Big boy bike...

Bode took his first big ride on his bike last week. The Subway opened up close to our house (yay) and we all went for a walk/ride over for dinner. He is still pretty shaky at it and was scared to go down any inclines, so it was a slow go over the Subway. Soon he will be peddling fast and I will be jogging behind him just to keep up. When Santa ;) brought the bike I thought it was to big and he would look to small on it. But no it is just his size, he is getting so big.

He takes it very seriously.

New Year's Eve Festivities...

Like always we celebrated the New Year very low key. We ordered pizza, popped popcorn in our new air popper. Thanks Merrill family, it was a big hit! Then we played family video games.

Laine was very interested in the air popper. She thought is was amazing.

The kids went to bed on time. Jer played xbox and I picked up the house.

But for some reason each kids woke up about midnight. I guess they both wanted to ring in the new year with us.

Happy New Year!

(a few days late)

Despite the look on his face...

he did this to himself.

Bode thought it was a good idea to put on Laine's new Christmas dress after church last week.

I thought it was a good time to take a picture.

Time for change...

I got my new red curtains. I love the look they add to this room. Just a little more substantial then the white sheers.

This cork board got a little new life to it. I found it and its matching white board at goodwill for $2 apiece. The cork in this had seen better days but I just covered it with some left over fabric and ta-da it is new again. It fills is some dead space I had above the computer. Speaking of the computer...

Check out my awesome new chair. The picture quality is horrible but you can still see it. Jer's dad was getting rid of it and I was happy to take it off his hands. It is the perfect little leather computer chair for my desk.


So after I was so happy about finding my old pillows online I changed my mind and decided to go another way. I found these beauties at the HomeGoods Store and fell in love. I love the paisley print and the pale blue mixed with the red, yellows and tans. Plus they are better quality and they were cheaper. Score!





So here is the room for now....
I love the pillows, curtains and the layout...
Here are my 3 questions:

Are the bird houses on the entertainment center looking outdated?

I put up the American flag picture to fill a space. I think it is more of a 4th of July decorations and doesn't match the room. What should go up there?

The curtains I love, the tops not so much. Should I make some kind of cornices board to cover them or just leave them alone?

White Elephant Party...

Every year we have a White Elephant Party with the Merrill Family. This year Tim and Connie hosted and we all met at Jill's house for the party. We ate way to much great food, opened white elephant gifts, played "ticket to ride" and enjoyed each others company. This picture sums up the chaotic night. I love my family!!

I guess I forgot...

This was our tree this year.

It was a beauty.

I love fresh trees.

These made me think...

Reflection Questions for 2009


1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Single best thing- really just one. I think it would have to be the birth of our second child. Laine has brought so much happiness this year.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
I am not sure if this fits correctly, but a challenge for me was learning patients. In so many aspects of my life.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Being able to spend so much time with family. We all love such busy lives so it is always wonderful to be able to spend time together.


4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
The mess with our house in Lakeside. It was supposed to go so smooth. But it now has changed so many things for us.

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
stable-fun-new

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009 ( This one I didn't like so I asked Bode about his year)
FUN!!-Birthday-Preschool

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009
Laine-Good job-Bode

8. What were the best books you read this year?
Hunger Game, Catching Fire, Confessions of a Shopaholic Series

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
My family.

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
This is hard to explain so I will try-My personal change this year has been trying to figure out and accept who I have changed into. I am no longer a volleyball playing, athletic free for all person. I am a mother, wife and homemaker. Duh, I keep telling myself, you have been this for awhile. But I really feel this way with two kids. So lets put it this way, this year I looking to have a more personal change in a positive light. Meaning I will not just be wife, mother, homemaker, I will remember who Heidi it too.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I think I am leaning to be more loving... key word learning.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
Spiritual growth is hard to pinpoint, but I have really gained a testimony of the basics this past year. Doing the small things like reading scripture, saying prayers and attending Church meeting really mean a lot and keep life going in the right direction.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

(crickets chirping....) Wish I had something great here like I did a triathlon or ran in a marathon but no. But no. I started off the year having a baby and finished the year struggling with body image issues. This year I hope to "shrink" physically, so check in with me later. But on a more positive note I did play volleyball 8 weeks after having Laine and surprised myself with not looking like a complete fool.


14. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
I love to make my home warm, comfortable and inviting. So my managing come out in decorating. I always have fun doing that.

15. What was your most challenging area of home management?
LAUNDRY. Always laundry. I have a serious hate relationship with laundry.

16. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Worrying about things. Like weight, what people think of me, how clean my house is etc...
17. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Time spent with family.

18. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
To be content with what I have. I get caught up in wanting more and more. But I have so much to be thankful for. I learned that to be happy I must be happy with what I have and not look to others and things for happiness.

19. A phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.

“Security for our families comes from learning self-control, avoiding the excesses of this world, and being temperate in all things.”
Kent D. Watson