Missing spoons

Do you have the same problem I have? Does your silverware just magically disappear? In my quest to organize this month I cleaned out a couple of drawers in my kitchen. My silverware drawers (I have two) and my utensils drawer. Just empty and wipe out - easy - but what I discovered is that I am missing once again lots of spoons and a couple of forks! When we moved here a little over five years ago I bought new silverware and got rid of all the mismatched spoons, forks and knives I had accumulated over all my married years up until that time. I have one drawer of antique silverware that my mom gave me and I use - it is very eclectic but still matching (I just feel so special when I eat off one these utensils) but they are not for every day use. The other funny thing that I found was I have three spoons that don't even belong to me! Is anyone missing their spoons? I just might have them. I got to thinking about it and I am missing a cookie sheet, a bowl and all of my square Rubbermaid containers (I still have the lids - how does that work out?), and my soup ladle (a nice pampered chef one). There is probably other things missing but I just don't remember what all I have until I go to use it. My kids swear they have not used any of it! But how does this happen - is there a midnight thief around here? I told my kids when they grow up and have their own homes I am going to sneak into their houses and "borrow" their stuff. They all just looked at me like I was crazy and gave me another "is mom talking to us?" look. It never ceases to amaze me that my stuff can just get up and walk right out the door I mean what else could possibly be the reason for the disappearance of my kitchen tools - I mean if the kids say the didn't do it than they didn't right? ;)

Zoo trip

Thursday I got to go with Toshia and the little ones to the zoo. Jonathan had earned this trip by having lots of dry nights. I don't know how many but he had a cute little chart and got to put toy story stickers on it and was so excited to go see all the animals. Thank goodness it did not rain but it was cold and I always forget that it is a little colder there - I don't know why but it is always colder there than I think it will be. There was hardly anyone there and that made it really nice as well.


Miss Reagan at the zoo. It was cold out but she did very well being all bundled up in her stroller.


Jonathan and Toshia looking at the elephants. I watched something here that I had never seen before. The elephant inside was dumping carrots out of a barrel above his head. Then when he got a few on the ground picked them up with his trunk and ate them - but what was amazing was the ones that were out of reach - he blew his trunk like leaf blower to get the carrots closer to him. Wow - I think that is the coolest thing I had ever seen at the zoo before. I think I sat there watched him for at least 10 minutes. Toshia took Jonathan outside to other side to find the baby elephant.


Here Jonathan is so excited because the polar bears are so close to us. The really funny thing is when you ask him what was his favorite thing he says "the fishes". Yes we saw fish but I think he says it because is was the last thing we saw on the way out. He really laughed at the monkeys and wanted nothing to do with looking at the birds.

This was so fun to get to go with the grandkids on this little outing - where are we going next Jonathan?

Simple goal setting

"Do All The Good You Can,
By All The Means You Can,
In All The Ways You Can,
In All The Places You Can,
At All The Times You Can,
To All The People You Can,
As Long As You Can."
John Wesley

I have not set new goals or new resolutions - I do want to do accomplish one thing this year and that is to be more organized. I am cleaning one thing a day - even if it is something as small as a drawer or big as a whole room . Hopefully it will spill into my menu planning and grocery shopping and all the aspects of my life that I tend to just do but not put lots of thought into. So as I work at being organized I hope this quote from John Wesley becomes how I live my life this year! I also have finally picked my word for the year. "BELIEVE" As I work on this word and study and apply things into my life I will write about it. There is something drawing me to this word of faith for me so there must be something I need to incorporate more into my daily living.

1-11-11

I couldn't sleep so I decided to write a little - then I noticed that it is 11:11pm on 1-11-11 and I have 11 children. How weird is that. Sometimes I can't really believe that I have been blessed to give birth to 11 children. It seems like a big blur of time sometimes and then I am with them all and I know they are mine but it just is so serial. They are amazing and funny and very frustrating sometimes, but I love them and appreciate all that they teach me.

I am really struggling to find my word for this year. I want it to be something that will motivate me and move to action. I thought I had it a couple of times but so far it just does not feel right yet - so I will keep searching.

I made cookies with Jonathan Monday. He was so cute. His favorite part was licking the beaters. I just love those grandkids of mine. We are going to the beach for the weekend and I am so excited to be out there with him as he throw rocks in the ocean. That is his favorite thing to do now when he is there.

I had lunch today with some friends and really had a nice time. It was the first time I have met with these ladies outside of the gym. It was nice to get to know them better. I really needed the adult conversation today for some reason.

Sunday night I had the opportunity to attend a baptism of a man who is from China. He doesn't speak English very well so there was a lady who was interpreting things for him. The spirit there was so strong and I just had such happy thoughts as I listened to what was being taught. There is so much sadness and tragedy going on in our world right now and it really helped me see that Heavenly Father is watching out for all of us. I was so glad that Toshia was asked to sing and that I could play for her so that I could be there.

I have been cleaning and organizing all over the house. Everyday I clean a drawer, cupboard or even room. I am feeling very organized but have come to the conclusion I am a pack rat! But I am getting things sorted out and it feels so good!

This has been quite a rambling post - but what do you expect from a mother of 11 that is typing at 11 o'clock at night on 1-11-11;)