It's a simple life....

I copied this post from a friend of a dear friend....but the message is sooo important I wanted to re-post. I hope those people aren't too upset....but know that I love the way he put this. Too important to not share. I love you....my people.

Life is pretty simple. There are only two priorities: one is things and the other people. People are always more important than things. Some things are more important than others: i.e. education, food and shelter; but things are never as important as people. Now for mortals -- some people are more important than others. In order, they are, spouse, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, neighbors, ward members, church members.

If you never put things above people and never put less important people ahead of the important people, you won't go wrong. It's a lot easier to like people you don't live with, but that does not change the formula.

Almost all problems happen when you put things or less important people ahead of the most important people. Money, pride, honor, power and houses are just things.

You kids take care of one another. I know you will take care of your children. God makes that easy. Remember: people, then things. Your people are more important than other peoples' people.

Thanks for the reminder!! I just need to add.....for my people....I love you....and thank you for loving me through my imperfections.

Thought for the day.....

The thought for the day is....



Life is 10% what happens to you......AND 90% what you DO with what happens to you.



Durring an expecially difficult day....someone read this thought off of their "thought calendar". I have to admit...it helped me try to put life in perspective. This week has been one of those where it reminds me how much I wish I didn't have to work outside the home. Don't get me wrong - I am gratefull to have an amazing office to work in...and most of the people I work with ---I really enjoy working with. I just miss the opportunity to be a full time - -at home mom.

I do have to take a moment and recognize the gifts my children are learning due to my absence. I do firmly believe they are learning to rely more on each other, they are learning independance - -which some of them truly need to learn more than others. And I am learning I don't have to do it all myself - - there are wonderful friends and loved ones out there that are willing to help.

I truly feel blessed. I am surrounded by wonderful people - - even when I dont want to continue on the course I am currently on! Wow - -thanks ...I love you - - and you know who you are!

Music has a way!!

Good and bad....Music has its way!!

I love to hear my children play the piano! I love to hear them sing! It has a wonderful magical quality, that makes me feel like I have accomplished something great. Not because I can play the piano well, or know the song they are singing; but because I feel the music from them touching something deep inside of me. I am so grateful for their talents, and the ones they are still working on! and am grateful they want to share those with me and others.

There is a song that a couple of my children sang in choirs this year that touches my heart strings so completely it is hard to put into words. The message and melody portray so many of my tender inner feelings, dreams, ideas, memories, and hopes. Everytime I hear it I end up bawling like a child again. My son brought home the words and tune for me from school....it won't do it justice...but the words are:

"Read me a memry, tell me a tale.
Speak of wondrous adventures, together we'll sail off to forests enchanted and lands far away.
Fairies and kings and magical rings. My heart has wings,
when I sit at your knee and you read to me.

Years turn like pages, soon I'll be grown.
Maybe someday I'll read to a child of my own.
Though I may not remember the stories we shared
I always knew the time spent with you that you loved me too
for I sat at your knee and you read to me.

Childhood like summer days, dews on the grass.
Soon will be yesterdays. Don't let it pass...
till you read me a memry, tell me a tale
speak of wondrous adventures.
Together we'll sail off to forests enchanted
and lands far away.
Fairies and kings, and magical rings..
My heart has wings.....
When I sit at your knee and you read to me."

Some enchantment comes from this song. Reminding me of my own childhood, and the love of goodly parents who showered (and still shower) me with great love. It reminds me of my desires to be a mother and the love and adventures I dreamed of sharing with children of my own. And it also reminds me of the younger years of my beautiful children...and all the wondering if enough was done, said, or shared to help them create the love and emotion that this song evokes from me.

For now I don't know (not sure I want to know), but know that everyday makes a difference in the lives of my children. Oh how I love them and pray that I have done enough for them to know the love that I have felt. How grateful I am to a loving Heavenly Father to have blessed my life so completely with such an amazing opportunity to love so many of His children. To any of my children that may ever read this.....every word I ever read to you, every word ever sung......was done so in an effort for you to learn to love and to know of my great love for you. Thank you for loving me so completely in return!
Love, Mom

Discouragement is enevitable

Discouragement is inevitable....but it is what we do with it....that defines our life.

Sometimes life comes at us hard.....hitting back seems like the best option sometimes...while other times hiding seems appropriate. I am grateful for a wonderful network of family and friends that keep me pointed in the right direction. The gospel in my life is an awesome safety net that I am grateful to have. I know when things get hard, complicated, stressful, and downright overwhelming...there is always someone who understands what I am feeling and will help me through.

I don't know what I did in the premortal life that earned me the privilege of having the gospel in my life....because often I feel ordinary. But I have to remember to never, never, never give up!!

We are what we repeatedly do! Excellence then, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle

Here is to disbanning discouragement --I will aim for the moon---even if I miss ---I can end up among the stars!! and if you have seen them lately....they are truly beautiful and amazing. Sounds pretty good to me.

Sleep, Sleep, What a wonderful thing!!

I have not slept one wink......



Why oh why is it so difficult to go to sleep? Shut the worries out for the day, turn down the needs for tomorrow and ignore reality for just a few hours? Too many worries, tasks, needs, and desires to shut out.....what is one to do?


Ambien...oh what a wonderful thing....
helps me sleep.....which makes my heart sing!!!
Who ever invented the magic that turns the brain off....I thank. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a regular user. But when things get too bad, and I haven't had a good nights sleep for almost a week. I am all for the relief that comes from being comatose. It rejuvenates and puts your thinking back to square one. Thanks ambien! Hope to see you again next week!

Par loves Happy Bottom!!!

It never ceases to amaze me ...how much I have to learn. How many opportunities are slipping though my fingers every day. There aren't too many 40 year-olds that can boast to having exceptional grandparents still living. Yes you read that right...my GRANDparents. I want to share a story about my grandparents that I learned just a few weeks ago, one that I should probably have known for years.



My grandfather "Par" was a fighter pilot in the Air Force for many years, something I am extremely proud of!! I have seen different planes that he has flown throughout my life, heard a few of the stories he has shared.....and loved every memory he has shared! Par married his highschool sweetheart Gladys, but we call her "Marme". She is a classy, talented, caring, and most wonderful person. To know Marme and Par .....is to love them. You can't possibly know them without loving them!

Par flew some amazing planes. The one I most recently learned about was named "Happy Bottom" ....amazingly enough it is just another name for "Glad A$$". I didn't know this --until just recently. Par never flew with out Marme right beside him! Their example of love and dedication to each other even today is an amazing thing to behold. What a great legacy they have given to me. Thank you!! I love you both.

Amazing People!!

It is so great to know amazing people. People who are always willing to lend a hand!! People who come to the rescue, step up to the plate, and those who just seem to know when help is needed!



I love that the world is made up of so many different people with so many differing strengths. You know who you are!! You know what you do -well most of the time. I don't seem to always take the time to spell out my gratitude to others for all they do for me (and my family). But I truly feel blessed that my Heavenly Father has sent so many wonderful people into my life to look after me....to pick up the pieces when the going gets tough.



Life is hard....I think it is best that way. What growth is there when we don't have to stretch. Thank you to all my friends and loved ones....for all you do to make my life a little better each day. I just hope I can offer to others, a little bit of all that I receive from you! You are amazing!! You know who you are ---and if you don't ---I am truly sorry for not fulfilling my part by letting you know more often!



I love you!! Thanks for being a bit of sunshine on my cloudy days!!
Love, Mimi