Things I think about

How come I buy a 15 oz can of men's shaving cream and it cost $.94 but when I buy a 7 oz can of women's it costs $2.24?

Why is it that within the first hour of mopping my floor someone spills something sticky on it? This time is was apple juice.

I painted my living room and hung my (finished) curtains. It looks freaking awesome. I'd show you but I lost my camera. It's somewhere in my house (it has to be) but since I spent all week painting and hanging curtains I didn't accomplish much else. I'm working on it though and I'm promising pictures soon.

Until Valentine's day...

So- new year's resolution time.... I hate new year's resolutions, I really do. I remember family home evenings every year where we were supposed to make goals, and making goals in young women's to earn some award (which I didn't do and will probably regret when I'm either called to serve in young women's or when Ashley hits 12 which is in 5 years). Anyway, I hate them because I feel like it's so trite that it's a new year and a new beginning and a 'new you'. Yet it's so ingrained in me that I can't help but do it. Seriously. Even though I don't mean to I do, I find myself making lists in my head and making impossible goals. I think somewhere deep down inside of me there lies a perfectionist. I clearly remember when I was a child telling my mom (on numorous occassions) that I was going to 'be perfect all day'. I think that January first my inner perfectionist screams, 'you need to be perfect' and I yell back, 'you're joking right?' So here are my resolutions- first the perfectionist, then me 'fixing it' so that it's possible:

1. Have my house spotless and 'company ready' at all times, get into a real routine so that everything get's done on a regular and reliable basis.

*Look into hiring a cleaning lady so that the bathrooms and floors get done well at least once week.

2. Be a better mom, don't yell ever, come up with lots of crafty, educational things for my children to do rather then watching TV.

*Look into preschool programs.

3. Find my perfect body that's been eluding me. Reach my goal weight by my birthday.

*Well, this one is actually my focus this year. I'm 'just saying no' to treats (desserty things) and fast food until Valentine's day, I figure I can last that long. I'm also committing to running (the whole way) a 5 K this year (by my birthday). Not sure about the perfect body thing, but certainly a more healthy body then the one I've got.

4. Become a spiritual giant and make sure that my family is consistantly having FHE, and family scriptures and prayers as well as personal scriptures and prayers and couple/companionship scriptures and prayers... really this list seems neverending

*um, yeah. FHE we do fairly well at, same with family prayer. My goal is to read the Old testament this year (guess I'd better get started) and work on the other stuff one at a time...

5. Learn how to play the guitar, learn to speak Spanish, read several dozen 'classics', ect, ect, ect...

*right, in all your spare time. Maybe pick one? Um, yeah- we'll see

6. Cut down on internet time?

*ha, ha, ha, ha- then I'd have to take up watching tv!

I think I had something figured out when I was younger though. I think you can do anything short term- so maybe I'll make from New year's to Valentine's day resolutions... maybe then being perfect won't seem so overwhelming.. Now, who knows a good maid?

Vote in my poll

This is my current beverage of choice:
Stephen's French Vanilla Gormet cocoa
So if you were to have a cup of this would you say,
"I'm going to have some French Vanilla hot chocolate"
or
"I'm going to go have some hot vanilla"

This is a true debate in our house. Yes, we're pathetic. You don't have to be registered to vote- just vote 'hot chocolate' or 'hot vanilla' in the comments section. Please vote the right way (um, my side) and I'm not saying which way that is. Ready? GO!

Christmas stuff!

Wow! It's been a busy week. I'm failing so miserably at the picture a day thing I think I've given up. Maybe I'll try later when it's not Christmas! Ack! Anyway, I spent all day last Wednesday (I think) baking and candy making. Here are some of the fruits of my labors:
Chocolate popcorn and pretzels

Peppermint brownie cups:

The finished plates- they looked so pretty this year! We delivered them to all the neighbors pluse a few people in the ward. We're trying hard to get to know our neighbors here better. So far I feel like I know a couple of them better then anyone in our old neighborhood.

Here are the girls all ready to open presents! We had church at 10am and I knew if we opened presents before church that we'd never get there on time. Especially since I was singing in the choir and had to be there by 9:30. Our Choir director was sick though so I ended up directing last minute. It went well though!

Here is another picture- but the lighting was funky. It's the best picture I got of Annika all morning though.

Here's Ashley in her Christmas dress ready to go to church. We let them open stockings before church. 'Megan decided that she was enjoying picture taking Christmas morning- which is strange for her. She loves the bubble baths they got and wanted to take them to church- for some reason I didn't let her.

Here's Annika looking drugged. She's not- I promise. She's also covered in chocolate- which she kept finding for days!

Corinne's dress is my favorite. I love it! She's playing with/eating her favorite Christmas toy- wrapping paper!
Here are all the girls in their Christmas jammies on Christmas eve. The Pajama Fairy/Elf (apparently the name is up for discussion?) dropped pajamas off on our doorstep during dinner. Ashley was certain that I was the pajama fairy but I was sitting next to her when the doorbell rang. (Remember that thing about knowing my neighbors?? Comes in handy!)

We had a great Christmas though. We went over to Steve's parent's house for dinner about 5 and visited with them and opened more presents there. It was nice to spread out the gift opening throughout the day. I also really liked having Church on Christmas day. Really added to the spirit of the day. I hope your Christmases were wonderful!

Sigh... time to relax, sort of

I'm officially (as of last night) done shopping for Christmas presents. I'm not sure why it took me so long to find stuff for Megan and Annika- but it did. It's nice to not have to go anywhere today. We all slept in and then Steve got up with the kids and I slept in some more. Woo! I've pulled a couple of late nights this last week and it's catching up with me apparently. I finally got up, ate a leisurly breakfast, played online, read my scriptures (I only need to read 25 pages a day to finish before the new year- I'm such a slacker) and then I took a nap. I think Steve should be home every day- I get a lot more done.

For some reason it didn't hit me that Christmas was coming so fast until like a week ago. So I decided we should get going on presents, cards, baking ect. I did all my holiday baking and candy making in one day rather then spreading it out over several days. Ashley 'babysat' for me entertaining her sisters one at a time (I napped them opposite) and Corinne decided to take one long afternoon nap so it worked out well. I've got pictures of all the stuff I made- but i'm too lazy to go look for batteries so my camera will turn on.

Our rug came two days ago! Woo!! It looks nothing like the picture- but I think I like it better (is that strange?) I put the coffee table together last night and it looks really good. Our house is looking put together! YAY! Now I just need to clean it. I'm not sure why it's so much harder to keep this house clean. It just feels like it's a never ending project that's not ever finished. Speaking of which I need to go get started on the kitchen....

Christmas pictures!

After 73 pictures and several cookies I got one that would work (after some editing). So YAY! Now all I have to do is write the darn Christmas letter... You'd think I'd be able to do it- but for some reason everytime I sit down to do it I draw a blank. What have I done this year?? Have a baby and move. That's it. Everything else is realated to those things, which sounds sort of boring. What has Steve done this year? Same as me (well, not exactly- but close). I don't feel exciting enough for a letter this year- maybe just the photo card with a change of address something inside?? Hmm..

Here are some that didn't make the cut...

TEN completely random things about me or people I know

1. I had bunyon surgery when I was a sophmore in HS. My foot was in a cast for a month.
2. I've never ridden on the subway, but my favorite sandwich is the sweet onion chicken teriyaki from the restraunt with that name.
3. My house doesn't have aluminum siding.
4. I've ridden the bus in Las Vegas twice- enough to know that I never want to do that again.
5. My sister Sarah just moved to Texas, I've never been there.
6. My favorite way to eat gingerbread is with lemon sauce and whipped cream.
7. I tried to read the book Wicked, I found it crude and boring... not sure what the hype is about.
8. I've not seen the newest Harry Potter movie yet- but I hear the dragons are cool.
9. 9 o' clock is my favorite time of day.
10. When Annika farts she grabs her butt and says, 'bum!' and giggles.

(Does that count Linsey?)