I've been thinking lately about what makes people happy. Sometimes I feel a little down, a little guilty that I'm not everything I should be. There are some things people think I should be, but I'm coming to realize I don't want to be that way and that's why I am the way I am. Does that make any sense? Anyway, I thought, instead of focusing on the negative today, I want to focus on positive things, so I started writing down all the things that make me happy today. Feel free to add your own happy moments.
disclaimer: There are plenty of moments when I fall short of what I should be, but I'm only listing the times when things are right with the world.
Things that make me happy:
1. Running this morning while listening to a talk Elder Uchtdorf gave about creating something beautiful and finding joy in serving.
2. Singing "Twinkle" about 20 times yesterday to Ammon in the car.
3. Watching Ammon make new friends at Preschool and bringing projects home and being so proud of them.
4. Having my kids come to me for comfort when they are hurt, sad or afraid
5. Knowing where my kids are and trusting that they are making good choices.
6. Reading a good book.
7. Having a clean bathroom.
8. Having a clean kitchen.
9. Talking to my brother about his life and feeling like he likes to be around me.
10. A husband who runs errands for me with little complaint.
11. Playing with Aaron and almost getting him to smile at me.
That's so far today. Hopefully, I'll add a few more before the day is through.
We had a combined Relief Society/Priesthood meeting on Sunday. Our High Councilman taught the lesson. It was about being your brother's keeper. It really touched my heart and made me think a lot about how I can be my brother's keeper. He told a story about when he worked for the church in some capacity. There was an award given every year to someone in the organization, named after the Prophet. He was able to accompany the winner of the award to the Church Office Building to meet with the Prophet. The winner with his family would be able to visit with the Prophet for about 15 minutes and receive their award. When President Monson became the President, things were a little different. A stake President from Idaho Falls had won the award. He brought his 6 daughters and his wife to accept the award. They were all waiting in a board room visiting when Pres. Monson walked in. They all stood and shook his hand. He was very attentive to them and especially to this brother's youngest 8-year-old daughter. After the 15 minute interview, the family was overwhelmed by his kindness and just as Pres. Monson was leaving he turned around and said, "Would you like to see my office?" Of course they thought that would be great, so he took them into his office and showed them several things in his office that were special to him and explained them to the family. As they were leaving his office, Pres. Monson said, "Would you like to see my Secretary's office?" At this, the family was overcome. The stake president, took Pres. Monson's arm and said "President Monson, we know you are so busy and have so many things to do today. We have seen so much today and we've been so blessed to have your time for so long. We can go now." They had promised Pres. Monson and his secretary that they would only take 15 minutes and the Secretary was getting a little nervous because he knew what kind of schedule the Prophet had. President Monson took this good brother by the arm and looked into his eyes and with a very serious voice said, "Brother, I know exactly what my priorities are." Pres. Monson then proceeded to show the little 8-year-old girl how to work the nutcracker outside his office that was shaped like Joseph Smith. He spent 50-60 minutes with this family that day.
This story really touched me. I wonder if I know what my priorities are?
This blog started so many years ago! I forgot I even had it. Here we go again a decade later still trying to raise 5 monkeys and a princess and adding 2 grandchildren to the mix!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Fun Friends from Holland
We spent a week with the Tenthofs a week ago. This was our staycation this summer and we had a great time showing them some of the wonders of our neighborhood. Enjoy the slideshow.
If you want to download any of the pictures, click here
If you want to download any of the pictures, click here
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Taking a snooze
This is a typical thing for Ammon. Around 5:00pm, he comes in from a hard day's play, takes off his clothes and falls asleep anywhere he finds a spot. Today, it was in the middle of the hall. I thought I'd censor a little, but you get the picture.
4th of July
We had a great time in Idaho with my family for the 4th. We spent the entire day playing on a giant blow-up slide my brother, Brett and his family brought for us to play with. If you would like to view the whole album, click here
On our way up to Idaho, we did something I've wanted to do for a very long time. We actually stopped at the Hill Air Force Base Museum. We had a great time. They had an Activity Center that the kids in particular liked. They were able to simulate flying with flight suits and everything. There were all kinds of interactive games to play and teachers to talk to about flying. Very interesting.
On our way up to Idaho, we did something I've wanted to do for a very long time. We actually stopped at the Hill Air Force Base Museum. We had a great time. They had an Activity Center that the kids in particular liked. They were able to simulate flying with flight suits and everything. There were all kinds of interactive games to play and teachers to talk to about flying. Very interesting.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Gardening
It's been so long since I've updated. I can't believe Aaron will be 2 months old tomorrow. It goes by so quickly. I'm enjoying him and trying to catch him with a smile on. He doesn't give them to me real often and I haven't had a camera ready at the right times. I'm sure I'll catch it sometime and send it on to everyone. He's doing really well and is cuter than ever.
We bought a truck yesterday. Yes, now I really feel like a "Highland Hick". There are just so many times we have wished we'd have one so we just decided to get one. It's huge! I'm going to have to get used to being up so high again. It's been a while since I've driven a suburban. It will be nice to be able to haul things though. The kids love it. Robert thinks this means we can get 4 wheelers now. Not sure on that one yet. I'm thinking landscaping bricks and playhouse for the kids.
I've been working a lot on our yard lately. It's starting to look better. We planted a couple of trees in the front and have a plum, pear, apple and peach tree in the back as well as a couple of planter boxes filled with vegetables. Not much is growing yet, but I'm hoping some good warm weather will start them growing soon. I've had some pretty amazing lessons. We've got some great gardeners in our neighborhood. Here's what I got from my Perennials lesson:
Bloom times:
March - Crocus, Daffodil
April - Daffodil, Tulip, Aubretia, Arabis
May - Tulip, Aubretia, Arabis, Potentilla, Iris, Rose, Gernium, Poppy, Salvia
June - Potentilla, Iris, Rose, Gernanium, Salvia, Sage, Campanula, Daylily
July - Potentilla, Rose, Geranium, Sage, Campanula, Daylily, Chrysanthemum
August - Rose, Salvia, Sage, Campannula, Daylily, Aster, Chrysanthemum
September - Rose, Salvia, Campanula, Daylily, Aster, Chrysanthemum
Tulip - "Darwin" or "Emperor" recommended. They seem to be the longest blooming and best repeat over the years (red, pink and yellow)
Aubretia - pink or purple ground cover. Spreads but not too invasive.
Arabis - pink, white or purple ground cover. Spreads but not too invasive
Potentilla - small shrub - 2-3 ft. Blooms May-August. Yellow single flowers. Gold Star is the best
Rose - "Knockout Red Blooms" Other varieties of Knockout aren't quite as good
Salvia - "May Night" is the best abt. 2 ft Purple-blue. May-June; recurs if you shear it
Geranium, perennial - blue 18-inch mound
California Poppy - many colors. Big and bushy, but they die back so you can see other plants
Russian Sage - shrub 2-4 feet. Purple.
Campanula carpatica - different colors "Blue Clips" is the best ground cover.
Daylily - many colors, but the yellow "Stella D'Oro is the best for reblooming.
Chrysanthemum - has big flowers the first year, smaller in subsequent years.
Aster - Many colors, sizes. Check size carefully, some are quite tall
She also suggested keeping a photo journal of the garden. She had all sorts of spreadsheets and pictures on the computer of different varieties so she could keep track of what worked and what didn't. She also said when things get overgrown to dig it up and separate the clumps and replant. She also recommended pruning after the plant has flowered unless it will bloom in the fall, then you should prune in the spring.
The best book for gardeners is "The Western Garden Book". Another resource is the University of Connecticut Plant Database. You can google this. In Provo, there is a gardeners resource in the basement of the County building next to the 4-H office. It's called the University of Utah Extension and there are all sorts of pamphlets and booklets about this area in particular. They also have a website where you can get a lot of information. Just google University of Utah extension gardening.
Well, if you can't tell, I'm really enjoying being in a home that we can do something about. It's fun to get everyone outside working together too. Kyle actually likes pulling weeds for the time being. In fact, all the boys don't mind it. Ashlee hates me, she says, but oh well. I'm sure it will only get worse for a little while.
We bought a truck yesterday. Yes, now I really feel like a "Highland Hick". There are just so many times we have wished we'd have one so we just decided to get one. It's huge! I'm going to have to get used to being up so high again. It's been a while since I've driven a suburban. It will be nice to be able to haul things though. The kids love it. Robert thinks this means we can get 4 wheelers now. Not sure on that one yet. I'm thinking landscaping bricks and playhouse for the kids.
I've been working a lot on our yard lately. It's starting to look better. We planted a couple of trees in the front and have a plum, pear, apple and peach tree in the back as well as a couple of planter boxes filled with vegetables. Not much is growing yet, but I'm hoping some good warm weather will start them growing soon. I've had some pretty amazing lessons. We've got some great gardeners in our neighborhood. Here's what I got from my Perennials lesson:
Bloom times:
March - Crocus, Daffodil
April - Daffodil, Tulip, Aubretia, Arabis
May - Tulip, Aubretia, Arabis, Potentilla, Iris, Rose, Gernium, Poppy, Salvia
June - Potentilla, Iris, Rose, Gernanium, Salvia, Sage, Campanula, Daylily
July - Potentilla, Rose, Geranium, Sage, Campanula, Daylily, Chrysanthemum
August - Rose, Salvia, Sage, Campannula, Daylily, Aster, Chrysanthemum
September - Rose, Salvia, Campanula, Daylily, Aster, Chrysanthemum
Tulip - "Darwin" or "Emperor" recommended. They seem to be the longest blooming and best repeat over the years (red, pink and yellow)
Aubretia - pink or purple ground cover. Spreads but not too invasive.
Arabis - pink, white or purple ground cover. Spreads but not too invasive
Potentilla - small shrub - 2-3 ft. Blooms May-August. Yellow single flowers. Gold Star is the best
Rose - "Knockout Red Blooms" Other varieties of Knockout aren't quite as good
Salvia - "May Night" is the best abt. 2 ft Purple-blue. May-June; recurs if you shear it
Geranium, perennial - blue 18-inch mound
California Poppy - many colors. Big and bushy, but they die back so you can see other plants
Russian Sage - shrub 2-4 feet. Purple.
Campanula carpatica - different colors "Blue Clips" is the best ground cover.
Daylily - many colors, but the yellow "Stella D'Oro is the best for reblooming.
Chrysanthemum - has big flowers the first year, smaller in subsequent years.
Aster - Many colors, sizes. Check size carefully, some are quite tall
She also suggested keeping a photo journal of the garden. She had all sorts of spreadsheets and pictures on the computer of different varieties so she could keep track of what worked and what didn't. She also said when things get overgrown to dig it up and separate the clumps and replant. She also recommended pruning after the plant has flowered unless it will bloom in the fall, then you should prune in the spring.
The best book for gardeners is "The Western Garden Book". Another resource is the University of Connecticut Plant Database. You can google this. In Provo, there is a gardeners resource in the basement of the County building next to the 4-H office. It's called the University of Utah Extension and there are all sorts of pamphlets and booklets about this area in particular. They also have a website where you can get a lot of information. Just google University of Utah extension gardening.
Well, if you can't tell, I'm really enjoying being in a home that we can do something about. It's fun to get everyone outside working together too. Kyle actually likes pulling weeds for the time being. In fact, all the boys don't mind it. Ashlee hates me, she says, but oh well. I'm sure it will only get worse for a little while.
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