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I Do Good

It appears that I have changed my mind about the daily posts for the reading challenge. I decided I liked my own reading schedule better and that I really am doing the other things listed in the challenge. Instead, I have decided to spend the next 30 days focusing on the things I do well. This is not "look at me, I'm awesome" campaign; I just realized today that I don't really recognize the things I accomplish, I am always looking at the things that didn't get done, or the ones that I could have done better. As I was driving home from KW (Keller Williams) I got a bit teary thinking about this activity.

In December I got my real estate license. I have continued training and have a coach at the Keller Williams office. I have to check in with her online weekly to report some numbers as well as meet with her every other week. I hate the reporting. It makes me feel like a failure if I don't do what I think I should be doing. So I am going to keep a record of the good I do each day. It will not be a task list of laundry, homework, grocery shopping, meal preparation, doctor's appointments, budgeting and bill paying,driving people here and there, dishes, letting the dog in and out,cleaning, etc. those things are a given when you are a mom of five children. 

I don't glorify "busy." I am pretty sure that at another phase of my life I did. Sadly, I felt more worthy if I was running here and being involved in many things all day long. While I still feel the need to fulfill my responsibilities, I relish family time and quiet alone time reading, pondering, or praying. I love learning and teaching. 

Here is number one of my success stories. I am pretty good at planning and executing fun family activities that everyone wants to participate in. And I do it on a budget to boot. Our household has been experiencing some winter blues, you might say. The holidays are over, spring is not here, SAGE testing is in full swing, at least one person has been sick for weeks, and people are irritable. I talked to Destry and we decided we needed to get away. The kids had Monday off school and we decided to book the condo at East Canyon Resort and take the kids out of school on Friday, even though there have been many missed days due to illness. Sometimes family time has to come first. 

We left after school on Thursday and headed for the hills. We had to take the long way because the road with direct access for us is closed during the winter. It took almost twice as long as usual, but we got there. Thankfully, we remembered that the road was closed before we went that way. 

It was not a perfect trip, a couple people were sickish, Spencer was anxious, Destry had a complaint about the food, and no family vacation would be complete without a severe hypoglycemic incident followed by a night of regular blood checking. The condos are becoming dated, the girls had boxelder bugs in their room, a sink was clogged, and the mixer didn't work so I had to mash the potatoes in a blender. Sarah wore the same outfit for four days because she spilled on one, brought one that was too big, and when I tried to do laundry, the soap dispenser took my money but did not give me any soap. I couldn't find any staff members anywhere to get assistance.

In spite of, or maybe even because of, the trip's imperfections we had a good time and it was a nice break from our regular routine. On Friday we played games and lounged in the morning then we went to Ogden and visited the train museum, the newly renovated temple grounds, a park and went to dinner in a bar that serves good food and was questioned by Estelle as to why I would take her to a bad place. When we returned we watched ET and went to bed. On Saturday we left earlier and went to Park City. They have a mining museum on Main Street that everyone enjoyed. We strolled along the street unsuccessfully looking for a place to eat. I only dared venture into one gallery with my hungry minions. Emma was uncomfortable with being there. We live a sheltered life in Utah County and Park City is not exactly the slums! We ended up eating lunch at the familiar favorite Cafe Rio before going the the Olympic Museum. We enjoyed that as well and the kids got to have a simulated ski experience. They have other activities that are more pricey, but not cost prohibitive that we may participate in another time. Spencer was a bit cranky there, but we still enjoyed our time there. 

We got back to the condo earlier and played games and watched another movie. It is nice that we have people old enough to play games. Renee suggested a new game for us called "Ticket to Ride" it was enjoyed by all. We also played another family favorite, "Apples to Apples." On Sunday we went to Sacrament Meeting in Henefer, played more games and watched the first of the "Anne of Green Gables" series. It was long, but the kids made it through with only Sarah asking when it would be over. Success! I think I will wait until another family outing before I pop in the next one. 

It takes planning and patience to orchestrate family outings. And if I do say so myself, I am pretty good at both!


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