Has It Been a Week?

Wow- time flies! No matter how organized and planned I try to make life- it seems I'm always looking for more time. I wish it grew on trees, along with money, of course. "Preston, would you go outside and pick me a few hundreds and about 10 hours?" And then he'd complain that he did it last time and why didn't I ask Spence or Brig? That's usually how it goes.

I've spent the day dealing with insurance issues (which is always so much fun) and chatting with my parents. They got home from AZ Sunday night, and today I got to hear all about their trip. Quince and Linc were so thrilled to be able to go over and play. It's hard for them when G&G are gone and they don't get to go over and play with their toys. (It's hard for me too:)

I'm trying to think of what else I've been up to. I registered the two older boys for EFY this summer, and last night found out they got into our first choice session. It's Rexburg again, end of June. I'm excited. I think Spencer will really love it. It is expensive, no question, but so worth it. I got my reminder for Women's Conference today. It isn't the money that makes that hard, it's the time commitment- but just like EFY- it's so worth it. I'm going for sure. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't ever attended. It's two days of complete enlightenment.

Last night we went to the open house at the Draper Temple. It was a good experience. The boys liked it. The only other open house I ever attended was the San Diego, with Will, when we were teenagers. I have to say though, it felt SOOOO different being in the temple with all of those people, in dark colors (dress clothes) and hearing children make noise, and all of the quiet chaos that goes on when you've got kids. It just isn't the same. I tried to explain the difference to the boys, but I'm pretty sure they couldn't grasp it. Someday.

For the past several weeks I've been doing a lot of research and reading on essential oils and organic foods. I'm kind of obsessed. I've been spending so much time trying to learn as much as I can, I haven't spent the time reading all of the books I was planning to read. I started The Secret Life of Bees Saturday, and I should be finished by now. But I spent part of Sunday and all of Monday with a migraine. I hope to finish it by this weekend. I took Abby's advice and went onto Goodreads. I checked out both Abby's and Wendy's. And I realized that you guys have read SOOO many more books than I have. :) The books I read aren't the kind of books you'd write a review on. I've got to get away from parenting and self help books and read more novels. I'm trying. I really enjoy them- I don't know why I don't read more.

Oh- and to update all of you on how Will and I are doing with the biggest Loser. Ummmm.... bad. We're not going to hide it. To be totally honest, Will never weighed in in the very first place. He said from the beginning he wasn't interested in losing weight- he was interested in getting in shape and doing the running. So he wouldn't even weigh in. And I'd love to report that he's been running, but he hasn't been. (he started out strong) He said to tell everyone he's going to be the biggest loser- but not that kind of loser. :) I have stayed the same. Which is probably a result of little to no exercise and eating exactly the same as I usually do. No- I am trying to spend more time on the treadmill. It's the whole lack of time thing- and lack of desire has something to do with it as well. :) We're planning on really committing in February though. Just to warn everyone.

Nauseated

So-

Today, on the way to Preston's dermatology appointment, we listened to the end of the Inauguration. We heard the closing prayer. Brace yourselves.... I know my opinion will differ greatly from most everyone else you guys know, even maybe your own, but It Made Me ILL. Why is it that even though I want to like him, and the idea he stand for- every time I listen to what he says I get a little nauseous? I want to feel happy about it. I want to feel like this 'change' that's coming could very well be a good thing. Instead- I wanted to turn off the radio and just put it out of my thoughts.

I was reading about what his immediate agenda consists of, and every last piece of it goes against everything I believe in. It makes me sad. And it's hard to be sad about something the whole country is celebrating.

So- I finished it Saturday morning. I missed the hike- but for a fairly good reason. (Not to mention- I was dead tired from reading so late into the night before.) I did like it. It was sad, and I really don't love sad books- but I liked enough about it to make up for the sadness. All I can say is that I really don't think I would've lasted long in that time period, especially in that area.

I'm ready for a new book now. I've got nothing exciting as of yet. I'm still waiting for The Omnivore's Dilemma to arrive in the mail. (amazon has been disappointingly slow this time.) So- in the mean time- does anyone have any suggestions?

So- I've had no access to the internet for the past few days. We are experiencing difficulties- and Comcast is coming (to the rescue- i hope) tomorrow. Life has sadly been significantly different without the internet. Isn't that really pathetic? Maybe I need to make some changes with the way I spend my time. Maybe.

I'm out of my funk- for the most part. I've been watching cooking shows, the 3 hour Lost re-cap, and lots of WordGirl. I've read a couple of books over the last couple of weeks. I'm currently working on These Is My Words. Finally. I got past the first 20 pages, and then I was fine. (it's not my type of book- so it was hard to get into. but now i'm fully invested.) I've been cleaning more, cooking WAY too much, and playing with the little boys. (play-dough, puzzles, you name it.) My calling is getting demanding (all of a sudden) and it seems I don't have time to be in a funk. Funny how that happens.

BUT- my Christmas tree still pitifully sits in my family room- collecting dust. A project for tomorrow. I better run now- I'm wanting to get back to Sarah.

Oh, one more thing! Abby- Lincoln has been carrying Milo's sweet invitation around with him all day. He is convinced we can't get into Chucky Cheese's without it. He is very excited. :)

The Priorities in Our House

This hangs in the mudroom, by the garage door. We no longer have the problem of losing our keys, and we always know where a binky is. (very important stuff.)

Funny thing is that multiple times a day Lincoln will take me into the mudroom so that he can switch binkies. He wants the one from the hook, and he'll take the one from his mouth and ask me to 'hang it up'. I have no idea how we're possibly taking these away from him come February- but it must be done.

Warning... Still In a Funk

So- I'm still out of it and suffering from heavy dizziness and all the fun stuff that comes with it. But I'm doing my best to keep a normal routine regardless of how I'm feeling. When I get like this- my thoughts sometimes get a little 'out there' and I start questioning the purpose of life and all of that kind of thing. Anyway- I was reading the R.S. lesson for this next Sunday, maybe it was last Sunday's lesson for you guys (we're always off) and I came across something that I hadn't thought about before. (Oh yeah- I HAVE to read the lessons ahead of time because I'm that counselor, not because I'm just that good.)

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." D&C 130: 18-19.

I thought that was interesting. I've always heard we could take with us the knowledge we receive here- just had never processed that it would actually help us with whatever comes next.

Very random- I know- but like I said- I'm in a funk.

Okay- Photos

I'm kind of in a funk right now. My thoughts are all over the place, and none are very positive- so I'll share photos, for Wendy. :)

Two of My Favorite Christmas Photos

Okay- it was hard to pick just two. But I didn't want to bore anyone.


First- Linc actually fell asleep like this. He slept there until Will moved him. Just like the bear from Snuggle fabric softener.





And second- my brother. I'd give my left arm if he would just move to Utah. Seriously. We had a really good time with them.