Frosted Flakes - Casey, Oatmeal Squares - Rebekah, Froot Loops - Victoria, Cookie Crisp - Porter, Cracklin' Oat Bran - Samantha, Reese's Puffs - Isabelle

Have you ever read Heckedy Peg? 

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 This original story reads like a pure folktale. The poor mother of seven children, each named for a day of the week, goes off to market promising to return with individual gifts that each child has requested and admonishing them to lock the door to strangers and not to touch the fire. The gullible children are tricked into disobeying their mother by the witch, Heckedy Peg, who turns them all into various kinds of food. The mother can rescue her children only by guessing which child is the fish, the roast rib, the bread, etc., a trick she neatly performs by matching each kind of food with the gift that each child had requested (Monday asked for butter, so Monday is the bread, etc.). 

Ryan and I had a fun day finding just the right thing for each of the kids for Valentines.  Ryan bought the girls a couple flowers while I bought the boys some yummy new juices.  We then spent a good 1/2 hour in the cereal aisle picking just the right box for each child.  We set the table and placed their cereal on their chairs.  As the kids came home from school & sporting practices we had them guess who's was who.  Rebekah, Sam & Casey nailed them.  Isabelle and Porter only missed 1 or 2.  Victoria was guessing along with her siblings.  They were all very happy with the selections.  I've been cooking a lot for breakfast lately.  I think I'll have a few days off!  We had a fabulous evening together, a new tradition has been born.  As we finished up dessert we made a list of the kids' favorite things.  

Today at 5:45AM I thought things were going really well... Sam was ready for seminary, I had her lunch packed & breakfast ready.  Casey was up, showered & his breakfast waiting for him.  Rebekah & Casey's lunches were started and Rebekah and Izy were up and moving.  I jump in the car and Sam has tears rolling down her cheeks.  Her hair isn't cooperating and her face won't stop breaking out.  I ask her if she wants to stay home.  She's worried about getting behind in class.  I ask if she wants to skip seminary today?  She shrugs.  "Let's go inside." I suggest.  We walk inside and she starts sobbing.  It's been a rough few days.  What I thought was a smooth rolling morning turned out to be a... pack your own lunch, get your own breakfast, make your own bed and roll with it morning.  I messed with Sam's hair a bit then suggested washing and straightening it.  Curly hair can be so temperamental at times.  I have to say it was a very tender morning for me.  She completely shut down.  Sam doesn't do that very often.  I washed her hair in my bathtub then dried and straightened it.  At one point I was wiping her face with a washcloth as the tears kept streaming down her cheeks.  I'm not even sure I can put into words the tender morning I had as her mother.  It was one of those times you try to prepare yourself for because you know the day will come when their world is crashing down and they are falling apart.  I know their will be many more days like this to come.  Life is just like that.  I am thankful I get to be a part of hers.  I am thankful I can take her in my arms and she feels comfort in them.  I'm not a big "I love motherhood" kind of girl.  It's really hard and it stretches me in ways that are really painful!  But today, as I took care of my little girl that is growing up way too fast, I would have to say I love motherhood.  I love that I can bring her comfort in this really crazy hard thing called life.  I love that I can make her life a little more bearable.  If I can ease even an ounce of pain for my kids then motherhood and all the trials that come with it are well worth it.  She climbed into my bed and took a quick nap.  After a bit of rest, straight hair and not so red eyes we had a good talk.  I tenderly validated her frustrations and added if she could see other peoples hurts it would make hers not so big.  As we talked her smile came back accompanied with a better perspective of her situation.  

Every year the kids sell B1G1Free cards for a school fundraiser.  They are only $10 and have 16 businesses on them.  They have become great one on one dates and family fun treats.  This year they added  Roxanne's Cafe.  It reminds me of my mom's diner.  Sam & Casey skipped Monday morning classes for a delicious breakfast with Dad and a few games of pig & knock-out at the church.  Everyone had a great time.  The following morning we loaded everyone up early & dropped Rebekah & Casey at school then headed over to Roxanne's with Isabelle, Porter, Victoria, Jenna, Dad & myself.  It was a fun morning.  The kids loved it.  So did I!  We dropped Porter off for school and Isabelle asked if they could walk up to her school.  The girls are now wanting to walk each morning.  They get so excited about the simplest things.  Rebekah had a paper to write & couldn't miss her morning classes so Ryan grabbed her for lunch at JRays.  $6 for both of them to eat lunch.  She is still talking about the fries!

Gratitude Journal:

1. Blessings... the dishwasher broke & the kids got to wash dishes together & have fun.

2. Blessings... the dishwasher had a recall & the service call was free.

3. Blessings... the dishwasher had a repair cap because of the recall.

4. Blessings... the repair man fixed the fridges thumping sound for free!

5. Blessings... instead of $600 it was only $183 and I no longer have beach towels on my counter for all our drying dishes!

The Geddes home in 2011 experienced record tear fall.  I don't think we've ever shed as many tears in one year as in 2011.  But with the tears came understanding, love, support and family bonds.  I treasure the bonds I feel with my siblings.  We could be at each others throats but the minute someone did or said something against one of us they had to deal with all of us.  I remember a time a couple older boys had my younger brother Jared's arm twisted behind his back.  I told them to let him go.  They didn't.  I told them again & they said, "What are you gonna do about it?"  As if they were going to be afraid of a girl, a younger girl at that!  Little did they know I had one fast & furious upper cut.  The poor boy didn't know what hit him and sucked air for quite sometime!  I ran and hid.  I was afraid of what my mom was going to do to me for making that boy cry.  I treasure the feelings of love I have towards my family.  The life we lived and experienced created those feelings and bonds.  I can't recreate those times for my kids to encourage those feelings.  2011 took care of that in a small part.  For the first time Sam and Ryan really connected.  She has needed him this year.  She has found comfort in having him close and available.  I am grateful for the challenges she has faced that has given her the opportunity to build a lasting and much needed relationship with her Dad.  Ryan was gone so much during her younger years she missed those opportunities Rebekah and Isabelle have had.  The Lord has made up for it.  She's learning to trust in her Heavenly Father.  Her patriarchal blessing has been such a help.  The Lord is able to say things that mom & dad can't.  She's learning the atonement comforts and heals hurts from an unfair world.  Home has become a safe haven for her.  A place she feels loved, understood and supported.  My self-esteem has always come from outside sources, that is slowly changing.  Thankfully, hers is growing from knowing who she really is, a daughter of God.  Sam has been able to empathize with her little sister as she is dealing with some hard things at school.  Isabelle came home yesterday in a funk.  She elbowed Rebekah and was sent to her room.  Sternly, I asked her, "WHAT IS GOING ON!"  She fell apart, sobbing.  I should have known.  It's been happening on a regular basis lately.  Not very nice notes, looks, etc.  This morning she started crying before I dropped her off at school.  I'm at a loss.  I'm not really sure what to do.  I'm finding myself telling them to pray.  Pray that you can forgive them.  Pray that you can listen to the Holy Ghost.   Let Him guide you through these trials.  He is the only one that really knows what should be done.  I'm still learning these lessons along with them.  There are moments of anger then overwhelming sadness.  These are the times when it doesn't matter what is right or wrong, I have to find away to forgive and move past it.  It's very humbling to kneel and ask forgiveness for the harsh thoughts I've had towards another person, knowing that is the only way to have peace and happiness in my life.  Humbling myself enough to not worry about what is right or wrong but to do what Christ did over and over.  As I feel His healing power in my life I find myself seeing more than what the world sees in us.  We sat and talked with a few sisters the other day.  I love when He blesses me with a glimpse of what He sees in someone.  We visited with amazing women.  Women that have endured hard trials and continue to face each day with faith.  I'm not a huge fan of my calling at church.  Thankfully, the Lord doesn't take requests!  He gives us that which will help us grow and develop talents that need working on.  I will be forever thankful to a loving Heavenly Father that ignores my fits and temper tantrums then continues on with what is best for me... like it or not!

For the first time since college I am officially dieting!  That is not a good thing.  I am the crankiest, grouchiest, hungriest mom around.  I LOVE food.  I've always loved food.  I'm feeling better in someways but not so good in others.  I turn 40 this month.  I figure I'll see where I am on that day and like it or not that will be my new go to weight forever.  No more of the "if I could just get to..." thoughts.  It is what it is.  What will the lucky number be?

I've been thinking a lot of different thoughts lately.  One is my new relationship with service.  It use to be one of warm fuzzies and satisfaction.  It's changing now.  I think as we change and grow the Lord provides more opportunities for continued growth.  It seems as though the Lord is saying, serve out of love for your fellowman vs. serve those you already love and enjoy doing for.  There are those people it is SO easy to serve.  It's enjoyable just thinking of the things you can do for them.  Others, not so much.  It's been a growing past couple years.  There has been a lot of learning and listening and a bit of fit throwing... "It's NOT fair."  I am enjoying my solitude.  Home has become my safe haven.  It's where I want to be and feel most comfortable.  I am enjoying the relationships being built within its walls.  I like the people my children are becoming.  Far from perfect and a bit moody at times but the important things are taking root.  I hope they are able to build those relationships that will last an eternity.  I keep going back to the testimony I bore on Sunday in the car on the way to church.  I know families are forever.  I know if we obey and do our very best we will live together with our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that if we worry more about each other and less about ourselves we will be happy not only in heaven but here on earth as well.  I need to worry more about my brothers and sisters in and out of the gospel more and myself less.  I need to give others the benefit of the doubt.  Look past weaknesses and frailties and build them up.  Life is never fair.  But it isn't about fair or unfair.  It's about learning to love people.  It's about serving because we are so grateful for the gift Christ has given us.  It's showing compassion and becoming charitable in heart and mind. In my patriarchal blessing I am admonished to keep my thoughts pure and clean.  At different times in my life that has meant different things.  I think now it means finding the best in everyone and not letting those tiny criticisms sneak in and take over.  Or choosing not to take offense and feed the off handed comment.  It's thinking the very best of those around me.  There is good in everyone.  Sometimes it's just covered by a really prickly surface, others with a bit of complacency.  Yet if I peel those outer surfaces back a little with kindness and love I'm sure to find good.

Gratitude Journal:

1.  Eggs - we have 1 chicken laying an egg a day!  Yesterday a different chicken laid a big egg.

2.  A warm fire & a very cute man to keep it going at night.

3.  People who care - I was left little treats at my door the other week, what a fun surprise!

4.  Trials - they continue to humble me and strip the pride away.

5.  Food - I am still hungry... 

Ryan took Sam, Casey, Rebekah, Porter & Grandpa to New Mexico for the week.  They've enjoyed time with cousins snowboarding & skiing.  Ryan suffered a concussion, I guess someone came flying down the mountain into him.  He was seeing double for a day & a half.  Thankfully he is good to drive today.  They are headed home.  I have really missed him.  Victoria & Isabelle have enjoyed a week of 24/7 cousin time. It's been fun having just the two of them.  January is right around the corner & it's usually a rough month.  I think I'm going to hunker down and minimize everything possible.  Ryan has an easy month, they were trying to persuade him to stay... thank-you Cindy!  I'll enjoy the 7A-4P schedule all month.  The only change would be if they changed a few of the shifts to 12 hours.  He's still home by 7:30 every night!  We've never had a month like that.  It will be perfect for family dinner, games and fun.  January is going to be the month I get everything back in order.  I'm creating my schedule.  I feel like I've just been "going with it" the past year and a half.  It's time to get a little order back into my life.  Before Sam left she asked if we could throw out all the junk when they got back... her exact words, "It's making me sick!"  As I begin my quest for a stronger, more unified, happy family I am including in my plan to cut out the junk & eat like we did as kids... less processed stuff, more basics!  Thankfully my pickiest eater LOVES cracked wheat cereal.  With minimizing everything else it will free up time to cook more.  We'll see how it goes.

5A:     Wake Sam & fix breakfast
5:30:   Wake Casey
5:45:   Take Sam to seminary
6:10:   Wake Izy, Porter & Victoria
6:30:   Family Scriptures/Prayer
7:10:   Casey & Rebekah leave
8:10:   Take Izy, Porter & Victoria to school
8:55:   Throw in a load of laundry
9:00:   Take Misty for a walk/run (I have to get outside in the fresh air!)
10:00: Shower & dressed (unless I put in on my schedule it often doesn't happen!) Fold laundry
11:00: Read scriptures, Sunday school lesson, anything uplifting!
12:00: Lunch... sitting down at the table!

12:30 - 3:00: Tidy the main floor, run errands, grocery shopping, prep for dinner, etc.

3:00   Prep healthy snack for kids coming home.
3:15:  Rebekah & Casey arrive home.
4:30:  Isabelle, Porter & Victoria arrive home as well as RYAN!!!  Finish dinner prep/cooking/etc.
5:00:  Dinner
5:45:  Clean-up
6:00:  Family game
6:30:  Reading time with Victoria & Porter
7:00:  Bedtime for V&P, Game time with Isabelle & Rebekah
7:30:  Bedtime for I&R, Game time or Psych episode with Casey & Sam
8:30: Wash my face, brush my teeth and into bed... snuggle time for me!

Christmas Eve 2012... Ryan is working.  We had a fun day.  The kids, grandpa and I joined the Call's at the Golden Corral for lunch.  We stopped by Home Depot to pick out a few gifts for Ryan.  The kids had a ball filling up his tool box.  Then a hair cut which turned into hair cuts!  By the time we arrived home Ryan was awake.  He joined us at the Call's for the traditional Luke 2 reading and some yummy chili.  Then off to work he went.  The kids and I hung around playing games.  We drove home and I realized I hadn't gotten anything for Rebekah & Isabelle.  Thank goodness for ToysRus & their late Christmas Eve hours.  I got the kids tucked in then Sam & I ran to pick out a few very last minute gifts.  For the past 10 years Ryan has been working at hospitals that are understaffed.  He is either coming home at midnight or leaving around dinner time during the holidays.  Hopefully this new job will bring him home more during those times.  

A few of my favorite moments...

1.  Smashing ice on the pond with Rebekah, Casey & Porter.

2.  Hauling wood for the fire with Rebekah, Casey & Ryan.

3.  Reading Tormod with Porter... I am loving this book just as much if not more than Porter!

4.  Snuggling with Isabelle on the couch.

5.  Shopping with the kids for Ryan's Christmas gift.

I love being outside.  There are no ringing phones.  No time constraints.  Just the fresh crisp air and my fun kids.  There is something I get from being outside working.  It fills me in some way.  My favorite past time right now is hauling wood.  It's one I'd like to say I dreaded as a kid but I didn't.  I think I've always found pleasure in it.  I can remember "loading" each other up, piling the wood as high as our little arms could hold.  We'd walk it over to the deck and drop it for the "little" kids to pick up and carry inside.  I loved playing on the woodpile.  I would pretend I was an explorer, cowboy, detective, etc.  I love watching my kids enjoy those same things.  There is a pile of dirt in our backyard right now.  The kids LOVE that pile.  Ryan and I have talked of moving it somewhere we can keep it.  They have so much fun on it.  The simplicity of a child's world it very appealing right now.  I feel as though the Lord has taught me to trust Him with the temporal things.  I feel as though I am being taught how to trust Him with the emotional and spiritual things.  There are so many things that are not right or fair.  I am learning to let go of justice and embrace mercy.  I am learning... ever so slowly... but learning.