Abundance

“Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”
Sarah Ban Breathnach
As quoted from President Thomas S. Monson
in my favorite conference article
Finding Joy in the Journey October 2008

My most favorite meal!

Some would say that their most favorite meal of the whole year is Thanksgiving. Well for me it is the day after when I have all of those wonderful leftovers and pile them high onto a

Foul Weather Sandwich!

Toasted bread, miracle whip, turkey, stuffing, gravy and top it off with cranberry sauce! YUM! Of course you have to have all of the other leftovers along the side. Followed by pumpkin flan for dessert and I am in food heaven!

Hope your Turkey day was great! We had a terrific day cooking, chatting and hanging out with family! Just what the day should be!

A splashing good time!

This year we had the opportunity to join the Jones Family on their Thanksgiving tradition of going to Coco Key indoor water park and spending the night at the adjoining hotel. What a wonderful time we had!

On the way Paul decided to call and see if any upgrades were possible. Since he is always traveling he racks up the points and levels and we are always excited when we are with him and we get upgraded. Well upgraded is an understatement! We got the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE! WOW! We were so excited when we stepped through the double doors into a HUGE living area and walked to one side where there were double beds, a bathroom and a balcony then on the way other side was big our room, sitting area, bathroom and balcony.

The kids reaction to the suite

It worked out just perfect for a dinner party- ultra gourmet of course (pizza and soda) and a sleep over of Hallie and Brooklynn to follow! SO nice to have space, wonderful friends to share it with and 3 TVs to fit every ones viewing pleasure and to NOT have to pay extra for it!

The water park was a blast! We spent several hours there the first day a several more today! The kids HAD to be the first in line this morning which was great since it ensured us lounge chairs and a table. There were so many things to do- water slides with or without tubes, a huge play area with the dumping bucket, a huge jacuzzi, a lazy river, a pool with basketball, and a little kiddie area which all of the kids had just as much fun at. Our favorites were the water slides although I didn't know that one was PITCH BLACK inside and I was quite freaked out at first! The second day Alyssa tried the dark one and she too preferred the light one. The boys of course liked the dark! Xander and I going down on the double tube

It was so much fun hanging out with friends and the older kiddos running a muck and not having to worry about them. They would come and check in every so often and tell us what fun they were having!

The kids were exhausted after repeated trips up the stairs
You'd think they'd turn into fish!
Hallie was such a good sport! She only got to go down the water slide once or twice since she was a wee bit too short. But she took it in stride and found other things to do. I didn't hear her complain once about this! As a matter of fact I didn't hear one whine, gripe or complaint out of any of the older kids.

It truly was a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for the invite Jones Family! We can't wait to do it again next year!!

Order

I hate it when everywhere you look around the house something needs to be done! I have been sick for the last few days (again...) and yesterday only did laundry and read on the couch. It was hard for me to make myself stay put but I knew I needed to rest so I could feel up to par for Thanksgiving. Then today I look around and WHAM a pile here a pile there, clothes and books on the stairs, blankets on the couch from last night, dishes in the sink after our daily vitamin dinner last night, shoes in the living room and a BIG pile of stuff to be sorted in the kitchen. Thankfully it only took a while to get things back to where they belong-well for the most part that is. It is hard for me to thrive in chaos for too long! Order makes me feel calm and peaceful. As for the others in our home they are (somewhat) happy to help me when reminded.

1. a clean kitchen
2. small piles
3. happy helpers

I will give you rest

Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

The Bishop quoted these verses from Matthew today in church. It made me think of a conversation that I was having last night with two of my girlfriends. We were discussing the trials and tribulations in our lives- present day and past. While none of our trials were the same we all could have empathy for one another because we all know how it feels to be so overwhelmed by our problems and feel the weight of the world on our shoulders. Thankfully there is complete understanding and love by our Savior and He truly is willing to help make our burdens light if only we turn to Him.

A daily vitamin?

Every morning I take the kids to school. I just love this time in the car together. Sometimes we sing along with the radio, converse about our daily plans or study for spelling tests. Our conversation today went something like this:

Mom: Tomorrow night at the Jones' we are going to have chicken bowls. Yum!

Lissy: Are the kids going to have pizza?

Mom: No you guys like Christy's chicken.

Xander: Yes we do, but we LOVE pizza! We are going to have it today at lunch and then again tonight at Connor's birthday party!

Lissy: Ya, you know it's a daily vitamin mom!

Mom: Is that so?

Lissy: Hey wait! We don't take vitamins we'll just have pizza instead!

Fun times in the car and daily vitamins for dinner! Those are my thankful 2 for the day!

Shades of gray

Tonight the kids reminded me that it was Family Home Evening night and once again I was thankful for the Deseret Books lessons that get sent to my email every week! It was a fun lesson about gaining experiences and how all the things that happen in our lives help shape and strengthen our testimonies- kinda like building blocks.
We played several little games in which they had to make a list of things that are useless without something else. examples: A lamp is useless without a light bulb; a pen is useless without ink; a car is useless without gas.

Alyssa's list:
t.v. without wires
book without words
picture without a picture
printer without paper
refrigerator without cold

Alexander's list:
t.v. without electricity
body a without heart

We then did this fill in the blanks together:
A body is useless without a heart.
The scriptures are useless without words.
Death is useless without the atonement.
A leader is useless without people.
The priesthood is useless without men.
Repentance is useless without prayer.
The resurrection is useless without Jesus.
A prophet is useless without the priesthood.
A blessing is useless without the priesthood and faith.
Faith is useless without you believing.
A family is useless without Mom. :-)
Baptism is useless without the Melchizedek priesthood and someone to be baptized.
A temple marriage is useless without a man and a woman.
You are useless without your heart, lungs or without God.

Well let me tell you this opened up a WHOLE OTHER CAN OF WORMS! Specifically the temple marriage part because of their answer of a man and woman. Xander says, "who else would it be? It's not like a man would marry a man." Oh boy! After that follows an explanation of why we believe a marriage should only be between a man and a woman and how each person brings something different and unique to the marriage and the one of the main reasons we are here is to have a family....I briefly explained about same sex marriages (living in MA that will definitely come up in the future) and what we believe and why we believe these things. At the end Alyssa says, "Mom that's just weird! Why would a woman marry another woman? It's like sisters!" Oh the innocence of youth and the black and white of it also. There are so many shades of gray as we get older, but then again maybe there shouldn't be.
1. FHE
2. a good book to read
3. innocence

Serving shoulder to shoulder

Today in Ward Council we discussed the importance of Service.

"Your unity will increase while serving shoulder to shoulder this is where bonds are formed- Growth through service."

I saw this unity take full shape at one of the children's baptism today. The programs were made, the talks were given, the music was beautifully played, the food was lovingly prepared and the loving arms of ward members outstretched as we welcomed our newest member of the ward. What a joy it was to be able to serve shoulder to shoulder with members of my ward family!

Soggy Service Project

Alexander is just loving being a Cub Scout! He has been working hard on earning his badges. This afternoon the Cub Scouts had a Soggy Service Project.

The soggy part wasn't intended although the invitation did say "Rain or Shine" and it was definitely rain! I have to admit I was less than enthused about the wet weather but who was I to complain? I wasn't the one getting rained on (well... for a bit at the end). The kids had a fun time raking leaves for one of the ward members. I think the rain is actually what will make this event even more memorable! When Alyssa and I returned from our grocery shopping we counted 18 bags out front and many more in the back. There were many piles of leaves that didn't get a chance to get bagged in the backyard due to time limitations and pouring down rain at the end!

We picked up some cookies while shopping and shared it with the Scouts at the end. Although I must say I was totally grossed out at the fact that they were

touching the cookies with their FILTHY DIRTY hands! Grant was the only man after my own heart who took the two cookies into his mouth and wouldn't touch them with his hands.

On the way home Xander said, "This is the most fun I have had in a long time!" I am so grateful for the Scouts program and the leaders who work so hard to help the boys serve others and become better young men!

The Motley Crew

Collin, Joshua and Xander

It's done!

After what felt like forever I have finally finished the picture for my living room! It really brings the punch that the room needed. I saw a really great picture which I could not afford and to me that is like a challenge- well I could do that! So with some convincing from my sister and lots of orange paint (it is 48x60) I set out to recreate the picture. Paul was a great help too with the projector set up and initial tracing. I started it in October when life was so crazy and some weeks I barely touched it but, I finally finished it yesterday! Now I have my dining room table back and a huge picture for my living room. Well that is until I start my next project...

What life's all about

A&A 4th of July 2003

As I sat at the computer this afternoon trying to catch up with all of the things that transpired at church today Xander comes up to me and says, "MOM I haven't given you a hug ALL day!" Followed by a huge bear hug! Now that is what life is all about receiving love back from those you love most!

You, and the rest of the world

Last night the kids and I did a quick family home evening lesson together. I must admit that I am pretty bad about FHE. We read our scriptures most every night, but fall short in the FHE area. I am so glad that we did it because this morning the kids asked if every Tuesday night we could have family home evening? And they said what a great time they had! It was mostly due to the game that we played at the end-Fruit Basket Upset- which is very hard to play with 3 people,

but we made it work!

The lesson was on Individual worth and likened different fruits to different people. Just because one is different doesn't make it any less important in the eyes of God.

In the story part of the lesson it spoke of a father giving advice to his son, "Young man, I want you to realize that this world is divided into two great groups—

you, and the rest of the world."
"Regardless of what the rest of the world does,

it cannot save you;

and regardless of what the world does,

it cannot destroy you.

It is what you do

yourself

that determines what is going to happen,

whether you are going to be loved and respected and happy and successful while you are living here, and whether or not you are going to meet your Heavenly Father the way you would like to meet him."

As I was pondering over this today and how it fits into the political scheme of things I still remain optimistic about the future. I am grateful for the many opportunities I have each day to make the world a better place...loving my family, saying kind words, having family home evening...The world cannot save me or destroy me I am the only one who determines that!

A surprise lunch date!

I had a surprise lunch date today! I didn't think that we would get together until sometime next Spring and then the opportunity arose and I took it!

My lounge chair and I had a fabulous lunch in the bright beautiful SUNSHINE! What a treat it was to bask in the sunshine on my deck in early November. I had to convince myself several times to get my butt up and get something done so that later on when the kids got home we could play outside! I hated to come in because who knows when this opportunity will come again. Well I'm off to finish chores and then maybe a quick visit with my good friend again! Enjoy the day!

The moments in between...

As I was meandering my way through the back country road to the grocery store I was appreciating how there are still beautiful Fall leaves on the trees, the yellow and burnt orange are a nice contrast and that I am glad it is only just barely November.

Then I pull up to the store and outside is the Salvation army guy with the red bucket and ringing bell. "WOW," I say to him, "You're early aren't you?" " Nope the first of November for the past 5 years that I have done this."

I go into the store and what do I hear piping through the speakers? Christmas music! Hey I love Christmas music I always start playing it the DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING! As I go up and down the aisles my eyes are bombarded with clearance Halloween, Thanksgiving baking items and tons of Christmas things.

Mind you I am not bah humbugging I am merely asking why we have to rush through everything just to get to the next thing? Do we stop and enjoy the journey? Do we take time to seal the small moments in time? Or are we just getting from one thing to the next barely coming up for air in between? That is the way October felt for me. I had 4 major things strewn out throughout the month and I felt like I was just wishing to get to the next thing and not enjoying the moments in between.

So today I am appreciating the Fall leaves, that it is still AUTUMN and especially the fact that I have about 8 weeks left until Christmas! Because I am SO not ready!

November

November is already upon us!

This month I am going to try very hard to realize and appreciate how blessed I am in my daily life. I am sure that there are many things that I have to be grateful each and everyday I just need to not let those things be overshadowed by the things that I am NOT grateful for!

Today I didn't go to church because I am sick. Thankfully this all came about AFTER the program last Sunday and continued on throughout the week. As I woke up this morning I was filled with gratitude that this was NOT the way I woke up last Sunday. It would have made such an important day so difficult!

The kids and I took some time to go over their Faith in God booklets. In this booklet the children participate in activities that help them develop- gospel habits and a variety of areas such as serving others, developing talents and preparing themselves to be young men/women.

We looked up a few scriptures and discussed how they apply to our lives and their understanding of these scriptures.

I am so grateful for inspired gospel programs that help us lead and guide our children in these tough times.