Fishing....and why I will never understand men

Uggghhh.  Can I just say that I hate fishing.  What a silly sport and yes I just saw you roll your eyes at me JJ.  I think it's dumb and I further think that my husband spends WAY too much money on every new little leader, fly or fins that hit the market just to keep up with the fishing guy on the front of the Cabelas fishing catalog.  Did you know that Cabelas has a catalog specifically for fishing?  If you don't believe me, come on over and ask to use the....um....facilities.  There it is.  Right in front of the magazine rack, smack dab in front of the 2013 and 2012 editions.  Sheesh!

A new year, a new...me!

Every time the new year comes around I find myself thinking like so many other and wonder what can I do to improve my life.  I'm not very good at sticking to resolutions but came up with 2 simple ones.

1)  No more Diet Coke.  Sad huh?  It's so horrible for my body but I just love it so.  I am currently on day 2 of the taper down and by next Friday I will be off it for good.  This is the goal that I'm most hesitant about and the one that I'm not entirely optimistic that I can keep.  I will try however.  I promise!

2)  Sometimes I can be a bit high-strung and this year I'd like to work on being more relaxed about life and less stressed about the little things and the things that don't matter.  Positivity first!  (I didn't roll my eyes at that one...honest)


In other news:

Our New Years Eve was a bit of a dud.  Sage went to a church dance and Lindsay wanted to stay home.  She didn't think that she'd have any fun in her cast.  I wasn't feeling super hot (glutened again) and I had to work on New Years Day so I went to bed early.  What an exciting life we live!

On New Years Night, Lindsay and I had a great time playing Clue.  She is such a fun girl and I am truly thankful for the lovely darling that she is.  She is almost as tall as I am now.  I don't think that she'll surpass me but she is still hoping.

Sage got a job a Costa Vida.  She's not much on work, hence the surprise but she is quickly learning that money doesn't grow on trees and I'm not a bank.  She started today and they had her washing tables and trays and then sent her home after a couple of hours.  I hope that it works out for her but wish that it wasn't so far away from home.  She said that the owner is quite nice and he hired her on the spot so she obviously impressed him.  Today she gave her notice at Joann's.  She was nervous to do so but Joann said she was happy for Sage.

To have or not to have....that is the question.

About a year and a half ago, Lindsay was complaining of stomach pain and given the fact that Sage and I have celiac disease, she opted to go gluten free. She has had zero symptoms since that time - including any signs of ever being accidentally glutened. Since she has been gluten free for so long any possible testing that could be done would be inaccurate since you need to consume gluten to test for the antibodies against it.    One option we have is to do a genetic panel to see if she if she carries the gene for it. If she doesn't then she absolutely will never have an issue with gluten ever. If she has the gene then she could develop it at some point in her life, if she doesn't currently have it.  The test cannot definitively say if she has celiac but it can eliminate the possibility.  She has a doctor appointment today for the test. I'm anxious for the results as this could be life changing for her. If she doesn't have the gene she says her first stop is Panda Express.  We've seen a lot of improvements in her migraines and skin but that could be fluff.

Footie jammies for the win!

Grandpa got the girls each a pair of pajamas this year for Christmas and this year Lindsay's pajamas had feet.  Well given the fact that she's sporting her cast I didn't think that she'd get to wear them until after January but she proved me wrong. Well played Lindsay Lou, well played!

Christmas Jammie's

In 2005, we instigated Christmas jammy day and we've done it every year since. We wear our jammies the whole day long. It's the perfect way to remind us to relax and enjoy the day. My jammies have cute little foxes on them this year. It's such a fun tradition and one I hope to carry on for many years to come.

Challenge Accept

Merry Christmas!  We are having a great day.  Ashley and her cute family and my dad are here celebrating Christmas with us.  It's so fun to have them here.  My house is full of chaos and I LOVE IT!

Ashley and I have challenged each other to do a daily blog update  each day.  Documenting our lives is so important and I for one, need to take a few moments out of each day to refect upon my blessings, relationships and revalations. Challenge accepted Ashley.  Challenge accepted!

Trials

It's a given that life will be full of trials. They aren't easy and they aren't fun. I'm so thankful that I have my testimony to rely on during the rough times. I know that God lives! He is our Father and he is there to guide and comfort us. He sent His son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins and to bear our burdens.  He lifts us up and will heal our broken hearts and enables us to become whole.

Our wonderful Bishop shared an amazing scripture with me last night.  It's found in 3 Nephi 27

12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.

  

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

I highlighted the word guiltless because this passage teaches me that we will not make it through this world without becoming stained.  That was part of the plan.  At some point in each of our lives we will become guilty.  It is impossible to not become marred by the adversary but it IS possible to become clean (guiltless) through the atonement.  I think it will be a marvelous day when I can stand before Him and say yes I erred but yes I was able to become spotless.

I love the gospel and I love my Heavenly Father and Savior.