Schedule revamp and Aaron...

Another week over...another one beginning. The cycle sometimes seems monotonous: wake up, hurry, feed, hurry, clean, hurry, work, hurry, study, hurry...You know the never ending cycle right? I love being a mom. I love being a wife. I loved being an organized homemaker. Loved because I am not that now and feel like I haven't been for months (Aaron would probably say years, but he better not). My main problem is that I had a cleaning schedule that worked pretty well, but then when our life changed (Aaron-in school again and working 3rd shift, and me working part time outside the home for the first time since before Jake was born), I refused to change the schedule. Over a year later and Aaron saying (on numerous occasions), I can't take it any more, I am agreeing that neither can I! When we say we can't take it anymore we are referring to: not a pair of clean socks in the house, dinner?...what time is it?, no there isn't any gas in the car, why do I always wait until the last minute?, where is-fill in the blank depending on the day (for example tonight it was the stapler...where does a stapler end up if not on the desk?)? I am pulling my hair out! My old schedule is impossible to follow since I am not here to do it and it is time for me to give up on it and make a new one! Duh, right? Smarter people wouldn't have taken a year to figure that out...This is a new week and a new schedule....That I am going to come up with before my head hits the pillow tonight!!!! Sorry for the rambling...

This past week,I am sad to say was NOT spent: studying the scriptures, eating right, exercising, keeping on top of my cleaning schedule, or making good use of time in general. But, we DID have family home evening...Yippee, for accomplishing one thing...Oh yeah, I did manage to get Jake almost a whole new wardrobe (he likes to grow in the middle of winter. When I say grow, I mean he wakes up and nothing fits...THANK YOU TARGET FOR YOUR CLEARANCE!), for not much money. I also saved tons of $$$ with my awesome coupon skills too. And the house was clean for almost one whole day...except laundry in our room. Never mind, scratch that off the list, the whole house was never clean all at once. Oh well.

This week can only get better since I was so slack last week, right?! Family Home Evening is planned and tomorrow we are starting a brand new tradition I am calling: "A Week Of Love", as we lead up to Valentine's day. We need a week of love and appreciation for each other! We kind of started today with a "Daddy Appreciation Day". Aaron was too tired to make it to church today (I am not sure how he functions...Thurs. through Mon. he gets only a few short hours of sleep when he gets home at 7am. He only has Mon. and Wed. nights off and he goes to school all day Tues. and Thurs., so the end of the week is the long sleepless part...) because he had to catch up on some much needed z's. When we got home from church, Jake and I cleaned up the living room (so we could hang out in it stress free) before Aaron woke up. We then spent the afternoon bringing him things he needed and taking care of him. What did he think of this? He asked me "What did you guys do? Did you break something?" :) We obviously need to do a better job of showing our appreciation on a more regular basis. What started Daddy appreciation day was when Jake and I were at church. Jake said "Mommy will you bare your testimony? You really should." I sat and thought about it. When was the last time I bore my testimony? I couldn't remember...Sad, I know. So, I did. I needed it. Jake needed to hear it. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders as I realized (again) in our crazy, hectic life I had a testimony of how mindful Heavenly Father is of my little family. How Jesus Christ atoned for me and everyone. How my husband sacrifices sleeping and a normal life in general because he loves us. Aaron takes his responsibility of caring for and providing for our family very seriously. I know that the only way we have made it through this year, and we will make it through the next, is because we know what we are doing right now, is what we need to be doing. Is it fun? Nope. Is it easy? Not at all. Am I handling it the best I can? Not even close. But, when I think of what Aaron sacrifices for Jake and me I can't help but want to do better. Is this where we thought we would be 13 1/2 years into marriage and back in school? NO. We are going to be stronger for it. I am even more thankful for my awesome husband than I ever was before. He amazes me every day. I can't keep up with the laundry, but he can ace all his classes (he is a math major people!!!) on little, to no sleep? I can and will do better. It feels good just to make the declaration. Now I just have to do it!!!

While I was laying on the coach being a lazy bones today and drifting off into my much loved Sunday afternoon nap. I caught a bit of Aaron and Jake's conversation. It went something like this: Aaron "So why are you being extra nice to me today Jake?" Jake: "Because we appreciate you. Especially Mommy. She REALLY appreciates you. She bore her testimony and talked about it today." :) I will be a better home maker again. I may not be a home maker full time, but life is so much better when I don't make it so obvious that I am not. Here's to a new week! Here is too a husband who works hard for his family! Aaron will probably get a chance to read this some time in the middle of the night when he has a little down time so Thank you Aaron. We love and appreciate everything you do for us. I love you more than you know. You are my hero. :)

And just because I love pictures...
Jake and Aaron with all our lovely Super Bowl snacks on our cocoa table (isn't it so cool? I saw it at the store and loved how it looked-Aaron realized it pulled up into a table and was sold on it). Smoothies (one healthy thing), pigs in a blanket, cheese sticks, pizza rolls...This is the first year in as long as I can remember that we haven't thrown/gone to a Super Bowl party. (I ended up having Primary leadership training with the stake leaders tonight before Aaron went to work any way.)


This picture?...Nothing to do with what I talked about...just because I love this face! We were sitting and playing with Legos today while Aaron tried to catch an afternoon power nap and Jake just looked so cute in his "lumberjack shirt" as he calls it. It does have something to do with what I was talking about! This is one of the new shirts from Targets clearance rack, it was only $3.98. :)..Notice the full laundry basket in the background...and who knows what is in that grocery bag. Oh I know, it was little trinkets that we were going to trade in at geo-cashing spots when Tina and the kiddos where here...3 weeks ago? That bag stayed on there even when we rearranged Jake's room. Oh yeah add that to the list of things I did accomplish....priorities: laundry or rearranging furniture...hmmm. I may have made a wrong choice there...But Jake's room feels so much bigger now. :)

For Nana...

Dear Nana,
We know that you are already missing your sweet dogs, but we are taking great care of them and enjoying every minute of it. Just think in a couple of days you will be on the cruise, looking out at the waves, while reading your Kindle. You won't even miss them then! :) But, while you are home getting ready to go we thought we would show you how their first day went.

Jake got up at 6, rather than his regular 6:30 and spent those 30 minutes sitting on one of the dog beds with Penny and Pooha petting them and giggling.

While he was at school both dogs napped happily. Pooha napped so well I didn't even wake her up when I put Penny in the backyard while I went to work for 4 1/2 hours...I think she may not have realized we were gone...until we got back! J/K. Her food was gone so she must have gotten up and eaten at least.

We decided to go on a walk when we got home and didn't want to leave Pooha all by her lonesome so we put her in a purse, wrapped up inside with a pillow case and she went along.

She got cold so I put her under my sweatshirt and carried her. She kept her head inside for a little while, but once she warmed up she popped her head out. All the while Penny wagged her tail and enjoyed the walk.



When we got back Pooha was exhausted from all her exercise (hehehe) and needed another nap. So, Jake got her all set up and she showed her appreciation with several kisses. You can't tell by the picture, but Jake loved this and laughed the whole time. Penny wagged her tail and watched happily.

Then on to the photo shoot. I have a cherished picture of Emily (our black lab that we had to put to sleep a year ago because of cancer.) that we took last year and I wish I had one of Daisy (our basset hound, that we had to put to sleep 2 years ago from old age, and a urinary infection that wouldn't go away of and on for a year) that captured her the same way. So, it is my mission to take that kind of picture of all the dogs I know. That one shot that captures their sweet personalities....I haven't gotten them yet but I am working on it. Pooha is very photogenic but for some reason is looking slightly like a crazy haired goat in this picture:

(She is really so much more adorable than this picture makes her look.)

Penny is a bit camera shy. We snapped a couple of her watching Jake eat goldfish (that seemed to really get her attention), but we had just gotten back from the walk so she was panting. Although adorable, I think I can do better. I think she was even smiling for this one, but her eyes are a little creepy. We will try again and get the perfect shot of both your sweet dogs.


So, don't worry about your dogs. We will take good care of them for you. Have fun on your cruise and be safe! We haven't really decided if we are actually going to give them back but we will let you know! :) Just kidding of course. Thanks for letting us enjoy some doggie time while you go cruisin'.

Love-Carrie, Jake, and Aaron (he's not here, but I am sure he would agree...well maybe not...he is a picture taking party pooper so he may think this is all craziness.)

Simple Pleasures and another non-resolution bites the dust...

Cocoa over at Chocolate on my Cranium is talking about simple pleasures. This week I think it is safe to say that my simple pleasure is bags...When I met someone I always look at their purse/bag because it says a lot about a person. Small bags mean you are spontaneous. Large bags mean you are prepared for anything. Medium bags mean you are good when put on the spot, because you can make due with what you have. This is not scientific, but I find it pretty accurate....I love bags! It makes me so happy when I am at church and someone comes up to me and says "I have a horrible headache and I hear you are the person to talk too". At which point I say: "Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Asprin?" That is right I carry all 3. What if someone has a heart attack? I can whip out my asprin and help. I take simple pleasure in being prepared with a bag full of...well everything. What I am really saying is...Yes, it's true, I have broken another one of my non-resolutions (I don't do resolutions-they never happen. Apparently I didn't fool myself by renaming it...) again. I lasted 31 days of my year of not buying another purse/bag....Don't judge me people. This bag is going to be it...To this Aaron (my dear husband) said: "That's what you said about the last one." Good thing he loves me. It's true, every bag I get seems to be the perfect bag I have always been looking for! (Keep in mind I don't have millions of bags. When I buy one I give one away, and I don't buy expensive bags. I once spent $29 on a bag...That was EXTREME for me and I still have that bag 4 1/2 years later...) The last one I got I love, but I couldn't carry my camera in it-it was too slim. And I don't leave home without my camera. Not on purpose at least. So, I am admitting I have a problem. I am a bag-aholic. I am getting better though. I have gone from trendy to utilitarian (that's the right word right? Does what I need it to do...You know what I mean right? Wow, I sound so ignorant right now...). So, it brings me simple pleasure to know that I now have a bag for every occasion and that I am prepared. Does this make me sound crazy? Maybe a little...I am not the perfect homemaker (working on it), I don't have a completely organized home (working on it), and I have lots of things to work on...BUT, If we are at Sam's Club and we decide to eat a slice of pizza but the little tables are all nasty-I can just take out my clorax wipes and take care of the problem...It is a simple pleasure for me to be prepared. I carry a minimum of 2 lip balms-just in case I lose one...Jake left the house for school with out brushing his teeth? No problem-chew some sugar free gum and brush them when you get home! I used to get upset about things like this, but it is no big deal when you are prepared. I can leave the house and feel confident I am ready for just about anything. Here are my top 3 faves...Keep in mind they look way cuter when they are slung over your shoulder. :)

The mom bag:

This bag has served me well. It can hold a full change of clothes if needed. This is my ready for anything bag. This is my go to when I need to go some where quick and need to cover all the bases. It is big enough to throw my everyday bag in and go.

The cute medium size brown bag:
Just a little smaller than the black one but the top zips. Great for traveling. It has little side snap pockets that hold anti-bac wipes perfectly.


The new, every day, not too big, not too small, holds everything I need, built in wallet, place for your iPod, bag. It is way cutter than the picture makes it look. A lady came into Bi-Lo with it and we all fell in love with it. Perfect for jeans and a clean tee and running errands with the Jakester.





I take simple pleasure in my bags. They help me make it through the day and sometimes even help other people through theirs. :)

Check out other peoples Simple Pleasures here.

My Weekly Brain Declutter...

*Why did I reach in my desk for a pen, grab one that won't work...and then put it back in my desk..?

*I am so thankful to be an American. My prayers are going out for the people of Egypt...To all the people in the world that aren't as blessed as we are to live in a free country.

*Glad trash bags scented with Febreze, vanilla scent, ROCK! I am cleaning the sun room while I blog and the whole room smells like vanilla. I am picking up the mess on the table I made when I was clipping coupons...2 days ago...Why? Aaron wasn't here (school/work) last night so Jake and I just ate on the cocoa table (when Jake was little he asked why we called the coffee table that since we didn't drink coffee...hence cocoa table has been its name ever since, and ours is awesome...I will post a picture some time...it probably is already some where on my blog...), with the TV OFF...

*Jake had a field trip to Discovery Place in Charlotte yesterday. He LOVED it. We haven't been for several years (since we didn't live here!) and is already ready to go back. They got to watch an I-MAX movie about the Alps. That is education. Not sitting in classroom for 7 hours... :)

*I enjoyed watching Jake encourage a boy on his basketball team with disabilities last night at his practice. Two days in a row of witnessing him making amazing decisions. He is wonderful. I am a proud mom. I wish I had about 3 more just like him. :)

*I have a title for my first book..."A year with out a dog". Crazy, I know but it is in my head so no surprise there. That is probably where it will stay...A book that only I would want to read. :)

*Dogs are coming to our house today! Penny and Pooha will have a vacation at our house, while Nana and Papa Harmon go on a cruise. The dog beds (yes that is plural) have been brought up from the basement....Nana may not get your dogs back. :) Just kidding...kind of...

*Reading sometimes makes me feel dumb. I can't believe the things that I should probably know, but I don't...I am going to keep reading though, because I feel smarter after. :)

*I keep making the :) symbol because I keep smiling at how random my brain is. How de-cluttering really sweeps away the cobwebs...It works doesn't it Melissa? She tried it on her blog and she has a very random brain too. That is a compliment...I think at least. It means you have a lot going on in your brain. How can that be a bad thing?

*I need to stop blogging and clean my house, do laundry, and...about 100 other things.

*Blogging is a great tool for procrastinators....I am done de-cluttering my brain...Now on to the house...yikes.

*You knew this would happen...one more thing...I already know the name of the blog Jake would post on if we home schooled... "Jake's Commonplace Blog". If you don't know what this is referencing you should read "A Thomas Jefferson Education" (another plug for an amazing book). Thomas Jefferson contributed to a book that his mentor called "The Commonplace Book". This is were fellow students of his mentor wrote down things that came into their mind (from their studies....) and they wanted to share with their peers. Amazing idea right? We will just put a twist on it from book to blog. Smart right? If we home school that would be awesome!

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

Almost a year ago I took this picture....

As the "blizzard of the century" is hitting part of the country it made me think of about this time last year. Emily in her last snow...

It is Wordless Wednesday over at Mormon Mommy Blogs. Check it out here.

The book I am reading...and thanks

Tina (my big sis), THANK YOU for recommending the book "A Thomas Jefferson Education". It is exactly how I have felt about education, but states it so much better than I do, and with real facts that make more sense than my rambling. :) I learn more about learning and loving it every page I read and I am only on page 60 something...I should be done by now, but...I can't even come up with a good excuse. Time is the one I will use today! Back to the point that the book brings up so perfectly (and teaches you how to answer the questions): Why is our educational system set up in a way that works to close the minds of our children? Why do they teach to the slowest student? Why do they teach to memorize and regurgitate, rather than actually learn...and love it? I am not liking the shift I have seen in Jake over the past couple of school years, from getting excited about learning, to HATING it...Not really hating the learning, just the process that it is force feed to you in our schools. Hating the coming home from 7 hours of school to have to sit and do homework. I hate it too...But the book I LOVE! Read it, you will too!!! (..and you will probably even finish it before I do...)

Jake's growing up...

On the way home from school yesterday, Jake informed me that this Halloween he didn't want to go trick or treating. He said that just going to the Ward's trunk or treat would be good. I told him that worked for me, but asked why and what made him think of that...in January? He said it just popped into his head that he didn't want to see all the gruesome costumes and that knocking on strangers doors for candy didn't seem safe...I agree 100% dude. I told him we would just buy our favorite kinds of candy, turn off the outside lights and have our own little party. Where is my little boy? It is amazing to see him grow up...And I don't just mean getting bigger, I mean watching him use the Spirit in his life to make good decisions. Maybe we did do something right after all Aaron. Maybe he will figure out the whole Santa thing this year...It is one of the only growing up stages I won't be sad (I don't think...) to see over.