Home is Where the Heart is

Where is home? It's where those you love are. That was a quote I remember from probably pinterest. Home. Our home has been in many places. Mostly Vegas, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Arizona. We have had big houses and tiny ones. Ones with one bathroom and others with three. Some of our favorite homes are the small ones. For some time we have even lived with family in their homes.
One of my greatest friends Kathy, had her special needs guy, Isaac, go home last night. Home to that heavenly home. And while I was frustrated with a sewing project and having (what I thought was) a hard day, this news brought that all into perspective. Life here is short. We are not merely mortal beings trying to have an heavenly experience, but we are heavenly beings having a mortal experience. (Another quote, don't know who by).
Where do you feel at home. Can you feel at home in a hospital room surrounded by monitors and beeping sounds? Or is home where the yelling happens (mine, I will admit it). Everyone says that the kids are little for only a short time, take advantage of that. I try to. I will also admit, I would MUCH rather sew that play a game with my kids. But some days, you just have to focus on them.
Let the dishes go for one night. Ramen noodles for dinner isn't going to kill them. Try to stay focused on our home. Our heavenly home and make our homes reflect that.
Btw, it's Payton's birthday. She is 10 today. As we celebrate her 10 years here, we also celebrate Isaac and his not quite 8 years here. The light and hope he brought to many. And celebrate the One who made it possible to return home and stay there, despite our short comings.

Some pics of previous homes...

The girls fairy room, Nathan's Transformer room, and the house in St. George...

I am…

By Stephanie
I went to an ANWA meeting last night.  It’s an LDS women’s writer group.  I read my first chapter to them and when one of the women (who is published) said, “yep, you are a writer.”  I can’t tell you how thrilling that was to hear! 
We use labels to help define who we are.  I felt I was a writer, but when someone else, who is published, says it.  It helps confirm and motivate. 
My sister, Amy told me about ANWA when I told her I was writing a book.  Now that I have had some help in starting the editing of the book, I felt like I could start to get some real critique of the book too.  Some fresh eyes. 
My friend Rebecca belongs to the ANWA chapter here, so last night I tagged along with her.  It was AMAZING!  They had great feedback and I learned a ton.  I have a list of books that I would like to read now, including some of the groups work.  
I know I won’t be able to attend every month with Avery’s treatment, but I will definately join and use them to better my writing and maybe get published…one day.

Happy New Year!!

By Stephanie
I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season!  But not it’s time for working out and mucking out.  I know, it sounds like a dirty word.  It is…kind of.  It’s my word for going through all the stuff I have that I really don’t need or don’t use and get rid of it!  Mucking. 
  And if you are looking for a good workout dvd, try Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30!!  It’s under $10 and a killer workout!  I am on my third go round (I have been doing it for 14 weeks) and I STILL can’t do the advance moves.  I wake up sore every morning…still.  It’s effective.  And all you need is 30 minutes and a set of hand weights (mine are 5lbs).   
  I try to have a new word for the each new year.  Two years ago it was faith (that’s the year we moved to WA).  Last year it was endure (Just go though last years posts!).  This year, I think it will be hope.  Hope seems more positive than the last two years, don’t ya think? 
   I hope I get more sunshine.
  I hope I get my book edited and published.
  I hope to be more organized.
  I hope to be more open to new things.
  I hope to get my blog posts done in a timely manner.
  I hope my kids get their chores done the first time I ask and don’t fight.
It a start…….

Distractions

by Stephanie
  I know you keep checking and thinking, when is that girl going to post something.  I know, I apologize.  I have been distracted.  Not by my kid with a brain tumor, not by pinterest, not by preschool (it was my turn to teach this week), not by dinner group, not by holiday shopping.  Although all those things are fun, and have taken some of my time,  it’s my book.  And yes, I know that every bored housewife in America is hoping to hop on the Stephenie Meyer bandwagon.  Even if we share the same first name and she spells it wrong.  I guess I am one of those. 
   I don’t care if I make a million dollars, although that would be nice.  I just want to make enough to build my house.  I have had house plans for two years, just drooling and dreaming over this house.  But alas…no fundage.  So if by chance my work paid off…literally…I would be grateful.  But I know there are hundreds if not thousands of books out there, that never really get anywhere.  So if anyone has experience publishing an e-book, PLEASE leave a comment with your email.  I would LOVE some advise.
   Anyway…. it’s a fiction.  Young Adult fiction to be exact.  It’s kind of like  Goose Girl meets Ranger’s Apprentice.  And it’s almost done.  I have a few more chapters (they are short chapters) to go.  It could be a series, a trilogy really. 
   You may not be a reader.  Or even like this genre.  But here is the first chapter.  I would love to hear your feedback…unless you don’t like it….then keep it to yourself….
The name of the book is “Archer”’
Here is just a taste…….
He looked around.  His heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to burst right out of his chest.  He was nervous.  But that was expected.  This was his first opportunity to show his skill.  It wasn’t that he untrained, he had been preparing for this day since he was five.  And it wasn’t that he was young, fourteen was still fairly young, but he was mature for his age both in height and in emotion.  It was the weight of the task.   And for someone who was itching to show his skill in real life, it felt good to finally be needed.  But this was immense.  Even for someone as skilled as he.
     The King was on his right. He loved that man like a father.  They has spent countless hours practicing.  It was the king that first noticed his skill.  He being a grand archer himself.  And it was the king that rescued him from what would have been surely a life of squalor and poverty.  The king had not only provided for his physical needs, but he had a good education too.  Rare for his occupation or his background.  He felt blessed every day for what he had provided.  This was the least he could do to serve him in this way. 
    On his left,  his other mentor, the head of the guard.   Although not in the fatherly way like the king.  The head guard was too much the soldier for emotions like pride and encouragement.
    Along with not letting his mentors down  he knew that if he failed it would be dire.  Dire as in death.  Death to at least the princess.  But this could certainly be reason for war.  And the innumerable deaths war brings.  He was only four when the last war broke out.  His father had marched off to war, never to return.  He knew the consequences of failure. 

School's In!

By Amy

Well, I was really proud of myself yesterday. I had gone out of town last-minute with my husband. He was scheduled for a business trip and we were able to score some last minute tickets with frequent flier miles. It was a great few days, but I knew we only had a few days until school started when I got back. So, we returned and I got busy checking clothing status and making sure any missing items were purchased. Making sure lunch stuff was available to take, fees paid, etc.

I had promised my 2 youngest that I would take them swimming on Monday for their last day of freedom. We had missed the school open house last week, so I took them over to the school to make sure we knew who their teacher was and where to go before our swim.

When I pulled up, I saw several kids playing and I wondered if the middle school had started a day early. Then, we went inside the school and wouldn't you know it, my kids were missing their first day! The rest of the school district we live in started school today, the 23rd, but their charter school had decided to start a day early and I had missed that crucial date!

Luckily, I didn't have anyone distraught over it, we had a good laugh and my kids were thrilled to go swimming while their friends were in school.

Where is my mother of the year award?

Where are we...

Yes, I know you are all wondering when we will be back to regular postings...soon ladies, soon. In the meantime, don't forget to put sunscreen on the tops of your feet. It had been so long since I had seen that much of the sun...I forgot.
I also feel so ready for some good projects to share with you. Fabric paint, sewing and of course recipes!!
Check back after the 12th (unless Amy and/or Jenny make a post before then. Amy's closet it AMAZING. I can't wait for you to see it!!)

Going for some vitamin D

by Stephanie
So I am going on vacation!  Whoot whoot!  Going to be in 5 states in 5 days.   Hopefully they have record heat once we get to Utah (where we will be the majority of the time). 
So if there are few posts…don’t worry.  I am just collecting more recipes and ideas to post. 
I am working on helping a friend with some window treatments….SO excited to go fabric shopping!! 

Correction

by Stephanie
Ok.  I guess my hubby heard it wrong.  It is 72 hours of summer that we have had, not 72 minutes.  But still…..

72 Minutes

by Stephanie

So if you are MELTING with heat…I am SO jealous.  Seriously.  Since March I have been missing Vegas and that wonderful heat.  I LOVE it when you come out of a movie theater or restaurant that has been blasting the air conditioning into the outdoors at 11 pm at night and you get that wave of heat.  You know that heat that has absorbed into the black top?  I LOVE that.  And half the county is having record heat waves.  Not us.  In fact we haven’t really had a summer. 

My husband came home and asked how much summer we have had this year.  I said “none”.  He gave me that look, no really, how much?  Okay, what do you consider summer I asked.  Above 80 degrees and sunny.  Okay.  One day I said…nope, 72 minutes.  We have had 72 minutes of summer this year.  No wonder I still have seasonal depression.  It’s hard to get over with 72 minutes of summer. 

And yes, it is raining again today.  And yes it probably won’t hit 70 degrees.  And yes, while I can still bake, that only means I will eat more and get more depressed because I am not loosing weight.  And yes, I do have a vacation planned.  And yes, if it rains there, I will drop the kids at my moms and go straight to Vegas.  At least for a few days of sunshine.  These pasty legs have got to go! 

We are not all created equal!

As I am training for my first 10k I have learned a lot more than just to run. The biggest thing I have learned is that we are not all created equal.  Let me give you a little history, I am the 4th sister of 5 with a brother thrown there in the middle. All of my family is pretty athletic and myself included so I thought I was in ok condition but I have, in the last few years, started to struggle with my weight. So I decided (after many failed attempts at dieting) to finally do it right. I was going to cut my calories and start really working out. I was so excited, I downloaded the my fitness pal app on my phone and started running each morning and, guess what, the first week I GAINED 4 pounds! I was livid, so I cut my calories more and started running more  thinking that’s what I needed and the next week I lost 1.5 of those pounds I had gained which was a start but still was not what I thought I would see. This pattern continued for the next 3 weeks. Then I found a friend who was willing to run with me and diet so I had a partner I could stick to this new lifestyle with and have someone to answer to and that helped a lot because it became more fun. but the weight issue still was a big problem. For the next several weeks I rode the same roller coaster every day I would lose a little and gain it back and then lose a little more then gain it all back. By the end of 13 weeks I had lost a total of 5 pounds and the worst part was my friend I was running with had lost 8 and she had only been running with me for less than 1/2 that time!

So frustrated and pissed off I called my sister in law who has done weight watchers for many years and is also a runner and just let her have all my frustrations out on a platter. Being the great sister in law she is she just listened as I complained and whined about how hard I had been training and dieting and not seeing any progress. when I was finished she told me the biggest problem I had was my self image, not the scale. she told me that I had to stop beating myself up and look at what I was doing and how far I had come athletically and the biggest advice she had was I needed to start measuring my body and not only the scale. I luckily had measured at the beginning  of my journey so I took a tape and went right in to measure my self and I had lost a total of 8.5 inches! That was huge! So if you are on a journey like my own and find yourself struggling with the scale or your progress being slow, stop and tell yourself its ok. We are all built different and you will never be someone else's size because your body is different and that’s ok.    

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Fireworks

By Stephanie
I hope you had a great Fourth of July.  Sorry it’s been a few days since posting, but we had friends come up from Utah. 
First, it is finally sunny here.  As I say that I am knocking on wood since we have only had a handful of sunny days over 70 degrees since we moved here.  I am hoping the sunny trend continues since it IS July for heavens sake.  But I guess even those that have lived here forever say it’s been a cold spring.  Spring?  I usually refer to June as summer, but that is just me. 
Anyway, we took our friends to Deception Pass.  It really is incredible. You can see one of the bridges in this pic.  There are actually two.  You can walk across and go down to the beach you see way in the distance.   It’s pretty cool.

But on Monday we had the most AMAZING fireworks experience ever.  We went to our friend's sister’s house and had awesome ribs, done in a smoker, over-the-top cake with strawberries (yes I will make and post recipe later) and a fireworks show I have NEVER seen anything close.  Seriously.  The finale was 398 fireworks!   That just gives you a small taste of what we saw.  It was better than any show or city production.  And all in their back yard. 
Thanks Abby and Ken for a 4th we will never forget!!

Content

By Stephanie

The one constant in life is that it is always changing….

Then why is it as women we are hardly ever content?  We are most always looking for something in the future.  A good example is my hair.  I am either growing it out, looking for a great short do, wanting bangs, wanting to grow out the bangs I had cut, getting ready for a color change, or wanting highlights.  And this usually comes within a week of having it done.  Why?   Why can’t I just be happy with what I have…for more than a week? 

Same goes for our living conditions.  (At least for me).  Right now we are in a beautful place.  Literally.  But then I look at the temperature in Vegas…and I am totally jealous.  Our house here has a ton of personality.  It was built in 1900.  Anything built in 1900 has been torn down in Vegas.  The houses pretty much look the same, stucco with tile roof.  And rocks as landscaping…Here we have lush green…and flowers.

See..this is out our window on the side of the house….

this is out my kitchen, and yes that is a bunny that just hopped over from next door…

 

Who would not KILL for this view (no it’s not mine, but we live about 20 minutes from here..)

Or not have your heart full when you see this…(yep about 30 minutes from us)

And this is what I see when I take my kido to softball…I have to drive through these feilds

 

And yet…I can’t help but want to get to our next step.  In my husbands career we are at a place where the next few promotions will be moves.  Big moves.  Most like to a different state.  It should happen within the next year (we are hoping).  Maybe as soon as in six months.  And I am anxious to start planning and packing.  Since my crystal ball still isn’t working, I have no idea when or where.  So you would think I would be content, just enjoy it here….um….not really.  I am trying…

Don’t get me wrong.  I am grateful he has a great job.  With places to move up.  And we aren’t worried if his paycheck is going to clear (we know..we have been there too).  We have a home that works for us and is close to shopping and his work.  Rent is pretty cheap.  The kidos have a great school with fantastic teachers.  We have some great friends here…and….still anxious to get to our next step. 

It might be that I am to learn patience…again.  Really?  You would think I would have that one down.  Alas, no, not yet.  So I will continue to work on it and try to stop and enjoy the lush green of our current surroundings.  And try to not be jealous of those that have made it over 70 degrees this year! (If you are tan and swimming already this year, I don’t want to even know about it!!)

Mother’s Day

By Stephanie
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!  To my mother, my mother-in-law, to all you out there with kids and those that “mother” even if you haven’t given birth. 
My father-in-law called to wish me an early Happy Mother’s Day.  I told him I was changing my name to “dad” for that one day as my gift.  He laughed.  It’s true.  When they fight ,“mom” they yell.  When they can’t find one of their shoes, “mom” they yell.  When they can’t reach the cereal, “mom, mom, mom”.  I hear it all day, every day.  So for one day I am going to let my hubby answer to that. 
I also got myself another gift.  Why did you get yourself a gift you ask?  Doesn’t your hubby get you one?  Yes.  My hubby gives fantastic's gifts….every five years.  It’s true.  In 14 years of marriage I have received diamond earrings, a diamond necklace and a coach purse.  One more year and he is up for another gift.  Sooooooo……in the meantime I have learned not to look at it as a problem, but a blessing.  Every Christmas, birthday and Mother’s Day, I pick out what I want, I pay for it and enjoy it.  No returns necessary.  I always get just what I wanted.    And no he doesn’t cook either.  He usually isn’t allowed in the kitchen unless it is to pour cereal or milk for the little ones.  So that isn’t an option either.  (Yes, I cook on Mother’s Day, and every other day).
This year was no exception.  I got a book.  Don’t roll your eyes.  Yes, it is a book on “mothering”.  Try to stay with me…it is called “A Mother’s Mite” by Deanne Flynn.  She was speaking at a conference I went to, but actually before I know that, my own mother told me about this book.  It talks about the widows mite being all she had and she gave all and how we as mothers give all we  have, even when it seems a pittance.  She also has a website.  It is a great forum to see what other mothers are doing.  There are recipes and stories from women that help “fill our buckets” and help us to realize…we are not alone!  Other mom’s feel overwhelmed and underappreciated. 
So have a wonderful Mother’s Day…..

Netflix for my workout

by Stephanie

So recently we got a Netflix account.  We don’t have Xbox live so we just wait for our one DVD or stream it to our computer.  Yesterday at our “finer things club” my friend said she was streaming exercise DVDs to her computer.  WOW.  Why didn’t I think of that.  I had been getting a bit bored with what I was doing.  Now I have like 100s of  workout DVD options.  I did some Pilates today.  I am trying to focus on getting my thighs down.  Perfect, and for NO EXTRA money!  I like that too!!

Happy workout…….

Thank you to our military

by Stephanie

Sorry for the pause in posts.  I had a wonderful women’s conference last weekend (I will post more on that later), Jenny is a busy mom of little ones and Amy had been sick (she had surgery a few weeks ago and is in the hospital with an infection). 

There are some tutorials and recipes I am working on..but they aren’t ready yet. 

So I will take this opportunity to thank our military.  Those amazing men and women and their families who sacrifice everything to make sure we are safe.  I can’t imagine having a husband that is in the line of fire and not knowing if they are okay.  Going to bed each night praying for them.  So that we can walk down the street.   Or go to the grocery store.  Or send the kids to school. 

Thank you doesn’t seem to even begin to express how much I appreciate the freedoms we have because of the many, many lives lost now and over the generations. 

I only hope that we can see the bigger picture so that we don’t give away those freedoms.  I am praying for them and us…

Being Fabulous

I found the best book last week! It is called The Essentials of Fabulous.

I was buying a few books on Amazon and, don't ask me how, but I found this book. It sounded intriguing, so I added it to my cart. As soon as my order arrived, I couldn't help it, I just had to read this book first and I'm so glad I did.  Here is the caption on the back of the book. "Count your lucky stars if you grew up without one illustrious relative to your name. That means you aren't under the delusion that you've inherited some magical gene or magnificent bankroll that makes you fabulous. It also means that you may be in on a secret: No one is born fabulous." The author, Ellen Lubin-Sherman shows throughout the book what fabulous people do, and gives practical advice on how we can incorporate that into our lives. If you are looking for not only a good read, but a leg up on how to live a fabulous life order this book, you won't regret it!

Goodreads

by Stephanie

I love to read.  Now that my kids are old enough that I can read for about an hour at a time instead of waiting just until they are down for a nap or bed for the night!  But it needs to be worth my time.  I don’t like investing hours into a book to not really enjoy it. 

I have a friend on Goodreads.com that is a librarian.  She reads A LOT!  She and I have similar tastes.  There is one series that we both like that isn’t for everyone.  So I know when she gives it four stars, it will be worth my time.  She is a great resource and Goodreads.com makes it easy for me to see what she likes and doesn’t like.  (And NO I am NOT being paid to tell you that.)

I have a few favorite authors, but I was in the mood to find a new series to read.  My 12 year old kido is a great reader too so I kept seeing this collection when I would go to the YA section at my library. 

My library is NOT well stocked.  Not like in Las Vegas.  Were they co-op with all the surrounding libraries and will transfer it…for free.  It was awesome.  And I could get just about any book I was looking for.  Here…not so much.  But the pictures on the covers were…interesting.  Not “Oh that looks like a good book” interesting.  More like “I am not sure about that one” interesting.

See….

 

 

But my friend on Goodreads.com had marked it with four stars and I was hungry for a good book.   So I got the first one.  The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.  I WAS HOOKED!  The only problem was that the second was checked out by someone that works for the library.  Apparently you get the book for like 6 months when you work for them.  Sssssooooo, I was impatiently waiting.  And waiting.  And waiting.  I told Jenny (younger sister) about it.  She went and bought all four.  But she is two states away from me.  BUT…..my parents were coming to visit.  And they brought book two and three (since Jenny had just finished book three).  That only left book four which I am still on hold for, but only for a few more weeks!  I REALLY like this series.  And since it is YA, there is a bit of scandal, but it isn’t the kind described in any detail.  You know what happened, we don’t need all the description.  It’s nice when an author lets you use your imagination too.  I love some scandal.  I am hoping book four wraps it up nicely.  I can see how it could go either way…I am also a sucker for a happy ending.  So here’s hoping!   Or maybe you could find out for yourself…If you would like a good book, or four.

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Diet….

by Stephanie

I am NOT a dieter.  First we have pretty good genes.  Not supermodel after four kids genes, but good.  But I HATE to not eat good food.  But I have been at a plateau for about two years.  I don’t LOVE to exercise, but it’s better than not eating.   I did find an exercise program I can totally commit to.  Even six days a week.  Because it only takes 8-12 minutes a day.  It’s called 20 Second Fitness.

One of the girls at church has started a program of just keeping track of her calories and has lost 10 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks!  Totally proud of her!  So I decided it was time I tried to REALLY watch what I eat.  So I signed up for a TOTALLY FREE website called my fitness pal.  AWESOME!  Really it’s just keeping track of your exercise and calories.  BIG wake up!  I have been eating way more than I should have.  Actually, not real surprise.  I mean you really can’t expect to eat alfredo once a week if you want to be healthy and fit….

So far, not too bad.  We even went out of town and I stayed pretty much right on.  I will let you know how it goes…….