My mother = Wonder Woman!
I arrived home from the hospital early Wednesday morning, and by Wednesday night, mom was at my house taking care of me. During the 3 days she was here she: cleaned the house, folded and put away laundry, went grocery shopping (twice), played with the boys almost non-stop, mopped the floor, made dinner, ran all of my undone errands, cleaned the bathroom, filled the freezer with homemade bread and 4-5 meals, and took care of my every need.
She left today, and I have to wonder how I am ever going to keep up with her. Maybe in 20 years I will be a fraction of what she is.
Post Edit: It appears that many mothers have these super powers because Mom H. just showed up to take my boys to her house for the weekend. She brought with her 3 complete meals for us. She moved the bed back, started dinner, and picked up Christian from preschool... all in the space of 30 minutes.
Showing posts with label Giving Thanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giving Thanks. Show all posts
January 30, 2011
November 24, 2010
Giving Thanks: Day 7
I have spent the last week thinking and writing about what I am thankful for, but what can I do on a daily basis to remember an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving? My favorite talk about gratitude was given by President Monson in 2008 and is called "Finding Joy in the Journey." It has so many great quotes and things we can do right now to increase our gratitude. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”
Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings.
"Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”
Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings.
Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”
The biggest things that I gain from these quotes are 1) make the people in your life the most important thing, and let them know how important they are. 2) Do things (i.e. thank you notes, hugs, etc.) when you think about them rather than letting them get pushed to the side and usually forgotten. 3) Choose to see the abundance (blessings) rather than the lack of abundance.
The biggest things that I gain from these quotes are 1) make the people in your life the most important thing, and let them know how important they are. 2) Do things (i.e. thank you notes, hugs, etc.) when you think about them rather than letting them get pushed to the side and usually forgotten. 3) Choose to see the abundance (blessings) rather than the lack of abundance.
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 23, 2010
Giving Thanks: Day 6
A blizzard is passing through our area tonight and tomorrow. So far it hasn't been as bad as originally thought, but there were definitely some white-out conditions and crazy, blowing snow. We have been through 2 "official" blizzards before; one in Colorado and one in New York.
In Colorado, we got 32 inches of snow in 3 days. I have never seen so much snow. Our flight home for Christmas that year was cancelled. In the end, we had to dig our car out of a 3 foot snowdrift with a baking sheet (no snow shovel... oops!) and drive 17 hours to Idaho for Christmas.
In New York, Jonathon got to take the day off work because of the blizzard. When the snow stopped, we took Christian out sledding (on the same baking sheet; no sled... oops!) We had a wonderful time, followed by our traditional after sledding treat, hot chocolate with marshmallows.
These memories and experiences just remind me that I have always had a safe, warm, and comfortable place to call home. We have never wanted for food, clothing, or anything essential. For that, I am grateful. It is far to easy to think about what we want instead of what we have. We have everything we really need and more. We are truly blessed by a loving Heavenly Father.
I received this quote today from our Relief Society in NY, and it beautifully summed up how I feel today.
In Colorado, we got 32 inches of snow in 3 days. I have never seen so much snow. Our flight home for Christmas that year was cancelled. In the end, we had to dig our car out of a 3 foot snowdrift with a baking sheet (no snow shovel... oops!) and drive 17 hours to Idaho for Christmas.
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| Not looking too excited to start digging our car out |
In New York, Jonathon got to take the day off work because of the blizzard. When the snow stopped, we took Christian out sledding (on the same baking sheet; no sled... oops!) We had a wonderful time, followed by our traditional after sledding treat, hot chocolate with marshmallows.
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| Who knew baking sheets were so fast! |
These memories and experiences just remind me that I have always had a safe, warm, and comfortable place to call home. We have never wanted for food, clothing, or anything essential. For that, I am grateful. It is far to easy to think about what we want instead of what we have. We have everything we really need and more. We are truly blessed by a loving Heavenly Father.
I received this quote today from our Relief Society in NY, and it beautifully summed up how I feel today.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalms 5:4
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalms 5:4
P.S. We are really moving up in the world... we now have a snow shovel and a sled!
November 22, 2010
Giving Thanks: Day 5
A list of simple things I am grateful for:
yummy smelling candles
slippers
a garage door opener
the library
PBS kids TV
digital scrapbooking
coupons
cell phones (seriously, how did we do it before?)
the gym
glasses (when did I get so blind?)
dishwasher
children's laughter
hot chocolate
preschool (Mom's break)
a husband that goes to work at 5:40 A.M. so he can be home early enough to help with the kids
Clorox wipes
Swiffer mop
Harry Potter books/movies (we all need a little entertainment in our life!)
BYU football
Seeing my kids so excited about the first snow of the year
homemade ice cream
popsicle sticks with jokes on them (my kids LOVE them)
Scrabble
protected left turns (there are some crazy Utah drivers out there)
going to bed early
yummy smelling candles
slippers
a garage door opener
the library
PBS kids TV
digital scrapbooking
coupons
cell phones (seriously, how did we do it before?)
the gym
glasses (when did I get so blind?)
dishwasher
children's laughter
hot chocolate
preschool (Mom's break)
a husband that goes to work at 5:40 A.M. so he can be home early enough to help with the kids
Clorox wipes
Swiffer mop
Harry Potter books/movies (we all need a little entertainment in our life!)
BYU football
Seeing my kids so excited about the first snow of the year
homemade ice cream
popsicle sticks with jokes on them (my kids LOVE them)
Scrabble
protected left turns (there are some crazy Utah drivers out there)
going to bed early
November 21, 2010
Giving Thanks: Day 4
Our House
I still find it hard to believe that we have a house. We honestly thought that it was a long way off. Through many miracles and some generous people, we were able to move into our first house 3 months ago. We have put a lot of work into it these last 3 months. I find that I try harder to take care of it because I know how hard it is to fix up. I think that we will always remember the many weeks that we spent and will spend improving this home. Not only will we remember them, but I think we will remember them fondly.
Due to spending 3 years in New York City, the reasons that I am so thankful for this home are probably a little different than they might otherwise be. In fact, I often find myself feeling grateful for things and then laughing when I realize how silly they sound. Here are three of the more unusual reasons that I am grateful for our new home.
#1 I get to control the thermostat
All of you New Yorkers know exactly what I am talking about. During the winter, we had no control over the heat in our apartment because our building had a boiler system with radiators in each room. They could either be all the way off or all the way on. This meant that we were either freezing all the time, or unbearably HOT. Living on the 6th floor was horrible during the winter because the heat from all the apartments below us would rise and bake us. Now, I can set my own temperature and adjust it whenever I want. It feels like heaven.
#2 Less stress over my noisy kids
Living in apartments, I often felt so much stress to keep my boys quiet so that we didn't bother our neighbors. In our last place, there were 3 apartments within 5 feet of our front door as well as one directly below us. I found myself scolding my boys for being too loud time and time again. During one of Andrew's crying fests in the middle of the night, someone rang our doorbell and left. We got their point and felt horrible, but what was a poor, tired mom to do? That experience only intensified my anxiety.
Since the move, I have found myself so thankful that I do not have to worry about that anymore. My children love to run, jump, play, and yell, and now they can do it in the privacy of our own home. It has definitely helped my mental health, and that is a good thing.
#3 Counter space
New York is notorious for lack of counter space and space in general. Moving into this home has been great because I have a whole long counter that I can do anything I want with. I never thought that I would be grateful for this, but now I think about it all the time when I am preparing dinner. I love when simple things make me happy.
I am so thankful that we have a place to live, to be warm, to make memories, and to be together as a family. I know from experience that it doesn't really matter where we are or what kind of home we have, but we feel especially blessed to be here at this time in our lives.
I still find it hard to believe that we have a house. We honestly thought that it was a long way off. Through many miracles and some generous people, we were able to move into our first house 3 months ago. We have put a lot of work into it these last 3 months. I find that I try harder to take care of it because I know how hard it is to fix up. I think that we will always remember the many weeks that we spent and will spend improving this home. Not only will we remember them, but I think we will remember them fondly.
Due to spending 3 years in New York City, the reasons that I am so thankful for this home are probably a little different than they might otherwise be. In fact, I often find myself feeling grateful for things and then laughing when I realize how silly they sound. Here are three of the more unusual reasons that I am grateful for our new home.
#1 I get to control the thermostat
All of you New Yorkers know exactly what I am talking about. During the winter, we had no control over the heat in our apartment because our building had a boiler system with radiators in each room. They could either be all the way off or all the way on. This meant that we were either freezing all the time, or unbearably HOT. Living on the 6th floor was horrible during the winter because the heat from all the apartments below us would rise and bake us. Now, I can set my own temperature and adjust it whenever I want. It feels like heaven.
#2 Less stress over my noisy kids
Living in apartments, I often felt so much stress to keep my boys quiet so that we didn't bother our neighbors. In our last place, there were 3 apartments within 5 feet of our front door as well as one directly below us. I found myself scolding my boys for being too loud time and time again. During one of Andrew's crying fests in the middle of the night, someone rang our doorbell and left. We got their point and felt horrible, but what was a poor, tired mom to do? That experience only intensified my anxiety.
Since the move, I have found myself so thankful that I do not have to worry about that anymore. My children love to run, jump, play, and yell, and now they can do it in the privacy of our own home. It has definitely helped my mental health, and that is a good thing.
#3 Counter space
New York is notorious for lack of counter space and space in general. Moving into this home has been great because I have a whole long counter that I can do anything I want with. I never thought that I would be grateful for this, but now I think about it all the time when I am preparing dinner. I love when simple things make me happy.
I am so thankful that we have a place to live, to be warm, to make memories, and to be together as a family. I know from experience that it doesn't really matter where we are or what kind of home we have, but we feel especially blessed to be here at this time in our lives.
November 20, 2010
Giving Thanks: Day 3
The Primary Organization
I went to our practice for the Primary Program this afternoon, and I was reminded how wonderful the Primary organization is. I am thankful for dedicated teachers who teach Christian things that I haven't thought to teach him yet. He loves to go to class and participate in sharing time. It is truly a blessing to know that other people care about my children and their spiritual development. I am also so thankful for Nursery and the wonderful people who spend time with the rowdy, little toddlers so that we can attend to our other responsibilities.
It is also wonderful to be a teacher in the Primary. I spent 4 years going to college to be a teacher and never actually got to teach. It was hard for me to give up that dream, but I knew that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Being able to teach my little Primary class is fulfilling part of that dream. I get to use all of the skills that I worked hard to develop, and I get to feel like I am helping my eight students learn about Christ. I take it very seriously, and am grateful for this chance. Heavenly Father definitely has a way of meeting our needs and desires, even if it is in a way different than we plan.
I went to our practice for the Primary Program this afternoon, and I was reminded how wonderful the Primary organization is. I am thankful for dedicated teachers who teach Christian things that I haven't thought to teach him yet. He loves to go to class and participate in sharing time. It is truly a blessing to know that other people care about my children and their spiritual development. I am also so thankful for Nursery and the wonderful people who spend time with the rowdy, little toddlers so that we can attend to our other responsibilities.
It is also wonderful to be a teacher in the Primary. I spent 4 years going to college to be a teacher and never actually got to teach. It was hard for me to give up that dream, but I knew that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Being able to teach my little Primary class is fulfilling part of that dream. I get to use all of the skills that I worked hard to develop, and I get to feel like I am helping my eight students learn about Christ. I take it very seriously, and am grateful for this chance. Heavenly Father definitely has a way of meeting our needs and desires, even if it is in a way different than we plan.
This was Christian's Sunbeam class in Manhattan. I think it is an adorable picture, and it makes us miss all of our NY friends so much. Luckily, the church is the same everywhere, and there are many new friends to be made here.
November 19, 2010
Giving Thanks: Day 2
Family
My family is staying the night with us tonight on their way to Texas to visit Joe and Kym. They will only be here for 8 hours, mostly at night, but any time I am with my family, I am so happy. They have always been so generous to us, but the last few months they have gone above and beyond anything we could have ever asked for. We have been humbled by this move, and they have really stepped up to help us in our time of need. We are so grateful for them. We all love them and always enjoy their company.
I am so blessed to have a supportive, loving, generous, spiritual, and fun family.
My family is staying the night with us tonight on their way to Texas to visit Joe and Kym. They will only be here for 8 hours, mostly at night, but any time I am with my family, I am so happy. They have always been so generous to us, but the last few months they have gone above and beyond anything we could have ever asked for. We have been humbled by this move, and they have really stepped up to help us in our time of need. We are so grateful for them. We all love them and always enjoy their company.
As proof, here is the latest Christian says about my sister, Hannah:
Christian: "I love Auntie Hannah the most."
Mom: "Why is that?"
Christian: "She always looks the same."
Mom: (laughing) "What does that mean?"
Christian: "She always does her hair the same, and I like her hair."
Mom: "I love Hannah too."
Christian: "I like to call her H. Hannah is the coolest."I am so blessed to have a supportive, loving, generous, spiritual, and fun family.
November 18, 2010
A Week of Giving Thanks
I have been completely overwhelmed with thoughts of gratitude these last few months. It seems that every time I look around, I am hit with waves of emotion by something that I have to be grateful for. I think the increase of these feelings is associated with new surroundings and making a new life here. Big changes tend to bring about a big change of perspective, and I hope that I can continue to feel this way. With Thanksgiving now only a week away, I wanted to start writing every day what I am thankful for, little things and big. So here are 3 things I am grateful for today:
#1 Jonathon-- I have a fantastic husband who takes great care of our family. He loves me and loves our boys, and that is what we need most of all. I was reminded how much he means to me this week when he told me that he was hit by a car while riding his bike home from work. Luckily, the car was going slow and just barely sideswiped him as he was pulling up to a stop sign. He has a sore shoulder and sore elbow where he hit the back window, but other than that, he was completely fine. I was not completely fine, however, and was shaken by the incident. I said many prayers of thanks that the accident was not more serious. Jonathon means everything to me, and he is what I am most thankful for in my life.
#2 A washer/dryer-- This one seems quite silly after the serious nature of the previous one, but I am so thankful to have a washer and dryer today. Andrew threw up four times last night and this morning. It was such a help to me to be able to quickly do 2 loads of laundry in my own home and on my own schedule. Our New York days came swirling back in my mind, and I was ever so grateful that I didn't have to haul all that stinky laundry down 7 floors to the coin-operated laundry machines in the middle of the night. My rough night was made a little easier, and for that I am grateful.
#3 Exercise and Michelle O.-- One of the best things about moving to Utah has been being close to our good friends, Jared and Michelle. For the last month, Michelle and I have been able to swap babysitting while the other one goes to the gym. We do this 3 days a week, and I can't even explain what a difference it has made in my life. Having the opportunity to exercise and to have some "me time" has made me a happier person and a better mom. Our kids LOVE playing together, and we get plenty of time to chat between the comings and goings, so I think it has been good for everyone involved.
#1 Jonathon-- I have a fantastic husband who takes great care of our family. He loves me and loves our boys, and that is what we need most of all. I was reminded how much he means to me this week when he told me that he was hit by a car while riding his bike home from work. Luckily, the car was going slow and just barely sideswiped him as he was pulling up to a stop sign. He has a sore shoulder and sore elbow where he hit the back window, but other than that, he was completely fine. I was not completely fine, however, and was shaken by the incident. I said many prayers of thanks that the accident was not more serious. Jonathon means everything to me, and he is what I am most thankful for in my life.
#2 A washer/dryer-- This one seems quite silly after the serious nature of the previous one, but I am so thankful to have a washer and dryer today. Andrew threw up four times last night and this morning. It was such a help to me to be able to quickly do 2 loads of laundry in my own home and on my own schedule. Our New York days came swirling back in my mind, and I was ever so grateful that I didn't have to haul all that stinky laundry down 7 floors to the coin-operated laundry machines in the middle of the night. My rough night was made a little easier, and for that I am grateful.
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| Our cute, silly kids This picture pretty much sums up all of their personalities... Siena and Christian being silly (probably pretending to be something or other), Andrew mesmerized watching everything Christian does, and Turin sitting calmly and politely. |
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