Gratitude, Happiness, Optimism and Positivity

Happy New Year!!!  I hope everyone has enjoyed the first month of 2017.  For 2017 we have set some new goals again, and some continuing on from the previous year.  One of our new goals is to be more grateful, optimistic and positive.  Instead of complaining we want to compliment one another and those around us.  

I was given the book "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor at work just before Christmas.  The managers in my department were given it the year before and keep referencing how great it was and how much of an impact it has been on their life.  Many have said it has literally changed their life.  Of the books we could choose from as a gift, I chose "The Happiness Advantage" since it had such great reviews.  I figured why not?  I started reading it after Christmas break and really enjoyed it.  It has made a great impact on my life as well.

The author of the book studied happiness for decades, and has come to the conclusion that we have our thinking backwards in society.  Most of hear and think, for instance, that we have to be successful in order to be happy, but the opposite is actually true.  When we are happy, we are more successful in that our intelligence rises, our creativity rises, and our energy levels rise.  Click here to watch the clip.

This year in Relief Society and Priesthood we are also studying the life of President Gordon B. Hinckley (though Steve and I are in Primary, I have still been reading the manual).  When I think of President Hinckley I think of his positive attitude and optimistic viewpoint.  Chapter 3 in the Teachings of the President Manual is titled "Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and Spirit of Optimism."  I love this chapter.  "Things will work out’ may well be President Hinckley’s most repeated assurance to family, friends, and associates. ‘Keep trying,’ he will say. ‘Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.’”⁷

As a family we decided that we are going to list what we are grateful for every day for 2017.  So just before dinner we each say something we are thankful for that day, write it down, then put it in a jar.  Then at the beginning of the next month we go back and read them again.  I want to keep track for them in our blog as well to remember.  Here is what we were each thankful for in January.

	Steve	Penny	Nyles
1/10/17	No cavities for Steve or Nyles
1/11/17	We have medicine (cold).	Didn't have to make dinner (Cafe Rio).	We got new rocks for Guppy (the fish).
1/12/17	Family	Seat heaters, when it's cold outside and snowy.	Yummy pears.
1/13/17	In-laws and apple pie.	Friends and neighbors.	Carter took a good long nap.
1/14/17	Cars.	Steve is home after hunting in Idaho for 2 1/2 days.	Glad we found his spy glass piece and put it back together.
1/15/17	Our primary lesson went well.	Visiting teaching opportunities; strengthens our testimony.	To go to church and learn about Jesus.
1/16/17	His hunting gear; glad he has it.	Carter pooped, pears are working on him. Yummy fresh pears!	The vest Steve gave him (Steve's old one from high school).
1/17/17	The sun was shinning today.	The train so I don't have to drive in traffice and bad weather.	His warm vest from Steve.
1/18/17	Normal healthy boys.	Carter is pooping again.	Went to aquarium, going across rope bridge.
1/19/17	Convenience of stores.	Got 100% CEI in Decemer, and was MIP for the month.	Steve is a real cop (Nyles pretend school).
1/20/17	It's Friday.	Got off work early, went to aqarium w/ Thomas', thankful 4 friends, flexibility at work.	He has 2 cop trucks.
1/21/17	Thankful for snow.	Our all-wheel drive vehicle to drive safely.	Got to play w/ Conor at grandma's; play in the snow.
1/22/17	No smog today; breathing better.	Steve helped w/ the kids and food preparation.	Lego ATV.
1/23/17	We don't have to put medicine in Nyles' nose anymore	Amazon delivers to us so we don't have to go to the store.	He likes My Little Ponies (says he is one).
1/24/17	New space heater for ice fishing.	Didn't die/crash when car was sliding on ice going to the train station this morning.	Steve played Legos w/ him.
1/25/17	The chiropractor.	My cute boys I get to come home to everyday, all 3 of them.	Worked on sherrif station w/ Legos.
1/26/17	Day went well w/ only 1 hour of TV.	Great hospitals around if we every need them.	Played in the ice shanty today.
1/27/17	Penny came home a little early from work.	Steve made dinner tonight.	Got to play w/ Conor at grandma's.
1/28/17	Space heater and going fishing, it was fun, had success.	Thankful for temples so close and covenants we make there.	Caught a lot of fish ice fishing w/ Steve and Zach.
1/29/17	The Sacrament.	Got to sleep in and for family close by.	Play w/ Ezra and got sherrif stop done.
1/30/17	Aquarium; clean air.	Steve took down the Christmas lights and put them away.	New friend at the Aquarium-Rob's nephew (Kaiden)
1/31/17	Corn from the farm.	The sun was shinning downtown; looked like spring though it was 20 degrees outside.	Found toy keys.

I encourage you all to watch the video and read the book if you can.  Try one of proven ways we can improve our moods and raid our levels of happiness throughout the day.  As the author say, "Each activity listed below not only gives us a quick boost of positive emotions, improving our performance and focus in the moment; but if performed habitually over time, each has been shown to help permanently raise our happiness baseline."  Sounds like a win to me!  Here they are:

• Meditate.

• Find something to look forward to.

• Commit conscious acts of kindness.

• Infuse positivity into your surroundings.

• Exercise.

• Spend Money (but not on stuff, on experiences).

• Exercise a signature strength.

"Man is that he might have joy [2 Nephi 2:25]. Be happy!  Let that happiness shine through your faces and speak through your testimonies.  The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride; and really, isn’t it a wonderful ride?  Enjoy it!  Laugh about it!  Sing about it! In all of living have much of fun and laughter.  Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured," President Hinckley."

Last few days of December 2016

I had the last week of the year off as well.  We had a great time together as a family, just hanging out and enjoying our time together.  Here are some highlights.

Nyles using his new medical bag equipment to give Steve a shot.

Now taking his temperature.

Another day giving him a shot and checking his blood pressure.

For our anniversary this year, we decided to divide up our "celebrations" into 2 parts, since Carter is still pretty young, and it would be hard to leave him for a long period of time, let alone over night.  First we wanted to go to the temple, and second we wanted to go eat out.  We asked Rose to come and sit with the boys so we could go to the temple together.  We put them both down for naps, then left.  It's been a while since we've been able to go to the temple together, so it was really nice.  We enjoy being in the House of the Lord, and especially together.  Ironically Nyles slept more than Carter, but Rose said they were both good for her.  We went out to lunch on our actual anniversary, January 2nd.

Steve and I outside the Draper Temple after doing a session together, to celebrate our anniversary.

Carter playing w/ Steve.

Carter enjoying his corn teething toy.

Nyles and his monkey George ready for the chiropractor.

Steve went up to Idaho to hunt geese and ducks (December 29-30), so the boys and I hung out.  We had a great time together just playing.  I also got on an organization kick, and organized a lot of stuff.  Since I was pregnant when we moved in, I didn't get everything done that I wanted.  So, I've gradually been finishing up moving things around and organizing them.  It great having the space and knowing where everything is finally!

Nyles and Carter playing together.

 Carter eating his duck and reindeer rag ;)  

We love his "duck fuzz" hair, so cute!

 

Nyles and I played a lot of games together.  

He likes this one, except when it pops up, it scares him a little.

We played "Finding Dory Dominoes" many, many times!  It's a fun game!

Here are some pics of Steve and Zach's Idaho trip to hunt geese/ducks.  They left Thursday morning at 2am, and got home Friday night at midnight.  They had 2 LONG days, but they had a ton of fun and had success.  The first day they drove straight up to Ben Anderson's field (my cousin Emily's husband) in Wendell.  No one ended up hunting w/ them that morning, but they were still able to get 2 geese on their own.  That afternoon my dad, Ben, and Uncle Mark joined them.  They got one more goose.  They then went over to my parents place for dinner and to get some sleep.

Friday they went and met up w/ Mark Gasper (in my parent's ward), who helped them limit out on geese.  Mark definitely does his homework and knows how to get the birds to come in.  They always have success w/ him.  They got some ducks that afternoon (Zach got a banded pintail from North Canada), then went back to my parent's place for dinner, then packed up and drove home.

Zach set up and ready for action!

Steve showing off his goose he and Zach got. 

Zach w/ the geese.  Steve set up in the corn field the 2nd day.

 Steve, Mark Gasper, and Zach w/ their kill.

Steve also took Nyles sledding on a hill close by.  Instead of walking up and down the hill, Steve tied a rope to the toboggan, then pulled him back up, so they didn't have to keep hiking the hill.  Pretty smart if you ask me.  I was home w/ Carter napping, so this way was a little safer too.  Nyles had a blast of course!

Here's a video of it.

Steve and Rob also worked on Diane's Salon flooring.  The toilet was leaking and ruined the floor underneath, so they had to redo the floor and replace the ring on the toilet.  They do great work.

The toilet spot, and floor underneath that was ruined.

Another layer of flooring under that.

Rob working on putting in the new floor.

Getting closer.

Almost done.

Done and the bathroom put back together.

For New Year's Eve we went over to visit Aunt Diane and LuDean since we didn't get to go visit for Christmas Eve.  We brought over Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner, then played games for a while.  We had an awesome time!  Thanks Diane and LuDean; love ya!

Nyles and Diane w/ their "Headbands" cards.  

You try to guess what's on your head by asking questions about it.

Steve holding Carter while playing.  Nyles eating a sucker w/ teeth on it.  Silly kid ;)  We did a quick countdown w/ Nyles then headed home to put them to bed.  It was a lot of fun!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Christmas 2016

We had a wonderful Christmas!  It was our first Christmas in our HOUSE and we thoroughly enjoyed it!  It was amazing having more space and places to be in the house, especially while the weather is cold this time of year.  Plus it was fun to decorate the house more and put up lights around the trim of the house and put up "Frosty" who Nyles won at Home Depot.  Crazy enough this was our first year to have a full size Christmas tree since Steve and I got married (8 years ago in January).  We've always used my 3 little trees, and since I already had them and we were in the condo and didn't have much space to put a bigger tree, we figured they worked just fine.  And they did really.  We got our fake Christmas tree at K-Mart this Summer, since the store was closing and it was marked 50% off 50% off.  We couldn't pass it up, so we got it.  We also got our outside Christmas lights there too.  Here are some pics and a recap of what we did this Christmas.

Here's a pic of "Frosty" and our icicle lights around the house.

On Christmas Eve we took it easy and enjoyed our time together as a family.  Dave and Joann stopped by that afternoon also to give the boys their gifts, since Christmas Day was on Sunday and we'd all be at church at different times.  It was fun having them over for a while and visiting.  That night we read the Christmas Story, let Nyles open his PJ's or majis as he calls them, then watched the movie "Elf" (or at least half of it until Nyles had to go to bed).

Carter jumping earlier, and later Nyles opening gifts from Dave/Joann.

Nyles was a little excited to say the least to finally open gifts! :)

Carter working on opening a present.

Nyles had to play w/ his play dough from Dave/Joann right away.  He sure loves it!

Nyles opening his PJs that night.  He LOVES PJs/majis.

 Nyles enjoying some popcorn while watching the movie "Elf."

Our Elf telling us goodbye.

Christmas morning we woke up to a LOT of snow!  It was definitely a white Christmas which was awesome.  We had church at 9am, so after sleeping in a little until 8, we had to hurry and get out the door.  Ironically Nyles didn't even ask to open his gifts.  While I got the boys ready for church, Steve went out and shoveled the driveway a little so we could get out easier.

Carter and Nyles playing w/ their cute stuffed ducks from Dave/Joann on Christmas morning.

The snow we got Christmas Eve night through Christmas morning; view from our bedroom window.

Steve  out shoveling our driveway so we can go to church.  

Nyles watching from our bedroom window.

 

After church, Carter was ready for a nap, but Nyles was ready to open presents!  After I put Carter down, we let Nyles open most of the gifts.  He thoroughly enjoy it!

Nyles in front of our Christmas tree.  

It doesn't look very tall in our vaulted ceiling room, but the tree is 7.5 feet tall.

Steve being silly.  Nyles w/ a toy he got from Santa (Dino-trucks).

Opening up his medical bag (like Peso on Octonauts).

And some cool Sunday activities from Grandma Hegerhorst.

And there was something hidden behind the chair......

A real fishing pole for Nyles!  He was soooo excited!!!

The snow in our backyard.

Now Steve's big present.  He was a little excited for this too!

It's a double bevel sliding compound miter saw.  

Steve has been wanting one for a while, so we finally got one w/ my perk points.

Steve showing off his new "toy" and one of Nyles new stuffed animals (pillow pets).

Once Carter woke up from his nap he opened his gifts.  Nyles may have helped him a little too! :)

Carter chewing on his new teething toy from Grandma/Grandpa Hegerhorst.  

It's a John Deere corn cob that vibrates; it's awesome!

Smile!  Except Carter gets distracted when Nyles is around.  

He loves watching him do anything!  ;)

And some new binkys for Carter.

Cute boys ;)

Play time!

That afternoon we all went out and helped finish shoveling the driveway while Carter was taking another nap.  It was really fluffy snow too!  Steve and I each had a shovel working on clearing the driveway/sidewalks.  Nyles helped for a little while also, then went and played on the snow mound in front of our place.

11 inches in one spot by the steps to our front door.

Later that afternoon we went over to Melanie/Brandon's house to hang out and have dinner together w/ Steve's family.  The kids of course wanted to go sledding before it got too dark.

Steve helping Nyles in the toboggan, Ethan and Cameron on the side.

Nyles going down, then w/ Conor.

 

Now Ethan giving it a try.

Nyles again.  Stacie and London taking a turn.

Ethan working on the trail.

Nyles and Conor again.

After sledding we had a super yummy dinner.  Melanie and Brandon had a ham and turkey, and lot of other yummy food.  It was fantastic as usual!  Thanks Melanie and Brandon!

Carter's 1st Christmas.  Such a happy baby!

He wanted to try what we were eating.

We were sitting on the dessert table, so Carter tried to get the cookies too.

Getting closer....

Got em! (We didn't let him eat them though since he's too young).

The kids played Pie Face, then I had to leave w/ Carter (we brought both cars for that reason, and since we only live 5 minutes away it's really easy to do).  Steve stayed w/ Nyles to let him play a little longer w/ his cousins though.  They thought the game was hilarious!

Nyles and Conor's turn.

We had a very Merry Christmas and we hope you all did as well.  It was neat to have it on a Sunday where we could go partake of the sacrament that morning and really reflect on why we have Christmas.  The Reason for the Season as we say many times.  I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ!  I know he was born, died for us, and now lives for us!  Through Him we can repent and return back to live w/ our Heavenly Father again one day, along w/ our families.  Families are forever!  We love you all and Merry Christmas! ;)