Twilight

I am so excited about this Twilight series I have been reading. For those that haven't heard about the books or had a chance to read them yet I definitely recommend reading them! Now that Christian is back in school full time and working I am alone a lot of the day and Benton doesn't say too much, I have really enjoyed reading. I told Christian I feel like they are my friends during the day :) Even if my life isn't too eventful outside the everyday feedings, naps, diaper changes, I can live vicariously through Bella Swan. Just wondering what everyone else thought of the books.

Why I Love Shoes

When Christian and I were first married we were bringing in our personal belongings into our tiny apartment, I had purposely left several pairs of my shoes at my parents knowing I wouldn't have room for all of them. I only brought my most favorite and most essential shoes. So when Christian started making comments about the number of shoes I had with only 1/3 of the actual number I owned I realized I was going to have to make a good case for needing so many different pairs. For him shoes are just something you wear out of necessity. He can own 3 pairs and be completely satisfied for a whole year. One pair for church, one pair for everyday casual use and another pair for playing sports. I began taking inventory of my shoes and just couldn't part with the majority of them. Each pair has a history, such as the first pair I showed the little black ones with a flower over the toes. My mom bought those ones when she was in the midst of battling her cancer. She thought they were perfect to go with my wedding colors and even though she was too wobbly on her feet to actually wear them to the wedding she kept them in a box as an incentive to get well enough to wear them out of the house. I think of her each time I wear them. I love those shoes! Then the last pair, the brown heals I love as well. Christian bought those for me when we had been married about 6 months. I was having one of the weeks when nothing could go right. So, Christian surprised me with leaving several notes and roses at different locations from my work desk, my car, and inside our home. He then bought our favorite dinner and had those shoes for me on my chair in our kitchen. So, you see how could I ever part with shoes that have meanings behind them. Shoes make an outfit perfect and can make you feel pretty even when you are 8 months pregnant and feeling like an elephant. I think most women would agree that shoes are just one of those things our husbands should just accept instead of trying to convince us we need fewer shoes.

Benton and his new tricks

We can't believe how much Benton is growing up. I took him last week for his 4 month check up and the Dr. told how at 6 months Benton would start sitting up and rolling over. I quickly told him Benton was already mastering both tasks. I think he has his Daddy's genes, always on the move. His new stats are: 14 pounds 10 oz, 25 inches long.
For Christmas Grandpa Wade gave Benton these drums. Benton was thrilled! It was so funny I wanted to take pictures with him playing and as soon as I pulled out the camera and starting taking pictures he caught right on and played it up for the camera. We love being parents and watching everything our cute little boy does!

Long Walks, Cold Hands

Benton and I love taking walks, but since it has turned cold we have to bundle up more and more. Benton doesn't mind being all dressed up as long as his hands are free. After being out for half and hour I looked down at his hands that had turned purple from the cold. So I put my gloves on his hands, he wasn't thrilled.

New Job

Okay, Benton is now 4 months so I knew it was time to end my maternity leave and start working again. After several interviews I finally decided to work at Garden Terrace, a skilled nursing facility that specializes in dementia. Christian told me I would really be doing a lot of service, because the patients will have no idea whether I actually worked with them or not as they have limited short term memory. I am working PRN or on call for now. I hope to work 5 times a month, sounds like a lot I know :) My favorite part of the day is picking up Benton. He is all smiles when he sees me. Thankfully I have great friends, sister-in-laws, and mother-in-law to watch Benton while I work, THANKS!!

Freezer Meals, cont

For those that are interested in doing your own freezer meals, the book is: "Dinner is Ready." Deanna Buxton is the author and I think she has done a couple of books. We also just discovered she has a website that can organize your shopping list, lets you print out labels, and other great things. Her website is: www.30mealsinoneday.com/

Freezer Meals

Ok, I haven't been much of a cook other than something quick and easy like spaghetti, tacos, potatoes, just the usual. However, since I am now a "stay at home mom" I decided I could do more to enhance my homemaking skills. I had heard about cooking 30 meals in one day and then freezing them from some friends in St. George and thought it would be fun to try. I bought a freezer meal cook book, gathered two friends (Natalie and Andrea), and tried it out. What a project! We finished our last set of meals last week. It takes about 3 days which include one day for shopping for all the food, next day doing all the prep work, and final day cooking ALL DAY! We were able to make 11, not 30, but we are excited about have garlic artichoke chicken and stuffed steak on any old weekday. Hopefully our husbands appreciate and enjoy all our work. Thanks Nat and Andrea for making it a success!