Quote of the Day

Today as I subscribed to The GreatSchools Blog I was reminded of this fabulous quote:

In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent, for a mother or father who will attend those parent-teacher conferences, or help with homework, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child. I speak to you [...] as a father, when I say that responsibility for our children's education must begin at home.

Ten points goes to the first person who can tell me who said this. :) Some of you may be pleasantly (or not so pleasantly) surprised.

With Grace's school years sneaking up, I've started thinking more about education. This quote reminds me of the best $3 I've spent this month, which bought me this:

Haha, isn't it beautiful? If you can't tell, it's a kitchen timer. Since I knew she would eventually hate it, I let Grace first claim this as her own with stickers and artwork. Now it tells her when the computer or TV needs to come off. It hasn't completely erased her tantrums, but she doesn't scream quite as much when I pry her away from a screen. We're getting a little better, the two of us, one small step at a time.

Store-Bought Cakes and New Shoes

I love my husband because...

he runs out to the grocery store and hunts through the aisles to find something odd I'm craving, and I'm not even pregnant.

he insists that we buy a store-bought cake for our ward bake auction, because he knows I will otherwise slave and stress over something homemade (although I was incredibly embarrassed to see the name HOLM next to our blatantly obvious generic store-bought cake).

he puts up his own blog posts just often enough to show he cares

he hauls out his equipment and clips my toe nails without complaint (sounds silly but very helpful when you have a bum back :))

he always says "Sure" when I voice my need to buy new shoes, like today... like RIGHT NOW.

he lets the girls run and tackle him two dozen times before bedtime.

Love ya Janson!

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks quoted this saying at our Stake Conference Broadcast last Sunday. It comes to mind at least a dozen times a day. I love it.

It perfectly aligns with all those other great words: green, frugal, self-reliant, creative, responsible, and my favorite, broke.

Organized Dried Fruit

This is a cheesy, sentimental post.  So, if you're not up for that kind of thing, feel free to scroll down and watch a sweet dance video.

On the radio today I heard a song that mentioned, "waiting for my dreams to come true."  It got me thinking about what dreams I am waiting for.  I was a little stumped.  Maybe I didn't give myself enough dreams to look forward to, or I'm living my dreams.

I have two beautiful, intelligent and spunky daughters that make my world go 'round.  Something about their presence makes my life feel whole and complete, even if there is actually a lot left to be desired or ignored.  I am blessed to stay home with them all day, so if Grace wants to make beaded bracelets or Mari wants to get jiggy with it, I'm there.  

My husband has an incredible work ethic, both in and outside the home.  Yes, the words "student loans" make my whole body shudder.  But for too long we've lived in eager anticipation of the nearing graduation, and now that it comes, I'm realizing there will still be trials.

My husband was offered a job, a rare blessing for this era.  

We have super fun and faithful families.

We have friends that are unconditionally "there" for us and seemingly blind of our annoying traits.

Grace is potty trained (hallelujah!) and Mari can walk (er, bittersweetness).

I can walk, sit, bend, drive, lift and carry my babies and their various paraphernalia.

I can cook in my own kitchen.

I just organized all of my dried fruits, nuts, sugars, baking goods and canned food.  Woohoo!

Yes, we have our financial stressers, arguments, too-small-apartment, teething child 

(three teeth at once, including two molars!), poopy pant messes, and a few pounds to lose (and then a few, and a few more...).  

But, life is good.  Very, very good.

Do Re Mi in Train Station

I wish I had been there! I'm pretty sure I would have been trying to push Grace and Mari onto the dance floor, even if it was just so I could join the fun. I love the old woman at 2:47.

Maybe this could become a regular tradition at malls, train stations and airports, but with the Electric Slide or the Margarita... familiar dance moves. :) Who would I bring that up with? Maybe President Obama would be in support? :)

Book Reviews: The Wednesday Letters and Eggs

Just finished Jason Wright's The Wednesday Letters. I was sad when it was over. I love books that give hope to the institution of marriage. And not just those Nicholas Spark marriages were everything is always lovey dovey and perfect. What relationship is actually like that? This story shows a few relationships that withstand and endure some very tough and real problems. It's also pro-life and emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. Sometimes the writing was a little bland, but overall I loved the story.

Within the last 24 hours I finished this quick read: Eggs by Jerry Spinelli. I can always trust Spinelli (author of Maniac Magee) and his wife Eileen for some good entertainment. Although this is a young adult novel, I'd rate the writing much more entertaining and artistic than The Wednesday Letters. Spinelli strings words together in a refreshing, unusual way. There were many sentences that I read over again just to appreciate the art and image created.

New Holm Feet Posts

Since Holm Feet is private and you can't get updates on new posts, here's the update for ya.

I posted A LOT on Holm Feet yesterday.

There are pictures of tea parties, goats, a wedding, a dust storm, a book mountain, a snow storm, many many family members, and a couple cute girls.

And some not-so-witty, possibly boring writing attached to the pictures, including stories about a sing-along toddler CD, diaper breaks in the BYU Wilk, and our take on Wyoming's economy strategies.

Hope to see you on Holm Feet! If you want access to this private blog, send me an email at mariko.holm@gmail.com. I keep it better updated, and it includes pictures of two cute girlies. :)