To The Ladies in my Family....the sequel

WALK WITH ME TODAY

                       

                         

                           

I just came in from a beautiful neighborhood walk. As of today, I have walked 45.17 km. since early January. ( Patting myself on the back)I will say here that it was not an easy accomplishment, because I always struggle to get the sneakers on and head off. By the end of the first km. I am always feeling happy that I have done it.

Yesterday I had a man post, so ladies here are my thoughts to my daughters/daughter-in law. and myself. Self reflection is helpful,I hope. My model in my growing up life was my mother. She worked hard; she respected my Dad as the head of the house; she loved us and put us before many of her needs. I can only remember her arguing with Dad once. I remember fearing that they might divorce after that one fight. I don't think that I came very close to my mother's model. I am deeply grateful for the woman that she was.

I won't do a guilt thing here about my short comings as a role model to my daughters. Instead I just want to speak to being a mother and wife.

Wife came first for me, and my husband made me feel like a queen.

He was very patient while waiting for our marriage ( another story).

He worked hard, but it did take him a few years to settle into a career. I remember a time when he was unemployed for several months. It was frustrating for us both. 

Husbands ...need to be successful, need to protect and provide.

I always wanted to stay at home for my children,but I compromised in many ways. I tried to do my best....and enough said.

Motherhood has been wonderful. Thanks Mike,Kathy,Karen and Laura. I got the best children!!

So ladies here are my thoughts to you today. Be grateful for your husbands. Don't hang on to imperfections for very long....just look in the mirror. Be careful that you don't forget him while being the 'mother'. Try hard to have a 'parent'plan so that you work together through those child raising years. Look for the positive.

I had rough days( still do sometimes) as a wife and mother.

I don't have a magic solution for bad days....but I will say that prayer solved many stresses in my life. I also know that being obedient to the Lord has poured an immense amount of blessings in my life.

I have had days when I could have easily quit...everything...but so many times I am reminded in some way that everything worth having takes work, patience, prayer and above all unconditional love.

Note that I used the word unconditional.....

Girls...I never like to see any of you hurting...but you always have the choice to seek the good. When I am having a hard day I look for something happy and I let go of anger.

PLEASE DON'T ARGUE IN FRONT OF YOUR CHILDREN.

and TRY NOT TO RAISE YOUR VOICE,unless there is an emergency, or your being a cheerleader.

I'm really rambling to you all...you who already accomplished so much already.

I'll close by reminding you that you ARE a daughter of Heavenly parents, and a gift to your earthly parents.

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.

HAHAHA......My fridge note pad

I wanted to close with this quote ( also on my fridge) 

It says:

IMPERFECT PEOPLE ARE ALL GOD

HAS EVER HAD TO WORK WITH.

THAT MUST BE TERRIBLY

FRUSTRATING TO HIM, BUT HE

DEALS WITH IT.

-Jeffrey R.Holland

Lastly, I need to ask a favor...this is a new blog, and if you read it...please write a short comment...I'm just not sure that the comment section is working.

To the men in my family and some other ramblings

I feel this great impression to write...but get this...I'm not sure what I should write. It's the middle of the week; we've had yet another snow storm and I've finished another book ( Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury). It was my second read of the book because I have such a silly memory. I knew that I had read it but I couldn't remember the ending. It was the book where the little boy, Joey, ended his prayers saying 'Gee This Name' Amen. A tender story on adoption and related to the Bible story of the two women claiming to be the mother of the same child ( 1 Kings)

I think what else has been on my mind is.....understanding the men in my life. I know that I will probably just ramble here....but I just want to shout out to my husband, son, and sons-in-law.
This is really NOT for anyone in particular...you are each so special to me....and my daughters/daughter-in-law. the thoughts expressed are all my own.
 Love the women that you have chosen, no matter what. We are not always easy to understand ( nor are you); but all we want is to feel loved, to hear loving words, to feel support and especially appreciation. None of us understand what is accomplished with the silent treatment....I'm sure that it lets you cool off, think through things....and I do realize that it services that purpose....but I think that you can still speak to me...acknowledge that I'm important and that you are needing some space. You chose me ( or your wife) and you made promises with me and with God. I deeply value those promises and it hurts deeply to have promises broken. Lastly, no one EVER needs to be spoken to harshly, loudly, with foul language, or to intimidate.
SO, that's my ramble....don't text me, email me, but instead hug me, and talk to me.Don't assume ANYTHING.  Be interested in me......and I promise you that you will be blessed with a happier wife. Share your thoughts, and your dreams and be the man that I fell in love with. Be patient, and let's have a wonderful life forever after.

Here are photo flashes from my past few days.....
Quilting clips....

 

 

 

                              Grandma...please read to us

Wintry Wednesday with Olivia

               

                 

                                       A  little TV time                                    
                                 A Little bit scary maybe

                

Busy days for sure

My days are always full. And yes, that's my own doing....for the most part. I've had some really special days and here I am...many days later finally recording my memories....please work brain!!
Last week was of course the return of winter and cold....Olivia was only here at the beginning of the week, and for some of Friday. We had some good walks...I love getting her out in the stroller for the great fresh air. She never complains.

 

Friday evening I finally got to attend an 'Orange Blossom Concert' and it was grand. We have been blessed with some very talented musicians, and singers in this part of the mission. The program was especially for family, and Disney fans

                     

Wish that I been able to take better photos....great program, and amazing music. 

Then came the weekend....Saturday was Temple day....and oh how I love to serve at the Temple. The Lord speaks to us there...spirit to spirit...and there is a peace there like no other peace.

Knowledge is received, and truth revealed.

After the Temple, Bill and I met up with Julie and Bill to head over to the Chickenburger..The place was full of Baby Boomers which was hilarious!!

Got to see Tim and Joanne MacD.. and Kathy Thompson from many years ago. Always fun to connect with friends from the past.

Back home I headed to bed....my batteries were in need of a charge....7pm through to 7am.....I was tired.

Now I have to comment on Sunday. Church was wonderful. The topic was baptism and our youth speaker Annie was good, then my VT, Samantha spoke and her talk was very humbling. Cory M. finished the service with some very inspiring words. My over all inspiration was that each talk reminded me of the promise that I made with the Lord. The event  of  my Baptism was a very significant event in my life. I took on the name of Christ, promised to take on the burdens of others ( service), and lastly promised to keep the commandments. I am very appreciative for the reminders that these fine speakers gave.

Sacrament is followed by Sunday school and I'm grateful to learn together with a fine group of adults. This week I taught the lesson about the fall of Adam.As always...I probably learned the most.We had some great discussion during and after class. One quote really stayed in my thoughts....that to fully understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ we have to first understand the fall.

The fall of Adam and Eve opened the door for us all and how very grateful we should be.

The church morning ended with a wonderful lesson in Relief Society taught by Jenny Allred....it was delightful. She is such a creative teacher !!!

Now there are many who think that's a lot of church...but I have to right now state that my spirit needs recharging all the time, and I headed home full after the great morning that I had at church.

One stop on the way home was with Aunt May. I love this lady, and oh how it saddens my heart that she has so many long, and lonely days. She so wishes that she could still walk, and still be able to be in her cosy home. I wish that I could spend more of my time with her.

Finally home I will confess that I plugged into one of my latest obsessions....Downton Abbey....total relaxing obsession and I so love watching it.

Back to Monday again....some early morning visiting with Olivia today, a trip to the library, and some afternoon reading, and baking. 

Olivia and her new friend Benny

AFTER THE STORM

Winter has returned with a blustery blizzard on Wednesday. Schools were closed and just about everything else! It was great day to be snug indoors, and that's exactly what I did. I stayed in my jammies all day, and did some fun things....worked on my Sunday school lesson, started my 12 Gifts for Christ project (I'm excited to do this each day ), did some computer stuff, read some of my latest Karen Kingsbury book, chatted on the phone, watched some TV, made more cards, and organized my craft room.Here's what yesterday looked like.

                           

Today, Thursday is bright and sunny. Olivia is home with her Daddy today so I got off to a lazy start. 
Our sweet neighbor had snowblowed most of our driveway, so we only had a wee bit to clear the rest of the driveway. Bill headed off to take his Mom to the hospital to visit Grampy.

 I headed to my 12 Gift project and loved my experience today. I studied 'The Living Christ', and  what an inspiring declaration. I hadn't read it in awhile so I was surprised at the many things that it contained. So worth more study. I also added a quote that Monica had shared with me yesterday. I love that we are both doing this project together.
The quote said....

 "....it doesn't matter how I'm living my life today, tomorrow, or on Christmas Day, or how much I remember Him and His birth, if I don't wake up a better person on December 26th. Isn't that what He wants? Not to simply celebrate Jesus' birth on one day but to celebrate His life by living like Him on the other 364. Do we worship the infant for a day, but not the Man and His teachings all year long? Do we put Him away with the decorations OR do we try to be more like Him?"

 From the book "The 13th Day of Christmas" by Jason Wright 

Such an awesome statement. 

So that's half of my Thursday. I have a walk planned and I may get out my sewing machine in a bit

Here's how today looks

                         

                         

I Feel the Love

It's been a busy Tuesday. My car has finally gone in for repairs ( to fix my bumper dents....rear-ended by a CAT). There were a few problems when dropping it off so Olivia and I headed to Nanny Logan's house to wait for Bill. With Nanny's toy horse embraced, Olivia enjoyed breakfast and some early morning TV. 


Once the car was all taken care of, we headed home, and then up to the quilters group at the church. Olivia delighted in some great playtime with her preschool buddies and then it was off to home again. Despite the cold, we headed out for a brisk walk...then back for lunch.

Once Olivia was off for her nap and some dinner prep finished, I was treated to a visit with my visiting teachers, Monica and Samantha.

I have wonderful visiting teachers. They faithfully visit each month, and they always come prepared to teach me just what I need to hear. Samantha taught today, and she didn't disappoint. She taught from the scriptures and invited a beautiful spirit into my home. Then I was treated to a special project from Monica. Our message throughout this year is to focus on following the Savior. Christ is truly the example that will guide us along our journey here on earth.
Monica had made up a special gift box based on a book that will help us to draw closer to the Savior. It is called The Twelve Gifts for Christ. Each month we receive a gift and a project that will bring us closer.

January is the Gift of Personal Knowledge. In my gift box was a journal for me to record my scripture findings and feelings as I study more of the Savior. She also gave me a beautiful photo to remind me of Jesus Christ.

With February just around the corner she gave me my second gift...The Gift of Gratitude. I will be studying 3 Nephi 11-30 during February and doing a special 'thank you' activity.

What a great visit we had....and I want to say I am feeling deeply appreciative of them and such a wonderful program as visiting teaching. I wish that all women could have the angels that watch over me. They are a strength, inspiration, and they remind me of the great love that my Father in Heaven has for me.

 

The Merry Christmas photo is a beautiful box that came with this project.....and I look forward to filling it with each monthly gift, and coming to know my Savior better. I know that this will enrich my life, and I again give thanks for these dear sisters.

The day continued....Nanny Logan ( Lil) came for dinner which we enjoyed immensely. We even managed to Face time with almost all of her great grand kiddies ( just missed Jessica). Karen headed off to a yoga class and Olivia and I had some Mermaid time....in the bath and on the big screen !!! Quiet time for her while she waited for mom to return.

I FEEL THE LOVE

Monday memory

   

Monday, Monday....here it comes....Olivia is the center of my day, and I see her growing up so quickly!!!We have become buddies, and she's always ready to don her apron and be my helper. She reminds me of days that I did this with Jessica, Sarah, Jacob, Georgia and a bit with Cooper ( I need more little Cooper time)( I get some time with Emmy and Finley...but I always want more!!!) These early years are so special and I am grateful that I've had such awesome experiences with all of my Grand kiddies. So here is Monday beginning with book time...I love that she is so independent and can often be found reading on her own!!

                     















 She was listening to music in that laying on the floor photo...then we headed off for my thirty minute walk...that turned into one hour and forty minutes...and 7.24km...yes, I was tired but felt good!!

                             
My walk down Berlin St.
I grew up on this street, and walking down it today brought a flood of memories. I had so many happy days on this street, and especially in that house. Sharing the tiny attic room with my two sisters, Saturday night hockey games with neighbor Don, shovelling the driveways with Mom,pet dog named Jip, Endora and Yogi the cats, watching game shows with Mom,getting dad up on Christmas Day,Mom and dad's card nights with friends,living with granddad Durnford, painting the tiny closet upstairs, standing over the upstairs heater, my Beatle obsession, good neighbors 
( Landsburgs,Davisons,Mumfords,Flynn,Scanlans,MacDonalds)
the Dickey Dee ice cream truck, Munchies,the scary lady who picked up gum off the street, fish and chip store, and so much more...I loved when my own kids could cross Connaught and run up to Berlin Street....ahhh Berlin Street.

and she's out!

                       

a special card that I received

a nice dinner, dishes, some phone chats, TV time...oh how we enjoy The Black List.....off to bed soon

Thanks Monday...you were good to me!

YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK

There is beauty all around us and it's been a treat to experience some of it in the past few days. It has made me appreciate this world created for us. Our Sunday school lesson today was about the Creation, and it was a blessing to teach it . I also enjoyed the wonderful talks in Sacrament , from Jimmy, Ashley and Nathan. What fine people they are, and it was inspiring to hear the words of each of their talks about Repentance. Once again talks like these always remind us of the great Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and all that was done for us.

Karen taught in Relief Society about the Savior in our lives. I love to listen to Karen teach, and there was lots  of great discussion from the class. The phrase....what would Jesus Do was chatted about....and how we would behave if the Savior was sitting beside us. Then Karen said my favorite part of the lesson....she said...wouldn't it be cool to make a good choice and look up and see Jesus give us a thumbs up !! You have to have seen the way that she said it....wished that I had a photo!!! Thanks Karen.

I dropped in to see Grampy after church, and also got to visit with Lil and Lynn . Then it was off to see Aunt May.....how I adore this 101 year old!! She chatted non stop..and always makes me feel so appreciated.
I go to brighten her long day but she always sends me home feeling so worthwhile and appreciated. I will miss her so much when she returns home to God.

The rest of the day has been quiet.....Bill was out and no one else dropped by. The weather turned wet and windy but I made myself go for a thirty five minute walk. When it's said and done I'm glad that I did it. I had a few phone calls, and each was appreciated. Ended the evening with some catching up with Monica. I am grateful for her friendship and honesty.

                        

SUNRISE ON THE JOURNEY TO THE TEMPLE

         We had friends in for Saturday evening, Bob and Kathy. Enjoyed getting to know them, ate way too much snack food, and loved some great Wahoo. While we played a gentle snowfall began to fall.

SATURDAY EVENING SNOWFALL.....SUCH BEAUTIFUL LARGE FLAKES

                        

              

  THE DRIVE TO CHURCH WAS BREATH TAKING.

       I HAD TO TAKE SOME PHOTOS

                         

While life can bring us challenges ( and we ALL have them), appreciating what we have been blessed with, and the beauty all around us certainly has made me have a nice day.

LOTS OF BUSY TIMES and a bit of frustration

I'm frustrated because I can't post photos right now. I wish that I had started a New blog for 2014....meanwhile here is my list of the past week
1. lots of time with Olivia...how she loves to help with her little apron on
2. visited Mike and the family...fun in the snow with the girls... Emmy's random comment that her Mom  would be sad when she heads to school...she was also leery of sliding on the back slope because she slid right into the woods a few days before. Girls are now sunbeams
3. lots and lots of card making....I'm addicted.
4. started walking again....30 day challenge to myself
5 .frustration....not sure where that thought will go.
6. hopefully I'll get problem solved.

PROBLEM SOLVED...I think !

AND I HAVE A NEW BLOG FOR 2014 Thanks to LAURA

 OUR SUNBEAMS

CARDS CARDS CARDS

*******

Love getting photos from my children......

                                     LAURA THE BIRD LADY....AND RUNNER                                                 EXTRAORDINAIRE

 OLIVIA THE READER AND GRANDMA'S HELPER....ALWAYS WITH HER APRON

 LOVE THIS PHOTO

 LOOK WHAT OLIVIA MADE FOR ME

 LOVE THESE TWO PHOTOS WITH AUNT LYNN

I'M STARTING TO WALK AGAIN

 AMAZING JANUARY WEATHER

PHOTOS FROM MY GYMNASTS