What do people think?

I was thinking this morning, do you ever wonder what people think of you?

I'm not talking about when you worry about if you should change to be more like what people want (I'm 99% past that in my life). But I sometimes wonder if how people see me is how I think I am portraying myself. When I'm busy and running to and from things maybe my neighbors think I'm a maniac, but what I really hate is being late. When I'm tired, I act like a sass to my husband where I really just can't communicate well when tired. When I'm all business and being organized I may come across as a jerk, but I just hate wasting time, so I am being efficient. See what I mean? People will react to you and you know they didn't get what you were trying to

Speaking of changing, I've grown so much as a person since I was a teenager. Occasionally I will connect with friends that I used to hang out with often in my youth. When we talk, they often say that I have a sense of peace about me, and self confidence that I think usually comes with age. In my own brain I am COMPLETELY different than I used to be. But something interesting happened. I saw a Young Women leader that I had in my rougher years of youth. She of course knew me when she was an adult and therefore has a different perspective of teenage Rachel. She told me that I am EXACTLY the same as when I was a teenager. It goes to show that the essence of Rachel is still the same (sense of humor, mannerisms) but my heart has changed.

Sometimes I miss the old, carefree me that I used to be. But I wouldn't change the me now for anything. Talk to me in 10 years. I'm excited to see what I become!

Things I L.O.V.E.

Warm, gooey kisses right on the mouth from Mase.

Big boy G-man taking up my whole lap and giving gigantic hugs while saying I LOVE YOU...just when I need it.

The twinkle in Ikey's eye when he thinks he's gotten away with something.

Princess's intuitive nature and the fact that I love/hate that she can read me like a book. I love her fiercely and I hope she knows it.

A warm husband that allows me to be who I am. Everything that I am is safe in his heart.

Girl's night out! Being goofy and letting loose! I have such good friends. They make me better.

My extended family. They are so supportive and gracious, especially since they get a front row seat in seeing all my flaws.

A huge, toothless grin from Mase. It melts my heart every time.

My neighbors. I really have some of the nicest neighbors in the world.

The Book of Mormon. I'm still not a great reader, but I feel the Spirit so strong when I read that book.

Warm chocolate chip cookies! My favorite!!

Mario Kart! Seriously, I'm a little obsessed with the game. :)

The house when all the kids are in bed. The quiet. I need that more.






And finally, the power of the Atonement. My Savior who knows my every fear, desire, heartache, strength and weakness that I possess.

Another year gone...and another year older!

Well it's the new year. The time of year where we make resolutions, start fresh, turn over a new leaf and leave old habits behind. For me personally there are a couple landmarks to look forward to this coming year.

I will turn 30 *a smallish gulp here* in April
In June we will celebrate 10 years of marriage. I can hardly believe this one!


These were my goals for the last year. I think I did some of these fairly well, but I'm going to keep the same goals that I am working on for this next year also.


** Maintain a house of order
I've been incorporating Monday as my day to do major cleaning (Thanks Sonia for the suggestion). I've tried cleaning schedules where you do a little bit a day, but I am better when I get on a roll. Then other days I will spiff and shine.


** Connect with everyone in my house daily
As much as I complain about kindergarten being silly, where you go and get them as fast as you dropped them off, it has been good for my one on one. While G-man and Princess are gone in the morning I get to play and do things with Ikey. Then G-man gets home, we have lunch and I do homework and special time with him. In the evening when the boys go to bed, I connect with Princess and she really enjoys "staying up late" :)


** Daily scripture reading
I need to do this better. In the evening I am just so dang tired. BUT I don't want to wake up earlier than the kids...any suggestions?

** Two dates a month with my sweetie
We've been doing this OK. We need to be more creative and do things that are cheap. The temple is going to be one of them. I LOVE us time and need to guard it with my life.


** Exercise for a healthier me
I've been doing this in the morning and am currently doing 30 minutes and will move up the amount daily if my kids allow me :)


** Find a new passion
This is a hard one to quantify. I need ideas for learning something new that doesn't cost a lot of money. I'll think about this one and come back and edit later.


The greatest goal I have is to maintain a balanced life. It often needs rechecking and adjusting but I think I can do it!!

Speaking of another year older, Ben had a birthday this last week. We celebrated on multiple days with different activities. I appreciate my husband beyond words. His physical presence calms me. He is so helpful with the kids and usually very in tune with my needs. Emotionally there is nothing better than having an eternal companion that is selfless and puts his needs above my own. Spiritually he has taught me so much about being secure in my own testimony. He is so strong and I love discovering my spiritual potential with him by my side. Ben I love you SO much...Here's to another year!!

2009 Christmas Letter

This has been a banner year for your favorite "S" clan! Every year that we actually finish is a banner year, but there have been some really fun things this year that we’re happy about, foremost the birth of our fourth child Mase. I (Ben) also changed jobs from making websites to making websites, so that change of venue has been fun. Princess was baptized in the spring and we have really enjoyed watching our offspring grow and develop into real little people. Rachel has recovered from the pregnancy and runs the household with grace and beauty, often with one hand tied behind her back. Since this is the season of giving, allow me now to give you an update on each of our children.

Princess (8) loves to read and spell and is currently spell-bound by the Fabelhaven series. She recently made a nativity out of Barbies to help decorate the house, and of course we love it! She is very good about helping her younger brothers with their troubles, playing and even basic daily decisions. Princess is very caring and sympathetic and it is fun to back-seat drive with her as she begins to really navigate her way through life. She is also a real cute one and we’re glad that she is only eight!

G-man (6) is the starting forward for the Fox Hollow Flyers this year as a freshman and although he already has a few scholarship offers, we are trying to focus on his education for now, like reading. He loves to play “Barbies and Transformers” with his sister in a compromise of their favorite toys. G-man is very imaginative and loves to run and play. We’re happy to see him begin to spell and read this year in kindergarten. G-man is a real character and keeps us laughing!

Ikey (2) is a wild man-child. He is taking full advantage of his “terrible twos” stage complete with high-pitched screaming and antics like standing on the pew at church and yelling, “to infinity and beyond!” before jumping into flight like Buzz Lightyear. Speaking of Toy Story, we have literally worn out a DVD and a VHS tape watching those shows repeatedly over the first years of his life. We look forward to taking him to sit on the very front row for the new movie Toy Story 3 !

Mr. Mase (4 months) is a baby, and a cute one too, but at four months he’s already the size of most 2-year-olds! Rachel has to work hard to stay ahead of his feedings and changings and I’m happy to jump in and get some quality snuggle (napping) time whenever I can. We really don’t know what he’s into, besides diapers, so you’ll just have to stop by sometime and check him out!

May the spirit of the season join with the Lord’s blessings this year and next!


Love, The "S" Family

BLOG FART

So, I have been having a blog fart lately. I just don't feel motivated to blog about the happenings around here. It's busy enough just accomplishing the things that we are supossed to do.

Will a list format work?

Christmas decorations
Temple square lights
Princess's choir concert
Get together with friends
Girl's night out
Ward party
Candy making
Visiting Teaching
Shopping - all done!
Need to wrap
Sub for santa
Bread making class
Helping with family
School class parties coming up
Ben YM's night
Court of honors
Church meetings for both of us
Neighbor gifts
Laundry, laundry laundry!
wedding videos
Our side business
The sitcom "Lost" - we're addicted! Hence why we are so tired, no self control!

RANDOM THOUGHT: As I was doing the dishes two days ago, I had a thought. It had been a particularly crazy day. I really wanted to fix a nice dinner and had been preparing it all day. I had to plan it just right because Ben had Young Mens that night and he only had about 20 minutes to eat and then be out the door. Backing up a little bit, I had been cross with the kids all day. It started with waking up really late and doing the crazy morning rush. I was totally wrong and shouldn't have yelled at them.

Ok fast forward, I had talked to Ben so I could time dinner being hot on the table when he arrived. As I was finishing up and expecting him to walk in the door, I get a phone call. It's him and his meeting went late. I was upset and really rude on the phone and hung up. I felt under appectiated because I didn't think that he was thinking of my feelings. In my heart I knew that he wouldn't be late on purpose, but my emotions take over and I feel I want to blame someone.

So, as I was cleaning the kitchen after having a nice dinner without Ben and then looking forward to a night solo with the kids again, I had a thought. And it wasn't just a thought, it was a whisper from the Spirit.

Very clearly I understood that I need to show the emotions that I'm ACTUALLY feelings. I often show anger when really what I'm feeling is disappointment, fear, or frustration. I was mad at the kids when what I should have portrayed was that I was nervous that we weren't going to be to school on time and I knew it was because I woke late. I was taking it out on them. What I should have shown Ben was that I was disappointed that we couldn't sit down as a family and have dinner together and that I miss him!

It will be amazing if I can put what the Spirit prompted me to do and be completely honest in my emotions and interactions.

...and the verdict is....

a dislocated pelvis!!

Yes folks. I have been walking around with a bum pelvis since Mase was born. For the lucky few that I usually complain to, I'm sure that you are ECSTATIC that I finally went to Dr. Chiropractor. I've never been to one, but I am a believer! You should have heard the pop that happened when he muscled that pelvic bone back into place. The back wasn't pretty and the neck needed a little work. After about a million pops, I'm feeling pretty swell.

As I was leaving he said, your back will feel like you've been in a minor car accident for a few days". I'm thinking, as opposed to feeling like a train is running over me :)

I'm a happy camper. A couple follow ups and I should be good to go. Mase should be proud of himself. Even though he was the runt, he did mama the most damage :)

Our weekend...

Whew! Just catching my breath here from the weekend. It's been a crazy couple of weeks (self imposed of course).

Friday afternoon I got together with my friends and we put on a Halloween party for the kids. It was the maiden voyage for the costumes this year.



Here's some of the kids. Ikey was no where to be found but this is 2/3 of the kids at the party



G-man loves his costume! He is so completely and utterly obsessed with Transformers. It makes Ben happy! I just roll my eyes. I have had to hide the costume so it makes it to the 31st.



Ikey is Optimus Prime...not because he's obsessed like G-man but only because BumbleBee needs a side kick :). Ikey is happy to oblige.



Princess had a tricky time deciding what to be this year. She finally decided on a Vampiress! Stay tuned for full make up and eye lashes. This was a hard feat eating the donut and not the wig :)

Friday night I decided to do a little furniture shopping. I found some really good deals at Knight's Furniture here in Lehi. I got a new mattress for our bed. We have been married 9 years which marks how long a mattress will last for us. Even after sleeping on the new mattress a couple of nights, I still have back pain. I may need to pay a visit to the chiropractor :(



The boys got new bunk beds! They are beyond excited. The first thing G-man did was set up rules...Ikey can't be on his bed



This picture was taken after G-man went to school this morning ha ha!

Princess has been sick this weekend, so we've spent most of it indoors. I decided to try out some yummy new recipes



These orange rolls are SO delicious! And they made my house smell like Christmas morning!! YUM!



This was Pumpkin Pie Shake. It had pumpkin, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and graham cracker. It called for vanilla ice cream and I went a step further and had french vanilla ice cream. It was so good!

I also made roast and fresh mashed potatoes with yams. It turned out ok. I love making homemade fries with the sweet potatoes so I think I'll use my last one on that :) later this week.

This is a terrible picture, Ben took it with his cell phone. Here Princess is mastering a Karate punch. G-man does very well also! They enjoy it.



Last but not least, a little potty humor:



What an ingenious idea! My friend Heidi showed me her toilet (I'm glad we're such good friends!) I'm getting me one! Ikey is going to be potty training just around the corner. She said she bought it at Target just in case y'all are jealous of my soon to be new toilet seat :)