Listography | Books That Changed the Way I Think

I have read a lot of books...a lot, but there are a few in my life that have impacted me enough to change the way I think or do things. Some may be obvious, other you will probably be like "what?"

1. The Book of Mormon - changed who I am as a person

2. The Book of Mormon Institute study guide - so helpful and explanatory changed my view on a lot of things I already knew!

3. The Secret - changed my way of thinking entirely about energy and positive attitude.

4. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk - Changed a lot of my day to day parenting skills (and I always know what I should be doing, even if I'm not)

5. 5 Spiritual Solutions for Everyday Parenting Challenges - changed how I view my children and my role as their parent.

8. Pride and Prejudice - changed my view on how love can develop, it's not always a lightning bolt!

7. Here Be Dragons - introduced me to a love of historical novels and expanded my genre of what I love to read and watch on television.

8. The Outlander series - changed my view on what love SHOULD be like!

52|2012 Week 2 - Cold

It was a cold walk to the bus stop this morning, 27 degrees to be exact. That may not seem cold to you northern folk, but it's dang cold here.

There has become quite a list of gals who have joined into this fun 52 week project, it is so fun to see all the different takes on the same theme! Go check 'em out!!

Michelle, Heather, Jenn, Heather. Rhonda, Tracey, Stacey, Andrea, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, Janet, Lesli

Hopefully I didn't mis anybody, Leave me a comment if I happened to leave you off the list and I'll be sure to add you! It's not to late to join in the fun if you want to as well!

Christmas Eve 2011

Food was eaten, presents opened, chimes were rang, love was shared. A good night with the Conks!

52|2012:Week 1 - Newness

In an effort to get to my goal of taking more photos for this year I have joined in with some of my WSPA (Wendy Schulz Photography Alumni) girls for a photo challenge. 52 photos in 2012. One a week, each with a theme. This weeks theme was "Newness." Bonnie is like a new girl today. For the last 3 days she has been throwing up and had diarrhea. I have really missed that tiny smile.

**Lets hope that blogging about this new challenge doesn't put death to me completing it like it did the last one!

Cousins Camp 2011

Stuff was done, things were said, food was eaten, laughs were had. it was fun!

12 in 2012

My sister in law was talking about the statistics of writing down goals and how just writing them down greatly increases your chances of success. I usually don't go for new years resolutions but this year is going to be different for me. I have been on a self improvement kick lately so why not make it official with actual goals!! I'm not as crazy as my bff Michelle who did 111 in 2011, I'm just sticking to 12 in 2012.

1. Learn to use serious power tools - if I can't get Terry to build it I better dang well learn how to do it myself and I have a big list of things I want to build.

2. Be able to wear a swimsuit in front of people...it's been 3 years since I've worn one in public.

3. Take lots more pictures - I feel like my photography is sucktastic lately and I'm sure it's because I'm not shooting enough, or challenging myself!

4. Throw parties - I miss parties. I love going all out, I'm not going to let not having a house stop me anymore!

5. Stop Pinning - Start creating (ok maybe not STOP pinning, just create more of what I do pin other than food!)

6. Show more gratitude to others.

7. Serve more.

8. My always goal of being a fun mom - why is this so hard for me?

9. Finish the Book of Mormon and read it fully again by the end of the year.

10. Finish my 2009, 2010 and 2011 Blog books

11. Get True Photography up and running.

12. Stop yelling at my kids...unless they are eminent danger!

Well there you go, and here I go!

2011:A year in Review

Well, I made it through a rough one. This year has brought some highs and some lows. Lets take a minute to remember both...

January -

Started working out with Jillian Michaels and lost 6 lbs.

Decided to move to Logandale into a travel trailer...gained 6+ lbs.

February -

Went to WPPI and had a wonderful time

Realized the I probably won't be able to do much business growth in Logandale

March -

Simplified.

Sold 90% of our possessions.

Got rid of most of our bills.

Moved into a trailer at the in-laws

Kids started at new school, made lots of friends

Girls texting my boy...not cool!

April -

Sam makes cheer squad

Cheer practice is at 6am.

The fair was here!

The weather was awful

May -

Took a VERY quick get away to California with my sweetheart

Stayed in the skankiest motel ever!

June -

The kids got out of school for summer.

The kids got out of school for summer

July -

Headed to Oregon for 3 weeks

Terry had to stay home to work

August -

Had an amazing girls trip to Seattle

Came home with a limp that lasted for 3 months and a few weeks on crutches

The kids went back to school

The kids went back to school

September -

Created and started executing "responsibility" charts

Gave up on raising "responsible" children

October -

Awesome family trip to California

November -

Trip to Oregon for Thanksgiving

Terry was broken back for a month after the drive!

December -

Enjoyable Christmas

Not so enjoyable Holiday break from school because kids were on restriction due to poor grades.

So with the good comes the bad. Not that I have any doubt that my kids will remember the bad (because seriously, there's LOADS of that) but I think it helps give balance! I try to keep it real here on the ol blog and as you can tell my my blogging frequency lately, I am in a not so great place right now. I'm trying to look at the positive side of things and getting back to doing what I love most. I am hoping that the new year will bring a renewed excitement and attitude for life.

Oh goodness I sound depressed!

I'm workin on that!

I hope you remember to document your year...the good and the bad because they both make us who we are.

Thanksgiving

I spent a week in Oregon and took like 5 pictures. This is the only one I would care to share. we had a great time!