Busy Weekend: swimming Fri. & 2 parties Sat.

Daily Successful Habits

I read the book Rich Habits a while back.  I made my goals into a bookmark to keep in whatever book I'm trying to find time to read.  Start small & work your way up.  To start: Make a list of your downfalls or areas that need improvement and write a goal for each one.  Read them 3-4x/day.  (Two thumbs up on this book, BTW.)

Goals:

(in no particular order of importance)

• Say kind words.
• Choose silence when upset.
  • Breathe & Count to 10.
• Pray for others.
• Love those who are unlovable.
• Finish a task before moving on.
• Limit sugar intake to 1 t/day.
• Exercise daily.
• Read 15 min/day.
• Become a better wife, mother, dtr, OT.
• Smile.
• Avoid gossip.
• I will remember names & write them down.

Egg Bake

20 oz thawed hash browns
14 oz egg beaters
1 sml can mushrooms
1/4 diced grn pepper
1 sml diced onion
1 clove minced garlic
Handful of cheddar cheese
Salt, pepper, mrs Dash, garlic powder, or season salt to your tastes.

Mix together & pour into greased 8x8 pan. Bake @ 375 for 45-60 min. Serve w/ ketchup, salsa, or Tabasco sauce.

Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards

I just finished the book "Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards" by Dr. Ray Guarendi. Two thumbs up. As a reminder to myself, here's a quick summary:
1. Say "I'm sorry."  Just b/c you apologize doesn't mean you're claiming 100% of the blame. But an apology is still necessary.
2.  "Don't say it". Don't say hurtful things during a surge of emotion. Sometimes those words are permanent. Practice silence.
3. "Listen a minute." Give your spouse 1 interrupted minute to view their side.
4. "Ask a few questions." Ask for clarification from their side story.
5. "Accept it." Disagreements in marriage can be lessened by an honest effort to accept it, the other persons position or reasoning.
6. "dump the D WORD." "It's utterance alone can foster disillusion, detachment, or depression. It invites thought of the formally unthinkable."
7. "use your manners." It shows respect. Familiarity breeds laziness. We are often more kind to strangers and we are to those we love.
8. "Protect". Often times mothers are the disciplinarians. When a child fights back the husband should defend his wife to the child & the child must know (s)he cannot play one parent against another. Women allow your husband to be a strong disciplinarian as well.
10. "And a touch."  Check your body language. Hug. Kiss. Touch. Be responsive to your mate's touch.

Good Morning Routine

Elizabeth: is it good morning time?

Me: yes. Please go wake your sister. 

This is what I come in to find, #1 hugging #2 awake in her crib. And #2 tapping out. Lol. She'll appreciate it someday. 

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Windchill: -50. But I still have to say, I can handle this (short term) slightly more than 90 degrees & 100% humidity.

Goodbye 2013...Hello 2014

Sending Grandma Koney a birthday hello

Elizabeth helping take out the old dishwasher. 

Baby snuggle time. 

Shhhh...do you hear what I hear?

Listen & silent contain the same letters. I can spell. All I need to learn now is put these words into action. God gave us 2 ears & 1 mouth for a reason: to use in the same ratio? I think so.