Resolutions

I have a problem with resolutions. Most likely, it's because I have a hard time keeping them. But this year I wanted to change that. There are a lot of things I want to do and accomplish, but I don't want to set my expectations too high. So I'm going to start by working on one thing at a time. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, but I'm going to give each of my goals a month where I am really working specifically on that one thing before I move on to the next. I haven't figured out what order I will do them in, but I thought I would share my list with you:

1. Start doing yoga and stretching
2. Eat healthier
3. Read my scriptures
4. Study the Sunday lessons
5. Work on improving my marriage (something we should all be doing anyways!!)
6. Spend less time on the computer (even if it means less blogging!)
7. Learn to sew
8. Be more patient
9. Be more thrifty
10. Be more organized
11. Keep a daily journal for kids (write down those little things kids do and say that you want to remember when they're older, but won't unless you jot it somewhere!)
12. Be happy with what I have!

What are some of your resolutions??

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I'm so ready for the holidays. They are a lot of work for me (which I bring onto myself and I love it), but always worth it. I can't wait to eat good food (and treats), open presents and just slow down and spend time with family.

I hope you have the merriest of holidays and that you make time to do the things you love! Be of good cheer and spread it to everyone. Goodness knows we can all use some more of that.

Why a Daughter Needs a Dad

I bought this book, Why A Daughter Needs A Dad by Gregory E. Lang, on a whim one day. I went through the book and highlighted some special lines, and wrote a few things in there, personalizing it for my husband. Then I wrote a letter from our daughter to him and pasted it on the front inside page. It read:

December 2009

Dear Daddy,

I am only 2 years old, so sometimes it is hard to express myself to you. If I could tell you the words that are always running around in my head, this is what they would sound like:

I love you. You are my daddy and just for that reason alone, I love you. But I also love you for the things you do. I love you for working so hard and letting mommy stay home with me. I love you for spinning me around whenever I ask you to, even though it makes your tummy hurt sometimes. I love you for playing with me and making me laugh. I love you for teaching me to be tough, but also for caring when something really does hurt. I love for taking me to play in nursery and staying in the room with me because I don’t want you to leave. I love you for loving mommy, and teaching me what a happy marriage looks like. I love you for letting me ride on your shoulders, even though I’m getting heavier all the time. I love you for letting me take naps in your bed sometimes because there are times when I just don’t want to be away from you. I love you for giving me kisses while I’m asleep sometimes (I know you don’t think I noticed, but I do). I love you for teaching me about Jesus. I remember Him, but I can’t talk about Him to you or mommy. I love you for being patient with me. Sometimes I try really hard to be good, but other times it’s hard and I love you for understanding that. I love you for taking me outside to play and teaching me how to squish bugs with my foot.

Most of all, I just love you for being my daddy, and I always will. You teach me new things everyday and I miss you when you aren’t around. So next time I do something I am not supposed to, just remember that I’m trying. I love you daddy. Always have. Always will.

Love,

Your Daughter, Peyton Brooke

This is going to be part of my Christmas gift to him. I sure hope he likes it.

I Used To Think...

I used to think that being a mom was a breeze. And sure, with only one around right now, sometimes, it can be.

The picture in my head was far different from my reality though. When I had kids, they would be perfect. I would do everything right (because duh, I knew everything back then) and they would listen to me because I knew what I was doing. They would always clean up after themselves and be able to do cute things on command, and there would be no such thing as tantrums. And while my kids were playing perfectly, I would have time to learn new things and develop new talents with all my free time.

Enter reality. I thought that by reading and researching every scenario possible, I would be prepared for anything. Not so much.

I've been peed on, pooped on, spit on and barfed on. I've cleaned up messes from food, toys, books, my purse, beds, bathrooms, store floors, my tupperware cupboard, etc. I've watched Dora so many times that I can probably repeat entire episodes to you. I've woken up 10 times in one night with a sick child. I've been given advice from complete strangers, some who don't even have kids. I've been so exhausted and sore from nursing that I swore I would never forget the pain and suffering, and that I didn't know how it could be worth it.

But it is.

Each time my daughter calls for me when she wakes up, it's worth it. Each time she comes running to me to tell me something new she discovered and is so excited about, it's worth it. Each time she laughs and smiles, it's worth it. Each time she cries or is upset and only wants me, it's worth it. Each time she asks me to kiss an owie and she tells me it feels all better when I do, it's worth it. Each time she uses good manners because it's how I taught her, it's worth it. Each time she sings a song along with me or by herself, it's worth it. Each time she tells me she loves me or gives me a kiss without any prompting from me, it's worth it.

I used to think that being a mom was easy and rewarding. At least I was right about the last part.



**Side note: I haven't had as rough a time as I know a lot of mom's have, so this is also a shout-out to moms who have dealt with colic, sick kids much more often and just more difficult children. I know each one of you probably feel the same way, that no matter how hard it can get, it's still worth it.**

Book Review Monday - Week 45

The Second Time Around by Mary Higgins Clark

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: Nicholas Spencer, charismatic head of the medical research company Gen-Stone, involved in the development of an anticancer vaccine, suddenly disappears.

Early results of the vaccine seemed highly promising. Yet, coinciding with Spencer's disappearance is news that the FDA is denying approval. Then comes the shocking revelation that Spencer had looted Gen-Stone of huge sums of money.

Marcia "Carley" DeCarlo, a columnist for Wall Street Weekly, is assigned to cover the story. Carley is the stepsister of Spencer's wife, Lynn, an aggressive PR woman and socialite, whom she dislikes and distrusts.

As Carley proceeds with her investigation, she is confronted by seemingly impenetrable questions: Is Nicholas Spencer dead or in hiding? Was he guilty or set up? Why the sudden reversal in medical opinion of the vaccine from recognition to condemnation? As the facts unfold, Carley becomes the target of a dangerous group involved in a sinister and fraudulent scheme.

My review: Another great Mary Higgins Clark book, but I couldn't give it 5 stars because it was a little bit harder to get into than most of her books. There was a lot of background information that you needed to understand everything, but it was somewhat boring in the beginning. Once everything started coming together, it was a good read.

Happy Birthday to my One and Only!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life, my hubby!

Frog Girl

Here she is, my little frog girl:

Recipe Thursday: Mimi's Buttermilk Spice Muffins

Mimi’s Buttermilk Spice Muffins

Batter:

1 cup sugar

½ cup butter

3 eggs

2 ½ cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. nutmeg

½ tsp. cinnamon

¾ cup + 1 tbsp. buttermilk

Nut topping:

½ cup sugar

1 cup walnuts, finely chopped

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

Grease baking tins. Preheat oven to 375◦. In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter with electric mixer. Add eggs, beat 1 minute. Stir flour, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon in separate bowl. Alternately add flour mix and buttermilk to 1^st mixture Mix all nut topping ingredients in small bowl. Fill each tin ¾ full of batter. Add a full rounded tbsp. of topping on each. Bake immediately at 375◦ for 18-20 minutes.

Works-for-me-Wednesday: Three Gifts

This year, we heard a fantastic idea (from a family member, who heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, etc.) and decided we would copy it. The idea is this: everyone (which for us, includes me, my hubby and my 2 year old) would get 3 presents for Christmas, and that would be it. They would each have to fall under the following category: Something you want, something you need, and something to read. (We also do pajamas on Christmas Eve, but I didn't count that).

I think this idea works on many levels. If you have had a hard year (and who hasn't lately??), it's pretty easy to buy 3 gifts. They don't have to be expensive either. Or if you've had a good year and feel like you can afford more during this season, the 3 gifts can be things that are a little pricier. It's really up to you. I think it also helps to pull the focus away from presents, and more towards Christ, what the season is really about.

This is a tradition we hope to carry on for the rest of our lives. 3 gifts work for me! For more tips, check out We Are THAT Family!

Mr. Pine

Dear Mr. Pine,

You probably wouldn't remember me, and in fact, I might not recognize you without looking up your picture in my yearbook either. I was in your 10th grade earth and physical science class from 2002-2003 and I disliked you.

At first, I disliked you because you're class was boring. But then you went and gave me detention. Do you remember what it was for? I doubt it, but I do. You gave me detention for writing on my desk....with an eraser. Did you catch that?? I wasn't "writing" on the desk, I was erasing it. Yet for some reason, you thought I was defiling it and gave me detention after school and forced me to clean all of the desks.

Ridiculous! Did you not realize I already was not your biggest fan and that giving one of your very good students detention was not helping the cause? Maybe you did and you just didn't care. Either way, you almost made me cry in front of the whole class and I will never forget it.

Just remember that you brought the erasing of the desks on yourself. After all, I had to do something to keep me awake during your classes.

From (yes, from. You don't even get a sincerely),
Amanda

Book Review Monday - Week 44

All Around The Town by Mary Higgins Clark

My rating: 5 stars

Summary: When Laurie Kenyon, a 21-year old student, is accused of murdering her English professor, she has no memory of the crime. Her fingerprints, however, are everywhere. When she asks her sister, attorney Sarah, to mount her defense, Sarah in turn brings in psychiatrist, Justin Donnelly. Kidnapped at the age of 4 and victimized for 2 years, Laurie has developed astounding coping skills. Only when the unbearable memories of those lost years are released can the truth of the crime come out - and only then can the final sadistic plan of her abductor, whose obsession is stronger than ever, be revealed.

My review: I forgot how much I LOVE Mary Higgins Clark! She is known as the Queen of Suspense for a reason! This book was amazing in giving you just enough detail to keep you reading on to find out what would happen next. And as always, the ending is so intense it is literally impossible to put it down without finishing it!

Contradiction

Being a mom is harder than I ever imagined, but it's also easier than I thought it would be.

Being a mom is boring at times, but exciting at others.

Being a mom can bring you down sometimes, but it's also the best feeling in the world.

Being a mom is a contradiction.

Just like the other morning. Peyton was up way too early, as usual, and I wasn't really ready for her just yet. I sent her downstairs with her daddy so I could catch a little more shut-eye. Next thing I know, I hear her padding up the stairs and calling me, "Mooooom, where aaaare you?" She walks into my room and I keep my eyes tightly shut, hoping she would see me sleeping and go back downstairs to play. It didn't work. I guess she didn't get the hint.

"Mommy, time to wake up!" she tells me. I open my eyes one at a time and she breaks into the biggest grin. She leans over and gives me a kiss and a hug and then says "I so happy."

I think my heart melted. Or maybe it just grew. Who knows? It's a contradiction.

Recipe Thursday: Chocolate-Candy Cane Cookies

Chocolate-Candy Cane Cookies

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

¾ cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 ½ cups flour

½ tsp. baking soda

4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted

1 pkg. (6 oz.) premium white baking chocolate

12 hard peppermint candies, crushed

Preheat oven to 350◦. Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add flour and baking soda; mix well. Blend in semi-sweet chocolate. Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into 52 balls. Roll each ball into 3-inch long rope. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet, bending top to resemble a candy cane. Bake 10-12 minutes; cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Microwave white chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with crushed candies. Let stand until chocolate is firm.

**You could also put these into any shape, I just chose candy canes since they were made around Christmas time!**

For more cookies, check out Bake at 350!