the holiday spirit...

So here is some fun inspiration for the holiday season thanks to BHG.com (thanks for the idea Dacia). I am so not a baker, but these look like I might just have to give them a try.

And for December, I'm reading "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Can you believe I've never read it? I've seen every movie version out there, but just bought the book and I'm going to give it a try.

And I haven't fogotten to give thanks. I'm thankful for the conference addresses: "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance" by Elder Richard G. Scott, and "More Diligent and Concerned at Home" by Elder David A. Bednar. They've given me lots to think about, and even more to start doing. Okay, I'll admit. These are the only too talks I've read so far. You know me, I'm willing to share all my faults. But if it helps encourage you to read them, even better, right?

I love how there is so much to uplift us if we'll seek it out.

Giving Thanks Days ?...

This is a super cheesy picture of Gavin with his first road rash.

Actually it's a throw a fit, throwing your head back, losing your balance, and falling into Kate's door frame kinda road rash/scratch.

Poor baby, he inherited my temper, and my cheesy grin.
So, I'm not sure which day I'm on in giving thanks. I've missed a few. But today I'm just thankful for a forgiving family. I'm not perfect by any means, and I'm just glad that they will take me for who I am, mood swings and all. I've been having a hard time just figuring out exactly who I am. I think I'm having a coming of age moment. The kind where you finally figure out you're a grown up, and you're not sure what to do now. Okay that might be a little dramatic, but ever since I had Gavin, I've finally felt like a mom, and that I should start acting like one. Maybe it's because he's the fourth, I'm not sure. As I've shed the baby weight, and needed new clothes, I've been trying to figure out what to wear. Really, what is my style? I've been growing out my hair, why? I'm not sure. I wish I could just enjoy myself for who I am (as soon as I figure out who that is exactly). Thankfully I have some great examples to follow, I just need to make the choice to follow them.

As far as our new food plan, we had homemade lasagna last night and it was goooood. I've always made my own lasagna, so it wasn't any healthier than before, but I wanted to put spinach in it this time. I reallized too late that you have to really thaw it out and drain it really well, and since I was also making a pan for my visiting teaching partner, I didn't have enough time to mess with the green stuff. So my kids didn't have to try anything new last night. They did have a salad on the side, so I felt good about that. I also found some healthy crackers in the organic food section at Broulims. They are just like Wheat Thins without all the preservatives.
They are quite tasty! They also have some that resemble goldfish only they are bunnies, so as soon as our massive bag of Goldfish is gone I'm going to try those. I read some scary things about BHT and how it is in all the packaging of my favorite crackers and cereals. Of course!

And one more thing, I was thinking about adding the book The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger to my winter reading list. Have any of you read it? Would you rate it a pg-13 or R? I've seen some of the previews for the movie, and I'm thinking it may be a little too much for me on a cold winter's day, if you know what I mean!

So is the book more like the movie, or did they hollywood-ize it?

A new experience with food...

So I've been reading the NDD book by Dr. Sears. NDD stands for Nutrition Defecit Disorder. It has been an eye-opener, on why I should change our eating habits, not only for my kid's present, but for their future. He focuses on feeding them "real food" rather than fake, processed food. He believes and backs up with science, that a lot of kids need a healthier diet, rather than pills,etc. ADD, ADHD, Diabetes, Asthma, dry skin,and many more problems can benefit from healthy eating. I was interested mainly because of Maddie's flightiness, and Colin's eczema and asthma. It's also just a healthy way to eat which can benefit all of us. So, I started by teaching them a little bit about healthy food, and how our body works better with good stuff in us, then I told them I'd be cooking more real, whole food rather than stuff from a can or a box.

So my first attempt was a broccoli, carrot, potato, creamy soup that I had and loved at Super Saturday. I thought it was delicious, and thought maybe I can get them to eat it. Actually, I knew everyone but Maddie would eat it. She's my child that never liked baby food, and ever since won't eat anything healthy but apples and carrots. She'll eat corn and beans, but only when they come from a can, fresh in her mind isn't best. I think I just ruined her tiny taste buds at an early age, and now I'll have to keep working on them until she develops a new love for other "real foods". So I got the recipe from Leslie Hansen, and soon realized why I liked it so much. It was mainly half and half, and Velveeta! Just a side note, my grandma Lybbert gave me Cheese Whiz and Club crackers every year for Christmas. I loved them that much. Now you see where Maddie gets her taste buds!

So we had the soup. Maddie saw green and orange, and immediately started asking for cereal. I told her the green and orange were smothered in cheese, and that she wouldn't even taste them. She complained, and when given a roll and jam on the side she decided to try it. She ate maybe a 1/2 cup, but it included some veggies, so I took it for a small success.

So last night I decided to try something new for everyone. I made homemade sweet potato fries and Jared made some plain chicken with a little seasoning salt. The chicken went over well, the fries not so much. I knew they wouldn't eat enough to get full, so I also made some homemade reg. potato fries. I cut them all in wedges, tossed them in olive oil, and sprinkled them with sea salt. They were really good! The kids loved the reg. fries, and they each tried the sweet potatoes, but didn't ask for seconds. Oh well, I'm just trying to get them over the shock of a little color on their plates.

As you can see, the reg. fries were a hit, but the sweet potatoes not so much! This was actually the second pan, I ate all the sweet potatoes off the first pan. Baby steps, right?

So Dr. Sears says that all fruits and veggies are on the "green light" foods list. We have bananas down in this house. Everyone but me likes bananas. I think Gavin looks even more like a monkey when he loads his mouth full of bananas. And in case you were wondering Kate did eventually get dressed today.

Giving Thanks Days 14 and 15...

So, I'm thankful for winter, because without it this little man wouldn't need such a cute little hat!

Truthfully, I'm starting to feel a little anxiety over winter. I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I'm almost done with my reading list (to be posted at a later date). I'm also thinking about January Bunco. I want to make it a fun one, something for everyone to look forward to after the holidays. I'm also thinking about what new hobby I can take up to keep me busy. Hopefully all these things will help get me through the depressing winters we have here!

And I am so super thankful for these big guys! They arrived while I was at Super Saturday, you may have heard my cheers Saturday afternoon when I got home. I posted a while ago about how long my dryer took to dry clothes, and a few weeks ago my washing machine decided to quick spinning. I would have to start an extra spin cycle with each wash, and even then the clothes were still soaking wet, which increased the dryer time, and to top it off, soap was being left on everything. Considering laundry is my least favorite chore, this made it worse! So we purchased our first washer/dryer set.

I'd say that's pretty good since we've been married for 11 years, right?

My favorite comment was from Colin, "I wish we'd never gotten a new washer/dryer, I have to put more clothes away now." I was so excited about them yesterday that I did all the laundry in the house. It was like Christmas (actually it is my Christmas). And to tell you the truth, I sat and watched the first load start to finish. You may think that's lame, but Jared joined me too. Yes, the whole cycle we sat in our laundry room. That's my kinda date.

Giving Thanks Days 12,and 13...

So I took Mary's advice, well I should say Jared took Mary's advice and while I was at Bunco, he had Maddie put out her clothes for the next day. It worked! He might have had a little pep talk with her too, but for two days she was on time! Well, we still didn't make it until 8:20 on Friday, but it wasn't her fault, it was mine. Actually it was the washers fault. It didn't spin the jeans, and I had to dry her jeans extra long, and we had to wait until the very last minute for her to put them on. But, she was ready, and prepared, and the yelling subsided for a couple of days. Thanks Mary!

Giving Thanks Days 10 and 11...

So yesterday as I was vacuuming, Gavin grabbed his little pretend vacuum and followed me around. It was super cute, but I started wondering will this behavior stick? He likes to pretend to load the dishwasher, and now vacuuming. He's gonna be such a clean little man. Then he put the vacuum down and picked a Book of Mormon out of our little basket by couch. He walked around flipping the pages, and I wondered will he be a good missionary? And maybe an awesome companion if he continues with the cleaning trend, which will then turn into being a great husband that is both spiritual and clean. Who could ask for more right?

And then he started eating the Book of Mormon and I was brought back to reality. He's just a baby, and thankfully I have a few more years to spend with him and discover just who he is.

And today I am feeling the need to profess my love for these cute kiddos. They really are special to me. They make me smile, laugh, and sometimes cry. However, if you happen to pass the Wheeler household between 8 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. you might wonder where the love is, because we can't seem to get a morning routine down that fits everyones needs. Colin is always ready by 8, and I'm constantly yelling at Maddie to get her in the car by 8:20. I feel like a failure every morning for not being patient, and I am really struggling to find a solution.
All I have to say is I know opposites attract, but Maddie better not marry someone who likes to be on time, because they'll have constant contention over that issue.
Any help in this area would be totally appreciated.

Today I am just thankful to have my kids and to have the opportunity to grow through life's little challenges.

Giving Thanks Days 6,7,8,9?

So I'm not so good at this posting everyday thing. Not that I'm not thankful, but I just don't get a chance to sit down at the computer everyday. So, this weekend was fun, and I reallized I'm thankful to get to spend so much time with my husband and kids. Jared's job doesn't take him away for too long and I'm grateful for that. We spent Friday night, our movie and pizza night, with the kids laughing at Ice Age 3. Then Saturday we actually had a date night: dinner and then to the adult session of Stake Conference. I usually go by myself and Jared stays home to watch the kids, so it was fun that we went together this time.

I'm also thankful that I'm able to stay at home with the Kate and Gavin during the day. We have a nice little routine, and I can't imagine missing their fun little personalities if I were to work.

I'm also thankful for great books. I've been reading alot lately. I was trying to get a list of books that I'd like to read over the winter, but I couldn't wait to start the list.

So here are a few: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. I really liked this one.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I couldn't put this down (Jared wondered when I would return from readingland), and can't wait to read the next one, but as I'm number 34 on the library's hold list, it might be a while.

And right now I'm reading As Always, Dave by Jack Weyland. It's an easy read, I'm not as into it as The Hunger Games, but it's o.k.

Can you tell I've been hanging out in the Young Adult Section of the library? At some point I'll grow up, but I kind of like their selection better than the adults.

Giving Thanks Days 4 and 5...

So I am thankful for the mature tree in our backyard that gives us shade all summer, but I wish I could say I'm thankful for the gardener who rakes up all those leaves in the fall. Sadly that gardener is me, and my family doesn't want to share the leaf raking load.

I am also thankful for the beautiful fall weather we've been having. Hopefully it will last a little longer and I can coerce my family into raking leaves on Saturday. Jared is finally into his new office, located in the office building right behind our house, and so our weekend should be free of moving, putting together desks, and cleaning. Thank goodness!

Giving Thanks Day 3...

So I was all ready to share how thankful I am for disposable diapers and sweet smelling wipes, because Gavin has had some doozies today and yesterday. I swear one of his poopy diapers smelled just like an outdoor toilet. You know the smell I'm talking about, right? But then I read your comments, and decided that's what I'm thankful for tonight. They put a smile on my face, and made all the worrying over our family pictures worth it. Really, I don't know about you, but I spent over a month worrying over what we'd wear, who we'd get to take them (considering everyone I knew either just had a baby, or were already booked for the rest of the year), and would our kids even smile after all the effort? Thankfully they turned out great, and I really do appreciate your comments, and the fact that you took a minute to read my blog. Thank you!

Giving Thanks Days 1 and 2...

Since November has started, and Thanksgiving is coming up, I thought I would do a post each day expressing my thanks. I have so much to be grateful for, more than a months worth of posts, and I want to just spend some time recognizing all the blessings I have in my life.

So for the 1st and 2nd, my husband and my kids. I don't say it enough, but Jared is AWESOME! He has always been a big help at home and with the kids. He is also very forgiving of all my faults. He makes me laugh, and laughs at all my stupid jokes.

And my kids, well, you've heard all about them. They keep me busy, happy, and entertained which means I'm not allowed to get bored, discouraged, or depressed. Although we have our moments in the Wheeler household, we are blessed to have each other to spend life and eternity with!

Halloween 2009...

So our Halloween went a little something like this: First we hung some homemade decor. My favorite is Maddie's 9 legged spider.

Then we had our Joy School party. It was a lot of fun, complete with painted faces.

Then came the pumpkins. With Jared moving his office all week, and a few days of 24 hour stomach yuckiness, we put off carving pumpkins until Saturday afternoon. We were elbow deep in slimy halloween fun.

Kate had her Jack O'Lantern all planned out. She told me over breakfast that it would have triangle eyes, triangle nose, and two teef on top and two teef on bottom. She was really into the celebrations this year. It was fun to watch her.

Once again Jared pulled through on helping everyone carve while I took pictures and kept Gavin and Kate away from the knives. Although if you look closely, I think Kate is holding a little carving knife. I did a fine job didn't I?

The cutest pumpkin was this little man. He wouldn't keep his top on though, so I had to take a quick picture. There was no time for a smile.

The whole gang. We had a football player, Tinker bell, Hermione, a pumpkin, and two fabulous disco queens.

And the finished product. We had a fun time this year.

I can't believe November is already here!