This Year I Will...

There are so many things I want to do it is ridiculous. Figuring out how to manage all of my interests has been a challenge.

Thanks to this book that I posted about awhile back, I have learned about Focal Points for people like me (and you..admit it...)

So, I will be tackling 4 things at a time this year. The four things can change anytime, as soon as something is accomplished. And since public accountability seems to work for me - here are some things I want to accomplish this year, in no particular order...and yes, I refuse to call them New Years Resolutions. They are simply goals.

I will not beat myself up, or give up, if I fall short, I will just work hard at trying. And if I don't get them done in 2012 - big deal! Have you seen my list? Chances are I won't... =)

• Run a 5k without throwing up or passing out
• Landscape our backyard
• Garden like a mad woman and can everything possible!
• Finish the 6 credits I need to graduate from Institute
• Teach Infant Massage classes again
• Become a Certified Lactation Consultant
• Study for and possibly take the GRE
• Earn my Young Women Personal Progress Award for Leaders
• Make my own yogurt
• Craft it up!
• Make awesome family memories - camping, hiking, traveling
• Spend more time cuddling with my babies
• Attend the temple once a month without fail
• Make my own bread every week
• Sell more online in my new shop
• Try Sushi
• Date Night every week like we used to before Mr Man came along
• Serve my friends and neighbors more diligently
• Draw closer to my Savior through study & prayer
• Refinish our thrift store piano and get it in the house so I can practice!

That's all I can think of right now. And probably a good list. So...stand by as I get busy. What are your goals this year?

Under Construction

I'm gearing up for an entire site makeover...entire. My goal is to have it up and running by Jan 1st! Yippee! I'm stoked. Meanwhile...I will carry on with my nursing duties since everyone in my household is sick, with something different...keeping my fingers crossed the 3-5 germs don't get passed around for the next month. I don't think I can handle being quarantined for that long. Especially since we've already been sick since beginning of November almost non-stop. Gotta love the preschool age! =)

25 Days of Christ in Christmas

One of our new traditions this year...a simple countdown chain to ensure we focus on Christ being the center of Christmas at least once daily...

On each chain I wrote a scripture to look up followed by a question to be answered. Little Miss gets to take one link off a day - although we did 3 tonight...playing catch up is okay! It's not too late - get on board! This is such a fun way to teach Little Miss more about the birth of our Savior.

Making the chain was also great in other ways. Little Miss got to practice with scissors, then with patience while she waited for me to write on every link. =) It also gave us an opportunity to discuss patterns and numbers. Yay for multi-tasking!

Here is the list of the 24 scriptures & questions - I got them from here - where other good Christmas lesson ideas are! To make it 25 days - we'll be reading the whole Christmas story in Luke 2 on Christmas day...

How do you keep Christ the center of your Christmas?

1
Luke 1:26–33 
Who told Mary that she would have a baby?

2
Matt. 1:18–21 
Why did Mary and Joseph name the baby “Jesus”?

3
Luke 2:3–6 
Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem before Jesus was born?

4
Luke 2:7 
Why did Mary lay baby Jesus in a manger?

5
Luke 2:8–11 
To whom did the angel announce the Savior’s birth?

6
Luke 2:12 
What was used for a cradle for baby Jesus?

7
Luke 2:13–14 
Who joined the angel in praising God?

8
Luke 2:15–17 
Where did the shepherds go after the angels left?

9
Matt. 2:1–2 
How did the Wise Men know that Jesus had been born?

10
Matt. 2:7–10 
Where did Herod send the Wise Men?

11
Matt. 2:11 
How did the Wise Men show that they knew the young child was the Savior?

12
Matt. 2:13–15 
Why did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?

13
Matt. 5:6 
Jesus Christ taught that we will be blessed for seeking righteousness. Spend at least 10 minutes reading scriptures or scripture stories.

14
Matt. 5:9 
Jesus Christ taught that we should be peacemakers. Be a peacemaker in your family by not arguing with others.

15
Matt. 5:16 
Jesus Christ taught that we should be good examples to others. Set an example by choosing the right.

16
Matt. 5:43–44 
Jesus Christ taught that we should love our enemies. In your personal prayers, ask a blessing for someone who has been unkind to you.

17
Matt. 6:3–4 
Jesus Christ taught that we should help other people. Perform a secret act of service for a member of your family.

18
Matt. 7:7–8 
Jesus Christ taught us that our prayers will be answered. Volunteer to say the family prayer.

19
Matt. 7:12 
Jesus Christ taught us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Write a letter to someone who is far away, such as a missionary or grandparent.

20
Luke 17:12–19 
Jesus Christ praised the leper who thanked Him. Write a note or draw a picture to thank your Primary teacher for what he or she has taught you.

21
Mark 10:13–14 
Jesus Christ showed that children are very important to Him. Show your love for a brother, sister, or parent by reading a story to him or her.

22
Matt. 22:37–39 
Jesus Christ taught us to love our neighbors. Work with your family to do something nice for a neighbor.

23
John 13:34 
Jesus Christ told us that we should love one another. Show your love to your parents by helping without being asked.

24
Isa. 9:6 
The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is a time for joy. Write in your journal the feelings you have for Him.

25 Days of Christmas, Almost

I meant to post my 25 Days of Christmas List here yesterday...which obviously didn't happen. And won't until tomorrow, hopefully. =) So ya'll will just have to wait. Only so much I can do when I'm sick and my kiddos are sick. But get excited!! I've rounded up some great ideas!

I really don't like being sick. However, after a very busy Thanksgiving I decided maybe catching a nasty cold and being forced to stay home with my munchkins for...4 days and counting isn't the worst thing. It's forced down time. I have just about zip energy - and the kids, especially Mr Man, just want to cuddle. So...we watch movies and cuddle, we read books and cuddle, we play dress up and cuddle...maybe being sick isn't the worst thing this week...

Wordless Wednesday: Future Blackmail

Videos

Lots of Video Tutorials to come!! I already have some in mind...meanwhile, check out what Little Miss has been memorizing...

A Love Hate Relationship With My Art

I've been delving into the world of painting - love it! But, I don't always love what I make...in the past few months I've done some of this...

Obviously - some very amateur, some better than others...but I'm learning, creating, and having fun - so that's the point. My latest piece...

Yes, those are antique water knobs actually screwed onto my canvas. I had this planned out for awhile. Now depending on my mood I either love it or hate it. Sometimes I look at it and think - "that is pretty cool!", and other times I think "what a weirdo!"...

I checked out some art books from the library and about half way through the first one decided I didn't need to read about techniques and how to mix colors and what art is or isn't. Art can be anything...as noted by this horrible french fry sculpture on the campus of my Alma mater...ugh...

It doesn't mean everyone will like it, in fact they won't. As long as I like what I'm doing and I'm expressing myself than I think it's okay - although I don't think giant french fries are ever okay. =)

I learn the most about art and technique from just studying paintings, not books!

Little Miss is getting very artsy with me. It's our mommy/daughter time while Mr Man has a nap...of course her best work always ends up on her arms and then rinsed away down the drain. She is quite the little creative girl! Some of the color mixing she does is awesome. I wish I could replicate it.

It's good down time for us - we can chat, no technology is involved, and get creative. It also has helped Little Miss with her fine motor skills - the brush painting anyways, not so much the body painting. =)

What do you do for a creative outlet?