One littel Word for 2015 and a Few Goals

This is the beginning of a new year and with that come new goals and my new word for the year. This year my word is ENJOY. There are lots of reasons why I choose this word and I am going to have fun using it and creating with it all year long. My goals this year are adapted from a general conference talk given last October by Elder Klebingat called "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence.

First my goals... in Elder Klebingat's talk he listed six areas of our lives where we need to take responsibility. 1. Spirituality. 2. Physical well-being. 3. Whole-hearted obedience. 4.Become really, really good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. 5. Become really, really good at forgiving. and 6. Accept trials, setbacks and "surprises" as part of our mortal experience. As I work on these six areas of my life I am going to try and record my progress and some of the things I am studying about each topic. This leads right into my word because as I improve in these areas in my life I am hoping to "enjoy" the journey. Sometimes as we look into ourselves we are not very happy at what we find. We work to improve and then make changes. These changes can be very hard and so may seem like a chore or hard work that we are doing. That does not sound that fun and therefore not an enjoyable experience. Heavenly Father wants us to enjoy this life. He knew it would be hard and that as we occasionally looked inward to make changes we would not find that pleasant. I really believe that as I make these changes this year and improve I will be better able to enjoy all that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I need to ignore all of the negative thoughts that come in my head and look upward and say, "Lord, I know you love me and your are here with me!".

The last couple of years because of all that was going on with taking care of my mother and some of the children that were having an especially difficult time I seem to have lost my desire to share and write. I worked very hard on my word last year but did not record any of the things that I was studying or learning. I kept them close in my heart. I see now that had I written down things I might have seen sooner the journey I was experiencing was not done alone. My husband and children were right there beside me; especially my Heavenly Father, He never left my side! I plan on recording my journey this year and as I do I will be able to look back at all the things I enjoyed and what happiness and joy that will give me. I want to see the gifts that my Heavenly Father has given me.

In addition to these goals I am also working hard on my family history and cultivating my art. It is going to be a busy 2015 and I am ready to "enjoy" every minute of it!

What matters most?

I was recently blog hopping and came across this quote. It really resonates with me, especially this time of year as I am thinking of all the things I am grateful for. What matters most to me? I have had a lot of little life lessons this past year and the one thing that I have learned and that stands out the most to me could not be said any better than how Mr. Max Lucado stated it:

  "When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter most then, shouldn’t they matter most now?" – Max Lucado

I want my husband and my children to know they matter most. I also want them to know that I have a relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ. Without the Savior as a foundation for me my relationships with my family would have no eternal value. I will be with them forever and throughout eternity because of what our Savior did for all of us. In the end nothing else really matters except for how I treated others. I can obtain all the knowledge in the world and have all the things that the world says are valuable but if I have not shown the ones I love the most that I love them the most then what do all those other things matter in the end? I have made lots of mistakes and I am growing and learning in my relationships. I am very grateful for children who have loved me despite my shortcomings. My husband has been the most patient as I have learned to let him love me and shown me he is my best friend! I have been thinking so much about my children lately. It is a funny season of life for me. While most of my children are grown and out of the house and the ones who are home are not so dependent upon me, I have been trying to find my place in their lives. I want to continue the relationships we had when they were little but their needs are different and where I fit into their lives is different. I love them so much and treasure the moments when we are together. Despite all the differences we have I feel my love for them is stronger now more than ever. This month I will work on being more "intentional" in my relationships with my children and husband.

I love this picture of Taylor and Chloe. It tells really a story of how all my children are with one another. They love and support and come together when we go through hard things. There have been many times I am amazed at how they just do what is needed for each other - at times it comes at a great sacrifice - but they love each other so much.

Even though a couple of kids are not in the background of this picture I love how it shows our story of how we are together David and I but we have this legacy behind us that will only continue to grow!

 

This mother will always be grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who trusted her so much to send eleven of His choicest spirits to her to raise and teach and love!

 

Noah

I have been missing this #3 son a lot lately. I did not think I would miss so much all the lively taunting this boy seemed to constantly be the author of. But I do. Here he stands with his new bike ready to teach the fine folks of Indiana about Jesus Christ. He has been gone now for three months. It seems so much longer. I am glad that he has taken his cute sense of humor with him and even though he seems more serious he still makes us laugh and believe it or not still can taunt the girls! He is special that way:) I wonder though if he knows how much of an example he is to all of us. I wonder if he knows that because he chose to serve the Lord for two years that lives will be changed and he will have a hand in it. I know that what he is doing is important and that in the end he will learn so much more than had he not chosen to serve his mission. I love the power of his testimony right now.  I had such a powerful experience about this young man and know without a doubt that the Lord has him where he can do the most good for the people and for himself. To quote Noah himself "My mindset is that the next person I talk has been prepared to hear this message of the restored gospel. That's why it is crucial to talk to everyone, to be bold, and to do it with a smile on your face. That's why I'm here, sacrificing two years of my life, so why not do it with a good attitude!!" I love him so much and I am glad that I can share him with the good people of Indiana!

Chelsea's surpise wedding

A couple of weeks ago my daughter Chelsea, who had planned an engagement party, surprised everyone by getting married! Of course, I knew about it and so did her father and a couple of her sisters. But for the most part it was a surprise to everyone! It turned out beautiful and was just like she had dreamed it to be. You can check out her video that Nick (Ashleigh's husband) put together for them here: http://vimeo.com/107013988

I made her bouquet. She wanted it out of vintage broaches and so with only a couple of months to find them I went to work putting it together. We had some from Dan's family and some from a few of Chelsea's friends and the rest we found or purchased.  I wanted it different than anything I had seen on pinterest.  I used a vintage hand mirror as the base and glued the foam onto the mirror part. Covered it with purple lace and then added the pins like they were flowers with flower picks. If she wants she can use any of the broaches. I think it turned out more beautiful than even she imagined. Here Taylor is holding it.

I can't believe that I have three daughters married now. It seems like it has taken forever for these weddings to happen. I think there might be a couple more coming in the next year or two...

Has it really been a year?

Wow! I cannot believe it has been nearly a year since I have written anything on my blog. It was an incredibly hard year and I fully anticipated getting caught up each week. Funny how fast time goes by. It is the beginning of a new school year and it seems so weird only having three children enrolled in school. They are all older and very independent. They help out tons around the house and are involved in lots of extra activities. I feel at a calm place in my life right now. Like I said the past year was full of lots of unexpected turns and trials but I feel like I came out on top every time something came up. My mom has moved back to California to live with my brother Brian. Her life has changed as well. I am glad that I was able to help her out as much as I could even though it was very hard at times to understand why things were going the way they were. Chad and Paige are in a good place right now. Noah is out on his mission! Chelsea is going to be getting married! Toshia had her third baby this last year! Ashleigh and Nick are saving for a new house! Chloe is in Portland now and working hard. Seth is using his talents in art to create many beautiful things! Taylor, Hayden and Autumn are working hard in school and seem to be very happy! Life is good. David and I are working hard to improve things around our home and serving in our callings. I am so happy that I have chosen not to let the events of the past year pull me down to despair. There is always someone worse off than me...I have so much and need to keep things in perspective. I honestly would not have gotten as close to my Heavenly Father as I have were not for all the events and trials of this past year. Did I say already it was a hard year? I have goals to keep on blogging and get back to my journal keeping here on my blog. My sister and I are working on starting a new online business and I will be sharing that as it gets some more traction.

{Just a little side note, the work with my sister has been so wonderful as we prepare to start this little business adventure that it has helped me in more ways than I can count. Heavenly Father knows how to bring joy in my life as I see the beauty in old things made new again.}

I have a new camera and need to learn how to download the pictures and get things up and running again. I have been making lots of things and want to share. I am trying to organize my life in such a way that I make time for all that I want and need to do. My word for this year 2014 has been "intentional". It has been a wonderful word to have on my mind as I reflect back on all that is important to me and how I want to prioritize things. I want my Savior to come first in my life and as I do that I feel all other things will fall in line. I've been working on more "intentional" prayers and Sabbath Day worship. I have been weekly going to the temple and working hard on our genealogy to do family names while I am there. Just this last week I found a whole new family and I'm so excited that the girls will be able to take names to the temple in November when they go with the youth. Last June we did about 54 names and had a very special time in the temple as we went with Toshia, Chad, Noah, Taylor and Hayden. It was so sweet to have so many of the children there with us as we did family baptisms. It was fun to have Noah be on the Priesthood side of things. From his letters he is having a great time on his mission and loving it even though at times it is hard. 

Lots to get caught up on, lots of pictures to share and hopefully family and friends will trust that I will be a more regular writer on this blog. Happy Monday to everyone!

Fall

Fall is here! My favorite time of year. I can't believe the weather we have been having. It has been beautiful with cold nights and warm days. David worked on the garden last weekend and got is all cleaned up. He put away things for the winter and with that it made me think of the coming of the holidays and gathering of family. I am so looking forward to the holidays this year. It is so funny because there is not a lot of money to do things for the kids but because there is not a lot of money I seem to dig a little deeper for more meaningful gifts. I am so grateful for my children and every day thank my Heavenly Father that he sent me the spirits He did. They have taught me a lot over the years and this year I feel their love and support more than I ever have before. I feel like everyone of us is in a good place. We are all trying to be happy and have joy in our lives. It shows when we gather. Last weekend we had October birthdays. I took a few moments and just sat back and listened. Listened to the noise...the laughter, teasing, talking, crying, laughing some more....it brought me great joy as I listened to my family. Everyone of them has a unique gift that shines through in their personalities. I don't think I appreciated it much when they were little. But now I see how they each add to our family in only the way they can. This weekend I get to spend time with just the girls. Our girls weekend...Reagan is so excited, she says "Yeah, no stinky boys!". Those boys will all be home with grandpa. It will be fun to hang out and just do girly things. I am so glad we have these traditions with the children. This is the last year we will be all home or around the area together. Next Christmas Noah and possibly Chad will be on their missions. This makes me want to make this holiday even more special for everyone. There will be a lot of handmade gifts, good eating, and lots of time spent together. Through my eyes I hope to see love....lots of love!

Grandparent Dates March, April, May and June

Wow! I cannot believe I have not blogged since February! I thought that I had been caught up on our "Grandparent Dates" except for last months. Where has the time gone. I have so much to catch up on. First of all our date for March was a trip to the zoo! It was a beautiful day and we got to see lot of new things. It also had been a very long time since grandpa had gone to the zoo so it was especially fun for him. I think our favorite were the flamingos. Reagan loved those pink birds!

For April we went to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. At first I think the older boys thought it was going to be stupid but they were really happy when they saw all the rides and fun things to do. I really enjoyed the beautiful tulips...so many and so many colors. May we stayed closer to home and the goal was to make the worlds largest ice cream sundae. What we ended up doing was making the worlds best homemade cookies and cream ice cream! This date was a little harder because being at home there were the children here at home trying to get in on our fun. In the end it all turned out--everyone got some ice cream and everyone was happy! This month we went strawberry picking. I think the kids had lots of fun. There is a cute little family farm in Warren that I like to pick strawberries at and so that is where we headed Saturday. Reagan had fun playing in the field a little game she called "find my necklace". She would throw it and then go find it. She kept herself very occupied. Adrian played a little game of "throw the strawberries". At least that is what grandpa and I saw several times as we were helping the little ones pick. Luke and Jonathan did a great job...well Jonathan spent most of his time looking for the biggest, ripest, reddest strawberry he could find. I don't think he found one as big as he had imagined. After picking we went to a friends little ones birthday party at the park. We had hot dogs and watermelon! Best party ever!

We love these little dates with these guys. I really love it when we are talking and Reagan will say...remember when.... It is so special to be creating these memories with them. I hope they cherish it as much as we do!