Perspective

Every year around the holidays I try to do something to focus on the REAL meaning of Christmas. Last year I read The Robe. If you haven't read it, I strongly suggest you do. It made all the difference for me last year. This year I have been reading the four gospels from the New Testament. I have tried to read with two things in mind. First, that this isn't just a nice story, but actual events. And second, what do I need to change in my own life because of Christ's teachings. That is where perspective comes in.

I know there are a lot of moms out there with more kids and more on their plates, so I shouldn't complain. But I do. Having two energetic children and a husband who is gone more nights than he is home is HARD. Some nights I go to bed so thankful that I can try again in the morning. Sometimes I am a little jealous that my husband gets to go out to nice lunches and have adult conversation, while I am home eating macaroni and cheese and explaining why we don't throw our food on the floor. It had been a rough couple of weeks when I read Mark 8:36-37 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

That scripture really struck a chord in me. Perspective. The most important thing I can be doing is to be home with my children trying to set a righteous example for them. All the accolades of the world will mean nothing if I fail my children. I have been praying for strength beyond my own so that I don't enter "Mean Mom Mode." You know, that point where you can feel the veins in your neck bulge and you think you might actually turn green like the Hulk. I have felt love pour into my heart. I love my children. And more than anything I have been reminded that all they really want is for me to show them love.

This Christmas I am thankful for the life of Christ. He is the best gift. He is helping me turn my weaknesses into strengths. Because of the teachings of the Savior, I have the perspective to know that the most important thing is family. So in the words of Hannah, "Merry Pimpas!"

All inclusive

There has been a lot going on lately. So much so, that I am just going to put the highlights in an all inclusive blog post! Lucky you.

First up is playing in the snow, then the leaves when it all melted. Tyler was truly giddy when we told him he could get his snowboots on....the ones he has been asking to wear since September!

Next up is BLACK FRIDAY. I am not one of those crazy women who are in line by midnight for their favorite store. I just go the day before Thankgiving and put stuff on hold. I'm not going to lie, I got the deal of a lifetime on Friday. I always buy my kids clothes this winter on sale and use them for next winter. The same goes for coats. Gymboree was having a 50% off sale on their winter coats. I found Tyler the most handsome navy blue Peacoat....EVER. So cute I almost don't want him to wear it next year. It was originially $70! With the 50% off sale, plus they were taking an extra 30% off since it was before noon, and I had a 20% off coupon, I got the coat for $10.50. No joke. I may or may not have jumped up and down...a little.

Then we have Family Home Evening at Temple Square to see the lights. We decided to go before it really got cold. I discovered something there. Hannah doesn't know how to say Christmas. She would point and say, "Look at those Pimpas lights." Or it would come out "Merry Crimpas!" Too cute!

Gratitude

My three best friends and I are in an exclusive club. We call it the Finer Things Club. I'm not going to lie, I look forward to our monthly meetings more than just about anything else. We talk books, mommy talk, wife talk, food talk, and just about every other kind of talk there is. These three ladies inspire me, help me, laugh with me, and enrich my life. Thank you Kalie, Amylee, and Whitney. I am grateful for you three!

We decided to do what we are calling the Finer Life Challenge. Every month for a year we choose a topic and make goals for the month. This month, of course we are doing Gratitude. I decided to write down three things that I am thankful for each day...and why. The why part is to really help me connect to what I write down. I'm sort of surprised to say that I have had a hard time with it. I know I have a lot to be grateful for, but I can't write something down unless I had an experience with it that day. So while it would be easy to say, "I'm thankful for nature because...," unless I had an experience that day with nature, I can't write it down.

While the month is not over, I am recognizing a few common themes in the things I write down.

1. Family: Almost every day one of my three things is something family related. Family is what life is all about. They mean more to me than anything.

2. Kindness: I am noticing the kind things people do for me (especially family, and surprisingly strangers) and I realized I need to show more kindness to others so they can feel how I do.

3. The little things: It is the funny thing Hannah says, or the random hug that Tyler gives me. Or it could be as simple as my husband making the bed. I need to appreciate more the little things. Because more often than not, it will be those little things, not the big, that make all the difference.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Be safe and remember that your life is blessed!

A Truly Happy Halloween

Yesterday we truly had a happy day. It started with a half naked Tyler waking us up asking if it was time to get his costume on yet. I can't tell, but I think he was excited!

Next we had Steve's official swearing in to become an attorney. So yesterday was officially the end of our journey for Steve to become a Patent Lawyer! Can I get a hip hip hooray! Feel free to start calling him Stephen Pulley, Esquire.

To finish off the day came my cute kids in their cute costumes. Tyler initially wanted to be a a ninja, followed by a skeleton, and finally decided he wanted to be a knight (because they have swords). I was glad I hadn't started working on his ninja costume when he changed his mind! He is quite a dashing knight! Tyler had the "Trick-or-Treat" part down, but needed reminding on the "Thank you" part. I was surprised but he willingly came home after about an hour, mostly because he was itching to eat some of his treats!

Then there is my cute little witch. After the first house, she clutched the candy in her hand and didn't dare let go of it! Her costume was my favorite! I couldn't find tights her size, so I had to fabric spray the leggings with stripes and I made her cape. The costume turned out cuter than I hoped. Hannah quickly mastered taking a piece of candy from someone and would say thank you. At one point last night as we were walking to the next house, she was whispering to herself, "halloween! halloween!" She also loved her hat, and if it fell off she would yell, "Hannah's witch,"which apparently meant her hat.

We finished off the night by letting the kids (and adults) eat a few treats and reading It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Overall, it was a fabulous Halloween!

Family Pictures 2011

About three weeks ago we had family pictures. I always set my expectations too high when it comes to getting our pictures taken. I worry over what clothes to wear, how to do hair, if the kids will fall the night before and get a huge bruise. Stress! In a perfect world, the kids would smile (not their fake smile, but their real smile), hold still-ish and listen. I know I ask way too much. I am mostly pleased with how they turned out.

First up is Miss Hannah. She is a cute one...even if we did have to bribe her with Tic-Tacs and iPhone games. After about 35 minutes she was 'done.'

Next up is Tyler. He was 'done' after about 20 minutes. Hence not as many good pictures of him. I tried every stragey and tactic with him, but to no avail.
And last, but not least, are the family pictures. I'm just glad we were able to capture our family at this stage...and that we don't have to take them again until next year!