Today is the Day for the wearing of the green

Okay it was yesterday.  I REALLY wanted to start some new traditions this year, since Anna is old enough to understand. I feel a connection with Ireland, since my dad served his mission there. I wish we could all go visit Belfast … one day. I know that St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S. is totally different than in Ireland… did you know that Green is a bad color there? (or so I read). The true color is blue and Leprechauns used to be in blue… oh the traditions the U.S. starts! (:

   I wanted to cook corned beef and make Shamrock cookies. I wanted the Leprechauns to visit and do all sorts of things.  I wanted to try my hand at Soda bread .  Well those things didn’t happen, but here is what did…

The Leprechauns snuck in and turned our Milk GREEN!!! Anna was quite surprised.  She even checked for more green things, like the sour cream and yogurt.  We did find some Key Lime yogurt.  (thanks Kathryn for helping them to come to our home- :) ) 

We did wear Green, but it wasn’t until the afternoon.  She took a bath with only green toys and was so excited to wear all her green!! 

We had Shamrock sandwiches and green lemonade, that was as creative as I could get yesterday.  Though Anna woke up asking for Soda Bread, because we had read a St. Patrick’s Day book where the boy’s mom made soda bread.  Anna remembered that from reading it once about 5 days prior!  She is too smart.

I also taught Anna my two favorite St. Patty’s Day songs, which I remember learning and doing the jig in 1st grade. I sing it to Dave every year and this year Anna joined in! I have to film it and post it later… too cute.

Here are a few photos of our other little one giving big smiles at night with Daddy…

  

TODAY I LOVE…

 

That Anna is playing in a fort all day and LOVES it!

That Maddie has taken two extra long naps today!

That we sold another puppy!

That our flowers outside are glowing with vibrant color from the sunshine

That the puppies are outside and my living room feels so clean and spacious

That I have time to work on my sewing

That I am avoiding my sewing (:

That the puppies are so cute and playful right now, just forget the fact that their teeth are sharp!

That we get Pizza tonight… yummy!

That I bought Pineapple licorice yesterday… so good!

That my mom is coming in 3 days!

That Dave has been home for Breakfast, Lunch AND Dinner on a Wednesday!

That the puppies are 5 weeks old and eating food really well!

 

Being Great, not just good

We had ward conference today and I thought Sacrament meeting today was fabulous! Despite the fact that my three year old was a whiny mess, I was able to hear a few one liners that really stuck out to me. Also, I go t to sneak to the mother's room to nurse so I REALLY got to sit and listen to the speakers. I learned a lot today and feel so much gratitude for the gospel of Jesus Christ and a church that helps us be better each day.

Both our Bishop and Stake President touched on the term "great."
Our Bishop talked about how we can fill our lives with many good things, but are we making time for the great things? This question is so deep. I have a lot to work on and needed to hear that today.
Our Stake President also said, "We cannot just be good, we need to be GREAT!" Another deep thought.

Three others spoke, a couple of them touched on listening to the spirit and having answers to prayers and Priesthood blessings. I hope (and pray) that I can be more fervent with my prayers and be more in tune with the spirit.

Also, who says you don't learn anything by being in primary? Sometimes the simplest lessons, talks, songs, quotes can hit me so profoundly. I LOVE being in primary. We are talking this month about Prophets. I am thankful for latter day Prophets who lead and guide us through these days. I know that God wants us to hear revelation for these days and I know it comes through the Prophets.

I was also happy to hear a quote by the prophet who was the prophet when I was born. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said that we should be reading our Scriptures daily. At least 30 minutes. Wow, I have heard this before, but know I needed to hear it today and get my butt in gear. Thanks Ashleigh, you were definitely well prepared for today and it meant a lot to ME!

SO HERE IS TO BEING GREAT!

Dave might kill me…

… or just dying laughing (AGAIN).  We were playing with the webcam Friday night after Dave laughed incredibly hard at the last photo of Anna that I put on our last post. Hilarious.  I was dying with laughter (tears rolling down my face and wheezing- I missed you Jen!) last night and needed a good laugh tonight, even though it is technically 1:00 am… man I am going to be tired tomorrow and I don’t think there is time for a nap, dang.  Oh well here you go, Have a good laugh.

Creepy one eye

Ugly fat, but happy man

Uni-brow

Scary

Where am I?

Cheesy

Pendulum nose

Creepy googly eyes

Again if you missed Anna’s Don’t her and Dave have the same resemblance?

Or does she look like her mother…

 

I know the names are fantastic, It is late. Which one is your favorite?!

I love my hubby and I am glad he doesn’t actually look this any of these photos!

I live in a Cave

I do not get the newspaper… I would waste it.

I do not watch evening news. Okay, I don’t watch any news.

I do not turn on the TV in the morning, unless it is Dora, Little Einstein's, or some other kid show.

Internet you ask? I just check news that looks interesting from pop ups on Yahoo or Google.

I try not to turn my computer right on in the morning. Mostly because I will get sucked in to blogs, crafts I want to do, or something else, but also because I have 11 dogs and two girls to clean up after and if I am going to get out the door by even 11:00 I have to get my butt in gear.

SO that is why I didn’t hear about the Japan news until 1:00 PM from my husband who is working.  Yeah. He asked me, “Do you live in a cave?”  Well apparently.

I was just telling someone the other day that I really don’t know much about what goes on in the world.  Which is probably sad, but I haven’t felt sad about it. Should I?  Perhaps I need to be better at being in touch with reality and be a part of the world I live in.  Right now My own world is just a little busy.

What do you like to watch?  How do you stay informed?

Here are some webcam photos of my world. I will try to be more involved with the other world that exists outside my house.  But if you have breaking news, don’t call me to get information, call me to inform me.

 

We took these awhile ago, but I just saw them and thought they were funny!

Dressing Maddie up Technology style…

And last but not least….Anna looks like some cartoon ….

Really, is it bed time already?

Being a stay at home mom is crazier than I ever thought. Perhaps I do it to myself by trying to overfill my days?!  But I just want to do SO MUCH. I want to cook more, try new recipes, have “learning time” with Anna, play princesses, play with the Puppies, go on a walk (exercise), go to the park, plan fun things for Anna that will enhance her learning, sit and look into Maddie’s eyes, talk with Maddie and hear her giggle all day long, sew,talk to old friends, journal, learn Photoshop and my camera better, make a photo book, garden, decorate, finish my bedding arrangement, catch up on Anna’s and Maddie’s books, play my guitar, organize the spare room, make something cute.  But how do I fit it all in? Okay not even ALL of it, but how do I at least get the dishes done?

Lately I have been talking to a few friends who are in the same boat as me.  I guess I have been trying to get advice, but also feel validated by their support and knowing that I am not the only one at the end of the day who says, “Ha! I REALLY thought I could do ALL that today?” I have found we all want to do the playing, the creative projects, have a clean home, make dinner before the hubby gets home, get the kids to bed at a reasonable hour, get projects done, bills paid, activities planned, errands run, yard cleaned, etc. etc.,  but at the end of the day we have to recount the small moments and little things we accomplished which  mean more than clean counters.

I don’t mean to complain too much, but I get in a funk sometimes and wondered what helps YOU to feel accomplished?

I don’t mean at all to say I am not happy, because I am.  I am happy to have what I do, but just wonder each day, how do I make the most of THIS day, trying to get to the “to do lists,”but also enjoying my time and working on goals. I am constantly reminding myself, that being a MOM is what I want and just focusing energy right now to just be with my kids is probably more important than clean counters.

Random Ramblings by Heidi Miner. Whether they make sense or not, there they are.

P.S. You want to know how to be a size 2 in a matter of 30 seconds?  Shrink yourself in a photo… it feels good. (:

3 week old puppies

Our little helper…. (morning, midday and night)

Almost getting out of the pool…yikes, more work for me!

The chaos that happens when Mia walks by…

One of our yellow (Anna’s Favorite)

Besides leaving her young to follow us, this is what Mia does best…

Some other cute shots!