Millions of Peaches

Figured it was a good time to update everyone on the Foote Family here in lovely Everett Washington. It is hard to believe that we have been living in this heavenly place for about 2 months. We are truly enjoying ourselves up here in the sunny Pacific Northwest. Its sort of funny. I moved here partially for the rain and the clouds which I love. However we came at the very beginning of a potentially record breaking sun streak. We are currently sitting at 40 straight days without rain. 11 more days and Seattle officially breaks the record. It has been rather glorious.



Every day we bring our dinner onto our back patio and enjoy eating our meal in the cool weather. I don't say this to brag just to explain how nice it is up here right now. I'm sure that once winter rolls around, all my Arizona friends will be showing me where its at.

In the spirit of the season we decided to spend some time learning how to can stuff today. Specifically we decided to can peaches for the first time ever. We bought a case of Yakima Peaches a week or so ago and set them aside to ripen. After church today we went to work on this load of peaches. 1st we washed them all. Then we boiled them for about a minute and placed them in an ice water bath. Sarah's favorite part came next. She thoroughly enjoyed rubbing the skin off of the peaches in one clean peel. I must say it was a little disturbing watching her enjoy peeling the skins off :). Once completed we sliced and pitted the peaches and then submerged them in the suger water bath. We shoved those peaches in the jars and then pressure cooked/canned them. They currently await a seal check in the morning.



Was it worth it? I gotta say having done all of that work, I don't think so. I may change my mind once we start eating them as part of our food supply but we'll see.

The boys are doing good. It has been an extremely long summer. They have been out of school since May and start again this Wednesday. They are both sad and happy that summer is finally coming to an end. We have had plenty of time to play in the water.



And build anything and everything out of legos.



But it is time to go back to class and learn stuff. We are very excited for the boys to go back to school. Because we weren't sure where we would be living until mid summer we haven't gotten the situation quite how we would like. Tyson will be attending the school closest to us for half day kindergarten while Alexander will be in the 3rd grad at a school slightly farther away. I'm sure things will turn out well however and we are excited.

Tyson got to meet his teacher last week and I half to say, there were more families speaking Spanish there than in Gilbert.

Well I have rambled enough. We'll talk later.

A Foote in Paradise

Welcome everyone to my very first post on this thing. I never really got into blogging but I thought I would take a minute or two to post as everything in our lives is changing this might as well too.

I am a man of very divergent impulses. I love for things to be tidy but can't stand actual cleaning. I love to argue but I avoid confrontations. I love my children and yet sometimes I wonder how I might get them into an adopt-a-kid scheme ;). In this vein I have transplanted my family once again to the polar opposite of where we lived before; figuratively speaking of course, although I hear the Indian Ocean is nice this time of year.

For those of you who don't know I accepted a new position within my team at Boeing which requires me to maintain a consistent and local presence. I tried to get a little Matthew-Bot setup but my boss didn't seem to keen on the idea. Obviously he didn't see how well it turned out for Sheldon.



I am out of my mind excited for this opportunity. I've been bored at work for some time and I think this is a great opportunity for me to grow as a person and for our family to grow as well. I truly hope that we are all able to have a great time, build up some wonderful memories and be contented and happy here.

We are moving into a place that is sort of hidden from the street and off the beaten path. It looks like a shack and according to Sarah it looks like a house a serial killer would use.



But it really is a nice place. We are getting the keys tomorrow and we'll take some pictures of the inside for everyone to see. In the interim here is a picture of our back yard.



FYI its sunny and 80 degrees out when we landed. Felt awesome!!! I have to brag now cause in 6 months all of my Arizona folks will have the upper hand. Of course the joke is on them because I love the rain and cold too.

For now in the words of Alexander Matthew Foote, "Happy Washington Day!"

101 Dalmations/ Blog Posts

 photo from here

Can't believe this is my 101st Post. A few of you have followed me from the beginning,  those who have, I give a special thanks. To new readers, know that I am glad that you have come the time to share a small peice of the drama, tales, joys and pains that I have been blessed to experience. I'm guessing there will be many more to come.

Love,

Sarah S. Foote

Back to Blogging

Photo from here

It has been just short of 5 years since we returned to live in Arizona.

In January, Matthew and I decided to move back to the Seattle Washington area. This was a seriously difficult decision. Primarily because there are so many wonderful blessings in our lives here. Including our beautiful, loving and supportive families, church, and schools.
Both Grandma and Papa Foote and Shumway are dear grandparents so different and each fabulous in there own way.  We have enough cousins to fill 2 suburbans, 3 minivans, a Nissan Pathfinder, and an Altima. If  you drive an additional 2 hours, there is a full sized van filled with 8 additional cousins. A great group of kids who are all eager for hugs, park outings, zoo trips, swimming and all other forms of play. And, of course, there are loads of aunts and uncles to share the fun.

Image from

Being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (mormon),  we have more then just a church congregational. It's more like an extended family, a support unit of brothers and sisters who teach each-other, and watch out for each-other and ideally provide the loving care that the Savior, Jesus Christ would, if he were to walked upon the earth at this time.

That may sound SUPER MUSHY and idealistic, however, I have experienced that love on numerous occasions.

I have mentioned in a previous post, I suffer from depression.  This condition is at times severe, chronic and debilitation. During those times, my perspective is seriously altered by the twisted feelings that threaten my health. However,  rays of sunshine come through unexpected reminders that somehow, in spite of my retreat, I am still loved and missed.

This has occurred through, surprise visits, text messages, rides to school for my children, precious little potted flowers and on quite a few plates of cookies dropped off  just because. These acts of kindness have warmed my aching heart and provided me with little glimpses of hope in times of extreme darkness.

Some may ask, why on earth would you even think about moving? There are lots of reasons but the most important is my sweetheart husband Matthew. Since college, he's been employed  by Boeing in Everett, WA. The company designs and manufactures enormous airplanes in a manufacturing facility that is literally the largest building in the entire United States of America. His dream for years had been to be an engineer and in the field of aerospace.
The whole time we have lived in the Valley of the Sun (AZ), we have been fortunate enough to maintain virtual employment. Meaning, Matthew works via Computer and conference calls with occasional trips to Boeing in Washington.
As a result, his career has been stunted, he has lacked the capacity to grow, learn new skills and has been limited to clerical paperwork. Which, if you know Matthew is virtually (pun intended) a life sentence of misery. He has a passion for learning  things, instead of the fun and books I choose, he is professional misery. While he is often found reading nonfiction, political, historical  and other educational books, blogs and articles. I could feel that in order to accomplish our families long term goals we needed to give him a chance to grow in his career and move our family the the rainiest place I know near Beautiful Seattle Washington.
The good news is, we will be members of a new ward family and will develop  friends there. Both of my sons, Alex and Ty, are naturals at making friends.
By now, you might wonder, what does any of this has to do with blogging again.

 In January of 2006, I started this blog to maintain the connection with my friends and family when I was moving to Washington. Now, with the same desire, It seems only natural to  again record my experiences.

Fallen Angel & Morning Madness

For those of you who know Tyson really well, you know of his affinity for butterflies.

Quite some time ago, we found a pair of with Fairy wings at a garage sale. Ty was in love right away and has spent many a day and night wearing the wings. We hide them, but sooner or later he finds them. Last week he decided he needed a little color to go with is ensemble. So, here's my little fallen Angel.

Painted toes and all.

In an attempt to get more activity into our schedule, We decided to start walking Alex to School. Before heading to school, we meet up with our friends. Hannah is a couple years older then Alex. Both of my boys think she's fabulous.

That WAS our good thing.

I love hugs cuddling with Matty and my boy and all that mushy stuff however,when it's time to sleep I want to be left alone. I don't not want to be touched. I make my own cocoon of fluffy pillows strategically placed at just the proper spots and off dreamland I drift . With little ones poking or pressing against me it is ABSOLUTELY impossible to me to manage anything resembling a good nights sleep.
As a result, we have a king size bed an active rule of no kiddos aloud during sleeping hours.
In addition, when it's time for our boy's to go to sleep we have been super firm about who sleeps in what bed. Even when Alex had very few words he would repeat, Mommy sleep in Mommy's bed and Alex sleep in Alex's bed. (image from here)
While most people's kids are much easier during the day our boys had bedtime down and were asleep by 7:30 with very little resistance.
Then about a week and a half ago, Tyson began pulling out all the stops. He would make endless excuses to be awake go pee pee in the potty 3-4 times. And seriously this kid actually managed to come up with liquid that many time. He needed multiple toys, and was unsettled for hours. We started putting them down at 7:30 it was 10 PM before sleep occurred. We tried a later bed time, threats, bribery and just about everything else we could think of.
Highly annoying. And then....to make matters worse they started getting up in the middle of the night, 1 am or 3 am to wander into our bed. Matthew has slept on the couch or in Tyson's bed at least 3-4 nights.
Here I thought I had done everything right with teaching our boys to self sooth and still the night dramas.

What a nightmare.

Reach for the Stars

"Every fool knows he cannot reach the stars
but it never keeps a wise man from trying
-Ronnie Woods

As reality is a constant reminder, there will always be more things to do then time to do it. So how do we manage to squeeze in the things that are of the greatest importance?

This time of year brings the custom of making resolutions. Goals to do and be better then we have in the past. There is a definite power in making goals and an even greater power in achieving them.

So, what determined the success or failure of a New Years resolution or goal?
I recently read a blog post that illustrated some of the weak points and strengths in goal setting. Joanna Taylor's blog link is here if you would like to read the full article.

She basically stated that goals must be concrete, specific, and attainable.
Instead of saying, "I'd like to... " use "I will..." Using positive and direct language is empowering.
If the goal is lose weight (which is to general) how do you know when you have succeeded? Having target number like 20 lbs or 2 sized or whatever provides more motivation.

My cousin Dixie believes in this concept. She is a personal trainer who believes that motivation to exercise is better maintained by having a goal such as preparing for a marathon or a triathlon. She helps people achieve their goals through RaceDay Training.
While I don't have any desire compete in a race I would love to have that kind of physical stamina.

Inspired by Blog, I made several Goals for myself. The biggest goal is to lose 100 lbs in 2011. Everyone who I told this has seemed concerned regarding this huge number. However, I truly believe this will be attainable. When you actually break it down, it's less than 2 lbs a week. I have also created subgoals to help me not get discouraged by this number.

The last thing that Joanna suggested was having a regular time set aside to examine how you are doing on your goals. I think this is a great idea. I'm going to post mine on my fridge & above my computer too. Hope the new year is treating you well!
love ya,
Sarah

Goals for 2011

Spiritual

Study/Read Scriptures or Conference Talks

30 minutes or more Daily

Pray Daily with Matthew

Attend the Temple Weekly

Journal Weekly

Keep the Sabbath day Holy: (Avoiding shopping and TV)

Physical

Lose 100 Lbs

Exercise 30 minutes or more 3 days a week.

Family

Visit Grandma Ellsworth at least once a month

Go on a Date with Matthew every other week

Read at least one book daily with my boys

Take at least one family name through the Temple

Education

Complete 2 College Classes

Read or watch the News 3 times a week.

Read at least one Book a Month

Home

Paint and organize the Office

Paint the Boy's room

Paint the Family Room

Paint the Doors

I Talk to Myself

You know the words to the song ... "I talk to myself cause there is no one to talk to"
Lately, I feel like that. Quite a lot actually.
Especially here on my blog. No comments for my last 2 posts. Is anyone reading this? Or, am I actually talking to myself?

This is not just an on-line. You see, I live in Boy Land. You know, the place where the toilet seat is either left up or down and generally sticky and wet, from a mystery yellow liquid.
I've complained about the seat being left up. Perhaps because, I grew up with brothers, or maybe unconsciously I knew it was far better then a wet or sticky seat. I won't even start talking about the lack of aiming that occurs in Boy Land that is another horror in and of it's self.
Still completely off the subject. (image taken from here)
Talking.... Yes. Lately I have been suffering from a talking deficit. I have not yet starting talking to myself but I am considering the possibility.

Is this because I am a Chatty Patty?
Maybe. I'm not denying I was given the gift (or curse of The Blab). Have I become a person that people cringe at the caller ID, thinking I better not take this, could take a while?
I propose the core of the issues is Boy Land.

Studies have shown that women talk almost three times as much as men, with the average woman chalking up 20,000 words in a day - 13,000 more than the average man.(Stats taken from here)
And with our little clan, I am quite certain that the word count is lower then the average. And I live in a house with 3 Boys and now Charlie our BOY dog.
So, if you ever feel the need to blab, give me a call. And, if you read my blog please comment or Just leave me a :o)
Love you all!
Sarah