Talents...

Talents are an interesting thing. So many people out there do not think they are talented. One may not play the violin, or sing 8 octives, or dance like a swan...but this does not mean one is not talented. My sisters are some of the most talented people I know and their talents range in variety and difference as the ocean and the mountains are different. BUT...I happen to LOVE LOVE LOVE the ocean AND mountains! Variety is the spice of life (my mom used to say that to us). I am thankful for my talents...the ones I came to this earth with and the ones I am developing. Tonight I worked on a little project for my friend's birthday. It isn't much, just a little something. But as I did it I was overwhelmingly thankful for another friend and her editting and photoshop skills, it has been through years of watching her, and then later one of my sisters that I have developed the talent I used tonight. Even though the project was something little, when I do something, create something, I feel so accomplished!

I am thankful for a large number of wonderful friends who bring so many beautiful and wonderful talents into my life. I am so blessed.

#224 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life... the talents he gives us...where else could they possibly come from? I have five children, each came with a different personality, different strengths and weaknesses, and different talents. I am so grateful for each one. I am so proud of all of them. I hope when Heavenly Father looks down on me, using my little talents that He is pleased as well.

Goodbye May... I will miss you. You brought us such lovely weather! Thank you!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Thankful...

Today I am thankful for the two men in my life that gave their lives for our freedoms.

To my mother's cousin Richard and his family...My heart, and gratitude assend to heaven.

And to my great Uncle "Worry Wart" Floyd...Thank you for your service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice that we might be free.

To both of you men...please take good care of my mommy on this "Memorial" day I miss her so much!

#225 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...He has sent so many good men and women to this world to fight for the truth and protect us. I believe that choices and circumstances often end the lives of people that Heavenly Father loves, but was not ready to take home just yet. For those men and women whose candle of the flesh was put out too early...Father may you hold those that are here and miss and love them in the Hollow of Your hand...until they are together again.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Sweet Sundays...What is Charity???

Today I had the chance to speak in my congregation. I say "chance" not because I love speaking in front of a couple hundred people, but chance because it always gives me the chance when I prepare for these experiences to reflect inwardly and examine if I am being all I can, if I am being a good disciple of Christ...If I am loving everyone as I should. I could do better...that is part of what I learn. Below is the text of my talk. It was about a ten minute talk, so I am not offended if this isn't YOUR THING...or you don't want to read that much...No worries. Today was a journey for me...a journey in remembering the importance of loving others, truly loving them, and a journey in remembering how much the Savior and his Father, our Heavenly Father love us. So again it was a SWEET SABBATH! May you have a blessed Memorial day. It is a hard day for me, because I have many I love and Remember, but I am so grateful for family and friends that selflessly serve our country and provide us freedoms (more on that tomorrow).

So here we go...

What is Charity???

In the Moroni 7:47 we read that "charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever,". Maybe another way to look at it is what isn't charity? It isn't judging, it isn't dismissing someone because you can't see how they could ever come to Christ. It is a feeling that grows and wells up in your heart. It is the unabashed feeling to see someone as they can be NOT as they are. It is loving and seeing others through Christ's eyes.

In Alma Chapter 7 verses 11-14 We read 11And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. So HOW can we be like the Savior? We can mourn with those that mourn and divide the sorrow of others.

In the address Becoming Instruments in the hands of God, Don R. Clarke said,

"We must have love for God's children...

Then he quoted"Joseph F. Smith, who said: 'Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate (or make better) the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1917, 4). When we feel love for God's children, we are given opportunities to help them in their journey back to His presence" (Ensign, Nov 2006, 97–99).

Continuing in Alma verse 12 we read

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. What can we do? We can help, succor, serve others and then we will be filled with mercy and compassion. We can lift and strengthen and support those in need. This is the gospel in action, this is what it means to become charitable, to become like Christ.

In the talk, The Tongue can be a sharp sword, Marvin J. Ashton said,

"Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself....

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other" (Ensign, May 1992, 18).

How often have we caught ourselves thinking: So and so would never want the gospel. They...Fill in the blanks, drink, smoke, cuss...etc. DO WE BELIEVE CHRIST?

In 2 Nephi 25 verse 26 we read:

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

We read this, We believe in Him. But do we believe Him? Do we believe He can do what he says He can do? Do we believe he can do it for anyone? For our neighbor? For US in all our weaknesses and imperfections? Do we believe Him? Or do we sometimes think we know better and that they or we are too broken for the Savior's Atonement to fully reach us, to fully change us.

We continue in Alma verse 13

Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

The SPIRIT KNOWETH ALL THINGS. But the Savior of the world suffered according to the flesh. It was not enough to KNOW about our hurts and sorrows, weakness and sins, He needed to DO something about them. He suffered and felt every one of them so that He could:

Lift, Heal, Help, Comfort, Succor, and REDEEM us from all of it. The definition of REDEEM is to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something...or in this case someone...US...

SO....How do we change? How do we put off the natural man and become a saint? How do we develop charity?

IN one of my favorite addresses Entitled Born of God President Ezra Taft Benson says,

Would not the progress of the Church increase dramatically today with an increasing number of those who are spiritually reborn? Can you imagine what would happen in our homes? Can you imagine what would happen with an increasing number of copies of the Book of Mormon in the hands of an increasing number of missionaries who know how to use it and who have been born of God? It was the “born of God” Alma who as a missionary was so able to impart the word that many others were also born of God (see Alma 36:23–26).

He goes on to say...(In my all time favorite quote...)

The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.

“Human nature can be changed, here and now,” said President McKay, and then he quoted the following:

“You can change human nature. No man who has felt in him the Spirit of Christ even for half a minute can deny this truth. …

“You do change human nature, your own human nature, if you surrender it to Christ. Human nature can be changed here and now. Human nature has been changed in the past. Human nature must be changed on an enormous scale in the future, unless the world is to be drowned in its own blood. And only Christ can change it. Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.

Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. Like Paul they will be asking, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). Peter stated, they will “follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). John said they will “walk, even as he walked” (1 Jn. 2:6).

Charity isn't just doing "good deeds", it is doing good deeds because we love the Savior and we give up the will and desires of the natural man, desires of selfishness and selfcenteredness. We give them up and do good because we develop a desire to follow Christ. We develop a desire to be like Him.

Joseph B. Wirthlin said,

"Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not have charity. You can speak with tongues, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge; even if you have the faith to move mountains, without charity it won't profit you at all....

"Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.

"When we inspire and teach others to fill their hearts with love, obedience flows from the inside out in voluntary acts of self-sacrifice and service" (Ensign, Nov 2007, 28–31).

In the talk Choosing Charity: That Good Part, Bonnie D. Parkin said

"The pure love of Christ.... What does this phrase mean? We find part of the answer in Joshua: 'Take diligent heed... to love the Lord your God... and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.' Charity is our love for the Lord, shown through our acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding for one another....

"Charity is also the Lord's love for us, shown through His acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding.

"The 'pure love of Christ' refers not only to our love for the Savior but to His love for each of us....

"Do we judge one another? Do we criticize each other for individual choices, thinking we know better?" (Ensign, Nov 2003, 104).

How can we apply this principal to our lives? What can we do to have love and charity for our fellow brothers and sisters, the LOVE of Christ, the pure love. If you have children, you remember that feeling of holding that precious, pure baby. They are easy to love. But what about when they develop a mind of their own, talk back, disobey. How do we LOVE them with the pure love of Christ then? I don't have all the answers and I certainly could work on this...But I challenge you that it is something to ponder, something to reflect on. And I assert that most of us could probably do better at demonstrating this Christlike, pure and unconditional love more often, and more consistently.

Finally, back to Alma...in verse 14 we read...

Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

Washed from all unrighteousness. It is a beautiful gift. But then what, what about when you aren't charitable after that? Repent, take the sacrament, be sanctified by the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit and resolve to do better...whether that means...not judging, not gossiping, not offending, not being offended, not feeling charitable...Resolve to do better. Then remember, the Lord feels Charity for you. Be gentle and kind to yourself and improve because you love Him and you want to be like Him.

#326 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...He sent His son for me...for us all...and through that testimony I have gained great strength, love and appreciation for my life and the lives of every brother and sister on this earth. I am thankful for Him, for them both.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

JUST A Trim...

Yep...after almost a year to work up the courage from a REALLY SHORT HAIRCUT!!!! I finally went to someone that my friend knew. She cut my hair, TRIMMED, about 1/4 of an inch. I LOVE HER! I was so happy. I just wanted some dead ends trimmed off. I told her how nervous I was. I really appreciated her just DOING what I ask. I miss my "Mamie" and wish she lived here. Really, she is the ONLY person I totally trust with my hair. But I was glad today to get just what I asked for. So maybe I have a new place to put some trust.

Trust is a scary thing. Once we have been burned or hurt...or had shell shock from a bad hair day...then it is hard to trust. But I am grateful for the capacity to learn to trust anew! That is a beautiful thing.

#227 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...He helps me to build my trust...I can always trust him, he doesn't always give me what I want, but he helps me through the times I don't get what I want.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Thank Heaven it's Friday!

My sweetie has been in work training for two weeks and it has messed big time with our everyday schedule we are used to. But it paid off today. They have been working hard and had some extra hours put in...but today when he came home a little early I was delighted. He scooped up Darling Child #2 and took him on his "daddy date"...it was way past his turn. They had a great time. My sweetheart's daddy was a light weight golden glove boxing champion. He won something like 110 of 125 fights (that may not be the exact figure, but pretty close.) He and my sweetheart are teaching my #2 to box. This is a little nerve wracking to me...but actually my boy is LOVING it! What little boy wouldn't love time with daddy and grandpa? And I want him to be self confident and strong. I hope that for all my children. But he is the oldest boy and the little ones are very likely to follow his lead. That and he has a sister that he might one day be called on to protect. I am one of those parents that would expect my boys to protect their sister. There is not a one of them that would get in trouble for that! When I was in the 3rd grade someone threatened my little brother and I threatened to slap her face if she ever so much as touched him again. Next morning I got called into the principal's office. But the joke was on her, because when I told him what I said and what she did I think he had trouble holding back a giggle. And he released me asking me not to do that anymore, but with me assuring him that I would always defend my brother.

Anyway, I guess my thought for the day is WE ARE OUR Brother's keeper! And I am so thankful for my brothers and sisters. I love them very much.

#228 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...I am sure this is a repeat, but I am thankful for it often and often see the blessings from it...I am thankful for my family that HE blessed me with, my immediate family here, and the family he blessed me to grow up in...a house that was "Full of Kids and LOVE!"

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Long Days...

You know those LONG days that just seem to never end?

That was today. lots of good things happened...but the day seemed to stay forever.

It is late and I am putting this day to bed!

#229 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...even the long days are bearable when I remember him, love others and say my prayers.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Sloopy Joe mix YUM!

Ok, confession time. I have a weakness for beef. Chicken is ok, Turkey I could take or leave. But I love beef. I remember going to this Restuarant LOVES with my dad as a kid and he would let me order the Adult size plate of ribs and I would devour them. Yum, makes my mouth water.

Anyway, Sloopy Joes are NOT BBQ Ribs from Loves, by any stretch of the imagination. But I was craving some red meat so they sufficed. While I cooked up some sloppy Joes, my sweet husband came home from a long day at work and mowed the hole yard, edged, trimmed. It looks so nice. I am grateful for him and all the little things he does. He even did the dishes after dinner. I usually do the dishes, but he usually cooks. I know, we are a strange pair, but it works for us! :)

#230 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life, the blessing of my hard working husband. I can never get over all the love and work he puts into making life pleasant and comfortable for us! I am truly blessed!

Make it a great day ! Only YOU can!

Today...

Wow, Tuesday already. Long day. Lots of good things happened. Was able to help several people. Received a lovely message from one of my besties ;) She totally made my day. Had a lovely night out with some sweet and wonderful women from church and got to be with another of my besties. I remember times in my life when I cried in my pillow, just wanting so badly to have someone to talk to. Someone I was close to. I feel so blessed now to have a couple really near and dear friends that are friends and sister in Christ. They often light my path when the world tries to snuff out my light and my cheer. They brush the dirt off my bum, give me a swift kick (lovingly of course) in the right direction and then take my hand and help me get there. Some of them have been my sisters, but some of them have grown so close to my heart they are like sisters. And I love them all deeply and truly. They are my TRUE FRIENDS FOREVER...of this, I am sure!

#231 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...the amazing women he has blessed my life with. I am so very grateful. Today, also I am grateful for my mother. Without her love and sacrifices I would not be the woman I am today! Thank you mommy!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!
Happy Birthday too...to one of my favorite nieces ;) I love you girlie!

Monday Monday...so good to me...every other day...

Bada Bada Bada...I love music. It can make all the difference in the world. I grew up on GREAT music, my parents music. I love the Mamas and the Papas, Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, The Supremes, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Carpenters, the Temptations, Elvis and more. I love how music can lift the spirit and elevate us.

I had another NOT so sweet day. I miss my friend and to make it doubly hard this is the week of Leslie my best girlfriend of my youth's birthday too, and the anniversary of her passing was last week. So they have both been intensely on my mind!

When my good husband arrived home he just listened and let me vent about the unimportant. Children, rotten and disrespectful children. Actually they are very good children. And usually they are very respectful. But today was going to be hard no matter what and I should have just expected it when I got out of bed. All day, all I wanted to do was get back in bed. And actually after lunch that is what I did today, I ordered mandatory naps, I crawled under the covers and pretended the day wasn't here.

Finally upon husband's arrival home I shuffled off the cobwebs of the hurt and he said go for a walk. So I loaded one of the children's shuffles with some tunes and off I went. I was gone about 25 minutes and I went 1.6 miles. I ran half of it, something I have never done before EVEN in junior high. But it felt good. I just let the music poor into my heart and it felt so good. I am really tired now, but I feel like tomorrow I can get up and conquer another day, and honestly I think they would want me to.

There was a song on the playlist that touched me, it is sung in parts and so the lyrics I found online broke it down in parts, but it was just what I needed to hear today. I prayed for strength, for me, for my friend's mother, for his FBBF and for all those that loved him dearly, and that he dearly loved. I can only speak for myself, but I found that strength as I ran...and I am thankful that HE answered me.

WILL HE REALLY ANSWER ME

Female Voice:
It doesn't seem to matter how I try
These thoughts just keep returning to my mind

CHORUS:
Will he really answer me
Will he see what my heart needs
Will he have the time for me
Will he really answer me

Male Voice:
He's never broken his promise
He'll be there
He hears each word and each heartfelt
thought in prayer
he's devoted to you
he'll help you know what is true
that's what he's promised
that what he's promised to do

(Female & Male are sung together.)

Female: Will he really answer me
Male: he's never broken his promise

Female: Will he see what my heart needs
Male: he hears each word and heartfelt prayer

Female: Will he have the time for me
Male: He's devoted to you Male: he'll help you know what is true

Female: will he really answer me


***MUSIC PLAYS***

He answered me
(male voice softly: he'll answer you)
He answered me
(male voice softly: he'll answer you)


OoohOooohOooooohOooooooohOoooooooohOoooooooh!

#232 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...He answers me...He answers me!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Not So Sweet Sunday...

Today wasn't my best Sunday ever. Some Sundays are just like that. The baby cried and fussed through most of the church service. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and I was well...girls...delicately? How do I put it? That time of the month...tears, stress...etc. If you are a woman you understand.

But then something happened when I went to Sunday School....I just felt love. I felt love during the lesson. I felt peace and I knew that even though today was stinking big time, it would get better. Tomorrow is my dear friend's birthday. We lost him in a tragic accident last year and I miss him, so today and tomorrow were bound to not be stellar days to begin with. But I have felt comfort and strength beyond my own and I am grateful for both.

#233 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...comfort, when he sends me the comfort I need in trying times it is like a warm blanket during a wintry storm that wraps itself all around me. It doesn't make the storm go away, but it does make it bearable (barely at times), but bearable to get through. I am thankful for the comfort on days like TODAY!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Sweet Saturdays...

Today was a sweet day. The boys were gone last night and this morning to "Fathers and Sons campout" with two other families. They had a blast. We girls laughed, talked, ate breakfast, cleaned, and went out with some of our girlie friends to lunch. It was a great day. I still have a lot to do to get ready for tomorrow. But when all my little boys came home we threw them in the bath, so they are ready for shirts and ties and church in the morning.

I just LOVE time with my girl. Every year sometime in the spring or summer the boys go camping and we are girlie girls...shopping dinner, lunch out....back to reality NOW, but oh how we love that time!

#234 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father...he made such a beautiful relationship between mothers and daughters and sons and dads. I love that my husband works so hard to nurture his relationship with the boys (and his daughter too). And I love the special relationship I have tried to build with each of my children. Nurturing goes far beyond the early years of spoon feeding and diapers. I love that I get to be part of all that.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Friday...

Yeah! It's Friday! Had a great mommy daughter date with my girl tonight. We headed to Claim Jumper and it was so yummy. I got her the special this week and we shared. I had one rib and one shrimp and then I ordered a salad and had grilled veggies. We laughed and talked and had SO MUCH FUN! Man I love that girl of mine!

#235 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...he gave me my beautiful daughter. I am of all mothers so very blessed!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

No Sprouts for me...

Well, I got a little ambious yesterday and dusted off my sprouter. I cleaned it all up and added sprouts and my mouth started to water with the thought of fresh sprouts in the not so distant future. That beautiful dream was dashed to pieces by the same individual that uses everyones toothbrush in the house, fills the toilet with WHOLE rolls of toilet paper and empties the small bathroom trash into the toilet as part of his daily "chores". He is under 3 feet and you wouldn't think someone SO small could wreak such havoc. But he can, and he does.

Today, he climbed up to the counter top, and got ahold of the sprouter. He then pulled the entire sprouter, new simmering seeds and all everywhere!!! The floor is now clean, and he got an extra nap. But YEAH me, I didn't scream, yell or act like a lunitic...I just put him in bed, and calmly cleaned up the mess. No Sprouts for me, but I am thrilled with the patience I am acquiring!!!

#236 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...I know that when I ask for help to be kind he gives me strength beyond my own, today was a good example of that.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Turkey....It isn't BEEF!

My good husband is trying really hard to help me lose weight. I am actually very grateful for his support. In the last two weeks we have had burgers twice. He gets me the "thins"...they are thin round flat bread that can be used in lieu of a bun. This month he decided to get me these turkey patties too. They aren't bad, they just aren't BEEF. I am a beef girl. I love beef. I love a good steak. Why does that stuff have to be so darn fattening? :( Boo Hoo! I guess it will be turkey burgers for awhile, at least until I lose the last 40 pounds! (Dad, remember our trips to LOVES for ribs? YUM, YUM, YUM!)

#237 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...I have received so much internal and emotional support in this effort to get healthy and lose this weight. I know that support is coming from him and I feel his love and help.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Yep...she kicked my bum!!!

Jillian Michaels KICKED my bum!!! You can click on her name to check out the link to the video I am using that is sold by Target (or several other retailers...I just provided the Target link). No doubt about it, it is a WORKOUT. Do I resent her? Nope. Am I grateful...YEP! Well, I am sore, but when I lose the last 40 pounds I will be even more grateful (I am down 41 pounds since my youngest son was born...but to get to a healthy weight I have about 40 more to go).

#238 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...he gave me a wonderful and amazing body, and when I treat it right, it can do great things.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

I feel sick...

#239 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life is that he has blessed me with a love of water, and that water is actually good for me, and my organs, and helps me so much, especially with weight loss!

But tonight I feel sick at my stomach. The water is floating around in there. I can feel it. I just drank too much, or too fast...or something. UGH! I am grateful for water. But don't try to drink three of your glasses of water for the day in a row if you are behind. Take my word for it...just don't. I feel like I am drowning in my stomach! Gurgle Gurgle... Anyone else ever been here? I think I should go to bed and sleep it off :)

Make it a great day ! Only YOU can!

Out Wit, Out Play, Out Last...

I don't watch much TV these days. I don't even have cable. For the last 9 months I haven't even had my old TV hooked to the digital box. But I confess I have watched many seasons of Survivor over the years. There were a couple recent years that I decided it wasn't worth my time (Plus...it was something the kids and I watched with my parents...and it wasn't the same without my mom here). But this season Boston Rob was playing. It was his forth season trying to win the million. My children and I curled up on the couch after I hooked up the digital box and had a great time watching! I won't tell you who won...don't want to spoil it for anyone that might not have seen it....

But I do want to share this. I sat there with my daughter right next to me. When the final votes were almost ready to be cast the subjects came up by the jury that ALWAYS come up... Loyalty, lies, breaking trust...etc... and my daughter turned to me and said, Mom I could never play survivor. She loves to watch the game. And YES it is a game. But I was grateful that my daughter felt that she would never be comfortable playing a game where she would have to lie or deceive anyone! That makes me so proud of her!

# 240 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...integrity and honesty in the real world...he teaches us to be of our word, and that word and integrity makes all the difference in our real relationships.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Just a bite...

Ok...all my life I struggled with self control... Eating a bite of anything YEAH RIGHT! When I was a size 6 (the first 26 years of my life) and 125 (my heaviest in college) I could eat whatever I wanted. Everyone that knew me ... KNEW how I loved to dance. In college I started country dancing and I would go 2-3 nights a week and dance (I never stopped dancing all night) for 3 hours at a time. Talk about Cardio ;) So when I made trips to the gas station around the corner from my apartment for moose track coconut ice cream...it didn't matter because I burned it all off and then some. Then came a husband, and a desk job and NO dancing (married to a man with 2 left feet, and so in love with him that I don't want to dance with anyone else.)

So the girl that LOVES to dance, hates the gym... What to do? It is about motivation I guess and I wasn't motivated. I have worked on that. 12 years of marriage and five children later, I am finally starting to find my happy place (sometimes that place is pumping up the country music and dancing in the living room with the baby or even my invisible partner)...other times it is walking the dog, eating less, or moving more. But the good news is, I am getting there.

In the past I did all or nothing diets. Guess what (no news flash...I KNOW) they don't work. So this time around I am using nutrition. I eat fruit and veggies, meat (but sparingly) and grains. I drank 10...yes...10 glasses of water yesterday. I read years ago that when you want to lose weight drink your 8 glasses (this is what your body needs to help all organs properly function) and then add a glass for every 25 pounds you want to lose. I am no doctor...so ALWAYS consult a physician, but I have 40 pounds to lose so it will be 8-10 glasses for me until I get there.

NOW to the theme of a day...JUST A BITE...

So often in the past I set these insurmountable goals like...YOU can NEVER have....(fill in the blank). Guess what this always led to cheating. But not cheating with a BITE, cheating with a whole cake, or bag of cookies, or tub of ice cream. See what I mean? Ever been there?

Anyway, I have been doing really good on this eating plan. 1200-1500 calories, walking 3-5 days a week and if I want A, ONE, UNO bite of something I have it. I just don't do it all day, and I just have ONE! Today it was a BITE of cake and it was good. The frosting was the wedding cake kind, sugary heaven...YUM. But guess what? I am pretty sure bites two, three, and four, you get the point...wouldn't have tasted any better than that first bite that I savored. So far, so good. And Thanks D.L. there is really something to that intuitive eating thing...I am just sorry it took me 8 months to get it...I probably would have been to my goal if I had listened sooner! :)

For anyone interested: Sparkpeople.com is awesome, free, weight and exercise management tracking and so much more (support, recipes...etc). I hope for those of you looking for something like that, that you will check it out! One little spark can light a flame.

#241... Reason I see the hand of the Lord in my life....he has helped me to gain more self control in my life than I could have imagined. I am grateful!

Make it a great day ! Only YOU can!

Yeah...for technical support

This is going to be short...I just cleaned 3 bathrooms and popped myself some popcorn in the airpopper. I am going to find something to watch. But I want to give a shout out to whomever the great person is that fixed blogger. I missed being able to post. I did still write and I will post those tomorrow.

#242 reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...has to do with technical support...look at the knowledge and progression of this world. All things denote that there is a God, even when he doesn't do things the way I want. I stood at my mother's grave the other day. Her spirit is not there and it is a dismal place at times. But she took my children to her mother's grave and made it a happy time. So I do the same, to honor her and they sing and laugh and I realize that God did not do this. I hate cancer, hurry up doctors, we need a cure!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Victorious!!!

(Written while blogger was down...)

Victorious...Today I was Victorious! I didn't buy fast food even though I really wanted it. I have been miffed ALL day because blogger is down, and for a daily blogger this is extremely frustrating. Hopefully it will all be ok? I knew I should have printed everything. Guess I am really glad right this second that I keep a daily journal. But my blog, ok, learned my lesson, if it is all there, totally printing it!!!

#243 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...resistance...he helps me with it on so many levels of my life. As I listen and wait, I learn. I am grateful for that.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Beautiful Day....

Beautiful day...(new post...written while blogger was down...)

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day! We got to be with our dear friend, celebrate her, laugh, cry, smile, play! We had a nice lunch together and the children brought hugs, and kisses, and presents. There was joy in the air so thick you could cut it with a knife and we loved being together. Easter goodies were passed out as well. And the restaurant brought a huge piece of chocolate cake for the children to share. It was perfect. We followed up lunch with I Dream of Jeanie, Bewitched and Waltons, while E.N. and I got in a nice visit.

After the trip we went to the Riverside National cemetery (a tradition with the children)...where they sang a song to grandma, laughed, smiled, told her they missed her and ran around. Then we piled in the car and headed home. One of those perfect days. Only Bad NEWS is blogger was on the fritz so I had to write this on my computer...if you are reading it, they fixed blogger ;)

#244 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...Where the tragedies or sadness of the world close a door, God opens a window. E.N. is a mommy that lost her child. I am a child that lost my mommy...The way I see it, God, my mommy and her child did a pretty DARN good job of matching us up.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Tired...

Today I was just tired all day long. We have been blessed with SO MUCH OVERTIME...but really enough for a minute. I am grateful for my sweet friend that let THREE of my boys come play at her house for almost 4 hours today. I got a lovely 2 hour nap while the baby slept and I am truly grateful.

Tomorrow is a new day...I can't wait.

And E.N. We are so excited ;) Belated Birthday party, here we come.

#245 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...honestly...overtime...even though I am a little tired of it, it has blessed our lives so many times since we became homeowners. Even when no one else at my hubby's work is getting it, he still seems to and I can't be anything but grateful...WELL tired...AND grateful. :)

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Chicken and Dumplings...

Yesterday morning my darling husband had to work overtime into the morning. So he was home just in time to dress the children for church. This is something I very much appreciated, because most weeks that is my responsibility...since his church calling takes him away very early Sunday mornings. But even with that said, I was a little bummed. By the time we got home from church he had been awake for over 30 hours. So I sent him to bed and tried to decide what to eat for dinner. Lately I have been missing my mom fiercely and so I have been making chicken and dumplings once or twice a month. Cooking things she cooks makes me feel closer to her. Each time my recipe has gotten a little better. Mom used to use canned chicken broth. But when one of my sisters came to help me when my last baby was born she taught me how to make my own.

So here is my chicken and dumplings recipe...and not to toot my own horn, but this batch was awesome! I wish I had made a double batch ;)

First I buy two rotisserie chickens. We eat all the meat off the first chicken for dinner and save the carcus. The next day I boil the carcus in a pot of water. This time it was so much better...what I did differently was I boiled it on medium for about two hours. Then I strained it. I then add all the meat (de-bone the other chicken meat), that I removed and finely chopped).

To this large pot of broth and chicken, I added 1/2 a large finely chopped white onion, (fresh) finely diced handful of chives, Basil (fresh) about 6 leaves chopped tiny. I brought all this to a boil and seasoned it as I like...pepper, sea salt, no salt (costco), and crushed more dried basil into it. After it was boiling I added several cups of chopped baby carrots and a couple finely chopped stalks of celery. I let this boil until the carrots were tender. Then I added 2 cans of drained peas. Although frozen peas would work as well. Then I made 1 1/2 servings of biscuits on the bisquick box recipe. Then a little trick my mom taught me...before adding the water I seasoned the bisquick with sea salt and pepper...and then something mom didn't teach me, but I do...I add a little cinnamon, it gives the dumplings a pick me up. Then add water and mix. I take a teaspoon and scoop out a spoonful, more than a golf ball, less than a baseball and plop it into the boiling mixture. Keep up the pace as quickly as you can, so they cook evenly. Add all the dumplings and then cover and turn the heat down a notch or two. Wait a few minutes and then carefully take a fork and turn them over to cook on the other side. It was so yummy, my mouth is watering as I write this. So come visit me and I will make you chicken and dumplings, I just need two days notice.

#246 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life: He makes things grow and they are so good. There is nothing like fresh chives and basil, I was so grateful for them this past week! Yum!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

No Sweeter Name...

No sweeter name has crossed the writer's pen, or the child's lips than Mother. She is the keeper of life and faith. She is the giver of strength and hope. She bears the burdens of the world as she holds the hearts of her children in her own heart for the span of her life and into eternity. She is an angel on earth, on God's errand, raising his children. She is a healer of hearts. She is humble and meek, and never recognizes the thing God always knew...How magnificent and wonderful, how graceful and wise, how truly breathtaking she is. Why else would he have entrusted her with every one of his spirit children. She has the capacity to love, nurture, teach, build, and magnify each precious life brought into this world. She is Mother. She comes in every shape, size, color. She is mortal and imperfect. But she comes with a great capacity to love. And her love is unconditional and reaches to the very edge of a cliff to rescue the most lost of any soul. Hours on her knees she petitions heaven for her children. She ask little, she gives contantly, and she loves unconditionally. Looking to her face is like getting a glimpse of God's love on this earth. She is MY mother.

(* My dad came from a family where my grandma was mentally ill. I reflect on his upbring and what he missed in NOT having the kind of mother I had and I just want to say today, that I LOVE HIM! He did the best he could with what he had. I believe that was her test in life, to deal with mental illness. I am sure one day she will bath her children's feet with her tears as she asks forgiveness and gets the chance to love them as a mother is intended to love her children.)

#247 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...no greater gift could I have in this life than to be a mother and love and raise children. I love each one. My sweet mother had such a capacity to love. Some children came "federal express" and some came "parcel post"...from the love we felt you wouldn't have known the difference. I thank God for her still and frequently.

*If you had the kind of mother I had, CELEBRATE her today! If you didn't, be that kind of mother (even when we do not have our own children, we can find ways to mother...it is a gift from God to have those nurturing tendencies), or for the men out there...be the kind of man who helps elevate a woman to that stature God intended for her.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

**And for a good mother laugh...click here to check out the awesome Calvin and Hobbes comic my friend posted today. I LOVE Calvin and Hobbes....and I love "the Mud Mom!"

Speechless...

Today was a day that I could go on and on describing...but the words would remain insufficient to express the magnitude and glory of the experience. So all I can say is C.H....Congratulations. I love you. Thank you for letting me be part of your special day! You are amazing!

#248 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...watching my friend, touched so deeply today by his love...it was impossible to deny.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Haircut and Tears...

Today I cut three of the boys hair. The baby managed to escape the ritual since he had received a bath and I was too lazy to bath him again when I decided to dole out haircuts. Everything went well until I was down on my knees cleaning the floor and thinking about the weekend. Then that led to Mother's Day. And I am very grateful to be a MOM so don't get me wrong. But Mother's day with NEVER be the same with my mom gone. I just started to bawl. Right there on the floor, rag in hand...like a baby. Just for a couple minutes and then the more intense part of the hurt let up and I finished my mortal task of cleaning the floor. I thanked the heavens that this separation (though it sucks!) between her and I isn't permanent...and I did what I often do...I told her I loved her, missed her and such. E.N. I love you too! And though our hurts are different, in some ways they are the same. Thank you for loving us! I know my mom and your boy are smiling knowing we have each other. I often ask them to check on each other too ;)

#249 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...MOMS...need I say more?

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Grateful...

Today I am grateful... Grateful for...

My faith, my God, my Husband, my children, my family, my life, my parents, my siblings, my support system, my friends, my home, my talents, my abilities, my mind, my eyes, ears, nose, and all senses, my spirit and determination, my memory (my dad and I had a fun stroll down memory lane...playing the do you remember? game.) I am grateful for technology, computers, genealogy, flowers, plants, fruits and veggies, chocolate, children laughing, our sweet dog, books, books, books...

I could go on and on...but I am tired (Maybe tomorrow I will tell you about my NEW personal trainers...they are kicking my bottom!).

What are you grateful for?

#250 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...as I recognize his hand, he blesses me even more and then I am more grateful and so forth. That doesn't mean my life is without trials or challenges...but they are sure easier for me when my hand is in his.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Diamond Rio...

This is more powerful than anything I could write today...



#251 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life... I live in a nation...that no matter what the news says, the majority "still trust" God.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Short and Sweet...

Have 9 will play...

Today I had my friends children over. The kids played and then watch Yogi Bear. It was actually a really cute movie and they all enjoyed it. It was NOT the Yogi I grew up with. But I admit I was pleasantly surprised.

We ate radishes in the salad tonight from the garden again and I can not express the feeling of eating something I grew. It is just amazing. And I love it. I don't think my children ever would have enjoyed radishes (they are an acquired taste)...but since they grew them, they think they are the best radishes on EARTH!

I love children (even my #3 that is on the floor throwing a temper tantrum as I write...sometimes you just have to ignore it!). I love to hear them laugh, play, smile, and tell each other about life and adventures! They are so very wonderful!!!

#252 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...Children...Oh...what a joyful sound.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

God Bless America...

I haven't seen the body...

I don't even know if he's gone...

Some say he was already dead...

I don't care.

But I just want to say a few things...

GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

Today in the hullaballo of it all my heart turns toward the 9/11 victims, my heart turns toward their loved ones and their families. My heart turns toward all the men and women that give their lives for our freedom. All the firefighters and police and emergency servants that tried to save lives...and did save many lives, but lost their own lives. My hope, my prayer is GOD BLESS AMERICA. Please, bless America. Protect us not only from foreign threats, but from any threat, even threats and conspiring men or women on our own free soil. Let us fight for the freedoms that we deserve under the constitution. Let this be a wake up call. Let us go read the Declaration of Independance, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Preamble, The Pledge of Allegiance. Let us remember WHO WE ARE, WHAT we represent, and the GREAT freedoms that are afforded to us in this great nation.

God Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her. Through the night with a light from above.

I have included several links. I hope you will take the time to check them out. You can click on anything blue or red to follow the links including songs and the constitution.

#253 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...our founding fore fathers. They had a vision. I know that vision came from God. May he continue to keep us in the hallow of his hand.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Sweet (Cinnamon) Sundays...

Today was another beautiful Sabbath. I was able to sleep until almost 8am. Lovely! But then upon awaking it was a mad dash to get ready and get five little ones ready for church. I had the help of my trusty eldest children and we ran around hurrying to get things done. Today was fast Sunday.

On the first Sunday of the month we fast. The fast has multiple purposes but one is the pray with purpose for specifics in our life and to come closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ...It gives one the opportunity to put the world (namely food and drink) on the back burner for a day (2 meals) so that one can put other things first. Prayer is an important part of this. I heard this as a kid, and it stuck. Fasting without prayer is just starving. I feel very full actually when I fast with a purpose. My prayers were three fold today...they change from month to month and some months they are very private and I would not choose to share them. But today I feel good about sharing them. 1st was for a family member and the prayers were about a work situation they are trying to solve. 2nd was for a friend that is trying to quit smoking. 3rd was to offer thanks and gratitude to my Father in Heaven. For six months I have been sharing the gospel with a dear friend and her children. They have been joining us at church weekly and she has chosen to be baptized. As I thanked my Father in Heaven for this opportunity tears streamed down my face. I could not help but reflect on the fact that my prayers should be THIS sincere more often. So often they are quick and repetative. I am working on that. But my heart was truly FULL...so full, I did not notice at all that my stomach was TRULY EMPTY. It was a good feeling.

I came home and took a rest...so did the children. The Sabbath is a lovely day of rest. Then when I woke up I made Cinnamon Rolls from scratch. It was my first attempt and they turned out huge and beautiful! I was pleased to say the least. I broken my fast and thanked Heavenly Father once more then I partook of one of those yummy Cinnamon Rolls...Sweet Cinnamon Sunday...Yum!

I hope your Sabbath was Sweet as well!

#253 Reason I see the hand of Heavenly Father in my life...Those who know me KNOW I am not much of a chef or baker...for those rolls to turn out like they did must be at least a little divine intervention! ;)

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!