Words to Live by

I have a love affair with the written word.  Words can be a powerful influence for good in this world.  Take such amazing speeches as The Gettysburg Address, I have a Dream by Dr. King and The most correct book in the world, The Book of Mormon. So I decided to hang up my Ikea chalk board that has been collecting dust in the basement and begin using it to write down some words.  I want to fill my family's minds with good thoughts like my favorite quote pictured here.  I have begun compiling a list of all sorts of quotes, sayings, scriptures, poems, etc. that can be used on our new "Quote Board".  Leave me a comment with your favorite "words" so I can add them to our list.

Sunday

This is what inspired me this Sunday. It's Point of Grace- "How You Live".

"Hot Tubs of Self Pity"

Today I sat pondering on a rule I have made for myself.  It is one I made up a long time ago and also one that I break almost daily.  The rule is this:

"If you commit to doing something, you have no right to complain about it later."

I have my agency.  I am free to choose the commitments I make.  There in lies my problem.  I commit to everything.  I genuinely want to help everyone.  I also don't know how to say no.  I never want to let anyone down.  So I often over extend myself by committing to more than I can really handle.  I think in a way Heavenly Father knows this about me and knows that I will give more than I have.  I think it has blessed me in some ways and hurt me in others. 

I tell you this because last night I broke my rule again.  I have committed to doing something this weekend that I don't really want to do.  It is something that will help someone else. It is something for someone that has helped me in the past. It is something so good and shouldn't give me a reason to complain.   

After "murmuring" about it far too long I decided to go to the one place I always go to get a good dose of humble pie.  I turned to LDS.org.  There is not a question or concern I have ever had that can't be answered here.  It combines all of the best resources- like the scriptures, words of the prophets, lessons, etc.  I came across this TALK.

Here are a few quotes that I needed to hear today:

"Letting off steam always produces more heat than light"

"Damage to ourselves is sufficient reason to resist murmuring, but another obvious danger is its contagiousness. Even faithful father Lehi, for one brief moment, got caught up in the contagion of murmuring. (See 1 Ne. 16:20.) Similarly, when Moses lapsed, very briefly, it was under exasperating pressure from rebels. (See Num. 20:7–12.) No one knows how to work a crowd better than the adversary."


“I became jealous of the Prophet … and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil; … I thought I saw a beam in Brother Joseph’s eye, but it was nothing but a mote, and my own eye was filled with the beam;" …Thomas B. Marsh


First, the murmurer often lacks the courage to express openly his concerns. If the complaint concerns a peer, the murmurer seldom follows Jesus’ counsel, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” (Matt. 18:15.)


and my favorite....

"Instead of murmuring, therefore, being of good cheer is what is needed, and being of good cheer is equally contagious. We have clear obligations to so strengthen each other by doing things “with cheerful hearts and countenances.” (D&C 59:15; see also D&C 81:5.)

Then of course I can't stop reading and I came upon this TALK that reminded me why I love to help others so much and that is because that is when I am the most happy.

 D&C 58:27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;



28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in no wise lose their reward.

I am thankful that when I am looking I always find so much more.

Sunday

Like I mentioned last week I really want to try and remember at least one thing that I can share from my Sabbath Day.  This Sunday is hard because I was sick- so listening and focusing was a bit hard.  That and we went to a baby blessing and then I went to Primary.  Here are a few things I do remember.  First off we spent Saturday afternoon in the temple to see our BFF's the Tanners sealed to their gorgeous adopted daughter Maleah.  I have never been to an infant sealing like this before.  Her grandmother sat her on the alter facing her father.  She was wearing the most precious long flowing white pin tucked dress.  She has a head full of curly dark hair that smells divine.  She sat perfectly still (she is only about 6 months old).  She looked her dad straight in the eye the whole time- it was almost as if she was saying to him "That's right- I am your daughter and you are my father."  The spirit was so strong there. 

One thing though made this event even more special and that was the sealer.  His name was also Tanner- this was not planned and yet I know was not an accident.  He ended up being their cousin.  They both had come from the John Tanner Family. John Tanner gave the prophet Joseph Smith the money he needed to pay for the land where they built the Kirtland Temple.  Click on the link and you can read more about their amazing story.  What a legacy this man has today.  The sealer said something too that stood out to all of us.  He said that "Adoption is the means by which the Lord accelerates the placing of children into LDS homes."  On Sunday Maleah's grandpa shared that thought again.  John Tanner started the LDS legacy in his family- that now his descendants- our friends The Tanners are part of.  I felt like he must have been there to see little Maleah as she was sealed into this righteous home.  How it will change her life forever.  Our friends were not even trying to adopt when Maleah came.  They had struggled with infertility for years and were still planning on pursuing that one more time.  It is a remarkable story that I do not know all the details to- but I know she was meant to be their daughter and be raised in a righteous home.  One of the sweetest moments too was seeing Maleah's brother Mason who is just seven years old filled with the spirit and tears streaming out of his eyes.  He loves that little girl more than anything.  He got to be in the temple to see her sealed to him and his parents forever.  I was so happy that I could be part of their special day.  It made my Sunday a little bit more special too.   

Things I really LOVE today

Today I ran on our treadmill- I don't love running- but I love sweating and blasting my IPOD as loud as I can and feeling like I am doing something so good- something that is not a waste of time and that gives me a chance to be by myself and think.

Today I couldn't  wait to wake up and play this:

This is what I call a dream come true.  I love to play the piano. My family could never afford a piano when I was young.  We had a piano sitting in our garage all torn up- just waiting to be repaired.  I know my mother wished that piano was in our home.  My grandmother paid for me to take lessons for one year.  That was all I had- but I wanted more.  I bought a small organ when I was a teenager so that I could practice and then as an adult I bought another small keyboard and I practiced as much as I could on both.  Music is a huge part of my life and I have longed for it to fill our home for years.  This piano is an answer to many prayers and hopes and wishes and dreams.  This piano is used- but it is the most beautiful thing to me.  I love everything about it.  I love that I can sit down and play whenever I want to. 

Today I am proud of Ashtyn for writing her own talk on Sunday.  Here is a copy of it:

Today I loved reading this blog I read this blog and a few others every day.  It is on my list of most inspirational blogs- it never makes me feel bad about the life I am leading, only inspires me to do the best I can.

Today I am in love with PACE BARS- they are the most wonderful popsicles and have my favorite flavor of all time- Tigers Blood.  I could eat these all day. 

Today I am going to pick a cucumber from our garden and eat it.  I love growing my own food.

Sunday

One of my goals is to teach my children to listen.  Listening is a skill that must be learned and practiced for it to improve.  More specifically to teach them to listen in Sacrament meeting.  I came to the realization a few years ago that I had taught them to ignore instead of to listen.  Thinking that by keeping them entertained so that they would be quiet I was teaching them reverence.  I soon came to understand that when I would give them toys, books, snacks, etc. during the meeting it would instantly change their focus from the wonderful messages being given to the items they were holding- that were usually not gospel centered at all.  I have three children so I am fully aware that little ones can't always focus for an hour long meeting, nor can their tummy's go for extended periods of time with out snacks- so I am in no way implying that giving little children toys, books, snacks, etc. is wrong.  I did not stop doing this until my youngest was four.  It was very hard at first- because I had trained them to expect these things immediately following the Sacrament Ordinance.  But over time they no longer needed anything.  They slowly started to listen.  Now a few years later- We are still working on listening- but now too on understanding.  I want them to not just hear the words- but to learn from them- to feel the spirit- to understand.  That is the point of this post today.  Every Sunday I am going to start posting a quote, thought, experience, etc.  that the speaker has shared.  One that our family has discussed and wants to remember.  My hope it that by writing them down they will be ones that we can come back to often and that will become part of our values and lives.

Today the speakers spoke on the importance of family and here is a quote that I loved: 

"All of us, single or married, are eternally part of some family—someway, somewhere, somehow—and much of our joy in life comes as we correctly recognize and properly develop those family relationships. We come to this earth charged with a mission: to learn to love and serve one another. To best help us accomplish this, God has placed us in families, for he knows that is where we can best learn to overcome selfishness and pride and to sacrifice for others and to make happiness and helpfulness and humility and love the very essence of our character."



John H. Groberg-

Love You Babe X12

Today is our anniversary.  12 years to be exact.  I love that man!  I can honestly say that I am more in love with him today than the day we were married.  He is the best thing that ever happened to me.  We spent the morning hiking amoung the wild flowers.  I could not have asked for a better day.  It was gorgeous- he was gorgeous.  Here's to you Babe!

Happy Birthday Brody

Friday is Brody's birthday and since I consider him to be my fourth child during the week- I had to post about him.  We had a party for his birthday on Sunday.  He is ONE- and boy is he adorable!  He has round little cheeks- on both ends;).  He feels squishy and soft when I hold him.  He loves to cuddle after we wakes up from a nap.  He laughs hysterically when you chase him around the house.  He is a very advanced child and walked at 10 months which was way earlier than my kids did.  He also demonstrated that he can use a spoon at his party.  He says three words over and over all day: "Uh-Oh", "Woof", "Whoa".  He has the cutest dimples in the world.  He loves to dust- cries like crazy when I take it away and he is actually pretty good at using it- he carries it around swiping everything at his eye level.  Come to think of it he would rather be playing with anything but the toys I get out for him all day.  He especially loves the phone and remote and knows what both are for.  Happy Birthday Brody!

Bridal Shower

There is a tradition in Jeff's family that I absolutely love and that is the tradition of "Bridal Shower".  Now you may think that a bridal shower is quite common and nothing to blog about, but to me this is one of the most enchanting events that I have the honor of attending.  They began in our family when Jeff's grandmother Edna Oakeson Shaw's first daughter was married-perhaps even before then.  The showers were for every female member of the family to attend- no matter your age from 2 to 82.  Upon arrival you would find tables set up in the front room covered in plastic table clothes with a gold lace imprint.  Each table would be set with a small crystal bowl filled with m&m's, peanuts and butter mints.  At your place you would find a bingo card- but not just any bingo card, Bride Bingo.  Where the traditional bingo words were replaced with wedding themed words.  You can purchase your own set here.  The cards are vintage and adorable.  You will also find a bowl of white beans used to mark your bingo card.  Once all the guests have arrived the game of bingo begins.  They play until there is a winner.  Each winner gets to choose a small gift to unwrap or you may choose to steal a gift from someone who has already won.  The gifts are inexpensive little trinkets found at dollar stores, Target, craft stores, etc., but to the winner they are glorious and exciting as you unwrap to see what you have found.  In the past they have been things like pink measuring cups (I won these- who doesn't love pink baking tools :), boxes of chocolates, luscious lotions, hair accessories, notebooks, etc.  After all the guests have had a chance to win we gather in the kitchen for a beautiful and lovely lunch that always consists of the same fair.  Frog eye salad, orange rolls, fruit, vegetables, punch, eclairs, etc. (This year was a bit different due to food allergies).  The lunch is served on crystal snack plates with tea cups.  This is one detail that I am so in love with.  A long time ago brides were given snack plates as gifts for their wedding.  The ones we use at the showers belonged to Grandma Shaw and they are so elegant and classic.  After lunch is served gifts are opened by the bride and bows are placed upon her head from each gift(we didn't do that at this shower). 

All of this may just seem silly or old fashioned but to me it is beautiful- it is like getting to know Grandma Shaw all over again.  I feel her there with us.  She was the most lovely person.  I am the only in-law in Jeff's family that got the chance to know her because she died shortly after we were married.  She and I are kindred spirits.  She loved so many of the things I do.  She always made you feel welcome in her home.  She was refined and full of grace and elegance.  So often traditions like this are brushed aside after a while because they become out dated or because we are often much too busy now a days- so when I can I hold on to them and keep them dear.  It connects me to the past- so much of Grandma Shaw's life spills over into my families.  She was a large influence on her children (Jeff's dad) and in turn that influences Jeff and me and our children.  I feel her love for us when I talk about her and reminisce about all the memories I have of her.  I hope the showers can continue so that one day my girls can experience them too (unfortunately their best buddy was getting baptized at the same time so they were unable to attend this one).  Dear Grandma Shaw- Thank you, Miss you, Love you, See you soon.

5 Senses

5 Things That Fill Up My Senses Right Now.......

Touch:
Rain- I know I am posting this for two senses- but I have been really intrigued by the way the rain feels when it hits your skin.  To me it kind of feels like an electric shock- not really painful and hard to describe.  It feels awakening.  It feels cold and surprising.  I like it.
Taste:
Snow Cones- Summer means lots of these babies.  There is something so good about ice cold sugary syrup running down your throat.
Smell:
Rain- The weather here has made a habit the last few weeks of raining in the afternoon- not long all day type of showers- summer type of showers- that cool everything down for a little while, give all the plants the drink they are thirsting for in the heat, clean the air, that kind of shower.  My favorite thing to do is to go outside and smell the rain.  It smells so good and makes everything smell so good.  It is raining right now even as I type this.
Sight:
Breakthrough with Tony Robbins- I love this guy!  He has always fascinated me.  This show brings me to tears every time.  If you haven't seen it- watch it!  You won't be disappointed! *Post Edit*  WAAAAHHH- NBC pulled Tony's show because it didn't get enough ratings- BOO HOO!!
Sound:
These links are two of my favorite songs right now-We were introduced to Tonic Sol Fa at a party we went to over the weekend and I could have listened to those guys for hours-They were really good! I can't get enough of The Girls With Glasses Show- LOVE THEM!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MANPad_hPls&feature=related
http://www.vimeo.com/12241447

I am also madly in love with Mindy Gledhill and Cherie Call. Jeff and I went to a concert in the park featuring Cherie Call and I adored every song she sang. I recently bought her tracks "Already A Butterfly" & "Walk You Through The Night".  They are the sweetest songs.  I have been a fan of hers for years! Both these lovely ladies have new Cd's out check out Mindy's Blog here and click on her IPOD Player. Check out Cherie Call's website here.