Christmas Nickels

Today the boys helped me cash out our Christmas nickels at WalMart.  Our family had a "Service Jar" this Christmas season.  Each time someone did something nice for someone else, he or she could put a nickel in the jar.  (Near the end of the season, we did "double nickels" for a service).  Because my children are young, most of the acts of service have been for each other.  For example, one of them saved half of his gingerbread man for a couple of hours from preschool to give it to a younger brother.  Another one wrote a holiday letter and put a cookie in a sandwich bag for teacher.  Another brought a neighbor a plate of treats.  I have seen them playing with a brother or sister, clearing the table without being asked, giving a hug, drawing a picture, sharing a toy, making someone's bed, reading a book to a younger sibling, pushing baby sister on the swing or helping her slide down the slide, comforting a sibling, or letting a sibling ride his bike.

The Santa cup held rolls of nickels to put in the snowflake container. 

This Sunday, we will give over $13 to the bishop to give to someone in need.  That amounts to 295 nickels and 2 dimes which somehow made it in the jar!  Now that we are done with our jar, we find ourselves looking for nickels whenever we do something nice.  I think we've created a new habit =)

Empowering Women

I just finished a book called Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Kristof and WuDunn. It's a very intense book and I don't entirely agree with all of the opinions it puts forth, but I found it particularly moving and would say it is one of the best books I've read about global women's issues. Having witnessed (albeit in short stints) some of the unjust suffering and destitution of women in other countries, I feel strongly about empowering women, particularly in areas where they have been and continue to be oppressed. 

I really feel that being a righteous woman of God is the greatest thing we can do. I truly believe that living and teaching gospel principles is the greatest and most true way to empower women. There is a lot we have been given and much that we can do to give back. Here were a few sites and ideas the book mentioned that I thought were also noteworthy:

Global Giving

Givology

KIVA

Plan International

Women for Women International

Sign up for email updates: 

www.womensenews.org

www.worldpulse.com

Write letter to White House / Senators / Rep encouraging them to invest in efforts to reduce maternal mortality, support women's education, etc.

May we, especially during this Christ-centered season of giving, more fully support and uphold the righteous women in our own lives and seek opportunities to empower those less fortunate.

A Few Favorite Things: Sarah

I fell in love with literature when I was in second grade and read "Little House on the Prairie."  I have been hooked on children's literature ever since.  I love its purity and simplicity.  I love that I can pick up the book and I know that there won't be that scene that sometimes disappoints with adult literature.  I have a collection of my favorites and sometimes I like to read them out loud at night to my kids while they fall asleep. 

 

I fell in love with running when I was in fifth grade.  We had a field day at my elementary school and I ran the mile for the first time in my life.  When it was over, I felt great.  I couldn't believe I had actually done it!  I felt energized and wanted to keep running, and running, and running.  My favorite places to run are in nature.  The more rugged and remote the path, the better.  Unfortunately, that is not always safe or convenient, so I end up running in my neighborhood most of the time.  My current and favorite running shoe is the Saucony Grid Hurricane, and I do have the pink =)

I love mountains.  I loved visiting the soft and shockingly colorful Appalachians when I was a girl.  Mount Timpanogas is one of my favorite places in the world.  I have only hiked it a handful of times, but I drew much strength from this mountain and basked in its beauty every day while in college.  One of my favorite states is Colorado because it has more 14,000 foot peaks than any other state!

John Schmidt is one of my favorite pianists.  He makes me laugh and cry.  I love how fun and playful most of his music is.  Even his "serious" songs are upbeat and have a touch of warmth.  If you ever see him in concert, he will sometimes play upside down like this with his hands crossed! 

I enjoy gardening.  I'd like to take credit for my beautiful garden below in Virginia.  However, I have since learned that gardening skills had nothing to do with this paradise of plants.  It had everything to do with the fact that we bought a home on a former SOYBEAN field!  I have since lived in two states and have yet to grow a tomato, but I still love to try.

I love to travel!  Some people might be bothered by living in four states in ten years, but in some ways it has been fun for me.  I like to see new places and meet new people.  I haven't been overseas very much, but I don't think I need to travel the world to know that my favorite place to visit is Europe. I love the history, the art, and the culture of Europe.  I have lived in London and visited France, Scotland, and Wales, and have always wanted to visit Austria where my grandmother is from.  I feel like some day I will be back to see more of this beautiful continent.   
 

I became "smoothie crazy" while serving a mission for my church in Arizona.  We had two lemon trees and an orange tree in our yard and could eat to our heart's content.  Of course, we squeezed more oranges than I can count and practically lived off our concoctions.  Now that I have a big enough family, I have to make two batches of smoothie when we have them.  I don't make them as much, but they will always be one of my absolute favorite things.   

I love theater.  There is something thrilling and so ALIVE about watching a great play or musical.  I especially love the musical Les Miserables.  The music brings me to tears and the special effects are incredible.  However, a small play set in one room like Twelve Angry Men can be just as moving and thought-provoking.  I like to watch movies, but making time to attend a play is definitely worthwhile. 

 I have to put one of my favorite things about our current place of residence.  I love the sunsets here!   The only other place I have lived with sunsets like these is Arizona.  Must be the dry desert air and the big, big sky.  Almost ever morning, palate of color unfolds before me when I walk outside to wave goodbye to my kids on their bikes to school.  Last of all, I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given us such a beautiful, joyful, colorful, world and a life to live it.

How to boot it.

I don't claim to be any sort of a fashion know-how and must profess that for a little while, I was anti-boot. But, if you're like me (any of the following: have been wearing the same red payless sneakers for the past 3+ years, don't like re-tying shoelaces, tend to get cold feet [literally]), you will quickly find that boots may just be among your favorite footwear. 

First off, you must have boots.

 Next, explore your options. 

With a shorter skirt.

 Add some tights in for some flair.

 Sport them with a long skirt/dress.

 Mix and match with your favorite tops. Longer shirts and cardigans work well with the boot look to give it a more down-to-earth feel. Target has some great layering basics right now.

 Or, if you're feeling bold, pair it with the belt look 

(see Lindsey's prior post if the idea of a belt scares you).

For more info, see How to wear calf length boots

A few of my favorite things: Kie

1. Picking kids up after school with the big smile on their face

After long day of school of working and studying, they still get exited to see mommy. As soon as they find my car, they come dashing with a wide grin. It always makes me feel loved.

2. Pictures of kids

These pictures remind me of our life in Wisconsin. We lived in a 600 sq. ft. apartment with no income and three kids to raise. Daddy was committed to his studies. So I had big pressure to take care of three little kids all by myself. It wasn't the easiest time of our life but we managed to live through it. We have so many sweet memories there. I still remember the day I took these pictures as if it was yesterday. Whenever I look at these pictures, it gives me the power to stay strong.

3. The challenge

I like to give myself a challenge. For example, last week I forced myself to take these long stairs instead of the easy escalator. Trust me, escalator was more attractive but I like the feeling of being able to accomplish such a difficult challenge.

4. The sunrise in California
There's nothing better than a beautiful sunrise over palm trees. It's a very relaxing scene to look at. It gives me the energy to go through another day.

A Few of Favorite Things: Emily

As all my sisters know, I am a sucker for a good classic solid colored shirt (although I probably wouldn't buy the ones pictured above). Solid color shirts match almost everything, make for a colorful wardrobe (as long as you don't get stuck on blue like I did for a while in my teens), and are easy to replace. And the best thing about them: when you find a style you like, you can usually get it in multiple colors. It is the perfect wardrobe items for those of us who get sick if we spend too much time at shopping centers.

I hate cutting up onions. A lot. For a long time I would avoid recipes that required fresh onions because I disliked it so much. Not anymore, though. Thanks to my handy little mini food processor, I can chop an onion any day of the week with a smile on my face. I love this little contraption. You just cut the onion (or green pepper or celery or whatever) in chunks, pop it in, hit the chop button a couple times, and you are on your way to delicious soup, paprika chicken, enchiladas, whatever. This little baby has opened my life up to a whole happy world of cooking that I never dreamed possible. I own the 3-cup Cuisinart mini food processor, but I'm sure any brand would do the trick.

I like to read good books. A good book is like therapy. I spend at least 13 hours a day caring for my three sweet children (all under the age of four) and sometimes I get a little tired and worn out. If I'm feeling the need for an escape, I just open a good book and I am back on the road to a happy sane self. And the best part is that reading a good book doesn't cost anything, can be done at home, in the car, on a plane, anywhere, and there is an endless supply of excellent reads! Can therapy get any more convenient than that? I think not. Two little side notes: (1) If you think your local library is insufficiently stocked with good books, check to see if your library offers interlibrary loans. Most do, and you can get ahold of most any book that way. (2) If you have thought while reading this, "But I don't know of any good books!" then I highly encourage you to check out goodreads.com. It a site where you can rate the books you read, see what books your friends have read and liked, and get lots of ideas for good books. You can also access book reviews from people you don't know. Check out the site. Then go check out a good book - and start reading!

Black beans are one of my newest favorite foods. I don't know where I've been all my life, but it seems that only recently I have discovered the joys of black bean soup, black bean enchiladas, and black bean and polenta casseroles. Yum! Oh, and check out Catherine's recent recipe post containing black beans. I haven't tried it yet, but I will soon. Yum!

I think it's high time I came out of hiding and admitted that I really like a nice tablecloth. I know it's just a piece of fabric, but I really think a beautiful, colorful tablecloth can brighten a room like nothing else. Oh, and it makes spilled milk so much easier to clean up.

I live in the south and had a hard time at first finding things to like about a climate overrun with humidity, fire ants, and large creatures that crunch. But then I discovered oak trees draped in spanish moss and I decided the south had its charm after all. There is just something so majestic, historical, and charming about these trees that I always have to pause and soak them in when I see them on the road.

Do you ever have the kind of day when you just feel heavy with life? And you wish there was a way to go float on a cloud, drop all your troubles in the sea, and feel free? I do occasionally. And that's when I turn to my favorite songs: Homeward Bound and Trouble in the Fields. I have a hard time describing what it is about Homeward Bound that lightens my load. It's mostly a feeling that just calms me. I fell in love with Trouble in the Fields the first time I heard it. I love the chorus: "You be the mule. I'll be the plow. Come harvest time, we'll work it out. There's still a lot of love here in these troubled fields." I don't know of many songs that remind us to work at the things we love - even though they are troubled and suffering. I couldn't find a rendition of Trouble in the Fields that I liked unfortunately. I included the best one I could find, but I suggest you listen to the audio only (don't watch the video) so that you hear the words and aren't distracted by the singer and the performance.

Lastly, I really like my Ergo Baby Carrier. Yes, I know these are expensive, but they are so work every.single.penny that you will pay. I actually bought mine on craigslist for about 5o% normal purchase price, but knowing what I know now, I would buy one at full price. It's the best baby carrier I have ever used - and I've used a lot (namely, baby bjorn, snugli, infantino, moby wrap, and the maya sling). This is my favorite. The baby actually sits in the seat and the weight is carried on your hips instead of your back. It's super easy to adjust, super easy to put on, AND my baby actually likes it. The downside: baby can't face forward in it when it's on your chest (although you can carry baby forward facing on your back). I did not use the infant accessory with it (because I didn't discover this carrier until my baby didn't need one), so I can't vouch for how functional this carrier is for newborns. But it is wonderful for babies age 4 months up to toddlerhood.

P.S. I would just like to add that Blogger is NOT one of my favorite things. I've tried to fix the font for this post three times and even though it looks perfect in draft form, it's looks crazy when published. Sorry about that. Maybe when I figure out how to fix it, I'll post a how-to on it.

Some Favorite Things: Jana



1.  Fall
I love the anticipation that comes with the fall - cooler weather, so many holidays and birthdays, beautiful nature.  Our family pretty much has some sort of special day every week or two (or less) starting with Columbus Day in October: Columbus Day, Halloween, Adrienne's Birthday, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Kayla's Birthday, Christmas, our Anniversary, New Years Day!
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2.  Ultimate Frisbee
(Yes, that is my brother Joel in an awesome dive.)  I started playing Ultimate Frisbee after I started college, and I have been hooked ever since.  There was a time in my life when I was playing Ultimate four to five times a week.  Those days are over, but I still play on a DC League as often as I can on the weekends.  Ultimate in the Fall is even better!
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3.  My Grandma Sweaters
They are so comfy and warm.  Kevin started calling them grandma sweaters, but I don't care if they look dated (they aren't).  They are a staple in the cold weather and I have three different colors!  (A friend bought them and promptly didn't like them and gave them to me - so I love them even more because they were free.) 
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4.  Stovetop Popcorn (I actually have a contraption like the above.) 
As a rule, I make this once a week, usually on the weekend, to enjoy with a movie.  I love the simplicity of it - kernels, oil, salt, and heat.  Probably it's the salt that does it for me because I love salty things and this one is relatively healthy if you use extra virgin olive oil. 
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5.  Melted Cheese Sandwiches
Not grilled cheese - that's too much work.  Just slather the mayo on one or two slices, add the cheese, and microwave it until it just starts to melt.  I eat these quite often. 
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6.  Oversized Teeth and Overbites on Babies
Okay, so maybe I'm biased towards this particular baby, but I really do think it is just adorable to see a baby with an overbite and huge teeth. 
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7.  My bed (sorry no picture - too messy right now)
We bought our bed right before we got married off of Craig's list and have loved it ever since.  It is a king-sized waterbed frame with a regular mattress in it.  There is storage underneath and in the headboard and is a bit big for our small bedroom.  The quilt on it was handmade from my grandma.  With clean sheets, I just love to slip under the covers and snuggle down to sleep. 
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8.  Jeopardy!
You probably already know that I love Jeopardy! from the way I got way into the Hatch Jeopardy! game during the trip in September.  I watch it as much as I can, sometimes even planning meals and bedtime routines around it.  It's a good thing it's only half an hour.
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9.  Boggle
I've loved this game since I was a kid.  Unfortunately, I hardly find people who want to play it with me these days.  There is a good version online, but it can be addicting so I try to not play it too much.
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10.  Live Shows
This could be a Broadway musical, high school play, college dance team, music concert, whatever.  When a group/individual can perform well live, there is something magical about it.  I love to see a good live show in person (as opposed to live on TV or something).

Lindsey's TOP Ten Favorite Things

Things I considered blogging about: 
1. Making my ten top things all food items (I could totally do that, btw- and probably will on my personal blog, if I get bored enough, which I will)
2. Making my ten top things people (+Malibu, cat)
3. Making my top ten things kitchen appliances (y'all started it, with this tupperware thing...)

But for real, here's my REAL list:
1. Truth - Yes, I know what you're thinking. Super huge, super intangible, super vague. But not really. I love love love the knowledge that is literally AT MY FINGERTIPS as I open lds.org and search for a talk, or open my Scriptures. And I really do love the clarity that comes when I feel and recognize that I am reading pure, unadulterated truth.

2. Fresh Peaches - need I say more? Perfection.

3. People - I love to meet new people and be around people. They energize me. I like to get to know people and find out what really makes them tick. I like to make them laugh, and laugh with them. I like to learn from others. There is a lot of divine in every person. I love discovering that over and over again.

4. Hip-Hop dancing - Some of you may not know this, but if I'm in a bad mood, one of the big things that can get me out of it is DANCING. I love to dance. I love to dance to hip-hop music. It must be the Durham in me.

5. Running in beautiful places - also something that brings me a lot of joy and keeps me happy. I love enjoying nature while running. I love the rhythmic pound of my feet on the pavement. I love running alone. I love my heart beating and feeling like I'm alive. I love contemplating and pondering while running. I love feeling like I can run forever. And I also love that it gives me an extra boost of Seratonin. <3

6. Smiles - Tangible sunshine...or shall I say...contagious sunshine? Anyone?

7. Photography - My mega-awesome (FUTURE) nice camera - *Can I include things I dont' own yet, but hope to in the future?* I love to take pictures. I love to capture memories. I love to capture feelings.

8. Road Biking - If you didn't know this about me, I've already written a blog post about how much I love road biking.

9. Bright Colors- (clothing). I love to wear bright colors. If you know me at all, you'll know that I have a few pairs of shoes that are magenta, and I love to wear lots of bright colors (ok maybe not this bright, but you get my point).

10. Wendy's Junior Bacon Cheeseburger after fasting- Maybe it's because as a young Hatchling, we went to Wendy's on "special days" to eat as a family (this was pre-Souper Salad),  I don't know...but every once in a while, I like to indulge myself and go get a Junior Bacon Cheeseburger. I have to use this logo, because none of the pictures do the BLT justice. ;)

A Few of My Favorite Things: Catherine

1. Road biking in a beautiful place.
I think my love for biking must have started as a child, when we'd go for rides with dad down to Massey Chapel road. I bought my first official road bike in Seattle in 2006 (because I didn't have a car). It was a vintage trek, a little too small for me, off craigslist for $65, and I fell in love. There's just nothing like going for a long bike ride on a crisp fall day or exploring a new city on 2 wheels.

2. cooking in fun dishes
Ang's post made me think of these. Mom gifted me them for Christmas a few years ago and I LOVE them! I give them 5 starts for aesthetics and utility. 

3. Phish food.
Like Charlie Brown says, happiness is 2 kinds of ice cream.  Hard to pick just 2 kinds because there are SO many. But, Phish Food with the carmel, chocolate chunks and marshmallows is an all-time winner. I would post a pic of Earnestly Chocolate (it's really #1), but that will just make me sad because it's only in Provo.

4. Wise, profound words of wisdom.
Sometimes, you just need a quality talk to inspire, uplift and make you think (I like to think about things). The BYU Broadcasting site has some great talks on a varied list of topics: www.byub.org and C.S. Lewis has some winners (The Four Loves, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Weight of Glory to name a few).

5. Folk Music! 
This pic is of Wailin Jenny's (featured in a previous post). I think one of my dreams is to harmonize in a folk band some day. I tried out for the folk ensemble at BYU with my guitar, but didn't make it (probably because I played something like the only song I knew at the time - Green Day or something). I love the energy and soul that embodies songs like This Side (Nickel Creek), Heaven When We're Home (The Wailin' Jennys) or Aint no Grave (Crooked Still).

6. Early mornings
I love being up before the break of dawn and witnessing the majestic beauty of the rising sun while my mind is clear and ready to embrace a new day.  It reminds me of God's power and the miracle that is every day.

7. Runaway Bride
Call me cheesy, but I love this movie.
So many good lines. Always makes me laugh.

8. Brook's running shoes.
 I've been using these for years now and they've never failed me.
While I definitely wouldn't consider myself a competative runner in any way, running is one of my loves. It keeps me feeling healthy, grounded and happy.

9. Traveling
I love visiting new countries and experiencing and learning from new cultures. I think there is much to be learned from observing other people and how they live and love and struggle and find joy through life. I've been blessed to visit a few of this massive world's countries and I always return feeling inspired, grateful and more aware of the Lord's love.

10. Eddie Bower purses.
Not the girliest or cutest, but definitely the most functional! I have sported Eddie Bower for  over 10 years now (for better or worse). I'm on my 3rd purse now, which proves that they're pretty durable. The zippers and pockets are great and I love how un-cumbersome it is! Perfect size for cards, check-book, cell phone, chapstick, keys and Barnes and Noble planner (which I also highly recommend).