Merry Christmas!

Tender Mercies

Sometimes things happen that are far more than coincidence. We had one of those experiences a few nights ago.

It all started with a haircut. I had planned to cut Bob's hair that night, and I always do it in our bedroom so that it's contained and easy to clean up from off the wood floor. Anyway, I did my usual professional cut (haha), and vacuumed up afterwards while he showered. At that time, it was late enough that climbing into bed to watch a show sounded divine, so we did just that. And then a torrential downpour started. So much so, that we decided to hop up, turn the deck lights on, and watch the storm from our sliding glass door.

When the storm calmed down, we continued on with our show. After a bit, I noticed I had left the deck lights on. I figured since the room was a little on the stuffy side after Bob's shower, I would get up, turn the deck lights off, and open the sliding glass door for a bit of fresh cool air. It did just the trick.

Several minutes later, we both smelled what we thought was a bonfire, and talked about how strange it was for someone to be having a bonfire so late on a school night. Oh well. Bonfires are not at all out of the norm for our neighborhood, and maybe it was an End of the School Year Homework Burning Party like our kids had every year. Again, our curiosity got the best of us, and we hopped out of bed to see if we could see who in the world was having the bonfire.

We looked out the door to the deck, and saw nothing behind us, or to the east. And then we looked to the west.

Down at the other end of our deck, by the family room. The light fixture was on fire! Whaaaatttt???? It was surreal, and may have taken me a second or two to process. Bob acted quickly and doused it with water.

You can see that the metal bucket just below the light fixture was holding a fire also. 

The simplest explanation is that that particular lantern is where we have had finches building nests year after year, and yes... I have actually cleaned it all the way out, only to have them rebuild. This year I noticed they had packed it especially full -- all the way to the top with nesting material. And it was ever so solid. In fact, so solid that this is the first year we haven't had to rescue baby birds who had slipped out of the nest. So, there was plenty of kindling, and that fire could have burned a while longer. I am pleased to say that the finches had already left the nest, so there were no lives lost in our little fire.

Their are some extraordinary things that happened that night, to make what could have been a scary, horrible experience, into something small and easily contained:

-I cut Bob's hair, which led to him taking a shower at night, which led to our room being stuffy and hot, which led to me opening the sliding glass door (which at night, I only do once in a blue moon -- maybe once a year), which was the only way we were able to smell an unusually-timed bonfire.

-I had a metal tub underneath the light fixture because we've had many a baby bird fall out of that nest, and we've had to rescue them and put them back in. I leave the tub there, with shoes, etc, for a soft landing for the little hatchlings. In this case, the metal tub contained the fire that was dropping out of the lantern, and the deck and surrounding objects didn't catch on fire. Looks like I may be in the market for a new pair of gardening shoes.

As you can see from the lantern, there was still plenty of fuel for the fire that could have burned for a while longer. 

I know there are many out there who would say it is all just a happy coincidence, and others who might say that this really isn't that big of a deal. I, however, know it is a tender mercy, and that it could have evolved into something much worse, considering our wood deck, and our timbers supporting the roof overhang. Things happen, promptings are heard, actions are taken, feelings are felt, thoughts come into our hearts and heads, and tender mercies are happening all around us. Too many things had to happen for us to even know that there was a fire burning in the first place. On any other night, that door wouldn't have been open, and we wouldn't have smelled anything until possibly it was a much worse situation. How grateful I am to know that we are watched over. And that if we slow down and listen, that we can be prompted and guided in the little things as well as the big things.

Happy Mother's Day!

In a world where there are so many influences pulling at us and our children, every which way, the quote below, hit home to me. Oh, how I depended on my mother for a positive, perfect role model. And still to this day, I find myself asking,"How would Mom handle this?" or "What would Mom say?" or "How often would Mom clean this" or "What would Mom serve for this occassion?", etc, etc. I am eternally grateful for a mother who never looked away or took a break from what she knew to be right and true, who mothered with love and tenderness, and yes... sternness when it was called for (sorry Mom!). And she was always, always a constant in my life. Always there at the crossroads when we'd come home from school. Always. And she still is. Love you forever, Mom!

"My dear young women, with all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. Model yourselves after them, not after celebrities whose standards are not the Lord’s standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective. Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her. She may not be a whiz at texting; she may not even have a Facebook page. But when it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge. As you approach the time for marriage and young motherhood, she will be your greatest source of wisdom. No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness—in this life and forever."

-Russell M. Ballard 

It Is Well With My Soul

This is what we woke up to this morning.

A beautiful, cold spring storm. We need the moisture, so we can't really complain much.

And somehow there is something so lovely, peaceful and quiet about this storm. Especially after yesterday's wind that brought the storm in.

It means that the outside chores will have to wait for today. And that I can get a few things done in my house, all while enjoying the quietly falling snow through every window I pass.

The only downside to the day is that my babysitting gig for the afternoon had to be cancelled because of the weather. For those of you who are keeping count, the last of our grands was born on March 19, and now all seven are here safe and sound. The last five all came within 2-1/2 months of each other, so we've got a lot of new wee babes around here. We're lucky enough to live fairly close to all of them, so we get to see them often. And whenever I can, I get to tend them here and there throughout my week. This afternoon was my time to spend with the twins, but with the weather being so bad, and the roads to their house slippery and icy, we had to postpone. 

That photo makes my heart happy. It reminds me of when I was little, and would line up my dolls along my bed. Oh, how I love those sweet seven! And we find our lives rotating around them. Thinking about them. Talking about them. Hoping and planning for them. Wanting to spend time with them so that they will always know how much we love them. We are slightly obsessed with them. Okay.... more than slightly. But can you blame us?  It is well, it is well with my soul.

Grow Old Along With Me - sign

I saw a recent episode of Fixer Upper (which, by the way, is my favorite show on HGTV these days). Joanna had this sign made for a client who had always loved this saying.

I, too, have always loved it, so when I saw it, and that it was made out of metal, I thought it might be the perfect thing for Bob to use his big machine for. I made mention of it, and thought maybe when he wasn't busy (in 30 years or so) he would have a minute to think about it. But the very next morning, he asked me dimensions, etc, and voila! This is what came home with him at the end of the day.

It's huge, which I love. It measures 24 x 24, and is probably a good 10 pounds. Robbie and Bob collaborated on it, which makes it even more special. We've found the perfect home for it right on the mantel in our bedroom. Love it, love it! It opens the door to many possibilities of what we can do with those big metal shop machines we acquired recently. I know, I know. They weren't purchased for my home decorator ideas (scooch on over, aviation world), but, oh the possibilities....

Watching the Clouds

I saw this great quote from the Country Living Magazine. It makes "looking at the clouds" all the more important on my summer to-do list...

The Thank You Experiment

So, I'm in the sixth month of my "Thank You Experiment". It has been such an interesting thing for me to do. Just to explain what this is... way back before 2014 began, I decided I was going to write one Thank You note or Love note every single day of 2014. The one rule is that it had to be a mailed note... not an email. I have sent plenty of email thank you's, but for this, I wanted them to be hand-written, received-in-the-mailbox notes. Did you know how many darling Thank You notes and cards there are out there? I think Target is my favorite for an incredible selection and great prices. It makes it even more fun to write the notes when they are on pretty cards.

I had no idea who I would write the 365 notes to.  As one friend wrote to me, "I don't even think I know that many people". You'd be surprised at how many people affect you as you go about your life:

-Family members. We have oodles and oodles of family members. And we rub shoulders with them often. There are always a few who, after the gatherings are over, stand out to me and have done something kind or noteworthy. Or who have touched me deeply through the years and need a proper thank you from me.

-Friends. So many good friends, both from the present day and from way back when. They continually love and support and I find many opportunities to write a thank you note for.

-Church friends, acquaintances, etc. We belong to a church with a very strong community, and there are so many experiences that I have found in which I can and should write a note of appreciation for. People are so good and do so many charitable things. And with my husband being a bishop, it seems we are the recipients of kindnesses over and again. And on another note... I have never (until now) written a thank you to a speaker in General Conference about a talk that touched me in a particular way. I've never even thought about it. But, after General Conference, when I was thinking about who to write a note to, I kept thinking about certain speakers who stood out to me. So, I wrote to them about how their talks were particularly meaningful to me. And do you know what? Some of them even wrote back! That is pretty amazing!

-And SO many others. Everyone else who touches me in such a way that I feel compelled to write them a note of gratitude.

Now, since January 1, I have learned a few things. I have learned that there are definitely things every single day to be thankful for. And many of them have to do with specific people in my life. Why not thank them? Why not let them know just how much something they said or did, meant to me? I'm surprised at some of the responses, and I'm even more surprised that there are some people who WRITE BACK to a thank you note (have I ever done this?... No):

"...I have never received a note like that about my singing. It was such a sweet surprise!"

"What a wonderful surprise greeting me in the mailbox after work..."

"The note meant so much to me... it made my week and I want to frame the note!"

"Receiving the note was such as sweet surprise and it made me cry."

"Just wanted to thank you for the kind note. It warmed my soul. Kind notes like that are examples to me of what can make one's day."

And here's the kicker... I know that I am not doing anything grandiose. This is what I should have been doing all along. I should always be showing gratitude to others. I have received much more from this little experiment than others have. I am sure of it. It is quite a thing, each night, to sit and reflect on my day, and my feelings and ALWAYS come up with someone to write a note to. I've wondered if it would be hard, as time goes on, but it hasn't yet. There are some people who have received more than one note from me throughout the months, but that doesn't matter. If they continue to stand out in that way, they should also continue to be thanked and noticed. It has made me think much more deeply about people and the services they do, and the time they put in to things. And how important it is to let them know my feelings of thankfulness. Why haven't I always done this? I mean, I've written the obvious thank you notes for gifts and such, but why haven't I written a note to someone who has worked so hard to do a musical number in church that touches me in such a beautiful way? I hope that I am bringing about change within myself... that I will ever more have that desire to let others know how grateful I am for their time, their service, their kindnesses.

School's Out! Time To Burn That Schoolwork!

This time of year brings back a flood of memories of when our kids were in school. I loved when summer finally hit! It meant more fun, more relaxation, and no pressure for the kids (and for me... let's be honest). 

We started a fun tradition when our kids were in middle school and high school. On the very last day of school, the kids' friends all came over for a huge water fight (balloons, squirt guns, you name it). 

That may or may not be my husband who has bypassed the water balloons and is just spraying with a hose. Hey, whatever it takes...

After they had all been thoroughly soaked, we started a barbecue and they all devoured the food in about 49 seconds. And then, the real fun began... we made a fire in the fire pit, and the kids would sit around it and start tossing in papers from the school year. It became almost cathartic for them. Some years they even painted their faces resembling warriors of sorts.

As they sat around and scrunched papers up and tossed them into the fire, they would all bring up certain assignments or really great teachers, or memories.

Yep. It's that time of year. Time to shake off the stresses and pressures of the past several months, and breathe deeply and find moments to relax and enjoy. If it means taking my "To-Do" lists and burning them in a fire pit, so be it. Hmmmmm. I think I'm on to something here.

A Thank You Note A Day...

So, here we are at the beginning of February. Remember the goal I set for this year to write a Thank You card each and every day the whole year long? I have a few things to report about that goal:

1. Indeed, I have succeeded in writing a Thank You card every day so far in 2014. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it might be.

2. I am finding that the benefits of this goal are many. I thought that it was merely to show gratitude for those around me. I didn't anticipate the experience it would be as each night, I took account of that day, and people in my life, and then began writing my gratitude and thoughts to a certain person that stood out to me at the time.

3. It wasn't hard to think of someone to write to each day. I am realizing how very blessed I am to be surrounded by wonderful people who touch my life in lovely ways. I find myself looking forward to my "note-writing" every night.

4. People love to hear gratitude for something they've done. I've received several texts, phone calls and conversations from my "note receivers". Again, it makes me realize that I need to express my gratitude to others more often. My family and friends need to know these things.

5. I now recognize that I probably didn't say "Thank You" half as much as I should have. Many times someone does something kind for me, or I hear a particularly touching lesson or talk in church, and I mean to mention it to the person, but I get busy and time passes. And before I know it, I've forgotten about it. 

6. It has become a sort of Gratitude Journal for me. It helps me recognize so many blessings in my life that occur just as a normal part of my day. I have kept a list of who I write the notes to and why I'm writing them. I began the list as a way of keeping track, so I wouldn't forget who I had written too, but it now looks very much like a list from a Gratitude Journal and it makes me smile to look at it.

So, as you can see, it has been a very good thing for me. I've learned much and I know there is still much for me to learn throughout the year. My hope is that this makes it more of a habit and that after the year is over, I just keep on writing. Through the years, one thing I've learned is the truthfulness of the quote below, and I want to do what I can to let my family and friends know how much I love and appreciate them.

A Goal Not Written is Only A Wish

Resolutions. They have been on my mind almost constantly since the beginning of this new year. I've thought about how resolutions aren't just a few hopes your write down on a piece of paper and then think only sparingly about. Resolutions are things that you RESOLVE to do. The definition of resolve is: "a firm determination to do something". And a firm determination in my eyes, is to do whatever I can to make that thing happen. So my resolutions need to be things that I actually am going to do something about. As I've been thinking about my resolutions, goals and hopes for the new year, I've seen a couple of things come past my inbox that are worth sharing.

From Beth (a dear friend who is busily serving alongside her husband in Orlando, Florida), after hearing a talk in sacrament meeting:

"I will share with you a couple of things that impressed me and made me think about my personal approach to the New Year! First, plan and prepare but be realistic.  Second, commitment -- decide then do!  Third, follow up, adjust and adjust again! Fourth, learn from the past!! and go on!!  He ended with the statement I began my letter with today: "A goal not written is only a wish". I loved his talk and wanted to be sure and share it with all of you as we approach the New Year this next week!  Keep these ideas in mind as you look forward to 2014!!"

And then, I came across this on Pinterest:

I love that. So simple, and so do-able. And regardless of your religion or beliefs, these are real resolutions that anyone can work on to become better and experience real, lasting happiness.

Happy New Year!

My how time flies. But seriously. I think we all learn and grow and become a little better through our experiences throughout the years. And this year, I want to do it a little better. I want to make those things I learn "stick" better, and find ways to keep them fresh and implement them and strive to become a better person through them. Notice how I used the word "better" four times in such a short span of word space? Must mean something!

Have a great New Year's Day, and as wonderful as 2013 was, I think 2014 will be even better! (There I go again, using "better"!)

New Year's Resolution: Daily Thank You Cards

I've been thinking long and hard about my resolutions for 2014. I try to keep them simple, and I also try to not have a list of a hundred different resolutions. If there are too many, it's just too hard to focus on them all, and I end up not really working very hard on any of them. If I keep it to about five items, it is pretty do-able.

Now, I don't think I'll share all of my resolutions here. Not much reason for that. However, I will share one of them, because it's sort of an experiment that I'll report on once in a while. I love writing and receiving Thank You notes. Doesn't it seem like note writing is becoming a lost art in this age of technology? I must admit that many times I write emails or texts to express my gratitude to people. While this is far better than not doing it at all, I still love a hand-written card received in the mailbox. There is something so personal and meaningful about it. The fact that someone has taken a few minutes to jot a note is wonderful to me! Especially when it is for something that is out of the ordinary... a lesson at church, a visit, a meal, advice, or whatever. It's fun to realize that someone felt gratitude enough to write about it.

So, on to the resolution. I have resolved that I'm going to write a Thank You card every day this year. Does that sound crazy? Which is more crazy... that I plan to write 365 Thank You cards, or that I've actually voiced it aloud? When I was thinking about wanting to show more gratitude to others, I thought about a gratitude journal, which I've done before, but I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to let others know about my gratitude for them and what they have done. I don't think I'll have any problem coming up with someone to write to every day. I could make a list right now that would be as long as I am tall, that would include all the people I feel gratitude for, and that continues to grow daily. How great to think about this at the close of every day and write a note to someone I am feeling particularly grateful for that day. I'm sure that there will be some who will get more than one note from me throughout the year, which is the way it should be.

I have stacks of Thank You cards just waiting to be used, and I just bought another couple of packages from Target. They have such great stationary!

So, wish me luck on this little venture. I hope to report in every now and then to let you know how it's going and what I'm learning along the way. My real desire is that by thinking about and expressing gratitude to others, I will "live with gratitude ever in my heart", as President Thomas S. Monson has said:

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've mentioned how I love this holiday. It doesn't get much better than a holiday devoted to gratitude, blessings, family, and yummy food. This week of Thanksgiving, my heart has been full to overflowing. I lay in bed at night and think of the lists and lists of ways I've been blessed throughout my life.

I'm grateful for...

-our Savior, Jesus Christ and a loving Heavenly Father. Because literally without Them, none of the rest of this list would be possible. They make our daily happiness possible and a reality. I will spend my entire life doing my best to give back to Them.
-my husband. He completely understands me (no small feat) and is supportive of my every whim, and new idea. We LOVE the time we are able to be together. Love. I've talked about Bob's amazing talents and abilities quite a bit here. Suffice it to say, he is the strongest man in the world, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. And he brings such laughter and joy to our home.

-my four kids and their spouses. I can't say enough about our kids. They are literally the best! And how can we be so lucky to love every one of our sweet sons and daughters-in-law (including the sweetie that will be joining our family in March)? We consider that quite a blessing!

-our grandson, and another babe coming in March. Wow. Talk about one of the most amazing things that we've ever experienced... our hearts opening up wide and loving that little guy more than words can describe.

-work. How grateful I am that my husband has built a business (with his own smarts and determination and an incredible amount of hard work) that continues to support our family.
-my parents and sisters. I had an sweet, idyllic childhood with five of the most incredible sisters. And the best part is, we have continued to be great friends and love to be together. And you've heard me talk about my parents. They simply are the best!

-the world. Every time I go outside and look east, I stop and look at those beautiful mountains and almost gasp. And the beauty doesn't stop there. Everywhere I go, there are beautiful things to look at, whether it is here, locally, or in our amazing country (which I love to see), or in other countries. We are surrounded by lovely things.

-my health. How I hope I never take this for granted. We have known many in our lives who live with life-long health issues and others who have succumbed to illness and disease. Each day, as I get ready to go down and climb on the treadmill, I think about how some of our friends would do anything to be healthy enough to even walk on a treadmill, let alone run. I am truly grateful for my health.

-home. We have lived in a few different homes, some much smaller than others. And in every single one of them, we have been happy and cozy. A home truly is wherever your family lives. I love the feeling of walking in our home and feeling warm and safe and content.

-technology. My family will think I've lost my mind when they read that, because I usually do not express that sentiment about technology. BUT, I have to admit that without it, we wouldn't have access to so much. It is an amazing way to stay connected to each other.

-life. Life itself is the greatest gift. Every single day. There are miracles all around us, and such lovely things to be a part of as families and as individuals. Oh, what a blessing life is.

A Sunny Smile