Fall Update of Lucas!

Lucas is getting SO big!! He is going to be TWO in February, and he is ready to grow up lol. Although he still has his baby moments, (which I love) he is so smart and helpful. He loves his "shoos" and "socks" and he loves Batman. He will find his hat or anything with Batman on it and put it on and say "I Batman" in a growl. It is the cutest thing ever. He loves snow globes and always wants me to make our snow globes snow and play music. He loves giving our statue of Jesus hugs (haha I didn't teach him that) and he is such a funny character. Sometimes when he is being silly he will put his arms out and run around laughing. He will say "peek a boo" and "Memo" (for Finding Nemo) as he asks to watch his favorite movie.

I can't believe how fast he has grown! He weighs 25.8 pounds, and I need to measure how tall he is :) But he is pretty tall for his age! He loves hats and putting his socks on his hands for gloves. He wouldn't leave the real gloves I have for him on, but he thinks its funny to wear the socks on his hands. He will go down for a nap and I will come in after he makes noise and he will have reached into his top drawer and gotten out a pair of shoes and put them on haha SO CUTE.

He loves to use his little seat that fits on top of the toilet, and he pooped in the toilet once. I try to have him "try" when I notice that he is noticing that he has peed or noticing his diaper. I think it would be more successful if I had a way to keep him on the toilet longer. He tries for a good ten minutes then tries to get off because he is bored. I give him magazines like the friend or family fun. He even likes looking at daddy's video game magazines. I have tried singing with him, making up potty songs and even giving him toys to distract him. I'm not sure what to do, I don't think he is ready for underwear yet, so I still have him in diapers, but I want to get to a point where he wants to only go in the toilet. If anyone has any advice for me, I would LOVE it!

Here are some photos of him that were taken recently. Enjoy!

He fell asleep at his Uncle Anthony's house.

Family Photos Fall 2013

He now loves throwing leaves!

Expectations vs. Real Life

It is interesting how one can make a list of sorts for what they want to work for in life. This list may include anything and everything whether it is regarding; family, boyfriends, body parts, religion, class, hobbies, friends, babies, homes, vehicles, traditions, and everything in-between.

Often the expectations that are created when that "list" was thought out, never get met. This may lead one to become frustrated and upset, but what is not realized when the list is made, is that people change, choices make huge differences in outcomes, and no-one can control other's actions. Expectations are not going to be met, most of the time, unless one passes up amazing opportunities that will come on the way to meeting those said expectations.

Occasionally said expectations may be met, but not acknowledged. It is easy to get caught up in the search for perfection, that one may not actually see an expectation being met, and it will disappear after not being noticed for a while.

So, one's search for perfection and this alleged "list" of expectations, may not be the best way of looking at life and striving for a checklist. One day, that special thing may come into one's life, that would not have been noticed, because it wasn't on the specific checklist of expectations. It might be a good idea to throw away that checklist, and live life as it comes. Yes it is good for one to strive for big things, but not specific things, or happiness will never be fully achieved. We are all striving for Happiness.

Thank you for reading.

I'm tired of "Social Media"

I want to go on the record and say that I HATE FACEBOOK! Constantly spying on others, and letting others stalk you. I do not like that it is the only place where I can share photos with my grandparents or my child's grandparents. What ever happened to calling people, or hanging out with them in real life people!?? I am fed up with it. And it consumes my time if I let it, constantly "liking" other people's statuses who I don't really even know anymore, just because I went to high school with them, doesn't mean I know them. I added them to keep in touch, but it is not working, it is just making something as personal as life, open for everyone to see.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not going to delete my Facebook and "fall off the ends of the earth" like others I know, but only because it is the only way people know how to communicate now. No one walks to their friend's house and asks if they can play, or calls someone up just to chat. Nope its on Facebook chat or through a silly cartoon.

Either way, I'm done. I only have a Facebook to stalk people, and I hate that it is the first thing I type when I open my Safari browser.

I'll see you on Facebook, I'm sure. Just know that I'd rather be talking to you in person.

Thank you for letting me rant.

Artist of the Week - Lindsey Stirling, a Violinist and Dancer

A friend of mine introduced her music to me, when he went to one of her concerts in Colorado. I love her music and her awesome personality shows throughout all of her stuff. Enjoy.

Parenting Advice - From My Wise Father :D

Ron Kingsford

August 30

My Personal study brought me across this list from a talk by Elder L. Tom Perry from October 2012. I love lists, perhaps that means I am a Pharisee at heart, but I love lists!

5 Things goodly parents can do to help their children

In our remarkable parental stewardship, there are many ways that goodly parents can access the help and support they need to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to their children. Let me suggest five things parents can do to create stronger family cultures:

First, parents can pray in earnest, asking our Eternal Father to help them love, understand, and guide the children He has sent to them.

Second, they can hold family prayer, scripture study, and family home evenings and eat together as often as possible, making dinner a time of communication and the teaching of values.

Third, parents can fully avail themselves of the Church’s support network, communicating with their children’s Primary teachers, youth leaders, and class and quorum presidencies. By communicating with those who are called and set apart to work with their children, parents can provide essential understanding of a child’s special and specific needs.

Fourth, parents can share their testimonies often with their children, commit them to keep the commandments of God, and promise the blessings that our Heavenly Father promises His faithful children.

Fifth, we can organize our families based on clear, simple family rules and expectations, wholesome family traditions and rituals, and “family economics,” where children have household responsibilities and can earn allowances so that they can learn to budget, save, and pay tithing on the money they earn.

New Mommy Jitters

I remember when my son was barely born, he was placed in my arms and I was then expected to instantly know what to do. I exercised my rights as a mom, and said no to a lot of things, and I nursed him anytime he was hungry, wherever I was. He would cry when we were in the car and I would cry because there was nothing I could do to soothe my crying baby. I would sometimes make my husband drive and I would nurse him in the carseat while we were driving. I would wake up twice in the middle of the night, because he would cry and need comfort. Every night I would get up from my deep sleep and soothe him. I soon stopped nursing him at night, he would get up and I would just hold him and rock him until he fell asleep. I spent the good part of a year doing this, never sleeping very much, not really leaving my house, begging my friends to come spend time with me because I was lonely. I even went to my parents house because I couldn't stand being alone. Sometimes I would fall asleep feeding my baby on my mom's couch as she would be doing something else. My husband worked all day and went to school all night, so he was never able to get up for me, or help me with him during the day.

I remember freaking out because my baby had a fever, and calling my son's doctor to ask what to do. I remember calling my mom on the way to the emergency room, finding out that I needed to turn around because he was alright, he just needed some medicine and a cold bath to soothe his fever. I remember feeling like I didn't know anything about what to do with my baby, and searching the internet for something to help me. Being a new mom is difficult, and you cry a lot, and you are going to always be tired. I remember feeling like I would never not be tired again. I asked my dad if I would ever get enough sleep, or if this was just how parenthood really is. He assured me that soon I would get enough rest and Lucas would sleep through the night. He did after a while. I soon forgot about the sleepless nights and was able to rest. Although I would still go to bed at 12 and be up by 6 sometimes 5 to nurse my "starving" baby. He was the cutest little eater, he would always suck it down so fast, like it was going somewhere and he had to quickly take it all before it left. He would breathe so fast and it was like a race. Although he would nurse like that for half an hour or more. (Which is quite a long time.)

nursing face <3

He weaned himself off, and was done nursing soon after his first birthday. I don't know if my milk supply just disappeared, or if it just went down when he stopped nursing like crazy. He loved cows milk and regular food, so we were off baby food and he wouldn't ever drink formula. It is interesting to me how I went from thinking that I knew what to expect, to not knowing anything, to basically knowing everything, right down to what my child's cry was telling me. Now his body language tells me what he wants and I try to get him to tell me what he needs. He recently started saying words that are clear to others, and his gestures are becoming more mature. He knows what he wants and despite his terrible two syndrome, he usually is able to get his message across clearly.

I'm so proud of my baby, who is not really a baby anymore. I love those days that he has lately, he wakes up and only wants Momma. He also carries his blanket around with him, and occasionally sucks his thumb. I remind him to not suck on his thumb and he stops. But his "baby" instinct kicks in when he doesn't feel well and it is SO CUTE that I love it! He loves making animal noises and copying body language. He pays attention to the tiniest of details and he is becoming such a cute little man!

So yes, I am a "new mommy" but I honestly think after I learned how to figure things out, my "mommy instinct" kicks in and I know what to do. Yes I have been so scared I cried, and yes I realized that I couldn't control everything. But I got through it, without constant help from my wonderful yet busy husband, who lets me be a stay at home mom. Despite my challenges, my son turned out alright. He is so sweet and loves to give me hugs. He is the second best thing that ever happened to me <3

I love being a mommy!! It is what I am supposed to be doing with my life! Please let me have more? <3

Halloween Wreath - Craft of the Week

Add some bright, fun color to your Halloween decor with this cute spider wreath.

by Marigold Haske

What you'll need

• Foam wreath form
• Black string, embroidery floss or cord
• Bright orange fuzzy yarn
• Hot glue gun & glue sticks
• Chenille stems (pipe cleaners), bright colors
• Sparkly pom poms that match chenille stems
• Wiggle eyes,multiple sizes

Helpful Tip:

I used hot glue to create the spiders, but if kids want to help, they can use a tacky craft glue to make them, too! Once dry, a grown-up can use hot glue to attach the spiders to the wreath.

How to make it

1. 
   Criss-cross black cord around the foam wreath form to create the spider web.
2. 
   Cut about 3 yards of fuzzy, bright orange yarn from the skein. Hot glue one end to the foam wreath form and wrap the yarn around the wreath form. Secure with hot glue every few inches.
3. 
   When you come to the end of your yarn, hot glue the end to the wreath form. Cut off a new piece of yarn several yards long and continue wrapping around the wreath until it is completely covered in the orange yarn. Check for any gaps where the form is peeking through, and add extra yarn in those spots as needed. 
4. 
   For each spider, cut two chenille stems in half to make four pieces. Fold the pieces in half again. Hold the folded stem at the base (folded end) and fold the loose ends up and then down again. Make one more small fold at the end for a "foot." Do this for each stem to make eight legs. (See slideshow above for detailed pictures of making the legs).
5. 
   Hot glue the spider legs to the bottom of a matching sparkly pom pom.
6. 
   When the glue has cooled, flip the spider over and hot glue the wiggle eyes on. Vary the number and size of the eyes on each spider. Repeat steps 4-6 to make five or six colorful spiders.
7. 
   Arrange the spiders on the wreath and on the black cord "spider web" and use hot glue to secure them on. To glue spiders to the web, flip the wreath over and generously hot glue the underside of the spider to the cord. Hold in place until cool. Once cool, you may also want to secure the legs to a few spots on the web.
8. 
   The complete wreath is ready to hang!
   
   
   Marigold Haske is everywhere:
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Remembering an Amazing Woman - Lisa Anne Einfalt

52 years ago today, a very special lady came into this world. She lived a happy but difficult life. Throughout her life she suffered a lot of sickness and she even lost her birth parents when she was very young. Two amazing people took her in and raised her as their own. From the time she was 1 1/2 she was raised as a Benson. Her parents are amazing and raised her very well. She always had a lot of friends and there are many people who loved her and miss her.

I didn't get to spend very much time with her, but in the time I had with her, she touched my heart. She was an amazing lady who loved like none other, and who always knew what to do and what to say. I always wish I had done more to be around her, but I know that she helped me in the little time we had. She died September 11th 2012, from Leukemia and Lymphoma. She will forever have a spot in my heart, and I miss her so very much.

Today is her birthday, and I made a cake to celebrate her birth. I wish she could have a piece of it, I know how much she enjoyed chocolate. Happy Birthday Mom!

Must. Get. Up.

Sometimes it is necessary to do something, even if you don't want to. As long as you are doing what you know is your responsibility, it doesn't matter in what mind set it is, as long as it gets done. Sometimes I have to drag myself out of bed in the morning, and get in the shower, because I know that if I don't it will affect my son negatively. He sees more that I realize sometimes.

I have to just make a to do list, and get everything done, no matter if I feel like it or not. Eat, sleep, pray, study, play, art. I must keep pushing, and continue to finish my responsibilities. I must keep moving, even if everything in or around me is telling me otherwise. I must not give up.

Our family is moving to another apartment in the next month. Life is was just beginning to feel normal, then we have to move. Luckily, I am getting really good at packing and reorganizing. I am able to go through all of our clothes and get rid of outdated pieces and limit the number of clothing pieces that we will have to take with us. Someone is about to get some really nice clothes from my closet, that I haven't worn in a few years. I'm sad to see them go, but I know that I will most likely never wear them again. A lot of them still fit me, they are just too short for my lifestyle or not my style anymore. I am a mom, and I am changing. I can always buy more t-shirts later, if I decide to wear them again. Same goes for various dresses and jackets.

I just need to keep looking for the good in what is going on, and it will be okay soon. I will have a whole new space to decorate and have fun with.

Thank you for reading. Its Wednesday!

More Than Melody - by Jamie Cline

I found this article in a magazine that is sitting in the basket that sits in my bathroom :). I found it very interesting and thought I would share it with you. Enjoy. Feel free to turn on some relaxing piano music (I just did without thinking :))

Music has been found to boost athletic performance; soothe and heal injuries; help depression, autism, and Alzheimer's; and increase academic performance.

Everyone knows that music influences people -that is how it holds a special power all in its own. But what are its noteworthy properties? 

For years researchers have studied why and how music has such an enormous effect on people. Music has been found to boost athletic performance; soothe and heal injuries; help depression, autism, and Alzheimer's; and increase academic performance. It seems there is something more to those tunes that get our toes tapping and our fingers snapping.

Education and Music
"But Mom, I do better on my homework when I'm listening to music!" Most parents have heard this, possibly repeatedly, from their children. And they may be right, depending on the type of music that is playing. While things like popular music, TV, and chatting online all distract from homework and increase the likelihood of making mistakes, non-vocal, calming  music can sometimes help a child focus more on their studies.

   But what really causes an increase in your child's academic performance is music education. Studies show that learning to play and read music correlates with positive results in learning capabilities. 

  In one study, two elementary schools were compared -one in which children studied piano formally for three consecutive years and one that required no formal musical training. Students from the "music-learning" school had significantly better vocabulary and verbal sequences than the other group. Another study in Switzerland tested 1,200 children in 50 schools for various effects of music education, and found that children actively involved in music learned to read more quickly and acquired other languages more readily. These children also had lower stress levels and demonstrated more enjoyment in school than those not involved with music.

Our bodies naturally push themselves to be in sync with the music that we are listening to.

Exercise and Music
It isn't surprising that music is a boon when it comes to working out. After all, walk into any gym -almost all the members are wearing earphones. But music doesn't only keep us entertained while exorcising -it has been proven to increase performance. Even competitive athletes take advantage of its powers: track star Haile Gebrselassie set an indoor world record for the 2000 meters in 1999 by synchronizing his stride to the song "Scatman." But why exactly is music so helpful in our quest for fitness?

    Understanding how music affects exercising is dependent on grasping the entrainment (not entertainment) principle. Entrainment is when two or more unconnected rhythms synchronize, or begin to have the same beat. Scientist Christian Huygens discovered this principle in 1665, when he placed two pendulum clocks on a wall and found that they eventually began to swing at the same rate. This same principle explains why the footsteps of a jogger fall into the same rhythm as the music he or she is listening to.

    Because the entrainment principle our bodies naturally push themselves to be in sync with the music that we are listening to. When exercising it's important to have several different music tracks, with varying beats, so that you can walk up to a slower beat and work your way up to a faster one, which will elevate your heart rate. 

   According to Dr. Costas Karageorghis, a researcher studying the relationship between music and exorcise, the ideal tempo for a power walker is 137 to 139 BPM (beats per minute); for a runner, it would be around 147 to 160 BPM. The wonderful thing that is that it doesn't matter what kind of music you use -if you can find a song with the right beat, whether it's classical, country, or rock, it will push you to motivate you just the same.

    However, the entrainment principle isn't the only things that makes music such a powerful motivator to exorcise. Music also has incredible power to boost positive feelings and block out bad ones. In fact, music can take away much of the body's awareness of aching lungs, beating heart, and burning muscles. It can reduce a person's perception of effort by 10 percent, which can make all the difference when you are pushing for those last minutes of a tough workout.

    Music has also been proven to help with consistency in workouts. In 2005, Christopher Capuano, director of Fairleigh Dickinson University's School of Phycology, conducted a study which tracked a small group of overweight or obese women for twenty-four weeks while they were told to listen to music of their choice while exorcising. While all the participants lost weight, the women who listened to music were more consistent with their exorcise routines (the adhered to the program 98 percent of the time), resulting in greater weight loss than the other group (who adhered only 68 percent of the time).

Healing and Music
We've all heard miraculous storms of healing, some involving music and some not. But no one can disagree that music is effective in healing the mind and body alike.

   One of the amazing properties of music is that it can reach parts of the brain and evoke memories that speech simply can't reach. Therapists frequently use music from a patient's past to connect with them, often with significant results.

    Jennifer Birchell of Utah, who works as a music therapist at Sunshine Terrrace Foundation, a facility that assists the elderly with rehabilitation and assisted living, sees miracles of music healing almost daily in her work. "[One] man that I once worked with had dementia," she says. "We found out that he loved baseball and used to play professionally. So we played 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame,' and it helped him connect a little bit. His family came in and played it with him, and they were able to reach him. They were thrilled."
    
    Birchell describes another man who had a stroke, which caused him to lose brain and muscle function on one side of his body. Like man other stroke patients, he also lost the ability to speak. "When someone has a stroke, . . . we've found that [sometimes] they can't speak, but they can sing," she says. This man was particularly angry about his lack of success when Birchell was asked to visit him. "When I asked him to sing with me, he got really angry. He knew he couldn't sing. But I told him to just try, and I started singing 'You Are My Sunshine.' His eyes got really big and excited because the words were coming out of his mouth and getting clearer and clearer. From there, we took bits of the song and turned them into phrases he could use. His wife came in and he was able to sing to her, 'I love you.' I worked with him for only three weeks and then he was able to go home and live with his wife.

    Music helps people learn and develop because there are so many different elements of it -voices, rhythm, harmony -all of which are processed in different areas of the brain. "Exorcising" the different parts of the brain by using music helps encourage growth and stimulates parts of the brain that may be damaged.

    Often, when music therapists work with groups who have some kind of brain disease, such as Alzheimer's, many of the participants seem almost asleep and uninterested at the beginning. The therapists start with slow music, and then they gradually increase the beat. The body entrains itself with the rhythm and gradually increases in responsiveness. Eventually, the previously unresponsive patients are clapping and interacting in a way they couldn't do without musical encouragement.

    Music, whether it is used for education, exorcise, or healing, can make a huge difference in our lives. Anyone who has listened to an inspired choir in a church meeting knows the effect that their simple harmonies have on people. Somehow music is able to connect with parts of us that words alone can't reach. While research continues to be done, the whys behind the power of music have yet to be discovered. For now, the reason those joyful strains have such an effect on us will remain an amazing and wondrous mystery.


 I didn't realize that there is really a lot more to music than most people understand. I knew that pregnant mommies will play music to their unborn child, and it improves their brain function and overall development. And I knew that it helped with brain development. My high school math teacher used to play Mozart during tests, and I suppose that I always thought that it helped with tests and such. I had no idea of healing powers. Although, I think that I knew that I listen to different types of music when I want to be comforted at different times. Sometimes I miss my mom, so I listen to music that she plays, and I imagine that I am there watching her play. Other times I want to remember something, so I put music on from that time that I want to remember. I actually hold a lot of memories with particular songs.

I thought you might find this article interesting as well. Thank you for taking the time to read it :) Its Tuesday. This week is slow, and I feel like that is alright. I need life to slow down for a little while.

Feel free to share your experiences with music in a comment. I would love to have a discussion :D

Recipe of the Week - Haunted Hooting Owl Pretzels

I found this cute recipe from Better Homes and Gardens - Easy Halloween Treat
please tell me your favorite halloween treat :D 11 more days 'til Halloween.

Haunted Hooting Owl Pretzels

Whoo-oo dare eat this menacing owl? Everyone! Though they look especially spooky, these chocolate-dipped pretzels are a hoot to make.

To make, follow these steps:

1. Dip large pretzels in melted confectioner's coating. Place the pretzels on wax paper.
2. As the coating sets, sprinkle with coarse black decorating sugar. Press a black jelly bean to the twist of each pretzel for the nose and small pieces of licorice candy onto the base of the pretzels for the talons.
3. Separate a sandwich cookie and press the halves onto the pretzel for eyes.
4. Ice white candy pieces and press onto each cookie eye, then add chocolate chips to them for pupils.
5. Use black licorice twists as eyebrows.
6. 
   

Someone New Every Time I Look in the Mirror

Lately I have noticed that I look different everyday. Sometimes I guess I hold myself differently, and look almost like a different person. I knew that babies change everyday, and when my son is about to go through a growth spirt, his face looks just slightly squished. He grows a lot everyday and it amazes me how tall he is getting and how big he really is. He turns TWO in February, and I can't believe how much our family has changed since he was born. Sorry these aren't in order but you can see him changing at least :)

This one was taken last week sometime

I didn't realize how much I, as an adult change. With not only my appearance, but also with my personality and actions. I even change spiritually more than I realize as well. This month has especially changed me, I think. I was looking at my photos that I shared with all of my friends on Facebook, and I realized this. What do you think?

here is a photo I posted of myself October 4th

and here is a photo I posted today, October 20th

Huge difference? I look so different. My hair even looks darker and I look more like my sister Sarah today. I think it is really interesting how much I have changed this month, emotionally even. Our little family is looking to buy a house. Renting just doesn't make sense anymore, so we are trying to qualify for a little fixer upper as our first home. I don't understand what makes a person change physically or emotionally, but it seems to me that my friends who have changed a lot, something drastic happens to them, like a baby or a death in their family or someone close to them. I actually feel like a different woman, I walk differently, I wore heels the other day!! (Which I never do) I have been keeping up on housework, and I feel like I am loosing weight! I am different :) I am making new friends, and trying to keep up to speed with my old friends. I am trying to help my little family stay sane despite everything that comes our way. 

Butterflies have to go through so much change to grow into themselves. We are but butterflies growing and changing, growing our wings and developing our colors. We will eventually be able to fly away into the sunset of life and grow more and more until that perfect day. I love butterflies. I always have. I never quite realized why until recently, and it is a fun realization. 

Now I see how much my son and future children need to go through to change and grow their wings and expand their world. I am excited to see how much Lucas will change in the few years to come. Time flies when you are having fun! And we learn the most when things are challenging and we are forced to change our shape to get through the obstacles. Let it come, and you will grow. Thank you for reading.

What makes you change? Do you see the change as it happens, or do you look back after a few years and see it then?