Christmas 2012

I'm really kicking myself for not posting this sooner.  I can't remember all of the details that I wanted to remember.  How many times will it take for me to learn to post about it right after it happens?  Hopefully this is the last time.  I love Christmas.  I really do.  I tell myself every year that I don't want to make it all commercial, get bogged down and get all stressed out.  Christmas should be fun, not stressful.  I always worry that we didn't get the kids enough.  I get caught up trying to do what other people are doing.  I'm tired of doing that.  I do not need other people's approval.  We can keep it small and simple.  It's the little things that matter most.  How much time you spend as a family making memories, not how much money you spend.

This year was better than all of the other years so far.  I did stress, but not as much.  I'm slowly learning.  This year we took the time to read every night until Christmas a Christmas story, scripture, and sing a song that went with the story and the scripture.  It was fun to do that.  It helped us remember the real meaning of Christmas.  The girls talk so much about the presents that they will receive.  Just to be sure they know what Chritmas is allI I ask them what is Christmas all about?  They always say it's about celebrating Jesus's birthday.  I think it's important to remember that.  The presents are important too.  I always tell them that it's good to receive presents and want them too.  It's also fun to give to others.

This year we made sugar cookies, and decorated them.  We put them on plates and delivered some of them as neighbor gifts.  Other gifts we gave homemade freezer jam, brownie mixes, and muffin mixes.  The girls had a good time going around delivering the gifts.  I'm so glad that I decided to do neighbor gifts this year.  I was feeling down, and it helped make me feel better.

This Christmas Eve was the first year since we have lived in this house that Matt didn't have to work.  Celebration!!!  This year we went over to my Mom's house to spend Christmas Eve with her and my Brother Quinn.  We had French Dip sandwiches, and other yummy foods and treats.  We played games, watched a movie, and of course read the nativity story.  We watched the animated one as well.  Then it was time to get the girls in their jammies.  We had them open their one gift on Christmas Eve Pj's of course.  They were so excited!  We statyed at my Mom's until 11 that night, then headed home.  Before we had left for my Mom's the girls made sure the special key was hung so Santa could come in, and the reindeer food was scattered to the reindeers could find our home.  We got the girls into their beds, and then we put out their gifts and went to bed.  It was nice to have Matt home with us this Christmas Eve.

I told Matt that I didn't want to open presents early.  It's so much better to make the day last.  I think Matt got a phone call on his phone around 7 am.  I said please don't answer it.  Go back to bed. He didn't answer.  We slept until about 8.  That was nice.  The girls woke up first and walked out to the living room.  We were waiting for them to come and wake us up.  They didn't.  We heard them going through there stockings, and so we had to hurry up and get out of bed.  It was fun to see the girls so excited.  We slowly opened our presents 1 at a time.  Matt put Christmas music on.  It was fun and nice not to be rushed..  The girls loved their presents.  Matt and I loved our presents.  It was a really good Christmas.

I hot glued all of the jewels onto the tackle box and filled the entire thing with precious jewels.  Maddie was so excited!

Matt's Birthday is the December 19th.  It always gets overlooked.  I feel bad.  I wanted it to be nice this year.  We had a little get together with Quinn and my Mom at her house.  I made a pumpkin cheesecake for Matt's birthday cake.  He had dropped me hints earlier in the year that it would be nice to have a nice bathrobe for Christmas.  I got it for his birthday instead.  Matt and I celebrated his birthday together while the girls were in school.  Matt really wanted to see The Hobbit.  So we did, and went out to lunch afterwards.  It was a fun date.  For once his birthday didn't get overlooked, and he was very happy.

He enjoyed his Christmas present a Kindle Paperwhite:

Matt did a good job for me.  He got me my lighthouse bathroom decor that I have wanted for a couple of years.  They are beautiful, I love the decor!

Yummiest Cornbread

February 9, 2013 our ward had a chili cook-off.  I love chili cook-offs.  So much fun.  I of course had to make my white chili.  It really is the best white chili.  Matt even labled it yummy white chicken chili.  It came close to winning.  I had a couple of people come up to me and tell that mine should have won yummiest chili hnnds down.  That really made my day!  Along with the chili cook-off they had a cornbread contest as well.  I of course had to enter.  I have the best recipe that I knew would win.  I won yummiest cornbread.  I got this lovely award and serving sppon for a prize.  It really made my night.  It made me so happy to see that all of my chili and cornbread was gone.  Too me that is a major compliment!  I left with a huge grin on my face. I so needed a night like that.  I have my sister to thank for giving me the chili recipe, and my good friend from the military Alysha for giving me the cornbread recipe.  I couldn't have done it without them.  Thank you girls!

The Holy Ghost

I was asked to speak at a baptism back in February.  It was our wards turn to do the talks, so Brother Peterson called me and my team teacher to ask if we would speak.  It made sense, we teach one of the little girls who was getting baptized.  I found this little talk on the Holy Ghost on Pinterest that I thought would be perfect:

I was so nervous on the day of the Baptism.  I do not like to get up infront of people.  I was to talk second.  My team teacher talked about Baptism.  She did a wonderful job.  Then it was my turn.  I started to speak, and my voice was shaky, and hands and legs were shaky.  I started speaking really fast.  Then when it came to share my Grandpa Zollingers experienc of when he received a warning from the Holy Ghost, I started to speak slower and was calmer.  My Grandpa's experience is very poweful.  Here it is:

I want to share a story about my Grandfather.  My grandpa liked to deer hunt, but wasn’t doing it as much as he used too.  One day he had heard one neighbor after another tell of their success with their deer hunts.  My Grandpa thought to himself that he would get in his jeep and go up Dry Canyon to see what he could do in just a few hours.  There was a lot of snow on the ground where he had to leave the jeep.  So he started climbing up the slope of the mountain.  He was constantly looking into the trees to see if he could spot a deer.  The sun was starting to set, so he had to push as hard as could while hiking up the mountain. 

Finally he spotted a deer lying down under a tree.  He sat down steadied his gun on his knee and shot.  My Grandpa knew he had hit the deer because it jumped up and hobbled off down the hill.  His better judgment told him to sit down and let the deer stiffen up and lay down, but instead of doing that he kept thinking of the time and thought he could get close enough to the deer to get off another shot.  So my Grandpa followed the deer nearly all the way down the canyon, then crossed over and went up the south slope of Logan Canyon.  It was there that my Grandpa was able to get another shot off killing the deer.    He cleaned the deer, and then wondered what he would do with it.  The sun was nearly down and his jeep was at least 2 miles up the canyon.  He thought should I leave him on the steep mountain; or go get the jeep and come back another day to get the deer? 

My Grandfather studied the area around him.  He could see two rocky ridges- one on each side of the hollow he was in.  Those ridges angled down toward each other forming a long V.  It looked like they never did meet at the bottom, but left a narrow pathway between.  As far as I could see there was a clean, unbroken path all the way to the bottom where the Logan River flowed.  My Grandfather remembered another time when he shot an elk near the summit of Mt. Logan and was able to ride it to the bottom by sitting on its body, pulling its head back and holding on the antlers while holding his gun in the other hand.

This looked like the answer.  He would ride it to the bottom, cross the river and hail a ride home and pick up his jeep tomorrow.  My grandfather dragged the buck into the bottom of the hollow, got hold of an antler, and oh, what a ride!  As they shot toward the opening of the V, my grandpa distinctly heard a voice say only one word.  “JUMP” Instantly he threw his gun and grabbed a limb of a shrub as he shot by.  The speed that he was going stretched him straight out.  He pulled himself up to a sitting position.  He couldn’t see the deer sliding down the narrow path.  Where was it?  My Grandfather crawled back up and got his gun and then started sliding on his backside down the path the deer had taken.  About 50 feet beyond the point where he had jumped off the dear, he found himself looking over a 50 to 60 foot cliff.  The deer was lying on a rock pile far below.  My Grandpa probably would have been killed if he hadn’t listened to that prompting from the Holy Ghost warning him of danger.  I’m so thankful for my Grandpa’s example in listening to the Holy Ghost so he could be safe, and that the Holy Ghost kept him safe.

I finished by sharing my testimony about the Holy Ghost.  I felt great when I was done and could sit down.  I'm so thankful to have the Holy Ghost in my life.  I'm grateful to have him testify to me when things are right, warn me when I'm in danger, and give me a red light when I need to stop what I'm doing and do something else.  

Tooth Farree

I didn't even realize that Maddie had a lose tooth.  On a Saturday in the beginning of February she woke up all excited.  She says "Mom look!  I have a loose tooth."  I looked into her mouth and sure enough she had a loose tooth.  Not only was it loose, it was so loose that she could probably have it pulled in the next few days.  She actually went to Matt and said "Dad will you pull out my tooth with the pliers?"  He looked in her mouth and checked her tooth.  He said it wasn't quite ready to be pulled.  She wiggled it all day.  She went to one of her friends Baptisms and told everyone she had a loose tooth.  She also showed it to them.  She went home and wiggled it and wiggled it.  On Sunday Morning it was even more loose.  She wiggled it in our primary class, and she had to tell everyone about it once again.  The plan was to go home and pull it out after church was over.  She went into sharing time for primary and wiggled it with her tounge and guess what?  Yep you guessed it!  The tooth fell out.  Maddie was super excited.  The Primary President found a little zip lock baggie and gave it to Maddie so she could put her tooth in it.  After primary was over and it was time to go Maddie found me and was so excited to show me her tooth.  She wanted to get home so she could write a letter to the tooth fairy.  This is what she wrote:

Tooth Fairy please give me a tooth brush and something I can't understand. Just like so pretty and it is pink. we gowing to be.  I think that is what it says.  Sometimes it is so hard to decipher writing for little children.  I tried my best.  See if you can do any better and let me know.

She went and put her tooth and the letter under her pillow right away.  When it was time for bed she looked under the pillow to make sure it was all there.  I tucked her in, and said let's move your tooth and your letter to the other end of the bed.  She didn't ask questions, but I just said it would probably be easier for your tooth fairy to get your letter and the tooth, and leave you a little present.
I was planning on putting money in the zip lock bag, and then I got caught up in a movie with Matt.  It was really late when we went to bed.  I totally forgot about Maddie's tooth.  In the morning I went to wake up the girls to get ready for school.  I went to Maddie first and saw the letter and said shoot!  Maddie sat up.  I had to make a quick cover up story so maddie wouldn't be sad.  Maddie looked down at the end of the bed and saw that her tooth was still there along with the letter.  I told her don't me sad.  Your toothfairy probably had so many teeth to collect last night that she was so exhausted.  She will probably give you something even better.  Maddie perked up at those words.
so that night I had to get my act together, and remember.  I wrote a little note that said something like Dear Madisynn sorry I was late.  Enjoy this extra money!  Love your tooth fairy. =)  I put a dollar bill inside the bag with the note and took out the tooth, and put the gift at the end of Maddies bed.  In the morning she woke up and found the baggie.  And waved it around with excitement.  She was happy her tooth fairy came and left a her a dollar.  It's so easy to make kids happy.  I love it!

Dir Mom and Dad

Madisynn made this for Matt and I for Valentine's day at school.  So cute!

Dear Mom and Dad I love you.

Hamboogers

This is so cute:

I eat Hamburgers.  My Dad makes them on a grill.  We put on pickles.  We put on cheese and melt.  We put on mustard.  I love Hamburgers.

February Facebook

This month was a good month.  I'm amazed and delighted at all of things we learned, and accomplished.  Thank you God for loving and appreciating me.

It feels better for me to be a positive person.  So glad I didn't dwell on the negative's.  It's a learning process, and I'm getting there.

February 1, 2013

The past is gone, the future uncertain. Today is now and I face it head on.

February 2, 2013:

I trust the process of life.

"It's always February 2nd and there's nothing I can do about it." Phil Conners
I could choose another day to live over and over. Who’s with me?

 

February 3, 2013:

"There's no need to miss someone from your past. There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
- Anonymous
I have been struggling with memories with people from my past. I miss them, and wish that I could fix it all. I like this quote. It's okay to let them go. I'm letting go.

 

February 4, 2013:

"Letting go doesn't mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.
- Anonymous"

Matt has a job interview today. I'm trusting God. If this is the job meant for Matt it will happen.

 

February 5, 2013:

I'm so glad I came across this. I really love this quote! Don't know who said it, but I love it. It is so very true.

It is said that all you are seeking is also seeking you,
that if you lie still, sit still, it will find you. 
It has been waiting for you a long time. 
Once it is here, don't move away. 
Rest. 
See what happens next.

 

February 6, 2013:

Today, I practice patience, for I know that there is time for everything to come to fruition. The goals I have set, the desires I intend, will all come in time. Patience is required to see these things through. ~ Pamela J. Leavey
I am as patient as a turtle.
I am certain the outcome will be for my highest good, therefore I can wait without anxiety.
Good things are coming. I just know it! I am patient.

 

February 7, 2013:

‎"Of all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this - that man is the master of thought, the molder of character, and maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny." 
-James Allen As a Man Thinketh

The thoughts you think are important. Think positive!

 

2nd job interview this week for Matt is in just a few minutes. I'm letting go of all expectations. I'm letting go of the outcome. I know God has this. We've got to trust him. He will carry Matt through this, and I. I love my Heavenly Father, and I'm so very grateful for his wisdom and kindness, his love and appreciation for us. I love and appreciate him so very much.

 

February 8, 2013:

Even though I have anxiety I deeply and completely love and accept myself. I'm letting it go.

 

February 9, 2013:

Making yummy white chili and cornbread for our ward chili cook-off. I love soup and cornbread, yummy!

 

My cornbread won yummiest! My chili almost won. That's okay. I'm thankful for the people who voted for mine. I had a couple of people come up to me and ask me if they could have a copy of my recipe. That really made my day along with seeing that my chili and cornbread were completely gone. What a major compliment, makes me feel so good! =

 

February 10, 2013:

"I know that everyday is only a stepping stone on my pathway."
-Louise Hay Affirmation
This is such a good thing to say to yourself, or think. This is so true, especially right now in my life.

 

We really need to invest in a snow blower. I’m so thankful for my other neighbor. He snow blowed our sidewalk and driveway gutter area. It's amazing how much quicker a snow blower is. He was done with his driveway, sidewalk, our sidewalk, and our driveway gutter area by the time I was done with my driveway. He started the same time as me. I want a big red snow blower that is easy to maneuver, that will get the job done quick and nice. That would be a huge blessing in my life, and I would be so grateful for it.

 

February 11, 2013:

Waiting is so hard; it's the hardest part of all.
I need to remember these two things:
1. Everything comes gradually and at its appointed hour. 
-Ovid 
2. My Life is full of little miracles popping up out of the blue.
-Louise Hay Affirmation

 

February 14, 2013:

‎"Not what he wishes and prays for does a man get, but what he justly earns. His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions." - James Allen

 

February 16, 2013:

I got rid of a bunch of my baby stuff. It was hard, lot's of tears. I feel like I'm throwing a part of my life away. I still don't know if I'm going to have anymore babies. I feel like this is the direction I need to go. Maybe by getting rid of stuff it will open more space for better things, and I’ll have that answer of yes or no on more kids. 
Any you pregnant ladies around me feel free to come and check out what I have before I take it to the DI

 

I'm hosting Bunco tonight. I'm so excited! I can't wait to give the prizes out. I hope everyone likes what I did. Also I had the perfect thing for Matt and the girls to go do for a daddy daughter date. The Utah State women’s gymnastics meet tonight. I just got a phone call from him not too long ago saying that it wasn't tonight. They parked walked up to the Huntsman Center and the doors were locked, and the lights were off. They were a week early. I'm such a ditz! I guess they are going to see a dollar movie at the Valley Fair Mall. I'm sure the girls will still be thrilled and have fun!

 

February 17, 2013:

I now create a wonderful new job.
-Louise Hay Affirmation

It's very fitting for our circumstances right now. =

 

February 18, 2013:

I am glad to be alive! I'm thankful to be alive. Go look at yourself in the mirror and say that. Really look deep into your eyes and say it. Afterwards take a deep breath. Your body likes to hear those words come out of your mouth. Say it every morning. I think it feels wonderful! If you've never done this go try it, and see how you feel.

 

February 20, 2013:

Every test in our life makes us bitter or better, every problem comes to break us or make us. The choice is ours whether we become Victim or Victor.
I love this quote! Right now Matt and I are going through a huge test. I think its making us better. We won't let the problems break us; we will let them make us. We will not be Victims, we will be the Victors. God has something great in store for us. I can't wait to see what it is!

 

February 21, 2013:

Life is good and so it is!
-Louise Hay Affirmation

It sure is!

 

Tax refund deposited today! Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah to the Matthew Layton Family!!!

 

February 22, 2013:

 This was really good.  Have to share it:

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?"
SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?"
SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "If you must know, I make $100 an hour."
SON: "Oh! (With his head down).
SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow $50?"
The father was furious.
DAD: "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:
Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $ 50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

DAD: "Are you asleep, son?"

SON: "No daddy, I'm awake".
DAD: "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling.
SON: "Oh, thank you daddy!"
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

DAD: "Why do you want more money if you already have some?"

SON: "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do.

"Daddy, I have $100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness. It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $100 worth of your time with someone you love? If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.

Some things are more important.

 

Working together is part of the purpose of life. I love the people I work with

 

February 23, 2013:

Matt was hired today! He has been without a job for almost 6 weeks. I'm full of mixed emotions right now. I'm happy and so very grateful that he has a job again. I'm just not thrilled about how far it is, and that it is grave shift. Thinking about grave shift feels me with dread. I hate it. I need to make a list of pros and cons, and a gratitude list, think it will make me feel better. Matt is taking the job, but he is going to keep looking for a better one. He starts school in a couple of weeks. I'm going to imagine the right door opening for the job Matt desires most. I know he will be led to it, and that it will open. That feels me with excitement and joy, and comforts me. I can't wait to see what is behind that door! I'm thinking positive thoughts. I really am grateful, just needed to rant a little.

 

"Feed your FAITH and your Doubts will starve to death." -Unknown
I'm so glad I found this little quote on pinterest.  It makes me feel better.

 

February 24, 2013:

It was nice to relax yesterday. Looking forward to come home after church and doing the same thing. I worked so hard at my Mom's house all week long. I had an opportunity to make some money to deep clean her house. Deep cleaning meaning washing walls, base boards, blinds, heat vents, cupboards, windows, and doing all of the regular cleaning as well. It took me about 17 hours to do the whole thing. I need to do the same at my house. Yuck! It would be so nice to be able to say some magic words and have the house be clean all of the time. I am grateful for the opportunity to help my Mom out, and make some extra money. I love my Momma! I like to see her be happy, and be so grateful that it was done. It is so nice to sit in a freshly cleaned home. =)

 

February 25, 2013:

Patience is being at peace with the process of life.
-Louise Hay Affirmation
I am so trying to be patient

 

I really like this season of Biggest Loser. I really liked tonight’s episode. I loved the theme this week: Face your biggest fear. It makes me want to face my biggest fear! I love being motivated, and inspired by those around me. =)

 

 

February 26, 2013:

Matt starts his new job today! I'm so grateful. He is on swing shift. He works 5 p.m. - midnight. The best part is he works Mon-Fri! He hasn't had normal weekends in about 3 years. I'm glad it's not graves. He would have been working midnight -7 a.m. I'm so glad they let him choose. Swing in this case is better than graves. It's one step closer to day shift. He has to drive about an hour to get to work, which is yucky. It will work for now. His job that we are waiting for to come is coming. We are getting there slow and steady. God is answering our prayers. I'm so grateful. It was nice to have Matt come home yesterday from his training happy. He said he felt like he fit right in. I'm so happy for him! I love my hubby!
Thank you to all of you who knew our situation, and have kept our family in your prayers and thoughts. Love you all!

 

McKenzie just kicked over from her back band! It was her first time. I'm so proud of her. Madisynn almost has her splits. I'm proud of her too. It has been so much fun watching my girl’s progress in their gymnastics skills, over the past 5 months. They are so happy and excited, and it makes me happy!

 

February 27, 2013:

I'm getting my piano today!!! So excited! I have been dreaming about this moment for a long time. I can't wait to start playing it and brushing up my piano skills. So many people have inspired me. My little Brother Quinn plays amazing, he inspires me. It amazes me that he can learn a piano piece quickly and memorize it. He also plays by ear too. One of my friends husbands Dave Jones is an awesome piano player and just happens to be one of our ward organists. He played the accompaniment for a quartet singing O Holy night during Sacrament for Christmas. He was so into the music. It was amazing! The group sang it beautifully as well. Dave totally inspires me. I would love to play like Jon Schmidt. His music is amazing, and makes me feel so good. I love watching you tube videos of the piano guys and seeing them jam out as they are playing. It totally gets me dreaming. Dreaming is good!

 

February 28, 2013:

I am at ease speaking in front of others. I have confidence in myself.
-Louise Hay Affirmation
I really struggle with speaking in front of others. I struggle even more when it's a large group of people. I don't like the attention on me. My voice gets all shaky, I speak quicker. I feel like I’m going to puke, or pass out. I don't like it. That's why I try to avoid giving talks, prayers, sharing my testimony, and sharing any comments that I might have. I even struggle with it in my primary class. I want to be a better public speaker. It would be so nice to be able to talk, pray, share my testimony, and comment with ease, and confidence. Repeating this affirmation is a good place to start. I know it will help me.