So one of my New Year's Resolutions is to focus on things that will last for eternity. One of the big things for me that will last forever is relationships. So to start the month of right we visited my Grandma Barlow. All of the boys came and they LOVED it. She lives so close I don't know why I didn't take advantage of visiting her sooner. The boys get out of school early on Friday and so we just headed her way for a visit. Of course Grandma was prepared with treats. Eldon especially has been impacted by the visit. I hear him telling others often about his visit with her.
Dani Hughes started another one that I totally didn't even have to do. We started monthly Hughes family dinners. I think this will be awesome.
I also have written and planned out date nights with Don and temple nights. "Schedule your priorities." Probably my most favorite habit from Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Last thing this month that fulfilled this goal was reaching out to be a better friend. Let's face it, I am not an awesome friend. My introvert self just wants hide away from the world. But people are important to me. So I went down to Santaquin when I was invited to a book exchange party by one of my friends from that ward. It was so fun and I really do love talking books.
This month I also participated in a nickle auction at a friends house. This was so awesome. I came away with some great things for only a few $$.
Jaron finished up his Jr. Jazz season with a bang. They ended up winning half their games. The first game was really bad, but they only went up from there. This last Sat. Don went with him and his team to a Jazz game. They had a blast together.
The day after Jr. Jazz ended Bryson started his cooking class. He absolutely loves it. He loves to cook. He has already gained confidence in the kitchen and started using his new skill of measuring. I love my little sous chef.
Eldon is my snuggle bug and he reminds me every day. I have been really pondering how to help Eldon lately. He seems to be struggling to find who he is. His brothers pick on him a lot and this is really hard for him. I can only do so much to make them be nice to him. Anyway, I am working on it.
Landon is going to be the death of me. I pray every morning (and all day long!) for the patience to keep my cool with this one. He is so stubborn. Don't get me wrong I love the kid and we have lots of good times playing games together. He loves to play games. He can even beat me at Spot It sometimes. Sad I know.
Kayla is all over and as happy as can be. This little princess says mamama, dadada, and just jabbers away. She loves to sing along with us and I love that. She also loves her mama the most and cuddles. I love how when she wants me to pick her up or is telling someone they may not take her from mama she lowers her head towards me. She is so stinking cute, but then all my kids are.
THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE MONTH? Don's new job is going awesome. He is rockin' the manager job just like I knew he would. He is so smart he is picking up really fast on everything. The hardest part is adjusting to being to work at 3:30/3:45/4:14am. He is getting the same amount of sleep as he was before, his body just is having a hard time switching over to the new wake time. I am so proud of him and it is wonderful having him around more to spend time with us.
I think that's the important stuff. Till next month.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
February 2015 Pictures
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| Jaron's 9th birthday Avengers party |
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| Making a wish |
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| Daddy's new work station |
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| Learning how animals stay warm in winter |
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| Kayla is 10 months |
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| Jaron at the Jazz game with Jr. Jazz team & Dad |
Monday, February 23, 2015
Jaron is 9, WHAT?!
So there is this little boy that captured my heart 9 years ago. I am so glad he chose to come to my family.
Jaron is very good at following procedures and they rules. Just this last new years he informed his brothers that "they would go to Hell" if they said that word again. If he were president he would also make some very harsh laws regarding families and they way we treat each other.
Jaron is really good at math and reading, but he loves to learn about new things. The books he reads must either be funny or informational. He isn't really into the intense situations that come up in a lot of books. He has always been very sensitive to conflict.
Jaron is very talented with the piano. Both teachers he has had have commented on how well he learns. He however does not like to play for others. Along the same lines as this he is awesome at sports, but really doesn't like the pressure that comes with games.
Jaron loves to play the Wii. That is the one thing that if he looses his life is over as far as he knows.
Jaron loves Italian food. He also loves McDonald's cheeseburgers. His favorite meal that I cook is Rigatoni.
Jaron's favorite candy bar is Twix. He likes ice cream more than cake. He also really likes suckers and gum.
Jaron's favorite primary song is "A Child's Prayer" and he likes all scripture stories.
Jaron loves scouts. Especially when Dad works on it with him.
Jaron is very responsible and kind with his younger siblings. He does a great job of making sure they stay safe when they play outside.
I am sure there is so much more I could tell about this amazing young man, but for now this will do. We sure love him!
Jaron is very good at following procedures and they rules. Just this last new years he informed his brothers that "they would go to Hell" if they said that word again. If he were president he would also make some very harsh laws regarding families and they way we treat each other.
Jaron is really good at math and reading, but he loves to learn about new things. The books he reads must either be funny or informational. He isn't really into the intense situations that come up in a lot of books. He has always been very sensitive to conflict.
Jaron is very talented with the piano. Both teachers he has had have commented on how well he learns. He however does not like to play for others. Along the same lines as this he is awesome at sports, but really doesn't like the pressure that comes with games.
Jaron loves to play the Wii. That is the one thing that if he looses his life is over as far as he knows.
Jaron loves Italian food. He also loves McDonald's cheeseburgers. His favorite meal that I cook is Rigatoni.
Jaron's favorite candy bar is Twix. He likes ice cream more than cake. He also really likes suckers and gum.
Jaron's favorite primary song is "A Child's Prayer" and he likes all scripture stories.
Jaron loves scouts. Especially when Dad works on it with him.
Jaron is very responsible and kind with his younger siblings. He does a great job of making sure they stay safe when they play outside.
I am sure there is so much more I could tell about this amazing young man, but for now this will do. We sure love him!
Friday, February 20, 2015
Asking for Help
Disclosure: This post in no way is directed towards anyone in-particular, except myself of course.
Several things that I heard others says recently have lead to a chain reaction in thoughts that lead to this . . . "Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of humility." Who said this? ME! I was laying in bed one day thinking over things that I had heard others say and it came to my mind. What were the things that brought this thought you may ask.
One person was putting themselves down for the mistakes that they had made. I could tell it was this inner battle of self worth. I have this battle almost every day. I relive my mistakes over and over, and they eat away at me. I should be able to do this. . . alone! I should be awesome enough to not need anyone to pick up my slack. I shouldn't have slack in the first place, right? How wrong this is.
Several other comments had to do with someone asking for help. I have heard over and over again people express, in not so many words, that others asking for help is a bad thing. I know, I know we are suppose to be independent and not keep giving man fish but teach them to fish. The balance is difficult, but could we not show a little more non-judgmental support please.
By others expressing such displeasure with themselves, others when help is needed my mind naturally registers, do not ask for help.
I am going to throw something else out too. That these negative thoughts that we have about ourselves and others also turn our hearts away from God. When we don't feel we should ask for help it also can turn our mind away from seeking help through probably the best way we can, prayer. Yes, our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to talk to him about our hopes, dreams, and struggles. He will help us, but we must be humble enough to ask.
When we constantly are measuring ourselves and others up to each other it leads to nothing good. I keep thinking, "In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can't see." We don't know the next persons battle. So let's open our hearts to feel a little charity and give people the benefit of the doubt a little more. Assume good, not bad.
"God gave us family, to HELP US become what he wants us to be. This is how he shares is love. For the family is of God." We have each other to help on another, not to say, "You made your bed, now lay in it." Which I am hearing and thus feeling a little too much.
That is enough ranting I believe. But I just want my awe-ha moment thought to be considered. Others need you, they need me, we need each other. We need love, compassion, and understanding. These feelings are what bring out the good in people. So the next time you see someone that needs lifting up, reach out, lift the heavy heart and let them know that it's okay to need others.
Several things that I heard others says recently have lead to a chain reaction in thoughts that lead to this . . . "Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of humility." Who said this? ME! I was laying in bed one day thinking over things that I had heard others say and it came to my mind. What were the things that brought this thought you may ask.
One person was putting themselves down for the mistakes that they had made. I could tell it was this inner battle of self worth. I have this battle almost every day. I relive my mistakes over and over, and they eat away at me. I should be able to do this. . . alone! I should be awesome enough to not need anyone to pick up my slack. I shouldn't have slack in the first place, right? How wrong this is.
Several other comments had to do with someone asking for help. I have heard over and over again people express, in not so many words, that others asking for help is a bad thing. I know, I know we are suppose to be independent and not keep giving man fish but teach them to fish. The balance is difficult, but could we not show a little more non-judgmental support please.
By others expressing such displeasure with themselves, others when help is needed my mind naturally registers, do not ask for help.
I am going to throw something else out too. That these negative thoughts that we have about ourselves and others also turn our hearts away from God. When we don't feel we should ask for help it also can turn our mind away from seeking help through probably the best way we can, prayer. Yes, our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to talk to him about our hopes, dreams, and struggles. He will help us, but we must be humble enough to ask.
When we constantly are measuring ourselves and others up to each other it leads to nothing good. I keep thinking, "In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can't see." We don't know the next persons battle. So let's open our hearts to feel a little charity and give people the benefit of the doubt a little more. Assume good, not bad.
"God gave us family, to HELP US become what he wants us to be. This is how he shares is love. For the family is of God." We have each other to help on another, not to say, "You made your bed, now lay in it." Which I am hearing and thus feeling a little too much.
That is enough ranting I believe. But I just want my awe-ha moment thought to be considered. Others need you, they need me, we need each other. We need love, compassion, and understanding. These feelings are what bring out the good in people. So the next time you see someone that needs lifting up, reach out, lift the heavy heart and let them know that it's okay to need others.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Kayla is 10 months
Kayla Kristine is 10 months old. Once they start to crawl things just fly by after that. She is crawling all over the place. She pulls herself to standing and walks around holding onto the furniture. She is walking a little while holding on to her walker. She has taken to feeding Knick when she is eating. She is soo quick at crawling that she often finds her way to the dog food, yuck!! Poor Knick only gets his food down about the half the day since Kayla is determined to find it and eat it no matter where I put it. Kayla is still teething and is really upset about it. She has cut a top tooth now making a grand total of 5 teeth now. She is still a mommas girl. If I am in the room she would prefer to be with me and when she is tired she is upset if she can see me and I am not holding her. She is eating a lot since she has started moving and is digesting it all very well. Still not sleeping through the night at all. I just love my little girl though and really don't mind (most of the time) getting up with her.
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