I hate it when I check someone's blog and they haven't updated it for forever. I go to their blog all excited to read some exciting new post, and then the disappointment when it's nothing new. So if you are like me, you have probably been bugged that I haven't updated my blog. I admit it. I'm a great big hypocrite! Sometimes I just can't think of anything exciting to write. Mostly, it's just that I'm lazy.
Today I'm listing my pet peeves after which will follow ten things I am thankful for. (Just so I end on a positive note and you don't think I'm just a crabby person all the time.)
My Pet Peeves (in no particular order)
1. People who do not drive nicely. Included in this are: people who do not merge correctly, people who won't let other people in especially when the lane is ending and there is NO other place to go and what the heck do you want me to do? Go off the road?? (Ok, I'm calming down now.), people who run red lights, people who turn left after their green arrow//green light has already turned red, not yellow, red! and they take up my green arrow that I have waited forever for!, people who make a right turn on a red light when I have a green left arrow, people who don't stop at crosswalks and who get annoyed at people who do and honk their obnoxious horns at them, people who change lanes right in front of me and then 2 seconds later turn right in front of me and I have to slam on my brakes to keep from hitting them, people who take my parking place that I am obviously waiting for and I have my blinker on and everything, and finally, driving my kids and the day care kids to school. The closer it gets to the time that the bell is supposed to ring, the dumber people get. I try to avoid it at all costs, even if that means taking the kids to school 20 minutes early to avoid the crazy drivers!
2.Trash anywhere except in the trash can. Ask my kids. I HATE trash on the floor. To me that is the ultimate laziness, especially at my house where I have a trash can in nearly every room of the house.
3. Frumpled rugs. Bugs the crud out of me!!
4. People who don't say please and thank you.
5. Deciding what to have for dinner every night and when I ask my family for ideas, all I get is, "I don't know." Then when I decide on something they have toast for dinner because they don't like what I made.
6. Solicitors, phone or otherwise.
7. Actually anyone who tries to sell me anything. If I want it, and can afford it, I will buy it. If not, leave me alone!
8. Dogs who poop all over the house!
9. Kids who don't do their responsibilities.
10. Days that I don't get anything done!
Now on to Ten Things I Am Thankful For:
1. My family!
2. The Gospel (especially repentance and the temple)
3. Our home, food, and clothing
4. Lincoln's job and my daycare kids and piano students
5. Freedom
6. Hot water and indoor plumbing
7. A washer and dryer
8. Vehicles to take us where we need to go in comfort
9. Music
10. Computers and the internet so I can keep in touch with loved ones. Especially Anita in Hawaii.
That is all for now.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
My Boys of Fall
Ok, so I have given up on the boys posing for me, so I am using their football pictures. Aren't they cute? I just love my boys! (And my girls, too, of course!!) So happy that Faha should be able to finally play next week! I'm very excited we get to go to the game tonight. There was a possibility that we weren't going to be able to go. I used to hate football, but I really love watching my boys play. They are playing the Jordan Beetdiggers. I hope they win! Go Cougars!! (Picture of Pasi coming later....)
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| Cody #26 Wide Receiver |
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| Faha #58 Lineman |
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Back to School
I love this time of year! I love that part from "You've Got Mail" when Meg Ryan is talking about bouquets of sharpened pencils. I love shopping for school supplies. It's a time full of possibilities. It's the New Years of school season, setting goals, and fresh starts.
Things are a little different around here than they usually are at back to school time. Anita is in Hawaii at BYU-Hawaii. Lincoln and I took her in July. She just finished her 1st Term and Fall Semester starts next week. That will be a whole other post in itself. But right now I'm in the mood to write about back to school and since this is my blog, I get to write whatever I want. hahaha
This is Cody's senior year of high school. He, once again, is trying to cram in as much as he possibly can. There is never enough time for Cody to do all that he wants to do. He is taking 2 AP classes, orchestra, is playing football, is in Madrigals, and is an SBO. (In case you, like me, don't know what an SBO is that's short for Student Body Officer. Cody is the school's Cultural Diversity Rep.) Sometime in there he finds a little time to sleep, but sadly for me, not time to do his chores or clean his room.
Faha started high school this year. He is a sophomore. So far he is liking school and is doing well. Mostly due to per pressure, he is playing football on the sophomore team. Unfortunately, he got a concussion the first week of school and so hasn't been able to play in a game yet. We are hoping he can play in next weeks game. Faha is also in orchestra. He made 1st chair viola!
Pasi started jr. high. He's a 7th grader! I can't believe it! I think he already has a following of girls at his school. He keeps telling them, "I can't date yet. I'm a Mormon!" He ran for 7th grade Senate, but lost. I thought it was really great of him to run, though. And he had the best campaign posters made by Cody, the master of poster making.
Siu is in 5th grade. It's weird to only have one student at the elementary school. It's been about 13 years since I've only had one child in elementary school. Pasi and Siu guilted me into volunteering to be the room mom. Pasi said that I need to be more involved in their schools. Whatever! Siu is still her free-spirit self. I love her to death, but she does make me crazy sometimes. It's a full time job keeping her focused on school.
A major focus of our lives right now is football, especially since all three boys are playing. I really love to watch my boys play football! So much so, that I am willing to pay ridiculous admission prices just for the privilege of watching the varsity play. I want to post pictures of all the boys in their football "stuff", but they are not cooperating. So, I guess I will have to do that later.
One of my new school year resolutions is to cook dinner every night. Due to football practice, we tend to eat late so I'm trying to use the crock pot as much as possible so I can get dinner in the crock pot in the morning and we can eat at a semi-decent time. I did really good last week. I used a new recipe book and tried 5 new crock pot recipies. They were all pretty good. One was especially delicious, Spicy Rice Casserole. Post a comment if you want the recipe. Yummy!
Other new school year resolutions are:
-read scriptures every night as a family and finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year
-have family prayer every night
-make sure Siu gets her homework done every night
-sleep early! by 10:00
-no tv on school days
Hopefully everyone has a great school year! :)
Things are a little different around here than they usually are at back to school time. Anita is in Hawaii at BYU-Hawaii. Lincoln and I took her in July. She just finished her 1st Term and Fall Semester starts next week. That will be a whole other post in itself. But right now I'm in the mood to write about back to school and since this is my blog, I get to write whatever I want. hahaha
This is Cody's senior year of high school. He, once again, is trying to cram in as much as he possibly can. There is never enough time for Cody to do all that he wants to do. He is taking 2 AP classes, orchestra, is playing football, is in Madrigals, and is an SBO. (In case you, like me, don't know what an SBO is that's short for Student Body Officer. Cody is the school's Cultural Diversity Rep.) Sometime in there he finds a little time to sleep, but sadly for me, not time to do his chores or clean his room.
Faha started high school this year. He is a sophomore. So far he is liking school and is doing well. Mostly due to per pressure, he is playing football on the sophomore team. Unfortunately, he got a concussion the first week of school and so hasn't been able to play in a game yet. We are hoping he can play in next weeks game. Faha is also in orchestra. He made 1st chair viola!
Pasi started jr. high. He's a 7th grader! I can't believe it! I think he already has a following of girls at his school. He keeps telling them, "I can't date yet. I'm a Mormon!" He ran for 7th grade Senate, but lost. I thought it was really great of him to run, though. And he had the best campaign posters made by Cody, the master of poster making.
Siu is in 5th grade. It's weird to only have one student at the elementary school. It's been about 13 years since I've only had one child in elementary school. Pasi and Siu guilted me into volunteering to be the room mom. Pasi said that I need to be more involved in their schools. Whatever! Siu is still her free-spirit self. I love her to death, but she does make me crazy sometimes. It's a full time job keeping her focused on school.
A major focus of our lives right now is football, especially since all three boys are playing. I really love to watch my boys play football! So much so, that I am willing to pay ridiculous admission prices just for the privilege of watching the varsity play. I want to post pictures of all the boys in their football "stuff", but they are not cooperating. So, I guess I will have to do that later.
One of my new school year resolutions is to cook dinner every night. Due to football practice, we tend to eat late so I'm trying to use the crock pot as much as possible so I can get dinner in the crock pot in the morning and we can eat at a semi-decent time. I did really good last week. I used a new recipe book and tried 5 new crock pot recipies. They were all pretty good. One was especially delicious, Spicy Rice Casserole. Post a comment if you want the recipe. Yummy!
Other new school year resolutions are:
-read scriptures every night as a family and finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year
-have family prayer every night
-make sure Siu gets her homework done every night
-sleep early! by 10:00
-no tv on school days
Hopefully everyone has a great school year! :)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The New Addition to the Family
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience.....
The past couple of weeks have been very difficult for me. We have been trying to finish up on our mortgage refinance. Hopefully that's almost ready for us to close on today or tomorrow. Drama with my daycare. Hopefully that is over as well. Problems with the kids, especially Anita. It's really hard to see your kids struggle and not be able to make it better for them. And health problems with me.
First I hurt my back lifting one of the daycare kids. That had me in pain for almost a week. Then that got better and my shoulder started hurting. My shoulder, back, and right arm were hurting so bad. It got progressively worse until finally I went to the dr last week Monday. I have a rib out of place that is pinching a nerve. I have not been in so much pain since I had my kids. Seriously, the pain was as bad as labor pains. It had me in tears. Finally got some stronger pain medication that made the pain bearable. Lincoln keeps warning me not to get addicted to pain medication. I don't think there is any danger of that because I hate how they make me feel. Anyway, now I'm seeing a chiropractor and he thinks it will take about a month of visits three times a week and it should be better.
Before I went to the dr, we tried everything we could think of to ease the pain. I put some rub on medication that is for muscle aches on it. Apparently I'm allergic to it because I now have a ichy rash with hives and welts everywhere I rubbed that medicine on. It's just lovely. Then yesterday I started throwing up. I feel like my whole body is falling apart. I'm in a pain medication induced haze that I HATE. I just want to feel good and be able to do my daily responsibilities and feel like I'm here, not like I'm in a dream.
I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to learn from this experience. Maybe to be more patient with people who are sick. I hope I hurry up and learn what I need to so I can get back to feeling good and be able to take care of my family, the daycare kids, and the house.
First I hurt my back lifting one of the daycare kids. That had me in pain for almost a week. Then that got better and my shoulder started hurting. My shoulder, back, and right arm were hurting so bad. It got progressively worse until finally I went to the dr last week Monday. I have a rib out of place that is pinching a nerve. I have not been in so much pain since I had my kids. Seriously, the pain was as bad as labor pains. It had me in tears. Finally got some stronger pain medication that made the pain bearable. Lincoln keeps warning me not to get addicted to pain medication. I don't think there is any danger of that because I hate how they make me feel. Anyway, now I'm seeing a chiropractor and he thinks it will take about a month of visits three times a week and it should be better.
Before I went to the dr, we tried everything we could think of to ease the pain. I put some rub on medication that is for muscle aches on it. Apparently I'm allergic to it because I now have a ichy rash with hives and welts everywhere I rubbed that medicine on. It's just lovely. Then yesterday I started throwing up. I feel like my whole body is falling apart. I'm in a pain medication induced haze that I HATE. I just want to feel good and be able to do my daily responsibilities and feel like I'm here, not like I'm in a dream.
I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to learn from this experience. Maybe to be more patient with people who are sick. I hope I hurry up and learn what I need to so I can get back to feeling good and be able to take care of my family, the daycare kids, and the house.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
My Beautiful Girl
My favorite is the top right one that she is smiling so big in. That's the one I put up in the living room so I can see her big smile when she's gone away to college in Hawaii.
I love this girl so much and I'm so proud of all she has accomplished throughout her years in school
and I know she will do fantastic in college, as well.
I love you, Nita-girl!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Are You a Time-Starved Family?
I'm currently reading a very good book called, "The Time-Starved Family: Helping Overloaded Families Focus on What Matters Most", by Deanne Flynn. I highly recommend it if you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by your family's schedule, and especially if you have little babies and children so you can avoid getting caught up in the "my child has to do everything before they can even read" syndrome. These are some things to ask yourself to determine if you a time-starved family. Have you ever heard the following statements (complaints, whines, etc.) coming out of your mouth?
- Family prayer? I can't get all my kids together at the same time to have family prayer!
- Family scripture study?? Who has time for that?
- Family dinner? We are lucky to eat, much less eat together as a family!
- Family Home Evening? With all our activities, we do our own version of family home evening while driving to our next ___________ (fill in the blank, class, activity, practice, etc.).
- Family time?? Does time together in the car count? If so, we have hours of family time each day!
- If my child wants to be a superstar ________________(fill in the blank, athlete, musician, dancer, etc.) then they have to start as young as possible, like 3 years old.
- Being well rounded means you have: sports practice, music lessons, dance lessons, art lessons, after school academic classes or tutoring, voice lessons, on and on. You get the picture.
I agree with the author in her suggestion to choose one sports activity (or other activity if your kids aren't into sports) and one music activity per child at a time. That's it! I usually try to stick to that, but sometimes I go over. Like right now Siu has dance (jazz, tap, ballet) class, Tahitian dance class and Up With Kids. She also wanted to play soccer this spring. I bravely have just ignored that request. I talked with her yesterday and we decided she will finish out the commitments she has made to those activities, two finish in May and the other in June. After that I will let her choose what she wants to do. She decided on gymnastics and violin. That's not necessarily what I would have chosen, but that's what she wants to do. So I'm learning to let go and hoping that will be a good thing for our family. I'm hoping we will be able to make time to do the things that really matter and if there's left over time, then we can do the other stuff. Not the other way around! I'm trying to embrace the "simple life" and hope that by doing so our life will be more fulfilling, spiritual, and more family centered and we won't miss eternal life for the world and the worldly things that can take over our lives if we let them.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
On Being an Authoritarian Parent
I have taken parenting classes in college. I am the mother of 5 children. I am a daycare provider. I take yearly training classes in childcare. I feel I have had a little experience in working with children. Even so, I have one child that is testing all the knowledge I thought I have about children. That one is Siu. We had parent teacher conferences last night and it wasn't pretty.
I try to not interfer and do things for my children that I feel they can do on their own. I try to let them experience the natural consequences of their choices. In short, I try to be an authoritarian type parent. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. I've made many mistakes as a mother, and probably will make many more. But I feel that I have failed Siu somehow. It is difficult to balance my daycare, piano lesson schedule, the other childrens activities, my household and church responsibilities. I think that often Siu feels she doesn't get any of my attention. As a result, she will do anything, even misbehave, to get my attention.
She has never really cared about school, but it continues to get worse and worse. She is not progressing and has even regressed in some areas. Last night was a wake up call for me and her as well, I think. I need to stop standing on the side and need to be more active in helping to direct her to do what she needs to do. She is almost finished with the 4th grade and she still hasn't memorized the times tables! She continually tells me she is dumb and can't do this and can't do that. I think she has just given up on school. I don't know how to get her to want to learn, to want to do her best. I guess I better learn because time is going on and I hate to see her struggle the rest of her school years when I know she can do the work and do well. She is very smart, but she doesn't want anyone to know that she is.
After we got home she was doing her reading and I told her that I loved her no matter what and she started crying. It broke my heart! She thought I wouldn't love her because she isn't doing well in school. I told her that there was nothing she could do or not do that would make me stop loving her. I'm praying for wisdom for this one, for sure! I know I can't get through to this girl without some inspiration and help from Heavenly Father. She can do anything, if she wants to do it. I just have to help her learn to channel her energy, focus, talent and desire into positive things!! I'm sure there was a reason why she is our youngest. To make sure we were "broken in" as parents and were patient enough to help her and teach her. I hope I can meet the challenge!!
I try to not interfer and do things for my children that I feel they can do on their own. I try to let them experience the natural consequences of their choices. In short, I try to be an authoritarian type parent. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. I've made many mistakes as a mother, and probably will make many more. But I feel that I have failed Siu somehow. It is difficult to balance my daycare, piano lesson schedule, the other childrens activities, my household and church responsibilities. I think that often Siu feels she doesn't get any of my attention. As a result, she will do anything, even misbehave, to get my attention.
She has never really cared about school, but it continues to get worse and worse. She is not progressing and has even regressed in some areas. Last night was a wake up call for me and her as well, I think. I need to stop standing on the side and need to be more active in helping to direct her to do what she needs to do. She is almost finished with the 4th grade and she still hasn't memorized the times tables! She continually tells me she is dumb and can't do this and can't do that. I think she has just given up on school. I don't know how to get her to want to learn, to want to do her best. I guess I better learn because time is going on and I hate to see her struggle the rest of her school years when I know she can do the work and do well. She is very smart, but she doesn't want anyone to know that she is.
After we got home she was doing her reading and I told her that I loved her no matter what and she started crying. It broke my heart! She thought I wouldn't love her because she isn't doing well in school. I told her that there was nothing she could do or not do that would make me stop loving her. I'm praying for wisdom for this one, for sure! I know I can't get through to this girl without some inspiration and help from Heavenly Father. She can do anything, if she wants to do it. I just have to help her learn to channel her energy, focus, talent and desire into positive things!! I'm sure there was a reason why she is our youngest. To make sure we were "broken in" as parents and were patient enough to help her and teach her. I hope I can meet the challenge!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Ups and Downs
I know there are ups and downs in life. I know that there are good times and bad times. It just seems like right now every single day is full of ups and downs. It's like my life is on roller coaster mode right now. One minute things are great and I have really good news, the next everything has changed and the good news is now disappointing news. My emotions and feelings cannot handle it!
We are trying to get everything set up for Anita to go to BYU-H in July. We hope to be able to go with her to help her get settled and for Lincoln and I to take a much needed vacation together. Lincoln and I have not been away just the two of us for more than one night since Anita was born. In case you can't do the math, that's 18 1/2 years! Our 20th anniversary will be on December 14 of this year. So while I know that it's no record, by any means, it's still a pretty long time and we need some time to spend together without the kids. What you also need to realize is that from one month after our marriage until after our 6th anniversary I was either pregnant or nursing continuously. Now for those of you who have been pregnant, nursing, or married to someone who has been, you can imagine how that was. And my pregnancies were not a piece of cake! I think there were many times that Lincoln wondered who the heck he had married because it wasn't the same person he had dated! We have been through a lot together and we really need some time to just reconnect and I think going back to where we started our relationship together is just about the perfect place! Please say a little prayer for us that things will work out so we can go!!!!
We are trying to get everything set up for Anita to go to BYU-H in July. We hope to be able to go with her to help her get settled and for Lincoln and I to take a much needed vacation together. Lincoln and I have not been away just the two of us for more than one night since Anita was born. In case you can't do the math, that's 18 1/2 years! Our 20th anniversary will be on December 14 of this year. So while I know that it's no record, by any means, it's still a pretty long time and we need some time to spend together without the kids. What you also need to realize is that from one month after our marriage until after our 6th anniversary I was either pregnant or nursing continuously. Now for those of you who have been pregnant, nursing, or married to someone who has been, you can imagine how that was. And my pregnancies were not a piece of cake! I think there were many times that Lincoln wondered who the heck he had married because it wasn't the same person he had dated! We have been through a lot together and we really need some time to just reconnect and I think going back to where we started our relationship together is just about the perfect place! Please say a little prayer for us that things will work out so we can go!!!!
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Day Almost to Myself
I have found myself with a day that is not too structured, not too crammed with things to do and not too busy with daycare children. If you found yourself with such a day, what do you do? I'm still planning out my day, but here are some things I would LOVE to do:
1. Maintain the clean house that we worked so hard to achieve on Saturday.
2. Get some good decluttering done inside the house and in the garage.
3. Finish Rugby's baby quilt.
4. Crochet some girl baby hats for baby Bella.
5. Relax!!!
6. Prepare a really nice dinner for tonight.
7. Get the shopping done so I don't have to go to the store again until Saturday.
8. Enjoy being home with my kids today.
1. Maintain the clean house that we worked so hard to achieve on Saturday.
2. Get some good decluttering done inside the house and in the garage.
3. Finish Rugby's baby quilt.
4. Crochet some girl baby hats for baby Bella.
5. Relax!!!
6. Prepare a really nice dinner for tonight.
7. Get the shopping done so I don't have to go to the store again until Saturday.
8. Enjoy being home with my kids today.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wishing for a "Do-Over"
Do you ever wish you could just rewind your life and redo things that you messed up the first time around? Now, no comments about repentence, etc. If you have them, keep them to yourself. I mean really be able to go back and do things differently, make different choices, hopefully with better outcomes. I sure do! Most of the things I would like to have a do-over for involve my role as a mother. I don't know if it's because my kids are getting older and will be leaving home sooner than I like to think about, but I am constantly thinking, wondering, worrying. Have I taught them enough? Have I prepared them to be able to survive on their own? Have I failed them somehow? If they don't do their chores now does that mean they will not be able to keep a job? Does that mean they will never be responsible? Am I hampering their growth because I didn't encourage them to get a job as soon as they were old enough to have one?
I've been told by many people that I do too much for my kids. I guess I do. I think part of that comes from my experiences growing up. I want my kids to have me there for them in a way my parents weren't (and couldn't) be there for me. But am I hurting my kids in the process? I hope not because, of course, that was never my intention. Is it too late to change things when they are 18, 17, and almost 15? I know there is still hope for the younger two, if I don't mess them up too! lol
Here are the things I wish I had done a better job teaching my kids:
1. Cleaning is not horrible. It blesses our home and makes it a pleasant place to be.
2. Less is more and it's ok to get rid of things you no longer want and or need.
3. They are expected to help around the house on a consistent and regular basis.
4. I am not a maid, servant, or the domestic help. I deserve respect and will give it in return.
5. You mess it up, you clean it up. And along with that, put things back where they belong. (Lincoln could use some help with that one too!)
6. When you are responsible to do something, whether that's chores, homework, whatever, DO IT! And do it the best you can.
Things have to change around here and the only way for them to change is for me to change. I'm awesome at making lists. I can make some of the best lists you have ever seen! Unfortunately, most of the time that's all they are is lists. The things on the lists never get done and I carry around the guilt of not doing them. I am overwhelmed and feeling under appreciated by my family. I have to make the changes that I want for me. I want to be a happier person, a better wife and mother and that's only going to happen if I get my guilt lists out of the way. #1 right now is the state of my house and garage. We have so much stuff we neither need nor use. Some I keep in case we need them later. Some I like the idea of having, but never use. Others I just don't get rid of for no good reason. It has to stop! The decluttering must begin. Only when I get rid of the clutter will I feel that my house is really clean. I must start today, now even. I will record my progress. It's super fling boogie time!
I've been told by many people that I do too much for my kids. I guess I do. I think part of that comes from my experiences growing up. I want my kids to have me there for them in a way my parents weren't (and couldn't) be there for me. But am I hurting my kids in the process? I hope not because, of course, that was never my intention. Is it too late to change things when they are 18, 17, and almost 15? I know there is still hope for the younger two, if I don't mess them up too! lol
Here are the things I wish I had done a better job teaching my kids:
1. Cleaning is not horrible. It blesses our home and makes it a pleasant place to be.
2. Less is more and it's ok to get rid of things you no longer want and or need.
3. They are expected to help around the house on a consistent and regular basis.
4. I am not a maid, servant, or the domestic help. I deserve respect and will give it in return.
5. You mess it up, you clean it up. And along with that, put things back where they belong. (Lincoln could use some help with that one too!)
6. When you are responsible to do something, whether that's chores, homework, whatever, DO IT! And do it the best you can.
Things have to change around here and the only way for them to change is for me to change. I'm awesome at making lists. I can make some of the best lists you have ever seen! Unfortunately, most of the time that's all they are is lists. The things on the lists never get done and I carry around the guilt of not doing them. I am overwhelmed and feeling under appreciated by my family. I have to make the changes that I want for me. I want to be a happier person, a better wife and mother and that's only going to happen if I get my guilt lists out of the way. #1 right now is the state of my house and garage. We have so much stuff we neither need nor use. Some I keep in case we need them later. Some I like the idea of having, but never use. Others I just don't get rid of for no good reason. It has to stop! The decluttering must begin. Only when I get rid of the clutter will I feel that my house is really clean. I must start today, now even. I will record my progress. It's super fling boogie time!
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