New Years Eve

 

Ending 2020 with failed pictures, tears and a few minor burns ✓ I feel that sums up parts of 2020. And while there were some hard parts there were also some AMAZING parts. The world is bananas right now but I'm so grateful for these beautiful babes. 

Okay 2021, what do you h ave in store for us?

NYE

 NYE was low key. Full of visiting, Mom and Dad packing, snacking and family time. Big sandwich was on the list for dinner.

 

We played some games.

And we rang in the new year with the kiddos at 8:00.

They were off to bed and we were sitting around visiting when....

E came down with even more bumps on her legs. She as had this rash fro a few days now and the bumps just keep popping up. We tried to go to the doctor today but the wait was 5 hours. Crazy. She was thrashing she was so itchy, so since we've used up our deductible, I told Jakob to take her to the ER and see what was up. Might as well use a free ER visit.

So off they went at 10:30.

 We may have lost a few people while we waited. 

 Daddy and E came home at 11:50. Viral rash. Gave her some oral steroids and she said she was good. E got to count down with us. 

New Years Kisses.

Happy New Year! Ringing in the Roaring 20's. Can't wait to see what this year will bring!

New Years Eve

We had two New Years Eve parties to attend which was a wonderful problem to have.  We started out at Laura's house where we played the surran wrap ball game, and had yummy food and other fun activities. Going to Laura's house for events is always like a birthday party! 

We then headed out to the Rabar's and they went with a New Years around the world activity. Everyone brought foods native to the country they were assigned. We were assigned Canada. I brought poutine. 

Then we did activities for each country. This was for Mexico. We were supposed to attach fireworks to the back of the donkey and light it on fire. 

In Japan they play pin the face on the face. 

We had a blast at both houses!!

My forever New Years Kiss. Sprout and Daddy were sick so we partied without them.

We also came home before midnight so the next night we did our own count down. So Thankful for these three! Bring on 2019!!

New Years Resolutions

I can't believe we are here! January, fresh, clean starting a whole new year! I am feeling a mad case of the January blues. The holidays are over and so is the rush, the thrill, the excitement so I figured it was a good time to set some goals, and to get excited about new projects! So, here are my resolutions for 2018!

1. Say Yes More! I really think that about sums it up. I want to say yes more to my kids. To embrace the chaos and leave the dishes to sit and read a story or pause laundry to make that craft or build lego's or stack a tower for Leif for the 400th time. This past year I have felt the rush of time worse than ever before. I have had the moments of mourning looking at the kids and thinking why am I not enjoying them more? And I have also had the moments of this too shall pass. Motherhood isn't always sparkly or glamorous. But this life and this family is what I prayed for and here I am in the thick of it and I am loving it. I have started to set things aside and really focus on the kids. Make that puzzle, play super heros, play patty cake and I have found so much more joy! I find it even more so when I ask them to play. I love seeing their eyes light up when I say "Hey I've got 20 minutes, what game would you like to play?!" I've been working on this awhile, but I think my main goal for 2018 is to just keep saying yes more. 

2. Expand My Etsy Store. Last year my store almost doubled it's sales from the year before. I was amazed. With that small bit of extra income, I was able to purchase our couch and it felt so good to say "I bought that!" Now I don't make much and I know that but I would like to continue to grow. So from a business stand point I would like to finish and publish my current quiet book and make a second one this year. I would also like to create an Instagram and start improving my social networking. I don't want my store to become work, so nothing big or crazy but put in a bit more effort and continue to make more sales. I am really excited for this year! 

3. Maintain My Home. Not that I'm a slob, but there is room for improvement and it's mostly because I get lazy. And while I realize that you can't play with your kids, have a clean home, blog, work on projects and make dinner every night, I know for certain that I can watch a bit less Netflix and fold more laundry. I just need to up my game a bit more. 

4. Improve My Relationship with my Heavenly Father...again. I suck. I did say my prayers more, but daily..... no. Not even close. I have no idea why I find this so hard. I have resolved to do a 30 before 30 list and one of those things is to read the Book of Mormon. I have never done that and I figure I probably should. So I want to start reading every MORNING! If it doesn't happen in the morning, it won't happen at all! 

5. Drink Less Soda. For the longest time I had cut soda ouy entirely. It was great. I craved it like no other but I didn't find it hard to say no to. I went about 6 months and then I started drinking it once a week when we would go to Costco for our traditional Saturday lunch. Then somehow I started drinking more and more. I had limited it to one a day but a few days ago I realized I had drank almost 3 in one day. So now it's time to cut back. Currently I am having one every other day. I had the worst caffeine headache yesterday and that was not okay with me. I shouldn't crave it like that! The plan is to go every other day and then every two days and get back to once a week if any at all.

And there you have it my super simple 5 goals for the year, because I need to be realistic and not expect too much of myself. Come June I will reassess and make more or buckle down harder. Happy New Year everyone!

New Years Resolutions

 It's that time of year again. I know that you can resolve to start a change at anytime, it doesn't have to wait until the New Year, but I really like to take this time, once the rush of the holidays are over, to  take a minute to see what and where I want to improve. So here you have it, my goals for the year of 2017. 

1. Less Time on my Phone- I have realized that I am on my phone A LOT. It's funny how you go to check a text and then you realize somehow you have lost 20 minutes and have accomplished absolutely nothing. So I have decided to put my phone away. I now check in for 10 minutes while I get motivated to get out of bed. A 10 minute peek at lunch time and then before bed. Yes, I still answer texts, and Google the occasional thing but for the most part my phone is somewhere not so easily accessible. I have also decided to only have two days a week where I talk on the phone. I was finding that in my search for adult conversation (which is fine) I was ignoring my children, who really do need me. So now I am only permitted to talk on the phone twice a week and I have found that since I made this goal that I actually talk even less than that, or keep my conversations shorter.

Since I have started putting this into practice I find that I am way more productive! It's actually amazing! I have seen an improvement in communication with the kids and generally we are happier. 

Jakob and I have also committed to one day a week where we are totally unplugged (we chose Saturday). No phones, no shows for the adults or kids, no nothing. We are allowed to Skype and Google if necessary but our phones go into the cupboard and we are 100% focused on projects, playing with the kids and each other. Let me tell you.... GAME CHANGER!!! Daddy time is sacred and we need to capitalize on it more. 

2. More One on One Time with the Kids - This is a no brainer. I am a to-do person. I usually have a list that I want to get accomplished and if I don't, I get annoyed. Because of this I was putting my kids on the back burner. Them being in school for 2 1/2 hours four days a week really helps me be able to get what I need to done in the morning and then be able to focus on them more in the afternoon. But I need to still work at taking the time to play Barbies, or make that craft with E, or build train tracks or work on words with Duke. Time is flying and I find myself wondering why I didn't enjoy each stage more while I had it. 

To accomplish this goal I want to spend at least 20 minutes PLAYING with my children 100% focused on them. Not folding laundry beside them, or planning out dinner but actually engaged in what they are doing. I want them to know that their Mama is here and wants to be with them. This doesn't mean that they will get me all the time. They need to learn to play independently too but I want to say yes more. 

3. Improve my Relationship with the Savior - Seriously, I just so suck at this. While I have a testimony and I know the church is true and I love this gospel, if you asked me if I knew my Savior I would have to say no. I put literally zero effort into my spiritual self, and I know that is horrible. As I have thought about my Dad and how much I long to talk to him I do think about my Heavenly Father and how much he must long to talk to me. How I have essentially forgotten about him because I am just too tired, or too lazy and really shouldn't this be my first priority? So I am resolving to become more in tune. 

How may you ask? By starting to say prayers. Yup that's right I rarely pray aside from the quick prayers with the children, and while I know that is a good thing to do, I want to start saying prayers and not just the same thing over and over... but something heartfelt. As if I were talking to my Dad. What would I tell him? I should expand this to scripture study as well, but currently... I'm starting with prayers. 

4. Take More Time for Jakob and I - This is another hard thing. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for Jakob's company. We have been able to go on so many wonderful dates just the two of us because they provide ticket to symphonies, galas and sporting events. And this has made such a difference, however at the end of the day we are tired, and just want "me" time, which isn't bad. But I want us to have more "us" time. Not big things, just little ones. I get so lost in the children and the schedules and the business of life that sometimes I forget him. So I want to work on that this year, which will be difficult with a new baby. One small thing I would like to do is to talk before we go to bed. Not long, drawn out conversations but just to chat, touch base, see what each other needs and communicate better. 

5. Finish projects & De-clutter - Back in November, I decided that I had WAY too much clutter in my life. I had a huge pile of things to finish, a list of things I wanted to start and a home that was just feeling full. So I decided to clear everything out. I went through my pile of things to finish and decided if it was something that I was really into anymore and if it wasn't.... it was gone. I can't tell you how refreshing that was. Then I started working on things that I have had piled up for years (if I still wanted them) and got it done. I'm not saying that I finished everything, but I made a huge dent and I continue to work on things when I have a spare minute. 

 My house was also feeling bogged down. I felt like the space we had wasn't being used to it's full potential because we just had SO MUCH! So I have been going through the house, room by room, and if we don't need it, don't use it, or it's had a good life and can be passed on.... I let it go. I got rid of so many toys, old clothes that I've had since I was 12, clothes that the kids just don't wear or need, and fluff. It has been amazing how much stuff I have gotten rid of and how good it feels. Once you start it's actually rather addicting! So I would like to continue the theme of "Let It Go & Get It Done!"

6. Focus on my Health - I know I am pregnant, and I know I am supposed to gain weight, and I also know that this is baby #3, BUT there is a difference between gaining weight in a healthy and unhealthy way. Once we got home from the holidays I had gained 10 lbs in two weeks!! I just couldn't stop eating and while I obviously still need to eat because I am growing a tiny human I can eat healthier. For the last two weeks I have tried really hard to limit my intake of sugar and carbs and to replace those things with fruits, veggies and protein. I am making healthy meals every evening and trying to have smaller meals throughout the day. I am not looking to diet, but I would rather gain 40-50 lbs this pregnancy vs 70 +. I also want to start walking. We have a gym membership and I need to use it. 

So there you have it, my resolutions for 2017, all of which I think are very doable. I am excited for 2017! Hopefully we can just keep things simple.

Resolutions

 Resolutions. I love making them but I am horrible at keeping them. I was reading through the ones that I have made and posted on my blog and my success rate was LOW! So here we go, hoping that I will be better this year. These are fairly personal and I have debated posting these on my blog or not, but since my blog is private and you are all family and friends I feel comfortable sharing real parts of me. I am not posting for sympathy, just to get it out.

1. Improve my relationship with my Father in Heaven. 

Christmas eve was hard. That night I sat up all night and just bawled. It felt as if my heart was going to explode. Things felt off without Daddy and I just wanted him to be with us more than anything. As I sat by the tree and cried I felt this hole that just couldn't be filled and I began to reflect on the true reason for this Christmas season. Because our Father in Heaven loved us so much he sent his son. A baby to this world. What love, what sacrifice, what a gift. and because of that precious baby was born, he lived and he died for me, not only for my sins but for my grief as well. What a blessing. While this trial has been hard to bear, it has brought me closer to my Savior and I am so thankful for such a wonderful gift.

Losing my Father this year has really had me thinking about our Father in Heaven and how much my Spirit must miss him. I read a quote online from President Ezra Taft Benson that said; “Nothing will surprise us more than when we get to heaven and see the Father and realize how well we know Him and how familiar His face is to us.” I started to think how close my Dad and I were and how I longed just to talk to him, and that I could have that same relationship with my Father in Heaven, his hand is stretched out towards me and I have to reach back. 

So to do this I will improve my scripture study and personal prayer. I have always struggled with both of these and I really want to be better to improve our relationship.  

2. Have REAL expectations of my ability to heal and let it go.

I was so excited for 2015! Jakob was going to graduate, we were going to move to our new city and hopefully set down roots, I was going to get pregnant, and we were going to have adventures and while a lot of that did happen (no baby though) and there was good, the shadow of my Dad and other family members passing away hit me HARD. Whenever I saw movies or heard of people passing away I just couldn't understand why they were so sad. For people of our faith especially, they had a knowledge that it wasn't the end, that families are forever and then it happened to me. I figured I would bounce back, that it would be sad for a few days and then that would be it. I would miss him and go on. I didn't expect to be devastated, to be hurt and shattered, to cry so hard that my insides hurt. I didn't expect the hard days. And the more frequently they happened the more frustrated I became. 

On new years I was so excited to put things behind me. to close 2015 up like a book and just keep it shut. Then January 2nd came and it happened all over again and I was furious. I was done, I quit and I wasn't supposed to feel pain. But of course I did. Me thinking that over night things would change was a completely unrealistic and I need to be okay with hurting. To know that it is a process and that it is okay! Wounds don't heal over night and it will get easier.

3. Have more QUALITY time with my children. 
Lots of my time I am cleaning, running, sorting, cooking or crafting and while I enjoy some of those things I find at the end of the day that I have very few real conversations with my kids. Some days are great, I feel like super Mom and other days are just HARD. Life happens and through that chaos I want to spend more time with my kids, genuinely engaged in what they are doing.  

4. Enjoy the Moment.
Often I find I am looking forward to buying a house, getting another car, having another baby and so on that I end up missing the moments that I am in right now. Life goes by FAST and I will miss these days where money is tight but I have my babies at home with me. I have been blessed with such and amazing life. I want to be more thankful and just enjoy these moments while I have them. 

5. Go somewhere for a weekend with just Jakob and I. 
My husband is just amazing. And while life is busy and things are crazy I would really like to just have a weekend where it is just us. To have an over night trip camping, or adventuring, or simply going out ALL DAY and just have fun. The only time that I have had time away from my little's was at my Dad's funeral.  We just need some hubby wifey time and I want to make it a goal to do something this year. 

That's my goals for 2016. I'll try to keep checking back on these to see how I'm doing. Here's to a happy, healthy 2016 full of laughter, joy, love and adventure!  

NYE

NYE was pretty chill. G-ma and G-pa came! I am so glad that we got to spend so much time with them! I just love them so, and so do the kiddos! I bought some noise makers at the $1 Store and they were a hit for EVERYONE!

I just love this picture!

Then it turned into "that" kind of party! 

Then we set off some confetti and counted down (at 8:00)!

 I am so beyond excited to say good bye to 2015. There were some amazing times but it was a hard year! We are looking forward to 2016 and to finding the joy in our journey!!