Crazy Eights Lists

I finally got caught up on my blog reading and saw that I was tagged a while ago! (And found out that Shelly is pregnant! I've got to keep up better.) I already wrote about a few of these things, but I'll do a more complete list.

But first, while I'm thinking about it, I recently read a great article in Parent Magazine on not stressing about having a cluttered house. Referring to rules about putting toys away before getting out more, the author they quote says, "'Kids actually thrive on mess. It's a critical way of exploring creativity.'" They also quoted Einstein as asking, "'If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?'" There were other things that made me feel better - somewhat. The fact still remains that my house is often just too messy. If anyone has any good suggestions for getting young children to clean - willingly - please let me know.

OK. That was a big tangent. Here are my lists:

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. The Roof (we eat there at John's annual work party)
2. Golden Corral - the kids love it, and they eat very well-balanced meals there
3. Red Robin - I always get the California wrap
4. Rodizio Grill (or any Brazilian grill)
5. Tepanyaki
6. Hungry Bear - again, the kids really enjoy it
7. Holy Smokes
8. Bajio

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:

1. Woke up at 5:30 with Jonah (which is normal)
2. Made German pancakes
3. Jonah was napping, so I sent John off to Eli's soccer game without me :(
4. Got a nap!
5. Watched BYU football game
6. Cleaned up for babysitter to come
7. Went to Lagoon on a date with John for our anniversary
8. Stopped by WalMart for a few things on the way home

8 Things I Look Forward To:

1. Halloween
2. Birthdays
3. Thanksgiving with John's family
4. Christmas here
5. A time when I can get a full nights sleep (Should that go on the wish list?)
6. The next Olympics (I really miss it)
7. John's parents are going to serve a mission at the church farm in Orlando, so we hope to visit before the end of their mission and go to Disney World again.
8. Seeing my Heavenly Father and Savior again

8 Things On My Wish List:

1. Trip to Europe - any part
2. Hike some of the Appalachian Trail
3. Win a huge amount of money, so I could help others (after paying off mortgage, of course)
4. Lose substantial amount of weight
5. For my kids to be happy, well-liked, spiritually strong, successful in their endeavors, etc. (There's nothing more stressful than worries about your kids' futures, is there?)
6. To live a long, healthy life - having kids later in life worries me a bit. And I'd like good health for John and the kids.
7. Maid service
8. More sleep. Much more.

8 Things I Love About Fall:

1. Cool weather for walks and bike rides
2. Leaves changing - especially up in the mountains
3. Holiday decorations
4. Halloween parties, costumes, etc.
5. Football
6. Start of school and the initial excitement (although when I taught, I hated to see the summer end :)
7. Anticipation for the whole holiday season
8. There's a feeling in the air in the fall that I can't put into words. Part of it is change - just like spring. Anyway, I love it.