Ward Halloween Party

We attended our Ward Halloween Party. It was wonderful. There was a hay ride, a spook alley, a chili cookoff, donuts for dessert, games galore, costumes in every variety, cute "older" witches sharing their candy, and fun, fun, fun. We were there for an hour and a half and had a great time. We love our neighbors.

"In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy."

~Dieter F. Ucthdorf

Success!!

I haven't felt much success in my life in a long time. Like for two years. Little bits here and there. But not much.

I also have noticed that my fridge is really, really dirty. And I don't even really consider it MY fridge because my in-laws gave us their nice fridge and bought themselves a lesser nice one off ksl. I feel guilty if my/their fridge gets dirty.

So this morning when the kids were off to school, without even really thinking about it, I started off with one shelf which led to another and another and in the end, the fridge is clean. AND IT IS SO NICE. It's amazing what a clean fridge can do for you. Or maybe just for me. :)

So it wasn't even 9 and I decided even if nothing else got done today, it was successful. It felt good to make that decision and it actually made my day a little happier.

But not just that! I cleaned my bathroom toilet. In, out, on, and around. Those are the words I use when I have my kids clean the toilet. And the clutter that usually is in my bathroom, is not there!! Little by little I've been cleaning it up and suddenly it looks clean. Success!!

I went out to get the mail and stood on my porch for a bit looking at my flower garden. There are some things I wanted to move around and without two much thought, I got the shovel and some gloves and moved things around. Success!!!

Last. I made broccoli cheese soup for dinner. John and mine were in bread bowls and the kids had breadsticks. And it was yummy. And even better.......the dining table is cleaned off and the front room is cleaned and vacuumed and we sold a light we had for sale on ksl. Success!!

Wow. I was just going to mention the fridge but one thing is leading to another and it is really nice to recognize the little things that happened today to make it successful.

I did one load of laundry, took Sam to Costco with me, enjoyed my children, and they are now in bed quietly reading. Success!!!

I need to get better at looking at the good things that happen in my day. As I went on throughout the day, I decided I need to write down the successes and forget all the things that don't happen. There is still a mess, everywhere. There always is. But little by little things happen and soon. yes, i hope soon. maybe all the little things will make a BIG difference and it won't just be me who knows what I did. It will be obvious for everyone.

But for today, I don't see the rest of the mess because I am focusing on my success!!!

John was lucky to get tickets from work to the BYU vs. Utah State game so he took the boys with him to Provo. It took over 2 hours to get there. They left just after 3:00 with hopes of getting there in time to go to the tailgate party and have dinner. They ended up getting there with 10 minutes to spare. Enough time to get to their seats. Thanks to a great ending to the game, they had a wonderful time and stopped at Krispy Kreme on the way home.

Emily, Leah, and I went to dinner and to Target then on a whim decided to paint the family room. We almost had all of it done when they got home around 11:00 pm. John finished off the very top corners and the next day we added trim to the baseboards to make them bigger.

We love it!!

And we loved getting to spend time 'with the boys' and 'with the girls'.

Getting ready for a trip

When I know we are going on vacation, I get out my notebook and I start making a list. Usually 7-10 days before we leave. As the week goes on and I 'remember' things that need packed or done, I get out my list and add to it.

These lists above are in preparation for our Oregon vacation. More on that awesome vacation later.

The first list is all of the items that need purchased or returned. Costco on the left. Wal mart on the right. The items in the middle can be purchased at either store. I just hadn't decided which yet. It also includes the last little details that need taken care of such as the mail, garbage, etc.

The second list is my packing list. The left side is mostly food with some items that didn't fit in the right section. Complete with convenient little boxes to check (not always there. sometimes i just cross it off) and the right side is everything that needs to be packed.

To make the list, I start at the feet and work my way up the body: socks, shoes, pants, shorts underwear, shirts - long and short sleeve - jackets, hats. Then back to the face, hair, and body and everything that is needed there: deodarant, lotion, makeup, soap, teeth, etc. etc. etc.

There is a system people!!

The letters to the left: J E T J S L and the letters to the right: M D are conveniently placed beside each item that everyone needs on the trip.

I go from room to room with my list and check off the letter next to the item for each person as I pack.

When everything and everyone is in the car and we are ready to go, I go over every single item on the list to make sure I didn't miss a thing.

Crazy?!!! It works for me. And if I don't do it, I WILL forget something. A lot of things.

Besides, it's kind of fun!

Let's Salsa!!

I did it!! Well, they did it! Lisa and Kara. They inspired me to do it!!

Do the Salsa that is.

(Wow I am tired. And in the morning when I read these posts, I'm probably going to have to redo them all.)

Kara had most of the vegetables for me and Kara and Lisa made their own and inspired me to give it a shot. I did it. Just me, my food processor, and my stove. And it worked like a charm.

I love doing something domestic. It helps me get through the 95% of my life that I'm not domestic and wish I were. Was? Which is it? Were or Was?

Thomas and Jack. And Thomas and Jack and Sam.

Thomas and Jack fit themselves into one of their uncles shorts at the family yard sale. It was our second yardsale to earn funds for the our second every other year family reunion.

It was a success!!
The boys had fun digging in my garden this summer. I didn't mind since I didn't plant a thing and it kept it weeded. But the other day, they came up with the grand idea to dig a hole. On the other side of the yard. In the grass. No where near my garden. I don't get it. It got put back together just fine and even though I didn't want a hole in my lawn and I wasn't really happy about it, I had to have a picture because this is just one of those things worth documenting.

Jack and Sam and the Fam.

At the end of the 2010-2011 school year, a 'deal' came through to get Hollywood Connection passes for $5 each. I thought this was a great idea and would give us something to do as a family. Well, the first time we tried to go out, it was dead. Like Wally World. It was actually kind of funny. Because it was Wally World. :)

I got smart and the second time called ahead. We ended up having to use these the day before they expired in September of the 2011-2012 school year. Awesome. Hey, at least we used them.

So John met us there and we played miniature golf and rode rides and it was well worth the price of $5 per person for about 4 hours of fun. For the kids.

This is on this little ''Crazy school bus" ride. It isn't too big and you sit in the bus and go up high and come back down. Rather silly. It is afterall a mini indoor amusement park. Jack DID NOT want to go on this ride but after seeing Sam go without a hitch he finally decided to do it. And this is how he looked while riding. He got off and loved it. Just like everything Jack does. Absolutely NOT on so many things but once he is forced or coaxed, he loves things. Funny kid.

Before the ride. And a PERFECT example of Sam and his happiness. See that smile?!! All day. Every day. I get that smile. Hundreds of times. How does one smile so often?! It's wonderful and I hope he always keeps that great trait.

SamUel

Sam fell asleep with a sticker on his nose. I think I wouldn't have been able to fall asleep like that. But maybe he wore himself out. Ha!! You'd think this kid would be worn out soon after he wakes up. He is AMAZING. He runs and runs and plays and jumps and spins and you name it. All. Day. Long. He really doesn't stop. It is amazing. Really. But guess what?!! Almost 5 years old and all 5 years, everything he does is done with a smile on his face. Honestly this kid lives life to it's fullest. Everything is joyful with Sam and he finds joy in everything.

Wow. I love him.
We drove out to my dad's one Sunday to take him some treats. He didn't answer and after the fact, I realized I need to call before I just show up. What a novel idea!!
So we drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon and looked at the colors and it was BEAUTIFUL.
I LOVE FALL.

All about L

L with cousin Katie behind her and "we claim her a cousin" Brynlee. She is actually Katie's cousin. But aren't we all family?!!!

This girl is LONG. And precious and sweet and irresistable.

See what I mean?!! Irresistable!

L and Grandma at a family party at Jolie's house.

Isn't grandma's hair cute? It's growing in and she is BEAUTIFUL!!