10 ways to be happier

I love this list! Don't get me wrong I am happy but sometimes I need some motivation to stay that way. This list isn't religious related at all but I agree with everything on it.

1. Make your bed

2. Bring every room back to "ready" - I can't agree with this more! I am someone who doesn't do well in messy areas. I get stressed and overwhelmed. I started doing 15 minute clean ups in the morning awhile back. Makes me so much more...well...happier.

3. Display sentimental items around your house

4. Start a one-line gratitude journal.

5. Set an intent for the day. -not another item on the to do list but rather something like "be productive" "smile at everyone you meet" "say I love you to loved ones"

6. Do small favors for others expecting nothing in return.

7. Call at least one family member/ friend. - not a text or email. a REAL phone call. Apparently socializing with loved ones makes us feel better.

8. Spend $ on things that cultivate experiences and memories. Then hang those pictures.

9. The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it! If you can't get out of it, get into it! (When can I hire a maid?)

10. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with spiritual beliefs.

So there you have it. I'm sure the Prophet will not tell us to make our beds to be happier or to hang family pictures but it makes me feel better...Now off I go to make the beds,

a wedding and a birthday party

phew...I am exhausted just thinking back on this weekend. It was so busy and so much fun. We entertained 2 celebrations. On Friday, my sister, Jen was getting married to her long time boyfriend, Anthony. She gave everyone a weeks notice so my Mom and I came up with ideas as quick as I could scroll through Pinterest, in an attempt to put this event together. We spent all day Friday decorating and shopping and cooking to be ready by 6:00 that night. First, let me say I'm an so glad that I am not planning my own wedding  or any wedding at all because I was hooked on so many fabulous and creative ideas through Pinterest. Oh, the joy of that place. It was all my Mom and I could do not  to decorate the entire house. I think the whole evening turned out wonderful. I enjoyed the time my Mom and I spent together.

 Here is a close up of the table decorations.

 

The cake

My sister and her husband

Saturday morning everyone (plus more) came back again for my neice, Mykas 2nd birthday. I didn't have to decorate for that thank goodness! And since the rumor is my house is always clean, I didn't even need to do that! It was a fun time. My sister, Chrissee, is so good at throwing parties. The cake and decorations are always beautiful.

We had a few moments on Saturday before Cara had a birthday party to go to. I tried to catch a quick nap before picking her up then heading to the church to clean the building. I was so tired. I slept like a baby that night.

Caras birthday fun

My little girl is growing up and its happening so fast! Cara turned 11 recently. We don't do much for birthdays around here besides the "big" years. First birthdays, Kindergarten birthdays, turning 8, 12 and when it arrives 16. These are the years we throw birthday bashes. Friend parties, family parties, baptism parties...we party for a month. This year Cara didn't get a friend party but I told her instead of going out to dinner as a family I will take a few of her friends to wherever she wants. It was a hard decision for her to pick a place but she finally settled on ice skating. Afterwards, I planned on driving her friends back to the house for cake and ice-cream but with the constant sickness over here I opted to take them to Berry Yummy.

 There was a tragic accident while at the ice skating rink. I was sitting in the snack bar(not eating snacks!) to keep warm since it was the only area with heat when Cara came in crying saying she made a man bleed. When she was out on the ice she couldn't stop so she just fell, which is logically the next best thing, right? A man didn't see her and fell over her hitting his head on the ice. She said he turned around and blood was running down his face. She was so upset repeating how she felt horrible that she hurt a man. It took me a bit of convincing her that it was all an accident before she would go back out. There were cones around the blood on the ice which made it even more devastating for her. Oh my!

 I am sure she forgot all about the man slaughter accident while at Berry Yummy.

 These pictures are phone shots so they are pretty bad but I love Brighams expressions while she was opening her gifts. m

I had a fun time with Cara and her friends. She is one funny girl and always gives me something to write about.

I don't do Sundays

This year we have switched our church times back to mornings so we attend from 9-12pm. Let it be known that I DO NOT like Sundays anymore! I do not like getting up at 7 (ok, well today it was 7:45) rushing around to get ready while yelling the get ready list questions.."Did you eat? Did you brush your teeth? Where are your socks? Why aren't they ON your feet?!?!? " You know, the same questions repeated to every child five times because obviously they didn't remember it do it the first four times I asked. The whole morning makes me frustrated and angry. I usually sit in silence on the way to church. Matthew naps these hours also, the last hour he's le mis' baby.

Today I told Zach was going inactive. So if someone doesn't see me there after 2 Sundays in a row you will know why. I don't like so much time in the afternoon to fill with activities and entertainment. I liked going to church from 1-4pm. That was the BEST time ever! Also, I could get so much done on my secretarial callings in the morning, now I can't procrastinate.

I know it will get better as the weather gets warmer. We will be able to go to parks and Music in the Park in the evening. The earlier church time gives us enough time to have company for dinner, which is something I did miss. Family Home Morning went back to Family Home Evening.

If it wasn't for this adorable boy and his sister I may walk out the door one of these Sunday mornings and not return.

Cara

Cara will be 11 years old this week. I can't believe it! First that she made it to that age, second that I am still alive (because I said she WILL be the death of me) and third because she is growing up so fast. This will be here last year in Primary. She will be in middle school next year, also. I am so thankful for her! She is my biggest helper with chores and her siblings. I love how she has unconditional love for everyone. If her brothers hurt her feeling she forgives them and makes them a card or a picture saying why she forgives them. When Isaac got all his Christmas presents taken away (they were given back) she went right to work making him a canvas painting so he would have something to open. She felt so sad for him. When I yell at her or reprimand her she only stays sad or mad for a few minutes than moves on like nothing happened. She has the great quality of forgiveness.

This year Cara wants to take a few friends ice skating for her birthday. I agreed to this. When we were writing out invitations she told me 2 names of girls she wanted to invite. I know who these girls are but I was surprised she thought of them since both are mean to her. When I questioned why she was inviting them she replied that she wants to be friends with everyone and she thought inviting them would make them like her. How sweet! Unfortunately, I was in a dilemma. I wanted to support her in this decision but also knew how sad she felt when these girls made fun of her and that inviting them wasn't going to change anything. In the end, she invited one of them anyway and 2 of her real friends.

Last year, I started the 7 days of presents. 7 days before the birthday date I give the kids (and Zach) 6 small presents then the "birthday" present on their actual birthday. The kids look forward to it so this year I continued it. I must admit I almost forget it do it for Cara and was thankful I was in 5Below when I was reminded it was almost 7 days before. Their not large or expensive presents, usually dollar store finds or a pack of gum. This year Cara has received so far: a pair of gloves, lip balm, a joke book, and a small stuffed animal.  She will receive the others in the next several days.

This year Caras favorites are:
color: green
food: genoways (a Maier family tradition Italian dish)
show or movie: AntFarm
song or Artist: Taylor Swift
she wants to be an artist
favorite subject: reading, she doesn't like science or math

a spare time project

My most recent and exciting (at least to me) house project is my master bedroom. I have been waiting to conquer this room for awhile. I usually put off doing anything to the master "suite" because it's not a public room that anyone sees. I figured it was time, 15 years later, that Zach and I had a place that was worthy of baby making procedures.

I have a small obsession with Pinterest, I mean really, who doesn't? I have been saving bedroom ideas and it wasn't until I found this one that I knew what I wanted my room to look like.

To me this says classy and comfortable and relaxing and clean with just a hint of feminine romance. I can't forget a man sleeps here, too. I have a lot of DIY projects in this room including recovering my headboard, painting a chandelier and mirror, making a Pottery Barn inspired wall shelf, finding and painting a desk, making throw pillow, and making 2 large standing mirrors. I think enough to keep me busy for the year. I must go paint now.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Sam's New Year's Resolutions

Sam brought home from school a New Year Resolution form.

This year I will be more patient with my family.
This year I will study my homework.
I will try harder to get along with my friends.
I will try to eat healthy foods, even carrots.
I will help keep my home clean by cleaning my stuff I use.
I will help out at school by helping people.
I will try harder to remember to be more organized. (actually spelled "orgniz")
I will try to read for 1 hour every day.
I will choose what I watch on TV more carefully, and only watch 30 minutes every week.
I will exercise more often, especially by running every day.
I will save some of my money to give to my college fund (again he spelled this " coullge fun")

Wow! He really did have some serious resolutions. I was just hoping for ones like..."I won't yell at my Mom." or " I will take the trash out every day."  I'm not complaining because he is saving his money to put himself through college which is all right in my book.

a few leftover Christmas memories

Christmas was great this year! I suppose I can say that for all past years. I was totally spoiled by Zach. I adore that man! There was no fancy jewelry or sexy lingerie. I got a cordless power drill, baby! I LOVE it! Compared to the drill I was torturing myself with to accomplish my projects this new one is amazing. Just today I realized it's magnitized to hold screws while I use it. I got all giddy all over again. Some other gifts I received was drill bits, a laser level, and a sander, my favorite candy, Junior Mints, favorite gum, and Pez. Thanks Zach for all these great gifts!

Remember, I bought Zach slippers for Christmas? I did find a few other items so he had more than slippers to open. But I failed this year. Big time! He doesn't like the slippers. I mean what man wouldn't want royal blue Snuggie booties? The book I ordered didn't come in on time because I didn't want to pay an additional 7$ for shipping. Zach likes watches. I figured I can't go wrong with a watch. It took me 2 hours of searching to find what I thought would be a great watch. I was wrong. He hated it.  I bought a digital tire gauge as a stocking gift. The watch got returned. Matthew plays with the gauge like its a toy and the booties sit on the dresser. I guess the best present was the peppermint peeps.

My Mom spoils my kids like crazy! Years past I fought it. I didn't want to more toys. Now, I welcome all she gives including the 1000 DumDum lollipops she gave to Olivia. She likes to spoil them. She likes buying for them and I can't ruin that for her.


On Christmas Day, my family and another family drove around to individuals/families to sing Christmas carols and deliver treats. In all honesty, I didn't want to leave the house on Christmas. I didn't want to get dressed to sing at people's doors. I can't even sing! But it was the BEST thing we did that day. We get so caught up with the marketing side of Christmas, parties and food, presents and our comfortable way of living that we forget there are many people without. It was a big eye opener as to just how much I DO have. I have a great family. I have a wonderful husband and 6 beautiful, healthy kids. I also have everything I need. Everything I ever wanted  AND I am thankful for that! I get to spend holidays with so much family and I get to watch my children enjoy the holidays. I am thankful for the opportunity we had serving others, also.

Here's a quote that I like: "It doesn't matter if the glass if half empty or half full... Be grateful that you have a glass, and there is something in it..."

Olivia and Taryn. Olivia enjoys playing with Taryn and asks me EVERYday if she can go to Taryn's house.

 

 

I thought this was a cute picture of Matthew and Myka playing with my Moms Christmas tree.
No, Matthew did NOT brake ANY bulbs nor was one of them antique.