Why I Made a Blog

The real, deep down reason is so that I could share my thoughts on motherhood and religion. A blog seemed like the perfect place to do that. If someone doesn't like what I say they don't have to read. But those who are looking for others with the same beliefs and values can find that here.

After all, we should stand up for what is right in every place and at all times. "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. " The Family: A Proclamation To The World

Another Picture of Me and My Friends

These are my beautiful, wonderful roommates from WDW. I miss them very much and think about them often. We laughed and cried our way through those months. They helped me make some of the most important decisions of my life (like to not let Steve get away) and I will forever love them!

Songs You Listen To

I used to listen to lots of different types of music. Trance, Dance, Techno, Emo, Alternative, Country...my iPod has quite the variety.

Now I listen to two types of music: children's and 80's.

Yep. That's it. Primary songs, David Bowie, Nursery Rhymes, Cyndi Lauper, Lullabies, Queen. We also get the occasional Meat Loaf, Cranberries, and Cake to our musical diet, but those are rare exceptions. Thomas loves dancing, but only to certain songs. He likes Dance, Magic Dance, There She Goes Again, and Day-O. I'm not sure how he picks these songs. He sure has strange taste in music sometimes.

Day 9

I'm proud to say I've started exercising in the past few days! I've been doing different forms of dance aerobics when Thomas is taking his nap. It feels great to be doing something! I'm always on the look out for new, free videos on the internet, so if you know of any, let me know. I'm amazed at how much more energy I've had since I've started my little routine and how much better I feel about myself and everything else!

Day 8

My short term goals for this month are pretty simple:

Keep my house clean

Keep Thomas fed

Keep Steve fed

Lose 2 more pounds of baby fat

That's it. I guess surviving the car ride up to Washington for Thanksgiving is on there too :)

Day 7

These two guys have the biggest impact on my life right now. Not only does everything I do revolve around them, but everything I think does too :) I love being able to take care of them.

More importantly, they give me a reason to live a good life. I have more motivation than ever to be worthy to live my Heavenly Father again. I work hard so I can return to heaven, but I also work hard teaching Thomas so that he can be there too. Although Steve and I would be happy together forever, our happiness would not be complete if our son was not with us.

Favorite Super Hero and Why

My favorite Super Hero is Spiderman! I was even Spiderman for Halloween when I was like 4. No reason why, I just like him. I always thought Superman was overrated and Batman was kinda scary. But, as you can tell, super heroes just aren't my thing.

A Picture of Somewhere You've Been To

This is Steve and I in the Redwood Forest. It is so beautiful and peaceful there.

We stopped there on our Honeymoon so I could do this:



And Steve could do this:



Kinda silly, but it made us happy :)

A Habit That You Wish You Didn't Have

There are too many. I wish I didn't have the habit of crawling into bed before I say my prayers. I wish I didn't have the habit of looking at Facebook before my scriptures. I wish I didn't have the habit of thinking of myself before others. Those are my serious wishes.

My wish I want to talk about today is one that I've had since I was a little child. I was watching Oprah the other day and Dr. Oz said that everyone does this thing more than they think. For me, it's kinda ridiculous.

I touch my nose. A lot. My mom said when I was little I would walk around holding my nose. Not plugging or picking or scratching. Just setting my little fingers along the bridge. And I still find myself doing that. When I'm thinking I put the three middle fingers of my right hand on the bridge of my nose. I don't know why. I just do.

So, if you ever see me touching my nose (which now you'll notice because I said something) just know that it's a lifelong habit that I try to break.





I like to get Steve's nose also :)

Day 3

A Picture of Me and My Friends...this actually turned into multiple pictures :)

This is the high school gang (minus Kim and Kirk in the last one).

At graduation:


Now:


We always had fun skipping class, getting slurpees, driving the wrong way in round-a-bouts, and just your basic tom-foolery.

This is Vanessa and her cute family. She is the older sister that I never wanted :) Vanessa was the best Laurel's adviser and Visiting Teacher! She's always there for me whenever I have a question about ANYTHING! I've really missed her this past year and a half. I know she would do anything for me, and I would do the same for her. I thank my Heavenly Father for such a loving and wonderful "older sister" to be able to look up to.

Day 2

The Meaning Behind Your Blog Name:

Well, I must confess that I am not very creative, and so my blog name is self explanatory. Or, you could look at it this way...

Carroll, originally O'Carroll, means "son of Cearbhail" which means hacking. So, Steve's ancestors were either butchers or warriors. To me being a Carroll means being a part of another family and raising children that will make the Carroll name a good and praised one.

Family: the basic fundamental unit of the church. The family goes on into the eternities. Families are where we are tried the most, where we find the most joy, and where we learn and grow.

So, to me my blog name means that I am part of a family and that I am trying to create a home where that family can grow and learn so that we may all sit down in Heaven together.

But, really, I just wasn't feeling very creative when I named my blog. Maybe now I'll think about it more and it'll change...

Day 1

15 Facts About Myself:

1. I let my baby sleep with me...in my bed, every night...and I LOVE it!
2. I am married to the best man God could have given me.
3. My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird.
4. I love 70's and 80's music (especially David Bowie).
5. I look like my Mom more and more every day.
6. Fact #5 makes me happy.
7. I taught myself how to crochet stuffed animals.
8. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
9. I often forget my left and right.
10. I want to have 6 kids (even if they are all 15 days late and weigh 9 pounds).
11. I wore white Converse the day I got married.
12. I love Disney :)
13. My house is rarely as clean as I'd like it to be.
14. One of my favorite pieces of furniture is my rocking chair.
15. I wear old hats to church.

30 Day Blog Challenge

I'm going to take the Challenge!

Day 01 - A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02 - The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03 - A picture of you and your friends
Day 04 - A habit that you wish you didn't have
Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06 - Favorite super hero and why
Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08 - Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09 - Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12 - How you found out about blogs and why you made one
Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14 - A picture of you and your family
Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16 - Another picture of yourself
Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18 - Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19 - Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23 - Something you crave for a lot
Day 24 - A letter to your parents
Day 25 - What I would find in your bag
Day 26 - What you think about your friends
Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28 - A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29 - In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30 - Who are you?

Thankful

On Facebook in November you're supposed to post something you're grateful for every day. Well, I tend to forget these things, so I decided to make my full list here.

1. My family (I mean everyone: mom, dad, brothers, sister, in-laws, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, husband and baby)

2. Friends

3. A home, especially since it is so close to my mom.

4. Disposable Diapers

5. Cell Phones

6. Facebook and E-mail

7. The Book of Mormon

8. A washer and dryer

9. Cupboards full of food

10. A bed to sleep in

11. Temples of the Lord all over the world

12. A husband who works full time so I can stay at home

13. Baby Tylenol and other medicines

14. Utah's Mountains

15. Prophets living and dead

16. Cars

17. Electricity

18. Health

19. Sleep (when I can get it)

20. Jesus Christ's Atoning Sacrifice

21. Heaters

22. Cameras

23. A husband who is worthy of and holds the Priesthood

24. Being able to cook and sew

25. Primary Songs

26. Good Books

27. Those who are sacrificing by serving in the armed forces (and their wives and children)

28. Trials

29. A father that worked so I could have a mom at home

30. Baby cuddles and smiles