Good and Bad

I've been struggling lately with feeling like a good person/mom. Sometimes I feel like I'm a bad mom. My kids probably watch more movies than they need to. While we have a quasi schedule, it's not like everyone's I see. I loathe giving baths, so I don't do it everyday (and I make Ben give them baths). We eat meat- and more than maybe some would like, but it's not the only thing we eat. My boys are CRAZY! They run away when ever they get the chance (why did Henry have to follow in his brothers footsteps!?). Grant's not in a pre-school and I've been slacking on my plan to do home school pre-school (we do things every now and then). I started working about 1-2 days a week.  I probably sit in front of the computer more than I should- and I'm trying to make sure I am only on it when the boys are napping/sleeping.  I hate doing the dishes, and I'm not the greatest at cleaning things up right away. My personal scripture study and prayers have been at a low I'd rather not think about.

With all that said, it's not a pity party. I've been able to sit and think about things that I think I and our family do well. I LOVE doing laundry. I love the smell of clean laundry and I'm fairly good about getting it folded right away (I say this with two loads on my couch right now... hahaha). My home is not a disaster, but it most certainly looks like we live in it. And to be honest- I don't know how well I'd enjoy the "sterile" look of cleanliness- I don't know how mom's are able to keep such nice looking homes. Part of me thinks that something/one gets neglected. And while I have very crazy children, they have some of the best manners I've seen. And that IS a result of my trying to teach them something. In the morning, Grant says, "Good Morning, Mom! How are you?" Then I'll answer and he then says, "I'm doing well, thanks, how are you?" That makes me so happy. They always say please and thank you. They are great kids- crazy- but great. My husband is awesome. He loves me and he loves our kids, and all of us know it.

So the deal is this: no one is perfect. I'm the farthest thing from it- but I'm trying.  I think it is important to be concerned about what YOU (me) are doing to be better, and about your own standing with the Lord. I feel guilty enough from my own conscience- I don't need other people judging me. And really- at the end of the day- I think what's also important is if you are worthy to go to the temple- AND if you are- are you going??? How many people spew what others should and shouldn't be doing- but then aren't attending the temple? Isn't' that what's most important? Isn't that we're all trying to be worthy to be a part of? Let's stop the judging (me included!!!!!!!!) and start making sure we are ALL at the temple as OFTEN as we can. 

Anyway, I'm off to go buy things for a Pinterest craft! hahaha

-Rochelle

Halloween Happiness (and stuff)

Hello! 

I've been getting WAY TOO excited about Halloween over here. Can you tell?

The homemade pumpkins are from THIS website. The Pumpkin Pancakes can be found HERE. And the cookies can be found HERE. I also made some banana pumpkin muffins. All three of the recipes were made with one LARGE CAN of pumpkin puree. Awesome, right!?

With all of THAT said, I've discovered PINTEREST. I was really nervous that it would take over my life. I told Ben on a few different occasions how I wasn't sure if I was going to join, but I gave in. While it HAS taken over my life, I have also USED tons of things (in the week I've been a part of it) that I've found. All the creations from this post were pinterest finds. If you are not on Pinterest- beware. It WILL take over your life, but it's so amazing, it is worth it. What is it?? It's basically a social online bookmarking website. Pretty awesome. 

Another thing- I have a small house. The majority of my things don't have a home, so sometimes (all the time?) I feel overwhelmed by the clutter that takes over. My kitchen has very little counter space & I've tried a few different ways to keep produce out of the fridge, but I have still been short on space. Then on pinterest I saw an idea about hanging baskets on the wall. I didn't feel like going out and buying any new ones (because I'm cheap! Surprise!!) and I remembered I had some left over wire baskets from our metal shelves that I am not using. I decided to add those to the little wall space I have in my kitchen. I also hung up my pot holders that REALLY do take up space in my small drawer. The spices on top of my stove hood is something I've been doing for a while. Those are IKEA containers with magnets on the bottom. I originally bought the metal magnetic bars, but I had no space to put them! Here is my kind of over crowded stove area! I love it. When Ben saw the baskets, he said, "Okaaay." haha... Oh well- I'm the one making food on the stove.

Well- I hope everyone is doing well. I have some AWESOME pictures of the boys from the past week or so, but they are all in RAW format and they won't upload to our awesome PC.

I'm 12 again

Sometimes I feel just like that... 12 again.

With no particular details, I hate feeling left out. Some days I feel like I am perfectly happy here, then other days I wish I had my friends from college here with me. I miss having a best friend. Someone to call to do anything with. Now that I don't have that (did I ever, really?), I feel like the girl with glasses and pants too short that no one wants to hang out with when I ask anyone to do anything.

On a brighter note, Henry likes to give me hugs on his own now. Grant is getting so smart and his vocabulary and word choice & arrangement (is that what I mean to say) is pretty amazing. Now- if they'll just calm down a little, I might begin to think about when we want to have another child (a year? two?), until then- I'm grateful I have a very part time job so that I'm able to get away and talk to adults (and junior high kids... is that better than a 2 & 4 yr old?) and make some grocery money. 

Catch Up Part 2 (or 3)... DISNEYLAND

We love Disneyland. 

I didn't think I'd love going over and over again, but I don't really get tired of it. I mostly love California Adventure (but these pictures are from the Disneyland day). And I love that the boys have such a blast. Isn't that what it's all about? 

:)

The Castle. Grant loves the castle (can you tell?)

TEA CUPS! This was so fun with all four of us.

Grant's favorite thing (other than meeting Mickey Mouse) is the roller coaster in Toon Town. You'd never guess with how he covers his ears whenever something loud is heard. 

And they were SO exhausted by the end of the day! These cute boys had a blast!

More California.

One of the days in California, we went to lunch with Ben's grandma and then played at her house afterward. It was fun, and I had so much fun with the camera. 

Basically we played with bubbles the entire time.

While this is out of order, our last morning I made Ben take me to Paramount Ranch. I was really excited because this is the place they filmed Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (which I am currently watching via Netflix DVD).  Unfortunately, FORD was filming a commercial for the 2012 Explorer (or something)... so we could only walk along the perimeter of the ranch. It was still so fun (but wicked HOT).

 This is the train station that they build in the 3rd season.

And finally- DR QUINN'S OFFICE!! I'm such a dork, and I'm proud :)

 

Catch Up PART 1

I didn't think we really had much planned this summer, but lo and behold- our summer is over with, and we were busy! Ben is now teaching his first semester of college and I am loving the lower stress associated with not being a student anymore. Now if I will only finish up my degree so we don't ever have to think about it anymore!

It's been super hot, so we have been inside, watching LOST. oops. It's so good, and we're almost done with the series. But we did take a break and go to California to spend our annual Mathews Family Vacation. It was so fun! We love Disneyland and California Adventure- we could go ever trip :) Enjoy these fun pictures from the beach. (Also- I'm too lazy to do any collages right now!)