How Firm is Your Foundation?

I loved the lesson in Relief Society today.  Cindy presented it very well....in fact so well I felt like I should write some of my thoughts down.  One of the thoughts she put on the board was this: "The hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing."

It kind of boils down to our perspective and our attitude.  When things are tough we have a choice to work through it with the best attitude we can muster up or let it get us down.  God allows bad things to happen so we can get closer to Him.  It's our choice though but as we work through are challenges we become stronger and more refined.  The thought came to me that our trials aren't just for us either.  We all learn and grow from each others trials.  Just recently I was involved with a friend who was going through some hard times.  She chose me to share those trials with me and I know I was able to help her pull through. But, by helping her it helped me.  I felt very close to my Heavenly Father and I know that He talked to her through me.  It was truly a blessing and I am stronger because of her trial too.  Funny how that works.

It was brought up that sometimes we need to let others serve us.  Oh my heck that is so hard but can and will be a blessing if we swallow our pride and let it happen.  Just the other day a friend of mine was telling me that I should relax and sit back and bask in what others thought of me.  This friend said I probably had no idea how good I was or how important I was to others.  That made me think.....it felt good....but is really hard for me to believe.  I want to believe it though at least just a little.  Why not in fact.  Other's are so important to me why not have that reversed?

We talked about "foundations".  In building, foundations are essential in holding a building in place and makes it strong and immovable.  We each have our own foundations that we build upon throughout our lives.  Our foundations are strengthened as we read our scriptures, serve others, pray, go to the Temple, read the Ensign and follow the teachings of the Prophets, etc.  At times are foundations are tested and might not be as strong as maybe it was yesterday.  It's okay when this happens.  Through the test our foundation will get stronger.....we might even be able to help someone else strengthen theirs in the process.

The story of the wolves also came to my mind.  We all have wolves inside of us....and the one we feed is the one that will be strong.  If we feed the wolf of hatred it will become stronger.  But if we feed the wolf of love it will become stronger.  I have learned that attitude is everything.  Our minds are so stinking powerful.  Our thoughts are so stinking powerful.  If we allow ourselves to be bugged by others we will continue being bugged and it will pull us down.  If we allow to be scared we will find reasons to be scared.  If we think about the positive things we will notice more positive things.  Feed the right wolf....if we aren't happy we had better think about the wolf we are feeding.  It's never too late to make a change and something we will continue to have to do as we live this life.

Trials are for our good and the good of others!  We need to learn from them and not allow them to keep us down.  I remember a teacher in Roy saying he was glad when a trial came because he knew a blessing would be following it.  Try not to focus on the trial but work through it and look forward to the blessing.  Stay close to Heavenly Father.  Pray more and be sure to read the scriptures so that Heavenly Father can answer your prayers.  Smile......it's hard to be sad or upset if you are smiling.  I know that for a certainty because I have consciously worked on that and it works!

Write down the good things happening in your life.  Just the other day I received this text from Cindee at Larry's work:  "U look very pretty today.  Not a day over 39." :)  That was a good thing that day!  It made me smile!  It wasn't a big deal probably to Cindee but it was a Big Deal to me.  Do those simple little things for others too.  I have a gratitude book and I write down one thing a day that I am thankful for.  You could write down more but one works for me.  It helps me think about the good going on around me..There is so much good...not so much bad.  Focus on the Good!

"Crazy for You"

I really enjoy "Plays" and "Nights Out" with the Ladies.  I was invited to go see "Crazy for You" tonight by Heather.  We had such a great time.  We went to dinner first at some really good Mexican Place....It was Yummy!

The play was really good.  We laughed a lot.  Not just at the funny one liners but about everything around us.  The theater is small and it's very easy to see most of the people.  One lady refused to change her expression at all.  That was hilarious to us!  There was also a family and the kids were sitting on the front row on the floor.  The youngest wasn't loving the play (I bet he was around 10) and was restless and so funny to watch.  He looked around at everything except for the actor that was dancing and singing right in front of him.  Oh my gosh he was so funny!

 I sat between Heather and Tami and couldn't help but laugh at Tami.  There were a few times that she was "surprised" by the acting and her responses were hilarious.  Heather and I laughed so hard I thought we might have tears running down our legs soon.  It was so refreshing to be with all these wonderful ladies.  I was so happy that they thought of me when one of their regulars couldn't make it.

I will admit by the time I got home my head was hurting. (it was late and I was tired)  I'd do it again tomorrow though if given the chance.  So Stinkin Much Fun!!!     (thanks Heather& Barbie)

Braxton wasn't Boating with us

Braxton was boating in Bear Lake with some of his friends and ended up ripping his hand up. I guess he was holding onto two tubes that were in the water together and let go only when his hand split.  I got a call while we were on the boat asking for insurance information.  Then he sent me a picture of what he had done.  Yuck....my tummy flips just looking at it.  He ended up with 12 stitches and continued boating with his friends.

Boating

Larry didn't have to work today and so we went boating.  We have to schedule it on the calendar or something always comes up and we never have time to go.  We texted the kids a week ago and Justin & Natalie and their family were able to come.  Mya and Parker love boating which thrills me.  I think all the kids do but today it was especially fun listening to Mya talk a mile a minute because she was so excited.  I mentioned that we would plan on coming again on the 24th and Mya instantly said: "We'll be there!"  I love boating!

We had some extra room today and so we invited Heather and her cute boys to go with us.  It was fun having them enjoy today with us.  I love this family so much!  I'm so glad that we have become so close to them over the past few years.  They are truly "blessings" in our lives!

I love the Captain of our boat!  I love sitting by his side and watching him. (I still get butterflies in my tummy)  Larry is such a great guy and enjoys our family as much as I do.  We have been blessed with some really great kids and very cute grands.  They all make my heart smile!

The weather was perfect today and the time flew right by.  Heather and I left a little early since she invited me to go to a play with her.  Larry stayed a few hours longer with the others and continued to have a great time.

I am so thankful for our boat!  It's something we have always been able to do as a family.  It doesn't matter what the ages are because everyone can have fun and enjoy being out together.  We got our first boat when we only had a few kids and Larry had bartered for it.  In the early years of the business Larry did a lot of trading and that's how our first boat came to us.  We have up graded a few times since but I believe we have finally got the last of our boats.   I am just glad we have it.  It's so fun for me to see us all together and to enjoy the ones that can come when we go.  LOVE IT!

Za Baby

Zaden came to play today for awhile.  I have missed this little guy.  We don't see him as much since he goes to day care while his mom works.  He is growing right up.  He talks really good now and is pretty entertaining.  Zaden is missing Ivy so much.  Ivy is in Mexico for 7 long weeks.  Zaden told papa Larry that he wanted to go to Mexico and get Ivy.  We are all missing Ivy so much.  We plan on going to the Airport when she gets home to greet her.  It was fun having Zaden.  I'm glad he wanted to stay and play at gramma's for awhile today.  Dang I think I have such cute grands!  Love them ALL so much!

Zaden loved playing with the flashlights today while Kimi and Emmalee tried to make shadow figures dance on the ceiling and walls.  We laughed and we laughed even more at Zaden's very cute, addicting laugh!  Such a fun time!

Sun Catchers

Today Emmalee came over and helped Kimi with her Science Packets!  I had gone with Kathy O to get a gift for Susan Harrop from our Book Club and we ended up playing together a little longer.  We stopped for a sandwich and then went and got pedicures.  I was planning on taking my girls this Saturday but Trichelle wasn't going to be able to make it and I really want us all to be together to get them.  That's kind of the whole idea about getting them so we postponed them until next month.  I really wanted one though and so Kathy and I went.  I love pedicures! (I was also trying to stay away from Kimi since she has a bit of an attitude with me lately.....bless her heart and PMS)  Having Emmalee here softened things.

I also got to watch my two very cute little friends ..... Luke and Isaac!  I love these boys!  The other day I ran into them at lunch and when they left Luke came over and gave me the biggest hug.....in fact he wouldn't let go of me.  I was thrilled that Heather called to see if they could come play for awhile today.  They were a bit disappointed when they heard Jared had just left for Scout Camp this morning. (maybe more than a bit)  I distracted them right away and told them I knew they would be and planned something fun for them to make.  We made Sun Catchers and Isaac especially enjoyed making them.  Luke was cool with making just a few.  Emmalee and Kimi loved them and made them for a few hours.  I even made one! ;)

 It was a fun thing to do with some fun kids.  Such a simple craft that turns out pretty cool.

To make Sun Catchers you need: Clear Pony Beads, fishing line, and pans to cook them in, and a drill with a small bit.  Today we used some metal cookie cutters for shapes and just put them in a flat pie tin.  Emmalee and Kimi even made a few designs right on the pans.  You put the beads together as closely as possible (with the holes up...if they are sideways it didn't really matter) and then Bake @ 400 for 20 minutes.  Let cool.....it doesn't take long.  Then just drill a little hole where you want if it doesn't have a hole and it won't if you got your beads close. Then put some fishing line through it, tie a knot and hang in a window or from a tree.  (or your arms, or in your car, or around your neck)
*you don't have to spray pan....they pop right off when they are cool! Oh and it does stink a little while they cook.

Sleep Over with Mya & Parker

Parker and Mya had their jammies on when they came for dinner last night and so I asked them if they were spending the night.  Mya liked that idea and asked her dad if she could.  I love that the grands like spending the night and being at our house.  They are so cute.  On Thursday we watched Kamryn in the morning and she came in her jammies and said she was going to spend the night.  I think I will have to call her so that she can.  I can't even describe how much I love my grands!  (it's impossible to describe)

Oh my heck they make my heart smile!  I love how stinkin cute they all are!  Being a mom is wonderful but being a gramma is indescribable! (there are no words!)

Pancakes for breakfast is always what the grands want.  It might be because I let them help me stir!   They are such big helpers!  Dang......I sure do love them!

I always feel a bit guilty when I blog about any of the grands because I really hope I am not leaving the others out.  They are all my favorites and I sure hope I treat them the same!  LOVE THE GRANDS!