If you hate making dinner... Read me!

It's a new year!  I've chosen ONE new years resolution.  It's pretty broad, but still it is just one.  I've chosen to try and become more positive.  I'm a pessimist by nature.  I can point out the negative with the best of them!  I'm determined to change that. 


Elder Holland has told us that it's easy to live the gospel when things are going smoothly, it's when things get a little bumpy that the true test comes.  The same applies to being positive.  There are quite a few things I can be positive about relatively easy, but some things are more difficult.  One of the most difficult currently is Noelle's Celiacs diagnosis.  Sheesh!  It's a tough one.  I just don't like it. 

Cooking use to be so easy (now that it's gotten so hard).  The other night I made macaroni and cheese for Noelle.  This picture is what that effort did to my kitchen.  No more mac and cheese from the box.  It's all from scratch and it's all cooked in a different way than what I am use to.  It's a big effort.  

Mille liked the macaroni!

Libby hated the macaroni.

Noelle was happy with the results.

 I ate the macaroni and cheese.  It didn't even matter whether I liked it or not.  I ate it because that is what I  made for dinner. So, why am I sharing this relatively negative experience when I'm trying to be positive?  Well, it got me thinking about how I use to be so negative about cooking dinner.  I thought it was a little rough.  It was so hard (I thought) to think of what to make or to plan ahead, etc.  Now I would really enjoy going back to those "problems".  So, if there is someone out there that is reading this that has a similar new years resolution to mine then maybe this post will help.  Maybe you can make dinner with an abundance of positivity because your choices of what to cook are limitless!  Or maybe you can feel positive about that pizza you picked up from Little Ceasers because that is a possibility for your family too.  I tell you, there are so many things to be positive about when it comes to dinner if you don't have to do it without wheat! 

Really, there is a positive side to Celiacs too.  I'm learning.  It is teaching me empathy for others.  It is teaching me to be thankful for every little thing I have because some day I may not have it anymore.  Here are a few things I am feeling positive about:

• Laundry- I love my washing machine and dryer.
• Exercising- I am so thankful my body works well enough to get out of bed early in the morning and go to the gym.
• Heater in my car-  Its cold outside, but it feels so good when the car warms up and the heater is pumping warm air on me.  Plus I have a seat warmer!! 

I could go on, but for now just know that we all have so much to be positive about!  Going to the grocery store is a completely positive experience because you have so much to choose from.  You don't know what you have until it's gone.  By the way, I can also be positive about the large gluten free section at Lee's.  Still working on a way to be positive about the prices ;).

Annual Jackson Birthday/Christmas Celebration!

This year we all stayed at the Staybridge Suites in West Valley.  It was fantastic.  A water park was attached to the building and the kids were in heaven.  My camera fogged up whenever we went into the water park area, so I don't have any photos.  No photo proof, but lots of eye witnesses to attest to the fact that Grandpa Jack went down the water slide!  That man is good!  Here we are all gathered in Grandma and  Grandpa's room to celebrate everyone's birthday.

Libby is enjoying a piece of Grandma's famous cake roll.

Bryn in her jammies and cute as ever.

Noelle was spoiled by Grandma with all sorts of gluten free goodies.  She is happy!

Grandma is always good to play a game with the kids.  Here, they are playing one of our favorites, "Spot It".

Each family had their own suite to stay in.  They were deluxe!  The girls favorite part was Millie's crib because it was on wheels. They moved it from one room to the next and as you can see, even got in with her for a ride.

We went to the Festival of Trees and did a scavenger hunt there.  It was great fun and there were so many fun things to see.  This was Ellie's favorite exhibit.  You can see an "Elf on the Shelf" in the background taking a bath in marshmallows!  Ellie loves our Elf on the Shelf, Guster.

Millie was such a good girl.  She loves being on her daddy's shoulders.

Aunts & Nieces.  Michelle is so much fun at all these outings and Shalise is wonder woman.  Shalise had just had Trayson days before this gathering.  She is a go getter!

 On our "free night" we went to South Towne mall with Michelle, Reggie, & Quinn.  They got to ride the train through the mall!  Better yet, was the sushi we had before the mall.  Even Reggie was happy because there were hamburgers on the menu too!

Lots of cute stars for the nativity.

Millie loves anything soft.  Here she is cuddling with a scarf Porter was holding.

What a great looking bunch.  Love them all!

Included this picture just to prove I was there.  I was on keyboard duty for the Hymns.  When you are behind the camera, you take what you can get (uncle Scott took this picture).