I haven't done my recap of 2015 yet! I know it is a little late since it is almost march!! What?!!! Time is just flying by! Last year was definitely a challenging one. It was a year of discoveries and seeing each member of my family differently. By differently I mean I did not want to change them to fit a perfect mold of what I have in my head. Each one of them is so unique. Each one of them can be very strong willed and we had many battles of wills. These are battles where no one really won. Instead I learned to take my fights to God and trust that it would all work out. I now know what it means to really pray and to take my time. I learned that God sends angels into your lives. I didn't know I would meet a particular group of woman this year that would be just what I needed. I could confide in them and they gave me strength and encouragement. I would be writing a very different story if it weren't for these woman. I have seen tender mercies. I really have! Things are still difficult but I have hope and I have seen changes in myself and my family. I know now that I can be courageous and strong when all I feel like doing is giving up. Yes, even when all seems like it falling apart and I couldn't bear another minute. I have relied on so many scriptures but Helaman 5:12 is one of my favorites!
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
I will not fall if I rely o him. At times I may fall apart but the Savior is right there to pick up the pieces. I didn't know it but looking back at each of my posts last year, it was me trying to make sense of the storm going on in my heart and mind. I love blogging! Thanks for being on this journey with me! Check out my top 5 blog posts for 2015. Hope you enjoy!
1.Each child is like a work of art
2.My hands are not yet what they could be
3.Day 12 for 31 days of May-keovers Elimination becomes illumination
4.The one and only trick to find balance in Motherhood
5.31 days of May-keovers in 2015- 20 facts about me
Monday, February 22, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Mama said there would be days like this
First, I have really been trying to get rid of clutter. I have been working so hard that my body keeps quitting on me and I have to take a few days to rest. Such is the life of a chronically ill person. If people really knew what it took for me to get up and out the door most mornings; then maybe, just maybe they could understand me a little more. I have been judged so many times by my house keeping. Everything I do I have to work at. I have to work to keep healthy. I have to work to keep up on the house and keep up the peace. A friend brought me a note and a gift. The note said Mama said there would be days like this. DON'T GIVE UP! The Lord will help you. Mama didn't tell me there would be weeks, months like this! Does anyone else feel a little overwhelmed with life right now? I know the Lord is helping me but why do I keep having to look my depression, illness and other demons in the face? I am gripping to hope and reading my scriptures and praying for help with my children and just staying afloat.
Not to mention I feel a heavy weight to keep up a happy face and keep trying to make my home a heaven on earth. I have a child right now that is anxious and has a lot going on in his/her little brain. It has caused so much extra energy just to keep it together. Sometimes I lose it. One day it hit me that just because my kids are acting like monsters, I don't have to. I can still try to turn it around. There are 2 choices. You can either be an atmosphere angel or an atmosphere beast. What do I mean by that? We as wives and mothers can set the tone for our home. We have the ability to use our inner beauty, talents and abilities to make our home that place, that heaven on earth. We can be a promoter for good and be the back up our family needs. Also within us are also our tendencies to become angry and frustrated. It is the part of us that temporarily loses feeling and kindness. We are more likely to see problems and look at our loved ones as the contributors.
President Monson says "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."
I love this!
Which ones are you? Are you more angelic or beast like most times?
Yes, my friends, each day is a choice. You have a choice to make the best of your day. You choose how you act and what you say. You don't have control over what others do, illness, or events in the day. However we can fight and not give up. Tomorrow is another day. My only hope is that my words will bring some comfort to you and know that you are not alone. That friend that you may be comparing yourself to, the one you feel you can't measure up to, they are not as perfect as you think. What changes have you been wanting to make, but you keep falling short of your desired result? I have a few. It is time that my happiness blueprint gets a remodel. I am making some major changes and it is going to take time. Any one who has remodeled their home knows it is time consuming and hard work. I already feel like a wrecking ball has swept through my home so hopefully the hardest part is over! I am pulling it all out and putting in all new products. You don't want to see the before pictures though! ;)
Sunday, January 10, 2016
January intentions that I intend to keep and how to put an end to resolution burnout
The new year is here! I don't know about the rest of you, but I love the giddiness I feel, and the chance for a "do over" of sorts in the new year . It is a chance for new dreams, new mistakes and new goals. There has been a lot of buzz about how we quickly we abandon our new years resolutions. Poor sad abandoned hopes and goals on the highway of so many possibilities.
We get on that highway excited to make our destination and after and day or two we forget. Maybe the road is too familiar and so we stop looking out our window at all the possibilities. We see the same sign that says things like, loose weight or organize my house. What about the milestones. Any time I go on a trip I always pay attention to how much further a place is. Three hundred miles seems so far. Then one hundred and finally sixty and thirty miles. It really hits home that I almost there when I see five miles, one mile and then 1/2 mile. Those milestones are what's keeps us going until we reach loose weight town or organized houseville. Goals broken down into measurable manageable steps is like saying you have so many miles to get there , but you will get there! We are not going to get there if we don't travel the road and look for those markers along the way that let us know we are getting closer. Only so many more miles! Pick up those goals, resolutions or whatever you call them, dust them off and let them stand as a reminder of where you are going.
"Having a sense of purpose is having a sense of self. A course to plot is a destination to hope for." Bryant McGill
Living day to day with no plan or goals is like having no road signs or any kind of map to guide your way. Goals are the map we need. They are written down to tell you how to get from point A to point B. If we do not write our goals down then they stay wishes or objectives. Turning the key gives us the energy to drive towards our goals. When our new years resolutions fail it is because we really haven't turned the key yet. That is to say we have not put any energy into them. We may be missing some steps or not sure how to set goals. Remember those sad goals with big eyes and pouty lips? Don't abandon them! Clean them up and make them simpler. You do not want to overwhelm yourself with goals that are too far out of your reach. Make them small and measurable. Take a thought in your mind and make it real. You have to write it down though. That is the only way that our minds make a connection. Vroom! We are already on our way! The word goals start with G and O. Go! Start today and turn the key and push the gas pedal. It takes practice and perseverance but along the way you become part of the process and your grow and change. The only thing you want to kick to the curb are those bad habits.
Finally after you have plotted your course and started your journey with a timeline and a map don't forget to stop at rest stops. Check in with yourself and see how you are doing. Is there any course correcting that needs to happen. I recommend you do this before you burn out. It is a lot harder to re-aces anything if you are frustrated or ready to give up.
So here are my check points. Some of them I need to break down into smaller tasks still.
1 year plan
Improve relationships
Instill a love of the scriptures
Organize my house-1 room at a time, area at a time. Also only 15 minutes a day
Come up with a system of upkeep for my house
Dates with husband and kids
Get out of debt. We already did our budget so a plan is in motion there.
Happy planning and navigating!
We get on that highway excited to make our destination and after and day or two we forget. Maybe the road is too familiar and so we stop looking out our window at all the possibilities. We see the same sign that says things like, loose weight or organize my house. What about the milestones. Any time I go on a trip I always pay attention to how much further a place is. Three hundred miles seems so far. Then one hundred and finally sixty and thirty miles. It really hits home that I almost there when I see five miles, one mile and then 1/2 mile. Those milestones are what's keeps us going until we reach loose weight town or organized houseville. Goals broken down into measurable manageable steps is like saying you have so many miles to get there , but you will get there! We are not going to get there if we don't travel the road and look for those markers along the way that let us know we are getting closer. Only so many more miles! Pick up those goals, resolutions or whatever you call them, dust them off and let them stand as a reminder of where you are going.
"Having a sense of purpose is having a sense of self. A course to plot is a destination to hope for." Bryant McGill
Living day to day with no plan or goals is like having no road signs or any kind of map to guide your way. Goals are the map we need. They are written down to tell you how to get from point A to point B. If we do not write our goals down then they stay wishes or objectives. Turning the key gives us the energy to drive towards our goals. When our new years resolutions fail it is because we really haven't turned the key yet. That is to say we have not put any energy into them. We may be missing some steps or not sure how to set goals. Remember those sad goals with big eyes and pouty lips? Don't abandon them! Clean them up and make them simpler. You do not want to overwhelm yourself with goals that are too far out of your reach. Make them small and measurable. Take a thought in your mind and make it real. You have to write it down though. That is the only way that our minds make a connection. Vroom! We are already on our way! The word goals start with G and O. Go! Start today and turn the key and push the gas pedal. It takes practice and perseverance but along the way you become part of the process and your grow and change. The only thing you want to kick to the curb are those bad habits.
Finally after you have plotted your course and started your journey with a timeline and a map don't forget to stop at rest stops. Check in with yourself and see how you are doing. Is there any course correcting that needs to happen. I recommend you do this before you burn out. It is a lot harder to re-aces anything if you are frustrated or ready to give up.
So here are my check points. Some of them I need to break down into smaller tasks still.
1 year plan
Improve relationships
Instill a love of the scriptures
Organize my house-1 room at a time, area at a time. Also only 15 minutes a day
Come up with a system of upkeep for my house
Dates with husband and kids
Get out of debt. We already did our budget so a plan is in motion there.
Happy planning and navigating!
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Day 14 of 25 days to a more Christ centered Christmas
Oops... better late than never! I thought I had published this already.....
Day 14
Last week I read a few thoughts for a more meaningful Christmas. Thought number 3
Day 14
Last week I read a few thoughts for a more meaningful Christmas. Thought number 3
Our Christmas Gift List
The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:9Day 15
Time to Rededicate
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16Day 16
A Wonderful Time of Year
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:12
Who will stay with me?
Mother can you stay with me? This is a question I would ask my mother often because I was scared of the dark, still am, truth be told. I would wake up in the middle of the night and lay by our floor fan in front of my parents room. You should know that I had long hair, back then ,so it would get sucked into the fan. My mom would wake up to the "tick" "tick" "tick" of my hair. Now that 1 have children of my own a few of them try to delay bedtime in any way they can. It should be a sport or an Olympic event when it comes to my daughter! My Kindergartener likes to lay on the floor on front of our door. Hmmm..... sound familiar?
Even though I am all grown up, at least as far as my age dictates, I still want my Mom sometimes. She lives in another state so I don't get to see her. Who them can stay with me until I fall asleep? Who will stay with me when my mind plays my thoughts as if they are on repeat? Who will stay with me when I am worried or scared? Who will stay with me when I am not sure I can face another day? If I have these feelings so do my children! Oftentimes, I have to keep the bed time routine short because I need to put other kids to bed or finish the house. When they say will you stay with me it is for a good reason. They may need to talk or don't know how to get those last little wiggles out.
I can stay.
I can be your calm.
I can listen.
Who will stay with me?
Another word for stay is abide. This makes me think of the hymn Abide with me;' Tis Eventide. It is almost like a prayer to me. O Savior, stay this night with me; Behold;' tis Eventide.
Another hymn that should also be mentioned is Abide with me. There is a phrase in particular that always speaks to my heart. It is " I need they presence ev'ry passing hour" When everything else fails he is still there. His patience will never diminish. The video really explains it better than I can.
As the night falls we think of our day. We think of the good and the bad. But do we invite him as our guest into our hearts and home? We can talk to him and he will stay with you! He can be your calm and will listen no matter what time it is, or what you may say. It is a sweet relationship that we must nurture and initiate. Prayer brings peace; plain and simple.
Because he is willing to stay with us, can we not stay a little longer with his children? What do they need in that moment? What did Jesus do in 3rd Nephi 17:5 when the people begged him to stay?..... He tarred a little longer.
"And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them."
I have been in the depths of worry and despair due to finances being strained because of several years of medical tests and no answers. There has also not been much improvement in my health. I still have days and weeks , and months where I struggle. Yet if I get on my knees and can see through mists that cloud my mind, I feel that peace. He is with me.
We are all like little children. We need Jesus and his healing power.Let us all ask the question,Who will stay with me? Who will calm my troubled heart? He is the only one!
Even though I am all grown up, at least as far as my age dictates, I still want my Mom sometimes. She lives in another state so I don't get to see her. Who them can stay with me until I fall asleep? Who will stay with me when my mind plays my thoughts as if they are on repeat? Who will stay with me when I am worried or scared? Who will stay with me when I am not sure I can face another day? If I have these feelings so do my children! Oftentimes, I have to keep the bed time routine short because I need to put other kids to bed or finish the house. When they say will you stay with me it is for a good reason. They may need to talk or don't know how to get those last little wiggles out.
I can stay.
I can be your calm.
I can listen.
Who will stay with me?
Another word for stay is abide. This makes me think of the hymn Abide with me;' Tis Eventide. It is almost like a prayer to me. O Savior, stay this night with me; Behold;' tis Eventide.
Another hymn that should also be mentioned is Abide with me. There is a phrase in particular that always speaks to my heart. It is " I need they presence ev'ry passing hour" When everything else fails he is still there. His patience will never diminish. The video really explains it better than I can.
As the night falls we think of our day. We think of the good and the bad. But do we invite him as our guest into our hearts and home? We can talk to him and he will stay with you! He can be your calm and will listen no matter what time it is, or what you may say. It is a sweet relationship that we must nurture and initiate. Prayer brings peace; plain and simple.
Because he is willing to stay with us, can we not stay a little longer with his children? What do they need in that moment? What did Jesus do in 3rd Nephi 17:5 when the people begged him to stay?..... He tarred a little longer.
"And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them."
I have been in the depths of worry and despair due to finances being strained because of several years of medical tests and no answers. There has also not been much improvement in my health. I still have days and weeks , and months where I struggle. Yet if I get on my knees and can see through mists that cloud my mind, I feel that peace. He is with me.
We are all like little children. We need Jesus and his healing power.Let us all ask the question,Who will stay with me? Who will calm my troubled heart? He is the only one!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Day 17-20 of 25 days to a more Christ centered Christmas
Day 17
Samuel the Helaman 14:1-8
Day 18
Read the living Christ
Day 19
Samuel the Helaman 14:1-8
Day 18
Read the living Christ
Day 19
Our Christmas Gift List
The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:9Day 20
Time to Rededicate
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Days 9-13 of 25 days to a more Christ centered Christmas
9th
I decided each night this week that I would read a thought from this post by ldsliving.com. The first thought is
We had our church Christmas program tonight with dinner and a sweet little nativity play.
12th
13th
We do a progressive dinner with my husbands family. This way we get to see each others decorations and lights each year! One of my sister in law came up with this cute the Brunch stole Christmas theme and it was a ton of fun! Ugly Christmas sweater contest also included! I am glad we finished before the storm hit!
I decided each night this week that I would read a thought from this post by ldsliving.com. The first thought is
Making Christmas Real
There was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And . . . the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born.
3 Nephi 1:1910th
“The Great Refusal”
And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Matthew 19:1611th
We had our church Christmas program tonight with dinner and a sweet little nativity play.
12th
13th
We do a progressive dinner with my husbands family. This way we get to see each others decorations and lights each year! One of my sister in law came up with this cute the Brunch stole Christmas theme and it was a ton of fun! Ugly Christmas sweater contest also included! I am glad we finished before the storm hit!
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