Winter Blues

I love the winter.  Really.  I figure if I live in Utah I better like it, and if I don't I better learn to like it or my life is going to be miserable.  I made that decision a long time ago.  I have learned to really enjoy the snow and cold.  It means I get to snuggle, drink hot chocolate, not get scared at night walking from my car to my front door because the sky is white (I know I'm not the only one...right?), watch Mara play in the snow, and overall just enjoy a change of pace.

However, this winter has really gotten to me.  I try so hard to like it, but I just can't.  I say all of those things in my mind that have made so much sense before, but this year it's just not working for me!  I am so tired of being cold.  I am so tired of sitting inside.  I am so tired of the ugliness I'm surrounded by.

The other day I finally figured out why it's been bad this year.  There hasn't been any snow!  I think we've only had to shovel our walkway about three times.  If it's going to be cold, there better be a reason!  That reason for me is snow.  Cold+wet+nosnow=depressedBrittani.

I'm glad it's almost March.  Even though I know there's a chance we could get a blizzard in June, I feel like the end is almost near!  I just wish I would've found my cure for the winter blues a little sooner.  Do you want to know what it is?  I went tanning today for the first time in years (okay, I'm not sure it's been years but it has been an incredibly long time).  The most amazing thing happened while I was there.  I still haven't quite figured out what it was, but whatever it was worked!  Feeling the "sun" made me burst out of the winter blues.  My skin feels absolutely fantastic having seen the "sun", and I feel SO good!!!!  So I recommend that anyone out there suffering from the terrible winter blues try it!  I promise it will make a world of a difference!

Can you believe it?

Wow, is it already that time again?

 

I cannot believe she is almost 2 already!  Wait a second...if I think about it I can believe it.  Want to hear what she can do?

     *Go "pee pee in the big girl potty" She asks to all the time, and goes.  We can normally put her diaper back on because it is completely dry!  We will be officially training her this Saturday so wish us luck!

    *She can basically let us know exactly what she wants using full sentences.  It blows my mind everytime still.  Can I just say how nice it is that she can finally tell us what she wants, or what hurts!  It makes life about a bazillion times easier! 

    *She takes such good care of her little brother.  He already loves her so much!  In fact, Mara can get him rolling laughing better than anyone else.  It is beyond cute.  If he starts crying, so goes running screaming: "binki!"  Locates the bink, and gets him plugged pronto. 

    *She follows directions well.  It is so nice to say, "Mara go get a diaper and wipes" and off she runs upstairs only to return with the items! 

    *She is definitely an independent little thing.  Wants to do everything by herself.  My favorite is watching her put on her shoes on the wrong feet.  So I'll tell her they're on the wrong feet, she says, "oops!  Wrong feet." and promptly changes them.

    *She has some major personality!  I love it (well most of the time).  Today she asked me to put on her tu-tu, so I did.  She grabbed her purse, gave me a kiss goodbye and said, "bye mom.  Lover (her version of I love you).  Shoppin!"  Then went to the front door and tried to open it.  I about died!  Thankfully she still hasn't figured out how to open up a door.  Knock on wood it stays like that for a while.  I'm quite enjoying it.

   *Speaking of shopping, it is her favorite activity.  Almost every morning she wakes up and asks me if we get to go shopping.  Which is hilarious, because I am in no way a big shopper.  I think it's mostly because she just likes to get out of the house. 

She is so much fun.  She is still definitely a daddy's girl.  We are so grateful to have her in our lives!  Love you Roo!

Too cute not to post

These were taken while we were in Logan for Stacie's birthday party!  Oh, I just want to squeeze him!

(p.s. thanks Lana for letting me steal these off draperdata!)

Questions Answered!

To do list:  I bought it at Walmart, just in the office supplies section.  The magnets were also in that section that say each day of the week.  Sadly all I did to it was place the magnets and write with a dry erase marker.  I even put the magnets on the back wrong, so Sean had to fix it.  Thanks for your faith in me thinking that I made it!  haha

Fondant Recipe: 16 oz. bag mini marshmallows Use a good quality kind, it makes a world of a difference
                          2-3 tbs. water
                          1 tsp. lemon juice (optional all it does it make it a little less sweet)
                          1 tbs. light karo syrup  (also optional, it just helps the fondant not tear)
                          approx. two pounds Powder Sugar (again, use a good quality kind)
                         lots and lots of crisco!
 in a large microwave safe bowl, coat with crisco, then add the marshmallows and water,  Microwave at 30 second intervals stirring in between until marshmallows are melted.  Take out and add karo syrup and lemon juice (if using).  If you want to make the entire batch one color add it here, you can also flavor the fondant with your typical candy flavorings here as well if you'd like just make sure you don't use the lemon juice.  Then it's just a matter of kneading in the powder sugar until it reaches the right consistency.  You want it nice and firm.  Make sure you coat everything the fondant will touch with crisco (including your hands!).  Best if refrigerated overnight, but makesure to use an air-tight container!  Air is fondants worst nightmare!  When you go to use it you will have to work with it for a while to get it as pliable as you'll need.  If you don't want to color it all one color, you just seperate the block into sections of as many colors as you need and knead in the food coloring.  I hope this makes sense because I'm flying high on Nyquil at the moment...I've got a terrible cold and am going to bed as soon as I'm done with this. :)

Hmm..I swear I have gotten more questions than this, but at the moment I can't remember so this will have to do!  Ok, I just read what I wrote and I am apparently the queen of run-on sentences.  Oops.  Guess what?  I'm too tired to care right now so you'll have to deal with my terrible grammar!  

Learning about ourselves

I clearly remember during the 2008 General Women's Conference President Uchtdorf's talk entitled Happines, Our Heritage.  I had the opportunity to attend it up at the Conference Center.  I just stumbeled accross this talk again, and fell in love all over.  If you want to read it (I would if I were you) go HERE. 

My favorite quote from the talk is this:

I consider myself a creative person.  I can honestly say that almost every moment of the day I "yearn" to do it.  But I have to admit that as a mother when I take the time to be "creative" I feel selfish.  I get so much satisfaction and feel so good about myself that it must be selfish...right?  Wrong.  It is a talent that I have been blessed with, so it is my responsibility to develop it.  Plus, most of the things I create are for the kiddlets!  :D 

I'm so thankful for modern day prophets and the impact they have in my life!

To do lists

Growing up I dreaded the moment my mom gave us our "to do" lists.  It was basically the same everytime, so I didn't understand the point. 

I have now found myself making my own lists.  Even though it is the exact same routine each week, I somehow cannot manage to stay on top of things.  Hopefully this list will help.  I've had it since the beginning of December and it has already made a huge difference!  It's just a nice reminder to have around. 

Thanks mom, for teaching me the art of making to do lists.  I love you.

What in the world?

What on earth was I thinking buying shirts for my 4 month old that have to be ironed??!!?  In my defense, I didn't notice that when I purchased them. 

I guess I better brush up on my ironing skills.  Sad fact:  Sean irons his own clothes.  Yesterday I decided I should change that, so I will now be ironing his shirts.  Although I did inform him that after this crazy/busy time in his life, he will "get" to do it himself again.  To which he replied, "geez, by then I'll be able to afford to have them professionally done."  Can't wait for that day!  In the meantime I'll find ways to enjoy it.  It is hard to find reasons but I did figure out one: I get to develop a new talent.  Kind of a funny talent to have, but it's something that if I can get good at will make my life and the lives of my family a whole lot easier.  So here's to ironing!