hello again.

Well its been such a long time since I've blogged. I've missed it. I really need to simplify my life and cut out some activities. Ive been feeling overwhelmed with alot of things and its time I start prioritizing and organizing any getting control of my chaotic life. I started attending the lds addiction recovery family support group meetings. And I am learning alot. The first step is honesty. I thought for sure that it would be the easiest, its not. The more I look and learn and study the more I learn about myself. I'm realizing that this program is not just a program for the addict but it's a program for everyone. Its scary and emotional but I also look forward to the meeting every week. Its kind of like a mini testimony meeting and I get a mid week spiritual pick me up. I gain new insights from people who are in similar situations. Its true that there are strength in numbers.
On a different note... My little Gage who is in kindergarten has core cards every month with different things that he needs to know. This month it was senses and special comparison and phone number. The mid month progress report said he needed help with his phone number which I knew. So we've been practing a little. Today after school I get this brilliant idea to write each number on a separate paper. Then I thought that we could turn over 1 number at a time until they were all turned upside down and maybe by repeating the number over 13 times he'd have it memorized. Well Coleton was sitting next to me and he asked why I was ripping little pieces of paper. I told him and he grabbed the paper and wrote the numbers lined them up and helped Gage. It was awesome. Remington came in and got on board and was cheering Gage on. I LOVE LOVE LOVE when they do stuff like that. By the end of our little "game" Gage seemed to have the phone number down.
Well I've rambled enough for now. Hopefully next time won't be so long between posts. Here's to hoping the rain/cold stays away for Remington's first playoff flag football game.

Field Trip

Its so much fun to see my kids learning and growing! Coleton had a field trip today at school. They went up the canyon and got to explore. They got in the water and learned a few things about science and nature.
He was so excited to go. Last night he set his alarm clock so that it would wake him up so he would be to school on time. He was so worried about being late and the bus leaving without him. I told him as long as he caught his regular bus that he would be to school on time. This morning I didn't have to ask him at all to get up and ready. He did it all himself. I'm thinking field trips everyday would be fantastic.
I am so grateful that we live in a area where they can go and learn and have these experiences.
Tomorrow is Gage's turn for a field trip!

Barn Visit

Every day when I pick up Coleton from school we pass this little barn. There are sheep and chickens and I'm pretty sure I've seen a pig or two. Today I happened to see a few lambs. I asked Gage if he saw them and he said no. I told him I'd point them out on the way home. We picked up Coleton and headed home. On our way past the barn I stopped in the middle of the road where they could see the lambs. The farmer was there and invited us in. He was the nicest man and let the boys pet the sheep and even hold one. Then he showed them the chickens and let them pet one. They all had names and he knew them all. He was talking to them and asking questions and invited us back any time. i wish I had had my camera to take a few pictures. It was a fun impromptu visit!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

This year is turning out to be a interesting and memorable one! LOTS of (possible) changes. I can't talk about some of them yet but one big announcement...I am headed back to school. I applied to BYU-Idaho for an on-line program to get my bachelors degree. I was accepted and am now in the process of applying for financial aid and getting my life in order. How did this come around you may ask. Well my youngest is going to be starting Kindergarten in the fall and I kept thinking how nice it would be to have a couple of hours all to myself. VERY selfish thinking I know. I kept asking myself what I was going to do. I could maybe work more hours (not a very appealing thought) I could maybe keep the house clean for longer than 10 seconds. I could volunteer at the kids school. I could do more indexing. All very good and worthwhile things. Then the thought hit me go back to school. I immediately went no way I am 36 years old. Too old to be going back to school. The thought kept coming back I prayed and got my answer. So, here I am on my way to a bachelors degree in Marriage and Family Studies. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I don't start until winter semester. Which will be fantastic! There is more going on in the Rasmussen household so stay tuned. I promise to be better about blogging!

power of example

I was so fortunate to grow up in a home with 2 amazing examples. My mom and dad!! They both showed me how to be a good person, how to serve, how to have faith, and so many other things. I recently received some news about a childhood friend. She lived a few houses from us when we lived in Idaho. Her family was part of the Jehovah witnesses. My family never treated her different and she was one of my best friends. She would always rather play at my house then hers although we did spend plenty of time at her house. Anyway, I lost touch with her after we moved and haven't talked to her in years. However I just learned that she is getting baptized a member of my church. She asked my uncle to baptize her because of my dad and how much she looked up to him. I'm so excited for her and this step she is taking!!
My dad has shown what a impact he has left on so many people. I see examples frequently. Even in my own life. My little gage has been sick and running a fever for almost 5 days. I took him to the Dr to be told that it is just a virus. Its very frustrating to be doing everything you can but still have a sick child. Everyone else who had the same thing got better so much faster. I knew he needed a blessing so I called our old home teacher and he came and gave gage a blessing. Almost immediately he started to perk up. I KNOW that the power of the priesthood is real! I KNOW that miracles happen. I know that I can call on a worthy priesthood holder and my child can get feeling better. I have this knowledge because of the examples of my parents. I am so blessed to be their daughter!

Girls Night

I got a text from a friend yesterday inviting me to a girls night at her house that night. Fun I told her! So, after a soccer game, dinner, & bed time routine (which seemed to take forever) I headed up the street to her house. There were 10 ladies there and snacks to boot. We played some games and ate and visited and had a great time! It was so fun and I'm so glad she thought to invite me.
I can't tell you how much I LOVE my neighborhood. I love the people here and the feeling of the area! I love to look out my window and see the mountains change every season. I know that this is where we are supposed to be.
A big Thanks to my friend and the other ladies that were there to laugh with, relax and escape reality for a couple of hours! I can't wait for another get together!

to pin or not to pin

Pinterest just may be my down fall! I spend more time there than anywhere else. I find the most amazing things of all sorts.
One thing is HOMEMADE CLEANERS!! I tried DIY laundry soap and am really liking it! I also tried DIY laundry softener. I'm not completely sold but it isn't bad. I think I am going to buy a container of purex or downy crystals and add it to my homemade soap for the added clean and softener. Yep that idea came from pinterest too. I also discovered that my liquid fabric dispenser comes apart for cleaning. Who knew? Pinterest did! So I cleaned my washing machine. It wasn't hard and now it looks brand new.
Don't get me started on all the recipes on Pinterest. HOLY COW!!! I could try something new everyday for every meal for 5 years and probably never get through them all. This week for dinner I tried 2 news recipes. One was a pork roast that had Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, rosemary and thyme. It was delicious!! I also tried a zucchini tot. Not such a hit but it could be because i put them on the grill to cook and not in the oven because I didn't want to heat up the house. I'll try it again when the weather cools and I can get an even cooking temperature.
Oh Pinterest I waste a good part of my day with you and I need to cut down on our time together. You are addicting but I am glad you are there as my go to advice/info/idea place!!