It has been sooooooooooooooo Long.

I apologise for not updating, but a few weeks/almost a few months a go, I had been blog hopping and found some neat ones. Looking at new blogs everyday, searching for inspiration of any kind. Sewing, Quilting, Cooking, Cleaning, Dieting, Exercising, Mothering, Being Spiritually uplifted. . . . . and I found it.

Now for the DOING it- I, with the help of my oh so smart/always thinking of the best way/talented sister Danielle, I have made a quilt top. Go me! I'm not going to show it to you until it is done. Mostly because I still haven't mastered the whole Posting up pics on this blog, and a little bit, because I have not cleaned the room that it is going in yet. :)


I have also made a rag quilt for Seiler's room, made throw pillow covers for all the pillows on my couches up stairs- For the V-Day Holiday. Along with table runners for the kitchen and top of the piano. Go me!


I have printed off many healthy and delicious looking dinner ideas, and successfully stocked my fridge, and (if you can call it a) pantry with all of these ingredients... Go me! Now for the cooking part.

I have continued on my weight loss journey. Loosing ten more pounds since Christmas. Go Me! You can't tell though. My mom says she can, but that's what mothers are for - to tell you that which you want and/or need to hear. ;) thanks mom.

I have a new calling as a primary teacher. I haven't taught a class in like four years. Preparing for this each week along with the prayer challenge that our Awesome home teacher has set for us is totally helping with the Spiritual Inspiration that I needed.

So if I could just get to that Mountain of laundry on my couch, and scour the bathrooms, I would get the cleaning inspiration - on a side note, With all the great things that distilled Vinegar does for cleaning all the things around us, have you ever heard about using it in your hair? I read about it, I think on The Pioneer Woman Cooks, but I can't remember. What do you think? I don't know if I want to smell like a Pickle.

As Far as the mothering goes. I want to be more hands on. . . . but I tell myself I can't, because I am not home with them all day. However, I do get off work when they get off school. So? What's wrong with me? How can I improve? Life is so busy with Soccer/Basketball, FHE, Activity Day Girls, Piano, Date night(yeah right), home work, and sleepovers. There just always seems to be a project to get done. Without my kids cooking with me in the kitchen, how do I get more Quality time with them? Any suggestions? I need them.

I am so proud. . . . .

You know you've done something right, when your kids say or do something to let you know they heard what you have taught them. This monday, at FHE I taught the Christmas lesson, trying to explain to my kids what Christmas is all about( not getting what you want, presents). I main focus was on "What can we give to/do for Others?" I mentioned: Heavenly Father gave us His son, Christ gave his life, The Three Wise Men gave their most precious gifts to baby Jesus, which is what we are representing when we give presents to each other at Christmas time. Fast forward a few days: We see a young boy walk to and from school everyday, sometimes he walks home with us and then continues on to his house. I noticed him walking home too many times in the freezing cold, without a coat.

I asked my kids, "where is his coat?"

Ryann said "He doesn't have one!"

Seiler said "We should give him one of ours",

a tear came to my eye, "we don't have one that would fit him."

ryann,"Let's go buy him one",

Seiler "yeah, let's go buy him one"

So that is what we did last night. Together we got ready for school fast. We don't know where he lives, or his last name, but we took that coat into the office at school and told the Secretary about this boy. She knew exactly who I had been talking about. . . . .If she knew he didnt have a coat, nevermind. I'm am just greatful that MY kids have found the true meaning of Christmas.

Hope that little boy has a Warm and Merry Christmas.

UTAH

My momma paid for all her daughters and their children to spend the week in Utah together, before Christmas. Besides all the "Family Drama" that occurs, We all had a fabulous time. Catching up with cousins, and old friends, visiting with grandma was so much fun. We should make this a annual thing ;D. The temperature was much colder there than in the Ozarks, and it Snowed every morning. It was beautiful. I even awoke my kids early a few times and let them go outside to try to catch snowflakes on their tongues. It's much harder than I remember. I am so greatful I could take my kids to Temple square once more. Seiler can never remember Angel Moroni's name, but he always loves to see "that gold guy up there". . . . .There is always something to teach, I guess. . . The Temple was Magnificent. Lights everywhere. It was awesome. Thanks Mom.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

It totally feels to early to me to decorate for Christmas, but we went to Silver Dollar City on Saturday and it is lit up to the max with Christmas lights. It made me in the mood to decorate just the inside of my house. But I did'nt. I woke up late for church on Sunday, but we did make it to the last twenty minutes of Sacrament. I went to Primary with Seiler, because he has been getting bored with it lately and acting out. Yesturday he was a perfect angel, helping out the teacher, singing songs, folding his arms, sharing crayons, answering questions, it could have all been for my benefit but I was proud of him. By the time we said good bye to daddy (he is the new Ward Financial Clerk & has to stay after church every Sunday), and made it home I warmed up left overs and we all took a nap. We woke up when daddy came come played a few games, watched a few movies, made dinner and went to bed. So I did get around to asking Brandon if he would get the christmas stuff out of the attic, he said "Uhhhhhh, let's wait another week." Good thing. I was too tired to take down fall and put up Christmas.

There is nothing else to Say

Kids are good (energetic, whinny, happy, stubborn), husband is good (still mean to me when I want something, works hard/long, Helps keep 90% of the house clean, takes care of my every need),House is good(keeps use warm in the winter and cool in the summer), Cars are good(of course I love my new 2008 Ford Explorer), Dog is good (even though she started digging holes all over the back yard), even the little garden snake that made it through the bottom of our basement door is good ( only because it is no longer in my basement- thank you Brandon). Church is good, School is good, work is good, VT is good, TV not so good, biggest loser is always good. Dinner is good? you'll have to ask my family. Sometimes yes/mostly no. So there's nothing else to say. . . . . . . . . Life is good!

Okay, 20lbs. down

and a million to go.................The only differene I see is my hands and feet are no longer bloated, and my back pops much easier (sorry Jeremy). I am using more energy during the day, that I am tired at night and have been sleeping much deeper and longer. Oh. and its easier to shave my legs. Weird I know. Can't wait to see what the next twenty bring. . . . .and I wish Ryann hadn't heard me tell Brandon, cause she has been sharing it with everyone. I'm glad she;s proud of me, but at the same time it is embarrassing! This past week, I think my body went into shock, and so I stayed at them same weight. Disappointing, but there is always next week. I just need to stop sneaking those bites of someone else dessert, and up my walking time. I wish I had two hours everyday (all in one lump of time) to walk to and from my mommas house. But that would just be too convenient. Maybe if one of my sisters would watch my kids for me after school (and made dinner for my family), while my other sister walked with me. Then switch off every other day or something, I would get much healthier much faster. NO PRESSURE sisters. But for now, I am okay with the "slowly but surely" thing.

Halloweenie

Ryann was a beautiful Butterfly this year. Cold but happy, this girl is. She was so happy with the long tutu that I made for her, she tried it on everynight infront of the mirror just to make sure it looked good on her.

Seiler was Iron Man, And just as strong, until he got tired of walking. Then he just melted to the ground after every house, waiting until his daddy would pick him up and fly him to the next destination. Glad its over though, and the freezing weather too. It should be a bit warmer for a while.