Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thankful Thursday

I'm using up every ounce of patience and every sliver of gentle persuasion that I possess today. It's draining. Very very draining. But I wouldn't trade it for any other kind of life, even if you gave me a million dollars!

There is much to be grateful on this sunny Thursday.

I found a laminator today. I've been scoping online for almost a month and haven't found what I want for the price I want. Wouldn't you know it, I was walking through Walmart today looking for something completely different when I saw a laminator for the best price I've seen. AND no shipping charges. Cha-ching! Now to find the best place to get laminating sheets...Jen?;)

We doubled up on lessons today and Jonzy didn't notice until the very end when he decided he'd had enough. Almost perfect timing.

My family is amazing.

My parents recently celebrated their anniversary. I'm so grateful for my wonderful parents and sorry for those of you who were not raised by them:)

Air conditioning! It's hot outside today. A couple days ago, for a couple days in a row, I could feel autumn in the air. I'm super excited for this fall season!!

I'm thankful that my head doesn't explode when all three of my boys are loudly upset about something, even though it feels like it will.

I'm thankful that my heart doesn't explode when all three of my boys are singing songs with me at bedtime, even though it feels like it will.

I'm also thankful for this blog that reminds me to pause and document a bit of gratitude on a regular basis. It's been life changing.

What are you thankful for today?

Monday, August 23, 2010

Brilliant!

Check this out:

Just Drink Water

Share your stories of pregnancy wackiness for an awesome book. Fabulously fun times helping others who have yet to walk the path to feel normal.

I've got to go dredge up some awkward memories now;)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Thankful Thursday

There's so much to be thankful for.

I'm sorry I missed last week. I thought it would throw you all off your grooves, but look at you! You got right over missing my musings. How strong you are:)

There are many reasons I forgot, some of them happen to be things I'm thankful for, too! Last Thursday was a busy day. So much so that I didn't realize it was Thursday and I was supposed to pause to post until 11:19 pm. And at 11:19 pm, blogging was not on my to do list. I thought I'd get around to it that weekend, but who was I kidding? Last weekend was incredible. It was a record weekend and we jumped from family togetherness to family togetherness and back again. See, Bret's parents and every single one of his siblings were within visiting distance. And...so were mine!! Both of our families, all in the same place, on the same weekend. How coincidental does life get? It was awesome.

And then? We started school on Monday!

Life has been too busy to sit down and blog lately. But that hasn't stopped me from being thankful. On the contrary, I've been thankful for a great many things recently. For instance:

A fun birthday party with my in-laws.
Listening to my brother and his wife sing a lovely song together while she played the piano.
Bret, for the great work he does and the fantastic impressions he makes. It makes me happy when other people recognize his talents.
Priesthood blessings that give me confidence to step into the unknown.
My sweet baby nephew's cheeks and baby giggle.
Sisters.
Blue skies over a green mountain valley, complete with view of the still waters of a lake.
Having my whole family in the same room together.
Homeschool and it's flexibility to say, "not today," when everyone is grumpy and instead read "The Little Red Hen" and bake bread with my boys.
Truth.
Awesome friends who'll stay up chatting with us until 2 am.
Living in the day and age of antibiotics because I think I would have died from UTIs in ye olden days. Who am I kidding? I wouldn't have lasted past infancy and wouldn't have had the chance be struck with such an annoying illness. But still, I'm thankful for antibiotics.
Movies.
Movie nights.
Family.
Family. Family. Family.

What are you thankful for today?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Finding fulfillment-by working for it!

Check this out!

Feeling Fulfilled Fridays badge
feel fulfilled in motherhood with MamaBlogga


MamaBlogga's idea is to make a plan at the beginning of the week to work on those things that make you feel fulfilled. Then we can look back on Friday and see how we've done and where we can do better.

I'm in!

Are you?

Friday, August 6, 2010

Classic Cartoons

About a year ago, I bought a collection of classic cartoons for the Jonzter. It's got a bunch of well knowns like Popeye and Gumby, but it's also got a ton of random old cartoons. One is this gem:

The Vacuum Cleaner

It's pretty mundane and only made worth the seven plus minutes in the last 15 seconds or so when the moral of the story pops up. I don't want to ruin the ending for you so I'll leave it at that. I was shocked for a full two seconds before I started laughing.

Ah, the good ol' days;)

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Thankful Thursday

Ice Cream.

Today I am thankful for ice cream.

Don't believe all the hooey about companies like Breyer's and Ben&Jerry's existing. Ice cream comes straight from heaven. A high caloric gift to the stressed.

Anyone want to hop aboard the Thankful Thursday train to "the meadows of joy and the valley of contentment"??




[50 points to the one who correctly names the movie quoted]

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

An overturned vote

A federal judge overturned the gay marriage ban that CA voted for back in 2008.

My feelings on marriage are quite transparent. I am disturbed enough about this decision that I think it best not to go into the topic of gay marriage right now.

What I would like to get into is the reaction by some of those who support gay marriage. True colors shine through.

From those who are shouting for equality and fair treatment for all came hate speech, boycotts, destruction of property, disrespect for private property rules, etc. toward my church.

And what do I read today under the headline announcing the overturned ban, but a link to an AP piece about the Mormon church regretting the judge's decision, which was just another excuse to remind everyone of the money and effort church members put into passing Prop 8. "Hey guys, look what these bigots did!" Where is this love and fair treatment you speak of?? I confess my disappointment with the hypocrisy.

Of course the church regrets it, but so do many other people and institutions. Why are you singling us out? Why are you keeping up the hate? Practice what you preach, please, and recognize that the beliefs of the members of the LDS Church are just as personal as yours and deserving, at the very least, of civility.

Perhaps this will backfire in your face and more people will see that and be drawn to the Church and it's good work instead of spraying painting "bigot" on their LDS neighbor's house.

But I'd be content with you just stopping trying to pick fights all the time.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Who, what, when, where, how, and...

WHY?

Why are we homeschooling? This is a question I get...a lot. Well, not so much anymore. Most people in my circle of acquaintance have already asked this question and received answers depending on their interest level.

The short answer is because that's what we've been led to do.

The less religious answer is because we want our children to be in a more controlled environment until we feel they're more able to handle the not so child-friendly aspects of the world.

The very involved answer is this:

The seed was first planted in Bret, where it flourished. He then tried to plant that seed in me, where I tried to throw it away, grudgingly planted it, and it struggled for years to really take root and produce anything.

The more I looked into educational options, the less I liked anything other than homeschooling. By divine intervention, I am now totally sold on the idea! Excellent student-teacher ratios, flexible schedules, personalized education for each child, hands on learning to the heart's desire, expanded social opportunities, homework-free evenings, exact knowledge of what my kids are being taught, clean environment, a whole world of curriculum choices and learning experiences, field trips galore, store discounts, not having to worry if the teacher likes my child or not, more time with my sweet boys, knowing the boys are more likely to be with me during an emergency, no bullies (just sibling rivalry;)), etc. etc. etc.

There are some cons, though, too. Main ones being any free time I did have is going to be taken planning school, oh and: I don't feel up to the task of being my sons' primary educator.

That last one has really been the only major hurdle I've had to jump in accepting that this is right for our family. I've had lots of help in getting over this hurdle, but sometimes I swing my leg back over to the other side.

I realize that I am already their teacher. I'm already teaching them many things every day. Life skills, manners, language, science ("But whyyyy do we need good food for our bodies?"). I know I can present the things they'd be learning in school, but will I be able to teach them and have the patience to really help them understand? My patriarchal blessing says I have the capability to teach the slow to learn as well as the gifted child. I'm trying to put more faith in what my Heavenly Father knows about me instead of what I fear about myself. It's not been easy and I'm still struggling with that. But He did put us on this homeschooling path and I'm confident that if I seek, I will find.

Education needs and decisions vary from family to family, and even from child to child. This is what is right for our family right now. And I am super excited!

Whew, that was one of the wordiest answers ever:) Any more questions??

Monday, August 2, 2010

Get ready for the best September ever!

If you know me, even a little bit, you know (of at least I hope you know...maybe I'm not being genuine enough if you don't...) how important family is to me and how important I think it should be to everyone else:)

I am so excited to participate in this next month.

And more than participating, I am super excited to read what other people have to say about families; their families and families in general. To get new ideas for ways that I can spread the good news of families and teach my children about the importance of families.

Oooooh, it's going to be great:)

Will you join in the fun?