Category: Personal

The challenge has been set, and it’s time to PAY UP! Last year I wrote about the gauntlet getting thrown down and the McWeigh off was born.

Well as clearly stated, it’s time for the first of two annual weigh offs between myself and McGowan. After Jason loses this weigh off he only has a month to prep himself for the next weigh in, so McG, I hope you are ready for a Biggest Loser workout regime.

Now it wouldn’t be fair for me to trash talk my competition on my blog, for one all my readers are supporting me (or at least you better be!), and two b/c Jason is an internet mogul who would prob post smack talk in places I’ve never even heard of. I’ll end by saying, Jason, I’d like my victory dinner here please. Thank you very much

When we got married I looked good. A few weeks later I was a little shaggy and my new wife asked if I was going to get a haircut. I told her yes you are going to cut it. She had never cut hair before. Now five years later she’s pretty fast… or at least a lot faster than she used to be. She still takes a long time evening out the perfect neck line.

So the other day she got a new client. She gave tyler the haircut he’s sporting now. I’m so proud of her for how well she’s done all this time and how fast she learned. Good wotk honey. She also mentioned she wants to learb how to cut female hair.. any takers?

Only one of you reading this is my wife, so only the Happy Birthday part applies to the rest of you. Today Joy turns 20 something. OH boy! So fast she has grown up, right before our eyes she has gone from just married, to having one kid, to having two kids, and now three kids.

Now is when I was going to go into all the amazing things she does like stay up with the kids, play with all day, teach them important things, forgive, laugh, love, rub my shoulders, make amazing food, look good, clean, buy stuff, however I don’t have much time, b/c I’m leaving work early to go meet her to eat dinner.. so maybe next time.

LOVE YOU JOY, Happy Birthday!

It’s 9:30 am, and my kids have been up for 4.5 hours. No wonder I run out of things to occupy them all day! Last night I was experiencing some overwhelming feelings of discouragement and feeling like I lack the “right” amount of patience and long-suffering that a good mom should have. Luckily, I did recognize these feelings as ones that were coming from Satan, who doesn’t want us to feel like we’re doing a good job.

Since I’ve become a mom, I’ve had this new awareness and tremendous respect for moms. I can’t believe so many people have done and are able to do this large task!

I am thankful for my mom, who helped me with my math homework almost EVERY night, had lots of books available in our home for us to read, drove us ALL over the place in the “taxi,” often left little treats and surprises on my pillow for when I got home from school, helped me put the clean sheets on my bed, put things away when I left them in a growing pile by my bedroom door, cheered for us, listened to us, always made (and still makes) birthdays and holidays very exciting and special for us, displayed a lot of patience, and never appeared to be “weary in well-doing.”

I have a confession to make. I think that some (including Pace) have noticed that I can’t throw products away before they’re completely used up. Like, to the very last drop. Mainly this pertains to any lotions, soaps, even the classic Q-Tip— if I’ve only used one end of it, it remains on the counter or in the drawer until the other side is used, then it can be thrown away. As for the lotions and soaps, I turn them upside-down until they’re used up, or I cut the tube or bottle with scissors to access the remnants. I really can’t stand to buy the Bath & Body Works liquid hand soaps, not just because they’re too expensive, but also because there is a TON left at the bottom afterwards. One is faced with the dilemma of either wasting that last $2 worth by tossing it, or figuring out some creative way to access that last bit of soap! I don’t know if this is all because I can’t stand wasting money, or if it’s just an OCD type of issue… Any thoughts? Does anyone else do this, or have any similarly quirky habits to confess?

It’s been HOURS since I’ve eaten any of Chase’s Halloween candy. I’m so proud of myself! 🙂 He was only allowed to have one piece today, but I allowed myself to have several. Is this bad?

I REALLY love candy. Pace rolls his eyes when we’re watching TV together and I end up with a pile of candy wrappers next to me.

When I was little, and would have the sacred privilege of enjoying candy, I would offer some to my mom and she would always say, “No, thanks.” And I would marvel: How is she able to resist? To this day, I still wonder. Because if I am offered candy, I am unable to refuse. And if Chase’s huge bag of Halloween candy is calling to me from the pantry, I heed the call. That’s why, often times, I still don’t feel like a grown-up!

My sisters have both been involved in service programs lately, for which I would like to praise them! I think their parents have set a good example. In this fast-paced world, it can be a challenge to remember those around us who could use a little help. But if we all try to remember a neighbor or two in their need, and help lift a burden in any way we know how, life will be that much better for us all. Here are a few of my favorite quotes on service:

“A single, struggling individual may be stalled with his heavy load even as he begins to climb the hill before him. To reach the top unaided is an impossibility. With a little help from fellow travelers he makes the grade and goes on his way in gratitude and rejoicing.” –David O. McKay

“None of us should become so busy…that there is no room left for quiet Christian service to our neighbors.” –Spencer W. Kimball

“A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” –Joseph Smith

“Build into your life an area of service, and when you marry, have an understanding as husband and wife that a big piece of your life is going to be devoted to service to the Lord and to your fellowmen. Build service into your thinking and your aims and desires, and then organize your time right. It will work if you want it to.” –David B. Haight

So in her quest to find new amazing McRecipes for the blog and for out lives, and as part of healthy grain month; Joy decided to try something new. Cheesy Spaghetti Squash. Doesn’t sound half bad does it? Well turns out there aren’t any noodles in it, and the cheese isn’t melted greasy cheese, and the squash well it is really squash. Joy thought I might not enjoy this dish, so she made it and anounced it very peppy like. So we started eating and I thought meh it’s not bad, it’s not good, but it’s not gross. Well Joy was the one who said, yuck we are never making this again. So I just wanted to share with you that yes, we do stand by our guarantee to test recipes before we post them here, and this one FAILED.

Something that’s been on my mind throughout this “rollercoaster” of motherhood is that it’s so great, yet it’s also hard! It’s tricky not to get discouraged by all of the daily mundane activities that seem to matter so little to the world. I’m sure every mother knows that feeling! But what comes to mind sometimes, when I am cleaning up yucky messes and answering Chase’s long streams of questions, is the Savior, washing people’s dirty feet and spending time with the Little Ones.

I also feel comforted by the concept of “times and seasons,” as I think about how many of my interests and talents are being buried under the daily care of my little family and home. I often think, “I am such a boring, spacey person these days.” Yet I know, deep down, that motherhood is the most important role I can play right now. I will be able to pursue all of my own personal interests soon enough… I know that my children will only be small for a short, fleeting time, and that I will later regret it if I don’t throw myself into this great work called motherhood.

Here is an account by a young mother who learned a very sacred lesson about this everyday home life:

“It spilled out of me all at once– the frustrations and doubt, even anger, as I struggled to determine my own identity as a mother. I had three little preschoolers, and although they brought great joy to my life and I loved them with all of my heart, I wondered if the endless work I was doing was even important or worth the effort.

“Aloud, I cried to God, almost resentfully, going through my routine: ‘All I do all day is get kids dressed and undressed, cook for and feed them, clean up a million messes, change diapers, care for every physical need, and then do it over and over again, every day. I didn’t know this is what motherhood was all about. I’m tired of it! Is any of this even important?…’

“After I got it all out, I humbled myself and asked for help. I needed comfort and encouragement from my Heavenly Father if I was going to make it. And I needed it now. ‘Please help me,’ I prayed. ‘Help me see the purpose in all of this.’

“Suddenly, I felt the love of the Lord reach out to me from deep within my heart. First, he affirmed me: ‘You are a good mother. You’re doing your best. You are giving your children care and love while they are little. They need you, and you are doing a good job.’ The message gave me much needed affirmation and comfort, but the next impression gave me peace. It came so strongly that I couldn’t deny it was my answer from God: ‘Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great’ (Doctrine & Covenants 64:33).

“I had loved this scripture for years, but now it was meant for me: a struggling, frustrated young mother with three children to care for. The Lord was telling me that I could not afford to be ‘weary’ in my ‘well-doing’– the day-to-day nurturing of my children– which took up so much of my time. These early years would be a foundation for their lives; and from these ‘small things’ would grow something ‘great.’

“Many years later, I now have a clearer perspective, and I’ve even experienced some ‘pay days’… I’ve come to find that no service, love, or work on our children’s behalf is ever wasted; rather, it serves as the foundation for their lives. The Lord’s promise is being fulfilled right before my eyes. Although my children have normal struggles and problems as all children do, they are maturing into responsible adults… I now know that from the foundation of ‘small,’ but significant, things ‘proceedeth that which is great’ ” (quoted in Contentment by Maria Covey Cole, 37-39).