101 in 1001

101 things accomplished in 1001 days.  An intriguing thought, one that after I read about it on another blog would not leave me.  I love the idea of creating a list that can potentially change the way I see myself.  There are so many things that have sat on my to do list for so long that even the mention of them make me feel like a failure.  I intend to change that, to expand the things I read, watch, experience.  I want to learn new things and finish things that I have started.  I want to challenge myself to see the world in a new way and I want to treat myself on occasion to remind me that I am special too.  Some may read my list and think really? that is what will stretch you?  The answer is yes, this list is a compilation of the things that will help me be a little better and that is my goal in this life is to continually be a "little better".  Because every time I accomplish that little goal,  I  travel further on the journey of becoming who my Father in Heaven wants me to be and I come a little closer to reaching the potential he sees in me.  So my 1001 days journey begins.

• start date: January 1, 2012
• end date: September 28, 2014

Items that are complete are in bold and those in progress are in italics.

1. write a letter to myself to be opened at the end of the 1001 days (2/24/2012)*
2. watch 10 classic movies (10/10) (Hello Dolly, Dr. Zhivago, The Producers, Casablanca, A Streetcar Named Desire, Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Take Her She's Mine, The Graduate, (which the only thing that I liked about it was the soundtrack), Paper Moon)(10/31/2012)*
3. read 5 classic books (5/5)(Mere Christianity, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland, Brave New World, Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden) (10/12/2012)*
4. see Wicked (8/10/2012)*
5. get a massage (5/13/2012)*
6. get a facial
7. get a pedicure
8. take a weekend to be alone(6/28/2014)
9. read all of the Harry Potter series (7/7)(8/2/2012)*
10. unplug for a week
11. raise $3,000 with my team for Relay for Life
12. serve at the City of Refuge (12/22/2012)*
13. make a wedding cake for someone, charge only cost(7/17/2012)*
14. make a birthday cake as a surprise(3/17/2013)
15. make dinner and deliver to someone who needs it 10 times (5/10)
16. write 25 thank you notes (13/25)
17. send Christmas cards(12/6/2013)
18. read Book of Mormon twice(2/2)(10/3/2013)
19. memorize 5 scriptures(D&C 58:3-4)
20. memorize sacrament prayers (9/1/2012)*
21. memorize The Living Christ
22. memorize Relief Society motto (1/28/2012)*
23. finish Personal Progress
24. read Book of Mormon everyday for a month(12/31/2012)*
25. fast 4 additional times for specific purposes(1/4)
26. go to the temple 75 times (30/75)
27. read 7 Ensigns cover to cover(7/7) (9/8/2013)
28. read Daughter in my Kingdom(1/18/2013)*
29. organize cake stuff
30. organize craft closet(8/15/2013)
31. organize exercise room(1/21/2013)
32. organize Christmas decoration (1/3/2012)*
33. redo my closet (11/1/2012)*
34. organize main storage room
35. paint my bathroom(8/15/2013)
36. finish downstairs bathroom
37. clean every cabinet in the kitchen(11/30/2013)
38. organize computer desk
39. organize movies(1/11/2013)*
40. create important papers binder
41. decorate my bedroom(7/15/2014)
42. get Cambelle's SSC (1/17/12)*
43. Mudroom - paint shelves, and clean cabinet
44. back up photos at the end of each year, hard drive and cd
45. Dad's history binder
46. Mom's history binder
47. Wasden history binder
48. Nelson history binder(7/4/2014)
49. find a name to take to the temple
50. scan Thurgood pictures (10/6/2012) with the help of Sara, (you're awesome!!)*
51. make CD of Thurgood pictures(1/27/2013)
52. make slide show for Nelson Us and Ours and the flood(7/16/2012)*
53. scan Nelson photo album(7/15/2014)
54. move family movies onto DVD's
55. finish Sara's scrapbook to 8 years
56. finish J.T.'s scrapbook to 8 years
57. finish Cambelle's scrapbook to 8 years
58. take a photography class
59. enter photograph in Madison County Fair (8/15/2012)*
60. enter photograph in Idaho State Fair
61. take a picture for each letter of the alphabet
62. participate in photo challenge
63. frame photo I have taken for our bedroom(12/12012)*
64. get a new camera bag(4/12/2012)*
65. learn 25 new hymns(25/25) Love at Home, When Faith Endures, There is Sunshine in My Soul Today, I Need Thee Every Hour, Lord We Ask Thee Ere We Part, Redeemer of Israel, Glory to God on High, Jesus Lover of my Soul, Sing We Now at Parting, More Holiness Give Me, Faith of Our Fathers, Sweet is the Peace the Gospel Brings, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, With Wandering Awe, Lead Me into Life Eternal, As Sisters in Zion, Praise to the Man, Come come ye saints, For the Beauty of the Earth, Where Can I Turn for Peace, Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love, Father in Heaven we do Believe, How Great the Wisdom and the Love) (10/11/2013)
66. memorize 5 piano pieces
67. write 5 poems
68. write in kids books 10 times(3/10)(2/10)(3/10)
69. take a family vacation(6/30/2012)*
70. take  a vacation with Troy (5/11/2012)*
71. send fudge to my brothers and sisters(1/5/2013)*
72. watch, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and Gone with the Wind with kids(7/8/2012)*
73. visit Oregon Coast(6/30/2012)*
74. go to Hawaii (5/11/2012)*
75. spend a weekend nearby in hotel with kids
76. celebrate 5 holidays in a different way than normal (4/5) (Valentines Day 2012, Easter 2012, New Years 2013, Thanksgiving 2013)
77. hike Table rock (8/272012)*
78. hike R mountain with family (6/2/2012)*
79. get my passport
80. go fishing with kids
81. make personalized cookbook
82. learn to knit(2/28/2013)
83. make knitted head band
84. play in Sacrament meeting (1/1/2012)*
85. read 7 Ensigns in Italian
86. enter cake in Idaho State Fair
87. make fresh pasta 10 times(4/10)
88. write 6 chapters for a What I've Learned book for my kids
89. try 20 new recipes (20/20)  (white chili, Tuscan sausage soup, french bread, the BEST chocolate chip cookie, Southwestern chicken and barley chili, Naan - indian flat bread, Asian chicken lettuce wraps, Hummus, White Bean and Sausage Ragout, Jo Jo Potato Wedges, Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce, Italian Bread Bowls, Sushi, Rustic Italian Bread, Hearty Beef Stew, Parmesan Roasted Califlower, Slow cooker Italian beef for sandwiches, lemon blueberry pancakes, pesto cream sauce, no-bake Nutella cheesecake) (4/2/2012)*
90. use cash only for 4 weeks(1/31/2013)
91. carry a $0 balance on 0 for 4 months(4/30/2013)
92. carry a $0 balance on 1 for 4 months (5/13/2012)*
93. put $10 away for every goal accomplished
94. $ in emergency fund
95. $ in savings
96. run a 5K(7/4/2012)*
97. donate blood (6/12/12)*
98. weigh 135 by May 2012 (5/1/2012)*
99. dinner at home 5 times a week for a month (4/4) (2/3/2012)*
100. no chocolate for 4 weeks (10/11/2012)*
101. blog about 30 items on this list (14/30)

Merry Christmas!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

So this is the culmination of a month long event and it certainly did not disappoint.  We spent Christmas Eve with Troy's family at our house.  We did the traditional dinner of prime rib, rolls, shrimp and salad. If I do say so myself was wonderful topped off with my version of tirimisu which happens to be my favorite dessert.     The kids put together a program complete with singing, piano and violin, it was wonderful.  Then we read the Polar Express and opened pajamas.  Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year we did the opening of presents just a little different.  We woke up and the kids unwrapped their stockings and then we exchanged gifts of the names that we drew.  Then we got ready for church, and went up to St. Anthony.  We we got home we unwrapped the rest of the gifts.

1 day left - Read love notes & Polar Express

Christmas Eve is HERE!!!   This is be far my favorite day.  I love Christmas day but I LOVE Christmas Eve.  It is so warm and cozy the tree is glowing, everyone is so excited.  I think Christmas Eve creates that feeling that we talk about. And I love everything about it.  Christmas Eve day is always busy, we have dinner in our home and it is always something fun, usually prime rib, rolls, salad, our favorite holiday punch, and then always a really fun dessert.  We have done lava cake, creme brulee, and this year my version of tirimisu.  We always have Troys family with us and then occasionally we have invited others over.  This year it was just Troys family so it was a fairly small event.  After dinner we had a program planned by the kids showcasing their talents.  And of course Christmas carols.  It was a truly magical evening.  We made reindeer donuts instead of cookies for Santa and played a game of Ticket to Ride as a family.  Of course we read the Polar Express and our love notes that we wrote each other.  This year we tracked Santa on the Internet until he reached Salt Lake City and that pretty much solidified that Cambelle needed to get to sleep.  It has been a beautiful month.  I have loved sharing our countdown journey.  It's been busy but always worth it.  It seems a little crazy that tomorrow it will be over for another year.  As the kids unwrapped the presents that they bought each other as cousins, I was so incredibly content.  It truly has been a beautiful Christmas season.

J.T. and Grady, I love how much they love each other.

Adding to his beloved Utes collection.

Cambelle put our these cute little stockings for her two favorite pets.

This is a tradition that I hope lasts FOREVER!!

Santa symbolizes the happy, loving and giving Christ.  His suit is red symbolizing the blood he shed for the atonement.  He is trimmed in white symbolizing his purity.  By his very nature Santa is unselfish, laboring all the time to give his gifts.  His gifts are given personally to every home and to every person.

2 days left - bowling

We had our annual Christmas bowling event with the Thurgoods.  We had a good time.  Then we spent a good portion of the afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Looking forward to 2 more days.

I am totally aware that this is holly and not
mistletoe, however it was a little
difficult to find tiny mistletoe,
 I have plans of painting the red
berries white.

Mistletoe is green with white berries.  Because of Christ's atonement man can become pure thus giving him the gift of eternal life.  This produces within man a pure love of Christ and all people.  Thus, underneath the mistletoe people kiss symbolizing that pure love.