Coming to Ourselves (WARNING: long post!!!!!)

Recently I listened to a talk by Robert D. Hales entitled: Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service. I am not sure why but it really made me re-think what I have been doing in my life. After reading this talk I "came to myself". I thought about everything I want to became, everything I want my family to become and everything I knew I could become. I thought about the way I mothered my children not only in words and actions, but also in the food I give them and the things I bring into my home. I also began to think about "WHY" I do the things I do....what will I benefit from those thing and how will it increase my faith and understanding of this life.

So, I wanted to put all of my thoughts in one place. Some place where I can be accountable for my choices, somewhere where I can return and report my progress and someplace I could be of service to others. I decided though somewhat personal, I will share these thoughts on my blog.

My List of Goals and Changes I want to make: (The WHATs)

• I want to become more frugal
• I want to change my eating habits and become more aware of my health
• I want to start using alternative DIY cleaners and less chemicals
• I want to be more patient with my children. 
• I want to have better reasons for "why" I do the things I do

What things do I need to do to achieve these goals: (The HOWs)
Becoming more frugal: As I mentioned before I have been following Blissful and Domestic. She really inspired me to want to change. She has a lot of good thoughts. really nothing that I didn't already know but a refresher was good for me.

• Shop for groceries ONCE a month. Only allowing $400 for groceries (100 of that being for Food Storage Items)
• Limit Fast Food to 2x a month.
• Gas up my vehicles only ONCE a month, when it is gone, it is gone.
• Cut out pre-made EXPENSIVE foods
• Make a budget and stick to it.
• Do FREE date/family night activities.  (Man I love Pintrest!!)

Getting my health into check: This is a biggie to me! I really want to take better care of my health mainly for my family and my husband. I want to be a good example to my children so they don't battle the same battles, I battle (that was a lot of battles!!!) I want to be healthy for my husband so he doesn't grow old worrying about me. I want to serve a mission with him when we are older and I WILL NOT let my health stand in my way! I want to run and play and be a fun, energetic wife and mother. Not just now but 30 years from now.There are MANY MANY ways I can accomplish this, but I want to focus on my main ones...Another awesome blog I look at is called Wellness Mama, she is amazing and so smart!!

•  Eating little to no simple starches, refined foods, sugars and fructose
• Get MORE sleep. Ben and I are notorious for going to bed around 12 AM.....Bad! He gets up at 4:30 AM so it is especially BAD for him. But I find I am very sluggish and tired throughout the week. So 10 PM is our new bedtime!
• Exercise wisely. Since we moved I have been running in the soccer fields behind my house. I enjoy it, but I don't LOVE it. I am not the type to want to run a marathon or participate in a triathlon. They sound fun but really not my idea of a good time. I have read a lot about exercise and what types are healthy for me. In my research I have decide that heavy weight lifting (we own a Bowflex Xtreme II) and high intensity short workout are more ideal for ME.

Another BIG thing I want to try is DIY foods. If I am able to make it at home then why buy it for convenience?? Some of the foods I am making homemade this month are: granola bars, cheddar cheese soup, cream cheese and yogurt pops. I will know what goes into them and most likely I have the stuff to make them already in my pantry.

DIY Cleaners: I can't believe how expensive cleaners and personal care items can be. With PINTREST (we have become BFFs) you can find ANYTHING you want to make yourself.  This month on my list is: Shave cream (we already did this), weed killer, kitchen cleaner, deodorant and laundry detergent. I think by making these we have the potential to save a lot of $$$ and stash it into savings instead. Who doesn't love to save money??

Patience with kids:...Is there really an explanation on this one??? I read a saying on Pintrest (I know...I know....I love that site!) and it said "The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice" I see this over and over again with Emily. She talks to me the way I tend to talk to her and I can't stand it!!! Ironic isn't it!

Finally...............

Find the "WHY" in things: This is just a personal thing that will help give meaning to so many different things in my life.

• "Why" do I read my scriptures everyday? What I am trying to achieve? Am I reading to say I did it or am I reading to gain insight and understanding?
• "Why" do I get frustrated and mad at my kids for dumb things? Is is them or is it REALLY ME who is in the wrong??

Those are just a couple a examples worth contemplating.....there are many things we can ponder and find answers for.

So this is my soapbox for the moment. I  know I won't be perfect on any of the above, but I pray that I can do my best and I know if I first have a desire and act upon it, I am better off then just thinking about it without ever doing anything about it.

Behind in everything Tuesday

It seems like just when I get then hang of life and I am right on track, life throws me something new and I am back to being behind in EVERYTHING!!! So yesterday I was going to update my blog and start my week of organized, DIDN'T happen apparently. So this is where we are this week and what we have been up to in the past week.

On Saturday Emily and Caleb both got to participate in their first PDAC Swim meet. They had a wonderful time and want to do it again. Emily came out in 3rd place in the 50 meter breaststroke and 1st place in the 50 meter board kick.

Caleb took 4th place in both of his noodle races. I am not sure he knew he was supposed to hurry. He is my more relaxed kid with not a care in the world. Whether he came in 1st of 4th, he didn't care, he was just there to have a good time.

 

 In the end they both got ribbons and a trophy. I am so proud of their efforts!!!

 Now I am off to swimming lessons again. 

My Favorite Cheesecake Recipe

My Favorite Cheesecake

 

CRUST

18 graham crackers, finely crushed

1 C. melted butter

2 T. sugar

Thoroughly mix. Press firmly into bottom and sides of 9 X 13 pan or 2 - 10 inch pie pans.

FILLING

3 packages (8 oz. each) softened cream cheese

1 C. sugar

4 eggs

1 T. vanilla

2 T. FRESH lemon juice

1 T. lemon zest

Beat cream cheese well, add sugar a little at time. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, juice and zest. Combine thoroughly. Pour into crust. Fill to within half an inch of top to allow room for topping. Bake at 300 degrees for 55-60 minutes.

TOPPING

1 pint sour cream

4 T. sugar

3 T. vanilla

Whip sour cream. Add sugar gradually, then vanilla. Pour over cake and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

FRUIT TOPPING (optional)

1 C. fresh fruit

1/2 C. sugar

1 tsp. corn starch

3 T. water

Combine in saucepan. Bring to boil. reduce heat to medium low and cook until thickened.

Life Changes

It has been so long since I updated my blog.

In April we sold out little home. It happened so fast (like literally 4 days fast), We put it up for sell on a Monday and had an offer by Thursday, It is amazing how attached we had become to that house in 7 years and how many wonderful memories we had shared in it. We loved it but needed a change.It was VERY bittersweet to move. We were very blessed to buy a home within 2 minutes if our old home. We even got to stay in our same ward, which we absolutely LOVE and each week we feel more and more at home! (Pictures to come at a later date.....)

In May Emily had her last day of Kindergarten. It was a SAD day in the Willoughby home.  She didn't realize that she wasn't going to see some of her friends ever again or her teacher and I didn't realize how hard it would be to entertain her all Summer long. She loves to learn and is so active. She sailed right through Kindergarten and can't wait until 1st grade starts, She is sure her Kindergarten teacher will be there to help her through her first day...

About a month ago my Mom told me about a blog she liked to read. The blogger is a lady in my Mom's ward who is just an amazing Mom. She inspired me......so in an attempt to entertain my kids this summer I followed this blogger's example, I started doing summer school. I set up a little classroom in our spare room (really nothing fancy, believe me) and we try to do school 2-3 days a week. My kids really love it and have already learned so much!!

Also in an attempt to be a better Mom, Accountant, Wife, Cook, etc., etc. I started following the advise of this blogger Blissful and Domestic . She is amazing, informational and inspiring!! One of the main things she talks about is being frugal and living within your means.

So from now on I will post my menus each week and what my plans are for home-school. Maybe this will help keep me on track better.....we shall see!!

Monday Menus:
Monday : Taco Salads
Tuesday: Baked Shrimp, Rice, Mixed Veggies
Wednesday: Chicken Fajitas, leftover Rice
Thursday: Taco Soup (w/o meat-recipe below), tortilla chip
Friday: Chicken Salad with avocado dressing
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Homemade Pizza

Taco Soup Recipe:
1 lb. ground beef (I omit to keep it vegetarian)
1 small onion
1 -28 oz. can tomatoes
2- 15 oz. can kidney beans (un-drained)
1- 17 oz. can corn (un-drained)
1/2-1  package taco seasoning (I usually use the whole pkg)
1 can  green chilli's
1 Large can of Pork and Beans
(if you prefer it thinner add 2 C. water-I like mine thick)

Brown ground beef and saute onions and stir in seasoning. Add remaining ingredients, Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Serve with chips, sour cream, cheese, and olives.

Home-school

This week we are focusing on the letters H and I.
The book for the week is Horton Hears a Who
Crafts: We are here, What would you say, Ice Cream
Worksheets: Letter I

Have a great week!!!!

WE ARE SELLING OUR HOUSE!!

Please click the link below to see our home that we are selling!!!!

http://387collinsstblackfootid.blogspot.com/

Please tell anyone and everyone!!!!!!

When you least expect it....

Have you ever had those days when you are sick (literally), tired, out of patience and just plain having a "stuck-in-a-rut" type of day?? That is was my day. It started late because I slept in because I have caught a cold, Nathan was having "clinging" moments and my "independent" daughter decided to go the grounds with me over EVERY little thing. I ended up sending Emily to school while both of us were in tears. It stunk!! While Emily and I were battling it out Caleb said "Guys we should just pray..." I brushed him aside and kept up with the lecture on Emily. After she left I thought a lot about the solution. I could come up with a million things to do, some of them good, some of them not so good. Nothing really struck me as "Ahhhhh words" coming down from heaven like. I got the boys down for naps/quiet time and decided to plan my YW lesson for Sunday. I truly believe we are blessed when we least expect it. This is what I came across and it is seriously JUST WHAT I NEEDED. In hindsight I should have taken the advise from my 3 year old son in the beginning and avoided a awful morning!

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&id=2010-06-13-motherhood-an-eternal-partnership-with-god#2010-06-13-motherhood-an-eternal-partnership-with-god

Raising a Family

So last night I was in a meeting with my Bishop and he was giving our YW Presidency a little advise on training the Young Women to be future leaders. He said a lot of great things and helped us understand the whys, whats, and hows of being a Leader. He told that when he was a young father, him and his wife had just bought a new home and decided to put in a new sidewalk. While he was trying to put in this sidewalk his young son wanted to help and was being more of a hindrance than a help. My Bishop expressed how frustrated he was because it was taking so much time and effort to have his son help. But then he said after awhile he remembered that "He wasn't putting in a sidewalk, he was raising a family"!
     This really stuck out to me!! I thought of how many times I try to clean, cook, or work in general and I have little "helpers". It was a good reminder that I am raising a family and the time I spend with them now will influence the kind of person they are when they grow up.

Caleb LOVES to cook and I usually let him, it does take more time but I know it is something he enjoys. He also loves to vacuum, it is so much easier and faster to do it myself though!!

Emily LOVES to clean to toilet (funny huh) and I usually do it myself because I know how to keep my hands away from it and clean it properly. I really should let her do it!!! Emily also loves to help with Nathan, it is her "Mommy instincts" kicking in. Sometimes I let her, sometimes I don't. 

So it looks as if I have some thing to work on!! There is a quote that says "A lazy mother picks up after her children." I guess it is easier to do it myself than to have them learn. I think I need to stop thinking about myself and remember I AM raising a family and I want them to grow up and be productive, happy, effective adults!

Speaking of family, here are some of our family pictures we got taken on Oct. 22:

Darth, Belle and Hot Dog yumminess....

Yes I said YUMMY! Aren't these 3 so dang cute you could almost eat them right up? I think so! We had a fun Halloween filled with lots of Grandmas, candy and wind blowing through our hair.

Emily decided she wanted to be a Southern Belle. She has the attitude of one and knows how to pose well as one. She had me curl her hair in ringlets and before school she got to put on make-up, even mascara! I think she was the cutest one in the spook parade at school. but I am also biased! She loved getting to twirl in her hoop dress.

Caleb, with no persuasion wanted to be Darth Vader. He loves "Stah Wo's" so much and can make a mean Darth Vader noise. He was so excited about his mask that actually made the Darth noise, but didn't wear it most of the time because it hurt his face and smooshed in his eyes...poor little Darth! He made a very "mean" looking Darth and was so proud when he was told how scary he was. He is a funny little thing!!

Nathan was my little Hot Dog! I was excited about his outfit because I had bought it on clearance last year. I really wanted Ben to dress up with me and be  Ketchup and Mustard bottles, he didn't fancy the idea...It was a good thing because Nathan's Hot Dog was VERY snug!! He only was in it for 30 minutes or less.

We had a fun Halloween and visited 4 different Grandmas. They spoil my kids a lot and my kids LOVE IT!!! I am so glad we have our family around!

Here is also our cute pumpkins this year, they made me laugh!

Now onto Thanksgiving!!!

My 3 little ducklings

All so different, but oh SO cute!!!

Just Because

I love my Husband!!