Have you ever really STOPPED and taken the time to think of the things you're grateful for? I'm not talking about just around Thanksgiving time either. We are SOOO rich in our lifestyles, it's easy to take advantage of it or wish there were something else we could have. In our lives, we're upgrading, wanting more, wanting better, it's just our nature.
Last night, I was watching a certain show. There was a scene that showed people who lived in this tiny town in Guatemala, about 300 people lived in this tiny town. It was basically a place in the middle of nowhere. You had to hike a mountain more than 3 miles to get there from the next nearest town, takes about two hours to get there on foot. You can only get there on foot or by helicopter, which means these people rarely get outsiders/visitors and don't have much. They don't even have running water or electricity. THINK ABOUT THAT.
There are probably things in our life that we wish were better. There are gadgets and clothes that we really want. We want to take trips and do fun recreational activities. And yet there are people in our world that don't have the things we take for granted. What would you do if you didn't have running water or electricity? Do you think you could live like that? These people have no other choice.
We turn on a light switch and the light comes on. We take showers and run the dishwasher like any other old routine. We can even usually afford to pay the bills that come with such utilities. We have apartments, houses, cars and goodness knows what other luxuries. Even this computer I'm typing on is using electricity! I grew up living with all these things we take for granted and some people don't even know what it's like to use stuff like that.
Just watching that short segment last night made me think of all the wonderful things I have in my life and made me once again grateful for all the LUXURIES I do have. We are rich in so many ways, even if we don't feel that way. How do you think those people would act if they came into our homes today? I think they would be overwhelmed, they would look at us like we were kings and queens. That's the way we should feel everyday because we truly are rich and we should be grateful for all those things we take for granted. I know I am!! :)
About the Gardner's!
- Stef
- This is us! Jared, Stefanie, Anna and Aiden! Anna is 4 and Aiden is 2, time flies so fast! We're doing our best to enjoy life and take every obstacle head on! :) I'm hoping to have this blog be about all the happy things in our life and keep it mostly positive! Obviously, we have things in our lives that aren't so great, but I'll do my best to keep this as uplifting as possible ;)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Oh yes, I do!!
Yes, I do believe in a higher power!! Otherwise I'm not sure the kids and I would have made it safe to our destinations today! The wind was, and still is!, howling outside. Those gusts were pretty scary in some areas! We left to meet a friend for lunch and once I got on the freeway, I knew I'd have to REALLY stay focused on the road, even more than I already do! What was I doing on the way down there? Praying my heart out!! ;) I just wanted to make it safe to our destination, which thankfully we did. I credit it to a higher power for looking out for us, I can't help but do that! I know He has a hand in everything we do, so I thank Him for keeping us safe! On the way back home, I was praying again that we would make it home safely. We were getting close to our exit when I spotted a truck ahead of us, a couple lanes over, not semi-size, about half the size maybe. Well, the trailer in the back was just SWAYING big time, it made me SO nervous!! I was just praying, praying that the truck wouldn't toppler over and crash and that we would be safe, it really was leaning so bad! Luckily, we made it to our exit and our house safe and sound. Weather like this sure makes me anxious, but I'm so glad we made it safe, and I do give many thanks to my Father in Heaven for helping us!! I still might have to reconsider going anywhere the next time the windy weather is this bad.....;)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Power of LAUGHING
Have you ever really taken the time to notice how GOOD it feels to laugh? I think I underestimated its power in our world. The other night wasn't a particularly great night for me. I was tired, ready for the kids to go to bed, done with the day. Earlier in the day, Anna and I played with a couple of her dolls together for quite a while. It was fun at first, but then I got bored and stopped playing. That night after dinner, Anna wanted to play with the dolls again. So we sat on the couch and at first, I honestly did NOT want to play again, I just wasn't in the mood. I felt bad by that, but I did promise her that after dinner we could play.
After a minute or two, Anna made her doll sneeze on mine. I threw my doll in the air as if the sneeze had affected the doll so much that it threw her in the air. She just LAUGHED! So we did it again and again, over and over. I hadn't heard Anna LAUGH SO HARD in quite a while, so of course it had me laughing too! We kept doing it over and over because I loved hearing and watching Anna laugh so hard at it! And because I was laughing too, of course it put me in a better mood and we continued playing with the dolls and Anna making hers sneeze ;). That day, it was the power of laughter that brought me out of my bad mood, I think it's more powerful than we give it credit for ;).
After a minute or two, Anna made her doll sneeze on mine. I threw my doll in the air as if the sneeze had affected the doll so much that it threw her in the air. She just LAUGHED! So we did it again and again, over and over. I hadn't heard Anna LAUGH SO HARD in quite a while, so of course it had me laughing too! We kept doing it over and over because I loved hearing and watching Anna laugh so hard at it! And because I was laughing too, of course it put me in a better mood and we continued playing with the dolls and Anna making hers sneeze ;). That day, it was the power of laughter that brought me out of my bad mood, I think it's more powerful than we give it credit for ;).
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Mommy, don't take my eye out!
Poor Anna was hit with pink eye in both eyes this week, I feel so bad for her. She's been more tired, more miserable, and her eyes look awful and red. It's also made for a partially cranky child as well, I don't blame her! Aiden has been sick with a cold for almost a week now too, he's definitely been more cranky and whiny, poor kid. I REALLY hope they get better soon, having sick kids is no fun! BUT, who says having sick kids means there's no humor? ;)
We were at Jared's parent's house on Sunday for the typical Sunday dinner, when I asked Anna to come into the bathroom so I could wipe her eyes, since they were starting to look a little goopey. She came into the bathroom, very reluctantly, and was saying "But mommy, I don't want to take my eye out!" I was stunned, I thought what in the world?? And I said, "Anna, I'm not going to take your eye out, I'm just going to wipe it clean." She didn't believe me at first and kept saying don't take my eye out! She finally let me clean it and all was well. Needless to say, I and Jared's mom and sister were laughing when we were done, I kept wondering where in the world she heard something like that from??
Well, the goopiness didn't go away and her eyes got more and more red, so I called the doctor's office this morning and made an appt. to take Anna in and get her eyes checked. Of course, once she found out we were going to the dr's, she started panicking saying she didn't want the doctor to take her eye out! I got her in the car and she started crying and kept saying the whole way there that she didn't want to see the doctor and didn't want the doctor to take her eye out. I kept trying to explain to her what would happen at the doctor's office, but she just didn't get it! When we saw the doctor, she explained to Anna that she wouldn't take her eye out and that, in fact, she didn't have to touch her eyes at all, that she already saw what she needed to see, and that was that! Anna got her sucker at the end of the visit and was SO happy the doctor didn't take her eye out and kept telling me so the whole way home. It was so funny yet so sad at the same time! I still wonder where on earth an idea like that came from.......oh the things kids say!
We were at Jared's parent's house on Sunday for the typical Sunday dinner, when I asked Anna to come into the bathroom so I could wipe her eyes, since they were starting to look a little goopey. She came into the bathroom, very reluctantly, and was saying "But mommy, I don't want to take my eye out!" I was stunned, I thought what in the world?? And I said, "Anna, I'm not going to take your eye out, I'm just going to wipe it clean." She didn't believe me at first and kept saying don't take my eye out! She finally let me clean it and all was well. Needless to say, I and Jared's mom and sister were laughing when we were done, I kept wondering where in the world she heard something like that from??
Well, the goopiness didn't go away and her eyes got more and more red, so I called the doctor's office this morning and made an appt. to take Anna in and get her eyes checked. Of course, once she found out we were going to the dr's, she started panicking saying she didn't want the doctor to take her eye out! I got her in the car and she started crying and kept saying the whole way there that she didn't want to see the doctor and didn't want the doctor to take her eye out. I kept trying to explain to her what would happen at the doctor's office, but she just didn't get it! When we saw the doctor, she explained to Anna that she wouldn't take her eye out and that, in fact, she didn't have to touch her eyes at all, that she already saw what she needed to see, and that was that! Anna got her sucker at the end of the visit and was SO happy the doctor didn't take her eye out and kept telling me so the whole way home. It was so funny yet so sad at the same time! I still wonder where on earth an idea like that came from.......oh the things kids say!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Little Things
Having two small kids of my own, I've realized that it's the little things in life that really matter. We have a beautiful home, Jared has a great job, we have two cars, we have food, blankets, etc. We have all of our necessities in life, but it's not the big things that really count in the long run. Making the little things count is what makes such a big difference in our lives. The other day the kids and I were kinda bored, it was just another stay-at-home day. So what did we do? We sat at the kitchen table and colored. Doing something simple like that was so much fun! Not only did it make me feel like a kid again, but it helped my children's creativity grow. Anna can write her "A's", so we were able to practice that some more as well. Just sitting there coloring with two of the most important people in my life was priceless. We'll definitely do more coloring in the future ;)
As I write this, my kids have taken all the pillows and cushions off the couch. Typically in the past, I'd get really irritated and tell them to put them all back. But now I've realized, what's the big deal? Sure it'll be nice one day to have couches with cushions that are attached, but right now my kids are bouncing around the living room, trying to stay on the pillows and cushions. What does it remind you of? For me, it reminds me of when I was a kid and the floor was volcano lava and you had to do everything possible not to touch the floor or you would die! Remember doing that? My kids, in some form, are doing the same stuff I did as a kid, and so I just let them play :) Something little like that is what makes a big deal in the long run, because if I remember doing that as a kid, maybe they will too :)
Earlier this week, we had a small snow storm, plenty of snow had accumulated. What did Anna want to do?? Play in the snow! Now, if you know me, you know that I DETEST the snow. There isn't ONE thing I like about it. Yes, I know I live in Utah where it's always inevitable ;). Last weekend, I had bought Anna some snow boots, mittens and a hat, because she didn't have any yet, and I told her she could finally play in the snow when it snows again. Of course it just HAD to snow a few days later. She woke up Jared and I in the morning and was bursting with joy that it had snowed! I had her wait until after lunchtime to go since it was still snowing a lot outside. It stopped after lunchtime so I got her all bundled up and sent her out into the backyard to play in the snow. Boy, was she EXCITED! She kept saying she couldn't wait to play in the snow. What did she do in the snow? She just picked it up and threw it in the air. My poor kids are so deprived of playing in the snow ;). She played out there for about a half hour before coming inside (and taking two potty breaks, oy), but as I watched her play, I really was once again reminded of the little things, and how I remember playing in the snow when I was a kid. I just sat at the kitchen table, looking out the sliding glass door at my daughter happily playing in the snow. I had dreaded it because I didn't like the snow and didn't want to have to deal with my kids in the snow, but it turned out so great, I remembered it's not about me, it's about them. Watching Anna joyfully play in the snow like that was priceless, it made me so happy to see her so happy. My kids are creating memories and I'm helping them do that. I feel so honored to have such a pleasure as that in life :)
As you can tell, my life kinda revolves around my kids, since I'm with them ALL the time, but that's ok with me. I love them with all my heart and enjoy doing the little things in life with them. They teach me so much and definitely one thing I've learned is to slow down and enjoy the little things in life :)
As I write this, my kids have taken all the pillows and cushions off the couch. Typically in the past, I'd get really irritated and tell them to put them all back. But now I've realized, what's the big deal? Sure it'll be nice one day to have couches with cushions that are attached, but right now my kids are bouncing around the living room, trying to stay on the pillows and cushions. What does it remind you of? For me, it reminds me of when I was a kid and the floor was volcano lava and you had to do everything possible not to touch the floor or you would die! Remember doing that? My kids, in some form, are doing the same stuff I did as a kid, and so I just let them play :) Something little like that is what makes a big deal in the long run, because if I remember doing that as a kid, maybe they will too :)
Earlier this week, we had a small snow storm, plenty of snow had accumulated. What did Anna want to do?? Play in the snow! Now, if you know me, you know that I DETEST the snow. There isn't ONE thing I like about it. Yes, I know I live in Utah where it's always inevitable ;). Last weekend, I had bought Anna some snow boots, mittens and a hat, because she didn't have any yet, and I told her she could finally play in the snow when it snows again. Of course it just HAD to snow a few days later. She woke up Jared and I in the morning and was bursting with joy that it had snowed! I had her wait until after lunchtime to go since it was still snowing a lot outside. It stopped after lunchtime so I got her all bundled up and sent her out into the backyard to play in the snow. Boy, was she EXCITED! She kept saying she couldn't wait to play in the snow. What did she do in the snow? She just picked it up and threw it in the air. My poor kids are so deprived of playing in the snow ;). She played out there for about a half hour before coming inside (and taking two potty breaks, oy), but as I watched her play, I really was once again reminded of the little things, and how I remember playing in the snow when I was a kid. I just sat at the kitchen table, looking out the sliding glass door at my daughter happily playing in the snow. I had dreaded it because I didn't like the snow and didn't want to have to deal with my kids in the snow, but it turned out so great, I remembered it's not about me, it's about them. Watching Anna joyfully play in the snow like that was priceless, it made me so happy to see her so happy. My kids are creating memories and I'm helping them do that. I feel so honored to have such a pleasure as that in life :)
As you can tell, my life kinda revolves around my kids, since I'm with them ALL the time, but that's ok with me. I love them with all my heart and enjoy doing the little things in life with them. They teach me so much and definitely one thing I've learned is to slow down and enjoy the little things in life :)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Here we go!
If you haven't figured it out by now, I do a horrible job keeping up on this blog. Our lives aren't very exciting, so I don't really have much to update on which is why I never do. I think that's something I need to work on. I know for every post I do, I don't have to include pictures for (thank goodness since putting pictures on here is just a hassle!! If someone knows an easy way to do it, tell me!!), so I think I want to try and just write, just update on anything. No I won't tell you what we ate that day or anything like that, but it'd be nice to update on my kids at least, since they are freaking adorable ;). We'll see how it goes, but I'll at least try! Also, if anyone can give me tips on doing my blog (like Lindsey for example!!! ;)), PLEASE do!
ANNA~
Oh my Anna, what a stubborn joy she is. Almost a year ago, she was potty trained for almost a month at least. She did excellent with it. Then we moved to our house and she lapsed. I tried so hard for days to keep her on track, but she had just given up and after doing so many loads of laundry, I gave up too. I figured I'd just wait til she was completely ready, til she wanted to do it. Then the New Year rolled around and I thought I'd give it a try again, it became my New Year's resolution. What a pleasant surprise when the first Monday of the month rolled around and Anna decided to literally potty train herself! I wasn't going to start til the week after, when I didn't have plans and I would stay home all week. That Monday she just started going by herself all day. Tuesday was the same. I thought maybe it was a fluke, so I kept her in a diaper still, even though she was dry all day both days! Wednesday she was still in a diaper because we made a trip to Provo to visit family, so that day wasn't so great because we were out and about. But on Thursday, it was back to what she did before. She stayed dry all day. I couldn't believe she was doing it! So I gave in and put panties on her, which she looks so cute in HAHA, and she did great! She's had a few accidents since then, but has otherwise been totally potty trained and I couldn't be happier about it!! She still doesn't stay dry through the night, we're working on that, but she still does so excellent. I'm thrilled to say the least!!! That's my stubborn girl, do things when she wants to ;) Since that was my original resolution, I'm going to make another one to do better with this blog. More posted below. Other than the potty stuff, she is doing so great. We enrolled her in a dance/tumble combo class at a nearby arts academy and she loves it. She doesn't always listen to the teacher, kinda runs around and does what she wants, but she's been getting MUCH better with that and has been learning some great stuff! The classes at that place are small so there's more one on one attention between the teacher and the students. On average there are about 5-6 girls in Anna's class, so it's nice. She loves her dance class :) We just celebrated her 4th birthday last week, I can't believe she's 4 already!! Some days when I look at her, I want to cry thinking of how big she's gotten and how fast it all goes. She's such a sweetie and is learning and growing so much, I love her sooo much :). She uses her imagination A LOT and oh my word I love it!! Some of the things she comes up with....WOW. She can really crack me up sometimes with the things she does and says, I just love that girl :). Tomorrow we're getting her a "big girl" bed, an actual twin size bed, and she's so excited for it. My gosh she's getting big....it's so bittersweet. I love my princess!!
AIDEN~
Oh what to say about that adorable boy?? He's been learning, exploring and watching a lot! Anna is his role model, he does what she does and goes where she goes. They play a lot together and he looks up to her so much, it's so cute :). He has officially been weaned off his binky and I'm so glad that's done! It took a few months, but he no longer has it and probably hardly remembers it. He still has his blanket he sleeps with, but that's totally fine with me. I love how much he loves his blanket, it's cute :). He climbs on everything and gets into everything and oh how it tries my patience sometimes!! Lately his getting into the fridge stuff has been driving me absolutely crazy. We've had two fridge locks on the door and they've both broken, but I finally went and got another one yesterday because I just couldn't take it anymore. Yesterday morning he spilled a pitcher of juice all over the couch and floor, it was so awful. The morning before that, Anna spilled a pitcher of juice on the kitchen floor. Granted, she can still open the lock and get in the fridge, but she doesn't do it as much as Aiden. Thank goodness for child locks :). With Anna getting her new twin bed tomorrow, that means transitioning Aiden to the toddler bed that Anna's using....oh boy that'll be interesting! Anna did it just fine and she didn't have her binky either. So I'm hoping it'll go the same way for Aiden...I have a feeling it might be a little more difficult though, wish us luck!! Aiden is just getting so so big, I still can't believe he's over 2 years old already! He's still my little baby and I love him to pieces :).
We have to do the bed switching around because............you sure you ready for it??..............yes, we're expecting, believe it or not! All our talk about not having another baby was false. We didn't expect this, but it's happened anyway!
Ok guys, seriously, did you really think that was true?? HAHA. I only said it because so many, SO MANY, people tease us about having another baby and if I ever say I'm tired or have a headache, people tease me and say I'm pregnant. I'll set the record straight....I'm not pregnant, I don't plan on becoming pregnant, we don't plan in the future of becoming pregnant, so I'll just let you all know that now if you don't already! ;) We're so happy with our two kids and feel so blessed to have them, don't get me wrong on that, we just don't plan on adding to the clan, we're happy with our family as it is now :).
Jared and I are the same, nothing going on with us! We're still nursery leaders in our ward and although I've loved doing it overall, it can get a little tedious some weeks. Anna started Sunbeams this year, HOLY COW!!!, and thankfully is doing so well with it. Aiden is still in nursery with us and after his first two weeks in nursery is when Jared and I got called into the nursery. So basically he's been in nursery with us from the beginning when he first went. The first two weeks he went, I stayed in there with him to help transition him. So it'll be hard when we get released because we're not sure how Aiden will handle it! Hopefully he'll get used to it pretty quick ;). Jared still works for the Post Office in Bountiful and I still stay home with the kids and although I can get really bored some days, I still love it and feel so blessed that I get to stay home with them :). I'm going to try and make this a happy, uplifting blog. I need something like that to keep me happy in my everyday doings, so that's what this will be, or what I'll try to make it be :). I also do have a resolution to lose some weight this year, but c'mon, how many people have made that a resolution? So I'll have two resolutions, with this blog being my main one ;). That's our happy life in a "nutshell", hopefully more to come soon :).
ANNA~
Oh my Anna, what a stubborn joy she is. Almost a year ago, she was potty trained for almost a month at least. She did excellent with it. Then we moved to our house and she lapsed. I tried so hard for days to keep her on track, but she had just given up and after doing so many loads of laundry, I gave up too. I figured I'd just wait til she was completely ready, til she wanted to do it. Then the New Year rolled around and I thought I'd give it a try again, it became my New Year's resolution. What a pleasant surprise when the first Monday of the month rolled around and Anna decided to literally potty train herself! I wasn't going to start til the week after, when I didn't have plans and I would stay home all week. That Monday she just started going by herself all day. Tuesday was the same. I thought maybe it was a fluke, so I kept her in a diaper still, even though she was dry all day both days! Wednesday she was still in a diaper because we made a trip to Provo to visit family, so that day wasn't so great because we were out and about. But on Thursday, it was back to what she did before. She stayed dry all day. I couldn't believe she was doing it! So I gave in and put panties on her, which she looks so cute in HAHA, and she did great! She's had a few accidents since then, but has otherwise been totally potty trained and I couldn't be happier about it!! She still doesn't stay dry through the night, we're working on that, but she still does so excellent. I'm thrilled to say the least!!! That's my stubborn girl, do things when she wants to ;) Since that was my original resolution, I'm going to make another one to do better with this blog. More posted below. Other than the potty stuff, she is doing so great. We enrolled her in a dance/tumble combo class at a nearby arts academy and she loves it. She doesn't always listen to the teacher, kinda runs around and does what she wants, but she's been getting MUCH better with that and has been learning some great stuff! The classes at that place are small so there's more one on one attention between the teacher and the students. On average there are about 5-6 girls in Anna's class, so it's nice. She loves her dance class :) We just celebrated her 4th birthday last week, I can't believe she's 4 already!! Some days when I look at her, I want to cry thinking of how big she's gotten and how fast it all goes. She's such a sweetie and is learning and growing so much, I love her sooo much :). She uses her imagination A LOT and oh my word I love it!! Some of the things she comes up with....WOW. She can really crack me up sometimes with the things she does and says, I just love that girl :). Tomorrow we're getting her a "big girl" bed, an actual twin size bed, and she's so excited for it. My gosh she's getting big....it's so bittersweet. I love my princess!!
AIDEN~
Oh what to say about that adorable boy?? He's been learning, exploring and watching a lot! Anna is his role model, he does what she does and goes where she goes. They play a lot together and he looks up to her so much, it's so cute :). He has officially been weaned off his binky and I'm so glad that's done! It took a few months, but he no longer has it and probably hardly remembers it. He still has his blanket he sleeps with, but that's totally fine with me. I love how much he loves his blanket, it's cute :). He climbs on everything and gets into everything and oh how it tries my patience sometimes!! Lately his getting into the fridge stuff has been driving me absolutely crazy. We've had two fridge locks on the door and they've both broken, but I finally went and got another one yesterday because I just couldn't take it anymore. Yesterday morning he spilled a pitcher of juice all over the couch and floor, it was so awful. The morning before that, Anna spilled a pitcher of juice on the kitchen floor. Granted, she can still open the lock and get in the fridge, but she doesn't do it as much as Aiden. Thank goodness for child locks :). With Anna getting her new twin bed tomorrow, that means transitioning Aiden to the toddler bed that Anna's using....oh boy that'll be interesting! Anna did it just fine and she didn't have her binky either. So I'm hoping it'll go the same way for Aiden...I have a feeling it might be a little more difficult though, wish us luck!! Aiden is just getting so so big, I still can't believe he's over 2 years old already! He's still my little baby and I love him to pieces :).
We have to do the bed switching around because............you sure you ready for it??..............yes, we're expecting, believe it or not! All our talk about not having another baby was false. We didn't expect this, but it's happened anyway!
Ok guys, seriously, did you really think that was true?? HAHA. I only said it because so many, SO MANY, people tease us about having another baby and if I ever say I'm tired or have a headache, people tease me and say I'm pregnant. I'll set the record straight....I'm not pregnant, I don't plan on becoming pregnant, we don't plan in the future of becoming pregnant, so I'll just let you all know that now if you don't already! ;) We're so happy with our two kids and feel so blessed to have them, don't get me wrong on that, we just don't plan on adding to the clan, we're happy with our family as it is now :).
Jared and I are the same, nothing going on with us! We're still nursery leaders in our ward and although I've loved doing it overall, it can get a little tedious some weeks. Anna started Sunbeams this year, HOLY COW!!!, and thankfully is doing so well with it. Aiden is still in nursery with us and after his first two weeks in nursery is when Jared and I got called into the nursery. So basically he's been in nursery with us from the beginning when he first went. The first two weeks he went, I stayed in there with him to help transition him. So it'll be hard when we get released because we're not sure how Aiden will handle it! Hopefully he'll get used to it pretty quick ;). Jared still works for the Post Office in Bountiful and I still stay home with the kids and although I can get really bored some days, I still love it and feel so blessed that I get to stay home with them :). I'm going to try and make this a happy, uplifting blog. I need something like that to keep me happy in my everyday doings, so that's what this will be, or what I'll try to make it be :). I also do have a resolution to lose some weight this year, but c'mon, how many people have made that a resolution? So I'll have two resolutions, with this blog being my main one ;). That's our happy life in a "nutshell", hopefully more to come soon :).
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