Christmas Survey

Since I am a good sister and read my sisters blog I was obligated to complete this survey :)

Now it is your turn!

I have added a question though!



If you have a blog and read this you are now obligated to put your answers on your blog now :)
1. Wrapping paper or Gift bags? wrapping paper
2. Real or Artificial tree? Real Tree Hank picks it out.
3. When do you put up the tree? As Soon as we have time!
4.When do you take down the tree? First week of Jan.
5. Do you like egg nog? Yes
6. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes, a ceramic one my grandparents made.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad, Brother In Law
8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself, Santa always gives me great gifts!
9. The worst Christmas gift ever received? None - I always get good gifts.
10. Mail or email cards? I keep saying "next year" guess I would mail them.
11. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas
12. Favorite Christmas song? Hanks version of any of the songs
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I already have some of 2008 christmas presents
14. Have you ever recycled a gift? Define recycle....
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Honey Baked Ham
16. Travel or stay at home? We traveled for Thanksgiving so we are staying home.
17. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?Other then Rudolph :) Yes I can
18. Do you have an angel or star on top of the tree? Buzz lightyear ornament he is putting up a star.
19. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? P.J.'s on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas day.
20. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Commercialism
21. Favorite Christmas Memory? Hiding a kitten from my sister. It stayed in a box in Aunt Sherry's basement. Second one would be when my Aunt alice gave me a pearl ring, it was wrapped in a huge box and took me forever to open it.

His First Party

I just sent Hank out the door to his first Friends birthday party. His Aunt Kim is nice enough to volunteer (ok maybe I asked her) to take him tonight. I have a Pampered Chef party and I also would not be able to bounce of the walls with him. He will have a blast and I am so excited for him. He couldn't wait, he combed his own hair, used a lot of hair gel :) And looked so grown up I couldn't beleive it. Jason is his Best Friend from school so they were both excited that Hank was able to go tonight. I can't say how much I appreciate my family and that they are willing to help me be a mom to Hank. We are lucky to have family and friends around that help to share the joys and trials of being a single mom.

Remembering

I spent the weekend feeling blue about life. Financial strains, sick child, homework, housecleaning...you know all the normal single mom stuff.

On Friday evening after Hank was done Sapbooking (jealous of him he got three pages done) I put him in my bed so he would go to sleep. Thanks to my sister I realized I had let him stay up until about midnight. I spent some time on the phone with my sister. After our conversation of about two hours I sat on my couch and just cried and let all my emotions out.

This is what I thought about:

My life is going to continue for an endetermined amount of days. I can spend these days sitting here crying, or I can make some better choices.

Remember what it was like to be carefree, to run around outside without your shoes on? I remember what it was like to visit Papa and get ice cream. Remember when you didn't have to worry about cooking dinner, macaroni and cheese was fine if mom wasn't cooking for you.

I have come to the conclusion that I want Hank to have memories of carefree days, enjoying life. I found a picture of my Aunt Barbs with hair extensions on and a big smile on her face. She was genuinely happy and enjoying every minute of us making fun of her. I want everyone who knows me to have some memory of me being carefree and HAPPY.

So my goal is to create memories like that for myself and for Hank. I am going to start with at least a once a week thing. No tv no computer just pure fun.

18 Ways to Be

I received this through Sisterwomen an online sight for women. I thought it was awesome so I am posting it here.


18 Ways to Be
1. Be strong enough to face the world each day.
2. Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything.
3. Be generous to those who need your help.
4. Be frugal with what you need yourself.
5. Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
6. Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
7. Be willing to share your joys.
8. Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
9. Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
10. Be a follower in the midst of uncertainty.
11. Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
12. Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.
13. Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not stumble.
14. Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
16. Be loving to those who love you.
17. Be loving to those who do not love you; they may learn to love because of you.
18. Be yourself.

Hank had a blast being Superman for Halloween. Didn't take too many pictures but he enjoyed himself.

After about six houses he was done getting candy. He would go up and say Happy Halloween, and then if they didn't have a candy he liked he would say "no Thank you". He even told one lady he didn't need anymore candy it isn't good for him he needs to stay healthy. Not sure where he gets that from! The lady ended up giving him Play Dough instead.

We had our friend John and his son go with us it was fun.

What A Women Wants Show Part 2

I am done working my booth at the show. I met a lot of great people, and some weird ones. I had a good time though learning different things that I can do to get myself out of my shy shell. Now hopefully I can get some future parties booked (and maybe recruit). The main part of why I enjoy Pampered Chef is because it gives me some adult conversation. Which being single is fun to have adult conversation that is not revolving around who I am dating or what my son did today. I also have enjoyed realizing that I can make fun food without too much work. Oh yeah and I make money so that is always good!

I am exhausted two days on my feet four only four hours a day :) I really need to start using that gym membership I pay for every month.

What A Women Wants Show

I am working this afternoon at what a women wants show in Layton, Utah. It should be fun. I am an Independent Consultant for Pampered Chef and we have a booth. I am hoping to meet new people, catch up with some old friends and just have an enjoyable afternoon. I also work the booth tomorrow and am in charge of takedown and removal, not too much fun but worth it.

I enjoy doing my business on the side, it has given me the opportunity to meet some new friends, and actually have a girls night out once in awhile.

I have been asked to do a "guys" show. Anybody have any suggestions on what a Home Party for a guy would be like? I have no idea but better think of something quickly.

Added Links

I finally figured out how to link to another blog :)

So now I will try and post more information and be able to stay in touch with family and friends easier.

Patting myself on the back right now, it took me three weeks to figure it out!

My Work

I realized that for many people who are reading my blog they do not know where I work. So I figured I should dedicate a post to just that.

My JOB:
I work as a Financial Aid Director for Myotherapy College of Utah. I have been here since January of 2007. I meet with all the prospective students regarding their financial options. I also monitor and meet with the students while they are enrolled in our program. I deal with all the Financial Aid for the school, we accept Pell Grants, Student Loans and Scholarships. There are these huge three ring-binders in my office that are full of regulations written by the Department of Education. They make really good paper weights :)

I thoroughly enjoy meeting all the students and getting to know them. As you can imagine I am lucky enough to deal with their money, so there is an amount of trust and respect that is developed with the students.

Well I better get back to my JOB of helping students.

Friday Night

Another friday night and thought I would just add a little post.

Hank is amazing and growing up so fast. Mom is also doing well.
I attended a graduation for my College tonight. It never fails to amaze me how much our school touches students lifes. Last week we had orientation and I got to see and meet all the new students entering the school. Some look so afraid and are just starting down there journey. I never thought I would enjoy any job as much as I love this one. To see the students transform into adults with so much knowledge it amazes me every time.

Utah State Fair

Hank planted a Sunflower in loving memory of Aunt Barbs. He watered it and took care of it. Papa helped him plant the Sunflower at the end of their driveway when it outgrew the little pot. Hank entered his sunflower in the State Fair. He won Best of Show and First Place. He was so excited about the blue ribbons. He asked me "can we go home and plant another one". I told him he had to wait until after the snow. I imagine that our State Fair entry days are just beginning.

Giving it a try

So I have decided to try my own blog. My sister figured it out so I decided to give it a shot also.

I will try and post some new pictures and keep everyone updated this should be a fun way to stay in contact.