Leadership = Listening

I've been the "acting director" the last two weeks at work, and have been reminded of many important leadership lessons. The number one lesson: leadership = listening. Listening is not one of my strengths; my extroverted self tends to verbally process, meaning my mouth is often moving before my brain has engaged.

I've been aware of this for years, and have invested a great deal of energy in keeping my mouth closed. Last week, I realized that I still have some work to do. If I want to be an effective leader, I need to focus on listening.

I don't think I've ever wished for big ears before...

Slowing Down a Little...

I have decided that I need to slow down a little. I want to accomplish so many things! However, I'm recognizing my own limitations, and that trying to do everything, all at once, does not allow me to excel at anything.

The challenge for me has always been that I like everything that I am involved with! I don't want to give anything up... so, the compromise is to just do a little less of a few things. Instead of taking 2 courses per quarter, I'll take 1 (yes, I did just drop a class. I'm working through the guilt of that one). Instead of teaching 6 credits per semester, I'll teach 3. And, instead of trying to be everything to everyone, I'll focus on being the best ME I can be, recharging myself and giving myself the same grace that I would extend to others...

Check up on me. I'll probably forget this in a month and will need a reminder that it is okay to be a work in progress. :)

Saying Goodbye to the Elberts

We loved having Mike and Amanda in town for a few months. It was even better that they lived only a mile and a half away. I had so much fun being an aunt in person, not just over the phone

Before they left, the family stayed with us for the weekend. I loved it! The kiddos were having fun, I got lots of hugs and snuggles, and there were more people to cook for. It was an all around win. :)

 Kaiya, patiently waiting for the chocolate chip cookies that we made together to cool enough for her to eat them.

Snuggled together watching The Avengers... and yes, Aunt Jaime may have given them too many cookies, and let the kids eat them in the living room. :)

We were sad to say goodbye, but loved the time we shared together!

Watching the Super Bowl... For the Food...

We aren't football fans. We tried a few years ago... we picked a team whose colors we liked... but that didn't last for long. So, we watch the Super Bowl, kind of, mostly so we can eat all the fun snack foods.

Today was a potluck with Mike and Amanda... I set out cheese, crackers, and summer sausage. 

I also made Bacon Cheeseburger Biscuit Balls:

Baked Potato Skins:

(sour cream and green onion added individually to satisfy personal tastes)

And Peach Crisp - thanks to Amanda's mom's canned peaches:

Amanda brought 7-layer dip and chips and homemade pizza. We had so much food!

The game isn't quite over, but we're about done eating. I'm not sure we'll make it to the end now... but we might get in some leftovers as a snack before bed!

Babysitting

Last night we had the pleasure of babysitting Mike and Amanda's kiddos. Love them! Cam wasn't feeling well, so when he asked to watch a movie we couldn't say no. 

Once the movie was on and Cam had his blankie, he was feeling the need to cuddle.

My favorite part? That he put his hands up behind his head... in true Elbert style. :)

Oh, and that his cute little belly is hanging out. 

Kaiya chose not to wear any clothes for the evening; she had her swimsuit on when we arrived, but it made her "too hot" so she had to take it off shortly after her parents left. Needless to say, I didn't take any pictures of her, although she was very cute. 

 

Kaiya informed me after dinner that she had a plan for the evening agenda: "I was thinking that we could play duck-duck-goose, hide-and-seek, and then color some pictures with my new markers." 

 

Of course she had a plan! She is my niece. And we did play hide-and-seek and color... but duck-duck-goose wasn't in the cards for the adults in the house. :)

We had a great time babysitting Kaiya and Cam!

Cooking Together

Josh is a great cook. Seriously! I just love to cook, so generally don't invite him into the kitchen. Well, that and he tends to be a little messier than I am...

Anyhow, there are some things he just prepares better than I do, like fried rice. Tonight's dinner was stir-fry (Pork and Vegetables in Hosein Sauce) and it seemed like a good night for fried rice rather than steamed. So I invited Josh to cook with me.

It was lovely!

Our kitchen is fine for me, but not ideal for 2. However, we danced our way through prep and shared the stove-top so we could prepare our meal together. And it was delicious!

I'm not sure my overly controlling self can take it every night, but I think we might have to cook together more often. It was a wonderful experience, and reminded me again that I love my husband. We complement each other well.

Holidays 2012

We love the holidays! Yesterday was special - we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one with the kids, being thankful for one another and our time together. 

The day started with caramel-pecan cinnamon rolls, then presents: 

 Our tradition is to take turns wearing the Santa hat - I put on that hat and hand someone a gift. Then, whoever opened their gift puts on the hat and hands out another gift. And around we go! Josh looks the best in the hat. :)

Josh made Donovan armor - pictured is the breastplate. This was an intensive project - Josh spent hours cutting, staining, and piecing the leather. The sides will be stitched now that we can fit it to Donovan.

 Mike had lots of help opening his Wii hunting game.

 Kaiya had her eyes on this doll a couple of weeks ago, unbeknownst to us! We were glad to find out we'd picked well. :)

 Each year we take the kids shopping so they can pick things out for each other. Usually, with the last few dollars, they pick out candy and such - this year, Audri gave Donovan cookies, as well as an Axe body wash and cologne kit (not pictured).

 Audri is opening a beautiful necklace that Donovan picked for her. Somehow I did not get a picture of the necklace once opened. In this picture, you can also see the skateboard Audri received from us.

 The kids got beanies in their stockings. Donovan wore his while opening some of his presents.

 Josh received a camouflage beanie from Audri, and a new hatchet from me. I think this picture makes Josh look like quite the mountain man!

We gave Camdon a few Heroscape castles and the Marvel characters - it seems there is a tie between Captain America and Iron Man for his favorite. 

Oh - one of my presents was this beverage dispenser. :) I "opened" it early so I could use it for the day, and we used the box for some of Cam's presents.

 Mike helped open the box, and then built Cam a castle to play.

Once presents were opened, we broke out the appetizers: crackers and a cheese-ball, chips and salsa, parmesan bites, artichoke dip, and a vegetable tray.

 Kaiya liked the vegetable tray best! She ate all 10 olives off her fingers. :)

Then, we played games - Mike and Amanda brought over their Wii and we hooked it up.

 Mike played his new game, and Cam sat enthralled, waiting for his turn!

 Donovan turned on the computer and played a game that he created in his video-game class at school.

We finally ate dinner around 7 - I'm not sure we were hungry enough even then, but it was time! Turkey (deep-fried!), ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, and salad. It was a team effort!

After dinner, we put a movie on for the kids, then played some games. At 9:30 we served some dessert (apple pie, pumpkin pie, and cheesecake) so Mike and Amanda could get the kids home to bed.

We had a marvelous day! It was "practically perfect in every way" (Mary Poppins is on right now, and the quote seemed to fit.) Thank you Elbert family for joining us, and contributing to the food and fun!

We love the holidays. We are grateful for one another and the time we get to spend together.

Oh - Amanda took some great pictures as well. I can't wait to see them!