Making a Commitment

This year will be a different one for us on Christmas day. Rob and I have decided to give each of our children just three gifts. This will be symbolic of the gifts brought to baby Jesus by the three wisemen. At this time of year I usually spend a lot of time shopping and preparing for the big holiday. I hope that by simplifying the gifts, I will have more time and energy for building faith and participating in service with my children. It’s so easy to get through the Christmas holiday and realize too late that there were very few opportunities to really celebrate the true meaning of the day. I was hesitant to do it because I worried that the kids would be disappointed on Christmas morning. Especially since this year we will not have any visitors and there will be a lot of the day left to fill with less gift opening to fill it up. I have mentioned it to Hunter and Emma, and they seem surprisingly happy with the idea. I did hear Hunter say to Emma, “They can be better if we have less of them.” Rob and I had decided to do this last week, and then today I went to a meeting at church that really convinced me that this is a good decision for us.

In my enrichment meeting I was reminded of the counsel given by Sister Julie Beck, our Relief Society General President: “We must stand strong and immovable in faith, strong and immovable in family, and strong and immovable in relief… as you focus on essentials (you) will be given the courage to forego the frivolous.” I’m looking forward to a holiday season with a focus on faith, family, and service (relief)!

Super Readers To The Rescue!

Erica tipped me off that Super Why is Owen’s favorite TV show and I should check it out. My kids love it! Even Hunter and Emma don’t mind watching it. I think they like to see how excited the little girls get. Hannah and Sabrina both think it’s the best show ever. Hannah answers back when the characters ask questions, they both dance along, and Sabrina will bring me the remote and say, “Wuh-Why.” The kids have assigned themselves characters, so in our house Hunter is Super Why, Emma is Wonder Red, Sabrina is Alpha Pig, and Hannah is Princess Presto. The show starts with a common childhood problem like: Wyatt’s baby sister won’t stop crying. Then the kids all get together and go into a fairy tale to see how they can solve the problem. For example with the crying problem they go into Jack & The Beanstalk to see how Jack stops the giant from being so noisy. It’s a blessing and curse having TiVo, because you can save several episodes and play them over and over. I’m not sure what it says about my mothering, but we have had a couple of Super Why marathons where the girls watch it several times a day.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v14y8EQ8TWk&NR=1

Out With The Old…

And in with the new! After spending $1,800.00 to fix our 96 Galant, it still came back from the mechanic with some serious problems and a list of things that still needed to be done. The car sounded more like a motorcycle, and when sitting at a stop light you felt like you just might crack the street with all of the vibrating going on. (In our community, the lights are annoyingly long anyway and this only made it worse!) The only solution was to put the car in neutral when it was idling.

Then on Halloween night, Rob called me from his parking structure at work and said, “Amy, we need a new car. I think we have hit the ground.” He was referring to the philosophy we have always had to drive our cars “into the ground” before we get a new one. So the last straw was that now, on top of everything else the mechanic suggested we fix, the battery had just died and Rob was stranded in the parking structure. Luckily a friend from work came along and gave him a jump, but the Galant has been parked in our driveway ever since. So it’s time to say farewell to a good car. It was a faithful, reliable car from the time we bought it eight years ago until that fateful night returning home from the hockey game. We are considering donating it for a tax write-off since the trade in and resale value isn’t much for a car that won’t start! Right now our charity will likely be Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. At least it’s nice to know we can help out a good cause.

We did our research through Consumer Reports and decided that the Honda Civic seemed like the best fit for us. And by us, I guess I mean mostly Rob since he will drive it the most. It has great gas mileage, crash test ratings, and reliability ratings so the only test left was to drive it and see if we liked it. Rob called around to several dealerships getting quotes and we settled on the place with the best deal. We went in on Saturday afternoon, and the process seemed to drag on forever. In fact, it did take up the whole day. We didn’t leave the dealer until 6:15 pm. The kids behaved well overall especially since I wasn’t prepared with snacks or anything to be there for almost 6 hours! We have heard that 6 hours is the national average for buying a car from start to finish. Can that really be true? Even looking back I can’t figure out exactly why it took so long, but by the end it was excruciating and we were all so exhausted that it was hard to be excited at all. Most of the people we dealt with were pleasant and nice, but the one dark cloud was their “closer.” Luckily, Rob had a copy of the e-mail we received with the quoted price because this guy wanted us to pay $1,500.00 more. Even after seeing the quote he immediately threw their internet sales guy under the bus explaining why he should never have given us this price and now he would agree to do that deal only if we financed through them. I was proud as Rob held firm and I even made a few comments myself about how ridiculous that was. So in the end, we came out with the deal promised us with our own lender, but unfortunately this hard-nose salesman sort of ruined the experience for us. Never go to a dealer cold! Do your research and get quotes in writing first!

So now our silver Civic is part of the family and we are having fun trying out all of the buttons and features. We plan to drive this car for at least twenty years, so it’s a good thing we like it so much!

Getting To Know Me

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 7:45am It should have been easier since it was Daylight Savings, but no.
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds, but I’m just fine with cubic zirconium too.
3. WHAT IS THE LAST FILM THAT YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? “Bourne Ultimatum”
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? “The Office” until the Pam and Jim storyline goes south.
5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Cold Cereal or Oatmeal
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Too paranoid to write it here.
7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Vienna Sausages- everyone else in my house loves them
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? My Brainwashing CD
9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? 97 Plymouth Grand Voyager
10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? ham and cheese sub
11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? Hateful behavior and speech
12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? My football/soccer t-shirt
13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Italy
14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? Renter’s White
15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Whatever is a good bargain
16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? Southern Oregon
17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? My 19th birthday- My mom sent a cake and balloons to my dorm and my roommates arranged for several young men to serenade me in front of my auditorium sized Biology class.
18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Basketball
19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? You tell me…
20. HAVE YOU EVER VISITED ANOTHER COUNTRY? Hong Kong, Mexico, Belize
21. PASS YOUR DRIVERS TEST THE FIRST TRY? No, the second and it was a set up!
22. FAVORITE SAYING? Nobody wants to hear your fuss
23. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? April
24. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? Night
25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 9
26. PETS? No, and no plans for one
27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
After driving our trusty Galant for 8 years, it bit the dust and we bought a new car yesterday.
28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? A waitress or movie special effects person
29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Very Good
30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? 3 Musketeers
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? No favorite, I like everything
32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDER YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? Hannah’s Birthday
33. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Amy Likes Nickel Sidewalks – Again too paranoid to say on the internet
34. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My kids laughing and playing play-doh as “How It’s Made” plays on TV
35. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Orange Cream Milkshake
36. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? No, haven’t seen any for a while
37. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple- a little red and a little blue
38. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Overcast, (or is that smog?) and cool
39. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Rootbeer, but I’m not crazy about carbonated drinks these days
40. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Ruby’s
41. SIBLINGS? 1 sister and 2 brothers
42. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Christmas!
43. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? A dollhouse my parents made
44. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer
45. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
46. COFFEE OR TEA? Sleepytime Herbal Tea
47. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Chocolate
48. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO COMMENT? Yes!
49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday, Rob started telling me how to collect the life insurance if he dies, too sad!
50. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? Dust, and a few bags of I don’t know what
51. WHO IS THE FRIEND THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? Erica, my sister
52. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? Ate dinner at “Ruby’s”
53. FAVORITE SMELL? Citrus
54. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? My children being harmed
55. SALTY OR SWEET? sweet
56. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? 4
57. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 9
58. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? No
59. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 6 since I’ve been married
60. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Sunday

Lab Results

So when was the last time you went in for a checkup with your doctor? I’m not talking about a visit to the pediatrician with your kids, or a flu shot visit, or an I-think- I-need-antibiotics visit, but what is known as a yearly physical. I think I have done this “yearly physical” twice in the last 11 years, and last week was one of those times. I had the dreaded pap and breast exam, needed a tetanus booster, a flu shot and had blood drawn for testing. (I have to say I’m not too sure about those flu shots. This is the second time I have gotten one and a few days later came down with a shortened version of the flu. Monday night until Tuesday night I was so sick!) I just got my test results back yesterday and was relieved to know that I am “normal.” It was surprising how much it put my mind at ease to know there was nothing I need to be worried about. Although I imagine that it would have been just as helpful for me to know that there was something I could do to improve my health had the results been abnormal.

The one area that I can use some work on is my HDL cholesterol level. This is the “good cholesterol” that helps get rid of the “bad cholesterol” (LDL). I did a little research and found some helpful hints for getting my 46 up to the 50’s range which is considered good for women. (Please do your own research and talk to your doctor about these things before taking them too seriously- Yes, this is my disclaimer) Here are a few:

1. Regular exercise

2. Increase Phytosterols (vegetable fats or “plant” cholesterol): *Soy products* Sesame, corn, sunflower and canola oil* Sesame seeds* Sunflower seeds* Peanuts* Rice bran* Green peas

3. Avoid saturated fats and increase monounsaturated fats: *Olive oil *Other vegetable oils *Nuts *Avocados

4. Orange juice and other fruits and vegetables with high anti-oxidants

5. Lose weight

So here’s my challenge: Make an appointment to see your doctor. There is just one blood draw that covers almost a dozen tests. I still have an ugly yellow and purple bruise because the guy put the needle in a bit too far, but it was still worth it!

Always Remember

Always Remember Me by Justin Kunz

You may remember my post about my cousin Tammy and her husband Bryce. Unfortunately, just 100 days after his diagnosis with cancer, Bryce passed away on October 25th at the age of 33. I have read through her posts the last few days and cried, and prayed that she and her baby girl will be comforted and taken care of. They seem to have a great support group and Tammy has a vibrant spirit that is just amazing.

Because of Bryce’s passing and the fires that have devastated much of our region, I was comforted when sitting in the Saturday night session of Stake Conference listening to our church leaders. We were lucky to get a visit from our newest apostle, Quentin L. Cook, who also spent time in San Diego yesterday. He told us how he gathered the LDS families together that had lost their homes (somewhere around 45 families) and talked with them. He shared this quote with them and with us:

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven. . . .” (Orson F. Whitney)

This quote was used in a talk given by Spencer W. Kimball back in 1955 called Tragedy or Destiny. (I’m hoping to get Rob to add it to WhiteBinder, but for now I’m using the source I found it from.) The whole talk is wonderful and provides comforting and straightforward words for those who suffer tragedy and ask the questions “why me, or, why now?” I am so grateful for my belief that there is a greater plan and that we will all be reunited after we die. There are so many trials in this life, each person having their own unique experience. I hope that I will learn the lessons I need to from watching, and mourning, and sympathizing with those around me. I trust that the Lord is watching over us all and that His plan is best.

The above painting was done by my good friend’s husband who is a fantastic artist. I hope you will look at his site, JustinKunz.com to get a good look at his talent. This painting reminded me of Tammy and little Dani, so I hope he doesn’t mind me using it.

Office Party

Hunter (Darth Vader), Sabrina (Cheerleader), Rob (Quarterback), Hannah (Sleeping Beauty), Emma (Vampire)

Halloween just wouldn’t be the same without some sort of costume trouble. Hannah’s crown was sitting on the stairs and as I was running down them calling out, “Let’s Go!”, I accidentally stepped on it and broke it. I hugged her and said, “I’m so sorry sweetie.” She was really good about it answering calmly but sadly, “it’s ok Mommy.” I cut some pink ribbon to tie in her hair and we ran out the door.

Rob’s office party was a lot of fun. It was the first time the kids had actually been inside to see Daddy’s office and that was what they were most excited about. We went trick or treating down the hallways, ate a yummy dinner, played games, and watched part of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”The kids were all very cute in their costumes and got lots of compliments. We are still waiting for word on the status of the scheduled Trunk or Treat for tonight. Rumor says it may be canceled due to the dirty air. The atmosphere would be great though. The moon glows an orange-red color that would be perfect for the festivities. 🙂