy birthday', and I put their name and the age they are turning.  Then, as best I can, I draw something that they are interested in at that point in time.

This is definitely something I need to work on.  Everyone has stress.  Everyone's stress is different.  Many of our daily activities can cause stress.  Although we don't love the house we're currently renting, I have come to realize that it is a true blessing for us to be here. 

This house in and of itself has caused us stress.  It had sat empty for a while before we moved in and the landlord had just purchased it before that.  The first morning in our new home the basement flooded from the inside!  Everything left in the outgoing pipes had hardened and was clogging the drain lines.  This not only stunk because it was 'used' water, but because the previous owner apparently had a 'herd' of cats living in the house.  The water on the cement brought out the smell of the cats.  Yuck!  That got taken care of and we thought that we were good to go.  Until Christmas Eve.  To make a long story short, the plumber found that part of the pipe has completely corroded and dirt has collapsed around it. 

In all of this we have found that we are truly blessed to have a great landlord!  Not only does he take care of any problems right away, but his dear wife calls to check on us too.  A few days after we moved in she brought over a loaf of bread from the Old Grist Mill and homemade freezer jam.  Then, for Christmas they brought us a good size ham and more of the same jam.

We are also blessed to be in this ward.  We are loving it and enjoying our new callings as co-primary teachers.  Our kids have made new friends, and although they miss their friends from Corinne, they are enjoying this ward too.  It's true what they say:  The Church is true wherever you live!

So, as I said, my goal is to get some family scrapbooks done.  So, how am I going to do this?  I need a plan.  First, I have already started working on the 2010 book, so it makes sense to finish it.  My plan:  finish the 2010 book by the end of January.  Then I want to work my way towards the present, then go back from 2010.  So, after I'm done with the 2010 book I will start on the 2011 book.  If I have that done in 1.5 months, then the 2012 book done 1.5 months after that...it will then be May 1st and I'll have 3 books done.  So, if I keep up at that rate I can have 5 done before school starts.  I am also going to start working on a book for a family member.  I'm not going to tell you anything else about it for now, when it's time I'll tell you more.  Have a great weekend!

On the radio this morning I heard this statistic:  only 8% of us fulfill our New Year's Resolutions.  Wow!  Only 8%?! Then the DJ said that he started working on his goal last week, so it's not a new year's resolution.  I read an article last night by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  (The Best Time To Plant a Tree) that made me stop and think.  What is the difference between resolutions and goals?  According to the Oxford English Dictionary on my kindle: resolution : (n.) a firm decision to do or not to do something; goal: (n.) the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

So, according to those definitions only 8% of us make firm decisions to do or not to do something.  On the other hand, I really like the definition of a goal.  I may not have any resolutions, but I do have a goal.  I want to finish at least 5 yearly scrapbooks before the kids begin the next school year in the fall.  That seems really strange to say, since they just started back to school today.  Anyhow, I am way behind (like most people I know).  I have some 'publishing points' expiring this Sunday, so I'm trying to get one done by then, so as not to waste them.  As I looked at my total 'publishing points' I have enough to get me a long ways towards this goal, if not all the way there.  I'm glad I digitally scrapbook, it gets to be a mess with paper, glue, stickers, etc.  Now, if only I could remember everything I want to so that I can put them together in order.  Wish me luck!

Here is my thoughts about New Year's resolutions:  Why worry about what I didn't accomplish last year and why set myself up for what could be failure?  I really liked this video.

Today is the beginning of a new year.  To me, it's just another day to try to be a better me.  To get one step closer to becoming the person that the Lord knows I can become.