On Entitlement

I wrote this in my journal and felt impressed to share it here

Lately I have thought a lot about the phrase, 'have a good day'.  It's sort of an odd thing to say because in the end, the individual is the only one who controls the feelings and outcome of a good day or a bad day.  No one is entitled to a good day or a bad one. In fact, no one is even entitled to a day at all. God is in control of our very breath and gives it to us freely. Not because we deserve it.
I've thought it might be more appropriate to say, 'make a good day'.  Or in other words, use your agency to choose for yourself, to act, not to be acted upon.
There is a serious disease and danger in our culture--entitlement.  Children, youth, adults all seem to be wrapped up in this idea of, 'I deserve this' not because they earned it or worked for it, but simply because they want it.  Our wants are endless--especially without the companions of work and sacrifice.
Since Erick and I decided to be more 'Dave Ramsey' with our finances [about 1 year ago] I feel like my wants have become fewer and fewer.  I find myself more content with what I have and more realistically appraise the value of my wants  Am I willing to work and sacrifice for that want, or do I simply want it because the natural man is a creature of insatiable desires.  What are the true costs of my desires?
I am amazed at how little the principle of work is being taught.  In fact, it seems to have almost disappeared completely.  Children are too young, too busy, too pampered to work.
Work is the essence of life.  I believe the key to a good life is learning to find joy in working.  Finding joy in sacrifice and pride in a good accomplishment.

I recently reviewed a talk given in Oct 2010 by Elder Christofferson. He mentions work and goes into in depth teaching of the principle of work.

this one thing

this one thing called "mothering" is tough.  Today has been tough. Yesterday was t.o.u.g.h.  Those kiddos really know how to get under my skin. They really know how to push every limit.  And, why do I break? Is it because I'm tired?  I'd like to hope so.
Sometimes, like today, I feel like it's simply because I'm really not a 'graduated' mother yet. I just don't know what to do sometimes. I wish there were some sort of school that once you graduated (even with c's or d's) that you would just know what to do. How to handle situations. How to keep a grip on your own self control. Instead we have to do this thing called mothering day in and day out and hopefully learn something that I could put into practice. That that one thing called patience....oh  my.
Mothering is a tough job.  I got an email the other day from someone saying that the role of a stay at home mom is now only worth 112K instead of 132K it was estimated at 5 years ago.  Is that supposed to be encouraging?? I mean there are so many times that I already feel so worthless.  It just doesn't always feel that 'wonderful' to clean messes, change diapers, mediate fights, wipe bottoms, do laundry, cook dinner, wash dishes....and then repeat daily, hourly.
I love my kids. I do. Sometimes I just wish I could learn everything I need to know in a organized, calm, classroom.

The Way I Blog

Enjoy some pictures of what we've been up to for the last while.

Getting your hopes up only leads to falling down

Hey ya'll I hope you didn't have your hopes too high that I'd actually update this thing. Does anyone even read it anymore? I don't! =) I thought I'd share a picture or two. Things we've been working on.

#1 Mo' money! We've been working hard at Dave Ramsey's 'Total Money Makeove' and we accomplished the first baby step. I'm afraid we're going to be on #2 for a while, but hey, working at it is better than pretending it's going to get better by itself.

#2. Spending time together as a family doing meaningful things. We've been trying to avoid doing 'nothing' but rather do things together. Work, play, service...meaningful things together. Sorry dear reader, this means you are going to be put on the back burner even more.

Holy Update (well pictures)

Sorry for the mass pictures....We went to Jared and Julie's in August

You can bet I was MAD about that mud...although looking back I think, 'oh they were just being boys'

scary bug we found, shirt i made, chair I (ERICK) reupholstered

Teresa came to visit us in July.

We went to Denver for a family reunion in July.

Everett literally thought he was Spiderman...and he still does.

September

Remember how I promised/made a goal of posting more??

Well, in answer to that I say this: I'm basically abandoning this blog. I'll post some of these little collages occasionally, but for the most part you can expect, well, nothing. So here's what a future blogging post will look like:

We went camping and hiking and dutch ovening and picnicing and playing in September.

I made my first pineapple upside down cake via dutch oven. It was good, but a little under done. better than over done at least.

We went to Erick's school for homecoming. The kids were in awe at the balloon man. If I could keep their attention this well....I may have to go into balloon making.

Possibly one of my favorite conversations with a 3 year old

A conversation I had with my niece Bella. This stemmed from my own personal curiosity about how an Idaho girl might say something versus a southern boy* of about the same age.

Me: Bella can you say spaghetti?

Bella: Spaghetti.

Me: Can you say necklace?

Bella: (rolling her eyes almost saying, how old do you think I look?) Necklace.

Bella: Can you say sam-o-wich?

Me: Sandwich.

Bella: No. Sam-o-wich

*Everett usually says 'bsgetti' and 'neck-o-lace' I guess they both have the 'o' factor down.