Yes, a third post in one day!

What can I say? I miss blogging! If I were to write a play what should I call it? The blogging club?

Well, 3 became 9 one weekend. I went to Orem to visit my two cousins Sarah (see previous blog about her)and Mica. We are one year apart from each other and each have two kids, all 3 years old and younger. And while we gabbed and caught up w/each other, our kids joyfully ate, trashed Sarah's house and played well together! We had so much fun! Thanks girls!

Pre-Christmas at my parents!

These are just a few photos of the fun times we had at my parents house before we went to CO for Christmas. We celebrated Jocelyn's and my mom's Birthday early and had a nice relaxing weekend there.

Skiing

Well, I went skiing yesterday for the first time in my life! Yes, my dad is practically a professional cross-country skier. Yes, I grew up in Colorado w/the most beautiful and popular ski slopes in the entire country. And no, I had never been skiing before yesterday. Nor really had the desire. But the Stoehr family all wanted to and Tyler convinced me to go. And I decided it was time to face my fears and just do it! Well, let me just say I never want to do it again. I seriously think child birthing was easer than skiing, physically and emotionally. Let me explain. Before Tyler and I even got to the bunny hill I had troubles just putting on the skis! Tyler and I couldn't figure out why my boot wouldn't lock into the bindings. Well, the heel of my boot had a chunk of ice stuck to it. Then, before we even go to the hill I slipped down a very minor hill. Well, it took like 15 minutes for me to figure out how to get up!
During my first run on a green slope I fell multiple times, came to tears nearly twice and trudged along long paths and inched down small hills and about twice fill the "thrill" of the wind blowing in my face as I whizzed down a hill, or rather, skied down a hill! So after it took me at least 1 hour to make it down this slope, I was exhausted, frustrated and saddened. I then went to the car to eat lunch and I didn't feel like going back for a 2nd run. I felt like I had been beat up (not that I would know what that feels like, I can only imagine) because my entire body was sore. Well, I talked myself into going down once more. And I did make it down a lot quicker and it was more enjoyable despite the fact that my head bounced on the ground on one fall and then a few minutes later I literally hugged a tree before I fell down into a thick layer of powdery snow. I'm a tree hugger! Then we sat in 3 1/2 hour icy traffic while I thought of my dear children and how much I wanted to be w/them instead of being stuck on a white mountain. So after all this, I have officially decided that I do not want or need to go downhill skiing ever again in my life. I have now been there, done that, and so on. Thank you very much. The end. Period. No questions asked.
BUT, I do need to add, that despite my struggles and frustrations yesterday, my love for Tyler increased again. I remember how patient he is and what a great teacher he is! He explained to me how to ski (I just didn't get it or was not coordinated enough for it). But he was incredibly amazing! He stayed by my side the whole time, picked me up when I fell and encouraged me the whole way! That was the best part of my day!

Visiting Teaching

Well, I thought I would never say this about my current visiting teaching route, but I really love it! I have not been one that has difficulty enjoying visiting teaching. Perhaps it's because I've been the Coordinator in two different wards, including Paris, and so I've had to be an example. And it's because of that calling that I've learned how important it is for our Church, especially the Relief Society.
But the reason I thought I would never enjoy this route is because the average age of my companion/sisters is 50. I visit one active sister who has recently been re-converted to the Gospel. I visit 3 inactive sisters and have a less active companion, who is also 76 years old and suffers from Dimensia. But the reason I love my route is because I see potential in every one of these sisters. Plus it is a challenge. To try and get my companion to visit w/me or at least write our sisters a note or something. Also, It is a challenge to even let me into some of their homes, w/beer cans and cigarette smoke. But it doesn't bother me. What bothers me is the complacency of some of the women. They knowingly don't come to Church and always have an excuse as to why they don't come. It's very sad to me. And because of this, I keep going. Honestly, I don't want my route to change anymore. I am learning a lot from these geriatric (no offense) women. We do have some things in common. Our boobs are sagging, our hips will never be thinner, we forget small or important things, and we love to sit and talk about our families. I never thought I would enjoy being called "kid" or talking about social security, but I do! I love visiting teaching and I love these sisters! I hope this doesn't change anytime soon!

Crunch time

Okay, so I have this week to wrap presents, pack and clean my house before we go on vacation for two weeks! Yes, I have all my Christmas shopping done! (except for one more toy for Jocelyn--this whole birthday/Christmas at the same time thing is throwing me off).I am looking forward to the break but I feel a little stressed because I have several projects to get done before then!!!!!! Plus I've got social calls and visiting teaching to get done. Kris, can our Mcplay date happen at the new year? i still want to visit w/you!!!!But it is all fun stuff (except for cleaning) and for this, I look forward to it.

Plus I look forward to the time that Samuel will stop asking to go to Papa's house or for a present every single hour of the day. What am I doing wrong? My son thinks Christmas is all about presents! I have tried to tell him the Nativity story and that we celebrate Jesus' birth but it seems like my words just hit his forehead and fall onto the floor. Perhaps I am not being patient enough about telling him the true meaning.

So today we made a paper chain and each night he gets to rip a link off and that gets us closer to when we get to go to Papa's house. I thought it was a little too late for an advent calender. But he still doesn't get it!

Let me just tell you that he has been a naughty three year old this week! a terror! What happened to my sweet little boy??? For example, yesterday, while Tyler was attending to the kids, Samuel dumped the entire soup can sized jar of fish food into the fish tank! Needless to say, Tyler was furious! He had a paper to finish up and instead he was stuck cleaning out the entire tank while Samuel sat in time out in the bathroom (for about 1 hour) while I was setting up for our ward party that night! He has been like this all week! Just little things like sneaking snacks, dumping his entire toy box into Jocelyn's crib while she's sleeping, etc. And Tyler and I are baffled! What should we do? Lock him up? Hide toys? Scream, slap, yell? Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Anyway, I know this is just a "phase" but I really hate it. Parenting keeps getting harder w/these new ages and challenges that come w/them! Remind me, why did I sign up for this parenting thing again?

I cleaned most of the front area of my apartment today! that's big considering it hasn't been done in over a week!

help?

Okay mom's, especially those w/daughters. I am having a debate w/my indecisive self about what baby doll to buy for Jocelyn's first birthday, which, unfortunately for her, falls on December 27th. I seemed to have blasted to the past because I found these adorable mini care bears and bought her one for Christmas. But I couldn't decide on which doll to buy. I was debating b/w a cabbage patch newborn (which consequently has reddish brown hair and green eyes...looks kind of like me, or Jocelyn) OR a "little me" doll, just your basic stuffed centered doll w/plastic arms and legs and closing eyes.
Which one would you suggest I get????????? the cabbage doll is bigger and soft bodied and cute and sentimental and squeezable. But the other doll is smaller and truer to life. Let me know what you think, please! Should I live in the past, vicariously through my little girl (which is not really a good thing), or should I get her a more practical (and cheaper) doll?

Blog Bandwagon

Okay, I am really tired and was just on the phone for, like, the last 3 hours (because it is Sunday=free minutes) and so now I feel kinda sick and I keep eating these scrumptious pumpkin chocolate chip bars from martha stewart because they are the best way to get rid of that other half of the pumpkin filling sitting in your fridge plus they are dang good! was that a run on sentence?

Anyway, onto another subject. Have you noticed that everyone who starts a blog starts out saying they felt "pressured" to do so? I know I did. But I think it's so funny how we, especially women, feel like we are pressured to blog. Like we've "given in" and succumbed to be on the blog bandwagon. I mean, seriously, why wouldn't you? It's not addictive or anything. It's not like it will hurt you or something. gosh. You have got to start one now!... if you haven't already. And if you have, well, start another one! No, but I am not pressuring you or anything (you know who you are) just because everyone is doing it! So get on! Get on the bandwagon!!!! ??? :) :) :)