Day 12

Highs and Lows of the last year:

Okay, so if I wanted to get really nit-picky about things, this list could go on forever (with both the good and the bad) so I'm going with the top 3.

Lows -

• Facing the truth about our mortgage, and making the decision to sell our house.
• Getting in an accident (not my fault) in my Pilot, then 5 days later getting in another accident (my fault) in my rental car.
• Having to pack up our home of 3 1/2 years move to a new place while trying to help the kids make the hard adjustment to all of the changes.

Highs -

• Getting a hearing aid for Sister. It was stressful but it felt so good to finally be proactive about her hearing loss. It has proven to be a real blessing to her.
• Seeing my oldest thrive and excel in school, and seeing the positive changes that happened after enrolling the middle child into a "real" preschool (not the co-op).
• Seeing the many blessings and feeling the profound peace that has come into our lives after the hard decisions that we've had to make. And knowing that we did the right thing.

Overall, the highs outnumber the lows, and even though times have been tough, we've weathered worse and have come out better for it. I am truly blessed.

Day 11

A Place I'd like to visit - Without my kids:

Hawaii!
Something about sunshine and tropical air makes my little Seattle-ite heart happy.

Someday...Someday...Someday...

A Place I'd like to visit - With my kids:

Disneyland!

Hopefully someday soon (sooner than Hawaii).

Day 10

Bullet My Day

• 6:30 - Alarm goes off, husband hits snooze
• 7:00 - Finally roll out of bed, shower get dressed and come out of my room to...
• 7:22 - Wake up the kids.
  
• 7:40 - They finally come downstairs. Get clothes for them, make lunches, pop some waffles in the toaster for breakfast, coerce the oldest into finishing homework, pack backpacks, brush teeth, get shoes on, rush out to the car.
• 8:25 - Drop oldest off at school.
• 8:35 - Come home to get the girlie dressed, get the Beef's back pack ready, and get ready to head out the door for real.
• 8:55 - Drop the Beefster off at school.
• 9:10 - Drop Bugg's forgotten lunch off at school.
• 9:20 - Head to Seattle for Parent/Toddler group at Listen & Talk.
• 10:00 - Very interesting class on Child Behavior
• 11:40 - Head home
• 12:05 - Grab a burrito for lunch
• 12:30 - Pick up Beefy from school
• 12:45 - Visiting Teachers come over
• 2:45 - Pick Buggy up from school
• 3:00 - Frozen Yogurt (Buggy's reward for earning an AR ribbon)
• 4:30 - Head to Seattle for Time Out for Women
• 6:30 - Fantastic, Uplifting Evening
• 9:45: - Head Home
• 11:00 - Finally Dinner

Then As soon as I'm done with this post...Bed!

Day 9

Shuffle on my ipod:

We have two ipods (technically one is mine, one is my husband's but really we just share) and they have two very different personalities. Does anyone else's ipods have personality?...No?...Just mine then. Anyway, here you go - the first 10 songs in shuffle mode:

Touch:
Light up My Room -Barenaked Ladies
Unwell - Matchbox 20
Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond (Joseph Soundtrack)
Peacemaker - Green Day
Tiny Voices - Boxcar Racer
Imagine - John Lennon
God Help The Outcasts - Hunchback of Notre Dame
Affirmation - Savage Garden
Brick - Ben Folds Five

Nano:
Variations I-IV - Julian Lloyd Webber (classical cello)
Popular - Wicked Soundtrack
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven
Beautiful Day - U2
Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne
21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
Come on Nature - The Proclaimers
Paperback Writer - The Beatles
Make You Smile - +44
The Cave - Mumford and Sons

Really though, 10 is not enough to get a good idea of what I like to listen to. There are so many great songs that haven't come up yet.

According to itunes, our music collection would last us for nearly 6 days (plus another 4 1/2 days on podcasts and 14 days worth of audiobooks - we really like audiobooks). Maybe I'll have to do this again sometime, and come up with 10 more songs.

Day 8

Something I miss:

Me and My Sisters - May 2000

I love where we live, but I do miss being near family. Especially my sisters. We are super different, but somehow still are a complement to each others personality. It is a strangely great dynamic, and I miss being able to have them nearby. We get in lots of phone time.

Day 7

Bible Verse:

I love the stories of the Old Testament, but next to the Book of Mormon the most read books of scripture in my world are the gospels in the New Testament. I love reading about the life of the Savior and his teachings.

When I think of bible verses, two come to mind.

First, in Luke. After the Savior's triumphant entry into Jerusalem the multitude and his disciples were rejoicing and praising God.

Luke 19:39-40
39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

I absolutely love the imagery here that even if the people were to be quieted the rocks on the ground would proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Second, in John Chapter 14. The Savior is addressing his disciples at the last supper.

2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I find so much joy in these few verses, it is so plain and spelled out. He will not leave us alone. This is one of my "go-to" chapters of scripture when I am seeking comfort.

Day 6

A Place I've traveled to:

So, the disadvantage of living 1000 miles from any family (and having all of your family live basically in the same place) is that all of your vacations are pretty much the same. That has been us for the last 5 years. The only trips we've taken are to Utah (to visit family). We hope to remedy that someday soon (no actual plans yet).

As a kid, and teenager, my parents really liked road trips (we never flew anywhere, I was 24 before I ever got on a plane) and many of my siblings lived out-of-state so we road-tripped a lot. I've been to most of the states minus the east coast and the south. I've even been to some parts of Canada and across the border to Mexico. All in a car.

My favorite way to travel:

Day 5

A picture of something that makes me happy:



Yes, I know it's probably a cop-out, but really these silly people (when they aren't making me pull may hair out) make me really happy. I love their silly antics, and the sweet things they do for me.

Another thing that makes me happy:

Happy Easter!

picture from the gospel art book available on lds.org

Day 4

A song that matches my mood:

Hmmmm, there are lots today.

Sunshine on my Shoulders

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today

Soak up the Sun

(We've finally had some nice weather the last couple of days)

Really though, I think this song describes this stage of my life fairly well.

To do List (Hillary Weeks)