Rain, Rain, Go Away

It is a dark, rainy afternoon here today and we are stuck inside. We are still a little bit sick, and it is making us a little bit crazy. Oliver had had enough. Mike was leaving to run some quick errands and Oliver, sensing that Mike was about to go somewhere, grabbed onto his legs and wouldn't let go. It was pretty sad, so Mike had to take him with him. That poor little boy needs a backyard. He is constantly whining at the front door like a little puppy, wanting to be let out. I can't wait until we move and he can run around outside all day long. He will be in heaven.

One of Those Days

Today is one of those days. It is two o'clock in the afternoon and I am still in my pajamas. Mabel has been throwing up all day and our house is a mess. I have been sitting on the couch reading magazines and eating peanut butter kisses while watching over my sick little girl. Today I just don't care.

If we were to divide all of the homemakers we know into general types, we would likely come to this conclusion:

There are three types. The first category consists of the "Don't Cares." These women are content to exist in a mess of confusion, dust, and fingerprints. The result of their complacency is more mess, more dust, and more fingerprints.

Then there are the "Almosters." They just don't quite make it, like the car brakes that almost worked, or the man who almost caught the train. Their intentions are good, and they almost make it. They spend lots of time and energy, but they don't quite reach their goals, they don't quite get the job done. Their houses are never quite clean, their ironing is never quite caught up, they are never quite ready, or quite on time. This results in frustrations, wear and tear on nerves, damage to self-respect, and failure to meet important goals and opportunities.

Fortunately, there are many Ideal Homemakers among women. They are the ones who are able to keep up with the countless demands of homemaking and make their homes function smoothly. The results of their abilites are joy and satisfaction, peace of mind, and a rich, interesting life.

The Art of Homemaking

I don't think it is possible to be an Ideal Homemaker everyday. Sometimes you just have to let go and not worry about the mess.

Come on, Mom

Tonight, as we were driving home from my parents' house, we passed by the elementary school that Mabel would have gone to next year for preschool. Like she does every time we drive by it, Mabel said, "There's the school that I am going to go to when I am four." I told her that since we are moving to Arizona, she would be going to a different school by our new house. She replied with "Aww, come on, Mom." Sometimes I wonder where she gets this stuff.

Home

We're home, but it doesn't really feel that way anymore. While we were in Arizona for Christmas, we found a house. We didn't buy it, but we probably will. It is strange because it is not in the neighborhood, or even in the city that I thought we would end up in, but the moment I walked into this quaint fixer-upper, I knew that we would be enormously happy there. It has loads of potential, and the ideas are already swimming around in my head, making it hard to sleep at night. I am excited and ready to get to work. The dark pink shag carpet has to go, so do the popcorn ceilings, but it is a great house. It has a humongous backyard full of mature fruit trees that backs up to a nice park and a fabulous elementary school. I know it doesn't look like much, but I already love it.

Oliver's Portrait

A couple of months ago, I had my kids picture taken. This was the best shot. It came in the mail yesterday and I just love it. Enjoy.

No Disneyland Today

An ideal homemaker makes the best use of her time and energy by being efficient so that she is able not only to keep up with her housework, but she is able to be a companion to her husband and a friend and teacher to her children. She is also able to pursue some personal interests which further contribute to her happiness and development.

The Art of Homemaking

We were going to go to Disneyland this morning to see it decorated for Christmas, but Oliver is sick and won't leave my arms. He is currently in my lap. I think he just has a cold, but I didn't want him to have to deal with Disneyland. Frankly, I didn't want to deal with it today, either.

Even though I have a small house, it seems like my housework is never done. I guess that's the life of a stay-at-home mom. I don't really mind housework, though. I like washing dishes and folding laundry. I like vacuuming and sweeping, too. There is a nice sense of accomplishment when these tasks are completed. I am so grateful that I get to stay home. Next to my testimony and my family, that is my greatest blessing. I am so blessed to have a husband who goes to work everyday (even in these extra-stressful times) so that I can be here with our kids, taking care of our home. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming and I feel like raising my hand to my forehead in a near faint like the girl in the picture above, but most of the time I am happy.

C is for the Christ Child

Mabel had her final Singer's Company show last night. She is the youngest girl in the group and performed her solo in front of a very large audience. She didn't seem nervous at all. It was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry because it was so sweet. Her lines were "C is for the Christ child, born upon this day." Her cousin, Annie, did a great job on her solo, too. Mabel was a little disappointed when we didn't have a bouquet of flowers for her after the show. I can't believe I didn't think to bring her some. Poor Oliver just wanted to be part of the action and kept trying to rush the stage. I think he likes the attention he gets from all the girls.

Pink

Let's see, what should Mabel wear today-- A pink dress, or a pink dress? She has a slight obsession.

Arizona or Bust

It is strange how life can change in an instant.

We are moving to Arizona!

I have always known that we would end up there, it is just happening a lot faster than I ever expected. I am excited, but a little bit anxious since we don't have a plan yet. We need to figure things out pronto!

Our future is beginning to look wide open and very bright.

The Ghosts of Christmases Past

2001

2003

2004

Keep a close watch on your mailboxes, folks. The 2005 card is on it's way.

All I want for Christmas

are cars, trucks, and other manly things.

Stars for Eyes

An ideal homemaker is skilled in the handling of money, in planned shopping, in careful storage, and in clever preparation of food. She is able to conserve the family's possessions through good management. She does not economize and follow a budget out of self-pity, but because it is a challenge to get the very most out of the resources available.

The Art of Homemaking

Sometimes it is easy to have stars for eyes. Last night for Enrichment our ward had a progressive dinner at three houses. They were all gorgeous and ginormous. It was fun, but a little bit depressing. We just aren't at that point in our lives yet. . . someday. Like my alter-ego in the picture above, I can dream about the nice ranch-style house that I want, or the super sweet convertible. Until then, I will be content with my condo and my little volvo.


Who needs big, fancy houses and cars when you have a little boy as handsome as mine?

Mabel in Profile

To cut a little girl's bangs evenly, place a piece of cellophane tape along her forehead just above where you want to cut the bangs, and then cut along the tape.

The Art of Homemaking

I cut Mabel's hair. I am not a trained hair stylist and most of the time I have no idea what I am doing. Luckily Mabel is very patient and sits still while I do it.

Since I cut it, Mabel and I have the same haircut. It just happens to be the haircut I like best. We get comments about it everywhere we go. I think it is so cute on her that I can't ever imagine growing it out. I think sometimes she wishes she had long hair because all of the princesses have long hair. But I tell her that she looks beautiful with her short hair and that short hair is my favorite. I would like to think that I have more pull than Sleeping Beauty.

I can't believe that I have started a blog. I can thank Stephanie Nielson, a.k.a. Gracie J. Brunswick for the inspiration, although she probably has no idea. I like to think of it as a way to send out pictures of my cute kids and to keep anyone who is interested up to date on my life. I can't think of anyone who would be interested, but you never know. Since I have been married, I have been terrible at writing in my journal, so I hope this counts. My life is not very exciting, but I love it. Here is a picture of me, Mabel, and Oliver in our everday attire, doing our everyday thing.