Extreme randomness

The last little while I have been reading stories if people getting out of debt. It gives me the bug, the itch to pay off debt. Thankfully we only have student loan debt, but I want to start paying it off now. Sadly we need an income before that happens. Hopefully the desire to pay off our loans does not disappear, once we have a job ( that is the big problem here isn't it).

Ten On Tuesday

1. The Olympics are in full swing. On the weekend we let the kids stay up late to watch. Since prime time is at 8 pm here!!! That is so late. Our favorite so far is listening to the announcer for the Biathlon and ski marathon. He is so animated. It is like listening to a soccer announcer from England or Mexico. They get so into it. It makes it all that much more amazing.

2. Will has decided that we need to live somewhere with snow and mountains. This way he can become a snowboarder. Oh they joys of what TV does to kids. Personally I want the strength in my legs that those long distance speed skaters have. Their thighs are bigger than my head!

3. Since it has been cold here what does one do to pass the time or heat up the house? I bake cookies. Needless to say I ate too many and now as I stare at this photo all I want right now is to eat more cookies.

4. Will's school had a colonial day celebration on Friday. Every single kid was dressed up it was amazing! The parents were invited for the music and activity time. I loved watching him dance and sing. I even got to join him for the cotton eyed Joe. He was great. I cannot express how lucky we are to live here for him this year. He has had some amazing opportunities and has learned so much about Virginia. This right here makes me wish all my kids could do 4th grade here.

5. After reading my sisters blog last week, she posted about crock pot meals, I decided it was time to make some of my own. What did I do Saturday morning? I made 13 freezer meals (only 1 is not a crock pot meal). Total cost was under 13 per meal. Plus there is no prior planning. I chose one for last night, lets just say we will not be making that one ever again. Jeffrey and I didn't mind it but no one else ever wants it again.

6. Henry is starting to talk more and more. He loves to pick out the songs we hear. his top 4 are
1. day (today by Stephanie Boyd)
2. Ha-ti ha-ti (what does the fox say)
3. Go (let it go - Frozen)
4. Imber (Timber)

I love how he loves music and loves all types

7. Annmarie has been reading the Little House on The Prarie (which I never read, still trying to figure that out). Last night she came to me in tears. The family had crossed a stream and it rose. They forgot the dog and they all thought it died. She was so sad to lose a member of that family. SPOILER then 20 min later she comes to me still a little misty eyed, but she said they found the dog. I love how good literature makes kids sad, happy and feel all other sorts of emotions.

8. We singed the 3 older boys up for baseball this spring. This will be an interesting experience and hopefully we all survive it.

9. Favorite Quote of the week - from this talk
"Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

10. Best conference talks I've read this week (plus the one above)

 How Will Our Children Remember Us - Elder Hales
That We Might "Not Shrink" - Elder Bednar (this is CES not conf)

Ten on Tuesday

1. Proof that Jed does nap!!! I love seeing this.

2. Henry has learned that taking off clean underwear from his head is not as fun as putting it on. 

3. There was no school Thursday or Friday. So we planned to get together at the church with from other friends and do something. Each family brought an activity. Henry loved loved loved painting. The other kids made some melty bead thing and loved that. We were blessed to find other families who wanted to get out of the house and do something fun. 

4. Thursday We made bread, cookies and other baking things. A friend and her 2 daughters came over. Nothing makes a day pass like chatting and baking with a friend. 

5. Friday afternoon it was in the upper 40's. SO we went outside to play. Love having this place in my back yard. Oh and some kids thought is was plenty warm to wear shorts and t-shirts. 

playing a passing game with Chris

Henry Just eating the snow.

6. Saturday a kind kind family took our kids from 10 am to 9 pm. Chris and I went to the temple, did some shopping and had great stake with great friends. It was such a blessing to spend a day with just my husband.

7. Sunday we deep fried a turkey. It was 60 out. This is how Jed decided he needed to dress.

8. The boys eating their "legs"

9. I made a smoothie yesterday and Jed says "Mom you really out did your self. This is the best one yet."

I guess the proof is on his face.

10. I have read 2 wonderful Conference talks this week end. I figured I would post them here. They are wonderful! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

They are both by Elder Maxwell

Endure it Well

Overcome. . . Even As I Also Overcame

Ten on Tuesday

1. I'm back on my normal day. I know you are over joyed. Well today it is a bit chilly. I think it was at -7 with the windchill at some point. But I don't care because my kids had school!!! We returned 2 space heaters today. I think we were the only people in all of America to do that today. We made a man at Costco very very happy. A kind person in our ward is letting us use theirs until it warms up.

2. Why space heaters? well living in an old drafty house that uses propane is very expensive. So we use the heaters in the day (yes this raises our electric bill) and we use the propane at night. We are hoping to squeak by without having to get any more propane. Here's to hoping.

3. Henry turned 2 on Saturday! All I can say is it was the exact opposite of what his 1st birthday party was like. It was just us. No one else. He got cake and enjoyed it. What more does a 2 year old need.

Not the best decorating I've ever done, but Henry could tell it was mickey mouse and he liked it. That is all that matters.

See all he wants is the frosting. 

4. Henry is in his I'm the most mischievous wrecker of anything I can find possible, but I do it with a smile stage. This should be fun.

5. Annmarie made a skirt last week in activity days. She wore it on Sunday. I loved to see how pleased she was that she could do that. Then a friend gave us a bag of dresses for her. Needless to say when she put this sweater dress on she aged about 10 years. She needs to stop growing up.

6. Jeffrey was so proud that he tied his tie all by himself for church. I am teaching his primary class this year. Wow he is a challenge since it seems no punishment works for him at all. It is also very distracting when I can hear Jed being terrible in his class next door. OH the joys of having the bad kids in primary.

7. Saturday was the Pinewood Derby. Will was so excited. He named his car Bob. Will got 2nd place over all last year and we were trying to prep him very hard for the this will not happen here. Please do not get up set if you don't do well. etc. I was so proud of him. He got 2nd in 7 of his races. On his last race he got 1st. He was so proud of his car.

8. I love that we have great friends. They don't forget us or our kids when we move away!

9. I babysat a little boy all day yesterday, it was fun to have a "baby" (he was 11 mo but as big as Henry). the family said that they would watch our kids for us sometime. I was like sweet I can go to the temple with Chris!! When they came to pick up their 1 child who I watch for about 11 hours. they told us they were taking our kids on Saturday from 10 am to at least 10 pm! So we can go to the temple together and go run and even go on a date. They do not know how much of a huge blessing this is. Chris and my date time has been very limited her lately because of the cost of everything. Also since the kids do not have school Thursday and Friday this will be a nice welcome break.

10. Ugh kids and no school. Last week my kids had 1 day of school and it was a 2 hour delay!!! there was snow but then the rest of the time was it was too cold or the roads were bad. I am reminded of why I cannot home school my kids. I love them but they do not learn well from me.


oh side note. Our cafe Rio has had 2 $1 burrito days in the last week. so we took the kids out to eat one day and then Chris and I went with just Henry. It was even cheaper than eating at Costco :)

thoughts on Sunday.

As I sit here and ponder so many things this Sabbath morning, I am stuck again that Heavenly Father is in charge. I have some friends who are going through hard times. Personal struggle, a death of a spouse, looking for employment and illness. It seems odd that at a time like this I focus on Heavenly Father being in charge. But as I think about it more and more He really is in charge. Do I wish these hardships on anyone much less my friends? No. But I know there is a reason. But more importantly I know that I am not the only person praying for these people. I know that anyone who knows them is praying whenever they think of them. I know that because I have seen people given the ability to take steps forward even when all seems lost, they are given the opportunity to come closer to their Lord and Savior that at any other time. As someone looking in and all of these situations are happening far from me. It makes me miss my "families" where ever they are.

This move here has been difficult for me. Life is just different here, that is the only way to say it. I have been reminded often the last 4 years how much I miss my Vegas family. I am so blessed to meet some of the best people in my life there. I struggle to keep up with them as well as I should, but they are in my thoughts. I miss my family in Waukee. I have also met some amazing people there as well. More life long friends. Then moving here I have made a few more friends. Often times I wish I could just stay put and never move again so I don't met more people that will leave my life. But I realize that this is not realistic. People move, and I am not the only one. I would miss meeting some more amazing people. I guess what I am trying to say is the last year has been hard for me. Yes moving etc, but mostly having friends struggle and I have been no where near to be able to help. I was once accused of "trying too hard" by a youth I was working with. I was at first hurt and upset. I just want people to enjoy the activities and I want people to like me (really who doesn't want to be liked). This morning I realized that I try hard because I love people. I try hard because I want people to feel accepted, to have friends, to enjoy their lives. I try hard because I think that is what Jesus would do. I fail lots in many areas. But I do succeed. I think I try so hard because when I have "family" away that I cannot be there physically to help, I hope that there is some one who is trying hard for them. Prayers are often answered by acts of service by others. If I want my prayers answered for those I love I better try too hard and help be the answers to others.

I sure I have made no sense, sound preachy and did not mean to imply that I am always being the best person I could be. I know I am a long way off. I know I have a long long way to go. But I really needed to jot some thought down and this is what this blog is for. My imperfect thoughts. So I no longer care that some people see me as someone who tries too hard. There are many other things that could be worse. Like someone who doesn't try or doesn't care. Spend an extra moment and let those you Love really know it today. Don't text them, call them. Also try hard to be the person who is the one who answers others prayers.

Snow days. . . or cold days

Today is my kids first day of school this week! and it has a 2 hour delay. needless to say I am a bit tired of cold weather while living in a very very small house. Thankfully we have had playgroups at our church.

I started Insanity on Tuesday. Wow I'm so tired! but I realized that I missed being pushed. Hopefully there will be the changes that I am hoping for in 8 weeks.

Chris is working hard on just trying to make it to the end. He is looking for jobs and we hope we find the one best for our family.

Will is growing growing growing. Every time I look at him it seems like he grew an inch or 2. He had a rough Sunday, but he took the patriots loss better than I expected.

Annmarie made a skirt at activity day on Monday. She loves being around her friends. She is also reaching a wonderful stage of attitude. Oh joy. I must say she has spent a bit of time on her bed during these snow days.

Jeffrey got to play at a friend's house on Friday and he was so excited. He has suffered the most with not having school. He thrives off of routine.

Jed is being Jed. He loves loves loves Henry to play with him and is so sad when he doesn't want to.

Henry is hitting his 2's (tomorrow to be exact) but oh man he is into everything. He thinks he can get away with murder because he smiles. Oh man we are in trouble

I ran on Saturday with Will in what was called Meg's miles. A woman died while running and she left behind 3 kids and a husband. So a friend set up a Facebook page and asked everyone to run and dedicate their run on Saturday to Meg. Oh man people ran all over the world for her. I had a good chance to talk to Will about drunk driving, (it was a drunk driver who hit and killed her). Mostly I just loved running with Will. I'm so lucky that my kids like to exercise with us.

Will and I after our 3 mile run. it was a warm 21 out!

The kids doing insanity with me on snow day 1

We were cleaning up the toys from playgroup when we noticed Henry was missing. Needless to say he climbed in here and was dumping water all over. Ugh

life as it has been since our last post

We had a great Christmas at home just us. The kids played with their toys. We were so blessed by Those who gave our family gifts this year. The kids loved every thing they got and suprisingly they are still playing with it all weeks later. 

The day after Christmas we headed out to Iowa. We went and stayed with our wonderful friends the Allison's. They are like family and staying there for over 7 days was wonderful. The kids played and played and played. I read 2 of the house of Hero's book. I bought the 3rd and read it as I drove home. Then read the 4th in one day. (this is why I never read, but the bonus this time was Chris was home and the house and kids survived) We played the kids favorite game 7-11 on New Years Eve. We had dinner with wonderful friends a few nights. It felt like being home when we were there. We miss Iowa and all our friends there. While we were there Chris went and visited Algona (small town in N. Iowa) where he was offered a job. He also visited a few other contacts while in town. He has applied for jobs all over. Hopefully we will discover which is the right job and place for our family. 

We came home and enjoyed a day or 2 before school started. The 1 day of school then the "polar vortex" hit us. We went and exercised and had fun in the -5 degree weather. The kids were glad to get back to school. As I was glad that they went back. 

Chris just went back to school on Monday. He will be in classes m-th this semester. I'm not looking forward to it but hey this is the last semester right?

There has been warmer weather this week. I got to run outside and lived it! life is moving along and we are healthy and happy. That is all that matters right. Here are photos (very few, I've been bad at taking them) of what has been happening. 

Jeffrey loves to workout when Chris and I workout. I love that!!!

On our drive to Iowa. Henry loves Annmarie a little too much sometimes. 

Love this sign!!

My only photo of Iowa. Henry rocking it out on the horse.

 Back in VA with good friends. Henry loves him the girls!

While Chris was home and I was done reading we deep cleaned! oh it felt so nice. Now to keep it up.

My favorite part of Christmas. I love getting cards from friends near and far. 

I still haven't taken it down yet. . . 

After my first run of the year. It was about 43 and beautiful!!!

Spending the afternoon at a local farm/park

one of my favorite photos ever!

Our dishwasher doesn't get the dishes clean so we have been doing them by hand. When this happens Henry tends to roam. . . And guess what he can turn the shower on now. Needless to say this was cold water he had dumped all over himself and his shoes. 

Love this guy and his mischievous stage he is in. 

Sorry Its Been Two Weeks but .....

1. Chris finished his first semester at Georgetown. His first final was in October.  He had three take home exams and two in class finals.  One test was completely multiple choice; 20 questions and 3 hours to complete.  The sad part is that all three hours are needed to complete the final.  The other in-class final was for partnerships.  Two separate students that it was "honestly thee hardest test I have ever taken in law school."  Chris survived, not too bad.  Now we wait for grades.
• Two of the other finals were accounting spread sheets.  The goal was to determine the tax liability based on fact pattern.  One was 10 questions based on property.  The other test was 30 questions based on the timing of when the tax liability was due.  Got to love that tax code.
2. Georgetown was an interesting experience.  On the first day of orientation the school made it very clear that as students you went to Georgetown and not to any of the other JD programs we matriculated from.
3. LL.M. stands for the Latin phrase Master of Law.  Curious I did a little research.  Originally the Juris Doctor degree was award as an LL.B. or a Bachelor of Law.  That later changed to JD; however, the LL.M. never changed.
4. The Georgetown Law Center is literally five blocks from the Capital Building.  Every once in while a politician or high ranking Judge will cruise through the law center.  Early in the Semester Antonin Scalia wondered through the campus.  He is shorter than I thought. 
5. Traffic is as awful as advertised here.  On the bright side it is not quite as bad as L.A. traffic.  We still have a while to reach that level.  
6. As the Christmas time comes around it is interesting to see lack of faith of those in the DC area.  Very few lights or other holiday celebrations.  The country is clearly moving away from God and at a very dangerous rate.
7. Karen's brother Rob came to visit.  During that time we went to the nations capital building and some of the surrounding museums.  It was good to see that kids have their own personalities completely separate from their parents.  For example Taylor looks nearly identical to his cousin Drew physically, clearly coming from his parent's, but acts nothing like Rob or Jill.  Makes me wonder how our children will act when they hit the teenage years.  (Well mostly Jeff and Jed)
8. Speaking of the Dynamic Duo, we went to the Temple with Rob and Jill.  We took turns watching the other's children.  Those two can nearly do nothing good when Chris is around then behave like angels for Jill.  I guess the reward of gummy worms help.
9. Henry now walks around the house calling "Mmmmrrry, Mmmmrrry" (Annmarie).  When he finds her he demands to be picked up.  She does so.  I think this is replacement for Brooklyn, Brianne, and Belle.  He then usually bites or hits her.  (little stink-pot) 
10. Will's for some reason does not think it is cold.  He tells us every morning he is "Iowa Boy" and there is no need for long pants until the temperatures crack the teens.  One day he will learn the hard way about being cold.