And The Winners Are

I really didn't forget but that pay it forward post was 9 months ago and I still haven't followed through but since I've been getting crafty lately I have some gifts to send out. Stacy, Adrienne, and Brittany are all winners but I have one problem now. My computer crashed a while back and I don't have any addresses or emails anymore. So if you want your gift you'll have to email me (bnordstrom@comcast.net) with your address so I can finally follow through. Also any of my other family and friends out there who read this I need your addresses as well so I can send out Christmas cards. Thanks everybody.

SYLYBYE

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Just a little cookie decorating and eating

Family Home Evening Donut eating Contest

Costumes and Trick-or Treating

Pumpkin Carving

and Leaf Raking
Not to mention
Green Bean, Plum, Grape juice and Peach canning(didn't get around to apples this year)
Sewing(Big Thank You to Aunt Robin for helping me again this year)
Room mom planning
Achievement day activities
Organizing winter clothes
Tanner's and Aida's Birthdays
Helping Paige run for student council
3 other classroom projects
Parent teacher conferences
Family Pictures
Ghouls night out with Danny's family
Volleyball games
Out of town visitors
The list goes on and on

There is something about October that makes families go crazy. I used to watch other families and laugh at how they seemed to be running around like chickens with their heads cut off. When I was a younger mom I couldn't seem to understand why older mom's would complain about their crazy lives in the month of October. What was it about this month in particular that would drive them nuts? Were they simply taking on too much? Why specifically the month of October? Well now I'm a little older but not any wiser and I see what they were all complaining about. This last October(and mid September around here) seemed to be completely out of control. I 'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one either. I found that other women I talked to were also on the verge of mental breakdowns too. My simple life philosophy flew out the window. I know I said yes to about 10 things to many and stressed over Costumes and class parties to much. These are all good things but somehow too much of a good thing makes me lose sight of the best things. I think that next year sometime around September I need someone to whisper to me in a super creepy voice "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Just a little reminder to slow down and focus on what's really important. Well, I'm not exactly sure what it was that drove us over the edge but luckily we made it through and November seems much quieter already. Although I'm sure that won't last too long since the Holiday's are right around the corner. Give me a couple of weeks and I'll probably start stressing out again. I really don't want to do that though so maybe I need someone to whisper "Joy to the World" or "It's a Wonderful Life" into my ear starting right about NOW. Actually "Peace" is probably more like it. I'm sure I'll need some in the next coming weeks.

A few more good reads

Take a look at the previous post to hear about some of my favorite reads. These were just some afterthoughts.

Words of Wisdom

I've been reading a lot lately and have come across some really great reads and just wanted to share them. Some of these have been life changing for me. This first one is one that I just heard about and I will be reading as soon as it arrives but it sure sounded interesting. It is about discovering your personal style. At first I thought it sounded kinda lame but it is not just about the kind of clothes you wear or how you decorate your home but how you design and live your life.
"The Peacegiver" was one of those life changing books for me. Loved it!
Heart like his was a heart changer for me. It encourages you to pay more attention to the condition of your heart. It is what I needed at the the time I read it. Actually, I have a weird story about this book. I suppose there is no better time to share than now. Just before I had Tanner last summer I was really struggling with some depression and just not loving life very much and was introduced to one of the participants in this book at an enrichment meeting. She spoke to us about the book and the author of it and explained how to do the experiment(the book is about and experiment some sisters did in her ward) on our own. I was extremely touched by her talk. Anyway, I was due with Tanner any day at that point and wasn't about to start reading a book but after we were home from the hospital for about a day and the kids were all off to grandma's for a while I thought that reading might be something I could do(really I should have been sleeping). Anyway, I had Danny pick it up for me at the library. I started to read it late one night and then left it sitting on the sofa but when I woke up the next morning it was truly missing. My book really did grow legs and walk away. We searched and searched for it for months. By Christmas time I had given up and paid the library for it but couldn't afford to buy one for my self now. One day out of no where a good friend of mine sent me a package in the mail with a copy of this book and I finally got to read it. Sometimes I wonder if Satan has little demons that run around and keep certain things from us when they know they are important. This book turned out to be the best thing ever for me but boy did I have to work to get a hold of one. I had a very similar experience with the "peacegiver" as well. There were many obstacles keeping me from reading it but through some interesting miracles I was finally able to read it as well.
"The Holy Secret" is very similar to "The Peacegiver" and an excellent read as well.
Now, I have read many parenting books over the years but found exactly what I was needing in this one. Being a Behavioral Science major in college I read many child development books and once I became a mother my self I read many more. I don't think there is a parenting book out there that I haven't read but this one hit the mark with me.
"Walking in to a hug" was kind of like a workbook that could go along with the "Christlike parenting". Only a different author. It has a lot of simple ideas for making our homes a safe place for our kids.

I have really enjoyed reading these books. The only problem now is that I'm on idea overload. So much inspiration of things to change that I'm finding it hard to know where to start. I would really love to hear some of your good reads. Please share.

Meridee Loves Kindergarten

Meridee's first day of kindergarten was so much fun. She was all smiles but she was a little nervous too. She wasn't sure she wanted me to leave the room right away. She asked me to watch her from the door for a little while. So I did for about 10 seconds and right away she forgot all about me and was having fun so I could see she didn't really need me to hang around and of course I cried as I walked away from her classroom.
She walked to school holding hands with Aida. Melt my heart.
Found her friend Carmen as we walked in. She ran right up to her and they held hands walking in to class. So cute.
I just love the look of excitement in her eyes as she found her name and sat down in her seat. I just can't believe I have sent another one off into the Big Wide World( for 2 1/2 hours anyway).
And here is Aida taking a break on our walk home. Life for that 2 1/2 hours has become really quiet. One on One time with Aida while Tanner sleeps is so delightful. I am learning a lot about her and I am simply enjoying the fact that she is so easy going and happy. I love afternoon kindergarten.

YAY!

I am so happy to send my kids off to school this year. The summer did seem too short and we didn't get to do everything I had planned so it felt like it was cut short but I am so happy for some routine and learning. It's only been one day but I can feel the difference.
I spent the last week shopping all over town with Paige for school clothes. Everyone else usually does okay with hand-me downs and a new pair of shoes but because Paige is the oldest she usually needs new stuff every year. How do you like the shoes we got for $3. 50? Paige has done a lot of babysitting this summer and saved all her money for school shopping. We really did great being thrifty too. She bought 10 shirts at D.I. for $16. Her skinny jeans, that we searched the whole earth for were her most expensive purchase at $20 but with her long skinny body it sure is hard to find pants for her. Her shoes were payless bogo sale. She got a pair of red loafers for $9 and then these blue ones $3.50. She really is growing up fast. 6th grade already. She is discovering her own sense of style and knows what she likes. Oh and I taught her to shave her legs. Ahhh!
Reed is so excited for school to start. He really had a hard time going to bed last night. He is in the 4th grade this year. He is also growing up fast. They all are. He had kind of a rough day. We are already dealing with some bullying that happened on his way home from school today. Why do kids have to be so mean?
Audrie is in the 2nd grade this year. She is becoming extremely independant and wants to do things on her own. I am looking forward to watching her learn and develop new talents.
Meridee also starts kindergarten this year but won't start until next week. It's like torture trying to keep her happy while she waits. Every day she asks "how many more days?" I can't wait for her to go too. She is so ready for school plus it means my days will be so much easier with Aida and Tanner. It has been a very long time since I just had two little ones at home during the day. I can sense the freedom is almost here.