An early morning.

If I haven't mentioned it here before, Makena is not really what you may call "a morning person". Sometimes, she's just plain scary in the mornings.

But, I still love her and try to reason with her...and sometimes that works.

Other times, not so much.

If there is one thing Makena likes even less that getting up at 6am, it's getting braces on her teeth at 7:30am.

But...isn't she cute!?!

PS: Makena will have to get up at 6am every morning next year as high school starts at 8am. Oh boy...

Valentine-A-Grams are back!

Each Valentine-A-Gram includes:

• Two Fresh Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Rolls
• A Jamba Juice Cold Drink Tumbler
• Sun Orchards Orange Juice
• Ready to Brew Seattle's Best Coffee
• Gift Certificate for a Slice of Pie from Shari's Restaurant
• Gift Certificate for a Jamba Juice
• Special Message from You!

Each Valentine-A-Gram is just $29.95 and includes delivery throughout the Portland-Vancouver area on February 14.Orders must be placed by February 10.100% of the purchase price goes toward feeding seniors. The purchase of one Valentine-A-Gram provides eight meals for a senior. NEW!! For an additional $10 you can send a special Valentine's treat to a homebound senior. Simply add the amount when you checkout at http://www.valentine-a-gram.org/

I've already ordered a Valentine-A-Gram for a secret someone(s) and Jamie and I will be delivering that morning as well. Still contimplating on ordering one for myself...it, for some reason, doesn't fit in to the P09X Nutrition Plan. hmmm...???

Persevere Update

I'm still having fun organizing my kitchen. So many new and fun gadgets out there to help!

One thing I did, was get some new lunch stuff for Makena. I cleaned out a drawer in the kitchen* and put all of her lunch items in there so that it would all be in one place from now on.

We don't really use plastic tupperware type things anymore, especially for things we microwave, so I've slowing been replacing that with glass items for the house or reusable items for her lunch. She's had this lunch bag since entering 6th grade, and it's been great! It's a bit small now though. She doesn't really eat more than she did before, it's just that the reusable items are a bit bigger than plastic bags and such.

And I didn't have enough containers for everything I wanted to pack sometimes and often ended up with this.

Which often leads to some broken Goldfish or squished grapes.

But now she has new goodies to carry her lunch in! The bag is like a small messenger type bag that can fold up into a little carrying pouch. And, it's insulated with a pocket and adjustable strap. The containers are stainless steel - safer for her and the Goldfish. She had the Kleen Kanteen water bottle, but now it fits nicely in a little pouch on the side.

I think she's going to like the thermos best. Makena loves (loves) soup and will now be able to enjoy that at school. I know, I know, I should have thought of a thermos before...but, she only really started wanting to take a lunch more often since becoming a vegetarian.

And now she has a variety of things to use for her lunch every day. Better for her and the environment too!

*The drawer that I cleaned out usually holds small, baby/toddler items. Things like toddler cups with lids, small bowls for baby food, small non-breakable plates, bibs, tiny wash clothes, etc. These are things I used when I did daycare (yes, over 3 years ago) but when the kids come over now they still know where to go for these things. And, to be honest, it was difficult to get rid of most of this stuff. (I'll never get rid of the 'I love my Aunt' bib tho!)

Jamie asked me why I was cleaning it out and when I told him he says "Well what are Kylah and Kallie going to eat with then?" I showed him that I did save a few items for them, but that I didn't really need all of it. The kids can use our dishes now, and all of the stuff just didn't fit in with my organizing of the kitchen anymore.

It's all in the definition.

I've settled on my "word" for 2011. It's taken me 17 days, but I really think it's a good one!

......................

per·se·vere  [pur-suh-veer] verb, -vered, -ver·ing.

–verb (used without object)
1. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

2. to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist.


-verb (used with object)
3. to bolster, sustain, or uphold: unflagging faith that had persevered him.

.........................

1. My word of 2010 was Transformation. Another good word and one I enjoyed working on. So this year, I'm going to persevere in my transformation. And, oh boy, are there some difficulties and obstacles with persevering. I'm pretty good with the discouragement part of that definition too, but hopefully Jamie will help me to persevere. (See what I'm doing here?)

1.2 I'd also like to continue steadfastly in my organizational skills. I am an organized person. I like being an organized person. I only function well as an organized person. I will persevere where more organization in my life is needed though!

-I recently spent quite a bit of time at Bed, Bath & Beyond looking for things to help me organize around the house. Lots of new goodies have found their way into the house.

-I also need to organize my recipe folders/books/binders and focus on making healthy meals again for my family on a regular basis. I have also enlisted in the help of a chef to help with dinner a few nights a month. Can't wait to see how that's going to work out! And, I love using Evernote on my iPad to pull up recipes and keep things handy while in the kitchen.

2. I think I've got the part down about persevering during an argument. Or at least I do in my mind...

3. Do you bolster someone or ?? hmmm...I'll have to look in to that one a bit more.

..........................

I think things will go well in 2011 as long as I keep the word persevere in my daily thoughts.

Visiting Sunshine Pantry

My Girl Scout troop decided to donate food to a local pantry. I took Makena and Hailee to Winco with me one day in December to do some shopping. They enjoyed grocery shopping at Winco about as much as I do. (Let me just say that I went to Winco ONE time in 2010.)


The girls bagged all of the food in two bags. After realizing how heavy a bag of cans and food boxes can be, that turned in to four bags.

Yesterday, we brought the food donations to the Sunshine Pantry in Beaverton. I began delivering food to this pantry in 2009 through the Beaverton School District, and thought this would be a great place for the girls to donate to in their community. Sharon Straus, the director/owner, is an amazing woman! She started this pantry in her garage almost 30 years ago and moved into a warehouse about 4 years ago.

The girls each had a bag or two of food to bring in to the warehouse.

Then Sharon showed them around. Our first stop was the cooler. Sunshine Pantry asks for perishable foods as well; Sharon believes that families should also receive fruits, veggies, condiments, etc to enjoy healthy meals.

There is also a freezer for additional items, but the girls didn't want to go in there. (I should also mention that it was about 30 degrees outside and in the warehouse.)

Then Sharon took us in to the other side of the warehouse, where additional food is stored. There are about 15 refrigerator/freezers in here; for more wonderful foods. Sharon also has a supply of vegetarian options, gluten free foods, ethnic and Kosher foods in addition to meets, birthday cakes and other goodies. (TWO freezers hold birthday cakes for families that can't afford them.)

There are also boxes of bread and pastries available for families. Along with canned foods, boxed foods, infant/toddler foods, toiletries and hygiene items.

McKenzie's little brothers, Connor & Alex, came along with us to the pantry. (So sweet.)

Sharon also hands out "Sniffle Bags". She has gathered items for sick children; tissues, soup, water, coloring books, crayons, etc. The kids love to leave with their little bag of goodies to help them get better. (I'm thinking this is going to be something GS Troop 41054 wants to do in 2011!)

I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful Sharon is for the Beaverton Community. I'm happy that my girls were able to help and hope that we can do more in the future.

Why I Smiled

Two reasons today!

#1 - our 2011 Relay Committee shirts have arrived!! I asked to have the CPS3 info added to our shirts this year and was happy to see the final outcome.

#2 - I'm not a Simpsons fan, but this envelope came in the mail today with A LOT of Simpsons and I couldn't help but smile! There are 40 Simpsons stamps on this envelope...someone was very busy yesterday. : )

Walden Island on New Years Day

Our neighbor, Stephen, sent these pictures to us that he took around the island on New Year's Day.

Beautiful sunrise. Ice on the water. Snow on the ground.