Western Warmth

Today

2012-01-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful: for my sweet smelling boys I just bathed, for my house and the chandelier that is one of my favorite parts (even though we had to use a vacuum extension off the balcony to fetch those Q-tips one of my sweet boys launched into it).

I am thankful for a home, for a garage, for shelter from the cold.

I am thankful for the internet for a way to connect with people while I go hours and days here alone with the kids :).

I am thankful for great customer service--our new washer is having a few problems but they are delivering us a replacement.

I am thankful for the Book of Mormon. When I have studied it in the past it has had great power in my life. I am wanting the same thing in my life, so plan to start TODAY studying 30 minutes a day. I'll let you know how it goes!

Finding the House (post 6)

2012-01-29T12:33:00.000-08:00

Master Bedroom (notice light fixture missing--there are many missing through the house)

The man's sink (it's a little taller than the other one :)

Finding the House (post 5)

2012-01-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

But, no. It just couldn't be easy. Getting a loan was actually a nightmare. Who knew? We'd bought homes before and it was with much less stable employment. Things have SO changed. I can't believe how hard it is to get a home these days.

This article tells a little about that.

Anyway, having been out of the housing loop for the past 4+ years, the difficulty getting a mortgage surprised us. In fact it took over 2 months to get it all worked out. The last week before we closed up I had almost completely given up.

But not without prayer. SO much prayer. I was praying all day for help with this problem. I kept asking for His Will, to know a plan B...I know what we want isn't always what we need so I was open to new ideas.

Dining Room

Unfinished basement

Finding the House (post 4)

2012-01-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

The inspection went great. I was honestly surprised about that :). I knew there had to be some catch. But I guess what I've learned from this is the catch is that banks just want to unload this bad debt. Have I mentioned yet it was a foreclosure? That is what I mean by bad debt.

Anyway, after a great inspection all that was left was to wait for the loan process. I thought that would be quick. I thought we might get in a week or two before Christmas.

Maybe I'd even clean it up, put a red bow on the door (wait...green? the door itself is red) and then drive the kids over for Christmas morning. They had been struggling with not having a home as much as we had. When things fell apart in Crescent, they took it especially hard. So, what better Christmas gift?

Formal living room. Now that's gonna be fun to paint over :)

The state of the carpet...wow. I need patience to wait for when we can get it replaced :)

Finding the House (post 3)

2012-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

When we arrived for the showing, a lady was waiting in her car and asked if we were there to see the house. We said yes, and told her our agents name (he was a man, and he was the listing agent). She didn't seem too pleased that there were people looking at it, but she never came in and left after we went in. Not sure what that was all about...

So, since we had all the kids (all dressed up for church, no less!) we all decided to go in and tour the house. Our first impression was, "it needs work." Mostly just because of the dated color choices. There is SO MUCH mauve in this place. However, the layout, and the size, and many of the features of the home were just incredible.

Because of the price, we thought there must be some catch, so we mentioned getting an inspection. The agent thought that was a good idea. We left, and got about halfway home, when the flurries going on in my mind came to just one conclusion.

"Let's put in an offer!" If we could get an inspection, for the price it was at, we just had to.

Kid bedrooms

More pictures

2012-01-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

We met the Realtor at the house and the rest is almost like a foggy dream to me. It was over two months before we actually closed that we saw the house this one time. It was so large and so beautiful I could hardly even fathom that it could be the place our family would live. We were staying in a tiny two bedroom townhouse that had seen better days and really had just gotten used to that life. I didn't expect or want much more.

When we had been planning the house building in Crescent I had designed my kitchen. I really really wanted white cabinets. It put a smile on my face that this home had large white cabinets, even amidst the other messes.

EnJoy!

2012-01-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite bloggers, Shawni Pothier, tells us that each year she has one word she wants to focus on. Her post describing how she picked this years word was so touching to me. You can read that here.

It wasn't long after reading those inspiring words that I wondered what would I focus on if I put it just in one word? What would improve my quality of life?

At the time I was considering this we had the six of us living in a two bedroom, one bathroom townhome, with all our stuff stored in its basement. It was such a tight squeeze. There were lots of other things stressing me out and on top of that we were trying to remodel the tiny place while we lived in it. Discouragement seemed to be my every day motto.

In times of light and hope I would realize the things I enjoyed at that time. I could still stay home with my kids. I delight in those middle of the day snuggles that wouldn't happen any other way. I was still in my neighborhood and ward with people I had known for years. My kids had great teachers at their school. Even Omaha had a milder winter than we'd ever experienced! Kids playing out on the playground on Christmas day? I'll take it!!!

Even as some very happy changes have come our way lately, I am easily overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning to do at this new place. I am profoundly lonely and realizing once again why people try to settle closer to their extended families. But just like with every stage: there are things I ENJOY. So many of them.

So, 2012, here it is: I am going to focus on the word of the title. I think I need to find a way to make or buy a big sign with this years word. If anyone has seen one, send me the info!

Finding the House (post 2)

2012-01-24T08:12:00.000-08:00

We were more than a little late getting ready for church. In fact it got to the point we would be missing more than 1/2 of Sacrament meeting. We carried on getting ready though, and with all kids clean, in dress clothes, fed and combed...we headed off to church.

Almost there, through my purse I could hear my phone ringing. I looked at it and realized it was the Realtor I had called (and emailed :) the night before about the house in that neighborhood that was so incredibly priced.

So, I answered. He first explained the nature of it as a foreclosure and some warning of work that needed done. The more he said, the more interested I became. He probably didn't know how much we LOVE stuff like that :). After the discussion I urged him to show it to us. He said he was available right then or again the next (Monday) morning. Since we were dutifully headed to church I said we'd take tomorrow morning. I hung up and told my husband that I was disappointed that I'd have to see it without him.

He thought for a moment, and then exited the freeway and got us turned around. He said, "We better see it now." I then called back the realtor to let him know actually NOW was a good time...and then awkwardly texted several people at church to let them know I had an emergency and wouldn't be able to teach Young Women's after all.

I felt incredibly guilty. But even so, I knew this might have much bigger ramifications for our family's future and must be done.

Finding the House (post 1)

2012-01-23T08:12:00.000-08:00

It all started off with an email. Somehow I found a real estate website that let me narrow down a search to a specific subdivision and price range and get an email each time one came on the market. Interestingly, I set up this search, thinking I was looking for the impossible. No house in the neighborhood I had decided was the perfect one for us, was priced below what we needed it to be. But, I thought, Hey, why not set up the search? Just in case.

So...weeks after setting up that search I get the email. This house. One of the largest in the neighborhood. Priced well below anything else. That doesn't sound good. There was only a picture of the outside. I knew it had to be in bad condition. But still.

I had to know.

We emailed and called the listing agent within an hour of it coming on the market. But we didn't hear back that night.

We finally have a home!

2012-01-21T15:45:00.000-08:00

There are a whole lot of stories that led up to our arrival here--which I plan to journal on the blog in the coming days. They are definitely far from pretty, but the events are what makes up our life and our story. I am SO SO thankful though, that through the mess the end result was THIS!

We are home!

Yay.

10 Foods I'm Grateful For

2011-12-11T14:38:00.000-08:00

Chocolate
Sunday roast beef, potatoes, carrots, onions
popcorn at the movie theater (that smell!)
grilled salmon
pizza (especially love that I can get it at a drive-thru now!)
Mexican
Chinese
any breakfast cooked over a campfire after a cold night sleeping in the mountains
sauteed mushrooms
Pie, homemade with an all-butter crust

Thankful--Physical Abilities

2011-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

In reference to this article I'm going to be keeping my thankful lists here on the blog.

10 Physical Abilities I am grateful for:

Ability to get pregnant and have babies
Ability to taste food
to stretch my sore muscles
to breathe deeply to relax
to get a massage
to hug my family members
to go walking and talking with friends
ability to eat and enjoy food with other people
ability to clean my house and organize things
see beauty, especially in the outdoors

What are some of yours?

Today

2011-12-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

I wish I could take this day and just bottle it up.

I am happy.

I don't know where we will live or what our future will hold even two weeks from now, but I am content.

Girl #1 and I made some french donuts (hers were gluten free) and I took a picture in my mind of the two of us laughing as powdered sugar popped onto our shirts as the microscopic bits blew out of our eager mouths.

I slept in. I savored that nourishing sleep more since baby Cowboy was up from 2:30 am-6 am the night before.

I'm in love with my beautiful home. Beautiful two bedroom, maybe 800 square feet of homey space that my husband's talents are really making a mark on. I toured a 1.5 million dollar home last night and it was amazing how much I loved my own little home when I returned.

Handsome Little Cowboy

2011-10-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

I know, he's all dressed up for church...but I'm just introducing to my blog my baby boy, who will go by "cowboy" in future posts. He's such a sweetie, we just love that he is in our family!

Jr. Goes to Preschool

2011-10-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

An awesome part about us *still* being in VG is that I am doing a rotating preschool with 4 other moms. Jr. is just loving the time at friends' houses and he's learning a lot too. He's taken his time learning colors, letters, and numbers compared to the girls because its taken a long time for him to be interested! He's much more into taking things apart and building them...and playing with cars and trains.

Anyhow, yesterday he named the color of each car of his train and I was so proud. He's also started to really enjoy having a book read to him (as long as it is about construction equipment or race cars :). I'm excited for the day he can read and finds that joy that his sisters have in a good book.

My Man

2011-10-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Mr. Warmth up in the ceiling preparing the base and wiring for a ceiling fan.

He can do anything! He can do plumbing, electrical, carpentry work, car mechanic work, irrigate a field, move a herd of cattle, change a diaper, take three kids camping....AND he's even a great lawyer as a day job. I'm so proud to be married to him. I love the life we have together.

The First Day of School 2011

2011-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

We walked to Bancroft as we've done the last 3 years. We have a fourth and a second grader this year. They are growing up!

The Family Scrapbook

2011-10-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

I REALLY REALLY want to document these busy but fleeting years with my four little ones. Right now I am keeping lots of different written journals, as well as sometimes blogging, sometimes facebooking, and long emails to my family. Then, I upload my pictures to a web service and make books to be printed there. It seems like I have a lot of overlap that could all be done in one format.

As of right now, I'm guessing my most efficient option is blogging here with pictures and journaling and then using one of the services that prints your blog into a book.

Any of you tried that? Do you have any advice or suggestions?

Small Successes

2011-10-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

The girls on time to school every day so far.
new bathroom floor, vanity, girl's room wood floor
van still running
enough dishes done for breakfast each morning
kids up to date on health care appts
bills up to date
hubby been at job a year now!
baby #4 has baby book (actually 2 now)
have kept the 20 lbs off lost this year

Life's Sweetest Experiences

2011-10-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.

DIETER F. UCHTDORF

Summer Over

2011-10-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

And I promise I'll remove that sidebar soon :)

So we sold our place, and bought another unit in the same complex. Much, much smaller, though. The six of us have 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and no basement like we had before. It is stretching us to our emotional limits with each other, to put it mildly.

At least once a day I ask myself, "Why are we doing this?" Problem is we are so far in now, we're committed to doing something. We have to buy a house, so we're keepin' on with the one we're having built. Have they actually built it yet? No.

Have they even broken ground or starting digging a hole of any kind? That would be a no, also. But at this point we are sticking with it--although the thought has crossed my mind that the builder may be the one backing out. We've gone almost a week without getting return calls or emails from the realtor again.

I'm holding on to the hope that this is for our good for whatever reason. Well, I know it is. God leads me and has guided us a lot in this process. We're in it for a reason. I'll just keep going forward with a smile on my face!

Summer: My way

2011-06-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

After having done a few "summer breaks" since when my older kids started school, I have come to find I have a certain style. A style much like my overall parenting style---Try not to stress myself out, cause then I get in mean mom mode. There are lovely ideas, projects, and creative things to do with your kids, and sometimes I do them. But I have found I can't pressure or guilt myself into doing them. I hate to be controlled, even if it is by a plan of my own making :).

So, rather than make a list of things to accomplish this summer, or a strict daily schedule, I have found my zen in letting our days take us where they will. I'm surprised how many creative and fun things we have done as a result. They've been the kids' ideas rather than mine and don't involve a criminal amount of work on my part, which, as I said earlier, puts me into mean mom mode. "Mean mom mode" kind of defeats the point of the lazy days of summer, in my opinion.

Anyway, now that I have justified myself, I'll share my plan. We're gonna have a summer bucket list, ohyeswewill....it'll just be made after doing rather than before. I'll keep track of it here so that in true blog form I can brag and you can envy my supercreative mom abilities, but the bonus will be that I won't have to do all that planning and stressing to make sure we do things. Win, win, right?

pLaY tImE

2011-04-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite tips (or one of the few I can remember!) from a little Love and Logic parenting class I took while we lived in Texas, was this:

When trying to solve a parenting problem the first step, before punishments, consequences, time outs and the like is to make sure you are playing with the child for at least 20 minutes a day, each day.

It sounds too simple. It sounds counterintuitive if the child is misbehaving. Is it a reward?

But.

It works.

At least in my opinion, it does. I love this tip because it is compassionate. Compassion is so fundamental to Christianity that it needs employed in Christian parenting at all times, in my opinion. It also works because I have found that much of children's "misbehavior" is really just a warning that a need isn't being met. I feel this way because I believe children under the age of 8 are innocent and incapable of sin. Therefore...if what they are doing causes problems, it is often a symptom of something *I*can work on or change or teach, etc.

Often times my children are going through a poor behavior/fit throwing phase it is during a confusing or difficult time in which I am invariably paying less attention to them (new baby, move, frustrations in my own life). As we both feel the joy and smiles that come while we are playing together I am reminded of their sweetness and they are reminded of my love. The change that comes about lasts throughout the day.

The reason they taught this in that class was to establish a foundation on which to build the discipline structure and for the child to have the trust necessary to carry out the discipline. Interestingly, as they taught, and I have noticed, most times no other "discipline" is needed. 20 minutes of one on one play is a pretty fun way to solve family problems, I have to say!

Woman, Listen to Yourself!

2011-03-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

When I look back on my parenting and life in general so far, the things that give me zero regret and make me feel proud are the times I really listened to my instincts and did what *I* felt right about.

The terms mommy guilt, anxiety, and others are thrown around so often that I would start to use them to talk myself out of my instincts. When I was struggling to know how to make my firstborn sleep (ha ha) and not want held, because of outdated ideas I'd heard from others, I felt a tremendous amount of guilt and anxiety.

Two things saved me:
1. My sister
2. Prayer

My sister recommended books on the topic, attachment parenting books which changed my life! And when I prayed to know how to make this "crying it out" work I got an answer--that THAT was not the answer. Reading those books assured me that my instincts were dead on. There was a reason I felt so much anxiety. Then the peace I felt when I tried what my instincts told me, helped me know I was on the right path.

That was just the start, but just yesterday morning (now I am 8 1/2 years into my parenting journey) I awoke at 5 am. No child woke me up, just my brain starting working/thinking. I started right in on frustration with myself about wasting my opportunities to sleep, but then decided to pray rather than criticize myself. Once I started praying I instantly felt the urge to go check on one of my children.

I knelt next to her bed, put my hands down on her blanket and she sat up and started throwing up. I was able to keep things as clean as possible and hold her and help her. I felt so empowered after that! I was grateful I had prayed, I was grateful I had listened. And most of all I was glad my instincts/the Spirit helped me wake up even though no one was crying for me.

I embrace my feelings, including the guilt and the anxiety. When I choose to pray about them I usually find something that needs resolved. I am so grateful to be Heavenly Father's daughter and especially to be given the opportunity to be a mother. It has been the biggest learning experience ever, and I am sure will continue to be!

Not a Blogger

2011-03-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

Obviously, I really didn't have time to get back into blogging. Darnit. Cause I really enjoy it when I have something to write that others then discuss with me.

Oh well. Another time, another season.

Work as Mom

2011-01-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

I want to improve my job. I want to enjoy it more. I want to do things more efficiently. I want my kids to learn. I want to enjoy my home. I'm hoping there are women (or even just one) reading this blog who can give me some parenting/homemaking/scheduling advice for improving life at home. I'm taking all advice.

I really love being a stay at home mom and truly feel it is my vocation and my calling. I have wanted to do this since I was a child and when I started out parenting as a working mom, I just didn't feel right about that.

Today I had the realization that just as one could get a better job or improve the processes of their current job to make it more satisfying, there may be "secrets" out there I could use to improve this job that I love.

Please do tell! I'm interested in whatever you may have to share...

Nothin Like a Sunday!

2011-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

Making a Home

2011-01-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

Is your a home a place that if Jesus were to enter, he'd want to linger and to rest?

I've long been interested in home decorating. Back before the Law School days when we used to get cable TV, I loved watching HGTV. I'd absorb those decorating shows and let my mind wander and think on how I could live in a more beautiful space. I never knew how much time or money or effort I should put into how my home looks, but I think the bolded statement is a goal I can work on.

A place you'd want to hang out and especially rest most certainly would not be the most expensively decorated place. I can picture homes I've been in that have been warm, inviting and restful. The decor wasn't necessarily up to date, nor was it expensive. What it was...

1. Thoughtful
2. Filled with loving memories
3. Clean
4. Quiet
5. A positive spirit in the air..people who were in it were filled with hope

That is what I want for my home.

(Picture credit: taken from today's post at HookedonHouses.net)

No Time to Be Crafty?

2011-01-25T09:57:00.000-08:00

I posted this picture in memory of the days I used to sew and be crafty.

Little Birdie Secrets: my top 5 favorite fabulous craft bloggers

This post (Little Birdie Secrets link) is great if you are looking for craft blogs to follow. They are so much fun to read for inspiration if you are a crafty person. Sometimes I just like to look at them, enjoy seeing the cuteness and then immediately let myself "off the hook" for making those things. There is just not enough time in this world!

But still...I got searching for craft blogs just to see what those crazy kids are making these days and I do find it entertaining. Hope you enjoy these links she gives.

Is It Time to Come Back?

2011-01-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

I've started making a list on my phone of posts that I'd like to write on this here blog...

I think it's time.

I needed the time away at the end of my pregnancy and the beginning of my life with baby #4. I feel refreshed and renewed, with new interests of what I want this blog to be.

It is an outlet for me--a sort of art, if you will. I do not write it as a journal or scrapbook of my family. I don't do well at representing my husband's view points. I love to scrapbook and share anecdotes of my kids' but I don't want to do that in a public setting at this point.

What I want is the free reign to write from my heart and share my "art" with others. You don't have to agree with what I say but I am going to put myself out here in blog world as a creative outlet for myself.

The blog is what it is. If you want to discuss or give feedback to what is written, make use of the comment section. I will not be fielding conversation about blog posts in separate emails or phone discussions. What is said here is its own entity and not related to private relationships or matters.