a great book

Our church women's group has a book club that meets once in a while. I have never participated in it because either I usually forget about it, or don't make the time or whatever. This month they wanted everyone to read a Christmas story so I thought that I would like to do that. I looked around on the computer at the library for some ideas and was somewhat distracted, as I usually am, because I am also trying to watch my kids to make sure they don't run off and get lost. So, this was the first book that caught my eye. I hurried to write the location down and went off. I am not a huge book worm, but I do enjoy reading a good story. This one was very easy for me to read. I found that it was very relevant to our day and age, right now. And I felt that I was able to relate to the characters in the story in a small way. It also really piqued my interest about the Amish people. I am very fascinated by their lifestyle and want to learn more about them. As I was reading, I found myself thinking....it could be really nice to live a more simple, basic lifestyle (I don't know about not having electricity though). I loved the sense of unity among the members of their community. I loved their humble spirit. And I really loved the portrayal of their hard work ethic. There are many times that (although I enjoy and am grateful for) the modern conveniences we have now, have led us (some, more than others) to become....a little lazy. (Yes, I am including myself here.) We just don't know how to really work, and work hard. Not everyone is like this, but many are. Many young people, especially.

There are times I wish for more simplicity. I daydream about moving away (not too far away) and having a small piece of land. Having quiet. Being away from all the hustle and bustle of the world. I have decided that I am very easily overwhelmed with life sometimes. There are so many things to do. Many of them are good things, but I wonder if they are all really necessary.

Anyway, here are a couple of thoughts that I pondered on as I read:

"As she headed back toward the Lutz house, she briefly pondered if it was truly possible to eliminate all desire to show off, even the tiniest bit." pg. 183

"Esse quam videri" (means: "to be, rather than to seem") I really loved that.

giving thanks

I am thankful for a lot of things every day, but today I am feeling especially grateful for good friends. The kind of friends who you know love you in spite of your imperfections, faults, or weirdness. The kind of friends who are positive and uplifting. The kind of friends who you can connect with on a deeper level. Who you can talk to about things that really matter. The kind of friends who will not say mean things about you when your back is turned. These friendships are invaluable to me.

This verse comes to mind: Matthew 7:6

¶^aGive not that which is ^bholy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your ^cpearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Good friends will not trample your pearls.

sister love

Last night we put the girls to bed and Alaina was still protesting, as she normally does, after we left the room. I was standing outside the door when I heard Katelyn say, "Alaina, do you want me to sing some songs to you?" Alaina agreed and Katelyn began singing "Jingle Bells". Soon enough, both were quiet and asleep.

It melted my heart. What sweet girls.

sneak peek

Fellow police wife Haley Harris took some pictures for us for our Christmas card this year.

Check out a peek here

Do you always pick the picture that you look the best in? Well, I do. I like the top picture the best (of me, of course)- the one with Justin's and my back to each other. It was really windy that day...oh wait, it's been windy every day for the last week or so. Grrr. Anyway, she did a fantastic job. I love Christmas!

confession:

I have an anxiety problem. Not the "panic attack" kind of thing, or the "freak out" kind of thing. It's hard to explain, but it plagues me at night, when Justin is working and the kids are in bed (like right now). I feel antsy. Kind of jittery. Like I can't settle down and relax. My heart feels racy. I wander from one thing to the next. I should sleep, but I can't yet. I think I should take up yoga. Seriously. I need to calm the crap down! What is my problem?!

I love the desert!

I won't lie. I really don't like the wind here very much. HOWEVER! As soon as I feel like complaining about the wind...I always, ALWAYS remember that it could be worse. Much, much worse!


That was where we lived before moving here to Kennewick (aka "Winter Paradise"). I must not complain about wind. Ever. When we retire, I may very well become a snow bird.

family pictures 2011

That's how we roll.

halloween 2011

Apparently we were going with a feline theme this year.

Katelyn said she wanted to be a white tiger. I used my expert sewing skills and
made her outfit out of fleece and brown crayola marker.

She really gets into character.

Even my sick baby got in on the fun. Isn't she the prettiest little kitty?!

(Katelyn and her friend Ren)


We enjoyed a ward chili feed and trunk-or-treat and then
stopped by a few houses in our neighborhood. It is so, so quiet
this year. Halloween is disappearing and it's kind of sad....


I think...

bathroom

The newest addition in the bathroom make over. Piece by piece it is coming back together. So, I found this vanity on craigslist earlier this year (just the bottom part) for $25. It was new and it was originally a light oak looking color. I wanted it white, so I did a lot of reading on various blogs about how best to paint something like this, which isn't all reall wood. I started with Kilz spray primer. Had to do several coats. Then I spray painted in white. I still didn't like how the paint seemed to be soaking into the cabinet doors, which were real wood. I ended up brushing paint on the front and then applying some polycrilic. It isn't super fancy (hey, neither are we!), but it definitely works.

I had been looking and looking trying to find a vanity top on craigslist as well, but didn't have any luck. So, we picked up the top from Lowes. Black granite top with sink. On sale. All the hardware is in brushed nickel.

I still keep going back and forth on the wall treatment. First I wanted bead board, then I just wanted it painted (to get it done!), then I decided I liked board and batten better. So, now I just can't decide if I want to do the board and batten or if it would make the bathroom seem smaller. I don't know.

All I need for the bathroom to be fully functional is a new shower rod and shower curtain and the mirror (which I have, we just need to build a frame for it).

The other perks some where down the road would be: change outlets and switches to white; new toilet from this century; board and batten; new door and trim in white

I need to get some before and after shots of the bathroom...

fun times and memorable moments

Katelyn got to invite a few friends over tonight for a movie night. It was so cute to see how excited they all were. What made it even better is that before the friends came over we wrote all their names on a paper bag for their popcorn. When I wrote Alaina's name on a bag, Katelyn said, "that's right, cuz Alaina is my friend too." Ahhhh, these are the moments that make all those other moments seem bearable.

I definitely try to teach her/them that sisters are friends too and can be even the best friends that they will ever have in life. I told Katelyn that it made me really happy to hear her say that.