Welcome 2016!

Two thousand and sixteen: Welcome friend. I know that we are going to be great friends.

You know, each month I wipe off our giant white-board calendar and write out the dates and events for the next month. It's theraputic to clear everything off and start with a clean slate, and never more so than at the beginning of the year. I erase all of the busyness that comes with December and start with the promise of a fresh new year. I love it.

January is so refreshing because it's so... new. I know it's really just the last number of the year that has changed, but it feels so full of potential. Like it can truly be anything that we want it to be.

In contrast to that, I've been feeling a little defiant when faced with the (seemingly) obligational "goal writing". I don't really want to make any goals. Maybe it's because I'm tired. Maybe because I'm already working on so many things that it seems forced to try to come up with some fresh new goals for myself - but it also seems anti-climatic to just write "these are the things that I'm already working on and will just try to keep working on through the next year". I joked to David that I didn't want to make any goals. I just wanted to not have to do anything that I didn't want to do and to not feel guilty about it. But that's not really the truth, or not all of the truth.

So anti-climatic as it might be... here are some things that I've been working on that I want to keep working on (because heaven knows I need the work):
--Make time to reach out to all of our grandparents. I'm feeling the kin-keeping responsibility heavily, and want to do what I can - while I can.
--Be kind. When I see a need, fill it.
--Be a better mother today than I was yesterday.
--Fear not, but only believe.
--Be present. Stop missing opportunities, moments, and love because I'm distracted.
--Family Home Evening once a week. Scripture-song-prayer every night.

Some other things I've thought about lately:
--Learn how to say no. When I don't want to do something, or even if I do want to do it but know it will be difficult to fit into our schedule, don't do it. I over schedule us so much and think that it's wearing on everyone. I want to work on balancing the desire to serve and listen to promptings encouraging me to reach out to others with the need to sometimes just spend that time with my children instead of other people.
--

I asked David about his goals and here is what he wrote:

I decided to focus on three goals. If I do more than 3, I really can't accomplish any of them. Usually I start thinking about goals and think of so many things that are really good, and then make a goal to do all of them. However, this just results in accomplishing none of them. I want to take a more focussed approach. These are also just 90 day goals. So in 90 days, I'll see where I am, and make new goals. This helps keep me focussed as well and makes them more doable. Here they are:

-Improve scripture study and make it more consistent: I decided to set both a certain amount of time I want to study each day (instead of just reading a chapter) and I want to make sure I am studying, not just reading the scriptures.
-Clean room each week: I think that being clean and organized is very important, and lately I have not been great at that. I think cleaning my room will help me be more organized in general. The other reason for this goal is that I want Lydia to start being responsible for cleaning her room as well, but how I can I ask her to do something I am not consistently doing? That is why the once a week is part of the goal, I certainly do clean, but sometimes it is a month or two instead of more consistently. Hopefully I can start to set the example for Lydia to follow.
-Go to bed early.  I'll leave out the specifics as far as what constitutes "early", but this goal first will help with busy season when I need to get up earlier or order to work the hours that I need. However, I think getting going to bed early also helps to give opportunities to improve in numerous areas.

--

Update: At the temple this month (January) during the prayer, a few words jumped out at me. "We put our faith and trust in thee." It was such a powerful statement. It wasn't "Please help us to have faith and trust in thee." It was a declaration of something that had already happened. It resonated in my heart. So often I get worried about the world, about the future, about my family, about so many things. And I pray that I can have faith, that I can feel peace. I express my love; but do I ever say "You have my faith and trust." I don't know that those words are familiar to my lips - but they echo the deepest truth of my heart. So this year, if I were going to pick a motto, I think it would be this. "My faith and trust is placed in Him."

I know it's a little silly, but I have this immense fear that creeps up on my when I say things like that - because I feel like it's inviting Satan to attack, or inviting another trial that will test that faith. And honestly, I don't want any trials. I like my life exactly the way it is right now. I hate the fear that I feel waiting for something bad to happen, like waiting for the shoe to drop.

But, as I sat in the temple I reflected on that statement, "We put our faith and trust in thee". If faith and fear can't exist at the same time, then I absolutely know that I want my heart to be filled with faith instead of letting fear have free reign.

And so, I must repeat, for 2016 and for ever after. "My faith and trust is placed in Him."

--

Here's to you 2016!

Farewell to 2015

Usually we spend New Years Eve at the Peaden House, celebrating the new year as well as celebrating Amy's birthday. But this year, we invited everyone to come to our house instead. It seemed to work out for everyone (and then we got to put our kids to bed at a decent time without having to wake them up and bring them home in the cold like we've been doing so often lately). I usually try to get a good picture of our family as a "This is the last picture of our family for the year." but David didn't get home until almost eight o'clock due to an inventory count at one of his clients, Mountain Country Foods, and I had already put Austin to bed. Then I was going to try to get one of just Lydia, David, and I, but failed to do that either. In fact, we didn't get a single picture of the festivities, because a lack of camera energy on my part - but picture some awesome board games/card games, lots of laughing during Mario coin battles on the Wii, and toasting with champagne flutes filled with sprite at midnight. 

I thought that I'd do a little recap/tribute to the past year. 

2015

The first four months, January to April, we basically spent in survival mode trying to adjust to being a family of four combined with it being so very cold outside. 

In May we enjoyed finally getting to go outside and seeing the sun again, as well as celebrating Lydia's third birthday. 

In June we continued loving every second of the sun and we celebrated out 6th wedding anniversary.

July and August were spent at the pool, doing fun summer stay-cation things, and yard projects. Oh, and we went camping as a family for our very first time (which was awesome). 

September brought Austin's first birthday annnd a trip to Phoenix, AZ - with a stop at the Grand Canyon on the way. (Check that off our bucket list!) 

We celebrated Halloween in October with a very darling Witch and Bat.

And November and December brought us back to Survival Mode, albeit with a bit more sleep, in that we had a jam-packed holiday season. (Filled with happiness, family, and laughter - so it wasn't really survival mode after all, just extremely busy.) 

Twenty-fifteen, you were a difficult year at some points, but you were also so very, very good to us. Here's hoping to an equally as wonderful 2016! 

Insta-Tuesday {12.29.15}

These are all the insta-posts for the rest of the year. Putting it together, it's kind of ridiculous because it doesn't show any of the big things that we did. Like, Christmas was completely skipped. But I guess that's what I love so much about Instagram. It captures the small moments that would otherwise be overlooked. 

{12.5.15}

insta-david

The high's and Low's of the Christmas season. High: playing with cousins, Christmas tree farms and shopping for a bunk bed with a slide. Low: being sick. Here is to a Merry Christmas to all and hoping Lydia starts feeling better and all of us remember that long ago a Savior was born. 

#merrychristmas #specialbunny #pandaisdirty

{12.8.15}

I'm one lucky girl. On three different occasions today I stumbled across a sweet note from David. Two from last year, one written on our white board because he left for work before we woke up in the morning. These notes kept me smiling all day. I don't post to be all "look at me and my awesome husband" (although he is pretty great), But I post these on my blog and I want to remember how sweet David is and how his notes brightened my day today. #myownlittlelovenotes

Notes from David read as follows...
Top- From Valentines Day 2014: Dear Shan, Love is not about a few big things, but rather many little things combined together. So on this Valentines Day, let me tell you about a few little things that make me love you. I love that you introduce me to new things that I love, but never knew about. I love when you introduce me to new books that we love. I love when they turn those books into movies because I love to cuddle with you. Happy Valentines Day!
Bottom Left- A note written in the note program on our computer dated October 23, 2014: Dear Shantel, I love you a lot. I miss you and can't wait to see you. Love, Your Shark Tank watching, mostly awkward, but always amazed at how lucky I am to have you Husband.
Bottom right- A note left on the whiteboard in our kitchen, December 2015: I <3 Shantel. (I Love you Lydia + Austin.) 

{12.11.15}

When your craft room/sewing table is too messy to do any actual sewing. #openspotonthebedroomfloor #makedo #illcleanmycraftroominjanuary

{12.18.15}

"We're having a picnic-snack!" Accompanied by massive amounts of laughter and handfuls of popcorn. #tryingtofinishmychristmascards #childhood

{12.18.15}

Huge shout-out to my amazing parents who volunteered to watch my kids (plus one extra- my sister had her baby, eek! And we are watching my niece while they are in the hospital.) So I could go to the post office and grocery store all. by. myself. AND they cleaned my kitchen for me while I was gone. Seriously, they are the best! #mailingchristmascards #myparentsarethebest #cantwaittomeetmynephew #theymightnotgetmynieceback #imkeepingherforever

{12.19.15}

insta-david

True love is when your wife brings the 2nd very awake child downstairs and then insists that you are the one that gets to get back in bed. Thank you Shantel.

 #truelove #whattimeisit #howdidigetsolucky #goodmorning

{12.19.15}

Happy 30th anniversary to my lovely parents. They are examples of everything that is good and kind. I'm so grateful for them, their lives, and their marriage. I love looking at their wedding pictures and thinking about their lives when they were my age. I hope that when David and I reach 30 years together we will be as good of parents as they are and have lived as good of a life. I admire these two people more than anyone else in my whole world and am so lucky they are my parents. (Picture is from the table setting last weekend when my siblings and I threw them a surprise anniversary party, complete with a speech and toasts.) #30years #bestparentsever #boughtchampagneflutesfortheoccasion #usedsparklingcider

{12.23.15}

It's been a wonderful, but incredibly busy week. I haven't posted about my grandpa's 80th birthday party, our awesome Peaden family Christmas party, or about my little brothers wedding. So many wonderful things, but barely any time for Christmas prep. Today we spent finally finishing our shopping plus an awesome Christmas kickoff party with our little family, and now we are staying up way too late trying to get everything wrapped. Even so, can't help but be so so so excited for Christmas! #andfinishingneighborgifts #christmashallmarkmovie #canigetachristmaselftohelp? 

{12.24.15}

insta-david

"All I want for Christmas is to vacuum. " First thing this morning Austin went straight to the closet and insisted on vacuuming. He loves it. Then we turned on Christmas music and danced. Happy Christmas Eve. I imagine Joseph and Mary may have spent Christmas Eve quite discouraged, but I am certain the Savior helped guide them to the quiet stable. If you feel tired or discouraged, keep moving and the Savior will guide you as well.#asaviorisborn

{12.28.15}

Hanging out at Jiffy Lube in pajamas, rain boots, and a firefighter coat while eating popcorn and watching Aladdin. #doeslifegetanybetter? #safetyandemissions #puttingitofftillthelastminute

{12.28.15}

David has to go back to work tomorrow and I'm soaking up every second left with him with stocking candy, popcorn, and a movie.#christmasbreakshouldlastforever

{12.28.15}

Someone decided to join us...#pleasegotosleep! #butheisreallyhappysoicantcomplain

{12.30.15}

Catching up with this girl was exactly what I needed yesterday. Wyoming is too far away! #collegeroommates #hayliandshan