Projects Projects Projects!

Does anyone else have a never ending list of projects they want to complete? Really, with such a list, I have no right to ever sit and watch television. (Go Davids! I want them both in the finale but am still hooked on the younger!) Well, these last few weeks I have really made some headway on my list (and of course added more to it) We have done a plethora of household refurbishings including organizing, picture journaling,"landscaping", redecorating, painting, and just good old fashioned cleaning-(pictures and details To Be Continued)... and I have felt like a good wife and mother along the way! It's amazing how making a list, setting goals to achieve, and some honest sweat work can make you feel!

Here's to sweatin every day! Just makes you feel like your really livin!


...the sweet angels I live with. Call me blessed.

As a WoMAN Thinketh, So is She

"A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."

One of my favorite books is As A Man Thinketh. I read it first when I was a teenager and it has resurfaced several times in my life at learning crossroads. Last night it made it's way onto my night stand and into my hands. I needed the empowerment it provided and the reminder of the challenge to better control and use my thoughts. A reminder that I am the master of my mind and that so much of what happens in my days is a result of my perception, attitude, and desires. The power is in [us] wherein [we] are agents unto [ourselves]

"to live continually in thoughts of ill will, cynicism, suspicion, and envy, is to be in a self-made prison hole. But to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, to patiently learn to find the good in all-such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven; and to dwell day by day in thoughts of peace toward every creature will bring abounding peace to their possessor"(As A Man Thinketh-James Allen)

...and from a greater source

"I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and problems of life, and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we concentrate on the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we halt the sounds of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort... What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that spreads through our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was inclined to speak critically of people or events, my father would say: 'Pessimists do not contribute, unbelievers do not create, doubters do not achieve'."(First Presidency Message,The Continuing Search for Truth-By President Gordon B. Hinckley)


Here's to being an optimistic contributor, believing creator and hopeful achiever...to the life long- moment by moment- journey of making my thoughts fit for the portals of heaven.

With a Sink Full of Dishes!

Today was just a great one! After waiting weeks for late (sent to our old address) W-2 forms I finally finished filing our taxes! I spent an hour rehearsing with Addy what songs I would sing if I tried out for American Idol. I still weigh what I did at the beginning of the week (and that's after some mother loads of ice cream shoveling). We had our reading time and piano time. I helped a friend out and read my scriptures. I let Addy watch 2 episodes of Dora cuddled up by me on the couch. Me and the gals ate peas, grapes, banana's, oranges, green beans and apples(maybe our variety record for one day). Adelaide is on day three of no bowel accidentals. Morzy could entertain herself all day booking it up the stairs. I've sent Spence with leftovers every day this week. I got the recycle bin out in time this morning. I still have my hair pulled back in the bun I put it in yesterday (slowly falling), and I'm callin it a night, sinking into my crisp sheets with a sink full of dishes. This is the life!

little miracles....

( picture of us taking in the final four festivities! What a blast!)

We're All Together Again! (Final Week of Vacation)

In my family we love to sing. We can stay up for hours composing our own little numbers and inventing some great (well... we think they're great) routines. When we all get together we traditionally sing the chipmunk version of "we're all together again"! It has been quite some time since every single one of us has been together and since Seth will be leaving in a month on a mission for the LDS church, it was particularly exciting and fitting to share some all together again time~ in St. George Utah!

It was just wonderfully typical for my family (and that's not very typical). At the top of the list was the temple trip and our traditional testimony meeting. I have true gems for siblings and rocks for parents. They provide such strength and encouragement. There's nothing like those late night talks about the gospel and our life's joys and challenges. I love you all so much.

ALSO, there was...Lots of hysterical laughing... A plethora of singing, skitting, acting, dancing, and instrumentaling... Our annual Family American Idol auditions... Easter egg a huntin... MO-ped riding...Take turns meal preparin (sorry about the meat loaf guys)... Lots of swimming including our usual synchronized olympic judging and pool games, Let's hold hands and jump into the freezing-why do we always do this- pool together, March Madnessing, Volleyballin (somehow my team always won...hmmm.), Basketballin, Tennis matchin, Golfin, and just plain playin around.

It was one of those moments in time you think you'll go back to often to recall it's sweetness. Being with family is really but an earlier heaven...Especially being with our little Seffy- who we won't see for another 2 years... that amazingingly strong exemplary valiant man of a brother who we are so blessed to have in our lives. No doubt you will be able to share much of everlasting hope and love to the people in Florida. We will miss you but proudly send you onward!

I value these family revamping moments and consider them, as stated already but could never be adequately expressed, one of my life's greatest miracles.

PS!! I am going to be an Auntie again, twice! McKay & Heather have their first little one coming and Lauri &Keven are expecting their fourth child! YAHOOOO!!!

In-Love and In-Law (Week Two of Vacation)

I am completely in love with my in-laws ("you fell in love with me?"). In fact I really don't prefer to call them in-laws, they are my family In-(by and through)Love. I really got the sweetest deal the day I was sealed to Spencer. I got the most perfect, spiritually complimentary, light cleavingly faithful soldier of a man for forever.. AND his most generous, optimistically real, humbly righteous, hilariously clever, open armed serving, love every second I'm around them~ family. He would've been more than I deserve, but all of them too!!

My cup gusheth over.

What an amazing (and much needed) time together. More than anything else, I just love being around them, talking, laughing, sharing... learning what makes them so wonderful. They are such examples to me of how to be a better mother, wife, daughter, and Saint. They are one of my life's greatest treasures and most obvious miracles. I love you all so much and am delighted you are my family.

It was so peaceful, beautiful and reflective there at the house in Eugene. The trees, the mists in the morning, waking up to Dad's hot chocolate. We were able to be with everyone except the Utah Lake's and Pete (Christmas? Oh' Please! I hope you are all still coming. Forget how much I love being with you, at least come for an updated photo-since we've got Matt back from his mission and added one spouse and 5 grandbabes since the last entire fam shot.)

We were able to drive down to Ashland for Molly's (a sister in love) baptism. What an honor it was to be a part of such a miraculous event. We felt so grateful for the planning to make it possible for us to be there. It was something we'll remember always.

It was such a blast to see Adelaide and Kamorah lovin on their cousins, ...goofing around, chasing, giggling, pretending, building bears, playing on the playgrounds, marching to Grandma Lake's piano playing! There were so many moments that deserve mentioning but I lack the posting time. I just feel so happy to have them, so grateful. Especially to Mom and Dad, who selflessly press on in the building of the kingdom and their family.

~In Love