I used to be one of the most organized people I know. Not because I want to brag, but because I need to prove my point I want to share a few things I did before I was married and before I had kids.
*In college I was Secretary/Historian for LDSSA. I was in charge of planning weekly events for an organization of 200+ people!
*For 2 summers after colllege I managed multiple sales reps in multiple cities throughout the East in organizing paperwork, talking with customers, etc. etc.
* I had a job California where I was made head project manager for the company. It was a small company and a very unorganized one. They allowed me to completely reorganize how the paperwork was managed and how customers were contacted. By the time I left some in the company were making three times the amount they were before because of the system I set up.
So now you understand how I USED to be. Here's an example of how I am now:
This morning playgroup was at 9am. I got all of Lily's water toys ready to go. I got her swimming suit on and headed her out the door. I got Kara dressed in clothes (I didn't think she'd want to swim) and got her in her seat. We were the first ones to playgroup (this never happens). Lily got cold quickly and wanted a towel. Woops I remembered the toys to play with but forgot the towel. Then Kara decided she wanted to get in the water but I didn't have a swim diaper or anything for her...so two of my playgroup friends pull out two different kids of swim diapers which I gladly use. But then I have a cold baby with no towels. A few minutes later Lily needs her nose blown....woops forgot the kleenex but hey, a receipt from my purse will do! Luckily my friend had a wet wipe the next time she needed her nose blown. Then Kara decided she was hungry and ate my friend's banana, making a huge mess. But don't worry--my friend had wet wipes!
How is it possible to forget so many things for just on activity? But at least I remembered the toys! This is just 1 example of many of how I have become completely air headed.
So why am I so air headed? I have thought about this at great length and have come up with some possibilities:
1. Neither of my children sleep. I feel it is a good night if my kids wake up only 3 or 4 times. Maybe lack of sleep has shut down part of my brain thus not allowing me to think clearly and in an organized fashion.
2. The more babies you have the more brain cells you lose. Maybe 2 kids is enough for me....
Well, thanks for listening to my frustrations! And thanks to all my good friends who follow me around and compensate for all that my brainless-ness requires.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Moved...Again
So we have moved twice in every city that we have lived in. That makes for a total of 8 times in 7 years! When we moved to St. George we vowed that this would be the last time that we moved for at least a year. But 6 months later we have moved AGAIN! We are so tired of moving but our first apartment in St. George was waaaaay too small and I was going loony dealing with kids in a space were there waas no space.
There aren't very many apartments and cheap houses in our ward but Dan and I both felt strongly that we needed to stay in the ward boundaries. So after a frustrating time of looking for a new place I finally prayed that if the Lord wanted us to stay in the ward he better find us a place to live.
Two days later I was talking with a lady in the ward that I didn't really know about how we were looking for something bigger to move into. She suggested that I look at the YW President's apartment complex. I didn't even know it existed even though I had walked and driven past it many times. It's set off the road quite a ways which is AWESOME! Anyways, I knocked on the YW President's door and asked if I could look at her apartment. It was HUGE! I was bummed to find out that her apartment (it's actually a little house set in amongst some apartments) was the only one that was 3 bedrooms. The rest were 2 bedrooms and studios. But THEN she said that they had put an offer down on a home and that they were planning to move in the next month. She said no one knew yet because the house hadn't been finalized yet. HOLY COW talk about answering prayers!
So we moved....not the best or smoothest move(see more about that in the next post) we have had but we are here and soooo glad to have more space.
_________________________________________________
This newest move was one of the worst moves we have had yet. We had planned to have 2 sets of missionaries come help us move since we were moving on a weekday when all the guys were at work. Well only 1 set of missionaries showed up and they could only stay for 1.5 hours! They forgot to let us know all this before....so we spent half of our morning trying to find people who could help us. Finally 2 of our new neighbors (we love our new neighborhood and feel completely at home here) and 6 of the kids in the neighborhood came and helped us. Hallelujah.
We finally got all of our stuff out of our apartment yesterday and got it all clean. I realized Tuesday night that the cleaning and moving that we still had to do was going to be way too much for just Dan and I. I didn't even think about calling anyone to help, however. Instead we got to the apartment and just started cleaning. Then I became hugely overwhelmed and sent out a mass text that we needed help now. I usually get so frustrated with people who do this! If you need help at least let me know in advance! Well, needless to say not many people showed up...thank you to those who did! You were lifesavers!
There aren't very many apartments and cheap houses in our ward but Dan and I both felt strongly that we needed to stay in the ward boundaries. So after a frustrating time of looking for a new place I finally prayed that if the Lord wanted us to stay in the ward he better find us a place to live.
Two days later I was talking with a lady in the ward that I didn't really know about how we were looking for something bigger to move into. She suggested that I look at the YW President's apartment complex. I didn't even know it existed even though I had walked and driven past it many times. It's set off the road quite a ways which is AWESOME! Anyways, I knocked on the YW President's door and asked if I could look at her apartment. It was HUGE! I was bummed to find out that her apartment (it's actually a little house set in amongst some apartments) was the only one that was 3 bedrooms. The rest were 2 bedrooms and studios. But THEN she said that they had put an offer down on a home and that they were planning to move in the next month. She said no one knew yet because the house hadn't been finalized yet. HOLY COW talk about answering prayers!
So we moved....not the best or smoothest move(see more about that in the next post) we have had but we are here and soooo glad to have more space.
_________________________________________________
This newest move was one of the worst moves we have had yet. We had planned to have 2 sets of missionaries come help us move since we were moving on a weekday when all the guys were at work. Well only 1 set of missionaries showed up and they could only stay for 1.5 hours! They forgot to let us know all this before....so we spent half of our morning trying to find people who could help us. Finally 2 of our new neighbors (we love our new neighborhood and feel completely at home here) and 6 of the kids in the neighborhood came and helped us. Hallelujah.
We finally got all of our stuff out of our apartment yesterday and got it all clean. I realized Tuesday night that the cleaning and moving that we still had to do was going to be way too much for just Dan and I. I didn't even think about calling anyone to help, however. Instead we got to the apartment and just started cleaning. Then I became hugely overwhelmed and sent out a mass text that we needed help now. I usually get so frustrated with people who do this! If you need help at least let me know in advance! Well, needless to say not many people showed up...thank you to those who did! You were lifesavers!
The Lake
Our friends invited us to go to the Sand Hollow Lake. It is beautiful! And very peaceful. We didn't want to leave.
Lily liked the sand more than the water.
Kara loved all the attention but still wanted her Daddy.
I couldn't find my suit due to the move and the piles of boxes in our house so I wasn't planning on swimming...but I couldn't resist.
My friend and I enjoying the water. We started tossing a football back and forth and then it ended up a water fight.
Lily liked the sand more than the water.
Kara loved all the attention but still wanted her Daddy.
I couldn't find my suit due to the move and the piles of boxes in our house so I wasn't planning on swimming...but I couldn't resist.
My friend and I enjoying the water. We started tossing a football back and forth and then it ended up a water fight.Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Swimming Extravaganza
For awhile the pool at our apartment was heated so we were able to swim to our heart's content. Lately, though the heater hasn't been on....I think the managers are hoping that the sun will eventually get hot enough to warm the pool. I hear within a couple of weeks they will be trying to cool the water down! Crazy! Anywho...
We were able to go swimming at an indoor/outdoor pool in a neighboring town. We went for a couple of days. Lily had a really hard time swimming on her own the first day. We had to hold her the whole time. The second day she was much more relaxed, especially once she learned to doggy paddle. Although she only went down the slides a couple of times, and only when we went with her, we were very encouraged as she became more comfortable in the water.
Here are some pictures of the awesome place we went:
The lazy river was Lily's favorite. She could float on her own and would only start yelling for help if we got too far away from her.
This part of the pool was amazing! Tons of slides. You can't see it, but on the top of this area there is a huge bucket that fills up and dumps on anyone around every 3-4 minutes. There are also some baby slides further on down the pool. This place was amazing!
We were able to go swimming at an indoor/outdoor pool in a neighboring town. We went for a couple of days. Lily had a really hard time swimming on her own the first day. We had to hold her the whole time. The second day she was much more relaxed, especially once she learned to doggy paddle. Although she only went down the slides a couple of times, and only when we went with her, we were very encouraged as she became more comfortable in the water.
Here are some pictures of the awesome place we went:
The lazy river was Lily's favorite. She could float on her own and would only start yelling for help if we got too far away from her.
This part of the pool was amazing! Tons of slides. You can't see it, but on the top of this area there is a huge bucket that fills up and dumps on anyone around every 3-4 minutes. There are also some baby slides further on down the pool. This place was amazing! 3 Special Steps
Just like any other kid I know, Lily LOVES cartoons. The rule around here is that she has to do her job chart before she can watch any cartoons. By then the show that is usually on is Agent Oso. He is a cute little bear who helps kids learn things in only 3 steps. Earlier this week there was an episode on where a child learned how to use chopsticks. Lily was so excited and very determined to put her new knowledge to good use. So we found a gluten free chinese food seasoning packet and some chopsticks.
Lily enjoyed trying to "chopstick" the jello.
She gave up on the jello and then proceeded to the kung pao chicken. Eventually she just stabbed the chicken and stuck it in her mouth. Hey, whatever works, right?
We found some Thai fortune cookies that were gluten free. Lily spent more time inspecting them then eating them. They were yummy! Here fortune suggested that she listen more then she talk. Wow! Perfect for our adorable jabbering 3-year old!
Thanks for the fun dinner idea Agent Oso!
Lily enjoyed trying to "chopstick" the jello.
She gave up on the jello and then proceeded to the kung pao chicken. Eventually she just stabbed the chicken and stuck it in her mouth. Hey, whatever works, right?
We found some Thai fortune cookies that were gluten free. Lily spent more time inspecting them then eating them. They were yummy! Here fortune suggested that she listen more then she talk. Wow! Perfect for our adorable jabbering 3-year old!
Thanks for the fun dinner idea Agent Oso!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Remembering the Best of the Best
My sweet sister-in-law passed away a couple of weeks ago. She had cancer for as long as I have known her. She fought it with the very depth of her soul but in the end the Lord needed her on the other side. She was an amazing woman who loved her family to the bottom of her toes. She made everyone around her feel comfortable and loved. When I first joined the family she made me feel comfortable amidst a mass of new sister-and-brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Whenever I saw her she asked how I was and really wanted to know!
In the end going to the temple gave her energy and she went often. Last Thanksgiving she went to the temple and put my and Dan's name in as we were having difficulty with our car. I was amazed that she would even think of us! Our problems weren't nearly as hard and difficult as hers.
Here are a few pictures of the funeral:
Dan, Lily and Kara waiting for the family prayer. Cousin Kayla looks on.
Sister-in-laws Hillary, Deb and Michelle before the family prayer.
Dan's cousins girls. They were absolutely adorable! Their names are Genesis (L) and Liberty (R). Liberty and Kara had quite the connection. Kara saw her and couldn't stop laughing and cooing at her. I have never seen Kara react to a baby like that before! I am convinced that they must have known each other in heaven.
The brother-in-laws carry the beautiful casket to the gravesite.
The family sitting at the grave dedication. Lily sat with Mariah, Cindy's daughter. The whole funeral was very confusing to Lily. She never knew "Aunt Cindy" but prayed for her during every prayer (Lily has to give all meal prayers and bedtime prayers) for many months. Before the dedication prayer began Lily kept asking why Aunt Cindy was in the box and what they were going to do with her. So sad and hard to explain to a 3-year old!
Lily and Mariah have always been best buds.
All of Dan's siblings were able to come for the funeral. It has been years since they have all been together. What a tragedy that Cindy passed away but it is the tragedy that pulls the family together.
Dan's cousin Verlin. He is the comic relief at every event. This was his NO face when I asked him if he and his wife were going to have kids.
It was so fun to see Dan's cousins! They are a hoot and a half!
_________________________________________________
In the end going to the temple gave her energy and she went often. Last Thanksgiving she went to the temple and put my and Dan's name in as we were having difficulty with our car. I was amazed that she would even think of us! Our problems weren't nearly as hard and difficult as hers.
Here are a few pictures of the funeral:
Dan, Lily and Kara waiting for the family prayer. Cousin Kayla looks on.
Sister-in-laws Hillary, Deb and Michelle before the family prayer.
Dan's cousins girls. They were absolutely adorable! Their names are Genesis (L) and Liberty (R). Liberty and Kara had quite the connection. Kara saw her and couldn't stop laughing and cooing at her. I have never seen Kara react to a baby like that before! I am convinced that they must have known each other in heaven.
The brother-in-laws carry the beautiful casket to the gravesite.
The family sitting at the grave dedication. Lily sat with Mariah, Cindy's daughter. The whole funeral was very confusing to Lily. She never knew "Aunt Cindy" but prayed for her during every prayer (Lily has to give all meal prayers and bedtime prayers) for many months. Before the dedication prayer began Lily kept asking why Aunt Cindy was in the box and what they were going to do with her. So sad and hard to explain to a 3-year old!
Lily and Mariah have always been best buds.
All of Dan's siblings were able to come for the funeral. It has been years since they have all been together. What a tragedy that Cindy passed away but it is the tragedy that pulls the family together.Dan's cousin Verlin. He is the comic relief at every event. This was his NO face when I asked him if he and his wife were going to have kids.
It was so fun to see Dan's cousins! They are a hoot and a half!_________________________________________________
We stayed at my parent's house for one night on the way to the funeral and on the way back. Here are some things we did there:
We got to see Lily and Kara's cousins! Here is a picture of Kara with her cousin Matthew.
Grandpa and Grandma Mecham's neighbors have a donkey who just had a baby. Gma and Gpa took the kids over to see it.
Lily got to feed the donkey!
Lily and Kara are starting to play together a bit more. It is so fun! Lily is so proud of her little sister. Here they are playing on some of the toys before we left to go home.
We got to see Lily and Kara's cousins! Here is a picture of Kara with her cousin Matthew.
Grandpa and Grandma Mecham's neighbors have a donkey who just had a baby. Gma and Gpa took the kids over to see it.
Lily got to feed the donkey!
Lily and Kara are starting to play together a bit more. It is so fun! Lily is so proud of her little sister. Here they are playing on some of the toys before we left to go home.
_________________________________________
While in Boise for the funeral we had a couple of days to see some of the sights there.
During preschool a couple of months ago we talked about lighthouses. Imagine our excitement (and our confusion since Boise is landlocked) when we came into Boise and saw this lighthouse through the trees. We could also see the lighthouse through the window of the hotel so first chance we got Dan and Lily headed there (I stayed at the hotel so Kara could have a nap).
The lighthouse turned out to be an old train station. Isn't it beautiful?
The grounds were gorgeous, too. This is a cave monument made out of lava rock.
Since we were in Boise during Memorial Day weekend we got to see bunches of flags. This is just a portion of a memorial to those who lost their lives fighting in war. The flags were huge and there were many. It was such a fitting memorial for those who died protecting our country!
The hotels we stayed at had a swimming pool and hot tub. Lily didn't like the pool much because we forgot floaties. She LOVED the hot tub however. Here is a picture of her washing her hair with the bubbles.
While in Boise for the funeral we had a couple of days to see some of the sights there.
During preschool a couple of months ago we talked about lighthouses. Imagine our excitement (and our confusion since Boise is landlocked) when we came into Boise and saw this lighthouse through the trees. We could also see the lighthouse through the window of the hotel so first chance we got Dan and Lily headed there (I stayed at the hotel so Kara could have a nap).
The lighthouse turned out to be an old train station. Isn't it beautiful?
The grounds were gorgeous, too. This is a cave monument made out of lava rock.
Since we were in Boise during Memorial Day weekend we got to see bunches of flags. This is just a portion of a memorial to those who lost their lives fighting in war. The flags were huge and there were many. It was such a fitting memorial for those who died protecting our country!
The hotels we stayed at had a swimming pool and hot tub. Lily didn't like the pool much because we forgot floaties. She LOVED the hot tub however. Here is a picture of her washing her hair with the bubbles.Well if you made it to the bottom of this post, thanks for reading!
The Mormon Moment - Newsweek
The Mormon Moment - Newsweek
So interesting! I was a bit saddened by the part of the article where they talked to members of the government who were members of the church but who said they put the government 1st, religion 2nd. Those who are LDS and active in the government are only good if they utilize the values and standards that they know to be true. And yet they don't get elected if "the people" know they are LDS. We need good people running the government (i.e. Mr. Wiener is an example of the kind of person we DON'T want anywhere near the government) but should we expect people to make light of their religion in order to fit in to the government?
Let me know what you think!
So interesting! I was a bit saddened by the part of the article where they talked to members of the government who were members of the church but who said they put the government 1st, religion 2nd. Those who are LDS and active in the government are only good if they utilize the values and standards that they know to be true. And yet they don't get elected if "the people" know they are LDS. We need good people running the government (i.e. Mr. Wiener is an example of the kind of person we DON'T want anywhere near the government) but should we expect people to make light of their religion in order to fit in to the government?
Let me know what you think!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Reading My Blog?
Who in the world is checking my blog from Belgrade? and Florida?
I really don't want to privatize my blog but it wigs me out that someone from Belgrade has been looking at pictures on my blog!
Please let me know who you are!
I really don't want to privatize my blog but it wigs me out that someone from Belgrade has been looking at pictures on my blog!
Please let me know who you are!
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