*Be a jolly happy soul*
*Spend time outdoors*
*It's okay to be a little bottom heavy*
*Avoid meltdowns*
*Be well-rounded*
*Live well, life is short*
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!!
As I reflect on this Thanksgiving day and Thanksgivings past, I realize how truly blessed I really am. I have had my share of ups and downs in the journey of life, but I am grateful for my experiences. Even in the most difficult times of my life, I have had so much to be grateful for.
There is a song that has brought me so much strength in times of gloom. It goes something like this:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the load seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly.
And you will be singing as the days go by.
I have come to rely on counting my blessings, especially when I feel down, and it brings me peace and happiness.
To celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I've made a short list of some of those things I am most thankful for:
10. Modern Technology. I just love my dishwasher, microwave, car, cell phone, etc. How did people 100 years ago ever survive?
9. Health and Modern Medicine. Without it, many people I love would be suffering more than they already are, or might not even be with me today. Although I have Thyroid disease and other minor ailments, I realize how fortunate I am and I try not to take my health for granted.
8. Beauty. I'm not talking about my own beauty (ya right!). I mean God's creations--rain, flowers, butterflies, sunsets, cats, etc.
7. My Home. I love the floor plan and location. Oh, I might have things I want to paint or fix or rearrange, but it's much more than four walls and a roof. It could be a shack for all I care. My home is where my family is, where memories are created and lessons are learned. It's a safe haven from the storm. It's where love is.
6. Music. Good music inspires me, lifts my soul and puts me in a good mood. It can make me feel happy or silly, or spiritual and peaceful.
5. Freedom. I am so grateful for those men and women who fought--and continue to fight-- for the freedom and rights of this country. It is the land the free and home of the brave.
4. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's one of my most precious possessions. I treasure it more than any material thing I own. At one time of my life it was very weak, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I strengthened it again, and it continues to strengthen me day by day.
3. Friends, old and new. My friends give me so much support and strength. I learn so much from them, and only hope I can be as good as friend as they are to me.
2. My Family. I am so grateful that I grew up in a loving family. My parents raised eight children on a modest income, but wealth didn't seem to matter. We had each other. I am eternally grateful for my parents and all the love and support they give me.~~And nothing brings me more joy than my children and my husband. I couldn't imagine life without them.
1. My Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He is my source of purpose, hope, joy and love. He is my example and my friend. Without his atoning sacrifice, all the above would be pointless. It humbles me to know that He knows me by name. He loves me, and he died for me, so that I may return to live with Him again. I am eternally indebted to Him.
Here is the second half of that song I quoted above. I hope you find peace and happiness this Thanksgiving Day and every day.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all.
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
There is a song that has brought me so much strength in times of gloom. It goes something like this:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the load seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly.
And you will be singing as the days go by.
I have come to rely on counting my blessings, especially when I feel down, and it brings me peace and happiness.
To celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I've made a short list of some of those things I am most thankful for:
10. Modern Technology. I just love my dishwasher, microwave, car, cell phone, etc. How did people 100 years ago ever survive?
9. Health and Modern Medicine. Without it, many people I love would be suffering more than they already are, or might not even be with me today. Although I have Thyroid disease and other minor ailments, I realize how fortunate I am and I try not to take my health for granted.
8. Beauty. I'm not talking about my own beauty (ya right!). I mean God's creations--rain, flowers, butterflies, sunsets, cats, etc.
7. My Home. I love the floor plan and location. Oh, I might have things I want to paint or fix or rearrange, but it's much more than four walls and a roof. It could be a shack for all I care. My home is where my family is, where memories are created and lessons are learned. It's a safe haven from the storm. It's where love is.
6. Music. Good music inspires me, lifts my soul and puts me in a good mood. It can make me feel happy or silly, or spiritual and peaceful.
5. Freedom. I am so grateful for those men and women who fought--and continue to fight-- for the freedom and rights of this country. It is the land the free and home of the brave.
4. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's one of my most precious possessions. I treasure it more than any material thing I own. At one time of my life it was very weak, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until I strengthened it again, and it continues to strengthen me day by day.
3. Friends, old and new. My friends give me so much support and strength. I learn so much from them, and only hope I can be as good as friend as they are to me.
2. My Family. I am so grateful that I grew up in a loving family. My parents raised eight children on a modest income, but wealth didn't seem to matter. We had each other. I am eternally grateful for my parents and all the love and support they give me.~~And nothing brings me more joy than my children and my husband. I couldn't imagine life without them.
1. My Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He is my source of purpose, hope, joy and love. He is my example and my friend. Without his atoning sacrifice, all the above would be pointless. It humbles me to know that He knows me by name. He loves me, and he died for me, so that I may return to live with Him again. I am eternally indebted to Him.
Here is the second half of that song I quoted above. I hope you find peace and happiness this Thanksgiving Day and every day.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all.
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Storm's Brewing!
There's a fierce storm making way to the floor of the basement of our home. It's named Cyclone Annika! 
Seriously though, My dad called me today and told me of an actual tropical storm right now in the South Pacific, appropriately named.... ANIKA!
I was tracking it today on NASA, where they update her path every few hours. I was laughing so hard reading it because it sounds a lot like what I went through to get Annika to clean her room today. Read the following, and insert "MOM" for "Cyclone 03S"...
"This weekend is a killer for tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean. Both Tropical Storm Anika and Tropical Cyclone 03S are both meeting their end over the weekend of Nov. 22-23...
"Tropical Cyclone 03S formed behind Anika, which was also called Tropical Cyclone 02S, and is following Anika's path. That's not good news for keeping 03S alive, because the conditions Anika are in are unfavorable, and include cooler sea surface temperatures and wind shear. That explains why Tropical Cyclone 03S is fading, too...
"Tropical Storm Anika is holding its own, and is now targeting a landfall in northwestern Australia, between the towns of Port Hedlund and Learmonth by Nov. 22."
Well, the cluttered Storm Annika got cleaned today without any casualties.
Hopefully TS Anika will have the same outcome!
Seriously though, My dad called me today and told me of an actual tropical storm right now in the South Pacific, appropriately named.... ANIKA!
I was tracking it today on NASA, where they update her path every few hours. I was laughing so hard reading it because it sounds a lot like what I went through to get Annika to clean her room today. Read the following, and insert "MOM" for "Cyclone 03S"...
"This weekend is a killer for tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean. Both Tropical Storm Anika and Tropical Cyclone 03S are both meeting their end over the weekend of Nov. 22-23...
"Tropical Cyclone 03S formed behind Anika, which was also called Tropical Cyclone 02S, and is following Anika's path. That's not good news for keeping 03S alive, because the conditions Anika are in are unfavorable, and include cooler sea surface temperatures and wind shear. That explains why Tropical Cyclone 03S is fading, too...
"Tropical Storm Anika is holding its own, and is now targeting a landfall in northwestern Australia, between the towns of Port Hedlund and Learmonth by Nov. 22."
Well, the cluttered Storm Annika got cleaned today without any casualties.
Hopefully TS Anika will have the same outcome!Monday, November 17, 2008
Sleepless in Mesa
Oh, how quickly I forget those sleepless nights when I had little ones waking up every hour of the night. I can't say I miss those days at all. I'm one who likes getting my full eight hours of sleep. Well, the other night, I got a reminder of how it used to be without much sleep...
For some reason, Annika couldn't fall asleep, and she would come wake me up and tell me so. The FIRST time, I took her back to her room and re-tucked her in her bed with a short story and lullaby.
The NEXT time (about an hour later) I let her crawl in bed with me. After about a half hour, I couldn't stand her squirming and shifting anymore. Do you know how hard it is to sleep when you feel someone staring at you? So I told her to go back to her room and try reading, or counting sheep, or something. (I'm so sympathetic aren't I?)
Not even an hour later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and she whispered, "I still can't sleep." Boy, I'm out of practice at this and my patience was growing thin. I went back downstairs with her and I slept on the floor of her bedroom until I thought for sure she had fallen asleep. I tiptoed quietly out of her room and slipped back into my bed.
This time I got about 2 hours of sleep until I felt another tap on my shoulder. It was 4 am by then and she asked if it was time to get up yet. "One more hour" I mumbled back. I heard a long heavy sigh and squinted out of one eye to see her dark silhouette, slunched over and slowly leaving my bedroom.
Around 5:00 am, Annika slipped back into my bed. I let her stay this time and she quickly fell asleep. 5:00 is about the time I usually wake up, so I was the one who couldn't sleep anymore.
I quietly got out of bed and was shocked at what I saw....
The living room had been tidied-up, Annika's bed was made and all her clothes put on hangers (a big feat for her), and in the kitchen was the sweetest surprise---there were 4 plates with a sliced apple decoratively placed on each plate, and 4 cups of chocolate milk. I wonder what time it was when she made these?....
For some reason, Annika couldn't fall asleep, and she would come wake me up and tell me so. The FIRST time, I took her back to her room and re-tucked her in her bed with a short story and lullaby.
The NEXT time (about an hour later) I let her crawl in bed with me. After about a half hour, I couldn't stand her squirming and shifting anymore. Do you know how hard it is to sleep when you feel someone staring at you? So I told her to go back to her room and try reading, or counting sheep, or something. (I'm so sympathetic aren't I?)
Not even an hour later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and she whispered, "I still can't sleep." Boy, I'm out of practice at this and my patience was growing thin. I went back downstairs with her and I slept on the floor of her bedroom until I thought for sure she had fallen asleep. I tiptoed quietly out of her room and slipped back into my bed.
This time I got about 2 hours of sleep until I felt another tap on my shoulder. It was 4 am by then and she asked if it was time to get up yet. "One more hour" I mumbled back. I heard a long heavy sigh and squinted out of one eye to see her dark silhouette, slunched over and slowly leaving my bedroom.
Around 5:00 am, Annika slipped back into my bed. I let her stay this time and she quickly fell asleep. 5:00 is about the time I usually wake up, so I was the one who couldn't sleep anymore.
I quietly got out of bed and was shocked at what I saw....
The living room had been tidied-up, Annika's bed was made and all her clothes put on hangers (a big feat for her), and in the kitchen was the sweetest surprise---there were 4 plates with a sliced apple decoratively placed on each plate, and 4 cups of chocolate milk. I wonder what time it was when she made these?....
It just melted my heart!I went back to my bedroom and found Annika, fully dressed (even shoes), in my bed fast asleep--FINALLY!! She must have been up ALL night!! This time she stayed asleep until after 9:30.
I have to say, this was one of the most memorable and sweetest sleepless nights.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I know Veteran's Day was a couple of days ago now, but I just wanted to pass this along. Ricky walked in the Mesa Veteran's Day Parade, along with many other scouts, each carrying a banner with a photo of a fallen soldier from AZ. There are over 300!!! It was very humbling and solem to recognize these brave men and women and honor them for their service to our country.
I am grateful to my Grandpa Joe, who served in the Navy in WWII, (the one on the left)
I am grateful to my Grandpa Joe, who served in the Navy in WWII, (the one on the left)
and brother-in-law, Bill who also served in the Navy (sorry, I can't find a picture of him). They are heroes to me.
One of the participants in the parade was handing out bookmarks with the following poem written on it, and I loved it so much, I wanted to share it:
Remember...
It's the Veteran,
not the reporter,
who gave us our freedom of the press.
It's the Veteran,
not the poet,
who gave us our freedom of speech.
It's the Veteran,
not the campus organizer,
who gave us our freedom to demonstrate.
It's the Soldier,
Sailor, Airman,
and Marine,
who salutes the flag,
who serves others
with respect for the flag
And whose coffin
is draped by the flag,
who alllows the protestor
to burn the flag.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Bah Humbug?
I LOVE this time of year. There's a chill in the air. There's the smell of winter lawns, warm casseroles baking, and even an occasional fireplace burning throughout the neighborhood. The leaves are turning color (sort-of), I can start pulling out the long-sleeve shirts, and I can even leave the back door open and enjoy the fresh air without cranking up the A/C. Autumn is definitely my favorite season
But lately I feel like Fall is getting the shaft and turning into pre-Christmas season.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm a Christmas nut! My tree is up the day after Thanksgiving and I play nothing but Christmas music in the car and at home from then until Christmas day. It is a magical time of year and I love the Spirit of Christmas so much.
But lately I feel like Christmas has become so much about the shopping and commercialism and is stretched out so long that some of the magic gets lost in it all. I went to several different stores last week, (some of them only 3 days after Halloween) and saw Christmas trees and heard nothing but Christmas music in EVERY SINGLE ONE!!....Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Fry's, Sprouts, Hobby Lobby (I can understand that one) and, of course, the mall. What ever happened to Autumn and Thanksgiving?
I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with it this year, but I just feel like every year Christmas gets earlier and earlier until some day we will be seeing Santas in the Mall in August!! I guess it wouldn't be so bad if it were the Christmas Spirit that was starting early, but it seems to be the retailers shoving it down our throat.
I don't want to be a Scrooge. Like I said, I LOVE Christmas, but I guess I'm a little put off by the stores urging us to start thinking about and decorating for Christmas now. Heck, I still have a few Halloween things I still need to put away!
Maybe I'm just too traditional. Am I the only one who feels like this?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tagged!
Yay! I got tagged! Thanks, Kathy P.
Well, here it goes....
4 Random things I love about my husband
They way he helps Ricky with homework that I don't understand
His Work Ethics
His Fathering Skills
His Patience when I get Moody
4 Jobs I've Had
Sonic Drive-In Car Hopper (my first job!)
Medical Records Indexer
Surgery Scheduler
Business Office Manager-Outpatient Surgery
4 Movies I've Seen More Than Once
Ever After (My Favorite!)
Chicken Run
Napoleon Dynamite
Most Disney Movies
4 TV Shows I Watch
News
Good Eats (Food Network)
HGTV
(I don't watch a lot of TV)
4 Places I've Been
Mexico
Holland
Israel
Bahamas
4 Places I've Lived
Mesa
Rexburg, Idaho
Mesa
Umm,... Mesa
4 Favorite Foods
POPCORN!
Pizza
My Homemade Smoothies
Anything Mexican (not spicy though)
4 Places I'd Like to Visit
New York
Washington DC
New Zealand
The Moon
4 People to Tag
Amelia L.
Colette V.
Katie H.
Mom (you can just e-mail me)
Well, here it goes....
4 Random things I love about my husband
They way he helps Ricky with homework that I don't understand
His Work Ethics
His Fathering Skills
His Patience when I get Moody
4 Jobs I've Had
Sonic Drive-In Car Hopper (my first job!)
Medical Records Indexer
Surgery Scheduler
Business Office Manager-Outpatient Surgery
4 Movies I've Seen More Than Once
Ever After (My Favorite!)
Chicken Run
Napoleon Dynamite
Most Disney Movies
4 TV Shows I Watch
News
Good Eats (Food Network)
HGTV
(I don't watch a lot of TV)
4 Places I've Been
Mexico
Holland
Israel
Bahamas
4 Places I've Lived
Mesa
Rexburg, Idaho
Mesa
Umm,... Mesa
4 Favorite Foods
POPCORN!
Pizza
My Homemade Smoothies
Anything Mexican (not spicy though)
4 Places I'd Like to Visit
New York
Washington DC
New Zealand
The Moon
4 People to Tag
Amelia L.
Colette V.
Katie H.
Mom (you can just e-mail me)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Halloween has always been a weird holiday for me. I never got the concept of going door to door and begging for candy, but I do like walking around the neighborhood and meeting neighbors that I would otherwise never get a chance to meet. I love dressing up the kids (and even dressing up myself sometimes). It's the one day you can just go crazy and get away with it.
Yes, I still let my teenager go Trick-or-Treating. Heck, I did until I was a senior in High School! That's when it gets fun! Ricky went with a group of friends in a different neighborhood this year, then a huge group of them got together at our house afterwards and watched a scary Halloween movie. I'm too chicken when it comes to scary movies, so I watched a safe movie (Hook) downstairs. I didn't feel so silly when some of Ricky's friends joined me. I guess I'm not the only chicken!
I'm not sure what to call Ricky's costume. He calls it "glowing skeleton". But it won Spookiest costume at the ward Halloween party.
Annika was going to be an angel for Halloween this year, but because of her injury last week, she decided to be a pirate instead. Unfortunately (or fortunately) her scary face healed before the 31st, but she still made a great pirate!
Jack-O-Lanterns
Umm, I got a little behind, so I'm finally posting our Halloween stuff....
We have a great tradition of carving our pumpkins for FHE on Mondays. Since Halloween was so late in the week, they were getting pretty moldy before the actual day, but it kinda made it spookier. Fortunately I took pictures of them before they got "hairy".
This is my pumpkin, Mike from Monsters, Inc. I started out with a basic face and couldn't stop myself. Before I knew it I was sewing arms and legs and making a hat. I got a little carried away.
This is Ricky's Jack-o-lantern. He stencil carved Jack from Nightmare Before Christmas. He's taking sculpting class at school. I guess that class is paying off now!
Annika free-hand drew and carved this replica of the SCREAM by Edvard Munch. Of course, she embelished it by adding a spider on the left.
Serge did a globe and it turned out so cool! He did a lot of detailed work and carved out all the little islands. It took him about 2 hours, but it was even way cooler than this picture can show.
We have a great tradition of carving our pumpkins for FHE on Mondays. Since Halloween was so late in the week, they were getting pretty moldy before the actual day, but it kinda made it spookier. Fortunately I took pictures of them before they got "hairy".
This is my pumpkin, Mike from Monsters, Inc. I started out with a basic face and couldn't stop myself. Before I knew it I was sewing arms and legs and making a hat. I got a little carried away.
This is Ricky's Jack-o-lantern. He stencil carved Jack from Nightmare Before Christmas. He's taking sculpting class at school. I guess that class is paying off now!
Annika free-hand drew and carved this replica of the SCREAM by Edvard Munch. Of course, she embelished it by adding a spider on the left.
Serge did a globe and it turned out so cool! He did a lot of detailed work and carved out all the little islands. It took him about 2 hours, but it was even way cooler than this picture can show.
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