27

I think I've gotten over the shock, dread, anxiety of turning 27. Shock that I'm in my late thirties, dread of being 27 and my hubby still being 25, and the anxiety of thinking, "what have I done with my life?" I keep getting told, "Oh, 27 is so YOUNG!" I appreciate everyone that said that to me. And I DO feel like I've accomplished many things, so I'm not going to go cliff jumping or climb Mt. Everest or anything like that. I'm too young to have a mid-life crisis. Haha.

I think of the line in a birthday primary song that says "one year older and wiser too". I like to believe I'm learning and more wise than I was a year ago. I suppose I'm more wise when it comes to being a parent. Last year I really had no idea what to expect and how I was going to manage raising a kid. Luckily Logan is happy and healthy, so I'm happy. Oh, and my hubby is happy too. That's also important.



I had a great birthday. I am blessed with wonderful family and friends who go out of their way to make me feel special. I was spoiled with birthday dinners, presents, cake, pampering, etc. Who could ask for anything more?

What do I hope for the year ahead? Well, I hope for lots of days of sunshine so I can better appreciate nature and the beauty that's just outside my door. I hope to look in the mirror and think, "hmmm, I look pretty darn good today." Better yet, "I look smokin' in this swimming suit." I hope to cross off more projects on my to-do list. I hope to slow down so I can appreciate what I have and what I'm doing. I hope to remember the little things each day that make me happy.

I want to say on my next birthday, "Wow, that was a good year."

What's Your Resolution?

I have been debating about posting my resolutions because they are personal and well, they will kinda show my flaws. I admire those who are so honest on their blogs and willing to share their triumphs as well as their failures. So hear this now . . . I am NOT perfect. There are many things I want to be better at. I don't expect to be perfect by the end of the year, but I hope to be better than when I started. Our goals are:



Goal #1: ORGANIZE


"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." (D&C 88:119)


This scripture states many of the goals we as a family want to achieve. I want a home where the spirit can dwell. Watching Logan grow has got me thinking, "What can I teach my child?" I know he's young, but I want to establish good habits as a family so our children will grow up knowing their Heavenly Father and Savior. So we'll be working on REGULAR family prayer, scripture study, FHE, temple attendance, fulfilling our callings, being kind and thoughtful to each other, and teaching by the spirit.




Goal #2: SAVE MONEY!!!


We really really want to buy a home by Spring of 2011. With a baby and me at home, money has been a little tight, so we are really going to try to stay in our budget and save some $$$ for a down payment. That means going out less often, budget grocery and especially personal spending, and for me to get a part-time job. Just something on the side so we don't have to get a sitter and we can earn a few more bucks. So, if you're willing to have a cheap night in playing games or hanging out, give us a call!




Goal #3: BE HEALTHY

Kind of vague, but I'm sick of saying "lose weight". Being healthy reaches beyond just losing weight. Being the main cook in the house, I hope to create nutritious (and delicious) meals every night. Check out my cooking blog and let me know if you have any good recipes. Benj and I are going to hit the gym at least 3 times a week, and we're cutting our sugar waaaaayyy back. As in throwing out the Christmas treats and only occasionally having dessert instead of almost every day. My hope is to run a half marathon in September and maybe I'll get Benj to do it with me. :)


There you have it. I'd love to hear feedback if you have any tips regarding: teaching children, saving money, healthy snacks and meals, and any other ideas!

Good luck on your resolutions too!

Christmas 2009

Christmas was so much more fun this year with a baby. I know he doesn't know what's going on, but its been a while since I was so excited for Logan to open presents. To be honest, last week is still kind of a blur to me because it was so busy, but I'll see what I can remember.

Christmas Eve was spent at our brother-in-law's parents house (get that?). There is always great food and great company. Logan slept for 2 hours while Benj and I got to eat and relax. That was a great early Christmas present. :) We played the candy bar game and I, once again, scored some major goods. If anyone wants some candy, come to my house.

When we got home, we noticed the elves left us each a present. We quickly changed into our pajamas. Who knew the elves shopped at Victoria's Secret?

This photo was our 4th attempt at self-timer.

We did our own little family thing in the morning and opened lots of fun gifts. Santa spoiled us once again.

Logan was so excited for Christmas!

We headed over to Benj's side for breakfast and more presents. The cousins got a Wii. Cameron kept saying, "Am I dreaming? I can't believe we have a Wii!" It was so cute. Colton (the younger of the two) liked to push the buttons, although he wasn't really playing. Heehee.


My two boys enjoying Christmas at the cousins. We went over in our pajamas, even though everyone else was showered and beautiful. Am I the only one who wants to stay in my pajamas all day?

Logan and Colton helped open presents.

Colton got a lovely space gun that made lots and lots of noise. We tried to hide it once and tell him it needed new batteries, but he was too smart.

We gave Marcy a family calendar. She was so cute and excited about it.

Logan trying out his little bike. Parental supervision required since he tends to slip off.

I don't have any pictures (yet) but later Christmas day we went to Benj's grandparents for the most amazing dinner ever. Grandma Mel is so fancy and the best cook.

The day after Christmas my family came down from Idaho and we went to my Aunt's house for a Christmas party. Again no pictures - I've got to get better! It was so much fun.

We visited a little at our house afterwards. Here's Logan with Grandma and Grandpa Croft.

Andy, Sam and his wife Jenni

Almost Here

I can't believe Christmas is 3 days away. I had good intentions to finish all of my projects before this week, but I took on too much. I just hope I can get everything finished. I'll make this post short and sweet. Here are some more activities we've been doing.

December 15th - Wear our Christmas attire. Ok, not going into details on this one ;)

December 16th - Listen to Forgotten Carols. This is a must. I have the piano music too. All I need is a piano!

December 17th - Watch Christmas Vacation. This was Benj's request. It's his very favorite Christmas movie.

December 18th - Make gingerbread houses. We did this with our friends Chris and Ashley. No pictures during the actual making, mostly because Logan was fussy and ready for bed. Benj ended up decorating most of the house. I got a kick out of the snowman and gingerbread man's eyes.

December 19th - Make a snowman. Didn't have good snow for this. Maybe today since we're supposed to get a few inches!

December 20th - Make sugar cookies. We originally wanted to make them since we've never used our Christmas cookie cutters, but our sweet friends brought some over. So we'll change this activity to EAT sugar cookies. :)

December 21st - Look at lights. If you live in the Bountiful area, you must go up to the temple. First, they have a Nativity scene on the grounds, and if you go drive on the street around the temple (Temple View Drive), you'll see the whole Christmas story. Each house has a scripture passage and beautiful painting of Christ's birth.

We also went to Thanksgiving Point and rode a horse-drawn wagon around the lights. It was fun but COLD! We went with Grandma Bradshaw, and Benj's sister and family.

December 22nd - Today we're having a candlelight dinner. This is a tradition of my family's, and we're doing our own since we're not going to Idaho Falls this year. I don't know what's on the menu exactly, besides shrimp and sparkling apple cider. Cheers!

December 23rd - We'll plan on doing a puzzle. :)

December 24th - Go to the Christmas Eve party and play the candy bar game (photo from last year).

Hope your family has some fun traditions too!

Merry Christmas!

Guess What?

I'm 8 months! I can stand up in my crib

I also have 2 teeth
I like eating biter biscuits and puffy stars
I like crawling everywhere
I like getting spoiled
I like to talk and growl at my toys


Oh, and I'm super cute.

Activities - Week 2

Both Benj and I agree that December has already been very busy! We also credit our activity calendar for bringing the spirit of Christmas into our home. Here are some of the things we did last week:


Dec 10 - Drink hot chocolate and have Tim-Tam Slams!

If you haven't had these before, you MUST try them. The original tim tams are made in Australia, but Pepperidge Farm has them too and they are very similar.

This ad is true.

Hint - there are 11 cookies in a package

Watch a how to video on Tim Tams here.

Dec 11 - Have a Christmas treat. We certainly did this. We went to our friends' house for cheese fondue and a chocolate fountain. My new favorite dipping is cheesecake bites. I could have eaten a whole cheesecake by myself!


Dec 12 - Visit Temple Square (we didn't make it. Mostly from poor planning and the fact that everyone in Utah was trying to drive into Salt Lake and the freeway was closed). We were "driving" for 45 minutes and never left Bountiful because of traffic. Insane. So we turned around, went to Domino's for pizza, and make out of this world popcorn balls.

Benj and his mom mixing the ingredients

Cameron (our nephew) adding some gummy bears for extra ooey gooey goodness.

Forming the balls (I put lots of butter on my hands. Mmmmm)

Logan's job: look cute and eat Cheerios

Cam and Benj with the popcorn pyramid

Mmmmm, delicious

Shout out to my hot hubby. Can your hubby grow that manly of a beard and still look good?

Dec 13 - Dance to "The Christmas Song". Michael Buble sings my favorite version. Best when done with the lights of the Christmas tree.

Dec 14 - Go a good deed. We got an angel tree ornament and will deliver goodies for the neighbors. :)

Christmastime is Here

Our family is doing an activity advent calendar. We started Dec 1st and here's what we've done so far:

Dec 1 - Read a Christmas story (we decided to reminise and look at pictures and read an article out of the Ensign)

Dec 2 - Decorate house

Our Nativity

Stockings (we need to get Logan's name on his)

Dec 3 - Put outside lights on

Dec 4 - Go to Festival of Trees

This was fun but way busy. I was going to get Logan's picture with Santa but the line was way too long. There were amazing trees, gingerbread houses, wreaths, and fun entertainment. Next year we won't go on a Friday night!

PS - For some reason all my pics turned out blurry. Darn camera!

In front of the Utah tree

A gingerbread CASTLE!

Logan on top of Daddy's shoulders. He did great.

Dec 5 - Shop for our Christmas tree - our tradition is to get a real one

Dec 6 - Decorate tree

I have a cute video of Logan looking at the tree that I'll post soon. We love our little tree. It sits in the corner and can't be reached by Logan because of our couches. It smells so good. As soon as this was decorated, Christmas felt like it officially begun.

Dec 7 - Make Christmas cards

Dec 8 - Watch a Christmas movie - We watched a Charlie Brown Christmas and Prep and Landing (a special on NBC)

Dec 9 - Today we'll plan on playing a board game - hopefully we'll keep the Christmas spirit and not get too competitive.

Are you in the Christmas mood yet?