Windows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbFiB7oiQs4

How many times I have been this woman. Being humbled hurts sometimes.

Reflections

Life presents us with different things, stumbling blocks that can be turned to stepping stones. Friends, family and individuals who help shape and mold us into the desired potential that God sees in us. Only We have to let him and be willing to have His assistance.

Looking back at when I was a kid I have two stories that make this point. When I was about 7 or 8 I had a favorite outfit. My pants were polyester and red and my shirt was pink with white and gray seagulls on the front. The minute this out fit came out of the dryer I would trow it on. My dear mother tried to tell me as kindly as she could that I ought to ware a different top, or, hey! These jeans would look cute with that shirt! No matter, I loved the combo and ignored her suggestions.

On one particular day I was playing with a cousin I looked up too and admired. I still do. On this day I remember her saying; "What would posses you to put that outfit together? It is the ugliest thing I have ever seen! Red and pink do not go together." She was right! why had I not noticed this before? After that My mother was a bit more knowing when it came to dress as well.

All growing up I had a crush on this young man. He knew the scriptures forward and backwards, inside and out. Because he was so knowledgeable I felt this deep need to be better than him at scripture chases, and such. Because of that desire I tried to read the Bible when I turned 8(some of the words threw me for a loop). I studied the scriptures for primary activities and later seminary just so I wouldn't be shown up by this boy. It became almost a competition for me. Thanks to knowing this boy I grew to love the scriptures, the Savior and His gospel. I have a lot to thank him for. Our Senior year of high school he thanked me for being the example and wished that he could have been a greater one for me.

There continue to be people who influence my life. I am thankful for them and the many I have yet to meet.

Money

Money. Who wants it? Everyone, it seems like no matter how much we have though it never seems to be enough. As I was pondering about this topic this morning, I thought "You can buy anything with money." But then I began to think on that and realized what an untruth that is.

Here are things I thought of you can not buy with money:

Another's trust. It can't be purchased with money, it can only be gained through one's actions and it is fragile.

Another's love. True love, pure love is not purchased with money. It is purchased with serving, being there when others leave, simply being a stable and trusted being. I realize that affection can be purchased, but as easily as it is purchased, it is thrown away. That is where individuals begin to lose sight of their true self worth...one of Satan's greatest tools.

Character. This is once again something built up over periods of time, and can easily be destroyed.

With money you can buy armies to destroy, even people. However money does not take away others identities with God. It can not buy you into heaven. It can not buy true happiness, only temporal pleasure. Money can not change any truth. These are just a few of my thoughts this morning.

Just Another Day...and LIfe is Good!

I am getting SO excited! A friend of mine has helped me organize my craft room and I am stoked to start creating! Yesterday I did my first mini project. My little guy decided to tear several of my shelves apart for me. That was a little disheartening. I guess we will have to do things during nap time for a while, or when Dad is home and I can close a door somewhere. Or, if I can find one of those expandable child-gates somewhere...I might be onto something!

Also, my little man has decided he is ready to potty train!!!(Loud aplause and cheers are more than welcome to hear!) This Mama is a happy mama! *wink* He is more on top of it than his sister...who by the way is doing better and will someday have it perfected I am possitive! Through an experience of his own, he has decided it is a good idea to wear* pull-ups to bed.(There is a little story to go with that I will share at the end if you would like to read it, if not, feel free to skip it!) Thank you very much!

And, last but not least, I am beginning to get ontop of my game here on the home front! My house is nowhere close to picture perfect. However I discovered this week I do indeed have counters in my kitchen! Under all of those reminders of having children there is carpet in more than one room of my house! Did you know if you do only a load of dishes a day it looks like you might know how to play this mom game after all? It is true! I have been feeling like I am sighing a huge sigh of relief this week! And I have to thatnk my Husband, and Friend for their help...THANK YOU!!!

* So the story of deciding its alright to wear Pull-ups after all...He wet the bed in his undies. When I asked him to bring me his bedding  I heard hims say under his breath and a little more sarcasm than I would have liked (grin) "I love you Ms. Hanigan!" this boy warms my heart! I love being a mom...even with those days.

My Love

Here are some qualities I love and admire in my husband:

1.    He honors and loves the priesthood.
2.    He loves me despite my flaws and weaknesses.
3.    He is kind in correcting me and patient when I don't take things well at first.
4.    He loves being a father. You can ask any of our 8 children, and they all know he loves them.
5.    He loves his role as a husband and father.
6.    He puts us first.
7.    He has a great sense of humor.
8.    He is a great personal chef.
9.    He is supportive.
10.  He is good at putting things into perspective for me when I am not seeing the picture.
11.  Our children look forward to him coming home...almost as much as I do!
12.  I love the songs he has created for the kiddos.
13.  I am glad he is the love of my life!
14. This might be TMI for some, but he has a cute rear too.

My Little Man and his new Addiction...

http://pbskids.org/fetch/spyhounds/poodlediamond/day_3.html

Go to this site, and the little dog in the lower left hand corner. Click on him and you will hear the little ditty I have been listening to the past 20+ min. I am posting this for him.

Curve Balls

You know, I hate when life throws me curve balls. I wish I knew how to hit them gracefully. Unfortunately that isn't the style I have been blessed with. As a matter of fact it is the one I am still trying to obtain after 35+ years.

Curve balls include feeling like you are in limbo and can do absolutely nothing about it.

They include feeling betrayed by your best friend. Knowing you need to forgive, but the feelings are fresh and they hurt. I know you are supposed to get over things. How do people do it quickly? The pain is real, The hurt feels deep (sometimes those scrapes hurt worse than cuts.) I know that is what the atonement is for.

Sometimes I wish I were more graceful.

My Little Man

Last night while tucking in my little man he was telling me his plans for his future when he is big like Dad.

He wants to be a Doctor.

I asked him what kind of Doctor he wanted to be.

He matter of factually replied: " They will call me the Billy Bob Joe Doctor."

Well alrighty then. This boy makes his mama smile!

Patience...it is a virtue I am still working on...lol!

What a week. I hope that is coming to an end per se. We have had sick peeps in our house off and on since last Tuesday. It throws off the groove. Funny how everyone was well for the little guys 1st birthday and then again for my hubbies. Well. there you go.

My craft room has been in an array for 2 or 3 weeks now. I am trying to be happy about it, and thankful at the same time, but I have been having the itch to create and my hands are tied. Between my hubby and a friend we are trying to make it a more workable space...what was supposed to take a week is taking a bit longer...only because we are also making improvements.

When we moved in we had not noticed a 2 inch drop in the floor due to a billiards table being in the middle of the room. However, when we began to move our things in the room it was apparent. So we aren't just doing cosmetic work, but a little bit of structural as well. Thus the elongated time. As you can see I really can't complain, I just wish they had a lotion or ointment for the itch I have been feeling.