Confessions of a Say-at-Home Mom

-Sometimes we have popcorn at 8 in the morning.

-You can usually find at least three dirty diapers sitting by the door waiting for someone to take them out.

-Sometimes I don't get ready for the day until 2:30 in the afternoon.

-Sometimes I don't get ready at all.

-I have a temper. I am becoming very aware that it has everything to do with where I'm coming from and very little to do with his behavior. The Bug has graciously accepted many apologies. I'm getting better.

-I think hearing my kid say 'poop' is the cutest thing in the world.

-Sometimes I hide his favorite movies because I'm so sick of them.

-Sometimes I don't wash the yogurt out of my son's hair. Why? He'll just put something else in it in 10 minutes. Besides, I'm sure he'll get a bath sometime this week.

-Sometimes I just let the phone ring. I love chatting in person, emails, a letter, but I HATE talking endlessly on the phone, halfway in a conversation and halfway conscious of what is going on in my home, unable to fully interact with my son.

-Every evening we watch out the window for the Mr. to come home. I want to cry happy tears when I see how much that little boy loves his Daddy. Sometimes I do.

Last June

-I absolutely love, love, love what I do. I would rather be home with my little boy than doing anything else in the world. I really mean it.



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I think I Can I Think I Can

As I have had a tendency lately to focus on the things that are frustrating in my life, this will be a long list for my own sake.

My Blessings:

My son. His smile. His laugh. The cute way he says things. His little personality. His little clothes (that were mostly given to us).

My husband. His work ethic. His love for the Bug. His love for me. His dedication to doing what is right. His thoughtfulness.

Financial security

The Gospel

A warm home

My dog

Exercise. A healthy body.

Modern medicine

The scriptures. Modern-day prophets. Continuing revelation.

Prayer. Answers to prayer.

Trials. Growth.


My two favorite people sharing popcorn

Faith

Hope

The little baby growing inside me

Music

The ability to hear

Clean water to drink

A loving Heavenly Father

My talents and abilities

A college education

Freedom

Blueberries

Friends

Family

The opportunity to count my blessings


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Quotes that are getting me through Right Now

"My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!”

M. Russell Ballard, “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 31

“Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope.”

James E. Faust, “Hope, an Anchor of the Soul,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 59

“As we daily confront a world full of negativity, doubt, fear, and even dread can creep into our hearts. President Thomas S. Monson has counseled us that ‘faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other’ (“Come unto Him in Prayer and Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, Mar. 2009, 6). In Moroni we read that ‘without faith there cannot be any hope’ (Moroni 7:42). We must exercise faith to take on life’s challenges and changes. It is how we learn and progress.”

Steven E. Snow, “Get On with Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2009, 81–82

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations. 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ' "

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22–23

Chicken Salad Sandwich (Yum)

When I lived in California, there was a little health supplement store within walking distance of the office where I worked. They had a sandwich & smoothie bar that I frequented quite regularly, because I was a little obsessed with their sandwiches. Enough to pay for them. I know, they were that good.

I got my veggie sandwich recipe (here) from them as well. Here is another eye-rolling, can't-help-but-make-noise-when-you eat-it-it's-so-good sandwich:


Chicken Salad Sandwich

Boil chicken breast on stove until cooked. Shred in a food processor or blender.

Add a few Tbsp plain yogurt to chicken (sounds gross, but really, mayo makes it way too heavy)

2 pieces WW/multi-grain bread with Miracle Whip

Pickles

Sprouts

Tomatoes

Spike seasoning (similar to Season-All, just better. Found some at my local Macey's the other day--yay!)

Serve with tortilla chips.

Yum. Just yum.


Tip: When I boil chicken for a dinner recipe, I like to throw in a little extra, shred it, and save it for a quick and easy chicken sandwich the next day.

Enjoy!


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Belated Thanks

I'm going to count 4:14 in the morning on Friday as Thursday, okay? So, in my distorted (and sleep-deprived) reality, this is my totally on-time Thankful Thursday post.

This morning, I am thankful for:

Hair products and makeup. Sometimes it's nice to remind yourself that you're a woman. And pretty.

Answers to prayers. A lot of times the Lord's tender mercies are little everyday things. Sometimes they are really big. This one has been a few months in coming. We never doubted that He would take care of us, and once again, as always, He has.

Relaxation and exercise.

Insomnia. Wait, no, not grateful for that one. Sorry, wrong list :)

Yummy, healthy food (see next Monday's post).

My Bug, my happiness.


Happy Thurs-Friday!


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January Jewels

Today I am thankful for:

My little Bug. I wish I could put this time in a bottle and pull it out once-in-awhile in the future and remember exactly how he is right now. He is such a delight and a joy to me.

Fruit. Yum.

Indoor plumbing ( I don't know WHAT I ate, but I'm glad I don't have to run outside in 10 degree weather when nature calls. And calls. And calls).




Strength from God to do hard things, that I'm not quite capable of on my own.

My Mr. Just sayin', I got a really good one.

The Scriptures. It's amazing what I can learn about myself when I really jump in. Newest lesson learned: patience becomes you. Darn.

Friends and family. It is a good thing to feel loved. "To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides"-David Viscott

Make it a good day!


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True That

"All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."

--Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis

Blessings

Today I am grateful for:

The human body. It is absolutely amazing. I am in awe regarding its many functions and ability to self-regulate. Whoever designed these things knew what they were doing (duh).

Modern technology. Usually I curse it and wish we all rode to school on a pony, but I am becoming increasingly more thankful for it as I depend upon it more and more. Example: really grateful for insulin. Not a fan of 18 pound babies. Also grateful for enhalers, so that I can exercise and be a functioning member of society. And not die in the spring. Really, die.

A Bug who was SO good at the doctor's office today. Not so much at the store, but so, so good at the doctor's.

Artificial sweeteners. Another thing I never thought I would say.

What are you grateful for?



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Portraits of a Two-year-old

Nicknames: Bug, Bud, Booger, Booger Bum, Goober, Crazy

Favorite Things: Stirring, cars, trucks, anything with wheels, laughing, Daddy

Favorite Foods: Ketchup, Anything with sugar in it, yogurt, avocados, crackers, smoothies

Favorite Phrase: "Oh my goodness!"

Summary: Happy, delightful, and the apple of Mommy and Daddy's eye.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUG! We love you!!!

Veggie Sandwich

For you, Alesha.

This is one of my all-time favorite sandwiches.

2 slices whole wheat bread with Miracle Whip
sliced avocadoes
sprouts
grated carrots
sliced pickles
sliced tomatoes
toasted sunflower seeds

Season with Spike (it's like a season-all, you may have to go to a health food store to find it. Sorry, I don't know what else to use--it kind of makes the sandwich)

Serve with tortilla chips

Obviously not a photographer, sorry

Enjoy!


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