Sunday, November 11, 2012
Day 11: Veterans Day
Today, I am so thankful for the military veterans who have sacrificed so much for the freedom's I enjoy daily, and to their family. When I think of the military, I feel a sense of patriotism that is hard to describe. On Friday, at Cecily's school, they had a Veteran's Day celebration and veteran's from WWII and on where present. Cecily said that a few of the WWII veteran's cried during the performance and that it really touched her and made her want to cry. I'm so glad to live in this country, even with it's problems, it is still the best place on earth to live, and I will always be grateful for the men and women who have and continue to sacrifice daily to keep it that way!
Day 10
I missed this yesterday, but I am grateful for the fact that I know how to budget and live within a budget. I am thankful that the Lord has taught my family the power of self reliance. This has not always been easy for me, but it truly is a blessing. I remember at one point in my life, wanting fancier and new cars and houses, clothes, vacations etc., but to have a car that runs and gets us to where we need it to take us AND have it payed for means so much more. The other day, the girls saw a fancy Mercedes and they said, "WOW, don't you wish we had a car like that?", and it felt so good to honestly say, "Nope, I'm happy with what I have. That car does the same thing that our car does. It gets us from point A to point B". Mike and I have always tried to live a life that we pay as we go....aside from our house (which if I could pay it off today, I would). I'm thankful we have learned that it is more important to save for rainy days than to spend all of our money having fun (not that we have not been able to have fun on the way, but we don't have fun, if we can't pay the bills). Rainy days have come our way, and will continue to come, I'm sure, but to not have to lay awake at night wondering if we can pay our bills is a HUGE blessing. I give ALL thanks for this blessing to a loving Father in Heaven. I know that paying tithing is a part of this blessing and I have a huge testimony of that.
Friday, November 9, 2012
A month of GRATITUDE and THANKSGIVING
In the past General Conference address, President Monson counseled us all that we would find more joy in life if we could find gratitude in even the smallest blessings (he didn't say it quite like that, but that is how I remember it...so maybe that is what I was suppose to get from it).
Well, a few of my friends on FB started 30 Days of Thanksgiving with each day having them post something they are thankful for. When I saw this, I thought about Pres. Monson's talk and how I often overlook the blessings present in my life each day and really wanted to start recognizing them. I also thought it taking something like 25 days to form a habit (I could be off on the days, but hey November has 30, so I think I'm covered). Wouldn't it be AWESOME to form a habit of gratitude and thanksgiving? I began thinking of all the joy that could come into my life from doing so, am hoping this will help me get there.
I also wanted to begin with recognizing things that are not always obvious b/c it's easy to recognize the things right there, but I wanted to look at both big and small things or small things that really could be counted as big in the right perspective. Ya know what I mean? So, I started posting my days of thankfulness on FB, but I decided to take a hiatus from there...and then thought that I could continue this on my BLOG! So here, I am!
I'll give a short run down on the first 8 days and then end with what I'm thankful for on day 9
Day 1- I am thankful for a washer and dryer
Day 2- Early morning seminary
Day 3-A healthy body
Day 4-The Sabbath Day and the opportunity that it affords me to renew my baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.
Day 5-Knowledge that the Lord is involved in the details of my life. That He has a plan for me. One of my FB friends posted..."Your life may not be the way you intended it to be, but that does not mean it is not how God intended it to be". I loved that and so true.
Day 6-Thankful for the opportunity to exercise my right to vote and for all the men and women who fought and continue to fight for that right.
Day 7-For the prompting and guidance of the Holy Ghost and that I can still recognize Him and have him guide me to know when to make changes in my life.
Day 8-FRIENDSHIP
So what am I thankful for on day 9?
I've started to realize that joy is coming into my life with this b/c once I started to stop and recognize what all I have to be grateful for, it is hard to just chose ONE thing each day! But today, I am thankful that we have a prophet on earth, President Thomas S. Monson. I know he leads and guides Heavenly Father's church, and gives guidance not only to the world, but to me and my family. While listening to the conference talks as I worked out today, I was reminded of something President Monson said in April of 2009, and boy did it give me comfort today, Nov 9 of 2012, and I will leave it with you:
"Be of good cheer. The future is as BRIGHT as YOUR FAITH!"
This came from such a great talk on having hope and faith in times of trouble. Listen to it, or read it. Either way, I promise if you do, you will be on your way to a journey of GRATITUDE and THANKSGIVING.
Here it is: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/be-of-good-cheer?lang=eng#
Well, a few of my friends on FB started 30 Days of Thanksgiving with each day having them post something they are thankful for. When I saw this, I thought about Pres. Monson's talk and how I often overlook the blessings present in my life each day and really wanted to start recognizing them. I also thought it taking something like 25 days to form a habit (I could be off on the days, but hey November has 30, so I think I'm covered). Wouldn't it be AWESOME to form a habit of gratitude and thanksgiving? I began thinking of all the joy that could come into my life from doing so, am hoping this will help me get there.
I also wanted to begin with recognizing things that are not always obvious b/c it's easy to recognize the things right there, but I wanted to look at both big and small things or small things that really could be counted as big in the right perspective. Ya know what I mean? So, I started posting my days of thankfulness on FB, but I decided to take a hiatus from there...and then thought that I could continue this on my BLOG! So here, I am!
I'll give a short run down on the first 8 days and then end with what I'm thankful for on day 9
Day 1- I am thankful for a washer and dryer
Day 2- Early morning seminary
Day 3-A healthy body
Day 4-The Sabbath Day and the opportunity that it affords me to renew my baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.
Day 5-Knowledge that the Lord is involved in the details of my life. That He has a plan for me. One of my FB friends posted..."Your life may not be the way you intended it to be, but that does not mean it is not how God intended it to be". I loved that and so true.
Day 6-Thankful for the opportunity to exercise my right to vote and for all the men and women who fought and continue to fight for that right.
Day 7-For the prompting and guidance of the Holy Ghost and that I can still recognize Him and have him guide me to know when to make changes in my life.
Day 8-FRIENDSHIP
So what am I thankful for on day 9?
I've started to realize that joy is coming into my life with this b/c once I started to stop and recognize what all I have to be grateful for, it is hard to just chose ONE thing each day! But today, I am thankful that we have a prophet on earth, President Thomas S. Monson. I know he leads and guides Heavenly Father's church, and gives guidance not only to the world, but to me and my family. While listening to the conference talks as I worked out today, I was reminded of something President Monson said in April of 2009, and boy did it give me comfort today, Nov 9 of 2012, and I will leave it with you:
"Be of good cheer. The future is as BRIGHT as YOUR FAITH!"
This came from such a great talk on having hope and faith in times of trouble. Listen to it, or read it. Either way, I promise if you do, you will be on your way to a journey of GRATITUDE and THANKSGIVING.
Here it is: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/be-of-good-cheer?lang=eng#
Is it just me...
or does anyone else find it odd that in the technological world when you are prompted to verify that you are a real poster and the website gives you a bunch of letters and numbers to type in before you can do whatever it is you want to do, they ALWAYS seem to make those bunch of numbers and letter pretty impossible to read?
Just now, I was trying to post a comment and up pops the window prompter asking me to type the words in to verify. I can barely read it and it says something like, "If you can't read this click here for a new batch", and the second batch of numbers and letters are even worse. CRAZY!!
So my plea to whoever (or whomever....I've never understood that either. lol) does this, please STOP! You are hurting my head and eyes. It's like you want me to fail. I hate failure. This is suppose to check to see if a real person is on the other end not as to whether or not I can decipher your message! I'm not a spy!
So for me, I would appreciate when a prompt comes up, for it to look like this:
123 EASY AS CAN BE!
or better yet:
U R KOOL #1
Yeah, I like that much better.
Not some twisted h, shadowed by an sideways E.
Thank you!
Just now, I was trying to post a comment and up pops the window prompter asking me to type the words in to verify. I can barely read it and it says something like, "If you can't read this click here for a new batch", and the second batch of numbers and letters are even worse. CRAZY!!
So my plea to whoever (or whomever....I've never understood that either. lol) does this, please STOP! You are hurting my head and eyes. It's like you want me to fail. I hate failure. This is suppose to check to see if a real person is on the other end not as to whether or not I can decipher your message! I'm not a spy!
So for me, I would appreciate when a prompt comes up, for it to look like this:
123 EASY AS CAN BE!
or better yet:
U R KOOL #1
Yeah, I like that much better.
Not some twisted h, shadowed by an sideways E.
Thank you!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
It's Been A LONG while....
So long, in fact, that I just about forgot how to actually post. I had to look around for the "post" button. LOL.
I have been horrible about journaling, and so much has gone on since my last post, that it is pretty much impossible to recount it all, but I was thinking perhaps some of those lower times might not have been so low had I been following the counsel to journal.
Today, Cecily said to me, "Mom, I think you should start blogging again. Get off of facebook, and blog." As the scriptures say, "a small child shall lead them" (I'm not a scriptorian so forgive me when I take things out of context or misquote, but I think I'm close enough that you know what I'm trying to say.
So, I heeded her words and decided to start blogging. I remember when I was blogging before, I really enjoyed it, and I felt like the more I wrote, the better I got and the easier it was to actually write. I hope that happens again.
I'll try to sum up some of our main points in the past week.
1) Hurricane Issac---came and went. A mandatory evacuation was sent out by Gov. Riley last Sunday, so the girls were off of school Monday-Wednesday. The odd thing about the entire event was that the worst weather we experienced was on THURSDAY--the day they went back to school! We were totally blessed in that we had no damage and just a few limbs and lots of leaves in the yard. So grateful. I know some people live for Hurricane parties (yes, I say live. I actually heard several people say they were praying for the Hurricane to come! I say...C-R-A-Z-Y)! I hate Hurricane season, seriously!
2) The girls started back at school on Aug. 20. Can I just say how sad this makes me on so many levels. Ariel started high school at Davidson, and Cecily started middle school Phillips. My babies are seriously growing up and it has made me stop to evaluate my role as a mother and if I have done enough, and also that in a few years time, they will be moving on with their lives...and here I sit.....wondering what to do and go from there. But then a friend sent me a message the other day reminding me that I am doing what I need to be doing NOW--that Heavenly Father has blessed me to be able to be a MOM full time, and that I should stop worrying about what may be tomorrow and live and enjoy today....that is HARD for me, but I am praying that I can do that! I just hope that I can be the best mom and wife to my girls and Mike.
3) SEMINARY!!! Call me a NERD, but I have been so looking forward to Ariel starting seminary! She has always LOVED the scriptures, and shamefully for me, she understands them much better than me too. As excited as I have been, it has not been an easy transition to wake up at 4am each morning along with Ariel to make sure she is there on time at 5:40am! Yes, that is early, but so worth it! I sit on the couch outside of the seminary room and I can't tell you how my heart is full each morning when I hear those dedicated kids (and their dedicated awesome seminary teacher) discuss the scriptures. It really is something special. I have taken this time to do my own scripture study each morning. I think it will be as helpful for me as it is for Ariel....once we get use to our new schedule. :)
Ariel actually has a friend that she made in band that has been asking her about it. Ariel invited her to come and I did too. She LOVES the whole idea of seminary. I just love this girl, seriously. She is a gem, and really a role model for all youth. I have never seen a youth that lives the FTSOY like this girl who is not even a member. It's amazing. I hope she takes us up on the offer and decides to come to seminary.
4) Friday Night Lights! Okay, I'm just now starting to get the meaning of all this! I know I have lived more of my life in the south than in the north now, but I guess when it comes to FOOTBALL, I will just never fully get it....although, I'm understanding a little more. My family has never been into football, and I have honestly counted that as a blessing! LOL.
BUT, that is all about to change! This year, Ariel is in the marching band at her high school. It has pretty much taken over our lives this summer and continues to as school has started! This past Friday night, I did something CRAZY (yes, crazy for me), I signed up to be a band parent chaperone for the game. I actually enjoyed it...not for the game, mind you! I still don't understand, anything really more than a touch down (but don't ask me how many points you get when one does get one b/c I still have no clue...lol). I loved it b/c I was able to get to meet some really great parents who work hard and are trying to be the best parent they can be. They each have different stories to tell..some are single working moms, some are working moms with husbands, and then there are some like me who have dedicated their lives solely to the raising of their children, but we all have a common ground...we LOVE our kids and want the best for them. I saw some of the best kids that night...hard working, kind, uplifting and respectful. It was GREAT. I think I might actually become a football game fan...but not for the football, lol (although hats off to those kids playing...it is HOT, and they are working HARD to win). Ariel actually came home and said, "I actually enjoyed football more than I thought I would, now that I know what is going on!" Please don't become to converted dear child...I've managed for 38 years to keep football off of TV at home and I would like that tradition to continue. :)
Funny story...at band camp, each of the freshman are given an assignment they are responsible for. The first week in the morning, Ariel had the assignment of drawing the chalk lines on the football field. She said she was like, "WHAT?? I don't even know what a 50 yard line is?" I think she may be the only one in marching band clueless about football...not sure that anyone in the south thought that could ever be possible! HA! Luckily, she had some friends to help her out.
5) Bedtime Stories....Last night was the best night ever. Ariel was tired, and decided to go to bed early, and I just felt prompted to go in her room and lay on her bed with her like I did when she was little. We talked, we laughed, we cried...well, not really...well, maybe only me b/c I was caught up in the sweetness of the moment lying there with my sweet, not so little girl, and having real conversation about things that matter, and a few things that are just silly. Cecily came in and joined us at the end, and it was the BEST time I've had in a LONG time with my girls. I will always hold that night dear to my heart! Life is partially about making memories that last even long after kiddos have grown, and that memory will be with me forever. Thankful for special moments in time like that.
Yes, it's been a while, but I've realized life goes on whether we journal it or not...but journaling will allow for these memories to continue on even long after I'm gone and the memories have faded from our lives so that our future loved ones can enjoy it and see a little of who we were. So thanks to Cecily for urging her mom to start writing again. The words did not come as easy or flow as quick across the keyboard, but hopefully it will get better and not be so long until next time....
***Ha! I guess it has been a long time...I just kept hitting the ABC button with a line through it thinking that it was spell check! Then I realized it was strike through...DUH! lol Now off to find spell check!
I have been horrible about journaling, and so much has gone on since my last post, that it is pretty much impossible to recount it all, but I was thinking perhaps some of those lower times might not have been so low had I been following the counsel to journal.
Today, Cecily said to me, "Mom, I think you should start blogging again. Get off of facebook, and blog." As the scriptures say, "a small child shall lead them" (I'm not a scriptorian so forgive me when I take things out of context or misquote, but I think I'm close enough that you know what I'm trying to say.
So, I heeded her words and decided to start blogging. I remember when I was blogging before, I really enjoyed it, and I felt like the more I wrote, the better I got and the easier it was to actually write. I hope that happens again.
I'll try to sum up some of our main points in the past week.
1) Hurricane Issac---came and went. A mandatory evacuation was sent out by Gov. Riley last Sunday, so the girls were off of school Monday-Wednesday. The odd thing about the entire event was that the worst weather we experienced was on THURSDAY--the day they went back to school! We were totally blessed in that we had no damage and just a few limbs and lots of leaves in the yard. So grateful. I know some people live for Hurricane parties (yes, I say live. I actually heard several people say they were praying for the Hurricane to come! I say...C-R-A-Z-Y)! I hate Hurricane season, seriously!
2) The girls started back at school on Aug. 20. Can I just say how sad this makes me on so many levels. Ariel started high school at Davidson, and Cecily started middle school Phillips. My babies are seriously growing up and it has made me stop to evaluate my role as a mother and if I have done enough, and also that in a few years time, they will be moving on with their lives...and here I sit.....wondering what to do and go from there. But then a friend sent me a message the other day reminding me that I am doing what I need to be doing NOW--that Heavenly Father has blessed me to be able to be a MOM full time, and that I should stop worrying about what may be tomorrow and live and enjoy today....that is HARD for me, but I am praying that I can do that! I just hope that I can be the best mom and wife to my girls and Mike.
3) SEMINARY!!! Call me a NERD, but I have been so looking forward to Ariel starting seminary! She has always LOVED the scriptures, and shamefully for me, she understands them much better than me too. As excited as I have been, it has not been an easy transition to wake up at 4am each morning along with Ariel to make sure she is there on time at 5:40am! Yes, that is early, but so worth it! I sit on the couch outside of the seminary room and I can't tell you how my heart is full each morning when I hear those dedicated kids (and their dedicated awesome seminary teacher) discuss the scriptures. It really is something special. I have taken this time to do my own scripture study each morning. I think it will be as helpful for me as it is for Ariel....once we get use to our new schedule. :)
Ariel actually has a friend that she made in band that has been asking her about it. Ariel invited her to come and I did too. She LOVES the whole idea of seminary. I just love this girl, seriously. She is a gem, and really a role model for all youth. I have never seen a youth that lives the FTSOY like this girl who is not even a member. It's amazing. I hope she takes us up on the offer and decides to come to seminary.
4) Friday Night Lights! Okay, I'm just now starting to get the meaning of all this! I know I have lived more of my life in the south than in the north now, but I guess when it comes to FOOTBALL, I will just never fully get it....although, I'm understanding a little more. My family has never been into football, and I have honestly counted that as a blessing! LOL.
BUT, that is all about to change! This year, Ariel is in the marching band at her high school. It has pretty much taken over our lives this summer and continues to as school has started! This past Friday night, I did something CRAZY (yes, crazy for me), I signed up to be a band parent chaperone for the game. I actually enjoyed it...not for the game, mind you! I still don't understand, anything really more than a touch down (but don't ask me how many points you get when one does get one b/c I still have no clue...lol). I loved it b/c I was able to get to meet some really great parents who work hard and are trying to be the best parent they can be. They each have different stories to tell..some are single working moms, some are working moms with husbands, and then there are some like me who have dedicated their lives solely to the raising of their children, but we all have a common ground...we LOVE our kids and want the best for them. I saw some of the best kids that night...hard working, kind, uplifting and respectful. It was GREAT. I think I might actually become a football game fan...but not for the football, lol (although hats off to those kids playing...it is HOT, and they are working HARD to win). Ariel actually came home and said, "I actually enjoyed football more than I thought I would, now that I know what is going on!" Please don't become to converted dear child...I've managed for 38 years to keep football off of TV at home and I would like that tradition to continue. :)
Funny story...at band camp, each of the freshman are given an assignment they are responsible for. The first week in the morning, Ariel had the assignment of drawing the chalk lines on the football field. She said she was like, "WHAT?? I don't even know what a 50 yard line is?" I think she may be the only one in marching band clueless about football...not sure that anyone in the south thought that could ever be possible! HA! Luckily, she had some friends to help her out.
5) Bedtime Stories....Last night was the best night ever. Ariel was tired, and decided to go to bed early, and I just felt prompted to go in her room and lay on her bed with her like I did when she was little. We talked, we laughed, we cried...well, not really...well, maybe only me b/c I was caught up in the sweetness of the moment lying there with my sweet, not so little girl, and having real conversation about things that matter, and a few things that are just silly. Cecily came in and joined us at the end, and it was the BEST time I've had in a LONG time with my girls. I will always hold that night dear to my heart! Life is partially about making memories that last even long after kiddos have grown, and that memory will be with me forever. Thankful for special moments in time like that.
Yes, it's been a while, but I've realized life goes on whether we journal it or not...but journaling will allow for these memories to continue on even long after I'm gone and the memories have faded from our lives so that our future loved ones can enjoy it and see a little of who we were. So thanks to Cecily for urging her mom to start writing again. The words did not come as easy or flow as quick across the keyboard, but hopefully it will get better and not be so long until next time....
***Ha! I guess it has been a long time...I just kept hitting the ABC button with a line through it thinking that it was spell check! Then I realized it was strike through...DUH! lol Now off to find spell check!
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