Resolutions:

So happened to find the list of New Year Resolutions I made for last year.

Here's how they went:

1. Read Scriptures and pray, both individually and with family, every day!

- Well I was probably at about 50% when I made that goal and I'd say I've improved to about 70%. So I guess this one better stay on my list 'til I get to 100%!

2. Learn about and understand the Atonement better.

-I'd say that is a life long assignment. I did read a great book on the Atonement in January... then I didn't do much else.

3. Read at least one book a month.

- Totally failed this one. I think I got to recreationally read 3 books all year! How sad. I'll be attempting this one again!

4. Potty Train Parker by February 1st!

-I think it took until about March 1st but we were successful!!

5. Spend one hour a day doing a fun, educational activity with the kids.

-If I could, I would spend 5 hours a day doing fun stuff with my kids. Some days I spent 3, others I spent 1, and some days I had to make up for the previous days I got nothing done because I spent all day playing with the kids. I'd say all those days probably evened out to an hour or so a day.

6. Lose 20 lbs.

-I lost 16 lbs... does that count?

I thought if I posted my resolutions on here this year, I would be held accountable to them.

So in addition to my failed attempts at the above resolutions... here are my 2012 Resolutions:

1. Prepare for and fast every fast Sunday.

- Sometimes I fast with out a purpose because I forgot it was fast sunday until the night before :(

2. Spend the entire week preparing, reading, praying about, and pondering about the lessons I give in Relief Society!

-Got a new calling and I'm feeling really nervous and inadequate!

3. SUCCESSFULLY budget and manage all our finances!

-We are still trying to find a system that works with Tyler's crazy pay periods.

4. Be featured on the show Extreme Couponing!

-ok not really but I would like to get back into coupons and save us a little more money!

5. Master the art of photography and photo editing.

-Mastering is definitely an over-reach but I would like to continue playing around with it until I get better.

6. Physically write in a journal.

-I use this blog as a journal but as you can see I am really bad at keeping up with it so I want to have a more personal account of my life!

7. Lose at least 11 more lbs.

-ugggg.....

With that said.... Anyone have any good books to recommend? Good luck to each of you on your resolutions.

And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Photo Shoot

Christmas Eve we tried to take some family pictures. My mom took about 30 pictures of us and there was not a SINGLE picture where both kids were looking at the camera and smiling. It was kind of disappointing considering how many of them were so cute but just not so cute of all of us. Here are a few:

My Christmas Gift to You!

Merry Christmas!

Can you believe it's almost here?

Here is a gift we can each enjoy on this beautiful holiday!

Also... I braved another sewing project. I'm starting to wonder how many projects it takes for a person of average sewing talent to be able to sew in nice, strait, neat lines... If it's less then 6 or so, I may be a person of less-than-average sewing talent. Anyway, here are the results:

Pooley Family Stockings

Rylan's :

Parker's:

Tyler's:

Mommy's: mine was the guinea pig of the bunch, which is why it's kinda goofy looking. You're right they are all a little goofy looking, but this is the goofiest. It is also the largest... I think that means I deserve extra presents because of all my hard work on these beauties!

Rylan and I got an extra girly touch of rosettes on the top. Still looking for something fun to add to the top of the boys.

Enjoy your holidays! It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

The Coat

Last night we watched a very touching video on the true meaning of Christmas. It is called

The Coat

It is such a sweet video. Parker asked to watch it 3 times... and all three times I cried!

A few minutes later, Rylan fell and bit her tongue :( She was so sad. Parker ran into the other room, I didn't think much of it until he came back with Rylan's favorite stuffed animal, handed it to her and comforted her. It melted my heart. Then he ran off and came back with HIS favorite stuffed animal (the one he is very possessive over) and gave it to her as well. Isn't it amazing that the Spirit of Christmas can catch so quickly? He is normally a very sweet boy but I think he was extra-inspired!

I hope I can be just as inspired!

Traditions.....

Last year, during the holiday season, I was a little out of sync. We had moved a few times and by the time December rolled around we were staying in Tyler's grandma's house while she was in Arizona for the winter and we were in between houses. I am very grateful for her generosity! But it was a little bit difficult for me to get into the Christmas spirit when I was living in a home that wasn't mine. I could not spend my days decorating, baking and blasting Christmas music to dance and sing to all day. But I did learn something... While all those activities are fun and make wonderful memories, Christ's birth and the blessings of the atonement and

our families are really what make Christmas special.

This year, I have my own place to decorate, bake in, and embarrass myself with some serious holiday tunes... and don't you worry I will be taking full advantage of that! But I wanted to make sure Christ was central in my family's celebrations this year so I have come up with my very first Pooley Family Tradition. We have lots of great traditions with each sides of our family but this will be the first one that is unique to just Tyler, the kids, and I. So I am excited!

I call it the Nativity Advent.

I bought a cute little 10 piece Nativity set. Then I found 25 Christmas messages consisting of scriptures, talks from the Friend magazine, url's for christmas videos on LDS.org, and explanations of what each christmas symbol represents. I plan to wrap each of the 10 pieces of the nativity set individually with a little message and a piece of candy for each of us. Then I will wrap the remaining messages with some candy as well. The baby Jesus figurine will be wrapped in a different paper than the rest of the gifts. After we set up our tree tonight, all of the gifts will go under the tree and they will be the ONLY presents we put there. Each day the kids will get to pick one gift to open. We will read the message, talk about the role of the figurine (if they picked a gift with one of the 10 figurines) and enjoy the candy. Then we will set up the nativity display piece by piece. Christmas morning (we will probably be at my parents so we'll have to bring Him with us) we will open the last gift, which will be baby Jesus, before we open any other gifts and read the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2.

I want my kids to remember while all the toys and presents and santa are so very fun... Christ is the most wonderful of all gifts.

So I am looking for other fun traditions to start with my family too. You guys have any good ones? Please share!!

'Tis the Season to Believe!

When I was in high school, I had numerous conversations that started something like this:

"So Natalie, You're a Mormon? That means you like, can't drink alcohol or coffee and can't have sex or do anything fun on Sunday, right?"

Well, yes, I am a Mormon. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ o

f Latter-day Saints. Back in those days of high school... ok give me a break people it wasn't that long ago... only like 7 years or something (yikes), not too many people in California new a whole lot about the LDS church. And what they did know was all the stuff we "weren't allowed to do". Today if I asked someone in California what they knew about Mormons, I'm sure the first thing they would bring up is that we don't believe in gay marriage. The LDS or Mormon church has been popping into the spot light quite a bit lately, most recently being called a cult. And here I am sitting in Idaho, drinking my cup of hot chocolate, with the feeling that maybe I can help define what my religion is to the few people who run across my bog and actually take the time to read.

So, what do YOU know about the Mormons?

If you don't have time to read all of my post but want a summed up version (it won't be as personal, silly and fun as my rendition but it is the flat out truth:) click here.

Let's get one thing straight. I am a human being. An imperfect human being. I use the delete key a lot, not only while typing but also in life. I make mistakes, I have a bad attitude occasionally, I am impatient, and I do a lot of repenting. So when you read this, please do not imagine me preaching to you from a pedestal. Because I am in no position to do such. I am just a regular person in this world, trying to share the gospel that has shaped my life into something beautiful and meaningful with anyone who is curious. With that said... read on!

I believe in Christ. I would be a goner if it were not for the atoning sacrifice He made for us. I believe He is the son of God. He lived a perfect life of purity and service, after which I am meant to shape my own life after. He died for our sins and was resurrected so that we too can over come death and be resurrected someday. And He carries me through this life when I suffer, because He has felt my pain so I don't have to suffer alone. I believe in Christ. Am I a Christian? I'll leave that for you to decide.

Maybe you've heard of Joseph Smith? While he did not found

the Church, he did restore it to the Earth after it had been miscommunicated, changed and lost throughout the thousands of years following the death of Christ's original disciples. He is revered as a prophet who worked many miracles to bring Christ's Church back to it's original order here on Earth.

Have you read the Bible? I have! And I believe it's the word of God. As do I believe the Book of Mormon is another account of God's work among His people. It is a powerful book of scripture and if you read it, you will feel that as well.

I know a lot of people look at me and think I am crazy, at 25 years of age, already married with not one but two kids. Am I crazy... well I'll be honest that there are days I go a little crazy. But it's my family that keeps me sane. There is no joy greater than that of a happy, honest, loyal and honorable marriage, where husband and wife are equals in a partnership that can last forever. The only thing that brings an equal amount of joy is that of having two beautiful children who call you mommy. I know some of you don't believe me... but maybe someday you'll see for yourself. And if you have a family and you love them as much as I love mine, you'd want to be with them forever too right? Click here to read more about the Mormon perspective on family.

Since we are talking about family, we might as well address the elephant in the room. Gay marriage. Most people know we believe that God has intended marriage to be between a man and a woman. We will not waver on this belief, despite the many pressures to do so. However, our gospel is a gospel of love, not hate. I have never in any of my religious study or worship, been told to hate someone who does not believe what I believe. So for those of you who think we as Mormons hate homosexuals, please know that we do not! We are trying to preserve a God-given law and just as God loves all of His children, so will we.

I could go on for pages and pages about what I believe but

I think I'll turn you over to the Church's website for more. There is one more thing, or person in this case, who I would like to mention. This guy:

He is a prophet. Just like Moses and Noah. And while he did not part the Red Sea, he does many miraculous things today. He spends his life traveling the world and serving the sick and afflicted. He receives direct revelation from God and shares it with us twice a year. I love this man. And how could you not? He tells stories like your grandpa would and has the demeanor of Santa Claus. And if you don't believe me about just how lovable he is, wait until you see him wiggle his ears. Watch it, you know you want to!

I hope that if you are reading this and have ever know me in person, you will already know my testimony of this church. I hope when you hear the word Mormon, you think of me... and hopefully those thoughts are of someone who was kind and true. And if you want to hear more... I'll be here!

Soccer Star

I spent a lot of my life kicking around a soccer ball. I still remember the day I told my mom I hated ballet and wanted to play soccer! And from then on I loved that silly sport. Playing soccer was my one and only talent and hobby back then. But a few weeks ago, I acquired a new calling in life....

Soccer Mom!

And watching this kid play is even more enjoyable than actually playing myself, I must say.

And he loves it! His first game he just went for it! There are 5 kids on his team and only 3 play at a time... Parker played the whole game because he refused to come out and sit on the side lines and his coaches didn't have the heart to ruin his fun.

And he scored a goal!

But more importantly he had fun!

I am so proud of him for being a little go getter!

He occasionally likes to fall down very dramatically...

Go

Tigers!

Being a mom just gets better and better! Just when you think, "Oh I wish my kids would stop growing up!", they reach a new age filled with new kinds of fun! Like soccer games!

Oh and he has scored a total of 8 goals so far in 4 games!

But who is counting and bragging?

Me... I can't help it.

:)