It is wonderful to have all of my things back, especially my kitchen things. Now that we are totally unpacked and have everything is out of storage I can use my own things again. I don't have anything fancy or special, nor do I have special or expensive gadgets. But what I do have, I love!
I have been wanting to start using my things again, but just haven't had the real motivation to get my things out and get cookin'. I have stuck to the regular pots and pans. Nothing fancy. On Sunday, at church, the lesson was about using our leisure time wisely. We should develop our talents and work on meaningful things instead of just constantly vegetating on the couch and watching mindless TV, for example. A list was made on the board about what sorts of things we spend our time doing, that aren't responsibilities (like work and school). I suggested adding to the list "baking" and my new dear friend Katy asked me if I enjoyed cooking. I immediately answered in the affirmative and then got to thinking: "Yes, I do like cooking. In fact, I love it. I love baking, too. I love creating things for my family and friends to enjoy. But I haven't done it a while. I haven't really developed this talent of mine the way I would like to."
So, thanks Katy for reminding me of one of my passions that I had put on the back burner, no pun intended. :-)
So today, I'm using my bread maker and my food processor. Both of which I've only used less than a handful of times. I'm also using my oven and my hands! Talent developing, here I come!
sorry for the lack of photos. once we get our new computer this will be remedied.
it just takes way too long for me to upload. and i dont feel like using google images :-)
The kids are in bed (although totally not asleep!), Ben is keeping busy and I decided I was going to look at my blog again after months of neglect. I am determined to start blogging again! Things aren't as crazy anymore and I feel like naormality is creeping up on us again. Hooray!
So I'll make my returning debut post simple and easy...
Florida is wonderful! We LOVE it! We love the area we live in, we love our new home, we absolutely love our new ward and the new friends we are making.
The boys are growing ever so quickly! Benny will be starting Primary in the sunbeams class in January and Ezra just turned 2!
We are so excited for Christmas to come, too! It will be a great year with new memories and new traditions started.
We miss our family in Indiana and New Jersey, but we feel like this is home now. We're so excited for this new chapter in our lives! Thanks for sticking around and reading! I'll be sure to keep my blog updated!
I LOVE to shop. Oh my goodness, it relieves stress better than a hot bath with candles and aroma therapy. It works better to cheer me up than chocolate cake and ice cream. Shopping causes euphoria in me and it makes me want to do the happy dance.
But my love of shopping does not mean that I have maxed credit cards, or that I spend money on anything just for the sake of buying something, even if its a great deal. Sometimes I "shop" without buying anything. When i do that, I feel most proud of myself; but it doesn't happen very often.
I'm a deal seeker. Hard-core. Although I know many people who do get better deals than I do, for the most part I fare really well. I am most successful when I grocery shop. I usually walk out of the store with a receipt that says I saved from 50-60% and my savings vary from $50 to $100. I use coupons, sales, and rebates. Yeah, its time consuming, but I LOVE it. It helps me de-stress and gives me motivation to find better deals. I grocery shop at two different stores that i think have the best deals and are the most location-convenient to me. Sure, I don't do one stop shopping, but that isn't fun to me. This is my hobby. I save my family money. And I'm good at it. I always try to out-do myself.
Next come my two favorite places. Target and Walmart. Oh my goodness! The deals I have gotten are incredible. i try really hard not to pay full price for anything-ESPECIALLY clothing. I always go straight to the clearance racks/bins/aisles and I always find something that's a score. I usually pay under $4 a piece for clothes for all of us. And I think we dress pretty nice. We may not fit the cover of a fashion magazine, but we always looks clean and presentable. You would be surprised at how low things can be priced at these two stores when they are trying to liquidate their inventory for the season.
I especially love Target because I believe they are higher quality than Walmart and they have their own store coupons which you can stack with manufacturer's coupons. last week I got a fantastic deal on some fruit cups with a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon. I paid 24 cents for a four pack. I'm so awesome! I also enjoy some major stores at the mall. The clearance section is great, too!
Tonight I'm headed to Target where they have almost all their toys on clearance at 75% off! They have this "sale" every year and last year I scored big. Tonight I hope to find the items I want and that the selection isn't depleted by the time I get there! I'm soooo excited! I'm totally doing the happy dance right now.
Playing with my ipod Knowing my husband submitted a new job resume! Wahoo! Having my son call me on his pretend phone and having a whole conversation with me Enjoying the quiet of the neighborhood Having a freakishly awesome family....all meant in a good way! Looking at our family vacation photos over and over and over-just loving them! Day dreaming Being healthy Having gratitude
I usually try not to post anything religious, because I don't want to be criticized or bashed for my beliefs. Today I am making an exception.
For the most part, I am a happy person. I consistently and genuinely show gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the very many blessings that I have. I know I am unbelievably blessed and, ultimately, successful. But lately there have been obstacles in our life that we haven't been over to overcome, even though we have been fervently trying to do so. We have no doubt that these things will end and the blessings will come, but the never-ending question for us is "when?" There is only so much one can take, you know? I feel that personally I am at a breaking point. But one way or another I feel confirmation from the Spirit that i, indeed, can go on a little longer. You know, one step at a time.
Although I know these things and I have faith that we will be able to change the things we want to change, I personally, have been struggling to feel God's love for me. Specifically. Individually. It's just been a really hard personal, and emotional time for me. I have my ups and downs, and i think I can honestly say that I have more ups than downs. Nonetheless its been difficult for me to overcome these feelings of self-pity and to fully accept that i am a special daughter of God. Although, I have to preface all of this by saying that I have always known these beautiful truths, but in my moments of despair they seem to vanish and no matter how hard I try I can't feel them the way I once did. I've struggled to feel that "fire within" whether in my darkest moment or my happiest.
We have been presented with a choice that we have never considered. We felt the need to seriously pray and think about it. We have been fasting every single Sunday since April. We decided to focus our fast yesterday on this new idea, rather that the one we had previously decided we should pursue. So I was determined to really put my all into this weekend, with thought and prayer, fasting and meditation on the matter.
Sunday morning we went to church and did things just like every other Sunday. The meeting started and everything was just like every other Sunday. As the meeting continued we reached the Rest Hymn (you know, the one after the first speaker, before the second speaker). It was "I Believe In Christ" by Bruce R McConkie. We were standing to sing this one and I was really thinking about the words.
1. I believe in Christ; he is my King!With all my heart to him I’ll sing;I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,In grand amens my tongue employ.I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.On earth to dwell his soul did come.He healed the sick; the dead he raised.Good works were his; his name be praised. 2. I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!As Mary’s Son he came to reign’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,To save them from the woes of sin.I believe in Christ, who marked the path,Who did gain all his Father hath,Who said to men: “Come, follow me,That ye, my friends, with God may be.” 3. I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!My feet he plants on gospel sod.I’ll worship him with all my might;He is the source of truth and light.I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,And I shall live with joy and love In his eternal courts above. 4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;And while I strive through grief and pain,His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”I believe in Christ; so come what may,With him I’ll stand in that great day When on this earth he comes again To rule among the sons of men.
I cannot begin to describe the feelings of peace and powerful confirmation that He lives and He loves me. Me, individually, specifically. There was no denying it. This was the confirmation I had been seeking. Verses 3 and 4 were the most powerful for me. In a large congregation where we were all singing the same hymn, I still felt such a private moment of communication with my Father in Heaven through the Holy Spirit. It was so powerful and I am ever thankful for that sweet moment.
We aren't alone. He loves us and He sent His Son to show us the way back to Them. Here is a video if you want to listen to this hymn. And if you would like to learn more about what I believe in, please visit this website.
Benny made me a Mommy. He arrived 3 years ago today. I still prefer his tantrums over the contractions. :-) He has grown so much, and he has turned out to be more than I could have imagined. He's perfect. He is so sweet, and so smart. He's a great big brother. He's my little guy!
He was always the happiest baby around!He was also very good at bonking his head. Actually, he's still good at it.
We watch several dramas on CBS. One of those is Criminal Minds, which had its Season Finale yesterday. We recorded it and watched it later that night. The episode was all about this psycho who would get inside a house during a black-out (they were in LA and there were scheduled rolling black-outs) and kill (among other things). The media in the city nicknamed him "The Prince of Darkness." The last home he broke into, he turned the power off for himself. It was a creepy episode, as are most of them.
It was really late and we had already started watching the next show's (CSI: NY) season finale. We were sitting in the living room, just the two of us. Everyone else was asleep. Then everything goes black. Yes. All the electricity is gone. Benny instantly starts screaming, crying, and yelling. My handy cell phone is used for light as I go to the trusty MagLite. I get to Benny and start explaining what was happening and I couldn't help but look out the window. I saw that everything was pitch-black outside, too. Then the lights came back on. Then, a few minutes later they went off again. And finally back on again.
It was so creepy! I couldn't help but look everywhere-out the window, the corners of the rooms, the ceiling... Then, Ben and I sat on the couch to resume our season finale and we were talking about what had just happened. We joked that we wouldn't put it past CBS to pay for brown-outs in select viewing areas late at night to cause extra creepiness for their show. Either way, we can't wait for next season!
I finally got it! I finally got what i have wanted for so long! About 7 years were spent wishing and hoping and not being able to afford or justify the expense of what I wanted. But once again, my wonderful husband Ben surprised me with a wonderful gift!
Isn't it beautiful?! *Sigh* It's Phenomenal! I can't wait to use it!
Today has already proven to be a tough day for me-emotionally. But whatever, I'm trying to get out of this rut and move forward. It can be done. I've done it before, I can do it again. Along with my personal drama to deal with I have lots of loads of laundry to deal with. But I guess I have to let you in on the secret that I actually really enjoy doing laundry. So its not a biggie, but it does take up a lot of time to get done.
As I was sitting on Benny's bed this morning I was thinking about how I was going to gather the energy to get the day started with breakfast, then laundry and possibly a trip to the park or a walk around the neighborhood (and many other things that should get done today). Benny was sitting by my feet putting together his train tracks.
He looked up at me and said "Mommy, are you gonna play with me?" I said yes to him, thinking that it probably wouldn't be for very long since I had so much to get done today.
He then chuckled lightly and said "I appreciate it!"
I can't help but smile and be grateful for the blessings that I already do have. It was a boost for my heavy day, and a reminder to be grateful for the present day.
Things in the Queendom are surely not the way I thought they'd be right now. You make plans for something but things don't always turn out the way you plan. Melodrama is not intended, but things are just so hard for me, personally, right now. Have I mentioned before that patience is not my virtue? Because, trust me. It is not!
I want to be in my own home again. Not the house we own out of state, but a new place where we can establish our own household again and call home. Just the four of us. Just us. And the dog. Just us.
I want to use my own things again. My dishes, and pots and pans. My silverware, my cool craft stuff, my towels and my blankets. I want to use my own washing machine and dryer. And oddly, I want to use my own computer again, too. I'd love to have all my great picture frames hanging on walls that I walk by every day. I want to establish the normality I once knew. I have a state of normal now, but its a new one created to fit this situation. It works for us, but its not our ultimate goal for our state of being.
In a month and a few days it will be one whole year since we moved here. I thought that we would have been in our own place months ago. But it isn't so. And I know that things happen for a reason. I'm not saying that this isn't where we should be, but its just frustrating. Its frustrating to want something that's righteous, but not be able to have it yet for reasons that you don't understand.
Again, no melodrama intended. I'm a pretty happy person. I just needed to vent and validate my feelings in a "public" sort of way. It makes it more real for me and I will be able to cope with it on a less "surreal" way.
As a side note, my parents officially retire today! A celebration has been planned. :-D
Its been a long week, but yet, also a short one. It's been one of those weeks, I guess. The days are meshed together; I'd have to look at the Guide on the TV to tell you what the date was; and the days have been moving ever so slowly that it makes me want to scream.
But all in all, its been a good week. I often see things or do things or having things happen and I think "Oh! This is blog-worthy! I should totally blog about this!" and. then. i. forget.
So today I'll share something small that happened to me yesterday. I was preparing dinner early in the day and had been cutting us some vegetables. So I diced the aromatic tomatoes and then moved on the lettuce. As I moved the thinly sliced lettuce into the serving bowl I saw that my finer was bleeding and I had a long cut! I instantly had the thought, something to the effect: Oh no! I cut myself and its a bad one! Its gonna hurt real bad! When did I cut myself? i didn't even feel it! (You know, something like that in a split second)
So as I more closely examined the damage I had caused I realized that I simply had a long piece of tomato skin that had stuck to my finger. I laughed at myself and said "This would be a lame post if I blogged about it."
But since I couldn't remember any of the cool things I had come up with... LoL Yeah, it's been that kind of a week!
Its Friday!! I'm so happy for the weekend! Being Friday, the start of the weekend I thought I would celebrate with my munchkins this morning. At the Queendom (although its not feeling very Royal lately) we very rarely have sugary cereal, nor do we hardly ever buy chocolate milk. Well, on a whim I decided to buy a chocolatey-sweet cereal that was on clearance at Target and earlier in the week I bought some Nesquik milk (it makes me think of my childhood so fondly).
So for breakfast this morning we had our usual banana (I think the boys' world would explode if they didn't have a banana for breakfast everyday) and I busted out the chocolate milk! Now Benny has only had chocolate milk once in his life and it was while we still lived in Indiana; it was roughly a year ago. He didn't like it at all! So I wondered if his palette would appreciate the smooth chocolatey taste from the milk. Ezra has never had chocolate milk, either. So off went the experiment. I gave Benny his cup of milk (not a sippy cup, thankyouverymuch) in a brand new spiderman cup that I bought at Target, too. Ezra used a big-boy sippy cup with no stopper.
Not to my surprise the boys LOVED the chocolate milk. They were then offered some of the choco-goodness cereal and of course, they loved that, too. For lunch we will have some chocolate caramels as a small dessert after we eat the real food. Hehehehe... After dinner we'll have some chocolate, too. Just because today is Choco-Friday at the Queendom!
Every once in a while we need these kinds of treats; I know it creates fun memories, even though they probably won't remember these that are so early on. But still. It convinces me that I am a cool mom. :o)
One of my very first posts on my first blog was titled "Hapiness Is..." I think those are some of my favorite blog entries because when I go and read them I am reminded of small simple things that really made me happy. They now make me smile and fill me with the warmth that only sweet memories can bring. So, in honor of those awesome blog entries...
Happiness is hearing my two little boys play and interact with eachother even though one of them doesn't talk yet.
Happiness is looking at my husband's beard and feeling triumphant that he finally grew one out!
Happiness is knowing that we all are healthy and safe.
Happiness is sitting on the couch under a warm blanket after a crazy hectic week and vegetating in front of the massively huge TV (which doesn't belong to us) while the boys nap. Seriously, this is happy stuff!
Happiness is be able to drop the boys off with grandparents so we can go off into the night for a fun date!
Happiness is finally having all of your tax stuff so you can mail it out to get done!!
Happiness is seeing the joy on my sons' faces when daddy gets home after a long day at work.
Happiness is finally having a SuperWalmart (even though its not advertised as such) relatively near.
Happiness is watching my little Ezra walking down the hall way.
Happiness is having Benny scare me while he roars like a dinosaur.
Happiness is knowing that I'm truly happy right now!
I have been a teacher many times before. I've taught younger kids while I was in middle school, and high school during teacher's aide's assignments and extra-curricular things of the like. I have taught many classes as a teacher in Church. This is not a new thing to me.
Tomorrow I will teach my first pre-school lesson to a class of about 2 or 3, my son Benny included. I am not nervous, but I am a little anxious. I hope I can be a good teacher for him. I want to be the best teacher I can for him. I hope that I can help him learn everything he needs to be successful in life.
I hope he'll think of me as a good teacher when he gets older.
He was always the happiest baby around!
He was also very good at bonking his head. Actually, he's still good at it.
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