The week was busy, but all the essentials got done. What I'd really love to do is go to the temple with James. It would be a much-needed mental break from running someone else's household. Don't get me wrong: I love my job as a homemaker, but doing it for someone else has its challenges, like
1. Meeting the needs of teenagers (one with disabilities) and a toddler (who's recovering from a cold, but not quite there!)
2. Finding things in the kitchen. This led me to do some organizing, which I rather enjoyed. Now, I shall cook in peace (as long as I can find the utensils I need!)
3. Keeping a much bigger house clean. Joseph has had lots of time to explore and figure out new things, like how to climb on the kitchen table and dump out Grandma's sugar and flour drawers. Luckily, he's forgotten about those temporarily...
4. Authority. I really don't feel like I can boss around someone else's teenagers. My own siblings, sure, but I just don't want to be super picky about anything nonessential. The house is presentable, and everyone has been eating and sleeping. I consider that to be a success.
I can't wait to live in my apt. again!
I got to go harvest potatoes today. I had NO idea how many potatoes come out of one square foot of ground. Within 5 minutes, I probably had 20 lbs. in my box. Grandma and Grandpa Lee had invited me to go get these FREE potatoes from their stake president's field in Ririe. Awesome.
Life goes back to normal on Wednesday. That is awesome too. :)
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
How to Save a Peach's Life
Nap time is a beautiful time, but it has been even more so these past few days. Sick baby = long naps! My in-laws (and thankfully, their toddler) are in Ecuador for the next week and a half, which leaves me (and James, when he's here) in charge of the household. It's been an exciting few days so far. Joseph gave me his cold. Although a mild one, I haven't felt quite well enough to work out. I've used that morning time instead to tackle some projects that needed to be done, like defrosting the fridge and taking care of some fruit that was about to be no good. Well, on the bright side, I know exactly what's inside the fridge and should be able to find everything, especially the extreme moose tracks ice cream. (I'm also convinced never to buy a side-by-side. I feel like things get hopelessly lost much too easily.) Thanks to the almost-useless peaches, we now have fruit leather...like 10 big rolls of it. There still remains the question of what to do with all the sad-looking plums. I have no answers.
Maybe it's weird, but I find it exciting to take a "useless" food - overripe fruit, wilted spinach, random leftovers - and turn it into something delicious. I don't like for things to go to waste, but I don't want to eat gross food either (like really mushy peaches!) It sort of feels like saving someone's life and turning it into something useful.
We had a sweet rainstorm yesterday. Fall is here. The garden is happy, and so am I, because I don't have to water it. The laundry got done early, and the house was even clean for a while. Hopefully I can dissuade Joseph from further exploring Grandma's sugar drawer. ;)
Maybe it's weird, but I find it exciting to take a "useless" food - overripe fruit, wilted spinach, random leftovers - and turn it into something delicious. I don't like for things to go to waste, but I don't want to eat gross food either (like really mushy peaches!) It sort of feels like saving someone's life and turning it into something useful.
We had a sweet rainstorm yesterday. Fall is here. The garden is happy, and so am I, because I don't have to water it. The laundry got done early, and the house was even clean for a while. Hopefully I can dissuade Joseph from further exploring Grandma's sugar drawer. ;)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Inner Peace
If you've seen Kung Fu Panda 2, then you know the reference of my title. Master Shifu tells Po that he must find inner peace in order to truly be happy in life. Like Po, my inner peace comes from knowing who I am and where I came from (and where I'm going!) On days that I forget, I don't feel quite as confident about life.
Today is a day of peace. I know that God is a part of my life every day. He knows what I need but blesses with me with so much more than that.
I am precious to Him.
My life has eternal consequences.
I only fail when I give up.
I am carried by my covenants. They keep me safe.
I influence the lives of others for good as often as they influence me (which is probably much more than they realize.)
My efforts are appreciated, even if they do not always succeed.
It's not easy to remember these things, but I know that they're true.
Today is a day of peace. I know that God is a part of my life every day. He knows what I need but blesses with me with so much more than that.
I am precious to Him.
My life has eternal consequences.
I only fail when I give up.
I am carried by my covenants. They keep me safe.
I influence the lives of others for good as often as they influence me (which is probably much more than they realize.)
My efforts are appreciated, even if they do not always succeed.
It's not easy to remember these things, but I know that they're true.
Friday, September 9, 2011
#3
Yep, today was the 3rd wedding we've been to in the last 3 weeks. James's best friends (well, one of them) got married to a girl from Idaho Falls. I've already said how much I love temple weddings. This is still true.
It's been a great week. I felt really productive. Cindy and I picked TONS of apples. She got 55 lbs. (!) but I was a little slower and got only 28. :) I worked on dehydrating a bunch of them. Grandma Lee also gave me half a box of peaches. 3 days later, I ended up with 1 1/2 gallons of dried apples (with plenty left for eating and PIE), a bag of dried peaches, peach fruit leather, and very tired feet. (Not to mention cleaning that silly dehydrator!) However, I was very pleased with the results, especially because I'd never made fruit leather before.
Dad dropped Myles off at the MTC, so he is visiting until Tues. when he goes back to SLC for meetings. We went to the temple yesterday for initiatories. For dinner, we had Big Jud's. I made the mistake of taking a prenatal vitamin before dinner. NOT a good idea. I came really close to throwing up, but luckily, I didn't. Big Jud's is soo yummy, despite the fact that I ate about twice as much ice cream as I really wanted. Waffle cones are huge! To be truthful, I don't think I'd ever had one before yesterday, at least, not with 3 scoops of ice cream on it.
We walked up Cress Creek and looked at the beautiful valley. Hopefully the fires we've been seeing aren't causing too much damage. I don't remember there being so many any other year.
James is at the luncheon now. I came home to see Dad and Jojo, who was still asleep. The laundry is done, the house is clean, and life is good. All I have to do is make our yummy enchiladas and go to the wedding reception tonight. It's fun to hang out with Dad. I'm sad that James starts school on Monday, though! It's been so nice to have him here. Well, that's life, I guess. :)
It's been a great week. I felt really productive. Cindy and I picked TONS of apples. She got 55 lbs. (!) but I was a little slower and got only 28. :) I worked on dehydrating a bunch of them. Grandma Lee also gave me half a box of peaches. 3 days later, I ended up with 1 1/2 gallons of dried apples (with plenty left for eating and PIE), a bag of dried peaches, peach fruit leather, and very tired feet. (Not to mention cleaning that silly dehydrator!) However, I was very pleased with the results, especially because I'd never made fruit leather before.
Dad dropped Myles off at the MTC, so he is visiting until Tues. when he goes back to SLC for meetings. We went to the temple yesterday for initiatories. For dinner, we had Big Jud's. I made the mistake of taking a prenatal vitamin before dinner. NOT a good idea. I came really close to throwing up, but luckily, I didn't. Big Jud's is soo yummy, despite the fact that I ate about twice as much ice cream as I really wanted. Waffle cones are huge! To be truthful, I don't think I'd ever had one before yesterday, at least, not with 3 scoops of ice cream on it.
We walked up Cress Creek and looked at the beautiful valley. Hopefully the fires we've been seeing aren't causing too much damage. I don't remember there being so many any other year.
James is at the luncheon now. I came home to see Dad and Jojo, who was still asleep. The laundry is done, the house is clean, and life is good. All I have to do is make our yummy enchiladas and go to the wedding reception tonight. It's fun to hang out with Dad. I'm sad that James starts school on Monday, though! It's been so nice to have him here. Well, that's life, I guess. :)
Monday, September 5, 2011
I Love Weddings
Is there anything more joyous than a temple wedding? I don't think so. The beauty of the sealing room, quiet whispers of smiling family members, and the peace that is felt make for a truly amazing experience.
My brother-in-law, Sam, got married to Jesse this past Saturday. They were both practically glowing with happiness. The feeling of joy at that moment when they became a new family stayed with me all day. Lunch 2 hours late? Who cares! I think we were all too happy to be annoyed. Plus, it was fun to reminisce with family members and see the newlyweds make lots of lovestruck faces at each other.
Their wedding reception was lovely as well. The most epic moment was definitely lighting lanterns and watching them float away in the night sky, just like on Tangled.
I think that heaven rejoices every time that a new family is created. My own wedding day wasn't that long ago, and it's definitely a day that I'll remember forever. The day that Joseph was born was another wonderful day. I will never get married again (!), so I'm looking forward to the birth of our next baby somewhat anxiously. Few days compare in emotion to those days where eternal families are created (or get bigger!)
My brother-in-law, Sam, got married to Jesse this past Saturday. They were both practically glowing with happiness. The feeling of joy at that moment when they became a new family stayed with me all day. Lunch 2 hours late? Who cares! I think we were all too happy to be annoyed. Plus, it was fun to reminisce with family members and see the newlyweds make lots of lovestruck faces at each other.
Their wedding reception was lovely as well. The most epic moment was definitely lighting lanterns and watching them float away in the night sky, just like on Tangled.
I think that heaven rejoices every time that a new family is created. My own wedding day wasn't that long ago, and it's definitely a day that I'll remember forever. The day that Joseph was born was another wonderful day. I will never get married again (!), so I'm looking forward to the birth of our next baby somewhat anxiously. Few days compare in emotion to those days where eternal families are created (or get bigger!)
Friday, September 2, 2011
Joseph, the Smart Cookie
I realize that I haven't said a whole lot about what Joseph's been up to. Unless you're around him every day, you've likely missed something! Our little boy is now 15 months old, and it's been a wonderful time to see him grow and change. He went from a calm, sleepy baby to a mellow, adventuresome toddler in the blink of an eye. Personality-wise, he reminds me of both myself and James. Like me, he's reserved and a little bit shy. He's very careful about getting things right. Part of the reason he can't walk yet is that he's been so careful not to let go of anything before he's sure that he won't fall. (Plus...the giant head, which makes him top heavy!) Starting today, he will finally stand up somewhere besides the bed! (which makes a very safe place to fall over--smart boy!) I'm not worried about him being behind. He just isn't quite ready. I'm the same way. I delay things until I'm sure that I can do them right, if I have the chance. Sometimes I need encouragement to get me to move along.
Like James, Joseph has a wonderful sense of humor. He knows when we're amused at something, and he will laugh too. He loves to be surprised (peek a boo, etc.), to bounce on the bed, and to climb on everything. He also loves to wrestle and snuggle at the same time. Don't ask me how that's possible.
Like both of us, Joseph likes to have his quiet time. He will sometimes sit and look at books, turning the pages none too carefully, or playing with his Duplos, which he's getting much better at putting together. Quiet time never lasts long though...
...Because this kid has tons to say! Everything I've read says that kids might have 5 words by now. Joseph can say 20. He knows how to ask for food or drink and recognizes when we use certain words (like nap time!) and can complain about it. It's super funny. These are all the words he knows, and I'll probably forget some...
Mama
Daddy
Night night
Bottle (baba)
Cheese
Cracker (caca)
Cookie (ga-kee)
Jesus
Plum (bum)
Grandma (mama)
Grandpa (papa)
Guy (what he calls his Duplo man)
Anna (Nana)
Doggie
Kitty
Goat (got)
Go
Bye (!)
Hi (!)
Amen (men!)
No (shakes head too)
It's so exciting that he's learning to communicate with us! I laugh when he babbles questions (which you can tell by his voice inflection) or tries really hard to say a word but doesn't even come close. It's so cute. Anyway, we love this kid a lot. He's a smart little cookie. This past week he learned how to open our computer and to unlock my iPhone! It took me a few tries when I first got it! :)
Like James, Joseph has a wonderful sense of humor. He knows when we're amused at something, and he will laugh too. He loves to be surprised (peek a boo, etc.), to bounce on the bed, and to climb on everything. He also loves to wrestle and snuggle at the same time. Don't ask me how that's possible.
Like both of us, Joseph likes to have his quiet time. He will sometimes sit and look at books, turning the pages none too carefully, or playing with his Duplos, which he's getting much better at putting together. Quiet time never lasts long though...
...Because this kid has tons to say! Everything I've read says that kids might have 5 words by now. Joseph can say 20. He knows how to ask for food or drink and recognizes when we use certain words (like nap time!) and can complain about it. It's super funny. These are all the words he knows, and I'll probably forget some...
 |
| Mama, his favorite horsey. |
Mama
Daddy
Night night
Bottle (baba)
Cheese
Cracker (caca)
Cookie (ga-kee)
Jesus
Plum (bum)
Grandma (mama)
Grandpa (papa)
Guy (what he calls his Duplo man)
Anna (Nana)
Doggie
Kitty
Goat (got)
Go
Bye (!)
Hi (!)
Amen (men!)
No (shakes head too)
It's so exciting that he's learning to communicate with us! I laugh when he babbles questions (which you can tell by his voice inflection) or tries really hard to say a word but doesn't even come close. It's so cute. Anyway, we love this kid a lot. He's a smart little cookie. This past week he learned how to open our computer and to unlock my iPhone! It took me a few tries when I first got it! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)