Something good happens every day. Here's what happened in January 2014:
Wed 1/1/14: We had a fantastic New Year's Day, as usual! We went bowling with the Harmans, Christensens, and Polaks at All Stars Lanes. This was David's first time bowling, and he loved it. Marian and Gordon looked absolutely fantastic! They have been getting so healthy. We had a lot of fun spending time with them at their house after we went bowling. We played a new game called "Dixit," and we started a puzzle with Natalie and Amanda. The Bruce Clan arrived while we were half-way done with the puzzle and joined in. The kids loved spending time with their cousins. It was a great way to start off 2014!
Thu 1/2/14: Tonight I helped Emma complete her Science Fair experiment. It was all about taste and how our noses help us identify what we taste. She had fun subjecting her cousins and Sawyer to strange tasting foods. It was pretty funny seeing some of the reactions.
Fri 1/3/14: I spent all day studying a couple of books I checked out at the library. I've been reading the books,
Choose to Lose, and
Choose More, Lose More, by Chris Powell. I want to live a healthier lifestyle. Chris Powell's books are definitely encouraging and inspiring, and I want to put what I've learned into practice.
Sat 1/4/14: Today I was very grateful for my husband's logical thinking. I was very angry, frustrated, and sad by what I thought was going to be a very upsetting and unplanned change to our calendar. He immediately calmed me down and pointed out what I was missing. It turned out that the information I had seen was incorrect. It's so nice relying on my husband's brains when my emotions overwhelm me. He's so awesome!
Sun 1/5/14: I loved teaching my new primary class today! I had Parker, Nathan, and a little visitor named Aubrey, who I had taught once before. They were so attentive to my lesson. I enjoyed teaching them.
Mon 1/6/14: I failed to mention that we also watched the Season 4 premier of Downton Abbey last night. It was very well done! Today I had a busy day trying to create some better living habits. I started the day by doing a "Nine Minute Mission" workout, to boost my metabolism, and by drinking a fruit smoothie protein drink. I was very good throughout the day, and ate everything I was supposed to. I did some additional exercising before my mid-morning snack. I think I can do this! I know I can do this!
Tue 1/7/14: I am feeling quite confident about my new eating program. I like switching carbs and no carbs every other day. It helps me feel like I'm eating in moderation, and that I can still eat what I want, as long as I do it at the right time. It's been good. I feel like I am becoming more disciplined.
Wed 1/8/14: Brad and I are getting the hang of getting up early every morning to do a quick work-out. It's been good for us! I want to make this a part of our permanent lifestyle. It's such a great way to get our metabolism going.
Thu 1/9/14: I watched a food documentary today, called "Fat Head," which was basically a documentary about a man who was contradicting a lot of food facts we
think we know and understand. His video definitely slammed Morgan Spurlock's documentary "Super Size Me." I think the best thing I took from the documentary was that having cholesterol in your diet is a good thing, because it actually keeps your arteries healthy instead of messing them up. It's the bad carbohydrates, found in french fries and potato chips that are the real heart killer.
Fri 1/10/14: I love beef and broccoli. Eating healthy can be quite tasty at times.
Sat 1/11/14: We had dinner at Aunt Marian's house tonight. She made beef stew and orange chicken. Scott and Emma enjoyed playing on the Wii station, and Lizzy and David had a blast playing in Marian's large dog crate. Marian hurt her finger while we were there, but she still played Nerts with us, which of course was a lot of fun. I won! YAY!
Sun 1/12/14: I did not plan a lesson today, but I ended up teaching anyway. I love my new class! Our lesson was on Choosing the Right by Following Jesus Christ. We played "Do As I'm Doing," and read a story about a boy named Warren who had to choose the right when confronting naughty boys in a bird refuge. The kids loved me bringing a bird's nest to class with little tiny plastic eggs inside. They each got to take home an egg. I'm glad I glanced at the lesson manual before church and decided to bring the bird's nest just in case the other teacher didn't show up.
Mon 1/13/14: I completed and sold another red minion hat today. That means I've sold over 30 minion hats since October. That's a lot of hats! I had no idea they would end up being as popular as they have been. I received two more orders on Sunday. Looks like I'll still be keeping my hands busy!
Tue 1/14/14: I am grateful for my wonderful husband and our happy marriage. I love creating new routines with him and strengthening our relationship together. He is my best friend.
Wed 1/15/14: Brad, Scott, Emma, and I watched "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" tonight. I feel asleep halfway through the episode and ended up going to bed early, but it was still nice going back to that routine from before Christmas. I love Scott and Emma.
Thu 1/16/14: My parents are so close to selling their house now! My dad made me happy today when he told me they want to find a home to rent near my area for a realistic price. I'm excited!
Fri 1/17/14: I made a long list of houses I found for my parents today. I found some really nice possibilities. There was one near the Jordan River, and a couple near Wheeler Farm, and a few of them in the Jordan Landing area. I want them to find a home that will make them happy.
Sat 1/18/14: Today was a stay-at-home day for Brad and I. We didn't leave the house once, which was really nice. We cleaned up the house, did some laundry, and watched a few movies and shows. We saw the Studio Ghibli film "From Up on Poppy Hill." It was a beautiful story. We also watched some more Alias. We are really liking the fifth season so far. It's much better than the fourth.
Sun 1/19/14: I made Brad happy tonight. I made a yummy top sirloin steak dinner with yams and green beans. The steak was extra tasty. Brad said it was like eating dessert.
Mon 1/20/14: Brad and I have been successful with our exercise routine every weekday morning. We have been doing this for the past two weeks now-- never missing a day. I have definitely been noticing my body getting stronger, and my endurance level rising higher. I like that I feel more awake during the day, and that I have more energy to do things.
Tue 1/21/14: I cut Brad's and David's hair tonight. Next up is Scott's hair. I'll have to do that sometime soon. I like cutting hair for all my boys. It's a developing skill that I am grateful to have, plus it's kind of fun being their barber.
Wed 1/22/14: I love having Scott and Emma home for dinner on Wednesday nights. I've been getting pretty creative with dinners that are both healthy for me, but still taste good for the rest of my family. For example, I tend to either make beef and broccoli, taco salad, or turkey chili on Wednesday nights. My family eats the carbs, and I only eat the veggies and meat. I don't think Scott and Emma even know that I'm restricting my diet.
Thu 1/23/14: I read an blog post today titled, "Let Your Husband Love You." I loved it! I am so grateful for my wonderful husband and our happy marriage. I am grateful for the valuable learning tools I learned in my marriage prep classes before I married Brad, and all of the things I've learned since then. He is a wonderful man. I feel grateful as a woman knowing that my husband loves me and thinks I'm beautiful, even on days when I don't feel beautiful. I'm grateful to be a wife that lets my husband love me. I know he's grateful, too.
Fri 1/24/14: Brad took off work today. It was nice having him home and getting things done with him. We took the little kids with us to get the tires rotated on our van. We sang "Let It Go" and other Frozen songs in the van on the way. Lizzy liked watching the cars get worked on at the shop. She kept saying that the cars were "flying" whenever they got raised up and their tires removed.
Sat 1/25/14: I went on a great date with my hubby today. We had lunch at Romano's Macaroni Grill in Murray. One of Brad's vendors gave him a $100 gift card, and we ended up spending about $80 today. My favorite appetizer was their goat cheese stuffed bell peppers. So good!
Sun 1/26/14: I helped Emma get some last minute things done on her Science Project tonight. She'll be taking it with her to school on Tuesday.
Mon 1/27/14: We finished Alias tonight! It was an okay ending. Now I'm looking forward to watching more fun shows with Brad! It will be fun to watch the BBC show "Sherlock" with him. We can watch it for "free" on Amazon Prime.
Tue 1/28/14: My parents are in escrow! Today I went driving around my area, looking at houses for rent. I think I may have found a really good one. We'll see how things go.
Wed 1/29/14: I am so grateful for my stepdaughter, Emma. It was nice having her lean her head on my shoulder tonight while we were sitting together. I love her.
Thu 1/30/14: Brad and I are really liking the BBC show, Sherlock. It's better quality than the shows we have been watching lately, like Alias. I love Sherlock Holmes' quirky, aspergery personality. Benedict Cumberbatch does an excellent job portraying him. I also love Martin Freeman as Watson. So fun!
Fri 1/31/14: I reviewed our new year budget with Brad tonight. Brad likes it when I show an interest in finances. I can tell he appreciates my input and feedback. I like being marriage partners with him.
