March 20, 2009

Homemade Detergents?

While surfing the web for sewing patterns I happened to stumble upon a website for making your own laundry detergent. I'm pretty excited to try it. They claim it works equally as well as Tide and costs 1/50th of the price. Another thing that appeals to me is that is seems more eco-friendly. Also, I'm paranoid about the chemicals they put in shampoos, detergents, soaps, ect. Upon further research I also found a 'recipe' for making your own dish detergent and hand soap. Anyone else want to experiment with making some of these things? I'll be curious to know what you think!

March 16, 2009

Sick of Being Sick!

BEWARE: I'M COMPLAINING AND ORNERY!!!

Sadie came down with her 5th cold since Christmas! Ben and I also woke up with sore throats and achy bodies today. It is so hard to be sick while being a mom because there is zero time to slow down and let a body heal itself. Sadie doesn't feel good and can't breath so she is up two or three times a night and then I'm up at 5 am for Seminary (which by the way I still need to plan a lesson for tomorrow and the seminary supervisor is coming to class). What kills me is that almost every cold she's had comes two days after I've been asked to substitute in primary (which is becoming a common occurrence - hence, all the colds). With Ben being in the Bishopric he can't take her, so she is in primary with me and I can't get the kids to keep their hands off her. I'm positive she picks the colds up at church. Positive. So, at what point can I tell people 'no' without becoming a mean person? What I'm trying to say is that I am so, so, so tired of being sick and having a sick baby and husband to take care of. Before we have a chance to recover from one cold, another one is upon us, and Ben now jokes that he has emphysema which I'm starting to think is true. Ok, I'm done. Forgive my orneriness!

On a happy note, I made the most wonderful stuffed chicken breasts tonight. I put basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and roasted garlic in them. Yum! Ben is working late tonight, so I didn't have anyone to enjoy eating it with - but it was delicious, just the same!

On another happy note, Sadie and I met Ben at the park today for a picnic lunch. The weather was beautiful and we had a wonderful time. Here are some pictures from the day:





On an even happier note we had an extremely wonderful, relaxing Saturday. We sat by the pool, I read a book, took a nap....it was a lovely day! Oh, how I miss that day!!!







One more thing to share, I took Sadie on a walk Sunday night while Ben was at New Beginnings. When I got back to the house, Sadie had fallen asleep like this:



Overall, I now see more clearly, I don't have much to complain about. Life is really really great, even if some days are hard. Now I must stop procrastinating and plan my seminary lesson!

March 15, 2009

March 02, 2009

The Newest Ward Widow

So, I decided now that Ben's been in there for a couple weeks, I would discuss his new calling in the Bishopric. He is responsible for coordinating Sacrament meetings, Single Adults, and the Young Women and Deacons. (There could be more, but that's all I know of). Timewise, he's really not gone that much more. In fact, I think he's home more during the week but gone longer on Sundays. I was worried I'd feel isolated from him because there's so much stuff he can't discuss with me. But, we've been able to talk about topics for sacrament meeting, and he's trying to get to know the youth better so I keep suggesting he teach seminary and he did once. That was nice. Ben also really likes the people he is serving with in the Bishopric, and I think he is relieved to not be handling welfare matters anymore. The biggest difference, and the hardest part for me, is that I don't have his help anymore at church on Sundays. Sadie just hit the age where she has a lot of restless energy and wants to get down and walk around. Some weeks she is an angel but other weeks she throws tantrums when she can't go walking and I have to leave the meeting. But even if Ben were sitting with us I'm not sure that would change things. So, all in all, it's actually turned out to be a good thing.