Meal Time Help.

I am in need of recipes. It seems that with the growth of my family, my meal time prep also grew. Dinner time is now about a 2 hr extravaganza. From preparation, to consumption to completion. I don't want to spend that long making food. It's way less if I do a crock pot in the morning, which I do a lot of in the winter. My family won't eat food out of a box, so that make meals take that much longer. I'm not complaining about that. I'm not a fan of them my self. And the only time I can open a can, is if I filled it in the first place. Well, I have a few recipes that call for a canned soup or chili but only a handful. So, pick your favorite 2, and send them over. We like meatloaf type things too. I would love to start my recipe posts again, and would like a few new recipes for that too.

What We Did This Weekend

We went to Lake Powell for UEA. Jus t a quick there and back trip. But it was so nice. Everyone got a long. The older kids played with the younger kids, and were nice to each other. It wasn't too cold or hot and on the way back we drove through Capitol Reef NP. We decided that is where we'll spend next UEA. (tje picture above is of # 6 after she fell asleep with a cookie in her mouth)

Self-Esteem

I couldn't find any pictures to go along with my post, so I'll just add a few from my October 2011 folder.

We don't have an antenna to watch network TV, so conference and Sponge Bob come from the computer. Hence all of the pictures of kids in front of them. And no, this only takes up about an hr of our day, here and there. I can't get them to sit for longer than that.
#8 watching conference.
And this beauty came from scouts. It was a trust excersize where 2 was blind folded and following the directions of another 10 yr old scout. Lesson-1. never trust a 10 yr old boy. 2-never run blind folded with out having your arms out in front of you. 3- listen closer to the directions.

So I have been thinking a lot about self-esteem lately. It isn't something I have thought much about since my early 20's.
I was the type, to always compare myself to others. I wanted to be as skinny as her, or have a husband who made as much as hers. Or be crafty like them. The more I worried about what others had or did the unhappier I was. The same went for worrying about what others thought of me. It made me unhappy when people didn't like me. I based my self worth, on how other people saw me. Or how I thought others saw me. I wanted to look different and be a different person, so others would think better of me. Kind of conceited, to think anyone noticed what I was doing. Chances are pretty good, the only other people who were worried about what I was doing, were the ones comparing themselves to me, just like I was doing to them.
I think the same thing goes for the way we look. We were put together exactly as we were meant to be.
I was called to be a teacher in Relief Society, and I am giving my first lesson on Sunday. It is on the post mortal existence. The part that has gotten me thinking about this whole self esteem self image thing, was the part about taking our addictions and thought processes and mind sets, with us when we go. I always thought that pertained to people that had addictions or didn't like certain things like, a dislike for a certain food. No big deal, we'll over come those things here and not have to worry about them later. It's easier here, right? But, it also means we take how we feel about our selves. What happens if we decide we don't like our nose? What happens if we don't like it and get it fixed. We are getting our bodies back after the resurrection, and I can bet, it won't be the nose that plastic surgeon gave us. How are we going to feel about that? The same way we did here?
I am in no way perfect, as a matter of fact, I have a lot of features that by world standards are not beautiful. But, I am happy. I am happy with who I am, even with the neck I inherited from my grandmother. As a matter of fact, I never even noticed it, until family members started pointing it out. The worst part about that? Then I started noticing the eyelids, my family hates, on my kids. The eyes I love, and think are perfect.
Chances are, nobody else cares what you look like. Except the people, who are picking themselves apart and comparing themselves to you. Chances are, as soon as you quit noticing things about other people that aren't perfect, you will worry less about people think of you. You will worry less about not having that perfect by the worlds standard, whatever. Those people who are confident, and happy are that way because they have gotten to a place in there life where they don't look at what they are not, or what they don't have. And don't worry about what the world thinks they should look like or dress like or act like or drive or live in. One of the perks of that, we don't end up spending our selves into oblivion, trying to keep up.
You are who you are supposed to be. Every one gets old, gains weight, looses hair, goes grey. It's okay. It's what happens. To all of us. Embrace who you are.

Checking in

I find myself praying a lot these days for guidance. I am moving at the speed of light, and if I dont have help, I will probably miss something important. Some lesson I need to learn, or I need to be there for when my kids learn. There are not enough hours of the day to get done what needs to be done, and keep my house clean. I have a 2 yr old who still wants to be the baby, and get the kind of attention my 2 babies get. I have a 3 yr old who wants to be in school, and be learning and not at home with a mom that is busy with babies. A 6 yr old despite all of her best intentions, still wants to breath and kiss all over the babies when she has a cold. Also, has a ton of dental problems lately. An 8 yr old who thinks that he has the most miserable life ever, all because of something someone else has done to him. And despite my best efforts to teach him, we have control over how we react, and let people make us feel, he thinks his life is the most miserable picked on existence in the history of man. I understand this will be a lesson, he will probably learn on his own, later in life. How do I make sure he has the tools to learn that lesson when it's time. I also have a 10 yr old who wants nothing to do with anything, unless it's Nintendo, or playing with friends. I totally get that, who wouldn't want to play all day long. But that is not what life is. If you want money for that new whatever, you have to work. And do a good job. I also have an 11 yr old daughter. nuff said. I really have no worries about her, other than she is just at a pivotal point in her life right now. SO as you can see. I have a lot on my well worn plate. Nothing major right now, but I feel like we are all at a point where everyone has important things going on. Things that I need to have Him help me guide my children through. Things that they need to be aware of His love for them, for. And it is my job to make sure they know where they can turn and make sure they know they are loved and important. I feel the heavy weight of being a parent to children being raised in these days.
I pray daily for the guidance to do the right thing. Say the right words. Be in the right place. And know my children. And still be the mom they will remember, who did fun things with them. Taught them how to be a homemaker. And taught my sons how to help and treat their wives the right way. Trent is like that. If my sons turn out like their dad, and his brothers. We will have done our jobs. They love their wives (those that are married) and they love the Lord.
I know I need to cram fun stuff in there too. My girls LOVE when I make them clothes.
They Love their babies too.

Long Time Coming

I have sat down a few times to post. Trouble is, the only time I sit here is to feed a baby. Which only leaves me with one hand.
We have had a busy quick summer. Filled with camping, almost camping, birthdays, babies, family things like weddings baptisms and blessings.
I wont start from the beginning, because I have some what kept you abreast of out family. So, maybe somewhere in the middle of August, I will start.
First I think I will shorted what I call my kids, to their number. We have started teaching them to count off, before we leave or when we get in the car, to make sure we have everyone.
So #6, turned 2. We went to the place we went for her 1st birthday. It was hot. But, the babies did well, the kids got really dirty, over tired and had fun. This picture was right after 5 fell, twice (she was so tired, she couldn't walk straight) It looks like 6 is giving a thumbs up sign.
We refinanced our house to a 10 yr. we were at a 15, but for the same monthly payment we could knock off 3 years. Why not. In 10 years #1 will be 21. We will have 3 on missions or in college or getting married. We probably need to be done paying off the house.
I have also come to the realization that I am busy. Doing nothing really. I don't work outside the home. I was talking to a friend a few days ago, and she mentioned they had cancelled Super Saturday. It's kind of a sign of the times. Do people still craft? (I don't never have) I didn't sign up because Saturdays are my only day that Trent is home and I can really get anything done. And the same for him, so I end up keeping the kids occupied so he can get stuff done. (not only that, you know what happens if I leave 8 kids home? What my house looks like? Leaving is harder than just staying home) Back to topic, I think that is where most people are. At least in my neighborhood. There is not a lot of free time to socialize and craft. We are busy raising families and keeping our homes from falling down around our ears.
I started running again. Why I bring this up? My running time equals my time to reflect, read and be inside my head (alone) for awhile. I read the ensign while I am on my treadmill, and put together random thoughts when I am outside. I was reading this morning about filling our lives with meaningful uplifting things. We have the choice from the moment we wake up, what we will do with our time. I am trying to be better at doing those things that will help me raise my family, to help me be a better mom, a better wife, and a better friend. Not that I have a lot of friends. I need to be better at that too, making time for friends.
I was released from Primary. I have been in Primary or YW the entire time I have lived in this ward. I LOVE primary. And what better calling than playing the piano in primary. But, 2 babies makes that hard. I am excited to be back in RS. I am more excited about the calling I just got. Time to learn a new skill.
We have had a few trials this summer, but all in all, I am happy. The years go by so quick. I hope to be able to fill them with good things, and help my kids build good memories. A little more sleep would be awesome, but soon I will miss getting up to rock or feed a baby. These 2 have been on this schedule starting about 5 in the morning one gets up, then they tag team all day. I haven't had both babies asleep at the same time for more than 15 minutes this week. I am at a loss as to what to do. They won't stay wrapped up, but the don't sleep unwrapped. then they are rolling too, so they get mad when they have rolled and can't get back.
Anywho. I will blog again. Someday. I'm sure.

Wasteing Time

I have been thinking about this a lot recently. Time goes by so fast. And I don't feel I have anytime to spare. SO why do I feel like I waste it, like I can relive the moments I may have missed.
What made me think about this? Since the babies were born, I spend a lot of time at the computer. It is in the center of the house, the chair is comfortable, so I end up nursing there. And with one free arm, I can get onto the computer. With 2 babies, I am nursing a lot. So I spend a lot of time in front of the computer. Even when I am done and I get up, I seem to gravitate to it. Do I have an email? Who's posted on facebook. Is it my turn on scrabble? I was having a hard time breaking this cycle. Even when I was noticing it, I couldn't help it. Then on Sunday, someone in church mentioned using time wisely. No. I can't say that I do. I realized I miss out on a lot that goes on here. I have projects I want to accomplish. I am falling behind on my house. I can keep it clean, but man, that clutter is building up. I loathe clutter. I dislike the tops of flat spaces covered in things. The top of my fridge seems to collect odds and ends, as well as the back of my kitchen.
So, I turned it off. I let myself get on in the morning, before the kids get up, and do everything that needs my attention. Then I will turn it off. The best thing about it? I haven't even missed it. I haven't gotten much more than I usually do, done, but I am starting to notice things around my house that need attention. I am caught up on my laundry, and it's put away. DOn't get me wrong, I still have to get on to do my banking, or look something up, or pay bills. But I can do it with out zoning out on the computer for an hr, that felt like 5 minutes.
My goal this year is to use my time, especially with my kids, more wisely.

Summer Daze

I can't believe School starts next week. I have mixed feelings about this. Part of me is excited to be down to 4 kids during the day. But, part of me is a little sad. The older kids are such a huge help with the littler kids. Someone can hold a baby while I get things done. I'm not sure it's going to get any easier with less kids here. This summer has kind of been a summer of survival. I haven't done anything more than keep up. No projects done, no major trips taken, really, nothing. Just keeping up on household things. Laundry, dishes, bathrooms. I have spent A LOT of time feeding babies. The biggest feat.... getting the babies from sleeping 2-3 hr stretches, to 7-8 hr stretches. And onto a decent schedule. I am absolutely not looking forward to cold season.
We have also managed to have only 2 kids in diapers. 6 of 8 is officially potty trained. The first week was over, and we hadn't made any progress, so I put her back in diapers. Then she started taking her diapers off and using the potty. This week we went 3 days with out an accident. Then last night we had a family dinner, and she was drinking any cup left out, and Trent nor I were able to keep our eye on her. There were quite a few problems. But, I think that's to be expected at this point in the game. The experts all say that the first sign of being ready to train, is waking up dry at night. She's been doing this since 18 months. But she was not ready. It did however make it so we don't have to put her back in diapers at night. Which is something we have had to do with all of our other kids.

Sadly, we spent a lot of time this summer doing this. They have watched a lot of movies. I just haven't been able to take them on a lot of adventures. We have a nice routine at home, but it's still too hard to go anywhere. The zoo isn't too bad, and I am thinking we may try the dinosaur park this week. But usually I can go shopping, and running errands. And I can't do that yet. So, there have been no school clothes bought grocery shopping has been hit and miss. I feel behind.
I certainly don't want to rush these babies growing up, but life will be a little bit easier when they are a little older.
We were able to take them camping, and we have a few more trips planned for this season. The kids are excited to go to a new school, I am not excited about the amount of homework we will be trying to cram in. Life is busy.