Goalmaking

I have some goals that I thought about at church that I would really like to get better at:

• I want to have primary planned and taken care of before Saturday(if I don't, then I am scattering all through it on Sunday) I want to be more organized.
• I want to do my visiting teaching and get to know my partner and the ladies I visit teach more than just people I see once a month to check it off a list. I want to make them my friends.
• I want to attend my ward and relief society activities. I love my ward and especially the ladies in it, I want to participate and become better friends with people.
• I want to go to the temple on a regular basis with Matt.
  

I love going to church. I love primary even though I feel so inadequate. I have learned so much in one year. I love the kids and I love the leaders I am able to work with.

I just thought of another two:

• Try out Tiffany's 30 freezer meals in a day(maybe not all in one day, but I would love to have that many meals in the freezer on hand...).
• Get Ammon to take a bottle so Matt can feed him. I'm hoping that after all this time he will finally take a whole bottle! Now that I'm almost done...

I have learned that for my next babies, making sure they will take a bottle is one of the TOP PRIORITIES. Matt needs to be able to have that time, and I need the option.

Since I wrote them down, I'm hoping I will be reminded of them so that I will accomplish them.

On the Job

Well, today was the first day I really worked from home. I technically started yesterday, but I only had enough for 20 minutes of work. Today was about 2 1/2 hours. I enjoyed being productive and talking professionally with adults. That is something that I have missed from being home, I feel like my vocabulary has suffered...Anyway...It was good, pretty easy, and I'm sure it will get easier and go more smoothly as I establish a routine and get more familiar with the system.

I want to make sure I only spend the amount of time I committed to each day. I have found that I really need some down time to collect myself and rest for a bit every day. Maybe it's because I'm used to being a couch potato most days. Nonetheless, I do need it, I just need to balance it(ahhh, balance...). So even if I have more names, Ammon is still sleeping, and I've already had a shower in the morning(which would be wonderful by the way) and I have already done my hours, I am going to put work aside and work on primary stuff, take a quick nap, study some scriptures, watch a show, sit and do nothing! Perhaps that sounds lazy....And maybe it is, but it keeps me sane, and I am happy when I am sane.

I have been coping with things a lot better lately though. I have exercised for the past 3-4 days(excluding Sunday), kept the house clean, done the Laundry, and made pretty descent dinners. I don't mean to brag, but sometimes I am just really lazy! So when I do have a streak of accomplishment it makes me feel good to make a list...ha ha. I love the feeling of being tired at the end of a productive day, and I'm able to go to sleep at a descent hour and actually look forward to waking up the next morning. I know that I have been able to cope because Heavenly Father is answering my prayers. I know He always has, and always will.

My Little Helper

Ammon has discovered the dishwasher and just loves to "help" load, or rather, unload all the dirty silverware. He seems to have grown an attachment to forks, as it is always forks that he takes out. I think he's even learned what it sounds like when I open the dishwasher door and he races in as fast as his little arms and knees will take him. At least he's happy while I'm doing something around the house instead of crying at my legs while I do the dishes right?
Another fun thing is Ammon's dancing. Yesterday I turned the radio to FM 100 so we could hear some Christmas music. He was playing along when a really fun arrangement of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" came on. Ammon turned his head a little to face his ear in the direction of the radio and started dancing. He must have really liked it. It was awesome. I could tell he was totally grooving.

Expiration Dates

Sometimes even I am shocked at my uncanny ability to forget things.

The other day I was doing something online that required me to look at my driver's license. The date issued, and the date it expired....Guess when mine expired? March 28, 2008!!!!!

Last year after I got married I went in, paid the $25, took the eye test, got a new picture, and changed the address to get my new license. Now I can't blame the Driver's License Division COMPLETELY even though they never sent out a renewal form in the mail because I did know last year that I would need to renew my license when I turned 21 in March of this year. But we always want a scapegoat right?

Well, I found this out on Monday, which just so happened to be Veteran's Day, therefore, the place was closed. I called and the automated system explained that if you have a license that has been expired for 6 months or more, you may have to take the written test again.....Can I just say that I REALLY REALLY REALLY did not want to take that test? Luckily I have a great mother-in-law who picked me up Tuesday after she got off work and drove me out to West Valley to renew my blasted license. She took care of Ammon and I tried to think of something I could say to get out of taking the test. My number was called after maybe 15-20 minutes of waiting and I walked over to the elderly man at the desk. I started explaining about getting married etc. etc. and he interrupted me by saying "don't worry, I'll take care of you". He looked up my driving record and said "you have a perfect record, why should you have to retake the test?" Talk about a tender mercy. It was getting close to time to nurse Ammon and his attention was wearing thin sitting still with Grandma Sue. I am sooooo grateful that I didn't have to take that test, and for that nice old man that made my day.

Wandering thoughts...

I feeling like blogging but don't really have anything specific to write about. I guess I'll just write down some thoughts. I've felt a lot happier and calmer, and more secure, and less prone to failure the last few days. I received a blessing from my husband and dad on Sunday because for some reason, I've really been struggling. It has helped so much. I can feel that as I have turned my weaknesses, insecurities, fears, etc over to the Lord he has made my burdens lighter and given me peace. There have been several days where I have stopped to think about how I am feeling, and I feel great! Not much has happened this week to make me extra happy, but I feel joy and peace. Peace, it is so wonderful! I am so grateful for the priesthood, for loved ones that are worthy to hold the priesthood and for a loving Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ. I can't do anything myself. I am learning that, no matter how much I want to make up my mind to be perfect, it will never happen, I will only fail and be depressed that I failed. Once I turn my heart over to the Lord and let him take care of things, I can see changes.

I have been able to exercise, have quality playtime with Ammon, read scriptures with Matt, and even perform some service. Yay! I am inexpressibly(is that a word?)grateful for all that I have. Heavenly Father has extended His arms of mercy to me countless times, and I am overwhelmed, but so happy.

Working Hard...or Hardly Working??

I am kind of ashamed to admit this because so many people I love and admire are such hard workers and such great examples to me of hard work, and I hope that people don't think too less of me...I really don't like working. Like working at a job. I love work around the house...that kind of work. It's really terrible but one of the reasons I looked forward to having Ammon is so that I wouldn't have to work anymore. I know, it's really bad, especially because I know that some women wish they could stay home but can't. I really am so grateful that I have been able to stay at home with Ammon for as long as I have, especially considering the fact that Matt and I have only been married just under 2 years. Fortunately for me, I have been very blessed to have a husband that works very hard so that I can stay home, and we have both been blessed to have what we need, Heavenly Father has been very merciful.

While I do not absolutely have to work, an opportunity has come up to earn some extra money, which is always nice. It really sounds like the perfect at home job, 2-3 hours a day, 5 days a week, and no dealing with customers. My old boss called me a couple of weeks ago wondering if I wanted to do some work for them by calling insurance companies and verifying new customer's benefits. They've been good to work with me and make it so that I can be at home and I plan on working while Ammon is napping. It might be temporary, it might not. I am really looking forward to paying off some things so that we can get out of debt, especially all those blasted hospital bills...

I hope that I don't come accross as bragging or being ungrateful. I am grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow that have been given me. I am also grateful for the many wonderful examples of sisters from both sides of the family, and mothers that offer terrific examples of hard work and perseverance and support to me always. I hope that I survive. I know it's an easy job, but I really struggle keeping any form of balance in my life. Maybe this will help. We'll see!

True Democracy

Last night at my parents house we experienced Democracy first hand. My family is TERRIBLE at deciding and agreeing on almost anything, especially movies or where to go out to eat. Most of the time we say, "let's watch a movie" and by the time we decide(it takes so long because our family is like a crazy mind, full of chaos and lots and lots of talking)it's time to go to bed, and Matt and I have to leave. Last night, we looked ahead however and didn't want that to happen, so we decided to vote. Celeste went downstairs to pull the Sunday-appropriate movies out for us to choose from. After many differing opinions, we decided to actually write down the votes and Daniel would tally them. We did that and narrowed it down to two: Cars, and Yours, Mine, and Ours. We voted again and had a tie. So then we raised hands to vote. Certain fair-weather voters who shall remain nameless changed their minds which moved the votes to be in favor of Yours, Mine, and Ours. I brilliantly came up with the perfect tie breaker, Ammon. We put both movies in front of him to choose, and betraying me, he chose Yours, Mine, and Ours. We tried it again, and even switched them in front of him, yet he remained resolute. He apparently wanted to watch Yours, Mine, and Ours. That decided it. We went down and had a great time with everyone watching and laughing. Thanks Ammon for helping us decide!

More sisters!

I have been very blessed to have many sisters! Next are Celeste and Christy. Celeste is 23 and wonderful. She has a bachelor's degree in Family and Human Development from Utah State University, and has just decided to apply to BYU's graduate school studying Social Work. She works at The Children's Center in Salt Lake helping out little kids with behavior problems, autism, and some that have experienced some form of abuse in the home.

Celeste is a very talented young woman, though, she will not allow herself to believe it. She plays the organ and piano and the trumpet in high school. Celeste has always been the peacemaker of the family, always trying to calm people down, or willing to compromise to keep the peace. She loves the family getting together and talking, playing, or whatever; as long as we're altogether. She's very thoughtful and is always trying to find ways that she can serve those around her. Celeste has a gift to empathize and listen to everyone.

Celeste and I were up at Utah State together for one year, her senior year up there, and my first. We really enjoyed being in IWA(Institute Women's Association) together and she always took care of me even though we didn't live together. I really missed her when she left, but she made USU so much better for me. I love talking with her and laughing with her. She's so wonderful because she will almost always laugh whole-heartedly at my jokes, which I love. I love you Celeste!

Next up is Christy. She married my older brother Sean July of 2006. She is absolutely perfect for him. She loves him and is very supportive and loving. She was a little quiet coming into the family, but who wouldn't be with all us crazies? She is always interested in what others are doing and is really easy to talk to.

Christy is brilliant! She has degrees in Anthropology and Spanish. She went to Spain for a year and Matt enjoys speaking Spanish with her. She is now supplementing her degrees with a Geographic Information Systems certificate. Christy likes anything outdoors; hiking, camping, running, etc. She and Sean have hiked ALL over, and always have great stories to tell us when they get back. They took a trip to Beliz and awed us all with pictures and stories of adventure. Christy has run in 4 half-marathons. Last October we all drove down to Moab to cheer her on. She is so inspiring. I almost want to run because of her dedication! I love Christy because she is so good to Sean. She loves Ammon and I think she really enjoys being an aunt. Christy is very open-minded and accepting of many people and is a good example of tolerance. I love you Christy and look forward to continue getting to know you better!

Finally to the Introductions!

I'm finally getting around to introducing my fabulous sisters! I think I will go from youngest to oldest as I have the pictures of the younger sisters and not of my older sisters yet.
I would like you all to meet Rachel. She is my younger sister by 2 1/2 years. Rachel and I did not use to get along very well at all! I was always bossing her around and we often shared a room growing up. I think we started to get closer when we were in marching band together. I was a junior in high school, and drum major in marching band, and she was going into 9th grade. We had just moved in with my grandma in Cottonwood, so we drove 20 minutes to and from school everyday. The radio didn't work in the car and Rachel came early with me. We talked a lot in the car rides, and got along great in marching band. Rachel is extremely talented in so many ways. Firstly, musically. She's got a great ear for harmony and improv. She plays(played) the flute, saxophones, and bass clarinet, and sung in the school choirs(the only one out of us girls to actually go into choir, which I'm sure made my mom happy). She's got a gift for music. She's great at making friends and having fun. Rachie likes to talk and I am happy that she stills calls me up to talk even though I'm no longer at home. We have a lot of great memories together. I remember that my friend Kara and I used to make her believe we had just gotten retainers(we just bent paperclips). And she would believe the story over and over again even when she found out that we didn't.

I have great memories of playing house, library, store, and any other role play games with her when we were younger. We loved to dress up and play. In Matt's family, he and his younger brother Andy were always called "the little guys" and Jason and Dan were the "big guys". Rachel and I were "the little guys" in a sense growing up. I'm so blessed to have Rachel as a sister. She has a strong sense of loyalty and always seeks to do right. She's a great friend to everyone and is not afraid to state her opinion. Rachel is both a good leader and follower when neccessary and gives a lot of joy to our family. She welcomed Matt into our family without hesitation once she met him and has a gift for making people feel at ease around her. I love you Rachel!

Cute Little Ammon

Ammon is getting really long! But instead of taking advantage of the length of his crib, he likes to sleep sideways. He almost always snuggles his head into the corner with his blankie right there. This is how I found him yesterday morning. It made me laugh:

This video is from last week. Ammon likes to "dance". When music comes on and he's standing up he'll usually start to bounce a little. We love it!

Privacy

Sorry guys. I just made my blog private again. I hope you still come to visit! There was a news thing last night on blogging safety and what crazy people can do with blogs, so I would rather be as safe as possible. Hopefully it won't be too annoying to you all!

More to come

I was going to post more, but I think this is plenty for now, I'll add a video of Ammon "dancing", and introduce some sisters as promised tomorrow or something. I need to get some things done now! There are two posts below, but tons of pictures, so don't miss any!

Hallween and more...

Thursday Janelle, Sue, and I got together to make use of the bushels and bushels of apples Grandpa Dwayne has given us from his trees. We made applesauce I think the week before, and that was a lot of fun. I want to can more next year. This time we worked on apple pies. Due to my extreme memory loss(I think it's getting worse) I forgot a key ingredient and so we didn't get as much made as I would have hoped but it's still nice to get together and visit- in fact, that's the best part!
There's the applesauce. It was a wonderful feeling to have made all that. Sue said "don't you just feel so domestic?" I really enjoyed it.

For Halloween we spent the day visiting grandmas. I dressed up as Ammon veterinarian and I really enjoyed visiting with my grandmas that live up in Salt Lake.
Ammon with Great-Grandma Peckham. He is great-grandchild #20!At Great-Grandma North's apartment. She dressed up as a clown and looked great! I should have gotten a picture, but as I mentioned before...extreme memory loss...plus Ammon was sleeping when I got there. We watched some of The Carol Burnett show until Ammon was ready to leave and then we went to my parents.
My sister Rachel dressed up as Alice Cullen from the Twilight books. I thought it was perfect for her newly cut and colored hair. She looked great!For these next couple of pictures I really wanted some of Matt and me. Our first Halloween together was two years ago and we went as a doctor and his nurse. I was a little reminiscent.

My and sisters and I acting like the crazies we are...This was at Jason and Meg's house, for the party that evening. It was lots of fun and kind of loud as we were playing Rock Band. I played the drums! It was fun! We had yummy pumpkin sausage pasta with pie for dessert. We had a little mishap when Ammon fell down a couple of stairs. I felt like a horrible mother, but I'm learning, and now everytime we're around stairs, I try to teach him to go down the stairs backwards.All of Matt's brothers had a picture in this little sailor suit, and now all of the grandkids. Cute huh?

Halloween and more...

I really need to just post little by little instead of letting pictures build up and then posting everything all at once. Oh well. This last week was very busy and very fun. Having kids makes Halloween much more enjoyable. This was probably one of the best Halloweens I can remember. To start off the festivities of Halloween, we went with my fun sisters- and mother-in-law to the Witchapalooza at Gardner Village. They decorated with all kinds of cute, funny, and crazy witches. We got some great pictures and I loved getting out with the girls!

Cute little Piglet Afton. She was so tired and kept pulling off her socks.
Ammon was a very sleeeeepy puppy that day. He did pretty well though because he loves being in the stroller.
Here's our queen bee Janie. You can't really see it in the picture, but she had adorable bee clips in her hair.
The girls minus Sue who graciously took millions of pictures with millions of cameras with millions of crazy kids all around!
Our own famous witch Bailee. She was great with the little babies.
Janelle with Afton in front of the Sweet Afton's store.

Ok, I had to post all three of these pictures because it's great to watch the kids the longer they had to sit in the wagon. I'm sorry that Ammon wouldn't allow us to take more!Afton just waiting comfortably until Ammon calms down and we're done. Pictures with these kids is always an adventure!

Sittin' a spell with Bailee
These signs were pretty funny
Here goes the little puppy!His hind legs sometimes go a bit faster than his front paws...

It was a fun day, and I look forward to going again next year! We didn't do any of the activities they had there, we just walked around, it was a great, free way to celebrate Halloween!