The Annual List

About a year ago I posted 25 things I wanted to improve or make better in my life. I attempted all of them some I continued and some, I concluded, were over-rated. Overall, I think I was successful in doing what I had ultimately wanted to do. Anywho, this year I WON'T be writting "26" things. (it's just too many). I will, however, say that this year I hope to accomplish sanity. It's lofty, I know, but I may as well reach for the stars...

just so you know

My favorite part of a newspaper is the Obits. Yep it's true. I have been reading the obits everyday for the last 8 years. Odd fact I knew you wouldn't be able to live without!

Lucy's New Doo

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

These muffins were good. They have a very crunchy top and are moist on the inside. I think that next time I'll leave out the almonds and sugar on top AND I'll try to remember vanilla next time, even though the almond flavor was nice with the chocolate.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Nut Muffins

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I was out so I used olive oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract  (I was also out so I used 1/2 tsp of almond extract)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup whole almonds
4 tablespoons white sugar


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
In medium bowl, Sift together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl stir in milk, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients to large bowl; beat well. Add chocolate chips and walnuts, stir well.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Poke almonds into tops of unbaked muffins. Sprinkle muffins with sugar.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Faith, Friendship, and Enduring to the End

"Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Yesterday I came home from a play date at a friends house. We were having a conversation about past relationships (friendships). I had previously made the comment to one of the girls that I "test" friendships. I don't think of ways to do it I just always seem to find myself in a situation where I have either said or done something hurtful (most times not intentional). The ladies made the comment that those situations don't always have to happen. I dismissed this. At that moment I dismissed it because I felt like I didn't know why it happened but it does and I don't know it's done until it is too late.
The conclusion in my head is that I am not a great friend. I came home, dwelling on this thought.
I had a little bit of time before I had to start supper so I opened my January 2010 Ensign. I was flipping through it and read, "The Best is yet to be". Another New Year's article....

So I get to this article and I read the title and I am about to flip, when I notice the picture of Lot and his family leaving Jerusalem, intrigued I stayed. I am glad I did. It is one of the BEST articles I've read in the Ensign. I hope you find the time to read it.

Now because I was dwelling on this thought that I was a terrible friend and that one could even go so far as to say I am a terrible person (that was a wee bit on the dramatic side but you know what I'm getting at..) the focus of the article the first time I read it was directed at that train of thought.

I am not going to go through the entire article because you should read it yourself  BUT I just kept thinking...

I am looking back, not forward.

I didn't "remember Lot's wife" Luke 17:32

There is a part in this article where Elder Holland talks about "forgive and forget". Mistakes we make in the past consume our thoughts. He says, "It stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ."

I forgot that I am not the same person I was 10, 5, 2 or 1 years ago. I am not the same person I was yesterday. And reflecting on those same circumstances I wasn't a terrible friend. I believe that most of us do the best we can with what we know. I have been in lots of situations where I've put my foot in mouth, said something out of good intent to have it back fire, or done the "right" thing to have a friendship's trust tested. I think that happens in any one's relationships. Some of the best relationships I have are with people that have stood through the "test of time" and with time comes trials, it's an inevitable fact of life (like taxes and death).  "The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim them embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."

I guess for me the moral of this entire (long) story is that I will "remember Lot's wife" and I have faith. I have faith in myself and the relationships I have with people. I have faith in a Father in Heaven who understands me.

Brianna's Quilt

I didn't take any pictures of the Christmas stuff Dusty and I made. Ridiculous I know. I was just so happy to wrap it and be done with it. My sister, Bri, sent me a picture of her quilt. I loved it so much. I wanted to keep it. It had this really vintage nostalgic feel to it, like it belonged to my granny. It was pink and orange and yellow and burgundy. I backed it in a bright green fleece. It was cozy. Anyways, here is the pic....

Missing

Patience.
Must have back.
Children miss it very much.
Reward if found.

First Sundays

I taught Valiant 8, 9, 10, and 11 year olds today. It was amazing. I loved Sunbeams and I learned so much being in there. More than I thought I would. It was a good jumping off point in primary. I had no idea what to expect of the Valiant class. I just went with it. I knew that the lesson I prepared I was going to need them to pay attention. I would of taught this lesson to a Gospel Principals class or even to the Relief Society.

They did so awesome.

I think they were a little overwhelmed at first, especially with how many scriptures I had.

They toughed it out.

We didn't have time for my little game/test at the end so I gave them the option of coming back at the end of church to finish. Most of them came back. They know the plan of salvation. I feel like I accomplished something. I felt so inspired from how excited they are to have learned that. They even seemed super excited to do their "homework"!

 I gave them a couple of  assignments so they could find some answers for themselves using their scriptures.

I hope that they will.

There is chocolate bar on the line.

 I had a really great time.

Ellie also had a really great time.

She has a new teacher and they also learned about being a "child of god" and learning to Choose The Right.

She was telling one of the Primary presidency what she learned and they gave her a ring.

She hasn't taken it off.

I asked her what it said. She said it was to help her learn to pick the right and not the left.

Close.

Very close.

This is Lucy's new hair cut. Just bangs. The rest is in a pony.

She likes it.

and it's out of her eyes.

Thank Goodness.

It was a good day.

I'm looking forward to next sunday and this one isn't even over yet.

Out of the Rough and into the Clear

My day started out kinda rough.

Lucy and Ellie both in my bed.

Me super tired.

A day of house cleaning in front of me.

I had to do something.

I called my local Primary President

(also my friend but I called mostly because she was the Primary President).

I KNEW she'd be busy.

Up to her eyeballs in last minute preparation of the new year.

I was right.

It was awesome.

It made me feel SOOOO much better to know that I could be THAT busy

(but I'm not).

I had a chuckle (at her expense) and had a lovely conversation.

 I did by the end of the conversation volunteer myself to her aid.

She gave me a task and I got to say it completely changed the course of my day.

I now have a primary lesson complete.

My house isn't any cleaner

but you know what

I DON'T CARE!

I am in a much better mood

 and

I know what I'm making (or taking out of the freezer) for supper.

What started out as a rough day is turning into something fairly pleasent.

Oh and here are some more pictures of Christmas.

Christmas at Home

Santa left Mulan with the Horse

That Santa is one SMRT cookie.

Lucy pretty excited about MnM's

small things.

Christmas Morning at My folks

More princesses

Both trying to get the present open.

At Dusty's parents.

Making Auntie Bobbie Geo even more lovely.

The first present of Christmas

A Good Start in 2010

Today I managed to:

do 3 loads of dishes

put away my sewing machine (a much needed break)

clean out all my knitting

transfer all my other posts from my other blog to this one

write a to-do list (for Dusty.... mwahahaha... the best kind of list)

talk to my mom for 130 minutes

read 1 trillion books to Lucy and Ellie

procrastinate washing the floors

shower (also much needed)

and finally and the most significant

Do my hair.

(which by the way

 may or may not be my new years resolution

which I don't set anyways

BUT

 if I were to set a new Years resolution that may be it

It'll most likely make it on my birthday goal list.)

p.s. where did the spell checker go? I like the new option in the post maker thing but I seriously need spell check.