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 29

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 29: FEBRUARY 2, 2017

* I CLEANED THE HOUSE

This might not seem like such a big thing, but I really didn't want to do it and wasn't going to. But for some reason I finally did and I was glad that I had when all was said and done.

* I MADE A SCRAPBOOK PAGE

True, it was for the scrapbooking blog I do things for, but I did it. It had been a little bit since I had done one.

* I GOT SOME LAUNDRY DONE

Referring to the above, I really was having a tough day getting motivated to do anything - so getting things like that done are a big deal.

* PLAYED WOW WITH TANIS

I like getting him to do things outside of his own little world. I'm glad I finally found something we can do together that he seems to enjoy. I also started to play with Nate, but Ailey wanted a turn - so her and Nate played together instead.

* ERIC AND I WATCHED FULLER HOUSE

Because we both grew up watching Full House, the spin-off has kind of been a guilty pleasure for both of us. We had an issue arise with a package (with somewhat expensive contents) not being delievered and so we needed something that was light-hearted and easy to watch. Something we didn't have to think too hard about.

The Good Stuff, Day 28

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 28: FEBRUARY 1, 2017

* I FIGURED OUT MY ACTIVITY DAY PLANS EARLY IN THE DAY

* I WENT TO MY VOICE LESSON

One song is growing on me more and more, but the other one I'm still struggling to enjoy. Hopefully I'll come to enjoy that one as time goes on as well.

* SHAYLYN PASSED THE TEST TO GET HER LEARNER'S PERMIT

She was super anxious and excited to get it done. She started studying shortly before her birthday and let us know she wanted to take the test the week of her birthday. Eric took her and she passed.

* MY ACTIVITY DAY LESSON WENT GREAT

I was worried that what I had planned wouldn't take enough time, but we ended up going over.

* MY FRIEND TOOK MY OLDER KIDS TO MUTUAL

A struggle I've had since being in Activity Days is getting the older kids to mutual. Eric works at the game store on Wednesdays and so the older kids have to play babysitter for an hour. I'm always late getting home (clean up and talking with my partner after) and so my kids wouldn't want to go cause they'd be late. They can't just walk because I need at least one of them home babysitting.
This week Tanis wasn't in the mood to go, but the other two got to their activity on time!

* WE GOT TANIS REGISTERED FOR SENIOR YEAR

Mostly. There is one class he had to get more info about from one of his teachers, but otherwise he should be good to go. Somewhere along the way this kid got most of his required credits done and so next year he gets to take a lot of fun classes. He's excited about it.

The Good Stuff, Day 26

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 26: JANUARY 30, 2017

* I GOT THE HOUSE CLEANED AND STRAIGHTENED BY NOON

* I WENT TO THE STORE FOR A FEW THINGS AND DIDN'T FORGET ANYTHING I WENT TO THE STORE FOR

* TANIS' GROUP IN FOODS WON 3RD PLACE IN A SANDWICH COMPETITION

From what it sounded like, they had a bit of a competition like Chopped and shows like that. Out of 8 groups, Tanis' recieved 3rd.

* IT WAS SHAYLYN'S 15TH BIRTHDAY

* I TRIED AN ICE CREAM CAKE THAT I SAW ON FACEBOOK FOR SHAYLYN'S BIRTHDAY AND IT WORKED

And the kids seemed to really enjoy it and ate lots and there is no more left. 

* WE FINALLY SAW TROLLS

While I don't like the way they changed the trolls looks, much - it wasn't a horrible movie. True, it wasn't the best movie I've ever seen either. The reviews I had heard previously had me worried, but I liked it enough.

* ZACH FELL ASLEEP IN MY ARMS

It's been a long time since that baby has settled down long enough to let me snuggle him. He usually realizes he's falling asleep and stops himself. I also had to change his diaper after falling asleep, but after giving him a bottle he went right back to bed.

The Good Stuff, Day 25

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 25: JANUARY 29, 2017

* AILEY CHOSE TO GO TO CHURCH WITH ME

We woke up late again and I was in a bad mood. I didn't feel like getting everyone ready, especially since Eric was already staying home. But Ailey said she really wanted to go to church and I couldn't not take her. 

* MY PRIMARY LESSON WENT GREAT

This class is amazing. They were interactive and actually involved and enjoyed answering questions. It was awesome.

* WE WATCHED INFERNO

Eric noticed that Walmart had it while we were out shopping. When he grabbed it I didn't realize what movie it was. While it isn't the best in the movies from the Dan Brown novels, it's still a good show. Eric and I realized that it works to get the attention of the 3 older kids quite well. Lex is all about the action, Shaylyn is into the art and Tanis is into mysteries. Each of them is excited to see the other 2 movies.

* WE WENT TO VISIT MY SISTER AND HER NEW BABY

I was in a bad mood most of the weekend and I needed something to get me out of it. I figured giving snuggles to a baby would work. Plus, the kids hadn't gotten to meet the baby until then. Lex was super excited to meet Alexis. He really likes that they share a name.

* WE TRAVELED TO AND FROM SAFELY

My sister lives about an hour away and it requires the freeway most of the way. I always get nervous when we're on the freeway, but we made it there and home with no incidents..

The Good Stuff, Day 21

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 21: JANUARY 25, 2017

* THE DOG ONLY WENT POTTY OUTSIDE

He didn't go every time I took him outside, but he didn't go inside either. I count it as a win.

* TOOK CARE OF A CHORE THAT WAS OVERDUE

* READ A FEW MORE CHAPTERS IN MY BOOK

* GOT THE VIDEO SLIDESHOW PUT TOGETHER FOR ZACH'S BIRTHDAY

* PIZZA ARRIVED BEFORE THE KIDS WENT TO MUTUAL

Even though the time on the email had me worried that'd I'd be gone dropping them off when it arrived, it arrived about 10 minutes before we had to leave.

* ALL 3 OLDER KIDS WENT TO MUTUAL

Lex doesn't usually mind going, but it's hard to get Shaylyn and Tanis to go - for various reasons. They went sledding so I thought it'd be something they'd all enjoy. Lex was the only one that really sledded. Tanis and Shaylyn spent the night talking to each other....

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.