days of truth {29}

yep, I skipped a whole bunch. They just weren't that interesting and I couldn't think of anything good. So, now we've got 2 {days} left. Enjoy!



something you hope to change about yourself, and why...



There are quite a few things I can think of that I need to work on and change. Right now I have decided I want to feel more connected to myself. I have been dealing with a HUGE tiral in my life, for the past couple years, and unfortunately I have just stopped listening to myself, my body, my intuition, me. I have neglected myself so I could deal with what was infront of me, just try to make it through. I still have PLENTY of work to *make it through*, but I'm going to take a different approach. I'm going to take care of me, listen to me. So then I can have something to give to others when I'm needed.

My approach: morning movement and meditation.
Goal: to connect with myself first thing in the morning so I can continue the day with that connection.

Approach: listen to my body cues for hunger, satisfaction, fullness.
Goal: to STOP binging on sugar, lose some weight, nourish myself.

Approach: 5 stages of self healing.
Goal: again to connect with myself, and to begin to heal my physical body from my emotional pain {and hopefully also heal the emotional body}.

Approach: journal my emotional issues
Goal: to heal those emotional issues, to discover my *core beliefs* that may or may not be based on truth (or even be good/right/correct).

I have been thinking about this for a while now, and I have realized that there is a difference between intention and action. I have *intended* to do these things for the last couple years, but I didn't do the *action* - I didn't do it. So as Nike says *Just Do It!* That's what I'm doing!

days of truth {22 & 23}

something you wish you hadn't done in your life...

What's funny about this one is I can't think of ANYTHING. really.
I'm always saying I don't want to live in regret, so I don't.
There are things I have done that probably weren't the smartest or best options, but I don't regret anything. I've come to learn that I am the person I am today because of my trials, self induced or otherwise. I really have done some stupid things, but I've learned so much about myself or what consequences I can endure that I'm ok with my stupidity... as long as I can learn from it, and NOT repeat it.
I was watching 13 going on 30 not too long ago {my monkey really likes that movie... go figure}. There's a part where the 30 year old daughter is talking with her mom about regrets. The mom is asked if she regrets anything in her life, and she says no. Because she wouldn't be who she is today without making all the decisions she has made, good or bad, right or wrong, and she's happy with how her life has turned out.
I'm going through some really difficult things right now, I could easily "regret" my choices that have brought me to this point. What's interesting is I don't regret anything. {part of it is I didn't make the *big* decisions to create the situation, I've just had to deal with the consequences} I actually can't say that I'm *happy* with my life right now, but I feel good about the direction I'm going. I have some rough roads ahead of me, and I pray everyday I can find my way through, and I have faith that I will make it and even be better than I was before.

something you wish you had done in your life...

Alright, I think I've said this quite a bit, but I'm not so into regrets. I try to do what I can not to have those feelings.

With that said, I've realized that's because I have felt regret.

I love basketball. I remember in 6th grade being on the Jr. Jazz team and I LOVED it! I wasn't too incredibly good at it, but I would practise for hours, find friends to play a game with, go practise dribbling on the side walk. Did I say I loved it? I did!

When I got into high school I distinctly remember the day they announced girl basketball tryouts would be coming up, I was SO excited!

at that point, I was in wierd living arrangements, and didn't feel I had support in getting home from school if I stayed after. And unfortunately I was really shy, at that point, and didn't dare ask for the help I needed.

I didn't make it to the first day of tryouts because I wasn't sure I could get a ride home afterwards. Once I missed the first day I just made an assumption that I couldn't go to the rest of the tryouts. {I didn't know for sure, just assumed.} So it turns out I didn't even tryout for the basketball team.

I still had a couple more years of high school, I would tryout the next year. But I never did. Later, I didn't have any friends that played basketball. My friends were on the drill team, which I did try out for but didn't get on, and in other things I already was doing. So I didn't feel comfortable with the girls on the team already. Did I say I was shy? I was S.H.Y.!

I remember going to a girls basketball game and turning to one of my friends and saying, "I'm going to tryout for basketball next year. Even though I'm going to be a senior, I really want to go for it."

But I didn't.

I was afraid.

And I really, really regret that.

I still love basketball, I'm still not very good at it, and I still don't dare to go find any local teams to play with, because I'm not very good. hmmm, that's something I can try to do sometime in the near future.

Get out of my comfort zone!

days of truth {day 20 & 21}

what do you think of drugs and alcohol...

drugs and alcohol are bad, mmk'ay.

As stated in the last post, I'm LDS, so drugs and alcohol are on the *no no* list.

But I have deeper reasons for not using these mind altering substances. I come from a family of alcoholics and drug addicts. {doesn't that sound nice} It's the truth, though. I understand the genetic tendencies for addictions and I know that if I so chose to partake in these substances, I am playing Russian roulette with my life and attaining an addiction.

That's not something I'm going to mess around with, no thanks.

{scenario} your best friend is in a car accident, you were in a huge fight an hour before, what do you do...

Alright, I'm not so into this one... I guess I'll do it anyway.

I don't want to live in regret. Does that mean I do everything I can so I won't? I wish it did. I try my best to say what I mean, but try not to be mean.
I rarely get into fights with people, let alone my best friends. That's maybe why this {scenario} feels so far fetched for me, it's just not something I'm likely to experience these days.

I did it. Did you get a lot out of those 6 sentences? I sure hope so.

days of truth {day 19}

what do you think of religion...


My religion of choice is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.





For me, having a set of guidelines to follow is comforting. I chose to follow these guidelines and I am a good person, friend, neighbor, sister, mother, daughter. What I'm getting at, is these guidelines help me be a better person, keep me from doing *dumb* stuff that could hurt myself or others {I'm not saying I don't do *dumb* stuff, just that I could be doing *dumb*-er stuff}.



My religion has also been a great comfort to me while I have been going through a huge trial in my life. I have felt peace, comfort, love, calm, peace {I know I already said this one, but it needs to be repeated atleast 5 more times, that might get close to showing how much peace I have felt lately}, confidence, and joy.



I chose to use my religion to help guide me through this life. I love that I can be guided, and that I believe there is more to come after this life is finished. I will add that I do not follow blindly, I have a choice, I make my choice. There are some issues {see previous days of truth post} I do not completely agree with, and I'm ok with that choice. But I am grateful to have my religion, my guidelines, and my Savior by my side as I struggle.

What did I make?

It's actually fun when I come up with an idea and follow through with it. That's what I did today. I saw some items I have around the house that I have been thinking about using and I actually used them.





I know, who knew I had it in me to follow through with an idea. Will wonders ever cease?





Here are the items I used. (well I didn't think to take a picture till after I had my crafts made.) So really these are the remainder of what I used to make my fun stuff!





Yes, it's scrapbooking supplies and some other crafting supplies. Another hint is I also used clipboards. hmmm, have any ideas?








Aren't these SO FUN! I think they're just adorable, decorated clipboards! Not to toot my own horn, but I guess I am.





With scrapbooking paper, scissors, mod podge (glue), and ribbons, look what I have created.





It gets even better.


I know right, amazing!

They're wall hangings!

This way I can have a place to put pictures, notes, reminders, and whatever else I can think of in a visible, beautiful spot. My hope is I can easily see things I need to take care of when I place them on one of these decorated clipboards. I'm even thinking of dedicating each clipboard to something specific; such as school stuff for Monkey, reminders for me, business stuff to take care of, etc. I'm not quite sure what I'm really going to use them for specifically, but it will come to me soon enough!

Truthfully, I'm most excited that I started and completed a project within ONE day!

V-Day

Hello fun Valentines Day activities! Yes, this is actually not Valentines Day, but we did make treats to give out on V-Day, so it's like the same thing.

We enjoyed playing with chocolate, candies, and pretzels.
AND especially eating the left overs! These boys really did enjoy making our yummy treat!

Was it always fun?
no.

Did we fight over who got to stand where?
yes.

Did we enjoy eachothers company?
most of the time, but not all of the time.

Is family time going to be a time of love and harmony always?
not in my house with my boys.
But I've decided that doesn't matter. We're spending time together, making something fun, creating memories.

I sure love bob-a-loo's chocolate smile! He makes me happy to see him so happy!

And I love that we're all still in our jammies on Sunday morning playing with chocolate.

I also love that our treats look like a 3 year old and a 5 year old made them. Especially because that's exactly what happened.

BTW, they taste soooo good! {I was on the ball enough to remember to get *milk* chocolate chip, and ghiradeli at that!}

Bob-a-loo's favorite part, using the conversation hearts. {*more hearts, mom!*}

Monkey's favorite part, using the *nerds* candy! {I had NO idea how much he likes nerds... amazing all the new things you can learn about eachother doing something fun}

We have more valentine activities planned for tomorrow! I absolutely LOVE that on Valentines day I can spend quality time with my two favorite people in the world! {I'll give you a hint, their initials start with bob-a-loo and monkey!}

Bob-a-loo's special birthday present

I started making this birthday present last year... yeah it didn't get finished very quickly. I finally decided that if I was ever going to give it to Bob-a-loo, I'd have to do it this year.

I decided to tie this quilt/blanket. I wanted it to be REALLY warm, so it's comprised of very soft fleece on top, quilt batting in the middle and extra soft furry fabric for the back. I really think this would keep my little guy warm even if we are winter camping, and this is all he has to snuggle under. Does it NEED to be that warm, well when I started making it {remember, last year} we kept our house VERY cold at night and I did worry about him staying warm. I just think it is so cute! And it is VERY VERY VERY soft! I'll be happy to snuggle under this warm softy blanket with my little guy.

Bob-a-loo seems to like it. He wanted to sleep with it, and didn't want his other blanket on top. He was probably already too warm, so didn't want to be sweating by morning.

It was such a fun project to make. I'm glad I finally finished it and Bob-a-loo can enjoy!