Contentment

I've noticed in the "Blog-o-sphere" that there seems to be a trend in choosing a word that describes what you would like to focus on throughout the year. This year I've thought long and hard about what I wanted my word to be. I was still unsure, until a few weeks ago I picked up this book at the LDS bookstore.

It has been inspiring and uplifting to me. And while reading it, I've come to find my word for the year.

CONTENTMENT

I’d like to share some of the things she shared that have touched me. I have not finished the book yet, but already, it's so inspiring.

Motherhood is a role that we learn- This struck me, for yes, as women, we have innate qualities that help us mother and nurture. But this does not guarantee perfection as mothers, success in our teaching and raising children, nor does it mean that motherhood will be easy. I think I need to write this one above my doorway from our bedroom…:)

Contentment is a Process- I soo believe this one to be true. As we travel on this journey of life, we grow, meet challenges, and continue to learn; ever changing. Why would contentment be any different. A process of choice as we meet each challenge.

Joy in Service – Maria talked about the importance of finding joy in our lives (that there are ways to serve right in front of us: friends, neighbors, family that need service). She believes that we don’t need to “go out and seek fulfillment.” That we should and can find it in our lives.

Motherhood is not a time, but a life-long calling- Oh, I love this one. This particularly applies to women who are not yet mothers. And I think it’s too easy to think, “oh, things will be different when the kiddos have grown…then it will be my time.” Yes, things will definitely be different, but as I watch my mother-in-law. my grandmothers, and my mother: they are still mothering…and will continue to mother. What a blessing to those around them.

The greatest gift to a child is a content mother- This is so true. When I have had challenges, bad moments, bad days, and my kiddos have found me tearing up, I can tell that it worries them. Later, they will come, find my eyes dry, and gratefully proclaim, “you’re ok now momma.” “You are happy.” There are so many ways we can be content. Of course it’s not just the emotions, but it is a choice. Choosing to be content is choosing to have peaceful children.

The mundane acts are the most precious- I truly believe this as well. Reflecting at the end of the day, I usually wonder if I enjoyed those sweet mundane moments as I should. Thank goodness they happen each day. So if I am not satisfied, I can try to improve the following day.

Nothing worthwhile is easy – Goodness. If an Eternal Family really is as incredible as I know it to be, this life is sure not going to be easy. Oh, but it is worth it.

Getaway Weekend

I've pretty much given up on catching up the blog from the holidays. I just keep getting farther behind on what's happening NOW. So, I'll just forget it and move on with the present happenings.

This past weekend David and I went on a getaway, just the two of us. We had some wonderful young men from church watch the girls for two days while we escaped to the far away land of San Jose. Ok, so we didn't go that far. But our time was limited and we didn't want to waste time traveling to our destination. We stayed at Hotel Valencia on Santana Row in San Jose. It was a very luxurious and cozy getaway. The hotel sits right in this great shopping district of Santana Row. The highlights of the trip were: massages at Ayoma Spa, visiting my first ever Container Store, reading books at Boarders, Vera Bradley bags, the Brazilian restaurant, swimming and hot tubbing, getting 3 shirts, one skirt and a pair of shoes from Old Navy for only $12.75 and I guess for David; visiting Lexus, Ford and Honda car lots and test driving two cars (just for the fun of it).

It went way to fast, but it was still wonderful to have alone time. And the girls had a blast with their babysitters! Thank you to my wonderful husband for making this weekend happen. I really did enjoy myself and the time with just you!

I heart Faces Photo Challenge

One of my favorite photography blogs to visit

I Heart Faces is celebrating it's 1st Birthday today!

They have weekly photo themes and this week is "Best Face Photo".

I captured this shot of my darling daughter a few days before Christmas. I knew it was the perfect picture to place in the contest.The hardest part was deciding to use the Black and White or the Color version.

Head on over to I Heart Faces to see more great entries and to help them celebrate their 1st Birthday.

Does your table look like this?

My girls LOVE to color/paint/cut/glue/glitter everything! For Christmas 2009 they actually each only got maybe one toy, everything else was some sort of craft supply or project. And I think the toy they got was a play dough kitchen, which is still kind of crafty. So everyday this is what my girls spend their time doing. It seriously keeps them occupied all day long. It makes a serious mess, but they love it and it keep them happy.

I love how in this picture I'm taking of Carmen,

you can see Aliza "putting making up on" in the background.

Here's the after math of the "make up". This has actually become a serious

problem (after coloring herself in places that should never see marker). She has lost

the privilege to use markers at all.

Carmen is very good at coloring and staying in the lines.

She is super concentrated when she's at work.

And this what my table looks like all day long. I didn't take a

picture so you could see what the floor looks like also.

I'm happy that they enjoy this type of activity. I know it inspires creative thinking and helps grow the imagination. I love that my girls want to spend their time this way.

Joy School visits the Fire Station

Last week I taught Joy School and we were learning about making goals. Each child had to come up with a goal that they can work on during school for the next couple of weeks. Carmen chose to work on learning to write her numbers and learning her phone number. Aliza chose to learn to write her name and practice coloring inside the lines.

As part of the unit we visited the fire station to see how the fire fighters decided "what to be when they grew up". They were really great with the kids and were really excited about the goals they each made. Fire Captain Tom explained the fire trucks and what each thing does. He let them crawl all around inside the trucks. He also showed them where they keep their fire clothes when they aren't using them. Fire Fighter Julie showed them how to put all the clothes on and why each piece is important. The kids all learned and practiced "Stop, drop and roll". After which we got to see where they sleep, eat and do their laundry. And then they pulled the truck out of the station and let them all spray the water hose.

Carmen spraying the water hose

Carmen with the fireman hat on. I don't know why it's turned this way.

None of the kids wanted to get too close to Julie, because she seemed really

scary with all those clothes and mask on.

(Sariah, Taylah, Oriana, Aliza, Liam, Violet and Trey. Carmen refused to be in the picture)

Thanksgiving Day (a little late)

These pictures are from Thanksgiving Day at Uncle Tim's house. The girls just love their backyard. They have a trampoline, sports court, pool and lots of room to run. It's always so nice to go to their house. My sister-in-law always make delicious meals and her kids play with my girls the entire time.

Aliza isn't afraid of doing anything on the trampoline. She flips and jumps around everywhere.

Carmen is a little more cautious on the trampoline. She was in a very pensive mood this day. She spent a lot of time just looking at the trees and sky and taking all of the day in.

David with Charlotte sitting out in the nice November weather. It was a nice day to be outside and we all took full advantage. (at some point I had these pictures edited nicely and ready to post on here, but we since had a major computer crash and there are several pictures that have been lost)

Our Warm Fuzzy Jar

Our family created a jar in which we collect a warm fuzzy each time we do something nice for someone else. We created this jar after listening to President Thomas S. Monson talk about how we should be more willing to help those around us. Our goal is to fill this entire jar.

Aliza's Birthday

This post is super past due! I posted already that we went to Disneyland for Aliza's 3rd. birthday. But she also had her first party with her friends. She wanted an Ariel birthday cake, which I solicited my talented friend to make for me. She did an amazing job! It was a very low key party with her friends from Joy School. But she had a great time and still talks about her Ariel party. This was the invitation I made for the party. (I whited out personal info)

Views of Mountain House

Now that the holidays are complete, supposedly I should have more time to blog all the fun things we did over the holidays. But I haven't found much time between taking care of sick kiddos, manning primary by myself and teaching Joy School. But hopefully in the next few days I can get caught up on all my blogging. For Christmas I printed our blog into a book for David and it turned out really neat. This year I am committed to better blogging to keep a better record of my family. I hope to print this blog out each year.

These pictures were taken way back before Thanksgiving. I wanted to document a few of the beautiful views of Mountain House. This is a very pretty area and I don't think we'll live here forever. These were taken early one Saturday morning along the creek.

These first two are along the path we walk to get to Central Park. I love to walk here and ride our bikes down the path.