Giving

I have so many thoughts for this blog, but life gets in the way, I guess. I have been thinking about this one a lot, though.

I love to give. That can mean a tangible gift, food or even service. It is my favorite. I really like to pick out the perfect item (or service) for the receiver. It is hard for me when inspiration does not strike. I DO NOT like to give gift cards, but sometimes it is the best way. I usually spend a long time pondering and figuring out something just right. I invest a lot of time and thought into each one. 

Someone once told me that you give a gift and let it go. I have a hard time with that. I don't want to see someone open what I give them, just in case they are disappointed. (I don't like opening gifts in front of people, either. I know, another weird quirk.) However, I want to know if it worked out okay. I want to make sure it hit the mark, or at least close to it. Most of the time I never know. I don't want someone to see it and think "I can regift this" or "Did this come with a receipt?" 

I was thinking about love languages and wondering if this is one of mine, too. I think that it is, sort of. I enjoy everything people give, especially if it has meaning and was thought out. I just like to give. I wish I could do more of it.

How did I do?

My little girl is curled up on my lap sleeping. I am enjoying her sighs and snoring. My arm is quickly going to sleep. However, I won't be moving anytime soon so I thought I would evaluate my year of monthly resolutions. (See January 1, 2013 post)

January - I did really well all month long and into February, but when we got lice it was all I could do to get things done.
February - lice came to visit. Didn't do this unless you count picking through my hair for lice eggs.
March - I did it! It really helped all of us. I think every year I should have a month screens free.
April - Still doing it!
May - Did it!
June - Nope. I got depressed when Andy didn't get a job and didn't do much this month.
July - Did it. I would like a better computer so I can continue.
August - No new place. No cleaning schedule.
September - I tried hard for a week. I was quickly reminded why I don't do hair. We both end up frustrated or crying.
October - Nope. I have been trying to stay away from the internet.
November - My favorite! I was so happy and ended up writing more than one every day. It was great to focus on what others have done for you.
December - Nope. I could not remember what I was supposed to do. I sure wish that I had.

I had about a 50% success rate. I may try every 2 months adding a new resolution next year. I'll think about it.

Addiction

My oldest child and I had a discussion about addiction on Sunday. It was not based on alcohol or drugs, but electronic devises. He could not understand why I have such a dislike for them. It was a good talk, I think.

The last couple of days I have continued to think about it and I have come to a heart wrenching realization and decision. I am addicted to reading. It is not something that should be a big deal, but it is becoming one. I read to escape. I have read nearly 75 books this year, each one over 200 pages. I have done a lot of hiding and escaping. I am not good at monitoring my time or putting them down, even if the writing is mediocre. 

My thought is this: It is distracting me from being the person I want to be. I know that reading is a good past time, but for me I need to put some limits on it. Starting in January I will only allow myself to read 2 books a month (over 200 pages). One of those will probably be the book club book and then I get a personal choice. I am hoping it will make me take my time and get my life back on track. I am waiting until January because of my OCD nature. It is the beginning. I can't start at the end. ;)

Beautiful story

I really thought this was beautiful and I wanted to share it. I was not sure where would be the best place, so I chose here. It is so nice to see. I worry every day about the way the world is now and how different it will be in just a few years. I pray for my children and the tough choices they need to make every day. Stories like this give me hope and strength. I know my children are amazing, I just need to teach and trust them.

Neglect

This poor blog it suffering from neglect. To all 3 of you that read this, sorry. I have been trying ot get out of the negative frame of mind I have been in, so instead of indulging it, which I tend to do here, I supressed it. Anyway, I will try to post again soon. Anything you are dying to know about?

I have been enjoying the sequel series to Percy Jackson. The 4th of 5 books comes out the beginning of October. Andy, Marcus and I are all reading it together and it is fun. Marcus wants to be Leo for Halloween. We think we can make an orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt and get him a tool belt. Then, he should be all set.

Marcus also read the first book in the Spirit Animals series. It is by Brandon Mull. He said it was for younger readers (3rd and 4th graders, I guess), but he still enjoyed it. Brandon Mull has a new book series coming out in March 2014 that Marcus is waiting for.

On the job front, we are still waiting for the job at BYU Idaho to actually post. Andy has all his materials ready and every week we check on it. Today I found a job in Kentucky that wants an English teacher pop culturist that knows how to teach remedial courses. (Andy is teaching 3 right now.) It seems perfect, so we are excited to see how that works out. We would be an hour away from the Louisville temple if we lived in town, plus there is a ward building there.

That's about it. I am trying to enjoy my children and support my husband. I also started indexing which I tend to do instead of facebook now. Andy says it is my new addiction. Our stake president asked us as a stake to index 1 million names by next August. I have done over 1200 since the end of August.

Mallory's Quiet Book

I have been working on updating the Quiet Book for Mallory. She has enjoyed Luke's book, so gathered some ideas to make for her.

"Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match."

The drier

 The sock matches. (The star pair and red and gray pair are my favorites)

 "I scream, You scream, we all scream for ice cream."
I made several different flavors and the chocolate topping. I am working on chocolate with sprinkles and a cherry. The cake cone now looks more cone like, too.

"What's in a name? A rose by any other name..."
The first page, like Luke's, will say my name is

 "Do you know the muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin man?" (I could not figure out a good bakery or cupcake one to add.)
These are cupcakes and their cupcake holders. I just finished the frosting and am working on toppings. Ice cream will be on the adjoining page so they can share toppings.

I am working on a purse page with fake make-up, keys and possibly a wallet; a gumball page to match numbers, a hair do page and another doll dress up page with a girl this time. I also want to do a dress tying page (or ballet slippers, I haven't decided 100% yet), a fruit puzzle page, a mail page for her and a pie weaving page.

Mothers' Prayers

Yesterday a group of boys (and leaders) from our old ward were on a scouting activity. They became lost and the weather was 111 degrees yesterday. A rescue party was sent out including the bishop of both their ward and ours. Last night Andy got a text that the bishop was taking a day off. I thought that it was odd, until we found out he had been in the hospital with heat exhaustion due to the events. A couple of the boys were my Cub Scouts. Their mothers were praying so hard for their safe return. Their prayers were answered. I know that the Hacienda ward is hurting very much right now and I can't imagine all the emotions. Here is a brief recap. Their young men's president is the one that died. I am so grateful for the power of prayer and the love of our church members.