1/30/09

Blessings

So here I sit on this beautiful, sunny Friday morning. My boys have gone to school, the girls are upstairs playing and I am finally able to have some yummy waffles. As I sit here pondering what my menu is going to be for the next 2 weeks, writing things down for my grocery list, I decide to call a friend and get recipe . I catch her on her way to school. She is subbing for her girl's class. Now I know that the reason I called was to get a recipe, but that wasn't even mentioned. Instead the topics of our conversation, between all the tears were: my plumbing for the second time is backed up and the toilet water is coming up the tub pipes; someone broke into my car (in the middle of the day, while I'm home, I might add) costing me $800;  I haven't been able to make my house payment for the past 2 months so who knows how much longer I will have a home to live in; I'm barely able to pay my other bills and I just don't feel good.  And on top of all that, she is a single parent of 2 girls. All I can do shake my head in disbelief. I'm not kidding when I say this friend has been through it all and even in her darkest hour still finds the faith to say, and I think BELIEVE, that everything will work out - that God will make everything work out.  Even though she is not a member, she has been one to help strengthen my testimony in ways she may never understand. She is an amazing example and I love her.

So, today I will clean my house, wash my 5-6 batches of clothes, put away my groceries and clean up after little messes left throughout the day from many little people and thank my Heavenly Father that I can because I've been blessed. 

Thought for the day:   Thank you for the sky so blue, thank you for the green grass, too.
Thank you for the birds that sing; thank you, Lord, for everything.  

1/29/09

Try #2 -What's for dinner

Can you tell I have little people that like to push buttons?

Anywho - so I'm in our ward canning club. They all decide they want to try and bottle chicken and since I have a friend that works at Shamrock, I tell everyone that I can get it at a wonderful price. So after taking  orders for 3 weeks want to know the final count? Try 480 POUNDS!!!! I couldn't believe. The whole process actually went relatively smoothly but all I can say is I don't think I will ever be able to look at chicken the same for a long time. That's a lot of chicken, dang it! I was, however, very happy for all the sisters in my ward that were able to benefit from doing a little food storage. Most of them had never bottled meat so it was a fun experience. 

So I was reading in the Ensign the other day and had a "truth bumps" moment, as my good friend calls them. It was a quote form Elder Dallin H. Oaks and he was speaking on the Prophet Joseph Smith. He said:

"....The Prophet  Joseph Smith had no role models from whom he could learn how to be a prophet and leader of the Lord's people. He learned from heavenly messengers and from the harvest of his unique spiritual gifts. He had to rely on associates who had no role models either. They struggled and learned together, and the Prophet's growth was extremely rapid."

Our prophet didn't have anyone to look to for an example on how to be a prophet. And his friends? Neither did they. I wonder how carefully Joseph chose his friends. I'm sure he didn't "hang out" with just anybody. His choices were deliberate and prayerful. As I read this I thought about my own kids and the friends they choose. Gosh, it's hard enough just feeling accepted let alone trying to reason whether or not some kid is someone you want to make a true friend.  I love the quote by President Hinckley were he encourages us to surround ourselves with people who bring out the best that is within us. I then thought about my choice of friends and all I have to say is I've been blessed. 

Thought for the day:  My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.   Henry Ford

What's for dinner?

1/25/09

I love Sunday afternoons

Yes it has been longer than a week - I realize that. I suppose I just need to get the idea that I can only post if I have a picture or two out of my head. I guess if everyone enjoys reading my blog as much as I do theirs, it isn't really that big of a deal.
So these past few weeks have been b-u-s-y! Mom was able to visit for a couple of weeks spaced out between my house, Jen's, Launi's and Jaris's. And boy did we have a ball. Between the dreaded flu bug (which included throwing up, on, over, near, between, under, through and in the boy's bunk beads-and I'm not kidding) ear infections, trips to urgent care and antibiotics for kids and Mom alike we had quite the time. And even though we did have some yucky moments, there were some great times too. Like the girls breakfast we had at a quaint little farmers market. We felt like we were in the back of Granonie's house in California -not at all in the booming metropolis of Phoenix. It was a peacefully quiet, sunny morning with a slight breeze and only the sound of chirping birds and friends laughing and visiting. Mikayla ordered an amazing Belgium waffle with strawberries and whipped cream - the best I've ever tasted. Mom had a maple bread pudding that was more like dessert and I opted for the veggie omelet that included purple onion, zucchini, cauliflower (that they grew right there)  and a scrumptious green sauce with goat cheese. Can I just tell you, I would eat there everyday if I could. It was lovely! When we finished our brunch, we walked around the farm and looked at all the beautiful vegetables they had growing in their gardens and what an incredible compost! I am in the process of planting my own garden using some homemade compost and I was so impressed- or should I say GREEN with envy. :) They also had a little shop where art students from ASU could come and display their work. The resident artist for that week was a lady that worked in textiles and wanted to somehow incorporate her work into the community and the outdoors. The month prior she had a community open-house where she invited people young and old to come and knit/crochet blocks to be pieced together into a quilt. Then, with those quilts she took them to this farm and literally wrapped them around some of the huge oak trees they have growing there. They looked like huge tree warmers. Each tree had a theme and I thought they were beautiful. I will go back and see if I can take some photos.
And then to top it off, for those of you who don't know, Dallin and Mikayla are raising money to go to DC with Mom and Dad in May. So, to begin the great endeavor they decided to have a bake sale at the park on Monday the 19th- Martin Luther King day. It was a day we anticipated having the park full of people - mostly kids wanted a treat. So being the wonder-woman Mom is we stayed up making her incredible rice crispy treats (with her special ingredient), peanut butter and snickerdoodle cookies. And thank you to Jaris and Launi for your help. I couldn't have done it without them. I'm sure you all know how these "kid" projects turn out. It's more like "mom, grandma, aunt, dad and anyone else Mom can find to help" projects. It was a good experience. 
So my next big project? Since I really don't have that much to do -ya, right- other than planning a family reunion,  Matt and I are doing some family room renovating. It's like this - we have one more child than room and we need some space for an office. And since we have a front room we just aren't using, why not make it smaller and put in an office? I'm actually very excited so I'll be sure to post some pictures. 
Have you all fallen asleep yet? Maybe this post was more for me than you. It's nice to have what I've been doing written down somewhere. One day I will look back and be glad I took the time, right?  xoxox to all!  Me

Thought for the day:   The more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.  -Vincent van Gogh 

1/14/09

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear

So just the other day a good friend of mine came over for a visit. During the conversation she invited me to a preparedness fireside that she was having that night in her stake, which happened to be my old stake. Can I just tell you, I was not even prepared for what I heard. The speaker's name was Wendy Dewitt and she was phenomenal! I left feeling so empowered you can bet in no more than 4 months I WILL have my years  food storage supply for my whole family. People! This is so doable! Everything she gave us was so detailed and exciting. With her program you could be having shepard's pie, sweet and sour chicken, chicken alfredo, apple crisp, brownies, chocolate chip cookies - even bottled citrus (which I am dying to try).  She gave us a booklet with all the references and resources that we need to do everything down to the last teaspoon of salt. For those of you who are interested her website is:  everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com. Take a look and I know you'll be glad you did. 

Thought for the day:  A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people promptly announces she never did care for pie.  Tenneva Jordan

Don't you love being a mom?

1/10/09

Hooray for Saturday!

Today I will be spending the day with friends. No cleaning, washing, drying, mowing, vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing, or wiping - other than Ellie's bum. No, today is a day that has been long over due. Mikayla, Ellie and I will be sharing a play date with our dear friends Tanya, Talia and Tianna. These are friends of ours that were our neighbors at our last home. They are some of our best friends and we love being at their home. Plans? For now it will be eating great food, rearranging furniture and just getting caught up on each others lives. Something I have missed. So, to all who still have Saturday chores to do I have one word for you - DON'T! Instead call up a friend and go to brunch at some fantastic little farmers market or if you are lucky enough to live where snow is a frequent visitor this time of year, go warm up, catch up and enjoy the moment over a warm cup of cocoa. xoxoxo to all!

Thought for the day: What not to do - worry. As my mom has told me, worry is like rocking in a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. :)

1/8/09

Okay - So here I go!

Happy New Year to you and to me too! My motto for this year - 2009 is mine! I now take ownership of myself and my decisions. You see for too long I have been listening to all those ugly little negative voices in my head and I'm just now realizing that I do not like where it has taken me. Don't get me wrong. I feel extremely blessed in every area of my life, but I feel like I've just been coasting on good and like President Hinckley always said - we need to be better! So, bare with me while I brain storm a bit. 

How-I-will-be-better-not-just-your-normal-new-year's-resolutions-list! WHEW!

1. LIVE ON PURPOSE!
2. Find joy in the little things.
3. Don't be so hard on myself.
4. Send more little notes.
5. Make more calls to family.
6. Develop my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior through scriptures and personal prayer.
7. Look for the good in others and build on that.
8. Exercise everyday for at least 1 hour.
9. Cook and eat healthy for myself and for my family.
10. Read a good book every month.
11. Read the Ensign every month.
12.  Post at least once a week on my blog.
13. Take time to stop and listening when someone-especially my little people-need to talk. There are so many things that can wait and body language says so much.
14. Put me back on the list.
15. Have date night with Matt.
16. Have date night with my kids.
17. Bake more bread.
18. Eat more cookies! -Especially the wheat chocolate chip ones.
19. Compliment not criticize.
20. Seek and pray for opportunities to share the gospel.
21. Serve more with my family.
22. Reduce piles.
23. Have bake sales with my kids.
24. Go to the park more.
25. Say "no" less.
26. Love my life!

So there you have it. A few of the things that have been on my mind and things that I want to see happen in my life.  And good luck to you and all your ambitious endeavors. I love you all! Thanks for the patience and encouragement with this blog thing. I'll get there. xoxo to all!

Thought for the day:  Find a way or make a way - Get up now and seize the day!

1/7/09

A few more pictures of my little world.





I think I'm getting the hang of this. Thanks for your help Jen.

1/6/09

Happy New Year!

We finally did it. After I don't know how long we finally got a serious family picture taken. I have been meaning to send them out with our Christmas letter but decided that I just shouldn't wait any longer.  So - here it is. Enjoy. And as far as resolutions are concerned, my number one is........... post. I will be doing more of it. xoxoxo to all -Lindy