Housekeeping

Every once in awhile my housekeeping gets away from me. Okay, let's be honest; most of the time. I realize that as the Mr. and I acquire more kids it will be harder and harder to keep up. I am always looking for ways to be more organized and simplify our lives.

In the meantime, there are days when my house looks like this:

and I don't have the time, energy, or motivation to clean up. That's when I resort to damage control. I learned this nifty tip from my neighbor: set the timer for 5 minutes, and focus on one room in the house. When the timer goes off, you move to the next room. Five minutes in each room keeps you from getting bogged down, and every part of the house gets at least a little attention. Often times I find that I still have some steam in me to go back through and give the messier rooms a little more attention. But, if not, I've done my job and can feel good about getting something accomplished.

Happy cleaning!

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GOAL!

So I didn't post last Tuesday about my Trich. I've been a little discouraged in that area of my life. For awhile I thought I had found something that had worked, but then all of a sudden it wasn't working anymore. Luckily it has been better the past few days, but for the time being I am just biding my time and working with the amino acids. The dosage doubles in another week or so; hopefully with that will come improvement.

Right now I'm focusing on setting some goals for myself in other arenas of my life. Yesterday I chose three areas that I want to focus on.

1. Unnecessary sleep. I am working on getting up earlier in the mornings. My day needs a kick start.

2. Wasteful time on the internet. I have a goal to only be online while the Bug is napping (unless I am accomplishing something on my to-do list), and to only check all my "sites" for a few minutes each day.

3. Unhealthy eating. I am pre-diabetic, and I am totally addicted to sugar. I have always wanted to eat healthily and tried to do so, but it is time to put a permanent plan in action.

I am hoping to see some good changes in my life over the next few weeks. What are some goals that you are working on?


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E-Z Smoothie

Okay, so I didn't make this smoothie. It just so happens that I am totally incapable of creating such an enticing photograph. But, I can tell you how to make a delicious smoothie that will look like this.

We love smoothies at our house, and they are just so easy to make.

Here is the recipe for my default smoothie:

1- 6 oz yogurt, any flavor
1-banana
5-6 strawberries, fresh or frozen
1-2 Tbsp fzn orange juice concentrate

add milk to desired consistency
sometimes I add a little vanilla, too

You can really play with this one, as there's not much you can do to mess it up (although I don't recommend adding maple flavored oatmeal as a thickener...love you Babe :)

Blueberries and raspberries are great in it. Sometimes I'll put in two bananas and make a really creamy shake. You can also sneak a little fresh spinach in there, and it still comes out tasting pretty fruity. One of my favorites is using a pina colada yogurt flavor and adding pineapple and some cream of coconut. SO good!


Enjoy!

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The Lord Taketh Away

Yesterday afternoon I received a call from the Mr. letting me know that one of his cousins had died. He was in his twenties, and had just gotten married last year. Of the 60+ cousins that the Mr. has, I never knew Will very well, but it still hits close to home.
I thought of his young wife. Her whole life is going to change. What a tragedy. I thought of his parents and siblings. Especially I thought of his sweet mom, whom I love dearly. Her life has not been easy, and I can't imagine the weight this will add to her shoulders.
It seems that we can't take too many steps forward without being reminded how fragile life is. As the scriptures say, "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." I am so grateful for the knowledge that this life is not the end-all. Will's family will see him and be able to be with him again. It must be a comfort for them to know that even though he is no longer here, he is in a beautiful, peaceful place with others who love him.

I know that God is aware of everything that happens to us, and that our lives are not "accidental." There is purpose and an opportunity for learning and growth in all that we experience here on earth. "...all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7)

I also believe that those who have passed on are allowed to help us in ways that we cannot see. My Grandpa Boyer, my Aunt Cathy, my Dad--I think they are all doing their part to help us succeed.

And so here is my 'Thankful Thursday' post. I am grateful for life, and for the loved ones that I share this life with. I am grateful for the Gospel and for the plan of a loving Heavenly Father that gives me hope when loved ones leave for a time. I am grateful for a Savior that made it possible to live again after our physical death. I am grateful for those on the other side of the veil; those waiting to come to this earth and those who already have, who are cheering us on in their own way. So many blessings.


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Dad's funeral. Wish I had a good pic of him to put up.

Memory Lane

The past few weeks I have had one big blast from the past as I have gone through boxes and boxes of "treasures" from my younger years. The best have been the pictures and the letters.




It's funny, but when I look back on high school I usually remember it as a time filled with drama, loneliness, and frustration. Definitely not a period of my life that I cared to revisit. Yet, as I read through old notes passed between classes and filed through choir tour photos I remembered that there were some really good times. I had forgotten how close I was to my friends. I forgot how much they cared about me, and I about them. I am disappointed in myself for letting a few rotten moments sour years of good memories. So a big thank-you to all my old-school chums for the good times. There were lots.


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P.S. Sure wish I could get my scanner working. I would have some pretty entertaining pictures to share.

Tomato Basil Sandwich

Toast one side of a honey wheat bagel. Top with sliced tomatoes and cottage cheese. Season with garlic salt and basil.

As the Bug would say, Nom Nom.

Yummy, healthy, filling, and easy--you can't go wrong with that combination.



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Believe Me Sister

I love my mister man

And, contrary to the song, I can tell you why.

Things I love about my Mr:

He is so patient. In the almost four years that I have known him, I have never once seen him lose his temper.

He is a hard worker. He works hard at work, then he comes back and works hard at home.

He doesn't brag. It's amazing the things I hear from other people that he's never told me.

He took the Bug on a father's & son's campout. Yeah, I'm pretty sure he was the youngest one there. And not only did he take him, they had fun.

He is a wonderful father. The Bug adores him. Watching the two of them play is my favorite. The Mr. gets up with him and lets me get some extra winks almost every morning. Being such a good father bleeds into another reason that I love him so much:

He is a wonderful husband. He is so supportive of my role as a wife and mother. He is supportive of me in general. He also tells me I'm beautiful and who doesn't love that?

Thanks, Babe, for being so great. I sure do love you!


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Worry Warts

I am a worrier. Not so much about whether the plane is going to go down

or whether the Bug is going to contract a disease from eating dirt;

Nope, still not worried...

it's a different kind of worrying. It goes a little something like this:

Did I offend ___ when I said ___? I shouldn't have ___. Maybe if I had ___ instead. Do I come off as self-righteous? What if ___ thinks I'm conceited? I wish I had more confidence. I said too much. Next time I ___ I'm just going to keep my mouth shut.

And on. And on. And, well, on.

Peace is something that I don't allow myself to feel very often. Oh, how I would love to feel peace! I will stop here as no one wants to read a year-long post about someone else's problems.

Suffice it to say that this morning I went here and found this article entitle 'The Balm of Gilead', and found it very comforting. It does seem that the more I search for answers, the more I realize the answer to every question is the same, and it is the Savior. I am so quick to forget He who understands all. And so I continue my life-long quest of learning how to come unto Him.

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Relapse

So, the past few days haven't been awesome hair-pulling wise. I'm still taking the NAC amino acids, but I've been pulling again. The dosage is suppose to double in three or four weeks, and I'm hoping that will make a difference. I have a theory that my hormones play a role in all of this. I suppose time will tell.

Carry on!

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Character

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

- John Wooden

Not so worthless as you thought

"We humble people, who sometimes feel ourselves so worthless, so good-for-nothing, we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others but the truth remains that we are the children of God and that He has actually given his angels--invisible beings of power and might--charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping."

George Q. Cannon

I am

So grateful that God made music a part of this world

Enjoying the blanket fort the Mr. made for the Bug

Looking forward to eating food from our garden

Thankful for all the beautiful women in my life

Not yet sick of the Bug's one word vocabulary that consists of 'no'

Appreciating the flowers in my yard

Sorry that all the pictures I ever post are of my son (but not so sorry that I won't do it again :)

Sad to see other people go through really hard things

So thankful for the blessings in my life

Superwomen

I spent last evening having a much needed discussion with my sister-in-law. I came home so energized and uplifted, that the Mr. kept asking me why on earth I was so happy. I thrive on deep, meaningful conversations.

I grew up with five brothers. My mom and I got along great, but I never had the sister bonding experience. I also never realized the importance of other women in my life. What a power we have to lift each other up!

I have felt at times that I should stay away from other women because when we get together there is a tendency to gossip, backbite, and judge people. I think very few women are actually malicious; it is simply our nature (or at least mine) to analyze EVERYTHING and gather information. So many well-intended conversations end up with poison laced throughout. I believe this is Satan's tool. Both the gossiping itself and the idea that exclusion is the higher road.

The truth is we need each other. The truth is that if we make an effort to speak positively and use our words, experiences, and nature to uplift, the potential for doing good is limitless. I am so grateful for a friend who was willing to speak candidly with me in order to help me through a rough spot in my life. I think that every woman needs to hear that they are not alone; they are not an anomoly, and they are not broken. Other women all over the world are experiencing similar trials, frustrations, and yes, we can even talk about joys! The purpose of life is not to shimmy through completely unscathed--it is to LEARN! So if you are struggling, congratulations! And welcome to life. Chances are you don't need a pill, a counselor, or a new spouse. You need to get down on your knees. At least that is what we talked about last night (don't worry, Dear, a new husband was never an option. I'm afraid you're stuck with me).

Summary: Women are wonderful, beautiful people. There is a reason we were created differently than men. We have certain gifts, and our nature is to nurture. So go tap in to that nature and put your arm around someone and tell them they are not alone.


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Trich Trick

So I seem to have found something that actually keeps me from pulling. I have been taping my thumbs with athletic tape. Without being able to feel the hair between my fingers, it doesn't satisfy the same way. The results this last week have been AMAZING! I am starting to get lazy, though. Having tape on your thumbs isn't always convenient. I need to be better about that. I am hoping that if I can keep myself from pulling for a month or so that the desire to pull will start to go away. We'll see!

I have also been taking NAC, a dietary supplement of amino acids that has worked well for many with Trich. This could also be a factor. I'd love to hear what is or isn't working for anyone else out there!

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Patience my Child

Remember that post a week ago about creating? I did not make a good day today.

I find it ironic that on the day I post about how much I love being a mother I have one of my hardest days in a long time. I was not a patient mommy or housewife today. I wanted to kill someone, but unfortunately there was no one to blame. It's a real eye opener to me. It scares me, honestly, to see how quick I am to snap.

I really admire those people who seem to be able to speak softly no matter the situation. Like my husband. I am not one of those people. I am really, truly trying to be, though. Maybe by the time I've been through six kids and they've all flown the coop I will have learned patience. I'll make a rockin' grandma. I can take care of all my grandkids while their parents go to therapy because their mom had no patience.

Seriously, I'm not okay with that. I hope I can learn with my kids, not at their expense. It does seem that some humbling is in order here. And some scripture reading. I have slacked off the last two days, and holy cow have those two days been rotten! Just another reminder that I don't amount to much without the Savior.



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I Love being a Mom

My little Bug is growing up so fast! Today I asked him to pick up a book he had thrown on the floor. It took a few times, but he understood and obeyed. I don't think he would have been able to three weeks ago. This kid all boy. Dirt, rocks, cars, bring it on! He's got great sound affects, and somehow instinctively knows that "see-food" is funny. What would I do without my little rascal?

Trich in the News

Last week there was an article in the newspaper about Trichotillomania. Check it out here:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10947928

I'm glad to see research being done. In other news, I have started taping my thumbs. It has made a huge difference the past few days. I'll write about that more later.

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