Since this is the Thursday before the biggest day of gratitude of the year, does that make today the Thanksgiving Eve of Thankful Thursdays??
It does in my book.
So there.
I've been abysmal at blogging this year.
I have my reasons. Many of them actually. But they're my reasons and not everything is meant to be shared publicly:)
But here I am today. And on this momentous holiday, I would just like to say that I am thankful for my crazy life. God shows me every day that He loves me and is mindful of me. When life gets tough, He's there. When life is good, of course He's there. The world is a tough place to live sometimes, but there is so much beauty here. I hope we can all see at least a little of it every day.
Love to you:)
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Thankful Thursday
As it's been very nearly three months since my last Thankful Thursday post and as 15 minutes on the internet this morning has triggered multiple negative emotions and left my stomach in knots-
Let's get this back in business, eh?!
Today I am thankful for:
Being able to wake up next to my husband this morning after a ridiculously long business trip.
Jesus.
My beautiful, quiet, peaceful dead-end street.
Jesus.
Granola
Jesus.
Picture day at school.
Ice cream.
Great literature from new authors (you should read this. But before that you should read this. And wha-what!?! I just saw that the second is currently FREE. Seriously, what's stopping you now?).
Sunshine.
Jesus.
Bret. Jonz. Al. Goose. Trooper.
And Jesus.
And you? What are you thankful for today?
Let's get this back in business, eh?!
Today I am thankful for:
Being able to wake up next to my husband this morning after a ridiculously long business trip.
Jesus.
My beautiful, quiet, peaceful dead-end street.
Jesus.
Granola
Jesus.
Picture day at school.
Ice cream.
Great literature from new authors (you should read this. But before that you should read this. And wha-what!?! I just saw that the second is currently FREE. Seriously, what's stopping you now?).
Sunshine.
Jesus.
Bret. Jonz. Al. Goose. Trooper.
And Jesus.
And you? What are you thankful for today?
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Family Mission Statement
So...years and years ago I posted on here that I was in the process of creating a family mission statement.
I am happy to report that it is finally, FINALLY...out of pre-production:)
We have a family mission statement!
My first attempt at turning it into something cute for our wall failed miserably. I'm now thinking of going a different route. Which is probably good. I think it will be even more eye catching...If I can actually pull it off.
But- here it is:
honest
joyful
wise
responsible
considerate
remember:
"Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence." Doctrine & Covenants 4:6
I decided to keep it simple. We prayerfully wrote out a list of attributes we want our boys to embody. Then we combined similar traits and shortened the list. Then we picked out words that had a letter from our last name. I'm going to capitalize that letter in each word and have them all wonky on the wall so that it spells out our last name. It's going to be awesome. Sorry you don't get to see it, but as our last name is not all that common I have to keep it off the internets. You'll just have to use your imagination.
We decided that the last word had to be remember so that we could use that awesome scripture (which, fortunately, contains a bunch for traits we'd like our boys to develop).
So far, so good.
It's simple and easy to memorize. We take five minutes out of FHE each week to talk about one word and how we can better live that word and become more honest, joyful, wise, responsible, considerate, or remember...ful.
It's awesome. And it will be a lot more awesome once we actually get it on our wall.
Anyway...thought I'd check in with that. You know, since it's been months since I posted (we've been moving. And settling. And super busy).
But yeah. There it is.
YAY!
If I can do it, so can you! Go forth and create a family mission statement:)
I am happy to report that it is finally, FINALLY...out of pre-production:)
We have a family mission statement!
My first attempt at turning it into something cute for our wall failed miserably. I'm now thinking of going a different route. Which is probably good. I think it will be even more eye catching...If I can actually pull it off.
But- here it is:
honest
joyful
wise
responsible
considerate
remember:
"Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence." Doctrine & Covenants 4:6
I decided to keep it simple. We prayerfully wrote out a list of attributes we want our boys to embody. Then we combined similar traits and shortened the list. Then we picked out words that had a letter from our last name. I'm going to capitalize that letter in each word and have them all wonky on the wall so that it spells out our last name. It's going to be awesome. Sorry you don't get to see it, but as our last name is not all that common I have to keep it off the internets. You'll just have to use your imagination.
We decided that the last word had to be remember so that we could use that awesome scripture (which, fortunately, contains a bunch for traits we'd like our boys to develop).
So far, so good.
It's simple and easy to memorize. We take five minutes out of FHE each week to talk about one word and how we can better live that word and become more honest, joyful, wise, responsible, considerate, or remember...ful.
It's awesome. And it will be a lot more awesome once we actually get it on our wall.
Anyway...thought I'd check in with that. You know, since it's been months since I posted (we've been moving. And settling. And super busy).
But yeah. There it is.
YAY!
If I can do it, so can you! Go forth and create a family mission statement:)
Thursday, June 26, 2014
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
I am a woman.
I love being female.
My gender is eternal, beautiful, strong, amazing, capable, nurturing, and incredible.
This Thankful Thursday I want to share my gratitude for the privilege it is to be a woman, a disciple of Christ, and a member of the LDS Church.
Never EVER have I been told or made to feel that I am less than my brothers in the Church. Whenever I have been part of decision-making councils, my voice has always been heard and valued. Even as a teenager!
I have power. I have authority. I have worth. I am an equal partner.
Much has been said in recent months (years. decades. scores. generations.) I don't feel the need to repeat the good stuff or debate the wrong stuff. I would like to just add one point I feel is being missed as the conversation seems to pull over to dwelling on how "mistreated" both sides are.
The one side for being "oppressed," "silenced," and "second class."
And the other for feeling "misrepresented," betrayed," and "belittled."
Yes, we need to love each other. Yes, we need to show compassion. But we seem to have forgotten that sometimes love and compassion is saying, "You're wrong. Stop what your doing. Let me help you understand. But you need to stop because you're hurting yourself (and/or others)."
I don't deny that people have been hurt and some have made very poor choices on how they handle the situation. But being hurt doesn't mean you run screaming down Apostasy Lane. Being hurt doesn't mean it's okay to call OW supporters horrible people. Sometimes you have to tell someone you love that they're being an idiot! And sometimes being loved means you have to hear that you're being an idiot!
The OW movement is wrong and based in misunderstanding, false teachings, anger, and pride.
There. I said it.
I know.
Ouch.
I am not heartless. Empathy runs in my veins (put there by simple genetics and an awesome upbringing). I hurt for the people who have been hurt. And I hurt more that so many are ignoring the loving counsel of family and leaders and hurting themselves and others more. It's sad.
But sadness doesn't mean we ignore the truth and "hug out" the hurt with empty words on the internet.
I am thankful to be surrounded by people who love me. People who will encourage and support me through thick and thin. The same people who will be honest with me if I need to change course. Who won't coddle me. Who will push me to be a better Lindsey. THAT is love. THAT is acceptance. THAT is tolerance.
What are you thankful for today?
I love being female.
My gender is eternal, beautiful, strong, amazing, capable, nurturing, and incredible.
This Thankful Thursday I want to share my gratitude for the privilege it is to be a woman, a disciple of Christ, and a member of the LDS Church.
Never EVER have I been told or made to feel that I am less than my brothers in the Church. Whenever I have been part of decision-making councils, my voice has always been heard and valued. Even as a teenager!
I have power. I have authority. I have worth. I am an equal partner.
Much has been said in recent months (years. decades. scores. generations.) I don't feel the need to repeat the good stuff or debate the wrong stuff. I would like to just add one point I feel is being missed as the conversation seems to pull over to dwelling on how "mistreated" both sides are.
The one side for being "oppressed," "silenced," and "second class."
And the other for feeling "misrepresented," betrayed," and "belittled."
Yes, we need to love each other. Yes, we need to show compassion. But we seem to have forgotten that sometimes love and compassion is saying, "You're wrong. Stop what your doing. Let me help you understand. But you need to stop because you're hurting yourself (and/or others)."
I don't deny that people have been hurt and some have made very poor choices on how they handle the situation. But being hurt doesn't mean you run screaming down Apostasy Lane. Being hurt doesn't mean it's okay to call OW supporters horrible people. Sometimes you have to tell someone you love that they're being an idiot! And sometimes being loved means you have to hear that you're being an idiot!
The OW movement is wrong and based in misunderstanding, false teachings, anger, and pride.
There. I said it.
I know.
Ouch.
I am not heartless. Empathy runs in my veins (put there by simple genetics and an awesome upbringing). I hurt for the people who have been hurt. And I hurt more that so many are ignoring the loving counsel of family and leaders and hurting themselves and others more. It's sad.
But sadness doesn't mean we ignore the truth and "hug out" the hurt with empty words on the internet.
I am thankful to be surrounded by people who love me. People who will encourage and support me through thick and thin. The same people who will be honest with me if I need to change course. Who won't coddle me. Who will push me to be a better Lindsey. THAT is love. THAT is acceptance. THAT is tolerance.
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, June 5, 2014
June 5
Wasn't it just Christmas?
Didn't we just barely sell our house?
Wasn't it just last month that we moved down here?
This year is flying past.
While it's a bit disconcerting to have life shooting past me so quickly, I will take this June over last year's. Last June was dumb. Last summer was tough. This June is already worlds better than last year. This summer holds so much more awesomeness ahead. I'm excited to dump last year's summer for this one.
I am enjoying summer with my family. Little league baseball games, sunshine, warm breezes, cool treats, mountain excursions, bike rides, walks, movies in the middle of the day, books, flip-flops, bbqs, vacation planning, star gazing, cloud watching, exploring. Summer is awesome!
What are you thankful for today?
Didn't we just barely sell our house?
Wasn't it just last month that we moved down here?
This year is flying past.
While it's a bit disconcerting to have life shooting past me so quickly, I will take this June over last year's. Last June was dumb. Last summer was tough. This June is already worlds better than last year. This summer holds so much more awesomeness ahead. I'm excited to dump last year's summer for this one.
I am enjoying summer with my family. Little league baseball games, sunshine, warm breezes, cool treats, mountain excursions, bike rides, walks, movies in the middle of the day, books, flip-flops, bbqs, vacation planning, star gazing, cloud watching, exploring. Summer is awesome!
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Hello Summer
Hooray for summer break!
Hooray for having my boys home all day!
Hooray for sunshine, warm weather, popsicles, dirty feet, forced reading time, elaborate games and pretending, bike rides, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, baseball, eating outdoors, mountains, camping, and all the joys a small town summer has to offer!
What are you thankful for today?
Hooray for having my boys home all day!
Hooray for sunshine, warm weather, popsicles, dirty feet, forced reading time, elaborate games and pretending, bike rides, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, baseball, eating outdoors, mountains, camping, and all the joys a small town summer has to offer!
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Mother's Day
Last night my twins graduated from Kindergarten.
It was cute. It was corny. It was silly. It was drawn out. It was full of too many props. It was entertaining. It was boring. It was crowded.
I loved it.
I loved standing there, trying and failing to get a good shot of my boys distractedly or enthusiastically singing. I loved having the thought, "Those are my boys. They're growing up so fast, but they're still so young and sweet and awesome. And mine." I loved letting the ensuing feeling of gratitude sink in. Gratitude for who they are. Gratitude for what they're capable of. Gratitude for the health and protection they've been blessed with to make sure they've lived this long;) Gratitude for the hilarity that follows them constantly. Gratitude for the new ways they've opened up the world to me with their people-loving personalities.
But mostly it was gratitude for the privilege it is to be their mother. I am so lucky to be Al's mom. I am so lucky to be Goose's mom. It's a tough, draining, inspiring, entertaining, joyful, intense struggle to be their mom. But what a privilege it is. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a mother to these boys. To all my boys.
This Mother's Day time of the year, a bit more than the rest of the year ('cause let's be honest- I feel this way often), has a knack for dredging up all the ways I feel I fail as a mom. It's tough feeling like I can be this ideal in my head, but continually falling short. I sometimes feel like I should just let go of that ideal and be more "realistic." But that would only help me feel good in the meantime while keeping me from progressing and cheating my kids out of the better mom I can be. I refuse to give up on that ideal. And so the guilt continues:) But this year, I feel more hope than failure. I have a good chunk of years to look back on and see progress. I'm definitely a better mother now than I was nine years ago. Give me nine more and I might be pretty good!
Just in time for most of them to be on their way out of our nest...
For now I will concentrate on the things to love right now. Like the way Trooper says, "ooWooooow!" with enthusiasm instead of just a plain "wow." And the way Al and Goose play off each other and talk over each other when they're pretending. Their voices get steadily louder and louder until they're shouting about all the fun they're creating. It's annoying, but hilarious when I step back. And the conflict I see in Jonz when he's caught between wanting to grow up and enjoying the "little kid stuff" with his brothers.
Being a mom to these boys is wonderful and meaningful and amazing.
Happy Mother's Day!!
It was cute. It was corny. It was silly. It was drawn out. It was full of too many props. It was entertaining. It was boring. It was crowded.
I loved it.
I loved standing there, trying and failing to get a good shot of my boys distractedly or enthusiastically singing. I loved having the thought, "Those are my boys. They're growing up so fast, but they're still so young and sweet and awesome. And mine." I loved letting the ensuing feeling of gratitude sink in. Gratitude for who they are. Gratitude for what they're capable of. Gratitude for the health and protection they've been blessed with to make sure they've lived this long;) Gratitude for the hilarity that follows them constantly. Gratitude for the new ways they've opened up the world to me with their people-loving personalities.
But mostly it was gratitude for the privilege it is to be their mother. I am so lucky to be Al's mom. I am so lucky to be Goose's mom. It's a tough, draining, inspiring, entertaining, joyful, intense struggle to be their mom. But what a privilege it is. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a mother to these boys. To all my boys.
This Mother's Day time of the year, a bit more than the rest of the year ('cause let's be honest- I feel this way often), has a knack for dredging up all the ways I feel I fail as a mom. It's tough feeling like I can be this ideal in my head, but continually falling short. I sometimes feel like I should just let go of that ideal and be more "realistic." But that would only help me feel good in the meantime while keeping me from progressing and cheating my kids out of the better mom I can be. I refuse to give up on that ideal. And so the guilt continues:) But this year, I feel more hope than failure. I have a good chunk of years to look back on and see progress. I'm definitely a better mother now than I was nine years ago. Give me nine more and I might be pretty good!
Just in time for most of them to be on their way out of our nest...
For now I will concentrate on the things to love right now. Like the way Trooper says, "ooWooooow!" with enthusiasm instead of just a plain "wow." And the way Al and Goose play off each other and talk over each other when they're pretending. Their voices get steadily louder and louder until they're shouting about all the fun they're creating. It's annoying, but hilarious when I step back. And the conflict I see in Jonz when he's caught between wanting to grow up and enjoying the "little kid stuff" with his brothers.
Being a mom to these boys is wonderful and meaningful and amazing.
Happy Mother's Day!!
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