Day 23 & 24 Previous Christmas Memory and 5 things I love about Christmas

I remember the Christmas that Brian got me my Kitchen Aid mixer. We had been married 3 years and Ally was a baby. We were living in our trailer. He sent me on a scavenger hunt and the mixer was out on our front porch. That was so much fun to get something that I had been wanting for so long. He is such a thoughtful guy, I am thankful for him!



5 things I love about Christmas..
1. I love how everyone is a little nicer. We are really thinking about serving others and living how we should.
2. Time that we get to spend with family. It is great to get together with extended family and visit with them. I like to think about members of my family when I draw their name and give them a gift. It makes me feel closer to my family.
3. I love the Christmas music.
4. The Christmas lights are magical to see.
5. It is such a blessing to celebrate the birth of our Savior and really think about His life and gift to us.

Day 22...A photo of my family

Day 21...A travel story

One of the best things that we ever did was to take our kids to Hawaii. The thing that made this so great is that we surprised them. I packed them all up and then went and checked them out of school. Dustin thought we were going to the dentist. We told them we were going with a candy lei just before we got to the airport. We had a wonderful time in Hawaii and we will always remember this as one of our favorites!

Day 20...Your Favorite Christmas Tradition

My favorite Christmas tradition goes way back to before I was born even. My family does a Pinata every year and it just wouldn't be Christmas without a pinata.
In my own family my favorite Christmas tradition is the 12 days of Christmas. For as long as I can remember we have done the 12 days of Christmas for a family in our neighborhood and for the past 5 years I have done the 12 days of Christmas for our kids. We choose a theme and then give gifts around that theme. Some of the themes that we have done is: It's a Wonderful Life (my favorite thing we did for that theme was take them on a trip down memory lane...we took them to Logan and showed them where we met, some of our favorite dates in Logan and then ended at the temple where we got married).
Favorite Things (Brian and I thought up some of our favorite things and gave them to the kids with the explanation of why they were our favorite).
There is SNOW family like ours (We thought of 2 qualities for each of us and planned our days around those qualities. Each day we spotlighted a different person).

Day 19...A hobby of mine

One of my hobbies is to plan and throw parties. I love to get together with friends and family and have a good time. Some of my favorite parties that I threw this past year are...
Minute to Win It Party. (I had so much fun planning this one that I did it three times!)
The Stocking stuffer party (I had everyone bring 10 of their favorite items that they stuff stockings with. Then everyone put their name in a bowl 10 times and we all took home 10 different things for stocking stuffing.
We didn't have a drive in movie this year but it is one of the kids favorites because they all can invite as many as they want.
We had some friends over for family home evening and dinner for Christmas and it was fun. The power was out that day so it even made it more interesting.
I love to go to parties too and some friends planned a crazy fun Halloween party that I loves.
Any new party ideas? I will try them out!

January 18th-24th

January 18th...We had a young women meeting in the morning. I went cross country skiing in the afternoon. Brian was out of town so the kids and I just hung out at home and watched Biggest Loser at night.
January 19th...I went to work. Dustin had a little injury so he came in. Dr. Call looked at him and sent him for an ultrasound.
January 20th...I took Dustin to the urologist in the morning. I went running in the afternoon and then cross country skiing with Heidi Hansen.
January 21st...We packed up and headed to Park City. We ate dinner with the Wadman's and then played games. Lynzi got a really bad bloody nose I didn't know if it was ever going to quit.
January 22nd...Brian, Ally and Dustin went skiing. Lynzi and I went shopping. Karlee ran in two races at Weber State. Her 4X4 team took first place and she took 2nd place in the mile.
January 23rd...We went to church in Park City and then I came home to speak at a fireside for the young women and their mom's. I made a video for the fireside and it didn't work. Very disappointing!!
January 24th...Went running in the morning and then went to the church to do yoga. I organized my bathroom, made a vision board and then went to our service family home evening group at the Posts tonight. It has been a good and eventful week this week.

Day 18...Put Your I-Pod on Shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up.

Alan Jackson...Remember when
Brad Paisley...Then
Josh Grobin...You Raise Me Up
Jenny Phillips...We believe
DJ Casper...Cha Cha Slide
Sawyer Brown...The Race is On
Iz...Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Def Leopard...Pour some sugar on me
LeeAnn Womack...I hope you dance
Kenny Chesney...Don't Blink
Ryan Shupe and the Rubberbands...Dream Big

Day 17...A habit you have that you wish you didn't.

One of the many projects that I get myself involved in. Teacher Appreciation.

I wish I wouldn't get so annoyed by people chonking gum. Dustin wishes I would learn to say no to big projects. Brian wishes that I would finish my sentences instead of stopping half way through. I guess I have some bad habits.

Day 16...NEXT 3 on BUCKET LIST

A tropical destination is always going to be on my bucket list.

This is when we went to Hawaii with our kids. FUN TIMES.

I can't believe I signed up to run in the Ragnar but I did so a year of running is what 2011 is going to be.

I haven't really started a bucket list but I think it is a good idea...
so the next three on my bucket list.
1. A week long get away with Brian to a tropical destination.
2. Run in a race with Brian.
3. Take my family on an awesome vacation.

Day 15: A favorite you tube video.

A little while ago, Brian and I were looking at you tube videos. The kids were all asleep and we watched this one. We were laughing so hard that we woke our kids up. This is just too funny!

Day 14: Your Dream Home

My dream home would be a place in the country where my kids can go out and play and feel safe. I would want a home where there is a room big enough for friends and family to come over and be comfortable...




I would love to have a kitchen that is easy to work in and easy to clean. Oh, and I would love to have double ovens.



I would want a home that is big enough to hold a lot of people and yet small enough to clean and be cozy. I want a home that is a welcoming home where people feel comfortable to hang out and play.

I feel very blessed to be living in my dream home. Thank you Brian for making this possible!!!

Day 13: What did you do today?

Today I went to work. We had a busy day at work like always. Dustin had a little injury so Brian took off work and brought him in. Dr. Call was so very kind to work him in. He arranged to get an ultrasound today and to get him in with another Doctor tomorrow. When things like this happen in my family it makes me so grateful to have an "IN" with a wonderful Doctor. I am thankful today for Dr. Call and for my job.
Tonight Brian, Karlee, Lynzi, and Dustin are at young men/young women so I am at home doing a little bit of relaxing. I should be doing a little bit of exercising but I am tired so I will do my blog instead.

Day 12: A favorite quote

I love, love, LOVE quotes so it is hard for me to pick a favorite. This is my favorite today.

Day 11: A favorite book

I love to read and when I have the time there is nothing I like more than to curl up with a good book. I have a few favorite authors and I like all of their books.

January 8th-17th

On January 8th we went down and watched Ally run at BYU in her first college indoor race. She ran the mile and took 6th place. After we went to the Living Planet Aquarium and to dinner at Costa Vida.
On Sunday the 9th I went to South Fork's ward conference. Taylor Satterthwaite gave a good talk about seeing a man on the bus at the airport. He watched the man hop out and help everyone on the bus and carry their luggage. He was the last one on the bus and ended up standing. Taylor thought he looked familiar and when he got on the airplane he remembered who the man was... he was his MTC mission president from 20 years ago. Taylor said he remembered him from his actions. He challenged all of us to live so that people know we are members of the church by our actions. I thought it was a really good talk.
On Monday the 10th I ran down to the church and then did P90X at the church with some ladies. I then came home a cleaned house and got ready for FHE. We had a lesson about Jesus Christ, I thought it was really good.
On Tuesday the 11th I had a marathon meeting from 10-2 at the Stake Center. We planned our fireside, girls camp, the young women recognition dinner. We have a lot of things coming up this year.
On Wednesday the 12th I went to work. It was a good day, busy but good. At lunch I had the great opportunity to get a mammogram. I haven't heard back on it yet.
On Thursday the 13th I went cross country skiing it was a pretty day. I also went downtown and went grocery shopping.
Friday the 14th the kids were out of school and Brian was home from work. Brian and I went to Matt Townsend's date night learning about the differences between men and women. Some things I learned: Top lessons for women: men care as deeply as women do, they just care differently. The quality of talk may be more important than the quantity of talk. Doing things together really does matter. We want to feel closter and more committed to you. Top lessons for men: Our hormonal roller coaster is just as scary and confusing to us as it is to you. Seeing that we are a top priority in your life is the greatest turn on you could imagine. We would touch you so much more if you would just leave it at that. We want to relax about life and let go of the worries and the surest way to do so is when we feel safe and sense your love and committment to the family. Intimacy is a process not an act. I thought he was really funny and I enjoyed it. Karlee and I went down to Ally's apartment that night and stayed over.
Saturday the 15th Karlee ran her first indoor meet this year at BYU. She took 1st in her heat and eighth overall. We went shopping a little bit and then came home.
Sunday the 16th we went to church. I got to substitute the 11 year olds in Primary. We learned about foreordination. Dave spoke in sacrament meeting because they just got released from the young men's presidency. It was a good busy week.
Today is Monday the 17th of January and it is Martin Luther King day. The kids are home from school and we are planning to do something fun.

Day 10...A favorite food and recipe

I love to make and eat breadsticks and found this recipe a while back that I love!!!
The Best Breadsticks EVER
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon malted milk powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Dissolve the yeast, malted milk powder, and brown sugar in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Stir in:
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour
Roll out in a rectangle shape that is 1/2 inch thick and 18 by 12 inches. Cut the width in 1/2 to make 2 6 inch rectangles and then cut into strips that are about 2 inches long.
Place on cookie sheet. Spread melted butter on top. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and garlic salt.
Let sit for 25 minutes. Bake 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

I like to serve these with Spaghetti, Ham/Potato Soup, or just plain with marinara sauce. YUMMY!

Day 9...A favorite movie

My favorite movie that I have seen in the past little while is Secretariat.
One of my all time favorites was Man From Snowy River. I also like Run away Bride.

Day 8 A favorite song

I love Brad Paisley's song "Then" but I have been working on a movie for the young women and I put the pictures to the song "Beautiful To Him" and I really like that song too!
Then lyrics
I remember, trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mezmorized
And three weeks later, in the front porch light
taking forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight
I hadn't told you yet
but I thought I loved you then

Chorus

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

And i remember, taking you back to right where I first met you,
You were so surprised
There were people around, but I didn't care
Got down on one knee right there once again,
I thought I loved you then

Chorus
[- From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/brad-paisley-lyrics/then-lyrics.html -]

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I could just see you, with a baby on the way
And I could just see you, when your hair is turning gray
What I can't see is how I'm ever gonna love you more
But I've said that before

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in
And I'll look at you and say
And I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then

So much noise, so much peace destroyed,
I can hardly hear the voice, leading me through the void,
So much noise.
The world's little lies,
Destruction in disguise, opportunities to compromise,
To make me beautiful in their eyes,
But I'm not gonna buy the world's little lies.

'Cuz I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives.
I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live.
It doesn't matter what the world believes,
Or what they say that beauty means,
It comes from within,
I want to be beautiful to Him.

He's given me His trust, so I'll be strong enough,
To run from a dangerous touch, I don't need that kind of love,
I don't need that crutch, He's given me his trust.

I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives.
I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live.
It doesn't matter what the world believes,
Or what they say that beauty means,
It comes from within,
I want to be beautiful to Him.

I know how to shine, my life's not really mine.
It's not about a worldly climb, it's all about His design.
So in His eyes, I want to shine.

'Cuz I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives.
I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live.
It doesn't matter what the world believes,
Or what they say that beauty means,
It comes from within,
I want to be beautiful to Him.

I want to live to have His peace,
And feel the holiness He seeks.
It comes from within.
I want to be beautiful... to Him.

Day 7 Something I want to buy.

I want to buy plane tickets to someplace warm just to get out of this freezing cold weather for a week or two would be awesome!

Day 6...Something I bought recently.

We got a wii for Christmas and Karlee went to a party and played this game. So when we had a New Years Party I bought Just Dance 2. It is quite entertaining to watch Dustin do the dances. Brian and I had a dance off and ya I beat him. FUN GAME!

Day 5 Top Ten Pet Peeves

So...Meagan said that she had a hard time coming up with 10 things that bugged her. I can easily name 10 things, I think I will have to work on not getting bugged so easily.
1. Chonking, popping, chewing, playing with, or even letting me know that you have gum.
2. Empty toilet paper rolls. I don't know why I am the only one who can change toilet paper rolls.
3. Rap Music
4. Getting teenagers to church on time is a chore that I don't particularly enjoy.
5. Snoring
6. People making a mess of the house when I just cleaned it.
7. Kids bringing laundry down right when I finish the laundry.
8. When my children ignore me and pretend that they can't hear what I am saying.
9. When people are mean to other people.
10. Driving behind slow cars when I am in a hurry...which is usually always.

Day 4 Something I crave.

This day isn't too nice if you are dieting like I am. Just thinking about what I crave makes me want it more but I will be good!!!
I crave ice water with the good ice...yum!
Cinnamon rolls hot out of the oven, but mostly I LOVE that smell.
Chocolate chip cookie dough, even though I slap Brian's and my kids hands when they eat it.
Chips and salsa, either homemade or from Chili's.

Day 3 A Favorite Photo

I have a lot of favorite pictures but my favorites are the ones that bring back good memories:
Dustin then...we got him a shovel for Christmas and he LOVED going out and shoveling the snow, he is still a good worker.
Lynzi then...she was the one who got into a little mischief and believe it or not she liked to make lots of messes. Not so much now.
Karlee then...this was taken at the pumpkin patch for preschool. The man had this pumpkin on his head and then came to life. It freaked Karlee out. She took off running and there was a very busy road by his house so he started to run after her. No one could catch her then and it is still the same today.
Allyson then...she got chosen to be in the Sword and the Stone show in Disneyland. She was so determined to get that sword out. She is still determined as ever to get things done.
My kids then were cute as can be and I think they are just as cute now.

Day 2 of Blog Challenge

Day 2 A picture of me last year and this year and the changes that have happened. Well this year is only 8 days in so I haven't had a lot of changes in this past week but the picture this year is in our new family room...last year if I would have taken this picture I would be sitting in my garage.

Today we had a fun filled day. First we had a birthday breakfast for Ronda and a planning meeting for next year at Mom's. She was so good to make us waffles and eggs and fruit and cinnamon rolls. Then we went down to BYU to watch Ally run. She did so good!!! This was her first college indoor race and she took 6th in the mile. Good job Ally. Then we went to the living planet aquarium as a family and then to dinner at Costa Vida. It was a great day.

30 Day Challenge

Lately I have been taking on a whole bunch of challenges. I took Studio 5's lose 10 pound in 4 weeks challenge. I took Brian's challenge to run the Ragnar Relay in Washington, and I was reading Meagan's blog and saw her 30 day challenge on her blog and decided to take that challenge also. Maybe this will get me back in the habit of blogging again.
So, here is Day #1 of the 30 day challenge.
Day 1: Five things about me that noone really knows...
1. I am interested in becoming certified in reflexology. I would love to learn how to do this
2. I am superstitious about the number 13.
3. I have written 3 books and am starting on the fourth this year.
4. I have had two eye surgeries to remove Pinguecula's off of them.
5. I have never tasted Gatorade or any electrolyte beverage.