blogger questions

For those who know me well, it's no secret that technology and I don't get along! It's amazing that I'm able to keep up with this blog. But, I envy all the scrapbook fonts and custom family headers of my friends' cutsie blogs. I want my blog to look cute, too! And, to think that I grew up in the technology boom! I remember in 6th grade we started taking a weekly computer lab to learn how to use computers, and that was a ground-breaking event. We were the first class ever to start something like that at my school. Maybe that's my problem; maybe I should have started a computer lab in 1st grade to feel comfortaable with the technology. It's pretty sad, really. I'm part of the generation that gets it! And, yet, I don't get it most of the time.

Anyway, enough of my rambling and self-pity! Here are my questions - for anyone who can explain it to me:

1. How do I get the cutsie fonts?

2. I would love a beautiful custom-like header, but how to install it? (FYI: I have followed the directions from various websites - go into Layout, Edit Header, Paste the url into the Website box, and click on Behind Title and Description; however, it never comes up after I save and view blog!) So, that's where I am with that one.

3. How do I change my layout to a 3-column from a 2-column? (I've tried following directions for that one, too. But, haven't been successful with it.)

Question 4 is REALLY important:

4. If you have a private blog, can you please email me with a new invite? There are many of you whose blogs I can't view because I've had a few different email accounts over the years, and I cannot remember which ones I used for which blog. Please email me at tiffinidenham@gmail.com. I would LOVE to keep up with your lives - especially since we no longer live in AZ!


See what I mean? Am I just a lost cause?

why didn't I think of this before?

So, a recent post of Lara's, "The best $14.99 we've ever spent," started the wheels spinning in my head. She spoke about buying her daughter an alarm clock, and how it made their mornings run so much smoother. I thought, I wish I could buy Laci one. But she's up at 5 am every morning! (and has always woken that early since the day she was born) She definitely doesn't need help waking up. And, a few days later, the answer came to me: Why not use the alarm clock for the opposite purpose? Instead of waking up to the alarm clock, treat it more as a timer. She has to stay in her bed until the alarm goes off. I felt like it was a long shot, but it was definitely worth a try...

Off we went to pick out her new alarm clock. Of course, she picked out her favorite color, pink. Jason and I explained to her the purpose behind the clock. Amazingly, it has worked! I'm able to get up and exercise, even shower!, and start making breakfast before 7am when her alarm goes off. Starting out week 2 of our new experiment, she's even been straightening her room, picking out her clothes for the day, and making her bed! This has also allowed Jacob to sleep longer in the mornings, which he desperately needs. (When your 2-year-old cries at everything before falling asleep at 9am, it means he isn't getting enough sleep!)

With a newborn on the way, I'm afraid to jinx myself... but I think come fall, we will be well on our way to getting her ready and off to school by 8:15! Thanks, Lara, for a blog post heaven-sent!

called to serve

Two nights ago, I joined my family in a conference call while my brother, Chase, opened up his mission call! Obviously, if we didn't live 12 hours away, we would have joined him in person for the occasion. But, it is what it is, and thankfully, we have the technology to be a part of it as it happens.

Chase will be missionary #3 from the Farnsworth family. Heather served her mission in Omaha, Nebraska, and Blake is currently serving his mission in the Mesa Arizona Temple baptistry. I can't believe that I'm old enough to have 3 younger siblings who have/will be serving missions! Seriously, I'm not that old! Regardless, the Lord's work moves forward and onward, and it was so wonderful to witness in this milestone event for Chase. And, he will be serving...

...drum roll, please...


in the London South, England mission! (Woohoo, Chase!)

Thanks for being such a stalwart example to my little ones. We love you and are so very proud of you!

new email address

I'm no longer using my yahoo email address. I've opened a new email account:

tiffinidenham@gmail.com

If you did not get an email from me letting you know that I've changed email addresses, it is because I don't have your email address. Can you send me an email to my new account - or leave a comment with your email address - so that I have it?

Thanks!

my budding photographer

Laci loves horses, so it was only natural to buy her an 18-inch tall horse for Christmas. She'd been asking for a real one, but that would overextend our Christmas budget just a tad. Fortunately, she loves this one! (Whew!) These are pictures she took of her favorite present:

I honestly had no idea she had taken these until I was flipping through my screen. I asked Jason if he took them because I knew I hadn't, and he told me that it was Laci. He had watched her while she took them.

But I have to say, considering her age, I was really surprised at how well these turned out! She seems to have a natural eye. (Of course, I'm not much of a photographer, myself.) So, I'm interested to hear what you photographers out there think...