First known use: 1582
Definition according to Merriam-Webster: an acquired deeply ingrained habit or skill
Driving down to Utah with Kate for yet another doctor's appointment is second nature.
We load up the van, get comfortable for the 2 hours, 20 minute drive. On the way down, Kate always sleeps. I might call a friend or two, and then flip through radio stations and listen to something interesting.
We get out at the Salt Lake Clinic, walk up the stairs to stretch our legs, and give our name to the receptionist. We wait about 5 minutes and then head to the tiniest exam room you have ever been in.
After a few moments (and Kate continues to sing 'patience, patience'), we see our most fabulous doctor. This visit brings the news that we will have another surgery (#6) at the end of this month. Mom doesn't even flinch ... Kate smiles and looks ready to do it all over again.
We jump back in the van, and drive to Centerville where we patron the Dairy Queen because it is closed on Sundays. Get gas and begin the drive back home.
Second nature.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
A GREEN BEAN TALE
In our quest to eat healthier, we have begun to add 'mandatory' vegetables at dinner. Unfortunately, not everyone in our family is as excited about trying new vegetables and eating healthier.
Sunday night, we had green beans. Dawson did not eat his 1 green bean.
Monday night, we had green beans. (I know that it was monotonous.) Dawson was given 2 green beans to eat, 1 for Sunday and 1 for Monday.
He gagged and choked his first green bean down his throat. Then came time to eat green bean #2. He had Pespi this time to soften the blow of tasting healthy, green food. Unfortunately, he shoved his fingers in his mouth to shove the green bean down. This action caused him to begin to gag and choke. And up came the second green bean (with chicken chunks), followed by the first green bean (with more chicken chunks).
Needless to say, I could not finish my green beans after cleaning up Dawson's green beans.
I had heard about an idea from Family Fun a few years ago with a Food Explorer Passport. I also found it here on this blogspot. I have bought little notebooks and hope to begin our Food Explorer Passport for all of the kiddos early next week.
I'm not sure if it will change the upturned noses and complaints, but as long as I am not cleaning up vegetable chunks at the dinner table, I know that it will be a success.
Sunday night, we had green beans. Dawson did not eat his 1 green bean.
Monday night, we had green beans. (I know that it was monotonous.) Dawson was given 2 green beans to eat, 1 for Sunday and 1 for Monday.
He gagged and choked his first green bean down his throat. Then came time to eat green bean #2. He had Pespi this time to soften the blow of tasting healthy, green food. Unfortunately, he shoved his fingers in his mouth to shove the green bean down. This action caused him to begin to gag and choke. And up came the second green bean (with chicken chunks), followed by the first green bean (with more chicken chunks).
Needless to say, I could not finish my green beans after cleaning up Dawson's green beans.
I had heard about an idea from Family Fun a few years ago with a Food Explorer Passport. I also found it here on this blogspot. I have bought little notebooks and hope to begin our Food Explorer Passport for all of the kiddos early next week.
I'm not sure if it will change the upturned noses and complaints, but as long as I am not cleaning up vegetable chunks at the dinner table, I know that it will be a success.
Friday, April 8, 2011
467 DAYS
467 days OR 1 year, 3 months, and 12 days.
That is how many days it has taken us to pay off our consumer debt.
If you haven't ever checked Dave Ramsey's principles out, I highly encourage you to do it now! His program has changed our lives and the way that we think about money.
Not only do I need to thank Dave Ramsey, I need to thank my friend, Megan. She was the one that introduced us. I remember her recommending his class to us, Financial Peace University. She shared with us a DVD that was a preview of what the class offers. She was so excited about it, that I took the DVD and put it in the computer. Brandon and I sat and watched. That was November 2009.
We were on board and wanted to start right away, but didn't know exactly how. December 2009, we had an extra pay check coming in. For us, it all started December 27th, 2009 with baby step 1.
Baby step #1 - 1,000 dollars to start an emergency fund
We did this by selling our big screen TV and other items that we didn't mind parting with. And instead of blowing that extra paycheck, we made it start working with us.
Baby step #2 - Pay off all debt by using the debt snowball
We have paid off everything except our house, 2nd mortgage, and student loans. The debt snowball is different than everyone else's debt payment plan.
We have deviated a little bit throughout these days. We bought our Dave truck and also have paid for a bunch of medical, including 2 surgeries and a surgical procedure.
So, technically, we are not debt free, but today, 467 later, we have made baby steps to having an emergency fund and have paid off 'stupid with a bunch of zeros'! And it feels great!
My challenge to you is to watch this video. It is 24 minutes long. I promise that it will be worth your time. So, if you can't commit to 24 minutes, watch at least 14 minutes of it. Dave is a great motivational speaker ... it is quite entertaining.
That is how many days it has taken us to pay off our consumer debt.
If you haven't ever checked Dave Ramsey's principles out, I highly encourage you to do it now! His program has changed our lives and the way that we think about money.
Not only do I need to thank Dave Ramsey, I need to thank my friend, Megan. She was the one that introduced us. I remember her recommending his class to us, Financial Peace University. She shared with us a DVD that was a preview of what the class offers. She was so excited about it, that I took the DVD and put it in the computer. Brandon and I sat and watched. That was November 2009.
We were on board and wanted to start right away, but didn't know exactly how. December 2009, we had an extra pay check coming in. For us, it all started December 27th, 2009 with baby step 1.
Baby step #1 - 1,000 dollars to start an emergency fund
We did this by selling our big screen TV and other items that we didn't mind parting with. And instead of blowing that extra paycheck, we made it start working with us.
Baby step #2 - Pay off all debt by using the debt snowball
We have paid off everything except our house, 2nd mortgage, and student loans. The debt snowball is different than everyone else's debt payment plan.
We have deviated a little bit throughout these days. We bought our Dave truck and also have paid for a bunch of medical, including 2 surgeries and a surgical procedure.
So, technically, we are not debt free, but today, 467 later, we have made baby steps to having an emergency fund and have paid off 'stupid with a bunch of zeros'! And it feels great!
My challenge to you is to watch this video. It is 24 minutes long. I promise that it will be worth your time. So, if you can't commit to 24 minutes, watch at least 14 minutes of it. Dave is a great motivational speaker ... it is quite entertaining.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
MY TOP 3
Looking through blogs a few months ago, I saw a blog that had their top 3 conference talks last October. I thought that it was a fun idea, so I thought that I would share. (Hopefully, I can add quotes soon.)
In no particular order, here goes:
He really touched me as he talked at the end of conference that each speaker is inspired to prepare messages that will touch us. Not every message will be for us, but if the speakers teach by the spirit and if we listen to the spirit, we will be blessed. We know that God lives and speaks to us today, and that President Thomas S. Monson is the true prophet.
When we obey the commandments, we are blessed. Then the windows of heaven will be poured out.
I think that this is true not only in tithing, but also in the other commandments. There are so many blessings and tender mercies that come to us daily when we follow the Savior's example.
In no particular order, here goes:
Elder Jeffery R. Holland
He really touched me as he talked at the end of conference that each speaker is inspired to prepare messages that will touch us. Not every message will be for us, but if the speakers teach by the spirit and if we listen to the spirit, we will be blessed. We know that God lives and speaks to us today, and that President Thomas S. Monson is the true prophet.
President Henry B. Eyring
His message on tithing was worded fantastically. He said that tithing is not a matter of money, but a matter of faith. Pay it first and pay it honestly. Tithing is divorce insurance. One of the reasons that I loved his talk was the first and last part ---
President Eyring spoke on the church welfare system and one of my favorite hymns "Have I Done Any Good?" In short, he challenged us to turn our feelings of sympathy into a decision to act unselfishly. We should become self reliant and then give of our surplus and seek out the poor. We should include our children in service that we give. When we do these things, we will feel of the blessings of unity.
Elder Carl B. Pratt
When we obey the commandments, we are blessed. Then the windows of heaven will be poured out.
I think that this is true not only in tithing, but also in the other commandments. There are so many blessings and tender mercies that come to us daily when we follow the Savior's example.
GATHERED TOGETHER TO HEAR THE WORDS
This weekend is my favorite holiday weekend. It is conference weekend, where we gather together as families to hear the words our prophets and apostles speak to us.
After our tent had an accident flying across our street, we had to wait to buy a new tent. This year, we purchased it!!!
It is an 8 person tent and the whole tent is 6 feet tall!!! Did I mention that it has a hinged door?
Here are a few pictures:
Setting up the tent was a bit of a challenge in since it is 9x13. We made it happen though!
The monkey:
Can't wait to read and sleep down here:
Running away from the camera:
Caught:
Here is the set up for conference this year. We used tv trays for our conference packets. I even printed off a packet for myself. (It went so well, that I will definitely do it again.)
Mayday, mayday, we have a blinker!
Our conference wall set up:
Kate's conference wall set up:
Cooking breakfast Saturday morning:
Conference food:
Frozen pudding pops:
We had plenty of treats including spray cheese (a specialty at our house) and a traditional turkey meal with homemade rolls. I spent Friday preparing most of the food so that we could enjoy Saturday and Sunday.
Last session of conference, I took pictures of my boys:
It was SO good to be able to feel the spirit and be with my kids all weekend, even if there was powdered sugar on my car this morning!
After our tent had an accident flying across our street, we had to wait to buy a new tent. This year, we purchased it!!!
It is an 8 person tent and the whole tent is 6 feet tall!!! Did I mention that it has a hinged door?Here are a few pictures:
Setting up the tent was a bit of a challenge in since it is 9x13. We made it happen though!
The monkey:
Can't wait to read and sleep down here:
Running away from the camera:
Caught:
Here is the set up for conference this year. We used tv trays for our conference packets. I even printed off a packet for myself. (It went so well, that I will definitely do it again.)
Mayday, mayday, we have a blinker!
Our conference wall set up:
Kate's conference wall set up:
Cooking breakfast Saturday morning:
Conference food:
Frozen pudding pops:
We had plenty of treats including spray cheese (a specialty at our house) and a traditional turkey meal with homemade rolls. I spent Friday preparing most of the food so that we could enjoy Saturday and Sunday.
Last session of conference, I took pictures of my boys:
It was SO good to be able to feel the spirit and be with my kids all weekend, even if there was powdered sugar on my car this morning!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
VT + CONFERENCE = FUN BASKET
Every conference, I try to do something special for my sisters. This year, I did this basket. Thank you to all of the great bloggers and such out there that share their ideas.
Good conference quote.
Notebook to take notes. (Pres. Monson's favorite color is yellow)
A candle with the saying:
Cheetos and the saying:
Crayons to coloring the bingo sheets. You can find the conference bingo sheets here.
Jelly beans to play the bingo.
One final game from sugardoodle. Kids get to pick out a snickers when the apostles and speakers tell a joke or make the audience laugh. They get to pick out a hug (or a kiss) when the speaker cries or is very emotional. Something to help them pay attention.
Good conference quote.
Notebook to take notes. (Pres. Monson's favorite color is yellow)
A candle with the saying:
Cheetos and the saying:
Crayons to coloring the bingo sheets. You can find the conference bingo sheets here.
Jelly beans to play the bingo.
One final game from sugardoodle. Kids get to pick out a snickers when the apostles and speakers tell a joke or make the audience laugh. They get to pick out a hug (or a kiss) when the speaker cries or is very emotional. Something to help them pay attention.
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