Late Thanks

Being busy with family, turkey, pumpkin pie and Black Friday shopping, my blog had to take the back seat for a few days. As Thanksgiving approached I had started to compile a list of things I'm thankful for. Though it is short, and 2 days post-Turkey Day, I thought I'd still share some of the thoughts I've had.

I'm Thankful For:

1. Little voices that call me Mommy.
2. Goosebump-inducing music that inevitably brings a smile, followed most often by a tear.
3. My early-morning conversations with God.
4. Though rare, a full night of sleep.
5. A brother who calls for no reason and listens as I tell of trials, then relates, counsels and speaks of truths once lost, then found in his life.
6. A clean house, or even just a toilet.
7. My Grandma, though nearly 60 years my senior, who relates and converses every bit as much as a best friend, counsels maternally, laughs spontaneously, and who I find I'm very much like. My Grandma who is most-definitely my kindred.
8. Old friends who never change.
9. Pleasant faces and satisfied bellies after I've tried a new recipe.
10. Men who still hold open a door for me.
11. A companion who accepts challenges head-on, supports, accepts and loves me completely, is a hard worker, comes home to wrestle and tickle our kids and yes, I'm even thankful for his teasings.
12. The two huge garbage bags of outgrown (but not outused) clothes left on our porch by a visiting teacher, after a day of trying unsuccessfully to find inexpensive jeans for my girls and the giggles, praises and fashion show that followed.
13. The surprise at finding $15 in my wallet by a mother who thought she was being sneaky. Oh, and her sharing her yummy chicken noodle soup with us. Thanks Mom!
14. The ability to cover gray hairs--oh the vanity!
15. Sisters, nuff said.
16. Tropical places, long hikes, the ocean, the mountains, the colors and smells of earth.

That should suffice for now, though I could go on, but kids are pulling to drape our house Christmas . . . duty calls!

Stop and Stand Still

This week has been all kinds of crazy for our little household. Todd has been helping my sister and her husband paint their newly-finished basement and has been gone every single night after work. Yesterday I reached my exhaustion level by about 6 p.m. Why? Here's a brief rundown of my yesterday: I got up at my normal 3 a.m. for work, came back, but really couldn't fall asleep; after getting the girls to school I packed the boys (and lunch, and crib and cleaning supplies) into the van and headed downtown to clean my brother's in-MUCH-need-of-MAJOR-attention apartment for a good 4-5 hours, came home and got the girls ready for their violin recital, took everyone to the recital, came back, bathed everyone and put them to bed.

After all was quiet once again in the house, I fell into bed and opened to read a chapter in the Doctrine and Covenants. I was struck by one phrase and have thought of it all day today, so I thought I'd share. It's found in D&C 5:34 -- ". . . Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee."

It was another reminder for me to slow my ever-hectic life down a bit. I loved "Stop, and stand still" -- it's the part that has stuck with me and I seem to forget all too easily what is truly important. Maybe it's a quiet moment of meditation before everyone gets up, maybe it's reading a book to one of my children or sitting long enough to watch the sun rise or set; for me it's turning off the phone or the computer.

A dear friend of mine once told me of a book about an elderly woman who was so admired because she knew how to JUST BE. I need to learn how to just BE. It means planting my feet in the sand as the waves of life ebb and flow, allowing, as the scripture states, for the Lord to provide means whereby to accomplish His work for me. Although His work requires ever-busying myself in service, I guess it also requires those quiet times.

So, a re-commitment to slow my life down is in order. Yoga anyone?

New Blog

Ok, for those of you who are interested and want to know some of the good deals that are interesting to me, and perhaps you, I have quickly thrown together a new blog. See link to the right. Note that it is a work in progress and there will be more to come. . .

Sunday's STL

So here's my Sunday STL (Share-the-Love). Still haven't figured out if I'm going to do a sidebar, but until I do, I'll just add a new post.
Many of you around here know, but in case you missed it, Smith's Marketplace just opened up down Highland Drive in Lehi and I think it's my new favorite store! Well for their grand opening, and until Tuesday, you can get a gallon of milk (any quantity) for $.99, ground beef for $1.49 and pound, many $.50 items if you buy 10 like 3L bottles of Arrowhead water, 10-count box of hot chocolate (can you say neighbor gifts?) and many other hot items. They also are doubling their gas rewards until Tuesday as well, so you could earn up to .30 off per gallon. Last I checked it was at $1.99, so you could potentially get gas for $1.69 per gallon. When's the last time gas was that low?
There many other sweet deals throughout the store, so it might be worth a jaunt over there sometime in the next 2 days! (Oh, and their sushi is yummy, if you are sushi-lover like me! Try their samples!)

S.T.L. = Share the Love

Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE a good deal, so I've decided I'm going to start posting my good deal findings so I can "share the love" with those I love, aka all of you! It seems I find at least one good deal a day and sometimes multiple good deals, so check back often. I'm not sure if I will put them on a sidebar or just as a new post--I'll experiment.
For those of you who look at my blog TODAY and TODAY only, my deal is found at Amara Day Spa, my favorite spa for services when and if I have extra change. It is an awesome spa in Lindon. You can check out their website. But starting this morning, they are taking appointments for free services for their Christmas Open House on Dec. 5& 6. Free services include 20 min massage, glitter toes, waxings, makeovers, brow/lash tints, etc. So, I just scheduled myself a free 20 min massage! Can't beat that! Go to their website and click on the Christmas Open House, but call asap because it has been busy and hard to get through, but keep trying! The receptionist said there were still several appointments available. Loving FREE, FREE!!!

The Modern Day Newsie

As some of you know, this has been a tough year on us financially. Not only have we felt the crunch of the ever-inflating economy, but we more than doubled our mortgage by moving here. Ouch! Never have we questioned moving here because the Spirit powerfully testified to us that it was the right choice. We took that leap of faith, kept paying our tithing and trusted Him, that He would care for us. We have had so many blessings since that our decision to move here has been justified. That being said, money was always lacking and the hole seemed more dark and deep as time went on.

A few months ago, Todd and I sat down and laid all the numbers out once again. It had become so lopsided and we had cut every unnecessary expense out, that the answer was simply that we needed more income. Todd started to look around and has taken up some nightly UVU classes to learn some new skills. I started to look for things I could do at home. I applied for Costco, Gap, Seagull, Kneaders, daycares, Anytime Fitness, Smiths Marketplace, etc. I am experienced in many things and surely in this time of "holiday hiring" someone would hire me, if even temporary, right? Nothing came through. I really felt like I was being sent a message.

Last Sunday, after yet another epiphany of our need, I plead my soul to the Lord. I placed our lives completely in His hands. I had done the work, but He must have another plan for us. Monday I was unusually happy--odd I know. I worked on the house and simply waited, trusted that something would come through. Tuesday night I got a call from the Media One district manager. A paper route in my neighborhood had just opened. Though it's not the job I saw myself in, I knew this was a direct answer to prayer and by Wednesday I was working. I decided not to speak much about my "glorious" job, yet here I am blogging about it only a week later, for reasons I will explain.

I guess I've needed some humbling, and this has truly humbled me. I am an educated mom, with a Bachelor's in Social Work degree; my husband has both a BA in Microbiology AND an MBA; I'm in my 30's--I shouldn't have to wake up at 3 a.m. to flip papers, right? Why is it I can see others, without degrees, making millions and taking the easy road? I know I shouldn't compare. Truth is everyone has their set of problems. I think I would gladly take financial issues over what others have to face. Though it's not glorious, we do what we have to do to pay the bills, right? I don't have to leave my kids. That was a huge priority for me. I don't have to adjust my schedule (except going to bed much earlier) and despite popular belief, a paper route does pay decent money.

I learned something my first day from my 59-year old boss. He flipped papers for 15+ years and claims to be "the best paper-flipper I've ever met!" He really is good at what he does--that's why he's district manager. The thing that got me was the PRIDE that he took in his work. He takes his job very seriously and is happy to be doing what he does. Did you know there is an art to flipping newspapers? I didn't. But he is teaching me. Believe me, it's not the easiest thing in the world. (You have to flick your wrist a bit.) I guess what I've learned is that no matter what you do, you can take pride in doing it. We are who people depend on day in and day out. We don't sleep and we don't get a day off--ever. It's true that the Lord answers us in ways that we really don't expect. NO WAY did I see myself sleep-deprived, stuffing and flipping newspapers. Again, humble pie.

So, if you see me in my pj's at noon, my eyes a little bloodshot, you'll know why. Neighbors, if you're up getting a drink or putting a child back to bed about 4 or 5 a.m. and happen to see my green van driving erratically on the wrong side of the road, don't be alarmed. If I don't stay late to meetings, book groups or other such get-togethers, don't be offended. It's just your friendly neighborhood newspaper carrier.

Oh, and wherever you are, if you take the paper, please tip your carrier. Believe me, they deserve it.

I've been Tagged!

Ok, so I am frequently sent tags, but I never do them, mainly because I'm just plain lazy and don't take the time. My friend, Jo, tagged me on her blog the other day, so I thought I'd take my turn at least once. Besides, all I have to do is list 7 random facts about myself. Here they are in no particular order:


1. I have many secretly desired occupations namely, a marine biologist, a geologist, a spinning instructor, and a dairy farmer (don't laugh). Why did I choose social work over any of these? Logic. I live no where near an ocean; what can you do with geology really?; the dairy farmer could come from my brother brain-washing me by calling me "Milk" all through childhood, but I think it is more likely the country child in me--doesn't it sound fun?; and the spinning instructor I still might just do one day.


2. Even though FiberOne granola bars are tasty and are only 2 points for Weight Watchers, they are DANGEROUS! I don't recommend you eating them if you intend on sleeping in the same bed with your spouse.


3. I have a few passions in my life, things that really get me excited down to my core: dancing--I love to do it, watch it, anything related to it. Another is babies--I love them all: kissing squishy cheeks, tiny toes, little fingers, cuddling, smelling them and watching them see and experience life for the first time. Also, I love to travel. Anywhere. Cultures and people fascinate me and I love to witness the diversity of people and the beauty of all this world has to offer through travel. Lastly, I love to exercise. There is nothing more therapeutic for me than to work up a good, stinky sweat.


4. I hate pickles. I always have. I have tried to like them, but it's just not happening. My brother even bought me a pickle-green T-shirt that says, "Pickles are cucumbers soaked in evil." Very, very true.

5. Though I'm not very good at any one thing, I've recently discovered how much I enjoy using my hands to create. Cooking, sewing, writing, reading, making music, crafts, you name it. I thoroughly enjoy it.


6. Call me crazy but I prefer natural child birth. I've had two of each and my last delivery with Colby was my favorite. After his birth was when I started to suggest to every woman I know to use the birthing ball. It was heavenly. Not too crazy about epidurals (personal preference) but it might come from the same reasons that I hate laughing gas at the dentist's office. Simply put I can't stand being out of control of my own body. I can fully understand why a young Joseph Smith refused to be numbed by the bottle.


7. I've always had this strange obsession with the Incredible Hulk. When I was young I used to watch the series all the time. From what I thought was a fear of him (I used to have a recurring nightmare) grew into some sort of unexplained crush. When I was 7 or 8 my family went to Universal Studios and we got to meet a bulky Hulk actor. He rubbed off some of his green on my arm and I remember never wanting to wash my arm again. The recollection of all these feelings surfaced last weekend when Todd and I watched "The Hulk". After pondering a bit, I think I finally understand why. I have a bleeding heart, a deeply-rooted compassion for this man who struggled so much with this side of himself that he felt he couldn't control. Likewise, I think I have my own temper, or hulk, surfacing more often than I'd like, when I get upset with the kids or life in general. I guess I can truly relate to him. Maybe we all have our own inner hulk lurking in our darkest corners. Or maybe, just maybe, I'm altogether weird.

So there you have a few tidbits about myself that you perhaps didn't know before. I guess now I'm supposed to tag 7 people and tell them to copy and paste the graphic below and start over. Let's see. . .Nicole, Kilee, Ally, Nat, Emily, Melissa/Craig, and Shawn. Tag, you're it!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great one, how about you? Can I brag about my $7 "Renaissance Wench" DI find, tags still intact? I thought it was pretty darn cute right up until the phone call with my sister-in-law Ashley, who yelled out to all her college friends, "Hey, my sister-in-law's a wench! And she's got 4 kids!" Still, made for a good laugh. My kids all looked adorable and I did convince Todd to dress up as a 50's football jock. Only problem is his wirey, curly hair will not slick back! Go figure.

Halloween brought too much candy as usual, but this year we decided to do something a little bit different. I got the suggestion from something I read and from my friend Dawn. Many of you know I'm a health freak and I've only gotten worse over the last year. (Bless Todd for his patience, support and understanding!) We've been trying to cut certain things out of our diet, namely artificial dyes, hydrogenated oils, preservatives like BHT and TBHQ. Challenge: just go to your cupboard right now and try to find something that doesn't have any of these--it's hard! Anyway candy has most or all of these, not to mention the sugar (did I mention Alli's 8 cavities last dental visit?), so we made up $5 coupons for the kids in exchange for a toy of their choice. We did let them keep about a dozen of their favorite pieces and put them in little ziplocs with their names on them. Just so you don't think I'm some sort of ogre, I DID give my kids the choice and they hands-down chose the toy, which elated me of course. Leftover candy filled an entire grocery bag! Bad thing is it is still here and chocolate is my downfall for sure and Todd was born with pure sugar running through his veins, so we need to rid our house of it quick! I think my kids' favorite part of Halloween, though, was answering the door and handing out the candy!

Can you say hypocrite? I know, why do I hand out the very stuff I'm trying to rid our lives of? Well, quite frankly, $4 bubble gum pack at Costco that would put smiles on 215 faces of children was much more affordable than the $10 pack of natural fruit snack that would run out after 80 kids. Lame excuse? Yeah, I'd agree.


How do you like the witches' fingers and monster toes I made for the holiday? My sister Kilee refused to eat them--they do look rather disgusting.