Roof

Did I tell you all that we finally got our roof re shingled? It was a very tough decision. 1). No matter if we hired someone or we did ourselves it would cost a lot of money. 2). Money is always tight. I don't know anyone that thinks to themselves "we have money lying around. Let's spend it on something practical rather then fun." 3) my beloved husband is working 45 hours a week and is in his last semester of grad school. This means that he has 25 hours of homework on top of his jobs. Plus, I have a hard time letting him study because he is my very best friend in the whole world so I always want to talk to him when he is home. And his two daughters love to play with him and they love to have their daddy's attention. So after researching different companies and pricing it out for ourselves we finally had it done on Monday. It looks so pretty and I can stop looking at my ceiling wondering if a brown spot is going to show up. I'm glad it is done and I love it. Next year we are going to add insulation and replace the basement windows. I think in 15 years our house will be just how I want it. I love our little home and I am so blessed to have it. It's not the biggest house or the newest bit it suits out little family just perfect. Plus, I have the best neighbors and friends close by.

Marriage

So, my hubby and I have noticed that the stress we have been under is starting to affect our marriage. We have noticed that we are snapping at each other and not communicating like we ought to. We know how to communicate and we know how to show each other love, but we have been allowing contention into our marriage. We decided to start reading a book together every night. We really like the book we are reading. While it is an LDS book, I can see where anyone would find value in the teaching in it. Last night we read about having a nightly couple prayer. We have family prayer, but we don't take time to have couple prayer. The book explained about how family prayer is important but we need to approach the Lord as a couple as well. We need to kneel overnight before the Lord and report in. It noted that as a couple we may have issue that we need to discuss with the Lord that our small children don't need to hear about. Also, if we are reporting back to the Lord every evening then we can't be angry with our spouse as we go to bed. The second thing we read about was talk time. Really taking the time to talk to our spouse like we did when we were dating. It is very interesting to note that it is true that when chad and I first married we knew everything about one another, but as we have grown and changed in the last 10 years those things have changed. We as a couple really need to take the time to talk to one another and discuss our day as well as learn about one another constantly. It is important to never take for granted that we think we know what the other person will say. I think I keep blogging about out this goes for us. I know that when we knelt last night as a couple and we talked to Heavenly Father about our concerns as a couple we felt closer. I am glad that we are taking the time to talk and we discovered that both of us feel like the other is not always listening to us. I hope those reading my blog will try this with their spouse as well. If you are not the praying type then a simple assessment of your actions with each other at the end of the day will work too, I think. have a great day!

Sweet

My poor McKayla has been having a very difficult time with bees lately. Prior to last Friday she had been stung only once in her life. Then we were on a walk. Okay I was walking while pushing Ariana and McKayla was riding her bike. I received a phone call so I stopped to answer the phone. Suddenly McKayla started to scream and yell. I quickly got off the phone and she claimed that a bee stung her. She wasn't moving or trying to irritate the bee, it just came and stung her. We got home as quickly as we could with me trying to encourage her to peddle her bike while I am pushing the stroller and trying to reassure her. It was very sad. A cold compress and a Popsicle made things much better. Then the other night I was getting her out of the bathtub and she started screaming again. She claimed that a bee stung her. I thought maybe she had seen a fly or something and panicked after being stung on Friday. I asked her to calm dawn and explain. She showed me that on the bottom of her foot there was a welt. I looked at the little bath mat in front of the tub and there was a tiny little bee about half the size of a fly. I was in complete shock and disbelief. Really?!! A bee on the bath mat at 8 o'clock at night? Why? Somehow it was in the bath mat and McKayla stepped on it. She told me that she was becoming really frustrated with bees. I agreed that it was very odd and then I told her its because she is so sweet. That made her smile and feel better. What she doesn't know is that I am going to Home Defense this house on Saturday and buy a bug zapper for anything that flies. The Mom is very angry at bees and I will take them all down.

Roofs

So, we really need to re-shingle our roof. This summer we were going to re shingle it and put more insulation in the attic but after my husband lost his job we had to put things on hold. Sadly out roof can wait no longer. We have the means to pay for it but it leaves little for any other expenses that might come up. We have asked 2 contractors to come and give us bids and a third one will be coming today. We also tried to price it out to see if we could do it ourselves. We are trying to make this decision to the best of our ability. We are studying out our options and then we will take our decision to the Lord for confirmation that this is the right thing to do. I am glad that Chad is starting a new job next week. It will help us out a great deal. We still won't have a lot of family time because he is in his last semester of grad school. I am so grateful that this year for my Christmas present, I will receive the gift of being able to see my husband more. That is my hope, at least.

Gross

This may be too much information, but I have to share. I scrapbook in my laundry room. It's a large room with cupboards, a table and multiple shelves to hold all of my junk. In addition it also holds the cat box. Yep, that's right, the cat box. But it's not just any cat box. It's a high end model that scoops the litter into a little container. All I have to do once a week is snap the lid tight on the container and make sure nothing was missed. It really cuts down on the smell and dealing with grossness of the cat box. However, my cat is a jerk. I think his just an angry, grumpy old man. He seems to think that the moment I sit down to be creative a little bit of cat stink will help my creative juices flow. He doesn't do it all of the time, but it seems like at least once a week he runs me out of the laundry room. Does anyone else have this problem? No! I'm the only one with an evil cat? So now that I have taken the time to share that gross story, I hope you have a fantastic day.

Being Present

So, I'm reading this book about people's relationship to God themselves and food. A friend gave it to me awhile ago and I am just now sitting down to read it. I must admit that it is a pretty good book. I discusses overeating as a mask for emotional problems. Anyway, there is no way to summarize the entire book, but I did want to touch on one point. Part of the book talks about being present in the now. It discusses how often our minds start to race with all of the to do of the future and the regrets of the past. When we do this we are simply not living in the now. I thought about this and realized how true it is. When I wake up I instantly think about the next five thing I need to do and while I am doing those things I am thinking of the next and so on. This book talks about taking a deep breath and coming into the now. Take time to realize that you're not simply cooking another blasted meal but taking time to enjoy preparing it. Today I have made an effort to do that. As I was hauling wood I focused on feeling outside and enjoying the warmth of the sun. I felt the strength in my body and I smelled the sweet smell of grass. While I cleaned the oven today I put on some fun music to dance to. I tried to really enjoy my life. I tried to enjoy every minute rather then simply looking forward to another time. It has been a good day. When I feel my mind start to race I take a deep breath and remind myself that I become exhausted when I do that. I really have felt great today. Come and join me in the now.

Introductions

At church they have 4 random ladies stand up and introduce themselves on Sunday. So far I had avoided being picked and I noticed that the jar with the names was getting rather low. It came as a dismal surprise when my name was picked. As I stood up I honestly didn't know what to say about myself. I rattled off the street I lived on and that I had two kids, but other than that I had no idea what to say. As I sat down I pondered that. Is it because I don't know who I am? I quickly dismissed that. I decided it was because I am simply me. People are not something you can define in quick terms. I have many different sides and hobbies. I have been many things that make me the individual that I am. Also, I so much like every other woman in the world. I am a wife and a mother. While those terms can be stated they are terms that hold so much depth and meaning. A wife shops and stressed over how to make the food budget stretch to the furthest. A wife comforts her husband and tries to keep the home running. A mother settles endless battles between children and runs all day to keep life sane. I guess that I feel that I am much like the ocean (in which I have never seen yet) I am like every other wonderful women in this world. Yet, what makes me unique lies beneath the surface. The true wonders of the soul are not on the surface but underneath. What one sees on the surface is true but the true depth and glory of a person lies in who they are everyday. To introduce myself is silly. I am me. That is all there is and who I am depends on if people take the time to know.

Oh What Do You Do

The sun is shining brightly and I can't wait to enjoy what looks to be a very nice day. Now that it looks like summer is leaving I'm in a hurry to embrace it and squeeze every ounce of warmth out of it like a great aunt with pink lipstick. Hum, how disturbing is that picture. So what shall I do today? Sigh, first I have to iron and wash the sheets. Lots of housework and then I'm free...to do yard work that is. I need to work on getting the wood situated for this winter. Man how I wish we had a log splitter. That would be sweet. I need to make sure that a tarp is over the wood so that it doesn't get wet and snowed on. (It's hard to light a fire that way). The thought did cross my mind to wash the windows but we will see what happens. But in between all of that I think I will be pinching the cheeks of summer and telling it how fast it is going because that's how odd I am.

Booms???

As I sat down to my computer I heard a loud boom. At first I wondered what Ariana had done. I think this is a natural thing to think considering her tack for getting into to things. However, I quickly realized that it was too loud for Ariana and I ran outside. The neighbors were all outside as well. We are all wondering what the noise was. Part of me is terrified at what could make such a loud noise and the other part of me is grateful that it wasn't my kids. Is that wrong?

A Dear Friend

I have a dear friend that lives just down the street from me. She is so smart and can always manage to help me laugh. I was thinking about this friend this morning and I was wondering how she was and if she needed cheering up. That's why I got some pumpkin puree out of the freezer to thaw while I run some errands. My hope is to make her a pumpkin cake just because she is an amazing lady and friend. Therefore, by the power invested in me (by me) I declare it Sarah Sharp day complete with pumpkin cake to be delivered as soon as it is cooked and cooled. I would guess more in the afternoon time. Thanks Sarah for being you!

Motto

I remember when I first started working with children with disabilities we had a saying: do what you say, say what you mean, and don't be mean. I thought it was an odd quote but I find that as adults we have a harder time adhering to this than we should. How many times have I promised McKayla that she could have a friend over and then I don't ever make the call. McKayla is a pretty good kid and I can't help but wonder if she will continue to be so good if I keep saying random things that I don't follow through on. The next part of saying what you mean is vital too. If it is said certain rules are to be abide by then they should. We can't expect our children to simply know when the rules have changed. If I tell my kids that we are saying prayers every night but then on nights where I just want them in bed decide not to do it, a conflicting message is sent. The last part is humbling. How often do I snap at my little children? How often do I wish I could be anywhere but at home? We tell our kids to share and play with others but do we do that with them? Today I am going to make it a point to invite a friend over for McKayla. I will also make sure that I say what I mean and follow through. I only have them for a short time and I feel these instructions are vital.

Boise September 2010

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Humilty Comes with Age

I want you to think back to when you were in high school or just out of high school. What type of personality did you have? What type of figure did you have? Are you a better person or worse? I've been pondering this question lately because I remember having so much energy and enthusiasm. I remember feeling like I could do anything. As for my figure, I don't even want to go there. However, I have to note some good changes that have come with maturity. I am more mellow and I feel like my terrible temper is gone. I am more comfortable with myself and less eager to defend myself against the onslaught of negativity. So, I have decided that I enjoy being more mellow. I enjoy learning how to be a better wife and mother everyday. I enjoy giving service to my little family. But I can do more. I can work on having a more positive outlook. I can work on more enthusiasm for life and shining forth my personality and talents. Lately I try to simply blend into the background and try not to get noticed, but I need to accept myself and really not care what others may say to me. I am so worried about being rejected that I close myself off to most people. As for the figure, well I have accepted that high school body is gone. Two kids later and there is no way I can reach that number again, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for a lot of improvement. So, my hope is that I can work on these outlooks and really start to enjoy my life and who I am by combining the wisdom of aging (yes I am aging) with the enthusiasm and hope of youth.

Veggie Tales

Does anyone else simply love Veggie Tales? I adore them and so do my kids. They are wholesome entertainment and teach good values. However, they have very catchy songs. In fact you will find yourself having these songs stuck in your head for a very long. I recommend that everyone should go and listen to the Rock Monster or Cheeseburger song because it make you laugh.

Leaves

For those of you who know me and where I live you will notice the trees. We have a lot of trees in our yard. They are are wonderful in the summer time and provide shade for our home and yard. However, come fall we have a lot of leaves to pick up. This year it seems the leaves are falling earlier than normal. Chad mowed up a bag last week and the back yard needs it again. I normally love fall and the changing of the seasons, but last I checked it was still supposed to be summer. However, it has been below 70 degrees this whole week. I'm cold, the leaves are falling and I think my body wants to go into hibernation. Thats not a problem is it?