"On December five and twenty..."

They say that writing is good for the soul.

Journaling is therapeutic and helps a person to work through their emotions. Writing out thoughts and seeing them on paper helps a mind to see things more clearly and better understand thoughts, emotions, reactions, etc.

So why is it that any time I've tried to sit down and write out my thoughts in the last months, that I don't like what comes out? What comes out doesn't feel like me, doesn't feel true to my core, doesn't feel productive or edifying...and you know me (or maybe you don't), if it's not edifying, I am not a big fan.

I refuse to believe that I am what I have written and deleted in the past months.

Cuz I'm not.

Yet I sit down to write and feel like I just start going in circles. It's insanely frustrating.

Every once in a while, something good and clarifying comes out of my efforts. But for the most part...circles, circles, circles.

Which may account for my lack of activity here.

Missed me?

No?

Well, who needs you!

I'm going somewhere different this Thankful Thursday.

I'm going to pat myself on the back and talk about me, me, me, and how awesome I am.

Historically, I haven't taken compliments well. But I think I'm doing a swell job improving being able to recognize truth in compliments and accept them gratefully.

So today I'm going to run right past tooting my own horn, and blast some long, loud notes. It may seem self-centered, but since I never do this and I'm only really repeating things other people have told me- it's alright, right?

And who can't use a good pep talk in the mirror every so often?

I am ridiculously optimistic. Pollyanna ain't got nothin' on me.
I am 50 times more charitable and Christian than I was 15 years ago, even five years ago. My first reactions may not always be thus, but usually I am on to more charitable thoughts in mere moments.
I am one of the strongest women I know. No joke.
I may not have a ton of friends, but with the ones I make I am true blue. And so are they!
I am a good mom. I love my boys and I work hard to establish and maintain boundaries that will help them grow up awesome and happy.
I am a stellar wife.
I am wise and intelligent. Not as quick-witted as I wish, but who likes a triple threat anyway?
I make really cute kids.
I have super awesome taste in the arts.

Yeah. That's enough horn blasting for now, I think.

What about you?

What about yourself are you thankful for?

It's not Thursday

So...you probably haven't noticed, but I haven't blogged in over three weeks. How dare I!

I found myself with writer's block the Thursdays I've sat down to write about my blessings.

It's not that I'm not thankful. I am. Promise.

I just couldn't think of anything to expound upon without feeling like I was doing it for the sake of doing it and not because I was really feeling it. Know what I mean?

Plus, my facebook page is full of posts of people listing something they're thankful for every day of this blessed month. I balk at that. It's stupid to do that, I know. I should be glad that many people are taking the time to think of their blessings. But I write that out regularly, the whole year long, and I don't want to look like I've jumped on the latest bandwagon. Yeah. I'm ridiculous like that. Give a girl a break.

So I'm here to say...life is insane. I love my new carpet and I hope it makes someone buy our house soon. I'm tired of being so drained. I love my boys (even though the two middle ones are pretty much driving me batty lately). I love my husband. We went to the ballet last night. It was awesome. Except for the large head in front of me that blocked my view of the dancers' feet.

And I like weekends.

I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful autumn month. Thanks for listening.

Merry-making

Anticipation is a wonderful thing.

I adore this time of year. It's my favorite season. The weather is phenomenal and the change is seasons is beautiful.

But it also signals the beginning of the portion of the year when the most holidays, traditions, and such happen.

Though it's not my favorite holiday, the excitement of Halloween is burning brightly in my boys. 

After Halloween there's birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, more birthdays, Christmas, and the New Year to celebrate.

It's such a lovely time of year constantly having something in the not-too-distant future to look forward to.

I'm thankful for that today.

What are you thankful for?? 

Mountains to climb

I love them.

They complete me.

I neeeeed them.

Mountains.

I am a mountains girl.

I see beauty in all (most) of God's creations (jury is still out on insects and arachnids...and many kinds of sea creatures).  But especially his land creations. Tropical vistas, desert landscapes, sweeping valleys, vast oceans- I love them all.

But there's something extra special about mountains.

I love them in every kind of weather.  Hot summer evenings all lit up in the red lights of sunset. Chilly autumn afternoons awash in reds, yellows, oranges, and greens. Purple and majestic and covered in snow throughout the winter. Cold and blue and draped in low-lying clouds on a chilly spring morning.

My mountains are always beautiful.

I haven't always lived next to any mountains, but for all of my conscious years I have had mountains nearby to draw strength from. Thankfully, these awesome mountains run through the various states I've lived in.

And I do draw strength from them.  There's many a mountain metaphor that comes to mind as I enjoy the views and contemplate whatever is going on in my life that matches up.  Every single time I catch a view of the mountains, my heart lifts. Seriously. Every time.

Me and my mountains- we're tight.  

And I am so thankful they are close by and bless me daily.

What are you thankful for today?

Again?!

It seems like the weeks drag by and then suddenly- POW!! it's Thursday and the weekend is in sight.

Weird.

Anyway.

Today I am thankful for rain. Falling leaves. Colorful leaves. Hoodies. Oranges, reds, yellows, browns, and blacks everywhere.

You know. General autumnal stuff.

I am also thankful for essential oils and dayquil. Combined together they form a powerful force against this head cold.  If only they could stop a runny nose.

What are you thankful for today?????

Speak to me

The rest of today and the whole of tomorrow is all that stands between us and General Conference.

How lucky we are to have technology that makes it so easy for the entire world to hear from a prophet of God?

I am very excited to hear what the leaders of the Church have to share with us this weekend.

I am so thankful to know that God still speaks to his children through his prophets. I am thankful that I can listen with my family in the comfort of our home. I am thankful for an entire weekend devoted to soaking in and feasting on the good news Christ has offered us.

Yay!!!!

When you say you love me

I don't know if I've ever shared this here before.

Sorry if I'm repeating myself.

I have this thing I like to do.  Sometimes, when I hear a love song I like to think of the lyrics in a religious way instead of a romantic way. Words between me and Jesus.

Try it.  It's a great way to feel good about life when you're down.

One of my favorite songs to do this to is this one:



When I open my eyes to it, Heavenly Father and Jesus tell me I'm loved in a million ways throughout each day.

A soft rain that brings that heavenly smell through my windows. "I love you, Lindsey."

A mountainside of aspen trees in various stages of color changing. "I love you, Lindsey."

A gummy grin from Trooper. "I love you, Lindsey. And so does this baby boy."

Clouds hanging on the mountains, a misty dark blue sky, and the sunrise peaking through as I drive the boys to school. "I love you, Lindsey."

Peace washing over me from the top of my head to the ends of my toes when I pray. "I love you, Lindsey."

Open your eyes and see all the ways they are telling you they love you, too!