Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Martha and Mary

Today when Eli and I were playing we were listening to scripture scouts (scriptures stories for kids) and a story was taught that caught my attention. It was of Mary and Martha. It is found in the New Testament in Luke. Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet listening to him and Martha is busy cleaning the home and preparing for Christ. Christ says to Martha, "thou art troubled and careful about many things; but one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part"

It hit me because lately I have been so busy being troubled by things such as jobs, moving, finances, taking care of Eli, and then cleaning and cooking that I forgot what the most important things are.

I need to straighten my priorities and put The Lord first. I need to symbolically kneel at his feet and listen to his words, by reading the scriptures and praying more. The cooking and cleaning can be done later, and are not as pressing as I think they are. Sometimes I get too busy that I don't listen to those small promptings. Luckily we can always try again the next day!


Thursday, April 25, 2013

My Little Book Worm

Today Eli and I went to the library. We were both getting bored at home so I took him somewhere new to explore. He played for an hour just crawling, looking, and playing with the activities there.











Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Comparison Is The Thief of Joy

I find myself doing this almost everyday.
 Usually when I am on some social media site.
 I bet nearly every girl does it too, without even thinking much about it.

I compare myself to others.  I compare my worst to their best.  I look at their pictures online of them standing at the end of a half marathon looking happy and accomplished, not even a drop of sweat on their skin, or a sweet family camping together with happy kids and perfect golden smores, or a family and their beautiful perfect family at church without banana or crackers on their shirt.  It doesn't matter what it is, I compare myself to them thinking why am I not in shape so I can run a half marathon, why don't we go camping more often, why do I always look like I never shower and am covered in baby food?

I look at these beautiful pictures and then compare it to when I am at my lowest point in life.  WHY?  I have wonderful things in my family, and every family out there has great things happening in their lives.  Just because its not on a social media site where everyone can "like" or comment, doesn't make it important.




I just ordered a journal called "One Line A Day"  I have been terrible at keeping updated in a journal, so this was a good solution for me.  It has room for just a few lines everyday, and can be used for 5 years.

  This will really help me to write something down EVERY day (just a few words or lines) to remind myself of the events that happened.  Even something as simple as Eli falling asleep on our walk which I always find so sweet, or going to the zoo, or visiting with a best friend.  I can relish in my moments of happiness and stop comparing myself to others.

My goal for myself this year has been to 'Simplify'.  My life, my home, my desires, and family.  I am not able to read my scriptures everyday, write in my journal daily, go the the Temple weekly, and visit teach  several families each month.  I do what I can, and I am okay with that.  I am simplifying expectations of myself and learning to accept myself and be happy with my best.

So long story short, don't compare yourself to others, its demeaning and unfair.  Be the best version of you!


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

20 Randoms

I saw on a blog I follow 20 random questions she answered.  Interesting yet very pointless things.  Ready?  Feel free to do this on your blog too!

What is your road trip essential snack?
a candy bar (Twix, Snickers, anything)

You've been handed two free round-trip tickets... who are you taking and where are you going?
  Bryan of course!  And... Australia

What was your high school jam?
N'Sync and Backstreet Boys :)
--WOW. I did NOT listen to them in high school! I was thinking the first people I started listening to.--  High school was more Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, and the aqua bats :)

Would you rather has a perfect bum, or flawless face?
Flawless face!

What shows are you ashamed to admit that you watch?
Occasionally Keeping Up With The Kardashians...that's embarrassing to admit ;)

What's your ringtone?
Just the default iPhone one.  Yea, real fancy.

How old were you when you had your first kiss? Bleh, or Ooh la-la?
an ohh la-la kiss at 18! (that seems a little embarrassing to admit too)  Whew, glad we're friends!

Do you have any siblings, and if so, where are you in the birth order?
I'm the baby with two brothers!

What physical quirk were you born with?
summer freckles

What was your first car, and did you name it?
I used the mommy mobile in high school, my husbands Impala when we were first married and we just bought a jeep in December.  So I guess thats my first real live car! And I'm not a big car namer

What would you request for your last supper?
Last week I made oven BBQ Pork ribs and those were AMAZING  With mashed potatoes and asparagus!  And cheesecake for dessert :)
http://www.food.com/recipe/beths-melt-in-your-mouth-barbecue-ribs-oven-107786

Have you ever been hospitalized, and if so, what for?
just for Mr. Eli!  First time spending the night in the hospital.. kinda weird.  But Bryan stayed with me the whole time

How tall are you? Do you wish you were taller, shorter... or are you just right?
I'm about 5'5"  I think i'm just right

Do you prefer to DIY or hire out?
DIY!

What do you eat for breakfast?
Kix, Chexs, apparently cereal that has the letter 'x' in it ;)

What would  you do for a living in you didn't need money?
quilt, sew, crochet, and sew some more

Finish the sentence.. Every room needs...
lots of natural light

How frequently do you wash your hair? Any hair tips?
Every 2-3 days.  Let it do its thing.  If it wants to curl, don't straighten it everyday, embrace your hair!

Will you leave the house without makeup?
I try to at least have on mascara so I don't look dead

You just unloaded your Halloween haul... what candy do you go to first?
TWIX

What talent do you posess?
hmmm... I can see something online and re-create it pretty well.. Decoration, baby clothing, sewing, quilt, ect.  So basically, I'm a really good copycat :)

Okay, your turn!


Monday, April 15, 2013

Sewing Buddy

I made Eli a baseball cap to wear this summer and he decided to help make it too ;)










Thursday, April 11, 2013

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Bryan doesn't like store bought jam since I started making it myself. I got some gorgeous strawberries through bountiful basket and got to work! I had 8 pounds which made 3 batches plus some to freeze for smoothies.

Here is the recipe I used:
http://momonamission.me/?p=4645

The low sugar recipe was SOO much better than regular. The berry flavor stood out so much more!!

Go get some berries and make some delicious freezer jam. You can make a batch start to finish in about 30 minutes!











Wednesday, April 10, 2013

My Little Boy!

Eli had his 9 mo check up yesterday (at 9.5 months)

He is 17.5 pounds (only the 10th percentile). He's just too busy playing to eat!
29 inches long (70th %)
Has one (almost two) teeth
Crawls
Pulls to standing on EVERYTHING
Is Happy happy happy
Loves yogurt and cheese
Loves to play on/in the dishwasher
Very chatty
More and more fun everyday!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Mini Golf

Last weekend we played mini golf with Jeremy and Stephanie. Bryan had never played outdoors so it was fun to do something kinda new.

I stink at golf but it was still fun! Eli and Parker just chilled in the strollers and watched the show. It got pretty chilly but neither of them complained. What good buddies :)













Pile of Pictures


We taught Eli a pretty funny trick :)





Eli also learned he loves gluten free cake!  Only if he's fed by my mom :)

And, as a tradition we always have to go to Sushi Land when we are in town.  HEAVEN!  I Love it!!!  Eli likes the rice too.


Oh empty plates, how I miss your deliciousness you held!
Then it was time to say good bye :(  Eli played with a new ball on the plane and was quite entertained.




Then spilt water everwhere.  We got the whole row so Eli sat like a big kid in the seat alone for a while.  Where did my baby go?!
It was a fantastic trip, but I'm excited I get to see my mom and other brother in just a few weeks!!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Easter

Easter was so fun this year!! I got to make Eli's Easter outfit. I did a bow tie, matching shoes and his sweater vest. It was so fun to dress him up! I completely forgot to take a family picture of all of us. Dang.








After church we had a yummy dinner, and Eli found his Easter bag on his own. That boy is a chocolate lover!! (Thanks to my brother for sneaking him bites). He can sniff it out in my diaper bag or on the table!

We also had an Easter egg hunt. Who cares if we are grown ups! We had a blast. My mom, brother, Bryan, and I all hid some eggs then hunted for them in the backyard. This was by far the toughest egg hunt I've done, but It was very memorable. I love my family :)
(these pictures are right on my computer but sideways here...sorry.) 
just turn your computer or stand on your head ;)


Oregon City

My brother took us on a great hike in Oregon city that led to a hill overlooking the town. It was 70 degrees and sunny and totally gorgeous.

Then we stopped at the Oregon city elevator. It is a funky elevator going from the bottom of the hill up 40 or so feet to the top. There is even an elevator operator still working there.

And of course we ended the day with strawberry banana milkshakes. Sorry no pictures, we are them too fast!