Since taking the plunge into motherhood I have come to appreciate my own mom so much more. She raised 7 kids, I don't remember ever hearing her complain or grumble about how much time each child took or how little "me" time she got.
She selflessly made meals for 9 people, knowing that some of us wouldn't like it and would complain about it. She did laundry, cleaned the house, went grocery shopping, taught us, gave us baths and so much more. Somehow she still found the time to bake bread and cookies and other non essentials. Then after having some of her children marry and move out (I'm sure she celebrated a little bit) some of them moved back in, this time, with their own children. I have come back to my parents home after moving out, this has happened during times of great need and trial in my life. Never once during that time did my parents make me feel unwanted or unloved. All they wanted was for me to learn the lesson I needed to learn at that time, sometimes this took a while.
Sadly enough, I am not nearly as selfless as my mom. I grumble, sometimes I complain, I occasionally yell, and sometimes I wish I had a lot more "me" time. Many nights all I want is to eat a hot meal, without the kids constantly asking for something. All too often I take my frustrations with work or other things out on my family. Why do I do that? Why is it okay for me to yell at my kids because work didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked? Well, it's not. I am constantly reminded that I need to do better.
One thing I want to work on during 2014 is to strengthen my relationship with my kids and my husband. To be more patient and understanding with them. To not have unrealistic expectations for them. Along with that, I need to be more patient with myself. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be in this life. I make mistakes, my kids make mistakes, and that is okay. Now for the goal of eating a hot meal. :)
December 31, 2013
December 25, 2013
merry christmas from the veil family
I realize it is Christmas day today, and I'm just now writing my Christmas letter. At least it's not the day after Christmas. :)
Eva: Is a 4 year old bundle of energy. She loves to help any way that she can, especially in the kitchen. She loves to play dress up and be a princess, but she does not like having things in her hair and ends up pulling them out by dinner time. She likes to spend time with Daddy in the garage, swing on the play set, sing Primary songs and play with anything princess related. She loves going to Primary on Sundays and is looking forward to going to school like her older siblings. We're looking forward to teaching her the ABC's and helping her recognize the letters. :)
Emma: At 6 years old, she is too smart for her own good. She loves going to kindergarten and has an amazing memory for songs and rhymes. She comes home singing the songs they've learned for the different letters and colors. She is becoming more independent, but loves to spend time with the family. She is very inquisitive and is always asking questions. Emma also loves to sing Primary songs, usually when she's using the bathroom. We're going to be working on reading and sharing more. :)
Jack: He has had a lot of awesome things happen this year. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August, started cub-scouts, made new friends at his new school and is looking forward to turning 9 in January. He is in the 3rd grade and excels at reading. He loves Pokemon and Ninjago. He tends to like to play by himself since his sisters are into princesses and dress-up. He likes to ride his bike, play outside and spend time with Daddy.
Matt: Has been amazingly busy with work. His company has really grown over the past 6 months. He is excited for the new year to hire new people and implement all the different processes and operations. In his spare time he likes to barbecue, work in the yard, exercise, and experiment in the kitchen. (He is actually a really good cook.)
Katie: Has also been amazingly busy with work. I am now 6 months pregnant, due on March 29th, 2014. I am excited and apprehensive. I am looking forward to the new year so that I can go through the mounds of baby stuff I have received from my sister. In what little spare time I have I like to read, crochet and eat chocolate. (I have to be pretty quick about the last one, if I'm too slow Matt eats it.) I have struggled this year with patience between work and home. There have been a lot of changes that have come my way this year, I'd like to think that I've handled them with grace. Matt and the kids have been so supportive and encouraging. The kids are very patient with me when I act less than loving towards them.
2014 will be a big year for us. We're looking forward to many things, including; a new addition to our family in March, purchasing a van (YAY!), big things happening with the business, Katie being at home more, being sealed as a family in the Portland Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Adam Veil coming home from his mission in Bogota, Colombia and so much more. All of that will be happening in the first 6 months of the year. Somewhere in there we might slow down a little, but not often. We are a busy family who struggles with all the normal things. Above all though we love each other and have fun.
We share with each of you our belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. Our knowledge that families can be together forever, that each of us can be saved through the Atonement of our elder brother, Jesus Christ. May you all draw closer to your family members and Christ at this time of year, and remember him at all times.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
December 8, 2013
10 lessons learned...from McDonalds?
Around 3 weeks ago I was sitting on the couch at church and overheard a young man say that he worked at Burger King as a "burger flipper". The man he was talking to said, "Well it's a job." I piped up and said, "There's nothing wrong with being a 'burger flipper', I worked at McDonald's for 5 years and loved it." The look I received wasn't very appreciative. :)
I've thought about that a lot since then. What, exactly, is so wrong with working at McDonald's or another fast food establishment? People look down on it because it's not a job that requires a degree, or the fact that they think "they hire anyone" or...well who knows.
I started working at McDonald's during my senior year of High School because I needed a way to pay for car insurance and gas. I thought I would work the year after I graduated and then go to school. Well, I was offered a management position and stuck with it. I became a shift manager, assistant manager, and finally store manager. I was able to go to 5 separate training classes that went over a multitude of subjects ranging from how to manage people to how to offer the best customer service.
I think everyone should experience a customer service related job at some point in their life, and here's why;
1. I learned how to work hard. I cleaned toilets, mopped floors, emptied garbage's, dealt with rude customers, cleaned up after their messy kids and many, many other things.
2. I learned how to handle difficult situations. I had people swear at me because we charged $0.10 for extra sauce, people that threw their sandwiches at me because we had forgotten to take the pickles off, I had employees who showed up late and didn't want to work as hard as everyone else.
3. I learned to be respectful of others. I absolutely hated cleaning up after messy customers. I vowed after working at McDonald's that I would never make someone's job more difficult.
4. I learned that my job doesn't revolve around me. It is not my employer's job to work around my schedule. I receive my schedule from work and plan other things around that.
5. I learned that parent's need to cut the umbilical cord and let their teen's be responsible. Many times when I was a manager I would have to explain to a parent that I didn't employ them, I employ their child. I don't have to communicate with them or get their permission. Parent's should not make excuses for their children, especially once they hit their teens.
6. I learned to focus and get the job done. If I am at work, I am there to work. I'm not there to socialize or loaf around. If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't have a job.
7. I learned to take pride in what I accomplished. There is nothing wrong with looking at something you've done and being excited and wanting to share it with those close to you. This motivates and pushes people forward.
8. I learned to look for the positive. Everyone has difficulties. What matters is how we handle it. Sometimes we don't have any control over what happens to us, but what we do have control over is our attitude and how we respond to our situation. Me being negative because I ran into traffic on my way to work is not going to change that fact, nor is it going to help anyone else around me be in a good mood.
9. I learned that I have an impact. Whether it's on those around me or on my situation, I can make a difference.
10. I learned that there is more to life than a paycheck. I quit McDonald's because I had reached my highest potential there. I needed to leave to move forward personally. Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions to better ourselves.
I believe these lessons can be learned from any job, but especially a food service or a retail position. Those tend to get some of the best and worst customers.
So the next time someone says they work at McDonald's, or Burger King, or WalMart, don't make them feel bad about it.
I've thought about that a lot since then. What, exactly, is so wrong with working at McDonald's or another fast food establishment? People look down on it because it's not a job that requires a degree, or the fact that they think "they hire anyone" or...well who knows.
I started working at McDonald's during my senior year of High School because I needed a way to pay for car insurance and gas. I thought I would work the year after I graduated and then go to school. Well, I was offered a management position and stuck with it. I became a shift manager, assistant manager, and finally store manager. I was able to go to 5 separate training classes that went over a multitude of subjects ranging from how to manage people to how to offer the best customer service.
I think everyone should experience a customer service related job at some point in their life, and here's why;
1. I learned how to work hard. I cleaned toilets, mopped floors, emptied garbage's, dealt with rude customers, cleaned up after their messy kids and many, many other things.
2. I learned how to handle difficult situations. I had people swear at me because we charged $0.10 for extra sauce, people that threw their sandwiches at me because we had forgotten to take the pickles off, I had employees who showed up late and didn't want to work as hard as everyone else.
3. I learned to be respectful of others. I absolutely hated cleaning up after messy customers. I vowed after working at McDonald's that I would never make someone's job more difficult.
4. I learned that my job doesn't revolve around me. It is not my employer's job to work around my schedule. I receive my schedule from work and plan other things around that.
5. I learned that parent's need to cut the umbilical cord and let their teen's be responsible. Many times when I was a manager I would have to explain to a parent that I didn't employ them, I employ their child. I don't have to communicate with them or get their permission. Parent's should not make excuses for their children, especially once they hit their teens.
6. I learned to focus and get the job done. If I am at work, I am there to work. I'm not there to socialize or loaf around. If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't have a job.
7. I learned to take pride in what I accomplished. There is nothing wrong with looking at something you've done and being excited and wanting to share it with those close to you. This motivates and pushes people forward.
8. I learned to look for the positive. Everyone has difficulties. What matters is how we handle it. Sometimes we don't have any control over what happens to us, but what we do have control over is our attitude and how we respond to our situation. Me being negative because I ran into traffic on my way to work is not going to change that fact, nor is it going to help anyone else around me be in a good mood.
9. I learned that I have an impact. Whether it's on those around me or on my situation, I can make a difference.
10. I learned that there is more to life than a paycheck. I quit McDonald's because I had reached my highest potential there. I needed to leave to move forward personally. Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions to better ourselves.
I believe these lessons can be learned from any job, but especially a food service or a retail position. Those tend to get some of the best and worst customers.
So the next time someone says they work at McDonald's, or Burger King, or WalMart, don't make them feel bad about it.
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