Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Our advent calendar!  Maia and I bought the supplies to make it, and then she, Maddie, Tess, and I made it.  We were inspired by a similar calendar in this month's Woman's Day magazine.  Each bag has candy in it.  I was going to also put a Christmas-themed scripture in each one, but that didn't happen.  You can see where my priorities are.  :)  

Reasons why I am especially proud of this craft:

1. I actually made it happen.  Usually, the cute project ideas I find don't progress beyond becoming a ripped out page from a magazine or a new pin on one of my Pinterest boards.  

2. It isn't perfect.  I actually let my girls decorate their allotted bags however they wanted to.  This is where anyone that knows me very well would understandably gasp.  I am nothing if not a control freak.  I'm practically addicted to attempting to control everyone and everything around me.  But I didn't worry about spilled paint or crooked numbers.  I praised all their ideas and finished products and meant it.  

The girls were so excited to open the first bag last night, even though they all knew what was in it.  It feels good to establish fun family traditions, however simple.  

On the way home from tithing settlement last night at the church, we noticed some gorgeously decorated homes:

I LOVE it when homes are decorated so lavishly for Christmas, but I can't help but wonder what their electric bills are like for December!  

Yesterday, Tess and I spent a little while playing outside.  It was nice to have a break from the rain!  I took this picture as we headed home from the mailboxes after Tess mailed a bunch of Christmas cards for me.  

She also played with the wood chips, ran laps around the park, and threw the frisbee for Olly:

And I'll end this post with a horrific picture of me dressed as a greasy man.  Ah, college was fun... :)

Thanks for reading!

Rambling...

On Monday night, we were very grateful for competent and kind nurses and doctors.  Little Tess fell while climbing down off of one of our kitchen stools, pulling it over on herself.  It gave her a small gash on her head that gushed blood.  It was pretty scary for a few minutes, as we tried to assess the damage.  Poor Maia and Maddie (especially Maddie) were pretty upset, worrying about their little sister.  It was sweet, though, to see how much they love Tess.  

Tyler and I took Tess to a pediatric emergency facility, and she was able to avoid stitches and have her gash glued together, instead.  Phew!  I was impressed with how the nurse sweetly spoke to Tess, and with her tricks for explaining what she was doing in a non-scary way.  She cleaned the wound with "tickle water" and then with "peanut butter medicine" (iodine).  Tess instantly took a liking to her, and once, when she had to leave the room for a minute, Tess said, "Where my friend go?"  :)

So far, it's healing perfectly, and the doctor said that she doesn't think the wound will even leave a scar.  Thank goodness!  It would be a lame place to not be able to grow hair...

The morning after, happy as can be.  

Tess and I went grocery shopping yesterday morning.  She loves to "help" me push the cart, and when she's done walking, she uses her improvised seat:

Last night, Tyler and I went to Maddie's first orchestra concert.  It only lasted 17 minutes!  Wowee!  Considering it was all beginning players, we were grateful.  :)  They actually sounded very good, and very in tune.  Maddie was her usual outgoing, slightly wild self, but as soon as she began playing she was all business.  

Warming up...

All done!  Concert #1 is in the books.  

This morning, I was able to get up (that has been even more of a struggle lately.  Sigh.) and go to the gym for Body Pump:

Our cool instructor, Lorraine.  The Valley has such great instructors!

After Body Pump, I ran 3.1 miles on the treadmill.  I pushed the pace a bit, and it felt good to work hard.  I'm not in as good of shape as I was earlier this year, but that's okay.  I'll get back to where I was.  I'm trying to enjoy working out more, rather than constantly worrying about my progress (or lack thereof).  

Thanks for reading!

A Good Life

A few of the things that I'm grateful for lately:

Dad recently introduced Tess to the joy of vacuuming up pine needles.  She takes this job very seriously.  As soon as she spies any needles, she insists the vacuum be brought out so she can get right to work.  

Why is it that kids are so eager to help, but only until they're actually able to do a good job?  :)

On Saturday, I had a sweet Mommy/Daughter date with Maia.  We went to Hobby Lobby and bought supplies to make an advent calendar, and then we did some shopping at Fred Meyer.  We also got divine hot chocolates at Starbucks.  Maia is such a happy, loving, cool kid.  I'm lucky to be her mama.  

When we got home, the girls got right to work creating the advent calendar.  I think it's going to turn out pretty cute!  

Lil' Tess "cooking":  

And finally, a few scenes of my beautiful home as seen from my car:  

Thanks for reading!

Catching Up...

Sheesh!  So much for posting every day, eh?  Oh well.  I am grateful that it really doesn't matter whether I post to this blog every day or not.  Haha.  :)  

I'm happy to report, though, that I have been spending more time looking for what I appreciate about my life.  And I'm finding plenty of things to be thankful for.  

First, I am grateful for clean hardwood floors...

They look so beautiful for what feels about 30 seconds before the dog and the kiddos get to them again.  :)

I am also thankful for these cute reminders I have hanging on my wall:

The black-and-white one was a recent gift from my cool mom, and I bought the green one at Time Out for Women in Portland, OR a couple of weeks ago.  I need frequent reminders to help me remember what actually matters.  

I am grateful for our fireplace:

I took this picture a couple of weeks ago after a long run in the rain.  I was wet and chilled and being able to flip a switch and have warm air blowing on me almost instantly was wonderful!  I love how the flames look and I love the cozy feeling it always evokes for me.  Ahhhhhhh...

I am grateful for my kiddo's "cousins".  Since none of their biological cousins live close to us, and we no longer live close to our beloved Marvins (WE MISS THEM SO MUCH!), being able to spend a lot of time with the Carrigan family has meant so much to me.  Plus, since they're not actually related, Alicia and I can arrange marriages between our offspring as we see fit.  ;)  

Maia loves all of these kiddos, too, but is largely outgrowing their games.  She loves to snuggle with Nick and Blake, though.  

Now for a random picture that I like:

And finally, to make you laugh:

Thanks for reading!  

Ten Years and Teeth

Today I am grateful that these two mouths are cavity-free!  And that our dental insurance covers 100% of the cost for cleanings and exams.  Hallelujah!  I love our dental office, too.  Everyone that works there is so friendly and kind.  

I would also be remiss in not expressing my gratitude for how good-looking we are:  :)

My Alicia and her family are here this weekend from Portland, and it makes me so happy!  Maia and Alicia made a pumpkin roll this afternoon, and it is divine.  

Of course, Tess had to "help"...

Alicia and her man, Beau, celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss today!  I'm so thankful that I was able to be at their wedding and that we now live so much closer to them.  They are truly our family.  

Thanks for reading!  

Happy Feet

Today I am grateful for professionally cleaned floors.  My stairs and my living room now sport squeaky clean carpet!  It makes my "everything in my house must be perfectly clean at all times" heart quite happy.  :)

I am also grateful for neighbor kids that my kiddos enjoy playing with...

I love watching Tess ride her tricycle.  She loves her little "bock".  

Love the sunshine, too!  

I am also grateful today for antibiotics.  I have strep throat (cue sarcastic "yay").  Blerg.  Thank goodness for the medical blessings of living in this day and age!  We are lucky!  

Have a fantastic day!  :)

A Room With A View

Today I am grateful for the soothing view out of my living room and kitchen windows.  Even in the middle of winter, I can see huge swaths of gorgeous green.  

I love laying on my couch and being able to look up and see this:

And the view is even sweeter when I see my gorgeous Maia mowing the lawn...

Hooray for child labor!  :)  I even make Tess make my smoothies in the morning:

Happy Election Day!  

It Takes a Village

I told them to smile.  :)

Today I am thankful for gifted therapists, as well as the nutritionist I just started seeing.  Since I have no pictures of any of them, this post will be adorned with cute pictures of my children, instead.  :)

Currently, I see a therapist at The Emily Program (eating disorder treatment center) once a week, I still see Lillie once a week, and I now see a nutritionist that specializes in helping people overcome eating disorders once a week.  It's a lot of appointments, which can feel a little overwhelming at times, but I'm so grateful that I'm able to manage a relatively intensive treatment schedule.  The sooner I can achieve lasting peace with food the better!  

These medical professionals are kind, encouraging, honest, straightforward, funny, and very skilled in their fields of expertise.  Because of them, I have real hope that I can eventually overcome this eating disorder and learn to manage my depression and anxiety in a healthier, happier way.  I feel like these people are one way Heavenly Father shows me that He loves me and that He is there to help me through my struggles.  He has let me win the amazing therapist jackpot.  

I have to also mention how grateful I am for my parents and Maia.  My parents babysit Tess every Monday (and sometimes other days of the week, as well) while I am at therapy appointments, and Maia babysits while I see Lillie every Thursday.  Their help brings me so much peace of mind!  

Leaving the gym this morning after visiting with my other "therapist", exercise.  :)

Thanks for reading!