I wasn't Looking to be inspired....

There are days when I marvel at the blessings that I have received and then there are days where I wonder 'why me?'  We all have them.  Ups and downs.  I don't care who you are, we ALL have trials or issues as I like to call them.  As I was teaching a lesson in Young Woman's the other day on Gratitude, I began to realize just what I was doing about these crazy days of life, or should I say, wasn't doing...

In Luke 17: 10-19 the Bible tells the story of the 10 lepers.  I have heard this story before, but NEVER really paid attention and applied it to my life.  We know that through faith these lepers were cleansed.  These people had enough faith in their hearts to believe that this could be done and so it was.  (My goodness, DO I have that much faith?) HOWEVER, only one, yes ONE returned to say thank you.  How often do 'I' do this small and realtively hurtful act?  Not only to my Heavenly Father, but to friends and family and common strangers?  How often do I take simple everday blessings for granted almost as if I am owed something?  How often do I really turn around to say thank you for both blessings and trials (more on that in a moment)?   Oh, I know the answer. And honestly, it's not near enough. 

The lesson went on to talk about giving thanks, to everyone we come in contact with.  In word and in deed.   I challenged these young woman and truly (myself) to really take a long hard look at their lives.  Say Thank You more often and maybe for no apparent reason.  Shock someone with happieness and thanks. Look people in the face when doing so.  This means family, friends and the checkout person at Walmart, etc.  Write an old fashion letter.  YES people!  Snail mail!  I received a letter from a dear friend who lived just 3 blocks from me.  It made my day, perhaps changed my life in a small and simple way to be told how much that person loves and appreciates me through words and the time it took to send it. I challenged them to say a prayer to their Heavenly Father to just say thank you!  THANK YOU!

As the days go by, we will have our ups and downs.  Sometimes the downs might out weigh the ups, but keep on keeping on!  Move forward, but don't forget to turn around and say thank you.   Trials make us stronger, more faithful, better, so that we can achieve our best.  Despite the problems that come into our lives, may we fill those days with the things that matter the most.  Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings. 

SOOO.... I end with a HUGE THANK YOU!  To all of you!  For being you and standing up for what you believe in no matter what.  For listening to me, inspiring me and leading by an example even when you think no one is watching.  Thank you for blogging about what really makes you joyous, sad, inspired, and just plain happy, etc. You make me a better person.  THANK YOU for being my friend.

Typical Halloween photos....

Happy Halloween everyone!!!!

You learn something new everyday....

Or perhaps it should be....

"I WANT to learn something new everyday!"

With my recent coming out of being a 'DI crazy', I am completely transforming my house! I LOVE IT!!!!

I have sanded, painted, ruined, broken, finished and LOVED numerous projects. 

HOWEVER,

I am stuck on some projects and looking for inspiration and know how on how to finish these certain projects before my husband goes crazy on me!

Like...

recovering a chair,

finishing and painting an armoire (what color? I am obsessed with color),

finishing a VERY COOL dresser,

Adding a back splash to my kitchen counter...

If anyone has any know how on these thing.... please SHARE! smiles, smiles!!

Here are some pics of a few of the finished projects! 

AND what's EVEN BETTER...

The Grand total on this page....35 dollars!  I know, Huh?!
I'll post the pics of the projects in the making soon! Maybe I'll even start a blog and start selling stuff?!

 

 

 

Ever wondered what a kidney stone looks like?!...

BEFORE! Pain.... AFTER!!! That's it????!!!!

Its about the size of a peppercorn!
Nothing to thrilling, but at least NOW you can say you've seen one!

Just listen already....

Ohhh... I tend to get angry easily. It's become a natural instinct to react negatively when all you seem to get is bad news or unanswered questions. When something goes wrong I immediately build a wall, take cover and gather an army for battle. But I don't want to fight... So instead I gravitate towards pity and dig a deep trench to hide in. It's quite exhausting, as these emotions sweep through me in a matter of minutes. My own emotional tsunami.

But then something miracoulous happens and my anger is quickly replaced by humility and gratitude. This wave is starting to come more quickly than it did before. This past week it came in the form of my 6 year old daughter, Mara.

Now before we go any further, let me explain what has happened this week... or it may be easier to make a list.

*Our paycheck didn't come, as a matter of fact, we are still waiting and it's 2 weeks late!

*I had to get a Endo something...something biopsy, BLAH! Waiting for the results...praying.

*Sameday as the biopsy, we had to rush Brandon into the ER.... Kidney Stones (or as the Doctor put it,"congratulations! You are having twins!") ... Still waiting for them to pass.

Waiting seems to be the common theme here, right?! Well it is. As I explained above, all of this could make me angry and I guess in some ways it has. But as I was digging my trench, I decided to turn conference on. I love listening for words of inspiration and encouragement. As President Eyring was talking, I looked over at Mara who was doing her homework. She was crying. Not the sad cry, the HAPPY cry or so she calls it. I asked her what was wrong and she said this...

"Nothing Mom, I just feel really happy inside. He (Pres. Eyring) is talking about Jesus and I know what he is saying is true. It IS true Mom and we NEED to listen."

The talk was on finding Trust in God. Putting all that you have and listening to everything being said. I DID need to listen. I had turned it on and tuned it out. Just listen. So, I guess, YES, I could be angry that once again we are facing money and health problems, but I have a peace in my heart that everything will be ok and you know what?! It will. It will always be ok. I find it interesting that so often in my life's struggles, it takes a small child to put me back on track and make me listen.

Alma 32:23 it states..."little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned."

Thank you Mara for always reminding me that all that matters is right in front of me. My family and friends and we will get through it!

"It's all so yellow"......

"Why is everything so yellow?"

my kids kept asking...

"Where are the red's, oranges, pink's and purple's?

So we went on a hunt. YEP, it's all pretty much YELLOW this year.
Oh wait! There's a red one!

I truly wish this picture would have turned out. What you can't see is the SCREAMING yellow in the back ground. It was incredible.

THESE LEAVES WERE WHITE!

Mara wanted to know how we could keep the leaves that we collected beautiful... and low and behold this is what I found! Soo super easy and fun. ENJOY!

I've joined the crazies....

About a week ago, I woke up at 6am, (I know I can't sleep in!!! It's a curse!) on a saturday morning and I remember thinking...

"I wonder what we should do today?!"

Well, I ran to the store and when I was on my way home at the bright and early time of 7am, I went past about 3 yard sales, all of which had things that I HAD to have! (I am a sucker for yard sales, but rarely take the time to find them.)

A darling doll house for Anna, a dresser, mirror and night stand and 4 huge bean bags that were in awesome shape, oh ya and a Barbie razor scooter for Mara... ALL of which came to the grand total of....

HOLD YOU BREATHE..... $40! ALL OF IT!!! I know, huh?!

Well, I spent the rest of the day, sanding, painting and transforming the dresser and night stand. (Pictures to come)

The events of this particular morning started an obsession within me! So, I started wandering around with my free time, (HA! What free time?!) The wandering took me here....

WHERE THE CRAZIES ARE....

THE D.I.

These people are waiting for the doors to open and it happens EVERY MORNING AT EVERY D.I. They plow through and look for random stuff that was someone else's junk, but another persons treasure. I really can't believe what people will buy?! But who am I to judge? Look what I have done!

So far I have bought....

a guitar, in PERFECT condition for $10 (A Christmas present for Will)

two small shelves (already painted and hung)

two beautiful framed pictures (hanging beautifully in my home)

an AWESOME dining table for Emily and her cute fam.. (I didn't buy it, BUT I found it..we just need chairs and some paint!)

this armoire below

(couldn't figure out how to take the date off of the camera! Its really 2010! :0)

I took the doors off and will be sanding down the rough spots and painting this thing! AND let me tell ya.... I CAN'T WAIT for the final result. What color should it be? hmmmmm.....

My cute hubby, B, helping with demolition! The back side was pretty damaged. Oh, ya and he is not really thrilled with my recent craziness, but he told me he still loves me. Oh thank heaven!

And this really ugly, heavy dresser...... It's my next project..... so stay tuned... it's going to be AWESOME!