The Good Stuff, Day 31

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 31: FEBRUARY 4, 2017

* GOT OUT OF BED AND WAS READY TO GO BY ABOUT 9:30 A.M.

We had a few errands to run and we wanted to get an early start.

* HAD A CINNABON FOR BREAKFAST

I had to twist Eric's arm a bit to stop and get one for me, but he eventually did. I think it was mostly because he wanted a Kickstart.

* FINISHED OUR ERRANDS BY NOON

We had to stop at Home Depot, Petsmart and Walmart.
We were looking for motion lights at Home Depot, a jacket of some sort for the dog (hoping it helps him actually stay out longer to go potty), and then to Walmart for a few groceries and birthday gifts for Zach and one of the kids friends.

* PETSMART HAD AN AWESOME DEAL

We got a coat type thing for the dog for $7!

* WE AVOIDED FAST FOOD FOR LUNCH

It's super simple to get fast food when you're out and about, but we were good today and didn't.

* WE PLAYED OUR NEW GAME WITH TANIS AND SHAYLYN

Shaylyn actually enjoyed it too, which makes it much more enjoyable for Eric and I.

* GOT PANDA EXPRESS FOR DINNER

Eric and I had a pseudo date night at the game store. On the way there, we stopped for Panda Express. We had a gift card that we finally got to make use of. We have $.88 left on it. 

* ERIC GAVE UP HIS TERYIAKI CHICKEN

We timed it horribly and they only had enough teryiaki chicken for one serving. Eric had ordered his plate first and upon learning they only had enough for one, told them to switch the chicken to my bowl and he ordered double broccoli and beef.

The Good Stuff, Day 19

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 19: JANUARY 23, 2017

* I GOT UP AT A DECENT TIME

Eric and I were tired from getting up so early on Sunday and so we went to bed earlier than we normally would've. But that also meant I got a little more sleep and got up around 7.

* A NEW TOY ARRIVED FOR ME

It's a 'pen' that works with the ipad. I've yet to perfect the art for which I got it for, but I'm excited to start learning. I'm also excited that it's something Shaylyn and I can both use.

* DINNER WAS READY TO GO SHORTLY AFTER 5:00

Eric and I had plans to go somewhere, so dinner was made and we ate right around 5:00.

* ERIC SURPRISED ME WITH A CINNABON

I asked Eric to grab me a drink on his way home and he surprised me with a Cinnabon. One of the gas stations around us has a Cinnabon place inside it now and I had resisted the urge to get one all of this time. It was a much needed treat.

* ERIC AND I PLAYED GAMES WITH OUR FRIENDS

We went to our new friends home and played a new game. It was an awesome game and one we'll probably get in the future. It's a more expensive game, so it'll probably have to wait a bit, but it's totally fun.

* WE WON

It's a cooperative game, but we managed to win. Yay!

* I STARTED THE BOOK FOR FEBRUARY'S BOOK CLUB

I'm trying to stay on top of things. And it helped that my friend asked if she could borrow it when I was done. That means I need to actually finish it and give her a chance to read it before we meet in March.

The Good Stuff, Day 16

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 16: JANUARY 20, 2017

* I GOT LOTS OF REST

I woke up not feeling real well, so Eric managed to get the day off. He made sure I stayed in bed all day and got the rest I needed.

* THE REST WORKED

When I finally got out of bed around 2:00, I felt like I could function again.

* ERIC AND I FINALLY GOT TO RODIZIO

Thanks to a very generous gift card from the game store, we enjoyed a good night with wonderful food. Lots of bacon!

* I GOT DESSERT!
I tend not to eat dessert at restaurants cause it's usually overpriced and I don't have room. But thinking there was a little more money on the gift card than there was, I indulged. It was delicious so I don't even care that we had to pay for it.

* WE HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS
I always enjoy the times when we can actually talk without being interrupted and we forget what we were even discussing.

* WHEN WE GOT HOME ERIC FIXED OUR PERMANENT LIGHTS
Really it was just getting the color I wanted, but he did it - cause I just couldn't get it right. Take note: white light, isn't really a white.

* WE TOOK PICTURES TO REMEMBER THE NIGHT
True, it was at home and in our driveway and after our date, but we did it.

The Good Stuff, Day 13

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 13: JANUARY 17, 2017

* I GOT STARTED ON FILLING UP THE COLLAGE FRAME

So it's only the part I'll put in the middle, but it's a start. Still not sure I love it though, so thinking on it.

* I MADE A SOUP FOR THE RELIEF SOCIETY/YOUNG WOMEN ACTIVITY

I normally pass on things like this because I don't feel I have anything good to offer. When they asked for soup, I immediately thought of something quick and easy and YUMMY! I lost the recipe somewhere, but thanks to my sister and the wonderful online world, I figured it out.

* I ACTUALLY MADE DINNER FOR THE KIDS

True, it was just the same soup. But, I made sure to leave some for them AND they had rolls to eat with it. I'm not so great at planning and we usually just eat whatever jumps out at me on any given day. But I actually had something planned, prepared it and all they had to do was serve themselves.

* SHAYLYN GOT TO COME TO THE ACTIVITY WITH ME

And she did so willingly. I love that she doesn't mind doing things with her mom and that she didn't mind sitting at a table with no other young women. The challenge was issued to memorize The Living Christ in sixteen weeks. The Relief Society presidency provided us with books, pictures and paragraphs to help us each week. Shaylyn and I both chose a purple book. Now let's pray my years of prepping for plays helps me out.

And I can't forget to mention that without Tanis and Lex being willing to watch the younger kids, I never would've been able to go. (Eric is at the game store on Tuesday nights)

* THERE WAS NO SOUP LEFT TO TAKE HOME

I don't really know if I consider this a good thing or a bad thing. I kinda joked that it'd be okay if there was leftovers, cause I like the soup so much. However, there was nothing left so I suppose a few other people liked it.

* THE KIDS THAT WERE HOME ACTUALLY DID AFTER DINNER JOBS WITHOUT ME BEING HOME

It was so nice to come home to a clean kitchen.

The Good Stuff, Day 9

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 9: JANUARY 13, 2017

* I GOT TO MEET MY NEW NIECE

And a huge shout out to Eric for being my driver. To get to the hospital it required travelling on the freeway and to an extremely crazy, busy city. Not to mention it was dark and winter. HAHAHA. But my niece is such a cutie and definitely looks like she belongs.

* WE GOT CHICK-FIL-A FOR DINNER

* MY CHICKEN SANDWICH WAS SHAPED LIKE A HEART
Totally just means it was meant for me.

* TANIS WENT ON HIS FIRST DATE UNCHAPERONED BY MOM & DAD, AND IT WAS A BLIND DATE

He's not the take charge kind of kid, so I was thankful one of his buddies set the whole thing up. The original plan was to go bowling, but when the kid realized he didn't have any money - they figured out something else to do. They played board games and then made cookies. Tanis said he had a lot of fun.

* I WAS IN BED BY ABOUT 10:00

This is very rare, but things worked out so nicely that I was able to get to bed early. Wish I could say I slept well - but I'll take what I can get.

The Good Stuff, Day 7

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 7: JANUARY 11, 2017

* I WENT TO MY VOICE LESSON

After probably a good month off (for various reasons on my part and the teachers), I finally got back. I got to choose new music, which I'm not thrilled about, but I think they will be good songs that will challenge me and force me to work on technique a little more.

* I HAD A NAP

I had a headache starting and hadn't slept well, so I was tired. As soon as Zach went down for his nap, I took one too. It was only possible because Eric was working from home so he could keep an eye on Jace. I woke up headache free.

* LOTS OF SNUGGLE TIME, AGAIN

Zach still isn't feeling well and just wanted to snuggle. I didn't complain too much. I would've snuggled with him while I took my nap, but he tosses and turns way too much!

* KEPT UP ON LAUNDRY

This is huge for me. When we first moved in, I had a great schedule for laundry. It was easy and I kept up on it easily. Eventually, life got in the way and it all went down the chute. Recently, I've been able to get back on track and I'm doing good keeping up.

* I GOT NATE TO PACK MEETING

Nate loves Scouts and I don't love Pack Meeting. About a half hour before Pack Meeting, I realized it was Pack Meeting and I remembered Nate talking about Scouts yesterday. So, even though I couldn't go (snuggly baby, couldn't go anywhere) I found a friend who was willing to take him with her boys. I'm so thankful for her and her friendship.

* HAD A FUN NIGHT WITH THE KIDS

After dinner, I just took some time to interact with a few of the kids. I watched Shaylyn play a memory game with Jace that he got for Christmas. I watched Zach playing for a bit (medicine does wonders), even being slightly naughty. Lex had me laughing with McNugget names he came up with for the family members. Some of which include: McCubNugget, McAwesomeNugget, McFunNugget, McPrettyNugget, McFartNugget and a couple others I don't want to mention. I got the choice of: McMomNugget, McOldNugget or McHairNugget.

* I MADE LUNCH

Usually when Eric is home, I let him figure out lunch. He likes to eat earlier than I do, so it just happens that way. Today, I figured it out and made it AND surprised Eric. It was simple, Grilled Cheese. But it was delicious!

The Good Stuff, Day 3

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 3: JANUARY 7, 2017

* I had the chance to go to lunch with my 2 bestest friends.

It had been a long time since we'd all been together, so it was awesome. And can I just say how great my husband is? In order for one of my friends to go, she needed someone to watch 3 of her boys. When I asked Eric if he was okay with that, he said yes. He also made sure he made their sandwiches and got them fed!

* We got free dessert!!!

And we didn't even have to complain.

* I had a yummy smoothie with lunch.

And I made sure I sent a picture to Shaylyn to 'brag' since she loves strawberries. She replied in Chinese 'curses'. I love that we can joke around like that.

* Shaylyn and I accidentally twinned.

I left the house while Shaylyn was getting ready and she got in the shower while I was getting ready, so we didn't see each other until I got home from a baby shower. We laughed about it and I love that she doesn't mind matching her mom. I got my outfit for my birthday and Santa brought one for Shaylyn.

* I almost finished my book.

* Eric stopped at the store on his way home from the game store and bought me a pair of ear phones.

It's something I've needed, but never remember to get for myself when I'm at the store. So the fact he remembered was so awesome.