Take a look - Help me with my book.

Many of you know that I have had the intention of writing a book on transitioning into motherhood for a few years. The transition was rocky for me, and I still feel like I am figuring things out. I work on the book in phases and have found much joy in compiling information, mostly from questionnaires you have filled out for me. I have it compiled to a point that I am now requesting help. If you can ever spare a few moments to spend some time on my wiki found at http://mommyworld.pbwiki.com/FrontPage I would appreciate it. I would like to allow you to edit and add, but I have to send you access so if you are interested in helping please email me or reply to this blog entry. One word of warning, don't go to the wiki looking for a finished product. It is NOT EVEN CLOSE. I would like to spend another year editing and writing, but I just can't seem to make the time. The other day I was writing an email to my friend who recently had her first baby and I decided that there is no reason for me to keep the information I have pulled together to myself. What I have compiled is a reference guide, not a story, so click around and see if there is something that might help you on the crazy journey we call parenting.

House is Leased!

One of our financial challenges this year has been making payments on a home we built as a spec in Star, Idaho (a suburb of Boise.)  When we started the investment in the winter of 2006 the market was hot and it seemed that there was no way to loose.  Unfortunately lots of other people had the same idea and the aria got overbuilt and then of course the mortgage market crashed leaving us with a beautiful empty home and large payments.  We have learned that there is no such thing as a "safe" investment because from all angles this appeared to be a great one. We feel so fortunate to finally have it leased out.  This last week Josh and I took a day trip to see the home and make sure everything was worked out with the woman leasing the home.  She is somewhat of a celebrity with a radio talk show she is running from the home.  You may want to check it out at www.daytona-n-friends.com.  "Positive talk around the clock."  We are excited about what she is doing with the place and hope that she will be able to buy it within the year.  Following are a few pictures. 


 

                       
 


We took a few minutes to stretch our legs in Twin Falls and to see the falls.  Being a native of Idaho I don't believe I have ever seen them.  It was awesome. 

A Moment to Reflect on President Hinckley

Life is crazy and busy and sometimes crazy busy, but with the passing of President Hinckley I thought it would be nice to post a couple of tributes that have touched me. I hope you can take a moment to consider the life, mission and example of President Hinckley too.

This first tribute is from FM100 in Salt Lake City. It is audio only. It is amazing to hear his voice, the testimony that he shares and the way he has influenced the life of others.

FM100 MP3

The second tribute comes from Glenn Beck. It is touching to see someone who is something of a national icon get choked up as he speaks of the Prophet of God President Hinckley.

Glen Beck

I am Chocolate . . .

Sense I am in the blogging mood today I thought I would post this fun quiz. By clicking on the following picture you will go to a little quiz that assesses what kind of ice cream you are most like. This really isn't usually my thing, but today is going slow. In fact, I thought it was an hour latter and I have been waiting for Sami to get home, but I still have an hour. I am grateful for the company she is to me in the late afternoon. Anyway, I would love to know what flavor you are too!




Here are the summaries of all the flavors:

Vanilla (32% of the people who took this quiz got the same evaluation):You're as popular and relaxing as vanilla ice cream. You go with the flow, and get along with all sorts of people. You appreciate peace and simplicity, so you sometimes find crowds and loud noises overwhelming. You are a chilled-out, calming influence on the people in your life, and your friends appreciate how supportive and flexible you are.

Chocolate (21%): You embody the perfect blend of sweetness and seduction. You personality is just as luscious and irresistible as chocolate ice cream. You have a flirty, melty attitude that's easygoing and delicious. You appreciate luxurious, extravagant things, like the way ultra-soft fabrics feel against your skin. Some people want to hog you all to themselves, but you find ways to make everyone feel special.

Mint Chocolate Chip (10%): Mint chocolate chip ice cream wakes up people's taste buds, and you do the same thing when you walk into a room. The chocolatey bits represent your sweet, flirtatious side, and the minty flavor represents your high energy level. You are smart, witty, and you make a great first impression. Your friends value your advice, because you tend to see things from a fresh new perspective.

Strawberry (9%): Your personality is as friendly and appealing as strawberry ice cream (especially the kind with chunky bits of real fruit). You've got a slightly sarcastic sense of humor, and you rarely stress out or take things too seriously. You are cute and sweet, but with a mischievous side. You are a bit of a troublemaker, but only because you're determined to avoid a plain vanilla life.

Rocky Road (8%): You're dramatic and unpredictable, like biting into a scoop of rocky road ice cream. Like rocky road, you can be a little bit nutty (or a little bit marshmallowy) depending on your mood. Your friends never know what they're going to get when they hang out with you €“ sometimes you're calm and sweet, and sometimes you're enthusiastic and flirty.

Chocolate-Chip Cookie Dough (7%): You're as impulsive and impatient as a kid who can't wait for the cookies to come out of the oven. You treat life like a nonstop slumber party, and you like to keep things simple and silly. You scream at horror movies and laugh hysterically at comedies, but you probably can't sit still for a long, boring drama. To some people, you come across as immature, but so what? Your playful personality means you'll stay forever young.

Coffee (6%): Compared to other ice creams, coffee ice cream has a strong flavor, and it's packed with caffeinated sweetness. You're like that, too! You're always busy, and determined to stay focused as you move from one task to the next. You get frustrated when other people slow you down or hold you back, but when you're in control, you can find ways around any obstacle.

Black Raspberry (3%): You are passionate, creative, and inspired. Black raspberry ice cream is an unusual color and flavor, so some people might consider it strange, but your exciting personality is what makes you so delicious. You bring a juicy burst of flavor to everything you do, and your life is packed with one memorable experience after another.

I don't know what happened to the other 4%. Oh, well!

Lucky Ducks

Today was our first American Mothers meeting for the year, and it was fantastic. The theme for the meeting was lucky ducks. The overall message to me was to remember how lucky we are no matter what our position is in life and to watch for "Open Doors" because as our lives change when one door closes another opens. Our speaker, Diane Weese, was speaking to our group of moms with young children and she said, "Enjoy this, these are the best years of your life" as the kids were all around causing chaos and distracting us. I have thought about it and everyone should think that they are in the best years of their life whatever phase they are in because there are wonderful things about them all. The following are my bullet point notes:
* Let the yucky stuff in life go and remember you are a Lucky Duck
* Put a smile on your face and keep on going
* Everyone struggles don't compare
* Don't try to be someone else
* We give up dreams like in the story "Fanny's Dream" but with each dream we give up we get to live a different dream that we maybe never even thought of
* With God all things are possible
* Take time to ready, to pray, to enjoy music, and to find ways to serve others
* Make your day Lucky by not being a Sitting Duck. Luck comes to those who get out and find it.

Preggot

For all of you young mom's out there, you have got to check out my friend, Erica Low's, new blog. She is somewhat of an expert on pregnancy and baby's. The blog is new, but it is already full of great information including tips on getting pregnant, the magic formula for dealing with fussy babies and much more. The blog is a must see.Click on the following link or you can get to on my links. Preggot

Christmas Treats

This year I decided to make a neighbor gift that the kids could help with. We have had a lot of fun making them so I am posting the idea so that you can make them with your kids. They make a great FHE activity/treat. They are just pretzels with kisses melted on them and an M&M on top. To make them put the pretzels on a tray with the kiss. The best kisses are the candy cane, but you can use any kind. Put them in the oven on 180 for about 5-6 minutes. Place an M&M on the tip of the kiss after they are melted and let them cool. They are a great treat and fun for the kids.