To Be Resolute

So, on Sunday I gave a talk at church on resolutions. I am not a big resolution maker.  I tend to always lose motivations and focus.  I start reading other peoples blogs or looking a their pinterest boards and feel an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. I am not sure why I find it so hard to be content with who I am and the contributions that I have to make to the world.  It is impossible to be in this time of year with our thinking of these things. Where am I going? Is my life headed in the direction that I want it to go?  Am I becoming the person the Lord intended me to be?

Anyways I digress... RESOLUTIONS.... that words is kind of heavy, I prefer goals.  But, because "Goals that are not written are just wishes." I thought I would put a few things in writing.

So, the first and most important goal for me that I learn to parent my children with out raising my voice. I yell at my children often. I taught huge classes of 1st and Kindergarteners for years and never raised my voice. Yet three loud and rambunctious little boys can make me turn into a growling bear, at a futile attempt to "control and correct them." I have a lot of plans as to how I am going to put this goal into action.

Second is a financial one....it can be summed up in one word: Quickbooks

Lastly I have a short list of things I would love to accomplish:
Make someones life better
Make something beautiful
Enjoy something special with each of my children
See something new
Learn something new
Meet someone new
Do something just for me
Do something just for Logan

OK maybe not such a short list, but hay we have to set lofty goals and aim high. 

The Highlights - The Kids

2012 Had many memorable moments....I guess I will just run down the list from bottom to top. The are all still at home with us everyday and so little that playing is what they do best.

Kendall - Born in February a week late and at a whooping 9.7 pound she was ready for the world.  She was and remains the sweetest baby we have had.  It might be that she is dressed in purple from head to toe most days, but who knows. When she was a bout 3 months it became apparent that she was not making her milestones.  So, we took her to see the doctor who referred us to a specialist. To keep this post reasonably short, I will leave Kendall's issues for another day and another discussion.

Matthew - He has more energy than any boy should have in one body. We are pretty sure that he is going to go to college with the "quack-quack".  He love all things that are ball and all things ducks. Maybe he will play ball one day for the UofO. This year he had his adenoids out and he is finally sleeping through the night. That was an ordeal as 2-year olds just do not reason well when they are in pain.






Andrew - Dinosaurs...if Andrews life could be summed up in one word it would be dinosaurs. He wears dino clothes everyday, sleeps with dinosaurs, everything that has a dino on it belongs to him. He loves all things Dinosaur.  He has a very sensitive souls and is learning how to get his feels hurt less. He loves his sisters so much and always wants to be near her.

Aaron - Hard to believe that my "baby" turned 5 this year! He is doing lots of amazing work in learning and growing. He is still not a fain of "formal" school, but I can usually get creative enough to make if fun.  He like traveling and trying new things. He has his dad's spirit of adventure and my red personality.  A bit strong willed, but it is worth the work to see the little man his becoming.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, 2012 is behind us and on we move to 2013. I feel like there is so many wonderful things in store for our family.  I haven't blogged in a VERY long time.  But, I thought I would see how well I could do at writing a bit about our crazy life....Since our last post we have had another baby (yes, it is a girl :-), opened a second school and continued to live the crazy life.  Kendall was definitely the highlight of 2012!  Our little princess joined us in February.  She is amazing and challenging all in the same breath. So for now I have to sleep, but tomorrow I will tell you more about life and learning with all the munchkins!

Thankfullness

Gratitude is one of the fruits of the spirit that I tend to lack. I am usually a glass half empty kind of person, and I tend to see what has not been done, over all that has been accomplished. So, I thought I would list some of my blessings to remind myself, when I read back through this (yes, I am probably the only one that reads my blog :-), of how blessed I really am!

My BLESSINGS:

** My husband -

He is an amazing husband who loves me and supports me in all I want to do. He is a superb father and an amazing asset to our business.

** My Sons -


Each is so uniquely different and amazing. They bring so much joy and perspective to my life. I can not imagine what my life would be like with out each one of them.

** My knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ -

This is one of my most favorite images of the Savior.


Here is the quick of the rest of the list as I hear little voices:
** A Home to Build a Family In...I love our home :-)
** Modern Technology (Computers, Washing Machines and Phones (especially)
** Friends and Extended Family that bring Joy and adventure to my life.
** Girlfriends that remind to to lighten up and have fun.
** Day planners and calendars to reflect on how much we have accomplished
** Babysitters (Molly :-) That allow my husband and I to get out for a few hours.
** Good books that allow me to sneak away for a few hours (or minutes) to a new world.
** The movies that are made from books, so that I have an excuse to pay a huge price to go see a movie in the theater and hold hands with my husband.
** Big bath tubs!
** Good music that makes my heart joyful (and Youtube to have it free!)
** A business that is thriving and growing.
** Being with my children through all their milestones and helping them learn and grow.

I am sure I will think of more and add them soon!

Tuesdays and Finding Blessings

Have you ever noticed how blessings are sometimes hard to see when you are close, but with a little but of space (time) and perspective (wisdom), we can see blessings all around us. For example, I am only just now beginning to see Tuesday's as blessings in our families life. Logan has been Young Men's president now for over 8 months. Usually I would find Tuesday's to be my challenging days. It means me putting the boys to bed by myself and cleaning...etc. However, it also meant about 2 hours (more if he played basketball after :-) to do whatever I wanted. Do I use this time productively, well that is to be debated, but the idea is I have. I guess I am still working on being a glass half full person that seeing the blessing as they arrive. I really want to be that kind of person.

I am still working on my parenting perspective. I can not see the blessings in the screaming tantrums, the sleepless nights or potty training. The blessing is I guess that I have those issues to deal with at all. That means I have healthy, normal kids that have not BIG issues. But in the middle of the 50th tantrum of the day it can feel like everything is BIG! I am determined to find the blessings sooner than later. I have begun to write them down when they come to mind so I can remember that the Lord sends his grace and mercy everyday through little acts that bless our lives.

Thoughts

I will not try and "catch" up on what has been going on in our lives. TOO much has happened and I haven't written in oh so long. So, for the 3 people who might actually read this I will give a brief update.

Logan --> Is working away here in our school. He loves it and I will probably never be able to kick him out now :-) He has been serving as the YM president in the Spanish branch for about 8 months now. It does mean Sunday's are a little more challenging at the Crozier house, but it all works. He is working on taking classes in child development for our business.

Aaron --> Has nearly mastered potty training, is smart as whip and VERY active. (just a mommies opinion) He is always investigating and thinking, but he has the light-hearted nature of his father. He loves to laugh and be silly.

Andrew --> Just turned two! I can't believe how fast time flies. He is so articulate and can talk better than even Aaron could at this age. He is not the most patient of boys, but he thoughtful and LOVES!!! his little baby brother.

Matthew --> He is our most laid back and cheerful baby. He requires less sleep than the other boys, which can be frustrating. But, it is hard to be made with him when he is so happy.

Now me :-) I am working very hard this year in building a very successful and thriving business.
I have been taking a year long course (Sept. - Sept.) on building a childcare business. It is filled with so much information that I just fee so blessed. It is really nice to be in "school" again and to get a plan and a focus for our business. Doing all this while have three little people is rewarding and challenging. I remember my blessings everyday. Mostly that we spend everyday together as a family. I get to grow and learn and become a better person, wife and mother. What a blessing!!

I will post a couple of pictures of some of the fun things we have done since Matthew joined our family:



Lego Land :-) On our trip to Cali.

Petting Zoo at the Rose Festival

The beach on a COLD day in April

Matthew's blessing day!

Trip to Tillamook camping and the aviation museum.


More fun this summer and into Fall!

Schools Out....Let the summer Begin (Wait what is all this rain!!!)

Preschool was officially over on the Thursday before Memorial day, but it took us nearly 3 weeks to get a dry day to have the graduation and BBQ! But, finally we were able to have our first graduation. It was super fun with all the families. This has been a tremendous first year. We are so excited for next year. We have only one space to fill in the 4's class and a couple of day care spots! It is amazing to think of how fast our little school has grown.


Once school was out, I was ready to hit potty training full force. He still needs to be reminded to go...if he is playing or outside. #2 is a bit of a challenge, but I bribe him with mini candy bars and that seems to be a great incentive. We installed a really cool built in potty seat, which is easier to clean. We figure we will at this potty training thing for awhile


We had a fun time at the Rose Festival, although it rained and rained.




Now we are on the count down to our Utah/California trip...more on that to come.