Some more goals…

Posted on October 7, 2008 by Amanda

I’m getting extra doses of my husband this week. He’s had Sunday, Monday & Tuesday off. Then he also has Saturday, Sunday, Monday & Tuesday off. That’s a lot of time together. It’s been nice though. I’m getting work done, and he’s hanging out with Ella. If he knew I was really up here writing on my blog I don’t think he’d be too thrilled 🙂

I accomplished the majority of all of my goals last week. I did my 2 loads/day, my work items were done, the only thing I really messed up on was a home cooked meal every night.

Here are my goals for this week – now until Friday….

1) 2 loads/day

2) Read scriptures EVERY MORNING & NIGHT (I started my day out w/reading w/Gino and I feel great!)

3) 15 minutes of filing/day

4) Do as the flylady tells me…. I seriously need to get back on track with that!

Today and Tomorrow’s Inspiration

Posted on October 5, 2008 by Amanda

I read this on my friend Tammy’s blog and had to put it here for others to read. This is probably one of the best things I’ve ever heard. So much that I’m considering putting it in a digital scrapbook page and printing and framing it.

She doesn’t know who wrote it, so I can’t acknowledge the writer as well, but….

“Each of us must direct our own lives, chart our own course and make our own decisions, and what is best for me is probably constraining for you. We too often forget the fact that what most of us need is to be nurtured, not improved. An emphasis on improvement confirms our inadequacies, while nurturing affirms who we really are and who really loves us. Too often we try to help others by seeking solutions to their problems, or giving them our plan for personal improvement when what they need is love, understanding and acceptance.

Let us remember these two things: that personal joy comes from appreciating the present and that the greatest gift we give to others is a nurturing heart.”

I think that if we all lived by what is said above that we would all be much more joyous and happier in our own personal lives.

Another random rambling of mine

Posted on October 4, 2008 by Amanda

Jayden had 2 games today. At first I didn’t even think he’d be playing any games, because his shin guards are MIA. We ended up buying some and he ended up 20 minutes late to his game. He played great though!

It’s a lazy Saturday for us. Gino’s at work and will be until 9pm. That means work for me, movies, and just laziness. It’s rainy outside and that makes me want to grab a blanket and cuddle up on the couch with the kids to watch a good movie.

In a week from today my husband will be baptized. Talk about exciting!!!!!! The missionaries were over last night for his almost last discussion. I learn something every time they come over, and every time I learn something it excites me and motivates me. It makes me feel good about the decisions that we’re making for ourselves and our family.

I’ve been racking my brain to figure out the second hymn for Gino’s baptism. We are having the closing hymn be Families Can Be Together Forever. In the program we’re also having our friends Autumn & Jared (they are married) sing A Child’s Prayer, but I can’t figure out the opening hymn.

Tomorrow is Sunday – no church, but we’ll be watching Conference on TV. We’re going up to the Bishop’s house for a little while, but other than that – I’m planning on a very relaxing day. That’s what I’m hoping on.

Promotion Denied

Posted on October 2, 2008 by Amanda

My husband has been offered a promotion more times than I can count on my hand. He’s never thought twice and denied them all. I used to get a little irritated until I started to see what he saw. Once you get a team under you, you will more than likely be fired if that team of yours sucks.

Gino got offered a great position yesterday, but the crew that he would be over sucks, and he doesn’t want to lose his job, our insurance, our security over that. So, once again…. promotion will be denied.

I’m okay with this. Gino’s going to be starting school and he doesn’t need to be stressed out about stuff at work while doing this. Home Depot is not the long term goal – it’s just a place to sit while we wait to get to where we want to be. And I must say the insurance is really necessary with a cardiac baby.

Princess

Posted on October 2, 2008 by Amanda

I woke up this morning and I swear she got bigger. Her face is getting more matured and the look in her eyes shows that she understands just that much more.

She’s 13 1/2 months and she doesn’t seem like it. She already knows what she wants and knows how to get it. She loves to pick on her brother and her face lights up at the sight of him. She’s got a head full of curls and already has her first 2 molars.

The phone rings and she grabs anything she can to put up to her ear to say, “Hello?” She still loves to dance and I still can’t wait to get her into classes.

She loves to stand on things and try to balance herself…. it scares me half to death, but she loves it ~ however, when she falls she doesn’t seem too happy. Sometimes she’ll get herself in a situation just so she can whine…. I think she likes the sound AND IT’S A SOUND I DO NOT LIKE!

She’s my princess, and she knows it…. she even can say princess.

A Strengthening of my faith

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Amanda

In less than 2 weeks my husband is going to be baptized!!!! I’m getting so excited for him. I think the most exciting part is that we’re 1 step closer to an eternal family…. I LOVE THAT!

My MIL called last night and had some questions, and they were a little hard. They were questions about the church that I understand, but I’m not good at explaining. My biggest fear is that they’re going to have a negative attitude and ruin it for Gino. It’s hard to understand when you don’t know, and I’m hoping to have the missionaries come over and answer any questions they might have before the baptism. This is a huge decision for Gino, and probably the best decision he’s ever made for himself. I did suggest to his step-mom that they get the discussions if they’re interested in knowing what their son is getting into. The main thing they should be happy about is that we have a strong family and the church makes us stronger. Hopefully they take my suggestion and get the discussions…. what’s it gonna hurt?

Last night when I got off the phone I thought it was amazing how much stronger my testimony felt. Whenever I’m faced with someone who doesn’t believe that this church is true I have this burning feeling in my soul, and my testimony just gets stronger and stronger. It’s sad to me. It’s sad that there are so many people out there that I love that have no idea how this could be the most important thing in their lives, but I can’t force it on them. All I can do is continue to do what I’m doing and be thankful that I have the gospel in my life. That my children are being given the opportunity to have the gospel in their lives, and that my children will be a forever family. That in itself is one of the best blessings I could ever ask for.

General Conference is this weekend!!!! I’m so excited to watch it.

They’re all leaving….

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Amanda

Remember when we moved to Oregon and it was just us. There was no stresses, we were just peaceful and happy. Well, we’re moving in that direction once again. Mitch is moving out tomorrow. He found a room to rent!!!!! Very happy about this. My Grandma is leaving today, and I’m hoping that after the winter she moves back here so we can set up the office at her house. Norm should be leaving w/in the next couple of weeks.

I AM GOING TO BE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s only Tuesday, and I wanted to voice a couple of my goals for the week.

2 Loads of laundry/day – includes folding & putting away
A/P filed in my new cute hot pink & blue filing totes (I have a sick obsession w/office supplies)
Norm’s bills paid
All deposits in the mail
Brochure completed
Home cooked meal EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!

Those are very easy goals for me for the week.

Birthday party tomorrow!

Posted on September 28, 2008 by Amanda

It’s 8:00pm and my kids are running wild around the house….. there’s something majorly wrong with that. Most people w/kids my kids’ age have them in bed between 7 & 8 – this is something I really need to work on.

Tomorrow is Jayden’s first “real” birthday party. I say first “real” birthday party, because he’s never had a birthday party where lots of kids come and you know….. all that fun stuff. So, we have about 9 kids coming tomorrow and he’s REALLY excited. I am a little stressed out about it…. we’re still going to church and I’ll only have a few hours to get things together. I know it will all be good, but with my fun anxiety problem it has me a little stressed. My biggest stress is that we show up at the park and the picnic table area is already taken – THAT WOULD SUCK!

I’ve decided I’ll do a post of Ella’s birthday pics and Jayden’s birthday pics – I’m a slacker and it’s been over a month since Ella’s birthday party and I still haven’t shown pictures of it. She looked SO CUTE!

Surprise Baptism!

Posted on September 24, 2008 by Amanda

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? This is a question that I think we’ve all heard in our lives. I look at my life 5 years ago and it’s nowhere where it’s at right now. We’ve taken a roller coaster ride with more ups and downs than I ever imagined.

I didn’t expect to be where I’m at right now. I didn’t expect to be in such a “family” mode. I didn’t expect to be staying home with my babies. I didn’t even expect to have another child.

You know what I really didn’t expect….. even a year ago? For my husband to have a baptism date. October 11, 2008 my husband is planning on getting baptized. I’m still in shock, but I’m so excited. I finally have a chance at going to the temple and getting my family sealed to each other, and I have gotta say that it is by far the most amazing feeling I’ve ever felt.

This all came on kindof sudden. Ever since Gino started going to church he liked it, but he was holding back. Really holding back. Then as we started the discussions it seemed like everything was going against us. Things would come up where we had to cancel our discussions, or Gino wouldn’t feel like it. I was starting to lose hope. Then, a week ago, my Grandma invited the missionaries and us over for Gino’s second discussion. He loved it. He loved learning about the priesthood, and when the missionaries asked if he would make a goal to be baptized by 10/18/08 Gino said Yes!

The missionaries came over last night and we made a plan to get the rest of the discussions done by next week so Gino can get baptized on the 11th.

I asked Gino last night while laying in bed if he was sure that this is what he wants. He might feel guilty if he drinks wine after he gets baptized, and he really should go into this with wanting to uphold all of the rules of the church, and he said that he’s ready for it. He says he doesn’t care about wine all that much, and he cares more about his health. Alcohol isn’t good for high blood pressure.

5 years ago I never would have expected this. A year ago, I still wouldn’t expect this.

Happy Birthday, Jayden

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Amanda

I really cannot believe that my little boy is already 7 years old. People always say to treasure every second, because it flies by so fast. Heck, I even tell people that, but I am noticing myself that it’s flying by so much faster than I imagined.

You’ve grown into such an amazing little boy, and you shock me daily with the things that come out of your mouth.

I just want you to know today and always that you will ALWAYS be my baby boy and that I love you so much! I’m so proud of the wonderful boy and big brother that you’ve become.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY!!

Enchanting Havoc

Author Archives: Amanda