Off 2 Boot Camp

Left, Right, Left....

There she goes...

Off to Boot Camp on Thursday-

I think I am still in shock...but I will

think and pray for you. May you

gain the knowledge and life

experience you are seeking.

I love you...and Hope all goes Well!

A Few thoughts to take on your way-

"Courage is endurance for one moment more..."
Author: Unknown Marine Second Lieutenant in Vietnam

"Don't take it personal, just take it!"
Author: Sgt. Paul Wells 101st Airborne Div. (AASLT)

"We are only undefeated because we have gone on trying."
Author: T. S. Elliot

"God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we ought to listen twice as much as we speak."
Author: ~Irish Proverb~

(this one reminded me of U...)

My dear niece I will Miss U!

Motherhood 101-a...e2..needs...help.......

Ah, motherhood...as one of my friend's catch phrases goes, Gotta love it!

I usually tease her and say NO I DON'T have to....

She is just a + person. Love her for that! It does amaze me how motherhood is much more intense than I ever thought. I am not sure if I was just young and naive...or I have alot of strengthening to do...

I love my two kids, don't get me wrong. They can be a true joy. But as the joke goes, why didn't they come with instruction manuals.

Today I spent much of my day talking about chipmunks. Me the non-animal person. It is Sky's obsession. He thinks they are in the big pine trees at the end of our cul-de-sac. He takes his trap and puts it down by the trees. (this consists of an empty Avon box he got at a garage sale around the corner...rewind...we stopped at the garage sale around the corner...just for fun...and looked really quick..the lady asked...how we were and said ok...Sky of course speaks up and informs her he needs some chipmunk stuff...the he sees a box in her garage and says "whats that?" she said oh that is just an empty box...he said "that is just what I was looking for"...) so as the story goes...we got the best buy at the sale...one free avon box loaded (meaning it had a lid) Now if we could only catch one of those sneaky chipmunks. Wish us luck or a quick transition to the next obsession.

Child #2...Little Miss I need everything. She has a new obsession too...Garage Sales. One of her therapist helpers got her hooked...She has the smile so she gets stuff for CHEAP. I however have been playing the simplify game, reduce, reduce reduce. Good Will or other charity places get a bag at least once a week. However with her new obsession the equation is not equaling out. For the love of a good deal, I think she should have been her aunts daughter...

These are just a few things in my motherly head right now...but I think it is because I am worrying about the first day of school. Fingers crossed, toes crossed...Hoping for a good first day..

To be continued School starts TUESDAY ☺

I

WELCOME baby IAN

The unofficial Aunt...Gains another Blessing

A couple years ago, I was lucky enough to meet a beautiful Spanish woman named Lorena. She is so sweet, kind and fun too~! We met at exercise class a lady in our stake does. We became friends. I enjoy spending time with her. She soon had a sweet daughter, Ainsley Jae (AJ)... I have such fun playingwith her and watching her explore the wonders of the world. My children are in love with her as well, so eager to show her things and play. I am very thankful

for this as all of their cousins are far away. AJ is turning 2 and bought her the cutest outfit.

(see the Elmo picture)

Lorena and Bryon found out they were expecting baby #2 and it was a boy. They have been eagerly doing things to prepare for his arrival. She has had her daily counter on her blog...and been talking with AJ about her brother coming. Ian arrived Monday August 18th. He was 8 lbs 14 oz and 21 inches long. He tends to favor his mom a bit...at least I think so.

I was lucky enough to be able to watch AJ for a couple days while mom and dad were at the hospital. It was so fun to have a little one around.

We have been to see the family a few times in the last week and it is so wonderful to see the joy Ian has brought. Lorena's mom and Aunt were able to travel from Southern Mexico on Saturday. How fun to meet her mom and aunt. (I only wish I spoke Spanish)

I wanted to share my happiness with everyone. I feel very lucky to have a friend like Lorena in my life. I hope she knows how much I appreciate and love her and her family. Thanks for letting me play the unofficial aunt.

The Famous JUNK Drawer

I grew up with a drawer called the "junk" drawer. This is the place that everything you don't know what to do with goes...(or does it belong?) Ours was actually rather large. So was all that stuff really Junk? Or just one of those terms? I have to admit...I too have a Junk Drawer...it has the Title and all...(no label I'm not OCD) So do we all have one of these? Or is this one of the Mysteries passed down from generation to generation?

Cause-Effect

Thought is cause: experience is effect. If you don't like the effects in your life, you have to change the nature of your thinking.

--Mariannne Williamson

Are you a Leader? Follower? Team Member? Planner? Dreamer?

Do you know that you have a responsibility no matter what category you fall into?

My attitude has been rather negative most of my life. I am not sure why. I have figured out that part of my responsibility is to take care of me...(or yourself). This small simplepractice allows me to become better at whatever my role is...

Mom, friend, wife, sister, neighbor, just to name a few.

So when I see the glass...is it half-full or half-empty?

Only I can choose to make my attitude good or bad-yes ME.

The world is full of trials, afflictions and heartache, but how you choose to handle it is my responsibility. This does not mean I can not go through stages...hurt, anger, sadness...I think many times our viewpoint usually needs to realigned. In the last general conference , President Dieter F. Uchtdorf ..spoke about how small errors can have a large impact on our lives...that is where I have been. The difference between happiness and misery … often comes down to an error of only a few degrees.

I want to connect with others through mindfulness, hope and compassion. If I am more in tune with myself..it filters down. I can accomplish more and more people will be affected for the good. The Lord requires not only outward acts but also our inner thoughts and feelings to be close to the spirit of the law. God requires the heart and a willing mind.

So do I have a plan or method?

I think we all do...but we just think about it...and many times don't write it down. You have to act, and many times share your thoughts and goals with someone to become accountable.

So this isn't like a New Years Resolutions that may never come to be.

I need to make changes for the long Haul. Begin with a willing heart, include Heavenly Father in my desires and goals, being humble, being accountable...and exercising Faith.

So as I take a minute and write down categories in my life. Starting with the past...I make a list of important times or events. How did I handle them? How would I do it now? Is there pattern or a certain life rhythm? I think I have one...sometimes a healthy cycle and sometimes...the get our of my way, cycle...(its true...ask my husband)

One of the main things I have noticed in all areas that I want to improve is my negative thoughts. We all seem to be so bad at putting ourselves down. Do you think it is because we listen to Satan who tries to make us feel that way? Do you think it is easier than accepting a good thought about yourself? (guilty)

I have two children with whom I find myself saying, "try again"...as they use mean or inappropriate words or voices. So I need to remember to substitute the same words to myself as I begin my negative thought process...try again, try again...I think it is like a wake up call to myself. One small step in the journey to a better me.

So what is my legacy? What is yours? Do you want to be know for being kind and helpful...and yet never go out of your way..Did you want to be a great musician, yet too afraid to try...what is your passion? How will this help in taking care of me? Regret, fear and procrastination all weigh heavy. So think about it...and
LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD.

So as I go forward today, I want to course correct and make my journey though life a more direct path. Shaving off a few degrees in many areas...and making my focus more on Christ.

Give Support to help the Cure

Are your Burdens too Heavy

On the Wings of Prayer

By Helen Steiner Rice

Just close your eyes and open your heart

And feel your worries and cares depart,

Just yield yourself to the Father above

And let Him hold you secure in His love-
For life on earth grows more involved

With endless problems that can't be solved-

But God only asks us to do our best,

Then He will "take over" and finish the rest-

So when you are tired, discouraged and blue,

There's always one door that is open to you-

And that is the door to "The House of Prayer"

And you'll find God waiting to meet you there,
And "The House of Prayer" is no farther away

Than the quiet spot where you kneel and pray-

For the heart is a temple when God is there

As we place ourselves in His loving care,
And He hears every prayer and answers each one

When we pray in His name "Thy Will be done"-

And the burdens that seemed too heavy to bear

Are lifted away on "the 'Wings of prayer."

Imagine...

I found this quote today and I had to share...

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein

At the bottom of my blog is a play list of songs...click on Mercy Me -Only Imagine

This song really hits home for me. It is amazing how we can use our minds. Heavenly Father gave us so many opportunities and ways to learn in this life. I will be taking the time today to

Imagine, Hope and Believe.

In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin looking for it.

- Norman Vincent Peale