This month, write about things you like to do in your free time. Do you like to be outside or inside? Do you play with a big group, or do you like alone time? Do your activities depend on the weather? Write about something new you would like to do in the future.
At this stage in my life in my free time I usually like to take a nap. However, I don't think sleeping is really considered a hobby. I love, love to take pictures! I'm not really great at it, but I do love it.
I like to organize. It makes me so happy and function so much better when things in my home are organized. I almost always have a new organizing project in mind.
I love to coupon shop and to get a great deal. My sister in law said it so well, "the men go hunting and get their elk, we go shopping and get our elk." I love it! I don't love clipping and organizing the coupons, but I sure love spending 1/2 the amount of money I normally would have.
I love to play computer. I like to update my blog and journal about my family. I like to check friends blogs and see what they are up to. I like to find family home evening ideas and fun things to do with my kids by browsing online.
I like to read with the kids and especially listen to Ella read.
I would say I am a home body. I like to be in the comforts of my own home mostly because I can put my kids in their beds when needed, have food/snacks for the kids when needed, not feel as bad when they act out, etc. There is nobody I would rather be with (except on a bad day when I really need a break) than my little family here at home. However, I do enjoy getting out too.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Not just a good week.
Tuesday morning was back to the normal routine. Ella went back to school, Dustin went back to work so I was up early. I got my scripture reading in before the little girls woke up and even exercised. As much as I love vacation, I am a routine girl. I love routine! I like to know what to expect, have a plan and stick to it as much as possible. Maybe that's because I have little kids, or maybe I'm a control freak. ??
Anyway, right as I'm about to take a shower I get a phone call from Dustin that he has some excellent news. For the past year and throughout this year he is on a "pay freeze" at work. There were no raises issued and none will be issued this year. It has been a real downer and played a real toll on Dustin's attitude of work. The beginning of this year the company that he works for has revamped the benefits package as well as done some comparisons of pay throughout the country. We were fortunate to fall in the catagory of getting a significant pay increase. I recognize this is a blessing from the Lord for paying our tithing and recently helping others in need. I am so very grateful for many reasons. I am thankful for my good husband who goes to work each day and tries hard to be a good employee. I am thankful to have a job in this economy and recognize this alone as a blessing. I am grateful for the opportunity Dustin had to get a good education and for our parents for providing so much support to us and making this possible.
When Ella got home from school she handed me a letter. As I read it I discovered she had been invited to participate in a G.A.T.E. program at her school with only a few students chosen at each grade level. She was chosen due to academic achievement, classroom behavior and a few other reasons I cannot remember. Anyway, I was thrilled! We have been wanting to get Ella involved in something more challenging and stimulating and just expressed concern this past weekend. We are so proud of her and so excited for this new experience she gets to have.
Back in September when Dustin and I took our mini vacation to Lagoon for our anniversary, Dustin's ipod came in contact with some water and we have not been able to turn it back on. For whatever reason I was cleaning the drawer out that that ipod has been stored in and thought I would try to turn it on to double check before we get rid of it. As I plugged it into the wall I saw a little flash and it works! It's not 100%, but it's good enough that the kids will have an ipod to play with and can quit borrowing ours.
I joined a little "Health Challenge and Biggest Loser" contest that a girl in my ward is hosting and lost 4 pounds! This always makes me happy.
All week I kept my gratitude journal and felt like I wanted to share my testimony on Sunday because I was so grateful for the blessings the Lord had poured upon us this week. I sat in church today and fought the feeling until Ella expressed that she would like to say her testimony. Up until today I have not wanted to just go up and whisper in her ear. I wanted her to do it when she could do it on her own. However she has never really wanted to go up until today. She told me before we stood that she would need help but I felt like I needed to jump at the fact that she wanted to say her testimony at all, even if it was me whispering to her. As a child I watched the kids bear their testimony and was always too scared to share mine. I'm proud of her for being braver than her mom! It was a proud moment for me.
It was not just a good week, it was a GREAT week!
Anyway, right as I'm about to take a shower I get a phone call from Dustin that he has some excellent news. For the past year and throughout this year he is on a "pay freeze" at work. There were no raises issued and none will be issued this year. It has been a real downer and played a real toll on Dustin's attitude of work. The beginning of this year the company that he works for has revamped the benefits package as well as done some comparisons of pay throughout the country. We were fortunate to fall in the catagory of getting a significant pay increase. I recognize this is a blessing from the Lord for paying our tithing and recently helping others in need. I am so very grateful for many reasons. I am thankful for my good husband who goes to work each day and tries hard to be a good employee. I am thankful to have a job in this economy and recognize this alone as a blessing. I am grateful for the opportunity Dustin had to get a good education and for our parents for providing so much support to us and making this possible.
When Ella got home from school she handed me a letter. As I read it I discovered she had been invited to participate in a G.A.T.E. program at her school with only a few students chosen at each grade level. She was chosen due to academic achievement, classroom behavior and a few other reasons I cannot remember. Anyway, I was thrilled! We have been wanting to get Ella involved in something more challenging and stimulating and just expressed concern this past weekend. We are so proud of her and so excited for this new experience she gets to have.
Back in September when Dustin and I took our mini vacation to Lagoon for our anniversary, Dustin's ipod came in contact with some water and we have not been able to turn it back on. For whatever reason I was cleaning the drawer out that that ipod has been stored in and thought I would try to turn it on to double check before we get rid of it. As I plugged it into the wall I saw a little flash and it works! It's not 100%, but it's good enough that the kids will have an ipod to play with and can quit borrowing ours.
I joined a little "Health Challenge and Biggest Loser" contest that a girl in my ward is hosting and lost 4 pounds! This always makes me happy.
All week I kept my gratitude journal and felt like I wanted to share my testimony on Sunday because I was so grateful for the blessings the Lord had poured upon us this week. I sat in church today and fought the feeling until Ella expressed that she would like to say her testimony. Up until today I have not wanted to just go up and whisper in her ear. I wanted her to do it when she could do it on her own. However she has never really wanted to go up until today. She told me before we stood that she would need help but I felt like I needed to jump at the fact that she wanted to say her testimony at all, even if it was me whispering to her. As a child I watched the kids bear their testimony and was always too scared to share mine. I'm proud of her for being braver than her mom! It was a proud moment for me.
It was not just a good week, it was a GREAT week!
An answered prayer
As we made room for all the new Christmas toys, this little guy got voted for the garage sale. Before we say goodbye I want to make sure I record this little story about him.
About 3 years ago while shopping at the store Ella found this cute little alligator xylophone that she really wanted to buy. It was $10 and she had enough money to buy it. I remember telling her, "This is a lot of money for this little toy. I really think if you wait, you can find 10 toys at a garage sale for your $10 instead of spending it all one this one toy." She trusted me and agreed that she would wait.
The next weekend we went out shopping garage sales and lo and behold, the exact same alligator in perfect condition was being sold for $1. I was so grateful and felt like it was Heavenly Father "backing" me up in what I was trying to teach my Ella that day. Without a doubt the Lord watches over mommies and answers our prayers.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012 New Years Resolutions
It's that time again. I'm sitting down to write out my goals for the upcoming year. To start, I like to review last year's goals.
2011 Goals:Read the Book of Mormon - I ended up getting called to Primary and studied the New Testament.
Have 100% visiting teaching - I didn't have 100% but I did TONS better this year.
Attend the temple at least 12 times - I did bad recording this. It was between 10-12 times.
Start education funds for all 3 kids - Did it.
Print my blog book - Printed books for 2008, 2009 and 2010
Memorize The Living Christ - nope
Lose 20 (or more) pounds - nope
Any additional accomplishments:
Refinanced our home to a 15 year loan.
Survived.
2012 Goals:
Read & Study the Book of Mormon personally and as a family.
Keep a daily gratitude journal.
Kneel to pray, everyday.
Attend the temple 12 or more times.
Complete 72 hour kits.
Don't drink caffeine.
I am committing to take these goals seriously and make sure I have accomplished all of them next year. They are all within my means to accomplish and I know they will make me a better person if I will make them a priority.
2011 Goals:Read the Book of Mormon - I ended up getting called to Primary and studied the New Testament.
Have 100% visiting teaching - I didn't have 100% but I did TONS better this year.
Attend the temple at least 12 times - I did bad recording this. It was between 10-12 times.
Start education funds for all 3 kids - Did it.
Print my blog book - Printed books for 2008, 2009 and 2010
Memorize The Living Christ - nope
Lose 20 (or more) pounds - nope
Any additional accomplishments:
Refinanced our home to a 15 year loan.
Survived.
2012 Goals:
Read & Study the Book of Mormon personally and as a family.
Keep a daily gratitude journal.
Kneel to pray, everyday.
Attend the temple 12 or more times.
Complete 72 hour kits.
Don't drink caffeine.
I am committing to take these goals seriously and make sure I have accomplished all of them next year. They are all within my means to accomplish and I know they will make me a better person if I will make them a priority.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Christmas Family Photos
We took another batch of Wheeler family photos in my mom's living room the week of Christmas.
I'm especially fond of this one. Poor Ella looks like she is having a nervous break down or something.
Molly and Kourtney are 6 months apart. Molly looks so huge next to her. She was trying to give her kisses.
Then Kourney was.
I just love my family!
Christmas Festivities
We had another super fun Christmas celebration. We started Christmas Eve by going to my parents house to open pajamas from my mom and dad and gifts from to and from my siblings. It got the kids excited.
We headed to the Braithwaites for Christmas Eve dinner and fun with the family.
Alissa and Jordon playing with grandma's matching game.
Our favorite thing about Christmas Eve is piling into the living room to sing Christmas Carols. Normally grandpa David plays the piano, but this year Kara did.
Uncle Devin loves to get the kids all riled up for Santa to get there by jingling bells outside and yelling HO HO to make the kids think he's near. He tells Ella all sorts of stories about making sure the reindeer have food and home made signs so they know where to land, etc. etc.. It's fun, until we get home and have to play it all out. :) Every year the reindeer eat those oranges though so they must like them.
Christmas morning Ella's said her alarm went off so she was up by 7am. She patiently layed in my bed until 8 when we woke everybody else up.
Alissa got a Rapunzel doll and matching dress, sleeping beauty doll, a couple play doh sets, puzzles, disney figures.
Ella got a Barbie Jet and keyboard, some games, DVDs.
Molly got a little pink rocking horse, doll, and other toys.
This year we sent $5 to school with Ella to buy things from their "Santa's Workshop". I'm so glad we did. She thoughtfully selected something for each of us and was SO excited to give us our gifts. Dustin got a pack of basketball cards because he likes basketball. I got a ring. Alissa got a flashlight that says #1 sister because Ella didn't want her to be scared of the dark and Molly got a little slinky style bracelet. It really was so sweet and totally worth the $5 for her to have the "giving" spirit.
I'm super excited about my gift from Dustin. He got me 2 photography lessons! Hopefully I can learn how to use this awesome camera I'm obsessed with.
We have 1pm church which made the day broken up really nice. We got to take our time and Molly and dad even squeezed in a nap before church. I really wish Christmas was on Sunday every year because it made us refocus to go to sacrament and listen to the scriptures and hear the Christmas songs.
After church we went to my parents where the girls acted out the Christmas story. Obviously Molly was VERY tired!
They were super cute! One day we just might have a boy to add to this mix of girls.
2 Grandma and Grandpas spoiled us again. Each set of sisters got a doll house and the set of princess barbies. Alissa got some dress ups and Ella got some walkie talkies.
We are so blessed. So grateful to live close to family. So grateful to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. So grateful for his life and example to us. So grateful!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Snow Angels & Stuff
We are so happy Ella and our dad get to be home with us for the next 10 days! Ella and I made our little list of fun things we want to do while they are home.
We started on Thursday by making snow angels and I pulled the kids around on the sled. We are happy to have some snow for Christmas and wouldn't be sad if we got a bunch more tomorrow.
I love these snow angels!!
Please excuse the snotty noses, we were having too much fun to run in and grab a kleenex.
My sister Heidi watched the kids for us last week while Dustin and I went to the temple. They made me this beautiful handprint tree while I was gone. I love it and will pull it out every Christmas!
Ella came home with this super cute Santa poem. Her handwriting is getting so nice.
Alissa did some Christmas shopping with me last week and we came upon Santa at Sam's Club. He had no wait and it was only $.19 to print a picture. She had no hesitations to sit on his lap just sat there licking her lips cause she felt a little nervous once she got there. It was pretty darn cute.
We have delivered 24 neighbor gifts this year and mailed about 20 Christmas cards!
I was able to find 2 families in need of Secret Santa this Christmas and round up my family and extended family as a big service project. Everybody chose an item off our list and bring it to me when they bought it. We had a big wrapping party and got all the gifts wrapped. We let the kids be involved in the wrapping too so they could soak in as much of the goodness as possible. It has been a super wonderful experience for my immediate family. As we have been delivering gifts and looking at Christmas lights I have had ample opportunity to talk to Ella about the true meaning of Christmas. We talked about how this is exactly what Jesus would want for his birthday - Showing love and kindness to others.
As we sat next to the lit tree tonight reading our Christmas story Ella curled up in my lap and said, "I love you Mom. I already have the best Christmas present and I didn't unwrap it. It's you, Alissa, Molly and Dad." Does Christmas get much better than that? I couldn't ask for more.
Monday, December 19, 2011
A Good Example
I know Heavenly Father used some stradegy when he sent Ella first. I think that for a bunch of different reasons, but one of which is that she is such a great helper to me and such a great example to her little sisters.
Yesterday we came home from 1:00 church and as always we were all sleepy. We all grabbed a snack and I quickly made a lasagna to put in the oven. As it was cooking I went and laid down on the bed. Ella came in and said, "Dad, I have something to tell you can you come out here?" Dustin followed her out and she plotted with him how they would get the table all set and ready so I didn't have to do any of it since I made dinner.
I knew what they were doing so I took full advantage and didn't get up until Ella came and led me with my eyes closed into the kitchen for the grand suprise.
Such thoughtful things like this are not uncommon for this little girl. I am so grateful I have her to help me teach her younger sisters how to be kind and do service for others. She is such a blessing to our family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)