8 Things that 2016 Taught Me

This morning I sat on my recumbent bike, my feet turning at roughly the speed of "I'm not getting anywhere fast today." Ironically, I wasn't going anywhere anyway. I never do during my morning ride. Unless, of course, spinning my mind and my feet at an equivocal pace whilst never leaving my basement can be considered going somewhere... in which case, I went a whole lot of somewhere today.

What started as a mental check list - you know, the GOAL list that is requisite with the new year - quickly turned into some self-banter about all that 2016 brought with it. As if flipping through the pages of a magazine, the events that shaped my 2016 rolled out easier than the calories I'd been hoping to burn.

And so, today I present a list of THE THINGS 2016 TAUGHT ME: 

1. Quality of life has nothing to do with the size of your paycheck. - This was hand's down the biggest lesson of our year. We - meaning my hubby - made a job change  that flipped our world upside down. His paycheck increased a bit, but his hours doubled. Family time became non-existent, as did sleep, meals, and vacations. Everyone's stress level escalated. We all felt it. None of us liked it.  - Gratefully his old employer offered him a very nice opportunity to come back. It was almost a no brainer. We took the offer and reclaimed our sanity!

2. I am not a superhuman. -  It's something I've suspected for some time, but this summer - specifically the "Garden Cottage" project - was the final proof that I needed. (What is this Garden Cottage, you ask? Check it out here.) Resourceful and determined as I may be, it proved to be physically impossible for a 5'5 1/2" girl to handle 4' x 8' sheets of plywood on her own. And let's not even talk about the Hardie Board... or the roofing... or the climbing up the ladder. 

3. I am braver than I thought. - Or stupid. Probably just stupid. Let's face it, ladders and I are not friends. 

Safety at it's finest. 

4. Letting people help you is NOT a sign of weakness. - Yeah, this lesson came on hard and fast as a result of the "Pinky incident." (If you haven't had a chance to check out those picts, you owe yourself a favor! :0) One wouldn't think a silly little pinky finger would render you helpless, but it did. For about six weeks post op, that whole hand was pretty worthless. I'm 12 weeks out now and finally pretty much back to normal. Well, except for that hunch backed knuckle. Oh, and the fact that the whole finger does its own thing. And then there's the fact that the upper knuckle doesn't bend. So, yeah. Good(ish) as new.

$11k and 12 weeks later, I have a tea-time pinky.

5. Breathe. - Sometimes life doesn't go as planned. And sometimes it goes way worse than you can imagine. Like when your hubby's passport comes up missing... on Christmas day... and you're headed to Cancun with the family the next morning. But, really, what can you do but breathe? (And pray. And be grateful those prayers are answered and he arrives just one day late!)

The so-sad empty seat when your hubby doesn't make the flight. 

6. Spontaneity is, indeed, part of my vocabulary. - Don't laugh. It's true. I can fly by the seat of my pants. Sometimes. For real. I promise it happened... In the form of a last minute, unplanned car purchase... from the auction. Sight unseen. And, after a day of panic about my crazy spurt, and a six hour drive to pick it up, I was finally able to breathe. I did good. Maybe I should try spontaneous more often.

7. The selfie and I will probably never be one with each other. - And, it's okay. I prefer to be goofy anyway.

8. Live. Laugh. Love. - Yeah, cliche, I know. But really. This is legit. Cherish people. Don't give in to drama. Life's too short to carry baggage.

Reflect. Resolve. Move Forward. - Setting Goals for the New Year

Like most of you, I've spent a lot of time over the last several days and even weeks resolving to make some resolutions. And, as I suppose you've likely done, I've made a list. If you've been a follower of my blog for a while, you will know that I am a list-maker. And, if I'm being honest here, I probably should preface list-maker with something like "obsessive" or "master,"... or if you ask my husband, "ridiculous."  For the sake of this post - and for no other reason than I'm really into all things British right now - I'd like to use the adjective "brilliant." Are you good with that? Lovely.

I've been on a quest for the last handful of years to try to simplify my life. Two years ago I made a "little" (haha!) list about my resolution to do just that. (I've Never Attained a Goal I Didn't First Write Down). 2013 was the year I actually followed through and cleared my plate of many projects, activities, and service opportunities that I dearly love. Ironically enough, the more I try to simplify, the more complex things seem to get... So, here I am, simplifying yet again!

I've decided to preface my goal list with this thought from Thomas S. Monson:

"Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need to be final." 

So now the big question: Where to start?

1. Reflect - How do I become my best self? What are my weak spots? 
2. Resolve - Commit to make a change... Here's an idea: I'll make a plan. 
3. Move forward  - Take ACTION! Make it happen! 

And on that note, here it is, my SHORT list for the year (just 5 things, believe it or not!). Keepin' it simple and shooting for awesome. I'm going to call it:

Reflect. Resolve. Move Forward. 

1. Physical - Yeah, this is where you'll find the "I need to lose x amount of pounds" jibber-jabber. But, it's more than that. This is not a goal to find the skinny girl I must've eaten, (though that'd be a nice side-benefit) but to find the healthy, strong, energetic girl I know I can be.  - My plan: going sugar-free and eating clean again. Also getting back in to the habit of daily exercise. And this time I'm dragging the husband along with me. Why? Because its a lot easier to make healthy choices when you've got a partner in crime.

2. Spiritual - LDS Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley once mentioned that, even after 90+ years on this earth, he still learned something new every day. Like him, I want to be a seeker of knowledge of all types. This year, I particularly want to strengthen my spiritual knowledge.  - My plan: to finish reading the New Testament by early spring, then to do some indepth study on a few subjects such as the Second Coming of our Savior, the Three Nephites, and the apostle John.

3. Professional - Not so much, where do I want to go with my writing this year? But more like, where am I going to take my writing this year?  - My plan: I'm ready to assert a more aggressive approach to all things writing/publishing related. More specifically: I plan to complete 4 books by years end, including at least 2 that will be released before Christmas.

4. Financial - I like money. I like things. But more importantly, I like security. Which means, I think it's time to tighten up the budget, cut the slack, and do some better planning for my future. - My plan: Be more responsible. Cut the frivolous spending. Rethink my budget and stick to it. Easy enough, right?

5. Personal/Family - This really should be at the top of my list. My kids are growing up so fast and with one 5,000 miles from home and another who will be leaving the nest before I know it, I've realized how quickly my time with them is speeding by. By the end of the year I may be the shortest person in our house (I already have the smallest feet!) and I just can't afford to miss out on my children's lives.  - My plan: Be a more involved mother. Laugh more. Play more. Live in the moment.


And that's it. No big projects. No unattainable milestones. No ridiculous expectations. Just me, simply trying to be the best me that I can be.

Best wishes in your journeys this year. I hope you attain the goals you've set, but more so, I hope that you appreciate the moments that make up each day. Cherish the people who love you, be thankful for the opportunities you have to grow, and always... always... strive to be the best you that you can be - not just to fulfill a New Year's resolution, but as a life goal. Remember, you don't have to wait for the new year to hit reset.

Christmas in a New Perspective

"I don't care if you're up," my dad's voice resonates from the hall, "but you have to stay in your room until your mother is ready."

"Okay," my older brother answers. "But can I run to the bathroom?"

I don't see it from behind my closed door, but I know what follows is a simple head nod from my dad followed by my brother slipping from his room, across the small landing, past my bedroom door, and into the bathroom. Though he tries to be subtle, we all know he tried to sneak a peak down the stairs.

"Hey," he bursts into my room a few minutes later. "Are you up?" Though his red hair is chaotic, I have to admit he looks particularly cool in his new Christmas jammies. We each got a pair before retiring to bed. Mine is a satin nightgown. Mom made them. It's our Christmas Eve tradition.

I've been up for what seems like hours. The anticipation is killing me. I point to our toddler sister who is still asleep beside me. "Shhh," I whisper, then, "Did you see anything?"

He nods as his grin grows. "There's something big down there. I'm pretty sure it's for you."

My heart does a dance. I've been hoping and dreaming about a new bike. My old one is okay, I've ridden it for years, but I'm much older now - seven, infact - and I'm ready for something more mature.

"What was it?" I pry, only half hoping he'll tell me. I really do like surprises.

"Not telling," he insists.

Visions of a bike circle my head. Is it red? Or blue? Or green?... Oh, dear. I hope it's not pink. Does Santa know I don't like pink?

We are full of giggles and excitement. Soon my younger brother joins us, and before long my little sister wakes up too. We probably disturbed her, but we really don't care. All we care about is the magic waiting for us beside the Christmas Tree. The ensuing hour seems like an eternity as we wait for mom to finally wake up and be ready.

This is the theme of my childhood Christmases: Anticipation. Excitement. Joy. Family.

There was the year Santa decided to play with my brother's remote control helicopter in the living room. Remember those glittery 1970's cottage cheese ceilings? Yeah, well Santa had some explaining to do when we found a good chunk of it on the living room floor. And then there was the year I was the guilty party in the ceiling destruction. Apparently when swinging a stick at the pinata, one should not aim upwards... especially when they are tall enough that the baton can make contact with the ceiling. 

One year we hauled loads of beautifully wrapped gifts into a small hospital room so we could celebrate Christmas morning with my ill Grandma. There was the year my siblings and I got new pillows then quickly destroyed our old ones by cutting them open and throwing the stuffing around the room. (Pretty sure my mom did NOT have a smile about that one!) 

Then I hit middle school and joined the orchestra where, after working very hard, I earned the coveted position of first chair in the first violin section for the Christmas concert. I was beaming with pride and to add to my excitement there was a boy in the percussion band that I may have had a little crush on. I wore my best new dress - a peach colored ruffly number - and confidently took the stage. Luckily the stage curtains were drawn because as soon as I took my seat, the chair slid backwards off the stage, turning me upside down and, you guessed it, flashing the entire orchestra and the percussion band.

... Laughing about it now is so much easier than it was then.  

The memories are virtually endless. Laughter, tears, and deviled eggs. But in all honesty, I don't think I recognized the value of our Christmas traditions then. I don't think I appreciated the time spent with family or what all those Christmas parties were really about. I don't think I cared if my mom had time to set up her camera and I'm pretty sure on at least one occasion I was a stinker about taking an annual family photo by the tree. 

 

And then something happened. You know what I'm talking about. It's that evil reality we all have to come to terms with eventually: We grow up! And Christmas changes.

As I welcomed my own children into the world, I tried to hold true to all of the traditions our family so tenderly cultivated. (You can read about some of them HERE.) There were years that it was overwhelming trying to squeeze it all in. Years of tight budgets, years of overburdened schedules, years where the excitement didn't come, and years where all I wanted to do was simplify.

A few days ago I stole my mom's box of pictures then spent the morning traveling down memory lane. Photos of my toddler cuteness mixed in with those awkward teenaged years. My kids and I shared some giggles (mostly at the expense of my siblings! - Love you guys!) And, a midst the giggles and even some sentimental tears, I noticed something.

I always thought I had great Christmases, abundant with gifts galore. My mother's photos showed a different story. A story of Christmases of plenty, for sure, but also a story of lean years. There were always gifts, don't get me wrong, but there were some years where those gifts were simple and few. And, yet, I don't remember ever feeling disappointed. I don't remember ever wanting more. My Christmases were always full of the things that mattered most. 

In that box of my mom's photos I finally realized that Christmas really isn't about the "what's" but the "who's."

That is exactly why we hold fast to our traditions. They aren't about the parties or the candy or the gifts. They aren't about the sparkling lights or the best dressed tree. They aren't about the food or the music or the pinata. They are simply about being with the people you love. They are about building a foundation of love, togetherness, and even friendship. And I couldn't be more grateful for all the "who's" who have been the building blocks of my life! I love all of you!

It's been a lot of years since my siblings and I gathered in the early morning hours to giggle and anticipate the gifts that awaited us (though now I do it with my own kids). It's been a long time since Santa surprised me with a red and white Huffy. My mom does't sew us Christmas jammies anymore (though I do buy a pair for my kids each year) and it's been way too long since I've seen some of my cousins. And, after sifting through my mom's photos, I realized that I've failed to make a photographic record of my own growing family by our tree each year. (Wow! I hope that doesn't come back to bite me one day!) But what I really hope is that aside those bikes and bbguns and iPads, my children will have felt joy of peace and love and acceptance each Christmas season. For Christmas isn't about whats under the tree, but what is in our hearts.


*If you'd like to check out more great stories of Christmas memories, check out destinyusa.com and their Unwrap Your Memories Campaign. 

Christmas Traditions [somewhat] Unique to our Family

Welcome to this week's Friday Five. If you are new here, Friday Five is nothing more than a short (hahaha) list of five random(ish) things. They might be favorites, thankfuls, pet peeves, or frankly whatever else strikes me on any given Friday. 

Today is my grandma's birthday. It's been eleven years since she returned home to our Heavenly Father and I still think of her almost daily... especially at Christmas time. So, this weeks edition of Friday Five is dedicated to my Grandma. And, fittingly so, 3 out of the 5 things on this list are traditions that my family celebrates because of her. 


Our fun (and perhaps unique) Christmas Traditions:

1. Hallmark Ornaments - When I was a small child my grandparents started this fun tradition. Each Christmas they would give us an ornament to add to the tree. And we're not just talking any old ornament, but one hand picked from Hallmark's annual collection. They did this for all of their grandchildren. And when my children, their great-grandchildren, were born, they included them too. I'll bet grandma bought close to 40 Hallmark ornaments that last Christmas she was with us.  - Since her passing, my parents have picked up the tradition with their kids and grandkids. Each ornament has a story and a memory. And, after all these years we have quite the collection!

2. New Years stockings - On New Year's Eve, after the celebrating has commenced, we empty any remaining Christmas candy from our stockings and re-hang them on the mantel so Santa's wife, known as Mrs. Claus or Dina, can come refill them with more "sensible" treats like fruit and nuts. She also leaves some of the more "needed" items that Santa tends to look over in favor of toys and fun stuff. For example, she might leave socks, or books, or, umm... headphones that Santa forgot to leave with the iPods. ;-)

I've been told this is a tradition brought by my ancestors from Germany. I can't really verify its origin however (at least through a quick google search). I have found variations of it throughout the world (ie: Lady Long Fingers, Santa Croupee, and Le Petit Bonhomme Javier), but none exactly the same as ours.

3. Pinata - My earliest memories include gathering around a candy-filled pinata in my grandparents basement at our family Christmas party. I remember my aunts tying a dish towel over my eyes and spinning me around. As I got older, that pinata sure got a lot wigglier. More than once I sent chunks of ceiling falling to the floor. I'm pretty sure I'm the reason they finally slapped an age limit on all the candy-whacking fun! All of my children have had the opportunity to participate in this fun tradition. This year will be the last year my youngest will get to swing that bat. :(

4. Gag gifts!- My husband's grandma was a hoot! And, though she is gone, her legacy lives on in this fantastic, much anticipated tradition. Every year on Christmas Eve, we gather as a family to laugh, and tease, and share stories of each other's adventures - uh, er, mishaps? My mother and father in law present each of us adult children with gifts beautifully wrapped in newspaper and masking tape. (If you're really lucky, you end up with the comic page! Whoo, hoo!) Then, each of us children present our own children with their gifts. The catch? This is not for the faint of heart. You've got to have a good sense of humor, a vivid imagination, and a birth certificate that vouches that you are at least 12 years old. Why? Because this is not child's play! Each gift is carefully considered and comes with its own unique story. For example, the first year my son got his driver's license, he ripped the mirror off the side of my car. For part of his gag gift that year he received the broken mirror. (It has now been re-wired and functions as a lamp in his room.) My niece and my daughter received matching pairs of granny-panties one year. Why? Because we were tired of seeing their cracks when they bent over. I think my all-time favorite was when another one of my nieces got a hand knit "nut cozy" and a set of nuts... (yeah, that was the year it was so cold her "nuts froze off!" Lol!) Other gifts we've given/received: Rogaine hair-growth treatment for men, a lug-able-loo (aka, a port-a-pottie), anti-snoring strips, a stud-finder, etc.

5. Taffy-pull  - This is the big tradition I wish we'd had when I was a kid but am every so happy to have married into it. Each Christmas season my mother and father-in-law host a family candy making day. While the young kids frost sugar cookies, the older kids and women make a mess of the kitchen making all kinds of candy. From year to year our candy selections vary with one exception: old fashioned taffy. This is the men's & older children's game! If you've never pulled taffy you should give it a try at least once... and by once, I mean, you probably should watch someone do it at least once. That sugary concoction boils up to about hand-melting temperature and then what do they do? They butter up their hands and pass it back and forth to stretch it. Sounds pretty uneventful, right? Wrong. You've never experienced funny till you've watched grown, adult, tough-men slather their hands with butter, ooh and ah and grunt and grimace, then grunt in satisfaction as they pass the glob on to the next victim so they can give their hands a break, lather up with another round of butter, and do it all over again. Family Tradition Fabulousness at its BEST!



What are your traditions? I hope you have at least a few. And if you don't? Well, its never to late to start some.

The Gift I Can Not Give

I sat down today in an attempt to finalize my Christmas shopping list. Strangely enough, I've never waited this long into the season to pull everything together. Even more strange is the fact that I'm not having a nervous breakdown about my lack of preparation... yet!

I logged on to my laptop and started to build a spreadsheet. (Oh how I love feeling organized!) I started by making a column for each member of our family then created a list of the things I'd already purchased. A quick glance told me I needed some ideas, so I pulled out the handwritten wish-lists from my children and gave them the once-over.

Boo's list was pretty cut and dry. The first six things listed were custom remote control cars. I guess an eleven year old's gotta dream, right? Numbers seven through ten, however, seemed doable.

At first glance, Lu's list made me chuckle. It was a short list, consisting of only six items. Rocky? I thought out loud as I read number six. Why would she want something she already has? Silly girl.

I played with the idea for a minute, thinking I should totally just slap a bow on our cute little Rocky and call it good. Easy. Funny. We'd all have a good laugh.

Then, I had an epiphany. In hindsight I realize I should have had it sooner. My girl wasn't trying to be facetious or even funny. She wasn't trying to make me laugh. She was, in fact, asking for the truest desire of her heart.

You see, Rocky is one of our dogs. He is old, he is nearly blind, and he is Lu's best friend. They are about the same age and I'd guess that they don't remember life without each other. Last year, right before Christmas in fact, we got word that our sweet Rocky was in the advanced stages of heart failure. He wasn't expected to make it long. The fact that he's still with us is a miracle. And to Lu, its more than that, it's a literal answer to her prayers.

So, when I read her Christmas wish-list, my heart breaks. No amount of money can buy her what she wants. There is nothing I can do, nothing I can say, no strings I can pull, or mountains I can climb to fulfill her Christmas wish.  

All I can do is keep praying that this cute little guy keeps hanging on. I know he can't live forever, and that the eventuality of his exit is imminent, but if we can just get through Christmas...

Favorite [Nontraditional] Christmas Songs

Welcome to this week's Friday Five. If you are new here, Friday Five is nothing more than a short (hahaha) list of five random(ish) things. They might be favorites, thankfuls, pet peeves, or frankly whatever else strikes me on any given Friday. 

In honor of my FAVORITE holiday, for the month of December all my Friday Five posts will have a little something to do with Christmas. Today I think I will tackle the ever popular topic of... (dun, da, da, dun!)... Favorite Nontraditional Christmas Songs! 

In no particular order  - and with no particular logic, here are a few of the songs that put a festive swing in my step and a smile on my face. (You can listen to them by clicking on the song title.) 

1. Christmas Cookies  by George Strait. -  Mmm. Cookies! And smiles. A little twangy, I know, but I just can't listen to this without grinning: 

"Those sprinkly things just make things worse 

cause it makes 'em taste better than they did at first 

and it just makes 'em impossible to resist." 

.... and my fav line: 

"Now there's a benefit to all of this, 

that you might have overlooked or missed, 

so now let me tell you the best part of it all. 

Everytime she sticks another batch in the oven, 

there's fifteen minutes for some kissin' and some huggin'!" 

2. Mary Did You Know by Donny Osmond.  - I know a lot of artist have recorded this song. This is my favorite version, however, I kind of like this one by Cee Lo Green too. 

3. Thank God for Kids by the Oakridge Boys. - Pure nostalgia. I grew up with this song. I particularly remember hearing it on the car radio as my dad would drive us to check out the lights on "Christmas Street" each year. Every time I hear it, it takes me back to the fabulousness of my childhood Christmases.    

4. Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by the Dresdner Kreuzkor -My mother's family has passed many old German traditions down for generations. Being proud of my heritage, I purchased a CD by the Dresdner Kreuzkor many, many moons ago. Though my children don't understand most of the lyrics (yeah, I failed to teach my children a lick of the German language. Still kicking myself, but that's off subject...), we play this CD several times throughout the Christmas season. When my daughter was about 8, while decorating the Christmas tree, she threw the tree-skirt over her shoulders like a shawl, clasped her hands opera-style in front of her, and pretended to serenade us from atop the coffee table. Can't listen to this CD without reliving that priceless moment!

5. All I Want for Christmas is You  by Michael Buble - What can I say? I'm a romantic. Who doesn't love this song? And by Buble? Come on!

Little Time - Big Memories

Welcome to this week's Friday Five. If you are new here, Friday Five is nothing more than a short (hahaha) list of five random(ish) things. They might be favorites, thankfuls, pet peeves, or frankly whatever else strikes me on any given Friday. 

From Memorial Day to Labor Day there are 98 days.. That's less than 2400 hours, in case you are wondering. Sounds like a lot of time when you think of it that way, but really, summer comes and goes so quickly. For our family, the summer of 2013 was a busy one... one full of travel, hanging out with family, and building precious memories that will hopefully last forever. 

Because we had a bit of a pre-mission bucket list for our son, our summer was extra adventurous. And, when I say we were running like crazy, I'm not kidding. We were greatly blessed to have spent about 1/3 of our summer traveling... 33 days away from home to be exact (not including the girls' time at YW camp or my husband's business travels).  Thanks to everyone who helped make our summer a memorable one - both while we were at home and while we traveled! 

Here's to a summer of fun! MY FIVE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN THE SUMMER OF 2013:  


1. Fillmore, Utah - Okay, so disclaimer: I already blogged about this adventure. Surprisingly enough, this is one of our favorite places to run away for some R&R. To read about what we do in this little Utah town, check out my earlier post: Exotic - or not - Adventures.

Fields south-west of Fillmore, Utah

2. So Cal... - Ahhh, sunny southern California. Home of beaches galore, sunshine, smiles, relaxation... and traffic (over 7 million drivers in LA county alone), amusement park lines, overpriced concessions... and, did I say relaxation?

There's something about So Cal that drives our family there frequently. Maybe we're just suckers for spending boat loads of money on entertainment... okay, not penny-pinching, budget-loving me, per say, but someone! Our little vaca to So Cal this year included hot dogs, ice cream, and cheering fans at an Angel's home game. Star searching in Hollywood, fitting our hands in the prints at the historic Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and people watching while eating a giant pizza above Hollywood Blvd. A walk and pictures at the LA Temple grounds and a whole lot of chuckling at the missionaries who had to jimmy their way into a car for a lady who'd locked her keys in it. Sun bathing, picnicking, and body-boarding at the Seal Beach, Moonlight Beach, and Corona Del Mar. Not mention multiple days of crowds, and lines, and heat at Disney Land, Sea World, and Universal Studios.  For more about our SoCal trip, check out the picts on my Exotic - or not - Adventures post.... teaser: there may be something in there about an unexpected guest at the beach!

LA Temple 

3. Fish Lake - This is the one annual tradition we NEVER miss out on! This marked my 19th consecutive summer campout at Fish Lake (and, all things considered, this makes me a relative "newbie" since the tradition has been in place for over 60 years!)

Beautiful quiet mountains, crisp morning air, and fish-tales as big as a pontoon boat! Any time I get to spend out in mountains is a good time, especially when it gives me a quiet moment to read a book. As far as fishing is concerned, I leave that to the rest of the family. When I was about 10 my dad told me that whatever I caught I had to clean - that marked the last time I put a pole in the water. It's all good, though, cause the bow of the boat is a great place to read a good book, take a nap, snap some photos, and read some more.

Fish Lake

First year "Boo" had to clean his own fish...
maybe next year he'll decide to read a book instead :-)

4. St. George - Utah's Dixie. The true Utah desert with temps well above the century mark all summer long. I don't get to visit sunny St. George as much as I use to, but every time I do, I wonder why we don't live there! We've got abundant family down in this beautiful, red-rocked corner of the state, so it's not like we'd be alone if we did decide to make a move... hmmm... something to think about.

Though not our first trip there this year, our summer trip to St. George was for the occasion of my cousin's wedding. No wedding crashing, but we did crash at my bro and sis in laws house. And, what a blessing to be pampered by my sister-in-law. She is an amazing hostess, and her missionary mom stories are fantastic to boot!

Reflection off the porch window at the
Jacob Hamblin home, Santa Clara, Ut

5. And, the final horah?.... Moab - Again, sunny and hot. Do you sense a theme here? Yep, I'm a sucker for sunshine! Though I've been to Moab before, this was my first time riding the trails. It's amazing how much you miss from the highway. Gemni Bridges, Chicken Corners, Baby Lions Back, and Fins and Things... you guessed it, we conquered them all! And, though my children will try to tell you differently, I was brave! A few whimpers, a gasp or two, but not a single tear - even when we went VERTICAL.

Moab, Utah

 

Let's get vertical... 

Strange Easter Traditions: FRIDAY FIVE

As I walked the holiday aisle at the store in preparation for Easter, I started to wonder about some of the traditions we've adopted to celebrate this religious holiday. Much like almost any holiday, commercialism and secularism have intertwined themselves in the American society and created Easter traditions that, when you really stop to think about them, are quit strange. I decided to embark on a Google journey to try to find out what these strange traditions were all about. Here's a summary of what I found:

1. Easter  Eggs  - The custom of giving eggs at Easter is a celebration of new life. Jesus, after dying on the cross, rose from the dead. This miracle showed that life could win over death. For Christians the egg is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection (when they are cracked open they stand for the empty tomb). Eggs were always thought to be special because although they do not seem alive, they have life within them especially at springtime when chicks hatch out. Eggs were colored by dying them with the new buds of spring flowers and grass, thus the dominance of pastel colors.

2. Candy - Long ago people gave gifts of eggs carved from wood or precious stones. The first sweet eggs that were eaten were made in the last 100 years from sugar or marzipan. Thank goodness we've moved past marzipan, because there is nothing better than a Reese's PEANUT BUTTER Egg except maybe some PEEPS!

3. Easter Bunny - What on Earth does an egg toting bunny have to do with Easter? Well, its a big stretch, but here goes: In the medieval church, the hare was a common symbol used to represent the Virgin Mary. Hares, ancient Christians believed, could reproduce without losing their virginity - thus the connection with the Virgin Mary. How a bunny started hopping around delivering baskets and goodies is still a mystery, but his origins in the U.S. are linked to German traditions brought by 18th century immigrants whose Osterhase (Easter Hare) delivered gifts and colorful eggs to grass lined hats and bonnets of good children on Easter morning, much like the tradition of St. Nick on Christmas (also a representation of Christ.)  

4. Easter Outfits - This one was the most obvious tradition to me, as traditionally many Christians attend church on two specific occasions: Christmas and Easter. These two church services are considered the pinnacle of many Christians, and as such, they choose to dress-up a little fancier for the occasion. Likewise, spring being a re-birth of the seasons, Easter attire often reflects the emerging warmth and the sunnier days.  

5. Easter Food - When I think about Easter I often think of eggs, ham, and potato salad. Eggs, as explained above, make sense. Not being a ham fan, I've often wondered why they grace the table of just about every home on Easter Sunday. Historically, lamb and ham were used at almost every European feast. Lamb, presumably as a symbol of the Lamb of God (the Savior). Ham, apparently was believed to bring good luck. In early America, pork was plentiful, thus it often replaced the more traditional Eastern lamb (thank goodness, because for as I dislike ham, I dislike lamb even more!).  No word on why we eat potato salad, though... maybe its to use some of those extra boiled eggs, but in our family I think its just because my grandpa mastered his "sloppy sauce" recipe and makes the perfect potato salad.

Whatever your traditions are, I wish a very Happy Easter to all of you, my friends.  

The last chapter of 2012

Better late than never, right? Not a super clever pitch, but it's the best I've got, so I'm sticking with it! 

If you're much of a Kreating Krazy follower, you know that I was pretty much MIA for the entire month of December. However, that doesn't mean I wasn't busy. The holidays have come and gone, the celebrations are over, and its time to revisit reality.... but before I do, let me give you an idea of what December in the Worlton house was like:  

We added a third canine (and subsequently seventh child) to our fold...  

Sir Kodiak Cooper - 10 weeks old. So smart and curious! 

 We baked mass amounts of cinnamon swirl bread.

Decorated 3 Christmas trees, hung 6 stockings, and listened to at least 4 hours of Christmas music every day! . 

Braved the WILD - aka retail scene - for lots of shopping fun! Survived by the skin of our teeth and the youth of our feet. And yes, American economy, you're welcome! We did our best to contribute. 

Gained 5 lbs during the consumption of all the sugary goodness that arrived at my door! 

Disclaimer: this is NOT my picture - I "borrowed" it off the web . Who can keep cookies long enough to take a photo? 

Made oodles of gifts including a dozen cute snowmen for my cute young women. 

Gathered TONS of photos of our ancestors, assembled a fun collection of eclectic frames (lets be honest, this took many, many months! But it finally got finished in Dec.), and arranged them on the wall beside our nine-generation family tree.  

The secret to hanging your layout perfectly THE FIRST TIME? (Because who wants bazillions of holes?)
Finalizing the layout, then tracing it on butcher paper. 

Perhaps when I have a few minutes I'll pull the 1000+ pictures off my camera and share some more. Not likely, but its always good to hang the option out there, right? :) 

And now on to 2013! 

A "LOVE"ly Valentines Tradition

To most, Valentine's Day is a chance for couples to celebrate each other and their love. I find it funny how this innocent little holiday frequently evokes lamentation from men and hope-filled excitement from women.  From an early age, girls get giddy as they wish and hope and pray for some fabulous expression of their sweethearts dying devotion (ie: flowers, candy, jewelry...) For some those hopes are fulfilled, but for others the anticipation can be somewhat of a let down.

The day of LOVE has essentially become just another over marketed holiday. It's almost as if we've decided to believe that the key to someones heart is through our wallet.

However, it doesn't have to be that way.

I am fundamentally opposed to buying any item just because tradition and culture dictate that we should. I don't think my sweetheart needs a box of chocolates (which by the way, would go stale before he ate them) to know that I love him. Likewise, I'd rather him not run into the jewelry store to frantically purchase a necklace that I probably will never wear. The same holds true for overpriced flowers. Instead of throwing money into the laps of distributors once a year, we choose to express our love to each other daily - in the big things, but also in the little things.

And, what greater manifestation of our love is there than our children? The very breath they breath is a witness of the love my sweetheart and I share. The laughter, the joy, and even the occasional heartache they bring into our lives is the pinnacle of our family existence. We love them more fully than we could ever love ourselves. This is why Valentines is a family affair at out home.

(Disclaimer: my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary in the days leading up to Valentines, so by the time the 14th rolls around, we've already spent many days devoted to each other! Disclaimer #2: I believe the secret to keeping your marriage strong is to run away together at least once a year. Disclaimer #3: Aforementioned "runaway" should only involve the two of you, which means you will need to plan ahead for a multi-day, responsible babysitter... aka Grandma.)

Our family Valentines tradition started about a dozen years ago when my two oldest were still toddlers. Because our family situation at the time didn't lend for an expensive night on the town as a couple, I decided to treat my sweetie to a candle light dinner at home. And, if I was going to do it for him, I thought it would be fun (and more functional) to include the children. With little preschool scissors, my two toddlers and I cut out dozens of little hearts from sheets of construction paper. We blanketed the table clothe and even made a little heart-mobile to fancy-up the light fixture. We set the table with our best dishes (ceramic, which was a big step up from the kids typical plastic settings). We even including crystal champagne flutes at every place setting.


In probably one of the purest expressions of love I've ever felt, I made dinner for my little family. The menu was simple, yet exquisite to the little ones. Chicken Cordon Bleu, mashed potatoes and gravy (both died pink, of course), broccoli (our family favorite!), handmade rolls (also pink), and flutes full of sparkling cider. Dessert was heart shaped brownies topped with french vanilla ice cream, homemade hot fudge, and ample portions of whip cream.


Hands down, that little dinner ranks among the best evenings of my life. In those candle-lit moments, I saw my children in a whole new light. They were not the little rascals I spent my days chasing, they were angelic little offshoots of my husband and me. They were the purest manifestation of the love my husband and I share. They were my little valentines.

I can't claim that I was intending to start a tradition (lets face it, I'm just not that genius), but my kids grabbed onto the memories and began anticipating them year after year. Our Valentine's dinner has become one of their annual highlights. And, as the kids grow and mature (haha, that's such an interesting concept, isn't it?), the decorations have matured too. Gone may be the days of our construction paper hearts (though they still exist in a Rubbermaid tote in the basement), but one thing has remained constant: the menu. It just wouldn't be Valentine's without pink potatoes and gravy and chicken cordon bleu.

I'm so happy we stumbled upon such a lovely tradition all those years ago. I'm so grateful to have a day to celebrate the LOVE that we share as a FAMILY. I'm such a believer in the binding power of traditions - a believer that the little consistent repetitions are what will hold us together as the kids continue to grow. I hope the memories will continue to burn in their minds and their hearts long after the candles are blown out. I hope they will remember the love their parents have, not just for each other, but for them too. And, I hope that we have taught them how to love as well as how to be loved.

I've Never Attained a Goal I Didn't First Write Down.

Here we are already 10 days into the new year and statistically speaking most of us have already broken at least one - if not all - of our resolutions. So, the question is, why do we make these "resolutions" when all too often what they really are is week-long goals? Why, year after year, do we start something that - statistically speaking - is near impossible to finish?

According to a recent post called Why New Years Resolutions Don't Stick, the answer is that we are neurologically programmed to like things that are comfortable; routines; neural grooves, as the article calls them. Don't worry, though, grim as it may sound, change is not impossible.We don't have to be stuck in the same old rut forever. We can set new neural grooves by simply doing things differently. Not just thinking differently, but by actually DOING differently. Simply put: developing new patterns.

And what does it take to develop a new pattern? I'm not a neurologist, and I suppose there are many elements involved to creating a permanent neural shift, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that perhaps at minimum, some kind of a game plan is necessary.

Game plan, you say. Some kind of order? Does this involve a list?

Now we're speaking my language!

I don't know about you, but I've never attained a goal I did't first write down. Sure, stating it out loud helps too, but there is a level of commitment and accountability that comes from writing it down. Simply put, an unwritten goal is only a wish. "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time." (Anonymous)

Whether you call them goals, resolutions, or to-do lists, a random bullet list of items is simply no more than a random bullet list of items. If you plan to actually check off your list, here are a few suggestions:

• Develop a plan. Set the goal, then figure out HOW you're going to do it. If it's health you want, how will you attain it? Will you go to a gym? Get a fitness coach? Consult a nutritionist? Kick your soda addiction? 
• Make it realistic. Is it really healthy or wise to lose 50 lbs in a month? Can you really make a successful life-change over night? I'm a believer that you can do anything you want if you set your mind to it, but lets be realistic about it. Rome was not built in a day, and neither is anything else worth building, including a better self.
• Set a timeline. "By such and such a date I will....  Then by such and such a date, I will further...." Timeline's make impossible seeming tasks feasible. 
• Be accountable. If nobody knows your goal who are you accountable to? Yourself? Isn't that who you've been answering to for all these years while your bad habit developed? How's that been working for you? If you really want to succeed, find someone to help you be accountable. If you don't have someone in your personal life that you trust, there's a whole world wide web full of support groups out there! 

So, drum-roll please. I've made a list - shocker, I know - of the things I plan to work on for 2012. If you're interested to see how I plan to go about each item on the list or to see my progress, check back in the coming days and weeks and I'll break them down into more detail.

And now, without further adeu, and in no particular order, here is THE list (condensed, of course, because as previously mentioned, I am the master of list makers!):

My 2012 Resolution Revolutions: 

1. Read more, including works of fiction, self-improvement, and the entire Book of Mormon. 
2. Spend more time with my family. They're a pretty goofy bunch and we have a great time together, so why don't we take more time to play? Kanasta. Camping. Fishing (okay, maybe not this one, since I tend to bury my face in a book while they fish). Four wheeling. Five Crowns, Greedy Hands, Phase 10... Movies. Plays. Sporting Events. Bike Rides. Walks. The list of thing to do is virtually endless.  
3. Manage time better. This essentially means limiting my time on the internet. Facebook can be like a big, hungry, black hole. There are many valuable tools for marketing as well as a communication avenues for me to keep in touch with friends online, but really, boundaries need to be set. I plan to set daily time limits for email, blogs, research, advertising, facebook, and all other things internet dependent so that I can get to the bazillion and one other things that are on my list.  
4. Get organized! Okay, so I know that not only is this cliche, it's also pretty vague. Those who know me best understand my need for organization. I'm not just someone who claims to have OCD, I've actually been clinically diagnosed (Hahaha, now that's a story I should share sometime.) But, when you share a home with 5 other people, unless you spend your entire waking existence picking up after them, things tend to get ruffled. My specific list of organizational needs includes: the office, storage room, garage, and our finances!  
5. Finish the plethora of household projects that someone continues to create. If that particular someone wasn't my very life blood, I might have to consider strangling her! But, the words "project" and "Stephanie" are synonymous. The particular projects for 2012 are: (1) Finish finishing the basement (sew curtains, make bench cushions, install cabinets, build bookshelves, and touch up paint). (2) Design and build a shed. (3) Finish our water feature and fire pit! 
6. Create my very first "Honey Do" list so my honey can help with the plethora of projects that someone will inevitably add to throughout the year. - Nuf said. No explanation needed. 
7. Take care of ME! Spiritually, mentally, physically. - This is a hard one, because as mother's we tend to put ourselves last. But, really, if we don't take care of ourselves, who will? 
8. Develop a healthy relationship with my body. Create and maintain a sustainable exercise habit, learn more about my individual nutritional needs (because, believe it or not, we are not all created the same), and learn to love the lady in the mirror. 
9. Sleep better. This means quality as well as quantity. At least 8 hours without waking up at ridiculous hours would be great! Rise earlier. Retire at a decent hour. Find a way to mentally disengage so my mind will let me sleep.  
10. Learn more about marketing. I'm sooooo not a marketer - I'm a creator. But, I'm also a perfectionist and a sponge for knowledge, so learn I must, and learn I will. 
11. Increase my contacts. Build more friendships.
12. Write more. Period. Write more! I set a goal to finish three manuscripts by the end of March. Hindsight tells me this is probably a bit ambitious so instead I am shooting to finish at least 2 in that time. By years end I'm aiming to add another 2 to that list, for a total of 4. This is huge for me. I don't always prioritize my writing - it did, afterall, take me about 2 years to write "Hope's Journey". 
13. Focus. Hahahahahahaha. Funny, coming from a gal who's brain is going about a million miles an hour in different directions. 
14. Prioritize. This kind of encompasses everything on this list. If I'm going to pull it all off, I'm going to have to prioritize. Remembering that the important things aren't always the tangible ones is going to be the key here. 
15. Don't stress what I can't control. I probably should post this particular goal on my wall somewhere that I'll see it daily! I've come a long way in learning the difference between things I can control and things I can't, but frankly, the knots in my neck would testify that I've still got a ways to go. Mentally, this is a concept I grasp, but physiologically, I struggle. I am hardwired to want things neatly bundled, organized, and under control. I will breath my way through set backs and let disappointment roll off my back! In and out. One day at a time. 

A New Year, A New Focus on What Matters Most

In popular fashion of the New Year, I've been thinking a lot about possible resolutions for 2012. As my list grows and grows and then grows more,however, it is apparent that I'm hoping for a self- REVOLUTION  rather than to fulfill a resolution or two. My husband likes to tell me that I'm an overachiever. The truth is though, that I'm a list maker. I like lists. Lists of things to do, lists of movies I want to see, lists of projects I will eventually complete around my house, lists of good foods to eat, lists of books to read, and lists of lists so I don't lose track.

Seriously! I might have a problem! Especially if you look at my list from last year and realize just how much I didn't get done. Honestly, it's discouraging. For a moment, I even thought about ditching this whole list-making mentality. Then an amazing Relief Society President who, apparently 100% in tune with what I need, shared a little video today that helped changed my perspective. 

If I look at all the things I didn't get done, I'm reminded of all the things that I did:

  

          I laughed with my family. 

          I painted nails and curled hair. 

          I sewed on merit badges and linked up Bear beads. 

          I held my breath on the back of a 4wheeler while my daughter drove. 

          We camped and hiked and played. 

          We worked together. 

          Played together.

          Read the Book of Mormon together. 

          Prayed together.

          Learned from each other.

          Learned about each other. 

          Loved each other. 

As I look over my 2011 list, complete with flaws and unchecked tasks, I'm reminded that the things on that list aren't the important ones. I am a mother and wife first. Everything else comes second. The moments we share with our families aren't necessarily things we can check off a list, but that by no means makes them insignificant or unnecessary. 

So, as I make my list for 2012 (check back this week to laugh at the ridiculousness of whats on it), I will try to remember the important things. The moments that matter most can't be counted in the word count or completion status of my writing works in progress, in the projects completed around the house, or in the size of my waistline, but in the love and security of my family. 

An Appreciation for the Tangible

I'm not making any excuses, just stating the facts: I'm a little behind the game this Christmas. In a typical year all of my gifts are purchased (and often wrapped) before Thanksgiving. By the end of the first week of December, I've written a family Christmas letter, created some sort of card, and sent them on their merry way. Usually weeks in advance I've planned out our neighbor and teacher gifts and when possible (if they aren't of the perishable variety) assembled and delivered them too... Not so this year!

I'm so behind! And when I say that, I may mean in the very literal sense of the word (as in: a horse's behind!) or I could mean it in the sense that somewhere I've lost my motivation... or is it organization? Probably both. But, as I've scrambled the last several days to make up for lost time, I've come to the conclusion that I really appreciate the tangible things.

Like Christmas cards.

For the first time in years I considered nixing the annual Christmas card and accompanying letter from my to-do list. It would've been easy enough to attach some semblance of a Christmas wish via email, or better yet, just a broad posting on facebook. I could've probably done without the cutesy paper and the coordinating family-photo encrested card - heaven knows my schedule would've been completely supportive of the idea. But, as week by week and day by day, cards from our friends and family started showing up in our mail, I knew there was no way I would convince myself to break the tradition.

Maybe this labels me as a little bit more than "special", but each day in December finds me eagerly anticipating the arrival of the mail. I think it may even be one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season. A simple card means so much. It says, "Even though I'm really busy, I thought of you!" It also gives me a reason to pause and think about the sender... someone who's likely blessed my life! So, to all of you who've sent my family a Christmas Card, know that we look forward to them! We appreciate them. We cherish them.

So, I made it work. After much stress about it, I got our letter written and cards sent out. And, as of today (yes, I know Christmas is only 3 days away) my great to-do list is finally complete! I'm not going to pat my own back by saying I pulled it off in record time.... but, hey, I pulled it off in record time. (I know taking only a week to "accomplish" everything Christmas isn't a feet for most people, but this is "make a list & check it twice, then check it a third time for good measure, me" - so cut me some slack!)  Which means that tonight - for the first time in several weeks - I get to curl up with a book. Not with a Nook or a Kindle or even an iPad... a REAL-LIFE PAPER-BOUND book.  - For the record, I'm not knocking e-books, (afterall Hope's Journey is available in this format), but like I said before: I have an appreciation for the tangible things. 


Merry Christmas my friends! And, remember - enjoy the tangible things in your life, like friends, family, and all the other blessings that warm your heart and touch your lives. 

What I didn't do: the story of an imperfect Christmas tree.

Several years ago I made one of the most satisfying investments an OCD mom could make: I purchased my very own "grown up" Christmas tree. The eight-foot beauty, complete with fragile decorations, ornate ribbon, and over a thousand twinkling lights has been my child-free, immaculate addition to the Holidays since my children were little. It sits in my living room, also known as the "piano room" because, let's be honest about formal living rooms, there's almost no amount of living that actually happens in there.

So, back to the tree....

In a typical year, the kids and I decorate the entire house together. We stream the banister up the stairs and into the loft with a lighted pine swag and big red ribbons. We adorn our "tall" tree in the family room with what amounts to almost 200 Hallmark ornaments (not to brag, but its a pretty impressive collection, derived from the ornament giving tradition my grandparents started in 1982). We hang six stockings across the family room mantel, plus a couple more on the basement mantel for good measure. All three levels of the house get cluttered up with holly and snowmen and all measure of cutesy holiday joy!

But the living room... the living room is my room! It hosts what I like to think of as the more sophisticated decorations. I've got my small village, my bisque white nativity, and my tree. In a home that boasts the energy - and mess - of four energetic kids, my OCD necessitates the need for me to have control of at very least, my tree! I like to wait for the kids to return to school after Thanksgiving weekend so that I can take the day to put my tree together the "right" way! Yes, the "right" way, because any way that's not my way is not right! I carefully place lights from top to bottom, intricately woven up each and every branch. The result? An immaculate tree with proportional light balanced uniformly from bottom to tip!

Not this year! I woke up Saturday morning to a giddy eleven year old begging me to come see what she'd done. I slipped on my bathrobe and met her in the living room. She'd set up and lit my tree! From a distance, it looked pretty good. I thanked her with a smile. She was so very proud of herself, and I don't blame her, it was quite a feat. Upon closer review I discovered what could best be described as a "web" of lights. I'm not exactly sure what her installation technique was, but it uniformity apparently wasn't important to her. I took in every inch of the tree - noting its imperfections and analyzing its lighting imbalance (it loses umph as it reaches the top), then I did something that surprised not only me, but the elder of my two children:

I left it alone! 

Of course, there was a part of me that wanted to dismantle it and start over. And, I'm sure every time I walk into the room, I will itch to fix one imperfection or another. But, something bigger is at play here. Something that as an OCD mom I have to be consciously mindful of. My beautiful daughter's heart would be broken if I undermined her hard work. This is about so much more than a silly tree. It's about recognizing her effort and celebrating her "gift" to me!

This year as you look at your tree you might think of it's heavenly symbolism or even about the gifts tucked underneath. However, when I look at my tree, I will be reminded of a cute little girl who went above and beyond for her mother.