We watched the movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." It's a movie about the Holocaust. Very sad, but very inspiring to us. We watched it for our date night and it led to an excellent discussion about what to do with our future. Seeing movies likes this helps us put life in perspective. We become much more grateful for all the comforts we enjoy. It helps us think of ways we can make more of a difference to those around us and ponder if we are spending our time as wisely as we can.
I find that as a mother, I don't get too down on myself. I'm far from perfect and I always have lots of things to work on but the fact that I get to be home with my kids, all year and all the time, makes me feel like I'm contributing to a better world. As long as I'm trying my best to raise these kids the best I can and the way Heavenly Father wants me to, I'm on the right track. Think about this moms and remember how important you are!
6 of us!
7.19.2010
a 2nd post to inspiration
I read "As A Man Thinketh" by James Allen. It helped me look within and really think about where I'm at and who I want to become and ways I can get to where I want to be.
Here are some favorite quotes for the 5o page book:
"Man is made or unmade by himself."
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound."
"Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment."
"Thought allied fearlessly to purpose becomes creative force."
"Your vision is the promise of what shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."
Here are some favorite quotes for the 5o page book:
"Man is made or unmade by himself."
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound."
"Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment."
"Thought allied fearlessly to purpose becomes creative force."
"Your vision is the promise of what shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."
inspiring quotes
I've read a few things recently that have inspired me. I'll share.
This one is from Music and the Spoken Word, yesterday, I think...
It's interesting how two people can approach similar circumstances with entirely different outlooks. The optimist tries to look on the bright side, believes that good days are ahead, and holds on to the hope that things will get better. The pessimist sees dark rain clouds even on sunny days and believes that the best has passed him by.
There's no question whom we'd rather be around. As one commentator writes: "Optimists . . . make life better just by being part of it. They enjoy people, places and things. Their enthusiasm is contagious. . . . The greatest gift anyone can give another is a positive attitude, a smile and genuine interest. Some claim the only person you can change is yourself. Not true! You can and do change everyone with whom you come in contact. The question is whether you add to or subtract from the day's experience."
Some people seem to have more hopeful dispositions, more natural cheerfulness, and more affirmative expectations. But most of us are not always the optimist or always the pessimist. There's probably a little bit of both in all of us. We'd like to be the optimist more often, but depending on the day, the weather, the aches and pains, the disappointments and challenges we face, that can be harder than it sounds.
Even during our difficult moments, however, we can decide to be happier, more positive today than we may have been yesterday. Optimism is learned; we can practice and work at it until it becomes a habit. We can talk to ourselves and others in more upbeat ways, look for the bright side, and resolve to be more optimistic. When we do, our optimism is a gift not only to ourselves but to everyone around us.
This one is from Music and the Spoken Word, yesterday, I think...
It's interesting how two people can approach similar circumstances with entirely different outlooks. The optimist tries to look on the bright side, believes that good days are ahead, and holds on to the hope that things will get better. The pessimist sees dark rain clouds even on sunny days and believes that the best has passed him by.
There's no question whom we'd rather be around. As one commentator writes: "Optimists . . . make life better just by being part of it. They enjoy people, places and things. Their enthusiasm is contagious. . . . The greatest gift anyone can give another is a positive attitude, a smile and genuine interest. Some claim the only person you can change is yourself. Not true! You can and do change everyone with whom you come in contact. The question is whether you add to or subtract from the day's experience."
Some people seem to have more hopeful dispositions, more natural cheerfulness, and more affirmative expectations. But most of us are not always the optimist or always the pessimist. There's probably a little bit of both in all of us. We'd like to be the optimist more often, but depending on the day, the weather, the aches and pains, the disappointments and challenges we face, that can be harder than it sounds.
Even during our difficult moments, however, we can decide to be happier, more positive today than we may have been yesterday. Optimism is learned; we can practice and work at it until it becomes a habit. We can talk to ourselves and others in more upbeat ways, look for the bright side, and resolve to be more optimistic. When we do, our optimism is a gift not only to ourselves but to everyone around us.
7.18.2010
RAIN...and thoughts
I feel like singing the song, "rain, rain, go away, come again another day" but it has been so nice to not have to water our garden or grass. This week, we had a huge amount of rain. To help us not go stir crazy, Whitney and I took the kiddos to see Toy Story 3. It was good. In fact, I liked it better than the first one. The kids loved it. It was a real treat for us as we hardly ever do things like that.
I LOVE having my sister-in-law Whitney living with us. It is so much fun. She and I have been exercising regularly and having a great time. Since this last stint I've been on, I can actually "see" progress being made. I don't know if I've lost weight, I don't like scales, but I can see something different in my shape. Finally! I plan to keep it up. I am loving the variety that we are doing, some cardio, some weights, some flexibility ie. pilates/yoga.
Exercising isn't been the only fun thing about Whitney. She cooks dinner for me periodically, babysits, gives comfort, a listening ear, and brightens our home with her happy, engaged self. I'm going to miss her more than anyone here at this house. We only have one week left and then she is off to southern Alberta to finish planning her wedding that is at the end of August.
We finished moving rocks off our front yard area, finally! I don't really want to know how many hours we have put into that job. I'm extremely grateful that it is done and we can move onto something else.
I'm not sure I mentioned that I'm in the primary presidency now. I love it. I was so grateful for the Lord's help today in giving a sharing time that I found out about yesterday. The counselor in charge became ill. We talked about the story of Nephi breaking his bow and related principles taught to loving others and serving, following the commandments, etc. I was really impressed with the senior primary. We made up a new verse to "Nephi's Courage."
Random thoughts. I know my mother-in-law reads this so this is mostly for her... Does anyone else read it?
I LOVE having my sister-in-law Whitney living with us. It is so much fun. She and I have been exercising regularly and having a great time. Since this last stint I've been on, I can actually "see" progress being made. I don't know if I've lost weight, I don't like scales, but I can see something different in my shape. Finally! I plan to keep it up. I am loving the variety that we are doing, some cardio, some weights, some flexibility ie. pilates/yoga.
Exercising isn't been the only fun thing about Whitney. She cooks dinner for me periodically, babysits, gives comfort, a listening ear, and brightens our home with her happy, engaged self. I'm going to miss her more than anyone here at this house. We only have one week left and then she is off to southern Alberta to finish planning her wedding that is at the end of August.
We finished moving rocks off our front yard area, finally! I don't really want to know how many hours we have put into that job. I'm extremely grateful that it is done and we can move onto something else.
I'm not sure I mentioned that I'm in the primary presidency now. I love it. I was so grateful for the Lord's help today in giving a sharing time that I found out about yesterday. The counselor in charge became ill. We talked about the story of Nephi breaking his bow and related principles taught to loving others and serving, following the commandments, etc. I was really impressed with the senior primary. We made up a new verse to "Nephi's Courage."
Random thoughts. I know my mother-in-law reads this so this is mostly for her... Does anyone else read it?
7.07.2010
What we've been up to
I guess Canada Day is first! We had a really fun ward party and Brynn invited our neighbors to come. They have two girls that are fun to play with. It was great.
A crazy attempt at flag cookies. They tasted delicious.
A crazy attempt at flag cookies. They tasted delicious.
I have pretty much disappeared. Lots of projects going on around here. Moving rock, planting garden, playing, enjoying some nice weather, ripping out flooring due to broken washing machine that leaked. (only minor damage).
The first few are of the kids playing the hat game or some people call it scum. My sister-in-law has a really great collection.
Macy was crying at my door one day while I was having some quiet time. She was more tired than I realized and fell asleep in the hall outside my door.
Petting zoo for the Beaumont Daze. Bunnies, wombat, goats, turkeys, guinea pigs. the kids loved it and we had our niece Kali with us to enjoy it all.
You have to blow up this picture to see why I took it. Macy really wanting her shorts under her swimsuit yesterday. So I let her.
"New" washer and dryer. They work so great! They are much quieter than my old ones and I'm pretty sure we can put our closet doors back on.
After not having laundry machines for 10 or 11 days, I was never so excited to do my pile of laundry. It doesn't look like much but what I did do, took me most of the day, before dinner.
Happy 4th of July! This was so yummy. I'm addicted to angel food cake. I mixed whipped cream with vanilla yogurt and topped it with blueberries and strawberries. We even had 50 blueberries on there.
Our garden. I'm so happy with how it is growing, even though we've had tons of rain storms, wind, and some hail. Lots of tomatoes, peppers, hopefully peas and beans will give us something one day. My spinach is doing the best. I've harvested several times already and it is so yummy. The kids like it too. I love fresh stuff.
Macy was crying at my door one day while I was having some quiet time. She was more tired than I realized and fell asleep in the hall outside my door.
Petting zoo for the Beaumont Daze. Bunnies, wombat, goats, turkeys, guinea pigs. the kids loved it and we had our niece Kali with us to enjoy it all.
You have to blow up this picture to see why I took it. Macy really wanting her shorts under her swimsuit yesterday. So I let her.
"New" washer and dryer. They work so great! They are much quieter than my old ones and I'm pretty sure we can put our closet doors back on.
After not having laundry machines for 10 or 11 days, I was never so excited to do my pile of laundry. It doesn't look like much but what I did do, took me most of the day, before dinner.
Happy 4th of July! This was so yummy. I'm addicted to angel food cake. I mixed whipped cream with vanilla yogurt and topped it with blueberries and strawberries. We even had 50 blueberries on there.
Our garden. I'm so happy with how it is growing, even though we've had tons of rain storms, wind, and some hail. Lots of tomatoes, peppers, hopefully peas and beans will give us something one day. My spinach is doing the best. I've harvested several times already and it is so yummy. The kids like it too. I love fresh stuff.
Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God
Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God
This is excellent. We all need reminders and encouragement that being a mom is important, challenging, rewarding, and a divine calling and that Heavenly Father will help us if we will rely on Him.
This is excellent. We all need reminders and encouragement that being a mom is important, challenging, rewarding, and a divine calling and that Heavenly Father will help us if we will rely on Him.
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