Day 29: something you're listening to

I spent part of my day laying out at the beach listening to the waves as they lapped up on the white sands of Aruba's Palm Beach. It was breath taking!

Today is the first full day of our vacation and we enjoyed every minute of it! We slept in, ate some yummy breakfast, hung out on the beach for a while, then headed out for Andy's first dive! We were the only ones who signed up, so we had a private dive. Fritz, our dive master, was great and showed us some amazing things. We look forward to our 2 dives tomorrow before the work festivities begin.

Here's to more listening to the ocean!

Day 28: money

Money. I'd love it I had a whole bunch to take a picture of, but here's what I've got...

I rarely carry cash. I use my credit card for EVERYTHING. Why? Because I get points for it. And then Costco sends me a check (this year the check was over $500!!) that I can spend at Costco. Oh, I love that. It's free money! And who doesn't want to spend $500 at Costco?

So I just use my Amex for everything I buy and pay it off each month. I'm sure it's screwing up my credit, since they want you to actually carry a balance, but oh well. It's working for me, for now. I will save my $1.35 for a DP when I get back to the states. Cause, yeah, I'm in Aruba...

Day 27: something you ate

Breakfast these days has consisted of cheesy scrambled eggs. Super yummy. One full egg, one egg white and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese with a dash of salt. It is delicious and full of protein. I wash it all down with some orange juice and I'm good for a few hours. What do you eat for breakfast?

Day 26: night

These are my crazy girls tonight as we leave my parents house. Jess refuses to wear a coat, insists on wearing heels, and loves to wear her daddy's t-shirts for pajamas. Lovely look! Syd just really wanted to be in the picture :) I love those girls!

Day 25: green

I love candy. Especially Sunkist Fruit Gems. They are divine! Especially the green ones, they are lime flavor and I LOVE lime!

Day 24: inside your bathroom closet

This is a scary one. My bathroom closet is packed with all sorts of crap. Every time I try to clean it out I realize that I use all this crap. Sheesh! I really do need to find a better way to store my jewelry. Hopefully I will be getting a storage box soon for all my doTERRA oils. I have more lotions than I should, but I always start a new kind before the old one is out. It's a bad habit.

And maybe some day I will care how I fold my towels. Obviously I don't right now. :) The real me, here ya go...

Day 23: your shoes

Shoes

What girl doesn't love shoes? And the best thing (possibly the only good thing) about winter is that I get to wear boots nearly every day. I love boots. A lot. I want more of them.

These are the boots I am wearing today.

Day 22: your work

I have been keeping the books for The Aquarium for nearly 9 years now. I love it. It's so nice to have something else to occupy my mind and my time other than macaroni and Mickey Mouse.
I work from home, which is awesome because I can work whenever it is convenient for me, but it also means that I still lack the adult interaction I feel I need. Luckily I have some awesome friends that like to go to lunch as much as I do!
The best thing about my job is that I work for my brother. He is the best boss in the world! I love my job!

Day 21: a fave photo of you

A Favorite Photo

drum sticks. barefoot. summer clothes. tanned skin. chunky jewelry.

contentment. satisfaction. hard work.

I love this photo because is captures me in the middle of doing something I really love. Something unique about me. Something I have always enjoyed doing, but rarely get the opportunity to do...play my drums with a live band!!!

The band was far too short-lived last time around. It only lasted about 4 months, and this was the one and only performance we had, but I enjoyed it so much. I have a deep rooted beat thriving within me all the time, and playing the drums is the perfect way to satiate the innate desire I have to bring the beat to life for all to enjoy.

Day 20: handwriting

Handwriting

I have never been a huge fan of my own handwriting, but I don't know many people who are. It's not beautiful or elegant, but it's mine. Anyone out there know how to analyze handwriting?!

I love this quote I heard from Elder Richard G. Scott a few weeks ago when he came to our Stake Conference. I wholeheartedly agree with it. It's a great thing to be able to smile. What does it take to be able to smile? To really smile?

You have to be happy.

What does it take to be happy? REALLY happy?

For me, it's my relationships. My relationship with my husband, my children, my family, my friends, and most importantly...my Savior. He is who brings true happiness to my life.

Day 19: something you hate to do

HATE

I really hate to clean up the kids' rooms, especially after I have just done it the day before. For the most part it is up to them to keep it clean and tidy, but sometimes I just can't take it anymore. I can't stand to walk past the room when it looks like this...and this is fairly clean compared to how it gets many days of the week. Notice all the toys are put away? This means it's "clean" in kid language. I get anxiety just looking at the picture.

Some days it gives me major anxiety, some days I see it as a money making opportunity. You see, the kids have to pay Andy and me for doing the jobs they are expected to do. It comes straight out of their weekly allowance. It's called "maid service".

Day 18: drink

Drink

I LOVE Dr. Pepper. I really love it. I drink it everywhere I go. I have just recently been able to stop throwing fits when I go somewhere that does not serve Dr. Pepper, but thinks that Mr. Pibb is a good substitute. Bleck! It's not a good substitute. There is no substitute. Nothing can compare to the real, sugar loaded, caffeinated Dr. Pepper. YUM! I've been hooked since 8th grade...it's a terrible habit, I know. But it's just so good!

I don't know what my life would be without you, DP. Thank you for making me complete.

Day 17: time

Time for me to get my hair done again, this is the clock at my salon. It's also telling me it's time for lunch. Time for the weekend. Time for some fun with my man.
Time slips through my fingers far too quickly theses days, it's time to begin savoring every moment for what it is.

Day 16: something new

I have spent this week painting Syd's room, and now that the painting is done I am staining her furniture black. She is so excited for her new room! She has been staying in Kayman's room this week (he is out of town with my parents) and she won't even peek in. She wants to be surprised when it's all done! I am getting closer, but I need a comforter an a bunch of cute room decor now...

Day 15: phone

Phone

This is my phone. My case is purple, cause I love purple. And I love my phone. :)

DIY candle stick holders

I have been getting everything all ready today for a beautiful Valentine's dinner. I was at Smiths getting the last minute finishing touches, including candle sticks, but they didn't have any holders. I headed to Walgreens thinking they should have something, but no such luck. I asked the cute lady that worked there if she had any creative ideas to display candles to save me from having to go to the dreaded Walmart.

She saved me! She said she'd heard of putting rice in mason jars and sticking the candle in there. I thought it was brilliant! Plus, it went along perfectly with the gift of gourmet candy in mason jars Andy left for me this morning! (see here)

I figured I could fancy them up a bit, I didn't want just plain white rice in there, so I dyed it pink and red. I have to say they turned out pretty darn cute for someone who really is not crafty to whip up last minute!

What do you think?

Day 14: heart

Heart

This is what I woke up to this morning:

He got up at 4:30 this morning to make his girls delicious heart cookies, and he got us some of our favorite candy EVER! By the way, waking up to the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies is divine.

So this is what Andy is coming home to:

Fancy dinner with the fine china and everything. You'll notice there are only 4 place settings...Kayman is in St. George with my parents and his cousin for the week. We'll miss him at our Valentine's dinner tonight!

Check out this post to see more about my DIY candle stick holders!

Day 13: blue

Blue

Blue. One of my favorite colors. It's right up there with purple and silver. Blue is a very calming and beautiful color. One of my favorite things in the whole world is the ocean. I took this photo in Maui, Hawaii a year ago today...

I love to sit on the beach and watch to the ocean.

I love to walk in the sand.

I love the calming sound of the waves hitting the beach.

I love the beautiful landscape that typically surrounds the ocean.

I love to swim in the water.

I love to surf.

I love to go deep into the water and watch the fish swim around in their own element. There is so much peace under the surface of the ocean. It truly is a whole different world down there. The vibrant colors of the fish and the coral, the way the creatures swim so gracefully through the beautiful blue water, how the life sways with the currents, it's all very peaceful and somewhat surreal. It's so quiet down there, yet so full of life.

I love the ocean.

I love the blue.

Day 12: in your closet

In Your Closet

There is no way I am showing you my closet right now. It's a disaster. It's a project that has been on the list for months now, and it's full of other projects. It's ridiculous. It's full of everything I don't know where else to put.

What I am willing to show you is the back of my closet door...

My collection of hats and bags. I do love hats. These all look very similar though, I think I'm in need of a new hat! Hmmm...

Day 11: makes you happy

Makes You Happy

There are so many things that make me happy. Choosing just one was very difficult, so I took the highlight of my day today. Today is my first born child's 8th birthday. That is a milestone. It means so many things that I won't go into now, but today it meant that she finally got to go get her ears pierced!!!

Here I am with her at Claire's. The girl who pierced her ears told us that it was the calmest piercing she has ever done. Syd didn't flinch, and she said it didn't even hurt. She is so brave and so tough. She is very proud to have her ears pierced...finally! This was happy moment for me today, because I got to share in one of her happiest moments. The two of us spend the morning together and went to lunch for her birthday just before the craziness of her party started! I love my Syd!

Day 10: self portrait

Self portraits are always just so lovely, aren't they?!

All I really have to say about this is that I am working every day to learn how to love myself. It's never been easy for me, but I'm on a journey. What better way to learn to love others than to show a little love for yourself! I can't serve my family happily if I am not happy. I can't be happy if I don't love who I am. So, here's to loving yourself in this month of LOVE!

Day 9: Front Door

Front Door

My front door is very boring this time of year. I don't have a cute Valentine crafty thingy to hang, it's gloomy outside, and the door is probably covered in dust from the field across the street. So...I chose a picture of my front door with my three favorite little things in front of it.

Aren't these kids just precious?! This was the first day of school for the girls, and Kayman just HAD to be in the picture with them. So cute. These three gems are what I live for. They are the reason I work so hard and strive to become my best. They deserve a wonderful mother who can take very good care of them, so I try to be that each day.

I dive into the piles of coupons and cut away so I can afford enough food for these kids.

I work my butt off at the gym so I can be healthy for them.

I slave over the stove daily so I can provide healthy, well balanced meals (most of the time) for them.

I wash and fold mounds of laundry each week so they have clean clothes to wear every day.

I dust and mop and vacuum so they can have a clean place to live.

I pay far more library fees than necessary so they can have books to read and movies to watch. (Somebody please text me when my movies are due...over due fines are a beast!)

I fill my car with gas multiple times a month so I can drive these monkeys to all their activities where they learn life skills.

I pick up all kinds of random toys/clothes/shoes, etc. as I try to teach them to clean up after themselves.

I do all these things, and many more, because I love my children. I am so blessed to have them with me every day of my life. I treasure this time because, before I know it, it will be gone.

So, yeah, my front door is there, but what's most important is also there. :)

Day 8: Sun

SUN

Day 8: Sun

This is a gloomy winter day in Utah. It's not bitter cold, the ground is not covered in old, dirty, frozen snow, the wind is not blowing. It could be worse. It's not a terrible day, but the sun is not shining, so I decided to use a picture of my favorite sun...Hawaiian sun!

This photo was taken at the top of Haleakala in Maui last February. I wish I was there now. Watching the sun rise over the top of the clouds in the early morning hours, just before riding bicycles down the mountain, was absolutely breath taking! God's creations are so beautiful. I am grateful I have had the opportunities I have to enjoy so many of them. I have so much love in my heart for God and all things beautiful! I love the sun. I love the heat of the sun beating down on my back. I am more than excited for summer to come!!!

Day 7: Button

Button

*I realize you don't want to see this, but it's what you get.

Today's blog post item is "Button". In an effort to make this project meaningful in some way and tie it all in to Love, I decided on this button. Yes, I did. It will make sense, just keep reading...

Wait! Don't go away yet...let me explain! The picture above is pre-baby, teenage belly button. An inny. I was so proud of it that this is the photo taken just minutes before I paid some stranger to jam a rod through it...I had it pierced.

Since this photo, I have gained (and then lost) 40 pounds three times. I have 3 beautiful children who are my entire life! No, that's not true, but they come second only to my husband. After each baby I worked my "belly" off to get it looking similar to it did back in the day. So here is the button today:

Ok, not today, but last summer. (Yes, that's a bikini. Shhh, don't tell.) And what is that?! An outy? How did that happen to the perfectly shaped inny I used to have? I can only assume it was all the baby-growing I did over the years that pushed something out. I used to hate it, but now I see it as the mark left on my body by those beautiful children of mine (along with the stretch marks that the lighting of this photo so conveniently hides). I love my children. I am so blessed to be a mother, and their mother at that. That's what this post is really about, the love I have for them, for who they are, and for who they have made me. The sacrifices we all make for each other make us love each other so much more.

Yes, I realize this is a belly button, a silly thing to care about. In all reality, I don't care about the way my belly button looks. I do find it interesting, however, that it changed from an inny to an outy after having babies.

Has anyone else ever had this happen?

There you have it...my button post. I hope it wasn't too offensive.

Dy 6: Dinner

Dinner

French Dip Au Jus with steamed veggies and salad. That's what's for dinner. We used up some left over home made rolls and roast beef from the Super Bowl party last night, melted a little cheese over the veggies served with a tall glass of ice water. It was delicious! That was dinner for the Selcho family tonight.

Day 5: 10 am

Day 5: 10 am

Today at 10 am I was at church, just wrapping up testimony meeting. I didn't think it would be appropriate to take a picture of the speaker, so I grabbed a shot of Syd taking notes of what she was learning about. She loves to take notes, it helps her understand what the speaker is talking about.

Today was a big day at the Selcho house. It's fast Sunday, and it's February, and Syd turns 8 on Saturday. She wanted to get a practice run of fasting in before her birthday. Syd fasted today without a single complaint! It helps tremendously that we have 9 am church, so she just stayed upstairs until it was time to leave. She said, "I don't even want to see food!" once she made the decision to fast. I was very proud of her for deciding to do it on her own, and for not complaining a single bit. I can see her little testimony starting to bud, and it's beautiful.

*Since I am also working on my month of Love, I wanted to note that today I felt an amazing amount of love from God. And for Him. I am so grateful for His hand in my life and for the peace I feel because of His love.

Day 4: Stranger

Day 4: Stranger

Stranger. We are surrounded by strangers. Everywhere I go, there are strangers. This assignment today was to take a picture of one of them, but how was I to choose a stranger that was meaningful to me somehow?

I thought about this quite a bit today as I was cleaning the house, catching up on my reading, watching my beautiful daughter sing, playing duets on the piano with my daughters, and as I headed out on a date with my husband. He and I were sitting at dinner discussing this, and then it hit me. We were going to drop off a desk at Deseret Industries (DI) after dinner, and I decided to take a photo of the man who helped us unload the desk from the van. He was volunteering his time at DI, and what shows more love than that?

I have donated my fair share of items to the DI, and I know that some of those things have blessed the lives of those whose homes they went into. What a beautiful program, a great way to help those in need, a way for people to get the things they need at a very discounted price. I was happy to donate a very useful item in great condition...only in need of a paint job.

To be honest, I was very sad to see this desk go. I got this when I was in high school, and we have used it for years! We finally upgraded to a Secretary style desk that actually looks nice in the house, but I was still sad to see the old one go. So here is the photo of the day...my old desk, and the man who so lovingly posed for a picture with it!

Goodbye old friend.

Hands

Day 3: Hands

Just as I got the camera out to take a picture for today's "hand" photo, Andy grabbed my hand and put my ring on my finger. I had left it upstairs and he brought it to me. This photo was taken as he was doing this for real, it was not posed. This captures the love we share and just how thoughtful and amazing my husband really is. His hands are my favorite.

Photo A Day Challenge

I totally stole this post from here. I think it is a great idea, and I have always wanted to do some sort of a photo journal...so here I am, stealing the idea for this Photo A Day in February from my friend Chelsea. :) Thanks Chels! Here we go with another new goal! This is in addition to my extra acts of love each day in February. I find it interesting that back in October I didn't have a singe goal, as you can read about in this post, yet today I have more goals than I know how to keep up with! It's amazing what a change of focus can do for a woman!

Day 1: Your view today

I am a day behind to start, so I took a photo of what my view was for part of the day yesterday:

I was blogging yesterday about LOVE. If you didn't get a chance to read that post, you can read it here.

Day 2: Words

These words (scriptures in general) are what have helped changed my focus and helped me begin to find myself. The scriptures are the words of God. They tell me the things that God needs me to hear at just the right time, and in just the right way. I have a much closer relationship with Christ these days, reading about Him has helped that tremendously.

These words are my lifeline back to God. These words are very special to me. I love reading them on a daily basis, they make me happy!

Month of Love!

It’s February, the month of love. I have decided to make a goal to do something loving every day this month.

As a mother and a wife, I do loving things constantly in the every day tasks, but perhaps with the wrong attitude. Things such as packing lunch for my girls, making breakfast for the kids before school, cooking dinner for the family, taking Kayman to McDonalds for lunch (way to often), keeping the house in decent order most of the time (definitely not “clean” or perfect, but generally de-cluttered), and things of the like. This month, my focus will be to do more of these things, and all of them with a smile on my face, in the spirit of LOVE!

BUT . . . This month I want to do something above and beyond each day for someone, or multiple someone’s. I’m not planning to spend a whole bunch of money, nor do I plan to do things that are not generally part of my nature, I will just be more aware of the needs of those around me and show love as much as I can.

Today I have done a lot of things to show love, and I feel that love coming back to me immediately:

*I spoke on the phone to a friend I haven’t talked to in a while who is struggling with a few things and needed someone to talk to.

*I spent some time with my husband this morning - loving him.

*I met my husband for lunch to spend some extra time together since I will be with the Young Women of my ward tonight.

*Loving myself by exercising and reading my book.

*And one of the hardest things I have done to show love today is let the dog in the house to warm up for a while. He LOVES to be around us and feels so sad when he has to be outside and just watch us from the cold. He is lying at my feet, happy as can be, but oh man, does he need a bath! Pee you!!

Love is the way to happiness. Whenever I have felt unhappy, frustrated, or anything negative, I can not feel love at the same time. If I focus on the love I can feel for everyone, I have much more ability to be happy and spread that happiness to everyone around me. Let's do this together!

What are some of the things you plan to do to show love to those around you?