21 suggestions for Success...

So this poster hung in our hallway downstairs for almost 25 years.  I took it down a few years ago and today.... as I was having a "get rid of 50 things day" ...I am ready to let it go.

But not before writing all the things down on a blog post for you...and for me.  




1. Marry the right person. This decision will determine 90% of your happiness.
2.  Work at something you enjoy and that is worth spending your time and talents.
3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
6. Be generous.
7. Have a grateful heart.
8. Persistence, Persistence, Persistence
9. Discipline yourself to save money even on a modest salary.
10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
12. Commit yourself to quality.
13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige but on relationships with people you love.
14. Be loyal.
15. Be honest.
16. Be a self starter.
17. Be decisive even if it means sometimes you are wrong. 
18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back at your life you will regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did.
20.Take good care of those you love.
21.Don't do anything that wouldn't make your mom proud.


After typing out this list I realized that even though it was in our basement for 25 years I didn't take the time to read and think about it. This is powerful stuff. It is wisdom for all of us to take into our hearts.  
Read the list again... which one is your favorite? 

Love you.
Mom

A January Thought

"The holiday presents have been opened and put to good use; the decorations are all stowed. And yet with the 

start of a new year, one gift carriers over for all to share; the warming cheer from time spent with those we care about most."     CL

Whether by phone or in person Pop and I love sharing your joys and adventures. Thank you for such a wonderful season.  We love you.

A Christmas story...

Christmas is full of good memories for me.  
Growing up my parents always had a flocked christmas tree in the front room. Tommy always located the hiding "stash" early in the month and hardly slept a wink on Christmas eve even though he already knew everything! We always went to a Christmas Eve party at the Scott's house-complete with Santa dropping by.  Grammy loved Christmas lights all up and down our LONG driveway, it was one of my favorite things too.  We had a wooden life size snow family out on the lawn in front, complete with a little light shining up at them.  Our Christmas stockings were stuffed full. Our presents were stacked tall.  We went to Grandma and Grandpa Foulger's every Christmas morning for breakfast. We drank from the santa mugs....  Christmas is a magical time.

This year at our annual pajama party...something wonderful happened.  It will be added to my Christmas memories list.  It will be one of my favorite.

The Hand knitted nativity sat on the suitcase table.  The twins and Amelia were rearranging them, playing with the sheep and Felicity had the donkey on the floor.  As the night went on I noticed the wisemen, shepherds, Mary and Joseph had all been placed in a circle around the baby Jesus.  Grammy and I laughed at this new arrangement, thought it was cute.
Amelia later said to me...."they are all keeping on eye on the baby Jesus."

Isn't it true.  If we keep our eyes on Jesus and remember His hand in our lives we will be happy.  We will be moving in the right direction.
Thanks Amelia.

At church on Sunday the teacher was talking about the way her children loved arranging the Fisher Price nativity they bought. They sometimes included dinosaurs, super heroes and princesses in the scene. There is always room for everyone.

Then she said-  " Can you see Christ from where you are?"
Can you see the tender mercies He gives to you each day.  Look for them.  Keep an eye on Him.

I loved this thought.  It made my Christmas seem more magical than ever.

Love you.
Mom

I love November

I was very ready to put my Halloween decorations back into the boxes this year.

Which is unusual because I really love October and Halloween....but this year I was anxious to bring in the Gratitude tree, set out some turkeys, pilgrims and indians and get a few of those "be grateful" banners hung in the windows.  I love my grandma Foulger turkey, my new pumpkin tureen, and the camera's set out amongst the many fall colors on the hutch.   

I love creating a new "gratitude dinner ornament" and looking back through the book of past gratitude dinner ornaments.  The gratitude dinner is one of my favorite traditions. 

 I love trying to save my geraniums, reluctantly cutting down some of the zinnias and roses that are still totally beautiful.  I still have 50 or more green tomatoes holding out on the vines back there...what is up with that???

I love seeing magazines full of spice recipes. . . especially cinnamon recipes. 

I love reading through my Thanksgiving books while I am putting them out in the basket. 

Cranberry Thanksgiving, A Turkey for Thanksgiving, The Secret of Saying Thanks,  The Rough Face Girl, The Stranger, the First Thanksgiving and the oldie but goodie- Winter Lullaby.

Yes...it's November and there is a lot of things to be grateful for.

Like you.  

I am so grateful for my family. My peeps. I am your greatest fan! I adore each of you and feel so grateful to be your mom. 

BRFB!

"The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time. The more we say thanks, the more we find to be thankful for. And the more we find to be thankful for, the happier we become." -Douglas Wood

Time flies when you are having fun....October

Can't believe it is already October! 
I love October!

It really came around fast for me this year.

I LOVED being able to go to New Mexico for Bret's graduation ceremony.
Although we had some interesting things happen on the trip... 
(ie: not packing mom's bag, dad finding out his license is not valid, checking out the Alien museum in Rosewell, cool eclipse of the moon, swimming in salty water, finding a deal on gas- $2.01 in New Mexico, shopping spree for clothes to wear and the very best part was seeing the twins and E with Bret after so long apart.) Bret looks really good in his uniform.  He is now into Spanish classes.

I Love conference weekend.
3 new Apostles called, dinner with the girls, Ebelskievers at Nana's, granddaughter sleep over, making licorice caramels, dinner with the fam and Brynn's peach pie made me smile - big time!

I Love teaching preschool in October.
We talk about changes in the seasons, pumpkins, halloween shapes, cowboy day and learn fun spookey halloween songs. We listen to the children talk about their costumes every day, read halloween books, and of course learn the squeaky bat song. Every day the children come alittle more excited than the day before. October is always a good month in preschool.

I Love eating fresh vine ripe tomatoes from the back yard, picking the 2nd crop of raspberries and this year, I canned Bryttin's Marinara sauce recipe.  I also canned some salsa and a few tomatoes for soup. My garden is finishing off -I didn't get very many pumpkins this year but my cucumbers were a success. I got lots of Thyme, Rosemary, and Basil in the herb garden.  Weeding is on the list but not crossed off yet! I love being in the backyard this time of year. Time seems to slow down for me....and what's not to love about slow moving beautiful days. Even the pouring rain made me happy.

What's not to love about October!

Love you.
Mom

and so do I....

Found this book by Max Lucado down in Bailey's room.
 
 God thinks you are wonderful
A few excerpts...

     God is fond of you- if he had a wallet your picture would be in it.
          If He had a refrigerator -your picture would be on it.

     He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

     Whenever you want to talk- He will listen.

      Face it friend----He's crazy about you.

    By the way, it may be difficult for you to believe that God knows your name...
                but He does.  Written on His hand.

     You weren't mass-produced. You aren't an assembly line product.
           You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted and lovingly positioned on this earth.

    He thinks you are the best thing to come down the pike in a while....

      He has sent his angels to care for you, the Holy Ghost to guide you...
             his Church to encourage you, and his word to guide you.

     He thinks you're wonderful.

I just wanted to remind you.

I think you are wonderful too.

Love, Mom

Family emergency at our house

I went downstairs yesterday to get another container of Ovaltine.......
NONE to be found.

I told dad-  "we are out of Ovaltine..."
                     his response-

"oh no- we are having a family emergency!!"

and we are!

I'm off to Wally world today to get some.
Can't imagine my day without a glass of rich chocolatey
OVALTINE! 

Raspberries!

Just this morning I picked 6 cups of raspberries.

Yes.

They are coming on and I couldn't be happier. 

Love my raspberry patch.

Thanks to dad for putting up the new wire mesh.  

Other things I am loving about summer.

Book Camp. 

It was sure fun to plan and carry out book camp for 50- 60 kids these past 2 weeks.

Love getting a pay check in June.  I am also doing a book class for the Kings English book store. Its a fun thing to be a part of.  Can't go wrong with Picture books!

Backyard in the evening.

Sometimes dad and I sit outside on our new chairs in the evening. The breeze blows and we get all quiet and enjoy the moment. Sometimes we turn on the "party lights".

The new "tool" corner.

Dad built a fence using an old iron bed in the back corner. We put the wheel barrows and other big left over stuff back there.  It's all fenced in and looks great. We are hoping the Cannes flowers we planted grow and cover up the bottom of the bed frame in one place.  

Hopefully, looking forward to a SLOW DOWN.

So many days are spent running, doing and keeping up.  I am hoping for a few slow down days.  

Isn't that what summer is supposed to be all about!!!  Going to the cabin. Reading books. Doing projects. Gardening.  Having friends over.  Seeing grandchildren. Running through the sprinklers. Eating slushes and ice cream.  Taking walks.  Enjoying the ride.  

Hope your end of June will quiet down as well.

Love you all.

Mom

I have an amazing family

I am so blessed.
My children are wonderful. My grandchildren are fantastic. My husband is the greatest.

Thanks family.
Love you more than Noah was.

The beginning of summer....

                                          It is the beginning of summer for me.  

The garden is in full swing (including lots of busy snails). We should have a few raspberries in the next week or so.  I have planted squash and zuchinni 3 times!!! Something chews the leaves off immediately.  Luckily Brynn said I could have 2 of her already growing plants:)
Dad and I have been sitting out on the patio at night enjoying the cool summer breeze. But most of all we have relished slowing down for a minute!  Even though summer has arrived- busy days and nights are abundant and sitting for a minute has been a reprieve for us.  We love our new "Fathers day" chairs and bench. I love the new chalk board and wagon table too. Dad definitely spoils me with my Pinterest ideas!
Dad is busy at work with craziness and I am actively figuring out different ways to "catch up".  I started a summer bucket list but then wanted to start it over because it needed less "work items" and more "enjoy" items on it!  One of those enjoy items was- "go to the zoo with grandkids" check.  I absolutely loved the zoo.  I love the bird show and the zoo has changed alot since I took my kids there in the summertime!

I recently read this article from the  Family Minute website about character traits. I thought it had great definitions. I want to think about these and incorporate them into my life. So... I am putting them on my Summer bucket list.

• Here they are:
• Obedience is doing what someone says right away, without being reminded.
• Honor is treating people as special, doing more than what’s expected, and having a good attitude.
• Perseverance is hanging in there, even after you feel like quitting.
• Attentiveness is showing people you love them by looking at them when they say their words.
• Patience is waiting with a happy heart.
• Self-discipline is putting off present rewards for future benefits. 
• Gratefulness is being thankful for the things I have, instead of grumbling about the things I don’t have.

A few of My summer bucket list items so far:

The cabin....

Camping (at least 1 weekend)

Cleaning out 2 closets, the shed boxes that belong to me and 7 drawers.

Helping someone.

Writing a note to someone every week.

Changing out my bed to a Queen.

Grandchildren overnights.

Figure out how to use the "pages version on my mac"(the old one was so much better)

Garden every day.

Read 3 books

Develop character traits.

Eat more vegetables.  Drink more water.

Etc.  Etc.  Etc.

Aw...Summertime.  

I don't know how to take the white background off the first part of this post.....I guess I am going to have to live with it.