13 Weeks of Sunday Family Pictures

As one of my New Year's resolutions, I wanted to try this year to take a family picture every Sunday. Sometimes Scott is at work or someone is sick and doesn't go to church or we're on vacation...Whatever the situation, though, we take a photo to document our family. It's been awesome so far, and I thought I'd share the first 13 weeks with you.

If you want to follow these updates live, you can follow me on Instagram under the username "LorisFabLife" or check out the hashtag "#AfterChurchThompsons".

2014 Goals

Almost completed the first month of the new year and I realized that I haven't shared my new goals for the year. I am a tad behind!!

I am changing things up a bit and doing things a little differently. I chose a few different areas I wanted to work on and then devised a plan in order to help facilitate my goal. Really, this is a must! You cannot just make a lofty goal of exercising, or completing something, or stopping something major without devising a proper plan of HOW you will accomplish that goal... regardless of how simple or complex!

Goal #1 Run a Half Marathon. Just typing that makes me a little nervous. I've ran in a dozen 5K's over the years and even a couple of triathlons, but nothing as lofty as this. Actually, I've never run longer than 4 miles at one time. So there's my goal. It's HUGE. Now here are all my mini goals to help accomplish that big goal. 
1. I signed up for a marathon with several friends. 
2. I added an app called Gipis (which I will blog about later. It's AWESOME!!!!) 
3. I run, according to my plan on Gipis, 3-4 times a week. 
4. Scott bought me a Fitbit for Christmas that I wear religiously. It helps track water, food intake, weight, steps a day and my sleep habits. 
5. I'm trying to eat LESS carbs. It'll help make running easier if I lose a little weight. 
6. I have signed up for a running series that happens at the Great Saltair. Last Saturday was a 5k, in 2 weeks is a 10k and 2 weeks after that is a 15k. 

Goal #2 A sentence a day. I made these cute index cards with the date on each of them (365). Every day, I write a single sentence about that day on the note card. Some of the past few weeks have been, "Snowmobiling, sledding and tubing in Star Valley with cousin!", "Great video in R.S. today, 'Earthly Father, Heavenly Father' LDS.ORG", "Went for a deep tissue massage today, felt great." You get the point. I keep these cards close to my computer so I can be reminded of them each and every day. I plan on doing this goal for several years to come. It's like a daily journal for yourself, short and simple. So simply to write down a quick memory on the date and move the card to the back. Could take years to fill and takes very little time. Several different ideas on how to make one on Pinterest. Search : Index card journal

Goal #3 Read the Book of Mormon every day and have it completed by the end of the year. This is pretty easy. It comes out to reading about 10-15 verses a day, which means it only takes a few minutes. It's remembering that is the hard part! I added @BofM365 to my Instagram account. I look at Instragram 4-5 times a day. Every morning they have already posted what verses I need to read and what I should either be pondering, looking for and asking myself as I read. I love it. It helps tremendously. I also will "like" it after I've completed my reading. I also will read comments and usually add one of my own. A little mini lesson. Scott, Will and I are all doing this together. We remind each other to read. I also have several friends reading the Book of Mormon as well. 

Goal #4 Buying/Selling a house. This may seem a little strange as a goal, but it's A LOT of work. Scheduling times to visit other homes, searching the web and driving neighborhoods takes a lot of time. We DID buy a house, in a neighborhood that we love. We are thrilled!!! Now is the paperwork... lots and lots of paperwork. In order to sell our home, there is a lot of deep cleaning, organizing and packing that needs to take place. We rented a storage unit and packed up most unused items in the kids bedrooms and other rooms around the house. Daily there is something I am deep cleaning or rearranging. We already have had people come to look at the house. Managing 7 sons AND keeping a clean house is a huge chore in itself. They help out a ton, which is nice. 

Goal #5 Saving Money.  Scott and both try to be thrifty but there is just nothing I can do when 7 kids "need stuff". I use coupons while shopping at the grocery store. I'm not one of those crazy couponers, but I do order two Sunday newspapers and I have a binder I put all my coupons into, by category. Okay, maybe I'm a little crazy. I have purchased 6, 8, or 10 of the same sale items with coupons, BUT I actually use those items. I'll either move them directly into the cold storage (food storage area) or into my pantry. I love sales and will only buy food/clothing/whatever if it is on sale. And, I usually have a coupon. 

I've been doing that for a while, so to add to that, I write down EVERYTHING I spend my money on. It doesn't matter if it's for a $0.99 cent refill of coke, or a $89.00 gas bill. I have it all written down on a piece of paper in my wallet. At the end of the month, I will look over it and see where I can make the necessary changes.

Also, I made 6 small sticky notes for my calendar. 3 are for lunches out with the kids and 3 are for dinners out. When we use one I'll move the small decorated sticky to that date on the calendar showing that it's been "used". Hopefully going out to lunch only 3x a month and dinner out 3x a month, it will help cut down on expenses. (This does not count date night with the hub's!)  


After we move and after the half marathon I will add some other goals for the remainder of the year. I also add mini (weekly) goals here and there to keep me on my toes. I enjoy trying new things. Challenging myself. Making improvements... wherever and whenever possible.  

What are YOUR goals? What have you  been working on these past few weeks? Successes?

Planning and Setting Goals with Faith and Purpose

I had the opportunity to give the following talk today during Sacrament Meeting.  Just wanted to share it with all of you!!

Good afternoon, Brothers and Sisters. When people learn that I am the mother of 7 sons, I am constantly asked the following question “How do you get ANYTHING done during the day?”. And then once they get to know me and understand the many things that I try to accomplish on a daily basis, they then ask me “How do you get SO MUCH done in a day?”. Well, I am finally going to tell you my secret. I have found that the secret to getting the things done that we want out of life is not some magic energy drink. Instead the secret is in the wise counsel that we have received over the years from our Apostles and Prophets. It is to LIVE our lives with faith and purpose, and before we try to live our lives in this way, we need to PLAN our lives with faith and purpose. This is the focus of my talk today. How can we plan our lives with purpose in a way that allows us to act, rather than be acted upon? In other words, how can we not simply accept the life we are given, but instead, obtain a life that we have planned for with faith and purpose?

President Thomas S. Monson said the following during a 2005 BYU devotional address:     “Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is [our] goal. Such a goal is not achieved in one glorious attempt but rather is the result of a lifetime of righteousness, an accumulation of wise choices, even a constancy of purpose.” [“Decisions Determine Destiny,” BYU devotional address, 6 November 2005]

So from President Monson's counsel we see that we must strive with a purpose, and work towards our goals with a “constancy of purpose”. That doesn't mean that we have to stick with one specific direction and not deter from it. That is not the constancy that he is speaking of. Instead, he is talking about the consistent grounding of our goals and “wise choices” within a purpose; whatever that purpose is.

One way that I have found substantial success in my personal goal setting is to follow the advice provided by Elder M. Russell Ballard in a conference talk that he gave in April, 1987. He said:    “First, think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often ‘withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed’ (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did. Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.    “Second, set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting” [Conference Report, April 1987]

When January comes around each year, I think the mistake that we all too often make is in making goals that are going to last the ENTIRE year. What a monstrosity of a goal! We have just given ourselves 365 opportunities to fail at this monstrous goal. Instead, we can break these goals down into MONTHLY, WEEKLY and even DAILY goals. And the great thing about these shorter goals, is that they can change. We don’t have to be stuck on the same goal week after week, or month after month. If a goal was too hard, make it easier. If a goal is too easy, make it harder.

I especially like a comment made by Elder Marvin J. Ashton in a General Conference talk that he gave in October, 1983:
     “The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goal setting should cause us to stretch as we make our way” [Conference Report, Oct. 1983]

Some examples of MONTHLY goals that I have set:

• I read the entire Book of Mormon over a 30 day period
• I posted the reading schedule on my computer as the background image
• I put the audiobook version on my phone and kept the scriptures out on my nightstand
• I participated in a Green Smoothie challenge with some family and friends
• We posted our various recipes online to share with each other
• Instagram had recipes posted from others who were doing the same thing

Some examples of WEEKLY goals that I have set:

• I didn't drink any soda for a week
• I carried a water bottle everywhere that I went and even flavored it at times
• I made sure there wasn't’t any in the house to would tempt me
• I tried a new dinner recipe each night for a week
• I searched Pinterest and cookbooks for new ideas
• I asked friends and families ahead of time what their favorite recipes were

Some examples of DAILY goals that I have set:

• I wanted to be on time for each activity scheduled that day
• In the morning, I wrote out my “To-Do List” for the day with the specific times
• I would have items prepared and packed ahead of time, ready to go out the front door with me
• Spent 30 minutes each day in quiet meditation or time by myself
• I made a specific point of PLANNING this into my daily schedule
• I planned the time when the older boys or my husband were home and could attend to the kids

You might not realize it, but a “To-Do List” of items that need to be accomplished that day IS a set of goals. There have been days where I feel like I did not accomplish a single thing, but then I look back on my list of completed tasks and it gives me a different perspective and appreciation for the things I did accomplish.

Another way that I have found success in my personal goal setting is to follow Elder Robert D. Hales’ advice that he gave in a Conference Talk in October, 2001:    “Accomplish personal goals in each of four categories … : spiritual development; physical development; educational, personal, and career development; and citizenship and social development” [Conference Report, Oct. 2001]

I have simplified these four categories as: Spiritual goals, Physical goals, Mental goals and Social goals. These are the same four categories that President Ezra Taft Benson gave when he counseled the church in a First Presidency Message published in the October 1986 Ensign entitled “Do Not Despair”. See if you can hear these four areas mentioned, as well as some reinforcement to the principles that we have already discussed.    “Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short- and long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up. Some will be continuing goals… This encompasses four main areas for goals: spiritual, mental, physical, and social. ‘Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?’ asked the Master, and he answered, ‘Verily I say unto you, even as I am.’ (3rd Nephi 27:27.) Now, there is a lifetime goal—to walk in his steps, to perfect ourselves in every virtue as he has done, to seek his face, and to work to make our calling and election sure” (“Do Not Despair,” Ensign, October 1986).

Some examples of PHYSICAL goals that I have set:

• I participated in a triathlon within 9 months after having a baby
• I signed up for it and committed friends to do it with me
• I scheduled workouts several times a week to prepare
• I certified as an aerobics instructor and specialized in spinning classes
• I signed up for an aerobics instructor course
• I attended as many aerobics classes as I could

Some examples of SPIRITUAL goals that I have set:

• I read the Relief Society lesson ahead of time each week
• I would read it the Sunday before and mark it up with a highlighter
• I would then ponder the lesson throughout the week
• I studied “Living Scripture” by marking it up with highlighters and a pencil
• I studied my patriarchal blessing 
• I also studied The Family: A Proclamation to the World and the Ensign magazines

Some examples of MENTAL goals that I have set:

• I read a new book each week for an entire year
• I used a website called GoodReads.com to track the books I read and the ones I wanted to read
• I would put audiobooks on my phone and listen to them as I drove around/attended my sons’ activities
• I attend Time Out for Women and BYU Education Week each year
• I love attending Time Out for Women each year in Salt Lake City
• I also set aside time each year to attend BYU Education week for the whole week

Some examples of SOCIAL goals that I have set:

• I take time each day to spend one on one with a different child
• I find things that each child likes to do and do it with them
• I make sure that this time is scheduled into the day’s busy activities so that we do it
• I go on a date night once a week with my husband
• Schedule it. Make sure that it happens. Doesn't always happen on a Friday night.
• And it doesn't always have to be a financial expense. There are plenty of free things that can be done.

To conclude, I want to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon. In his address to the people of Mosiah, King Benjamin gave them some very wise counsel found in Mosiah 4:27:     “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order”

I think that King Benjamin is giving us permission to slip up at times, and make mistakes in our goal setting. He tells us that we do not need to run faster than we have strength. So, if we mess up in our goal setting that day, this is a great opportunity for us to revisit our goals and make some changes. We shouldn't give up on a goal simply because we were not successful. Instead, we should change the goal to something that we can accomplish, and that still drives us in the direction of our ultimate goal. Besides, isn't this why we have the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives; to make up for our imperfections and give us the opportunity to begin each new day with a fresh start?

I ended by baring my testimony, and I will take the time to do it again. 

I know this church is true. I am thankful for the wise counsel of many apostles and prophets that have improved my life for the better. I know by setting short or long term goals they will help you be a better person. I am a better wife and mother because of it. I am thankful for a living prophet today that guides our church. I am thankful for each of my boys and my awesome husband. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Goals

I have set New Years resolutions in the past, and have been pretty successful at it. A few years ago I started doing mini goals, and I've done well with them. Last year, I chose another avenue to follow and it went well, just not as fun nor successful as the mini goals.

Here is what I do:
I make mini goals in different aspects of my life; spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Then I make mini goals for each of those. Some goals can be done in a day others in a month. Just depends on what I am wanting to accomplish. 

I am getting a slight late start on these, but it's been vacation and I've been busy playing with boys! 

My new addition this year is this:

I found this fun idea here. 

I write down my mini goals on cute sticky paper so they are easy to take off or move around. I plan on making a mini monthly, weekly and daily goals. Depending on what they are.

Here are some ideas of what I am planning on working on and will add to my Goal List board. I'll tell you a few, others are more personal.

Spiritually: I would like to read the Relief Society lesson BEFORE Sunday. Hold family prayer more regularly. Have personal prayer more than once a day. (and I'm not talking about the several prayers I make in my head throughout the day, but actually getting on my knees!) 

Mentally: Continue on reading. My goal is to read two books a month. I am also (finally) writing my novel. I hope to have that written by the end of the year. I also want to craft and sew more. Learn new tricks and complete a project every other month.

Emotionally: To plan and make more time for ME, as in alone time. Just taking 5-10 minutes alone in silence to meditate and breath would be wonderful. I am also wanting to not yell at the boys as often, which will in turn not get me so riled up at them. 

Physically: I want to participate in a few races. I've already signed up for a 5k with some girlfriends in Arizona, but I want to run another triathlon. My new passion is skiing, I just love it. I want to ski at least once a week until the season ends. I also want to start subbing and teaching more aerobics classes. 

I am excited for a new year. A new start. We're on page 3 of 365! Good luck with your goals, however you plan on doing them! 

9 days

I can't believe it's only January the 9th! It seems like it should be the very end of the month! But, it's not. I am having a FANTASTIC year so far! It couldn't be any better.

I have already completed the disgusting, terrible, horrific Master Cleanse. Thank goodness that is OVER! I wanted to go on the cleanse so I would stop drinking soda. My name is Lori Thompson and I am SODA FREE for 9 whole days! (May not seem that big of a deal, but I have to start somewhere!!) And I feel ggggreat! (Say that like Tony the Tiger!)

I am already in the beginning of 2 Nephi! I am really trying not just to read the words but really soak up the messages it's offering me. I have been really enjoying this time for myself.

I have completed Brigham's baby book from birth to 1 year!! It was so wonderful putting it all together and remembering when he was born and such a small baby. Where has the time gone?

Scott and I have decided to take a topic for a week or two and study, ponder, and search it out on our own and then talk about it together. This week it has been on faith.  I am remembering a few stories from my youth and mission as well as some scriptures I have come across in my daily scripture study. What a wonderful blessing to have such a great husband that we can do this together.

I am on track physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally!

2011 ROCKS!!

2011 Plans and Goals

"So many plans and dreams to

accomplish in 2011"

is my theme and motto for this year!! Isn't it a great one?

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and I wanted to make 2011 the best year ever. Also, I want to make 2011 all about me. (May sound a little selfish at first, but hear me out!) I want to make more time for myself to do what I want to do. I want to "find" myself. (I use that term very loosely because I defiantly know who I am. I just want to do more physical/spiritual/emotional things for ME!!)

Each month I want to do something BIG! Either physically, spiritually of emotionally. (some months will have 2, 3 or even 4 BIG things) I also want to include plans and goals for the family to do all together.

So, here is the year's lay out, so far. (some things I'll add later or change, but this is the first draft!)

January:
5 day cleanse
Start workout schedule (make chart of weight and inches)
Start the Book of Mormon (complete in 6 months)
Register for a triathlon (or major bike race)
Complete Brigham's Baby Book (birth to 1 year)

and ps...I've completed everything in January already!!

February:
Attend TOFW
complete Nathan's Baby Book (birth to 1 year)
Plan a extra fun 4-day Birthday weekend
Gavin's 5 yr BD

March:
Plan all Summer camps for boys
Complete Family Book
Brigham's 3 yr BD

April:
Family vacation (Jackson Hole WY and Yellowstone)

May:
Woman's triathlon

June:
Summer family vacation (possibly Magic Mountain)
Shark Attack Triathlon

July:


Aug:
Attend Education Week at BYU (who wants to join me??)

September:
Alaska cruise with Scott (and his parents and Bill and my mom)
Will's 12th BD (Priesthood!!)
Jackson's 10th BD
Nathan's 2nd BD

October:
Tyler's BD (Baptism!!)

November:
New York City with Scott
Thanksgiving

December:
Christmas

I need to add a few more plans and goals here and there, but it's looking to be a great year!

Hello 2010!

I love New Years! I love the fresh new start of things in life. I love how everyone tries to be a little better. I love setting new goals. I love the new adventures that lies ahead for me and my family.

For the past few years I'm made resolutions in a few different areas in my life. Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. In these different areas I make small goals to work on. I've done a pretty good job at it and it last almost the whole year.

But this year I'm changing it up a bit. I have only 3 goals.

1. Make weekly mini goals (like I have been doing, that is going really well for me!!)
2. Write my book. (I didn't say finish it, just write it down.) I have all this great information about helping mom's with newborns. I have helped several family members and friends already. I now need to branch out to help others.
3. To be Fabulous! To look fabulous, act fabulous, and to do things that are fabulous. (It's my favorite word, now I just need to put it to use!)

There you have it folks! What do you think? Are you making new years resolutions this year? If so what are YOURS?? GOOD LUCK! And remember to be fabulous!

New Years Resolutions...

It's almost time to make your New Year's resolutions! Last year I came up with some real cool ones that I actually stayed with and accomplished! I usually make 2 or 3 resolutions and do them for about 3 or 4 months then give up. Last year I started thinking about what I could do and came up the normal ones, exercise, read scriptures daily.....but I wanted to do something different. I just didn't know what.

It was last year on January 1st I was watching The Biggest Loser and one of the trainers said, "Let's make the BEST out of this life we got!" I paused my tivo and thought about how profound that statement is.



I thought how I could make different areas of my life better and enjoy the wonderful life I have. I got a pad of paper out and started making notes on that profound quote. I wrote down 5 different areas that I can and needed to work on. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial. Within those areas I made 3 smaller ideas I could work on. This is what I did LAST year.

Physical: Drink green shakes for breakfast, work out 3-4 times a week, eat out 1 time a month

Mental: Take a on-line class, read a book a month, review and study Marcus Buckingham's lectures

Emotional: Watch "the Secret" 1x a month, date night 1x a week, me time 1x a day

Spiritual: Read the R.S. lesson a week before, have FHE evening EVERY Monday, pray nightly as a family.

Financially: Search for more coupons, only buy when on sale, buy more "needs" than "wants".


I plan on doing the same for 2009! I have been thinking a little about it and will post later on the exact resolutions I will be working on and accomplishing for the new year!